Season 2

Ned’s dead, Daenerys has three brand new baby dragons…and there are an increasing number of people who think they should be the true ruler of Westeros. Let the War of the Five Kings begin!!

Season 2—Episode 1: The North Remembers

Tyrion is back in the capital, dunking on Joffrey, and Cersei is pissssssed. So she takes it out on Littlefinger. After all, power is power. Nice kid you’ve raised there.

Meanwhile, in the Red Waste, Dany’s new khalasar is looking mighty pathetic. Last season she learned what it meant to be strong and independent. This season she’ll need to learn how to be a leader by being strong for others.

And up north we’ve made it to Craster’s. “All the other wildlings for a hundred leagues have disappeared. Craster’s still here. He must be doing something right.” Yeah, like sacrificing babies to a bunch of ice zombies.

The night is dark and full of terrors.

Who Won the Week

Tyrion. Back in the capital, playing the game where he belongs. Tyrion is always great, but over the seasons he becomes increasingly better at playing the game, and it’s enjoyable to watch. He’s best at making plans and verbal sparring, and there’s plenty to be done as the Hand of the King.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Renly Baratheon

The King in the North

…and now Stannis Baratheon

“A king in every corner now.”

Best Quote

“It must be hard for you, to be the disappointing child.” – Tyrion Lannister

Character Deaths

A whole lot of Robert’s bastards

Future Omens

There’s a red comet in the sky. That should seem pretty foreboding, assuming it doesn’t turn out to be nothing.

Stannis had to wear gloves to pull the flaming sword out of the fire, I’m guessing maybe he’s not Azor Ahai after all.

 

Season 2—Episode 2: The Night Lands

Didn’t take long for Tyrion to get right in the thick of things in King’s Landing. Varys has already found out about Shae, and didn’t strain himself in keeping it a secret. Tyrion doesn’t like threats, but unlike the verbal jousting between Littlefinger and Varys, Tyrion just straight up threatens to murder Varys. He’ll learn subtleties as he comes along. Until then it’s just straightforward verbal bullying. Goodbye, Janos Slynt.

Beyond the Wall, we finally meet Gilly! Sam’s sex drive is gonna get him in trouble one of these days, but what does Craster do with the boys?

Oh Theon, you’re such a turd. First off, that’s your sister. Gross. Secondly, what did you think was going to happen? Your massive over-estimation of your self value will be the end of you. Terrible fashion sense in the Iron Islands, but they understand that women can lead, and dammit, that’s progressive AF.

Melisandre sees the path to Stannis’s victory…THAT’S NOT THE PATH, YOU PERV.

Who Won the Week

Tyrion. Again. This is where Tyrion begins to shine, and probably starts quite a run of winning episode to episode. He’s measuring each of the players in the game, and clearing the table of enemies.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Renly Baratheon

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

…are we counting the King Beyond the Wall?

Best Quote

“The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.“ – Varys

Character Deaths

Rakharo—Beheaded by Khal Pono; he will not ride in the Night Lands

Future Omens

I wonder where Craster is taking that baby boy…

 

Season 2—Episode 3: What is Dead May Never Die

Look, I know when they say “what is dead may never die,” they mean a baptism to the Drowned God, but I can’t help thinking it has a second meaning; something something white walkers.

Is that Brienne of Tarth’s music I hear?!! I know they’re just “playing at war” but Brienne kicks so much ass. She’s a welcome addition to the story from here on out.  We’re also introduced to Margaery Tyrell, the daughter of a major family, slated to marry Renly. Now he has the bankroll of a major family, AND he’s actually well liked by the people. Loras wasn’t wrong when he said Renly would be a good leader, he just never got the chance.

Tyrion’s game with Pycelle, Varys, and Littlefinger is one of the highlights of the second season. Not only that, but it shows us that Tyrion is here to play the game. It took some time to get adjusted, but he’s one of the best schemers in the seven kingdoms. That said, he’s not wrong in sending Myrcella to Dorne. It may be a boring storyline, but it’s safe.

Nights of summer!!

Who Won the Week

Arya. This easily could have gone to Tyrion for the third straight week, but in saving the three prisoners from the cage, she essentially sets her future in motion. Everything she becomes as a Faceless Man begins here.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Renly Baratheon

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“Power is a curious thing. Who lives, Who dies. Power resides where men believe it resides. It is a trick, A shadow on the wall.”  – Varys

Character Deaths

Lommy—I yield!

Future Omens

Bran has his first wolf dream, and of course Maester Luwin doesn’t believe him. That Valyrian steel link in your chain just means you suck at magic. “The dragons are gone, the giants are dead, and the children of the forest forgotten.” You dummy.

Arya starts her list!

 

Season 2—Episode 4: Garden of Bones

This episode we meet Talisa Maegyr, the doom of the Stark family. While she’s quite attractive, I don’t know what Robb sees in her? Or her in him. He’s easy on the eyes, but they are diametrically opposed in their feelings about war. She rails about the horrors of battle and how common men are used by people in power to fight their battles…and then makes out with the one doing it.

Meanwhile, the Magic Westeros Travel Bus™ has ported Littlefinger to Renly’s camp overnight. And here we learn that Margaery can match wits with him tit for tat. She has big plans for the monarchy and every step of the way she’s laying plans.

Joffrey. Cersei. Illyn Payne. The Hound. Polliver. The Mountain.

Who Won the Week

Daenerys. Her tenacity at the gates of Quarth convinced Xaro to let her in. She saved her people from terrible death in the Red Waste, and the Garden of Bones, and will soon be set up in one of the richest palaces in “the greatest city that ever was or will be.”

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Renly Baratheon

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“I’m not threatening the king, ser. I’m educating my nephew. Bronn, the next time Ser Meryn speaks, kill him. That was a threat. See the difference?” – Tyrion

Character Deaths

My innocence, after seeing that shadow baby.

Future Omens

“We’re not killing prisoners, Lord Bolton.” Well if that’s not a precursor to what we have to look forward to from Roose Bolton, I don’t know what is.

 

Season 2—Episode 5: The Ghost of Harrenhal

The Battle of the Stormlands!! Renly versus Stannis. Brother versus brother. Baratheon versus Bara…shit. Renly dead.

“Do you want to be a queen?” “No. I want to be THE Queen.” Margaery is asserting her will here, and shows more forward thinking in the moments after Renly’s death than her bother does. She has machinations on ruling and losing Renly was merely a bump.

The thing about the Iron Islanders is that they only respect power. They don’t care about your name, or your gold, or your status. Theon still believes he deserves respect instead of earning it, and that’s a hard lesson for him. One he won’t learn until it’s too late. And in attempting to earn the respect of the other Ironborn, he begins plotting his assault on Winterfell.

Who Won the Week

Arya. Arya isn’t just playing a part here, and that’s not just a threat against Lord Tywin. She’s learning about the world, about the anger that lives within her, and about death. She doesn’t yet know that she’s destined for the Faceless Men, but she’s a prime candidate to be a servant of the Many-Faced god already.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“Anyone can be killed.” – Arya

Character Deaths

Renly Baratheon—Shadow assassin

Future Omens

“The contents of this room could lay King’s Landing low.” Wow. Knowing what we know now, this was a HUGE precursor early on. Sad to say I missed it the first few times.

And in Essos we’re introduced to the mysterious Quaithe. Seven seasons in and we still don’t have an answer on that one.

 

Season 2—Episode 6: The Old Gods and the New

The sea has come to Winterfell…and it washed up a big turd named Theon.

You. Can’t. Behead. Someone. With. A. Longsword. Unless it’s Valyrian steel, apparently.

“I’ll help you kill the wildlings, Quorin…OH WAIT, SHE’S HOT.” Oh Jon, you big, dumb virgin. Hey everybody, it’s Ygritte!

Meanwhile, it turns out that if you’re a shit to the common people, they throw shit right back at you. There’s a riot in King’s Landing and you’re all invited. The mob literally rips the high septon to pieces. The King is safe, the Queen Mother is safe…where is the Stark girl? Tough scene to watch, for sure, but the Hound’s justice is eventually served. Despite loathing the title, he has a knight’s honor. “You’re alright now, little bird.”

Can’t the Arya and Tywin partnership continue on forever? I mean, he’s a bitter old shit, but they bring out the best in one another.

I told you, never trust a Greyjoy.

Who Won the Week

Osha. A few people made power moves this week—even the Warlocks of Quarth making a move to steal Dany’s dragons—but Osha actually made moves to save the youngest Stark boys, Hodor, and the direwolves. Tricking Theon is easy, but escaping a volatile situation was paramount.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“One day I pray you love someone. I pray you love her so much…when you close your eyes, you see her face. I want that for you. I want you to know what it’s like to love someone…to truly love someone…before I take her from you.” – Cersei

Character Deaths

Amory Lorch—A Girl has named a second name

Future Omens

Jon and Ygritte…staying warm.

 

Season 2—Episode 7: A Man Without Honor

Breaking News: Theon is still a turd.

Meanwhile, north of the wall, Jon is learning about the history of the First Men. Perhaps the wildlings are more than just an enemy. Or perhaps they talk about sexy times and trick you into dropping your guard.

Arya speaking about Visenya brought a tear to my eye. “Visenya Targaryen was a great warrior. She had a Valyrian steel sword she called ‘Dark Sister.'” Arya is incredibly like Visenya the warrior, though I’m guessing no one questioned Visenya’s desire to be a warrior. Tywin, like her father, once again misunderstands everything about Arya, and assumes she’s like most girls. “Most girls are idiots.”

Who Won the Week

Ygritte. She not only won her freedom by literally embarrassing Jon into making a mistake, but she also captured him in the process.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“You know nothing, Jon Snow.” – Ygritte

Character Deaths

11 of The Thirteen—Maaaaaagic

Future Omens

Lord Rickard Karstark seems awfully upset about Jamie killing his son. I’m sure he’ll cool down eventually.

 

Season 2—Episode 8: The Prince of Winterfell

I had forgotten how often Yara (Asha) tried to save Theon over the years.

And here begins perhaps the best pairing in the entire show: Jamie and Brienne!! There are lots of other pairings in the show—the writers make sure of that—but none that I can think of that are mutually beneficial to both characters. Arya and the Hound are AMAZING together, but the Hound doesn’t really grow as a character because of Arya, and Arya only grows in ruthlessness. Brienne makes Jamie a better person, and can arguably be looked to as the beginning of his redemption arc. “There are three men in the kingdoms who might have a chance against me…” Okay, but WHO?!!

Who Won the Week

Davos. He’s known for carrying his fingers in a purse around his neck, and for telling hard truths. And in this episode, he’s promised a position as Hand of the King, a far higher position than any crabber’s son could have expected.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“All my life men like you’ve sneered at me, and all my life I’ve been knocking men like you into the dust.” – Brienne

Character Deaths

No one.

Future Omens

“I will hurt you for this. A day will come when you think you are safe and happy, and your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth… and you will know the debt is paid.” I don’t know that Tyrion ever pays this line off, but it was definitely impactful enough for Cersei to remember it when the time came to look for an enemy.

 

Season 2—Episode 9: Blackwater

BLACKWATER!!

This is one of my favorite episodes of the entire series. Mainly because, and permit me the divergence, it was so fantastic to read that I was excited to see how it would all play out on the screen. And it did not disappoint.

I think this is one of the first, if not the first episode to take place entirely in one location; King’s Landing during the siege. We see Cersei, preparing for the worst with the intent of killing her children and herself rather than be captured. Morbid, but realistic. We see yet another hint of a fight but no conclusion between the Hound and Bronn. Bronn is brash, and cocky, and loud—all the things the Hound hates—but he can back it up. They’re both killers though, and that’s a fight we all missed out on.

Stannis’s battle cry: “Come with me and take this city.” Tyrion’s battle cry: “Don’t fight for a king. Don’t fight for his kingdoms. Don’t fight for honor, don’t fight for glory, don’t fight for riches, because you won’t get any. This is your city Stannis means to sack. That’s your gate he’s ramming. If he gets in it will be your house that burns. Your gold he steals, your women he will rape. Those are brave men knocking at our door. Let’s go kill them!” Is there any wonder which side won?

One of the more interesting through lines of the entire show, is the difference in expectations versus reality. In all aspects, but particularly the Lannister family. Cersei’s speech to Sansa is about how the expectations were for her to be a woman and a wife, while Jamie got the glory. Tyrion exceeds the expectations put upon him, but is still outshone, again by Jamie. And we’ll soon find out how well Jamie handles the pressure of expectation as well.

Who Won the Week

Tyrion. Duh. Tyrion is a master strategist and his plan was executed to perfection. It’s Tywin who swoops in at the last minute to save the day, and it’s Tywin who’ll get credit for the victory, but it was Tyrion’s plan.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“Lord Varys knows what you had for breakfast three days ago. There are no surprises here.” – Davos

Character Deaths

Matthos Seaworth—On fire

Mandon Moore—Spear to the face by the god, Pod

Future Omens

This is Varys’ first mention of his history with dark magic. It won’t be his last.

The fire on the battlefield was a reminder of the Hound’s past, but also a jumpstart of his future.

 

Season 2—Episode 10: Valar Morgulis

In King’s Landing we have the merging of the two great families in Westeros: the Lannisters and the Tyrells. One family firmly seated in power, and the second, chasing it. The show does a really good job of introducing entire families, religions, etc. in a staggered fashion so we’re not overwhelmed with information. The Tyrells are one to remember.

Once again, someone is fool enough to underestimate Brienne…and they learned the hard way that was a mistake. It does, however, lead Jamie to see her in a different light. He’ll continue to mock her, but it’s more as a way for him to escape, because he’s learning to respect her.

It’s no secret that Arya is my favorite. Her journey from tomboy to faceless assassin is the story that resonates the most with me. Seeing her with Jaqen again, receiving the coin and knowing where it will take her, brought back all of those memories.

All men must die.

Who Won the Week

Dany. She saved her children from the Warlocks of Qarth, learned the truth about Xaro—and entombed him for it—and is finally getting her bearings straight on which direction she should be headed. And now Xaro can help her pay for it.

Who’s in Power

King Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister

Robb Stark

Stannis Baratheon

Balon Greyjoy

Best Quote

“Look around you, we’re all liars here. And every one of us is better than you.” – Littlefinger

Character Deaths

Maester Luwin—Speared by Dagmar

Qhorin Halfhand—Killed by Jon

Pyat Pree—Dracarys

Future Omens

“Going into wars, fighting soldiers… you’re terrible at this. Let’s take a boat to Pentos and never come back.” Oddly enough he does end up sailing to Pentos…in a box.

“Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. I am hers, and she is mine, from this day, till the end of my days.” Robb marries Talisa, like an idiot. This probably won’t come back to haunt them.

Daenerys in the House of the Undying. I would love to go into all of the future portents in this one, but unfortunately the show left TONS of them out. Read about all of them here. The ones we do see are:

• The Iron Throne covered in snow, the ceiling of the throne room having been destroyed—The snow might mean that Jon takes the throne and the ceiling was likely destroyed by dragon fire
• Dany heading north beyond the Wall—A warning about the White Walkers
• Dany seeing Drogo and Rhaego—I think it was a trap, and she could have stayed here forever; her love for her babies drove her forward

Three blasts? RUUUUUUUNNNNNN!!! To Season 3!!