Showing posts with label GoT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GoT. Show all posts

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Game of Thrones 4.10

The Children - Season Finale


**Spoiler Alert**
If you haven't watched the final episode and don't want to ruin your viewing experience by succumbing to major spoilers - read no further.

The fourth season of Game of Thrones started us out on such a high with wonderful episodes that left us salivating for the next. It didn't last too long though, before we knew it we were getting frustrated (well, at least I was) at the lull in the episodes and feeling as thought there were a lot of 'fluffing' going on. With the last weeks episode all about the battle at Castle Black (for those of us that have read the books - or the majority of them - we've known what's coming) there was a lot to tie up with this season finale episode. There were plenty of frustrating parts that left me screaming at the television screen and also many death to discuss.


We return right where we left off last week as Jon Snow is making his way out to Mance Rayder to discuss terms. He's taken in and they are talking things over when the Wildlings camp is attacked. Mance Rayder asks if Jon is behind this and he's just as confused. They watch as armies flank the camp and kill a majority of the Wildlings. Once they are surrounded we see that it is Stanis Baratheon as they are informed of who they are and get better acquainted with one another. They take Rayder into their custody.  Meanwhile, back at Castle Black, Jon visits another Wildling captive and they discuss Ygritte. Jon then takes her beyond the wall to give her a proper burial (burning) and silently through his tears, says his good byes.



Bran and his crew barely make it to where they were going. When they are on the last stretch Jojen is taken down by a skeletal hand busting through the surface. As more skeletal being bust through the wintry surface, they're attempting to fight the skeletal attacks. Bran takes over Hordor so that he can fend off the attackers. Jojen is stabbed as another being (a dirty child) appears saving them and telling them that if they want to live to follow her. Jojen's sister has to leave her dying brother and run for the entrance of the cave below the tree that they have traveled to. In here they are informed that they are in fact known as The Children and they take them to an old man sitting upon an earthy rooted throne. Here he is cryptic with Bran and tells him that he is going to grant him ________. Yeah - we don't know either. I know what I'll be doing this summer now. I have to finish reading The Feast of Crows so I can read A Dance of Dragons and get a clue as to what's going on with Bran and his situation. 


Meanwhile back in Meereen, Daenerys is doing what Queen's do - ruling. As she is sitting upon her throne and hearing what her people are asking her for. A former slave comes to her asking that he return to his position as a slave. She informs him that she freed him so that he can make his own decisions and she allows him to return to his services, under contract. Daenerys is informed that there could be issues down the line about her new ruling. You could tell she was like we'll deal with that bridge when we get there. Her next subject that came to her informs her of another attack from her dark dragon. This time killing his three year old daughter. She has to make a very difficult and gut wrenching decision. While she has fought to free so many, she now has to keep (two of her dragons) chained up in the catacombs. The dark dragon is still on the loose. When she is leaving their new imprisonment, the dragons are screaming for her like children to their mother, and you can tell this was just awesome for her as well.


Tyrion's sentence has be decided and he is rotting, waiting in the cell. When he thinks they have come for him he is surprised to see his brother Jaime instead. He's there to free him and tells Tyrion that The Spider is his ally. But, before Tyrion escapes to freedom, he finds his father's chamber. Here, he discovers Shea upon his fathers bed. A passionate fight ensues as she grabs a knife and he fends her off, eventually straggling her with a chain that was around her neck. He's crushed and Peter does an excellent job of conveying those raw emotions. Tyrion glimpses a cross-bow upon his fathers wall and the neck scene is Tyrion walking through the halls. When he pushes a door open we see Tywin upon the privy. Tywin tries his best to persuade Tyrion to go back to his chambers so that they can discuss things more civil. Tyrion will have none of it and runs two arrows through him. I think the scene was great and very similar to the book - however, what I missed was Tyrion's line (in the book) after he shot his father. He commented how the rumors are false, that the Lannister's don't shit gold (or something along those lines). When Varys (The Spider) puts Tyrion on the boat, he hears Kings Landing bells start to toll. He makes the decision to join Tyrion and not go back into the city - especially since he has helped in Tyrion's escape.

Brienne catches up to Arya and interrupts her practicing with Needle. They share a nice moment where they are comparing being women within their worlds with the desire to fight. Then The Hound interrupts their interlude when Brienne figures out that she's Arya. She tells her to come with her, but Arya is hesitant. The Hound confronts her and they begin to battle. This was an excellent scene and they both fought hard. In the end Brienne wins knocking The Hound over a cliff. When Brienne asks Podrick where Arya went, she's not within their view as she slips away. She catches up with The Hound below who is slowly dying from his injuries. He tries everything he can to try to get Arya to end his suffering, she walks over to him, removes his coin purse from his side and walks away. Arya arrives at a dock and receives her passage to Braavos (this is where the episode fades to black and we're left wanting for season 5 already).

Inside Episode 10 - The Children



Would you have granted The Hounds request?

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Sunday, May 18, 2014

Game of Thrones 4.7


MOCKINGBIRD

Here we are again... because of the fillers the show ends before you know it and just when it's getting good! Another disappointment, the next episode is in two weeks! The lulls in this episode drive me crazy, a dying man took way too long to die. And the Red Witch - is she really even relevant anymore? Well, besides showing her breasts and body naked... It wouldn't be an episode of Game of Thrones without showing some skin! 


The Trail at King's Landing

Prince Oberyn tells his tail of his first encounter
with the Lannister Devil
Poor Tyrion! He's brilliant and one of my favorite characters so his pain is our pain and I just feel horrible for him. Jaime, of course comes to Tyrion and they're talking things over and explains that he can't be Tyrion's champion. If you missed last weeks episode - Tyrion proclaimed a trial by combat - because of the farce that was being performed for his trial. He decided to let the gods decide his fate. So, Jaime said he was in no shape to fight for him and also informs Tyrion who Cersei has called upon - The Mountain. Which, if memory serves me correctly, The Mountain is The Hounds older sadistic brother. But never fear - Oberyn is here! The prince visits Tyrion in his cell. The scene between them is brilliant - sad - but, brilliant. Oberyn tells Tyrion of their first encounter, from when he was a baby and of Cersei's mistreatment of him, even then. They both know that she has wanted Tyrion dead for a very long time. The Prince also explains to Tyrion that everyone he wants to kill for his sister's revenge is there. He stands up and proclaims that he will be Tyrion's champion (!!!) hair raising moment - yay!

News From the Black Wall

Jon Snow and the others arrive back at The Wall after the completion of the mission. Last week they left in an attempt to clear an area that was a problem. When they returned, at a meeting Jon gives a suggestion to help secure their positions for the inevitable attack that is approaching. However, the head guy who is opposed to everything when it comes to Jon, of course, retaliates against Jon's claim. The substitute leader there is really getting under my armor. He's such a twat. This is about where I stopped reading the books, so I really don't know what's to come for the Brothers. My opinion is that they would be better suited if Jon was in charge though. Don't you? 


Catching the Eye of the Queen

Daenerys is shocked to find one of her soldiers in her private chambers. He has brought her flowers an has explained how he swam a long distance to pick them for her. But, she shows no interest. Her only interest is why he is in her private chambers as she explains to him that if she wanted him she would have had him summoned. He implores to her, explaining how he is only good at two things (women and fighting) and that he must be sent to kill her enemies. She explains her position to him, and further explains that there are many women that he can enjoy. But, he further explains that he only wants one woman. With a cool sip from her cup, she orders him to strip (HOT!). We can only presume what they did after that. There is another great scene with Daenerys and her left-hand man Lord Mormont, where he is counseling her on her decisions and she changes the strategy of the mission. 

A Day in the Life of Arya Stark

Arya introduces Needle to someone from her past...
I mentioned the man that took forever to die - this was when The Hound and Arya happen upon a burnt house. The place is totally destroyed and they come upon a man that has a fatal gut wound. The Hound already knows what he has to do, but the dialogue was about nothing. Finally The Hound stabs the man in the heart to ease his suffering informing Arya "That's where the heart is". Out of nowhere a crazy man jumps on the back of The Hound biting his neck! He makes quick work of him before another man appears and explains that there is a price on the Hound's head. Arya recognizes the man and in a good scene, she utilizes what The Hound had just taught her. When he's trying to care for his wounds, he explains to Arya about his brother, how his brother burnt his face and his family covered for his brother. Arya takes some pity on him and helps him dress his bite wound.

Sansa the Snow Queen

Shit's about to get real...
I somewhat remember reading the scene when Sansa sees the falling snow at The Erie. She's been at King's Landing for so long, she was raised in snow, it must bring back so many memories. She builds Winterfell to the best of her memory when her cousin joins the party. They have a lovely chat about making those that don't care for fly and he exclaims that she has to have a place at Winterfell that works as their hole in the ground at the Erie does (where they push people to their deaths - otherwise known as making them fly). So, crazy boy attempts to make the addition when he knocks over a bit of the snow castle (Winterfell) and Sansa seems pissed that she has to start all over. They have a tiff and Sansa ends up smacking the kid. He runs off crying as she realizes what she just did. Little Finger is close and explains that he has been needing that discipline for a long, long time. In a very awkward moment after talking about how much he loved her mother, he kisses her... of course her crazy aunt sees this. The whole time Sansa is walking into the throne room at The Erie (where the hole in the floor is) I kept saying don't go near your Aunt! But, once she got her claws into her niece she let her crazy flag fly and was screaming how everyone that has come between her and Peter are dead. He interrupts their little party, promising his wife (Sansa's Aunt, so her Uncle kissed her) that he would send Sansa away. When he gets close to his wife, he tells her how he's only loved one woman his entire life - her sister (Sansa's Mother) and pushes her out the hole to her inevitable death! The End! 


In Two Weeks: The Mountain and the Viper

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Game of Thrones 4.6

The Laws of Gods and Men

This way by far my least favorite episode of the season. The only thing that I did like was Tyrion and Daenerys, the rest could go take a flying leap for all I cared. It seemed like such a slow episode - I actually thought while watching it - "really?". The season started out so strong and the first couple of episodes were stellar. Too bad they couldn't keep that momentum going. Basically, Stannis Baratheon went to Bravos to get some money to fund his quest for the iron throne. While Theron Greyjoys sister raided to try to rescue him, but he was so brainwashed the mission was a failure. She leaves proclaiming that her brother is dead. Meanwhile, his captor - crazy man - tells him he has a special mission.  These are my two least story boards, both I consider useless fillers and the strategic use of naked women and sex proved to me the lack of writing ability for this episode.

Queens Rule

Image captured via Google search
Daenerys is upon her throne in Meereen; there was a great scene with her Drago Dragon taking a sheep from a herder. When the herder came to Meereen to present his problem to his Queen, she justly said that since the goats were his livelihood, that she would pay him three times what the goats her dragons consumed, were worth. She's doing a great job as queen - and is further proven so when a son of one of the men she crucified came to her requesting for his burial rights. She was so drained after that encounter, however she had a couple hundred more to see. Who ever said being queen is easy?




Tyrion on Trial

It's been highly anticipated and now it's begun. It was dreadful watching all the manipulators giving testimony against Tyrion. It's further proof that you can take anything and when taken out of context can be manipulated to what they want it to be. They were all obviously against Tyrion and all pointed their finger at him as Joffrey's killer. Through this torture of his father leading the trial, his sister actually accusing him, and all the people that have testified - Tywin calls for a break.  During the break Jaime tries to talk their father into letting Tyrion live. I vaguely remember this from the books. Tywin then tells Jaime that he plans on sending Tyrion to The Wall... Jaime has just enough time to inform Tyrion of the plans before court is back in session. I couldn't help feel that this is all a huge set-up. Tywin and Cersei knew that they could tell Jaime this and he would tell his brother - convincing Tyrion to confess to being guilty to receive the sentence to The Wall... however, if I remember right - it doesn't happen this way. The knife that is twisted into Tyrion is when Shae takes the stand and completely shits all over him. BUT - as we all know Dinklage who portrays Tyrion is absolutely an amazing actor and he never fails. When he's had enough of Shae's lies - he interjects and delivers a great speech - which of course was shocking - and that's where the episode ended. He basically said while he didn't kill his nephew, he's glad that it happened and that if he could he would happily kill everyone partaking in the farce of a trial. 


Next Episode: Mockingbird

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Sunday, April 20, 2014

Game of Thrones 4.3

Breaker of Chains

"Where's Sansa?"
The episode opens withe Joffrey's poisoned body still in Cersei's evil arms, and her demanding Tyrion's imprisonment. Just in case any of us GoT fans would have forgotten the best death scene ever! Then Cersei asks where Sansa is, when no one can attest to her whereabouts, Tywin and Cersei get all paranoid and demand her to be found. Meanwhile, the ex-knight who had told her to follow him if she wanted to escape; they make their way to the shore and hop into a row boat and make for the fog covered waters ahead. Once within the natural camouflage, you can just make out a boat. For those of us who have read the books - we know what is happening and who she will see on the boat, who her rescuer is. The ex-knight instructs her to climb the rope latter - when she almost looses her grip when she's at the top, who catches her and helps to on board the boat but the twisted and genius, Little Finger - her rescuer. When she is safe on board, he asks the ex-knight what the agreed price was, but instead of Little Finger paying him with the silver or gold as promised and agreed upon, he delivers an arrow through his head and throat. Sansa's upset by this, and he explains to her that there can be no trace about her whereabouts, that the (now dead) ex-knight was a drunk
Sansa taking one last look at the capitol before escaping
and could easily be bought. 

Little Finger "What did I tell you about the Capital?"
Sansa "We're all liars here..."

He then proceeds to explain to her how he had her necklace made weeks ago, and how the crystals were actually the poison that killed King Joffrey. I believe this is when he also told her about how she would or could be named as a possible accomplice, if not the killer. He makes it obvious that her only choice is to go with him.


Am I Queen?

"I must be cursed..."
Margaery Tyrell is talking with her grandmother, and asks if she's queen. Her grandmother (who is a master player in the whole scheme of things) informs her that since the wedding was not consummated, that she is not the queen. Margaery is upset, she feels as if she is cursed. Rightfully so, her first husband, who she said liked other men, died; his throat slit I believe and now Joffrey poisoned. However, her cunning grandmother explains to her how the pleasure of watching Joffrey's death was more than he would have ever given her if he had lived. The grandmother soothes her by saying that the next time should go much smoother."





In the King's Tomb

The Future King...
Meanwhile, in a cathedral room where Joffrey is laid out, it is his younger brother, Cersei and Tywin. Tywin starts to condition the younger brother for his impending duties - as the net King. There is a moment when Cersei looks at him, and I don't know if she's questioning his ability or at the possibility of having to go through all of this again... however, I highly doubt the younger brother is anything like Joffrey - he seems much more niave - which the grandfather picked up right away and began his manipulations and conditioning tactics. Tywin starts by asking what the younger brother thinks makes a good king, and he gives his answer of why his answers could be perceived as incorrect. Finally, they agree that what makes a great king is wisdom. Then, Tywin takes the young man under his wing and exits the room while explaining to him while he must marry and begins the discussion of the duty of the King... meanwhile, Cersei is exactly where she had been standing, through out the entire conversation, completely over-looked - practically ignored.  

Cersei using the only weapons that she has...
Once Grandad Tywin and his grandson, and future King exit the chamber, Jamie enters. It seems there is a moment of realization upon his face that his son lay before him, dead. But, nevertheless - he pursues Cersei. She wants vengance for their son's death, she still thinks it's Tyrion and explains to Jamie why she thinks it is him (even though it wan't him)... how Tyrion and Cersei once had a discussion and he explained how he would make her pay (more or less) one day for her wickedness. Cersei explains this to Jaime, but I think you can tell that Jamie doesn't think - for one minute - that his brother is the blame here. She pleads with Jaime: "Avenge your son, kill Tyrion." She then uses the only weapon she knows how to, and begins to kiss him. She quickly draws away though to Jaime's near shock. His retort "You're a hateful woman" to which he then kisses her back. He then proceeds to take her right there by the side of their dead son. Cersei pleads with him to not do this and exclaims how it's not right... blah blah blah [she should have thought about that before she slept with her own brother]. However, Jaime wants her and he is going to get what he wants...


In Other Parts of the Castle...

Prince Oberyn and his Lover Whore
There is quite the orgy going down with Prince Oberyn's chambers. When Tywin interrupts the party and asks for the room to discuss matters with the Prince. Once everyone has left they quickly enter conversations about the Prince's sister, her death, the Mountain and how he was the one that brutally murdered her, and how the Mountain works for Tywin. Where Tywin discusses how Oberyn is known to have studied poisons and starts his interrogation if he had anything to do with Joffrey's death. Once Tywin states that he did not 'categorically' have anything to do with his sister's death, and how he could arrange for the Prince to have an audience or meeting with the Mountain... Oberyn knows Tywin's not just going to give him anything. So, he asks what he wants in return. Tywin wants Oberyn to be one of the judges for Tyrion's murder trial... as well as to sit on the small counsel at the Capital. Tywin further explains how The Mother of Dragons will eventually make her way to the capitol and how he needs Oberyn. 

Tyrion is in a sticky situation
In a small cell, Tyrion's squire visits him and explains how they wouldn't let him bring in wine but he was able to bring him other things. Tyrion is very thankful and inquires about what he has heard. The squire explains the judges that have been assembled: Mace Tyrell, who Tyrion explains will vote however his father tells him to basically; Tywin, his father - which he doesn't have much faith in any love between them; and Prince Oberyn which Tyrion knows immediately was a strategic move by his father. Tyrion, when informed he can call witnesses, asks for Sansa to be called and his squire explains that she has not been seen since the wedding. Tyrion also states that as much as Sansa had motive to kill Joffrey, she isn't an assassin. However, before all of this he asks about Shae - his squire explains that there has been no word of her and Tyrion assumes that no news is good news. I really wish Tyrion happiness... however, he'll never achieve much until he breaks away from his family... then again, I think he relies on his families name and power as a protection... I'm sure a lot of people are out there that would kill him just in spite against the Lannisters. I love Tyrion... I just want something good to happen for him.


In Other News...

Stannis Baratheon trying to calculate their next move...
The Red Witch story line is not my favorite (I actually hate it)... however, the remaining Baratheon is relishing off of the power of throwing the leech of the bastards (his brother who was king's bastard son) blood... he uttered Joffrey's name and now he's dead. He's delusional. He's also pissed at his right-hand man's choice to let the bastard son go. His right-hand man tells him how he has been rallying banners to aide in their fight, he also explains how troops win wars, not visions and witches. However, Stannis Baratheon doesn't want to hear it at all. He basically tells his friend to get his shit together or it'll be his head. Meanwhile, his guard or right-hand man goes to visit Stannis' daughter - who they keep locked away because of her disfigured face. While he is talking with his friends daughter, he has a revelation and demands her help in constructing a letter. She has been helping him learn how to read.

Feeding their horse - Arya is a quick thinker
Arya and the Hound have stopped and are watering the horses. She's asking him a lot of questions when they're interrupted by the land owner. Arya lies and give him some sob story explaining how the Hound is her father and has suffered a burn because their house burned down with her mother in it. Gaining sympothy from the farmer, he takes them in, feeding them and offering them a roof over their heads for the night. Over dinner he asks if the Hound would be interested in working for him "fair wage for fair work"... when Arya is awoken in the morning, she runs to see what's going on and the Hound has stolen the farmer's silver explaining how they will not survive and  "dead men don't need silver." This was a pretty funny scene during dinner though. I think it's hilarious how Arya came up with the lie and how she kept the rue up. 


News From Castle Black

Jon keeps warning about the impending war
Wildlings are practically knocking at their door. Jon Snow has been trying to tell them to prepare themselves for war, but of course they doubt him and don't think anything of it. Until a boy arrives that has just witnessed the slaughter of his villiage and was only kept alive to tell them the message of the horror that awaits. Within minutes of the boys arrival with the message, two more arrive with similar messages - that the Wildlings are coming to war with the wall. Now they know that they must prepare. They do not have full numbers and know this is going to be a tough fight. Meanwhile Sam is concerned about the girl that he's been taking care of and her baby. He's terrified that the
Sam wants to get her to safety
men could harm her there at the wall. He suggests that she go to Mole town (which I believe is the town he's from). She's upset that he's sending her away. Sam sets them up in a whore-house, but he tells the madame that she is to do no other work - meaning she isn't to be a whore. He sets up her room and board and explains that she can watch the other children. It's sad that he leaves her there, but maybe with the Wildlings knocking at the wall, it might be better that she isn't there at this point.

Champions Duel

[Let me kill this man for you]
Daenerys arrives at the gate of her next conquest - Meereen. Where, before arriving they have taken all of the chains off of the slaves along the road that Meereen has crucified to warn people or send some twisted message. When she arrives at the gate they send their champion out, who then proceeds to piss on the ground... apparently marking his territory. Khaleesi wants to deliver her message, but she states that he must be silenced first. The men surrounding her begin to offer their services to kill this man for her. She explains why each of them cannot do this until she gets to the guy that likes her. The champion from Meereen is on his horse and begins to head toward them, when Khaleesi/Daenerys leans to her fighter and questions his choice of no horse. She explains that horses are fast and he explains to her that horses are not too smart. I knew what he was going
She fights for those enslaved...
to do, but seeing it was an awesome scene. He took his knife in his hand and threw it at the horses head - instantly killing the horse and grounding it - which also caused an uprising in the dirt and sand around them. Khaleesi's fighter used this to his advantage and approached the Meereen champion and cut him down - like it was nothing.... very impressive. She then addressed the slaves of Meereen explaining to them how her vast army are slaves of her conquests and how they have joined her - freely. She then says that she is there to deliver justice to those that have enslaved them. Then, she orders them to fire as catapults sling long cylinders upon the city... which rain down chains. The scene ends with a Meereen slave picking up one of the rained down chains and understanding that it is the same chains that they use to enslave them... then it clicks that these are the chains that Khaleesi's army has collected during their travel. Cut to black! 

On the Next Episode - Oathkeeper

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