They got more flesh into this one.
I have to agree with both of you - a fairly dull episode. I still don't quite understand why Ros has such a big continuing role. Did it really need reinforcing that Littlefinger is all about the gold? At this point his character seems pretty well defined. And why did Ros care about the kid anyway?
I agree with your point on the viewers who aren't readers, ctg. My wife is watching with me, and I have to explain a heck of a lot of the history that is absent. I understand the need to streamline for TV, but you still have to lay some groundwork...
Here be spoilers. Look away non-viewers or I consider ye be warned, says I.
I've seen other forums hypothesise that Roz is being introduced and set up for a larger role (possibly replacing Chataya's in SoS?) but I agree for the most part she doesn't work for me, though I will say her acting is actually pretty good.
I just assumed she was hired for her *cough* physicality and pretty much all of series 1 had her naked or semi-naked. If you think about it, this series has seen her being fully clothed (this sounds ludicrous out of context) and part of the ensemble cast in a way that I just didn't appreciate. I'd rather that the role of Littlefinger's confidant was Sansa, but considering some of the ripe dialogue he's been given, an adult/employee seems to be how they've gone. I get the feeling we're being set up for the long con here - at least I hope so otherwise I'd be fairly cheesed off at all the wasted minutes on a non-book character which isn't adding a great deal to the story at present.
Anyway, back to the episode. I agree it felt more disjointed than the first one, ironically, as at least that had scene-setting to do and a linking mechanism (the comet) to employ. This episode seemed to hop around rather a lot from place to place and didn't seem to linger long enough in any place for us to get more emotionally involved in what was going on.
Things I liked:
Any scene with Tyrion - he is killing this role and seems nailed on for another Emmy. If anything he's stealing the show even more this series. The interchange between him and Varys was fantastic - Fish Pie!
I love what Coneth Hill is doing with that role and he
is Varys in the same way Maisie just is Arya.
Ayra with Gendry & Jaqhen - even Hot Pie & Lommy "we should yield!" was brilliant, as was Yoren being a total badass with the goldcloaks.
Balon Greyjoy - "Hi Dad, I'm home!" "I'll not have my son dressed like a whore" - ouch.
I've always had a soft spot for those mad, bad, reaving sons of iron & salt and I look forward to seeing the Iron Fleet in battle. Shame we won't get to see Aeron or Victarion this series.
Things I didn't:
Brothel scene with Littlefinger & Roz. It was a good enough moment but, as others have already said, was very redundant in that we know LF cares for himself only and some of the stuff was quite gratuitous (post-fellatio mouth wiping...stay classy HBO)
Rakharo's off-screen death. I know there was scheduling conflicts and the like but please - don't kill characters off screen! Even a dying Rakharo ("It was...arrgh!") would have been better than what happened. Such a waste for a really enjoyable actor and role. He deserved better and so did we.
Stannis & Melissandre. It was implied in the books - much like Loras & Renly was, but it seemed very rushed and he didn't need much talking into breaking his vows. It weakened the "I don't bend" Stannis persona for me a bit. If it was going to happen, after the meeting with Renly was the place to do it. Seems *ahem* premature here.
So overall a weaker episode with a bit more filler, but still great TV. Looking forward to Renly and "the Beauty, the Beauty" next episode.
