Winter is coming to the realm, but there were already plenty of cold feet this week on "The Bear and the Maiden Fair."

Tyrion tried to elicit some empathy from Bronn, but he nor many other men I imagine would really sit brooding over having to marry Sansa Stark. Sansa, meanwhile, shared her own reservations about the wedding with Margaery.

Ideally, the biggest worry Sansa should have would be what dress to wear on her big day. Sadly, her mind was filled with the prospects of having to not only have relations with Tyrion, but also giving birth to his potentially large-headed children.

Elsewhere, Robb Stark was also having difficulty keeping his head clear, what with his naked queen posing as a most stunning distraction. 

How am I supposed to sit here planning a war, when you're over there looking like that? | permalink

Talisa has Robb wrapped around her little finger, something Catelyn Stark seemed very wary of. I think it is safe to assume that letter Talisa was writing in Valyrian was not for her mother. During that scene, I recalled her suspicious letter writing in Game of Thrones Season 2 as well. Any hope Catelyn may have about her son losing interest in the Volantis native will quickly go out the window when news of her pregnancy is made known.

My feelings of uneasiness were further stoked when just as Robb rolled back on top of his pregnant queen, a loud clap of thunder was heard when we cut away to another scene. I don't think it was a coincidence.

With all Melisandre's talk of king's blood and offspring, not to mention her fluency in High Valyrian, I wonder if she and Talisa might be involved in some way. While the armies of the seven kingdoms fight to see who should sit on the throne presently, Melisandre has seemed more concerned with shoring up who will be around to take control of it years from now. 

There is so much talk of who the one true king should be, but from a numbers standpoint - and if plain intimidation is worth anything - Dany has got to be the frontrunner to sit on the high seat some day. I loved how Missandei has added "Breaker of Chains" to go along with "Mother of Dragons" when introducing Khaleesi. Pretty soon she'll have more nicknames than Apollo Creed. She is learning how to be a queen on the fly, but doing so admirably and with some serious savvy. That's her gold, people.

We caught up with Bran and company again this week, who are sort of the show's version of The Island of Misfit Toys. Although who wouldn't want a Hodor for Christmas?

I found it interesting when Bran hinted at how perhaps his place in life is actually north of the wall, despite Osha's story about her man being turned by the White Walkers. 

Meanwhile, Jamie set off to return to his rightful place at his father's side. He has been acting less and less like a Lannister ever since he lost his hand and his heading back to rescue Brienne was the most epic example of such. Earlier in the episode he asked what good an arm is without a hand? His lost hand was his sword hand. His feats with which were very much his identity. When push came to shove, though, what he usually threw around to protect himself was his father's name and money. For the first time Jamie was a real man of action, without a sword or pecuniary promises. 

Arya also went with her gut and fled from the Brotherhood. Unfortunately, she ended up in the clutches of The Hound. Even he is smart enough to not kill her as she is a great bargaining chip, however. I foresee Arya paying some tribute to her one true god very soon and doing so in blood. 

One of my favorite moments of the episode had to be Ygritte's adorable naivete, as she marveled at what was just a simple windmill. 

Ygritte: Is that a palace?
Jon Snow: It's a windmill.
Ygritte: Windmill... | permalink

The truth about her man Jon Snow is weighing on her, which is why perhaps she never missed a moment to embrace him. They are the best couple on the show, but their love is in a precarious spot at this point.

Of course, no one is in a rougher place than Theon. Paul Sheldon from Misery had is easy compared to this poor guy. What a cold blooded trick Ramsay played on him, what with the whole T&A tease. "You want a lick? Psych!"  It didn't look like Theon was going to be feeling those blue balls for long did it? 

Relationships certainly took center stage this week. Those like Tyrion and Sansa's, while arranged, might be the most honest of all as there seemed to be many a subversive plot brewing. What did you think?