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Once upon a time, I thought the intricacies of human relations in Game of Thrones would ultimately play second fiddle to the mysterious delights of ice folk Lords of Light. Nothing is quite that straight forward in GoT though, just as it wasn't quite that easy to always go all in on the interpersonal wheelin' and dealin'.

Episode four saw the main characters set things up for almighty dramas, some of which stems from the fears and insecurities of individuals. Daenerys is the main instigator that kinda annoys me, yet I think we all see a bit of ourselves in how Dany feels as she juggles the emotions of Jon's whanau status. Suddenly Dany is afraid and when her fear that all of this has been for naught is combined with the realities of the war vs Cersei, we are nearing Mad Queen status. But who is really the Mad Queen? Cersei is clearly mad and a mad queen, yet when Dany sees/hears how respected Jon is, fear takes over as the driving factor in her antics. To pump up this idea that Dany is a bit loca, no matter what Jon says about his desire for the Throne, Dany conjurs up her own narrative.

We have all been there, no matter how ignorant or enlightened you are; you can't see the truth and so you create a story to cover the gaps. I've always believed that Jon wouldn't care about the throne regardless of his claim, which is still true but I never factored Dany's response and it's Dany who has control of a lot. Well, kinda because now the secret is out and because of Dany's emotional responses, those around her see issues arising. Now Tyrion is in his element, so is Varys and after them being in odd spots through the first three episodes, they could hold the key. Consider that Jon is blinded by love and Dany is blinded by fear, thus the advisers need to step up and offer clarity.

None of which will likely happen though as Missandei is headless and another dragon is dead. Cersei has scorpions and a whole lot of wildfire at her disposal, making her the favourite after ep 4. The underdogs of the battle for Winterfell are now in an awkward little spot with Cersei that makes you wonder, with their own internal power struggle, Dany and gang gang wiggle through the remaining episodes.

The split between team Stark and team Dany was a key idea reinforced in episode four, with Sansa stepping up her crusade of niggling Dany and an cheeky little meeting between the Stark fam. All of which coincided with Sasna telling the Hound a bit more about her journey and in the simplest way, reflecting the same sentiments that Arya shared with big dawg Gendry Baratheon. In the same episode, we had Sansa and Arya sharing their growth with others as well as furthering the narrative of angst towards Dany.

We also know a whole lot about Bran's growth and he's clear to distance himself from any lovely status at Winterfell as he's not about that life. After Arya killed the Night King last episode, I was left to ponder what further influence Bran could have on the upcoming shenanigans and other than confirming historical details, I'm still intrigued by what he has up his sleeve.

As is Tyrion, who we have seen make a blatant effort to pick Bran's brains. While we were left to feel the pure hatred between Dany and Cersei, a far weirder final season thing than the Night King's swift death, would be a lack of Bran tapping into his true potential. I don't even want to speculate on how, but with only one dragon left and solid defences of King's Landing, I'm eager to see how the powers of Bran and Arya, two characters rooted in the mysterious world of GoT impact the remaining dramas.

Wildcard

Game of Thrones has always been about the politics and the avoidable drama. That machinery of power, where snappy decisions have huge ramifications and any mistakes are fatal. For years we were told of the unavoidable drama heading south but that got swept away last season, the forces of the living all combining together (well, some of them) to triumph for the sake of the world… a world which is now immediately back into those small-picture, greedy, backstabbing ways that we began with all the way back when.

In those early days, Lord Varys was pretty much the most powerful man in the realm. He’s been as castrated of his influence as he was literally castrated once upon a time since then but all of a sudden, like the spider that he is, one spot of weakness in the queen and he’s at work spinning his web again. I miss ruthless and giggling Varys. There have been some odd decisions with character motivations this season but getting Varys back to his old self (albeit a little more tired looking) was a smart one.

Which is funny because just a couple episodes ago he was standing on a wall with Davos and Tyrion discussing how old they all were and how the next generation were coming through to overtake them. Now suddenly those three are all in pretty useful positions of power again. Davis mostly as a voice of reason but Tyrion and Varys are definitely in their scheming ways… just that Tyrion’s conflicted about it all when it comes to Dany, not that he didn’t hesitate a second to bargain with Bronn though.

Oh Daenerys. It takes a lot to break the wheel but apparently it takes even more to break the chains of your own genetic legacy. The Mad Queen is here to inherit her Mad King father’s throne, and damn did she make that swing quickly. Obviously this could have been given more time to develop but keep it in perspective: Dany is a woman without a home right now. She grew up being told stories of the usurper and all that while living as a refugee. A stranger in a strange land and now that she’s back in Westeros she’s a queen without a throne. And in the last two episodes she’s lost her oldest and most trusted advisor as well as her closest friend in Jorah and Missandei. Like, who is left? They killed off Ser Barristan ages ago. Most of the Dothraki are dead. The only friends she’s still got with her are Tyrion and Varys and not only were they already Westerosi establishment figures before they knew her but they’re plotting behind her back too. Also she lost another dragon, Jon’s dragon, which feels like it might be symbolic.

Game of Thrones has always swung on a dime so this sudden heel turn is not unique. But I do reckon it would have gone down better with an extra week to digest in between. I get the 80 minute spectaculars they’re going for but chuck in an extra ten mins of characterisation and split this one over two weeks… could have tidied up a few loose ends by giving people a week to simmer on the implications rather than getting hint and consequence within an hour of each other. Because, yes, there were some oddities along the way in episode four. Largely surrounding Euron’s ambush.

First off, you’ve got a dragon eye’s view and you missed the big fleet of ships? Second they managed to pop one dragon about ten times and then couldn’t hit the other dragon once when it inexplicably flew right at them? Third it just seems weird that they destroyed the whole fleet but didn’t bother to pick off any of the crucial figures that washed up onto the shore, whilst somehow secretly taking one single girl hostage which I guess was deliberate but if they were able to get to her – which was conveniently not shown – then why not take out a few others? I dunno, that whole Missandei kidnapping was a stupid contrivance, the first thing in season eight which sunk to season seven levels of silliness (let’s all go north and kidnap a wight!).

Also sceptical about how Bronn managed to sneak into a room with two Lannisters and nobody else and then sneak out again without a single soul spotting him. Having unleashed a crossbow in the meantime. Bronn playing Cersei and her brothers off against each other was fair enough, he had that deal with Tyrion going way back, in fact I kinda thought he’d pocket the loot and disappear but I guess he wants that castle. Oh and then there was Jaime’s own heel turn… old mate fell off the redemption wagon so hard he needs a concussion test. I assume this is all setting up a meeting later on when Brienne confronts Jaime and they’re on opposite sides, or a contrivance to get him and Cersei in the same room once more, but using Brienne as a tool was just mean. Having her standing there a blubbering mess seems like a betrayal too. My idea of Brienne would be to stoically accept him wandering off, internalising how she never deserved him (in her mind), and using it as a lesson in not letting her guard down again. Ser Brienne deserves better in every way.

Then there was the other major oddity… the coffee mug on the table…

But don’t take this the wrong way because the first half of this episode was pure and beautiful Thrones. Drunk Tormund is a spinoff all in himself and I’m confident we haven’t seen the last of him even as he travels north. He and Brienne could have been so happy together… sort of. Then there was the subtle discomfort of Daenerys as she came to terms with how isolated she really is in this world, culminating in a teary plea to Jon which left Jon to act as he knows best: honourably. Look, it was an unreasonable thing she was asking him anyway. They’re bloody related and all they talk about is the claim to the throne. Tyrion’s right that the best solution is them ruling together… but Dany’s Achilles heel is that she refuses to compromise, and no matter your intentions that isn’t proper leadership. It’s dictatorship.

This has always been a part of her character. She wants to rule and she wants to be loved and she wants both of those things in their maximum quantity. Say what you want about Cersei that psycho bitch but Dany vs The Realm is shaping to be pretty compelling. Because Daenerys isn’t about to go evil. She acts out of what she thinks is right, clouded by a large sense of entitlement, and she genuinely does love Jon. It’s those avoidable dramas again where characters back themselves into situations that cause conflict. As long as they keep all sides (including Cersei to a lesser degree) sympathetic then we’re in for a feast with these last couple episodes.

Before I wrap this up, gotta pour one out for Gendry. He sure poured one out to Arya, his whole flippin’ heart, and she gently slipped it back into his chest and patted it down again. At least he’s got a lordship to soothe that broken heart with.

As for Arya, Jon unceremoniously left his direwolf behind for no apparent reason other than that they’re hard to animate so this was easier, but I wonder if Arya might stumble upon her own Nymeria on the kingsroad with The Hound? It’s just like the old days with Arya and The Hound, one planning on going on a suicide mission to kill his reanimated brother and the other… well she says she’s on a suicide mission but not sure about that. She’s too sneaky to get got anyway. But she’s out for Cersei and she won’t stop until she’s left her guts leaking out on the cold hard stone of King’s Landing.

GOT S08E04 Power Rankings

Tyrion Lannister – At the peak of this show, it was Tyrion’s show. This is a little bit of a flex to have him at one because he didn’t have the most glorious episode he’s ever had… but seeing him drinking like that again, seeing him chatting in secret with Varys, seeing him pleading out in front to Cersei… it’s clear now that Tyrion and his decision over Jon vs Dany is the biggest pivot left in this show
Drunk Tormund Giantsbane – He saw it, man. He saw Jonny riding a dragon. Also vomiting is celebrating. Also he adopted a pet dog. Also he gets to go north instead of facing Cersei… or Dany
Euron Greyjoy – Say what you want about the bastard but he’s made himself useful, that’s for sure
Lord Varys – Old mate’s got his mojo back. Do eunuchs have mojo?
Sansa Stark – She’s not a little bird any longer but don’t ask her to keep a secret
Lord Gendry Baratheon – Still a net gain for him even if he probably doesn’t feel that way… does he still get Storm’s End if Dany doesn’t end up on the throne though? Surely Jon would be good for it
Samwell & Gilly – Congrats, fam
Bran Stark – You know, creep vibes aside you’ve gotta respect the zen attitude to life
Cersei Lannister – She’s never been one to underestimate before and hoarding the plebs inside the castle walls will only be the first of many tricks hidden up that sleeve
Podrick Payne – Woof woof!

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