Game of Thrones – You know nothing

What is honor in Westeros? After 17 epsiodes of Game of Thrones, I don’t have a definitive answer for that. In “A Man Without Honor,” we saw a few points of view. Most directly with Catelyn telling the Kingslayer he was without honor and his retort that, unlike Ned, he was faithful to his love.

I’m not sure which shocked me more, to think of Ned Stark without honor or that Jaime had never been with a woman other than Cersei. Despite Ned’s infidelity, he lived life respecting a code of honor, which he also taught his children. Jaime’s dedication to his sister does not absolve him of those that he killed. (Though, I never understood why killing the Mad King was a disgrace. Was it just because he slayed him from behind?)

We saw the Stark family be honorable throughout the episode, but unfortunately the lessons did not extend to their other “brother,” Theon. Ever since he returned to the home of his birth, he’s been lost. He turned his back on the family of his youth in an attempt to prove loyalty to his father and sister.

Theon has continued to try and convince himself that he is on the right path, this was most evident when he told the Maester Luwin, “It’s better to be cruel than weak.” His greatest fear is being seen as weak and that is dangerous. His beheading of Rodrik was just the beginning. Did he really have Bran and Rickon killed?

My guess is no. He looked shocked at what happened. And, the fact that the bodies were burned lead me to believe the bodies were not the Stark boys, but instead the other two boys we saw in the village. Why else burn them? Is someone trying to pass them off as the Starks? Besides, there is no way that the direwolves would have let the boys be taken.

Theon’s turn to the dark side was emphasized by the kindness we saw from others, especially Cersei. She has grown since Robert died and Joffrey became King. Her conversation with Sansa was quite touching, honest and even motherly. When a girl becomes a woman, it’s a significant event. Fortunately, most don’t have to worry about bearing children with a sadistic King. Shae’s protection of Sansa was expected. Will Cersei try to protect her Little Dove from her son? I’m not sure she will be able to, but that would be one step towards redemption.

Even the conversation between Tyrion and Cersei was unusually civil without the usual insults thrown back and forth. Now that Cersei has accepted that Joffrey is not a worthy king, will she work against him? If both Tyrion and Cersei combined their power and resources they would easily be able to neuter Joffrey. With Stannis’s ships coming, they had better come up with a plan and quickly.

Last week, I complained that Jon’s interactions with Ygritte made no sense. Since he decided to keep her, the story improved a bit this week. They had some fun banter between them. Also, she brought up good questions for Jon to consider about why the Rangers are attacking north of the wall. They aren’t hurting anything, so why even bother. Hmm … good point. Now that he has been captured, will he reconsider his allegience to the Night’s Watch?

I should probably mention Dany, but I’m not sure what is going on there. She pushed Jorah away, but why? With the loss of her brother, Drogo and now her dragons, she has nothing left. She has even lost her desire to return to Westeros, now that her dragons are gone. Will the new political order in Qarth help her or hurt her? I’m not sure. Dany needs to get her dragons back and her spunk. I miss the empowered Khaleesi, Dany. Please return!

Lastly, I have to mention Arya. She has been and continues to be my favorite character and story. Her relationship with Tywin has been intriguing to watch grow. While he is surprisingly kind to her, almost in a fatherly way, she has done an amazingly well job at mixing lies and truths. When she held the knife in her hand, she thought about killing him. Despite his treatment of her, he is the enemy and a threat to her family.

With only three episodes left in this season of Game of Thrones, will Stannis make it to King’s Landing? And, what happened to Littlefinger? I can’t imagine him leaving Harrenhal without making a move of some sort regarding Arya.

By the way, is winter ever going to arrive?

Quotes

“I know how to do it.” — Jon
“You know nothing, Jon Snow.” — Ygritte

“Most girls are idiots.” — Arya

“You’re too smart for your own good. Has anyone ever told you that?” — Tywin
“Yes.” — Arya

“Shouldn’t I love Joffrey, My Grace?” — Sansa
“You can try, Little Dove.” — Cersei

“You are too familiar.” — Dany to Jorah

“You are a man without honor.” — Catelyn

Clacked by Carla Day
on May 14, 2012 @ 01:39 EST5EDT