I have to give credit to HBO, for their amazing job in turning such an amazing book, into such an amazing show. It is rare that something comes out so well, and there is a certain pleasure when a story that was in your head from the books, can be visualized so perfectly.
As always… SPOILERS!
The Kings wedding has finally come, though it seems the media has given it the name “The Purple Wedding”. Where as the Red Wedding was names such in the book, I don’t recall the King’s weeding to have brought about the said nickname. Though if you’ve seen the episode, then you could definitely see the clever reference with how Joffrey looked at the end of the last scene.
But let’s start with the one of the first seems; Tyrion and Jaime. By this point, I’m sure most of us have started to like Jaime, and we obviously all love Tyrion. Jaime has begun to show more character and depth, and to see him interact on a personal level with his brother was practically heartwarming. Not to mention how caring of a brother Tyrion can be, with his brother lost hand (compared to how everyone else just thinks of Jaime as a cripple now).
A change that happens here from the books is that Jaime started to train his left hand with Ilyn Payne (the King’s executioner… you would remember he took Ned’s head). In the books, him having no tongue was a hope he would not tell anyone about how “not good” Jaime was anymore (it’s all about the stigma). Here, Tyrion sets him up with his own bodyguard, Bronn. I kinda like this change, as Bronn is a pretty cool character, and it just puts Jaime in a closer and more respectful relationship with his brother.
Roose Bolton returns home to the Dreadfort to see his bastard son Ramsy Snow, having ravaged Theon, aka Reek. And though upset at the savageness and initiative of his bastard son, he sees how well and actually trustworthy, Reek is now to them; and he also reveals that he never killed the Stark kids. He sends Ramsy off to Moat Cailen (a huge harbor city that is basically strategically important for the Western shore), and Locke north, to search for the kids.
Tyrion finds his fear for Shae grow, as he knows his sister suspects something, and so he ends it with her… sending her to a ship that sails for across the narrow sea and the eastern cities). Bronn escorts her there and then reports back to Tyrion that she saled off all safe and sound.
A pre-wedding ceremony comes into play where everyone offers their gifts to the king, including Tywin’s Valyrian steel sword he had crafted, and a important book from Tyrion on the lives of 4 Part Kings. The book seems like an important item and a very good gift/gesture, and the scene is tense; and though Joff is polite in Tyrion at first, once he receives the sword, he cuts the books up, arrogantly insulting Tyrion and his gift.
Stannis sacrifices some sacrilegious folk with the Red Witch, and shows his love for his deformed daughter.
Bran is dreaming he’s his wolf again, Summer, only to be woken by the group. Jojen warns him he spends too much time inside the wolfs head, and he risks forgetting who he is (and may be lost a s a wolf forever). The continue traveling north and sees a Heart-tree (the ones with the faces usually in Godwoods). He goes to it, touches is and has a visions… multiple images of the past, the present, heart-trees, three-eyed crows and more. Someone says “Find me under the tree”, and Bran awakens knowing his destination now. I can’t seem to feel that Bran is becoming more and more important in the bigger story.
The wedding happens and it’s a grand affair. During the feast, we get to see everyones interactions (including Jonsi aka Sigur Ros playing music. We’re last starting to see a more controlling and crazy side of Cercei. She acts like she likes Margaery, only to defy her first decision as a queen (behind her back obviously). She insults Brienne, and Master Pycel, and is extremely rude with the Red Viper – the the Donrishma is right back at her, as he shares witty remarks back and forth – compliments and statements hiding insults and threats.
Joffrey seems he’s in the mood to keep insulting his uncle Tyrion, and Sansa, as he’s hired a number of dwarves to act out the war of the kings, which includes Ned being beheaded. It’s a sad scene, and Tyrion wants nothing more than to comfort Sansa (while Margeary is starting to notice how hateful her now husband can be). Joffrey then continues to make his uncle do things for thin, and even spilling wine on his head, and making him his cup-bearer. And as good and respectful Tyrion tries to be, Joffrey just keeps going. Eventually, as he’s being more insulting, he starts choking. Choking until he turns purple. And dies. That’s right… the King is dead. And in those last moments, he points at Tyrion, who’s standing off to the side in shock, holding the goblet Joff had just drank of. Cercei wails and has Tyrion arrested for poisoning her son; though we’ll have to see who actually did it, as there are numerous people at that wedding who wanted him dead…
There is a different shock here in the books, as Joff is only 13, and in those last moments he stares up at his mom scared like any child would be. It’s a conflicting emotion that you’re happy the douche is dead, but you realize he’s only a young kid.
And scene. This episode was amazing, and the dialogue this season has been superb. I know what happens from the book, yet I still stand on edge, nervous of the building tension… It makes me feel like i’m watching a Tarantino movie. HBO is showing us that not only is this coming to be the best season yet, but took Game of Thrones from one f the best shows to the handful of top 5 shows that’s ever been produced.
Till next week…
~mozeus
