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
Showing posts with label Game of Thrones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Game of Thrones. Show all posts
Monday, June 20, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 9 Baelor
That was fucking awesome. Despite being spoiled by my brother over a month ago (not that I mind), the final scene held me in rapt attention. Masterfully directed by veteran Alan Taylor, it truly captured the cruel world of Game of Thrones, as Ned is sentenced to death by Joffrey. I knew that would happen, but the scope and enormity of the situation was magnified, each beat getting one step closer to death--Arya finding out about the execution, climbing up on the statue, Ned seeing her, Ned confessing, and finally, Ned, unable to see Arya, bowing his head in defeat. Just like that, someone who seemed to be the main character is dead.
But that wasn't the only shocking thing about the episode. Unlike other shows which would have built an entire episode surrounding the death, if they were to even broach the subject, Game of Thrones rolls right on ahead. Even without the death, it would have been a fantastic episode. In a turn of events, Robb is able to trick the Lannisters, dangling out 2,000 men to lure Tywin while capturing Jaime with the remaining 18,000. It's a nice twist, considering how Jaime seemed near-invincible in previous descriptions, and it greatly enhanced the shock factor of the end. After Jaime is captured, there is a sense that all will be well. Trade Jaime for Ned and the girls, maybe declare peace, and that's that. Instead, Ned is dead and Robb will surely be pissed and quick to make a rash decision.
At the Wall, Robb talks to Master Aemon, who is revealed to be a Targaryen. Beyond this new piece of information, Aemon has an important message which reflects not only on the immediate situation of the war and Ned's capture, but on Westeros in general. There is duty and there is love, and when the Targaryens were slaughtered, Aemon stuck to duty. That's why those on the Wall cannot have outside relationships. While Robb says that Ned will choose honor, he picks love--I suppose he wanted to live as well--and pays the dear consequence.
We don't get to see any battles, but a considerable amount of time is paid to Tyrion, Bronn, and the prostitute Shae the night before. They talk and we learn quite a bit about Tyrion and how his father was a real monster to him. Before the battle even begins, Tyrion is knocked out and wakes up to find the tribes killing those still remaining, a funny scene among the grimness.
Across the sea, Drogo's wound continues to fester and he is on the verge of death. As Jorah tells Daenerys, Dothraki don't care about blood and will fight for leadership, including killing her baby. With this in mind, Daenerys asserts her power and gets the 'witch' to perform blood magic on Drogo--which involves lots of horse blood and an awful screeching sound. There is some dissent, but after Jorah successfully defends her (armor FTW!), everyone falls in line before Daenerys begins to give birth.
I was dealing with computer problems for the latter half of this week, so I wasn't able to read the book again, but hopefully I'll finish before the season finale.
What's great about HBO is that they have big budgets and are able to get a big set with tons of people yelling and screaming at Ned. You can't help but think that maybe they deserve what they'll get from Joffrey.
Score: 9.7/10
But that wasn't the only shocking thing about the episode. Unlike other shows which would have built an entire episode surrounding the death, if they were to even broach the subject, Game of Thrones rolls right on ahead. Even without the death, it would have been a fantastic episode. In a turn of events, Robb is able to trick the Lannisters, dangling out 2,000 men to lure Tywin while capturing Jaime with the remaining 18,000. It's a nice twist, considering how Jaime seemed near-invincible in previous descriptions, and it greatly enhanced the shock factor of the end. After Jaime is captured, there is a sense that all will be well. Trade Jaime for Ned and the girls, maybe declare peace, and that's that. Instead, Ned is dead and Robb will surely be pissed and quick to make a rash decision.
At the Wall, Robb talks to Master Aemon, who is revealed to be a Targaryen. Beyond this new piece of information, Aemon has an important message which reflects not only on the immediate situation of the war and Ned's capture, but on Westeros in general. There is duty and there is love, and when the Targaryens were slaughtered, Aemon stuck to duty. That's why those on the Wall cannot have outside relationships. While Robb says that Ned will choose honor, he picks love--I suppose he wanted to live as well--and pays the dear consequence.
We don't get to see any battles, but a considerable amount of time is paid to Tyrion, Bronn, and the prostitute Shae the night before. They talk and we learn quite a bit about Tyrion and how his father was a real monster to him. Before the battle even begins, Tyrion is knocked out and wakes up to find the tribes killing those still remaining, a funny scene among the grimness.
Across the sea, Drogo's wound continues to fester and he is on the verge of death. As Jorah tells Daenerys, Dothraki don't care about blood and will fight for leadership, including killing her baby. With this in mind, Daenerys asserts her power and gets the 'witch' to perform blood magic on Drogo--which involves lots of horse blood and an awful screeching sound. There is some dissent, but after Jorah successfully defends her (armor FTW!), everyone falls in line before Daenerys begins to give birth.
I was dealing with computer problems for the latter half of this week, so I wasn't able to read the book again, but hopefully I'll finish before the season finale.
What's great about HBO is that they have big budgets and are able to get a big set with tons of people yelling and screaming at Ned. You can't help but think that maybe they deserve what they'll get from Joffrey.
Score: 9.7/10
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 8 The Pointy End
With two episode left in the season after this, "The Pointy End" handles the run-up to war in splendid fashion, maintaining momentum and setting the stage for the next episode. Written by George R.R. Martin, the episode shows us what every party is doing, and in some respect is more hurried than the previous episodes. Yet we still get full immersion into the world, learning backstory along the way and getting character development.
At King's Landing, all is lost for the Starks. Ned is thrown in the dungeon, left to listen to Varys and his inaction. Arya manages to escape, although Syrio stays behind and likely dies, and Arya accidentally stabs a boy outside, marking her first kill. Like Jon said, stick them with the pointy end. Sansa, meanwhile, is perhaps left in the most difficult situation. Unlike Arya, who can only run, and Ned, who can only sit, she has options. She may not be the smartest person, but even Sansa knows trouble when it's there. She does her best to appease the Lannisters, telling them what they want to hear and writing a letter to her family members. That is, of course, what they wanted from her in the first place. But they also want something else, Ned to acknowledge their rule, placing further pressure on Sansa who has to get Ned to admit his fault. For a girl who only wanted to wear frilly clothing and be a princess, all of this is a tall order.
Elsewhere, war has practically begun. Jaime is already on the move and laying seige to Riverrun, where Catelyn is from. Tywin is as ready as ever, and is perfectly fine accommodating the demands of the people who nabbed Tyrion. Catelyn meets up with Robb who, urged by Greyjoy, is awfully eager for war. He even sends a spy back to Tywin to antagonize him. Robb seems a tad bit presumptuous, given his age, but he also needs confidence and has plenty of that.
The episode spends some time on Daenerys and her apprehension over Dothraki practices. Having been in a similar position to the conquered women a while ago, she wants to save them. Luckily, Drogo is quite enthralled with her and fights for her, ripping out an offender's tongue. While the plot doesn't exactly move the Dothraki any closer to Westeros (though they are gathering resources for ships), it poses a question as to the culture of the Dothraki. Clearly Daenerys wants them to stop certain practices against women, and that will be a huge problem when they enter Westeros. These practices are entrenched in their culture and more Dothraki will not like these changes.
Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to read the book, but I'm about halfway done. I may finish before next week's episode, so I'll probably have more to say with regard to the book.
Score: 9.4/10
At King's Landing, all is lost for the Starks. Ned is thrown in the dungeon, left to listen to Varys and his inaction. Arya manages to escape, although Syrio stays behind and likely dies, and Arya accidentally stabs a boy outside, marking her first kill. Like Jon said, stick them with the pointy end. Sansa, meanwhile, is perhaps left in the most difficult situation. Unlike Arya, who can only run, and Ned, who can only sit, she has options. She may not be the smartest person, but even Sansa knows trouble when it's there. She does her best to appease the Lannisters, telling them what they want to hear and writing a letter to her family members. That is, of course, what they wanted from her in the first place. But they also want something else, Ned to acknowledge their rule, placing further pressure on Sansa who has to get Ned to admit his fault. For a girl who only wanted to wear frilly clothing and be a princess, all of this is a tall order.
Elsewhere, war has practically begun. Jaime is already on the move and laying seige to Riverrun, where Catelyn is from. Tywin is as ready as ever, and is perfectly fine accommodating the demands of the people who nabbed Tyrion. Catelyn meets up with Robb who, urged by Greyjoy, is awfully eager for war. He even sends a spy back to Tywin to antagonize him. Robb seems a tad bit presumptuous, given his age, but he also needs confidence and has plenty of that.
The episode spends some time on Daenerys and her apprehension over Dothraki practices. Having been in a similar position to the conquered women a while ago, she wants to save them. Luckily, Drogo is quite enthralled with her and fights for her, ripping out an offender's tongue. While the plot doesn't exactly move the Dothraki any closer to Westeros (though they are gathering resources for ships), it poses a question as to the culture of the Dothraki. Clearly Daenerys wants them to stop certain practices against women, and that will be a huge problem when they enter Westeros. These practices are entrenched in their culture and more Dothraki will not like these changes.
Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to read the book, but I'm about halfway done. I may finish before next week's episode, so I'll probably have more to say with regard to the book.
Score: 9.4/10
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 7 You Win or You Die
I've started reading A Game of Thrones and while I'm not very far into the book (just past where the first episode ended), this new perspective has given me greater appreciation for what David Benioff and D. B. Weiss had to do. One part of the show that I like is how background information is distributed, doled out over the course of the episodes in the middle of conversation. In the book, however, much of this information is front-loaded, as one would expect, in the opening chapters. In fact there were two pieces of new information in "You Win or You Die" that immediately caught my attention as something I had just read. For the writers to integrate background information into the show without compromising plot integrity or pacing is quite a feat, especially considering how well it all turned out.
As far as how much the show stuck to the book, everything is pretty much the same except for some nonessential scenes. The biggest difference, perhaps, was that one character seemed a lot bitchier in the book than on the show, with far more pointed dialogue than on the show.
I haven't read up to "You Win or You Die" yet, so everything in the episode came as a surprise. It's the episode where things changed due to necessity. Robert unexpected dies in the episode, and the whole thing is played off as a foregone conclusion. I suppose to have a game about a throne, the throne must be vacated first. This sets off a chain of events in which Ned fails to see what is really going on. In the final scene, Ned has Robert's final words spoken aloud, affirming that Ned will be in control until Joffrey is of age. But Cersei, of course, has different ideas and tears up the paper. The final twist brings things even further, Littlefinger putting a knife to Ned's throat.
If this internal strife wasn't enough, Daenerys is almost assassinated and is narrowly saved by Mormont. The result is Khal Drogo venging to do all these things to Westeros. Jason Momoa is damn scary in the scene.
Tywin skinning the stag had lots of significance, as I learned from the book that the animal is the Baratheon symbol. Keeping in line with the ominous foreshadowing, the opening scene is wrought with implications for Jaime.
Score: 9.0/10
As far as how much the show stuck to the book, everything is pretty much the same except for some nonessential scenes. The biggest difference, perhaps, was that one character seemed a lot bitchier in the book than on the show, with far more pointed dialogue than on the show.
I haven't read up to "You Win or You Die" yet, so everything in the episode came as a surprise. It's the episode where things changed due to necessity. Robert unexpected dies in the episode, and the whole thing is played off as a foregone conclusion. I suppose to have a game about a throne, the throne must be vacated first. This sets off a chain of events in which Ned fails to see what is really going on. In the final scene, Ned has Robert's final words spoken aloud, affirming that Ned will be in control until Joffrey is of age. But Cersei, of course, has different ideas and tears up the paper. The final twist brings things even further, Littlefinger putting a knife to Ned's throat.
If this internal strife wasn't enough, Daenerys is almost assassinated and is narrowly saved by Mormont. The result is Khal Drogo venging to do all these things to Westeros. Jason Momoa is damn scary in the scene.
Tywin skinning the stag had lots of significance, as I learned from the book that the animal is the Baratheon symbol. Keeping in line with the ominous foreshadowing, the opening scene is wrought with implications for Jaime.
Score: 9.0/10
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 6 A Golden Crown
In the Game of Thrones world, winners are those who ignore convention and play dirty. Positions, inheritances, and rules of honor no longer matter when there is something gain and with a lot going on already it is easy to get away with practically anything. The title, "A Golden Crown," refers to the final fate of Viserys. He was brought up to believe he would rule a vast kingdom and has a sense of entitlement. This would the right way of thinking if his father were still in power, but Viserys, too, is crazed to a degree. And Khal Drogo? He doesn't care one bit about this scrawny kid and gives him the crown he wants--in burning, liquid form.
"A Golden Crown" doesn't advance the plot as much as last week's episode did, but it did not stagnate. The show is still climbing to a climax, and the pieces are still being shifted around before everything breaks loose. One of the reasons why the episode did not advance as much as last week's was the fact that it focused on several plots instead of just Ned at King's Landing.Tyrion is freed when Bronn, fighting as dirty as possible, wins Tyrion's freedom. We see the the mechanisms of protection work when Robb saves Bran from some criminals, but the perpetrators, grimy and in rags, stand in stark contrast to the high-brow criminals who roam King's Landing. It's easy to kill some miscreants when they are identifiable and expendable compared to the covert killings ordered by someone rich.
After getting his leg punctured last week, Ned sticks around and tends to the king's duty while Robert is off being irresponsible again. Ned discovers that all the Baratheons had black hair--except Joffrey who is blond. Are we to assume Joffrey is Jaimie and Cersei's son?
I think it's interesting that all the young boys--heirs to the thrones--are all damaged or somehow incomplete. Bran can't use his legs, Joffrey is a douche and possibly a product of incest, and Robin is batshit crazy. There are a couple reasons, in my mind, why this is. They are reflections on the current kings and lords in that the boys who seem inadequate as ever do indeed grow up to take positions of huge power. Another possibility is that the lineage of these families are so weak that the elders are forced to fight and deceive even more.
Score: 9.1/10
"A Golden Crown" doesn't advance the plot as much as last week's episode did, but it did not stagnate. The show is still climbing to a climax, and the pieces are still being shifted around before everything breaks loose. One of the reasons why the episode did not advance as much as last week's was the fact that it focused on several plots instead of just Ned at King's Landing.Tyrion is freed when Bronn, fighting as dirty as possible, wins Tyrion's freedom. We see the the mechanisms of protection work when Robb saves Bran from some criminals, but the perpetrators, grimy and in rags, stand in stark contrast to the high-brow criminals who roam King's Landing. It's easy to kill some miscreants when they are identifiable and expendable compared to the covert killings ordered by someone rich.
After getting his leg punctured last week, Ned sticks around and tends to the king's duty while Robert is off being irresponsible again. Ned discovers that all the Baratheons had black hair--except Joffrey who is blond. Are we to assume Joffrey is Jaimie and Cersei's son?
I think it's interesting that all the young boys--heirs to the thrones--are all damaged or somehow incomplete. Bran can't use his legs, Joffrey is a douche and possibly a product of incest, and Robin is batshit crazy. There are a couple reasons, in my mind, why this is. They are reflections on the current kings and lords in that the boys who seem inadequate as ever do indeed grow up to take positions of huge power. Another possibility is that the lineage of these families are so weak that the elders are forced to fight and deceive even more.
Score: 9.1/10
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 5 The Wolf and the Lion
Exactly halfway through the season, Game of Thrones hit a boiling point and now everything seems right on the cusp of breaking loose. Like the other episodes, "The Wolf and the Lion" spends plenty of time exploring the world with great expository dialogue. We learn of some more people who may want the throne and there is open talk of the conspiracy. But what caps the episode is straight and direct, Jaime making his move.
From Ned's perspective, there is practically no good option. Does he just go along with Robert's decision to kill Daenerys who has an unborn child or argue and risk losing his position or even his life? Further tying his hands is the fact that his wife went ahead and capture Tyrion, which results in Jaime confront him. This, of course, ends badly and shockingly, as a spear goes right through Ned's leg.
Catelyn's fateful decision to take Tyrion as a prisoner leads the viewers on an odd journey to the Eyrie, where her slightly crazed (she seemed batshit crazy, actually, breastfeeding her grown child and talking wildly, but I don't want to count her out yet) sister Lysa Arryn lives. The prison is great as one side of the walls is missing with a steep drop-off for the prisoner to look over (or, I assume, to jump off as well).
Cersei's conversation with Robert was wonderfully done. There has always been distance between the two even though they are supposed to be married, and the dialogue crystallizes that. Cersei asks direct questions and Robert answer that he could never love her as he loved his first wife. With years of this going on, Cersei is put in a certain context, one that may be more forgivable to her actions than before.
Score: 9.4/10
From Ned's perspective, there is practically no good option. Does he just go along with Robert's decision to kill Daenerys who has an unborn child or argue and risk losing his position or even his life? Further tying his hands is the fact that his wife went ahead and capture Tyrion, which results in Jaime confront him. This, of course, ends badly and shockingly, as a spear goes right through Ned's leg.
Catelyn's fateful decision to take Tyrion as a prisoner leads the viewers on an odd journey to the Eyrie, where her slightly crazed (she seemed batshit crazy, actually, breastfeeding her grown child and talking wildly, but I don't want to count her out yet) sister Lysa Arryn lives. The prison is great as one side of the walls is missing with a steep drop-off for the prisoner to look over (or, I assume, to jump off as well).
Cersei's conversation with Robert was wonderfully done. There has always been distance between the two even though they are supposed to be married, and the dialogue crystallizes that. Cersei asks direct questions and Robert answer that he could never love her as he loved his first wife. With years of this going on, Cersei is put in a certain context, one that may be more forgivable to her actions than before.
Score: 9.4/10
Monday, May 9, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 4 Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things
In every serialized show there is bound to be a filler episode once in a while, lacking in significant plot development. Now, there are only four episodes of Game of Thrones, so there is only a small distinction between filler and non-filler. But I think it's safe to say that "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things" is filler in the sense that a whole lot of the episode is spent with expositional dialogue.
Without getting into details (huge time constraint this week), several characters talk about their past. This works, for the most part, because the events they describe sound interesting and we can see a direct reflection of past events on the present. Put in proper context, the dialogue adds a lot to the show so we can better understand the world.
Score: 8.9/10
Without getting into details (huge time constraint this week), several characters talk about their past. This works, for the most part, because the events they describe sound interesting and we can see a direct reflection of past events on the present. Put in proper context, the dialogue adds a lot to the show so we can better understand the world.
Score: 8.9/10
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 3 Lord Snow
"Lord Snow" has very little explicit plot development and there is no rising tension through the episode. Instead, the episode throws us into the history of Westeros, through personal anecdotes, and instills a sense of foreboding. While most people don't seem to care too much, the 'winter is coming' calls are growing stronger and stronger, with all the old people saying that the winter will be long and that bad things will happen. To them, the warning signs are clear enough, but nobody seems to be in an urgent hurry to do anything.
Indeed, Game of Thrones showed that it doesn't need a fantastical story every episode, but that it can fill in some of the blanks that were set up in previous episodes. Character development is not sacrificed, as we see Daenerys continue to grow into her role and Jon Snow trying to fit in, nor is the episode light on brevity. as certain characters are fine having a laugh here and there.
The final scene, Arya taught to use a sword, does not end on a cliffhanger, but caps an episode in which we learn about all the killing that has gone on. As Ned watches she young daughter use a sword, we hear the clash of metal in the background--a reminder of the past and future filled with conflict, and that preparation must start as soon as possible.
Score: 9.0/10
Indeed, Game of Thrones showed that it doesn't need a fantastical story every episode, but that it can fill in some of the blanks that were set up in previous episodes. Character development is not sacrificed, as we see Daenerys continue to grow into her role and Jon Snow trying to fit in, nor is the episode light on brevity. as certain characters are fine having a laugh here and there.
The final scene, Arya taught to use a sword, does not end on a cliffhanger, but caps an episode in which we learn about all the killing that has gone on. As Ned watches she young daughter use a sword, we hear the clash of metal in the background--a reminder of the past and future filled with conflict, and that preparation must start as soon as possible.
Score: 9.0/10
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 2 The Kingsroad
After the pilot introduced all the characters, "The Kingsroad" sets out to show what kind of world they inhabit, and even if there isn't a lot going on plot-wise other than shuffling the pieces around, the immersion into the culture serves to enhance the drama and keep us on our toes.
The main theme of the episode is the stark divide in classes. Royalty is allowed to do pretty much anything to whoever they want and the ordinary people have take whatever is coming to them. On top of that, Robert and the Lannisters are able to do whatever they want to the Starks because they are a step above. This causes a lot of tension between the houses even before Arya lands in hot water. Catelyn is already expressing her doubts and fears, while Ned is somewhat reluctant to go along with Robert.
Of course, the last part of the episode is clear representation of this, as Joffrey is able to be a prick and still impose on the Starks. Whether he's like this as a result of upbringing or that's his nature is another question. Seeing his father order people around and knowing he is the heir must have a boon to self-esteem, possibly into arrogance.
There's nothing major lost resulting from Robert's imposition except for a Sansa's direwolf (I suppose some would consider that major, but at least no important person was killed) and the money spent, but it sets up general unease among everyone. Coupled with the White Walkers we saw at the beginning of the pilot and talk of further unrest if the Targaryens and Dothraki combine, the current equilibrium is hanging on a fine line and could break at any moment.
Score: 8.8/10
The main theme of the episode is the stark divide in classes. Royalty is allowed to do pretty much anything to whoever they want and the ordinary people have take whatever is coming to them. On top of that, Robert and the Lannisters are able to do whatever they want to the Starks because they are a step above. This causes a lot of tension between the houses even before Arya lands in hot water. Catelyn is already expressing her doubts and fears, while Ned is somewhat reluctant to go along with Robert.
Of course, the last part of the episode is clear representation of this, as Joffrey is able to be a prick and still impose on the Starks. Whether he's like this as a result of upbringing or that's his nature is another question. Seeing his father order people around and knowing he is the heir must have a boon to self-esteem, possibly into arrogance.
There's nothing major lost resulting from Robert's imposition except for a Sansa's direwolf (I suppose some would consider that major, but at least no important person was killed) and the money spent, but it sets up general unease among everyone. Coupled with the White Walkers we saw at the beginning of the pilot and talk of further unrest if the Targaryens and Dothraki combine, the current equilibrium is hanging on a fine line and could break at any moment.
Score: 8.8/10
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Review - Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 1 Winter Is Coming
Because of time constraints (except late reviews for Monday's shows) and a serious lack of sleep, I won't spend too much time with the premiere of Game of Thrones, but there isn't much to say yet anyway. This is an introductory episode, after all.
From the first episode alone, the mythology is deep and there are a lot of characters to keep track of. So far, we know that there was a war to win the throne and the son of the loser is preparing to take over by using his sister to gain an army. There is quite a bit of sexual politics and just sex itself, resulting in the episode's cliffhanger, Bran taking a big fall. Meanwhile, there is a Wall to the north, protecting everyone from these creatures which seem to be only myths. But as the harrowing opening shows, they're definitely real and ready to kill.
Aside from the first few minutes of the episode, "Winter Is Coming" didn't blow my socks off, nor was it intended it to. The episode sets up the characters, the major conflicts, and some backstory governing these aspects. In HBO fashion, these elements from unravel and combine as the season progresses, but we'll have to wait.
Score: 8.9/10
Just a note, I have not read the book which the show is based on, but I probably will after the season finished (unless I really want to know what happens next).
From the first episode alone, the mythology is deep and there are a lot of characters to keep track of. So far, we know that there was a war to win the throne and the son of the loser is preparing to take over by using his sister to gain an army. There is quite a bit of sexual politics and just sex itself, resulting in the episode's cliffhanger, Bran taking a big fall. Meanwhile, there is a Wall to the north, protecting everyone from these creatures which seem to be only myths. But as the harrowing opening shows, they're definitely real and ready to kill.
Aside from the first few minutes of the episode, "Winter Is Coming" didn't blow my socks off, nor was it intended it to. The episode sets up the characters, the major conflicts, and some backstory governing these aspects. In HBO fashion, these elements from unravel and combine as the season progresses, but we'll have to wait.
Score: 8.9/10
Just a note, I have not read the book which the show is based on, but I probably will after the season finished (unless I really want to know what happens next).
Preview of Week 4/17/11 - 4/23/11
Burn Notice - USA, Sunday, April 17, 9:00pm ET
In what appears to be an attempt to squeeze out as much money out of the show as possible, USA brings us The Fall of Sam Axe, a long, lackluster episode of Burn Notice.
Game of Thrones - HBO, Sunday, April 17, 9:00pm ET
HBO's highly anticipated drama arrives tonight and should do just fine. However, I do wonder how people will react to it, given its similarities to Camelot and The Borgias.
Glee - FOX, Tuesday, April 19, 8:00pm ET
Glee is back after a month, so we'll see what the characters are up to in the run up to nationals.
In what appears to be an attempt to squeeze out as much money out of the show as possible, USA brings us The Fall of Sam Axe, a long, lackluster episode of Burn Notice.
Game of Thrones - HBO, Sunday, April 17, 9:00pm ET
HBO's highly anticipated drama arrives tonight and should do just fine. However, I do wonder how people will react to it, given its similarities to Camelot and The Borgias.
Glee - FOX, Tuesday, April 19, 8:00pm ET
Glee is back after a month, so we'll see what the characters are up to in the run up to nationals.
