Game Of Thrones: Season 4 Death Watch (The Lion And The Rose)

2. Themes Of The Week: Power

Everyone was vying for power this week. Roose Bolton wanted to trade Theon for Moat Callin to solidify his grip on the north. His bastard Ramsay Snow wanted to legitimised, solidifying his own taste of power at the Dreadfort he enjoyed during his father's absence. Better still was Ramsay's power over Theon...or Reek. Allowing his 'pet' to shave him with utmost confidence that he poses no threat; it was clear than Theon has been utterly broken by his master. Over at Dragonstone, the might and power of the Lord Of Light continued; heretics were burned for their belief in the false seven gods and even little Shireen received a sermon from Melisandre on how her beloved seven gods were a lie. At Kings Landing, Bronn and Jaime literally battled for dominance during their sparring match; the Lannister still struggling to regain his power as a skilled swordsman before he lost his hand. He did better with Loras Tyrell, using his famed wit to put his potential brother-in-law down by suggesting that Cersei would kill him in his sleep and murder their child if she ever became pregnant. Cersei, the true villain of this episode, thwarted Margery's good plans and threatened to execute Grand Maester Pycelle before putting down an unsuspecting Brienne and attempting to do the same less successfully with Oberyn's paramour Ellaria. Oberyn himself trades insults with a smiling Tywin, who retains his composure as the Hand of the King. But it is in the tragedy of Tyrion and Joffrey where the greatest power struggle lies. The former hand of the king is humiliated by his nephew and it is the last grasp of power for Joffrey before he dies his 'tragic' (read: awesome) death. It is an episode where Tyrion finally loses all essence of power too as he is arrested for Joffrey's murder. He's not buying his way out of this.