Episode Title: ‘Garden of Bones’
Written By: Vanessa Taylor
Directed By: David Petrarca
Synopsis: Catelyn tries to convince the Baratheon brothers to abandon their quarrel and unite against the Lannisters, while Sansa is chastised by Joffrey in revenge for her brother’s victories. Arya and Gendry are taken captives to the castle of Harrenhal. After her exhausting journey through the desert, Daenerys arrives at the gates of the prosperous city of Qarth.
The Verdict: Anyone starting to feel as though things are getting a bit too slow-paced? Essentially, this week’s episode boils down to very little in the way of development. A shame, as there’s a good collection of scenes and character moments here, but in terms of story progression, it’s a slow and rather dull affair this week.
Daenerys and Ser Jorah are back this week, and whilst at first it looks as though things are about to pick up for them in terms of the narrative, instead all we get is a short scene in which she argues with some noblemen (the ‘Thirteen’ of Qarth, whoever they are) before finally entering the city. Once again, it feels as though the writers are holding back on us, and it’s starting to get annoying, as opposed to intriguing.
The Baratheon siblings, Stannis and Renly, come face to face at last, though sadly their scene together lacks any kind of tension. Better though are the scenes with Joffrey and Sansa, which are so chock full of tension this reviewer nearly bit his nails down to the knuckles, whilst the opening war aftermath scenes are a production design triumph. Elsewhere, Arya’s story takes another left-field turn as she’s made cupbearer to none other then Tywin Lannister (played as ever with a brilliant cruel demeanour by Charles Dance), and then there’s THAT completely out-there cliffhanger, which is one to avoid if the sight of childbirth horrifies you! (though I challenge anyone not to feel that way whilst watching)
All in all, this week’s installment has plenty of good moments, but the slower progressing storylines are starting to get irksome! Lets get a move on next week, please!
Best Bit: Littlefinger and Catelyn’s fiery exchange is excellent. Both Aidan Gillen and Michelle Fairley play the scene pitch perfect, and the final moments when Catelyn is ‘reunited’ with her beloved Ned are beautiful and heartbreaking.
WTF Moment: Why the hell is Daenerys so against letting the Thirteen see the Dragons? If she let them have a peek, she could have saved herself plenty of time and effort, helped her people quicker, and made it into Qarth without having to resort to threats against the City! Maybe it’s a budget thing?!
More Sex Please, we’re HBO: No gratuitous kinkiness this week. Instead, we get a terrifying and uncomfortable glimpse into just how sadistic ‘King’ Joffrey is, as he forces recurring prostitute Ros (Esmé Bianco) to beat a fellow prostitute, first with a belt, then a rather nasty looking staff! All to send a message to his interfering uncle, Tyrion. The reasons to hate Joffrey seem to grow week by week. Grrrrr!
Star Performance: Michelle Fairly, you broke my heart this week (in the aforementioned scene with Littlefinger, see ‘Best Bit’). Nuff said!
Best Line(s):
Davos: ‘Surely there are cleaner ways?’
Stannis: ‘Cleaner ways don’t win wars!’
OR
Bronn: ‘There’s no cure for being a c**t.’
Stay tuned for part five of our GAME OF THRONES Series Blog next week.
GAMES OF THRONES can be seen on Sky Atlantic 9pm Tuesdays.
