7. The Crown and The Faith
Unquestionably one of the greatest additions to the huge character vault in recent times is The High Sparrow. He’s the most charming, grandfatherly, insightful and brilliant religious zealot fruit-loop madman to ever grace our screens.
The shifting dynamic between The Crown and The Faith in King’s Landing has been riveting; constantly altering the political landscape, shifting the sense of power in the progress. The few outweigh the many. The poor outweigh the wealthy. The people outweigh the rulers.
With both his wife – Queen Margaery Tyrell – and mother – Cersei Lannister – each facing a gruelling trial at the hands of the Seven Gods, the time has arrived for young King Tommen Baratheon to take charge; to take ownership of his city and Realm.
Ahead of Margaery’s Walk of Atonement *simulates “Shame” bell ringing*, which she agrees to partake in after The High Sparrow’s lyrical tales of Gods and Men seem to have worked their impressionable wonder, the King himself has become entranced by the Faith Militant’s commander and sends huge ripples through the Seven Kingdoms accordingly.
The crowds gather. Ser Jaime Lannister, Mace Tyrell and Lady Olenna Tyrell arrive too, watching on eagerly as they prepare for the Walk, but it doesn’t arrive. Tommen appears alongside The High Sparrow and his Faith Militant, proclaiming that the Crown and the Faith have joined forces. He supports their rule and place in King’s Landing, and plans for the two parties to work in unity for the best interest of the people.
Jaime looks on in bewildered aggression, Mace Tyrell in utter confusion, and as for Lady Olenna, well, she summarises the situation perfectly: they really have been beaten badly.
