Game of Thrones 4.6: Tyrion on Trial

An outstanding Game of Thrones 4.6 last night, with Tyrion at last on trial for the murder of Joffrey, which we know he didn't commit.

First, let me again mention that I haven't read more than the first novel in this series, so I'm watching the television series now with no prior knowledge.   I've thought, since the murder, that Jaime would come to Tyrion's defense, and it was gratifying to see that happen last night.

Tywin's actions, though, were not as predictable, and it was also gratifying to see that he didn't want his son dead - or, at very least, was willing not to let that happen, if he could get Jaime to father some non-incestuous Lannisters back in their home city.   Indeed, Tywin's plan was a good one.  But its unraveling was well founded, and, in retrospect, inevitable, given what we know of Tyrion.

He never stopped loving Shae.  Thus, his departing from the script - the quick agreement that Jaime had concluded with him - was completely motivated, after Shae took the stand and testified against him. Seeing and hearing what had happened to the love of his life, due to his father and everyone in that room, made it impossible for Tyrion to go along with any plan that called for him to mouth an insincere apology.  Because, as he aptly said, he did not after all kill Joffrey, however much he deserved to be killed.

Tyrion's calling for "God" to decide his fate, via a trial by combat, was also an excellent and brilliant gambit. Tyrion's better with the sword than his father and most people realize.  But whom will he fight? It occurred to me that Jaime could face him, and in an ultimate act of sacrifice allow his brother to kill him.   But likely that won't happen.

Meanwhile, it was also exciting to see Tywin finally getting down to focus on Daenerys.  I can't quite see his optimism in besting her army and her dragons, but that contest will be something to see.

See also Games of Thrones Season 4 Premiere: Salient Points ... Game of Thrones 4.2: Whodunnit? ... Game of Thrones 4.3: Who Will Save Tyrion ... Game of Thrones 4.4: Glimpse of the Ultimate Battle

And see also  Game of Thrones Season 3 Premiere ... Game of Thrones 3.3: The Heart of Jaime Lannister ... Game of Thrones 3.6: Extraordinary Cinematography ...Game of Thrones 3.7: Heroic Jaime ...  Game of Thrones 3.9: A Critique 

And see also Game of Thrones Back in Play for Season 2 ... Game of Thrones 2.2: Cersei vs. Tyrion

And see also A Game of Thrones: My 1996 Review of the First Novel ... Game of Thrones Begins Greatly on HBO ... Game of Thrones 1.2: Prince, Wolf, Bastard, Dwarf ... Games of Thrones 1.3: Genuine Demons ... Game of Thrones 1.4: Broken Things  ... Game of Thrones 1.5: Ned Under Seige ... Game of Thrones 1.6: Molten Ever After ... Games of Thrones 1.7: Swiveling Pieces ... Game of Thrones 1.8: Star Wars of the Realms ... Game of Thrones 1.9: Is Ned Really Dead? ... Game of Thrones 1.10 Meets True Blood

And here's a Spanish article in Semana, the leading news magazine in Colombia, in which I'm quoted about explicit sex on television, including on Game of Thrones.

And see "'Game of Thrones': Why the Buzz is So Big" article in The Christian Science Monitor, 8 April 2014, with my quotes.

Also: CNN article, "How 'Game of Thrones' Is Like America," with quote from me

 

"I was here, in Carthage, three months from now." 

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