A GAME OF THRONES, SEASON 2 and 3 (yes season 3, it's OMG! almost over), POSSIBLE SPOILERS

[mscelina]

Originally Posted by robeiae

Didn't much care for the choice here. I expected a lot more to her. More presence, more menace, and yes, more t&a.


The rest of the new characters were okay, I guess. I was hoping for a big name surprise for Stannis, though.

As to the course of the show, pretty good. Smart choices are being made again by the screenwriters, imo.

And I have to say, the friggin' opening is still so amazing. As it came on, I got those chills, like when the opening credits of the Phantom Menace started, after all those years of waiting.

That raises an interesting point. Just how important is the opening music and the opening credit sequence for programs and movies?

Oh, I think it's even more important for a show like GoT, where people have been anxiously awaiting the second season (some, like me, getting pissy for a month after the last episode of Season 1 aired). This opening in particularly in pretty brilliant, familiarizing viewers who might not have read the books with the lay of the land.

However--

IMO, the opening is a bit too...long. It feels like it just rolls on forever, eating up valuable minutes of a 55 minute episode. But then again, I'm always greedy.

[mayqueen]

I think I wanted more, considering how much happens in the second book. It was really good for reestablishing everything, but I don't feel like the plot moved forward. It did reawaken my annoyance with the whole "new religion" plot line.

I thought the killing of the bastards was also very reminiscent of The Ten Commandments and thank you for saying that because I was thinking, where have I seen this?

Why don't Craster's wives just kill him?

[Parametric]

Probably for the same reasons that many real-life victims of domestic abuse don't kill their abusers.

[Seraph]

Rebelling against authority figures comes very hard to some, even if the authority is plainly in the wrong. Game of Thrones seems to have a very authoritarian air about it. Like when Jon spoke up against creepy Craster he was instantly the bad guy despite being in the right, no one stuck up for him for dissenting even a little. The authority is automatically right. A lot of characters in GoT take ridiculous abuse from authority figures because they have no way of fighting back, because might is right in GoT scenarios.

In similar real-life scenarios to Craster, like muslim polygamists with twenty wives, the wives usually revere the guy like a god, albeit those guys probably don't marry their daughters and kill their sons so it's probably not as far-fetched to imagine a Craster wife snapping and gutting him in his sleep.

[thothguard51]

As seraph said...

[BunnyMaz]

Re; Craster, the impression I got from the books was that the women were terrified and very much groomed into submission by him. He is, after all, the only authority figure any of them had in their entire lives.

Overall I thought they did a great job with the episode. It's been a while since viewers saw the last season, and they had a LOT of different things to cram in. As it is, they gave a decent amount of information about everyone's situation.

I thought the Stannis scenes were a bit underwhelming, though. As you guys said, Melisandre lacked that menacing, predatory sexual presence I imagined from the books, and the Onion Knight was such a non-entity I didn't realise it was supposed to be him at first. The way he said "what is truth" came across as a little too profound for a man whose entire character is about simplicity.

And, once again, Peter Dinklage utterly stole the show. I loved every scene he was in.

[DavidZahir]

My review of "The North Remembers." Lots of meaning in that title, btw.

[maxmordon]

For some reason I feel forced to read the name in an old folksy voice:

"Do you remember a time when our king was not an inbred Draco Malfoy? The North Remembers."

[Mr. Anonymous]

anyone else find Dany's dialogue with Jorah and her bloodrider wince worthy? Or is it just me?

[DavidZahir]

Originally Posted by maxmordon

For some reason I feel forced to read the name in an old folksy voice:

"Do you remember a time when our king was not an inbred Draco Malfoy? The North Remembers."

LOL!

[CrastersBabies]

Originally Posted by mayqueen

I
Why don't Craster's wives just kill him?

Because of the babies, that's why. The evil evil little babies.

In truth, think about it, what happens if Craster isn't there? Wildlings and crows come to trade with him and he's gotta be "the breadwinner" here. W/out him, the women would be dragged off, probably raped, or they'd die from cold/starvation. I'm sure he's groomed them to rely on him plenty.

Finally got to see the show tonight. Was wholly impressed! Very smooth. Very seamless transition from last season. Didn't skip a beat. Kudos on:

Melisandre (yes!)
Davos
Stannis (the actor pulls off his lack of personality so well, imho, even from the short scene we got)
Greywind. Holy cow. Nice effects there! Friggin' HUGE wolf
I read the actress who plays Arya really cut her hair for the role. Cool on that.
The conversation between Robb and Jaime.
Lena Headey as Cersei is just so full of awesomeness. So perfectly cast.
Tyrion. Always good.
Jon being told how to follow. Good advice! Loved hearing Mance Raydar's name. Don't think he's cast yet. I can still dream of Robert Carlyle playing the role. (sniff)

[MattW]

The episode was good, and I too like the opening credits - and how they add and remove locales as the story shifts.

I forgot how awesome the plot of book 2 and 3 are, so I'm very excited for this season.

Casting has been so good - I hate Joffrey so much that when I see the actor in behind the scenes, I still want to punch him in the face.

[TCnKC]

Just a fantastic opening episode. Like everyone else, love the opening credits and how they incorporate the new landscapes into it. My opinions on last night:

Tyrion/Peter Dinklage: The man is the embodiment of the character and delivers every line perfectly. His scene with Cersi was great as was the scene where he gave Sansa his regards to her loss.

Greywind: I can not express enough how excited I was to see the direction they went with the wolves. Showing the perspective of Jaime as the wolf walks past the cage(and is so huge you only see parts of it) was brilliant. That's the way I imagine them in the books. That presence which also adds to the Starks(as it did for Robb last night.) I hope this continues.

Cersi: I loved the scene with her and little finger. The conversation of power and perception of it. Very well done.

Joffrey: The kid hasn't lost it. I still want to punch him in the mouth.

Melisandre: I was surprised by how much I liked her, especially in the later scenes of the episode(around the table.)


Bring on episode 2!

[Camilla Delvalle]

The first episode of the second season was good, in my opinion, especially Tyrion, Joffrey, and Cersei. Otherwise I agree with many things that you people said.

Melisandre was cool enough, and I'm glad she was not depicted as a hysterical bitch. In my opinion she is one of the most intelligent and resourceful characters in the series. Possibly her role can be played something like Eva Green did with Morgan in Camelot.

[Parametric]

Book readers might enjoy reading the Completely Unspoiled Speculation thread at Television Without Pity. (Don't post, just read.) Everybody on the thread is unspoiled, and their reactions to the show are often hilarious. A couple of recent gems:

In this world I am worried about the mostly-despicable characters [like Cersei] when they come into contact with a breached reactor of pure eviltonium like Joffrey. The Kingsguard should probably break out the EvilDosimeters (in storage since the Mad King got offed).

I got zero sexy vibes from Stannis period. It's actually a tiny bit painful to try and imagine him in a romantic situation. "You are my moon and stars!" is not something that would trip off the guy's tongue, it would be more like, "I tolerate you well enough and you have child bearing hips. I'm not going to say you light my blood afire, because that would be inaccurate. But you're not displeasing to look at. Although, your hair is a fright. Now disrobe. I have other things to do later and I need to do some begetting."

[Marumae]

Watched it last night, JEEZ I have missed this show hardcore! That opening scene I agree gives me chills every time I hear the song, perfect for the series.

George R R Martin wasn't an exec producer season one was he? I just noticed his name listed on the credits, so I hope that means he'll keep HBO from running off the rails with interpretation of the series.

The actress playing Melisande underwhelmed me, I wasn't expecting a foaming at the mouth fire and brimstone character but some one with a bit more passion or perhaps even smug self righteousness, she seemed rather casual about it all? It's still the first episode so I'm giving the actress time to grow into her role and learn it better.

Jack Gleeson as Joffrey is brilliant, Jack no offense but I want to hit you with a two by four every time you come on screen lol.

Dinklage is easily my favorite on the series, he's perfect as Tyrion. The television without pity forums complained mightily on his accent but it didn't bother me as much, it was very effected but I felt that worked for the character.

The bastard killing scene got to me a bit, I wasn't as effected in the book but seeing it, hearing the Mothers made it hit home. Good job show, poor Gendry. Get as far away as possible!

I miss Sean Bean of course.

Jamie looked...surprisingly hot all dirty, scruffy and tied up (he was always hot but wow lol).

The Direwolves were AHMAZING. Also loved Robb, I liked the contrast between how he acts with his Mother Catelyn and how Cersei interacts with hers, yes that's right Cersei, you've raised a right psychotic little bastard and Lena hit it to a home run when you saw that moment when she realized it. Simply brilliant. Can't WAIT for the rest.

[JohnnyGottaKeyboard]

Does anyone on here NOT have HBO and yet is still able to watch the show? I was certain new episodes would be available on Amazon, but the new season has not come up yet. If you are watching without being a subscriber, can you tell me where and how?

Thanks.

[Nimram]

A friend got me ep.2 and it has HBO GO on the corner of the screen. I have no idea what that is but I guess that's how he got it.

[DavidZahir]

Last season everytime somebody mentioned Stannis as King somebody else looked at them and said "Wait. Really? Stannis? Are you serious?"

This guy fulfilled that expectation.

[thothguard51]

Stannis ain't king yet and had he stayed around to help Ned and Robert...

[mscelina]

Originally Posted by thothguard51

Stannis ain't king yet and had he stayed around to help Ned and Robert...

...then GoT would have ended as a standalone book and we wouldn't have the annual torture of waiting for the next epic behemoth.

That being said...I almost NEVER say this about any book/show deal, but I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I prefer the show to the books. Not because I like to be spoon-fed, but because it's going to be almost impossible to follow through on all those POVs as the series progresses.

The kid playing Joffrey has a long, long future ahead of him in acting. he's brilliant. As for Melissande, I really like the actress' portrayal of her. It would have been SO easy for her to go all evil Queen here. She made a strong choice in her introductory scenes, something that in future episodes will give her all kinds of leeway to portray smiling malevolence--which scares me a hell of a lot more than over the top dramatics.

[CrastersBabies]

Originally Posted by thothguard51

Stannis ain't king yet and had he stayed around to help Ned and Robert...

Umm, don't tell Stannis that. =)

[JohnnyGottaKeyboard]

Originally Posted by thothguard51

Stannis ain't king yet and had he stayed around to help Ned and Robert...

This must be a book reference. Stannis was not in the tv show in season 1. It was Renly that had the good sense to skip town when Robert died.

When Ned was informed that Renly and the Knight of the Flowers were seen riding away at a goodly pace, everyone at our house said, "Because he has half a brain--unlike some people...Ned."

[JohnnyGottaKeyboard]

Originally Posted by Marumae

Dinklage is easily my favorite on the series, he's perfect as Tyrion. The television without pity forums complained mightily on his accent but it didn't bother me as much, it was very effected but I felt that worked for the character.

I liked his scene with Varis--"Unlike ned Stark, I know how this game is played..." They should team up and be the unstoppable twosome.

Whenever I start to admire Littlefinger, he goes and does something awful, like his threat to Ros (or betraying Ned, altho I actually disliked his threat to Ros more because by the time the betrayal happened I was way over any caring about stupid Ned Stark.)

I thought the scenes at the Iron Isles were heartbreaking, even tho I have never had much sympathy for Theon (and, c'mon, it's GOT, you knew it wasn't going to go well).

Interesting that Dinklage's name went from last in the credits to first. Think they'll nominate him as a supporting actor this year?

[WackAMole]

Originally Posted by JohnnyGottaKeyboard

Does anyone on here NOT have HBO and yet is still able to watch the show? I was certain new episodes would be available on Amazon, but the new season has not come up yet. If you are watching without being a subscriber, can you tell me where and how?

Thanks.

Hehe. I'm pretty sure the only way to get it would probably be considered 'piracy'. Even if people have managed to find a way to watch it, i doubt that they would post about it :P