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That episode wasn't quite as thrilling as a few of the past few, but very good all the same. I especially liked the ending with Jon Snow and Ygritte on the top of the wall, which was unusually uplifting for this show.
The Tywin/Lady Olenna interaction was great. They are two characters on this show that are used to being the smartest people in the room and having power over their respective houses, so to actually put them together in the same room created some interesting dialogue and conflict. Both tried to one up the other in their conversation until Tywin was finally able to get what he wanted out of her (although that was only because he's in the position of power at this moment).
Conversations between Littlefinger and Varys always prove to be intriguing for the insight into their motivations and state of mind. Littlefinger's quest for power at the expense of everything and everyone is none too flattering, though. I still haven't liked him since the day he betrayed Ned.
Joffrey continues to get more sadistic and stupid in our eyes with the confirmation that he was the one who tried to have Tyrion killed last season (not Cersei) and, of course, with torturing and killing Ros (which was fortunately off screen). Margaery Tyrell has shown an ability to control him somewhat so far, but how long can that last?
Speaking of a torture scene that was on screen, we're right back this week into Theon's season-long descent into worse and worse shit. This time the crazy guy who released him, saved him, and then captured him again (he expressed a love for "the hunt" today, including his desire to go after the two Stark boys now, so that partially explains why he did that) is now torturing him both mentally and physically. Gruesome stuff. I don't think Theon is getting out of this situation this season, if he ever does.
We were also able to directly contrast the two red priests as Thoros and Melisandre came into direct contact. Thoros is obviously the much more easygoing of the two (in fact, he even admitted he stopped believing in the religion at one point). And unlike her, he seems to care nothing about power (which is ironic when you consider that this god has apparently given him the power to save lives). When Melisandre saw Beric, she was shocked at Thoros' "ability" to save him so many times and was seemingly quite jealous of it. I don't know what her plans are for Gendry (my guess would be sacrificing him to her god like the many others), but I can't imagine they'll be good for him. Arya was able to see right through her in a similar way to Davos Seaworth.
There were a few other developments with Robb, Sam, Bran, and Tyrion, but those were more about moving the plot forward in their stories. Jaime's also going to be released by Roose Bolton, but it's going to be without Brienne. The old Jaime might not have cared about such a thing, but I certainly don't think he'll be willingly going to King's Landing without her. Not after what they've been through.
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