Game of Thrones Season 3 Episode 7: "The Bear and the Maiden Fair"

A talky midseason episode that has its ups and downs.  It felt busy, with some character's arcs' more interesting than others.  The best was definitely saved for last.

New relationships seemed to be the focus of this episode.  We start off with Robb Stark and his newlywed bride Talisa in a session lovemaking/war planning.  It's been a while since we've seen an intimate scene with these two characters, and we're reminded of why Robb ultimately chose marrying Talisa over doing what's best for the war.  He seems ecstatic when Talisa tells him that she is preggers, which is not surprising if all she does is lay around naked and distract him.  The ultimate metaphor for their marriage and the war.  Meanwhile, Tyrion and Sansa separately discuss their anxieties about getting married, and Joffrey summons Tywin in frustration of not being involved in his plans.

All the way in the North, Jon Snow and Ygritte ponder their relationship and what they're currently doing.  Jon gives Ygritte a history lesson, in which he tries to convince her that they will ultimately fail in their planned attack.  She responds by reiterating her love to him and then they proceed to kiss.  Ahh young love.

And finally, Jaime and Brienne.  In one of the most rousing and exciting sequences of the season, Jaime realizes Brienne is in trouble and rushes back to save her. From a bear pit!  He even jumps into the pit, unarmed, and wedges himself in front of her.  Their odd relationship is finally proven to each other like it was the end of some buddy comedy.  His character's finest moment so far in the series, and biggest indication that his journey with Brienne has changed him.

Overall, an uneven but forward moving episode with an exciting ending.

Observations:

-Weird to see the Wildlings not surrounded by snow.
-Ygritte points out that Jon Snow is a prettyboy.
-Even Margaery knows Tyrion is the best Lannister.
-Joffrey complains about climbing stairs to Tywin.
-Daenerys, "Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons"
-Shae is kinda annoying.
-Gendry learns he's Robert Baratheon's son, epic music plays.
-Arya is a badass, the only true god she believes in is "Death".
-The Theon torture show continues, disturbingly.
-Ygritte needs a dictionary to learn new words.
-"All girls see more blood than boys."
-Jon Snow and Ygritte basically said "Yolo!" and did it on that hill.