Book purists are always going to scoff at any deviations this show makes from the source material, even if the alterations are improvements. This episode is just bursting with changes to the original story, and many of these little tweaks help make it one of Season 2s best. Danys story in A Clash of Kings (Book 2) was infamously dull, so the decision to spice it up a bit by killing off some of her khalasar and kidnapping her dragons was welcome. Changing Ser Rodricks death scene has proven divisive, but his botched execution by Theon is one of the more emotionally wrenching moments of the season, and it really drives home how far Theon has fallen. And no ones going to argue that the scenes between Arya Stark and Tywin Lannister arent brilliant additions to the story. But the episodes best scene comes straight off the page, as Joffrey and his entourage get attacked by peasants in a poor part of Kings Landing. The scene is as exhilarating as it is harrowing; seeing Joffrey getting hit with manure and slapped by Tyrion is satisfying, but its not worth having to sit through Sansa nearly being raped and murdered. Thank the gods a deformed child-murderer is there to save her.
J.D. Laney is an aspiring novelist and screenwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. When he isn't trying to write his own material, he is constantly consuming the work of others for analysis and, occasionally, for fun. He has a particular interest in film, literature, and video games.
