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On today’s trip down memory lane we revisit the haunted halls of the notorious dragon fire melted castle in the season’s fifth episode, “The Ghost of Harrenhal.” Written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the episode premiered on April 29th, 2012 and was directed by David Petrarca. Featuring notable scenes such as the death of Renly Baratheon, Tyrion’s discovery of wildfire, and Arya speaking her first name to Jaqen H’ghar, this episode was chock-full of character defining moments.

The episode opens horrifically when Renly is murdered while agreeing to an alliance with the Starks. The shadow Melisandre gave birth to takes the form of Stannis and plunges a blade through his heart. Stannis is his own undoing as this sends the Tyrell siblings right into the arms of Tywin Lannister. Catelyn and Brienne are the only witnesses, but Renly’s Kingsguard places all blame on Brienne.

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If Gwendoline Christie didn’t win your heart after striking down Loras, her acting here will surely do the trick. Brienne is beyond devastated when her beloved king is murdered before her and Christie conveys this perfectly. Her loyalty is unfailing and contrasts Stannis’ backstabbing fratricide. She is distraught not only at Renly’s death but at failing to protect him. Enraged, she brutally slaughters the knights who try to apprehend her and escapes with Catelyn.

As Stannis’ fleet is fast-approaching, Littlefinger seizes the moment amidst chaos (as he’s known to do) and sways them to Joffrey’s side. He chooses to do so through the recently widowed Margaery who lost not only a husband but the Throne.

Margaery Tyrell: Calling yourself a king doesn’t make you one, and if Renly wasn’t a king, I wasn’t a queen.

Littlefinger: Do you want to be a queen?

Margaery: No… I want to be the Queen.

While we already know Littlefinger is prone to schemes, this reciprocation from Margaery shows that she too is an ambitious player in the Game of Thrones. By involving House Tyrell, Baelish also sets the course for Joffrey’s demise. Whether he knows or not at the time, we can probably guess.

Naturally, Margaery’s bold comment inspired fitting fan art from her supporters. After seeing her actions in Flea Bottom post-Blackwater, anyone would support her over Cersei which also begins to set up her prophecy from Season 5.

While Cersei is enjoying the news of Renly’s demise, Tyrion seeks to enlighten her on Stannis’ imminent attack. Cersei states that Joffrey has military plans in place and such will be shared with Tyrion if the King chooses to. Bitter over Tyrion’s plans for Myrcella, Cersei lords knowing more over him as he responds with sharp wit and by outsourcing Lancel Lannister.

tumblr_md66lzH8mo1rhs1yko4_250 Another Lannister pair up I thoroughly enjoy seeing onscreen together, Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage channel the vicious sibling rivalry Cersei and Tyrion share. When Tyrion corrects Cersei, he uses the same witty deflection he does with Tywin. Being a common psychological defense mechanism against stress and trauma, it’s no surprise he responds with this reaction to the cruel members of his family. It also differentiates his intentions as the King’s Hand with his family’s selfish ones and singles Tyrion out as the “good Lannister.” We see this more when the street protestors blame him over Cersei. He’s actually hurt by the reputation the common folk have of him considering he’s attempting to tame and teach Joffrey. They judge him wholly on his reputation as The Imp and Cersei’s as The Queen. This will come back into play for both of the Lannisters during Tyrion’s trial in Season 4 and Cersei’s punishments in Season 5.

At Pyke, Theon begins his betrayal of the Starks. Frustrated by the lack of respect from his family and crew, he forms a strategy of his own to draw the defenses away from Winterfell.

On a first watch it was here most viewers began to dislike Theon. Yet when you reexamine Theon’s journey to here and after, you feel a sense of empathy only Alfie Allen could incite. While growing up the hostage-ward of Winterfell, Theon was constantly facing opposition. From the Starks themselves (Robb belittling him constantly), to guests scoffing at him (Tyrion and Jamie Lannister when they visit and Osha questioning his lordship), and even his own family turning on him once he finally returns home, it’s no wonder Theon feels an immense sense of condemnation. At the time, it’s hard to feel remorse for Theon, especially after he sacks Winterfell, but when he undergoes excruciating punishments at the hands of Ramsay, we’re compassionate for the fallen kraken. Season 5’s exciting conclusion of helping Sansa escape Winterfell brings the possibility that Theon may be seeking redemption for the choices he made from here.

At Winterfell, Bran’s all too vivid Three-Eyed Raven dreams start to disturb the young lord as they carry warning of Theon’s attack. It foreshadows the invasion as well as the death of Ser Rodrik. He confides in the wildling Osha who declines any interpretation of his dreams. We get the sense that she’s withholding information and will soon become crucial to Bran’s journey.

Dracarys!

We open across the Narrow Sea as Drogon breathes fire for the first time! Dany attends a party in her honor in Qarth as she’s tempted by marriage and magic. Xaro Xhoan Daxos attempts to bait Dany with wealth while sinister Pyat Pree flashes his sorcerous tricks. Both are at an attempt to steal Dany’s dragons as the masked Quaithe warns Jorah. We see in Qarth that magic not only exists but is practiced as Pree invites Daenerys to The House of the Undying.

In Harrenhal, Tywin holds council to form new strategies against Robb with Arya serving as his cupbearer. Though he doesn’t know her true identity, he sees she’s of Northern descent and begins asking her opinion of Robb. The wolf snarls at the lion and defends her brother by showing no fear in the face of the enemy.

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It’s a powerful moment for both characters as Arya’s elusiveness and fearlessness prove to be her greatest allies. We’ll see these allies become greater forces when she begins her training at the House of Black and White, but for now she’s still able to outsmart the renowned Lannister. This victorious moment for Arya is a loss for Tywin as it foreshadows his oversight will prove to be his downfall. He’ll demonstrate the same underestimation and pride in himself in Season 4. With such an exciting one-on-one, it’s wild to see who holds the power here.

Scenes like these really bring out the best of Maisie Williams. She expertly exhibits the aura of confidence and untamed nature of Arya which quickly made her a fan favorite. Her unwavering relentlessness at such a young age makes her the absolute perfect casting choice.

Despite Arya’s size, she’s ferociously tenacious throughout the series even against enemies as big as the Hound or as powerful as Tywin Lannister. She also refuses to conform to the expectations of her gender and in such, becomes an admirable rebel. It’s moments like the above with Tywin that display her true inner strength which even rivals her brother. She stands before his enemy unmoved which is far closer than Robb got. In the face of utmost adversity and alienation, she not only survives but thrives. It’s no wonder she admires the warrior-queen Nymeria so as she could be her reincarnation.

The title of the episode also comes to play here when Arya gives Jaqen her first name. She chooses the Mountain’s torturer, the Tickler. There’s a woman’s cry from the courtyard and the Tickler is found dead as Jaqen lurks above. By creating such an effect on the castle, Arya becomes the Ghost of Harrenhal.

The character development we’ve come to expect from D&D episodes is especially rich here. It’s a big one for the underdogs and the gothic style David Petrarca brought to the episode made those developments noticeably vivid.

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Introductions: Hallyne the Pyromancer; ironborn raiders Lorren, Drennan, and Dagmer; the clairvoyant Quaithe of the Shadow; and north of the Wall, Qhorin Halfhand.

Deaths: Renly Baratheon, members of Renly’s Kinsguard Emmon Cuy and Robar Royce, and the Tickler.

Favorite Quotes:

“You have a good claim: a title, a birthright. But you have something more than that: you may cover it up and deny it, but you have a gentle heart. You would not only be respected and feared, you would be loved. Someone who can rule and should rule. Centuries come and go without a person like that coming into the world. There are times when I look at you, and I still can’t believe you’re real.” – Jorah Mormont

“You should stand sideface.” – Arya “Why?” – Gendry “Smaller target.” – Arya [looks around] “Am I fighting someone?” – Gendry “You’re practicing for a fight. You should practice right.” – Arya

“Even torturing you is boring. Just get out. Oh, Lancel, tell my friend Bronn to please kill you if anything should happen to me.” – Tyrion Lannister “Please kill me if anything should happen to Lord Tyrion.” – Lancel “It will be my pleasure.” – Bronn