‘Game of Thrones’ season 3, episode 8 preview: Emilia Clarke’s next move

Next week’s “Game of Thrones” episode clearly does not have a title (in “Second Sons”) that is anywhere near as exciting as “The Bear and the Maiden Fair,” but what it does possess is worth getting excited about still: The arrival of an important character from the George R.R. Martin books, an important step forward for Emilia Clarke’s Danaerys, and what happens when Tyrion tries to understand what comes next in his present situation.

Let us start first of all with the news that the weakest storyline of the season, the random adventures of mopey Stannis Baratheon, are due for a return in this coming week. Meanwhile, the rest will be standard operating procedure when it comes to the series: Key movement forward in an effort to push things towards the stunning final two episodes of the year. These are the ones that will truly have people talking, though this one could serve as an important step in the right direction.

For now, we leave you with a few simple observations:

1. Doesn’t Dany in the opening scenes look like she’s wearing an outfit popularized by Carrie on “Homeland” season 1?

2. Melisandre’s into some very strange stuff with quite a variety of people, no?

3. The way Stannis acted earlier this season, we are no longer afraid of anything that the man says.

4. Sam is about to become incredibly awesome in the way that most underdogs do.

5. You won’t like Joffrey when he’s angry … though we have a feeling that you probably just don’t like him at all.

Do you feel the need for something a tad more shocking after a pair of slow-moving “Game of Thrones” episodes? Do not fret! It, like winter, is coming. For now, just read our review again for Sunday’s episode, and start speculating for the exciting road ahead.

Photo: HBO