Was that Mark Gatiss (Mycroft Holmes) as the Iron Banker?

Yep.

I'd know that voice anywhere.

It was interesting that they chose to keep the three storylines self-contained rather than cutting back and forth between the three monarchs.

Stannis Baratheon's loan application

LOVE

Good one.

So, that was a completely Stark-less episode. First one, I think.

I hope Tywin or someone threatened Shae. That was cold.

Given that she's in KL at all, I think it's safe to assume that her safety is...severly limited and contingent on her compliance.

I do like Oberon. His conversation with Varys was very interesting.

From both Oberyn and Varys's ends. Oberyn is made of 100% sass and unimpressed by everyone, which I kind of love. Varys's look to the Throne was interesting, not least because, despite having fingers in as many pies as Littlefinger (Of course his little birds can get into Mereen. Be serious, Tywin, they're already there), but he doesn't seem to have any identifiable angle.

Oh, and Theon! God, that was so painful, and nerve-wracking. Rmasey is insane.

Yeah. I did have the thought that Theon should not been making eye contact with Ramsay, which he kept doing.

Angry Tyrion is pretty fucking hard core.

As someone on FB said, "Can we please give Peter Dinklage his Emmy now?"

Was that Mark Gatiss (Mycroft Holmes) as the Iron Banker?

I offered my traditional greeting of "Hi, Mark!" (the same one I used when he showed up on...Being Human, I think?). He seems to have found a niche with menacing powerful bureaucrats.

And can I just say that I loved the set design on that scene, as well as that names were not given for any of the Bankers. It's not about individuals, it's about the power of the institution.

A couple of weeks ago, my brother was making Davos's point about the lack of seasoned leaders floating around Westeros. Also (Big fucking spoiler): Davos's speech about "what happens when Tywin is gone" was another of those "DUDE! SPOILERS!" moments I've been having a lot this season.

It was interesting that they chose to keep the three storylines self-contained rather than cutting back and forth between the three monarchs.

(Three plus Theon) I liked it. There weren't really any parallels between the plotlines to be emphasized by cross-cutting, so let each do their thing. It also made it easier to follow. I suppose you could make an argument for doing a cut from Dany having audience exhaustion to Tywin, which, taken with Davos's speech about how he is the one holding shit together, could bring out a theme about "ruling," but I don't think this is the ep to do it. This one, like it says on the tin, is more about laws, rules, and justice.

Interesting choice of casting on the Mereenese nobleman, using an actor of color (which I found to be worth noting since there are weird and uncomfortable racial dynamics going on in Dany's storylines). I thought he did a nice job in that scene. What do you bet a lot of burt goat skeletons start showing up now?

I like that Jaime got actual actions to take, even if they ultimately went nowhere. He had a spine for a bit there, and then got played, like always (props to the writers and Charles Dance for the inclusion and delivery of "a suitable wife" and "named Lannister"). As contrasted with Margaery and Loras, who had to do all their acting in reaction shots (one of which, at least, seemed rather incomprehensible). Cersei, as well, I suppose, but the whole thing was her play.

one of which, at least, seemed rather incomprehensible

What was that?

(props to the writers and Charles Dance for the inclusion and delivery of "a suitable wife" and "named Lannister")

Loved that bit. Oh Jaime/Cersei, your secret love is so very very non-secret.

The other thing this ep did really well was showing (without telling!) how much power and influence Cersei still has, and that despite recent appearances, she's not entirely stupid.

Remember that Shae has begged Tyrion numerous times to get away from Westeros, so there may be an element of cutting her losses, no matter how much she loved him.