So. That was Game of Thrones season 4 episode 2 “The Lion and the Rose.” We have to talk about this!
Consider this your SPOILER WARNING for the commentary and comments below. Not just for this episode but most likely for the events in the proceeding episodes and Song of Ice and Fire books. INTERNET FIRE AHEAD!
The comments begin after a little bit of spoiler space.
Look at how cute this fox is!
(That pic is by Remo Savisaar. There’s a bunch more here.)
Laissex les bons temps rouler!
Mwahahahahahahahahaha.
Bwahahahahahahahahaha.
Oh, I mean it’s terribly sad. He was so young and full of life and had so many more people to execute and he never even got to rape his sister-in-law and he will be so terribly missed. It’s just not fair—
Bwahahahahahahahahaha.
Sure, there were other things that happened in this episode—nice to see you again Stannis, Bran, Hodor—but, really, is there anything more worthy of discussion than the demise of one of the most hated characters in book and TV history? Fans have been eagerly awaiting this moment since Joffrey got owned by Arya on the Kingsroad in the first season/the first book. After all of the unfair, unkind, unpredictable slaughter of the Stark family, which began with Joffrey calling for Ned’s head, finally, finally, we all get a little satisfaction. Oh, and it was just so glorious, it nearly made up for the Red Wedding’s wholesale emotional devastation. Nearly.
If I didn’t hate Cersei almost as much as I hated Joffrey, I’d almost feel bad for her having to watch, helpless, as her beloved son croaks before her eyes.
But I do hate Cersei, so….
Hahahahahahahahaha.
Of course there are gigantic implications for King’s Landing and all points and plots beyond after the young king’s untimely death, but for tonight, let’s just bask in the glow of a Joffrey-free existence together. Dance on his grave. Just don’t leave your beverages unattended and chew your celebratory pigeon pies thoroughly before swallowing.
Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on HBO.
Theresa DeLucci is a regular contributor to Tor.com, covering True Blood, Game of Thrones, and gaming news. She’s also the resident Hannibal fannibal at Boing Boing. Follow her on Twitter @tdelucci
