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Rob Cesternino and Josh Wigler recap of Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 8: The Mountain and the Viper. Join us each Sunday Night LIVE after the episode for the chance to hear our recap and ask your questions LIVE on the show.
Rob and Josh review The Mountain and The Viper and react to The Death of Prince Oberyn in the Trial by Combat against The Mountain.
Episode #8 Title: The Mountain and the Viper
Episode Air Date: June 1st, 2014
Summary Author(s): Jason de Lima & Jennifer Heinke
After a week hiatus Rob and Josh are back to recap Episode #8 entitled The Mountain and the Viper. They waste no time and dive right into their discussion by talking about the biggest event of the night, The Mountain versus the Red Viper. Rob emphatically says “Red Viper you blew it!!” Josh feels it was a sad ending to a cool character. Rob says he was really feeling it for the Red Viper, that he had an Inigo Montoya vibe going. Josh reiterates that if you’re expecting justice in Westeros, you’ve come to the wrong place. Rob feels that if you have the Mountain on his back, you have to go in for the kill. Josh responds by saying that the confession for the atrocities against Oberyn’s sister were just as important. Rob simply feels like it was overkill. Josh goes as far to say he thinks it was the best episode of the season.
Gilly in Mole’s Town: Hush Little Baby (11:30)
In the opening scene of the episode we go to Mole’s Town where we find some wenches drinking and belching out songs. They are interrupted by the Wildling’s attack on the town. During the attack Ygritte comes upon Gilly and her baby who are hiding, but decides to just let them be and signals for them to stay quiet. Rob says he is bummed out with this scene, on the other hand Josh was okay with it cause it shows a piece of the culture in the North. They point out that the wenches aren’t being nice towards Gilly. Rob mentions that Gilly recognized that the owl hooting is some sort of signal which leads her to take refuge. Josh says how Gilly is from beyond the wall so she’s surely accustomed to these sorts of things. Rob is confused about the Wildling’s plan, and asks Josh if they’re trying to draw them away from the Wall? Josh replies by saying that by forcing men from the Night’s Watch to go to Mole’s Town, there will be fewer men on guard at Castle Black, and therefore it would be easier for the Wildlings to breach the Wall and open the gate. They both mention how they were pleased to see Ygritte again after so long.
Sam & Jon Snow: Pity Party for the Craven (16:35)
They move on to discuss the next scene where we find Jon Snow, Sam and a few other brothers of the Night’s Watch at Castle Black talking about the events at Moles Town. Rob expresses his displeasure with the fact that the brothers were indulging Sam who was pitying himself for having taken Gilly to Moles town to begin with. Rob feels like they have bigger problems to deal with then worrying about Gilly. Rob feels like now would be a good time to reconsider Jon’s plan to flood the gate, but Josh says that they’re running out of time and that the attack is imminent. Josh says the problem is political in nature cause Alliser Thorne and Janos Slynt don’t like Jon Snow, hence their refusal to take into consideration any of his suggestions. Rob is annoyed by their stubbornness. Furthermore, Josh points out that the glory days of the Night’s Watch are over, and says the leaders are lazy and ambivalent. They end this segment by discussing whether next episode will be an entire episode devoted to events at the Wall like the Battle of Blackwater episode from Season 2.
Missandei and Grey Worm: The Pillar and the Stones (22:20)
In the next scene we find Missandei and Grey Worm bathing in the river, and Missandei catches Grey Worm staring at her. Rob asks Josh if this romance takes place in the book? Josh responds that no it doesn’t. Rob questions why the producers are doing it then? Josh replies by saying that it might be as filler content as to not catch up with the books so rapidly. Rob likes the bathing scene but did not like the follow up scene which he labels as a Romantic comedy type scene when Missandei and Daenerys talk about the incident. Rob says how this scene felt like Missandei was filling a sexual harassment report to the boss. Josh says that Missandei was probably more mystified then anything given that the Unsullied are castrated. Rob feels that since Missandei was the former translator of the Unsullied’s vendor, she should be more knowledgeable about the state of their genitals. Rob then asks Josh “gun to your head, if you have to chose, no pillar or no stones?” Josh opts for no stones.
And the Emmy Goes to Reek, for his Role as Theon (26:55)
We now find ourselves at Moat Cailin where Ramsay is prepping Reek for his important mission. He is to “pretend” to be Theon Greyjoy and go into Moat Cailin to treat with the Iron Islanders. Theon promises them that they will not be harmed if they yield, but in true Bolton fashion all are killed and/or flayed. Rob starts off this segment by asking Josh the same question about Theon, this time Josh opts for the no pillar answer. Rob says Reek puts on a performance for the ages, and is impressed with his Theon “impersonation”, that is until his confidence is rattled, Josh says. Josh is happy they didn’t get to see the flaying of the Iron Islanders.
Roose & Ramsey Bolton: Everything the Light Touches is Ours (30:00)
In the next scene we see Roose Bolton and Ramsey Snow on top of a hill. Ramsey hands his father the flag from Moat Cailin and tells him that the stronghold is his. Roose is proud of his son to the extent that he hands Ramsay a piece of paper stating that he is now legitimized and will now become Ramsay Bolton. Ramsay is honored and kneels before his father. Josh says that this is what Ramsay has been waiting and working for all his life, to be recognized as his father’s son. Rob mentions how he finds it odd that Roose uses miles to describe distance in the North, Josh agrees. Then the Bolton’s and their Bannermen all head towards what appears to be Winterfell. En route Ramsay turns to Reek and tells him he’ll need a bath once they get home. Rob wonders why Ramsey says Theon needs to give him a bath, Josh jokingly replies by saying they take turns bathing each other. Rob then says there is only one good place for baths in Westeros, and thats the hot spring Jon and Ygritte once used.
Littlefinger on Trial at the Vale: Fatal Attraction (33:15)
Now we go over to the Vale where we find Littlefinger being interrogated regarding the nature of Lysa Arryn’s death. Littlefinger explains to them how Lysa was melancholic and in one of her stupors she committed suicide. Rob at first wonders who all these new people are? While Josh explains to him that they are simply Lords in the Vale. Rob also asks Josh if he got the sense that the Lords of the Vale weren’t really thrilled with Lysa Arryn? Josh agrees but also explains that neither are they thrilled with the mysterious circumstances of her death. At this point in the scene they bring in Alayne/Sansa to testify as a witness. She reveals herself to be Sansa Stark and goes on to lie and corroborates Littlefinger’s explanation of suicide. Rob asks Josh if this was Sansa’s finest hour? Josh mentions how he’s always been a fan of Sansa so he turns it around and asks Rob to answer that question. Rob unequivocally says yes and Sansa even gets a ring of the bell! Rob mentions how he feels Sansa should get an Emmy for her fantastic acting, shedding tears and all. Josh also says how he feels that the timeline between Lysa’s death and Littlefinger’s interrogation is a little murky. They wonder if Littlefinger had time to prep Sansa before she was called in to testify. Next Rob mentions how Littlefinger doesn’t miss a beat and how he’s already on to the next thing with his plan to have Robin leave the nest. Rob asks whether Robin is going on long trip in Westeros, but Josh replies that he believes the plan is simply for Robin to do a local tour of the Vale.
Littlefinger & Sansa: The Devil You Know (39:24)
In the next scene we find Littlefinger visiting Sansa in her chamber. He asks her why she helped him? She tells him how she didn’t know what they would do to her and tells him that she knows what he wants. Josh says how its better to gamble on the man you know then the strangers you don’t as a justification for Sansa’s action. Rob wonders what they each think the other one wants?
Arya & the Hound: A Day Late and a Dollar Short (40:55)
For the next scene we don’t go very far, we find Arya and the Hound arriving at the Bloody Gate in the Vale. Upon announcing who they are and what they’ve come for, the man at the gate regretfully informs them that Lysa passed away only 3 days earlier. At this point Arya bursts out laughing hysterically at the irony of the situation. Josh mentions how he thinks Arya must be having a psychotic break. Rob says he didn’t realize that Arya and the Hound were so close but says how he really loved Arya’s reaction to learning her aunt was also deceased. Josh says how everyone she knows is dead, and Rob says how she always seems to be a day late. This segment ends with Rob wondering whether they’ll let Arya into the Vale or not.
Darth Sansa: Littlefinger You are Not my Father (42:38)
Next they go on to discuss Sansa’s sudden wardrobe change. Rob asks why did she get a makeover? Josh suggests it’s cause of a new found sense of confidence, she now knows the role she needs to play in order to hit the ground running. Rob asks if Sansa is going with Robin? Josh responds by saying he’ll likely send Robin off and keep Sansa with him out of harms way at the Vale.
Daenerys & Ser Jorah: And I…. Will Always Love You… (44:25)
We now find ourselves across the narrow sea in Meereen. The scene begins with Ser Barristan receiving a letter from a young boy. Ser Barristan takes this letter and presents it to Ser Jorah and tells him how he will be showing it to Daenerys. It’s a pardon for Ser Jorah signed by Robert Baratheon.
Rob questions the content of the letter and wonders if the pardon truly is from king Robert Baratheon written 4 years ago? He also makes a few jokes regarding the mailing system in Westeros and Essos. Josh weighs in and says how he thinks the letter is a ploy by Tywin Lannister to cause discord amongst Daenerys’ inner circle. Rob feels like Ser Jorah did a very poor job of explaining himself when he was confronted by Daenerys regarding the nature of the spying he did for Varys and the Usurper King. Josh feels like it’s an unforgivable betrayal, that he was helping the man who nearly extinguished the Targaryen Bloodline. He feels like the straw that broke the camels back was when Ser Jorah confesses that he informed Varys that she was carrying Khal Drogo’s child. This leads Daenerys to exile Ser Jorah. Rob then goes on to ask whether in order to sit the Iron throne one must have Targaryen blood? Josh explains how that was the status quo in the past but ultimately anyone who can strong arm their way onto the Throne can claim it. It’s just a matter of whether the people recognize you as legitimate or not. Rob then expresses how he feels sad for Ser Jorah and wonders what he will do next? He goes on to say that perhaps Jorah should station himself outside of Meereen with a BoomBox until Daenerys allows him to re-enter the city
Tyrion & Jaime: Orson Lannister & Beetle Mania (53:50)
We at last go to King’s Landing where we once again find Jaime in Tyrion’s prison cell having a final heart to heart before the trial by combat is to take place. Tyrion has a long dialogue with his brother as he tells him the story of their dim-witted cousin Orson Lannister who used to repeatedly kill beetles for no apparent reason. Josh says how he is confused about the story and asks Rob to explain it to him. Rob overall found the scene great, how he loves most if not all Jaime-Tyrion interactions. He feels like the scene dragged on just a little too long, but didn’t mind given it was Jaime and Tyrion. He feels he could not have tolerated this same conversation had it been between Jon Snow and Sam.
The Mountain and the Viper: Revenge Isn’t Always Sweeter (55:45)
At this point they finally get to the long awaited fight between the Red Viper and the Mountain. The fight seemed to be going well for Oberyn, up until the point he gets over-confident. The Mountain is then able to get hold of him and kill him. Rob says how he was only worried when Oberyn’s spear broke, he asks Josh if it was an unwise decision to use a spear as his weapon of choice? Josh explains how the spear is Oberyn’s preferred weapon and how it also gives him reach and will allow him to remain light on his feet. Rob then wonders if the Mountain has fatal wounds. Josh says that regardless of whether the Mountain has fatal wounds or not, ultimately Oberyn died first. Therefore, the outcome of the trial and Tyrion’s fate does not change. Rob compares these rules to that of American Gladiator. Despite all this Rob doesn’t buy that there will be a Tyrion beheading by the end of the season. Josh asks him that if the show can survive with a Ned Stark beheading, why couldn’t they go on without Tyrion? Rob concedes and acknowledges that if he can live without Ned he supposes he could live without Tyrion as well.
Rob and Josh take the viewers’ questions at 59:45
Summary by Jason de Lima & Jennifer Heinke
Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 8 Recap: The Mountain and the Viper
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