TV Review: This Week on Game of Thrones (S4 Episode 7/ May 18, 2014)

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

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EPISODE 7: Mockingbird

THE PLOT : The long summer is at an end, winter truly is coming and with it the cold winds of war as five self proclaimed Kings claim dominance over Westeros, but there can be only one winner when you play the game of thrones.

THE LOWDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don’t recommend reading this if you haven’t watched this episode). On the heels of last week’s epic speech, we open with a, less than impressed Jaime, telling Tyrion how big a fool he is for sealing his own fate. The cool thing here is that Tyrion sees through it all, realizing his father’s true intentions plain as day. I like that, but I can’t say I blame the guy for losing it in the moment because of Shae. Tyrion does seem a bit surprised when Jaime explains that his sword game isn’t enough to cut it as champion, though I would have thought he’d have someone else in mind. His meeting with Bronn was gut-wrenching. I mean hell, I wouldn’t want to fight the damn mountain either, so I can’t question Bronn’s logic—self-preservation after all is as good an excuse as any. Tyrion understands, and clearly there’s a mutual respect between these men, which makes it all the harder to watch that final handshake.

I’ve been disappointed with the lack of Arya this season, especially after such a solid introduction to the season via the first episode, but thankfully tonight felt like a worthy installment for her and The Hound. I loved hearing Arya say her real name with pride, and although it felt like a bit of a convenient coincidence, her getting the chance to dance with an old friend felt unbelievably satisfying. It was also nice to see her relationship with The Hound revert back to equal respects. These two characters are a solid pairing and just work well together. Having the Hound open up to her, and then her help clean his wound just feels right. I’m rooting for the both of them at this point.

Jon’s return to Castle Black was about as cold as you’d expect, but realistically, there’s not much more to tell on that front (cough, cough, FILLER). Dany and Daario get it on…or at least that’s what we’re led to believe, as if they did, it happened off screen. I did however, enjoy her exchange with Jorah, who always has the right advice when it comes to battle. Melisandre makes an appearance, if for no other reason, than to show us how epic her rack still is. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining in the least, she’s beyond hot, but her exchange with Stannis’ bonkers-ass wife just seemed a bit like a ‘boobie filling’ quota…again, not that I’m complaining. I’d gladly give her a sponge bath as we gaze into the Lord of Light’s fire.

GAME OF THRONES SEASON FOUR’s seventh episode re-confirms my delight for this season’s ability to balance the pieces on the table, giving us more of what we want, when we want it. Take Pod and Brienne for example, not a huge scene, but one that not only counts (sweet bread making Hotpie!), but makes us nod our heads in anticipation. I absolutely loved the scene with Oberyn and Tyrion. Having read the books, I knew what was coming, but like many great scenes that came before it (the scene where the cutthroat comes to murder Bran and gets chomped by Summer comes to mind), I still found myself wide-eyed and grinning with each passing second. Lastly, we go to poor Sansa in Crazy-Town. Seeing her Imp-slap Robin was worth the price of admission in itself, but where it goes from there was absolutely nuts. Littlefinger sent that crazy bitch Lysa flying, and I’m sure her son won’t be far behind. Of course, with all excitement, one might find it easy to overlook Littlefinger kissing Sansa, which was…disturbing to say the least. Three episodes left.

SEX/NUDITY: Dany and Daario may have got it on…but I guess we’ll never know. Melisandre’s rack, however, could make even the harshest non-believer turn to the light. And I’m trying to forget the Littlefinger/Sansa kiss happened.

VIOLENCE: The Mountain makes a bloody appearance, hacking and slashing dudes to ribbons, The Hound ends up with a nasty neck bite, Robin gets the shit slapped out of him, and Lysa, well, I hope she had a red bull because she’ll be needing wings.

SHARPEST QUIP: : There wasn’t much that stood out tonight, but I rather enjoyed Cersi’s exchange with The Mountain. “Who am I fighting,” he says. Cersi smiles and responds, “Does it matter?” True that.

MOST EPIC SCENE: For me, it was the meeting between Tyrion and Oberyn. The passion shared between these two men as Tyrion learns just how far back his sister’s hatred goes, only to be given a strand of hope when Oberyn declares he’ll be Tyrion’s champion. The look on Tyrion’s face says it all.

FINAL VERDICT :

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And, here’s a preview of next week’s episode “The Mountain and the Viper”