Game of Thrones: Season 5, Episode 10: Mother’s Mercy
Stannis… Poor Stannis. Yes, I still like him after what he did last week and if you look at that review, you’ll see why. He did a terrible thing, but he was true to his character as a man of belief. I just wish he had never met Melisandre. She definitely ruined his life and is responsible for convincing him to commit both fratricide and filicide. Of course he killed his wife’s brother too, but I can’t honestly say I believe that’s a bad thing in all cases *awkward laugh*. Her promises about king’s blood equated to nothing. The storm cleared, but his men abandoned him, his wife killed herself and even Melisandre herself left him to his fate.
It was sad to see a man who was once so powerful just completely fall flat. I have to say though, I didn’t think he would make it as long as he did. I’m not completely sure how his army withstood the Boltons, but he’s a badass so it’s okay. I just hope Brienne (who has been sitting on her hands all season) really didn’t kill him. I still want him to be king.
While the battle was happening outside of Winterfell, Sansa finally found her courage. It’s funny how different her story is from Arya’s. They began as opposites and they are continuing on those paths. Sansa survives based on fear and submission, while Arya is unrelenting and getting stronger every day. Things looked bleak for her, but fortunately Theon/Reek had his Darth Vader throwing the Emperor moment and saved her from Myranda. Then they jumped from a tower together. I hope it wasn’t too bad of a drop… I guess. I just don’t really care about these characters too much.
All that matters to me is the deaths of the Boltons. Ramsay is the evilest little sh*t this show has seen so far (including Joffrey) and Roose is just an uppity c*ck of a man and a traitor. Neither of them are redeemable, yet they seem to be the most successful family on the show. Other than Ramsay hearing about his new brother, they don’t see any setbacks. They are the only ones that happens with and it’s kind of annoying. Give them some type of comeuppance or at least a hard time for crying out loud! They’re starting to feel more like plot devices than characters.
Arya was awesome. It was such a great revenge scene. I knew she would use psycho Ser Meryn’s pedophilia against him. She got him alone and killed him in an extremely brutal manner. Just when she was becoming “Nobody” she made sure the man she murdered knew exactly who she was. Her Faceless Man training worked in her favor this time, only the Faceless men didn’t approve. After another death and the amazing revelation that Jaqen H’ghar and the Waif are not real people (please watch the episode, this was an awesome moment that we all should’ve seen coming a mile away, but didn’t), she began to lose her sight. It’s possible that this is a punishment, but it could also be a way to further her training. Arya is still my favorite Stark.
Across the world, in the land of Dorne, where I was getting bored of the storyline, there was a pretty huge payoff for this pace slowing bit of traveling. Jaime, Bronn, Myrcella and Trystane started their journey home, only for the entire point of the mission to be completely destroyed. Ellaria just couldn’t let go of Oberyn, regardless of oaths and threats, she poisoned the princess of Westeros and most likely killed her. This could definitely start a war between the Lannisters and the Tyrells. I’m actually pretty excited about this. I makes me wonder if Doran had a hand in it. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of that assassination next year. I’m sure it’ll be brutal.
Tyrion is in charge of another city. With Grey Worm, Missandei and the newly returned Varys at his side, I’m sure he’ll more than get Meereen under control. His conversation with Varys at the end was particularly awesome, showing that this is his thing, what he was born for. He got King’s Landing under control and even beat Stannis at the Battle of Blackwater as Joffrey’s Hand, so this shouldn’t be nearly as bad. Jorah and Daario, the two other resident bada**es, are out looking for Daenerys. I kind of get the feeling that Tyrion might need them, but we’ll find that out for sure next year.
Dany is out in the middle of nowhere. Drogon has carried her pretty far away and seems too tired and hurt to bring her back. He even got a bit frustrated when she tried to push the issue. Upon exploring the area a little, she gets stopped by a massive legion of Khalasar. I was just asking where the Dothraki were a few episodes ago, good to see them back in action. Maybe they all know of Khal Drogo and she will be able to get them to join the Unsullied and the Second Sons to make her army unstoppable. Who knows, Daenerys could easily become the most powerful person in the world. Now if only she went to free Viserion and Rhaegal to have full dragon power!
What’s really interesting is the fact that I really felt sorry for Cersei. I’ve always hated her, except in that single conversations with Tyrion when she acts like an actual person in season 2. This scene was pretty freakin’ intense though. She finally caved and confessed one of her sins, but not the biggest ones. I suppose she can’t, because it would prove that Tommen can’t be king due to improper lineage. He’s the only child she has left at this point, so she has to do what’s best for him and her family. I’m surprised the High Septon/Sparrow doesn’t expect her to come back with the full force of the King’s Guard and city garrison. Qyburn did finally finish making Mountainstein (named in the books as Ser Robert Strong) and he’s supposed to be her new champion. We’ve gotten pretty ahead of the books at this point, so let’s see what happens.
Jon Snow… Jon freakin’ Snow… Man, how did he not see the mutiny coming. As soon as Ollie walked into the room and said what he said about Uncle Benjen, I felt like Admiral Akbar yelling “It’s a trap!” (second Star Wars reference in a single post… I’m such a nerd *sad face*). I bet he’s wishing he had listened to Stannis instead of Sam now! Maybe because one is a powerful military leader and the other is a f*cking loser who put him in a bad place and now wants to abandon him to study at the Citadel. Gods, I hate Sam so much.
The interesting thing is that Davos and Melissandre are at Castle Black. I wonder how Davos is going to treat her and if he’s going to find out the truth about Shireen and Selyse. I could definitely see him killing her with his bare hands. However, after being stabbed a half-dozen times, I think Jon will be happy to have her there. Or not, there have been interviews that say he’s permanently dead, but Red Priests have been known to resurrect people in the past. Like the time the Hound killed Beric Dondarrion (which was that character’s sixth death) and was brought back by Thoros of Myr. It could be smoke and mirrors, we’ll see next year.
I heard a nice amount of complaints about how slowly this season began, but it REALLY picked up the pace in the last three episodes. It has been a a really emotional season that is showing the increase in intensity as various storylines come together. There were like six major deaths in this one episode for crying out loud! One of the more powerful things that happened this season is the convergence between so many characters.
In every review I’ve done of this show this season, I’ve had to write about so many different scenes and characters that happen all over the world, but things are getting closer and closer. I have a feeling that in a year or two, I’ll be writing a single review about one war. This was awesome and I hope it still goes as awesomely as possible, even though we are away from the books at this point and can only get farther unless Arr Arr has given the show runners more than he has given his readers. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I’m really excited to see what’s coming!
Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.
