Category: Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 8; The Mountain and the Viper

3/6/2014

By Paul Fiander

I'm both a book and TV show fan, I have read the books all to date and so am coming to the table with some foreknowledge. However the wonder of the show is not just that they are not just retelling the book instead they are putting their own stamp on events. As such watching the show has actually spoiled the book in certain plot lines. I will try my hardest not to spoil any future events but as far as I'm concerned events in this and past episodes are fair game.

The two faces of Psychological warfare

Theon Greyjoy and Sansa Stark may seem worlds apart but this episode above all others showed their main common theme. We have had what feels like years to see the breakdown of Theon by Ramsey Snow (now Bolton) and what he has achieved with Reek is amazing. Pieter Baylish on the other hand has brought Sansa in to the fold a lot quicker and with much less brutality.

The common thread that both men seem to have used is dependence, Little finger by rescuing Sansa and then creating an elaborate lie already drew the Stark girl in, but killing his wife made her fear for her life. In the episode Baylish did ask Sansa why she protected him? Her answer was simple if they killed you what would happen to me?
The smirk from Little Finger gave you the impression this was a rhetorical question and by using his guile he has seemingly brought Sansa in to his web.
The question however remains will she be as steadfast in her role as reek or is the master of deception in for a shock?

They made us wait but was it worth it?

V

I'm not going to make you wait till the end of the episode for the main event like HBO did tonight. The title gave away what was going to happen but the as time ticked on the tension grew and when we first saw the two combatants my mind instantly jumped between Michael Buffers famous intro "Lets get ready to rumble" and the most famous quote from The Princess Bride "Hello.My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die".
I knew this fight was coming and still I had the hope that the Red Viper would live, there is something about the way he was portrayed by Pedro Pascal that brought the book to life. The casting in the show is generally excellent, but in Pascal they found a man born to play the Prince of Dorne. The fluidity of his fighting style mixed with his controlled rage made him the embodiment of the Viper and it is a shame that he had to depart but what an ending.

In his moment of triumph Oberyn points to Tywin Lannister and virtually calls him out as the man who ordered the Mountain to kill his sister.
The problem is the mountain is not a man to be underestimated and even with a spear through the chest still manages to trip the Viper and literally smash his face in.
The finale of the scene was gruesome to say the least, the Mountains first blow smashed out loads of the Vipers teeth, he then gouged out his eyes and fianlly squashed his skull with a sickening clench of his hands.
The most powerful thing though was the big man's recital of Oberyn's taunts;
"Elia Martell, I killed her children and I raped her, then I smashed her head in like this"

Although a relatively short fight scene it will live long in the memory, not least the final sight of the two combatants laying next to each, one with a chest wound and the other with a smashed skull.

The unforgiving Mother of Dragons

Daenerys Targaryen has shown she is a woman of conviction but today she was tested to a whole new degree. The revelation that Jor Moremont was a spy came as a huge shock. The betrayal in the young Queen's voice was obvious to hear and she did what we expected by banishing her former Queens Guard.
Elsewhere in Meereen there is an odd blossoming relationship between the Unsullied leader Grey Worm and Dany's translator Missandei. This gives us a comical moment when Dany and Missandei are trying to figure out if the Unsullied lose both the Tree and the Rocks. Its a nice moment and shows the growing relationship between the two women.

The Starks of the Eyrie

With Sansa already at the house of the Arryn's and suffering under an interrogation (which she passes with a deft touch) it seems she may be soon reunited with her troublesome younger sister.
Arya has had a great road show with the Hound up to this point but t seems their journey is at an end. However if you ever expect things to go smoothly in Westeros then you have not been paying attention.
I was not expecting Arya's reaction on the news of her aunts death, but the fit of hysterics makes perfect sense for a girl how has lost everything in the most brutal fashion. The question now is will how will the sisters reunion go, if there is one at all?

We have not ventured up North in this recap but something tells me next week we will see a Fire unlike any the North has ever seen. I just hope the show's creators are able to top the Blackwater.

Knowing the way the game is played I'm pretty sure they will.

Oh and of course we need to find out when Tyrion will be put to death.

Episode watched via Sky Atlantic on the evening of the 1st of June 2014.

Images courtesy of BSkyB © Home Box Office

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Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 7; Mockingbird

21/5/2014

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By Paul Fiander

Why the opening credits matter.

Back in 1977 George Lucas broke with convention and jumped straight into his film after the opening crawl. This caused outrage at the time as creators of the film were not being given their due for the work they created. Since then there have been more than a few ways where show/film creators have tried to get watchers to pay attention to their names and roles, from the Simpsons crazy antics to the vignettes at the end of the Marvel movies.
On the first Episode of Game of Thrones the clockwork movement within the opening credits had me enthralled and the fact each pop up denoted a place that would appear in the show made the credits even better. During this season the opening credits have wavered a bit but the last few episodes with the introduction of Bravos have seemingly brought the wow back to the opening.

The credits do give the creators and actors their due and with a large ensemble cast such as Game of Thrones the opening sequence will always be longer. However the fact the producers cared enough to create a dynamic opening still pleaese me to this day. It may be a chore to sit through on occasion but it could be just as long with a duller background (at a lower price).

The three visitors of Tyrion Lannister

Back in season one Tyrion was being tried in a biased court so he turned to the one form of trial where he had an even chance of winning; A trail by combat. Of course it was only even as he paid a sell sword to fight for him. Now after his outburst at the trial he is going to roll the dice again but at least this time his first choice is close to hand.

This choice is his brother Jamie one of the greatest swordsmen in all the realms. For Tyrion Jamie fighting is a win/win situation, if Jamie wins he walks free and if he dies he gets to hurt his father and sister at the same time. Unfortunately for him Jamie is not so cavalier with his life and due to the fact he still has not learnt to use his left hand he turns his brother’s generous offer down. Tyrion does beg one favour from his brother and that is to send his former saviour to see him.

The meeting with Bronn is perhaps the most touching of the three meetings, this is due to the relationship they have developed on-screen. The man with money and the man who will do anything to get paid have been a perfect pair ever since the trial at the eerie. Bronn’s entrance unfortunately tells Tyrion all he really needs to know and from that point he is on the back foot. True to his word the sell sword honours his pledge to Tyrion by offering the opportunity to double Cersei’s price. Unfortunately the younger Lannister is unable to give Bronn any guarantees and so he turns the offer down. The handshake as the two part company tugs at the heart strings and cold hearted bastard that is Bronn appears like he almost break. However as always pragmatism reigns and it seems Tyrion must face the Mountain in a true David and Goliath contest.

Cersei in her desperation to destroy Tyrion played her trump card by calling on The Mountain to be her champion, this makes sense as Bronn commented "he is freakishly big and strong and fast than you would think for a man of his size". There is however one man in Kings Landing who is desperate to destroy the Lannister’s and starting with the Mountain makes perfect sense. That man is Prince Oberon of Dorn, from his very first conversation with Tyrion he described his desire to kill the killer of his sister and her children, now it looks like he will get the opportunity to fulfil his dream. The conversation with Tyrion is pretty much lifted from the book as Oberon describes his first ever meeting with the Lannister monster. As he describes though the freak was a disappointment as he was not a monster just a baby. As he offers to be Tyrion’s champion the look of vengeance is plain to see and it looks like we will finally get to see the Red Viper of Dorn in full on combat for the first time. This is shaping up to be the fight of the series and I cannot wait to see it.

Not all birds can fly

Now we turn to the main event on the episode the going’s on of Little finger. In an episode mostly created to put the pieces in place for the last few episodes of the series we are still given a shock to end with. Baylish has begun to show his true colours this series from his accent to his plan to take over Westeros but perhaps his most sinister plan was revealed this episode. It has been apparent for quite a while that his wife his actually Lisa is a poor substitute for the woman he truly desired her sister Catelyn. Now with Catelyn dead he has seemingly turned his affection to Sansa it’s a creepy moment as he initiates a kiss with the young girl but this sets up an epic finale. Unbeknown to Sansa Lisa was watching and calls her to the throne room where the Eerie’s executioner the Moon Door is primed for duty. Sansa is grabbed by her Aunt and called a whore and as the scene develops the rage within Lisa is seemingly going to spell the end for another one of the Stark children. Just at the last moment Little Finger enters and seemingly diffuses the situation by saying he will send Sansa away. As Lisa holds Baylish for comfort he utters the immortal words “I have only ever loved one woman……Your sister”. This is when we find out whether you are a Knight or a Queen every flight out of the Moon Door ends in the same way. It’s a very strong ending to the show and you have to ask yourself how the master of the spoken word will be able to talk himself out of this one.

Although a lot more went on this show we will dive into that later as we have a two week break till the next episode. The pawns have moved and now the true strength pieces of the board are beginning to make their move, lets hope they are able to the realms justice.

Knowing the way the game is played I'm pretty sure they will.

Episode watched via Sky Atlantic on the evening of the 19th of May 2014

Images courtesy of BSkyB © Home Box Office

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Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 6; The Laws of Gods and Men

12/5/2014

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My first post in a new home our weekly look at Game of Thrones.
By Paul Fiander

Justice served?

One of the key themes of this episode appears to be justice. Firstly we have Dany and her treatment of the Masters of Meereen. At first sight paying back the masters seemed justified but due to her rashness now the Khaleesi is stuck in a world where she can not know if the men she killed were rightfully executed or not.
The trial of Tyron is of course the other look at justice in Westeros/Essos his trial asks a question, where power is concerned can justice ever be served?

The Kingslayer Brothers

A chance remark made in jest by Tyrion in a previous episode is now a tagline of more than a few memes and pictures on the net. The name though seems apt if you follow Cersei's thinking and she has stacked the witnesses for the crown against her bother. Some are expected like the grand Maister but the appearance of Shae comes as a complete shock to her Lion of Lannister. Her testimony is an absolute nail in Tyrion's coffin, not only in what she says but also by the way she goads a reaction from him. His confession is dripping with venom as he confronts his father and the rest of the court, its an immense display from Peter Dinklage and shows why is quite literally the star of the show. He quite literally dwarfs everyone else in the throne-room and even Tywin is knocked out of shape by Tyrions demand for a trial by combat, I say everyone but one person seemed more intrigued than shocked.
Of course Tyrion has already had his life saved at another trial but Bronn was not at the trial and with his brother still not the fighter he was, who does he expected to fight for him or will he do it himself.

There is a problem though for Mr Dinklage, he may have some competition for all those televisual awards he has been receiving lately in the form of Reek. Alfie Allen's portrayal of the playboy of Winterfel Theon Greyjoy has now given way to one of the most stunning performances you are likely to see. In terms of emotional depth Theon has never really been shown as a deep person mostly just a jealous spoilt brat who thought the world owed him everything now though he has seemingly only one emotion that of fear. Its a very difficult emotion to act, some of the best horror scripts are ruined by actors not being able to convince the audience they are genuinely scared. Reek though even in his almost pleasure in the Bath still reacts like he IS genuinely scared of Ramsey, I feel its the best physical performance in the show to date and one that I hope is recognised. Of course a nod should also be given to Iwan Rheon the gentleman who plays Ramsey, he has the mix of a psychotic individual down to a tea. He is unnerving to watch on screen and feels he can do anything he wants, his power over Reek is immense as we know from the shaving scene in The Lion and the Rose. Tonight's episode though brought a whole new side to their relationship as Ramsey asks "Reek do you love me?" The answer is seemingly the Westeros equivalent of Stockholm syndrome. It's this attachment that defeats Yara's attempt to save her little brother so it seems the psychological war that Ramsey fought with Theon has been well and truly won.

A threat from Essos but not the one we were expecting

I think I can safely say the majority of the audience would love to see some Dragon carnage brought about the Armies of Westeros in the very near future. However tonight we had to make do with a spot of sheep barbecuing. The imagery of Drogon was immense and not a dark shadow was present as we got to see him in all his glory. Its nice to see where the saved budget from the previous season is going and in the city vistas of Bravos and Meereen we can see where another chunk of cash went. The Great Pyramid looks amazing and it's here we find Daenerys holding court. With the last remaining Targaryen seemingly intent on ruling Slavers Bay, the Essos threat actually comes from a Bank.

In a scene that mimics two kids asking a bank for a million pound loan Stannis and Davos are asking the Iron bank of Bravos for funds to raise an army and retake Westeros. When they are rejected Stannis true to his character gets up and leaves, so it is left to his hand to do the talking and of course hand showing. The passion with which Davos speaks for his lord sways the bank and they leave with seemingly a great deal of funds judging by the pouch that is bestowed upon Salladhor Saan. Now Stannis has the money it will be interesting to see what he does, will he go to Kings Landing to retake the throne for his House or will he remember the words of the Red Woman and the warning she gave as she saved Davos's life? Only time will tell.

Of course the main section of this episode was the courtroom scene. We did get to see a Dragon and a cityscape but I will remember this episode for the characters and the actors that played them. The assembled cast is doing a great job and I hope they continue giving performances like the ones on display here for the rest of the show's run....

Knowing the way the game is played I'm pretty sure they will.

Comments

Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 8; The Mountain and the Viper

The two faces of Psychological warfare

They made us wait but was it worth it?

V

The unforgiving Mother of Dragons

The Starks of the Eyrie

Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 7; Mockingbird

Why the opening credits matter.

The three visitors of Tyrion Lannister

Not all birds can fly

Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 6; The Laws of Gods and Men

Justice served?

The Kingslayer Brothers

A threat from Essos but not the one we were expecting

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