Game of Thrones: 'A Nest of Vipers' review: pick your poison

Ben Kuchera

"Be careful who you trust," Tyrion tells you during "A Nest of Vipers." This is a bland way for the penultimate episode of Telltale's Game of Thrones series to sum up what makes its world so interesting, with its betrayals and endless machinations. But it's still important to remember.

HBO's Game of Thrones tends to put the climax of each season in the second-to-last episode, and then have the final episode offer a surprise or two while all the characters deal with the aftermath. "A Nest of Vipers" has a different plan. This was very much an episode where pieces are moved to set up all the showdowns and confrontations likely on the way.

Plenty of people die in Episode Five, but very little is put to rest or resolved. Ramsay is still a cartoon monster, although even he realizes that this whole story revolves around wood.

The stakes are relatively low, and even Ramsay's cameos seem to be taking up too much of his own time. He lays down an ultimatum: The stronger house gets to control the ironwood. Strength is, of course, earned by violence. The Forresters and the Whitehills are on a path to war, and this episode deals with the ramp-up to open conflict.

Samit, I'd love to know: Did you find this episode as relatively calm as I did? So much of it dealt with the fallout of previous decisions, or leading up to larger events.

Ben: It's really hard to talk about this stuff without delving into spoiler territory, but there was a major setpiece that took place due to a decision I made in a previous episode that I assumed could be avoided, or a better outcome achieved with a different decision. But no, this happens regardless.

I will say this: Until we talked, I was perfectly content with the way the episode went. I just assumed everything played out a certain way due to my actions, and it's only with multiple playthroughs that you begin to see how locked in the game is to a certain story or way of doing things. I enjoyed "A Nest of Vipers," and it's kind of fun to see behind the curtain when you discuss your decisions with others. The problem with knowing how a magic trick is done, however, is that you diminish your experience.

Telltale's Game of Thrones has focused on the conversations and intrigue of this world, mostly forgoing the epic battles you sometimes get on the show. I'm not complaining at all; figuring out how to get ahead in this world using your wits is way more interesting than the quick-time events you find in the battle sequences. I felt uniquely terrible at deciding when to be honest versus trying to bend someone to my will in this episode. Character after character told me how disappointed they were in my ability to work in their, or even my own, best interest. There are so many angles to every conversation that it's hard to keep everything straight, and it turns out I'm not the best at political intrigue.