Game of Thrones ep.19: Blackwater

“Blackwater” is the title of the 19th episode of Game of Thrones on HBO, though it might be more aptly titled Greenwater. Davos’ son tells his father, “After tonight Stannis will sit on the Iron Throne and you will be his Hand.” Is the kid right? Read on to find out!

Game of Thrones Episode 19: Blackwater Video

Stannis’ men creep across the water towards King’s Landing while Tyrion spends a tender moment with Shae.

How are the other characters preparing?
Cersei receives a vial of poison from Pycelle, Bronn drinks and sings and caresses nude women, while the ever so menacing Hound squares off with him. Says Sandor Clegane to Bronn: “You’re just like me, only smaller.” The Hound feels that he has every man figured out: they all love to kill just as much as he does. Before the two warriors can pull out their weapons, though, the bells start ringing.

In response to the bells, Stannis breaks out the drums while the Imp suits up with help from his squire and company in the form of Varys. The Spider tells Tyrion how Stannis has a red priestess behind him, but the Imp shakes off the info. He then wishes Bronn luck and bumps into Sansa who tells him, “I will pray for your safe return, my Lord. Just as I pray for the king’s.” Ouch! Displaying his childishness once more Joffrey names his blade “Hearteater” and makes Sansa kiss it while he crows with bravado.

The women and children gather together inside the keep with Cersei while the men line on the battlements and watch the ships drawing ever closer. As Davos prepares his archers to launch at the single, lone ship coming toward them, Bronn lets fly a flaming arrow to light up the wildfire, in a brilliant, bright green explosion.

As some of Stannis’ ships go down in flames, Cersei downs glasses of wine and terrifies Sansa with her talk. She tells the girl what will happen if the city falls and in her own, cold way, warns Sansa to toughen up and not be such a goody two shoes. Then, the Queen sets her hard eyes on Shae, and wants to know the woman’s story. Before Shae can begin, Lancel busts in with an update and Cersei calls for her son to be brought to her.

Meanwhile, Sandor stops his own brutal fighting as the fire creeps too darn close. He has lost half his men and he abandons the battle and the king. Without his faithful dog, Joffrey pales. Like a true coward, Joffrey flees inside while his ‘uncle’ Stannis storms the walls himself and begins to slaughter soldiers. Nice contrast, huh? As a battering ram is shoved against the gate, it is left to Tyrion to lead the soldiers against the invaders. He leads the men through the underground tunnels to come out behind Stannis’ men. He begins to swing his axe and takes down some men.

His sister, Cersei, takes Tommen out of the keep when she learns Stannis is winning. Sansa tries to encourage the remaining women, then runs to her own room as Shae suggests. Who waits for her there? Sandor the Hound! He wishes to take her back to Winterfell.

Tyrion falls in battle, injured by one of the betraying King’s Guard and Pod catches the Imp while Cersei prepares to poison herself and her youngest son, sitting on the Iron Throne. Just in time, her father rides into King’s Landing to save his family… Is that Loras Tyrell?! “The battle is over,” Tywin pronounces. “We have won!”

Game of Thrones Inside the Episode: Blackwater Video

Trina’s Take: I could not stomach the puke barrel. Blood and gore does little to faze me, but puke is something else entirely. I was eating dinner when I watched the opening scene with Stannis’ men throwing up in an overflowing barrel and I quickly lost my appetite.

The other characters outside of King’s Landing (or not attempting to attack it) are a no show this episode. For such a momentous part of the story, it was smart of the producers to focus just on one scene. Besides, if the cameras had switched back and forth like they normally do, I would have been banging my fists on the table wanting to get back to the battle. Overall, it was a jolly good show, especially for TV, even if it is HBO. The effects were done most satisfyingly, and I was sorry to see the show end so quickly! I’m also not ready for the season to end with only one more episode!