What I’m Watching: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones: Season 5, Episode 3 “High Sparrow” (B+)

How times have changed, with Margaery no longer afraid of the woman who swore to kill her if she ever called her sister again and now content to mock her new husband’s sexual eagerness to her handmaidens and even tease him in front of his mother. It’s interesting how this wedding happened entirely unceremoniously, signifying Tommen’s insignificance, but honestly he is a good match for Margaery since he is kind to her and treats her well, and she’ll now be able to exercise whatever influence she needs as long as she plays her cards well. Cersei is truly set on still having an active role and influence, seeking out Jonathan Pryce’s intriguing High Sparrow and sending word to Petyr with unmistakable instructions. It was about time Tyrion had some human interaction with someone other than Pycell, but unfortunately it didn’t take him long to get kidnapped by Jorah, who hopefully is taking him exactly where he’s supposed to go in an effort to appeal to Daenerys’ forgiving tendencies. Jon quite unexpectedly did not go that route, preparing a dissenter’s execution to intimidate him and the people and then slicing off his head even after he pleaded for mercy. The best quote of the hour came from Stannis, who decreed that anyone who recommended keeping your enemies close didn’t have many enemies. The idea of Ramsay and Sansa as a couple is strange, though maybe it will make him less of a monster and her more able to assert himself.