For those of us “unsullied” like me, one question has been the stuff of speculation for over a week now: who killed Joffrey Baratheon?
The usual suspects were all there: Sansa, Tyrion, Olenna, Tywin, Oberyn, even Margery. Luckily, for those of us like me who hate being kept in suspense, this week’s episode picked up right at the shocking point where last week’s left off: squared on Joffrey’s lifeless, purple face.
It’s infuriating to have this conversation with those who have read the books: the knowing smiles, the tight-lipped nods as we spout our myriad theories.
As Sansa escapes the city with the help of Littlefinger—who obviously judges his time on the small council has come to a close—the king’s neophyte widow waxes curious about her status. Widowed before their union could be properly consummated (probably a boon for her future prospects), Margery pines for her lost prospects to her grandmother.
Lady Olenna continues her sure footed mentorship of Margery, congratulating her on her efforts with Joffrey (Margery’s “good work,” as Olenna succinctly puts it). Olenna has her eye firmly placed on the goal at hand: she knows that even though Margery’s union with Joffrey has come to an end, Tywin still needs the alliance with House Tyrell. Margery’s usefulness has really just begun. Her beauty and kindness are by now well-known throughout the capitol, and in her grief the people are sure to only embrace her more. It will be a relief for everyone when Tomen marries her.
But was Olenna involved in Joff’s murder? Her callous but practical response is par for the course for a woman known as the Queen of Thorns – it doesn’t necessarily indicate her complicity. After all, she did make a point of telling Sansa that killing a man at a wedding was unconscionable.
Tywin too seems all too comfortable with the eventuality of Joff’s passing. He wastes no time picking up the torch with Tomen, taking the lad under his wing: he will assuredly provide the proper education that Cirsei was obviously unable to furnish to her elder son. Joffrey’s shortcomings are on the tip of Tywin’s tongue, easily turning into parables of kingly learning. Tomen will be molded into a proper Lannister king, fit to carry on the exalted line.
Let’s not forget about Sansa. After all, murdering her torturer at her own wedding seems fit justice for her own brother’s assassination. Her escape seems to seal her guilt: why would an innocent run? But the entrance of Littlefinger I think speaks to my gut feeling – Sansa, angry as she is, is no assassin. Littlefinger’s involvement speaks to a deeper plot, one that transcends familial bonds or simple vengeance. Baelish, after all, has no sworn alliances to speak of. He flits from partnership to partnership, favoring those that have the most to offer him.
His strongest ally in Kings Landing has been Cirsei for many a month – it must be a very attractive offer that would tempt him to burn that relationship. And what does he want most of all? The lands and sigil of a powerful lord: something that Sansa Stark has to offer.
But Sansa’s a married woman now. Winterfell lies in the hands of the Lannisters. There’s only one way that Baelish can get the coveted title of Warden of the North, and that’s through the death of Sansa’s husband,
And so we find Tyrion, incarcerated in a dank cellar, barred from seeing his closest friends and advisors. Sansa’s flight has only further incriminated the imp in his nephew’s death. Cirsei believes his guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt, but Tyrion’s too wily to have involved himself in such a scheme. He would have never trusted Baelish, never allowed himself to be seen holding the vey cup that delivered the deadly dose to the young king.
None of that mattes to Cirsei, who has never bothered to get to know her brother’s strengths as he has so studied hers. Mad with grief, she can’t see anything but he desire for revenge. It may be the most vulnerable we ever see the strong-backed Cirsei.
As Cirsei mourns over the body of her eldest, she sees her brother Jaime as the best option to get her much-needed vengeance. But Jaime is not convinced of Cirsei’s method. Tyrion, after all, is their brother. Jaime’s soft spot for Tyrion does not extend itself to Cirsei. In her state, he finds only mean manipulation, and punishes her for it. In the world of King’s Landing, you only get what you want if you take it. And that’s what Jaime does.
The episode ends, for us lowly non-readers of the books, without any clear indication of who is guilty. But the speculation is so delicious, even someone who dislikes suspense as much as me can manage to enjoy it for another week.
While we continue to wait for the remainder of the fallout from the Royal Wedding, check out the hosts of our very own “Game of Thrones” recap show, “Winter is Coming Live,” discuss how they would have preferred to see Joffrey’s demise play out on screen and be sure to join the discussion in the comments section below
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