Episode 22 – Dark Wings, Dark Words – Newbie Recap

Lots of new characters were introduced in last night’s episode. What was a new viewers reaction to all of those introductions? Our newbie recapper Oz of Thrones has shared his thoughts on “Dark Wings, Dark Words” after the break.

Spoiler note: The discussion in this post is primarily for non-book readers (book fans can discuss the show here). We ask all the series veterans to refrain from posting spoilers in the comments here, veiled or otherwise. This show is best viewed without knowing all the surprises beforehand, so please be respectful of your fellow fans. Thank you!

Oz of Thrones: Let me begin by reiterating a portion of my original disclaimer: “Understand that I may not always get the names and places absolutely correct, especially with the expectation of so many new characters and exotic locales this season.” I expected the new characters, but Holy Shit…… all in one episode? I would assume that after an episode such as this, it is quite advantageous to be a book reader, as my head feels like it is about to explode from trying to digest everything that took place. A man shall try, but I can almost guarantee a late week “Upon Further Review,” as I will almost certainly have to view this one again just to see what I missed the first time. We, the “Unsullied” non-book readers will attempt to sort the new together, manhood and nipples intact (hopefully). Enough with the pleasantries…. We have a lot to cover.

Bran is back, and he is dreaming once again. This time, he aims at and misses the three-eyed raven with his bow, and remembers how his brothers gave him hell about missing his target in Season 1. He hears the voice of his father, and then sees a boy that he does not recognize who tells him that he can’t kill it. “The raven is you” he says. Bran wakes up to what all fair Westerosi women surely dream of waking up to: “Hodor!” Later on, Bran and Osha are approached by the boy from Bran’s dream, Jojen Reed, who has an amazing calming effect on the direwolf who is ready to eat him alive. He is accompanied by his weapon-wielding sister, Meera. Jojen tells Bran that he is a warg(sp?) (see Orell, below).

Robb is informed of news from Riverrun and Winterfell. Catelyn’s father has died and they discuss plans to attend the funeral. They also find out that upon Bolton’s bastard son arriving at Winterfell, that Theon’s men were gone and the castle had been torched. Interesting story line twist there, and gets us a step closer to finding out who burned the castle. Now, where the hell is Theon?

Catelyn and Talisa have a conversation about, of all people, Jon Snow. She tells her that she more or less hated the boy, and prayed to the Gods to take him away. Jon was spared, but Catelyn never fulfilled her promise on asking Ned for his name to be changed, and she blames that decision on the hardships that the family is being put through now.

Speaking of Jon Snow, he is once again introduced to something else he has never seen. The first episode of the season was the giant. This time, he meets a worg(sp?) named Orell. A worg can see through the eyes of animals, and Orell is looking through the eyes of a large bird (do they have a name for eagles beyond the wall?). When Mance asks what he has seen, he responds,”dead crows.”

Westeros’ favorite traveling threesome are back for Season 3. Arya, Gendry, and Hot Pie (is that really his name?) are still traveling through the woods as they are met by the Brotherhood Without Banners and some wild looking, crazy uncle looking guy named Thoros of Myr and his phenom bow and arrow marksman, Anguy. If you recall, this is the group that the Mountain and his men were looking for information about in Season 2 when they were torturing people with rats at Harrenhall. Thoros offers the group a hot meal and then promises to let them go on their way. As the threesome finishes their meal and in the midst of departing, the Hound is brought in who immediately recognizes Arya. I presume that ArGenPie’s fate depends on how the B w/o B feels about the Starks.

Theon! And he is being tortured by some unknown assailant who is educated on the joys of having a fingertips pierced by sharp objects. And large screws inserted into feet. But who is this? And once again, where the hell is Theon?

Sansa is called by Loras to meet with Margeary and her grandmother, and we are finally introduced to Lady Olenna Tyrell. Here, we get a fantastic introduction on who this infamous woman is and how she speaks her mind regardless of who it may piss off. Overcome with emotion and hate, Sansa tells of how Joffrey had her fathers’ head cut off, showed it to her, and that ultimately, he is a monster. I feel like Sansa can trust the Queen of Thorns, but what about Margaery?

Tyrion shows up for a brief conversation with Shae, which turns into an awkward argument about Sansa. Was this just filler, or is there something to the half man’s attraction to Sansa? I don’t buy into the “filler”, as D & D usually have a motive for everything. Still, I found it odd.

Joffrey gets fitted for some new clothing, and once again is rude and condescending to his mother. I am beginning to wonder if Cersei is going to kill him before anyone else has the chance. Margaery visits the King and seems to play to him on the comments of Sansa, engaging him on his rights as the King, and sharing his love for weaponry and killing. The question with Margaery again becomes is she legitimate, or is it an act to get a sense of whether or not Joffrey truly is a monster?

Last but not least, the odd couple are still headed Kings Landing, and are apparently getting plenty to drink based on Jaime’s watering of the tree. They run into a lone traveler whom they argue about killing as Jaime fears the man knows who he is. Brienne says no, a decision that would come back to haunt them later. While crossing a bridge, Jaime is able to get Wonder Woman’s sword from her. But just as Brienne is getting the best of him, they are approached by the Flayed Man of House Bolton and Jaime offers him money to let them go. The Flayed Man declines the offer in favor of the King of the North and keeping his head attached.

Episode 302 Personal Awards
Favorite Scene: Tough pick, but I have to go with the sword duel between the odd couple.
Favorite Quote: Tie “It’s a shame the throne isn’t made out of cocks. They’d have never gotten him off it.” -Jaime speaking to Brienne about Renly.
And… “But once the cow’s been milked, there’s no squirting the cream back up her udders” -Lady Olenna Tyrell
Ow, That Shit Hurts Award: Theon’s hand, foot, mouth (screaming, that is)predicament.
Favorite New Character: Lady Olenna was superb as the quick-witted grandma, as was the crazy uncle, Thoros of Myr. But I am quite intrigued by Jojen Reed. This kid’s demeanor and interaction with Bran was very cool to watch, as he came across as extremely confident and highly intellectual.

Overall: I realize that we all watched the show, and that the recap may be a bit lengthy. However, I feel there was some importance to every event I detailed. With that being said, this episode was all over the place. After the first episode of the season, which gave me the impression that there would be more investment in characters in time per episode with fewer characters being featured, this one kicked me back into reality as it came dangerously close to putting me over the Westerosi cliff. Don’t misunderstand the Oz, I enjoyed the episode, and I know that it is was likely a necessary evil in setting up events later in the season. But in all honesty, it was almost an overdose of information. Or maybe it was my overindulgence of ale. Or the lack of boobs.

Please give me your thoughts on the episode, the recap, the characters, and if you have a GoT hangover today. Remember, we are the Unsullied….. comment away, but no spoilery please!!!

Until next time, may there be peace in your realm. -Oz

• Published on 04/08/2013 at 11:40 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:02 PM CDT