Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Discussing Game of Thrones: The Ghost of Harrenhal

* Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen “The Ghost of Harrenhal.”

The Shadow Baby Strikes!

At Renly's camp, Catelyn swears to him that Robb doesn't want the Iron Throne. In return for Robb's loyalty, Renly will destroy Stannis's army then join with Robb's to crush the Lannisters. Catelyn urges Renly to make peace with Stannis instead. At this point the shadow baby (well, shadow man, really) enters the tent and kills Renly. Brienne is overcome with grief, and the guards who rush into the tent think she killed their king. She cuts them down and flees with Catelyn. As Stannis's ships head for the camp, Margaery tells Loras they need to return home to Highgarden. Loras wants to kill Stannis, but Littlefinger, who's still there like a rash that just won't go away, tells him to be smart, get out, and avenge Renly another day. Loras agrees and exits to ready the horses; alone with Littlefinger, Margaery admits her ambition to be THE Queen.

Wildfire

News of Renly's death has arrived in King's Landing. Cersei isn't alarmed by Stannis's impending assault. Joffrey is personally overseeing the siege preparations but Cersei won't share the specifics with Tyrion, so he gets the truth out of Lancel: Cersei has commissioned the Alchemists' Guild to make wildfire.

Let's Talk About That Shadow Baby

Or not. Stannis prefers not. He got most of Renly's troops to flock to his side except for the Tyrells, of course. Davos asks Stannis not to take Melisandre to King's Landing, and in a rare concession from the latter, he agrees. Davos is going to lead Stannis's fleet of ships to Blackwater Bay.

The Sailing Theme Continues

Theon is ready to set sail on his raiding mission, but his crew doesn't respect him at all. Dagmer Cleftjaw gets the wheels in his brain spinning, though, and Theon comes up with an even better plan than pillaging fishing villages. If he takes Winterfell, no one will ever question his authority or his loyalty to the Ironborn again.

Anyone Can Be Killed

Tywin admits that the Lannisters have underestimated Robb as Arya overhears everything. Tywin gets her to admit she's a Northerner. When she goes outside to fetch water, she meets Jaqen H'ghar, now posing as a Lannister soldier. He says he owes her three kills for saving him, Rorge, and Biter from their fiery prison. Arya's first name is the Tickler, who's been torturing the Harrenhal prisoners.

The Halfhand

The Night's Watch has reached the Fist of the First Men. Sam is impressed by the history; Dolorous Edd is not. The horn blasts once, signaling the approaching return of Qorin Halfhand, one of the Watch's best rangers.

That's a Lot of Wildfire

Tyrion meets with Hallyne the Pyromancer and sees the wildfire inventory for himself; there are almost 8,000 pots ready. Tyrion orders him to stop making wildfire for his sister and to start making it for him.

Qarth: Better Than Roaming Around in the Desert Any Day

Daenerys, Irri, and Doreah all look more refreshed and hydrated than when we last saw them. Daenerys mingles among the citizens of Qarth and runs into the creepy warlock Pyat Pree. This dude is seriously creepy looking.

Brienne's Vow

During a stop in their travels, Brienne swears to Catelyn that the shadow that killed Renly looked like Stannis, and she additionally swears vengeance against Stannis. Catelyn plans to inform Robb of what she's seen and then return to Winterfell. Brienne pledges her service to Catelyn.

War Reaches the North

Bran is listening to petitioners again as Rickon cracks walnuts on the table. Ser Rodrik runs in with news that Torrhen's Square is under attack. Everyone assumes that the Lannisters have somehow sent troops into the North, not suspecting Theon. Bran tells Ser Rodrik to take 200 men to fight, even though they can't really spare them. Bran asks Osha about the three eyed raven and what it means; in his latest dream, the sea came to Winterfell. Osha knows what the raven signifies but won't tell him.

Jon Gets Promoted

The Night's Watch spots a fire, which means Wildlings in the area. The Halfhand warns that they're more organized than before under Mance Rayder. Jon wants to join the Halfhand's ranging party, and Mormont grants him permission to go.

What Do You Want

Xaro Xhoan Daxos asks Daenerys how long Jorah has been in love with her; she laughs at the idea. She tells Xaro she wants to take back her throne and asks him what he wants in return for opening the city gates to her. He shows her the door to Qarth's vault, to which he possesses the key. The treasure and the ships to Westeros she can buy with it can all be hers if she marries him. Jorah obviously objects to this plan; he advises a slower approach and gushes about what a wonderful queen she'll make. He tells her to make her own way and find her own ship to Westeros.

One Less Name on the List

Arya is talking to Gendry when the Tickler falls to his death. When she looks up, she spots Jaqen H'ghar, who has clearly just repaid one of the debts he owed her.

2 comments:

  1. Tyrion's plan for the wildfire is really smart. And I love the way Bran's dreams manifest. More so in the books than the series though because they are explained a whole lot better than they do in the tv series. I like the way they end up being interpreted. In true Martin fashion. I've taken to writing down all the prophecies and dreams I came across in the book and trying to decipher their meaning.

    One if them in ADWD and that was actually first given in ACOK gives me a little bit of hope that Khal Drogo will return. But that could just be my wishful thinking!

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    1. My cousin and I often talk about how we both regret not keeping a notebook of all of the dreams and prophecies, because they're so important to ASoIaF. I will definitely be paying much more meticulous attention to detail with the next 2 books (or however many more there are going to be, lol).

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