• As always with any of my Telltale Game reviews, I will attempt to keep spoilers to a minimum, but there still maybe some spoilers ahead, especially when talking about episode one.  So with that in mind, you have been warned.

We’re almost at the conclusion to Telltale Games Game of Thrones with the penultimate episode “A Nest of Vipers”.  Every key moment and choice has led to this point and while this episode in my opinion didn’t quite grab the tension from episode 4, its certainly more action packed and the first season is setting itself up for an explosive finale, and it’s not going to end well for some members of House Forrester.

While Mira in Kings Landing has found herself an unexpected ally, one that she surely cannot trust, but she has little choice if she wants to help her family by allowing them to maintain distribution of Ironwood, thus funding an army to help ensure their survival in the war that rages with the Whitehills.  It’s an interesting episode for Mira as we’ve seen her attitude change throughout the season and she is developing the fine art of manipulation and she must put her newly found skills to the test.  However in a place such as Kings Landing, it’s a practically impossible task to guess how events will play out, the likelihood is that it won’t be in your (or her) favour.

For Gerald Tuttle and his pursuit to reach the North Grove, he has encountered a foe that many of us have been wait for during this entire season, but I won’t reveal just who that will be.  As we know, Gerald broke his vows and fled the Nights Watch, though he did have more than one good reason.  It appeared that he found two friends to embark on his quest to aid his family, though Cotter had been keeping secrets which led to them finding his sister Sylvi and even though her primal Wildling instincts kicked in against the Crows, she appears to form an unexpected bond with Gerald.  It will be interesting to see how their friendship bonds in the finale, but given how untrustworthy/unreliable both Cotter and Finn have proven to be, Sylvi is going to play a big part in Gerald’s quest, though I believe we’ll see more of that in season two.

Obviously the key events so far have been centred on House Forrester and that still seems to be the case as we lead into the new season.  The House have been thrown some dreadful cards to deal with and at the centre of that has been the sinister Ramsey Snow and while he only features during a short segment, he leaves a lasting impression and throws a big spanner into the works for Rodrick to deal with.  Rodrick has been at the brunt of all the troubles of his house and while he’s had his moments to take charge, he’s been in some demeaning predicaments for the good of his house.

Some such as his mother (Elissa) understands some of the choices he has made in front of his family and people, showing a lack of strength some might say.  But if anything Rodrick has shown nothing but strength, but with the death of his brother Ethan in the first episode, it’s all becoming too much to take for his younger sister Talia (and twin of Ethan).  However unrest has been caused among not only his younger sibling, but has resulted in betrayal within the ranks by someone close to the family of House Forrester.  With the season coming to a head, Rodrick needs to make a big impact for the long term future of his house and family, and time is of short supply.

Lastly we have Asher, banished by his family; he has been working in the background in Essos with his close friend Beskha.  During the previous episodes Elissa’s brother Malcolm was sent to Essos to bring Asher home, hopefully with an army to aid the house.  This led to a rescue mission to liberate the slaves by the order of Daenerys; in return she will gift Asher with soldiers from the Second Sons.  However plans do not go as hoped, but in the end Asher and Beskha pull through their end of the bargain, but Daenerys does not quite live up to hers.  Which results in Asher relying his trust on savage fighters to aid House Forrester, but when going up against the likes of Ramsey Snow and the Whitehills, pitting savages against savages might just be the saviour that the House needs.

To wrap up episode five, while it’s somewhat of a calmer episode, the phrase “calm before the storm” could not be more fitting.  Of course what happens in certain key events is down the choices that you make, but regardless, it’s fair to say that episode 5 “The Ice Dragon” is going to become a shit storm that lasts beyond season one.  On one hand I can’t wait for the finale and I have no doubts that my jaw will be dropped, but then on the other hand, I fear for some of my favourite characters.  But in the world of Game of Thrones, would we want it any other way?

• Episode One: Iron From Ice Review
• Episode Two: The Lost Lords Review
• Episode Three: The Sword in the Darkness Review
• Episode Four: Sons of Winter Review

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