Game Of Thrones 3.5, Kissed By Fire Review And Summary

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rating: 4

In the latest Game of Thrones episode, we were treated to yet more character development for some of the biggest players from the second series. We saw the softer, more tortured side of Stannis and the reveal of his scarred daughter and wife for the first time. The biggest dynamic to this episode was the lord of light (or R€™hllor to his pals), and the affect that God seemingly has on many aspects of Westeros life. Action wise, with exception of the opening 10 minutes, this episode was stylized with much more political backstabbing feel, and the cloak and daggers set ups for later episodes and story beds were glaringly obvious. Budget wise, a lot of money was spent in the climax of episode 4, so it was always bound to slow down for the mid point of the series. This is not to say this episode wasn€™t an interesting watch; and those who invested full concentration were rewarded the most. Ayra Stark will have to keep adding the Hounds name to her list before she goes to bed at night, as he won his trial by combat and escaped the clutches of the Brotherhood. We also learn as a result of that fight, that Dennis Pennis and friends have the ability to resurrect the dead, just not those without a head (hold onto that point, we are going to need it later in this series). The Onion knight (Davos) was rotting away in his cell in an interesting arc for a character that is much more central in the books €“ and in turn actually makes Stannis more peripheral. It was yet another opening point in terms of the grandiose scale the show maintains to see Stannis the family man and how the Lord of Light (with a little help from the Red Woman) has rotted away his relationship with his wife. His daughter being locked away was heart breaking, and this was only elevated with her poignant relationship with Davos. Teaching him how to read? You break my heart Game of Thrones€ And then we have Jamie and Brienne, who were delivered to Lord Bolton (watch out for him) missing a hand and a shit load of arrogance. Jamie was still wallowing in self pity, something that was realized in the bath scene between him and his burly pal Brienne. We finally get the reason Jamie killed the mad king in supposed cold blood, and the show asks us to feel sorry for him after all. After his part in Ned Stark€™s death, it is sympathy for the devil all the way with this one. Humble and weak he may be for now, but the audience might not be buying the whole €˜changed man€™ look just yet. Jon Snow lost his virginity and broke his vows, but hey, it was bound to happen eventually. The show needs to speed up a little with his part in the story, they have a lot of ground to cover and slowing down for a quickie in a cave and a fight with Gareth Kennan is no way to go about it. Then there is smug ol€™ Cersei who, much like her son, continues to waltz around with an air of self preservation that is so heavy that it pains the viewer. Plotting with the man who Vary€™s calls €˜The most dangerous man in Westeros€™ (lets see that theory tested) Little Finger, the pairs conniving plan against the Tyrells was little in the way of a surprise or shock. It was great to see her back on sneaky, back biting form though, as she has been a little too worried about her precious son of late, forgetting the most important role she must play in the show; Queen Bitch. In typical fashion, she was pleased as punch with her actions throughout, yet it was nice to see the smug look on her face wiped away with the sucker punch her Father layed on her. Just before the father/daughter/son closing scene, we saw Tyrion struggle for words (unbelievable I know) as he was talked into the ground by King€™s Landing€™s most headstrong woman: Olenna Tyrell. She effectively ended up giving him his way in the form of agreeing to pay for half the Royal Wedding, but not before stunting his views and comments into the ground, leaving him stuttering and bumbling around, trying to get a word in edgeways. A great scene from legendary actress Dame Diana Rigg, who is really starting to cement herself as a memorable character in the show with only a few scenes under her belt. In the case of Robb Stark, it seems that his whole army is crumbling around him. Allegiances are going a miss and people are losing faith in the 'King of the North' so much so that before he beheaded a man for Treason (the slaying of the Lannister prisoners in some form of 'revenge'), his final words were 'you are no king of mine'. In a scene that echoed his Fathers actions in episode one of series one, we were treated to a reminder that honor is gained and lost with the flick of a knife. Maybe it is time to seek help from an old overlooked adversary in Walder Frey, or for those who have read the books (slight spoiler) maybe this is the worse possible idea he has ever had. The show ended with a long shot with Tyrion and Cersei completely stunned and shocked by who their Father had just chosen as suitors. Tyrion got poor old Sansa Stark (surely a great deal for her; a sympathetic, intelligent man who will always protect her) and Cersei got Loras Tyrell. As she uttered the words across her fathers speech, €˜please don€™t make me do it again€™, we were treated to a small shred of humanity, all the while tongues were in firmly places in cheeks as it struck us again how she €˜lacks the correct parts€™ for Loras. The vigil of the Lion in the forefront of the closing shot was a Stark (pun intended) reminder that no matter how high you climb, there will always be someone at the top who craps on you from a great height. In the case of the Lannisters, it is always going to be Daddy dearest. Save for a small, almost pointless scene about €˜loyalty€™ and what her army should do with their names, Dany/Jorah and new boy Barristan Selmy (or, the other slow-talking wise old knight with Daenerys) were fairly wasted in this one. After her epic crescendo in last weeks episode more was expected, but less was given. But fear not, save for some slighlty forced moments, the midway point has come and gone. The set ups have been made, the foundations set and these characters are all about to reap what they sow. For a mid point episode, this was much MUCH more than just filler.
Contributor
Contributor

Shaun does not enjoy writing about himself in the third person. The rest? I will tell you in another life, when we are both cats...