Game of Thrones Season 5: A House of Black and White

Game of Thrones continues to lay out the characters we shall follow through Season 5 before us. With the second episode 'The House of Black and White', we see some old characters come back and are introduced to some new ones.

The episode begins with Arya Stark finally reaching Braavos. With the help of her coin, she finds herself at the doorstep of the House of White and Black, the main centre of the Faceless Men. But its doors remain closed to her. It is only when she pulls out her sword 'Needle' to defend herself in the streets of Braavos, that a Faceless Man reveals himself to her. Lo and behold! Jaqen H’ghar is back.

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This should be beginning of Arya's mentorship under H'ghar. The shape shifting power of H'ghar makes one wonder at the many skills Arya will learn this season and whether she'll finally cross of one of the names on her list herself.

Brienne, still on her quest to fulfill her promise to Catelyn Stark, finally spots Sansa at a roadside inn near Vale. But Sansa is travelling with Petyr Baelish, who reminds Brienne that she has so far failed at protecting every single person she swore allegiance to. Sansa follows Baelish's lead and spurns Brienne's offer to protect here. In a tussle with Baelish's men, Brienne wins and gets away, but decides to follow Sansa from a distance.

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This episode we get our first look at the kingdom of Dorne. An angry Ellaria Sand, paramour to Prince Oberyn who died last season, wants to avenge his death. You'll remember that Cersei's daughter Myrcella is at Dorne, sent away in Season 2 with a promise of marriage to Dorne' young prince Trystane. A vengeful Ellaria wants to cut off Myrcella's fingers and send them one by one to Cersei.

Prince Doran, older brother to Oberyn, is not particularly pleased with the idea and does not want to start a war. Star Trek fans will recognise Alexander Siddig, who plays Doran, from the show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

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From the look of it Ellaria will not be so easily deterred. Surely sending Cersei the statue of a viper with Myrcella's necklace in its mouth was her doing?  

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Cue the Sand Sisters? We'll know soon enough. 

At the Wall, Jon Snow's position gets more and more interesting, with Stannis offering to make him a Stark in exchange for helping his army take Winterfell. Jon seems momentarily tempted, but his loyalty to the Wall wins out. This episode gives us a look at possibly the only democracy in Westeros. Election among the Night's Watch! Ser Allister is favourite to win, until Sam nominates Jon. Maester Aemon's deciding vote sees Jon elected as Lord Commander. With war coming on either sides of the Wall, Jon will have tricky choices to make this season.

In Mereen, the killing of an Unsullied at the hands of the Sons of Harpy, put Daenerys in position of having to take a stand for her ideas of justice and fairness. When the killer is murdered by a former slave, at the advice of Barristan Selmy, she promises fair trial to the man. The decision brings about the first execution under her rule. The former slaves riot against their new Queen and Daenerys is escorted back to her castle with much hissing and stones cast her way.

With a tenous grip on her kingdom, her only consolation is a glimpse of Drogon.

A grumpy Tyrion is on the way to Volantis with Varys, enroute to meeting Danerys.

Meanwhile, at King's Landing, the Small Council led by Cersei continues to grow smaller. Cersei decides to stand in as Hand to the King till he comes of age and chooses one himself. Her uncle Kevan Lannister refuses the position of Master of Arms, opposing Cersei's rule. Cersei adds controversial Maester Qyburn to the table, much to the displeasure of Grandmaester Pycelle.

In another move, Cersei coerces Jaime into setting out to Dorne to bring back Myrcella. And who should Jaime enlist on this quest but sellsword Bronn!  

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Cersei is driven by power and the need to protect her children, but with fewer allies by her side, her grip on King's Landing is shaky at the moment. Alienating Kevan Lannister was not the best move. This might not end well for the Queen Regent.

The second episode doesn't elicit much excitement save for the return of Arya. (Hurray!) But seeds of different plotlines have been sown and the drama, bloodshed and plot twists that the show thrives on, should soon be upon us. The first two episodes are just the opening moves in the chess game of this season.


Game of Thrones Season 5 airs on HBO Defined every Monday at 6:30 am IST with a repeat telecast on the same day at 10 pm..