What I’m Watching: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones: Season 3, Episode 5 “Kissed by Fire” (A-)

This was a particularly strong and involving episode, with two standout scenes that involved unexpected connections being made between sworn enemies. The most startling was that of the Lannister children and their tyrannical father, who decided that not one but both of his least favorite children would have to marry people they didn’t want to out of convenience to his quest for the crown. That was the perfect punishment for Cersei’s smugness towards Tyrion, and it’s incredible to believe that these adults can take so much abuse both from their father and the younger generation, who has clearly inherited his grandfather’s sense of cruelty. Jamie detailing his past to Brienne in the pool was fascinating, and it’s great to see how he’s become a totally different character. Let’s hope it’s not all a lie, and that he and Brienne can team up soon to do some good for the realm. Robb’s show of power was unusually formidable, and I’m intrigued to see if his plan to attack the Lannisters from a different vantage point will work. Jon’s trip to the cave was intoxicating, and I wonder whether his allegiances will be swayed now that he’s developed what seem like real feelings for his captor (and she certainly has for him). Daenerys is making some truly excellent decisions with her new purchase, and I found the head officer’s reasoning about his slave name quite compelling. It’s about time that Arya is reunited with some of her family members, since she’s been making an impression wherever she goes thus far and could serve to truly influence things were she in the right place at the right time.