There it is, the season finale, and we’re done for another year, it’s gonna be a long wait for a return to Westeros, but maybe I’ll read Dance of Dragons between now and then to fill up some of the time.
This week, we saw the fallout of the Battle of Breakwater, as well as things setting up events for Season 3 and beyond of course.
Tyrion wakes to discover he’s no long the Hand of the King, his father has reclaimed the title, and he’s been ousted from his quarters, his men in the King’s Guard have been removed and his hillmen have been sent home. He also learns that his sister was behind the attempt on his life during the battle.
In moments, we see everything that he has worked for, gained, and amassed over the course of the season, is swept away from him, leaving him broken, and literally scarred.
He even attempts to drive Shea away by speaking cruelly, but she refuses, and eventually he breaks down in tears, in a wonderfully poignant moment, ending with the two of them clinging to one another as he cries. Still proving he’s my favorite character.
Margaery is put forth to Joffrey as a potential bride, replacing Sansa Stark, who is at first elated at the idea until Little Finger points out that Joffrey would still keep her around to use and abuse her…
Daenerys is having troubles of her own and goes to the House of the Undying to reclaim her dragons, there she is confronted by illusions and magic created by Pyat Pree, including one of the north beyond the one and one where she speaks with her dead husband Drogo, and the unrealized child they would have had together.
Finally she confronts the sorcerer, and unleashes fiery death upon him courtesy of her dragons. Nice.
She locks Xaro in his own safe as payment for her betrayal of her, and takes all she can lay her hands on to a buy a ship for her return to Westeros…
Bran and Rickon come across a dying Maester Pycelle, who urges them to go north to The Wall, after his flight from a sacked and burned Winterfell, from where Theon Greyjoy has been taken by his own men, after a rather rousing speech which came to naught…
Arya (my other favorite character) and Jaqen part ways, but not before he advises her that should she like to learn his ways, she only needs to show a special coin, that he gifts her, and say the words, Valar Morghulis, which means “all men must die.” Before they go their seperate ways, Jaqen physically changes his appearance, and leaving Arya debating the course of her future…
Brienne and Jamie Lannister are making for King’s Landing…
Robb Stark marries Talisa, breaking a promise he made to the House of Frey to marry one of his daughters. That won’t go well… Having read the books, I know that won’t go well…
Finally, beyond the Wall, Qorin Halfhand is slain in combat by Jon Snow, which will only cement his acceptance into Mance Rayder’s men…
And at the Fist of the First Men, where Sam and other members of the Night’s Watch wait, they hear three blasts of the horn, meaning White Walkers!
Portly Sam is left behind as the other men flee back to camp, and he is in their midst as the White Walkers, frightening and monstrous stride out of the snow storm…
It’s a great end to the season, tying up a number of story lines and getting us ready to launch into new ones. For those of us who have read the books, we know whats coming, but I am loving this adaptation to the small screen, and am looking forward to its return next year.
Good thing I have lots to occupy myself with in the interim…
What do you think of the finale?
