That disconnect seems as if it may end up being quite costly for the seven kingdoms, especially considering the reappearance of the White Walkers in the episodes final scene. The total disregard for the importance of that particular theatre and institution is telling – it’s doubtful that many of the privileged members of court have ever been that far North. I especially enjoyed the way the members of the small council immediately disregarded the letter from Lord Commander Mormont, telling of wights and the desperate need for more men to man the wall. In his conversation with Varys, Tyrion of course delivers an all important line when he declares that he’s not Ned Stark and understands “the way this game is played.” That becomes quickly apparent over the course of this episode, Tyrion mocks his sisters clumsy efforts at governance “you have a deft hand with diplomacy,” is the only member of the small council who foresees the essential nature of the growing threat from the North, and he manages to do something to address it while also ridding the Small Council of a Cersei loyalist when he exiles Janos Slynt to Castle Black towards the end of the episode. His velvety, sinister cadences are perfect for a man of secret motivations, and wily cunning – and I really enjoyed his repartee with both Shae “I don’t think Varys likes fish pie” and Tyrion “Ned Stark was an honourable man… and I am not.” Varys, played by Conleth Hill was a highlight of the first season, and he’s picked up right where he left off so far in season two. Of course, according to Yoren the “gutter-rats” in his possession “belong to the Night’s Watch – outside the reach of Kings and Queens,” and not only is he uncooperative, he threatens to “nick” one of the Gold Cloak’s arteries with a blade so sharp he could “shave a spiders arse with it.” Yoren’s act of defiance is courageous, but in letting the two Gold Cloaks go (as opposed to doing the dishonourable, but intelligent thing and murdering them on the spot) is he inviting a reprisal?įrom there the action shifts to King’s Landing, where Tyrion comes upon his secret lover (and most apparent weakness) Shae in conversation with the Master of Whispers, Varys. Gendry as the viewer knows from the end of the premiere episode, is being hunted by these “Gold Cloaks” (members of the City Watch) because, as a bastard of Robert Baratheon, he poses an indirect threat to Joffrey’s claim to the Iron Throne. That theme rears it head again just moments later when Yoren threatens and disarms two Gold Cloaks who have ventured out from King’s Landing in search of Gendry. Last season Theon Greyjoy asked Robb Stark if he was scared about marching south, and when Robb responded affirmatively, Theon’s response was similar to Gendry’s in this episode “that good – that means you’re not stupid.” When one of the prisoners taunts her, she beats on the cage with a stick causing Jaqen to observe “the girl has more courage than sense,” it’s a refrain echoed shortly afterwards by Gendry, who responds to Arya’s claim that they “don’t scare me” with the reproach “then you’re stupid – they scare me.” This isn’t the first time that the series has explored the dichotomy between real courage and stupidity. Arya approaches a barred prisoners coach, where three particularly dangerous recruits are being transported at the behest of one of the prisoners, a relatively good looking fellow named Jaqen. “The Night Lands” opens where episode one concluded, with Arya, Gendry and Yoren taking the King’s Road north to bring a cadre of new recruits to join the Night’s Watch. The culture of the Iron Islands is, distinct from the more traditional Westerosi cultures the viewer has spent most of their time engaged with, but the show does very well to convey the most important aspects of the viking-like culture of the islands in limited screen time. We get lots of Tyrion, we get some fun original scenes, we’re introduced to a colorful pirate in Sallador San and we finally get to glimpse Pyke (which looks fantastic) and the Iron Islands. The second episode of the Clash of Kings season of Game of Thrones, entitled “The Night Lands,” is extremely well developed, but it’s also the most gratuitously smutty of the four episodes of season two that Dork Shelf has seen.
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