The House of Black and White

"The House of Black and White" is the second episode of the fifth season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 42nd overall. The episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Michael Slovis.^[1] It aired on April 19, 2015.^[2] Prior to airing, this episode along with the other first four episodes of the season were leaked online.^[3]

Plot

In King's Landing

Cersei (Lena Headey) and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) receive a message from Dorne: a small viper statue with a necklace in its fangs. Cersei tells Jaime that the necklace belongs to their daughter, Myrcella, who was sent to Dorne by Tyrion. Jaime tells Cersei that he will travel to Dorne and bring Myrcella back. He travels to meet with Bronn (Jerome Flynn), who has gone to Castle Stokeworth with Lollys (Elizabeth Cadwallader), his fiancée. Jaime gives Bronn a scroll indicating that another man will be wed to Lollys. When Bronn demands previous terms as Cersei for Lollys, Jaime assures any deal with Cercei are ill-advised. when Bronn agrees to Myrcella's rescue, he (Bronn) will be wed to a woman of higher standing, with a better castle.

Cersei meets with two hunters who have brought her a severed head, though she is disappointed to find that it is not Tyrion's head. Qyburn (Anton Lesser) lays claim to the head for his research and the two walk to a small council meeting. With the office of Hand of the King vacant, Cersei tells the council that she will stand in temporarily until Tommen chooses a new Hand. She appoints Mace Tyrell (Roger Ashton-Griffiths) as the new Master of Coin and Qyburn as the new Master of Whisperers. When Cersei tries to appoint her uncle Kevan (Ian Gelder) as the Master of War, he declines, telling her that as the queen mother she holds no power, and has no interest in serving in a council filled with her sycophants. In defiance of Cersei's "orders", Kevan states that he will return to Casterly Rock until he hears direct word from Tommen that he is required.

At the Wall

In the library, Gilly (Hannah Murray) is tutored in reading by Shireen Baratheon (Kerry Ingram) before her mother Selyse (Tara Fitzgerald) orders her to stop. Jon (Kit Harington) is chastised by Stannis (Stephen Dillane) for showing mercy to Mance. Stannis shows Jon a letter he received from Bear Island, stating that former Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's relatives will only recognize a Stark as their King. Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham) tells Jon that the Night's Watch will elect a new Lord Commander that night, and that it is almost assured that Ser Alliser (Owen Teale) will win. Stannis asks Jon to kneel before him and pledge his life to him, and in exchange he will legitimize Jon, making him Jon Stark, and giving him Winterfell.

In the great hall, Jon tells Sam (John Bradley) that he will refuse Stannis's offer, as he swore an oath to the Night's Watch. After Maester Aemon (Peter Vaughan) asks for discussion about possible candidates, Janos Slynt (Dominic Carter) advises his brothers to vote for Ser Alliser, saying he is the only true choice. Another man (Derek Lord) tells the brothers to vote for Denys Mallister (J. J. Murphy). Before the voting can begin, Sam gives a speech imploring his brothers to vote for Jon, reminding them all how he led the mission to Craster's Keep to avenge Commander Mormont's death and how he led the defense of Castle Black. After the voting is complete, the ballots are tallied and show a tie between Jon and Ser Alliser. Maester Aemon casts the deciding vote in favor of Jon, making him the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.

In the Vale

Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) and Podrick (Daniel Portman) stop at an inn. While eating, Podrick sees Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen) eating in the back of the inn, guarded by knights. Brienne orders Podrick to secure more horses, and then moves toward Petyr and Sansa. After Petyr allows her to approach, Brienne pledges her life to Sansa. When Petyr accuses her of Renly Baratheon's murder, Brienne explains that Renly was killed by a shadow with Stannis's face. Sansa tells Brienne that she doesn't want her protection, and asks her to leave. Petyr attempts to have his guards take Brienne into their custody, but she flees with Podrick, stealing a horse and releasing several others. The guards give chase, and Brienne and Podrick are separated. After evading her pursuers, Brienne sees Sansa and Petyr fleeing. She searches for Podrick, and saves him from two of the knights. Podrick suggests that they stop pursuing Sansa as she refused their help, but Brienne is adamant that she will not be safe with Lord Baelish.

In Braavos

Arya (Maisie Williams) arrives in Braavos, and the ship's captain, Ternesio Terys (Gary Oliver) takes her to the House of Black and White. She is turned away by the doorman, even after showing the iron coin given to her by Jaqen H'ghar (Tom Wlaschiha). After spending the night sitting in front of the House, she throws the coin into the water and leaves. Later, after killing a pigeon, Arya is confronted by a group of thieves in the street. Arya prepares to fight them, but the thieves flee when the doorman appears. He walks her back to the House of Black and White, and gives her the iron coin. He then changes his face to Jaqen, and informs Arya that she must become no one before taking her inside the House.

In Dorne

The Alcázar of Seville stands in for the Water Gardens of Dorne.

Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma) watches Trystan Martell (Toby Sebastian) and Myrcella Baratheon (Nell Tiger Free) from afar, before meeting with Doran Martell (Alexander Siddig). She demands that he take action for the murder of Oberyn, though he reminds her that Oberyn was killed in a trial-by-combat, which by law is not considered murder. When she asks to take revenge on Myrcella, Doran rebuffs her, and she leaves, subtly warning Doran that he will not be in power forever.

Across the Narrow Sea

Travelling to Volantis, Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Varys (Conleth Hill) discuss the former's brief tenure as Hand of the King. Tyrion laments not leaving King's Landing with Shae when he had the chance, but tells Varys that he enjoyed serving as Hand.

In Meereen, Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman) assists Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) in capturing a member of the Sons of the Harpy. Mossador (Reece Noi) implores Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) to execute their captive, but Ser Barristan (Ian McElhinney) tells her of the Mad King's actions against his enemies, which included burning them with wildfire while laughing. He asks her not to execute the captive without a fair trial, and she agrees with him. Mossador goes against her wishes, and kills the captive Son of the Harpy. Daenerys has him publicly executed, which leads a riot between the old masters and the freed slaves from which Daenerys is forced to flee. Later that night, Daenerys finds that Drogon has returned, but when she tries to touch his face, he flies away.

Production

Writing

This episode was written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and contains content from three of George R. R. Martin's novels, A Storm of Swords Jon XI and Jon XII, A Feast for Crows, Arya I, the Captain of the Guards, Cersei IV and partial Cersei II and A Dance with Dragons, chapter Tyrion II and partial Jon I.^[4]

As in the previous episode, several scenes were written specifically for "The House of Black and White" and do not appear in the books. For example, Myles McNutt of The A.V. Club comments on the scene in which Brienne meets Sansa, who rejects her offer of help and protection, saying that it creates crisis regarding the character's purpose.^[5]

Casting

With this episode, Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen H'ghar) and Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand) are promoted to series regulars. Wlaschiha returns after last appearing in the second season.^[6] The episode has the introduction of new recurring cast members Alexander Siddig, who plays the Prince of Dorne: Doran Martell, DeObia Oparei, who plays his bodyguard Areo Hotah, and Toby Sebastian, who plays Doran's son Trystane Martell, while Nell Tiger Free replaces Aimee Richardson as the recurring character Myrcella Baratheon.

Reception

Television ratings

"The House of Black and White" was watched by an estimated 6.81 million American viewers during its first airing, and received a 3.6 rating among adults 18-49.^[7]

Critical reviews

Reception to the episode was generally positive. Matt Fowler from IGN gave the episode a rating of 8.8/10 stating "The House of Black and White" was a notably bigger, better episode than the Season 5 premiere. It not only brought Arya and Bronn back into the mix and introduced Dorne... it contained huge moments for Brienne, Dany, and Jon."^[8] The episode received a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 8.1/10 and the consensus reading: "Building upon the season opener, 'The House of Black and White' increases the intensity by calling upon some major characters to make some tough decisions."^[9]

References

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: The House of Black and White

• "The House of Black and White" at HBO.com
• "The House of Black and White" at the Internet Movie Database
• "The House of Black and White" at TV.com