GOT Review: Episode 15 – The Ghost of Harrenhall

Summary – A king died due to a shadow, Littlefinger and Margarey plan to make moves, Arya finds out she has a murder free card, Cersei won’t prepare for war, Tyrion puts his trust in an isolated mad man, Jon meets a Night Watch legend never messaged before, Stannis has the worst battle strategy ever.

Quote – Arya Stark: Anyone can be killed.

For such a small, short quote, it’s very impactful for the character’s psyche. Arya had witness multiple tragedies and killed a person at this point. She went from the safety of Winterfell with her siblings to being an orphan fearful every day she might die. Here, she says this quote to Tywin Freaking Lannister. Now Tywin had no idea his cup bearer is Arya, so he believes this quote is about Robb. But Arya could be saying this about a number of people. Obviously, the popular answer would be Tywin himself, but with Arya’s changing world view, I think this line could just be played straight. Anyone can die and nobody is safe. Don’t get attached to anyone in this show. Seriously. They’re all going to die.

Except Bran. It’s never Bran. Damn it

What Works

Renly’s Death – This is such a Martin thing to do. He loves subverting the expectations of the audience, who expected a huge battle between Renly and Stannis. Once something goes good for the Starks it also quickly falls apart. Renly would have been the best ruler, but instead, he dies without a chance to prove himself.

Cat advises Renly that Robb has no interest in the Iron Throne. He only wants revenge on the Lannister and justice for his family. Renly accepts this, and if he swears loyalty, Robb can rule the North. After defeating his brothers, the two can team up and destroy the Lannisters.

Cat tries to convince Renly to make peace with Stannis, but as Renly explains that Stannis won’t stop till he is king or dead, the shadow emerges.

We see via reflection that Renly is killed by the shadow, which disappears the instant it stabs the would be king. Soldiers storm into the tent and blame Brienne, who kills both pretty easily. She then breaks down and cry. As awful as the birthing scene was last episode, I have to admit that this kill was pretty cool and nobody could have predicted this sibling batting ending like this. 

Margarey’s Next Move – Loras and Margarey both grieve over the death of Renly. However while Renly grieves deeply for his lover, Margarey tries to plan their next move. They need to flee back to Highgarden where they will be safe.

Littlefinger helps, as always, by telling the two that Stannis gained all the other bannermen and gained so much in Renly’s death. Loras is furious and says he wants nothing more than revenge. However, both Margarey and Littlefinger agree that revenge cannot be achieved if Loras dies too. Renly leaves the scene. Littlefinger asks if Margarey wants to be queen. She tells him she wants to be THE queen, which sets up Littlefinger’s next move. Again, Margarey wants to move up the ladder. I think all those who think she’s this sweet angel compared to Cersei are wrong. She’s a schemer like the most of the cast. 

An odd Bond – At a meeting with Tywin’s Lords and goons, the head Lannister states that he does not believe all the negative reports he’s gotten about Robb. He compliments the Stark on his mind and his battle prowess. Unless the Lannisters force Robb into a mistake, Tywin doesn’t believe he’ll make one. When one the council members, Tywin’s cousin, asks for sleep, Tywin dismisses him permanently. He does this partially to show he means business, but also references he’s a Lannister a bunch of times. Seems like a kindness is Tywin’s own, weird way. He also takes water, not wine during this meeting, rare for most lords in this series.

He then begins to question where Arya is from and who the Lord’s are there. When caught in a lie, Tywin notes she’s a Northerner, which causes Arya to answer more accurately, though not giving away her identity. Tywin asks what she had heard about Robb, and it becomes a way for Arya to give all the compliments she wants about , lastly that they say he can’t be killed. She doesn’t believe that though, and says “anyone can be killed”.

It’s a unusual, but great scene, showing a small bond between two people. Arya hates the Lannisters, but by the end of this scene, I don’t think she hates Tywin. At least not yet. He never makes her nightly prayer list, and this pairing leads to some soon scenes.

Idol Worship – Jon and Jeor discuss the Halfhand, a legend of the Night’s Watch, who managed to survive a full winter – remember, that can be years, beyond the war. It doesn’t sound like an easy fear. A horn goes off and it’s Quorin Halfhand, the legend himself coming to them. Wow, talk about convenient! We haven’t heard a word of him until this scene, so the buildup is poor.

Quorin gives a lot of important information – Mance has gathered nearly all of the Wildings together. Mance is a dangerous opponent now that he can teach them the ways of the Night’s Watch. Personally, I’d be more concerned all the people North of the wall are teaming up, but that’s just me.

Quorin proposes that they sneak in and kill Mance without him knowing, you know, like ninjas on ice. He wants to take a very small group. Jon wants to go, saying he killed a White Walker, however, Jeor counters that Craster kicked his ass and took his sword. Sam volunteers to take over Jon’s duties, so Jeor, reluctantly, lets him go. I mean, the Craster beat down would have made me say no for sure. He should be cleaning chamber pots with his own toothbrush.

What Doesn’t Work:

Myrcella’s Marriage – Tyrion seems to be moving forward with marrying off Myrcella to Dorne. Now, I am aware this happens in the book, but I thought it was only a part of Tyrion’s plan to weed out Cersei’s spy. Is this how Tyrion determined who to marry off the only princess in the kingdom? I mean, this is a horrific job. Honestly, it makes me hate his scheme from the third episode now. This is a minor reference in this episode, but boy did it stick out to me.

Cersei Doesn’t Play Ball – Tyrion explains that Cat, Brienne and Stannis were implicated in the death of Renly. This is a problem for the Lannisters as Stannis now has an advantage at land and sea. It was assumed they would struggle against Renly, but now the chips are fully in Stannis’ camp.

Cersei mentions Joffrey is preparing a counter measure for Stannis’ now growing army. Cersei will not give additional information for Tyrion, despite him being hand of the king. Tyrion gets the information from Lancel, who tells him it’s wildfire. Lancel swears it’s true when Tyrion reminds him that Jaime will kill him when he finds out about it. The claim seems to be pretty serious.

So yeah, he gets the info which we’ll find out later (also in the didn’t work section) but Cersei sure doesn’t seem to mind the impending death coming. Even with the threat of the destruction of King’s Landing, she’s still a bitch to Tyrion. You got to feel for our favorite Lannister – he’s getting mocked in the streets, gets no respect in court, and he’s trying to save everyone.

Old Insane Man deciding the Battle of Blackwater – Speaking of the awful strategy, Lancel advises that the secret weapon Cersei and Joffrey are hoarding is wildfire – a mythical substance that can burn even on water. Bronn is extremely skeptical of the whole thing, you know, like a sane individual.

Tyrion meets with the fire man to discuss the wildfire. Bronn repeatedly insults the old guy, but the ancient keeper of wild fire, who’s never once been hinted at before, swears by it. Bronn also doesn’t believe that, even if it was the real thing, the men left in King’s Landing would be able to effectively use it. Bronn believes men win wars, not magic tricks.

However, when they enter the vault containing the wildfire, Tyrion seems sold that it’s real. He requests that the wild fire be made for him exclusively. He has a plan for using it.

Now, my issue with this scene is how this old insane man is the only hope the Lannisters have. I mean, they really haven’t develops the threat to King’s landing well – or maybe it’s because Tyrion is the only one who can recognize the danger. Personally, I’d rather have secondary plans that put all my eggs in this old man’s basket.

Stannis’ Awful Strategy – Davos tells Stannis he is sorry about his brother. Stannis doesn’t show any love is lost for him. He also will not speak any more about what the Red woman did. He doesn’t care as he got all the banner men, minus the Tyrells who have fled. There is no compassion in this scene.

Stannis will be ready to attack King’s Landing as soon as he readies his troops. He’s planning on striking as soon as possible. Davos does not want Stannis to bring Meli, which causes Stannis to question Davos’ loyalty. Davos says the people think Stannis is obeying the red woman, and not the other way around. Davos cautions him not to let Meli become the leader of the troops. Stannis then immediately decides not to bring Melisandra. What? That was it? One brief conversation against the woman who got him 50,000+ troops? I get respecting Davos – but that was pretty quick.

He then names Davos to lead the ship attack at Blackwater Bay. Stannis doesn’t care that Davos has no experience in attack ships. Again – that’s what he’s going to go with? Having an inexperienced battler lead the most important battle of any of their lives? Sounds, I don’t know, frigging stupid.

Fake Reek – Nobody is listening to Theon as captain. The men don’t respect him at all. He is mocked by the crew and one in particular says he could be captain much better than him. Yara also jumps in on the mocking, making sure to let him know that she has 30 ships and a loyal crew.

Theon meets Dagmer, who says Theon won’t be respected until he proves himself. Dagmer recommends Theon do what he wants instead of what he’s told. Theon decides on taking over a local area but says it never works as Winterfell will come to take it back. But then he realizes Winterfell will have no men guarding it. He plans to take over where he was a captive.

Now, this is a bad plan, especially based on the number on men they have. I’d have been ok with this, If Dagmer was Reek, AKA Ramsay Bolton as he was in the book. Ramsay should be a crappy adviser because he wants Theon to fail. Instead, this Dagmar guy is important for what reason exactly? Being he’s the one guy that doesn’t realize Theon is an embarrassment? This was a really, REALLY, bad change in my opinion.

Also, for the remainder of his tenure, Dagmer will be referred to as Dagget, like from the Angry Beavers. That might make me hate the character less.

Free Murder – When going to fetch water for Tywin, Arya runs into Jaqer. He talks very odd, almost second person mixed with third person. Arya hates that Jaqar is a Lannister solider now, but he calls out Arya fetching water for Tywin. They are doing what they need to do to survive.

Can we talk about his speech pattern? It’s the most pretentious thing on this show right now, and that includes Cersei not caring about the city dying. This whole “a man does this” crap is annoying as anything.  

Jaqer tells Arya that because she saved three lives, he will kill three people for her to even things out with the Red God. Oh good, another one of THOSE, people. Anyway, he doesn’t actually say he will kill them, but that “a man” will kill them. Of course, this is how he talks all the time, so I don’t know if he’s trying to avoid giving himself up, or can only talk in one fashion. There’s seems to be no limit to this, other than providing a name. Arya chooses the Tickler, the torturer for round one.

Arya sees shirtless Gendry, definitely not needed, practicing for a fight and gives him tips. While trying to assist, there are screams. The Tickler has seemed to fall to his death. Arya sees Jagar sitting, with no remorse, and advises one of her three kills is complete.

So basically, Arya can kill three people with no issue. I know limits will be established, but couldn’t she pick Joffrey and Stannis – winning the war for Robb by default? If we’re just giving out free murder, why not go for it a grand slam instead of a single?

Pyat Pree, definitely evil – A crazy, old, sketchy man arrives to Dany at her party, and is somehow able to split himself into two. Pyat Pree is his name and he invites Dany to the House of the Undying. Xano comes after and explains he is one of the 13, and as a warlock, all he does is read all books and think his magic is real.

Let’s be honest here, he did legit magic. So that’s not good. Has anyone ever been introduced and been more obviously evil than this shit bad? I don’t think so. I hate this whole plot line for Dany, and it’s awful characters like this that ruin things for me. They could have had a rival Khal plan this attack, or maybe a remaining assassin from Westeros. Or, they could have some discount turkey who’s pretending to be a human. Pathetic. 

Xano Spitting Game – Xaro has a dress made for Dany. The two handmaidens are at each others throats – the old ways of the Khal, vs the one ways of this rich city. Though both agree that Dany should wear the dress.

Xano offers all in a vault containing all sorts of jewels and gold. He says all he needs is Dany’s hand in marriage. He can give Dany the seven kingdoms and lets her know that Robert is dead.

What Xano is doing, is trying to flex how power, knowledge and influence in exchange for outkicking his coverage. I don’t care how much wealth he thinks he has, Dany has dragons, a pedigree of ruling a continent and she’s out of all of Qarth’s league. I mean, most people would try to pull things off like Xano did, but come on dude – it’s not going to work.

Surprisingly, Jorah thinks this is a terrible idea, and councils her to avoid it. What a surprise that Jorah would suggest this. He’s been trying the Xano angle for the last season and a half, but at least Xano has something to offer. All Jorah has is lessons of getting deeper into the friend zone. 

Death – Renly, 2 Soliders, the Tickler (Sounds like an awful supervillian).

Boobs – 0

Needlessly Graphic Sex – 0