The Laws of Gods and Men (Spoilers)
“I’m on trial for being a dwarf.”
This week opens on the stunning port of Braavos, where Stannis Baratheon and Davos Seaworth sail to meet the heads of the Iron Bank, the same bank Tywin earlier confessed to Cercei, the Lannister’s owed a fortune. A grim-faced Stannis is there to ask for money to aid in his war effort, but Tycho Nestoris (played by Mark Gatiss, better known as Mycroft from Sherlock) kicks off the meeting by addressing him as Lord Baratheon. Nestoris takes some pleasure in reminding Stannis he isn’t the rightful Protector of the Realm and goes on to list a number of concerns–Stannis’ new religion among them–even though Stannis points out the current king doesn’t share his blood due to being from Jaime and Cersei Lannister. Devos steps in with a powerful argument as to why Stannis Baratheon should be helped by the Iron Bank, and goes on to explain how he lost his fingers. Devos’ words help to persuade Nestoris to lend the money and now Davos buys the help of the Lysene pirate he sailed with, Salladhor Saan. Will the Iron Bank now put pressure on Tywin, further helping Stannis? This could really stir things up if it indeed does happen.
Theon’s sister Yara Greyjoy received the letter from Ramsey Snow, and now she’s after blood. In a surprising turn of events, the rescue fails, with Yara lucky to escape with her life, thanks to Theon so utterly brainwashed and broken, he bites her to run back into the kennel he was just rescued from. Yara has accepted Theon–now definitely Reek–is dead to her and leaves him with Ramsey. We also get to see the state of Theon’s scar-covered body when the insane Ramsey gets Theon to bathe. Ramsey hatches a plot to kill someone, telling Reek he needs his help to take back a castle, with Reek pretending to be Theon. I think it’s obvious who Reek is being sent to kill.
Danys’ dragon’s are growing large with one attacking a flock of goats. While Dany is sitting at the Meereen palace hearing the complaints of the people she now rules over, her action taken by crucifying the masters has come back to bite her on the backside, when the son of a dead master asks that he may take the body down for proper burial. At least Ser Barristan didn’t need to offer Dany an “I told you so.” Tywin holds an early meeting before the trial, where Dany and her dragons are brought up. Tywin asks Lord Varys if he can get a spy inside Meereen, no doubt to spy on the new Queen. As well as Sandor being mentioned and a bounty of 100 stags put on his head, Tywin is reminded of the fact Barristan Selmy and Jorah Mormont now advise Daenerys Targaryen. One gets the feeling Tywin is more concerned about these two seasoned knights aiding Dany than anything else, and it could be he plans to attempt to subvert his former spy and/or kingsguard.
It was amusing watching Lord Tyrell groveling away at Tywin, thanking him for being allowed on the council, only to be ignored until he’s asked by Tywin to fetch his paper and quill. Lord Varys and Prince Oberyn have an interesting discussion in the throne room, where Oberyn attempts to find out some of Varys’ history, but Varys isn’t exactly known for handing out secrets, only collecting them. Oberyn is surprised that Varys has no interest in sex, but instead Varys looks to have his eye fixed on the throne. It would seem everyone wants to rule the Seven Kingdoms.
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The trial begins pretty much as one would expect, seeing as Cersei has ensured everyone is there to testify about everything Tyrion has ever said against herself or Joffrey, which was quite a list as Tyrion never was able to hold his tongue. Jaime even negotiates with his father, promising Tywin he’ll take his place at Casterly Rock if he spares Tyrion’s life. The speed Tywin agrees would indicate this was the plan all along, however, it wouldn’t be any fun if everything went to plan.
Jaime quickly tells Tyrion to keep quiet and asks him to trust that he’s arranged with their father to allow Tyrion to live. I think Tyrion was actually prepared to do just that if Shea hadn’t been called in as the last witness. You know what they say about a woman scorned, but Tyrion has two to contend with. Seeing poor Tyrion have to listen to Shea blaming he and Sansa for poisoning Joffrey, then explain to the court how she let Tyrion lick him (among every other depravity imaginable), was too much for Tyrion to bear. What he said about being on trial for being a dwarf really nailed the episode for me, as well as Shea turning up. In a typical shock move, we finish with Tyrion demanding a trial by combat, but that surely means he has to do the fighting himself, with no help from Bronn coming this time. It’s episodes like these–Ned Stark’s beheading, Walder Frey murdering the Stark wedding party–that make this show so enthralling.
TV Recap by Lead Entertainment Writer, Ed Blackadder
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