Does power influence your identity or is it your identity that guides how you wield your power? It's an important cause/effect question that "Game of Thrones" touches on a lot. Who we are underneath is either built on a strong enough foundation that it allows us to stay true to our values or it is so shaky that our souls are easily corrupted. We saw that last night in "High Sparrow" with Arya, Jon, Cersei and others and I think the answers are telling about who these characters were at one point and still are to some degree.
House of Black and White
Arya has been with the Faceless Men for several days and is getting the Mr. Miyagi treatment, sweeping floors and what not. Naturally, this doesn't sit well with her and she complains to Jaqen H'ghar. "All men must serve," he answers simply. One of the follies of youth may be a lack of big picture vision; perhaps everything has a purpose here.
We get a glimpse into the function of the House of Black and White. They are a medieval version of Dr. Kevorkian, doling out the "gift of death." Jaqen H'ghar knows Arya's ambitions are more personal, which is a problem. As I wrote last week, there is power in anonymity and the Faceless Men need Arya to embrace that before she proceeds with her training. She must become "no one" so she throws her clothes and her possessions into the sea one by one. But she can't bring herself to throw away her sword Needle, which means she really can't let go of her past and who she is underneath.
Arya's training will presumably give her the power to avenge her family. But if she does become a Faceless Man, if she does eventually loosen her death grip on the past, what will that revenge really mean? Maybe we are nothing without the events that made us.
King's Landing
Queen Margaery is being cheered in the streets on her wedding day to King Tommen. Cersei is scowling like a jilted high school cheerleader on "Glee."
The new royal couple consummates their marriage (get 'em, Tommen!) before Margaery begins to do what she does best: manipulate. "You'll always be her baby boy," she coos to Tommen of Cersei, "She'll never let you out of her sight." Margaery paints these comments in a positive light, using a softer touch to influence Tommen.
Cersei tries to do the same but it's not nearly as effective; she uses blunt cruelty while Margaery uses pointed kindness. It's clear that Margaery's seeds are the ones taking root as Tommen suggests that Cersei would be happier back home at Casterly Rock (burn).
Cersei makes a faux concession to Margaery who, in her youthful arrogance, believes the battle is won. The viewers, however, can tell from the look on Cersei's face that this battle is far from over.
But a more pressing issue is at hand. The Sparrows, the religious group that Lancel Lannister joined, made a declaration of power by forcing the High Septon to walk naked through the streets of King's Landing following a tryst in a brothel. Cersei goes to speak with their leader, the High Sparrow, where she surprisingly aligns herself with the new religious group.
I don't think Cersei realizes how big of a threat the Sparrows can become. They are clear opponents of corruption and Cersei is the most corrupt of them all. As we still see today, religious zealots will operate in extremes. Does she not see how this can end badly?
Finally, a large mass under a heavy blanket begins to stir in Qyburn's study. That reminds me, we haven't seen Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in a while...
North
Roose Bolton doesn't have enough men to hold Winterfell should the North rise up against him (and the North remembers). He knows that his family has come into power by making the right alliances and now he wants to make another by marrying Ramsay to Sansa Stark (Book Departure Alert! Book Departure Alert!)
Sansa isn't too excited by the idea of joining the family that killed her brother and mother. That would sure make for one awkward wedding reception. But Littlefinger gives her just the right push. "There's no justice in this this world. Not unless we make it. You loved your family. Avenge them," he says. Sansa is seemingly on board with this long con and is in a position of power because of it.
(Side Note: Littlefinger has control over The Eyrie and this move would give him a strong foothold in Winterfell. It's incredible to see the man born without power, wealth or a good family name putting himself into arguably the best position of any major player at this point).
(Second Side Note: Sansa's face when she meets Roose Bolton is priceless. Great job by Sophie Turner of showing intense hatred before masking it in a polite greeting. Also, +5 to the showrunner for getting a Stark back into Winterfell).
Roose then has a bit of a stare down with Littlefinger to probe his motives. It's interesting that during this back and forth, Littlefinger deliberately takes one step up on the stairs to put himself on a literal equal footing with Roose. It's a subtle move that speaks volumes. In the end, the two forge a delicate alliance.
On the Road
Podrick Payne is just a good dude who seems to bring out the best in those around him. He tells Brienne that she is the greatest fighter he has ever seen and that he is proud to be her squire. In return, Brienne opens up about her past. She tells him of a ball her father threw her when she was a girl and how the boys played a cruel practical joke on her. It was Renly Baratheon who showed her kindness and came to her rescue that night.
Forget dragons and ice zombies and sword fights. At the end of the day, Brienne is just a person who suffers from the heartache of rejection and insecurity. We can all relate to that. She's a fully realized character and we get a better sense of how this lifelong difference guides her in the present.
In this moment of bonding, she agrees to train Pod so that he can become a knight.
The Wall
Stannis wants a decision from Jon regarding his offer to install him as Lord of Winterfell. "All my life I wanted to be Jon Stark...But I have to refuse you. I am Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. My place is here."
Stannis tells him he is as stubborn as he is honorable. "Honor got your father killed," he (accurately) tells Jon before leaving. Ser Davos hangs back for a second ("Thrones" loves having a character say something important before leaving a room).
"The King is a complicated man. But he wants to do what is right for the Seven Kingdoms." Sometimes, Davos notes, doing what is right for the greater good means getting your hands dirty...
Jon appoints Ser Alliser Thorne as first ranger, hopefully turning an internal enemy into an ally, and gives Janos Slynt command of the run down Greyguard castle. Slynt refuses and hurls insults while publicly disrespecting his new Lord Commander. Such open insubordination cannot be tolerated.
Jon decides to execute him. Slynt begs for mercy and, for a moment, it seems as if Jon is going to grant it. But then he does what is necessary. Asked to leave behind his Stark identity, Jon still reverts to it in his own way by heeding Ned's advice from season one and swinging the sword himself. Stannis nods in approval.
It's good to see Jon making tough decisions. Did Slynt deserve to be executed? Maybe not. But was it necessary for Jon to establish himself and be a good leader going forward? Absolutely. This goes back to what Davos said.
Essos
In Volantis we see a Red Priestess holding the attention of a passionate crowd. It seems that religion (Lord of Light, Sparrows) is gaining power throughout the land. She eyes Tyrion a bit too long. Does she recognize him?
As Tyrion is wont to do, he brings Varys to a brothel where he hopes to find some momentary solace in a female companion. But he can't bring himself to do it. I had assumed that Shae would be somewhat of an afterthought at this point but it's clear that Tyrion is still carrying around his guilt. Imping ain't easy, folks.
And he's not the only one. Ser Jorah Mormont, last seen being exiled by Daenerys, is also in the brothel and recognizes Tyrion and the opportunity he represents. "I'm taking you to the Queen," Mormont says as he ties Tyrion up. But which Queen does he mean? His one true love, Khaleesi? Or a Queen in Westeros?
Random Thoughts
-The connections between Arya and Jon are really apparent. They each strip themselves of their Stark roots to a certain degree but are unable to fully forget who they are and where they come from.
-Leadership was another key theme this week. Jon and Arya know that morality isn't black and white. As we see these Starks become new people and embrace new roles, you wonder how much they will really change. Will Jon heed the fatherly advice Stannis imparts while maintaining his honor? Will he make the tough decisions that Ned was never able to?
-Sansa is in treacherous waters and could have used Brienne in her corner going forward.
-This is the second straight episode to bring up the disease Greyscale. Someone is definitely contracting it soon. Given the deviations from the books, my money is on Varys.
-Speaking of deviations, through three episodes "Thrones" is moving at a slower pace than ever. In an hour of television it seems like our characters are only making about two minutes of real progress. One of the problems with the last two books in George R.R. Marin's series is that he let the plot sprawl out of control. It's why many of the story lines are meandering and boring. The TV narrative may not be very exciting so far this season but at least it's more focused and is pairing popular minor character with major characters. Hopefully, this will lead to streamlined plot arcs.
-Rust Cohle from "True Detective" said that "time is a flat circle." I didn't understand what he meant at first but I think I do now. The past, present and future are not separate entities; they all influence each other. We see that play out in "Thrones" with each character's formative experiences guding them in the present and pushing them forward to something down the road. The cyclical nature of it all is interesting to see unfold.
