Episode Title: ‘The Prince of Winterfell’
Written By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss
Directed By: Alan Taylor
Synopsis: Theon receives a visitor. Arya asks her third and last death from Jaqen. While Stannis’ army is reaching its destination, Davos is offered a reward.
The Verdict: I know I go on about him a lot, but isn’t Peter Dinklage fantastic? If you need further proof that he’s a bloody talented and brilliant genius after this week’s episode, then… well, you probably haven’t watched enough GAME OF THRONES.
This is Tyrion’s episode, through and through. As Stannis and his armada prepare to reach King’s Landing, the Hand of the King certainly has his work cut out for him, as does Mr Dinklage, who fires on all cylinders this week, delivering some top notch characterization and skill in his various scenes, which are most obviously written to let him show off just how versatile he is – there’s Tyrion & Cercei’s brilliantly menacing scene, there’s a scene between Tyrion & Shae which is beautifully sweet, and then there’s Tyrion’s exchange with Bronn this week, which is extremely funny (the relationship between these two is always excellent this season, and long may it continue).
OK, Dinklage worship over! Elsewhere this week, Stannis is back. His short scene this week is a brilliantly underplayed little gem with Davos, which establishes a lovely little friendship between the two, as well as being absolutely hilarious (Stannis’ line about Dogs did it for me). Arya’s story at Harrenhal is also one worth watching this week, not least because it takes a wonderful turn, but also because it hints at bigger things to come in Arya’s story. It also, like the scenes with Stannis and Tyrion this week, sports some fantastically funny dialogue, especially between Arya and Jaqen.
It’s not all great though. Theon Greyjoy and his annoying sister bicker for a bit (it’s hard to give a toss when both characters are so unlikeable); a captive Jon Snow wanders about a bit, wondering what to do; and worst of all, Daenerys’ story hits a massive brick wall, as this week’s script requires her to merely look through a window and argue with Jorah for a bit. Zzzzzzzzzz.
Overall though, whilst this week’s episode lacks pace in areas, the sparkling dialogue and the excellent performances more then make up for it. And after yet another great cliffhanger (with excellent music from Ramin Djawadi), I’m more then pumped for next week’s action packed epic!
Best Bit: Whilst this week was very Tyrion centric, I’m nominating the aforementioned scene between Stannis & Davos. I haven’t laughed so hard during an episode of GAME OF THRONES so much in a long time.
WTF: I’m sorry, I know she’s frightened for her children, but Catelyn Stark acts completely out of character this week, releasing Jaime! Seriously – what does she think this will achieve? This is the guy who pushed her son out of a tower way back in the pilot episode for Ned’s sake!
More Sex Please, we’re HBO: Poor Robb Stark. Your mother’s betrayed you and things look grim What are you going to do? Have a bit of a naked romp with Talisa, of course! Plenty of shots of bum and boob this week, obviously making up for the lack of said shots in previous episodes.
Star Performance: Peter Dinklage. Again. So sue me!
Best Line(s):
Tyrion: ‘I will hurt you for this. A day will come when you think you’re happy, and your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth. And you’ll know the debt is paid’.
Stay tuned for part nine of our GAME OF THRONES Series Blog next week.
GAMES OF THRONES can be seen on Sky Atlantic 9pm Tuesdays.
