GoT Season 8, Episode 2: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Warning: thar be potential spoilers in these here waters; if you're not up to date with GoT, sail with caution.
GoT Season 8, Episode 2: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
In a season, so heavily truncated as this, there is absolutely no space for any filler. Now, I’m not saying that Episode 2 was filler – it certainly was not – but it was a definite change of pace. The metaphorical foot came of the metaphorical gas.
But this is no bad thing. It’s a guarantee that the action will be thick and fast in the coming weeks (in particular, Episode 3) so to have something of a breather is a pleasant change.
I think the best way to look at Episode 2 is as the calm before the storm.
And given that Tormund’s opening words to Jon were informing him that said storm will arrive within the day, there’s not long to enjoy the calm.
The only focus this week was the build-up to the phenom that will be the biggest battle in on-screen history, establishing everyone at Winterfell. Nothing of the South, East, or West, just The North (in fact, just Winterfell, literally nowhere else).
But, in an episode based entirely in the confines of four walls [I’m well aware that Winterfell has more than four walls, it’s just an expression, shut up], we get an ample quantity of delicately balance scenes, effectively developing our characters (should they survive [which, let’s face it, if they’re having their story arc developed, they clearly will]), or establishing who will be mere canon fodder in Episode 3.
We open exactly where we left off (admittedly, not too hard, given we ended in Winterfell), with Jaime. He’s been hauled into the main hall of Winterfell to face his enemies and the sins of his past. As Dany rolls into a tirade about what she intends to do to him, Brienne rises to his defence. Her vouching for Jaime is enough to win over Sansa, who pledges to allow Jaime a safe stay in her castle. In all honesty though, she would probably have done so all the same, just to irk Dany further.
Once loose around the castle Jaime promptly sets reacquainting himself with associates of the past, friend and former foe alike. His conversations with a clearly rattled Tyrion (let’s face it, Dany is not happy with him right now) hark us back to Season 1, while his conversation with Bran shows just how much each of them has developed since Push-Gate (patent pending).
Although Jaime is our opening act this week, the main event is all about Dany. Although her scenes don’t startle or thrill, they are subtle and layered, evidencing the dichotomy between is she is and was, and who she is on course to potentially become. Jorah delicately reminds her of who she is and should be, encouraging her to forgive Tyrion’s errors as she did his own. But her conversational chess match with Sansa, affirms that no matter what, The North will not simply bend to her name.
Whereas previously, Dany has been able to charm her way to the hearts of the many, only crushing the few when necessary, she is finding support for her reign much harder to come by in Westeros, even amongst her allies. Her grip on the Iron Thone, and her dream of ruling from it, is becoming fainter by the moment.
So, when she finds Jon brooding in the Winterfell crypts in front of Lyanna Stark’s statue, you can feel the following moments will be seminal. Her response to hearing that Jon is her nephew and true heir to the throne is unbecoming and unlike the Dany we know and love. Her response isn’t the logical, calculating one we are used to. No empathy for the turmoil her must be felling. No. Just raw, unbridled rage. She knows that if the story is true, the throne is Jon’s. And she will not accept it – she won’t let it be taken from her so easily [personally, I think if she’d have kept her mouth shut, Jon would have abdicated the throne anyway, it’s not like he ever really wants to lead].
Could this reaction be a sign of what is to come – will Dany begin to succumb to the Targaryen madness? Could she be getting set to become our very final “big bad”? Surely there’s got to be some sort of conflict once the War in the North is over. Something to spark the political intrigue which hooked us initially. Even with Cersei in King’s Landing, I don’t feel like there’s enough potential – she’s fairly one-dimensional now. But if the dimensions of one of our current favourites were to change, perhaps we would be treated to the posturing and power plays of early seasons before this grand show comes to a close. Hopefully, Dany doesn’t change her colours too much too quickly though, or we could find that Jon is “accidentally” smushed up by dragons next episode.
Away from our Khaleesi, the over-arching set-up for what is to come is well underway. Theon (who has presumably swum all the way here) arrives, with a healthy force of Iron Born to boot. Of course, the aforementioned (and ever beautiful) Tormund bear hugs his way into frame, with all the remaining wildlings, Brotherhood and Nights Watchmen (which he very conveniently lets everyone know [he’s so much more than just a pretty face]).
In the war room, we get to see what can only be described as 9% of a plan being put together. If left alone to come up with a strategy, Jon would likely just write down “Overwhelming Victory” and consider that a job well done. Let’s not forget, he led that ever so clever expedition north of The Wall, and decided charging cavalry on foot in the Battle of the Bastards was a good idea too. Really, letting him near the ideas map is irresponsible behaviour from everyone else. Frankly, even his semi-respectable idea of killing the Night King is still one he stole from Berric when he was up north [if you look carefully you can already see him writing “Excellent plan, prepare the victory ham now”].
How to kill that shivery shit though?
Thankfully (or possibly not, we’ll have to see) Bran is more than happy to play the role of sacrificial goat for the frosty T-Rex. I had been thinking that the gods wood was going to be the only place Bran was going to wind up in the battle, and by gum was I right. Naturally Theon pledges himself to protect Bran, essentially signing his own death warrant in the process. Dying in a heroic act of self-sacrifice really would close his story arc off nicely.
Before we can think that “Jon’s” plan is anywhere near half decent though, we need to remember that he is also sending all of the vulnerable into the crypts of Winterfell. Where there’s no exit and dead bodies are. When the army who can literally raise the dead are coming. Great work Jon [prepare him another ham!].
The episode is littered with emotional and sentimental moments, small and large. Greyworm and Missande planning their lives together after the war (and all but ensuring one of them ill snuff it), the remaining three of our Nights Watch freshers reminiscing, Arya and The Hound exchanging unpleasantries. How about Davos’ fatherly chat with the scarred child or Sam gifting Jorah his family’s sword?
Of course, Arya is in more than one “touching” scene [lol]. After some pretty awkward flirting over knives, arrows and spears [seriously, that spear – is Arya planning to return some javelin action to the Night King, or will she be looking to replicate Oberyn’s stabby “dancing”?], Arya tells Gendry what she really wants before she dies – him. Crumbs was this awkward to watch. Despite gleefully watching Arya slaughter entire families and carve people into pies, watching her seduce Gendry felt borderline voyeuristic. Perhaps it’s because we’ve watched her grow up on the show, or maybe it’s because I’ve considered their relationship to be more of a brother/sister one than anything else.
Yet, Gendry is one of the only characters who has been nothing but caring to Arya, always loving and understanding. Awkward though it may be, allowing Arya to have a night of physical and emotional intimacy with someone before she potentially dies [she won’t die in the battle] is probably not too much in the grand scheme.
We close with what is probably one of the most touching scenes GoT has ever had, as a gaggle of our heroes sit around the fire, exchanging tales. In any other situation, Tormund’s tale of giants’ breast milk would be the key take home moment, but not tonight.
A simple throwaway comment [from the real hero – Tormund] is enough to prompt a debate as to why Brienne is not already knighted. I mean, this woman has kicked more ass than most of the guys on the show put together and has been left in charge of one flank of the army. If anyone deserves a knighthood, it’s her.
And lo, Jaime realises that now he can do the right thing; that any knight can knight any not knight to also make them a knight too [does this sentence make sense, or did I say “knight” too many times, or not enough?]. Jaime draws his sword and Lady Brienne kneels, rising again a Ser Brienne, a childlike smile beaming across her oft stern face. One of our most wonderful and honest characters has finally accomplished their lifelong dream.
All-in-all, this was a soft, pleasant episode, happy moments sandwiched between loafy periods of quiet posturing.
Does it leave me feeling warm and fuzzy inside though? Categorically not. You see, having watched GoT all the way through, I’ve realised that happy moments are only given for one reason – to be snatched away. It’s like there’s a well, which we can fill and fill with joy until it is brimming, but we must be prepared for it to be emptied in an instant at any point. And there’s only ever one reason to leave it overflowing. It’s the same reason that a character would complete their story arc, or achieve their most honest dream. So, everything can be stolen away from us in a heartbeat.
Next week will certainly be bloodier that a vampire’s phlebotomist, and there are a number of major players who now have their writing on the wall. Theon, Brienne and Greyworm will all be in the firing line and are all looking like key contenders to be bumped off. There will definitely be more, I’m sure (looking at you Mr Dondarrion), but none that would pull so hard as any of these. That said, I’m sure we’ll lose one of our “really big players” against the dead (my money is on Jorah, but let’s be honest, he’s a bit overdue a death scene now). If it’s Sam though, then I might have to tap out, because I can’t take that.
There are so many parallels between the coming battle and Helms Deep the battle for Minas Tirith in LotR that it's hard not to draw direct comparisons - the aging men being armed for war, Pod's song emulating Pippin's, the fight against insurmountable odds and an unwavering foe. All we need now is for Episode 3 to be half as good as either of those battles and we're in for a treat. Oh, and a wizard or two wouldn't go amiss (where's the Red Woman when you need her?)
But this is no bad thing. It’s a guarantee that the action will be thick and fast in the coming weeks (in particular, Episode 3) so to have something of a breather is a pleasant change.
I think the best way to look at Episode 2 is as the calm before the storm.
And given that Tormund’s opening words to Jon were informing him that said storm will arrive within the day, there’s not long to enjoy the calm.
The only focus this week was the build-up to the phenom that will be the biggest battle in on-screen history, establishing everyone at Winterfell. Nothing of the South, East, or West, just The North (in fact, just Winterfell, literally nowhere else).
But, in an episode based entirely in the confines of four walls [I’m well aware that Winterfell has more than four walls, it’s just an expression, shut up], we get an ample quantity of delicately balance scenes, effectively developing our characters (should they survive [which, let’s face it, if they’re having their story arc developed, they clearly will]), or establishing who will be mere canon fodder in Episode 3.
We open exactly where we left off (admittedly, not too hard, given we ended in Winterfell), with Jaime. He’s been hauled into the main hall of Winterfell to face his enemies and the sins of his past. As Dany rolls into a tirade about what she intends to do to him, Brienne rises to his defence. Her vouching for Jaime is enough to win over Sansa, who pledges to allow Jaime a safe stay in her castle. In all honesty though, she would probably have done so all the same, just to irk Dany further.
Once loose around the castle Jaime promptly sets reacquainting himself with associates of the past, friend and former foe alike. His conversations with a clearly rattled Tyrion (let’s face it, Dany is not happy with him right now) hark us back to Season 1, while his conversation with Bran shows just how much each of them has developed since Push-Gate (patent pending).
Whereas previously, Dany has been able to charm her way to the hearts of the many, only crushing the few when necessary, she is finding support for her reign much harder to come by in Westeros, even amongst her allies. Her grip on the Iron Thone, and her dream of ruling from it, is becoming fainter by the moment.
Could this reaction be a sign of what is to come – will Dany begin to succumb to the Targaryen madness? Could she be getting set to become our very final “big bad”? Surely there’s got to be some sort of conflict once the War in the North is over. Something to spark the political intrigue which hooked us initially. Even with Cersei in King’s Landing, I don’t feel like there’s enough potential – she’s fairly one-dimensional now. But if the dimensions of one of our current favourites were to change, perhaps we would be treated to the posturing and power plays of early seasons before this grand show comes to a close. Hopefully, Dany doesn’t change her colours too much too quickly though, or we could find that Jon is “accidentally” smushed up by dragons next episode.
Away from our Khaleesi, the over-arching set-up for what is to come is well underway. Theon (who has presumably swum all the way here) arrives, with a healthy force of Iron Born to boot. Of course, the aforementioned (and ever beautiful) Tormund bear hugs his way into frame, with all the remaining wildlings, Brotherhood and Nights Watchmen (which he very conveniently lets everyone know [he’s so much more than just a pretty face]).
In the war room, we get to see what can only be described as 9% of a plan being put together. If left alone to come up with a strategy, Jon would likely just write down “Overwhelming Victory” and consider that a job well done. Let’s not forget, he led that ever so clever expedition north of The Wall, and decided charging cavalry on foot in the Battle of the Bastards was a good idea too. Really, letting him near the ideas map is irresponsible behaviour from everyone else. Frankly, even his semi-respectable idea of killing the Night King is still one he stole from Berric when he was up north [if you look carefully you can already see him writing “Excellent plan, prepare the victory ham now”].
How to kill that shivery shit though?
Thankfully (or possibly not, we’ll have to see) Bran is more than happy to play the role of sacrificial goat for the frosty T-Rex. I had been thinking that the gods wood was going to be the only place Bran was going to wind up in the battle, and by gum was I right. Naturally Theon pledges himself to protect Bran, essentially signing his own death warrant in the process. Dying in a heroic act of self-sacrifice really would close his story arc off nicely.
Before we can think that “Jon’s” plan is anywhere near half decent though, we need to remember that he is also sending all of the vulnerable into the crypts of Winterfell. Where there’s no exit and dead bodies are. When the army who can literally raise the dead are coming. Great work Jon [prepare him another ham!].
The episode is littered with emotional and sentimental moments, small and large. Greyworm and Missande planning their lives together after the war (and all but ensuring one of them ill snuff it), the remaining three of our Nights Watch freshers reminiscing, Arya and The Hound exchanging unpleasantries. How about Davos’ fatherly chat with the scarred child or Sam gifting Jorah his family’s sword?
Of course, Arya is in more than one “touching” scene [lol]. After some pretty awkward flirting over knives, arrows and spears [seriously, that spear – is Arya planning to return some javelin action to the Night King, or will she be looking to replicate Oberyn’s stabby “dancing”?], Arya tells Gendry what she really wants before she dies – him. Crumbs was this awkward to watch. Despite gleefully watching Arya slaughter entire families and carve people into pies, watching her seduce Gendry felt borderline voyeuristic. Perhaps it’s because we’ve watched her grow up on the show, or maybe it’s because I’ve considered their relationship to be more of a brother/sister one than anything else.
We close with what is probably one of the most touching scenes GoT has ever had, as a gaggle of our heroes sit around the fire, exchanging tales. In any other situation, Tormund’s tale of giants’ breast milk would be the key take home moment, but not tonight.
A simple throwaway comment [from the real hero – Tormund] is enough to prompt a debate as to why Brienne is not already knighted. I mean, this woman has kicked more ass than most of the guys on the show put together and has been left in charge of one flank of the army. If anyone deserves a knighthood, it’s her.
And lo, Jaime realises that now he can do the right thing; that any knight can knight any not knight to also make them a knight too [does this sentence make sense, or did I say “knight” too many times, or not enough?]. Jaime draws his sword and Lady Brienne kneels, rising again a Ser Brienne, a childlike smile beaming across her oft stern face. One of our most wonderful and honest characters has finally accomplished their lifelong dream.
All-in-all, this was a soft, pleasant episode, happy moments sandwiched between loafy periods of quiet posturing.
Does it leave me feeling warm and fuzzy inside though? Categorically not. You see, having watched GoT all the way through, I’ve realised that happy moments are only given for one reason – to be snatched away. It’s like there’s a well, which we can fill and fill with joy until it is brimming, but we must be prepared for it to be emptied in an instant at any point. And there’s only ever one reason to leave it overflowing. It’s the same reason that a character would complete their story arc, or achieve their most honest dream. So, everything can be stolen away from us in a heartbeat.
Next week will certainly be bloodier that a vampire’s phlebotomist, and there are a number of major players who now have their writing on the wall. Theon, Brienne and Greyworm will all be in the firing line and are all looking like key contenders to be bumped off. There will definitely be more, I’m sure (looking at you Mr Dondarrion), but none that would pull so hard as any of these. That said, I’m sure we’ll lose one of our “really big players” against the dead (my money is on Jorah, but let’s be honest, he’s a bit overdue a death scene now). If it’s Sam though, then I might have to tap out, because I can’t take that.
There are so many parallels between the coming battle and Helms Deep the battle for Minas Tirith in LotR that it's hard not to draw direct comparisons - the aging men being armed for war, Pod's song emulating Pippin's, the fight against insurmountable odds and an unwavering foe. All we need now is for Episode 3 to be half as good as either of those battles and we're in for a treat. Oh, and a wizard or two wouldn't go amiss (where's the Red Woman when you need her?)
Until then, valar mughulis.
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