What I’m Watching: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones: Season 3, Episode 7 “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” (B+)

I’m so impressed that two of this show’s most unlikely relationships, both of which started out filled with animosity and hatred, are now coming to fruition in excellent, but highly different, ways that make them extraordinarily compelling. The first is Brianne and Jamie, who parted ways on a diplomatic and honor-filled note. Jamie using the reputation of the Lannister family name to compel his captors to return for Brianne was great, and it was incredible that he jumped in to help Brianne fend off the bear and managed to negotiate taking her with him. I can’t wait until they arrive in King’s Landing since a handful of people there are going to be mighty shocked. Ygritte is turning out to be a marvelous companion for Jon, routinely mocking him and then getting serious when he expressed his lack of conviction in the likelihood of their siege proving victorious. Daenerys is on the warpath to free slaves, and let’s hope that her desire to punish slave masters doesn’t distract from her ascension to the kingdom. I can’t comprehend why Theon must suffer such terrible things over and over again, and would like to see him come out of it a little less bruised and neutered than he is at the moment. The marriage conversations between Margaery and Sansa, and Tyrion and Shae, proved truly enlightening and provided an unexpected insight into the mindset of those great and complicated characters. Tywin talking down to Joffrey served as one of the episode’s best and most impactful scenes.