Game of Thrones: The Laws of Gods and Men

Last week something very important happened in Game of Thrones. No, I'm not talking about Tyrion's speech or his trial, (more on that later).

 

We got our first real look at the Iron Bank. So, as such, can we all take a moment out of our busy personal lives to just do a slow clap and tip our hats at the sheer indifference of this institution.

 

We all know that the Lannisters owe the bank a lot of money, but when Stannis and Davos arrive at the Iron Bank, we get a glimpse of an institution so unmoved by power and history and who the capital seeker is, it's both outrageous and funny at the same time.

 

How can people so invested in everything care so little about anything?

 

Tycho initially declines Stannis's request for financial aid, citing that lack of a powerful army and the food necessary to sustain them makes financing him risky. After a conviction-filled speech by Davos about honour and Stannis' right to the iron throne Tycho eventually agrees, but even then he seems like he is agreeing out of sheer boredom.

 

Meanwhile still across the narrow sea, my favourite character Daenerys is learning more and more every day that ruling is not just about setting slaves free, it’s also about giving them a life worth living in their freedom. In one of the most moving scenes in the season so far, a farmer presents a bag of charred goat bones to Daenerys and her advisors and tells them that the goats were burned by Khaleesi's dragon. Being the compassionate woman that she is, Daenerys agrees to pay the man his goats back.

 

I love how she handled this but also I am very worried; this kind of sympathy might be her ultimate weakness when it’s time to confront her enemies and take the throne. She is very unwilling to make the hard decisions but eager to make the right ones and unfortunately, as we all have to know, those things are hardly ever on the same side in this series. 

 

It's official; GOT can do black comedy and do it brilliantly. The two segments of Tyrion's trial were a mixture of drama and banter all topped off with a pinch of fury. After King Tommen recuses himself,Tywin, Prince Oberyn Martell and Lord Mace Tyrell are left as judges. During the recess Jaime continues in his vein of being the most polarising character this season as he begs Tywin to spare Tyrion, offering to leave the Kingsguard and be his heir. Obviously Tywin agrees and tells his son that Tyrion will be allowed to join the Night's Watch if he pleads for mercy.

 

Returning to the trial, Tywin orders Shae to testify. She falsely gives testimony that Tyrion and Sansa planned Joffrey's murder together and all Tyrion can do is watch and sob as he is betrayed by the woman he loves. Before she can continue, Tyrion insists that he did not murder Joffrey and breaks into an impassioned speech about how he wishes he could poison everyone. Peter Dinklage's delivery is a mixture of comic exaggeration and dramatic control. He then drops the bomb shell of wanting a trial by combat.  

 

Obviously the dream scenario would be for Tywin and Tyrion to fight it out till the death, but the laws of the seven kingdoms do not allow for a judge to fight the accused. So we will be left guessing as to who be Tyrion's champion.

 

I hope it's Jaime. If he does it, I might just start liking him again.

 

To stand a chance to win a Game of Thrones DVD box set, tell us who Sihle hopes will be Tyrion's champion. Email your answer to [email protected] with the subject line 'Game of Thrones: The Laws of Gods and Men'