In even more imminent peril are the few remaining members of the Stark clan. Cersei might not be in the best of spirits right now, but it’s likely that only makes her more dangerous, not less. On her way out, she’s spotted by an attendant who then reports to Cersei that she had heard something “important,” which doesn’t at all bode well for Tyrion or Shae.
However persuasive, her attempts at seduction are no more heeded by Tyrion than Jaime’s were by Cersei, and Shae leaves in a huff after flinging a few choice words in Tyrion’s direction. After watching Tyrion’s pitiable attempts to comfort Sansa - inconsolable since learning of her mother and brother’s deaths - Shae goes to the one place Tyrion has forbidden her to go: his bed. After spending most of last season abiding Tyrion’s wishes that she keep her distance for fear that Joffrey or Cersei will use her to get to Tyrion, Shae has finally had enough. Of even greater concern for Tyrion, however, is the fate of Shae, as she continues in her role as most openly disdainful attendant of all time. Sure, Tywin gave Jaime a lovely sword, but if we’ve learned anything about the Game of Thrones universe, it’s that it takes more than steel to wield power. “You took too long,” she says, and though it’s clear she’d like Jaime to believe that his inability to escape from Robb Stark has caused the change she keeps mentioning, it’s obvious that Jaime believes it has more to do with the visits she’s been receiving from her doctor. “If not now, when? I’ve been back for weeks,” he pleads, but his words do absolutely nothing to shake Cersei’s resolve. (It’s fun to remember that Jaime hasn’t seen Joffrey since Season 1, but if he believed that his “nephew’s” reign as king would have made him any less of a brat, coming home must certainly have been a rude awakening.)Įven Cersei, who has been desperate for Jaime return since his capture, seems to want nothing to do with him. Joffrey spent his few minutes on screen this week mocking Jamie for being captured in battle and losing his hand. Between the hand missing from his right arm and the Hand of the King pressuring him to accept de facto exile as de facto Lord of Casterly Rock, Jaime finds himself in an unfamiliar position (though one with which Tyrion is altogether too well-acquainted): unwanted.Īnd if Jaime thought his nephew would be any more grateful for his return, he quickly discovered he was sorely mistaken.
Though the Lannisters appear strong and unchallenged with the Starks out of the picture and Jaime returned home only slightly worse for wear, the cracks are readily apparent.
That division spells trouble for everyone. For all the talk throughout the episode about how the war was over - thanks to Stannis Baratheon’s defeat at Blackwater and Robb Stark’s butchering at the Twins - it’s clear that the Seven Kingdoms are as divided as they’ve ever been. It’s not hard to sort out the symbolism here. The episode begins with Ned Stark’s enormous sword, forged from Valyrian steel, being broken down, melted and made into two separate swords by Tywin Lannister, who is still serving as Hand to the King.