The Small Council: A look back at “Kill the Boy”

In part 1 of a very special 2-part Small Council, the WiC writers give their thoughts on “Kill the Boy,” the fifth episode of the fifth season of Game of Thrones. What flew and what fell? What landed and what missed the mark? What strutted its stuff, and what would have been better off spending the night at home on the couch with some takeout? The Small Council is in session.

KATIE: I really liked the setup of “Kill the Boy”—the focus was more structured, and kept the spotlight on just a handful of characters and events. I like traveling around Westeros/Essos as much as the next fan, but I really appreciate the occasional emphasis on particular people as a way to enrich their characters, motivations, etc. Since this episode didn’t bounce around the map much, it gave me a lot to think about concerning those particular people.

Take Daenerys, for one. To me, she’d really settled down since Ser Barristan entered her employ. She didn’t always keep her temper under wraps, and her enemies still got what was coming to them, but oftentimes she just didn’t seem like the Mother of Dragons anymore; sometimes this was a good thing, and other times it made her weak. Now that her last trusted, experienced adviser is gone, Daenerys has to turn to herself for counsel. I’m really digging this whole going-back-to-her-roots thing, although she’ll have to practice more self-control if she doesn’t want to end up like the Mad King.

Of course, my favorite thing about “Kill the Boy” was all the Sansa, and the episode has certainly given me a lot to think about concerning her arc. I know that her story has diverged completely from the books, so it’s not just the Unsullied viewers who are on pins and needles—it’s all of us. I’ve mentioned before how I think Myranda may be in more danger from Ramsay than Sansa is, and this episode solidified that (for me, at least). Sure, Ramsay seemed pleased with Myranda by the time their scene ended, but it seems that she’ll end up letting her jealousy get the better of her anyway, and Ramsay’s not known for his patience.

That’s not to say I think Sansa’s in the clear; that was made apparent by Ramsay’s behavior at dinner. But as far as I’m concerned, he can’t be stupid enough to really hurt her—either physically or psychologically—when he knows that the North remains loyal to the Starks. I mean, psychopath or not, he cannot possibly flay the entire North. Then again, that rad old broad wouldn’t have given Sansa a distress signal if the showrunners didn’t intend for her to use it, but I still say it doesn’t make sense for Sansa to get hurt when she already has reason to throw down on the Boltons. So, really, what forward momentum would that lend to the story? I suppose Brienne would come to the rescue, but personally I’d rather see Sansa take charge for herself. That’s what this season has really been about for her, so I hope to see that brought to a satisfying conclusion.

In the meantime, since Stannis & Friends are on their merry way to Winterfell, I’m curious to see some interaction between Sansa and Melisandre, assuming they get the chance. Melisandre had some chilling insights into Arya’s character a couple seasons back, and I’d like to know what she’d see in Sansa. I guess we’ll have to see how the battle shakes out.

DAN: I also loved the way “Kill the Boy” slowed down, breathed deep, and focused on a select few characters. The Winterfell story, in particular, benefited from the extra space. There was enough time, for example, to allow Sansa her slow walk through the Winterfell kennels before she came upon Theon, an unsettling stretch that really helped the reunion land. I was also pleasantly surprised by the way the show continued to add depth to Ramsay. As wretched as he is, his need to please his father and his relationship with Myranda (which is deprived but still more normal than I figured any relationship involving Ramsay could be) make him more relatable than he was in the books. Ramsay’s done too much to ever become a sympathetic character, but the extra layers should making his undoing more satisfying.

The final series of scenes in Old Valyria were also terrific. Again, “Kill the Boy” took its time, so we had time to drink in the Apocalypse Now-esque imagery as Jorah and Tyrion floated through the ruins of this ancient civilization. I feel like the images of the ruined Valyria could become a touchstone for the series going forward—could King’s Landing or Meereen end up looking like this if the White Walkers have their way? So much of Game of Thrones is about how to maintain a successful society. It’s important to have an in-world reference point for what happens when that society crumbles to the ground.

It may seem like a stretch to draw a connection between Valyria and White Walkers, but the easy pace of Bryan Cogman’s script allowed these sorts of thoughts to come to the surface. Along those same lines, spending so much time with Daenerys and Jon Snow got me thinking about how the show is comparing and contrasting their approaches to leadership. On Game of Thrones, there are action episodes and there are slow-burning episodes. “Kill the Boy” was a slow burner in the best way possible.

CAMERON: I mentioned this on Twitter, but I felt like this episode had a distinct A Dance With Dragons flavor to it, since the events take place primarily in the geographic locations featured in that book. It was interesting for me to watch, because I felt like it brought a few more of the themes and parallels from Dance into sharp focus for the Unsullied, particularly in how it introduced Jon Snow’s arc phrase from the book, “Kill the boy” (not literally, of course: Olly is safe, as far as I know).

I especially liked that there was a wide variety of reactions to Jon and Dany’s plans. In fact, the general reaction to Jon and Dany’s stories more or less reflects the schism I see in discussions about the character’s actions in the fifth book, which I think speaks to the strength of the source material, in spirit if not in execution (Dance does have a tendency to ramble in the early parts).

I dunno about that Grey Worm/Missandei kiss, though. I’m on record as finding this storyline interesting and even I think that was a bit much.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

DAVID (RAZOR): To me, “Kill the Boy” was easily the best episode of the season. Not only did we get dragons feeding on a random Great Master, but Old Valyria was haunting and beautiful. It looked almost exactly how I pictured the Rhoyne to look when reading the books, with lush green foliage and ruins of ancient palaces on the riverbanks. And then there’s the Stone Men, who were as terrifying as I’d always imagined them to be, and that cut to black after Tyrion was dragged to the bottom of the river made me feel like I was reading A Dance with Dragons all over again. In fact, I kept waiting for a huge turtle to pop his head up out of the water and bellow a roar that would make Tyrion soil his small clothes. BUT…I put my book purist angst aside, and decided to enjoy the episode for what it was, and in the end, I was quite pleased.

It would seem that the show is trying to show us a side of Daenerys that we have never seen before. The arrogance with which she treated the Great Masters, while absolutely awesome, suggested that she may have a touch of the same madness that afflicted her father the Mad King Aerys…and I completely loved it. Like, this is the Dany that I have been wanting to see for some time now. Not only did she feed her children a random Great Master, but then she basically made Hizdar her bitch. Daenerys’ story-arc just shifted into high-gear, and I don’t think she’s showing any signs of slowing down before the finale.

There also seems to be a lot of foreshadowing this season. And while there are many moments I could point to, the one that stands out in my mind is the chilly behavior of Jon Snow’s steward, Olly. Additionally, the fact that Edd stood up and told Jon that he would follow him anywhere, but that he could never forgive the wildlings, makes me feel like Edd and Olly are going to have a major part in Jon’s final scenes this season. For the Watch, anyone? If this is true, my heart won’t be able to take Edd crying while plunging daggers deep into his friend.

I must admit to being perplexed about Stannis insisting that Shireen and Selyse accompany him on his march to Winterfell, not to mention Melisandre’s inclusion. I don’t how how all the tinfoil-hat theories regarding Jon Snow’s last chapter from Dance can come to pass without Melisandre there to perform some type of R’llhor magic.

ANI: Fewer, David. Fewer.

Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I know you’re not into the Stannis’ choices this season, but I have never until that moment barked with laughter during Game of Thrones in quite that manner. Who knew sending Stannis north would solve every problem we’ve had with his character these past few seasons? Heck, if there’s any reason I’m sorry to see Selyse and Melisandre on the road with him, it’s that with them as foils, he’s just not that good of a character. More Shireen, please.

I have to disagree with that comment about Dany showing her strength. Yes, feeding one of the Masters to her dragons might make her a good pet owner. But the choice to propose marriage to a man in a cell who hours before was going to be dragon chow? That’s not strength. That’s just weird and unsettling. As I said in my recap, it reminded me of the show having Cersei be the one to suggest arming the Faith Militant, a choice that will bring about her ruin. I know the show hasn’t revealed any connection between Hizzy Hiz de Loq and the Mad Masked Men, but even if I hadn’t read the books, I would assume he is their secret Sith Lord Master.

• Published on 05/13/2015 at 1:00 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 1:04 PM CDT