As Game of Thrones Season 4 triumphantly ends, we look back at the episode in this incredible, spoiler-filled recap/review. Once again - SPOILER FILLED. So y'know, don't read if you haven't watched (or maybe you're intrigued - so go right ahead!). Yes in the land of Westeros, the major events of the fourth season finally end(ish) and we see some actual conclusions. In an episode where most audiences (who have read the books) were dying to see the ending, you would think that you may have got more than a little bored watching the rest of the 50-ish minutes beforehand. However, this week's episode of Game of Thrones managed to sustain its entertainment for the entire 66 minutes; as audiences were left astounded and no doubt delighted by the events. The episode offered some serious character progression that lacked in its episode as the writers tried to stretch out the dramatic conclusion until the end episode (here's looking at you Battle for the Wall). For our recap of the night's dramatic episode, read below:
Dad, I have something to tell you
In darling King's Landing, Cersei (Lena Headey), Pycelle (Julian Glover) and Qyburn (Anton Lesser) watch over Ser Gregor (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson), as he lays dying from his wounds inflicted by Prince Oberyn (a.k.a exploded head). Qyburn suggests he can try something different and possibly heal Ser Gregor, but Pycelle is reluctant and states that there is nothing more they can do for him, but Cersei instruct Qyburn to do whatever it takes. Cersei then departs to see her father, Tywin (Charles Dance), to tell him that she will not marry Ser Loras and pretty much says that she will kill herself and her boy before she lets anyone take him away from her.
She then rather boldly admits that the rumours are true and she has slept with Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and that her children are in fact theirs. This leaves Tywin startled and he says he doesn't believe her (but we all know he does) and Cersei leaves to go confess her love/have sex with Jaime.
After the battle, in Narnia
In the aftermath of the war, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) meets with Mance Rayder (Ciaran Hinds) to discuss terms of a 'truce', but Mance figures out that Jon only has the intention to kill him. Before either can get in a brawl, horns sound and it is revealed that a large army is attacking - led by Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane). Stannis captures Mance upon the insistence of Jon, who requests that he not kill him, and later Jon burns Ygritte's (Rose Leslie) body at her funeral.
In the other section of the land where time forgot, Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and his companions finally reach the tree, but are attacked by reanimated skeletons. Jojen is killed in the attack, but the others are saved by a child of the forest who offers them shelter in the tree. They are greeted by the three-eyed Raven (Struan Rodger), who says to Bran that he will never walk again, but he will fly.
Dragons be crazy
Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) meets with her subjects, including a man who wants to be sold back to his master so he can be a teacher again. Daenerys reluctantly agrees, but only if he makes a contract with his Master that lasts no more than a year. Unfortunately, Dany also meets with a man whose 3 year old daughter has been incinerated by one of the Khaleesi's dragons.
Daenerys is distraught, and with a heavy heart, chains her other dragons in the catacombs below the Great Pyramid, whilst she searches for her other dragon, Drogon.
You ain't nothing but a hound-dog
In the Vale, Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) and Podrick (Daniel Portman) notice their horses are missing and wander around to find them, coming across Arya Stark (Maisie Williams). The Hound (Rory McCann) appears and demands to know their business, but Podrick recognises him and Brienne deduces that the girl is in fact Arya Stark. She insists that she was loyal to Arya's mother and that Arya should come with her, but The Hound is insistent that she should not, noticing the Lannister sword she carries. A fight quickly ensues between Brienne and The Hound, and after receiving some pretty heavy blows, Brienne manages to push The Hound off a cliff ledge. The Hound is gravely injured and Brienne and Podrick search for Arya, who is no where to be found.
After they depart, Arya appears and sits and talks with The Hound as he lays dying. The Hound begs Arya to kill him, but instead, she takes his gold and goes, leaving him to die alone. Arya arrives at a nearby harbour with a ship that is destined to sail to Braavos, and using the coin that she has been given and the words that she knows, she boards the ship.
Happy Father's day, Dad!
Later in the day in King's Landing, Jaime frees Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) from his cell before he can be executed, and tells him to knock at the door for Varys (Conleth Hill)so the latter can escort him out of the city to safety. However, Tyrion delays leaving, and instead goes to his father's quarters and finds Shae (Sibel Kekilli) in Tywin's bed. Shae sees Tyrion and startled, grabs a knife and tries to kill him, but Tyrion overpowers her and strangles her to death.
After having murdered Shae, he arms himself with a crossbow and locates his father on the privy. Aiming the crossbow at his father, who insists that he won't kill him, he talks with his father about family and Shae. His father calls Shae a whore and says that it doesn't matter if Tyrion killed her. Tyrion warns his father not to call Shae a whore, but he does and Tyrion shoots him in the chest. He then loads the crossbow again, and kills Tywin, after which he locates Varys and departs King's Landing on a ship in a crate.
Filled to the brim with drama and tension, 'The Children' was an enthralling episode in the Game of Thrones saga, with stand-out performances from Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke and Lena Headey. The fight between Brienne and The Hound was particularly captivating, and the action suitably dirty (lots of Crotch shots and low-blows, with Brienne biting off The Hound's ear - bloody!), which is sure to delight audiences. The Hound's death was particularly poignant as we never fully got to see him die, with Arya not giving The Hound the satisfaction of a quick death, we shows how far her character has progressed. Maisie Williams portrayed Arya beautifully in this episode, and in the closing scenes where she stood at the helm of the ship as it sailed of into the distance, was particularly memorable and wonderfully acted. The undeniable star of the episode was of course Dinklage, who finally got his revenge, and it turns out it is a dish best served with a bolt to the heart. Dinklage's Tyrion was incredibly emotive and you can't help but get behind him and feel a certain sense of satisfaction when he finally breaks free with the help of Jaime (and their brotherly embrace was pretty heart-warming).
Emilia Clarke makes sure to pull at audiences heart strings as her character is forced to lock away her babies (dragons) for fear they might hurt someone, and the look on her face says it all; beautiful and raw acting from the starlet in that particular segment. In a surprising twist of fate, Lena Headey manages to garner some sympathy for her character as she locks horns with her Father and confesses her undying love for her brother (a little disturbing), and we can't help but feel a little bit sorry for her - her son is dead, her daughter gone, and now her other child must be king and be fought over like some sort of prize. Charles Dance, as always, put in a stunning performance as Tyrion, and his death scene, whilst not the bloodiest, was perhaps one of the most memorable in its sense of justice; from the son to the father.
Overall, 'The Children' was a memorable episode and tied most loose ends off nicely, setting us up for the fifth season (even if we have to wait another year!).
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