Mhysa was a fairly decent episode. It wasn’t groundbreaking enough to completely catch us off guard – no main characters died and there were barely any surprises – and ultimately, it was rather predictable. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice a pattern within the format of the series: an entire season of Game of Thrones builds up to events that unfold in the ninth episode of the season, and then the tenth episode serves as an epilogue of sorts. Season one finale Fire and Blood dealt with the North’s reaction to Ned Stark’s beheading in Baelor, while the second season’s episode Valar Morghulis showed us the aftermath of the battle of Blackwater Bay. Even though Mhysa wasn’t half-bad, does it successfully pick up the pieces from The Rains of Castamere?
There isn’t much left to say about the Red Wedding. We all know what happened, who died and how they perished. Most importantly, we have someone to blame for the downfall of fan-favorite characters. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t say that that particular storyline has come to an end. The Starks will undoubtedly have their vengeance.
Last night’s episode showed us a vicious side of Arya, one that shows no remorse, fear or even the slightest hint of mercy. In the last three years, the young Stark has endured tragedy – her parents and older brother were all betrayed and murdered, her best friend Mycah was brutally killed by The Hound, and her companion Gendry was kidnapped by a fire priestess. She even saw her brother’s corpse sewn to the direwolf Grey Wind’s head, a gruesome image for a child. Unfortunately, she’s neither fit nor ready to get her revenge, even if she’s developing bloodlust. It’s hinted that she needs further training, presumably from Jaqen H’qar, who gave her the precious coin from Braavos, which she stares at as she whispers the words “Valar Morghulis.” Will she reunite with Jaqen? Will she avenge her family?
I’ve had some issues with Theon’s storyline this season. Too much suffering does not make for great television. Does he deserve it for sacking Winterfell and betraying the family who took him in? Sure he does. Do we need to see it? Maybe just for a little while, but it did get tiresome watching Ramsay Snow relentlessly torment him every other week. I didn’t think it would get any worse after his castration, but last night’s episode really went over the top. Theon is tortured to the point where he begs to be killed out of mercy, which Ramsay refuses to do, claiming they need him. He goes on to beat him up until Theon starts calling himself “Reek.”
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