In Polite Fight, we examine the cinematic storytelling of our favorite TV shows, sometimes even fighting over them—politely, of course.
We start this week’s discussion of “The Broken Man” by talking about the way Game Of Thrones handled the return of the Hound, but the real focus of Polite Fight this week is the show’s comedy, inspired in part by a comment from Rembrandt Q. Einstein,who compares the Frey siege at Riverrun to something out of Monty Python And The Holy Grail. John and Gus look at how Jaime and Bronn’s presence as observers helps guide our expectations for the scene, lowering the stakes and allowing us to sit back and enjoy the exchange. John points out that the scene with Lady Mormont uses the opposite strategy to get a laugh, constantly defying and reversing expectations. We also discuss key shots of Margaery and recall a key Cersei closeup from earlier in the season. Finally, Sam Mou offers an Arya observation that’s Polite Fight catnip.