Wisdom of Thrones - "High Sparrow"
In the sweeping world of Westeros, quotes can kill just as swiftly as swords. And "High Sparrow," the third episode of "Game of Thrones" much anticipated fifth season, was chock-full of them.
Here, after informing a wildly reluctant Sansa Stark of her impending marriage to Ramsay Bolton, Little Finger pontificates on the nuances of the arrangement.
Yes, Ramsay is a total monster. Yes, his father is responsible for the Stark slaughter at the Red Wedding. And yes, it seems Sansa just can NOT catch a break with men. (First Joffrey, now Ramsay?) But this marriage means that Sansa can reclaim her rightful place as Lady of Winterfell. And that, my friends, is the rub of the North.
On religion...
Just when you thought Cersei Lannister didn't have a kind bone left in her body, she shared a surprisingly cordial interaction with the High Sparrow in this week's episode named after him.
Here, the Queen Mother demonstrates both her understanding and appreciation for the role of faith in the control of a kingdom. It is just the sort of "I'll scratch your back, if you scratch mine" moment upon which the villain of King's Landing thrives.
On hypocrisy...
He may be spiritual. He may be humble. But here, the High Sparrow shows that he is not afraid to dispense punishment where punishment is due... even when that means burning and publicly humiliating Westeros' Pope figure.
What? The perv totally deserved it.
On the bigger picture...
We all love Jon Snow, but sometimes he sticks a little too close to the book on his definition of honor.
Here, Davos Seaworth -- Stannis Baratheon's sidekick and often unwelcome moral compass -- offers him a little outsider perspective on his Knight's Watch vows.
So now, we can only hope that the last Stark hunk standing takes some time to mull it over in between episodes, and ultimately follows Davos' advice.
Otherwise, what a waste of awesome sword skills that would be.
On leadership...
In Season 5, Episode 3, Tyrion and Lord Varys make a rest stop of sorts on their journey to meet the Mother of Dragons.
There, they observe a crowd of slaves spellbound by a young female priest, singing the praises of Daenerys Targaryen.
And while Tyrion's first instinct is to dismiss the situation with his usual brand of snark, the Spider seizes the moment to highlight the promise of Daenerys' seemingly universal appeal. Seriously. The girl gave birth to dragons. What's not to like? #TeamTargaryen
On regret...
In "High Sparrow," Brienne of Tarth finally opens up to her squire about her relationship with Renly Baratheon.
She tells a story about a suitors ball from her youth at which Renly showed kindness to her, with no ulterior motives, when seemingly no one else would.
A rare fragile moment from the female knight that paints our perceptions of both the former royal hopeful and his murderous brother.
On starting fresh...
Arya Stark is a changed girl. She has stripped off her former privilege. She recites the names of the people on her kill list before bed every night. But she can't quite say goodbye to her sword yet.
And that leaves us to wonder: Is she really ready to become "no one," or isn't she?
On duty...
This week, the House of Black and White's eery doorkeeper is back with yet another endorsement of relinquishing one's identity.
The embattled Arya seems willing to follow him down the faceless path, but the rest of us aren't so sure.
On justice...
Like the Severus Snape of "Game of Thrones," it's difficult to know for sure whether Petyr Baelish is good or bad.
So, when he ensures Sansa Stark that he has her best interests at heart, we don't really know what to believe. That being said, he sure can deliver a convincing speech.
On foes...
Once again, Jon Snow is back with an honorable, yet boring, truism.
Good thing weathered Stannis Baratheon was around to inform him that truisms are what people say, before they have any real life experience.
Point: Stannis.
On charm...
In a telling moment this week, brothel enthusiast Tyrion Lannister finds himself unable to go to bed with his intended prostitute. Perhaps he shouldn't have murdered the love of his life.
But, you know, easy come easy go. If he can't have sex with prostitutes anymore, at least he can still make them laugh.
On honor...
Schooling Jon Snow yet again, Stannis Baratheon warns the young leader to be wary of exhibiting too much integrity.
In what seems to be his mantra these days, the man who considers himself the one true King points out that honor can be a good quality, but it can also be a death sentence.
Death by beheading, to be exact.
On worth...
Every once in a while, a "Game of Thrones" quote comes along that speaks a larger truth about the world. Okay, maybe more than once in a while. That's why we have this weekly gallery.
Anyway, this one is about religious leaders. And this is one of those times.
On ambition...
If anyone can justify the Red Wedding and make it sound like a good move in the name of healthy ambition, it's Peter Baelish.
So, that's what he's doing here in an act of diplomacy with Lord Bolton. Ick. Moving on...
On mortality...
Brienne of Tarth is constantly walking around saying -- and getting laughed at for saying -- that Renly Baratheon was killed by a shadow with the face of his brother.
Months out now, she has resolved that she will avenge him, and that doing so is possible because Stannis Baratheon is a man, not in fact a shadow.
That may be true, but the Red Woman is something else all together.
On tutelage...
Likable Podrick Payne is a good little squire.
He's loyal, unassuming and steadfast. So, it's okay that Brienne of Tarth can be a bit of a prickly bedfellow. He takes it in stride.
If there were more young men like him around, maybe Westeros could stave off winter for a while.