Winter is Blogging 6.2: Home [Contains Spoilers]

Writers: Dave Hill

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa

Cast: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Gwendoline Christie, et al.

Synopsis: Bran trains with the Three-Eyed Raven; Jaime advises Tommen; Tyrion demands good news; at Castle Black, the Night’s Watch stands behind the throne; Ramsay Bolton proposes a plan; Balon Greyjoy entertains other proposals.

Welcome back to ‘Winter is Blogging!‘ Coming up this week on ‘The Real Housewives of Westeros,’ Cersei finally finds time to appreciate the view, Walda is found to be more of a cat person, and Melisandre – who has an on-off again relationship with the Lord of Light – has performance issues. Don’t worry Mel, we all do at some point. All joking aside, ‘Home’ is a palpable, intensely saturated with the unexpected, and arguably a restrained episode – albeit only somewhat – where tension thrives and grimaces are many. As per usual, let’s break it down and see what Podeswa had in store for us this week; in chronological order:

First off, we open to the Cave of the Three Eyed Raven, with the first semi-new character of the series. Lord Bloodraven himself, who has been recast since last season, is now played by Max von Sydow – Previously Struan Rodger. It’s also about time that Bran and Hodor re-enter the fray. Next up, we see both Lord Bloodraven and Bran in a clairvoyant state, and with it, we see young Eddard, Benjen and Lyanna Stark. As the scene plays out, we discover the identity of an equally young Hodor, learning his name to be Wyllis – which may indicate that Bran may very well be in one of Hodor’s own memories as opposed to a generic fragment of his father’s past. Hopefully future episodes in the season will clarify the extent of his clairvoyant abilities.

It’s only when we see Bran’s reaction to being removed from the dream-state that we remember he is paralysed, and his desire to stay within this fragment of the past prompts Lord Bloodraven to urge him to be careful not to ‘drown.’  There is an air of hopelessness about Bran. As he lay on the floor, unable to navigate his self around the physical world, nor remain in the dream-state unaccompanied, the focus shifts to Meera outside. She’s sitting bleakly in the snow, questioning her place with Bran, and his at the Cave of the Three Eyed Raven. It is only with Leaf, the Child of the Forest reassuring Meera of her place and how Bran will come to depend on her that she gains some comfort. This part of the episodes begs many questions – What happened to Hodor? Will we see him talk again? Is Bran really an Animorph? And most importantly, why doesn’t Lord Bloodraven go all Hitchcock on Westeros and rule it with his raven army? The usual.

As evening falls upon the Night’s Watch, Ser Aliser fulfils his promise as he and his loyalists attempt to breach Ser Davos’ chambers and slay those closest to Jon Snow. Here, everything we had hoped would happen comes to pass. The gates of Castle Black are rammed down by Wun Wun – the Wildling giant – who stands in the front lines of the small Wildling army, led by the fearless Tormund. One of the more violent highlights of the episode is seen here, as Wun Wun grabs a loyalist by his legs and smashes him, head first into a nearby wall. (Kill count – 1) Outnumbered, Ser Aliser and his men lay down arms after Tormund essentially slices one of them into pieces, (Kill count – 2) and in an ironic twist of fate, the loyalists are thrown in their own cells – the real traitors forced to live out their days as criminals and to live with the knowledge of what they’ve done… For now.

However, I’m frankly disappointed at the fact that Melisandre didn’t go all Dumbledore a la Half-Blood Prince on the Night’s Watch loyalists. Ser Davos did seem to imply that she could take all forty men with ease last week. Regardless, Melisandre has her chance to shine later in the episode, for more info – skip to the end of the article.

Meanwhile, in the sunny coastal city of King’s Landing, the true star of Game of Thrones makes his début appearance. And by true star, I’m referring to the seemingly well-hung peasant who apparently acquired the lustful gaze of Queen Cersei… emphasis on apparently. What I find absolutely fantastic about this skit of a scene is that we all know someone like this, mindlessly embellishing stories or flat-out telling lies to impress his or her friends. This mythical creature of a man, a rarity, did not appear to have a name, and thus we shall deem him – as much as it pains me to – ‘The One True Banter Lord of Westeros,’ may he rest in pieces. Oh, that’s right, Cersei’s own Frankenstein’s Monster didn’t seem to take too kindly to him spitting shade about her to his buddies – so zombie Clegane face-palmed him into a wall. (Kill count – 3)

The gruesome hilarity of this situation however, is excellently juxtaposed in the next. The the tone of the episode takes a dive in respect for Myrcella’s funeral in the Great Sept of Baelor, before the High Sparrow rudely makes his presence known. This is perhaps one of the most interesting scenes in the episode, that forces us to really consider the motivations of the High Sparrow and the Faith Militant. Jaime makes an excellent point in that it is only his sister that is punished, despite him also sinning. The implication is that the Faith Militant seem to prioritise the sins of Westerosi women over its men. Why? Shortly after, the High Sparrow urges Jaime to kill him, noting that it would make no difference, that the anonymity and the lack of worldly connections the members of the Faith Militant possess bestow them with the power to overthrow empires. King Tommen promptly reaches out to Cersei and asks him to help her stop the Faith Militant. This is going to get interesting.

Daenerys is still missing – we didn’t think that would change in the matter of an episode, but it’s important nonetheless. Because of this, we continue to see how Meereen develops in her absence, and after the Sons of the Harpy attack on the harbour, Tyrion and Varys grow wary of what lies ahead. It’s nice to see the likes of Grey Worm and Messandei again, though if not a tad underused so far this season (I can’t force any blame however, it is only the second episode). Tyrion and Varys learn that Yunkai and Astapor have been reclaimed by the masters and slowly, we start to see all the work Daenerys has done to better the lives of the slaves unravel before our very eyes.

As Tyrion realises that Meereen is the only free city left in Slaver’s Bay, and that the masters will also come to reclaim it, he is struck with either an incredibly foolish, or incredibly brave notion; free the dragons and they will protect us. It’s here that we gain some adorable insight into Tyrion’s childhood, where he wishes for a dragon for his birthday – even if it’s dwarfish. He unshackles the dragons and they descend into the depths of the dungeon.

First of all, am I the only one that would love to see a buddy-cop comedy with Varys and Tyrion riding dragons everywhere and making jokes at each other’s… physical attributes? Get on it, HBO. I’ll take 20% of the profits. The real question becomes; who’s the bad cop?

Arya has to knowingly fight Waif once again, and unsurprisingly, is defeated once more – it really is rather painful to watch. However, this week sees a surprise appearance from the one, the only – the teacher of all, the master of blinding, Jaqen H’ghar himself. In true Jaqen fashion, he performs his ol’ ‘riddle me this’ routine and offers Arya – or should we call her ‘The Nameless One?’ or ‘She who Must Not Be Named?’ – shelter, food and her sight if she would simply say her name. Realising it to be a test, she declines. Jaqen decides she is ready to progress and together, they roam freely out from the Braavosian back-alleys.

I do hope, however, that Arya’s training continues and she later goes on to don a mask representative of the moral conflict she feels and goes forth to fight the criminals in the seedy underbelly of Westeros. I really can’t shake that Daredevil image.

Now what can I say about the North. Seven hells, it all kicks off in the North this week. We see the arrival of Lord Harald Karstark, who – having discovered the trail of death that Brienne left behind after rescuing Sansa Stark – reports to Roose. Being completely unaware of Jon’s death at the end of season five, Ramsay correctly assumes that Sansa would head to Castle Black to seek the protection of her brother and Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, Jon Snow – who must surely be edging closer to turning into a white walker with each second. Showing just how arrogant he is, Ramsay suggests storming Castle Black from the unguarded south and killing the men of the Night’s Watch. Roose (also correctly) points out that doing so would turn the entire North against them and would quickly see that they be eliminated from the political landscape. Frankly, I wouldn’t want anyone to kill the only people standing between me and a world of wildlings, giants, ice zombies and the cold, bitter death that the far North would bring either, Roose.

It’s here that Maester Wolkan enters the chamber declaring that Walda Frey has in fact given birth to a son, and by all accounts this newborn would be entitled to the throne over Ramsay when Roose enters the next life. What seems to be another genuine bout of emotion from Ramsay quickly turns out to be a symptom of a sudden, underlying case of ‘surprise death.’ That’s right, Ramsay just grabs a knife and kills his father. (Kill count – 4) No mess, no fuss. Well, there was mess, but nobody seemed to do anything about it. Looks like Jr. rules the roost now. Well, he would if there weren’t a newborn heir down the road. Luring Walda and her baby out into the kennels, Podeswa gives the episode a much-needed dose of restraint as Ramsay releases the hounds on them both, where they are both – presumably – very graphically, and audibly, mauled to death. (Kill count – 6)

And last but not least, in the forests to the North, Brienne, Podrick, Theon and Sansa set-up camp, or at least try to in bittering conditions. Sansa learns of Ayra’s most recent whereabouts, which according to Brienne was last in the Riverlands, and notes how she was dressed like no lady before her. It brings a smile to Sansa’s face, knowing that her sister may still be alive and well – if only you knew, Sansa. If only you knew. Theon decides what his future holds for him, and it is not the protection of Jon Snow, nor that of the Night’s Watch – and asking for a horse, he convinces Sansa to let him leave. She asks him where he might go, and Theon simply replies: ‘Home’ – there it is folks, the name of the episode, someone said it. We can turn it off now.

Except, I’d urge you not to. Because we’re not done yet.

Now that Theon has decided to head on back to the wet and wonderful ‘Water-world’ a.k.a. Pyke, it’s only fair that we see what father, Balon, and sister, Yara are getting up to. Evidently, they’re trying to secure and fortify their armies on-land and are having great difficulty – now that the Ironborn men and their armies have all been defeated. That much was obvious. Yara, realising that her father’s continued attempts at becoming a force of reckoning on land are futile, begs him to end the war with the armies of the North, but he refuses and vows to stage yet another invasion.

You know what they say, when one family feud ends, another begins, or if they don’t say that, they probably will after seeing this episode. Balon storms off into… the storm outside, and a mysterious stranger appears on the bridge before him. Cue yet another brand new character to the current on-screen Game of Thrones universe, this hooded man of mystery is none other than Euron Greyjoy, (Pilou Asbæk) Balon’s brother. They exchange quips and insults, but soon things turn south after Euron gives an incredibly chilling, ominous speech about actually being the Drowned God and the one and only storm. Balon, insulted by Euron’s petulance and his mockery of the Drowned God rushes to stab him, but is thrown into the depths below. (Kill count – 7)

I, for one, actually hope that Euron has been imbued with the powers of the Drowned God. Aside from Melisandre acting as an avatar for the Lord of Light, we’ve not had a powerhouse character quite like the one I’m imagining, who would really turn things around for House Greyjoy.

Finally:

As this week’s episode closes to an end, and similarly this coverage, we are transported once again back to The Wall. Ser Davos enters the chamber of Melisandre, who – in her younger, more common form – stares into the fire before her, very much contemplating her worth in the eyes of the Lord of Light. Ser Davos may as well become the audience as the scene plays out, asking her whether there’s anything she can do to resurrect Jon. Remembering her brief time with Thoros of Myr, she cleanses the wounds of Jon’s body and performs a ritual that gives rise her brand new business-venture ‘Melisandre’s Barbers.’ Her ritual seemingly fails, defeated and most assuredly unsure of her beliefs, she leaves – as does Davos, Edd and Tormund. As they close the door behind them, Ghost stirs besides Jon’s body and finally, we have our answer… He’s alive.

‘Home’ certainly had its prominent qualities; it’s tense, deliciously comedic, and touching at times. However, its quick decisions to cleanse the palette of older characters, without showing a shred of sincerity in favour of further emphasising the shift – and preference – in political landscape may leave viewers feelings shocked and ultimately – apathetic to the newly deceased. Yes, these characters have likely served their purpose, and quick, emotionless goodbyes are all too common in this series which aid the harsh reality of the motto – in the game of thrones, you win, or you die. Sometimes guys, you win and die.

We want to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to discuss with us, and enjoy the seven sleeps between this episode and the next but remember, the night is dark and full of terrors. Until next time.

Game Of Thrones airs on HBO in North America, and Sky Atlantic in the UK and Ireland.