4.02 The Lion and the Rose

[Culhwch]

A who's who of honored guests turns out for Joffrey and Margaery's wedding in King's Landing, but the king's taste in entertainment rubs many of them the wrong way. Meanwhile, Bronn gives a lesson to an unlikely pupil; Bran's vision helps map out his journey; Stannis loses patience with Davos; and Ramsay takes a perverse delight in his new pet.

Remember to mind your spoilers!

 

[Lenny]

Lovely shade of purple!

I also enjoyed Bronn 'training' Jaime. Otherwise, I've not a huge amount to say. For all that happened, it was a pretty low-key episode.

 

[Mouse]

I've not read ADWD so I don't know what's in that book, but I hate the Theon/Reek stuff. Far too gratuitous and unnecessary and didn't even fit in with the episode!

Apart from that, it's was all right. I so want Jaime and Brienne to hook up. (And Oberyn/Oberon/whatever his name is and Loras). I do like Prince Obi Wan, I don't remember him at all from the books. I both liked and disliked Cersei in this ep (she had all the best lines). And... what else? Oh yeah, Bronn/Jaime stuff was good. I don't remember that happening in the books either.

 

[Dozmonic]

I also enjoyed Bronn 'training' Jaime. Otherwise, I've not a huge amount to say. For all that happened, it was a pretty low-key episode.

That did make me go "ooh, that's different" in an "I guess that works" kind of way. It's nice that a lot of changes are like that and I don't find myself shaking my head wondering why.

 

[Lenny]

I've just seen a comment in a review, and had to go back and watch various bits to confirm - you can actually see how everything is put in place for Joffrey to die. If you'd rather wait for the possibility of the details coming out in future episodes, don't read this:

Spoiler

Go back to the first episode and look at the necklace Sansa receives from Ser Dontos the Fool.

Sansa is greeted by Olenna at the High Table, Olenna says how Sansa has been caught by the wind, then messes with Sansa's hai - watch Olenna's left hand very carefully. The next shot shows Sansa straight on, and the jewel furthest to the right on Sansa's necklace is clearly missing. Finally, when Olenna walks back to her chair, listen out for the *clink* as she passes Cersei's carafe (from which Tyrion pours Joffrey's wine). You can even see her arm as she drops the jewel into the wine! Olenna's face as Tyrion picks up the goblet when Joffrey complains the pie is dry is fantastic.

I'm impressed they got it in!

EDIT: Hey, the spoiler text colour in the new theme is the same as the post box background (whereas in the old theme it was white). Good change!

 

[Ursa major]

you can actually see how everything is put in place for Joffrey to die

And given GRRM wrote the episode, no-one can claim this isn't canon**.


** -

Spoiler

Without looking at the book, which isn't to hand, I can't recall whether the sequence of events is as clear in the text, although (given the PoV-based approach used in the books) I doubt that it is.

 

[alchemist]

Poisoning was too good for the little ****!

 

[Darth Angelus]

Poisoning was too good for the little ****!

At least that piece of human filth suffered in his last moments. He'd better hope there is no hell in that universe.

 

[firstfist]

Melisandre's fire spell, consummated by King Stanis (or heir Stanis), was also to seek out the two (at the time) rival Kings. Her fire magic has been proven before (if not her fire sight) and I see no reason to believe it didn't work in this instance also. Bran can "posses" other living things. I don't see any reason an incarnated fire spell demon couldn't also....

 

[Aun Doorback]

I really enjoyed the episode (If enjoyed is actually the right word) Agree with Mouse re poor old Reek, but I'm impressed how GRRM can change my sympathies for characters as hardships come around. Agree with Mouse again! With my hope for Lady Brienne and Jaime - She would give him that moral compass again which he obviously had once?

 

[Kylara]

Hehe I enjoyed this episode. Was watching with the OH who has been reading the first book for almost a year and a half - two years now (he doesn't have much time and reads VEERRRRYYYY slowly. So was fun to see his reaction to the episode. I thought the wedding scene was put together exceedingly well with all the bits there if you know what to look for. (see Lenny spoiler above for deets)

 

[Dave]

Yes, thanks Lenny.
(Was that a spoiler? Everything you mentioned was there to see if you looked for it.)

 

[Kylara]

Ah but would you look for it if you didn't know...

 

[Lenny]

Yes, thanks Lenny.
(Was that a spoiler? Everything you mentioned was there to see if you looked for it.)

Ah but would you look for it if you didn't know...

That was my thinking.

Also, from what I can remember from the books, the plot is slowly revealed, and I expect the show to go that way, so spoiler tagging it protects the people who want to see things gradually fit together from immediate truth.

 

[Juliana]

Nice recap Lenny. I was watching O.T. carefully, but didn't pick up half the detail you did!

Enjoying watching Cersei rapidly losing it; love the contrast between one twin's upward journey and the other twin's downward spiral.

 

[Dave]

Oh! It needed spoiler warning. I didn't mean that. I just meant that the super-observant like your reviewer could have worked it out. Don't read anything else into my post.

Not having read your post first, I didn't notice all those things, but one thing that did strike me was the Fool telling Sansa that she was in danger and should leave. At that point there was no warning of anything to come. Obviously she is Tyrion's wife, but he is being extraordinarily civil in the face of his baiting and showed no sign of getting provoked to do anything more. We are meant to think that he was, since Cersei accuses him, but to me it seemed that the Fool already knew something we did not.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Overall a good episode. However, I wasn't all that impressed with Lena Headey's performance at the end. Granted, its been awhile since I read that particular section of the books, but watching the episode I didn't believe Cersei was all that upset.


And even though I knew what to expect, I still didn't notice everything that Lenny pointed out in his spoiler tag section. Now I want to go re-watch it! Looking forward to next week.

 

[Boaz]

With my hope for Lady Brienne and Jaime

I've read the five published books. The sixth book will be published before the sixth season of HBO. Then the seventh season will air and our positions will be reversed. You'll know how the story ends from the show, while I wait forlornly for the seventh book.

She would give him that moral compass again which he obviously had once?

Jaime lost his moral compass by the age of four... maybe five. That's when he discovered his sword. And at the age of six, his father gave him a blade.