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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Tyrion flushes out a leak but his game has only begun. Aria runs into trouble on her way to the Wall. Beyond the Wall, John learns some hard lessons. While the Starks are busy with the south, Balon Greyjoy plans on ransacking the north and taking Winterfell.
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I will take my crown and pay the iron price.
Balon Greyjoy
At the end of last episode, John got knocked out by Craster for following him with the baby. He brings him back to the barn. Craster tells the Crows that he wants them gone. Mormont isn’t happy. Snow realizes that Mormont knew about this. Mormont says that the boys are being offered to the wildings. Mormont says that they need men like Craster. They are leaving in the morning.
At Winterfell, Bran wakes up with his wolf looking at him. He confides in Maester Luwin, who dismisses his visions.
Lady Catelyn arrives in the Stormlands. They see a battle between Ser Loras of Highgarden and Brienne of Tarth. Brienne wins. She asks to be part of the King’s Guard. Renly agrees, much to Loras’ annoyance. Catelyn meets Margaery Tyrell, Renly’s new wife.
Renly is bedding Ser Loras. Loras tells him that he needs to bed his sister to make the marriage official. He can’t do it, but Margaery is well aware that he’s screwing her brother. He needs to make her pregnant to keep his enemies at bay.
Balon has a talk with Yara and Theon. Balon sends Yara with 30 ships to take attack Deepwood Motte. Theon is taking a ship to raid fishing villages. Balon is planning on taking the North while the Starks are busy trying to take the South. After harsh words between Father and son, Yara tells Theon that he needs to make a choice. The Starks or the Ironborne. Theon writes Robb a later, but burns it instead of sending it. He gets consecrated to the Drowned God with his father and sister watching. He’s made his choice.
Tyrion plans on sending his whore to the kitchens to hide her from prying eyes. He sends her to be Sansa’s handmaiden. He tells Maester Pycell, Baelish and Varys that he has plans for an alliance with different families to flush out the leak. The leak is Maester Pycell. Myrcella is going to Dorne.
Littlefinger wasn’t happy to be used in Tyrion’s ploy, but he says that he needs him again in a bigger game to get his brother Jaime back. He has him thrown in a black cell.
Yoren teaches Aria on how he manages to sleep at night. He makes a list of the people who wronged him like a prayer. Before he took the black, he only had one person on it. His brother’s killer. Yoren tells Aria and Gendry to keep out of sight. They should run north if things go wrong. It’s the Gold Cloaks with one of the Lannister bannermen. Yoren takes out a couple before being skewered. Aria frees the prisoners bound for the Wall. She is captured and they are taking the captives back to Herrenhall. Aria tells them that they already killed Gendry.
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