Game Of Thrones Season 5 Opens To It's Original Formula: Politically Driven Drama and The Struggle of Power and Rule
The first four episodes to the upcoming season of TV's most ambitious and addictive series have been circulating generously, albeit a little too generously, though every media circuit you can think of. I was always a thoughtful watcher and reader of the series and have worked through so many media sites as a pseudo-freelance contributor that it seemed only right that I made my assessment of what is deemed to be the most critical part in the series' adaptation of the now ever more famous novels.
Here and there, leading up to the premiere, I am creating specific character write ups based on the first four episodes. The first being who I think will be the most discussed character this season, Cersei.
There will be some spoilers! Nothing major, but please, do not read any further if you want to go into this season blind.
Myrcella Baratheon is not included in this write up and will be lumped under my Dorne/Ellaria Sand write up.
The opening scene is one that I anticipated viewing for a while in that we get an actual flashback with quite the controversial character, Cersei, and a very young Cersei. In this particular scene, when I read it in the books, explained a lot of the character's motivations in regards to their irrational paranoia towards practically everyone around her. Also, explained in greater terms why she so highly invests in her children even when one child turns out to be a complete psychopath, and more importantly, her rationality in focusing her hatred onto younger brother, Tyrion. What we see in the show is much the same except the part that ties up her hatred for "the valoquor", the young Cersei learns to mean "younger brother", in high Valyrian.
This is a prophecy declared by a fortune teller young Cersei visits called, Maggie the Frog. Now, just because this mention was omitted from the scene doesn't mean it won't creep back in the later half of the season. This is something I find completely plausible, but only by knowing this character's fate in season's end, and on screen would just simply work better. I just hope it will be included as it's quite a loose end if not.
This is a season that is huge on Cersei and for good reason. She is one of the few remaining Lannisters left in a high position of power, and to a viewer junkie's standpoint, a character who has a lot of explaining to do when it comes to her past. Now that her immensely feared by all seven kingdoms, father, and patriarch of the Lannister name, is dead by the hands of the Valoquor there is little protection for her and her remaining children. This sets into motion her plan to gain a piece of that back in her attempts to win over a new character introduced, The High Sparrow. With the crown under a mountain of debt, the small folk of kings landing have felt the ache of it as the crown, unapologetically, funnels it's rations for itself and it's dwindling army alone and no other. Yes, Margaery Tyrell, made orders to donate a portion of food to the small folk, but remember that Cersei quickly redirected this donation to undermine her and to feed, "the dogs", instead. Which the small folk are rightfully pissed about. To whom they should be pissed is Cersei's first step provided she won them over.
Now, think of the Sparrows as a newly founded "Anonymous" of Westeros and, The High Sparrow, as "V" without the incredibly creepy mask. Except their vendetta is based upon upholding the light of The Seven --the religious practice of the majority in Westeros. This does run into some problems early on when Cersei finds a certain relative we haven't seen for many seasons, who took vows with The Sparrows, and makes swift to remind her much of her past wrongdoings. Being in the position she's been in for so long conditions her to feel like she is, in a way, untouchable and in smug Cersei fashion shrugs her relative off. Surely, we're all left to think, again, that was not very wise. However, to be fair, the character thus far has always had things work in her favor --for the most part. It isn't unlikely for her to feel as if she can outwit anyone who is a potential threat. Especially when she's on a quest to manipulate and have side with a leader of religious vigilantes that holds the fate of this threat. Perhaps, in her mind, it is more important to side with the High Sparrow and extinguish this threat later on than dealing with it at that very moment.
Before all of this lies a scene with her lover, and also twin brother (also ew), Jaimie in the Sept of Baelor standing over their late father, Tywin. Putting the pieces together as to how her younger brother managed to escape and kill their father she questions Jaimie without missing a beat. The amazing part here is you undeniably see the guilt on his face while, of course, denying his involvement to his sister. Fortunately for him, Varys' disappearance along with Tyrion, does not leave all fingers pointing to Jaimie. Though, his love and loyalty to his brother despite the feelings of his sister-lover, still leaves him as a suspected hand --buh-dum-clash-- in the resulted murder of his father. This will be yet another test to their rocky incestuous relationship.
We also get the usual, but much appreciated, back handed banter between Margeary and Cersei that keeps it ever present where she stands in regard to her son. Also, fresh in mind, that she would sooner let her house burn to the ground before she let Tommen's intended take full control of him and another clear motivating factor as to why she must reach out and gain new allies for the lives of her children, in her mind, truly rest in her hands. As Maggy states, in the beginning arc to her story and in reference to her beloved children, "For Gold shall be their crowns and gold their shrouds".
Drastic measures are needed to be taken, according to Maggy the Frog, and ever more drastic will they be as her naked truth foretold.
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