Episode Title: ‘The Night’ Lands’
Written By: David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
Directed By: Alan Taylor
Synopsis: Returning to his home of Pyke after nine years as the Starks’ ward, Theon Greyjoy is reunited with his sister Yara and his father Balon, who despises Theon for his Southern ways and intends to win back his crown by force. Cersei rejects Robb Stark’s terms, whilst on the road to the Wall, Arya reveals her true identity to Gendry.
The Verdict: Last week on GAME OF THRONES: Daenerys sent some blokes away on horses! This week on GAME OF THRONES: The horses come back! Exciting stuff. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!
OK, I know Daenerys’ storyline will eventually kick into gear. EVENTUALLY! But for the time being, her scenes this series (all two of them!) have been short and rather sleep inducing. A damn shame, since we know from Season One that Emilia Clarke and Iain Glen are absolute dynamite when given great material. Or any material for that matter! Oh well, maybe things will improve next week.
Despite that little niggle though, everything else on offer this time round is pure televisual gold. The seeds of Arya and Gendry’s friendship are sown in a collection of fun and humorous scenes between Maisie Williams and Joe Dempsie, whilst Jon Snow’s late night investigation into what exactly Craster does with his newborn male offspring throws up plenty of questions to puzzle over (and also results in another cracking cliffhanger).
However, it’s Alfie Allen’s scenes as Theon Greyjoy that sparkle the most this week. Up till now Theon’s been portayed as a bit of pathetic loser. Now he’s a loveable pathetic loser. The scenes between him and his loveless father (played with wonderful contempt by Patrick Malahide) are heartbreaking to watch, and for the first time ever, I found myself actually rooting for Theon! Here’s hoping this continues – it would be a shame for him to revert back to his moany, mopey Season One-self again.
Best Bit: Cercei being an uber-bitch when discussing ‘jokes’ with Tyrion – a fantastic ‘boo-hiss’ moment, resulting in a very heartbreaking little scene that’s played to perfection by Lena Heady and Peter Dinklage.
It’s Wossiname: It’s former SKINS’ star Hannah Murray as Craster’s ‘wife’ Gilly, in case you were wondering.
More Sex Please, we’re HBO: Greyjoy gets up to some naughty business on a boat with the captain’s daughter, before groping his sister on a horse (don’t ask)! Plus Stannis and Melisandre get down with it on top of his war-planning table. There’s also some brothel action in there somewhere as well. Just in case you miss it!
Star Performance: As ever, there’s so many to choose from, but this week the clear winner is Alfie Allen as Greyjoy, who gives a lovely, layered performance, whilst at the same time finally getting some material that doesn’t involve him acting like he’s god’s gift.
Predictions: Next Week on GAME OF THRONES: Daenerys pats a horse on the head (hopefully a bit more will happen as well)!
Best Line(s):
Tyrion: ‘I’m not questioning your honor, I’m denying its existence.’
GAMES OF THRONES can be seen on Sky Atlantic 9pm Tuesdays.
