Showing posts with label Podrik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Podrik. Show all posts

"Valar Morghulis" ~ All Men Must Die

Author: Anonymous / Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

From the moment the lights dimmed in my basement, the tension and suspense hung in the air.

I'm talking about THE season finale event of the year on HBO. "Valar Morghulis" - the Valeryian phrase that Jaqen H'gar says to Arya Stark has a deeper meaning, but that will make itself known in A Storm of Swords, which will debut April 6, 2013.

Where to begin: Tyrion. He was grievously injured at the hands of the late Ser Manden Moore, the Kingsguard captain to Joffrey. Only it was that witch, Cersei, who instructed Ser Manden to strike Tyrion down if the opportunity presented itself. Tyrion put a wall up around himself in this episode, not wanting pity and not wanting to leave King's Landing because he knows how to outwit, outfox and survive the rest of the people that play the Game of Thrones. Bronn was released from his post of Captain of the Kingsguard by Tywin or Cersei. His warriors from the Mountains of Vale went back home, paid off by his father. His sister wants his dead. He recieved no credit for the attack on Blackwater Bay. Varys informed him of the many changes that took place while he was unconscious. None of the changes were particualrly good or to his benefit, either. The only consistent person so far has been Podrick Payne, his loyal squire. Even Grand Maester Pycell was acting like a total jerk, making fun of Tyrion's size and commenting on how he does not need a spacious living quarter. I can't stand that Maester. He is an awful man and I hope karma comes back to him! Shae wasn't particularly happy with his decision to stay, but that just builds up more tension for Season III.

Meanwhile, back the throne room, Tywin Lannister was proclaimed 'Saviour of the City' and official Hand of the King, now that Tyrion is out of commission. In another bold move, Littlefinger became Lord of Harrenhal, for his shady dealings of bringing House Tyrell into the Lannister fold. Ser Loras, in a stunning move, asked King Joffrey to make sure his sister, Margaery, was wed to a noblemen of House Lannister...and who more fitting and high then the good King himself? But wait, Joffrey the Sweet remembers he is affianced to Sansa Stark. Once the small council reveals that he is free to break off with Sansa, due to the fact her father was a traitor and her brother is in open rebellion against the Lannister faction, a new alliance is forged. There is more to Margaery then meets the eye. Cersei may regret having Margaery Tyrell as a daughter in law. Sansa, thinking her troubles are now over, turns from the throne room, smiling and crying over her good fortune. Littlefinger quickly comes to tell her the reality of her new found freedom: Joffrey will not let her go back to Winterfell, in fact, she is now at the mercy of the King, both physically and sexually. She is repulsed and frightened. Littlefinger promises to try and help her. He also sees right through her act and informs her that everyone in the Lannister court is a much better liar.

Varys the Spider pays a visit to Littlefinger's brothel in order to procure information from Roz. He knows that Roz is scared of Littlefinger, as she should be but Varys is more interested in protecting her and making her somewhat of a spy. Together, they could find out Littlefinger's weaknesses and make him pay dearly. And I totally like the sound of that!

Brienne of Tarth is escorting Jamie Lannister back to King's Landing. Brienne has to put up with Jaime's stupid and rude endless rantings and ravings. One their way they see three dead bodies hanging from a tree. She wants to the do the honourable thing of burying them when three men approach, wanting to know their business. Quick witted Brienne and Jaime come up with a plausible tale that he is being brought back to Riverrun on a theft charge when one of the men recognizes the Kingslayer.  What happens next is that two of the men are quickly dispatched at the hands of Brienne, who is extremely skilled with the sword, knife and dagger. The last man does not fare so well. After all, he was the loud mouth who boasted that, "Two of them we gave quick deaths." Meaning the last woman hanging was probably raped before she was killed. Well, what goes around comes around and Brienne kills the man slowly, with precision. Jaime looks on, stunned at her stealth and skill. Perhaps the Kingslayer will watch what he says from now on.

Ayra, Hot Pie and Gendry are long gone from Harrenhal when they spot the mysterious Jaqen H'gar standing on top of a small hill. He tells her that she should consider coming to Braavos with him. As much as she really wants to, and learn his mysterious and powerful skills, she really wants to find her brothers, mother and sister. This young girl has been through the ringer, being separated from her family, seeing her father being executed and suffering from the constant threat of violence or starvation at the hands of cruel Lannister guards. Instead, he gives her a very unique coin and should the day come that she needs to seek him out, she is to give that coin to any man from Braavos and repeat the key phrase, "Valar Morghulis." Only then will she be able to connect with him again. In a seamless display of his magical talents, she repeats the phrase one more time and as he turns to leave, he looks back at her one more time. Only it isn't Jaqen's face she sees. It is another man, but his voice. Jaqen is dead. Valar Morghulis.

Robb is suffering from a burning love for the Lady Talisa Migear. This does not sit well with his mother, Lady Catelyn Stark. After all, there is that little thing called a 'betrothal contract' that was made in Season I. They needed House Frey's support and the wily old man made sure to arrange betrothals of a son and daughter of his house to Robb and Arya of House Stark. This is one time where Robb REALLY should've listened to his mother, no matter how upset he was over her releasing Jaime Lannister. Typical man, he was thinking with his loins, instead of his brain. This is another example of yet another Stark starting another war because of a very stupid error. First it was Catelyn, by accusing Tyrion of trying to kill her son Bran, based on circumstantial evidence. Now, it is Robb, who wants to marry for love. He has brought impending doom for his House by marrying Lady Talisa.

Dany, Ser Jorah and her Dothraki comrade go to the House of the Undying, in order to rescue her dragons. She finds a way in but the two men do not. She goes up a winding staircase and hears her dragons. She enters one room, only to see a few doors. She picks the one to the right. She enters what looks like King's Landing, but it's been partially destroyed and it is snowing inside. She walks towards the Iron Throne and almost touches it. In the background, she hears her dragons. She moves towards another exit and finds herself in the midst of a snowstorm up in the north, at the Wall. The snow is almost blinding. She sees what looks like a small dwelling and slowly approaches. As she gets closer, it resembles a Dothraki tent. In a startling discovery, she finds her beloved Khal Drogo sitting there, waiting for her with their son, Rhaego. She thinks she is already dead and that this image is not possible. He tells her she is his everything. They both look down in wonder at their child. Alas, sadly it is not meant to be. She tells him, "Until the sun rises and sets in the east, you will always be my moon and stars." The dragons beckon. She finally returns to find the warlocks of Pree with her dragons, chained to the middle of the room. Dany is not going without a fight. They picked the wrong woman. "Drakaris." With that one word, her dragons are able to breathe fire towards the warlocks and through her, the flames increase with such heat and intensity, that the warlocks are destroyed. Treachery is found - her handmaiden and Xaro are proven to be frauds and locked in that big old empty vault, forever.  Dany and crew take what gold and jewels they can and decide it is time to purchase horses and ships.

Jon Snow and Qhoren Halfhand are making their way to Mance Rayder, along with a group of wildlings and the Lord of Bones. Qhoren antagonizes Jon and forces him to fight. The Lord of Bones decides to let the two rangers fight each other. Qhoren wants Jon to infiltrate Mance's army. In the end, Jon kills Qhoren and you can see he is clearly conflicted with what he had to do in order to survive. Before Qhoren died, he leaned into Jon and spoke of the Brothers of the Night's Watch: "We are brothers, until the end." He sacrificed himself so Jon could go on. Ygritte tells the rest of the wildings, "You can tell Mance that this was the man to take down Qhoren Halfhand." They all look at Jon with awe, perhaps respect, now that he has shown fierce fighting skills and bravery. Jon looks at Ygritte, sorrow and shock in his eyes. She takes him towards a cliff and says that it is time for him to meet Mance Rayder. Below them is a huge valley and in that valley look to be like thousands of cottages or houses. Mance Rayder is building an army, but for what purpose? When will they strike? Whom will they fight?

Theon Greyjoy: I just cannot stand this character. He is a liar and a traitor.  Trapped in Winterfell, surrounded by 500 of Ramsay Bolton's men, he has no choice but to surrender. He refuses to do so, as he is iron born. Maester Luwin informs him that should he run, he could always go to the Wall, where a man's past transgressions no longer count. He advises Theon that there are secret passages below Winterfell and he could slip out at night and make it north to freedom. What happens next is another round of betrayal. He gives a rousing speech to his Iron Island comrades, only to be knocked on conscious and be taken out of Winterfell. Unfortunately, his first lieutenant stabs Maester Luwin with a sharp spear, knocking the old man to his knees. They all leave and Maester Luwin falls over, bleeding heavily. Osha, Hodor and the two boys with their dire wolves come out sometime later to discover that Winterfell has been sacked and is burning. Worse, the wolves find Maester Luwin in the Godswood, in a semi-sitting position, but extremely weak, due to blood loss. The boys burst into tears, as they do not want to leave him. Bran wants to get him his medicine. What Maester Luwin says next made me burst into tears - "They didn't burn you. I pulled both of you out into this world and I have spent nearly every single day with you. And for that I am glad." Rickon is openly sobbing. Maester Luwin pleads with Osha - he tells her that the boys must be taken north because there are too many enemies in the south. He advises them all to go back and get as much food as possible, to put on extra clothing and make it quick because at any moment, someone could show up and kill them all. As Hodor takes the boys and wolves to get the supplies, Maester Luwin refuses Osha's suggestion of milk of the poppy. Instead he looks at her dagger with meaning. She delivers him a quick death and puts him out of pain for good.  They are last seen fleeing from Winterfell and headed north.

Grenn, Samwell and Dolores are out on patrol, collecting dung, as it burns for many hours when making a fire. Sam, in his usual fashion, talks about Gilly. He talks about how she is optimistic, even though she suffered abuse at the hands of her father and thinks that life is still worth living. Grenn and Dolores respond one way or another when they hear the horn blowing. Sam, hearing one blow, is happy....because he thinks Jon and Qhoren have returned. A second horn sounds. Grenn and Dolores pull out their swords. And then the worst sound ever: a third blow of the horn. WHITE WALKERS. Grenn and Dolores run off in one direction. Samwell, his face frozen with shock, sees a snow storm approaching. Only it isn't just snow. He starts to see figures. He can't quite make out what they are yet. Only that he is scared and makes a feeble attempt to run in the same direction as his two companions but at this point, visibility becomes very poor. He hides behind a rock and shakes uncontrollably.  Figures start to come out of the snowy mist. You start to see the blue eyes penetrate the snow. The White Walkers. For thousands of years, everyone south of the Wall scoffed at the notion that they even existed. The Brothers of the Night's Watch knew differently.  As Samwell realizes that this could be the end for him, he hears a noise and looks to his right. He sees a zombie like horse with red eyes and a dead White Walker on top. Only he is not alone. Hundreds of them are wandering, with a dead, glazed look to them. Their eyes are glowing a piercing blue colour. When the camera pans to a wide screen zoom, all of a sudden you see more then hundreds, quite possibly thousands of them are walking along, towards the Wall. Another look at them and you'll notice that they were all dressed differently. Some had the Wildlings garb on. Others looked as if they were from the forests. Some of the White Walkers were former Brothers of the Night's Watch. Samwell is petrified, trapped and surrounded by them. He closes his eyes and begins to cry in earnest, as they all walk past him. He is all alone, no weapons, no army and no obsidian.

Obsidian. Why would he need obsidian? Stick around until April 6, 2013. Then maybe I'll tell you.

Maybe.
































Blackwater!!

Author: Anonymous / Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Ok.

Seriously.

What is there left to say?!

I was riveted in my seat from the moment the episode "Blackwater Bay" started, right up until the end. I yelled at the television a few times (I have a realllllly big flat screen television). A few times I cheered Tyrion on. At times I insulted Joffrey (what else is new). I had my "Clash of Kings" book beside me. I had my Twitter feed going and could see all the hashtag trending going on, with respect to the Game of Thrones Twitter feed.

Joffrey, you are a moron. The Hound, you have a soft side for Sansa but are loathe to admit it. Besides, you've had it with the Lannisters. Can't say that I blame you, either (with the exception of Tyrion). Tyrion, you had to take over and become the figurehead of support, to instill some bravado in the army, seeing as how Joffrey tuck tailed and ran off like the coward he was.  Stannis, you fool. While I understand that you have a good claim to the Iron Throne, was it necessary to sacrifice so many men, all for the sake of domination? Ser Davos, you're a practical and brave man, but unfortunately, all your years of experience couldn't save your son. Shae, I have to give you credit where it's due. You have a steely exterior, most likely in part of trying to survive your tender years and growing up in Westeros. I kind of have a grudging admiration for you now....but don't forget, I've read almost four books in the series.

Tywin, you clever, sly fox. You have the Tyrells in your midst and have them fighting for you. Hmm. I think you liked Littlefinger's rationale from a few episodes back. I hope Loras has good sense to see in time, he'll end up paying down the road for joining ranks with the Lannisters. Varys, you set a sombre tone. More like ominous. Bronn, you're a pretty tough guy. You and the Hound have unfinished business.

Sansa, you still want to believe that people have good intentions. The Hound offered you your freedom. As well as some pretty blunt advice.  Even though you went to pray for everyone and told Tyrion you'd pray for his safe return, c'mon, did you really think the Imp totally believed you? Mind you, the look on Tyrion's face was one of amusement and belief. I think he understands that Sansa has to do and say what she must, to stay alive. And of course, I can't forget to mention that immoral drunk (no, not Robert, because he's dead) Cersei. What a pathetic woman. She has stooped to new lows, even when I thought she couldn't get any lower. Such touching concern she showed for all in Maegor's Keep. My favourite is how she just kept on drinking and telling Sansa what would and could potentially happen, should King's Landing fall. Disgusting. She is the last person that I would keep the faith with!

Tyrion. What can I say? I'm glad that Podrik slew Ser Manden. Of course, what can you expect from Joffrey's personal Kingsguard? Backstabbers!

Hard to believe there is only one more episode left. Then, us fans will have to wait until April 2013 for Season III...