"The Prince of Winterfell" is a more character-focused episode than any that came before it this season, providing the calm before the storm.
Plot in A Paragraph: Arya calls in her final debt with Jaqen in a way that he is not amused with. Robb finds out that Theon is not the only person to go behind his back. At Winterfell, Theon receives a visitor. Tyrion and Varys bond, Danaerys ignores Ser Jorah's advice. Stannis and Davos approach their destination.
I really liked Gemma Whelan's performance as Yara and Alfie Allen performs strongly, as he has throughout this second season as Theon.
I didn't think Peter Dinklage could improve on his Emmy winning performance of the first season but his amazing turn this season has been ridiculously good, he has several excellent scenes that show his talent as an actor. He shares a brilliantly emotional scene with Shae (Sibel Kekilli) and his scene with Varys (Conleth Hill) is one of my favourites of the season. Hill shines whenever he is in a scene with Dinlklage.
Lena Headey's Cersei actually seems to rise to the occasion of being in a scene with him in this episode. Normally he blows her off the screen, I've not disliked her as much as I did in this episode since the beginning of season one.
Charles Dance has been excellent as Tywin Lannister, and his scenes with Maisie Williams were always good, but perhaps too much of a good thing as I will miss them now Tywin has left Harrenhal. Their scenes have been some of my favourites of this season.
On the negative side the Robb and Talisa story features two very good looking people doing their best with material that is cliché through and through. Oona Chaplin has a nice bum though, and I hope we get to see more of it. Lol Emilia Clarke and Michelle Fairely are again weak links acting wise too.
Back to the good. I really liked the interplay between Brienne and Jaime as the Maid of Tarth leads her prisoner to a boat.
Now bring on episode 9 and the battle of blackwater. What promises to be the biggest of the season.
Plot in A Paragraph: Arya calls in her final debt with Jaqen in a way that he is not amused with. Robb finds out that Theon is not the only person to go behind his back. At Winterfell, Theon receives a visitor. Tyrion and Varys bond, Danaerys ignores Ser Jorah's advice. Stannis and Davos approach their destination.
I really liked Gemma Whelan's performance as Yara and Alfie Allen performs strongly, as he has throughout this second season as Theon.
I didn't think Peter Dinklage could improve on his Emmy winning performance of the first season but his amazing turn this season has been ridiculously good, he has several excellent scenes that show his talent as an actor. He shares a brilliantly emotional scene with Shae (Sibel Kekilli) and his scene with Varys (Conleth Hill) is one of my favourites of the season. Hill shines whenever he is in a scene with Dinlklage.
Lena Headey's Cersei actually seems to rise to the occasion of being in a scene with him in this episode. Normally he blows her off the screen, I've not disliked her as much as I did in this episode since the beginning of season one.
Charles Dance has been excellent as Tywin Lannister, and his scenes with Maisie Williams were always good, but perhaps too much of a good thing as I will miss them now Tywin has left Harrenhal. Their scenes have been some of my favourites of this season.
On the negative side the Robb and Talisa story features two very good looking people doing their best with material that is cliché through and through. Oona Chaplin has a nice bum though, and I hope we get to see more of it. Lol Emilia Clarke and Michelle Fairely are again weak links acting wise too.
Back to the good. I really liked the interplay between Brienne and Jaime as the Maid of Tarth leads her prisoner to a boat.
Now bring on episode 9 and the battle of blackwater. What promises to be the biggest of the season.