Game of Thrones Season 3 Review

Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog! My husband and I are cruising through Game of Thrones, and let me tell you, I completely understand the hype. For the earlier seasons at least. Things really amped up this season, so let’s get into it!

Also, yes, I know I didn’t post a season two review, but I didn’t really have anything I was dying to talk about from that season. Season three though? Oh boy, I have so much to say.

First, I can see why season three is a fan favorite. There were so many shocking moments, story pivots, and overall, it was such good TV. I love a show that is not afraid to kill off its main characters. I’m looking at you– Duffer Brothers for Stranger Things Season 5.

Spoilers beyond this point!

The most shocking moment has to be the Red Wedding. I’m still speechless, and I’ve finished the episode days ago. I can’t even fathom what it must’ve been like to watch that episode “live.” To know it wasn’t even the season finale too. Pure chaos.

As much as it pains me to say this, Robb Stark’s death was necessary. It wasn’t just the writers killing off a main character for the sake of shocking their audience. It wasn’t to build tension, a sense of dread, no, it was keeping the rules of the show/books alive.

When you stop playing the game you die, and we saw this with Ned Stark. Robb stopped playing the game at the start of season three. It’s like Lord Karstark said earlier in the season, he (Robb) lost the war the day he married her (Talisa).

In my opinion, Robb made three fatal errors that ultimately led to his downfall. The first being he married for love. This was the biggest mistake of all given that he broke his deal with Walder Frey and married Talisa instead. His mother advised against this knowing there would be consequences for this and even shared her own experience when marriage. Her and Ned grew to love each other.

Robb put his heart before duty and should’ve known Walder Frey would not take light to be slighted like that. He should’ve known that Walder Frey wouldn’t have been so accepting when he went back to ask for forgiveness, for Edmure to marry the Frey girl. The whole thing seemed too easy—everyone together for a wedding, celebrating, enjoying themselves….it was off-putting to watch as a viewer.

Two, he executed Lord Karstark. I think he should’ve kept the lord as a hostage as opposed to killing him. Again, his mother and council advised him to take the hostage route. His argument was to not be made into a liar and be seen as someone who allows murderers in his ranks. In war, the cost of every decision needs to be weighed. There were way too many consequences Robb faced when he killed Karstark—he literally lost half his army. And this is what ultimately lead him to Walder Frey. He needed another alliance. He put way too much hope in Frey.

As a side note, I do think it’s worth mentioning that Robb’s plan to attack Casterly Rock, the Lannister’s home was a good one. If he still had the Karstarks, I think he would’ve been able to achieve this. It would’ve been a surprise and it would’ve landed the punch he needed.

Third, this was set-up in season two but, he let Theon go to recruit men from his home. This then led to Robb losing Winterfell, his home. A king who cannot protect his home will not win the war – there was too much significance in Robb losing Winterfell for that point to be just glazed over by the audience.

All these things combined led to Robb’s downfall, and I absolutely hate to say that because I loved his character, but war cannot be won on honor alone.

As a writer, I really appreciate the screenwriters (and the author) for actually sticking to their world’s rules and courage for willing to kill off main characters. In that one episode, we lost a hole plot line! Not only is that great writing but also makes for great TV.

The entire red wedding scene set-up was just brilliant tv. The change in atmosphere when the guard closes the door, the music – Rein of Castamere. We had learned about the song’s origin previously—the Lannisters wiping out a whole family. The look on Catelyn’s face because she knew something was wrong. Then, of course, the soldier stabbing Talisa in the stomach, Roose Bolton’s betrayal, Catelyn begging Robb to run, Frey’s speech….it was so poetically devastating. I have chills just thinking about it. Just when Robb was on the brink of having everything he wanted.

I do think either Sansa or Arya will avenge their brother and mother’s deaths. Arya witnessed it and knows who is directly responsible for their deaths. I think she goes back to Walder Frey and kills him. I think she avenges her family.

Let’s switch gears because the other thing I really loved about season three was Jaime’s character development. He went from someone who stirs the pot to someone who actually has some emotion depth to him. He protects those he cares about fiercely. We saw that with his relationship with Brienne. I actually love their trauma-bonded friendship.

I am curious how their relationship will develop in season four. I can’t imagine Cersei would be happy about them, and with Brienne in King’s Landing she’s definitely at the mercy of the Lannisters.

Speaking of Lannisters, the family dynamic is really interesting to watch. Tywin definitely is the most aggressive, no-bullshit hand of the king we’ve seen so far. Thank God, he doesn’t put up with Joffrey’s tantrums. His relationship with Tyrion is complicated to say the least. Tywin says some messed up things to him.

But I think Tyrion this season was a great character foil to Robb because now Tyrion is being forced into a marriage he doesn’t want, he’s in love with someone else, and instead of following his heart he does his duty and marries Sansa. Were there some threats thrown in there from Tywin? Sure, but it boils down to him playing by his father’s rules.

Joffrey’s character has become a little stale for me. I feel like the only line he ever says is “I am the king” and tries to press his authority upon whoever he’s scolding.

Overall, I loved this season. I thought everything was so well done; I like the direction in which the characters are moving, and I’m excited for the next season.

Alright folks, that is all I have for this week! Come back next week for another blog post. As always, thank you for reading :)