'Game of Thrones' season two: 'What Is Dead May Never Die' review

"Power resides where men believe it resides. It's a trick, a shadow on the wall, and a very small man can cast a very large shadow." It was the line that featured in many of the season two trailers for Game of Thrones and tonight it all made sense as Tyrion remained top dog in the power brokering and backroom deals that control King's Landing and beyond.

And it wasn't just the sneaky goings on between Tyrion, Littlefinger and co at King's Landing that supported Varys's words of wisdom as many characters offered up surprising displays of strength

[King Renly]

Tyrion at King's Landing

Tyrion's scheming and plotting with Pycelle, Varys and Littlefinger was a cleverly shot scene, which managed to speed along what otherwise could have been quite a tedious plotline. Peter Dinklage remains the epitome of charisma when he's on screen, however, it does feel like his awards and critical praise may have caused him to get more screen time than he probably needs.

However, who are we to quibble when he's causing friction, weeding out traitor Pycelle and causing headaches for Cersei ("the Queen mustn't know"). There were brief glimmers of what trouble may lie ahead for the King's Hand this week though as he confessed that his lady Shae is his weakness. Will the moody sex-loving foreigner prove to be his downfall?

Shae's new relationship as the handmaiden for Sansa is an intriguing prospect; firstly, because Sophie Turner is one of the best actresses in the show; and secondly, because anyone who has to suffer at the hands of King Joffrey day-to-day could do with a saucy handmaiden by their side.

[Theon Greyjoy]

Theon's battles with his father

The return of Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) to the Iron Islands hasn't gone according to plan for the sex-hungry friend of the Starks. Confused by family loyalty and an unfortunate fumble with his sister last week, the last remaining son of Balon has realigned himself with his father and appears to be ready to join the Greyjoys in an attack against the North.

Theon's swaying loyalties have been gripping and are a credit to Allen, who viewers had little emotional connection with in season one. A lost boy in a dirty world of battling men, his burning of the letter to Robb Stark was one of the most significant moments of the season so far and it felt like a big moment in the character's progression from minor player on the sidelines to significant force in the various battles for the crown and control of Westeros.

Renly's bedroom problems
The most surprising shift of power this week came in King Renly's bedroom in the Stormlands. Not only did he annoy his wife's brother, who he is sleeping with (keep up at the back!), by awarding Brienne of Tarth (a woman of all things) a spot on his Kingsguard, but he's also in a spot of bother with his missus.

[Brienne of Tarth]

Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) knows that Renly would prefer to see some of her brother Loras's (Finn Jones) swordplay in the bedroom rather than a bit of hankie-pankie with her and even at one point suggests a threesome between them all. Well, we've had pretty much everything else in Game of Thrones so why not!

Margaery's plot to tie together the Baratheons and the Tyrells through a pregnancy suggests that she holds the real power in their relationship and that perhaps she's the one to be feared on the Stormlands rather than Renly.

Arya's quick-thinking
I may have complained a little about the lethargic pace of Arya Stark's story last week, but I take it all back now. Maisie Williams was finally given something to get her teeth into this week as we saw her relationships with Gendry and Yoren (which was sadly cut short) blossom.

Also, how significant will Arya's decision be to give an axe to Jaqen (Tom Wlaschiha) so that he could free himself? The lingering look between the pair suggested that it wasn't just a friendly gesture from the young Stark.

[Arya Strak]

Yoren's brave and spectacular death (how many spears and swords did he have inside him by the end?) was one of the best fights in the show's rich history of sword slashing, however, the blood-curdling killing of Lommy afterwards may have even topped it for grimace-inducing gore.

Those deaths alone would have usually been enough to leave us psyched for the next episode, but there was still room for a twist in the tale as the capture Arya showcased some quick-thinking, telling her captors that the boy they just killed - Lommy - was Gendry. Will her smart wit be enough to save her and Gendry?

Game of Thrones continues on Monday nights at 9pm on Sky Atlantic. It airs in the US on Sundays on HBO.

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