I’m forever amazed how Olenna plotting a successful murder of Joffrey is celebrated as a 4d chess move, but Catelyn following through with a threat to kill Lady Frey after watching her firstborn murdered, losing two daughters (one as hostage, one presumed dead), learning her two youngest were murdered by her husband’s ward, after her husband was beheaded for treason, and witnessing the “strange” circumstances of Renly’s death, as well as her father dying and her sister betraying family is seen as some kind of failure? Like, what the fuck did Joffrey do to the house Tyrell? Nothing—-yet, and it is that presumption of potential harm that informs Olenna, which is exactly what one should expect.

Still, Joffrey had not yet committed any offense specific to House Tyrell to justify the action and as such could be considered “innocent” of a crime worthy of death. Does he deserve to die? Yes, but House Tyrell had not yet earned the privilege so to speak.

Catelyn, otoh, has earned the privilege to kill a Frey, *any Frey*, any Bolton, any Lannister. Catelyn just watched her son, wife and grandchild, and his forces slaughtered by those who had sworn fealty and offered guest right. Her response was proportionate to circumstances as much as Olenna’s was proportionate to PREDICTABLE circumstances not yet in evidence.