April 13, 2014

Thats What Ygritte Said

Weekly Game of Thrones Musings by Sam Ryu

Regardless of whether you liked, loved, or really loved the first episode of Season 4, I think its safe to assume that were all very happy to have Game of Thrones back in our lives. For only nine more weeks though. But before I dive into (what I consider) the best season opener yet, some opening notes for Thats What Ygritte Said this season. I trust that if you like the show enough to be reading a fan-written weekly newsletter, then you know the difference between Bran/Bronn and House Tully/House Tarly by now. If not, then here. (When Googling, NEVER click on links from A Wiki of Ice and Fire because those have spoilers from the books.) This also means calling people, places, and things by their real names more often and not crazy red priestess who had a demon smoke baby assassin crawl out of her vagina (Melisandre) and the continent where Daenerys is across the sea, east of Westeros (Essos). Lastly, a reminder, especially for new readers: Thats What Ygritte Said is all about helping you enjoy this show more. Reminding you of past plot points, describing the minor (but still important) characters, exploring potential conspiracy theories, and explaining some of the more obscure details of this incredibly complex world. And for the 87th time, no spoilersI havent read any of the books. There is also a new website for all of this. Season 4, Episode 1 Two Swords Episode 1s of this show usually tend to be the television equivalent of setting the table. The mess from the season before is cleared off (RIP Starks), pieces are set in place for this coming season, and we start smelling the aromas of the meal we are about to enjoy. Last weeks season opener while still setting the table a bitjumped right into the meat. There were a lot of subtle callbacks to characters and storylines from previous seasons, most of which Ill get to below. We had two important Stark swords respectively recall the past and point to the future of this show, House Martell joined the fray with a splashy entrance from Prince Oberyn and his bastard lover, Daenerys experienced high school life in Essos (featuring raging dragon hormones and a cute guy giving her flowers), Sansa turned down lemon cake, and ARYA!!!!!!!!!

April 13, 2014

Im about to spend an entire page talking swords and why that opening scene of Tywin reforging Dead Neds sword is so important on both a story and symbolic level. Put your nerd hats on.

First of all, yes, that was Neds Valyrian steel greatsword, named Ice. (Cut to Arya: Lots of people name their swords. The Hound: Lots of cunts.) A priceless heirloom that has been passed down from generations within the Stark family. We saw Ned behead the deserter of the Nights Watch in S1E1, and then we saw Ned lose his head to his own sword wielded by Ser Ilyn Payne in S1E9. So whats the big deal with these Valyrian steel swords? First off, theyre incredibly rare. The secret of forging Valyrian steel was lost ages ago and it is therefore impossible to create new Valyrian steel. And while no one can make more Valyrian steel, there are only three smiths (according to Tywin) who can melt and reforge the swords. Because of its scarcity (less than ten are known to exist), it is extremely valuable. Many of the great Houses have Valyrian steel blades that are passed down within the family. Even the ridiculously rich Lannisters, who lost their familys Valyrian steel sword, could not afford to buy one from even the poorest houses that own oneTywin has tried many times. Now the Lannisters have two, courtesy of someone who no longer had need of it. Jaime got one of themwhich helps his left-handed sword-wielding because Valyrian steel is lighter, but still stronger and sharper than regular steel. Who will get the other one? The only other Valyrian steel sword weve seen in the show is Longclaw, which now belongs to Jon Snow. Lord Commander Jeor Mormont gave it to Jon for saving his life from a wight in S1E8. It stayed in House Mormont (sigil: a bear) but because Jeor Mormonts son (Jorah Mormont, now one of Daeneryss advisors) could not inherit it, Jeor remade the bear head pommel to a direwolf head for Jon. And how fitting is it that Longclaw is a bastard-sword? What the hell is a bastard-sword, you ask? Apparently not just what you call a sword when you give it to a bastard, but the name of a type of sword, depending on its size. A longsword (what Jaime now has) is meant to be wielded with one hand and a shield in the other. Greatswords, like House Starks Ice, are so large (which is how Tywin made two long swords from one greatsword) that you can only wield them with two hands. A bastard-sword is the in-between size. Bastard swords can be used with one or two hands. While they are larger than longswords, they are short enough that they can still be wielded with one handthough it is preferable to use two hands.

April 13, 2014

Guess Who?: We have a lot unfamiliar faces that show up this episode. Weve seen them before and they seem to be important for the upcoming episodes. Here is a quick refresher.

Left: Surfer dude Daario Naharis was recast. Right: New and better, but just another scruffy brown-haired dude.

Left: Ser Dantos, whom Sansa saved after he showed up drunk to Joffreys nameday celebration in S2E1. Right: No longer a knight, now the kings fool. Dantos scares Sansa, but thanks her and gives her a necklace.

Left: Ex-Maester Qyburn, being saved by Robb and treated by Talisa in Harrenhal, S3E5. Right: Qyburn giving Jaime... a hand. Apparently hes also treating Cersei for symptoms. Menopause? Abortion? He was stripped of his Maester chains and thrown out of the Order of Maesters for conducting bold experiments.

April 13, 2014

Left: Janos Slynt, Commander of the City Watch (Gold Cloaks):We stand behind you, Lord Stark. NOT. Right: Janos Slynt, at Jon Snows hearing after being exiled to the Nights Watch (in S2E2, when Tyrion was Hand of the King) for the massacre of King Roberts bastard children on the orders of King Joffrey. Tyrion: Im not questioning your honor, Lord Janos. Im denying its existence [...] and seeing as you betrayed the last Hand of the King, well, I just wouldnt feel safe with you lurking about. History of Westeros: Todays subject? House Martell of Dorne. Dorne, of course, being the place all the wonderful Dornish wine comes from. Im sure well learn more about Prince Oberyn Martell (also a second son, like Tyrion) and his bastard lover Ellaria Sand in the upcoming episodes but one interesting thing we learn is his back story. Oberyns sister, Princess Elia, was married to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen (Daeneryss eldest brother) when the Targaryens still ruled the Seven Kingdoms before Robert Baratheon usurped the Iron Throne because Prince Rhaegar abducted Lyanna Stark (Neds sister and King Roberts true love). So if youre following closely, Prince Oberyn Martell is the brother-in-law of Daenerys Targaryen. WHAT? Given how much the Martells hate the Lannisters for murdering Princess Elia and her children, could they be a potential ally for Daenerys? Well see. In S2E6, Tyrion sent Princess Myrcella Baratheon (Joffreys younger sister) to marry Prince Trystane Martell (Oberyns nephew) to smooth tensions between the two houses. Quick Hits: Olyver, the guy who is running Littlefingers brothel now (and the guy that Prince Oberyn wants for his sex party), is the same guy who was used to seduce Loras Tyrell in S3E5. He got Loras to reveal his upcoming engagement to Sansa. The Lannisters used this to outmaneuver the Tyrells and arranged the marriages of Loras/Cersei and Tyrion/Sansa to their advantage. Lastly, ARYA!!!!!!!!! The episode started with the loss of one Stark sword and it ended with the recovery of another one, Needle (the sword Jon Snow got forged and gave to Arya before leaving for the Nights Watch in S1E2). I loved the Hound/chicken parallel to the Hans Landa/milk scene in Inglourious Basterds. After toying with Polliverin the same way Polliver toyed with Aryas friend (Lommy) before killing him in S2E3she sticks him with the pointy end. She also gets a pony! Although its unsettling how natural it looked for Arya to kill and relish the moment, shes been learning from the best teachers: Syrio Forel, Jaqen Hghar, and now the Hound.
***If you want to join the weekly newsletter mailing list, send an email to samryu9@gmail.com