I finished reading A Game of Thrones last week and made good progress on A Clash of Kings, so I believe I have a better perspective on Game of Thrones than before. While reading, I wondered how the producers would incorporate certain parts of the book which had big roles for certain characters who weren't prominent in the show. David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, as always, dealt with it effectively, shifting the dialogue from one character to another, and it was perfectly fine. While the book provides far, far more backstory and information about Westeros, the show has condensed the major plot points and backstory into a crisp 10-episode season which stayed very faithful to the book.
As far as "Fire and Blood" goes, I already knew that not much happens after Ned's death, so I wasn't too disappointed about the lack of major plot developments. Interestingly, the episode dips a little into the second book in order to provide more content for certain characters. Largely, "Fire and Blood" was intended to show us the aftermath of Ned's execution at the end of last week's episode and provide us with an idea of where the next season is heading.
In a stirring scene, Robb is declared King of the North by Greatjon and everyone else follows in suit. After reading the chapter--the second to last in the book--I thought it would be a great way to end the season, but David Benioff and D. B. Weiss apparently thought differently. We get a good sense of where the plot is heading, both Robb and Catelyn very angry and ready for war.
At King's Landing, Joffrey is being Joffrey yet again and if it wasn't chilling already to see his callous disregard for others' well-being, we see him order Sansa to be slapped around. Because Sansa was intended to be an annoying character, the dumb, naive girl who wants to be princess, it was hard to like her before. But Sophie Turner really sold the scene, as Sansa is slapped into reality, faced with the cruel world stretching ahead of her.
For the first time, we get the sense that the Lannisters are not invincible. Their wealth and fighting prowess may have reputation, but the simple fact is that Robb has beaten them several times. And Tywin knows this and needs to keep things under control. He sends Tyrion to King's Landing to be King's Hand in his stead, declaring that Tyrion is his son. It may be a backhanded complement, seeing as Tywin hardly cared about Tyrion before, but he did put Tyrion in a place of power and acknowledge his son.
At the Wall, Jon runs off, prepared to join his brother in battle, before being surrounded by his other brothers, the ones he swore an oath with. They bring him back and no harm is done. The larger story is that Commander Mormont decides to move out beyond the Wall, to confront whatever may be beyond. There is plenty looming ahead, especially Jon's decision to honor his oath and going into the unknown.
The episode ends on quite a spectacular note--Daenerys rising from the ashes with three baby dragons crawling on her. It stands in stark contrast to his despair earlier in the episode brought upon by Drogo's vegetative state and the death of his baby. Now, after burning Drogo and the witch on the pyre, she is renewed, with a sense of hope and forward vision, and ready to take on any challenge.
Score: 9.0/10
