Thoughts on "The Rains of Castamere"

SPOILER WARNING FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOKS AND HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE. PLEASE DON'T CLICK THROUGH IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED ABOUT BOOK EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE FROM AFTER THE ONES SEEN IN "THE RAINS OF CASTAMERE". YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.





Even though I knew it was coming, the end of "The Rains of Castamere" still shook me. Part of that is due to the show making a significant change to the guest list from the books, who was killed in a truly awful way. But most of that unease comes from actually seeing the "Red Wedding" take place. It was horrible when I read it in Storm of Swords, though not as horrible as it would have been had I not been spoiled*. Catelyn's rising desperation, horror, and finally sanity-crushing despair at watching her (as far as she knew) last living son be killed was incredibly tense, but it was relieved somewhat by having that next chapter to read. In the TV episode, it goes straight to the credits playing silently. There was no release, you are left with that awful moment to sit in your brain and fester. I had a hard time going to sleep after that, finally nodding off at some point very early the next morning.

Of course, there were plenty of other things happening in the episode, each of which would have been pretty major had they not been in the same episode with the "Red Wedding". Halfway across the world, Daenerys and her trusted associates liberated another slaver city without fighting a pitched battle. Jon showed his true colors as member of the Night's Watch and rode off to warn Castle Black, killing Gareth the Wilding in the process. Ygritte lives, but I'm pretty certain there isn't a happy ending waiting for that pair. Sam, his traveling companion, and her baby reach the wall. Oh, and Bran can control wolves and Hodor. Also, Rickon speaks!

Now that we've dispensed with the pleasantries about the rest of the episode, back to the "Red Wedding". As Robb is dead, along with many of his bannermen and his army, the War of the Five Kings is effectively at an end. Sure, Balon Greyjoy and the Iron Islands are still pillaging in the North, and Stannis is still holed up in Dragonstone, technically still at war with Joffrey (and thus Tywin Lannister). However, Robb was the last threat to Joffrey's reign, so effectively the war is won, with the Lannister's (and Roose Bolton) the obvious winners.

But not so fast. As book readers are aware, this season and next are based upon Storm of Swords. As important as it may be, the "Red Wedding" took place at roughly the same spot in the book. There is a lot of story left to tell. Had the contest for the Iron Throne (outside of Daenerys long and winding road) ended at the "Red Wedding", then G.R.R Martin could rightfully be accused of just screwing with our emotions and killing Starks for the sake of killing Starks. As it is, this is just the first part of a two part story of how two of the leading families in Westeros get wrecked by a terrible war.

You see, it's all downhill for the Lannisters. At his wedding, Joffrey is poisoned and dies gasping for air**. His estranged uncle Tyrion is the prime suspect, and he is put on trial. Joffrey's death wouldn't be such a chaotic event, provided Tywin was the power behind Tommen. However, Tywin's illustrious career comes to an ignominious end while on the toilet, thanks to an enraged Tyrion, who promptly flees to the east. Last we heard he was working as a entertainer for a person who was basically a human Jabba the Hutt, and is outside the walls of Daenerys latest conquest. Although not a sadistic little shit like his brother, Tommen is too young and gentle to be anything other than a pawn in the contest between Margaery (his future wife) and an increasingly boozy and lecherous Cersei. And don't forget about Jaime, who's down a hand thanks to a loose seal***. Even poor Mycella doesn't escape harm, losing an ear in a half-assed attempt by one the Princess of Dorne to crown her Queen****. By the time Cersei takes the naked walk of penitence from the Sept to the Red Keep, you actually feel a bit bad for her.

Without the "Red Wedding", the latter events would make you feel like things are going far too well for the Starks. The fact is, like the real life War of the Roses, the various machinations and conflicts revolving around the Iron Throne create plenty of losers, and few winners. Oh, and in case you forgot, there are magical snowmen coming with their ice zombies. Plus a different type of zombies (well not really zombies, just one, and she is pissed as hell at the Lannisters). And perhaps a Frankenstein monster.

*Thanks a lot, internet.
**Hence the name "Purple Wedding"
***Wrong show
****You TV folks haven't met the Dornish characters yet. Who knows if you ever will, they seem to be a whole lot of detached bullcrap right now.