What I’m Watching: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones: Season 3, Episode 2 “Dark Wings, Dark Words” (B+)

For me, this episode was much more engaging than the premiere, namely because it featured, quite extensively, two of the show’s strongest characters that were nowhere to be found in episode one. The first is the incomparable Arya Stark, last seen opposite an ally with a new face and wandering the kingdoms trying to pass herself off as a boy. Her charade didn’t last long in this hour, with her gender obvious to her latest encounter and her precise identity revealed, much to her chagrin. Hopefully a reunion with some of her living family members isn’t too far off, but it looks like Sansa may be getting herself into plenty of trouble where she is, with help from Shae, who needs to practice more discretion if she wants to remain safe from Tyrion’s enemies. Jamie Lannister never seems to be short a brutal escape plan, and cutting the rope that Brienne was using to keep him at arm’s length immediately put him back into a position of power. Brienne, to her credit, managed to ignore his many earlier attempts to bait her, and fought him off quite compellingly. Unfortunately, there are just too many people who want to be at the top for them to continue unescorted, and now their trip is going to be cut short, should the tide not turn again before they reach Robb’s camp. It’s hard not to recognize Thomas Sangster, who played young, lovestruck Sam in “Love Actually,” as Reed, Bran’s surprising new friend who will likely help him considerably in his quest to stay alive and be reunited with his siblings. Things are not going well for Theon, but he was hardly the luckiest person before now. If Joffrey’s vicious tendencies weren’t frightening enough, now he has someone with whom to share it all who has a much better stage presence and overall self-presentation.