One of the trends Game of Thrones has developed is the thematic episode. There will be a certain confluence of storylines in which everyone is discussing a similar issue. This week, as you might get by the title of the episode, is honor and its various permutations in Westeros and beyond: honesty, forthright behavior, keeping up oaths, and that sort of thing. Foremost amongst the many illusionists of the Game of Thrones universe is the warlock Pyat Pree (Ian Hanmore). He's a master of deception in more ways than one. If you remember, he's the very disturbing-looking bald fellow who put on a show of tricks for Dany at the marketplace a few episodes back, but now he's returned, and it appears that he and Xaro Xhoan Daxos have been putting together a nifty little trick of their own behind the backs of the rest of the Thirteen of Qarth and behind the back of the Mother of Dragons. Theon Greyjoy, he of the desperate struggle to not be a contemptible twit, continues to just be terrible at everything. First of all, Osha, Hodor, and the two little Starklings escape from Winterfell under the cover of night, then they evade capture. Oh, Theon kills a couple of kids and disfigures their bodies as a way to make Winterfell cower at his feet, but it's pretty obvious to me that those aren't the Stark kids. Those bodies are burned for a reason; these are those two orphan kids Bran mentions. I know this for sure because, despite the wonderful mournful wail Maester Luwin (Donald Sumpter) gives at the end of the episode, we're still dealing with Theon Greyjoy, who has never met a situation he couldn't mishandle. Game of Thrones is a show that relies heavily on its writing and actors. This week, penned by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, was beautifully sharp on the dialogue front. From Theon Greyjoy dismissing a manhunt as a simple game to Jon Snow and Ygritte's flirty banter (or Robb Stark's flirty banter with the foreign Florence Nightingale), Thrones and its creative crew have been working very hard not to make any character one-note. Cersei is a horrible person, but she loves her children. Even Joffrey, though she knows she's screwed up when it comes to him. Jaime has honor, but so many conflicting oaths that he's thrown it all away out of love for his sister. Tywin is a brilliant tactician and warrior, a mediocre father, and a loving mentor to Arya, who would like nothing more than to cut his throat in spite of how well he's taken care of her.
Review of A Man Without Honor
