#June2011
Game of Thrones: The Pointy End
Game of Thrones does this really incredible thing every week in which things appear to be at their worst. It feels like at any moment the kettle is going to boil over and everything will burst into flames. The amazing thing is that it doesn’t. The scary thing is, is that it’s still going to get worst. It’s unrelenting. With this episode everyone is gearing up for war. The “green” Robb Stark is stepping up to the plate for his father’s honor, the Lannisters are eager to defend their title, the Dothraki have no choice but to follow Drogo across the sea, and it appears that an unholy army is massing north of the Wall. I’ve read the first two books in the series and all of this still excites the hell out of me.
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Game of Thrones: You Win or You Die
RIP King Robert – you were a whoring drunk whose death seemed rather pathetic. But we’re not stupid. You weren’t just gutted by a boar. We know foul play when we see it. You were fed drugged wine by your squire, Lancel Lannister. You’re dead now, though. Something a lot of people have been eagerly waiting for: your wife Cersei, you “son” Joffrey, and your brothers Renly and Stannis. The problem is that all of these people feel entitled to the throne (while the real heir works as a blacksmith’s apprentice) and civil war is about to break out any moment. Martin didn’t choose the title of his book because it sounded pretty.
Game of Thrones: A Golden Crown
So long, Viserys. I’m glad to see that in the end you finally got that crown you were constantly whining about. You have to admit though, Viserys went from being a total prick when we first met him to just plain pathetic right before they pour gold all over his head. I wouldn’t call it tragic, but he’s been told since he was five years old that the he would be king – a “dragon.” Watching a crowd chant the name of his sister’s unborn prince – Rhaego – was his tipping point. Ah, well. The crowning scene was beautifully brutal nonetheless.
Game of Thrones: The Wolf and the Lion
More than any other episode thus far, “The Wolf and the Lion” feature moments that did not occur in the book. While some fans may turn their nose up at this, I think it’s been the only way to present some of the character backgrounds and relationships penned by George R.R. Martin. Writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have been doing an excellent job at adapting Martin’s rich tomes and this episode prominently displays their understanding of the material. The great scene between Robert and Cersei is a perfect example of this. It never happens in the books, but it makes sense on the screen and allows newbie viewers a deep look into how things work in the Seven Kingdoms.
An In-Depth Look At the GAME OF THRONES Title Sequence
The folks at Art of the Title interviewed Angus Wall of Elastic, the creative group that designed the incredible cartographic orgasm that is the Game of Thrones title sequence – as well as several other HBO intros. Check out the interview here.
Badass Japanese SONG OF ICE AND FIRE Book Covers
The U.S. mass-market paperback copies of George R.R. Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire” series are seriously lame. My copy of book two, “A Clash of Kings,” is a generic crown on a solid purple background. No effort. No direwolves. Just bore-ing sigils.
Publishers in Japan know what’s up. They know Martin’s epic series warrants equally epic covers. Here’s a gallery of select editions in all their illustrated beauty. Check out how wicked Tyrion looks on these bitches. (via)
Game of Thrones: Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things
Hold up. Who the hell is Theon Greyjoy? For those who haven’t read the books, the abrupt appearance of Theon may have been confusing – especially since visually he could pass for one of the Stark boys. For those who may have missed some of Tyrion’s exposition concerning Theon:
Game of Thrones: Lord Snow
Despite Cat’s disdain for a bastard in their family, it’s hard to deny the awesomeness of Jon Snow. He’s one of my favorite characters in the book and now on the show as well. The setting of the Wall helps a lot – it’s such an interesting and eerie place situated at the end of a haunted forest. This forest seems deadly still but if it deems guarding by the Night’s Watch – people who (sometimes unwillingly) sacrifice their entire lives to protect this Wall – then you know shit can go down at any minute. Benjen tells Tyrion a lot about these unnameable horrors beyond the Wall, like big fucking bears. Oh my! And of course there’s the White Walkers who made an appearance in the beginning of the pilot. They’ll come into play shortly and they’re some scary pricks.
Lots of exposition in “Lord Snow” – especially backstory concerning Jaime Lannister and how he earned his epic nickname “Kingslayer.” In the sleazy manner of stabbing the king in the back, natch. Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau plays the smug asshole perfectly. I wanted Ned to bitch slap him with a glove during the scene in the throne room. Him and his unscathed armor. Pssshhht. During the small council, Ned learns how utterly fucked the kingdom’s financial situation is. “Counting copper,” they call it. Despite the issue, Robert demands a tournament be held in celebration of Ned’s appointment as Hand of the King. Ned’s new role, however, doesn’t give him the power to prevent royal spending on crap like tourneys. His frustration with King’s Landing continues to grow.
Game of Thrones: The Kingsroad
I thought I was into Game of Thrones but this Florida resident is so down with the Starks that he beat the shit out of his cousin over it. Drawing that kind of fan loyalty after only one episode bodes well for HBO, who just renewed it for a second season. Hells yeah.
After an hour long series of introductions and politics in last week’s pilot, “The Kingsroad” sets those pieces into tense motion. It’s not all love between the Starks and the Lannisters – the only honest, good blood is between Ned and King Robert. The scene in which they talk about their war with the Targaryens was a highlight of the episode for me. Because of his nearly oppressive sense of loyalty, Ned is still willing to travel to King’s Landing to take his position as the King’s Hand despite his son Bran remains in a coma after his fall. We all know that Jamie Lannister pushed Bran from the high window after witnessing his incestual relations with Cersei.
HBO Renews ‘Game of Thrones’ For A Second Season. Huzzah!
I’m still jazzly jizzing over Sunday’s premiere episode of ‘Game of Thrones.’ Jazzly jizzing? It’s like, playing a trumpet and orgasming or something. So I’m totally jazzingly jizzing harder at the news that HBO has picked the show up for a second season! After one episode! Nice.
