Game of Thrones “Garden of Bones” was the first episode this season that I felt a bit lost at parts since I haven’t read the books. In the previous episodes, I didn’t always catch the names of the new characters, but at least I understood their roles.
One thing that was made abundantly clear — Joffrey is a sadistic monster. He’s never been portrayed as a saint, but before his actions were without thought and driven by his lust for power. His treatment of Sansa and even more so the prostitutes went well beyond wanting to show he is King. He derived pleasure from their embarrassment and pain. Evil is too nice of a word for Joffrey. Sansa, please kill him!
At least Tyrion came to Sansa’s rescue. The power struggle between Tyrion and Joffrey is intriguing to watch. Joffrey scoffed at Tyrion, but can’t physically do anything. Tyrion slowly has gained the real power and with his arrangement with Lancel, that power will grow. He has the council on his side, as much as, they are on anyone’s beside their own. And, now he has a spy in the Queen Regent’s bedchamber.
One of my favorite moments of the episode was when Tyrion asked Sansa if she really wanted to marry Joffrey and she responded, “I am loyal to King Joffrey, my one true love.” And, he responded, “Lady Stark, you may survive us yet.” On no other show would that be a touching moment, but in this world, you have to feel for both of them.
Sansa may have been introduced as a spoiled, teenage girl, but she has quickly shown she is a strong, self-composed Stark. She will fulfill the role of Joffrey’s betrothed, but underneath she is just waiting to make her move. When that happens — watch out Joffrey!
Up North, there is a King, who is the opposite of Joffrey, in Robb Stark. He is victorius in battle (“5 Lannisters dead for every one of ours”), but he is righteous. He won’t torture the prisoners, despite the wishes of his Bannerman, Roose Bolton. And, he doesn’t even want the Iron Throne for himself, he just wants justice for his father’s execution.
The woman he met on the battlefield had a good question though. If Robb wins the war, who will rule Westeros? Since he has formed an alliance with Renly, wouldn’t he become King of the South at least? Unfortunately, there are so many variables, I doubt it is worth discussing at this point, but Robb should have had an answer.
While the Starks and the Lannisters are battling in the North, the Baratheon brothers face off down south. Catelyn tried unsuccessfully to heal their relationship, but it looks like they will be fighting against one another. And, what about Littlefinger’s offer of assistance?
I yelled for joy when Catelyn pulled the dagger on Littlefinger. He may love her, but he betrayed Ned and he needs to pay the price for that. There is no way that she can forgive him. Not even by returning Ned’s remains (that’s what was in the box, right?) at Tyrion’s request.
The bigger question is whether Littlefinger was offering to leave the doors to King’s Landing open at Tyrion’s request or his own? Is it possible that Tyrion is plotting to remove Joffrey and Cersei from power? Would he turn on his own blood? Or, was Littlefinger simply trying to hedge his bets? I’m not sure, but I’m guessing it was Littlefinger’s play to remain on the King’s Council.
And, now to what confused me about this episode. What the heck is Harrenhal? What do they do there? And, why were Arya, Gendry and the rest taken there? It is under Lannister’s control, but what an awful place. Now that Tywin has arrived, maybe it will be less ruthless … perhaps. At least it appears that Arya and Tywin have never met before. But, will any of Tywin’s posse know who she is?
And, what about that ending? Crazy! I wasn’t sure what was going on from the moment Stannis asked Davos to go to shore. Why would Stannis want Melisandre taken to the cave? And, then the birth of a black smoke clawed creature? No clue what to make of that!
A full-fledged war is coming. Who do you want to be King? Oh, and … is winter still coming?
Odds and Ends
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Apr 22, 2012 @ 22:11 EST5EDT
Harrenhal is the largest castle in Westeros. It was burned by the Dragons of the Targaryans during the conquest. It’s been cursed ever since, every lord since who has ruled from it has had a bad end. It’s in the Riverlands, which is the kingdom ruled by Catelyn’s father. He wisely made his capital elsewhere. He’s sided with Robb and is fighting the Lannisters.
That-was-disgusting-at-the-end.
I-nearly-vomitted.
But-that’s-what-evil-does-lies-distortions-and-mockery-of-everything-that-is-truly-beautiful.
(space-bar-broken!)
It wasn’t Tywin that arrived at Harrenhal; it was Roose Bolton. That battle we saw where the funny guy got gutted was Robb’s men taking control of Harrenhal.
*POST AUTHOR*
Harrenhal was where Arya and Gendry were being held captive. Tywin showed up just in time to stop Gendry from being tortured. When we last saw Roose, he was talking to Robb on the battlefield. They weren’t at Harrenhal. I haven’t read the books, so maybe there will get there, but they aren’t there yet.
Well one of us is pretty confused! I will say that in the books, Arya becomes Roose Bolton’s cupbearer after he comes in and stops the needless torture, so it’d be pretty weird to have them change that to Tywin… but if I’m wrong, I’m wrong.
That Geoffrey torture scene ruined my night. It is so sad that an otherwise wonderful show uses these shock effect tricks. It is like defacating on a beautiful canvas. Why? To attract people who want to look cool through their apathy? I thought this show belonged to a higher level. I want to feel the satisfaction of watching a great adventure made with wit and art, not feel forced to make a choice between apathy and disgust. That scene was traumatic in all levels and very uncessary.