“The Sons of the Harpy” was overall a good episode. It was intense and full of action. Here are the highlights and the stuff that I did not like.
The Arming of the Faith Militant
Cersei decides to arm the Faith Militant, and everywhere the Sparrows are getting their foreheads carved with the seven-pointed star. This is reminiscent of the Andal expansion into Westeros in which the Andal warriors who defeated the kingdoms of the First Men had their foreheads carved with the seven-pointed star. The viewer learns that the Targaryens disbanded the Faith Militant since the teachings and preachings of the Faith of the Seven go against some Valyrian customs such as polygamy and incest. Cersei’s actions lead to the Sparrows vandalizing wine casks, an action reminiscent of the High Sparrow refusing wine and commenting of not being able to serve the Seven when the mind is not clear. The Sparrows also infiltrate Littlefinger’s brothel and imprison the prostitutes. It is not clear what they actually do to the brothel’s customers. It looks like Loras’ lover was able to escape. However, Loras is captured for “breaking the laws of gods and men,” or most likely for having same-sex preferences. This event brings back the scene in Episode 501 in which Margaery tells Loras to be less visible in his sexual preferences, and his reply was that everybody knows everything at the Red Keep.
Margaery is left unprotected
Her brother is imprisoned and her father, the Master of Coin, is sent to deal with the Iron Bank of Braavos. It is interesting to see Qyburn’s look of satisfaction in his face when this last event is announced. Did Qyburn suggest Cersei to take this course of action? It makes me wonder whether Cersei was planning to leave Margaery without any protection or agency and whether Qyburn is her accomplice on this. Lord Tyrell is leaving with Ser Meryn Trant whom I believe will be killed by Arya. However, it is possible that Cersei gave instructions to Ser Meryn to kill Lord Tyrell.
Margaery realizes that her position is not good and that Cersei is taking revenge against her for controlling Tommen. She does not hesitate to tell Tommen how she feels and he realizes that his wife and mother do not get along. He tries to please his wife. When he questions Cersei, she tells him she does not hold Loras but the High Sparrow. Tommen then goes to deal with the High Sparrow without success. He is able to avoid confrontation between the Kingsguard and the Faith Militant realizing that he was putting himself in danger if he opted to challenge the Sparrows. I feel bad for him because he is a nice boy and was played by his mother and wife. Furthermore, the comments made about him were offensive even when they are the truth: “bastard,” “abomination,” and “born of sin.” In taking action against the Tyrells, Cersei has made her son look weak in front of the population of King’s Landing.
Different Opinions of Rhaegar Targaryen
The first opinion of Rhaegar is given by Sansa. The story of the Tourney at Harrenhal is given by Littlefinger. Overall I love the fact that finally the backstory is introduced. However, I do not like the fact that Littlefinger is the one telling it. In the story, Rhaegar is depicted as a handsome prince but not as a good husband. After winning the tourney, he crowns Lyanna as the Queen of Love and Beauty instead of his wife. Of course everybody was not pleased about this. However, for people who are not familiar with the books, there are things that are still unsaid at this stage such as the reason why Rhaegar did that. The information of Rhaegar kidnapping and raping Lyanna Stark is just simply what the Baratheon dynasty promoted after winning the rebellion. It is interesting to note that Littlefinger opted not to say anything else about this matter after hearing Sansa’s version (or Robert Baratheon’s version) of events. Basically not everybody agrees with this version. What Sansa knows is just the accepted general version of events since her father never talked about her aunt. Another interesting aspect of this scene is that Littlefinger has done everything that Rhaegar supposedly did to Lyanna with the exception of rape (at least not yet).
In Mereen Barristan Selmy provides the viewer with a different description of Rhaegar. He used to disguise himself as a minstrel and collect money for the poor. Furthermore, Barristan mentions that Rhaegar was not a violent man. When it comes to information about Rhaegar, who should be trusted? The white knight with a honourable reputation or the womanizing, violent drunkard?
Associated with this sudden release of information about Rhaegar is a comment made by Stannis. He simply does not believe that Ned Stark fathered a bastard with a tavern wench.
Littlefinger’s Plan
In his conversation with Sansa, Littlefinger reveals that his plan is to wait for Stannis to take the Boltons down. Then Stannis will make Sansa the Warden of the North. He is confident about this and thinks that he is a better candidate for the Northern houses that want to take revenge against the Lannister regime. Stannis is also well-known for his abilities as a commander. Of course, there is a possibility of Stannis failing. In this case, Littlefinger suggests Sansa to use Ramsay for her own purposes to keep herself protected from Roose, a dangerous man. Basically Littlefinger is using Sansa as a bait for the North to rise against the Boltons. When he gets back to King’s Landing, he will most likely reveal that the Boltons are hiding Sansa. Does Littlefinger care about Sansa? It does not look he does.
The Issue with Sansa’s Marriage
It seems that the TV show has opted to keep things simple: An annulment for the marriage between Tyrion and Sansa is not required since it was not consummated. In the books, Sansa cannot marry again since Tyrion is alive and she has to remain hidden. An annulment is also required but due to her condition as being accused of murdering Joffrey she cannot request it. As a result, Littlefinger cannot move forward with his plans.
The Scene between Shireen and Stannis
I really love their interaction in this episode, especially when Shireen asks him whether he is ashamed of her. He mentions how he did everything – getting maesters and healers – to cure her from greyscale. Basically Stannis is proud and happy of having her regardless of her physical looks or sex. His wife, Selyse, should really learn from him. The viewer is also given a hint in this scene about where the stone men live – the ruins of Valyria, as opposed to the ruined Rhoynish city of Chroyanne. In the books Valyria is just an inhospitable place inhabited by demons.
In regards to Shireen, there are two theories about her fate. The most popular one is the one in which she will be sacrificed by Melisandre because of her king’s blood. There was a reference to it in the TV show in which Melisandre mentions that she carries the blood of her father. It is likely that Stannis will never sacrifice his daughter. However, Selyse is not happy with Shireen. Another theory is that Shireen might end up as Jon Snow’s wife. I might expand this theory a little bit more in subsequent posts. There is also a reference to this theory in the show: the scene in which Jon is fighting and Shireen is watching with a certain fascination.
Jon at the Wall
I love the scene in which Jon does not want to sign a letter directed to Roose Bolton. It shows that Jon is still attached to his old family. It seems that he does not follow his Night’s Watch vows strictly. Melisandre also tries to convince him to march with Stannis. She tries to seduce Jon who eventually turns her down. Melisandre gives Jon a little speech concerning different powers. Is she aware of Jon’s warging abilities? However, she does mention that the Lord of Light gives the power to cast shadows. Obviously she wants to have a shadow baby with Jon. The role of this new shadow baby would be to kill the Boltons. I guess this is the main reason why she wanted him to come.
Jaime and Bronn Aboard the Ship
In this scene it is obvious that Bronn suspects that Jaime is actually Myrcella’s father (your niece?). The dialogue also leads to Jaime’s true feelings about his brother killing his father. He wants to kill him. In the books, after Tyrion is freed by Jaime, the brothers do not leave each other in good terms. It has been speculated that Tyrion might repay the debt back to Jaime. Danaerys might get hold of Jaime, and she might want to put him on a trial for killing her father. This event might be the chance for Tyrion to free his brother and make peace with him.
Events at Essos: The Sons of the Harpy organize an ambush which results in Barristan’s death. Of course I dislike the fact that he is exiting the TV show earlier than in the books. Basically he has not died in the books yet but he is foreshadowed to be killed in battle by Victarion Greyjoy – a character that has been cut off by the TV show. Barristan is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the Targaryens. It is unfortunate that Danaerys would not be able to get more information about her background from him. Tyrion recognizes that his captor is Jorah Mormont. His big mouth earned him a smack from Jorah. I guess both characters will make it to the ruins of Valyria, and it is likely for them to contract greyscale.
Dorne: The writing is all focused on Ellaria and the Sand Snakes looking to avenge Oberyn. The acting is great but I do not like how the characters are written. I simply do not like Obara killing the ship captain who told her that he smuggled Jaime Lannister in. Why did she kill him when he provided her with important information? Furthermore, I doubt that the Sand Snakes will be fleshed out. The writers / producers should have kept Arianne Martell. The Sand Snakes are just secondary characters.
In the books, the plot line evolved differently. The Sand Snakes are incarcerated under the orders of Doran since they wanted to start a war with the Lannisters to avenge Oberyn but also the deaths of their aunt, Elia, and her children. The plot line is told from Arianne Martell’s point of view. However, the TV show opted to write off Arianne to the dismay of many book readers (she is simply “hot”). Arianne’s plan is to crown Myrcella Baratheon as the Queen of Westeros. In this way, her younger brother, Trystane who is bethrothed to Myrcella would rule Westeros with his wife. It is basically a plan that fails and leads to chaos. What the show is lacking so far is this portrayal of the main Dornish house as players. Arianne is a player but not a good one. I guess the main player will be Doran in the TV show and I cannot wait to see that.
In regards to Jaime being in Dorne, I am already missing the scene in which he meets the Blackfish in A Feast for Crows. The fighting scene with the Dornish soldiers is interesting to watch. However, I still question myself (as Bronn does) the reason for Jaime leaving King’s Landing when Cersei and Tommen really need him. He even mentioned in the first episode of this season that they have many enemies and that they all wanted to ensure that Tywin was dead.
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