One King down, four to go.

The Ghost of Harrenhal - The game is being played and the pieces are slowly being moved to center in on Kings Landing. With the death of Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) by a dark and mysterious hand, his brother Stannis (Stephen Dillane) and his army are fast approaching. Brienne (Gwendoline Christie), unable to defend Renly from the shadow assassin, escapes with Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) to avoid being hung for the death of a king.

They both escape to the forest and forge a necessary connection–both their lives are in danger and even though they are unfamiliar with each other personally, they are both strong women. Brienne describes Catelyn’s bravery as a “particular kind of woman’s courage” that is needed to form their companionship. It is a long road to Winterfell and who better than Brienne to get her there safely. Provided that Catelyn does not stand in her way when the opportunity to strike Stannis to avenge the death of her beloved King Renly.

This is the most admirable bond seen thus far in this season of The Game of Thrones. Catelyn is in need of trusted friend as her children are spread all over the map; Sansa is at King Joffrey‘s beckoned call; Robb and his army are crushing the Lannisters; Arya is in the service to the enemy of the Kingdoms; and Brienne, ever loyal and noble, is in equal need of a friend.

Careful allegiance.

In the aftermath of King Renly’s death, Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) is trying to console and form alliances with the Tyrells and has to be careful in convincing Loras (Finn Jones) to leave his dead lover’s bedside and avenge his death another day. Now that Loras’s sister announced that she wants to be the Queen, I am thinking; what is Littlefinger up to? Is he trying to create is own pathway to the throne? Or his own governing land? His intentions are unclear up to this point in the story and I am guessing that he may try to repay a kindness to Cersei Lannister–and her definitions of power.

Stannis on the other hand seems to be unaware of Melisandre’s involvement in the death of his brother. However, Ser Davos is doing his best to let him know what his men are saying about him. This is wise for Stannis to listen, especially if he is to become King. He must know how Melisandre may involve herself in his rule.

A proposal of convenience.

Now that Dænerys (Maisie Williams)  is comfortably attended to in Quarth, Xaro Xhaon Daxos (Nonso Anozie) proposes an unlikely alliance in her quest to reclaim the iron throne–marriage. Xaro brings her to a door made of Valyrian steel and tell her that beyond this door, are unspecified riches. These riches would buy her all the ships and armies that she would need to take the iron throne. But what she did not factor into this idea is the advice of Ser Jora (Ian Glen). Ser Jora reminds Dænerys that she is a Khaleesi and he may have also said too much about his feelings for her; specifying what they could accomplish together without the riches of Xaro, and he’s right about this.

Hot and bothered.

Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) is unsuccessful in trying to get his sister to see reason. If only she’d realize that if the two of them work together, they can quell a lot of the problems plaguing the kingdom. Cersei’s (Lena Headey) deeply held disgust for Tyrion not only clouds her best judgement, but cloud her ability to see the threats quickly mounting against them. Thankfully, he thwarted Joffrey’s plan to hurl a fiery alchemist concoction against Stannis’s ships, thereby thwarting any potential for the liquid to destroy Kings Landing. He became aware of all this due to his new “partnership” with his cousin, and sister Cersei’s lover Ser Lancel. Tyrion remains one of the most clever minds in The Game of Thrones series.

In company with the enemy.

Arya (Maisie Williams) is forming her own alliances. After helping three prisoners escape the attack on Yoren’s camp in the Riverland’s, one of them being Jaquen H’ghar (Tom Wlaschiha), who in turn repays the favor by executing the torturer “the tickler.” At that moment she realized that she is in control of her faith. Cleverly, while in service to Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), she knows to be extra careful in order to prevent him from finding out who she really is. All the while, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) arrives at the Fist of the First Men and  Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) is having a hard time convincing his crew that he is a worthy crew captain.

The entire episode featured our beloved and most hated characters form alliances–some unsettling, others beneficial towards one cause or another. One of the episode highlights is when Dænerys fed one of her baby dragons, or rather, taught it to cook it’s own meat! I totally am enjoying the deep interplay between each of the characters and am looking forward to King Joffrey getting what he so deeply deserves.

On the horizon…

Source: HBO