Thus begins a slow shift in power. “The Wars to Come” resets the board, so to speak. With the old power quickly being dispatched with and new leaders being sought, the premiere of Game of Thrones’s fifth season seems to be more interested in liberating the audience
“The Wars to Come” begins with a flashback of Cersei and her friend as young teens traipsing through a muddy forest in search of a witch’s hut. Once found, the dishevelled witch is less than impressive to Cersei but she still demands the witch read her fortune, which only requires the witch to taste a drop of Cersei’s blood. And while the witch is accurate in the telling of Cersei’s fortunes, and Cersei leaves behind a drop of blood on the witch’s floor, the scene suggests that magic in this world will finally be explored and somewhat explained.
Sure, there has been the unkillable Beric Dondarrion and Melisandre’s shadow baby assassin but GoT has never given much focus to the magic in its world. It exists and works in rather mysterious ways but the rules of how it can be used and the toll it takes on the user have been unclear at best. Cersei’s flashback opening the entire season seems to point to this season possibly shining a new light (from the three true gods in Benioff, Weiss, and G.R.R. Martin, of course) and new focus on something that seems so integral and yet so unexplored.
“The Wars to Come” also put old faces in new places as armies and lands become consolidated. Varys has taken Tyrion to Ilyrio’s (the man who was harboring Daenerys and Viserys in Season 1) house in Essos. Here Tyrion is more than willing to drink himself to death following his patricide last season. But Varys doesn’t believe in Tyrion’s new outlook on life that “the past is shit and the future is shit”. Varys has always been worried about the lower classes of Westeros and hints that Tyrion’s help may be just what Daenerys (Dany from here on out) needs to regain the Iron Throne and rule fairly. Tyrion still needs some convincing but realizing that he has nowhere to turn and may have alienated Jamie, one of his last friends in the world, by killing Tywin.
Dany, however, still hasn’t quite got the hang of this ruling thing if Meereen’s Sons of the Harpy resistance group is any indication. These assassins kill an unsullied in a brothel (all he wanted was to be the little spoon), which prompts Dany to hold a very public funeral and have the unsullied patrol the city. Her ideals also continue to get in the way as she continues to refuse to open up the fighting pits, despite the people and the middle class of Essos wanting them reopened for both entertainment and economic reasons. Daario, who Dany now sleeps with Daario who offers the advice that the only way to rule Meereen is to become the mother of dragons again by unchaining them. Dany’s visit to her two locked up dragons (Drogon is apparently at large and roaming freely), however, does not go well as they sneer and eject fire at her causing her to scurry out afraid. It feels like a long time since Daenerys was being worshipped by freed slaves.
At least Dany’s role as leader is unquestioned. At the Castle Black the Night’s Watch is currently leaderless and will soon look for a new one. At the moment it looks like it will be between the detestable Alliser Thorne and the current head of another a different fort along the wall, Denys Mallister but this race is just in its infancy. Mainly what happened at Castle Black in “The Wars to Come” was Stannis wanting Mance to pledge fealty to him by kneeling and allowing Stannis to conscript all the wildlings into Stannis’s army.
Stannis wants to retake the north, beginning with deposing Roose Bolton at Winterfell, and would offer the wildlings freedom and land once the fighting had stopped. It was quite a good deal but, unfortunately, went against all of Mance’s principles of a free man and was then executed by burning at the stake until Jon shot him through the heart to end Mance’s suffering. And while there is some mystery as to whether or not Jon will face repercussions for this action, it might not be as mysterious as why Melisandre thought Jon not being a virgin was a good thing.
While Stannis tried to amass power at the Wall, Cersei and Jamie’s power seemed to be dwindling in King’s Landing. The last time there was a funeral, Jamie exerted his power over Cersei but here it certainly felt as though Cersei was letting Jamie know she had the power over him as they both went to see their father’s body. During the wake Cersei was approached by Jamie’s replacement, and their cousin, Loras as he asked for forgiveness and introduced everyone to the Sparrows. The Sparrows are a religious movement that is quickly gaining momentum throughout the city and are readily recognizable by their homely appearance and humble clothes. They will play a part in things to come, I’m sure, but as of now they remain fairly unknown.
The introduction of the Sparrows and the Sons of the Harpy, however, point to the citizens of Westeros and Essos trying to be heard. GoT has been so singularly focused on the politics and interactions of the highest of society that it is easy to forget their actions affect more than just themselves. Whether the characters and audience will actually become intimate with their beliefs and followers is another thing entirely but the fact that they are even included in the story at all is a testament to the complexity and fullness of this world.
“The Wars to Come” set up some new pieces in this game, while also moving a couple of old pieces into new places. While it does not seems as though GoT is any closer to finding a true king it looks like the season will focus upon the aftermath that the search is responsible for thus far. Mainly, though, it’s just nice to have Game of Thrones back.
Other Gamey Morsels
Sansa and Littlefinger drop the weakling Robyn off at one of the Arryn’s underlords to learn how to fight and to get out of their hair and Sansa gets to show that Littlefinger is rubbing off on her.
Their carriage passes near the self-pitying Brienne and ever loyal Pod, whose desire to squire for her has been rejected for the umpteenth time. Still though, you’ve got to love Pod.
Apparently Melisandre doesn’t get cold up north because she has the Lord of Light coursing through her veins… Also finding warmth in the cold north is Gilly towards Sam as she not only pleaded him to make sure she was not sent off but also buried her face in Sam’s chest as Mance was burning.
Loras’s Dorne-shaped tattoo was a clever way to remind the audience of Dorne.
Bran, Arya, and Theon were not a part of this week but will surely show up soon.