Consider the throney game sufficiently changed. It is often times hard to sort through the strategic minutiae of Game of Thrones with so many seemingly minor chance encounters and sleights within each episode but then an episode like “The Rains of Castamere” comes along that reminds the audience just how important every little thing could be. For the first time during season three it feels like the overall story has been moved forward, in multiple storylines.
“The Rains of Castamere” did an excellent job of keeping the wedding massacre, otherwise known as the Red Wedding, a surprise. Having read the books I knew what was to come but the episode made sure unfold the story at The Twins slowly while deftly adding some lightness and humor in each scene until the attack finally began. Even though I knew what was coming I still felt a tad shocked when it finally happened, which is a hard thing to do when you already know the twist is coming. Catlyn’s discovery that something was not all right was well done as well, especially when she lifted Roose’s sleeve to reveal his armor.
The Red Wedding was also surprising in its brutality. The massacre was based on revenge and it felt that way through and through. The brutality factored in at the onset of the battle as Talisa was viciously stabbed in her recently revealed to be pregnant belly. It was a slaughter, through and through, and seeing Lord Walder enjoy it so haughtily made it all the more bleak. Having Roose finish Robb off at the end was almost as disgusting as watching Walder’s glee throughout the massacre. It seems Roose is only motivated by money, not only by giving Jamie back to the Lannisters but also revealed with his anecdote about marrying a Frey daughter for the dowry.
There is one small disappointment to be had with how this storyline unfolded. While it wasn’t really foreshadowing, Robb’s new plan to take Casterly Rock was regarded as a bit of a suicide mission even with Frey’s armies. Again, it isn’t as if that was a huge clue to what was about to transpire at The Twins but it did take a little bit of impact from Robb’s untimely death as his other option seemed like it also would have ended in his death. And if this was meant to show Robb being stuck between a rock and a hard place then Robb didn’t seem nearly desperate enough in having to choose.
The Red Wedding might not have been the best part of Robb’s storyline this episode. Every interaction at The Twins was great, whether it was Walder’s hilarious pervertedness while disparaging Talisa in front of Robb and everyone else or Edmure being delighted by the appearance of his mystery wife after having seen the other Frey girls. Each scene at The Twins was entertaining and created richness in many of the characters we thought we knew or have not seen much of, such as the aforementioned Roose Bolton.
What is most impressive about “The Rains of Castamere” is the fact that the rest of the episode away from Robb was just as good. While Arya ended up at the Twins by the end of the episode, her character finally got to do something other than be a captive. Her character showed some major growth this episode in her multiple instances of standing up to the Hound. When she knocked out the pig farmer after demanding the Hound not to kill him showed that while she still does have compassion she has learned that she can’t always be nice – a lesson Sansa has yet to learn. The conversation between Arya and the Hound about being more afraid the closer she got to being reunited with her family was also telling and showed her growth as she, again, didn’t back down from the Hound despite him being correct. Having him knock her out and then carry her away showed just how much respect the Hound has for her and was surprisingly touching despite its initial brutality.
Much like Arya, Bran’s storyline this season has been dull as he has only been moved around from place to place. However, Bran’s plot also leapt forward as it was revealed he might be the most powerful warg in the entire world after he took over Hodor’s mind to silence him. This was coupled with the discovery that Bran can hop in and out of the minds of the dire wolves at will – whether Bran knew this or not is still up for debate. Bran also took a stand (no pun intended) on his future plans, finally telling Osha that he was going north of The Wall without Osha. It was nice to see him take charge of his own destiny after being shepherded between Jojen and Osha the entire season.
“The Rains of Castamere” resolved every tug-of-war storyline of this season with the addition of Jon’s departure from the wildling clan. It never seemed like Jon was every going to become a wildling and betray the Night’s Watch no matter how hard Ygritte tried to convince him otherwise. The fight between Jon and the wildlings was exciting and the first moment of intimate betrayal in the episode. Seeing Ygritte take up for Jon when the fight broke out was very nice, which made it all the more heartbreaking when Jon fled after his face was torn up by the falcon as Ygritte watched him go. Having Tormund not try to wound or kill Ygritte during the battle was also a sweet moment.
And while all of this was happening in Westeros, Dany was still set on taking the heavily fortified Yunkai in Essos. During the meeting to plan the battle it was made painfully clear that Dany no longer needs Jorah’s counsel as she decided to go with Daario’s plan to infiltrate the city and open up the city walls for Dany’s unsullied. What transpired once they got through the walls was the definitely the coolest battle the show has seen thus far. Swordsmanship and flair during battle is rarely seen but seeing the three work together to fell foes while making it look good was a treat. Upon their return, Jorah was spurned yet again by Dany as she was only interested in Daario’s survival and almost completely dismissed Jorah’s return.
“The Rains of Castamere” reminded the audience that anything could happen in Westeros. Having now killed the main character from season one and the show’s main rooting interest, Game of Thrones shows that no one is safe and that anyone, regardless of their importance to the show, can be killed at any moment. However, the true greatness of “The Rains of Castamere” lies with the interweaving and moving forward of every other storyline in addition to Robb’s. It is just a shame that there is only one episode remaining this season.