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{{About|an episode of Game of Thrones|the singer|Mhysa (singer)}}
{{About|an episode of Game of Thrones|the singer|Mhysa (singer)}}
{{Infobox television episode
{{Infobox television episode
|image_size = 280px
| image_size = 280
|image = GOT-S03-E10 Mhysa.png
| image = GOT-S03-E10 Mhysa.png
|caption = Daenerys, center, is hailed by the freed Yunkish as their "mhysa", or mother, as the season closes. The uplifting scene received praise,<ref name="Baltimore Sun 1" /><ref name="The New Yorker 1" /><ref name="The A.V. Club" /> as well as criticism for alleged [[colonialism|colonialistic]] undertones.<ref name="Fox News Latino 11 June 2013" />
| caption = Daenerys, center, is hailed by the freed Yunkish as their "mhysa", or mother, as the season closes. The uplifting scene received praise,<ref name="Baltimore Sun 1" /><ref name="The New Yorker 1" /><ref name="The A.V. Club" /> as well as criticism for alleged [[colonialism|colonialistic]] undertones.<ref name="Fox News Latino 11 June 2013" />
⚫
| series = [[Game of Thrones]]
|title = Mhysa
⚫
| season = 3
⚫
|series = [[Game of Thrones]]
⚫
| episode = 10
⚫
|season = 3
| director = [[David Nutter]]
⚫
|episode = 10
|director = [[David Nutter]]
| writer = [[David Benioff]]<br>[[D. B. Weiss]]
⚫
| music = [[Ramin Djawadi]]
|writer = [[David Benioff]]<br>[[D. B. Weiss]]
⚫
| photographer = [[Robert McLachlan (cinematographer)|Robert McLachlan]]
|producer =
⚫
| editor = Oral Norrie Ottey
⚫
|music = [[Ramin Djawadi]]
⚫
| production =
⚫
|photographer = [[Robert McLachlan (cinematographer)|Robert McLachlan]]
⚫
| airdate = {{Start date|2013|6|9}}
⚫
|editor = Oral Norrie Ottey
| length = 62 minutes
⚫
|production =
⚫
| guests = * [[David Bradley (English actor)|David Bradley]] as Walder Frey
⚫
|airdate = {{Start date|2013|6|9}}
|length = 62 minutes<!-- 62 minutes 45 seconds -->
|guests =
⚫
* [[David Bradley (English actor)|David Bradley]] as Walder Frey
* [[Patrick Malahide]] as Balon Greyjoy
* [[Patrick Malahide]] as Balon Greyjoy
* [[Michael McElhatton]] as [[Roose Bolton]]
* [[Michael McElhatton]] as [[Roose Bolton]]
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* [[Ian McElhinney]] as Barristan Selmy
* [[Ian McElhinney]] as Barristan Selmy
* [[Anton Lesser]] as Qyburn
* [[Anton Lesser]] as Qyburn
* [[Hannah Murray]] as [[Gilly (character)|Gilly]]
* [[Hannah Murray]] as [[Gilly (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Gilly]]
* [[Thomas Sangster|Thomas Brodie Sangster]] as Jojen Reed
* [[Thomas Sangster|Thomas Brodie Sangster]] as Jojen Reed
* [[Ellie Kendrick]] as Meera Reed
* [[Ellie Kendrick]] as Meera Reed
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* [[Josef Altin]] as Pypar
* [[Josef Altin]] as Pypar
* [[Kerry Ingram]] as Shireen Baratheon
* [[Kerry Ingram]] as Shireen Baratheon
* Ciaran O'Grady as a Frey soldier
⚫
|prev = [[The Rains of Castamere]]
* Michael Liebmann as a Frey soldier
⚫
|next = [[Two Swords (Game of Thrones)|Two Swords]]
* Alexander Mileman as a fruit vendor
⚫
|season_article = Game of Thrones (season 3)
* Will O'Connell as Todder
⚫
|episode_list = List of Game of Thrones episodes
* Maro Drobnic as Lord Desmond Crakehall
* Marin Tudor as a Yunkai'i slave
* Roxanna Kadyrova as a Yunkai'i slave
* Jamal Ouarraq as a Yunkai'i slave
* El Hasani as a Yunkai'i slave
* Mustapha Mekanassi as a Yunkai'i slave
⚫
| prev = [[The Rains of Castamere]]
⚫
| next = [[Two Swords (Game of Thrones)|Two Swords]]
⚫
| season_article = Game of Thrones season 3
⚫
| episode_list = List of Game of Thrones episodes
}}
}}


"'''Mhysa'''" is the [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|third season]] finale of the American [[medieval fantasy|medieval]] [[epic fantasy]] television series ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', and its 30th episode overall. Written by executive producers [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]], and directed by [[David Nutter]], it originally aired on {{Start date|2013|6|9}} on [[HBO]] in the United States.<ref name="Wall Street Journal 1" />
"'''Mhysa'''" is the [[Game of Thrones season 3|third season]] finale of the American [[medieval fantasy|medieval]] [[epic fantasy]] television series ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', and its 30th episode overall. Written by executive producers [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]], and directed by [[David Nutter]], it originally aired on {{Start date|2013|6|9}} on [[HBO]] in the United States.<ref name="Wall Street Journal 1" />


The episode revolves on the aftermath of the events instigated by "[[The Rains of Castamere|The Red Wedding]]", in which [[Tywin Lannister]] is revealed to be the mastermind behind the massacre — with Walder Frey and Roose Bolton having conspired with the Lannisters against the Starks. As a result, House Frey receives the Seat of Riverrun and Roose Bolton is appointed the new "Warden of the North". Elsewhere, House Greyjoy begins a new military campaign. In the North, Maester Aemon sends out ravens to alert the whole of Westeros about the arrival of the White Walkers. And across the narrow sea, the freed slaves of Yunkai hail Daenerys as their "mhysa", the Old Ghiscari language's word for "mother".<ref name="Goodreads 1" />
The episode revolves on the aftermath of the events instigated by "[[The Rains of Castamere|The Red Wedding]]," in which [[Tywin Lannister]] is revealed to be the mastermind behind the massacre — with Walder Frey and Roose Bolton having conspired with the Lannisters against the Starks. As a result, House Frey receives the Seat of Riverrun and Roose Bolton is appointed the new "Warden of the North". Elsewhere, House Greyjoy begins a new military campaign. In the North, Maester Aemon sends out ravens to alert the whole of Westeros about the arrival of the White Walkers. And across the narrow sea, the freed slaves of Yunkai hail Daenerys as their "mhysa", the Old Ghiscari language's word for "mother".<ref name="Goodreads 1" />


According to [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen Media Research]], "Mhysa" was seen by 5.4 million household viewers in the United States, a twenty-eight percent increase compared to the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]] finale, "[[Valar Morghulis]]". After its broadcast, the episode received generally positive reviews from television critics, with some of them addressing its [[anti-climax (narrative)|anti-climactic]] closure of the series' third season, and its establishment of potential storylines for the fourth season, such as through the final scene's "glimmer of hope". The episode received a nomination for a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series]] at the [[65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards]].<ref name="Emmy 1" />
According to [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen Media Research]], "Mhysa" was seen by 5.4 million household viewers in the United States, a twenty-eight percent increase compared to the [[Game of Thrones season 2|second season]] finale, "[[Valar Morghulis]]". After its broadcast, the episode received generally positive reviews from television critics, with some of them addressing its [[anti-climax (narrative)|anticlimactic]] closure of the series' third season, and its establishment of potential storylines for the fourth season, such as through the final scene's "glimmer of hope". The episode received a nomination for a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series]] at the [[65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards]].<ref name="Emmy 1" />


==Plot==
==Plot==
⚫
===At the Twins===
{{long plot|date=May 2019}}<!--"Too long" means over 400 words per MOS:TVPLOT. Therefore do NOT remove tag until episode is under 400 words.-->
The Stark army is massacred and Robb's mutilated corpse is paraded through the camp. Lord Frey, now in charge of Riverrun, and Roose Bolton, now Warden of the North, discuss recent events and Roose reveals that the Blackfish escaped. Nearby, Arya and Sandor, who witnessed the desecration of Robb's corpse earlier, pass a group of Frey soldiers who are boasting about the event. An enraged Arya suddenly stabs one soldier to death while Sandor kills the others. Arya ponders the potential of the coin given to her by Jaqen H'ghar.


===In King's Landing===
===In King's Landing===
Tyrion learns of Robb and Catelyn's murders and warns a dismissive Tywin that the Northerners will never forget the Lannisters' role. Tywin asserts his authority over Joffrey when he talks of further tormenting Sansa and orders Tyrion again to consummate his marriage with Sansa for the good of the Lannisters. When Tyrion accuses Tywin of never having made sacrifices for the family, Tywin says that he made a sacrifice not killing Tyrion at birth. Tyrion leaves to present the news to Sansa, but finds her already grieving.
Tyrion learns of the Stark murders and warns Tywin that the Northerners will never forget his role. Tywin asserts his authority over Joffrey and orders Tyrion again to impregnate Sansa for the good of the family. He also belittles his son by saying that he was lucky to not be drowned at birth. Meanwhile, Varys offers Shae a sack of diamonds to sail away from King's Landing, but she refuses. Jaime arrives in King's Landing with Brienne, and he visits Cersei.


===At Dragonstone===
Varys offers Shae a sack of diamonds to sail away from King's Landing, but she refuses. Jaime arrives in King's Landing with Brienne, and sees Cersei again.
⚫
Stannis informs Davos of Robb's death and Melisandre's plans to sacrifice Gendry. Davos helps Gendry escape and Stannis orders his execution, but Davos protests, presenting Aemon's letter. Melisandre tells Stannis that only he can save the North from the White Walkers and that he will need Davos' help.

⚫
===At the Twins===
The Stark soldiers are massacred and Robb's decapitated corpse, stuck through with pike holding the head of Grey Wind, his direwolf, is mounted on a horse and paraded through the camp. Lord Frey and Roose Bolton, now Warden of the North, discuss recent events and Roose reveals that the Blackfish escaped.

Arya and the Hound pass a group of Frey soldiers who are talking about the desecration of her brother's body. She offers one of them [[Valar Morghulis|the coin given]] to her by Jaqen H'gar an then stabs him. The Hound intervenes and slays the rest.


===In the North===
===In the North===
⚫
Ygritte confronts Jon while washing his wounds. He confesses his love for her but she says she knew he was an infiltrator all along. Ygritte shoots Jon with three arrows, deliberately only wounding him, before he escapes on his horse and returns to Castle Black.
⚫
Bran and his group meet Gilly and Sam who realizes that Bran is Jon's brother. At Bran's behest, Sam takes them through the passage to get north of the Wall and gives them the [[dragonglass]] weapons he found. Sam and Gilly travel on to Castle Black and meet Aemon, who allows Gilly to stay and sends ravens with messages warning of the return of White Walkers to the Seven Kingdoms.


⚫
At the Dreadfort, Theon begs for death and his torturer is revealed as Ramsay Snow, Roose Bolton's bastard son, who renames Theon as 'Reek'.
⚫
Ygritte comes upon Jon watering his horse. He confesses his lover for her but says she knew he was an infiltrator all along. She shoot him thrice but doesn't kill him as he escapes on his horse. He arrives at Castle Black and is taken to be cared for by Sam and his friends.


===On the Iron Islands===
⚫
At the Dreadfort, a severly mutilated Theon begs for death. His torturer, who we learn is Roose Bolton's bastard Ramsay Snow, states that Theon is more important alive and renames him "Reek".
⚫
At Pyke, Balon receives a letter from Ramsay demanding the Ironborn's withdrawal from the North, along with a box containing Theon's genitals. Balon refuses to negotiate but Yara takes 50 Ironborn to rescue him.


===At Pyke===
===At the Wall===
⚫
In the Nightfort, Sam's and Bran's parties meet and Sam realizes that Bran is Jon's brother. Sam warns them and gives them [[dragonglass]] weapons and guides them to the passage north. At Castle Black, Sam and Gilly meet Aemon, who sends 44 ravens with messages warning the south of the northern threat.
⚫
Balon receives a letter from Ramsay demanding the Ironborn's withdrawal from the North, along with a box containing Theon's severed penis. Balon refuses to negotiate, despite Theon's life hanging in the balance. Yara goes with the fifty best Ironborn men on a ship to rescue Theon.


===At Dragonstone===
===Outside Yunkai===
The freed slave population are presented to Daenerys, who explain to them that freedom is their birthright and that they must defend and fight to maintain it. Impromptu, the former slaves hail and adore her as their ''mhysa'', which Missandei explains is Old Ghiscari for "mother". She is elevated into the sky as her dragons roam freely.
⚫
Stannis informs Davos of Robb's death and Melisandre's plans to sacrifice Gendry. Davos helps Gendry escape. Learning of this betrayal, Stannis orders Davos' execution, but Davos protests, presenting Aemon's letter. Melisandre tells Stannis that only he can save the North from the White Walkers and that he will need Davos' help Stannis spares Davos.

===Outside Yunkai===
The freed slave population of Yunkai hail Daenerys as ''Mhysa'', a term which Missandei explains as Old Ghiscari for "mother". Daenerys lets her dragons fly freely as she greets them and is surrounded by and embraced by the former slaves as her companions look on in awe.


==Production==
==Production==
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===Writing===
===Writing===
"Mhysa" was written by executive producers [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]], based on [[George R. R. Martin]]'s original work from his novel ''[[A Storm of Swords]]''. Chapters adapted from ''A Storm of Swords'' to the episode were chapters 43, 49, 53 to 55, 57, 63, and 64 (Daenerys IV, Jon VI, Arya XI, Tyrion VI, Davos V, Bran IV, Jaime VII, Davos VI).<ref name="Westeros 1">
"Mhysa" was written by executive producers [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]], based on [[George R. R. Martin]]'s original work from his novel ''[[A Storm of Swords]]''. Chapters adapted from ''A Storm of Swords'' to the episode were chapters 42, 49, 53 to 55, 57, 63, and 64 (Daenerys IV, Jon VI, Arya XI, Tyrion VI, Davos V, Bran IV, Jaime VII, Davos VI).<ref name="Westeros 1">
{{cite web|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mhysa/Book_Spoilers/ |title=EP310: Mhysa |first=Elio |last=García |publisher=Westeros.org |date=June 9, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mhysa/Book_Spoilers/ |title=EP310: Mhysa |first=Elio |last=García |publisher=Westeros.org |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}
</ref>
</ref>


Line 93: Line 95:


===Ratings===
===Ratings===
In its original American broadcast in [[HBO]], "Mhysa" was seen by an estimated 5.4 million household viewers, according to [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen Media Research]].<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 1" /> It marked a year-to-year increase in viewership of 28 percent compared to the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]] finale, "[[Valar Morghulis]]", which was seen by 4.2 million.<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 1" /> The second broadcast of the "Mhysa" during the night was viewed by 900,000 viewers, bringing its total viewership for to 6.30 million.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly 1" /> According to analysts, the success of the episode significantly helped ''Game of Thrones'' to surpass ''[[True Blood]]'' as the second most-watched series on HBO, after ''[[The Sopranos]]''.<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 1" /><ref name="Entertainment Weekly 1" /> In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 1.154 million viewers, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week. It also received 0.110 million timeshift viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10? |title=Top 10 Ratings (10-16 June 2013) |work=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board|BARB]] |accessdate=April 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718204656/http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10 |archivedate=18 July 2014 |df= }}</ref>
In its original American broadcast in [[HBO]], "Mhysa" was seen by an estimated 5.4 million household viewers, according to [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen Media Research]].<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 1" /> It marked a year-to-year increase in viewership of 28 percent compared to the [[Game of Thrones season 2|second season]] finale, "[[Valar Morghulis]]", which was seen by 4.2 million.<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 1" /> The second broadcast of the "Mhysa" during the night was viewed by 900,000 viewers, bringing its total viewership for to 6.30 million.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly 1" /> According to analysts, the success of the episode significantly helped ''Game of Thrones'' to surpass ''[[True Blood]]'' as the second most-watched series on HBO, after ''[[The Sopranos]]''.<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 1" /><ref name="Entertainment Weekly 1" /> In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 1.154 million viewers, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week. It also received 0.110 million timeshift viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10? |title=Top 10 Ratings (10-16 June 2013) |work=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board|BARB]] |access-date=April 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718204656/http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10 |archive-date=18 July 2014 }}</ref>


===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
"Mhysa" received generally positive reviews from television critics, with some of them addressing the finale's [[anti-climax (narrative)|anti-climactic]] closure of the third season and for establishing new storylines for the fourth. [[Review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]] surveyed 20 reviews of the episode and deemed 100% of them to be positive with an average score of 8.5 out of 10. The website's critical consensus reads, "'Mhysa' wraps up several of season 3's lingering storylines while subtly setting the table for season 4."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03/e10/|title=Mhysa|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=May 20, 2016}}</ref> James Poniewozik of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' wrote in his review, "The end of season 3, then, spent some time among the winners and losers in post-Red-Wedding Westeros, giving the audience a chance to soak in the shock, seethe at the winners' glee, and get a reminder of the larger forces – White Walkers, dragons – well beyond the war between the Lannisters and the Starks. If the Red Wedding seemed to kill hope, 'Mhysa' made clear that it didn't end anything. And it weaved together the many, many threads of ''GoT{{'}}s'' tapestry by returning to a recurring theme: that ''Game of Thrones'' is ultimately about family."<ref name="Time Magazine 1" /> Matt Fowler of [[IGN]] described that the finale had "nicely set up a lot of cool stuff for Season 4, but it was also lacking some of the power and majesty of previous finales. Especially the ending with Dany, who herself had a better ending back in 'And Now His Watch is Ended' when her dragons torched Astapor and she left with a full army." He also praised the scene where Arya killed a Frey soldier.<ref name="IGN 1" /> Writing for ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]'', Drusilla Moorhouse remarked that "After last week's shocking massacre, most fans braced for more tragic deaths in season three's finale. Instead, the blow was softened with poignant reunions and surprising saves, setting the stage for an explosive fourth season."<ref name="Today 1" />
"Mhysa" received generally positive reviews from television critics, with some of them addressing the finale's [[anti-climax (narrative)|anticlimactic]] closure of the third season and for establishing new storylines for the fourth. [[Review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]] surveyed 20 reviews of the episode and deemed 100% of them to be positive with an average score of 8.5 out of 10. The website's critical consensus reads, "'Mhysa' wraps up several of season 3's lingering storylines while subtly setting the table for season 4."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03/e10/|title=Mhysa|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=May 20, 2016}}</ref> James Poniewozik of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' wrote in his review, "The end of season 3, then, spent some time among the winners and losers in post-Red-Wedding Westeros, giving the audience a chance to soak in the shock, seethe at the winners' glee, and get a reminder of the larger forces – White Walkers, dragons – well beyond the war between the Lannisters and the Starks. If the Red Wedding seemed to kill hope, 'Mhysa' made clear that it didn't end anything. And it weaved together the many, many threads of ''GoT{{'}}s'' tapestry by returning to a recurring theme: that ''Game of Thrones'' is ultimately about family."<ref name="Time Magazine 1" /> Matt Fowler of [[IGN]] described that the finale had "nicely set up a lot of cool stuff for Season 4, but it was also lacking some of the power and majesty of previous finales. Especially the ending with Dany, who herself had a better ending back in 'And Now His Watch is Ended' when her dragons torched Astapor and she left with a full army." He also praised the scene where Arya killed a Frey soldier.<ref name="IGN 1" /> Writing for ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'', Drusilla Moorhouse remarked that "After last week's shocking massacre, most fans braced for more tragic deaths in season three's finale. Instead, the blow was softened with poignant reunions and surprising saves, setting the stage for an explosive fourth season."<ref name="Today 1" />


In her review for [[Zap2it]], Terri Schwartz wrote that "Nothing can ever quite redeem the deaths of Robb and Catelyn Stark, but at least larger forces are taking shape that are propelling this series into Season 4. Daenerys is as powerful as she's ever been, Jon Snow returns to the Wall while Bran heads north of it and the Greyjoys ready an assault to finally save Theon from his captor. Then there's the fact that Stannis decides to sail north to the Wall to aid the Night's Watch in their fight against the White Walkers, which seems like it's going to end up being the greater, global conflict in the future of 'Game of Thrones'."<ref name="Zap2it 1" /> Writing for ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', David Sims gave "Mhysa" an "A-" rating, while Emily VanDerWerff gave it a "B+".<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> Sims, writing for audiences who have not read the novels, described the episode as lacking "a lot of serious plot movement or major twists and may have fans gnashing their teeth a little bit as they wait nine months for season four. The previous season finales have also had that quality, but they each ended on a barnstorming note. 'Mhysa', not quite so much."<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> VanDerWerff, writing for audiences who have read the novels, wrote that "On a plot level, not a lot happens in 'Mhysa'", but praised the episode in addressing the series' "value of one human life is in the face of a kingdom."<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> He also mildly criticized the series' template of when "something terrible happens in Westeros, Dany offers a glimmer of hope over in her story line", referring to it as its "[[Achilles' heel]]".<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush wrote in his review, "All in all, the air (or blood) of the season had mostly been let out by 'The Rains of Castamere', as even a returning Jaime’s most interesting moments arrived much earlier in the season, but 'Mhysa' gave us a good course-heading for season 4, with some much-needed catharsis along the way."<ref name="ScreenCrush 1" />
In her review for [[Zap2it]], Terri Schwartz wrote that "Nothing can ever quite redeem the deaths of Robb and Catelyn Stark, but at least larger forces are taking shape that are propelling this series into Season 4. Daenerys is as powerful as she's ever been, Jon Snow returns to the Wall while Bran heads north of it and the Greyjoys ready an assault to finally save Theon from his captor. Then there's the fact that Stannis decides to sail north to the Wall to aid the Night's Watch in their fight against the White Walkers, which seems like it's going to end up being the greater, global conflict in the future of 'Game of Thrones'."<ref name="Zap2it 1" /> Writing for ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', David Sims gave "Mhysa" an "A−" rating, while Emily VanDerWerff gave it a "B+".<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> Sims, writing for audiences who have not read the novels, described the episode as lacking "a lot of serious plot movement or major twists and may have fans gnashing their teeth a little bit as they wait nine months for season four. The previous season finales have also had that quality, but they each ended on a barnstorming note. 'Mhysa', not quite so much."<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> VanDerWerff, writing for audiences who have read the novels, wrote that "On a plot level, not a lot happens in 'Mhysa'", but praised the episode in addressing the series' "value of one human life is in the face of a kingdom."<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> She also mildly criticized the series' template of when "something terrible happens in Westeros, Dany offers a glimmer of hope over in her story line", referring to it as its "[[Achilles' heel]]".<ref name="The A.V. Club" /> Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush wrote in his review, "All in all, the air (or blood) of the season had mostly been let out by 'The Rains of Castamere', as even a returning Jaime’s most interesting moments arrived much earlier in the season, but 'Mhysa' gave us a good course-heading for season 4, with some much-needed catharsis along the way."<ref name="ScreenCrush 1" />


The episode's final scene, in which Daenerys, "the blondest possible savior figure",<ref name="Rolling Stone 10 June 2013">{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Sean T.|title='Game of Thrones' Finale Recap: 'Everyone Is Mine to Torment'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/game-of-thrones-finale-recap-everyone-is-mine-to-torment-20130610|accessdate=19 June 2013|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=10 June 2013}}</ref> appears with "uncharacterized brown people" as "[being lifted] up as their messiah and praising her for saving them from bondage",<ref name="WiredMhysa">{{cite news|last=Hudson|first=Laura|title=Game of Thrones Recap: The Family Who Slays Together, Stays Together|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/game-of-thrones-recap-finale-3/|accessdate=4 August 2013|newspaper=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=10 June 2013}}</ref> was criticized by at least four commentators<ref name="WiredMhysa" /> as having [[colonialist]] or even [[racist]] undertones.<ref name="Fox News Latino 11 June 2013">{{cite news|last=Delgado|first=A.J.|title=Racism In Game of Thrones’ Season 3 Finale?|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2013/06/11/racism-in-game-thrones-season-3-finale/|accessdate=19 June 2013|newspaper=Fox News Latino|date=11 June 2013}}</ref> They asked why the series chose to portray the Yunkish as nearly uniformly dark-skinned, rather than as ethnically diverse as in the source novels,<ref name="Fox News Latino 11 June 2013" /><ref name="Rolling Stone 10 June 2013" /> to which George R. R. Martin replied that this was because the scene was shot in Morocco with local [[Extra (acting)|extras]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=George R.R.|title=Back From LA|url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/325946.html?thread=17814842#t17814842|work=Not A Blog|accessdate=21 June 2013|date=11 June 2013}}</ref> Commentators also criticized, more broadly, that the series's inclusion of [[people of color]] was limited to only a small number of characters.<ref name="WiredMhysa" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmed|first=Saladin|title=Is "Game of Thrones" too white?|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/04/01/is_game_of_thrones_too_white/|accessdate=3 August 2013|newspaper=Salon|date=1 April 2013}}</ref>
The episode's final scene, in which Daenerys, "the blondest possible savior figure",<ref name="Rolling Stone 10 June 2013">{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Sean T.|title='Game of Thrones' Finale Recap: 'Everyone Is Mine to Torment'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/game-of-thrones-finale-recap-everyone-is-mine-to-torment-20130610|access-date=19 June 2013|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=10 June 2013}}</ref> appears with "uncharacterized brown people" as "[being lifted] up as their messiah and praising her for saving them from bondage",<ref name="WiredMhysa">{{cite news|last=Hudson|first=Laura|title=Game of Thrones Recap: The Family Who Slays Together, Stays Together|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/game-of-thrones-recap-finale-3/|access-date=4 August 2013|newspaper=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=10 June 2013}}</ref> was criticized by at least four commentators<ref name="WiredMhysa" /> as having [[colonialist]] or even [[racist]] undertones.<ref name="Fox News Latino 11 June 2013">{{cite news|last=Delgado|first=A.J.|title=Racism In Game of Thrones' Season 3 Finale?|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2013/06/11/racism-in-game-thrones-season-3-finale/|access-date=19 June 2013|newspaper=Fox News Latino|date=11 June 2013}}</ref> They asked why the series chose to portray the Yunkish as nearly uniformly dark-skinned, rather than as ethnically diverse as in the source novels,<ref name="Fox News Latino 11 June 2013" /><ref name="Rolling Stone 10 June 2013" /> to which George R. R. Martin replied that this was because the scene was shot in Morocco with local [[Extra (acting)|extras]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=George R.R.|title=Back From LA|url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/325946.html?thread=17814842#t17814842|work=Not A Blog|access-date=21 June 2013|date=11 June 2013}}</ref> Commentators also criticized, more broadly, that the series's inclusion of [[people of color]] was limited to only a small number of characters.<ref name="WiredMhysa" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmed|first=Saladin|title=Is "Game of Thrones" too white?|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/04/01/is_game_of_thrones_too_white/|access-date=3 August 2013|newspaper=Salon|date=1 April 2013}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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|refs =
|refs =
<ref name="Time Magazine 1">
<ref name="Time Magazine 1">
{{cite web |url = http://entertainment.time.com/2013/06/10/game-of-thrones-watch-blood-is-thicker/ |title=Game of Thrones Watch: Blood Is Thicker |first=James |last=Poniewozik |date=June 10, 2013 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
{{cite magazine |url = https://entertainment.time.com/2013/06/10/game-of-thrones-watch-blood-is-thicker/ |title=Game of Thrones Watch: Blood Is Thicker |first=James |last=Poniewozik |date=June 10, 2013 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=June 10, 2013}}
</ref>
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<ref name="IGN 1">
<ref name="IGN 1">
{{cite web |url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/game-of-thrones-mhysa-review |title=Game of Thrones: "Mhysa" Review |first=Matt |last=Fowler |date=June 10, 2013 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]] |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
{{cite web |url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/game-of-thrones-mhysa-review |title=Game of Thrones: "Mhysa" Review |first=Matt |last=Fowler |date=June 10, 2013 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]] |access-date=June 10, 2013}}
</ref>
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<ref name="Goodreads 1">
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{{cite web |url = http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/411188-mhysa-a-brown-skinned-man-shouted-out-at-her-he-had |title=George R. R. Martin Quotes |work=[[Goodreads]] |publisher=[[Amazon.com]] |accessdate=June 3, 2013}}
{{cite web |url = http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/411188-mhysa-a-brown-skinned-man-shouted-out-at-her-he-had |title=George R. R. Martin Quotes |work=[[Goodreads]] |publisher=[[Amazon.com]] |access-date=June 3, 2013}}
</ref>
</ref>
<ref name="Wall Street Journal 1">
<ref name="Wall Street Journal 1">
{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/06/09/game-of-thrones-season-3-episode-10-mhysa-tv-recap/ |title='Game of Thrones' Season Finale: After the Red Wedding |first=Marshall |last=Crook |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]] |date=June 9, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/06/09/game-of-thrones-season-3-episode-10-mhysa-tv-recap/ |title='Game of Thrones' Season Finale: After the Red Wedding |first=Marshall |last=Crook |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}
</ref>
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<ref name="Today 1">
<ref name="Today 1">
{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/entertainment/no-happily-ever-after-game-thrones-finale-6C10261378 |title=No happily ever after on 'Game of Thrones' finale |first=Drusilla |last=Moorhouse |work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]] |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=June 10, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/entertainment/no-happily-ever-after-game-thrones-finale-6C10261378 |title=No happily ever after on 'Game of Thrones' finale |first=Drusilla |last=Moorhouse |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}
</ref>
</ref>
<ref name="Zap2it 1">
<ref name="Zap2it 1">
{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |title='Game of Thrones' Season 3 finale recap: 'Mhysa' |first=Terri |last=Schwartz |work=[[Zap2it]] |publisher=[[Tribune Media Services]] |date=June 9, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217002708/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |archivedate=February 17, 2014 |df= }}
{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |title='Game of Thrones' Season 3 finale recap: 'Mhysa' |first=Terri |last=Schwartz |work=[[Zap2it]] |publisher=[[Tribune Media Services]] |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217002708/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |archive-date=February 17, 2014 }}
</ref>
</ref>
<ref name="The A.V. Club">
<ref name="The A.V. Club">
''[[The A.V. Club]]'' reviews for "Mhysa"
''[[The A.V. Club]]'' reviews for "Mhysa"
* {{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/mhysa-for-newbies,98349/ |title="Mhysa" (for newbies) |first=David |last=Sims |work=The A.V. Club |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |date=June 9, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/game-of-thrones-newbies-mhysa-for-newbies-1798177038 |title="Mhysa" (for newbies) |first=David |last=Sims |work=The A.V. Club |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/mhysa-for-experts,98348/ |title="Mhysa" (for experts) |first=Emily |last=VanDerWerff |work=The A.V. Club |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |date=June 9, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/game-of-thrones-experts-mhysa-for-experts-1798177044 |title="Mhysa" (for experts) |first=Emily |last=VanDerWerff |work=The A.V. Club |publisher=The Onion, Inc. |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}
</ref>
</ref>
<ref name="ScreenCrush 1">
<ref name="ScreenCrush 1">
{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |title='Game of Thrones' Season 3 finale review: 'Mhysa' |first=Kevin |last=Fitzpatrick |work=ScreenCrush |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |date=June 9, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217002708/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |archivedate=February 17, 2014 |df= }}
{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |title='Game of Thrones' Season 3 finale review: 'Mhysa' |first=Kevin |last=Fitzpatrick |work=ScreenCrush |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217002708/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/06/game-of-thrones-season-3-finale-recap-mhysa.html |archive-date=February 17, 2014 }}
</ref>
<ref name="Baltimore Sun 1">
⚫
{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/tv-lust/bal-game-of-thrones-season-finale-recap-daenerys-the-great-emancipator-20130609,0,484321.story |title='Game of Thrones' season finale recap: Daenerys, The Great Emancipator |first=Luke |last=Broadwater|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |publisher=[[Tribune Company]] |date=June 9, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}
</ref>
</ref>
⚫
<ref name="Baltimore Sun 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/tv-lust/bal-game-of-thrones-season-finale-recap-daenerys-the-great-emancipator-20130609,0,484321.story |title='Game of Thrones' season finale recap: Daenerys, The Great Emancipator |first=Luke |last=Broadwater |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |publisher=[[Tribune Company]] |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502033808/http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/tv-lust/bal-game-of-thrones-season-finale-recap-daenerys-the-great-emancipator-20130609,0,484321.story |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Entertainment Weekly 1">
<ref name="Entertainment Weekly 1">
{{cite web|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/06/10/game-of-thrones-finale-ratings-mhysa/ |title='Game of Thrones' finale ratings up; surpass 'True Blood' |first=James |last=Hibberd |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=Time Inc. |date=June 10, 2013 |accessdate=June 11, 2013}}
{{cite magazine|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/06/10/game-of-thrones-finale-ratings-mhysa/ |title='Game of Thrones' finale ratings up; surpass 'True Blood' |first=James |last=Hibberd |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=June 11, 2013}}
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<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 1">
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{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-game-thrones-finale-565615 |title=TV Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Finale Brings in 5.4 Million Viewers |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |date=June 10, 2013 |accessdate=June 11, 2013}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-game-thrones-finale-565615 |title=TV Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Finale Brings in 5.4 Million Viewers |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=June 11, 2013}}
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{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/06/game-of-thrones-finale.html |title=There Be Dragons: The Finale of 'Game of Thrones' |first=Sarah |last=Larson |work=[[The New Yorker]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications|Condé Nast]] |date=June 10, 2013 |accessdate=June 11, 2013}}
{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/06/game-of-thrones-finale.html |title=There Be Dragons: The Finale of 'Game of Thrones' |first=Sarah |last=Larson |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications|Condé Nast]] |date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=June 11, 2013}}
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{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/nominations/2013/Outstanding%20Cinematography%20For%20A%20Single-camera%20Series |title=Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations for 2013: Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series |publisher=[[National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=July 23, 2013}}
</ref>
</ref>
}}
}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquotepar|Game_of_Thrones/Season_3#Mhysa_.5B3.10.5D|Mhysa}}
{{wikiquote|Game_of_Thrones/Season_3#Mhysa_.5B3.10.5D|Mhysa}}
* {{URL|1=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/episodes/3/30-mhysa/index.html |2="Mhysa"}} at [[HBO.com]]
* {{URL|1=https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-3/10-mhysa |2="Mhysa"}} at [[HBO.com]]
* {{IMDb episode|2178796}}
* {{IMDb episode|2178796}}
* {{tv.com episode|game-of-thrones/mhysa-2676033}}


{{Game of Thrones episodes|3}}
{{Game of Thrones episodes|3}}


[[Category:2013 American television episodes]]
[[Category:2013 American television episodes]]
[[Category:Game of Thrones (season 3) episodes]]
[[Category:Game of Thrones season 3 episodes]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss]]
[[Category:Television episodes directed by David Nutter]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss]]

Latest revision as of 08:35, 17 November 2024

This article is about an episode of Game of Thrones. For the singer, see Mhysa (singer).
"Mhysa"
Game of Thrones episode
Daenerys, center, is hailed by the freed Yunkish as their "mhysa", or mother, as the season closes. The uplifting scene received praise,[1][2][3] as well as criticism for alleged colonialistic undertones.[4]
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 10
Directed byDavid Nutter
Written byDavid Benioff
D. B. Weiss
Featured musicRamin Djawadi
Cinematography byRobert McLachlan
Editing byOral Norrie Ottey
Original air dateJune 9, 2013 (2013-06-09)
Running time62 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Rains of Castamere" 		Next →
"Two Swords"
Game of Thrones season 3
List of episodes

"Mhysa" is the third season finale of the American medieval epic fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and its 30th episode overall. Written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by David Nutter, it originally aired on June 9, 2013 (2013-06-09) on HBO in the United States.[5]

The episode revolves on the aftermath of the events instigated by "The Red Wedding," in which Tywin Lannister is revealed to be the mastermind behind the massacre — with Walder Frey and Roose Bolton having conspired with the Lannisters against the Starks. As a result, House Frey receives the Seat of Riverrun and Roose Bolton is appointed the new "Warden of the North". Elsewhere, House Greyjoy begins a new military campaign. In the North, Maester Aemon sends out ravens to alert the whole of Westeros about the arrival of the White Walkers. And across the narrow sea, the freed slaves of Yunkai hail Daenerys as their "mhysa", the Old Ghiscari language's word for "mother".[6]

According to Nielsen Media Research, "Mhysa" was seen by 5.4 million household viewers in the United States, a twenty-eight percent increase compared to the second season finale, "Valar Morghulis". After its broadcast, the episode received generally positive reviews from television critics, with some of them addressing its anticlimactic closure of the series' third season, and its establishment of potential storylines for the fourth season, such as through the final scene's "glimmer of hope". The episode received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series at the 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.[7]

Plot

[edit]

At the Twins

[edit]

The Stark army is massacred and Robb's mutilated corpse is paraded through the camp. Lord Frey, now in charge of Riverrun, and Roose Bolton, now Warden of the North, discuss recent events and Roose reveals that the Blackfish escaped. Nearby, Arya and Sandor, who witnessed the desecration of Robb's corpse earlier, pass a group of Frey soldiers who are boasting about the event. An enraged Arya suddenly stabs one soldier to death while Sandor kills the others. Arya ponders the potential of the coin given to her by Jaqen H'ghar.

In King's Landing

[edit]

Tyrion learns of the Stark murders and warns Tywin that the Northerners will never forget his role. Tywin asserts his authority over Joffrey and orders Tyrion again to impregnate Sansa for the good of the family. He also belittles his son by saying that he was lucky to not be drowned at birth. Meanwhile, Varys offers Shae a sack of diamonds to sail away from King's Landing, but she refuses. Jaime arrives in King's Landing with Brienne, and he visits Cersei.

At Dragonstone

[edit]

Stannis informs Davos of Robb's death and Melisandre's plans to sacrifice Gendry. Davos helps Gendry escape and Stannis orders his execution, but Davos protests, presenting Aemon's letter. Melisandre tells Stannis that only he can save the North from the White Walkers and that he will need Davos' help.

In the North

[edit]

Ygritte confronts Jon while washing his wounds. He confesses his love for her but she says she knew he was an infiltrator all along. Ygritte shoots Jon with three arrows, deliberately only wounding him, before he escapes on his horse and returns to Castle Black.

At the Dreadfort, Theon begs for death and his torturer is revealed as Ramsay Snow, Roose Bolton's bastard son, who renames Theon as 'Reek'.

On the Iron Islands

[edit]

At Pyke, Balon receives a letter from Ramsay demanding the Ironborn's withdrawal from the North, along with a box containing Theon's genitals. Balon refuses to negotiate but Yara takes 50 Ironborn to rescue him.

At the Wall

[edit]

In the Nightfort, Sam's and Bran's parties meet and Sam realizes that Bran is Jon's brother. Sam warns them and gives them dragonglass weapons and guides them to the passage north. At Castle Black, Sam and Gilly meet Aemon, who sends 44 ravens with messages warning the south of the northern threat.

Outside Yunkai

[edit]

The freed slave population are presented to Daenerys, who explain to them that freedom is their birthright and that they must defend and fight to maintain it. Impromptu, the former slaves hail and adore her as their mhysa, which Missandei explains is Old Ghiscari for "mother". She is elevated into the sky as her dragons roam freely.

Production

[edit]
The episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.

Writing

[edit]

"Mhysa" was written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, based on George R. R. Martin's original work from his novel A Storm of Swords. Chapters adapted from A Storm of Swords to the episode were chapters 42, 49, 53 to 55, 57, 63, and 64 (Daenerys IV, Jon VI, Arya XI, Tyrion VI, Davos V, Bran IV, Jaime VII, Davos VI).[8]

Casting

[edit]

After being absent for the entire second season, Peter Vaughan returns as Maester Aemon and Josef Altin returns as Pypar. This episode also marks the return, after a long absence, of Patrick Malahide as Balon Greyjoy and Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy.

Reception

[edit]

Ratings

[edit]

In its original American broadcast in HBO, "Mhysa" was seen by an estimated 5.4 million household viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.[9] It marked a year-to-year increase in viewership of 28 percent compared to the second season finale, "Valar Morghulis", which was seen by 4.2 million.[9] The second broadcast of the "Mhysa" during the night was viewed by 900,000 viewers, bringing its total viewership for to 6.30 million.[10] According to analysts, the success of the episode significantly helped Game of Thrones to surpass True Blood as the second most-watched series on HBO, after The Sopranos.[9][10] In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 1.154 million viewers, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week. It also received 0.110 million timeshift viewers.[11]

Critical reception

[edit]

"Mhysa" received generally positive reviews from television critics, with some of them addressing the finale's anticlimactic closure of the third season and for establishing new storylines for the fourth. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes surveyed 20 reviews of the episode and deemed 100% of them to be positive with an average score of 8.5 out of 10. The website's critical consensus reads, "'Mhysa' wraps up several of season 3's lingering storylines while subtly setting the table for season 4."[12] James Poniewozik of Time wrote in his review, "The end of season 3, then, spent some time among the winners and losers in post-Red-Wedding Westeros, giving the audience a chance to soak in the shock, seethe at the winners' glee, and get a reminder of the larger forces – White Walkers, dragons – well beyond the war between the Lannisters and the Starks. If the Red Wedding seemed to kill hope, 'Mhysa' made clear that it didn't end anything. And it weaved together the many, many threads of GoT's tapestry by returning to a recurring theme: that Game of Thrones is ultimately about family."[13] Matt Fowler of IGN described that the finale had "nicely set up a lot of cool stuff for Season 4, but it was also lacking some of the power and majesty of previous finales. Especially the ending with Dany, who herself had a better ending back in 'And Now His Watch is Ended' when her dragons torched Astapor and she left with a full army." He also praised the scene where Arya killed a Frey soldier.[14] Writing for Today, Drusilla Moorhouse remarked that "After last week's shocking massacre, most fans braced for more tragic deaths in season three's finale. Instead, the blow was softened with poignant reunions and surprising saves, setting the stage for an explosive fourth season."[15]

In her review for Zap2it, Terri Schwartz wrote that "Nothing can ever quite redeem the deaths of Robb and Catelyn Stark, but at least larger forces are taking shape that are propelling this series into Season 4. Daenerys is as powerful as she's ever been, Jon Snow returns to the Wall while Bran heads north of it and the Greyjoys ready an assault to finally save Theon from his captor. Then there's the fact that Stannis decides to sail north to the Wall to aid the Night's Watch in their fight against the White Walkers, which seems like it's going to end up being the greater, global conflict in the future of 'Game of Thrones'."[16] Writing for The A.V. Club, David Sims gave "Mhysa" an "A−" rating, while Emily VanDerWerff gave it a "B+".[3] Sims, writing for audiences who have not read the novels, described the episode as lacking "a lot of serious plot movement or major twists and may have fans gnashing their teeth a little bit as they wait nine months for season four. The previous season finales have also had that quality, but they each ended on a barnstorming note. 'Mhysa', not quite so much."[3] VanDerWerff, writing for audiences who have read the novels, wrote that "On a plot level, not a lot happens in 'Mhysa'", but praised the episode in addressing the series' "value of one human life is in the face of a kingdom."[3] She also mildly criticized the series' template of when "something terrible happens in Westeros, Dany offers a glimmer of hope over in her story line", referring to it as its "Achilles' heel".[3] Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush wrote in his review, "All in all, the air (or blood) of the season had mostly been let out by 'The Rains of Castamere', as even a returning Jaime’s most interesting moments arrived much earlier in the season, but 'Mhysa' gave us a good course-heading for season 4, with some much-needed catharsis along the way."[17]

The episode's final scene, in which Daenerys, "the blondest possible savior figure",[18] appears with "uncharacterized brown people" as "[being lifted] up as their messiah and praising her for saving them from bondage",[19] was criticized by at least four commentators[19] as having colonialist or even racist undertones.[4] They asked why the series chose to portray the Yunkish as nearly uniformly dark-skinned, rather than as ethnically diverse as in the source novels,[4][18] to which George R. R. Martin replied that this was because the scene was shot in Morocco with local extras.[20] Commentators also criticized, more broadly, that the series's inclusion of people of color was limited to only a small number of characters.[19][21]

References

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  1. ^ Broadwater, Luke (June 9, 2013). "'Game of Thrones' season finale recap: Daenerys, The Great Emancipator". The Baltimore Sun. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  2. ^ Larson, Sarah (June 10, 2013). "There Be Dragons: The Finale of 'Game of Thrones'". The New Yorker. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e The A.V. Club reviews for "Mhysa"
  4. ^ a b c Delgado, A.J. (11 June 2013). "Racism In Game of Thrones' Season 3 Finale?". Fox News Latino. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  5. ^ Crook, Marshall (June 9, 2013). "'Game of Thrones' Season Finale: After the Red Wedding". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  6. ^ "George R. R. Martin Quotes". Goodreads. Amazon.com. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  7. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations for 2013: Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series". National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  8. ^ García, Elio (June 9, 2013). "EP310: Mhysa". Westeros.org. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c O'Connell, Michael (June 10, 2013). "TV Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Finale Brings in 5.4 Million Viewers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Hibberd, James (June 10, 2013). "'Game of Thrones' finale ratings up; surpass 'True Blood'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  11. ^ "Top 10 Ratings (10-16 June 2013)". BARB. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  12. ^ "Mhysa". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  13. ^ Poniewozik, James (June 10, 2013). "Game of Thrones Watch: Blood Is Thicker". Time. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  14. ^ Fowler, Matt (June 10, 2013). "Game of Thrones: "Mhysa" Review". IGN. Ziff Davis Media. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  15. ^ Moorhouse, Drusilla (June 10, 2013). "No happily ever after on 'Game of Thrones' finale". Today. NBC News. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  16. ^ Schwartz, Terri (June 9, 2013). "'Game of Thrones' Season 3 finale recap: 'Mhysa'". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  17. ^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (June 9, 2013). "'Game of Thrones' Season 3 finale review: 'Mhysa'". ScreenCrush. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  18. ^ a b Collins, Sean T. (10 June 2013). "'Game of Thrones' Finale Recap: 'Everyone Is Mine to Torment'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  19. ^ a b c Hudson, Laura (10 June 2013). "Game of Thrones Recap: The Family Who Slays Together, Stays Together". Wired. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  20. ^ Martin, George R.R. (11 June 2013). "Back From LA". Not A Blog. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  21. ^ Ahmed, Saladin (1 April 2013). "Is "Game of Thrones" too white?". Salon. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
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