Sometimes all it takes is a wonderfully executed line to sum up the entirety of an episode of Game of Thrones. “Chaos isn't a pit... Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail, never get to try again. The fall breaks them. Some are given a chance to climb, but they refuse. They cling to the realm, or the gods, or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is.” Thanks to Littlefinger's monologue, we have a fitting analogy for this week’s
episode, one in which each character faces a metaphorical or physical climb of their own, all amidst top cinematography and visual effects.
“Chaos” is most definitely a word to sum up our favourite
seven kingdoms at the moment, particularly the relationships within it. Arya’s
trust of the Brotherhood without Banners is immediately thwarted at the
appearance of Melisandre. The Red Priestess meets the Brotherhood in the forest
and bargains with Thoros of Myr to obtain Gendry – to us, Arya's companion, but to them, a valuable young man possessing
worth for pleasing the Lord of the Light. He is Robert’s bastard son and like
many before him, faces a firey death as Melisandre’s ‘offering’. Thoros accepts
the money and sends Gendry away, much to Arya’s protest. It’s a sequence which
pulls at the heart strings, not only because Gendry (Arya’s object of
affection, whether she realises it or not) is taken, but because the mixed
emotions written across Arya’s face are so abundantly clear of her ‘coming of
age’. She is growing up, but focusing too hard on shooting "face, tits and
balls" to realise it.
Speaking of untrustworthy relationships – remember the ‘saviour’
of Theon Greyjoy? Who aided his escape from the torture chamber only to bring him
right back to it? He’s now turned into a giant, twisted arsehole playing the most sadistic guessing game ever. Back on his cross in the torture chamber, Theon has to guess who his tormentor his - if he guesses correctly he 'wins'. Worst game ever. A few screams and half a finger later, there appear to be no definitive answers. You can’t help but feel, however, that the tormentor holds far more relevance as a character than we currently realise. Altogether it’s the episode’s
most dark and gruesome sequence, held well by Iwan Rheon’s crazed and
toying performance.
Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth feature lightly this
week, but still continue to prove that their pairing is a work of genius.
Placing Brienne in a pink robe was a brilliant but subtle feature of comedic
incongruity, as was Jaime’s persistent attempt at cutting some tough meat with
one hand. It’s a shame that this light-hearted sequence full of chemistry was immediately
brought to a halt then, when it was revealed that Jaime would return to King’s
Landing but Brienne would not follow. Our favourite duo is under threat.
Bran and Rickon Stark are still on their journey to the Wall
along with their trusty (but bickering) supervisors. Whilst resting, Jojen Reed
has another vision causing him to have a seizure. This frightens the others, but
not as much as the news Jojen brings them from said vision. He declares he saw
Jon Snow, but on the wrong side of the Wall surrounded by enemies. These are
not enemies of course, but Wildlings, all of whom, including Jon Snow, embark on
a huge 400ft climb up the Wall. Before the fatal climb Ygritte has a
word with Jon regarding their commitment to one another. She knows Jon is not
totally ready to leave the Night’s Watch but doesn't care, as long as he doesn't betray her. They’re the Romeo and Juliet of Westeros but with less poetic
romanticism – “I’ll cut your pretty little cock off and wear it around me neck”
she threatens, in case his loyalties do decide to stray. Evidently they don’t
however, as after a nasty rope-cutting move from a fellow Wilding mid-climb, Jon saves the day and both reach the top of the wall. Queue
romantic embrace and beautiful scenery. Sound cheesy? It’s not and actually
forms a welcomed moment that paradoxes the intense climbing sequences
preceeding it - they reached the top of their ladder.
The entirety of this sequence would be nothing however,
without the sterling visual effects that were implemented. Credit is due to the
location scouts for finding the most beautiful scenery and to the visual
effects team for enforcing that extra bit of impact. It most definitely
had a Lord of the Rings feel to it which I write as a means of utmost praise.
In keeping with stand-out images, another
impressive set design this week accompanied Robb Stark and co’s meeting with
the Walder Frey’s. The use of natural lighting and shot construction in a superfluous room made a simple
sequence so incredibly picturesque. As a means of making amends for Robb’s
failure to keep a promise, it was decided that Catelyn Stark’s brother, Edmure
Tully, had to marry one of the Walder Frey daughters instead. Despite his
protest, it was finally agreed upon.
Speaking of marriages, but of course only the arranged and
loveless kind (this is Game of Thrones after all) we land at the hub of said
institution, King’s Landing. In a brilliant, and I mean brilliant, scene,
Olenna Tyrell and Tywin Lannister meet to discuss the arranged marriage between
Cersei and Loras. Both compete in knowledge, wit and taboo pitting Loras’s
homosexuality against Cersei’s incestual shenanigans as a means of taking a dig at
one another. Yet it is done in the most composed manner, arguing a strong case for the best moment
of character discourse this series has had to offer. All is cut short though, when Tywin reveals his upper hand. If Loras and Cersei do not marry,
Tywin will make Loras a knight of the Kingsguard which will renounce all Tyrell
rights to inheritance and marriage. Olenna, therefore, reluctantly accepts the engagement
and Tyrion has the awkward and unfortunate task of breaking the news to Sansa, who
had her hopes on marrying the Tyrell boy. Unfortunately we do not get to
see this sequence, leading to my only qualm of this episode. It is slightly bizarre that they would miss out what would be such an emotive
sequence. One can only hope it will still surface. Flashback perhaps?
Cersei and Tyrion have a somewhat heart-to-heart as each
discuss their impending marriages. Tyrion uses this as another opportunity to
get to the bottom of his attempted assassination at the Blackwater Battle. Cersei
reveals that it was in fact Joffrey who ordered Tyrion's murder, but not to worry because as long as Tywin
is Hand of the King his life is not in danger. When it comes to Joffrey however, we should worry as we are
reminded again this week of just how nasty the wrongful king is.
In a crescendo of discourse, well accompanied by a revelatory score, Littlefinger leeringly declares his success in foiling Lord Varys' plans of wedding Loras and Sansa. He also reveals his discovery of Ros (Varys' accomplice), who has resultantly been handed over to Joffrey - queue intermittent shot of an impaled Ros tied to the bed. Joffrey sits opposite, holding a bow and arrow, sneering. It's a shocking reminder of his cruelty and capabilities, in addition to Littlefinger's sadistic and vengeful ambition to reach the top of his 'ladder'.
It was a slow build this week but the pay off arrives in visual fervor and dramatic conclusion. Beautiful imagery and visual effects truly make the Wall something to behold, as does the meeting of two power houses; Tyrell and Lannister. Thematically it's all about the climb, as each character attempts to reach the top of their own personal ladder, but is brought down a rung or two by betrayal, heart break and well... torture. Whilst there are beacons of hope, in the likes of Jon Snow and Ygritte or even Samwell Tarly singing to Gilly by the fire, its longevity is not of great promise. Theon's tormentor forebodingly states, "If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention". He's right, with only four episodes left to go, chaos is increasingly at large and as it stands there are no happy endings for our protagonists, no matter how far they climb.
What were your thoughts on this week's episode? Post a comment!
Amazing Blog !!
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