Lats night's penultimate season 3 episode of HBO's Game Of Thrones ended in a scene fans of the source novels have been both looking forward to and dreading in equal measure since the show began. But with all the furor over the Red Wedding, it's easy to forget how great (and eventful) the rest of the ep was.
Jon Snow was finally forced to show his true colors to The Wildlings and his lover Ygritte when he was ordered to kill an innocent man to prove his loyalty. After he bottled it, Tormund and Orell realized he was "still a Crow" and tried to kill him -- but they didn't count on Jon's little bro Bran "warging" into the two nearby Direwolves and lending a hand..or a fang as the case may be. With their help Jon manages to dispatch his attackers -- including Orell -- and commandeer a horse to make his escape. Ygritte did not look best pleased! Something tells me Jon will see a very different side to the lass if she ever catches up to him.
Meanwhile, though Bran saw Jon through his wolf's eyes, he decides it's too risky to follow him on to Castle Black and instead decides to travel north of the Wall with the Reeds. He sends Rickon to the Umbers with Osha as his protector. The brothers have an emotional farewell but I would have liked to have seen one between Bran and Osha too, given how they met and all they've been through.
In Yunkai Dany and her followers decide on a battle plan for sacking the city, but Jorah doesn't trust Daario -- he did kill his former partners after all. Fortunately the young warrior proves his loyalty and they manage to take the city. But just look at that expression on Jorah's face when they return from the battle and Dany inquires after Daario! It seems Ser Mormont is just a wee bit jealous.
Clegane and Arya continue on their journey to reunite the young Stark with what remains of her family. Along the way Arya definitely seems to impress the cold hearted Hound with her defiance and bravery -- so much so that when it all kicks off when they reach The Twins he rescues her from a fate that would surely have been the same as her mother and brother.
And what a fate it was:
This was obviously a very powerful and emotionally devastating episode, filled with the great performances that we've come to expect -- but if Michele Fairly (Catelyn) doesn't get some recognition for her superb work here there really is no justice. Her final, hopeless scream will stay with me for a long time. What did you think of this? Did it leave you wishing you could see the next ep straight away or have you now been put off the show? How do fans of the books feel about that extra gut-punch (no pun intended) of having the pregnant Talisa killed along with her husband?
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.