GAME OF THRONES + Season 3

[Greg Leclair (greg1ca)]

A lot of information packed into one episode that was a little hard to follow if you had not read the books.  Still, I'm very excited for the show to be back on.

I found that to be true for me when I watched season one. It wasn't until afterwards when I read the first book that I fully understood who heck Rhaegar Targaryen was and what the happened at the Trident with Robert. But I thought that was fine - I love shows that force me to pay attention and get involved in the story.

I like the inclusion into the show of characters like ROZ. Her presence allows characters to say out loud what they think in the book. The show's writers seem to be very aware of what information is needed and how best to convey it to the audience.  Great job all around.

[Lukeh]

Littlefinger getting dressed down was awesome.

That scene was awesome. I also loved the scenes with Slynt hunting down all of Roberts bastards. Dude was fertile.

[S. Earl]

For those that want a little extra info, might wanna try watching with HBOGO's "Interactive Viewing Experience" or "Augmented Reality" as Marvel would call it.

http://www.cinemablend.com/television/HBO-Go-Game-Thrones-Interactive-Viewing-Experience-Available-iPad-40925.html

One feature is descriptions of new characters as they come into a scene. Not for me, but I see how it could come in handy for others.

[the other mike]

That scene was awesome. I also loved the scenes with Slynt hunting down all of Roberts bastards. Dude was fertile.

ha! that he was. not to mention he got around. from whorehouses, to fishing villages, to slums... dude was an equal opportunity baby-maker.

nice and understated opening episode. was the scene with stannis dictating the letter in the book (its been a while)? because that was a great bit of mixing character and exposition.   


-mike

[Redbolt]

A good set-up episode.
The actor playing Craster seemed too normal,though.

[the other mike]

A good set-up episode.
The actor playing Craster seemed too normal,though.

i agree. in my head he looked like a few bottles of whiskey away from "thars gold in them-thar hills!" prospector coot. i like the actor who they got now, though.

====

name that character quiz:
http://www.sporcle.com/games/MackSalmon/game-of-thrones-characters-images


-mike

[Redbolt]

I always pictured John Huston.

[Jon_Samuelson]

nice and understated opening episode. was the scene with stannis dictating the letter in the book (its been a while)? because that was a great bit of mixing character and exposition.   

-mike

It's been a long time for me too, but the bits where Stannis corrected the scribe about his brother not being beloved, and insisting that Jaime Lannister be referred to as both "Ser" and "Kingslayer" seemed REALLY familiar, so I suspect that the scene was in the book in some form at least.

[Lukeh]

I'm not sure, but I think that seen was in the prologue from Cressens POV maybe not though.

Also in the books, didn't he burn people along with the idols.

Anyone watch the leaked version of episode two yet?

[the other mike]

GREAT episode. lots of funny moments, as well as drama that lets the characters shine.

-shea's fish pie
-salador saan's "i don't want to rape the queen..."
-arya and gendry's antics
-tyrion and janos and bron

-tyrion and cersei
-stannis and melisandre (with a very disturbing glen-close-in-fatal-attraction glint in her eye)
-littlefinger and roz
-theon and balon and asha (that was asha, right?)

not a lot of action, but i'm enjoying it as much as any other episode. casting continues to be top notch. balon and asha aren't how i'd pictured them, but i like the actors playing them. salador is spot on, IMO.

i'm continually amazed how GOOD the damn writing is. (i'm talking mainly about martin here, but the screen writers too). lots of context and character and plot move with just people talking. 


-mike

[Lukeh]

That Lanister that delivered Robs terms, was that a new character like Ros the whore?

[Doug!]

GREAT episode. lots of funny moments, as well as drama that lets the characters shine.

-shea's fish pie
-salador saan's "i don't want to rape the queen..."
-arya and gendry's antics
-tyrion and janos and bron

-tyrion and cersei
-stannis and melisandre (with a very disturbing glen-close-in-fatal-attraction glint in her eye)
-littlefinger and roz
-theon and balon and asha (that was asha, right?)

not a lot of action, but i'm enjoying it as much as any other episode. casting continues to be top notch. balon and asha aren't how i'd pictured them, but i like the actors playing them. salador is spot on, IMO.

i'm continually amazed how GOOD the damn writing is. (i'm talking mainly about martin here, but the screen writers too). lots of context and character and plot move with just people talking. 


-mike

It was Asha.  They changed her name to Yara to avoid confusion with Osha (Bran's pet wildling).  I'm still surprised they kept the creepy feel up scene between Asha and Theon on screen.

That Lanister that delivered Robs terms, was that a new character like Ros the whore?

Nope.  His scenes play out almost exactly as they do in the books.  He should play a bigger part in season three.

[Wood]

Very strong episode.

Theon has been carefully portrayed throughout the show as being led by his crotch, and so I think that scene on the horse

was an important component of that, as was the dalliance with the fugly captains daughter.

Tyrion is just a sight to behold, and seeing him and Varys have their tet-a-tet was fantastic.

[Wood]

There are two things the show appears to be doing, one I think works quite well, the other I wish they weren't doing.

1) Consolidating roles

-- This is a budgetary necessity and completely understandable. And so far I think they've done well with most of those decisions. In this episode, making Bronn the new captain of the guard is a great use of this, because it would make sense the Tyrion would trust Bronn in this role given their history.

2) Emphasizing the younger men at the expense of their women

-- While I can understand the need to make Joffrey and Robb more "important" figures, given their older ages in the TV show (remember Joffrey is only 13 in the book), I think it takes away importance from two GREAT female characters -- in their mothers. In both cases, these women are cunning, smart, and influential, and the book does a great job of showing how much they have influence in spite of their sex keeping them from having THE top roles. The TV show is giving some of their key decisions to the sons and as a result sets them as less impactful on one hand, and more ambivalent on the other.

[Stupendous Man]

There are two things the show appears to be doing, one I think works quite well, the other I wish they weren't doing.

1) Consolidating roles

-- This is a budgetary necessity and completely understandable. And so far I think they've done well with most of those decisions. In this episode, making Bronn the new captain of the guard is a great use of this, because it would make sense the Tyrion would trust Bronn in this role given their history.

2) Emphasizing the younger men at the expense of their women

-- While I can understand the need to make Joffrey and Robb more "important" figures, given their older ages in the TV show (remember Joffrey is only 13 in the book), I think it takes away importance from two GREAT female characters -- in their mothers. In both cases, these women are cunning, smart, and influential, and the book does a great job of showing how much they have influence in spite of their sex keeping them from having THE top roles. The TV show is giving some of their key decisions to the sons and as a result sets them as less impactful on one hand, and more ambivalent on the other.

I get what you're saying but I think Lena Heady has been killing it this season. I've been really impressed with her acting these past couple episodes.

[Kenney]

This was one of my favorite episodes of the show. It felt like they were able to cram 3 hours of content into 1 hour episode.

-I loved the showdown when those knights came for Gendry. The Night's Watch dudes go HAM all the time.
-The humor was really nice to see. Not that it was kneeslappingly funny, but this show is so dire and dense, it was nice that there were brief moments of levity.
-The Tyrien/Varys scene was really good. I could watch those two verbally joust forever. Varys is hard to figure out, but I like the character.
-I feel bad for Theon. That dude is just lost in the sauce. Not quite a Stark, not Greyjoy enough.

Just by how this season is setting up, I know shit is going to POP OFF after all of the pieces get in place, and I cannot wait!


Also, I don't know what it is, but I find Asha/Yara hella sexy. I think it's those sleepy eyes and that voice. It's funny to learn that a character that I felt had some instant gravitas is played by a comedian.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/cr3kDAhP9LQ&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/cr3kDAhP9LQ&rel=1</a>

[Felt Martin]

Also, I don't know what it is, but I find Asha/Yara hella sexy. I think it's those sleepy eyes and that voice. It's funny to learn that a character that I felt had some instant gravitas is played by a comedian.

I would never have recognised her there. In fact, if I'd seen that first I'd have said it was terrible casting and that she would never work. Shows how wrong you can be!

[elemental]

Enjoyed the episode and this really is one of the most reliable shows on right now,
 my comments relate to the adaption of the books so ill spolier them

I've just finished the books having read them consecutively I think the character of Stanis feel different to the books, the scene at the ends and the justification just didn't match what I felt about the character in the books.

I think one of the issues that the show runners are dealing with is that in the books much is implied and not shown Mel/stanis and crasters children for example and in the show they have to show rather than imply. For the most part they are doing a great job with this

[Dave Faust]

[Atticus]

Margaery looked good in this episode. 

And Yoren was a beast!