Knee-Jerk Reactions to “The Queen’s Justice”—Five Best and Worst Moments
VALYRIAN STEEL FIVE: Ser Davos kills it (and was he hitting on Missandei?)
Ser Davos, ever the good lieutenant, was in fine form as he accompanied Jon Snow into the dragon’s den. His failure to match Missandei in the titles department was hilarious, but he came through where he always does: in persuasive, pragmatic wisdom. He effectively made Jon’s case after things got a bit heated with Dany.
Also, I swear Davos was flirting with Missandei on the beach. She’s already given her heart to another, but you go, Onion Knight!
VALYRIAN STEEL FOUR: Grumpkins and snarks! Tyrion gets his witty dialogue-groove back
I’d really missed Tyrion’s fabulous dialogue and quick humor over the past couple of seasons. But now, given some fun writing and room to operate, he’s back on the knife’s edge again. The affection Jon and Tyrion shared way back when was on display, and once the negotiations began, Tyrion matched Davos insight for insight. It was interesting to see how the two young leaders, Jon and Dany, relied so much on their older counselors.
VALYRIAN STEEL THREE: Daenerys takes Cersei’s bait at Casterly Rock
I have to say that I didn’t see the Casterly Rock trap coming. I expected the Unsullied to win the day and for Cersei and Jaime to absorb the loss, pale-faced and scrambling. Nope. Cersei out-smarted Daenerys and her advisors, luring the Unsullied into a right corner she could afford to lose. I was as surprised as Grey Worm was..
VALYRIAN STEEL TWO: Cersei proves she is a master of the great game
Everybody underestimated Cersei. With her spiky shoulder epaulettes gleaming, the dark queen put showed off her skills tonight. She has her sea captain Euron Greyjoy on a leash, promising him her hand (and body) in marriage only after total victory has been achieved. In the meantime, Euron has already vanquished Yara and Theon Greyjoy’s Ironborn fleet and bottled up Dany’s Unsullied at Casterly Rock.
Cersei is busy — Jaime has her main army wiping out Lady Olenna’s forces at Highgarden while she cuts deals with the Iron Bank and and tortures what’s left of Ellaria Sand to avenge the death of Mrycella. She’s really thriving in that uncomfortable chair.
VALYRIAN STEEL ONE: Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen finally meet, with Tyrion in the middle
The much-anticipated meeting between Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen was always going to be difficult to pull off, and Game of Thrones managed it with flying colors. Daenerys was suitably imperious while Jon was true to form, speaking nothing but truth as he saw them and keeping his focus on the White Walkers. I really enjoyed the series of scenes where Tyrion counseled both rulers toward resolution. They bonded over their lost brothers, and when Dany allowed Jon to mine the dragonglass, his gratitude was genuine. She turned standoffish again, but we all saw that little look she threw at him over her shoulder as he departed. We all saw that.