Game of Thrones
Season 3, Episode 2 – Dark Wings, Dark Words
Directed by Daniel Minahan
Written by Vanessa Taylor
Starring: Mark Addy, Alfie Allen, Emilia Clarke, James Cosmo, Liam Cunningham, Charles Dance, Stephen Dillane, Peter Dinklage, Natalie Dormer, Michelle Fairley, Jerome Flynn, Aidan Gillen, Jack Gleeson, Iain Glen, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Conleth Hill, Ciarán Hinds, Carice van Houten, Sibel Kekilli, Harry Lloyd, Richard Madden, Patrick Malahide, Rory McCann, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams, and Issac Hempstead-Wright
HBO
Air Date: April 7, 2013

Trust has always been a common thread throughout Game of Thrones, and that theme takes center stage in “Dark Wing, Dark Words.” This second episode of Season 3 checks-in with the rest of the cast missing from last week’s episode and works as the second part of that premiere. So much so that I wish HBO had just put the two episodes together. Alas, we’re finally ready to move into the season proper now that all the pieces are seemingly in place.

First and foremost, Arya (Maisie Williams) continues to be one of my favorite characters. The young Stark finds herself far out of her league when she run across the Brotherhood Without Banners. I have a feeling this is where she’ll stay for most of the season, which is interesting considering how strong I find her interactions with the group to be.

However, Margaery (Natalie Dormer) is easily the most fascinating character on the show thus far. We all know she’s no fool, and her interaction with Joffrey proves it. It’s clear the Tyrell is playing a long con. It’s brilliant to watch. We know she wants to be the Queen and the level of craftsmanship she’s showing to get to that point is flawless.

Yet, it’s Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Brienne’s (Gwendoline Christie) plot that kept me engaged throughout most of the episode. Jamie is in an interesting position now: more so than ever, the Kingslayer is caring only for himself and his twisted code. He deploys the Lannister name when he thinks it will work get him out of trouble. It’s not a surprise that when he finally manages to turn the tables on Breienne that he’s sorely outmatched.

Again, we’re finally past the setup. I’m ready for the season to really start and if the darker tone that’s been lingering over these two episodes is any indication, we’re unprepared for what’s to come next.

Quick Thoughts:

– This week in “Hey! I kinda know that actor from somewhere!” Jojen Reed is played Thomas Brodie-Sangster who was Liam Neeson’s son in Love Actually (sidebar: it’s an amazing movie and easily in my top ten favorite films – see it if you haven’t). Meanwhile, Jon Snow’s warg friend beyond the Wall is played by Mackenzie Crook, who you might know as the glass-eye-guy from Pirates of the Carribean.

– Regarding Bran (a much older-looking Issac Hempstead-Wright), the young Stark’s storyline has some solid traction there after being fairly uninteresting for a while.

– In case you literally couldn’t hate Joffrey any more, the little king talked about banning such “perversions” that Renly enjoyed – basically, homosexuality. How fittingly topical.

What did you think of tonight’s episode?