Game of Thrones S8 E2
So, the second episode leaves me with less to say than the first. I think this is partly because it does not have the same kind of extrinsic excitement that the first, returning, episode did. Beyond that, however, it presents a very different environment. Our friends and frenemies are uniting in the face of their own likely, possibly inevitable, deaths. Not that the worst frenemy of all, Cersei Lannister, is even capable of recognizing this existential moment for all humanity. Perhaps that is because she is only nominally human. Happily, we did not have to see either Cersei or her new pal, Euron Greyjoy, in this episode, although Jaime assures Tyrion that their sister is, indeed, pregnant.
Rather it is all focused on Winterfell, where the battle between the living and the dead will take place. Fittingly, the episode centers on moments of remembrance, preparation, and the contemplation of death. I’ll just lay out what were, to me, some of the highlights.
Jaime Lannister meets his enemies. We begin with Jaime facing an impromptu tribunal headed by Daenerys (Dany) Targaryen, Sansa Stark, and Jon Snow. Jaime is both apologetic and unapologetic; he defends his many killings as loyalty to his family. Amusingly, Bran Stark quips, “The things we do for love,” reminding Jaime that his attempted murder of Bran – which led to Bran’s being crippled – was more in defense of hiding Jaime’s and his twin sister Cersei’s incestuous affair than family honor. Naturally, Tyrion speaks up in favor of his brother, but Dany is already less than pleased with Tyrion for his recent errors of judgment.
To make an intersting scene shorter, it is when Brienne of Tarth comes to Jaime’s aid that the tide turns. Sansa learns that Jaime sent Brienne to save Sansa and her sister Arya in fulfillment of a pledge to their mother, Catelyn Stark. Because of her trust in and love for Brienne, Sansa changes her ‘vote.’ (Once again, I have to point out that only Dany thinks Jaime’s slaying of her father, The Mad King – for cripes sake - was a bad deed. I wonder why no one ever points this out to her.)
It was a delicious moment when, at the end of Episode 1, the newly arrived Jaime looked into the eyes of the wheelchair-bound Bran. Here, after Jaime’s trial, he seeks Bran out and apologizes. Bran is neither forgiving nor unforgiving. He really no longer cares, because, as he says, he is really no longer Bran Stark. This is all undoubtedly a little too esoteric for the former King Slayer and Golden Lion. Nonetheless, we again see aspects of Jaime’s character that his infatuation with his evil sister frequently obscured. Indeed, it once again raises a question many fans have posed: how is it consistent with Jaime’s overall character – even before his rehabilitation – that he so causally thrust the young Bran off the parapet?
Arya gets her special weapon and Gendry. The ultimate semi-secret warrior, Arya Stark had asked – ok, ordered – her old friend Gendry to make her a specifically designed weapon out of either Valerian steel or dragon glass (sorry, I don’t know which), both of which are supposed to be effective against the undead. Gendry is very busy preparing weapons for the real soldiers, until Arya demonstrates a bit of her prowess. When she arrives to claim her weapon, she also makes it clear that she would like to have sex before she dies; you can guess what follows. Also worth noting, Gendry reminds us that he is one of Robert Baratheon’s umpteen illegitimate children. He further reminds us that the Red Witch bled him to create some kind of spell. Maybe that Baratheon blood will prove important?
Jon and Dany. Jon tells Dany about his true heritage as the senior male Targaryen heir. Her response is both what we have come to expect of her and, nonetheless, disturbing. First, she tries to dismiss the facts as they are presented ‘only’ by Jon’s best friend (and antiquarian) Samwell Tarly and his sort-of brother (and past-visionary) Bran. Then she zeroes in on Jon’s claim to the throne – not that he has ever shown any interest in being a ruler. That all this also means she is sleeping with her nephew is just not mentioned. Typical Targaryen: threat to my crown is a big deal, sleeping with a close relative is a ‘meh.’
The fireside crowd. In a longish scene that was, to me, one of the most effective, a number of former enemies and allies gather together in front of large fire in the castle. I hope I will not be scourged for noting that this reminds me that the whole GoT miniverse is class-ridden: our favorites are usually some version of the upper classes, and they get wine or whatever Tyrion describes as “piss, - though not bad, but not good” while the rag-robed poor are freezing. Ok, class analysis aside:
We have the ever amusing Tormund (with his blue eyes still set on Brienne), Jaime, Tyrion, Brienne, Pod[rick] Payne who was once Tyrion’s squire but became Brienne’s, Ser Jorah Mormont, and Ser Davos Seaworth. Tormund trumps everyone by guzzling whatever is in his horn-swigger so that most of it pours down his impressive beard. The point is that, aside from the humor provided by Tormund and the pathos provided by Pod’s sweet song, this scene is all about confronting death with honor and humility. Brienne is finally knighted, by Jaime. Jaime and Tyrion get some minutes to [continue] their bitter family reminisces. Everyone gets to say something about the fate they expect and to say something about their pasts.
Not so minor moments and after-thoughts.
Lyanna Mormont makes it very clear to relative Ser Jorah that she will be in the fighting forces, her size and age notwithstanding.
We get a glimpse of Jon’s wolf, Ghost, after who knows how many seasons. We can only hope that Arya’s wolf, Nymeria, will also appear.
No dragon sightings in this episode; presumably, they are off crisping and eating whatever domesticated stock and/or wildlife still roam at will.
When Sansa points out to Dany that The North will not bend the knee to anyone, Dany gets quite chilly and leaves. In her favor, Dany says, of her relationship with Jon, "Who manipulated whom?" Gotta love a woman who knows her cases.
Everyone keeps insisting that the women, children, and other weaklings should hide in the crypt for their own safety. A number of folks online have expressed concern that (a) it is a f***ing crypt and (b) no one should be happy that everyone is saying how safe it will be. Unless mine eyes deceive me, much of the new opening credits visuals center on the same crypt. Who knows: maybe the old Stark dead will rise up to fight the newer dead?
Oh, lest we forget, Bronn is supposedly coming to kill Tyrion and, perhaps, Jaime at their sister’s behest. Presumably he will show up in time to join the fight against the White Walkers.
ETA: Sorry, went out to do errands and came home with a headache. I’ll try to catch up!