Well, it looks like some major changes finally started happening. Some seems like things that just have not been revealed in the books yet, others look like small changes required for the format of the show, while a couple changes seem completely different from the book. Lets go over the episode and point out the differences (for as much as I can remember), and as always… spoilers!
Big focus on Arya this week, as she finally reaches the House of Black and White. Some great imagery of the city of Bravos, as they do an amazing job showing life on this side of the see, and how it differs from Westoros. Arya loves it. But when an unknown mad refuses to let he enter the house, after waiting it out a day, Arya gets discouraged and starts surviving in the streets. EVentually, she’s about to start some trouble in an alley (and personally, I think she could have handled herself) when the unknown man appears to protect her and finally lead her back to the house to allow entrance. During this encounter, the man, showing himself to be one the the “face changers”, is Jaqen H’ghar himself.Now this never happens in the book. The unknown old man lets her in from the get go, and the book focuses on something else (though I won’t reveal that, as I still think the rest of the season will be telling that story). Minor change, needed to show the importance of this place. What was major, is the revelation that the unknown man is Jaqen. This was never revealed in the book. And while theories exist of who Jaqen might be amongst all the characters in the story, I have to admit, this kind of makes sense too, and wouldn’t be surprised if eventually it’s revealed as such in the books as well. Either way, the show has “combined” two different characters before, for the sake of streamlining things, and this does not hurt the story in any. If anything, it’s good to have Jaqen back, and I cannot wait to see how his story with Arya will eve love on screen!
In King’s landing, Cersei receives a gift from Dorne which is an obvious threat for her daughter (which Tyrion had sent there years ago to establish secure relations between the kingdoms, and to keep her safe from assassination). Of course, after the outcome with prince Oberyn (aka the Viper), things are unstable. Scenes in Dorne itself show their ruling prince (Oberyns older brother), trying to keep Oberyn’s widow concubine, Ellaria Sand (who has returned from Kings Landing) under control as she wants nothing but revenge. The show also mentions Oberyn’s daughters, the Sand Snakes, or sound deadly, and are als ready/craving revenge. Prince Doran does his best to calm her and keep things from escalating, while trying to keep the Lannister Daughter (Myrcella) safe. So when back in Kings Cersei is freaking out, Jaime decides to travel south and bring her back. Later on, he recruits Bronn to travel with him (which was set up with wife and land for “not defending” Tyrion), and clearly is having a difficult time accepting it all.
Now this never happens in the books. And I don’t think this is one of those “yet” parts either, I think they’re changing it completely, as in the books, Jaime heads north to assist with strategic issues. I won’t say much on this in case they bring it in, but as far as the books go, it didn’t feel all that important even if they skip it over all together. Whether the books make Jaime go south later on is to be seen for us readers.Speaking of up North and changes, Brienne and Pod run into Littlefinger and Sansa. This is a total change in the books, as Sansa and Littlefinger never leave the Eyrie. Of course, this should totally be a “haven’t left yet” part, so it doesn’t really change much. Other than the run in with Brienne of course (… yet?). In the show, Brienne tries to become her protector and save her, but Sansa (and Littlefinger) will have non of it, make Brienne feel helpless. In the book, Brienne is still searching for the girls, when later on we have some major events (though we’ll see if the books sticks to that, as some major character in that has not been introduced yet).
Farther North, the Knights Watch hold elections for the next Lord Commander. There is a vote, Sam adds Jon Snow as a candidate in a well written speech, and Jon gets elected. Now, the story before these elections for on for the full book 4 (which is about galway through book 5 chronologically). It’s actually super interesting cause we get to see Sam’s character excel and what he does best. He learns the politic game like the back of his hand; says the right words to the right people, slipping saddle remarks here and obvious facts there, so when the elections finally do come, it all makes sense and you’re proud of all the work. I was expecting this scene to take place around episode 4 in order to allow Sam to do this, but instead they summed it up in about a scene. I expected more build up, but maybe they just shifted the focus a little on what happens next, so I guess we’ll see.
On the other side of the world, Tyrion continues to travel West, and while parts of this travel are in the book, if I remember correctly Illyrion (the guy who worked with Varys, and who was at first caring for the Dani and her brother) is with him. At least for part of this journey. Varys never was. I actually don’t remember where he ends up in the books… does he even disappear during the same time? Is he somehow going to appear across the narrow sea eventually too? Who know, but the show still makes sense, and the two of them make good companions, so let’s see where this all goes. I did feel like they would eliminate a bunch of Tyrions travels from this point of the books cause, at least in my opinion, it felt unnecessary…
Finally, Dani is having issues ruling, and seems to be sinking deeper and deeper into a hole. After executing someone for not following one of her rules, things heat up as riot break out and she needs to be escorted to protection. Not exactly as the books, but the character is dealing with the same issues, finding herself in a rut and unable to rule. In the books it focus on how she’s too “timid” to put her foot down and “command”. This is slightly expressed in the show with adding the scene with Drogon… a heartwarming scene in one hand, but Drogon can smell the timidness on her, and before she has the chance to caress her child, he flies off, almost appalled by it.That’s it for the week… can’t wait to see next week, as we get more of the story and how it plays out; the changes making it extra exciting for us readers, giving us something new.
