New behind-the-scenes videos delve into the emotional minefield of last night’s chilling episode of Game of Thrones.
In the new batch of behind-the-scenes videos from Game of Thrones season 4, episode 6, the actors, director, and show runners share their thoughts on the episode’s emotional high – and low – points.
Show runners David Benioff and Dan Weiss, and director Alik Sakharov discuss several important scenes in the “Inside the Episode” featurette.
Benioff and Weiss first discuss the notorious Iron Bank of Braavos, which they took care to include in Game of Thrones due to the unusual presence of something so practical in typical fantasy worlds. And next under the microscope is Yara Greyjoy’s failed rescue of Theon.
“[Yara] was expecting to find someone who’s been damaged,” Benioff says, “But I don’t think she knew quite how far he’d sunk.” As for Theon, Benioff posits that the character is too terrified even to think of confronting his true identity – a “shocking development” for Yara and the proud Greyjoy family.
Benioff also discusses the sacrifice Jaime makes in agreeing to leave the Kingsguard in exchange for Tyrion’s life. Unfortunately, “Tywin’s been expecting this from the beginning,” Benioff divulges.
Director Alik Sakharov then speaks on framing the courtroom drama as a standoff between Tywin and Tyrion, though Jaime and Cersei are central points of focus as well. Dan Weiss also speaks of Tyrion’s tragic flaw playing a crucial role in his trial. Tyrion’s inability to disguise his distaste for the court has now “come home to roost,” Weiss says. Tyrion’s past behavior has given Cersei ammunition to “ground the evidence against him in reality.”
Of course, “The Shae testimony is really what puts him over the edge,” Weiss observes. Actress Sibel Kekilli speaks more about the devastating turn of events in the featurette titled “No Turning Back.”
“I think it’s not easy for her,” Kekilli admits. “But at the same time, of course it’s a kind of revenge.” Kekilli also hints that Cersei may have played a role in arranging Shae’s testimony – but that may not matter for Tyrion.
“Shae’s testimony is the turning point of the season for Tyrion,” says Peter Dinklage. “There is no turning back after that.”
Author George R.R. Martin also lends his expertise to a less emotionally-charged topic – the genesis of the aforementioned Iron Bank of Braavos, which began in an iron mine.
Martin with the knowledge-bomb, as per usual!
Game of Thrones season 4, episode 7, “Mockingbird,” will air on Sunday, May 18 at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.