Game of Thrones Series Blog 3.4: And Now His Watch Is Ended (Contains Spoilers)

Written By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss

Directed By: Alex Graves

Synopsis: Theon and his accomplice continue their escape; Daenerys pays the price for her army; Varys tries to broker a deal with Olenna Tyrell regarding Sansa, as does Margaery; the Night’s Watch survivors reach breaking point.

The Verdict: Last week’s epic cliffhanger has kicked things into gear big time, as this week’s episode clearly shows. The character introductions are done (for now at least) and the plots are really starting to get rolling.

Once again, it’s Jaime and Brienne’s storyline that has the most pull this week, especially after last week’s big revelation. Losing his sword hand has made Jaime that little bit more sympathetic, and the moment where Vargo Hoat kicks him around the mud and makes him drink piss is incredibly grim. He may have lost his hand, but Jaime’s clearly gaining a conscience as well, something the character has clearly needed for some time (just look at Jaime’s telling glance when Brienne asks him why he saved her – it’s there as plain as day). It’s a great moment of character development for a character that, up till now, has been nothing but morally questionable.

The return of Varys properly this week is cause for celebration (last week doesn’t count, since he barely said anything), not least because of actor Conleth Hill, who relishes each and every line and delivering them with gusto. His scenes with Diana Rigg as Olenna are excellent, full of great witty banter as well as political backstabbing, something the King’s Landing scenes have been sorely lacking so far this season. The scene where Varys reveals to Tyrion his origins is also an excellent addition, revealing to us that despite his good humor, Varys is more dangerous then those with the swords.

There’s some lovely stuff this week with Alfie Allen as Theon (his outpouring of guilt over everything he’s done to the Starks and the orphans is beautifully summed up in one sweet and heartbreaking line (see below)), whilst the excellent and cruel reveal that his escape attempt is nothing but a ruse is a great surprise, wonderfully summed up by Iwan Rheon’s cruel smile! Urgh, gives me shivers, that’s for sure!

Yet the scenes that really benefit from a kick to the backside are those of the Night’s Watch. Things finally reach boiling point, leading to murder, rebellion and the death of Lord Commander Mormont (so long James Cosmo, you were excellent in the part). The scene where things kick off are chock full of tension, right up until Craster’s grizzly death, wherein things get bloody (which is when GAME OF THRONES is in it’s element)!

The shake up of the status quo this week is nothing short of fantatic. AND NOW HIS WATCH IS ENDED is a great, tension packed episode where not a scene or actor is wasted.  If the rest of the season keeps this up, that’ll be grand!

Best Bit: It’s a hard pick this week, but the final moments of the episode, with Dany destroying the slave traders of Astapor with the aid of her newly acquired army of Unsullied (and a Dragon to boot) is stirring stuff, and a real punch the air moment. Great effects and excellent direction here, especially in that lovely final aerial shot, whilst Emilia Clarke is on top form as ever!

Did You Spot? The scene with Cersei and Tywin begins exactly like the scene between Tyrion and Tywin in episode one, with Tywin ignoring her whilst he scribbles in silence.  A nice touch, mister director.

It’s Wossiname: Irish actor Richard Dormer, star of the very excellent GOOD VIBRATIONS, plays Beric Dondarrion.  The part was played very briefly in season one by another actor, David Michael Scott.

Best Line(s): Theon: “My real father lost his head at King’s Landing”.

Game of Thrones returns next Monday on Sky Atlantic, as does THN’s Game of Thrones Blog!