Written By: George RR Martin
Directed By: Michelle MacLaren
Synopsis: Tyrion and Sansa contemplate their forced marriage; Jaime risks everything for Brienne; Talisa has news for Robb; Gendry learns of his true heritage; Theon gets cut down to size.
The Verdict: Well, guess that’s the last we’ll see of Theon’s overactive libido in GAME OF THRONES then. Whilst it’s now getting a bit tiresome seeing Theon tortured each week and little else happening, this episode at least added something different to the mix, what with the psychological torture as well as castration. But I dare any male to watch that scene and not wince. Ouch!
Like last weeks episode, THE BEAR AND THE MAIDEN FAIR is another week of moving pieces into place for major upcoming events – Jon’s torn between Ygritte and his duty to the Night’s Watch, Talisa’s pregnant with Robb’s baby, Arya has been captured by the Hound, and so on. What makes this week slightly more disappointing is that its written by creator George RR Martin, who normally gets some great material to adapt and play with, like the Battle of Blackwater or Ned’s failed rebellion. Here he gets to set up for bigger things, when clearly it would be more fun to have him write those actual big events.
There is some great material here though, even if it is all teasing us for later episodes. Daenerys’ attempts at negotiating with Yunkai’s envoy Grazdan revel in portraying her as strong, manipulative and cunning, develoment that’s been very welcome this season, whilst Sansa confiding in Margaery over he impending marriage to Tyrion reveals some juicy secrets about the soon-to-be queen. And as for Jaime rescuing Brienne from Locke and his bear – well, suffice to say, it’s a great moment for the Kingslayer, well directed and gloriously tense (though one does wish that Jaime would take his revenge on Locke and throw him in the pit)!
As both a fan of the TV series and the books, I know that things are about to really kick off again. I’m also aware that we can’t have an episode like BLACKWATER or AND NOW HIS WATCH IS ENDED every week. But THE BEAR AND THE MAIDEN FAIR’s shortcomings are the fact that there’s very little in the way of major progression or revelations present, something that Martin writes incredibly well for TV. The heftier focus on relationships and character is always welcome, but some action wouldn’t’ go amiss as well.
It’s another watchable episode of THRONES. But sadly it’s not an unmissable one.
Best Bit: Learning about Osha’s other life north of the Wall was a fine addition to this week’s episode – small but very welcome character development for a character who up till now has been quite a mystery, and definitely in need of softening a bit.
Trivia: Little Bart plays the bear, who viewers may have seen before in DR. DOOLITTLE 2 as well as episodes of CSI and SCRUBS.
Best Line(s):
Tyrion: “I don’t pay you to put evil notions in my head. The ones already there don’t need company.”
Bronn: “You pay me to kill people who bother you. Evil notions come free.”
Game of Thrones returns next Monday on Sky Atlantic, as does THN’s Game of Thrones Blog!
