As this episode opens we see Arya Stark for the first time this season; she has arrived in the city of Braavos and gone to the House of Black and White where she hopes to be reunited with Jaqen H'ghar
she doesn't get the reception she hoped for; the man at the door claims that there is nobody of that name there. After a night in the rain she heads into town and later on is confronted by a trio who think she will be an easy victim; this leads to her meeting Jaqen H'ghar and finally entering the House of Black and White. In Meereen a member of the Sons of the Harpy is captured; Daenerys is inclined to have him executed; something the freed slaves are keen to see. She is counselled against this course of action and agrees to hold a trial; however Mossador kills the prisoner believing that this is what Daenerys really wants. This leads to him being tried and executed
something the people are not happy about and for once Daenerys sees what it means to be unpopular with 'her people'. Elsewhere in Essos Tyrion and Varys are continuing their journey to Meereen.
Back in Westeros Cersei is worried about her daughter; she is in Dorne and there are people there who are determined to have revenge on the Lannisters for the death 'The Viper'. Jaime offers to head south on a rescue mission; to this end he enlists the help of Bronn. Elsewhere Brienne and Podrick bump into Sansa and Petyr Baelish in a tavern; Brienne offers her services to Sansa but they are rejected. North at Castle Black Stannis offers to make John Snow Lord of Winterfell and give him the name John Stark but he won't renounce the oath he made to the Night's Watch. It is also time to elect a new Commander of the Night Watch; Alliser Thorne is expected to win but Sam proposes that John would make a better leader.
I felt that this season started well but this episode is a step up from the opening instalment. It was great to see Arya again; Maisie Williams does a great job in the role. There is a decent amount of action; most notably when Brienne crosses swords with some of Lord Baelish's men. As well as actual action there is promise of more to come with Jaime and Bronn heading south to Dorne to rescue Myrcella. In Dorne we are introduced to Doran Martell; the local ruler who is played by Alexander Siddig of 'Star Trek: DS9' fame. The events in Meereen are amongst the episodes most interesting as we see Daenerys struggling to do the right thing even if it makes her unpopular. Her missing dragon also makes a welcome reappearance although it remains to be seen whether it will come under her control. The events on the wall are interesting and after the election of the new Commander it will be interesting to see how those who didn't support him behave. There is also a nice scene between Gilly and Stannis's daughter; nothing dramatic but it was nice to see some normal interaction amongst all the plotting and power-play. Overall a good episode.
Back in Westeros Cersei is worried about her daughter; she is in Dorne and there are people there who are determined to have revenge on the Lannisters for the death 'The Viper'. Jaime offers to head south on a rescue mission; to this end he enlists the help of Bronn. Elsewhere Brienne and Podrick bump into Sansa and Petyr Baelish in a tavern; Brienne offers her services to Sansa but they are rejected. North at Castle Black Stannis offers to make John Snow Lord of Winterfell and give him the name John Stark but he won't renounce the oath he made to the Night's Watch. It is also time to elect a new Commander of the Night Watch; Alliser Thorne is expected to win but Sam proposes that John would make a better leader.
I felt that this season started well but this episode is a step up from the opening instalment. It was great to see Arya again; Maisie Williams does a great job in the role. There is a decent amount of action; most notably when Brienne crosses swords with some of Lord Baelish's men. As well as actual action there is promise of more to come with Jaime and Bronn heading south to Dorne to rescue Myrcella. In Dorne we are introduced to Doran Martell; the local ruler who is played by Alexander Siddig of 'Star Trek: DS9' fame. The events in Meereen are amongst the episodes most interesting as we see Daenerys struggling to do the right thing even if it makes her unpopular. Her missing dragon also makes a welcome reappearance although it remains to be seen whether it will come under her control. The events on the wall are interesting and after the election of the new Commander it will be interesting to see how those who didn't support him behave. There is also a nice scene between Gilly and Stannis's daughter; nothing dramatic but it was nice to see some normal interaction amongst all the plotting and power-play. Overall a good episode.