Nuances are important. They allow a television show to say a lot using only a little. That's why I loved when the Bravosi captain told Arya that the blaring horns were announcing their arrival in last night's episode of Game of Thrones.
An arrival can be a substitute for a new beginning and that's what each of our characters is facing. Arya is joining this Faceless group of assassins and fulfilling what she believes to be her destiny. Jaime is embarking on a mission of redemption. Tyrion and Varys are switching sides. Jon is taking over the Night's Watch and Daenerys is struggling for the first time since season one. These are new paths with new obstacles for the people we've come to know in Thrones. How they navigate these new landscapes will be the fun of season five.
Braavos: Throughout narrative history, black and white have been used to represent good and evil. It's interesting to see the Faceless group embrace both colors, perhaps suggesting a deeper understanding of morality and the nature of good and evil.
But what isn't good is Arya's reception at The House of Black and White. She is turned away by an older man who answers the door. Perhaps this is a test like the members of Project Mayhem received in Fight Club? Arya passes the time by ticking off the names on her kill list; a much better time waster than watching cat videos on YouTube, wouldn't you say?
She begins roaming the streets of Bravvos. Her new surroundings and uncertain situation hasn't dulled her steely nerve as she stands her ground against a group of men looking to steal a meal she just bagged. Arya may be a badass, but she isn't ready to take on a group of thugs by herself. It's fortunate that they scatter in fear when the man from The House of Black and White appears. "Who are you?" Arya asks him. "No one," he answers as his face changes and it is revealed that he is actually Jaqen H'ghar. "And that is what a girl must become."
There is power in anonymity. The Faceless men use this to their advantage. But will Arya embrace it? She seems too rebellious and consumed with personal revenge to let go of her past.
On the Road: I can't tell if its lucky coincidences or cruel twists of fate, but Brienne keeps coming maddeningly close to her goals without achieving them. This week, she and Podrick find themselves in the same pub as Sansa and Littlefinger.
Brienne explains her oath to Catelyn Stark to Sansa who seems mildly interested. Littlefinger is just annoyed. Sansa rebuffs Brienne as either a warning of what's about to come or as a concrete dismissal.
A few thoughts here: 1) it's clear that Brienne learned from her experience with Arya. She does a better job of pitching herself this time around. 2) If Sansa wasn't warning Brienne then I think it was foolish of her not to at least consider accepting her help. Sansa relies exclusively on Littlefinger for protection. Having a warrior in her own corner could have been valuable.
Either way, Brienne's sense of purpose seems to be reinvigorated.
King's Landing: Dorne blames the Lannisters for the death of Oberyn and they've sent Cersei a not so thinly veiled threat. She lashes out immediately, never able to separate her feelings from logic. Jaime tells her he is going to fix this. "You've never fixed anything in your life," she hisses at him like a viper.
But Jaime has a plan. What's behind door No. 1? A quest to Dorne to rescue Myrcella! And Jaime is brining Bronn with him. (Side Note: Bronn's reintroduction to the show is awesome. He offers some much needed levity in an otherwise grim world). Jaime may be trying to redeem himself for past transgressions here (Robert, Joffery, indrectly Tywin).
Cersei heads off to a Small Council meeting where almost everyone is a fool. Kevan Lannister is the only one who is immune to Cersei's appeasements. "You are the Queen Mother, nothing more," he says as he storms off.
Thrones does a good job juxtaposing Cersei's vulnerability regarding Myrcella with her muscle flexing in the Small Council. For someone who received a life altering prophecy at a young age, it's astonishing to see Cersei repeatedly ignore the big picture. She is only concerned with her family and her power. She's never once stopped to consider Dorne as a legitimate threat to the Iron Throne or Daenerys' growing strength across the Narrow Sea.
(Side Note: Qyburn is really creepy. He's the guy you hope you don't get seated next to at a dinner party).
On the Road: Tyrion and Varys are heading to Mereen and, as usual, are having an interesting conversation. Tyrion admits that he liked the power he wielded during his brief tenure as Hand of the King.
"People follow leaders. They will never follow us. They find us repulsive," Varys says to him. This isn't meant as a put-down. It's meant as inspiration; he's trying to coax out the great man that we all know resides somewhere in Tyrion. "No matter what we do, people like you and me are never satisfied in the box."
Neither man is content to be pigeonholed. They yearn to put their skills to use as leaders, even if it's on the fringes, and to shape the realm in their own way.
The Wall: The North is still loyal to the Stark name. Stannis wants to use Jon to unite the region by legitimizing him and installing him as the Lord of Winterfell. Jon's greatest desire was always to be a Stark. But now that that opportunity is coming after so much personal loss and existential crisis, it feels almost hollow.
Meanwhile, the election for Lord Commander is underway. Sam doesn't believe in either candidate (and also wants to protect Gily) so he does his best Frank Underwood impression. First, he wins over the crowd by revealing that Janos Slynt cowered during the Wildling raid (haha). Then he pitches Jon, the reluctant leader, as the best choice. "He may be young, but he was the commander we turned to when the night was darkest."
Maester Aemon casts the tie-breaking vote in favor of Jon.
This is an interesting albeit predictable turn of events. Since we've known Jon, he's always been a boy scout, someone who always does the right thing. While that endears him to fans, it doesn't make him the most interesting character. Now, as a leader, he may be required to do what is necessary instead of what is right. Tough choices are coming and I'm interested to see how Jon handles them.
Dorne: Our first look at Dorne. It's like the initial meeting on a blind date.
Ellaria Sand wants revenge after seeing The Mountain use Oberyn's head like Gallagher uses watermelons. She's furious and upset and wants to take it out on Myrcella. But Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne, is a patient and seemingly moral leader. He will not allow Ellaria Sand to exact her version of vengeance.
Dorne is a potentially major player in the Game. They have a clear grudge with the Lannisters and are known as some of the fiercest warriors in the realm. Doran could change the course of Westeros should he decide to involve Dorne into the national conflict.
Meereen: Daeny's small council is the polar opposite of Cersei's. It's built more on respect and open communication.
They are discussing a member of the insurgent group that was captured earlier in the episode (amid a solid monologue from Daario schooling Grey Worm on the benefits of fear). A former slave turned advisor is begging Daenerys to kill him.
But Ser Barristan Selmy advises restraint. He reminds Daeny of her father, the mad King, and his cruel version of justice. He understands that good leadership should be carried out through truth and honor and uses those attributes to reason with Daeny.
But her advisor cannot let this stand. He murders the prisoner, putting Daeny in a difficult position. She values her adviser's opinion, but can he go unpunished? Daeny opts for justice, executing her adviser which displeases her followers and prompts social unrest.
Drogon's reappearance is the perfect metaphor for Daeny's situation. His return provides momentary joy only for it to be taken away with his sudden departure. It accentuates the point that Daeny is losing control over her world. How do you act righteously when you are a leader? It didn't work for Robb and Ned and it isn't working for Daeny now. It makes you wonder if you can be both a good person and a good ruler.
Random Thoughts:
-Bronn is a great partner but Jaime is at his best when paired with Brienne.
-Book readers, it's time to accept that Lady Stoneheart isn't coming. And honestly, who cares? She's appeared in a whopping three scenes in the novels.
-Why isn't Daeny investigating how to control her dragons? I realize that it was a heavily kept secret by the Targaryens and no one really knows, but not a single inquiry? Come on.
