Season 4; Episode 2: 'The Lion and the Rose'; *Have NOT* Read the Books

Another season, another king's death!

I thought there was a brief glimpse of hope for Joffrey having some diplomatic ability and shrewdness when he accepted Tyrion's gift but he looked like a child again swinging the sword a minute later. Made an absolute tit of himself in the last 5/10 minutes of his life. The disapproval at his treatment of Tyrion and the re-enactment of the war was obvious on the faces of the Tyrells, Oberyn, Varys and more.

No shortage of suspects but surely Tyrion was not in a position to poison the wine in full view of everyone at that moment and the wine was presumably poisoned beforehand when Tyrion didn't have any solid motive to harm Joffrey. Whoever poisoned it mustn't have been too concerned if Margaery took some either since it was sitting at the head table.

Enjoyed the Tyrion/Shae scene as Tyrion realised that the only way of getting her to go was to be cruel rather than just warning of the danger she was in.

Oh that was a joy to watch.

Anachrony wrote: »

They made sure to leave it ambiguous. There were a lot of possible suspects with opportunity and motive. They also left open a number of possible vectors for the poison. People mention the wine, but the cup itself moved around the table a fair bit, and remember that Joffrey was the only one to actually eat the pie, cut with his brand new sword and hand fed to him by Margaery. So many possibilities. Besides the obvious Tyrion and the Tyrells, the new guy in town is dangerous and has reason to hate Lannisters. Even Sansa had access to the cup for a moment. She's too passive to assassinate someone on her own, but she did have that strange meeting with the Fool, in the garden where she goes for privacy from everyone else. And there are plenty of other people out there in the world who could have been responsible too, those are just the most obviously visible ones around.

You're right, this season could take a very Agatha Christie turn, especially with Tyrion's trial.

1 thing I noticed; Lord Bolton must have gotten a **** tonne of gold marrying Frey daughter!

Hmmm...don't think it was the wine. Joffrey was the only one to eat the pie which would have been much easier to poison.

Although I was gobsmacked to see him die. Would have preferred it to be a more bloody way to go...

So another wedding in GOT and we have another dramatic death!!

It'll be interesting to see the bastard of Bolton go against the Iron Islanders, Theon obviously has a key role to play yet.

Still have no idea where Bran is going and why.

As for the main talking point, surely it can be only either Tyrell (grandmother) or Oberyn Martell? I can't see it being Ser Dontos considering his lowly position. Whoever did it needs backing.
I don't see why it would be the Tyrells though, I thought a marriage was only consummated when the couple ride? So then Margaery won't be the queen? But then again, poison is a woman's choice..
The obvious suspect is Oberyn Martell. He made a very explicit threat last episode and he has a clear hatred for the Lannisters.

One thing for sure is that it's not Tyrion. Cersei hates him so she was obviously going to blame him. Not a hope in hell Tywin will let Tyrion be harmed, especially considering he went to war over him with the Starks.

Very interesting episode, makes me regret not waiting until the penultimate episode to start watching them all. The wait is killing me..

For me everything is pointing to Sansa.

The long looks at the camera, the hatred of Joffrey and that scene where the goblet rolls under the table and it is Sansa that hands the Goblet to Tyrion.

I'd imagine a plan was hatched with the Fool. Also she wanted to leave straight after giving the Goblet.

About time she did something worthwhile.

The Starks are not finished yet :P

So long Joffrey!!!

thefa wrote: »

The wine at his table is far more subtle. He doesn't start spluttering until he has his first glass to wash down the pie and then quickly deteriorates when he takes a couple more swigs. A liquid poison probably gets through the system quicker I'd imagine.

Except he had already been drinking wine for a while before pouring out the first cup on Tyrion. As you mention, it did seem to get through his system very quickly once it started. I wouldn't call potentially poisoning everyone at the table who isn't a co-conspirator "subtle". It's also a risk that someone else would have had a drink first and alerted everyone to the problem.

I disagree that it necessarily would have been noticed when Joffrey looked in the glass. A small amount of clear liquid coating the side would be nearly indetectable. Secondly, I don't think that's the full chain of custody for the cup. That wasn't the only incident where other people would have had access to it.

KerranJast wrote: »

Another gripping episode. So much dread.

Sadly the ending was kind of spoiled for me with a load of Purple Wedding remarks after the Red Wedding episode and South Park dropped it in as a spoiler during the Black Friday episodes.

That said it was a great example of rising tension.

Did they? What a bunch of dicks.

Sad to think that that will be the last time we see Jack Gleeson on screen. What a way to go out though!

Standman wrote: »

Sad to think that that will be the last time we see Jack Gleeson on screen. What a way to go out though!

It would be a shame if he does go through with his plan to quit acting. He has a rare ability to play an absolute despicable cúnt while at the same time bein, by all accounts, as nice a chap you're likely to meet.

Most of the actors who worked with him for any length of time said in interviews that he could put people at ease between takes by being funny/sound despite the fact that the scenes were so intense.. Particularly Sophie Turner (Sansa) who has never had anything but good things to say about him which, when you consider how fúcked up their scenes together were, says a lot about young Jack Gleeson.

Regardless, fúck Joffrey. I'm delighted the prîck is gone. Hail the new king Tommen Baratheon, first of his name. Long may his reign last...