Games of Thrones 1x09 review

[ishtar79]

-R.I.P., Ned. I know I've been mocking the character and his monumentally bad lack of judgment all season, but it was all done with love. And Sean Bean's performance in this one gave me chills. During his last conversation with Varys, I respected his line about having learnt how to die a long time ago, but respected his decision to betray all his principles for his family's sake even more. It was, of course, all in vain, but for once Ned's instincts weren't to blame for this turn of events.

-Despite expecting/dreading Ned's death for the whole season, the emotional impact of the scene still hit me like a ton of bricks. Ned locking eyes with Arya, Sansa's initial naïve optimism and subsequent raw despair, Ned's almost resigned look when everything went quiet...damn. And I'm glad they chose to cut away (er, no bad pun intended) for the beheading, I think the trademark HBO blood & gore would have cheapened what was a powerful moment.

-That Joffrey is a loathsome bastard who deserves to have his eyes and other soft bits pecked out by crows is not news to me. I did wonder about Cersei's protest at his decision (that part of the book is hazy to me). I wonder if she really meant it, as per Varys' assessment that Ned is more useful to her alive.

-Lord Walder Frey is more disgusting than Robert, Lysa and Viserys combined. I shuddered on Catelyn's behalf when he slobbered all over her hand. On a more plot-related note, it was interesting to see how much marriage is used as a bargaining tool (though Arya might have a few strong words on that arrangement). And again, Robb was asked for his consent (granted, it was very much perfunctory, given the circumstances), but a girl merits no such courtesy.

-Some good Jon scenes in this one, both with Commander Mormont and Maester Aemon. I found the latter interaction especially effective in highlighing the themes of duty versus family, especially because Aemon framed it as a choice up to Jon, rather than a command. Jon continues to have his self-absorbed emo moments (nobody UNDERSTANDS my pain!), so I loved how Aemon Targaryen proceeded to school him.

-I have no comments on the Dothraki scenes (it's hard at this point to talk about those events without inadvertently spoiling someone), but I thought it was hilarious that Dany went from a flat stomach to ready-to-pop seemingly overnight. How long exactly was Drogo's wound festering?

-I could watch Tyrion, Bronn and Shae playing drinking games forever. Shae is as awesome as I had hoped, and there's a calculating and secretive quality about her that makes her a hundred times better and more interesting than the previous Happy Hooker stereotypes we got.

-Damn, Jamie looked hot all dirty and bloodied up. /shallow>

-I liked that Robb refused to play his game, that he felt guilty about sacrificing his men, and that he's aware of the precariousness of the situation he's found himself in. And Greyjoy is tolerable as long as they keep his part to one-line reactions to Robb. And that his clothes stay firmly on.

I can't wait for the finale!

Comments

[lilacsigil]

Robb is getting some brains on, or at least some common sense - Jon would have been fighting Jamie Lannister in five seconds flat. Arya mostly has common sense, but she was running through that crowd to rescue her dad anyway.

And I totally thought there was about to be a Tyrion/Bronn/Shae threesome on screen...then Bronn left!

[ishtar79]

Robb is getting some brains on, or at least some common sense - Jon would have been fighting Jamie Lannister in five seconds flat. Arya mostly has common sense, but she was running through that crowd to rescue her dad anyway.

True! Jon probably feels he has more to prove though, being a bastard, so he imitates Ned more...without any of Ned's experience and with the added mess of teenage impulses.