SPOILERS: Don’t read this review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from the latest episode of Game of Thrones.   

Influence grows like a weed.  I have no doubt the revenge you want will be yours in time, if you can stomach it. -Lord Varys says to Lord Tyrion Lannister

One of the main themes in this episode is the shifting of power.  Conleth Hill (who plays Varys) finally gets a meaty episode!  He tells Tyrion the story of how he was cut (lost his manhood) while still a boy actor.  Varys has captured the old sorcerer responsible for the terrible deed, had his mouth sewn shut, and is keeping him in a crate.  (Yowza- that’s some revenge!) 

Prodigies appear in the oddest of places.  -Varys to Ros

Ros (seen fully clothed so far) shares some crucial info with Varys: Littlefinger is planning on taking Sansa with him to The Eyrie.  Ros (who can read) reminds Varys that she’s at the right hand of Littlefinger- no longer a mere prostitute.  Knowledge is power, after all.    

It’s like taking a walk through history.  -Lady Margaery comments before visiting the royal crypt with King Joffrey

The common people’s lovefest with Lady Margaery continues, as does ours.  (Yup, Margaery is one of my faves this season!)  Though her outfits are on the revealing side for King’s Landing, can she wrap Joffrey around her lovely finger.  She has just the right words for her elders, the poor, and even (the displaced/dejected) Sansa.  Wouldn’t it be fantastic if Sansa married her older brother, Loras?  “We’d be sisters,” Margaery  says with a beaming smile.  Sansa looks so happy at this proposal- poor girl.   While Sansa’s emotions are on the surface, Margaery can play any part.   

 

My real father lost his head in King’s Landing.  -Prince Theon Greyjoy speaks (tearfully) re: Lord Eddard Stark

Sorry to say, I still don’t get what’s going on with Theon!  It’s a circular plot this episode, like the last.  His ally turns out to be an enemy.  But, Alfie Allen gets some great lines- Theon is slowly maturing as character.  He chose the wrong family, he finally realizes. 

My sword hand.  I was that hand.  -Ser Jaime to Brienne 

Jaime is close to suicidal after losing his right hand.  He falls off his horse, steals a sword from one of Bolton’s men, and tries to fight with his left hand.  But he can’t do anything!  The Northmen treat him very harshly- it’s tough to watch.  He wants to die, but Brienne convinces him to eat something.  I loved her line about him wanting to give up after “one taste of the real world.”  Gwendolyn Christie is doing a terrific job with the role!     

Did it ever occur to you that I might be the one who deserves your confidence and your trust, not your sons?  -Queen Cersei asks Lord Tywin, her father

Cersei is feeling left out of important matters, much like Tyrion was in Season 2.  She doesn’t have her beloved Jaime nearby.  Soon, she’ll be Queen Regent, and Margaery will be the Queen.  Tywin is reluctant to share info with her, and treats her coldly.   

 I could not help Ned Stark.  Perhaps I can help his daughter.  -Varys to Lady Olenna Tyrell re: Sansa

The scene with Varys and Lady Olenna started out very funny, but took a serious turn.  They are both concerned about Sansa.  In the garden, they discuss  a match between her and Loras (no doubt).

Ned Stark is dead.  King Robert is dead.  My brother is alive.  (He spits.)  You’re fighting for ghosts.  -Sandor Clegane (The Hound) to Ser Beric Dondarrion and his men, The Brotherhood without Banners

We, along with Arya and Gendry, learn more about the Brotherhood.  They are mostly commoners hailing from different areas.  They now follow the Lord of Light (the god of Melisandre).  Next up- the mano-a-mano battle between The Hound and Dondarrion (who was loyal to Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon).

I was surprised/shocked by what happened among the Night’s Watch!  Many were driven wild with hunger.  One of the crows, played by British actor Burn Gorman (Wuthering Heights; Bleak House), insulted and murdered Krastor.  It’s too bad that Cmdr. Mormont was killed by Rast (the raper who was always bullying Sam).  Mormont got Rast before he died.  I was very relieved when Sam, Gilly, and her baby boy ran away from the fighting.  

A dragon is not a slave.  -Daenerys explains in her mother tongue, Valyrian 

Will you fight for me?  As free men?  -Daenerys addresses The Unsullied warriors

The final scenes (shot in Morocco) with Dany and her dragons were fantastic!  The music was perfect, too.  It was fun to see the dragons after quite some time.  The scared little victim we saw in the series premiere is gone- Dany has become a leader.  Even Jorah was surprised.  (Emilia Clarke is also growing as an actress, as many critics have said.)