***** SPOILER ALERT *****
This review will be discussing plot points which may be considered spoilers. Consider yourselves warned.
So that was… quiet. The Game of Thrones season premiere was not at all what I was expecting, but it gently immersed us fans back into the world of Westeros and the Free Lands.
In case you had forgotten how much you hated Tywin Lannister, I would like to have a moment of silence for Ice, the great sword wielded by Starks time immemorial, that was taken from and used to behead Lord Eddard Stark and has now been melted down into two Valyrian steel swords. I know that Jaime has not yet become a truly good man, but there is a little part of me that is still bitter over Ned’s death, and that part is angry. There is only one place that Tywin Lannister could have gotten enough Valyrian steel for two swords. Jaime would have known that. But at the same time I understand that there was no way for what Tywin had done to be undone.
Not my usual, but nice.
Oberyn Martell… looks nothing like I pictured, but he plays his role so well that I can already feel my imagined Oberyn turning into the TV show Oberyn. He’s very suave. Also, the Dornish love wine and sex. Seriously. Tyrion should really consider moving to Dorne.
Speaking of Tyrion, Shae is needlessly jealous. It’s starting to get very, very old. Apparently she has never realized that constant bitching is the easiest way to drive a man away. Of course, she is a retired whore, so she probably doesn’t have a lot of experience with long term relationships. On the bright side, I really loved the coral dress she was wearing in the gardens, so that’s one in her favor.
Tyrion is starting to look more and more beaten down and weary. At the same time, the scar on his nose seems to be getting less and less noticeable. This is also true of Sandor “The Hound” Clegane’s damaged face. Considering that these two are supposed to have very disfigured features, I’m not sure what the show is trying to do. Is all that makeup too expensive? Or are they making them more sympathetic characters?
Jaime, Jaime, Jaime… comes back to the capital and everything has changed in his absence. His son has become bloated (metaphorically speaking) with power. That snotty moment when Joffrey goads him about the amazing accomplishments he hasn’t done was pretty brilliant. Jaime clearly wanted to backhand his son with his golden prosthesis. Then there is Cersei, who is clearly losing control of her drinking problem and no longer wants to sleep with him. Apparently she thinks he was on a cruise of the Trident for a couple of months—at least, she berates him for staying away as though he had any control over the matter. Her descent into madness is actually rather gratifying. On a side note, the costume department isn’t even trying to make Jaime a blond anymore. Did they spend the whole budget on the dragons again?
Jaime’s tête-à-tête with Brienne was sweet. They argue like a married couple—or, you know, siblings. Is there a difference in Jaime’s world?
Regal!
The statue of Joffrey standing on the direwolf with that ridiculous crossbow was suitably ostentatious. I appreciate the brief glimpse we got, as well as the slow fade into the real king standing in the same pose. I can’t stand that kid (not that I think I am alone in this sentiment).
Ohhh while I’m on the subject. We finally got a glimpse of adolescent dragons. Drogon, Dany’s favorite, seems to have some teenage angst to get off his chest. The dragons are getting bigger. She’s going to need a more permanent solution to keep them from harming anyone. I really liked the new actor playing Daario Naharis for a few moments, until I realized that I wasn’t supposed to like this character. He’s always been sketchy and not quite right. He should not be this pleasant or seem this trustworthy. I will be interested to see how his character develops.
Jon Snow seems to have become a man sometime between the end of last season and the beginning of this. I really enjoyed Sam’s honest response to Jon’s monologue about the death of his brother Robb—“Sometimes I want to hate you.” Their relationship is about to become very different. I think it is obvious that Jon will most likely be the next Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, and that Sam will replace Maester Aemon in time.
I have to admit with everything that went on last season, I forgot all about Ser Allister and especially the fact that Janos Slynt is in Castle Black. It was satisfying to watch Maester Aemon pull their fangs right in front of Jon.
Just like in the episode, the best is last. Arya Stark!! The little girl is fast becoming a stone-cold killer and most likely a deranged psychopath and I LOVE IT! Judging by the horse she was riding at the end, so does her companion The Hound.
All in all, a good start to what should be an amazing season. Is it next Sunday yet??
Therefore I Geek 