Episode Title: ‘The Old Gods and the New’
Written By: Vanessa Taylor
Directed By: David Nutter
Synopsis: Princess Myrcella is sent away from King’s Landing. Theon Greyjoy’s plans succeed. Robb and Catelyn receive important news. At the Fist of the First Men, the ranger Qhorin Halfhand gives Jon Snow the opportunity to prove his worth.
The Verdict: GAME OF THRONES fires on all fronts this week with the best episode of the series so far – the stakes are raised higher then ever before, major characters and storylines take big left-field turns, and events lead towards what will hopefully be a thrilling series climax.
Theon’s treachery is a massive shock in that it’s such a sudden U-Turn and so cruelly violent. The atmospheric scenes of the young Greyjoy executing Ser Rodrick and Bran’s distress at the taking of Winterfell are beautifully played. And Greyjoy now looks set to be a contender along with Joffrey for the prize of most hated villain in the show!
The real treat on offer this week is the incredibly well directed riot scene in King’s Landing – the action sequences are huge, gory, violent, sickening and played by the actors involved at a pitch perfect level. The moment when a group of peasants literally tear a member of the King’s Guard to pieces is wonderfully OTT, and the Hound’s glorious rescue of Sansa from being beaten and raped is a real punch the air moment. And, as ever, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion gets to exercise his acting chops and deliver some really powerful lines in excellent fashion (plus he slaps Joffrey – always a bonus). The sense of doom hanging over events at King’s Landing looks set to take the current storylines in exciting new directions.
It’s an episode where every scene just works! The scenes of Robb’s outrage regarding the taking of Winterfell; Daenerys’ shocking discovery that her Dragons have been stolen by someone in Qarth; Tywin and Arya’s odd but sweet little surrogate father/daughter relationship – it’s all bloody marvelous this week.
By far the best episode of the season, and we’ve still got a way to go! If the remaining four episodes are anything like this one, we’re in for a treat!
Best Bit: The aforementioned King’s Landing Riot: wonderful writing, beautifully shot, excellent editing, great performances – a hard scene to top for sure.
More Sex Please, we’re HBO: Osha gets her kit off to seduce Greyjoy in order to escape the besieged Winterfell with Bran – Greyjoy’s libido will surely be the death of him!
Trivia: Director David Nutter has earned a name for himself in the US as ‘the pilot whisperer’ – the go-to-guy for directing television pilots. Nutter’s biggest credits include the pilot episodes for shows like DARK ANGEL, SMALLVILLE, SUPERNATURAL, WITHOUT A TRACE, and THE MENTALIST, amongst many others. It’s rather unusual to see him directing something that isn’t a pilot episode – but it’s also a very nice surprise.
LMAO: Jaqen’s sudden dispatch of Ser Amory at the request of Arya is so sudden and yet at the same time hilarious. The cherry on the cake is Charles Dance’s face when he realizes Amory’s been killed. Priceless.
WTF: Sorry, I know he’s an honorable old sort, but me thinks Jon Snow is going a tad mental – sparing the wildling Ygritte is possibly the most idiotic move anyone in that situation can make, and lo and behold, he makes it, causing himself no end of trouble for the next few Episodes to come. Honor be damned, he should have just cut her head off (never thought I’d catch myself saying that, let alone write it).
Star Performance: So many to choose from this week. But it has to be young Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark, who’s fantastic. His heart-breaking performance during the execution scene pretty much sees to it that the other, more seasoned actors have to work doubly hard to keep up with him.
Best Line(s):
Joffrey: ‘You’re talking to a King!!!’
TYRION SLAPS HIM
Tyrion: ‘And now I’ve struck a King!!!’
Stay tuned for part five of our GAME OF THRONES Series Blog next week.
GAMES OF THRONES can be seen on Sky Atlantic 9pm Tuesdays.
