We’re past the halfway point in this season of Game of Thrones. Only four episodes left and I’m beginning to feel the tension as the various storylines continue toward… something. Each plot thread keeps stretching and stretching with no clear end. All of these developments feel threatening to all our favorite characters. That’s about right for this point in the series. Robert McKee, famous for his book Story, which details how to write an American three-act story, tells us to put our characters out on a limb and begin cutting the branch. In Game of Thrones, that branch feels like it will break soon and the anticipation is delicious.
Here’s a quick rundown of last week’s major developments; Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham) tells the Iron Bank how it is. Daenarys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) has an audience with her subjects. Yara Greyjoy gets sneaky. Ramsay Snow lets the dogs out. Theon Greyjoy gets a bath. And, finally, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) has a bad day in court.
They pack a lot into an hour. They always do.
Intro the Iron Bank of Braavos and welcome to the series, Mark Gatiss as the head of the bank, Tycho Nestoris. Gatiss played Mycroft Holmes in Sherlock to perfection and he brings the same sort of smug intelligence to this role. Davos and Stannis are making their case that Stannis is the rightful King of Westeros. As usual, Stannis isn’t really a “people person” and makes a lousy first impression. Stephen Dillane is underrated in this series. On Monday, nobody is talking about how great Stannis was last night, but he is great, every week. Stannis’ character is joyless, stoic and wooden and I buy it! Dillane personifies a character who knows, in his bones, that he IS King.
That said, Davos’ ungloved left hand steals the scene. Thus far, we’ve only seen Davos’ shortened left hand gloved. Nice visual effect!
We were also treated with a flying dragon this week! That’s the big deal with this series, right? Dragons? They’re getting bigger and eating sheep. Can’t wait until somebody rides one. Dany has to deal with the aftermath as one of her subjects seeks restitution for his burned flock. Also seeking resolution is Hizdahr zo Loraq (Joel Fry) whose father was recently crucified along with the other Masters of Meereen. Hizdahr’s father was a dissenter among the Masters and was killed, perhaps, unjustly. Dany is learning that ruling is a difficult endeavor.
Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan), last seen in season three, finally makes an appearance and attempts to rescue her brother, Theon from Ramsay Snow. While I love Iwan Rheon as Ramsay (who doesn’t love to watch a maniacal sadist?) my interest for Alfie Allen as Theon has never been better than lukewarm. During his scenes I become aware that I am watching an actor playing a part. To me, Allen just doesn’t inhabit the character the way the other actors seem to inhabit theirs. I would recommend Alfie try Strasberg’s “Method Acting” but that might be asking too much. Speaking of severed penises, after the reveal of Davos’s hand I thought Theon’s bath scene might give us a peek, but no.
And here we are at the main course for last week’s feast: The trial of Tyrion Lannister. Do I have to mention how great Peter Dinklage is as Tyrion? Probably not but I’m going to talk about it anyway. Yes, he mimics a fine accent. Yes, he has brilliance when asked to be sarcastic. Yes, he can emote love, anger, and joy with an honesty that makes us enjoy his performance. But it’s in his silence that Dinklage makes us forget we’re watching television and transports us into his world.
As each testimony is given, Peter visibly shrinks further into himself. As his situation becomes more desperate the look of betrayal in his eyes is honest. After the big shock at the end when we get a testimony of lies from Shae (Sibel Kekilli), Dinklage (screw it) TYRION lets loose on the court with a volley of truthful insults that has been building in him since childhood. Dinklage deserves an Emmy.
One last bit of business. Varys plays an important role in the proceedings and it’s nice to see Conleth Hill do something other than appear in the background. I am always entertained by the Spider and his quiet power has been missing for some weeks. It’s interesting to note that Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal) has been approached by nearly everyone from King’s Landing but Varys is the only person Martell has sought out himself. Hmmm.
Wonderful episode full of great moments but I’m slicing off a point and a half for Theon’s shortcomings.
See what I did there?