Posts tagged Game of Thrones

Is it wrong that my basic impression of this book can be summed up as, “Jaquen H’gar ftw!”?

Or, you know, “Bad choices, Theon. Bad, strategically unsound choices.”

Take your pick.

I was pretty worried about this episode. With that much ground to cover yet, there was plenty of room for them to botch things up. You know what, though? I was glued to the screen.

The show opens where it left off, with a long shot down the length of a very bloody Ice, post-Stark beheading. The crowd is cheering, Arya is hiding behind Yoren (thank God) and Sansa is fainting while Ilyn Payne is showing Ned’s head to the crowd. A great way to open a finale, if you ask me, especially one that doesn’t end with the beheading of a major character. But, like I’ve said, we still have a lot of ground to cover before the end of the season, so onward we go.

I loved the scene with Bran and Osha. Their dialogue through the crypt and out into the courtyard felt authentic (if perhaps a little stilted) and really built up to the inevitable “oh shit” moment with Maester Luwin. Rickon still feels tacked on, though. We’re absolutely getting the disgruntled, wild feeling from him and Shaggydog, but his fade in and out in the crypt was more abrupt than creepy. Seriously, Catelyn needs to get home and take care of her kids. I know we’ve got Big Problems to solve but leaving two kids home feeling abandoned in the wake of their father’s death? Unwise. Bran is doing alright, but Rickon could grow up to be exactly the sort of hellion ready to abandon his family in return.

What was that scene with Catelyn and Jamie, exactly? I don’t remember that from the book and that’s sort of a crucial plot point to just give away if it doesn’t suit how things play out in the books. I’m not far enough along in Clash of Kings to say for sure, but that could have some serious long term implications. It was, however, very satisfying to watch Cat smash him in the face with a rock. Just sayin.

Meanwhile, Maester Pycelle has a lecherous old man moment that does a fantastic job of building up his two-faced creeper credentials, even if it did fall a little too far into “gratuitous whore ass” by the end. Also, really could have done without his “limber up” moment in the too-thin nightgown. Eesh. I can’t complain too much, though - it’s good build up for his particular brand of corruption, a point I missed up till mid-way through Clash of Kings.

Additionally - Gendrygendrygendrygendry

*ahem*

In the North, Jon is conflicted, torn between two families, and Mormont has priorities. He’s probably the first character we’ve seen that has a clear understanding that winter is one bitch not to be messed around with, beside Osha anyway. I liked the reminder that not everything important happening in this series is about a throne. We’ve still got a very real, very serious problem north of the wall and it may be the only thing to distract Westeros from this war. Or, at least, I hope so. Otherwise, the North is basically screwed. Sorry, guys.

Finally, how did Dany lose her clothes to the fire and not her hair? That’s not kosher. Or book accurate, for that matter. I mean, I love Emilia Clarke’s hair, but still.

To sum up, though - rock on, tiny dragons!

Okay, I need to write this review. I’ve had the notes sitting in my draft box all week, staring me down. It doesn’t seem to matter how often I try to write up something worthwhile, though. The only things coming out of my head this week are vaguely incoherent “goddamn attractive men get out of my dreams” style not-poems. Which, you know, I could totally go with if any of those men were in Game of Thrones (cause let’s be honest…there are some damn attractive men up in that show). Unfortunately, this is not the case and so far all attempts in writing the review have ended in a godzilla-style rampage through the metaphorical city.

Still, in the interest of writing something that doesn’t make me sound like a maladjusted 16 year old doodling in her notebook, we’re gonna try this anyway.

Are you ready for this? Yes? Alright, then.

Tyrion owned that episode, no question. He’s easily one of the most interesting characters from the series thus far and Peter Dinklage is pulling it off spectacularly. He’s got the perfect delivery for Tyrion’s biting wit and humor, without sacrificing the acting needed to pull off everything going on internally. Which, incidentally, is the exact opposite of what’s going on with Emilia Clarke. For such a multi-faceted character, Daenerys comes across as surprisingly cardboard, something that is becoming an increasing problem as the series progresses.

Overall, I feel like they handled the episode well and made good choices with what to cut. The battle between House Lannister and House Stark, fake out edition, was nicely played, for instance. I really liked the way they used it as a chance to show Tyrion’s disadvantage on the battlefield without dragging out a battle that ultimately did the same thing. On the other hand, I feel like they really could have fleshed out Arya’s bit. Readers knew that she’d spent the intervening time wandering the city, killing pigeons for food, running from men, guards and other orphans while she looked for a way out of the city. Anyone following the tv series only saw her kill a pigeon, try to trade it, and fail. We missed out on a lot of what really adds up to character growth in Arya, which could have been accomplished by even just a few more minutes of fleshing out.

Similarly, the whole scene between Jon and the Old Bear on the wall could have used…well…any kind of emotion. The Old Bear just gave Jon his House sword, a piece of family heritage normally passed from father to son. Now obviously Jon did not really receive it well in the book - he was ultimately disappointed that it wasn’t Ice, the Stark sword. What we got, however, was more an absence of reaction rather than a mixed one. Mormont wasn’t much better. For a man relating a sad story to a boy who just saved his life, that was a surprisingly weak delivery.

And, of course, the death of Ned Stark. Well done, no? I liked Littlefinger looking so pleased with himself and the quick interplay between Joff and Cersei when you realize that no, actually, this was not what Cersei wanted. I enjoy seeing Cersei not get what she wants, even if it did mean watching Ned die this time around.

I’m not gonna lie. I literally freaked out for about an hour after I read about Ned’s death. It isn’t every day you meet an author willing to kill off the honorable, likable characters, particularly main characters. Authors often make difficult choices about the life and death of their characters, but even so the main characters are often immune to death. They may get maimed, disowned, exiled, or lose friends and family close to them, but they themselves? Safe. So when Martin kills off Ned Stark, a central character and an honorable man amid a sea of two-faced schemers, it signals that this author is not playing by the rules. No one is safe. It’s a style that has won him and the series a great deal of acclaim - this isn’t your standard “light defeats dark” storyline and it isn’t just the sideline characters that get the axe.

What really summed it up for me was Arya’s final lesson with Syrio. “See with your eyes,” he told her, and it’s a lesson that can be applied across the board with this series. Arya isn’t the only one who needs to see how things really are in Westeros. Whether you are watching the series or reading the book or both, Martin is asking the audience to see characters and situations for what they really are. Nothing is to be assumed. Yes, Ned Stark was an easy to love character. A strong, honorable man with a strong sense of justice and a soft spot of his wife and kids. He is the epitome of male leads in the fantasy genre (and plenty of others as well), the “good guy” most readers have been trained to identify and cheer on by default.

Real life isn’t that simple, even in fantasy worlds. Honorable characters make powerful enemies and when you put them in a no win situation, there isn’t always going to be a cunning set of do gooders ready to break them free. It’s something that most readers know but don’t want to read. Martin doesn’t flinch, instead asking his readers to look past surface level expectations. Ned Stark is by all means an honorable man. A good man. But he’s also a second born son, a soldier playing lord in a city where subterfuge is the name of the game and the other players are powerful, ambitious and already accomplished dissemblers. He may have truth on his side, but as the series progresses it becomes more and more obvious that he can’t play the game. Ned Stark was not made for political intrigue and, in the end, it gets him killed.

And it won’t end there. Ned’s death was not just a shock and awe tactic. More people will die, for political purposes or simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Admittedly, this is not the easiest storyline to follow - no one wants to see a character die after they’ve gotten attached to them, especially if it means a point for the bad guys. But there is something to be said for the challenge of disassociating yourself as a reader from what you want to see, in favor of trying to figure out what who the characters actually are, flaws and all, and how it tallies in a climate that may not be so kind to them.

See with your eyes, people!

Anyone else get whiplash from that episode? Damn.

If we weren’t aware before that there’s a lot of ground to cover in these episodes, we certainly are now. We’re rapidly approaching the culmination of all the set up in the previous episodes. Ned Stark’s honor has gotten him in some pretty deep shit, his family is fighting back however they know best (even Sansa, in her naivety), and the realm is collectively bracing themselves for a civil war when they should be preparing themselves for winter. Cause if there’s one thing the blue-eyed zombie taught us, it’s this:

Winter is coming, fools, and we best be ready.

The writing itself is as on point as ever, with more winners than flops. Basically any of Tyrion’s lines are proof of that much. Still, though, the last two episodes have been particularly telling. Cracks are starting to appear, clear signs of breakdown in translating a dense novel like GoT to screen. Littlefinger’s speech in episode 7 was just the first of those cracks, for me. It was a clear instance of tell when it should have been show, particularly revealing because Littlefinger’s inner workings unfold in the novel through the memories and perceptions of the main characters. It requires readers to read between the lines or risk being taken by surprise along with Ned when Littlefinger proves a false allie.

Now, I agree that some of the main players in the game, Littlefinger among them, need more setting up and fleshing out than the show can give them than by strictly sticking to the novel. I mean, if your audience has difficulty identifying the youngest Stark child when he finally shows up for to deliver some lines, you may want to consider finding ways to work him in a bit earlier.

The scene with Bran, Osha and Hodor could have used a bit more set up as well. Even something as simple as showing Hodor setting Bran down by the tree to pray and going off to the stream would have made the whole thing less choppy and given better cause behind all the…ahem…show…at the end of that scene.

I did love the throne room scene with Barriston Selmy. It really brought across the dignity of the knight, his loyalty and devotion, but without compromising his ability to kick ass as necessary.

Speaking of ass kicking - Khal Drogo ftw, y/y? I really like the way they rewrote that scene. Actually, I think I like it better than the original, in some ways. It really solidified the growing conflict between Dany and the Khal’s bloodriders and shows her vulnerability as a woman newly come into power, without any of the choppiness of some of the earlier scenes.

Overall, I’m curious to see how the last two episodes play out. I pretty sure we’re in for a bit of a rollercoaster, given all the ground left to cover, so it’ll be interesting to see how they manage to fit it all together.

Spoilers, obviously.

Just completed Game of Thrones, the first book in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. This is basically how the last handful of chapters go:

The South: *plots* 

The North: *raises an army*

Lannisters: *All up in your North, layin siege to your castles*

Joff: Kill the traitor!

Lannisters: *wary sideways glances* 

North: Oh hai! Surprise, bitches.

Lannisters: Oh shit! 

Renly: *Crowned*

Lannisters: *fuming*

South: *Conflicted*

Jon Snow: *Conflicted*

North: …yeah, screw you guys.

King Rob Stark: Like a boss

Meanwhile:

Daenerys: You there! Bitter healer-turned-slave! Heal my husband! 

Mirri Maz Duur: I got this.

Dothraki: Ummmm…

Khal Drogo: *dying*

Daenerys: Help!

Dothraki: Ummmm…

Mirri Maz Duur: Well, there is this one way…

Daenerys: Anything!

Khal Drogo: *Zombiefied*

The Stallion Who Mounts the World: *dead*

Daenerys: *Heartbroken*

Dothraki: …peace out.

Khal Drogo: *dead*

Random Horse: *sacrificed*

Mirri Maz Duur: *sacrificed*

Darnerys: *a little crazy*

Dragons: We live!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go have a drink in honor of Ned Stark and Khal Drogo.

(Now with book spoilers…you’ve been warned!)

Okay, so after a week or two spent using every spare moment to catch up, I’ve finally read more of Game of Thrones than I’ve watched. This puts me about three chapters ahead of episode 7. It would have been more, but the need to actually wake up for the 9-5 required I go to bed at a reasonable hour. Ah, responsibility.

You guys read the spoiler warning, right? So we’re good? Awesome. Moving on.

Alright, so I read through the chapters in which the soldiers come for Arya and Sansa, post-throne room fallout.

OH SHIT, GUYS.

I’m gonna be so pissed if Syrio actually dies. So. Pissed.

On the upside, Arya leveled up, yeah? +10 points in stealth and badassery

Sansa makes me so sad cause I’m just like “Oh girlfriend…you need some of those “see with your eyes” lessons, huh?” Lannisters got that girl so played. I didn’t really realize just how bad it was till Cersei and Littlefinger had their little “Oh shit, who left Jayne Poole with Sansa” exchange. You have to be pretty deep down the rabbit hole to completely miss what’s going on there. Sansa is so emotionally distraught about the possibility that she could lose her happily ever after with Joff, the douchiest incest baby of them all, that she completely misses all of it.

I am really interested to see how far the Lannisters will push that girl before she figures out life is not a fairytale.

Guys, the whole deal with Ned Stark is killing me a little. I mean, in the book you start getting the impression that he’s learning how to play the game, albeit slowly. It takes awhile, but that last chapter he clearly has a few things that he’s playing close to the chest.

In the show, on the other hand, it’s like “okay, these people are clearly not Ned Stark approved honorable…GET ON THIS.”

Though, having Ned’s internal monologue go, “Damn, why isn’t Cersei hightailing it out of here already?” over and over again makes me want to beat my head against a wall.

OBVIOUSLY SHE’S A LANNISTER, COME ONNNNNN.