Changing the subject drastically from meta-analysing the histories of rape, torture, writing skill blah blah blah... my thoughts on the episode. I only watched it today, as I've been ill the past few days and missed it on Monday, so let meboreregale you on the episode. Sorry.
Game Of Thrones: Season 3 / Episode 4
Overall
An episode with an air of betrayal and revenge. Ayra's revenge, Dany's betrayal, Mormont being literally stabbed in the back, Varys's revenge, Margarey and Olenna's scheming... all facets of revenge. I loved this episode overall and we've gone over the hill of the opening three episodes, which was mainly filled with build-up. Two key sections in this episode really stood out, and Dany finally is becoming a major power in this story!
Jaime/Brienne
I mentioned this earlier on about how impressed I am with Jaime's development through the show, and this episode further proliferates his path of redemption. He was arrogantly smug in Season 1, indignant during Season 2, but now he's really turned things around now. He paid a high price for his kindness towards Brienne though, but it's glad to see Brienne repaying the favor with her pep talk. It's clear now that they are a real dyad in the story and rely on each other to get through the ordeal. It's credit to the production team and writers that they've solidified their bond in just two episodes: Episode 3 and Episode 4. In one fell swoop with Jaime's defending of Brienne, suddenly we sympathise with him again.
Arya/Gendry
Mere set-up. We meet that Dondarrion bloke again from season 1 and if I remember correctly he looks well different from then. It's decent set-up for the next episode where her story really comes along, and it's important to note Arya's revenge streak is being sated, remember the Hound is a name on her list, which actually hasn't been referenced in a long while.
Varys
Quite refreshing that we actually hear more about the Spider. This is really perhaps the first episode where we get quite a focus on the enigmatic enuch. We learn about his past, in a scene where Tyrion was reduced to mere spectator, an interesting turn-around where Varys is normally the 'supporting' character in a conversation. This scene was more a veiled threat though, as we learn that Varys can truly have great influence, with the sorcerer from his past being shipped like a cargo haul from UPS.
His next scene was quite good, with Olenna Tyrell, and has him back to his usual scheming ways.
Margaery
More from the smiling schemer, in where she feigns interest towards Joffrey. She knows exactly what to say to everyone and succedeed in winning the smallfolk back, which indirectly helps Joffrey too, something Cersei could not. Cersei knows she has truly lost her grip on the King and is further outcast from both her son, and her family. She's the queen regent in name only.
Dany's Angels
Dany has her posse now with Jorah, Barristan and Missandei, which is nice. With Missandei, she finally has a female confidant since Irri and Doreah died on her, so it will be interesting to see those personal scenes play out, so far this season it's really only been displays of power with Dany so far.
As has been said earlier in the thread, her betrayal was pure awesomeness. I KNEW I was right when Dany spoke Valaryian, I called it right back in episode 1. The look on the slaver's face (and her posse) when she spoke was priceless.
Beyond The Wall
No Jon Snow (that's next week), but it's a very sad episode all round when it came to beyond the wall. In Craster's Keep, the death of Mormont, for me was genuinely horrifying and shocking, and I actually skipped over the really harrowing, greusome bit. I didn't want to see him die! I know, call me a wuss.
The segment played well because whenever Rast (the guy who actually killed Mormont) was in a scene, the camera made well to zoom in on him in an ominous fashion and hear is moaning about all sorts. Good forebording on him, thinking back in the episode. Besides that, we also now get the split of Samwell Tarly and Gilly. Hopefully in later episodes Sam will really come out as a starring character with his own scenes, rather than being a foil for Jon, or a bumbling annoyance to the Nights Watch!