[Re-Watch Project 04/08] Season 5 Episode 1 Discussion

I love the opener scene with young Cersei and Maggy the Frog. I'm so glad they chose to do this flashback even though they had previously said they didn't want to do any. This really helps Cersei's underlying complexity come to the surface and then the funeral for Tywin... the irony of Jaime guarding his corpse as the kings guard instead of taking his place as head of House Lannister. We are seeing little bits of House Lannister unraveling beyond the obvious murder of Tywin by Tyrion. A Legacy is at stake with Tywin dead. Only Jaime and Cersei remain as Tyrion has vanished ... I love seeing the intricacies of House Lannister vulnerable for once.

And of course my favorite moment is that epic prophecy we know is going to come true soon ...

  



Across the narrow sea we get an awesome couple of scenes between Varys and Tyrion. These two are fantastic together both the characters and the actors who portray them. Tyrion's self loathing was done just right. I'm happy they didn't go into all the unpleasantness of it from the books and kept it short and to the point of him drinking and pitying himself.

"I believe that men of talent have a part to play in the war to come..." Varys gets the line that titles the episode and it's a great foreshadowing of Tyrion's new life ahead meeting Daenerys and becoming such an important part of Team Targaryen. I loved this moment knowing Tyrion's past was behind him and his future was going to be so much better.




In Meereen things are starting to go badly for Dany too as the Harpies begin killing her Unsullied. Her desire to protect the people of the city is at war with her stronger desire to seek revenge against the Harpies which is of course exactly what they want. Oh and the fighting pit debate begins too. Daario being the only one to really be honest with Dany. She tries to go see her chained up 'babies' but they are pissed and not having any of it. You're making some mistakes as a Mom and a Queen Dany, but that's ok... you will learn from those mistakes! 





Brienne is hundreds of miles away from King's Landing too, and also throwing herself a pity party after failing to 'rescue' Arya last season with the Hound. She tries to run off Pod but he's made of stronger stuff and wants to stay with her. I'm glad, they make a good team and both of them have the same dream ...



We get some juicy tidbits of drama in King's Landing with crazy religious nut Lancel going bug eyed on Cersei and her passing him off as the nutbag he is, but we know this will come back to bite her in the ass later! We also get naked Loras and Olyver and Margaery interrupting them. I always sort of liked this scene because Margaery clearly loves her brother and doesn't care about his "indiscretions" so long as she gets what she wants (another Lannister boy king and dinner). We know Olyver will be a crucial pawn later just as much as Lancel so it's kinda cool to see them both in King's Landing scenes with the people they'll betray (Cersei, Margaery and Loras) ... it's fun to see this foreshadowing now before it happens.

Also ... Lancel completely confessed that he helped Cersei kills Robert with the wine ... I'd forgotten this little clue moment which is super crucial to remember since it lets us know Cersei is walking into a trap with the High Sparrow way back before she's even met him...



Last but not least we get the epic memorable scenes between Jon Snow, Stannis Baratheon and Mance Rayder. These three were terrific and I felt Jon Snow did a great job trying to appeal to both sides since he respected both men but knew neither would give an inch to the other. Mance Rayder's final speech to Jon was awesome and defines the idealism of the free folk.

*Mance also gets a part in the title of the episode which also parallels someone else who will say the same line from the past! "I wish you good fortune in the wars to come..." 

I loved that Jon defied Stannis in the end and shot Mance through the heart to give him a merciful death. Jon is an honorable boy but still not a man yet!





Well done Jon Snow. Well done. 

I haven't had much time lately, but I definitely plan on doing a rewatch. I actually watched the series premiere "Winter is Coming" a few weeks back, but haven't had the chance to continue. I am very much enjoying reading these threads though. Love your enthusiasm Envie. Even if I don't get the chance to catch up and participate in these, I look forward to following along and reading everyone's posts.

Johdi May <3

I had such a crush on both sisters in LotM when I was young.

konradsmith came up with it. 

Yeah this scene seemed so much more sad the second time around for me too. Especially since they are setting up the romance for Missandei and Grey Worm and her asking him why unsullied would go to a brothel was an interesting way to not put too fine a point on the issue. These may be trained warrior-eunuchs but they still have feelings. It just makes the burning of their Master all the better before Dany takes the whole army.

Yeah I loved this parallel between Jon and Ned ... well done subtlety!