Episode 28 – Second Sons – Recap

I hope you enjoyed that hour of Game of Thrones as we have to wait two weeks until a new episode (next week the show is taking a break for Memorial Day Weekend). Read my thoughts on “Second Sons” after the jump and then give us your reactions in the comments!

Spoiler Note: This post is for those who have read A Storm of Swords. As such the post itself and the comments will contain spoilers. If you haven’t read ASoS yet, you can discuss this episode in our non-book reader recap. Thanks!

Episode summary coming later…

What I Liked

Sam the Slayer – A truly epic moment as only Game of Thrones can do it. And saving it for later in the season makes sense. I’m sorry I ever doubted you, David and Dan! But let’s talk about how perfect this scene was. Michelle MacLaren slowly builds the tension, while also providing some great acting moments for John Bradley. And then the ravens ratchet the tension up to a fever pitch until we see through the darkness and fog a White Walker coming forward. The sword shatters and then when all seems lost, Sam comes to the rescue with his dragonglass dagger. YES! I loved the effect of the White Walker turning to ice and then shattering. I don’t remember if that happened in the books, but it looked awesome on screen. Great job, Pixomondo Entity FX. Great job all around!
Most Awkward Wedding Ever – This wedding was as awkward and pitiful as I imagined it from the books. Drunk Tyrion is best Tyrion. Although the comedy of the reception gives way to a great moment of tension between Tyrion and Joffrey. Well, that escalated quickly. And then there was a very poignant scene between Tyrion and Sansa. As great an actor as Peter Dinklage is, Sophie Turner is just as good. And she does it all with barely any lines, it’s all in her face and body language. Great stuff.
Rains of Castamere – Smart move by the writers to give us some brief exposition about the Reynes of Castamere while Cersei and Margaery’s burgeoning rivalry has me salivating for future seasons.
Power in King’s Blood – The Dragonstone stuff continues to be great. (Although in true Thrones fashion they didn’t miss a chance to throw in a sex scene.) Stannis and Davos discussing religion was a great scene with a lovely bit of foreshadowing (“a big battle in the snow”). I just love Stephen Dillane and Liam Cunningham. Fantastic acting from two men who get their characters. And Gendry being spared a full sacrifice thanks to Davos’ intervention was another smart change. Did she have to put a leech THERE though? Ouch.
Second Sons – I know they’ve made some changes here, but in my opinion they are good ones. Having Daario as a lieutenant of the Second Sons as opposed to co-captain of his own sellsword company simplifies things a bit while still keeping the main act of him killing his captains to win Dany’s hand in tact. It was nice to see that bastard Mero get what he deserved so quickly. Ed Skrein has Daario’s cockiness and confidence down pat, although I could do with a little less smirking. And yeah, he doesn’t have blue hair or gold teeth, but at least he still has his daggers!

What I Didn’t Like

No Coldhands – Literally my only disappointment in this episode is I thought we would get a glimpse of Coldhands to cap off the fantastic Sam the Slayer scene. Hopefully he makes an appearance before the end of this season.

This was a fantastic episode of Game of Thrones. Best of the season? Maybe. It is giving “And Now His Watch Is Ended” and “Kissed by Fire” a run for their money. I thought Michelle MacLaren’s direction really shone through tonight, both in those small character moments and in the big set piece ending. I can’t wait to see what David Nutter can do with these final two episodes. Many great moments are still to come.

What did you think of “Second Sons”? Leave a comment with your thoughts and rate the episode in our poll!

• Published on 05/19/2013 at 10:57 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:02 PM CDT