Game of Thrones: Season 5, Episode 2

Game of Thrones

Episode Title: “The House of Black and White”

Channel: HBO

Director: Michael Slovis

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy

Runtime: 55 min

Rated: TV-MA

Original Air Date: April 19, 2015

There were lots of updates on characters journeys and plans in “The House of Black and White.” Some of them worked better than others. The most glaring mistake in my opinion was the way in which the viewers' introduction to Dorne was handled. Dorne is a place completely unlike anywhere else in the Seven Kingdoms. Whereas the differences in most of the places we've seen in Westeros are smaller things, like the temperature, Dorne is a culture unto itself. They are a conquered people, yet still call their leader a prince, the kingdom consists of many deserts, and bastards are not treated with the same disdain that is common in the rest of the kingdoms. The episode in which we're introduced to Dorne should have been about Dorne, not a brief conversation.

The other scene that felt unnecessary this week involved Varys and Tyrion. I know Tyrion is a fan favorite, so they'll do their best to work him into every episode, but I don't think the audience needed to hear the two of them lament how unappreciated they've been. We've already been told where they're headed, and if nothing remarkable happens on the way there then so be it. If their travel is uneventful lets give them an episode or two of rest until something noteworthy occurs.

Back at King's Landing, Ceresi revealed a package she had received from Dorne to Jaime. The package contained a serpent statue with a pendant in its mouth that belonged to Myrcella, their daughter. Ceresi perceived the package as a threat and apparently Jaime agrees, because the next thing we know he's off to see everyone's favorite mercenary, Bronn. This is a change from the books that I've in favor of, Bronn has been a fun character, so finding a way to keep him on screen is a good move. In other Ceresi news, she's doing her best to run the king's small council in a way most advantageous to herself. Aside from appointing her pet disgraced maester as Master of Whispers, she managed to gain Lord Tyrell's favor by increasing his duties. All did not go according to plan though when her uncle, Kevan Lannister, knowing he was taking orders from Ceresi and not the king, decided that he was unwilling to take part in the farce that is the child king's rule.

Arya has finally reached Braavos, but when she reached her final destination, the lair of the Faceless Men, she was turned away. She is shown, briefly, fending for herself on the streets. Then, just as we think we're going to see her take it two some street roughs, she was interrupted by the man from the black and white doored building. It turns out the man was Jaqen H'ghar, who has decided that she is now ready to learn the ways of the Faceless Men. Taking Arya, who is already disturbingly comfortable with causing other people's deaths, and training her to be an assassin, is an intriguing concept that I can't wait to see play out.

On the Wall, Jon Snow is being tugged in two different directions. Stannis offers to give him legitimacy with the Stark name, in return for the North's aid in the coming war. Even having one of his childhood dreams available to him is not enough to convince Jon of breaking his vow to the Night's Watch. Following his decision to refuse Stannis' offer the audience gets to sit in on the election of a new Lord Commander. Janos Slynt encouraged everyone to vote for Alliser Thorne, another nomination is made, and right before voting begins Sam puts forth Jon's candidacy. This was probably my favorite scene of the episode, Sam verbally destroys Slynt and points out all of the heroic actions of Snow. The vote is made and there appears to be a tie between Jon and Thorne until Maester Aemon breaks the tie in favor of Jon Snow.

The rest of the episode was mostly focused on Daenerys and the trouble she is running in to trying to assert her control over Meereen. I really try not to compare the show to the books too much while I'm watching, they've made enough changes at this point that they're two separate stories as far as I'm concerned, but this was one of my least favorite parts of the book series so far. It hasn't been improved much in the show frankly. For me every time we rejoin the Mother of Dragons the rhythm of the show is halted and I can't wait to move on to something, anything, else.

Conclusion: I felt that “The House of Black and White” was an improvement on last week's episode. Instead of still dealing with the fallout of last season's events we finally get to see the direction a lot of the character arcs are going to head in. The all too brief scene in Dorne didn't do the new setting justice, but the new developments at the Wall and with Arya helped to elevate the episode.

Rating: 8/10