And the WiCnet Award for Best Comedy Moment in Season 4 goes to…
…Arya and The Hound, for their exchange in “Two Swords.” We had it listed as only the final bit of the exchange, but really, the whole thing is a delight.
“I know him. The small one. His name his Polliver. He captured us as took us to Harrenhal…he killed Lommy.”
“What the fuck’s a Lommy?”
“He was my friend. Polliver stole my sword and put it right through his neck. He’s still got it.”
“Got what?”
“My sword. Needle.”
“Needle. Course you named your sword.”
“Lots of people name their swords.”
“Lots of cunts.”
Results, video, and more after the jump….
I love just about everything about this scene. First, the increasing understanding between Arya and The Hound made their scenes a consistent joy. After the Red Wedding, Sandor Clegane’s sympathy toward the girl grew, and Arya’s realization of that, willingness to manipulate it, and comfort with it provided a fascinating tension. It helped as well that after three seasons of relative underutilization, Game of Thrones realized Rory McCann’s strengths and gave his Clegane emotional depth and mental cleverness alongside his violent cynicism.
Then there’s the scene itself. Having the warrior and the girl poke their heads through holes in the hedges is just delightfully silly, and would seem more at home in a sketch comedy than a prestige drama apart from the fact that, well, it doesn’t. The weight of the series post-Red Wedding, and the conversation that the two had immediately before where Arya says she’d be dead by nightfall without Clegane, prevent it from feeling out of place.
The actors, of course, play the parts well. The way McCann curses, like he’s holding a note in a song just enough to be noticeable–except with the Hound’s gravelly voice–makes the curse the important part of his lines: “The fuuck’s a Lommy” and “Lots of cunntss.” Maisie Williams stares intently at Polliver the entire time, except when saying “My sword. Needle.” where she turns to Clegane, seeking approval and expecting judgment. Every part of the half-minute sequence serves a purpose while also building comedy. It’s a fine winner.
Be sure to check out the Best Performance As A Warrior later today! Here are the results for this one:
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