As “The Prince of Winterfell” went on last night, I kept hoping that something would happen to draw me out of my utter boredom. Unfortunately, that moment never came. Even the normally surprising ending was uneventful with a reveal that was well forecast.
After watching an episode, I’m usually overwhelmed with thoughts that I could write for hours about Game of Thrones. With “The Prince of Winterfell” it was the opposite. I didn’t really have anything to say. So, I slept on it and realized the episode wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought last night.
It was a transitional episode (as too many have been this season) moving all the pieces into place for the upcoming battle. The problem hasn’t been a lack of story, rather there are too many components for the amount of time. This week, the episode covered seven different locations and several of those had multiple storylines. For one hour, that doesn’t allow for much depth.
I haven’t read the books, but from what I understand, this season is covering not only what was in the book, but newly created storylines to keep main characters involved, such as Jaime Lannister and Dany with her dragons. These extraneous stories have just taken away from the main event — the war.
All the talking and lack of action finally caught up with the show. It became boring. Where is the war? We keep hearing about it, but haven’t seen much of it at all. And, what about winter? Is it ever coming? Enough of my complaining.
Winterfell
Theon is an idiot. He can kill all the ravens, but that won’t protect him from Robb’s wrath. I’m not sure why Yara left her fight to go to Winterfell, but she was correct in all that she told Theon. His decision to take Winterfell was stupid. Strategically it didn’t help their cause at all, instead it just riled up the Northerners.
The death of the boys compounded the idiocy. Theon killed his only pieces of leverage or so they all think. It was no surprise at the end to see that Bran and Rickon were still alive. How ignorant of Theon to think a little gold for the farmer’s family would make killing the boys go away or acceptable?
As much as, I hate Theon for what he has done, I’d love to see him find redemption somehow. There is so much death in Westeros, it would be intriguing to see him make good on the wrong he has done.
Stark Encampment
What was Cat thinking letting Jaime go? It’s too bad that we didn’t get to see how that came about. That could have created the drama the episode was missing. Will the release of Jaime get her girls back? Help in the war effort? Perhaps not, but Brienne and Jaime together was a blast to watch.
Robb and Talisa! Robb has proven himself to be an honorable leader. Even though he has promised to marry one of the Frey daughters, he shouldn’t be without love. In this time of war, he should live in the now. They understand each other. Wouldn’t they make the perfect King and Queen?
Harrenhal
Arya’s story continues to be the one of most interest. Her manipulation of Jaqen was a brilliant, yet a highly manipulative move. I can’t decide whether to be proud of her, or turned off by her actions. Either way, Arya, Gendry and Hot Pie have escaped Harrenhal, where will they end up?
King’s Landing
The bonding between Tyrion and Cersei didn’t last long. One week they are having a heart-to-heart about their situation and how to control Joffrey and the next Cersei has turned on her dear brother. Cersei is just crazy. The reveal that she took Ros instead of Shae was not very surprising. Before “his whore” showed up, I expected it to be Ros for some reason. But, where did she get the Lannister Lion necklace? Varys? Joffrey? Intriguing question, indeed.
Joffrey continued to be an obnoxius, arrogant, and ignorant leader. He very well could be the downfall of the Lannisters and the whole realm. His goal to give Stannis a “red smile” is naive. Can Joffrey please just be killed already? At this point, I don’t even care how it happens. I can’t stand his smug little smirk.
Other locations:
Qarth: Dany was right to stick by her dragons. They are her only hope of going home. Jorah and her relationship is one of my favorites. He loves her, but I’m not convinced he is completely dedicated to her.
North of the Wall: Not much to say about this. I’m waiting to see what happens with Jon and Ygritte. And, what about the dragon glass (obsidian) arrows?
“Now I’m the rightful king by every law of Westeros.” — Stannis
Next week, in “Blackwater” the fighting at King’s Landing begins. Who will be on the Iron Throne at the end? Is it possible, we are in for a surprise? I know I don’t really want either Joffrey or Stannis to sit there. Who do you think will win the Iron Throne? Who do you want to sit there?
Clacked by Carla Day 
on May 21, 2012 @ 09:35 EST5EDT
I completely agree with this article. This whole season has been somewhat of a bore, with the exception of a very few parts in the earlier episodes. At this point, I do want to see Joffrey dead. I want to see the look on Cersei’s face when that happens. I’m also disappointed that Tyrion, perhaps the first season’s most popular character, hasnt been featured enough. Plus, the audience was not truly convinced that Tyrion loved Shae until last night (episode 8). The writers should of worked Garder on Tyrion’s and Shae’s amorous development, because the writing convinced NO ONE that they were really in love.
I thought it was a really good episode. Only problem is there is too much story to cover in only 10 episodes. But I have been very happy with how its been going last few weeks, the direction has been a lot calmer recently so you get to spend time with the characters its felt. Oh and only 60 seconds of Dany’s story was a real plus point..
As much as I’ve enjoyed the last few episodes, these last two episodes had better be the most brutal and epic episodes I have ever seen…
I actually liked this episode a lot, didn’t find it boring at all. Gave me perspective on where all the characters are, and I enjoyed every bit of interaction between them.
“but newly created storylines to keep main characters involved, such as Jaime Lannister and Dany with her dragons.”
These weren’t created for the show, they are in the books. Jamie’s is exactly as in the book so far, and the only change with Dany’s was concentrating several events into one to make her story progress faster. I do wish they had showed a bit more of why Cat let him go, because last week she was saying he had no honor and this week he’s pretty much let him go counting on the fact that he has honor.
Everyone keeps saying that Cat let the Kingslayer go, and I may very well have missed/not payed attention to a line or two, but I did not get the impression that he was “released from capture”. I mean, why did Cat secretly send her “personal lady knight” to leave with him? Why is Brienne still with him? Why not just take him to a safe distance and cut the ropes? Why take a boat to throw off the scent? It just seems like way too much is happening for a prisoner release, even a high-profile secret one. No, I think there is much more to it than that, perhaps Brienne is taking him to King’s Landing for a family trade. (Haven’t read the books BTW)
Yeah it’s strongly hinted that she’s going for a trade when she mentions her 2 girls are still alive and prisoners when defending her actions. I assume the reason Brianne goes with him is to escort the 2 girls back to her counting on Jamie’s honor that he will do the trade and not kill Brianne once he’s released.
Ros got the Lion necklace from Tyrion last season-he gave it to her when they had one of their “romps” lol
I’m totally on the Brielle/Jaimie bandwagon!