[Re-Watch Project 5x03] High Sparrow Episode Discussion

Episode three of this season really gives us a glimpse of the downward spiral to come for so many of our favorite characters. Where episode 2 was fast paced and mostly upbeat, this episode slowed down to give us darker hints of things to come with some awesomely tense and foreboding pairings:

1. Margaery and the "Queen Mother" ... *listen carefully you can probably hear Cersei's teeth grinding*

  



 
2. Sansa Stark and the Boltons ... that ever so subtle pause that went on a (perfect) second too long...






3. Brienne and Podrick get serious. Brienne tells the tale of her tormented youth and losing Renly:






4. Speaking of bullying ... in Braavos, Arya begins down the looong road of antagonism from The Waif.

       Fortunately we all know how that will end...  "Ow! CUNT!"





5. Oh and here's one of those fantastic parallels I love so much ... Jon Snow executes Janos Slynt one episode after Daenerys executes Mossador. Jon won this one though... Dany's decision backfired.





***In both cases they begged Jon/Dany for MERCY. *chills*




6. Cersei and The High Sparrow meet for the first time. Cersei steps right into his trap with open arms ... oh this is so delicious to rewatch!






7. Tyrion and Jorah start their adventure together on rather bad terms in Volantis ...




Oh so many dark and deliciously foreshadowing hints of what's to come. I love these moments in our re-watches!

Yes it's tough to see both Arya and Sansa meeting the antagonists who will pull them into a painful journey in the same episode but also really cool because we know now they both survive and grow stronger because of this painful journey. It gives me renewed anticipation for their stories in Season 7, not just the "main heroes" Jon and Dany and their respective teams. The Stark sisters have come so far from Season 1 and that ill-fated journey to King's Landing that would change both their lives forever. This story is as much about them in the center as it is the "Rulers" vying for the throne. I love seeing Arya's feisty fury already showing against the Waif and a glimpse of that steely cold resolve Sansa will use to survive her ordeal against the Boltons too. Each of them has a 'style' that serves them well in survival.

The Boltons, I'd forgotten how much I disliked them. When they first wrote Sansa into the FArya line, I confess I was indignant. I didn't think she was a strong enough character to carry it off. "I will starve myself.." wasn't exactly the voice of a girl ready to face Ramsey Bolton. Littlefinger's speech about "You've been running all your life. There is no justice in this world unless you make it.", is a good start.

Pod and Brienne are a great team. I've really enjoyed their interactions through the seasons, and I adore the story about her and Renly and the 'nasty little shits.'

Cersei this entire season really hits every note.

This episode was one of their best. Brienne realizes she's been mistreating Podrick the whole journey and still he stays by her side loyally which of course makes her feel bad since she has been the one in his shoes before too. They have found some common ground and friendship. Podrick really is a great character. The best part of this scene between them was Pod stammering over the obvious question he couldn't ask Brienne:

I despise Cersei in the books, but Lena gives her an air that is impossible to capture in mere words. While I sometimes wish Jamie would go ahead and throttle her (my vote for valonqar) she always makes KL an interesting story.

It's hard for me to re-watch the scene where LF "sells" his plan about marrying a Bolton to Sansa because it is so ridiculously stupid. I can't get over it. lol

The only good part is that it gave us this "nope" gif.