Who doesn’t love a good old fashion wedding on Game of Thrones? With so much going on in Essos and Westeros, and with winter coming, the Boltons ruling over Winterfell still made time to marry off their beloved (once a bastard) son, Ramsey to the beautiful and innocent Sansa Stark.
Before I dive into all that wedded bliss, Sunday’s episode spent a great deal of time in Braavos, with Arya still washing the bodies of the deceased. Curious to know what’s behind the door where the bodies are taken, her nameless roommate comes in and continues to tell her to get back to work. Arya become highly annoyed, and so the nameless girl tells Arya her story, but is it the truth or isn’t it? And this is how the game is played, you tell things about yourself to another person and if they can tell that you’re lying then they get to hit you with a stick. Later in the episode Jaqen H’ghar appears so he can test her, and let’s say she gets hit several times. One thing about Arya, is that she catches on quickly and a man with his sickly child appears. He is a desperate father, who can’t bare to watch his little girl suffer, so Arya tells the girl “her” story and that after she drank from the fountain, she got better. She urges the child to drink from the fountain. It was pretty damn convincing and the little girl drinks and dies peacefully. Jaqen H’ghar bares witness to this, and that earns Arya a trip to the Hall of Faces. The Hall of Faces is both eerie and kind of awesome all rolled into one. I wonder which will be the first new face we see her in?
Over in Essos, Tyrion and Jorah are continuing on their way to Meereen. In a very awkward moment, Tyrion mentions Jorah’s father’s death, not knowing that Jorah had no idea his father had died. Jorah’s father was he former Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch who was killed during the attack at Craster’s Keep. It was a touching and sad moment between these two men, and one that was short-lived when they are ambushed by slavers. Tyrion being as quick-witted as he is, is able to save his neck and other parts from being mutilated. He convinces the slavers that Ser Jorah is a great warrior, and that he would be a likely participant in the fighting pits. As we can recall last week, Dany reopened the fighting pits. I guess they found a less than ideal way to Meereen.
Back in King’s Landing, Littlefinger returns to meet with Cersei. Not knowing how their meeting was going to go, it became quite apparent that Littlefinger is one of the biggest threats to everyone. I held my breath as he tells the Queen Mother where to find Sansa. Sansa!!! He then goes on to inform her of Sansa’s marriage to Ramsey Bolton. Of course he conveniently leaves out his part in all of this. So what does he want? Littlefinger wants it ALL! He offers to send the knights of the Vale to attack whoever takes over Winterfell, either Stannis or the Boltons. And if by chance, Littlefinger was to win Winterfell, he would be named Warden of the North. Didn’t he hint to Sansa that she could possibly be Wardeness of the North? Cersei is suspicious of his motives, but will entertain him if he provides Sansa’s head on a spike. can this poor girl catch a break!
Besides dealing with Littlefinger, Cersei gets a visit from the Queen of Thorns, Lady Olenna. I can’t tell you how much I missed her. The two go back and forth in verbal jousting, both with complete disdain for one another. It was a priceless moment between the two. An informal trial is held for Loras, who is being held captive because of his indiscretions. Loras denies that he had sexual relations with men, and after he is finished being questioned, the High Sparrow calls Margaery for questioning her knowledge of her brother’s sexuality as well. For a brief moment, it looks like everything will be cleared for Loras, but clearly that is not the case. The High Sparrow brings in Olyvar, who Loras had relations with, and could prove it by citing Loras’ Dorne-shaped birthmark. At that moment all hell breaks loose and they not only lock Loras back up, but Queen Margaery as well for lying. Cersei tries to put on a sympathetic show, but you see that slight smirk on her face. King Tommen just looks dumbstruck and does nothing. But it was the look on Lady Olenna’s face that spoke a thousand words. Cersei better realize the fire she just set, and be ready for the consequences.
And now for another epic Game of Thrones wedding. Back at Winterfell, Sansa gets bathed by non other than Myranda, Ramsey’s jealous lover. As Sansa soaks in the tub, Myranda rings out the black in her hair, revealing her beautiful red hair again. She also goes on to mention the abusive treatment of other women by her betroth. Sansa isn’t a fool, and knows the Myranda loves Ramsey and isn’t playing into her motives, so she dismisses her. This is definitely a new, much stronger woman that we see before us.
Sansa stands in her room looking like a snow queen. Theon comes to escort her, and Sansa makes it quite clear that she will not take his arm. Theon practically begs, as he knows this will anger Ramsey, but she still refuses. the wedding is held outside, under the moonlight, and it looks quite beautiful, for something that is so very dark. The wedding itself is quick, Theon gives her away, and Sansa reluctantly said her vows. Ramsey in turn gives her a look that speaks at least five different emotions. The one that comes out the most is his somewhat psychotic side.
The final scene has stirred up great controversy. Ultimately, you see Sansa and Ramsey as husband and wife, about to consummate the marriage. With Ramsey there is always a twist. He makes Theon stay in the room and watch. He makes Sansa remove her clothes, and since she doesn’t remove them fast enough, he rips her gown from the back. The rest is self-explanatory. I don’t think this is going to break Sansa, for she has been through far worse.
