Game of Thrones Series Blog 3.9: The Rains of Castamere (Contains Spoilers)

Written By: David Benioff & D.B Weiss

Directed By: David Nutter

Synopsis: Robb, Catelyn and their party arrive at the Twins for the wedding of Edmure Tully; Bran learns to use his powers; Arya and the Hound reach the Twins.

The Verdict: I’m actually shaking. Seriously, after watching THE RAINS OF CASTAMERE, I’m actually shaking with grief. It was bad enough when reading the book. Seeing the events of this episode on screen is so much worse!!

There’s no doubt that the Red Wedding scenes here are brutal and heartbreaking. Tulisa’s stabbing is monstrous, Robb’s death incredibly sad, and as for Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark – it’s just too much to cope with, it’s so nasty and cruel. What a performance from Fairley and Richard Madden. And as for David Bradley as that bastard Walder Frey – I think we have a new contender for most hated villain in THRONES, that’s for sure!

Wedding aside, everything here is top grade drama that we’ve come to expect from the best episodes of THRONES: the scene with Jorah Mormont and Daario taking Yunkai is a brilliantly choreographed action scene; Jon’s long awaited betrayal of Ygritte and the Wildlings is perfection in terms of tension and action; Bran’s goodbye to Rickon & Osha is  incredibly heartfelt; and Sam’s exchange with Gilly is both funny and sweet, a nice break from all the doom and gloom this week..

Great as the other storylines are this week, it’s all about the wedding, which makes this episode. Easily eclipsing Ned’s death in Season One in terms of delivering the pain, it’s a shocking and cruel moment that will have fans of the book and non-book readers weeping and cursing all through till next week. I’d love to give some assurance that all will be well, but sadly the Red Wedding is merely the catalyst for what comes next. Oh boy, are we in for some shocks next season.

Easily the best episode this season, THE RAINS OF CASTAMERE may well be the best episode of GAME OF THRONES we’ve had ever! From that dread-inducing opening shot right through to the silent credits, it’s a masterpiece in terms of tension and shocks.

F**k the Freys!

Best Bit: Do I really need to say? Oh, I do. OK then, the Red Wedding is the best scene this week. It made me cry. A lot. Done. Now, can someone please come and give me a hug?

Its Wossiname: Will Champion, drummer and backing vocalist of Coldplay fame appears as one of the musicians who play at the wedding.

Best Line(s):

Walder Frey: Your king says he betrayed me for love. I say he betrayed me for firm tits and a tight fit … and I can respect that.

Game of Thrones returns next Monday on Sky Atlantic, as does THN’s Game of Thrones Blog!