- Currently at page 341 of A Storm of Swords.
- "I'm a monster!" - Buster Bluth
- This week more than made up for last week's lack of GoT's trademark gratuitious nudity and incredibly graphic chopping of cats, er, limbs Wooooo!
- For the second week in a row, the episode includes a seemingly superfluous scene. This time it shows Talisa with two young Lannisters, captives of the Starks.
- Not every scene can be a winner, but it's rough knowing there's so much to do, coupling that with every excruciatingly boring minute at or beyond The Wall
- Hot Pie declining to continue with hijinks, but instead work peaceably as a baker brings to mind Clyde chastising the boys on South Park for constantly getting into their own hijinks when hijinks are so easily avoidable
- The worst end-of-episode-tone to music-over-credits transition since the DVD version of "Take This Sabbath Day"
- This week's episode follow up will focus mainly on a single, telling, scene. This scene says so much so quickly through the medium of television that it deserves its own analysis
Interestingly, Tywin holds the meeting in a new location, with a set up of table and chairs. It is not clear if this is different to intentionally throw off the small council members, but it is difficult to imagine Tywin doing anything that does not have a purpose. The table is smaller than the previous one with a chair at the head next to a standing Tywin and five chairs together on the same long side of the table, Last Supper style. Everyone hesitates upon seeing the new arrangement, but their reactions are all wonderfully in character. It turns into a literal 'game of thrones'.
Littlefinger
Lord Baelish, an ambitious climber who has made quite a career and name for himself despite relatively humble beginnings, is the first to react. He's made his name by being available to please the Crown. When Robert wanted to spend money he didn't push back, talking about responsible budgeting, but instead found a way to make the money appear, for tournaments or whatever the king pleased. Betting on the Lannisters, he's done as much as anyone to solidify their position at King's Landing. (And didn't you just cringe last week when Tyrion mused aloud just "Who would trust Littlefinger?") To continue being there to raise his hand and do the Crown's bidding, Littlfinger brusquely cuts in front of Varys and makes his way to the chair closest to Tywin, even angling it toward him.
Varys
Varys makes his living by flying under the radar. Everyone in King's Landing knows he's not to be trusted, yet he seems to also make everyone think is a friend to them, giving them the true truth his spies find. Varys takes the safe second/middle seat.
Pycelle
Varys knows he need not move as purposefully as Littlefinger, as Pycelle isn't going to beat him out of a seat. Pycelle, who it is clearly known to us know that he is in the court of certain Lannisters, must maintain the illusion that he is infirmed, and takes the next available seat so ever slowly.
Cersei
Cersei has been queen for seventeen or so years at this point. She is used to people waiting on her, and having her way. Not only that, but we know that she does not believe rules apply to her, as evidence by her relationship with Jaime , how the Lannisters gain and hold power and her penchant for ripping up documents, as though to invalidate them. Arriving late, Cersei finds all the chairs occupied save the two fartheest from her father. Rather than operate within the constraints of the current paradigm, Cersei creates a wholly new arrangement by picking up a chair and moving it to the empty side of the table, flanking her father and sitting as close as Littlfinger. Tywin is clearly pleased by her relatively unconventional approach and the thought bubble above his head says "That's my daughter for you..."
Tyrion
Tyrion no doubt would've taken another approach even without Cersei moving her chair. Still a bit perturbed at the way he's been treated since "Blackwater" and no doubt unhappy sharing a table with someone who tried to kill him, someone he previously jailed and deposed from his position and someone who denies him his lawful inheritance, Tyrion knows he is capable of making an impact on the Council and announces his arrival as such. He manages to accomplish both a better seat and pissing everyone off by hilariously, slowly, loudly and incredibly passive aggressively dragging his chair to the opposite head from his father. In doing so he simultaneously annoys everyone, makes them wait for him (not unlike Cersei's tardiness) and has a bit of fun at everyone's expense. But what can he do? He's but four feet tall and the chair is so large!
As for Tyrion's new job as Master of Coin, it is unclear whether this is a promotion and honor, an insult, or a way to keep a leash on him (or some combination of the three). Cersei's apparent joy at the prospect probably means this is bad for Tyrion. He's going to be stuck with the blame for fixing the treasury which was run into the ground under Littlefinger who got praise and promotions. Sounds like a certain former OPM director. No doubt Tyrion will find a way to make it work to his advantage in a heretofore unrealized manner. Step one is to establish a Night's Watch-type order to protect the realm from bond vigilantes.
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