Unsullied Recap, Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 6 – The Laws of Gods and Men

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

Oz of Thrones:  Welcome back to your Unsullied, non-book reader recap where the Laws of Gods and Men could be translated in modern terms as Cross-Examination Prohibited.

Justice in Westeros leaves a lot to be desired.  But when you know the trial of Tyrion is imminent, and the “previously on” depicts many of the characters that he chose to torment during his run as Hand of the King, it doesn’t take a great analyst to estimate that what was about to take place was not going to be in his favor.

Braavos is in the opening credits.  Strong sexual content is in the warnings.  And Salladhor Saan is in a hot tub.  Welcome to Law and Order HBO.

One of my curiosities of this episode was how the Iron Bank would compare to those of current western civilization and in terms of the waiting times to see someone, it’s very similar.  After becoming impatient, Tycho all but turns down Stannis who has no money down, very little collateral, and an unimpressive claim to the throne (not to mention an apparent low credit score).

But before Stannis is dismissed without even a dum dum sucker for his voyage, Davos Seaworth (a.k.a., The Closer of Deals) saves the day and somehow learns the locale of his favorite pirate in the process.

Welcome back Salladhor, the pirate pimp of Spa Bela Braavos!  I can only assume they will be sailing back to pick up Red Velvet at Dragonstone.  But will they still be going north afterwards?

Side note:  Braavos looked incredible on screen.  I had no idea the city would be that vast.

Yara is seen rallying her troops on her ship by reading the letter from Ramsay.  And Ramsay is seen rallying his sausage in the gratuitous sex scene of the week.

At first, I was confused as to exactly where this scene took place considering Ramsay and Reek could have assumedly been at Moat Cailin by now.  But the Dreadfort it is, and I thought the fight scene with bloody Ramsay was quality.

Two things stuck out in my mind from this scene and the bath:  1.  We knew Theon was mentally unstable, but this series of events showed just how far gone he is, and 2.  Ramsay is not just a sadistic killer and torturer.  The guy is even more intelligent than previously thought and his plan on the Moat for Theon to act like Theon seems genius.

But has Yara really given up on her brother, and is she gone for good?

Dragon sighting.

Dany has taken her throne and learns that she might have been wise to take Selmy’s advice in terms of “mercy”, at least for some of the residents of Meereen.  Dany learns that the non-slave residents were not all cruel slave owners and crucifiers of children.  The point here to me was that in the future Dany might be wise to get all facts before passing judgment and implicating punishment, which somewhat correlates to what we would see later with Tyrion. She makes the right decision for Hizdahr, but her arrogance at times during the conversation was a huge turn-off.

A little more truth:  I find myself repeatedly struggling to stay involved with Dany’s story.  I think the conflict lies with the idea that we the viewers have been led to believe that we should like her character.  But the more I see of her, the more I find myself growing to dislike her, and maybe that is the intent.  After all, she does come from a line of family that included the Mad King and her own brother, Viserys.  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, or so they say.

The Small Council meets with new inductees, Mace and Oberyn.  A bounty is put out on the Hound after the birds told Varys he was in the Riverlands.  Strange that the birds did not report that the Hound has a small girl sidekick.

Finally, it seems that the Lannisters are taking Dany’s threat seriously.  Tywin seems to imply that he will pen another one of his infamous letters devising another plot and scheme.  Maybe this will add a needed spark to Dany’s storyline.

And what exactly did Varys mean when he told Oberyn that the absence of desire leaves one free to pursue other things and then motions toward the throne?  Of course, don’t answer this, dear Sullied. But is it a sign that Varys has a desire to rule on the throne himself?  Or serve in a higher capacity?  Perhaps, to a Targaryan?  Intriguing.

Let the unfair and unbalanced commence!

Tyrion is escorted in manacles to his post where the seat of injustice apparently reigns supreme.

The motive and the state of mind of the accused is exposed by the expected players: Meryn, Pycelle, and of course Cersei and the right to confront your accusers is not permitted other than one lone question to Varys.

Court is adjourned for lunch where Jaime pleads for his brother’s life in return for taking the seat at Casterly Rock and promising to continue to the family name with a wife and little gold-handed Jaime Jr’s.  *Lancel Sandwich mention!* The only puzzling part of this would be the agreement to send Tyrion to serve in the Night’s Watch, which sounds a lot like an alternate death sentence.  But it wouldn’t matter…

Who got to Shae?  Cersei?  Varys for Cersei?  I’m not sure anyone saw this one coming, but I would like to know (SPOILER FREE, of course) if the equivalent of Shae in the books does the same thing that happened last night.  But again, if this is too spoilery, then please skip it.

After he has heard enough, Tyrion Lannister does what makes us all root for the underdog; for the unfairly accused; for the one’s that can’t fight for themselves.  He unleashes a bevy of words that invariably says fight the power, and fuck the bureaucracy, and makes us stand up and cheer.  To the dismay of Cersei and the disgust of Tywin, Tyrion demands a trial by combat and Dinklage most likely wins another deserved award.

Episode 406 Personal Awards

Favorite Scene:  The Bank scene was excellent, but this was Tyrion’s day in court.    
Favorite Quote #1:  “Do you love me, Reek?” -Ramsay

Favorite Quote #2:   “Lord Tyrell, be a good man.  Fetch my quill and paper.” –Tywin (I’m totally using this at my next Board meeting).

Favorite Quote #3: “When I see what desire does to people, what it’s done to this country, I am very glad to have no part in it.” –Varys

Favorite Quote #4:  “Let me guess.  I’ve been pardoned.”  -Tyrion

The Woman Scorned Award:  Return of Shae

Final Thoughts:  One of my favorites of the Season and not just because of the trial.  That being said, the rebuttal of Tyrion was yet another classic moment in a show that has already given us so many.  My assumption is that the trial by combat will be that of the previewed Mountain versus Oberyn, with the Mountain representing the Crown and Oberyn (accepting as an opportunity for revenge) being chosen as the champion for Tyrion.   Of course, I’m Unsullied, and the Unsullied are wrong… often.

That’s it for me today Ladies and Sers!  What were your favorite quotes?  Scenes?

What were your thoughts on the trial of Tyrion?  Dany’s story?  The bounty of the Hound?  Reek?

Likes? Dislikes? Grumblings?  Holla…. Everyone is welcome.

BUT NO SPOILERS HERE!  NO HINTS! NO BOOK RELATED DISCUSSION! 

A man can be found in the birdverse now, so by all means…  @ozofthrones.

I will do my best to bust out a Looking Forward for the weekend, but no promises.  A man is off on his annual trip with Ozzette to the shores of Westeros to take in a plethora of live music and do my best impression of a drunk twenty-something year old.

In the past and on special occasion, I have been able to meander and bullshit my way into getting a media pass to this event.  Should this be the case, check my tweeting skills @ozofthrones for some up-close pics of musicians you may (or may not) be familiar with.  If my people skills have dwindled and are in need of sharpen, check my feed for pics of the back of peoples’ heads.

1000 meaningless points if you can guess the destination.

Until then, have a great week and may there always be peace in your realm. –Oz

“Unbowed.  Unbent.  Unsullied.”

PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE UNSULLIED… Do not post spoilers in this comment thread!

• Published on 05/12/2014 at 10:55 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:42 PM CDT