As my week-long vacation fell through the roof, I didn't have to wait until Thursday to watch it o/.
It was a solidly decent episode; some great, some good, some blah. Last week's was infinitely better.
This is, of course, mainly a Theon post, which I kind of said I would do, although I doubt it was what Renee wanted for a big reason; the show did not do an effective job on Theon and his...actions, at least, not yet. It's still early times, and I hope all my concerns get addressed. This is also peppered with minor related book spoilers.
white;
One thing I was worried about with not being in his head was the fact we wouldn't get a sense of his inner conflicts, and I don't think they did enough to show them in the show, at least, so far.
I mean, I'm not a Theon apologist. He does bad things, to good people. It's everything else about him when he does bad things that makes him great to me, and with that taken out, what's left?
Theon went into Winterfell to try and prove himself as a Greyjoy, but it wasn't as simple as that. He didn't go in there just to be a d**k to everyone and kill them for the slightest talk back. In the books, he did not want to be cruel to them. They kept in that Theon clearly fully intended to be "a good lord", which was good. He did have affection for these people, and wanted to be good to them (if they kept their own peace with him). I mean, Theon demanding Bran yields is basically saying "I want them to listen to me, but I don't want to kill anyone". They immediately threw out Theon's desire to be good to them however.
While I'm glad they made the Cleftjaw stand in for Reek as the one whispering in his ear and helping his bad decision making, I didn't like that Theon sentenced/killed Ser Rodrik. That was a Ramsay Snow move, and adding more blood on Theon's hands (through established characters) without having his inner turmoil fully present just paints him as a villain. It is a lot different than killing Mikken in the books without having any inner insight to even go along with his rash act.
I mean, it's still early times for that storyline but I hope they find ways to present Theon's conflicts with himself and his actions. I mean, he regrets things as they happen in the books and that alone is very significant of his character.
I did love Ser Rodrik's final words, "Now you are truly lost" and him completely botching the beheading was fantastic. Theon truly is lost now. Now no one wants him, Greyjoy/Ironborn or Stark/Northman.
And the scene itself? It was so good and really intense. If I weren't so damn attached to the character, I'd probably would have loved it even after instead of being more worried.
I also didn't like that they basically glossed over how Theon got in there in the first place. It was his only good plan/idea.
Again though, Alfie Allen did an amazing job. He did pull off some looks/glances that suggest his inner conflicts, but I don't think anyone who hasn't read the books would notice them. He's just a villain, now more than ever, when he is very much a character rooted in shades of eternal grey.
Despite all the stars in my eyes, if I hadn't read the books, I'd probably hate Theon too. There's just so much lost in the character without being in his head.
Littlefinger. God damn, he must have a magical horse with jet packs to get around so fast /:
I did like how Littlefinger catches on to Arya though, and says nothing.
I was actually liking Ygritte. Hopefully this lasts. "...you're still moving around". "Really? I hadn't noticed that time :smugsmile: "
The riot scene was amazing too. Showed the state of King's Landing perfectly.
Xaro Xhoan Ducksauce is so great, I'm thrilled they changed his character to something amazing. I didn't care for him in the books at all. The Spice King is fabulous too. Troll-y bugger, I love himmmmmmm. He's literally my own voice in the show, because dammit, Dany. Stop yelling about who you are, everyone gets it. Blah blah blah.
Also, wtf. Why kill Irri, she's more awesome than Doreah. I can see what they were doing with the ending, but it was so rushed it fell pretty flat.
I love Tywin, so much.
I also love that's how they managed to walk around Arya not choosing Tywin as a Jaqen kill.
And the Arya/Jaqen exchange. Jaqen's exasperated face omg :3.
Robb also got completely c**k-blocked by Cat, ownnnnnnnnnned.
Ramsay Snow mention though! There is hope!
