What I’m Watching: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones: Season 5, Episode 2 “The House of Black and White” (B+)

It’s always a thrill when characters on this show who never have the chance to interact come closer to meeting each other for the first time, or better yet, even have the opportunity to speak. Podrick recognizing Sansa in the pub was exciting, though Brienne failed pretty miserably to convince her that she should do good on her promise to her mother and protect her. Podrick made a great point that she might be free since both Stark girls had refused her offer of protection, but it doesn’t seem likely that Brienne will give up anytime soon. It was inevitable that Jon Snow was going to be elected commander of the Night’s Watch, and now he may even manage to become a lord, renamed Jon Stark and ready to anoint Stannis as the rightful new king. Cersei is doing a formidable job of alienating her father’s lieutenants, and she’s making more enemies than ever. Alexander Siddig’s Doran Martell seems intent on thinking before acting to avenge his brother, despite the violent and vengeful tendencies of his late brother’s wife Ellaria, who I don’t think I ever noticed was played by Indira Varma of “Human Target.” It’s taking Tyrion a long time to get to Daenerys as he complains about being in a box, and it looks like he’ll arrive at just the time to help advise a ruler whose people are revolting despite her best intentions to mete out justice in a fair way. He could also use some help of his own given how many dwarves Cersei is having executed. Arya being reunited with Jaqen is a relief since she didn’t seem to be doing much upon her arrival.