Slow Burn to a fitting Crescendo

 Spoilers Below

As we hit the midway point of season 4 of Game of Thrones episode 5 started nice a slow.  Viewers were treated with more revelations that go back as far as episode 1 season 1.  While also a healthy dose of action that brought the episode to a thrilling end.  As usual rather than going through the entire episode here are the 5 moments that stood out to me.

5. Arya's Water Dance- Each time the show focuses on Arya and The Hound it's entertaining.  Since the wolf girl has been reunited with her sword Needle, you could see her getting closer to where she wants to be.  The Hound to me has become more a life coach to Arya as opposed to a captor.  It was just cool to see her practicing her Water Dance that was taught to her during Season 1.  But in true Hound fashion he tried to teach Arya how the real world works, when she attempted to use Needle on him.  The time with the characters this week was short, but still sweet. Though I look forward to seeing Arya's reaction when she learns that she can cross Joffrey off her list.

4. Brienne & Pod- Another short time spent with these two characters, and like The Hound and Arya; Brienne and Pod are another odd couple on the road.  Brienne not used to be waited on the same way she's not used to being seen as a lady.  But Pod is set on keeping his oath and serving as her squire.  You can see how the two will benefit from each other, and it was funny watching Pod trying to ride a horse, or setting a rabbit on fire while trying to cook it.  It wasn't until Pod told her of how he saved Tyrion's life that she seemed to soften a bit and let the squire do his job.

3. Return to The Vale (and that creepy kid)- This episode brought us back the Vale ruled by Lysa Arryn, Catelyn Stark's sister.  Haven't seen this crazy creepster since season 1, but as soon as you saw her it all came flooding back.  Still crazy and still coddling her son Robin like he's a newborn.  You immediately see she's not working with a full deck, but it's clear she's nuts about Littlefinger, and already jealous of Sansa.  The best moments came when Lysa was revealing how far back Littlefinger and their relationship goes.  As well as Littlefinger's marital hesitation, though with the track record of grooms in Westeros you can't blame him.   The look on Sansa's face during Lysa's & Littlefinger's consummation of their wedding, hilarious.  I think every viewer could feel her pain.

2. Littlefinger is Keyser Soze- More of the onion layers are being peeled from the character that is Peter Baelish aka Littlefinger.  Along with the reunion with Lsya Arryn not only do we find out they've been involved for some time, but we learn just how deep his scheming goes.  When we learn it was Littlefinger who directed Lysa to kill her own husband Jon Arryn a mystery that went back to season 1.  Not only that but he was the one that advised Lysa to send the letter to Catelyn which first warned her about the Lannisters.  Like The Usual Suspects character Keyser Soze operating in the shadows, getting others to do his dirty work.  Littlefinger has emerged this season as that figure the Devil in hiding right under everyone's noses.  I can't wait to see how Sansa actually adapts to this new environment.

1. -Close calls at Craster's Keep- Of Game saves the best for last, as Jon Snow and the Night's Watch move on Craster's keep.  This had it all action packed from Bran taking over Hodor to stop Ramsey's Snow spy Locke.  To the Night's Watch's battle with the deserters and murderers of Lord Commander Mormont.  Jon Snow definitely had the kill of the season thus far, and who didn't cheer as they set Craster's Keep a blaze.  Even better the return of Jon's direwolf Ghost as he exacted revenge on one of his captors.  But the best yet bittersweet moment was Bran being so close to being reunited with his half brother Jon.  All he had to do was call out and two Starks would be together again.  It wasn't like the first time they crossed paths when Bran saved Jon from the wildings by taking over Summer last season.  Bran was right there, but to finish his quest to find the 3 eyed raven like leaving Osha and his little brother Rickon he had to let go.

Mentions- Again I mention Danerys out of obligation as she decides to stay in Mereen to be queen.  Like in the books I've come to not care about her story, it will be interesting to see if they dive into the last book A Dance With Dragons to give her something to do for the rest of the season.  Seeing how this was how her story came to an end in a Storm of Swords.  I've noticed how the show creators this season have really tried to soften Cersei this season with her rightful anguish of losing a child.  While I still loathe the character I'll say it was nice to see her actually acknowledge Joffrey's evil, and it was revealing to see that she actually was affected by his evil deeds.  This was the first time I actually didn't see her as out right evil like her son.  Still can't wait for her to get hers but it was a nice moment.