This new fantasy series is based upon The Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin. Unlike other fantasy settings, since it is being broadcast on HBO, it features nudity and adult language. Unlike Camelot (Starz), which enjoys tearing apart Arthurian Legends, Game of Thrones is a compelling TV show. The premiere episode was on Sunday and the overall quality of the show, plus its unique setting makes it something to watch for the next few weeks.
It is also the polar opposite of a show like Spartacus, where there is so much nudity that it’s almost common place. In Game of Thrones, it’s part of the story and it feels like it’s an uncensored version. The story could be told without nudity and adult language, but it makes this show appeal to the target audience.
It’s eerie to see what I have read on the screen. Maybe that and the lack of time are the reasons why I haven’t yet watched any episodes of the second season of Game of Thrones. There’s also the fact that it’s quite popular, and that usually makes me stop watching some shows.
Anyway, I decided to start watching it. I’ve got 3 episodes to watch. Since I have read all of the books, I can now compare on how the narrative compares with what I see. The season opener was quite good and very faithful to what I remember in the books.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
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Winterfell is gathering their bannermen and Stark ends up dead as a doornail. The statue of Baelor was a bit small compared to how big it is supposed to be in the novels. Other than that, since this has an ensemble cast, there’s no doubt that the next season will be a success.
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Joffrey is being a git as usual. His cruelty will be his downfall. Tyrion arrives at court to serve as the new Hand.
A white raven has arrived from the Citadel. It means that winter is coming and the end of the longest summer Westeros has known. Cersei is annoyed that he comes to the Small Council. He’s surprised to learn that there is only one Stark left since Aria escaped and Joffrey killed Ned Stark. Tyrion brought his whore.
Cersei tasks Baelish where to find Aria. He suggests asking Varys. He makes a remark about brothers and sisters. She has the guards almost cut his throat and then tasks her to find Aria.
Cersei is seeing that she is losing control of Joffrey. In one of Littlefinger’s whorehouses, the King’s Guard find a Baratheon bastard baby and have him killed. The same thing is happening all over the place. They are looking for Gendry, who’s heading to the north with Aria.
In the North, Bran is holding court. At night, Bran is skin-riding his dire wolf. There is a comet in the sky. Osha tells Bran that the comet means one things: dragons.
Daenerys is walking with one of her dragons. Her khalasar need supplies. She sends out the blood of her blood to scout ahead in different directions. The dragons aren’t eating the meat.
Beyond the wall, Lord Commander Mormont’s party arrives at Craster’s Keep. Craster marries his daughters and they give him more daughters. Mormont asks Craster where the wildings have gone. Craster says that they went to join Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall. Rayder is gathering an army, an army bigger than the one any southern lord can muster.
At Dragonstone, the Red Woman Melisandre is making a sacrifice to her god. She’s burning the effigies of the Seven. Most of the population in enraptured. She calls Stannis Baratheon to pull out the sword Lightbringer from a pyre. The priest asks Davos to talk some sense into Stannis.
He has a letter drafted to state that Joffrey and the other children that were borne by Cersei are the result of incestuous relations between Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Therefore, the true ruler of the Iron Throne is Stannis, as the elder brother. Davos sees the master Cressen put poison into a cup. Stannis won’t seek an alliance with any other claimants. Davos tells Cressen to stop his ploy. He takes a sip of the poisoned wine and hands it over. He starts to double over, but Melisandre isn’t affected. Cressen dies. Melisandre’s red jewel pulsates at her neck. The letter is going to the four corners of the kingdom.
At the Northern Camp, Robb goes to see Jaime. He tells him about the letter that Stanns sent. Robb sends a Lannister to King’s Landing with his terms. Robb agrees to send Theon to see his father Balon for ships. Catelyn doesn’t like this. Robb is sending Catelyn to the Stormlands to negotiate with Renly.
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