After the momentous events of the previous episode this deals with the aftermath and how things continue to develop. It maintains the absorbing drama and the involving character journeys. The episode is written by GRR Martin, the author of the book series the show is based on.
There is a fittingly beautiful scene with Syrio Forel and Arya, faced with Lannister men coming to take Arya, maintaining the quality of all of their brilliant training scenes. Syrio is a made into a gem of a character by actor Miltos Yerolemou and the direction and writing of all the scenes they had together and these scenes hold an important place in establishing Arya's character. GRR Martin adapts the scene from his own original story version. Interestingly the earlier scenes with Syrio in previous episodes were better than the book version which has more of Arya reflecting on her training and less scenes of them actually interacting together. This scene is fairly close to the one in the book but has a rather different fight scene. After establishing Syrio as a touchingly magical guest character this scene is very moving.
We also have moving scenes of Sansa facing the Lannister attack and being brought before the Queen in a couple of scenes with the manipulative Cersei as vile as usual.
Ned is visited by Varys in a very nice scene and Joffrey continues to be fantastically slimy and cocky. Arya faces a further important moment as a stable boy catches her escaping. I do not think Maisie Williams gets enough credit for her superb job acting the part so well from such a young age.
Meanwhile Jon and Mormont face a dead body rising to attack which gives them the clue that the White Walkers are back. This scene is suitably exciting in between the excitement and tense happenings in King's Landing.
From the cold white North we are transported to the searing heat of Essos and the vibrant scenes with Dany naively trying to save women from Dothraki rapers which leads to a battle between Drogo and one of his men. This is done differently to the book but has a similar outcome with Dany allowing a captured healer to treat Drogo's wound.
We have excellent scenes of Tyrion meeting up with his father Tywin which well establish the disdain with which Tyrion is treated as well as providing some good amusement.
We also have Robb starting to make his move to war and some good scenes with Bran, with the Greatjon and with Catelyn.
GRR Martin writing this episode is a nice touch and it continues the fabulous standards of the series.
There is a fittingly beautiful scene with Syrio Forel and Arya, faced with Lannister men coming to take Arya, maintaining the quality of all of their brilliant training scenes. Syrio is a made into a gem of a character by actor Miltos Yerolemou and the direction and writing of all the scenes they had together and these scenes hold an important place in establishing Arya's character. GRR Martin adapts the scene from his own original story version. Interestingly the earlier scenes with Syrio in previous episodes were better than the book version which has more of Arya reflecting on her training and less scenes of them actually interacting together. This scene is fairly close to the one in the book but has a rather different fight scene. After establishing Syrio as a touchingly magical guest character this scene is very moving.
We also have moving scenes of Sansa facing the Lannister attack and being brought before the Queen in a couple of scenes with the manipulative Cersei as vile as usual.
Ned is visited by Varys in a very nice scene and Joffrey continues to be fantastically slimy and cocky. Arya faces a further important moment as a stable boy catches her escaping. I do not think Maisie Williams gets enough credit for her superb job acting the part so well from such a young age.
Meanwhile Jon and Mormont face a dead body rising to attack which gives them the clue that the White Walkers are back. This scene is suitably exciting in between the excitement and tense happenings in King's Landing.
From the cold white North we are transported to the searing heat of Essos and the vibrant scenes with Dany naively trying to save women from Dothraki rapers which leads to a battle between Drogo and one of his men. This is done differently to the book but has a similar outcome with Dany allowing a captured healer to treat Drogo's wound.
We have excellent scenes of Tyrion meeting up with his father Tywin which well establish the disdain with which Tyrion is treated as well as providing some good amusement.
We also have Robb starting to make his move to war and some good scenes with Bran, with the Greatjon and with Catelyn.
GRR Martin writing this episode is a nice touch and it continues the fabulous standards of the series.