I love episodes like “Sons of the Harpy.” My praise for last week’s “High Sparrow” notwithstanding, it’s with this episode that Game of Thrones‘ fourth season really feels like it’s kicking into gear. GoT is often at its best when its episodes explore a particular theme, and that remains true. The theme of “Sons,” funnily enough for an episode with that word in its title, seems to be: women kick ass. George R.R. Martin has earned a reputation for writing strong female characters, and “Sons of the Harpy” does him justice.
Before we talk about the women, though, I want to use a few words to talk about the men (I’m sure there’s some horrible gender politics behind that statement). But hear me out! Even the men’s storylines in “Sons” revolved around the women. Jorah is taking Tyrion to Daenerys, trying to get back into her good graces. This won’t happen, obviously, but if nothing else I’m glad Iain Glen gets something to do besides make googly eyes at Dany. Glen is surprisingly good at playing this haunted, rudderless version of Jorah Mormont; not that Glen hasn’t proven himself to be a good actor in the past, but his character was pretty one-note until last season, when it was revealed that he was spying for Varys.
Jaime, too, is motivated by the women in his life. At the behest of his sister, he and Bronn are on their way to Dorne to rescue his daughter. (Bronn hints that he knows the truth about Jaime and Cersei, which is probably the worst-kept secret in Westeros.) Jaime has a very sweet moment as they sail by Tarth, Brienne’s homeland, and a wistful smile crosses his face. Jaime’s redemptive arc has been truly amazing; remember that this is the guy who pushed a kid out of a window in the pilot episode. Now I find myself actively rooting for him, and was genuinely concerned when he and Bronn were fighting the Dornish horsemen. Here’s the Kingslayer, once the best swordsman in Westeros, reduced to grabbing an opponent’s blade with his golden hand (which is a pretty inventive way to fight; one wonders how he didn’t hit on that sooner).
Elsewhere, Melisandre tries to seduce Jon, but he still loves Ygritte. Stannis has the most humanizing scene he’s had the entire series, as he tells his daughter Shireen about her birth. Littlefinger continues to coach Sansa, and Sophie Turner continues to relish her screentime and newly interesting plotline. Littlefinger also tells her about her aunt Lyanna, who’s beauty was so great that Rhaegar Targaryen favored her over his own wife. See what I mean? Women, and their power, are a huge theme this episode, and I know this is going to make me sound like a dick, but I’m honestly surprised at how well it comes across considering the director, Mark Mylod, is better known for rom-coms like What’s Your Number?
We finally get to meet the Sand Snakes, Obara, Tyene, and Nymeria, Oberyn Martell’s three bastard daughters. They’re your typical Dornish women, hot-tempered and independent, and it doesn’t take much for Ellaria Sand to recruit them to her cause; she has some fell notion about Myrcella Baratheon, and ominously intones “We don’t need an army to start a war.” Indira Varma is great as Ellaria, and as much as I miss Oberyn – and it’s a lot – she gets more interesting material now that he’s gone and her grief has turned to rage.
Cersei, for her part…well, she’s not making the best decisions. She thinks she can manipulate the High Sparrow, who for his part is such a good manipulator that he can still make Cersei feel like she’s in charge. I’m officially on board with Jonathan Pryce in this role. Cersei revives the Faith Militant, which goes about according to plan; they all carve seven-pointed stars in their heads and start arresting and beating sinners, including Loras Tyrell, whose incarceration enrages Margaery. Tommen tries to get Loras released, only for Cersei to condescendingly tell him that she had nothing to do with his arrest. Tommen is then barred from entering the sept by the Faith Militant. Holy shit this kid is in way over his head, but he Margaery vs. Cersei prizefight is going to be an awesome battle of wills.
Lastly we check in on Meereen and the titular insurgents (even though they’re all “Sons,” keep in mind that they align themselves with the Harpy, who is very much female). The Sons are causing general havoc and it all comes to a head in a great battle scene between the Sons of the Harpy and the Unsullied. (One nice touch: Grey Worm, despite being the leader of the Unsullied, still goes out on patrols.) It looks like Grey Worm is done for, until Barristan Selmy shows up to remind us all that he’s still a badass. He gets wounded, and I hope that’s not the last we see of him; with Jorah’s exile and Mossador’s execution, Dany’s small council is shrinking as fast as Cersei’s.
A Few Thoughts
- Dorne is basically the Gerudo Valley of Game of Thrones
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“As far as I’ve seen, they’re all shit ways to die”
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“I’ve had an exciting life. I want my death to be boring”
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Cersei sending Mace Tyrell to Braavos before declaring war on Margaery was a smart move. She knows how to play this game, she’s just unfortunately outfoxed this time
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