Game of Thrones “The Bear and the Maiden Fair”

Ah, back to the greatness.  This episode brings back the action and drama with a bang.  Daenerys sets her sights on Yunkai, Tywin asserts his power over Jofferey, and Jaime saves Brienne from a mother freaking bear.  When Game of Thrones is good, it’s great.

George R. R. Martin proves his ability as a storyteller in this episode, which he wrote.  Sure, he wrote the books so he’s already written the story, but in the TV series there have been subtle changes and extra scenes that Martin traverses with ease and effectiveness.   His writing in the scene between John Snow and Ygritte, where he warns her of the wildling’s fate if they attack Castle Black, or Daenerys’ meeting with a slaver of Yunkai showcased his ability to create new scenes that weren’t depicted in the book and because they came from the creator of the world himself they ring true. 

Speaking of Daenerys, her scene with the slaver was my favorite of the episode.  The dragons were flawlessly depicted and the tension could be cut with a knife.  In fact, I’m hard pressed to think of many weak scenes in this episode.  The only story that seems to have stalled is the drama in King’s Landing involving the marriage of Tyrion to Sansa and Cersei to Loras Tyrell.  Two weeks have gone by and nothing has transpired other than people talking about the arranged marriages.  A decent scene did occur between Sansa and Lady Margaery where Sansa voiced doubt over marrying Tyrion, but that was the only one.

Tywin asserts his power over Jofferey in another tense scene expertly shot by Michelle MacLaren.  Tywin tells Jofferey how to run his kingdom and when Jofferey voices his displeasure with being told what to do, since his is the king, Tywin climbs the stairs to the Irone Throne and towers over Jofferey while he puts him in his place.  The camera work was fantastic during this scene.  When Tywin is standing over Jofferey, the high angle of the king in the Irone Throne says all there is to be said.  He is shown as weak under Tywin.  It’s fantastic.

My predictions for the rest of the season aren’t concrete, but I think I have a grasp on what will happen.  Next episode, expect to see Tyrion married to Sansa.  Episode Nine, will be the revelation of the spy around Daenerys and the married life of Tyrion and Sansa.  I’m unsure when the Red Wedding will occur.  In the past, Game of Thrones has put the major climax of the season in the 9^th episode, but in this case, I don’t think enough has been built up yet.  Also, the tenth episode has been a build up to the next season, but as this is only half of the book, even the climax will be a build up so I don’t know.  If I’m to trust my instincts, the Red Wedding and the Lannister wedding will occur in the tenth episode in a “Holy Shit they just ended the season with that?”  ending.

SPOILERS

Jofferey and King Robb die.  BUM. BUM. BUM!!

WELCOME BACK

I can’t wait for the rest of the season.  It’s going to be fantastic.

P.S. I have a better idea of what show will take Person of Interest’s place.  Boardwalk Empire.  Not 100% yet, but that is a good possibility.  As always, leave comments if you have something to say.