Game of Thrones
“The Gift”
(HBO)
B+
“The Gift” aired last night after the divisive previous episode (I’ll be curious to see the ratings for this one). With three left to finish off the season, this episode succeeds in keeping the tension high, as Sansa asks Theon to help her escape and later contemplates stabbing Ramsay. There’s plenty of foreshadowing/purposeful pacing to be found: Sansa stays stuck, Stannis seems hellbent on marching forward to Winterfell, Jaimie and Bronn are prisoners in Dorne, the coming of the Great Games, Tyrion meets Daenerys (great …), and Cersei is in trouble. The biggest “gift” in this episode is the anticipation of things to come in the remaining episodes this season.
Sam saves Gilly from his brethren, finally showing some relentless courage after a good face-beating. He usually has Jon or Aemon on his side, but with Jon riding off into Wildling territory and Aemon dying in this episode, Sam will be put to the test again. Also, is this the first time someone has died of old age in this show? R.I.P. Aemon. I mean, the dire wolf backs up Sam so he isn’t entirely alone. But, like Gilly tells him later, he is no a fighter. Yet Sam is willing to do anything for those he cares about and, his confidence is his smarts — something that we will continue to witness as the show wraps up.
Cersei speaks to her son Tommen about Margaery — whom Cersei assisted in putting in jail — while an unknowing Tommen complains and panics over his queen being locked away. Cercei comforts him and tells Tommen that she will do everything she can to help Margaery out because she will do anything for her children. Cercei has always been one of the show’s best at manipulation and steering a conversation in circles to get her way. Although she is honest that she will do anything for her children, it’s always on her terms, whether they know it or not. Most times not.
Cersei is almost giddy with how she gets her way and pisses off those around her in the process. When she visits Margaery in her cell, Margaery curses her and throws the food that Cersei brings her across the room, but Cersei doesn’t admit guilt for Margaery’s incarceration. Instead, she keeps playing it cool and playing her role, almost laughing as she walks away from Margaery’s cell. Cersei remains a static character, continually validated by her actions.
Although, the final scene has the High Sparrow turning on Cersei, and now she is locked up herself. Is this the last time with see a conniving, confident Cersei? Probably not. Even when Cersei is thrown in her cell, she’s still as stern and sincere as ever while she threatens her captor before the door is closed. This is the beginning of Cersei’s inevitable fate. She’s on a high note, still sharp, and I imagine whatever happens next won’t kill her spirit — or her, for that matter. But the biggest tease is how Cersei will prevail from this.
“The Gift” promises many exciting revelations to come: King’s Landing is vulnerable now that Cersei is locked away and Tommen with virtually no power; the North appears primed for battle; we are still waiting to see the outcome of Jaime and Bronn’s fate in the underrepresented city of Dorne; and finally, Tyrion (Mormont’s “gift” to her) partnering (?) with Deaenerys. Will any of these promises come to fruition? I imagine, for the most, they will. But will the execution be worth it?
