The Laws of Gods and Men (contains spoilers season 4)

"Across the Narrow Sea your books are filled with words like 'usurper' and 'madman' and 'blood right'. Here our books are filled with numbers. I prefer the stories they tell. More plain. Less... open to interpretation." ―Tycho Nestoris to Stannis Baratheon

Opening on another visual delight, the Game of Thones has had a fantastic run of three episodes, and looks set to continue to provide quality entertainment. The coldness of the Iron Bank's logic and numbers is perfectly represented by Martin Gatiss, up against the passionate but stoical Stannis. True to form, the Iron Bank was mentioned in the previous episode whilst Tywin uncharacteristically let Cersei into his plans. Stannis walks away with the gold he needs to continue to fight for his blood right, and so the war is not yet over.

The action moves directly to the Dreadfort, and the sadistic machinations of Ramsey Snow, enjoying another sexual encounter (which may or may not have ended violently judging by the bloody scratch marks on his chest). We are reminded of the sister of Theon Greyjoy and her heroic attempt to save her less than fortunate brother. Any hope of Theon's redemption from his current form as Reek are totally dashed as he himself thwarts his own rescue, proving to what extent Ramsey has managed to destroy any sense of self in Theon. He is reduced to a mere puppet, and sleeps with the dogs. Even though Theon as a character receives mixed feelings from me, it is not a fate I would personally wish on anyone.

And in Mereen, Danys holds her first court as Queen, after her run as a slave liberator and fighter for the people, she is taking steps to find out who she is as a ruler. The advise she ignored, 'do not answer injustice with injustice, comes back to haunt her,' and for the first time I felt some doubt in the character's judgment, that perhaps the Crucifixion of the masters was a step too far, and demonstrates a black and white moral view point, without considering deeper complexities of the society which she was conquering. The character strikes me as a parallel to King Robert, who was a fantastic solider and hero, when justice was on his side, but a failure as a King.

Perhaps if he had spent the time soul searching, as Daenerys Stormborn seems to be doing, he might have been more successful, rather than drinking and whoring. The dragons are out of control and killing cattle without check, how can she take Kings Landing if she can not control a single city, and three dragons? Danys has her work cut out for her.

And finally we witness the 'trial' of Tyrion, wrongly accused of the murder of Joffery. Filled with betrayal, hypocrisy and lies, Tyrion darkest secrets, even the love of his life Shae are laid open and cruelly miss judged. Tyrion was once centre stage of this entire serious and arguably it was worth watching GoT just for a humorous comment from this character alone, however, Tryion has been pushed aside and even snubbed by Lord Oberyn of the House Martell, who has take a lot of the comic line-light this season. The sacrifice which Jamie makes for Tyrion (to leave the Kings guard and become heir for Tywin) in the hope of saving Tyrion's life is unexpected as it is touching.

Perhaps a rift has finally grown between Jamie and his sister and lover Cersei over the accusation of Tyrion, and her determination to destroy their younger brother. Though it is argued that the speech in Breaker of Chains made by Stormborn is the best in the series, I would argue Tyrions final outburst to be the more satisfying.

And so ends another installment of GoT, which is starting to sound like Gin and Tonic in my head...for some bizarre reason.