Game of Thrones Episode 5

Published May 14, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Dear Shat Nation,

I personally loved “The Bells”, I thought it was a hallmark of a true Game of Thrones Episode. It had lies, deceit, executions, well-shot action, etc. I almost forgot it also had the most people burning alive on- screen in a film or TV show. If you close your eyes, and imagine it, you could almost smell the burning flesh still. Bad joke. Anyways, it had everything we wanted in a Game of Thrones episode. Even copious amounts of Character Studies.

I know people will write in about Jamie’s actions, or Danerys’ mental state. I think regardless of the character you choose, there is a lengthy, intelligent conversation to be had. In my opinion, that’s what makes good writing. Not that so and so gets the throne, or the night king is a metaphor and should be the villain. Those my friends are personal preferences. It does not reflect on the writing. It’s hard to discern from the two items, but you owe it to the show to try. I’ll highlight just a small piece of Jamie’s choice to go back to Cersei. So initially, I thought it played ambiguously, that we never were shown Jamie’s true intentions. Was he hoping to talk Cersei into giving up, stay with her forever, or kill her in an act of mercy? Then, listener Carmalita VM, pointed out that the Double D’s essentially took the ambiguity out of it. That it was strictly Jamie going back to the woman “he loves.” At first, I was really bummed, but the more I thought about the more it started making sense. (*disclaimer it still could end up being intended to go multiple ways, but for the sake of this conversation, we will just focus on the one*)

Jamie tried to be “another way”, he tried to change. In my opinion, even if he stayed with Brienne, he would have felt the guilt for all he has done, which is incredibly real. I don’t know how many people have truly changed themselves that are listening now. It’s really hard to do if you’re an addict. Addiction is a disease that takes years to cure, and many addicts will tell you that it stays with you forever. They are always an Addict. If you hear of criminals or just troubled teens, it takes wholesale changes to get out of it. I’m obviously understating it, it’s so much more complicated than this, but you understand what I’m saying. So even if Jamie was cognizant he needed to change, that still doesn’t mean he will change, just cause he wants to. It takes real work, some days are harder than others. Let’s just look at episode 5, and see Jamie’s dialogue with Tyrion. More specifically, when he says, “talk to Cersei? You know she doesn’t listen to me.” That’s him still wrestling with the fact he still loves her. Even though, deep down he wants to be free of her and start a new life. Why would you love someone who thinks you’re stupid or doesn’t listen to you? You shouldn’t, but a lot of people go through the same conflicts on a daily basis. That’s where my best comparison for this is, it’s an unhealthy, toxic, relationship. Not to make light of it, just to compare. Abusive relationships can be more than physical. It doesn’t even need to be physical abuse. They can be both partners, not just one, so on and so forth. We all know a person, guy or girl, that we say regularly, “you shouldn’t be with them”, “all you guys do is argue and fight”. Yet they continue to be together, and say things like, “you don’t know her/him as I do”.

(*sound familiar, yeah, Jamie once said regarding Cersei, you don’t know her as I do)

There’s mounds of evidence, suggesting an abusive toxic relationship between the two parties. Knowing that it’s fairly easy to conclude that it’s really hard to walk away from abusive relationships. (*support groups are often required) (*years of therapy). Jamie might even know she’s not good for him, but he goes anyways because he’s addicted to her, he is suffering from the misconception that he NEEDS her. What would I do without her? It’s a really interesting and real-life thing that happens.

No virtue signaling, but if you are in a relationship like this you should seek help, because you need support, and someone to help guide you out of it. It is hard to get out of a situation like this, you aren’t alone, you’re not weak. You’re conditioned to believe that without this person you won’t make it, and that’s simply false.

A friend and Dedicated Listener Kenny P. (Ducommun)

You guys have done awesome with this season, and even though King Bee doesn’t really like me, I can notice a definitive improvement from when he was first taking over, he’s got a lot better and his different opinions are a welcome change. Keep it up.

Kenny P

Subscribe Now