Valar Morghulis.

Game of Thrones - Valar Morghulis (June 3, 2012) – FINALE – Closing time my friends. HBO has again darkened our doorsteps with the end of another fantastic season of Game of Thrones. No matter how much I begged and pleaded with The Seven for an additional 2-episodes for this season, and still no answer. Alas, I must proceed with this review–I must say that this episode was a shadow compared to last week’s episode; however, the finale left us enough clues as to the prevailing events to come in season 3.

Grand Mæstere Pycelle returns the favor.

Valar Morghulis was an episode filled with a series of farewells: Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) — Grand Mæstere Pycelle (Julian Glover) was there personally to issue comeuppances after he suffered a night or two in the hole for his betrayal of the tongue in What is dead may never die. He has returned as the Queen Regent’s “spy,” and was more than happy to  inform him that he was no longer hand of the King and his accompaniment were no longer in his command–as a matter of fact, no longer in service to anyone.

Tyrion bids farewell to his comforts in Kings Landing, and now dwell in a place with his belongings and will no longer enjoy the vastness and privilege of his lineage. Perhaps Tyrion is afforded one bit of good news–he still has Shae (Sibel Kekilli)–for now.

Tywin. Battle of the Blackwater. Pwned.

Tywin (Charles Dance) rides into the throne room on horseback to assume his role as King Joffrey’s Hand, still reveling in aptly defeating Stannis Baratheon and his army with the aid of House Tyrell soldiers, and also affirming that Tyrion’s no longer part of the Kings counsel. His coronation wasn’t the highlight of the evening.

Run, little bird. Run.

Poor Sansa (Sophie Turner). Can’t win for losing. Not only has she endured Joffery’s cruelness but she will no longer be his Queen, thanks to his conniving Queen Regent. You see my friends, it’s all about wealth. As a reward, Lord Petyr Bælish (Aidan Gillen) is now Lord of Harrenhal–much to Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) disappointment (this sets in motion his own methods for payback).

After House Tyrell sided with House Lannister at Blackwater, Margæry Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) was offered up by her brother to wed Joffrey in an effort to join the two houses. Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) (who at this point of the tale is still annoyingly alive) agreed to marry Margæry, after debating with his mother. Even Pycelle added his own advise to the matter, which was complete and utter bullshit–the lot of it! Never matter, think of it this way; Margæry and the Tyrells are very wealthy, so it is easy to understand why it is important for House Lannister and House Tyrell to unite. This alliance is pivotal, and sets the stage for a lot of important events for season 3 of Game of Thrones.

What of our dear Sansa? Well, Lord Bælish was there to pick up the pieces of her crumbling heart. He still holds a candle for Catelyn Stark, and for this he offers Sansa a way home. Not good.

Hell hath no fury for a eunuch scorned.

Varys, still bitter–well maybe not bitter, more like jealous–that Bælish was awarded Castle Harrenhal for his role in uniting the Lannisters and Tyrells in defeating Stannis. He decides to conjure new alliances, and where better to do this than in the Baelish whore house. He uses his skills as a manipulator, and solicits assistance from Ros (Esme Bianco) in exchange for protection. We can only guess where this alliance will end up.

He is at the bedside of Tyrion as well. Updating him on what all has happened while he rested from battle. He reminded Tyrion that they are still allies–and regret that they will not be seeing much of each other.

 Prisoners need not be mistreated.

Traitor Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) is worried now that the North armies are nearing Winterfell. What a fool. Ignoring Maester Luwin’s (Donald Sumpter) advice on how to negate his Iron Born associates–and his true heart. He pays for his wise counsel with a spear to the belly from one of Theon’s men, and while the damn fool Theon was engaging in his men–still refusing to leave Winterfell–wound up being knocked out by his own men and dragged away.

I will only say this; his future isn’t very bright.

As Mæster Luwin lay dying at a weinwood, where Ned Stark (Sean Bean) often honored the old gods, he met again with the little masters Bran and Rickon for the last time. He asked that Osha (Natalia Tena) take care of the young Starks–and to be quick to end his life. Farewell, Maester Luwin.

Mother of Dragons once again.

Finally, we return to Qarth and watch as Dænerys braved the House of the Undying. We did not get to see all the “dreams” that were laid before her as in the books; but we did get to see her first love, Khal Drogo with the son she lost; the Iron throne draped in Snow; and The Wall. As she continued to follow the cries of her “children,” she was captured by the warlock Pyat Pree (Ian Hanmore) formally of the Thirteen–we bid farewell to the warlock when Dænerys’ baby dragons lit his ass on fire!

We also have to bid farewell to the deceiver Xaro Xhoan Daxos (Nonso Anozie) and Doreah (Roxanne McKee)–the Lysene handmaiden who taught Daeny how to seduce Drogo–now find themselves in the empty vault Xaro Xhoan Daxos so claimed to be filled with riches. It is filled now–with both their bodies. Farewell Xaro Xhoan Daxos and his whore Doreah.

Dænerys, along with Jorah Mormont (Ian Glen), now sack the former King of Qarth of its riches should be enough to get her the ship as she now realizes the weight of her responsibilities.

Back at the Wall and other miscellanies.

I decided to list the other events of last night’s episode in this “miscellany” section. Not because these events were of little importance, but are significant in the events to come hopefully for season 3 of Game of Thrones:

• Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) still escorts Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) to King’s Landing when they run into a few men loyal to the Starks. Of course, Brienne obliterates them while Jamie watched–he paid close attention to how Brienne obliterated those men–he thought it would be safer to poke fun at her in an attempt to “trick her” into freeing him. I have a feeling that this will not work.
• Robb (Richard Madden) marries Talisa (Oona Chaplin) in secret–his mother tried to advise him that it wasn’t the honorable thing to do. But he reminded her that her betrayal wasn’t warranted as well.
• Stannis (Stephen Dillane) is back home nursing his wounds– and his pride–from losing the battle at Blackwater. Melisandre (Carice van Houten) was there, trying to comfort him with more promises. Sad really. Stannis, still in love with his wife, has no choice but to settle for Melisandre and all the bullshit she fills his ears with. I guess if you can’t be with the one you love, you have to love the one you are with. 
• Arya (Maisie Williams), Hot Pie (Ben Hawkey), and Gendry (Joe Dempsie) are headed towards Winterfell when they meet with Jaqen H’ghar (Tom Wlaschiha). He gave her a coin and taught her a word to say if she ever wanted to find him Calar Morgulis. He also tells her that he is one of the Faceless Men–an assassin from the east. Will we see more of Jaqen? Not anymore. You see, ‘a man has his duties.’ But this is not a farewell to him, nope. 
• Finally, at the wall with Jon Snow and the Wildlings. Qhorin Halfhand (Simon Armstrong) forces Jon to fight him so that he may find favor with Mance Rayder–this event set Jon up for season 3, and what he must do to stay alive in next season. It’s not all bad for Jon–he has Y’gritte to keep him warm.

Now, something we have all been waiting for: The White Walkers and the un-dead army. The Others from beyond the Wall made their appearance, finally, and what a spectacular appearance it was! We now know what the people of Westeros will face in season 3.

Farewell, to season 2! Magnificent ending to a fantastic season of Game of Thrones. 

Farewell, season 2 Game of Thrones.

Source: HBO