Games of Thrones 1x04 review

[ishtar79]

-Just when you think Tyrion couldn't possibly get any more awesome, he does something like gift Bran the designs for that custom-made saddle. It made off Robb come off as even more of a petulant child playing dress-up in daddy's clothes.

And yes, I realize that Tyrion is far from a 100% white hat. Nobody really is, on this show. But his tender spot for “bastards, cripples and broken things” seems to be one of his more genuine character traits. The thing that makes him the Lannister family's proverbial butt monkey is the very thing makes him better than them-not just because he's capable of some measure of empathy, but because it's what forced him to become that much more clever, cunning and interesting than his pretty, pretty siblings.

-Aw, poor Sam. Another perfectly cast character.

-GHOST! <3333333333

-They keep coming up with creative ways to dump exposition, don't they? Tyrion snarking at Theon, the creepy scene with Viserys and the slave girl, Sansa and her Septa in the Iron Throne room. I'm not quite sure how effective those are, in terms of viewers unfamiliar with the books keeping up with all that history.

-Speaking of Sansa, the bloom's definitely come off the rose. She's definitely wise to the reality of her situation, as was heartbreakingly illustrated through her fears about the gender of her future (many, ick) children.

-Arya's enthusiasm about her water dancing lessons was completely charming, even as her joy was dampened by Ned's reminder of her predetermined role in this society. I do like that Ned keeps the sugar-coating to a minimum. Both Arya and Sansa are aware of their fate (or at least seem to be at this point), but where Sansa is wearily resigned, Arya intends to fight it every step of the way.

-God, I'd forgotten how heartbreaking Sam's story was in the books. His lot in life is as shitty as that of the female characters, the redshirts commoners, Tyrion and Bran, and pretty much everybody who isn't a physically strong male character of noble blood.

-The episode page on imdb is not complete, but Robert's bastard was Will from Merlin aka Chris from Skins, right?

-So who else literally cheered at Dani's Crowning Moment of Awesome? Four episodes in, and she's already miles away from the quietly terrified girl in the pilot. When Viserys attacked her, I half-expected the rider from the previous episode or even Khal to rescue her, but of course this was so much better.

Mind you, as great it is to see Dani embrace her new power, it's not really hers, since it derives from her status as wife of the Khal and mother of the Khal's son (because we all know that if the baby is born female, that power becomes irrelevant). Yet she's still infinitely more respected and less abused than she was as Viserys' unmarried sister, so her new role does offer her some measure of relative control. No wonder she's come around to feeling positive about Drogo-and the Dothraki.

-Speaking of the indirect pathways to power women had to use, that final scene with Catelyn and Tyrion is a great example. What's more, Catelyn handled gaining/comfirming the loyalty of everyone in the room so masterfully and subtly, that even Tyrion (Tyrion!) didn't see it coming until it was too late.

-Cersei's threat to Ned, on the other hand, was the opposite of subtle. Maybe she thought subtlety would be lost of a Stark.

I doesn't seem like Ned realizes the gravity of making an enemy out of Cersei (beyond the abstract “all non-Lannisters are her enemies” thing).

Comments

[lilacsigil]

I haven't read the books, but the info-dumps are pretty coherent to me! I really like Dany and Sansa - they're a character type we don't get to very often see in high fantasy, the girl who is feminine and fulfils her expected role in society, and yet is aware and thoughtful about it. I love Arya, but I love her more because of the contrast with the other girls and women.

[ishtar79]

It's good to know it works on its own, not just as an adaptation. It bodes well for ratings.

I agree on Dany and Sansa. Arya is the one I'm more naturally drawn towards, but I agree with you that their perspective is essentially and rarely explored.

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

I agree that it was infinitely better that Dani was able to save herself... and of course she realizes where her 'power' comes from (since she proclaims her title and pregnancy like a shield), and she realizes that she'll never be able to go home again.

The world is one where strong men rule, but I love that the story is focused on the weak men (and the women) who find some power of their own.... BTW does Catelyn let up on Tyrion some when she sees the saddle design he made for Bran? I can't wait until next week!

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

Dany is getting more and more awesome, isn't she?

I find myself most drawn to the stories of the characters who don't have power, and all the ways they attempt to negotiate a game that's essentially rigged against them.

[aegflota.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've mentioned this before but I really love the theme and opening credits. The little world looks gorgeous.

Raph and I are waiting eagerly to see Viserys' Crowning Moment as well :D

I doesn't seem like Ned realizes the gravity of making an enemy out of Cersei (beyond the abstract “all non-Lannisters are her enemies” thing).

Just like book!Ned, in a way...

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

The credits are a work of art. I'll never tire of them.

I suspect that when That Moment comes for Viserys, I'll clap. And rewatch it a dozen times. /bloodthirsty>

Poor Ned. He's a simple man.

[aegflota.livejournal.com]

Viserys is so irredeemably awful I'll rejoice as well. And yet I almost feel sorry for him because of how useless and broken he is. I presume it's the ~madness in the family~ manifesting in him that doesn't exactly help, but Dany turned out all right! As did Rhaegar, depending on who you talk to.

Sean Bean does a great job of playing simple men :p Although I really, really love Catelyn in the show. I never really liked her in the books at all.

[nrrrdy-grrrl.livejournal.com]

I do believe I am finally coming to understand what's going on on this show. The final scene was pretty great.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it works on its own, not just as an adaptation. And yeah, the final scene rocked.

[go-back-chief.livejournal.com]

Maybe she thought subtlety would be lost of a Stark.

To be fair, it probably would be. ;)

They keep having excellent endings to every episode, I think.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

I think Littlefinger's motto on the Starks (Quick tempers, slow minds) says it all!

The endings have been great-cliffhangery enough without being forced.

[ariadneelda.livejournal.com]

I may have squealed when I saw Ghost. :D

I'm not quite sure how effective those are, in terms of viewers unfamiliar with the books keeping up with all that history.

I'm not sure either. But I loved being able to get all those references and notice many things I didn't when I read the book and had totally forgotten they were in it. And I only recognised stuff now because it stayed in my memory only after seeing it again in later books. Makes me want to reread GoT just to catch all those things I missed the first time!

but Robert's bastard was Will from Merlin aka Chris from Skins, right?

I have no idea - my own moment of revelation was "OMG, so THAT was Gendry?!" I had totally forgotten Gendry was ever mentioned in the first book and that he was in fact Robert's bastard.

All Dany-related issues aside, it was very satisfying seeing her confronting her piece of shit brother like that.

Yes, Ned definitely doesn't realise that about Cersei.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

Haha, I thought of you when I saw Ghost.

So far, people on my flist who haven't read the books seem to be enjoying it, so that's good. It wouldn't last long as a show otherwise.

...I had forgotten Gendry is a character.

All Dany-related issues aside, it was very satisfying seeing her confronting her piece of shit brother like that.

...and then there's that upcoming Viserys moment that's bound to be satisfying.

Ned is coming off as terribly...unsubtle here. And I'm being charitable in that description.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I realized I enjoy watching Viserys get his in the show even more than I enjoyed reading about it.:-)

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

I swear, watching Viserys every week has given me bloodthirsty impulses. There's a scene I'm especially looking forward to now.

[countouttheday.livejournal.com]

I love what they're doing with Sansa and Arya, though what Ned tells Sansa about having daughters isn't correct... it doesn't really matter now (and makes the prospects of women seem even more grim), but I wonder what will happen if they get to a third or fourth season... the lines of inheritance and male vs. female heirs becomes more important then.

TBH, I don't think Cersei does subtle as well as she thinks she does. She's fantastically well played though.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

Sansa and Arya are among the two stories I'm most interested in. I do wonder how they'll handle adapting the whole series (er, assuming the "whole series" ever gets finished, that is) if it gets renewed for more seasons.

Cersei is just *perfect*.

[mimine.livejournal.com]

Ignoramus viewer chiming in too little too late (sorry). This episode was a little clumsy with the exposition. It really felt like they had all put their exposition hats on and were pummeling me with their exposition dumps. At some moment I felt that maybe I should be taking notes. Not a good feeling when you are watching a show.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

If it's any consolation, reading the books practically requires note-taking too.