The House of Black and White
| "The House of Black and White" | |
|---|---|
| Game of Thrones episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 2 |
| Directed by | Michael Slovis |
| Written by | David Benioff D. B. Weiss |
| Featured music | Ramin Djawadi |
| Cinematography by | David Franco |
| Editing by | Katie Weiland |
| Original air date | April 19, 2015 |
| Running time | 55 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The House of Black and White" is the second episode of the fifth season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 42nd overall. The episode was written by series co-creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, and directed by Michael Slovis.[1] It aired on April 19, 2015.[2] Prior to airing, this episode along with the other first four episodes of the season were leaked online.[3]
Plot
 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (May 2019) |
In King's Landing
Cersei and Jaime receive Myrcella’s necklace from Dorne. Jaime tells Cersei that he will travel to Dorne and bring Myrcella back. He meets Bronn at Castle Stokeworth and shows him a letter telling him that he will not marry Lollys. Jaime tells him that if he helps him rescue Myrcella, he will be wed to a woman with a larger castle. At a Small Council meeting, Cersei tells that she will stand in temporarily until Tommen chooses a new Hand. She makes Mace the Master of Coin and Qyburn the Master of Whisperers. When she makes Kevan the Master of War, he declines and states that he will return to Casterly Rock until he hears direct word from Tommen.
At the Wall
Stannis shows Jon a letter from Bear Island, stating that Jeor Mormont's relatives will only recognize a Stark as their king. Stannis says that he will legimitize Jon as a Stark and give him Winterfell if Jon pledges his life to him. Alliser, Denys Mallister, commander of the Shadow Tower and Jon are nominated as candidates to be new Lord Commander. Jon wins and becomes new Lord Commander.
In the Vale
Brienne and Podrick stop at an inn, where they meet Petyr and Sansa. Brienne asks Sansa to exit with her, but Sansa refuses. Petyr tries to capture Brienne, but she escapes with Podrick.
In Braavos
Terys takes Arya to the House of Black and White, the headquarters of the Faceless Men. The door-keeper tells Arya that she must become no one to join the Faceless Men.
In Dorne
Ellaria watches the loving couple Trystane Martell and Myrcella and asks Doran to take action for the murder of Oberyn, but he refuses.
In the Flatlands
Tyrion and Varys travel through the Flatlands on their way to Volantis.
In Meereen
Daario and Grey Worm capture a member of the Sons of the Harpy. Mossador, a freedman sitting on Daenerys' council kills the captive before the trial. Daenerys executes him publicly.
Production
Writing
This episode was written by executive producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and contains content from three of George R. R. Martin's novels, A Storm of Swords Jon XI and Jon XII, A Feast for Crows, Arya I, the Captain of the Guards, Cersei IV and partial Cersei II and A Dance with Dragons, chapter Tyrion II and partial Jon I.[4]
As in the previous episode, several scenes were written specifically for "The House of Black and White" and do not appear in the books. For example, Myles McNutt of The A.V. Club commented on the scene in which Brienne meets Sansa, who rejects her offer of help and protection, saying that it creates crisis regarding the character's purpose.[5]
Casting
With this episode, Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen H'ghar) and Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand) are promoted to series regulars. Wlaschiha returns after last appearing in the second season.[6] The episode has the introduction of new recurring cast members Alexander Siddig, who plays the Prince of Dorne: Doran Martell, DeObia Oparei, who plays his bodyguard Areo Hotah, and Toby Sebastian, who plays Doran's son Trystane Martell, while Nell Tiger Free replaces Aimee Richardson as the recurring character Myrcella Baratheon.
Reception
Ratings
"The House of Black and White" was watched by an estimated 6.81 million American viewers during its first airing, and received a 3.6 rating among adults 18-49.[7] In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 2.164 million viewers, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week. It also received 0.145 million timeshift viewers.[8]
Critical reviews
Reception to the episode was generally positive. Matt Fowler from IGN gave the episode a rating of 8.8/10 stating "The House of Black and White" was a notably bigger, better episode than the Season 5 premiere. It not only brought Arya and Bronn back into the mix and introduced Dorne... it contained huge moments for Brienne, Dany, and Jon."[9] The episode received a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 27 reviews with an average rating of 8.3 out of 10 and the consensus reading: "Building upon the season opener, 'The House of Black and White' increases the intensity by calling upon some major characters to make some tough decisions."[10]
References
- ^ Hibberd, James (July 15, 2014). "'Game of Thrones' season 5 directors chosen". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
- ^ "Shows A-Z - game of thrones on HBO". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
- ^ Goldman, David (April 12, 2015). "'Game of Thrones': First four episodes leaked before premiere". CNN. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ^ Garcia, Elio; Antonsson, Linda (April 20, 2015). "EP502: The House of Black and White". Westeros.org. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^ McNutt, Myles (April 19, 2014). "Game Of Thrones (experts): "House of Black and White"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ Robinson, Joanna (March 8, 2015). "A Season 2 Game of Thrones Favorite Will Make a Surprise Return This Year". Vanity Fair. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 21, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Tops Night + NBA Playoffs, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Naked and Afraid' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ "Top 10 Ratings (20-26 April 2015)". BARB. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
- ^ Fowler, Matt (April 19, 2015). "Game of Thrones: "The House of Black and White" Review". IGN. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^ "The House of Black and White - Game of Thrones: Season 5, Episode 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
External links
