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If there’s a dominant theme emerging from this season of Game Of Thrones and the convoluted “war of the five kings,” it’s that everyone’s best laid plans are absolutely meaningless. The many schemers and would-be rulers who are trying to set the table for ultimate conquest should be looking over their shoulders, because the situation is so constantly chaotic, it feels like the balance of power is upended every five minutes. Tyrion, who by this point is sporting a constantly worried expression, is smart enough to fear the future. But maybe the lame-brained Theon, whose conquest of Winterfell is going about as horribly as one would expect, has the smartest mindset. “Don’t look so grim,” he tells a justifiably horrified Maester Luwin. “It’s all just a game.”
Hey, that’s almost the name of the show! Many times, we’ve seen how the antics (or gaming) of the ruling class in Westeros spill into the lives of the ordinary folk—think of the poor butcher’s boy, executed just for looking on as Arya humiliated Joffrey early in season one. But Theon’s occupation of Winterfell is perhaps the starkest example yet. He arrived promising Bran that no one would get hurt as long as they surrendered—that lasted about five minutes (R.I.P. Rodrik). Now, with his prize of Bran and Rickon vanished, Theon embarks on a scorched-earth approach to find them again, leading to the death of the two orphan boys who Bran sent to help on the farm last week.
Oh, sure, we’re supposed to believe that the charred corpses Theon presents to the (tired-looking) populace of Winterfell are Bran and Rickon. But I find it hard to believe that the show would off one of its most crucial characters in such a way—even this show. I’ve read enough comic books to know that if the body is unidentifiable, and the murder happens off-screen, you shouldn’t believe a word of it. Plus, it’s Theon. The man can’t do anything right (although he’s finally getting his brutal crew in line, at the expense of his honor with anyone else). “It’s better to be cruel than weak,” he declares, but he’s doomed himself to being weak by taking the easy approach at every turn. It’s clear that Theon is a follower, not a leader—his plot to re-take Winterfell was barely-planned nonsense designed to impress his father, just as his attempt to sway his father was just an attempt to impress Robb. At this point, he’s basically taking orders from his first mate. I’m looking forward to the cruel, but more-competent Yara to assess the situation whenever she decides to show up.
Arya’s brief moment of carelessness last week (walking around with a secret war message in her hands) has similar reverberations this week, with Tywin instructing the Mountain to pillage the land looking for traitors after the death of his man before his very eyes. But we’re spared whatever horror that is, as well as any sight of the “brotherhood without banners” (some sort of dissident group the Mountain mentions). It’s all just Tywin and Arya, matching wits together in Harrenhal, and dammit if they aren’t some of the best scenes of the episode. It’s all down to Charles Dance and Maisie Williams, who have been knocking it out of the park every week.
These scenes are actually a sneaky way for the show to get in some background exposition—we’re learning about the original Targaryen invasion, Tywin’s weak father, etc., but it’s all gripping stuff since you’re watching Arya try to present the right balance of faithful servant and sharp-tongued Northerner to keep Tywin interested (and keep him from guessing her true identity). She can’t help but desire his praise, since he is such an archetypal scary father figure (and, of course, Arya’s in search of father figures). At the same time, it feels like Tywin knows something is up (Arya is too well-spoken and well-read to be a stonemason’s daughter) but he doesn’t really care because he gets a kick out of her. It’s a balance of power that I’m sure will eventually be upset, but for now it’s fascinating to watch.
Beyond the Wall, Jon’s sexy adventures with Ygritte are moving along just as you’d expect—she constantly teases him about his blue balls until he’s frustrated enough to be led into a trap and captured by wildlings. I’m very much enjoying Ygritte’s presence just for the energy it brings to scenes with the usually dour Jon, but I’m even more interested in getting a better glimpse into Wildling life. So far, apart from Osha and Ygritte, they’re just nameless Inuit warriors for the Watch to kill, but this is Game Of Thrones, and no villain is one-dimensional.