Review: Game Of Thrones 5×02 – The House Of Black and White

Review

This was yet another episode of build up and story plot without a lot of big reveals or shocking events. Season 4 had so many shocking events that it will likely take us until half way through the season before we see anything like that again. All of the new expanded locations and characters must be fleshed out; yet if they go too long they may lose viewers who are used to far more exciting stories. However, from what I have seen so far, I will say hang tight. Winter is coming, and so are some exciting events.

I am enjoying the very different paths that each of the Stark children are taking as things progress. When you think about them all being together at the start of season 1 and look now, they have all taken very different paths. Arya is working hard to try and take revenge against all of those who have done her family wrong. Jon Snow has become Lord Commander and has gained the respect of the Knights Watch as he prepares for what he and the wildlings know are coming from beyond the wall. Sansa has come to grips with her situation as has been more cunning than even Little Finger realizes.

Podrick and Brienne are like the odd couple and as much as Brienne tries to push Podrick away, he just won’t give up on her. By the end of this episode she actually protects him. Moreen is dragging on a bit too long, though it was nice to see Drogon reappear. The Tyrion and Varys bromance is a fun separation from all the fighting in Westeros.

Recap
This episode’s title centers around Arya’s trip to Bravos and he arrival at the House Of Black and White. The man at the house of black and white returns after Arya leaves and throws the coin away. Turns out that he was the same man that gave her the coin in the first place. He says she must become no-one, and is allowed to enter.

Podrick and Brienne run into Little Finger and Sansa Stark at a tavern and she goes up to them to pledge her loyalty to Sansa and the Stark family. Little Finger doesn’t want her around, so he points out the fact that every person she has sworn to protect has died from Lady Stark to Renly Baratheon. Like Arya before her, Sansa refuses her help and Little Finger orders his men after her when she refuses to stay with them. Both girls have refused her offer and Podrick feels that she is no longer obligated to the Starks.

Cersei and Jamie receive a threat from Dorne. The sand snakes are threatening their daughter for the death of Prince Oberyn. Jamie promises to go there himself and bring back their daughter alive and safe. The possibility of an all out war doesn’t concern him in the least.

In Dorne, we see Oberyn’s brother talking with his brothers sand snake ‘girlfriend’ and discussing the action they must take as revenge for his death. She wants the Lannister girl dead, but he refuses to mutilate little girls for vengeance. That is not something they do in Dorne.

In Moreen they make progress in finding the Sons of the Harpy. With a member captive, the queens council of advisors give her different opinions on how to handle him. Some advise killing the captive, while others say he should be kept alive for information. One of her advisors takes it upon himself to kill the captive member, against the queens orders. As a result she decides to have him executed. While this is done to show the others that she will be fair in her justice and not let disobedience go unpunished, rioting breaks out between former slaves and former masters over the death.

Tyrion and Varys are hiding on the road to Moreen. Tyrion can only drink all day and is getting stir crazy inside that box. People continue to bring the head of dwarves to the queen in her effort to find and kill Tyrion but so far they have not been successful. At the small council, Cersei does not have the respect of its members, especially her uncle who wants King Tommen to come to him and ask for his help, not through Cersei.

At the wall, Stannis asks Jon Snow to join him, he sees something in Jon, and offers him the last name of Stark, by royal decree if he chooses to join him. Something Jon has wanted all his life. A vote for lord commander begins and several are offered up as leading candidates, including Jon Snow. When the vote was cast, there is a tie. However, one final vote is cast and Jon won and was named Lord Commander of the Nights Watch.

Our missing Dragon Drogon finally shows up, if only for a moment. It doesn’t seem like the Mother Of Dragons has much control over her babies. This could prove to be an issue if she plans on taking back the iron throne.