TV Review: Game of Thrones 2.6, "The Old Gods and the New"
It’s hard, really, not to feel at least some pity for poor Theon Greyjoy.
rating: 5
(WARNING: Significant spoilers follow!) Its hard, really, not to feel at least some pity for poor Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen). Hes stuck in an impossible situation, and Id be hard-pressed to say what I would do were I in his shoes. That said, man, I cant believe the incredible stupidity he displays. Tonights episode begins with Theon taking Winterfell, which from what we see on screen seems to have basically been as easy as him walking up and just sort of wandering in. In fact, we see nothing of the conquest. All we see is him waking up Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), who takes the news of the conquest of his familys home with a certain level of meh, at least at first. He and Theon make an agreement whereby Winterfell gets turned over to Theon in return for nothing bad happening to anyone. This doesnt quite go as planned, and while Brans reaction isnt quite like that of Lando when realizing hed made a bad deal with Vader, its close enough. I really liked the scenes at Winterfell, at least the first set of them. Hempstead-Wright and Allen both prove themselves to be very good in their roles, and Allen does an especially good job of showing the inner conflict and turmoil that Theon feels at what hes done. But an even better set of scenes is yet to come, as we catch up with Arya (Masie Williams) toiling away for Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance). I initially thought that Tywin knew that she was indeed Arya and figured that hed keep her close rather than risk her falling into Jofferys (Jack Gleeson) rather bloody hands. That way hed have a bargaining piece right close if he needed one to get Jaime back. But with these scenes, Ive changed my mind. I think he knows theres something off about her and suspects she is more than she appears to be, but I dont think he knows shes Arya Stark. I must say that Williams does an excellent job acting alongside Dance, and really holds her own, which is no small feat with an actor as noted as he is. She also did really well in the incredibly tense scene where Baylish (Aiden Gillen) shows up. Beyond these scenes, I must also talk about what happens in Kings Landing, as Myrcella is sent off to get married, giving Cersei (Lena Heady) a chance to snark at Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) for sending her away. Then as the party heads back to the castle, someone in the crowd throws a cow-pat at Joffery, who reacts in his usual casual, easy-going fashion by ordering everyone around him killed. This leads to Tyrion delivering one of those wonderful Joffery bitch-slaps that we all look forward to, and also leads to a very good moment establishing the Hounds (Rory McCann)well, not feelings toward Sansa (Sophie Turner), but at least does lay some groundwork for whats going to happen later, and I like that. We also get caught up with Jon and friends as they frolic about in the snow, and get to see some wonderful Icelandic scenery, and then also get to see what Robb (looking all noble, king-like and downright Arthurian), and Daenrys are up to. Then we get an ending that, while not in the book, offers us a great climax with a resolution that promises to be very, very messy. I really enjoyed this episode, and if I have any complaint, its that I really miss Jaime, who hasnt been on screen very much at all this season. But it looks as though thats going to be dealt with next week, so thats good. Beyond that, I really cant think of a single bad thing to say about this episode, and I always love it when thats the case!