Tyrion investigates a secret weapon that King Joffrey plans to use against Stannis. Meanwhile, as a token for saving his life, Jaqen H'ghar offers to kill three people that Arya chooses.Tyrion investigates a secret weapon that King Joffrey plans to use against Stannis. Meanwhile, as a token for saving his life, Jaqen H'ghar offers to kill three people that Arya chooses.Tyrion investigates a secret weapon that King Joffrey plans to use against Stannis. Meanwhile, as a token for saving his life, Jaqen H'ghar offers to kill three people that Arya chooses.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe lead pyromancer Hallyne is portrayed by Roy Dotrice, a long-time personal friend of author George R.R. Martin who passed away in 2017, and also narrated the audiobook editions of the novels. Dotrice was originally cast as Grandmaester Pycelle, but had to withdraw due to health problems. He was replaced by Julian Glover, who had worked with Dotrice before.
- GoofsJaqen H'ghar tells Arya that the "Red God" is owed three deaths. Some believe this to be a goof, as Jaqen does not worship R'hllor but the Many-Faced God. However, George R.R. Martin has clarified that as Arya rescued Rorge, Biter and Jaqen from death by fire, it is the Red God (just one of the faces of the Many-Faced God) to whom three deaths are owed.
- Quotes
Margaery Tyrell: [looking wistfully at Renly's dead body] He was very handsome.
Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish: Yes, he was, Your Grace.
Margaery Tyrell: [with irony] "Your Grace." Calling yourself a king doesn't make you one, and if Renly wasn't a king, I wasn't a queen.
Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish: Do you want to be a queen?
Margaery Tyrell: [shakes her head] No. I want to be *the* Queen.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Game of Thrones Deaths (2015)
"The Ghost of Harrenhal" is another excellent episode, if not quite one of the best. My only complaint is, like other critics criticising the scene, the treatment of Renly. It just seemed so out of nowhere and rushed, judging from the aftermath too what should have been shocking came over as indifferent.
Everything else is brilliant though. Standout scenes were two. One was the exchange between Arya and Tywin, which is very powerfully written and acted with one of the cast's most experienced and charismatic actors in Charles Dance being matched by a younger and less prolific one in Maisie Williams. The other is Brienne and Catelyn's pledge, with superlatively powerhouse performances from Gwendoline Christie and Michelle Fairley.
Visually, "The Ghost of Harrenhal" looks amazing. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. The visual effects are some of the best of any television programme and are not overused or abused, the scale, the detail and how they actually have character and soul are better than those in a lot of the big-budget blockbusters. A standout is the dragon, which actually looks real. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.
One cannot talk about "The Ghost of Harrenhal" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.
It is hard not to be bowled over by the quality of the writing, outstanding isn't a strong enough adjective to describe how good the writing is once again. It always has a natural flow, is layered and thought-provoking and demonstrates a wide range of emotions such as suspenseful tension, poignant pathos and witty humour. The story is paced beautifully, structured with such nuance and attention to coherence which is truly remarkable for so much going on in narrative and characterisation, a high emotional level and is done with intelligence, passion and sensitivity.
Charles Dance, Maisie Williams, Gwendoline Christie and Michelle Fairley in particular are just superb here, they consistently were in 'Game of Thrones' but all four give some of their best work.
In summary, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Dec 19, 2017
Details
- Runtime55 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1