Plot: Arthur Curry, the human-born heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, goes on a quest to prevent a war between the worlds of ocean and land.
April is such an exciting month! Avengers Endgame AND Game of Thrones! Yup, I’ve seen the first episode, and it was good, I just can’t see myself reviewing per episode on here. Since I am SO ready for Endgame, I thought I would do a quick post on the only superhero movie I have seen that I haven’t put on here yet, Aquaman (although not even in the same universe, ha).
I saw this in the cinema in December 2018. It got some good reviews and reached the billion dollar club (The club which is not so elite anymore, but anyway). Some people thought this was a great film, and that’s okay. For me it was merely decent and while better than some of the other DC flicks, it still left much to be desired.
I love Jason Momoa – he’s marketable, funny, beautiful and impressively big. I am not convinced he’s the best actor on the planet, but at this stage he doesn’t need to be. He chooses this big and gruff roles because it actually looks like that is who he is as a person. He does fine with Stephen Curry, and even though there are moments where he isn’t utterly convincing, he does remain one entertaining man. And even if he was terrible, you still get to see a really big and attractive man wet and built for two hours and 22 minutes. The love story between him and Mera (Amber Heard) felt really forced and unnecessary. A couple of superhero films have done really well by now without some romantic entanglement, and I think this would have survived without that as well.
Nicole Kidman plays Arthur Curry’s mom and the Queen of Atlantis. She’s named Atlanna, just so that no one gets confused who she really is. It’s a role far beneath her acting abilities and she navigates the sea without much issue. If you can believe that she mothered Momoa’s genetics, you can believe anything.
Patrick Wilson plays Curry’s half-brother King Orm. He’s a terrible leader in this movie and also has dealing with the pirates Curry tackles in the beginning of the film. Other than Wilson’s deeply upsetting hairstyle, he does a decent (if one layered) villain. This is a nice setup for a second movie to begin with, which I am sure after a billion dollars no one will hesitate to commit to.
At the core, this origin story is nothing new. The release was well timed, in time for the relaxed holiday viewers. The last battle will leave you feeling exhausted because it is just so stupid and long. It’s really not that bad, just cheesy and silly. I definitely won’t commit to a second viewing, but that isn’t because of the quality – I rarely feel that superhero movies need to be watched twice.
Happy New Year dear friends! The past two months have been whirlwinds! I’ve forgotten how to even blog, and I will be super surprised if my WordPress account actually allows me to log me back in.
Needless to say, it has been hectic – when is it ever not though? I finally completed my degree. I always imagined how it would feel getting that notification, and nothing came close to it because hyperventilation was the prevalent feeling – this panicked excitement and too much happy. I’ve also subsequently been promoted, so November and December were interviews and crazed stress. January is all about settling in to my new role and getting my replacement into her new role, so I can promise some extra crazy moments around the office.
We had my sister’s babyshower, and it was a wonderful day. She’s had some scares with her pregnancy, but I am happy to report that her baby girl is now happy and on her way at the end of January. The day of the babyshower was extremely hot! (It was after all December in South-Africa). We made way too much food but had a lovely time celebrating. If I may say so myself – I can organize an event! 😀
I also managed to have some recreational fun. We went to Sun City in Rustenburg, South-Africa. It has a “sea” and it was a fun day away from Johannesburg. (Also an international five star resort, and looks like the intro to Jurassic Park) However, if I ever go again, I will stay the night. The drive back was straight from a horror movie.
We also went to The Garden of Lights, annually hosted by Emperor’s Casino. It was nothing like I imagined it would be – so charming and gorgeous. It is definitely something I will revisit in the years to come.
Another nice day was visiting the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. They are so wonderfully green now and it was therapeutic strolling between the plants.
I went on another Tinder date. It’s actually a recurring event with this one guy. I just don’t know what to make of the situation at this stage. I’m sure he’ll make a decent boyfriend, I’m just not sure if he will make one for me. I also went to another singles event, which was really nice. However, the people that attend persistently do good in short bursts but later just fade into the background.
It seems too few paragraphs to describe the past few months. I feel like my life has expanded and grown, and you won’t hear from me that 2017 was a bad year. It was a pretty good year for me. I’m extremely grateful how much I’ve managed to achieved, and hopeful that I will reach some major milestones this year – which I’m keeping secret for now, but the moment they happen I will let you know.
I only have one “resolution” this year, and that is to use less plastic. Plastic consumption in South-Africa is pretty bad, and I am also a culprit. The government implemented costs on plastic bags a few years ago, but as it is still only about 20 cents a bag there hasn’t been a lessening in the staggering plastic consumption in South Africa. So I am planning to take a woven bag with me from now on and to pack my groceries in there when I shop, so as to help in a small way save this planet of ours.
Well, here is a rundown of my entertainment adventures below. Let me know your opinions! (Sitting on a thousand unread personal emails, so I might have missed some really important moments)
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Hmm. There are so many strong feelings about this film currently on the internet. Let me tell you, my feelings were strong after exiting the cinema. I’ve mellowed some, but I am not a fan of this film. I need to write a proper review for it, and I will save my commentary for then.
Pitch Perfect 3 (2017): These amazing ladies have decided to exit while they are on top. I enjoyed this film so much. It is such silly humour and can be pretty darn vulgar, but at the same time it does my heart good to see female driven comedies shine on their own.
PS I Love You: Gerard Butler, my pants were on fire. I like this film, despite fully knowing so many people hate it.
Lego Batman (2017): What a smart, funny, dialogue savvy film. The best Lego movie and one of the finest DC movies.
Fifty First Dates: I remember loving this film as a child, and eagerly ordered the DVD when I stumbled upon it. It’s still good – a strange mix of Adam Sandler’s best and worst sides. I can at least let my Adam Sandler movies I actually like list grow to three – The Wedding Singer, Mona Lisa smile and Fifty First Dates. The rest remain garbage though.
Lethal Weapon 3 – I got the third and the fourth movie to watch after Zoe and I watched the first two. I had a great time with this one as well, and the three movies I’ve seen are all equally good. How looky was Mel Gibson before he became the bitter old white man?
Grease – It really seems unnatural the way John Travolta’s hips move in this film. How young was he?! How young was Olivia Newton John?! Had a lot of fun watching Grease, but it is undeniably a long film.
Sy Klink Soos Lente – I got in my Afrikaans fix twice in films the past few months. Both (the second below) made me so happy and proud of my language and what we are achieving in cinema. Sy Klink Soos Lente is funny, smart and sweet, and I have watched it once more since the first time.
Vir Die Voëls – Same as the above. The writing is significantly better than most South-African films, and there is an awareness of dialogue in both these films that impressed me. It’s not just words, it is how Afrikaans people speak. I will definitely sit down for this again!
Eat Pray Love – I grabbed this off the shelf for something to watch with my mom. I’ve always liked this film, but this time around I found myself slightly irritated with the level of first world problems the character experiences – it’s just so much easier to have a midlife tantrum when you can travel the world. Javier Bardem in this remains gorgeous.
The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King: My heart. I am so attached to these films. They are everything. I actually don’t want to review them – how to bring justice to some of the best films ever made? My heart.
Justice League – Yep, seemed to have done this in November/December too! To be perfectly honest I enjoyed this more than – gasp – Star Wars. It is definitely one of the better offerings from DC.
The Italian Job (2003) – Another Blindspot off my list! This went okay, just not a favourite Blindspot this year.
Zoë got me the best Christmas gift EVER – all the way from England (I’m still naive enough to get such a massive kick from an international shipment). DOWNTON ABBEY BOXSET!!!!! I cannot describe my intense love for this show – it is simply so wonderful. I am already on to season two, and the sarcastic remarks, the amazing running commentary of the Dowager Countess, and the unbearably lovely Matthew Crawley (SOB) keeps my so entertained my pinkie is going to shoot in to the air anytime soon.
I actually have read way too much to even remember. I am still busy with Under Rose Tainted Skies – it’s good, just very angsty. I’ll finish it soon and tell you all about it, but teenagers are generally difficult to deal with and this one even more so. I am currently devouring Marian Keyes’ This Charming Man, arguably my most favourite read of hers. It’s written so well and flows through the course of the story easily. I also revisited Laurian Clemence’s Mushy Peas on Toast, one of my favourite South-African reads ever, and consumed an unhealthy amount of Nora Roberts. Nora is a spiral – I will read so much of her and then not look at another author for ages, which is lazy and unhealthy on my part. I know I read the two books in the Stanislaski brothers again – which I enjoy despite my opinion on Ukranians not quite matching Nora’s, I also read one of the MacKade books (Return of Jared MacKade), and revisited the Guardians Trilogy. I also read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them (the original book, not the play, which I avoid on principle), and this makes me in the mood for Harry Potter, a complete reread. Who knows, maybe I will even watch the movies as a series. I am also in the mood to read Eat, Pray, Love again by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s the True North of my love of her books, and I’d like to experience it all over again.
What were you up to this festive season? Let me know!
Plot: Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.
You can say a lot about the lackluster of appeal the majority of movies DC has eked out has, but I do admire how devoutly DC sticks to Zack Snyder. Whether it is detrimental or genius or blindly devout, they are sticking with this guy and we must all just deal with it. Patty Jenkins did a fantastic job with Wonder Woman, and she’d be a strong contender for any DC material out there, but I guess these guys are just not ready to let a woman do the job she’s certainly qualified for and choose a lesser able man to do it.
BUT, despite what the internet is telling you (Seriously people, you don’t have to hate everything just because it’s fun to smack down films), Justice League qualifies as one of the better DC movies. Certainly second to Wonder Woman, but compared to the joke that was Suicide Squad (which I didn’t hate completely) and the absolute disaster that was Batman vs. Superman (I’d like to forget that one completely), the Justice League is nearly Oscar material in comparison.
Snyder, who I’d like to say at this stage it can’t all be his fault, has a distinct modus operandi. The excessively dreary dialogue and repressive atmosphere that makes you question why you ever liked movies, the irritatingly long fight scenes (remember Zod vs. Superman? FML), the monumental and recurring and completely unnecessary GCI. It’s exhausting, but up until this point DC has not suffered at cinema. They have likely noticed how much more popular their competitor was, and it was a really good decision to attempt some lightheartedness while also keeping the signature dark style.
However, only one of these irritations became a reality. The fight sequences were handled ridiculously quick compared to Batman vs. Superman as well as the drawn out Superman film in 2013. There were attempts at humor, which worked for the most part. The story was less cluttered and the dialogue had a clear direction. The CGI was the main culprit and was horribly abused. Since Henry Cavill is on the poster, it can be safely deduced that he’s in the film, so that is not a major plot spoiler I’m giving you now (or if it is you lack deductive skills). Followers of Cavill on Instagram will know that he’s sporting a moustache for an upcoming Mission Impossible film. (He, and maybe Tom Selleck, remains the only men to successfully WERK the moustache) He was contractually obliged to keep said moustache throughout shooting, and when Justice League reshoots clashed with the ‘stache, the powers that be decided to CGI the shit out of Cavill’s face. The results are startling, leading many people to wonder if he is, in fact, Human Shrek. The scene where his face is altered is clearly visible and terrible work – I can’t imagine how that got approval. His resurrection is fake and devoid of feeling because of CGI-Superman. I was confused in cinema – his face was distorted and it looked terrible. I sat in the second row of the cinema (was fully packed), so got a very close up and disturbing view of CGI-Superman. Even knowing now why he looked like that does not make it better in any way. He had a whole lot more teeth than what is usually visible on his beautiful and talented face. That said, Cavill is a superb Superman – he has the gravity required for the success of the role and certainly looks the part. It also takes a whole lot to convince me that Jason Momoa is the second prettiest thing on screen.
Justice League is miles, and I mean MILES, better than Batman vs. Superman. Ben Affleck has become more comfortable as Batman, he has some believability in the role now, and manages to inject some humor and sarcasm into his portrayal that was desperately needed. He has injected a humanity into his portrayal that was absent in BvsS, something that made him that much more a success of a character. There are also multiple mentions to the fact that the reason he’s a superhero is because he’s rich, which got some chuckles from the crowd. Ezra Miller is a great Barry Allen – he’s so hilariously young and awkward and he is responsible for making the movie more lighthearted. I’ve been pained by Miller in the past – his usual roles are so weird and whiney, but he was an excellent choice for this role. I could have done with some more backstory on Allen, as well as with Cyborg (also an excellent casting choice in Ray Fisher), and the delicious Arthur Curry (Momoa). They showed enough of him to make me excited to watch Momoa as Aquaman for that origin story. It struck me that it was the first time I heard Momoa actually speak English (his other native tongue being Dothraki), and for his major return to the spotlight this seems to be a great role for him.
Wonder Woman returns to Gotham, and her work is questioned by Batman, who displays into the White Man syndrome fantastically. He queries why she hasn’t been a beacon to people, never considering that she gets to make that choice herself. All her actions are basically only to show how strong her male colleagues are, and when Aquaman (Jason Momoa) sits on the Lasso of Truth, her beauty is complimented whereas Superman, Cyborg and The Flash have their abilities complemented, a sure sign that a male director called the shots. I love Gadot as Wonder Woman, and it is an unquestionably the better film. I’ve seen some unhappiness by the Amazonian’s decidedly smaller costumes, and it’s true – Themyscira underwent a troubling fashion change at the hands of Snyder.
I cannot stress enough how good the casting is in this film. Ezra Miller impressed me to no end, and he has a quirky banter with his team mates. He even manages to be endearing. Momoa is well, Momoa, big and manly and tough. The glimpse into the underwater world we will get to visit in Aquaman was beautiful, and I can’t wait.
A not so good thing about Justice League is the utterly forgettable Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds). He’s poorly introduced, and for all the hard work in keeping the “boxes” safe, he just smashes through all lines of defense. He is also yet another CGI villain from DC. His vampirish followers are slightly scary. His end is ridiculous and leaves room for so much open ended questions. Where did he even go? That end is also preposterous – as my friend pointed out we have all these super-humans battling Steppenwolf and the second Superman pitches everything is saved? What is the point of the Justice League then? How about the incredible Cyborg? The warrior Wonder Woman? The Flash that is seemingly only as fast as Superman, eliminating the need for him almost entirely? Aquaman that saves the team from certain death by water?
I’d love seeing a more realistic villain – this guy was so vague about his purpose and half the time he was a secondary focus point. Can we maybe have less CGI villainy and more real-human villainy? I hope with Lex Luthor in the credit shots we are going to have that the next round.
I enjoyed JL – it is not without flaws but it is the first real attempt DC made to correct their ensemble films. It’s been a good year for these guys and I’d love to see what they conjure up next year.
Have you seen Justice League? Leave your thoughts below
Have I done one of these already? If so, I don’t care because I am doing another one! My list has certainly evolved the past few months with some pretty awesome and fine gentlemen working their way in! As I’m writing this the post is threatening to turn into a novel, so sorry for the long one!!
Special mentions:
Luke Danes – Scott Patterson, Gilmore Girls
Jon Snow – Kit Harrington, Game of Thrones
Jax Teller – Charlie Hunnam, Sons of Anarchy
Chuck Bass – Gossip Girl
10.
Jess Mariano – Milo Ventimiglia, Gilmore Girls
Character rating: 8/10
Smoky factor: 8/10
Final Score: 16/20
Jess comes in at number 10 because he is the perfect bad boy that every girl should have once in her life. He is not always good to Rory and his problems in life keeps him back, but later on in the story his character becomes extremely satisfying to see succeed.
9.
Seely Booth – David Boreanz, Bones
Character rating: 8/10
Smoky factor: 8/10
Final Score: 16/20
I LOVVEEE Bones. The show is good and takes place in a lab which, as it is part of my career world, I enjoy immensely (although the drinking and eating around human remains… nope).
Booth is so damn fine. The height, the size, the character, just take me now. I have a big thing for the whole injured soldier story so that factors in really well too.
8.
Damon Salvatore – Ian Somerhalder, Vampire Diaries
Character rating: 7.5/10
Smoky factor: 9/10
Final Score: 16.5/20
I’ve only seen the first three seasons and I’m not that interested in seeing the rest because season three is already rather boring, but the main attraction of that show is Damon Salvatore. He is comfortable with his nature and doesn’t whine as much as his brother. Also, the eyes of Ian Somerhalder, paired with the black hair and that fuck-it-all attitude. Win.
7.
Robb Stark – Richard Madden, Game of Thrones
Character rating: 8/10
Smoky factor: 8.5/10
Rating: 16.5/20
SOB. He was everything until George Martin was George Martin and killed him off. I’ve noticed that GoT has the same route – endear a character to the watcher/reader, and then pop him. Rob, with his curly hair, his kingly nature and his impulsive streak (that lead to said popping) made such a good character. Richard Madden was a great attribute to the show – looky wise, acting wise and execution of the storyline. He is sorely missed.
6.
Tom Branson – Allen Leech, Downton Abbey
Character rating: 8.5/10
Smoky factor: 8.5/10
Final Score: 17/20
Tom Branson is initially introduced into Downton as a depiction of the unrest that was very much real in the middle and lower classes in Britain in the 1920s. Tom is adorable in his outspokenness and opinions and his fearless determination to give his opinion. His love story with Sybil is so romantic and fun because it is seen as inappropriate.
I love Tom. He is a good man and can see how the upper class isn’t all that bad although he disagrees with the class system. His grief at Sybil’s death had me so upset because it was done so well. His love for his young daughter and his determination to make life good for her.Just YES.
5.
Khal Drogo – Jason Momoa, Game of Thrones
Character rating: 7.5/10
Smoky factor: 10/10
Final Score: 17.5/20
If this post was based solely on characters Khal Drogo would probably have been lower on the list. His character is cool but let’s face it – even though the love story between him and Khaleesi eventually becomes so beautiful it causes physical pain, the start of their sexual relationship is not at all consensual (at least in the series)
So it is thus the looks department that brings Khal Drogo in at number five on this list. He is so hot. All that muscle and manliness and the little scar above the eye and his looks and everything
4.
Dean Winchester – Jensen Ackles, Supernatural
Character rating: 8.5/10
Smoky factor: 9/10
Final Score: 17.5/20
Ah Dean. Supernatural is such a great show (until season 5) and I’ve been scared plenty of times watching it. We all know who the better Winchester brother is. Sam Winchester is the most annoying crying baby that any show has had (apart from Carrie Matheson in Homeland). Dean however, is everything. HE is strong and resilient and such a good brother and smoking hot. His taste in music, his taste in cars, clothing and food. Everything just wins where Dean is concerned!
3.
Peter Quinn – Rupert Friend, Homeland
Character rating:9/10
Smoky factor: 8.5/10
Final Score: 17.5/20
This could really be a list of my favorite shows too, as far as the numbering is currently going! I really enjoy Homeland and even though I find the drama, especially in Season 4, very much like a war propaganda from the US, I think the show is really well produced and the characters extremely well written. Carrie Matheson is the bane of everyone’s existence, not just mine, so the show’s quality relies on the supporting cast and the story.
Peter Quinn came to Homeland in Season 2 but never really received the proper character development he deserved. Every season would start off with some introduction on his life and extraordinary work skills and then just fade as Carrie’s crying face got all the attention.
Season 4 finally really starts to focus on Quinn, and although I retched when his feelings for Carrie came out into the open, I really enjoyed that he got more screen time.
Quinn is efficient and loyal and dedicated to his team, all of the things which Carrie is not. When he goes into avenging mode, it is damn hot and I just want to jump through the screen. I enjoy the many layers the character has and how he struggles with many of the decisions his superiors make.
2.
Sherlock Holmes – Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock
Character rating: 9/10
Smoky factor: 9.5/10
Final Score: 18.5/20
Sherlock comes in a close second on the favorite characters list. He is so intelligent and quirky and Benedict Cumberbatch brings the legendary sleuth to the screen in the way that no person could have thought possible. The three seasons are all highly entertaining, the banter between Sherlock and Watson is sharp and acerbic and the chemistry onscreen between Cumberbatch and Freeman contributes to the enormous success of the show. The story is sharp and layered and excellently written and produced. However, without Cumberbatch this show would have been really good, but I don’t think that it would have been as excellent. His unique features and nature brings the character to life – no one will ever be Sherlock as well again as he. Then there are Cumberbatch’s eyes and that voice that just kills me. (The hair and his height and his trench coats too)
1.
Matthew Crawley – Dan Stevens, Downton Abbey
Character rating: 10/10
Smoky factor: 9/10
Final Score: 19/20
Matthew Crawley has forever ruined television crushes for me, because no one will ever be able to compete against him and walk away the victor. I don’t always go for blonde haired guys, so when I do, you must KNOW that it is for character reasons as well as looks. Matthew really perfected my standards here. His character is amazing. He is kind and compassionate in situations where it wouldn’t be unfair of him to lose his temper. He goes through so much in the show and he remains this gentle soul. I love everything about him and I can’t see myself ever giving this spot away to anyone else.
Ned Stark (Sean Bean), the Lord of Winterfell, is visited by King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) and his wife, CerseiLannister (Lena Headley). He is asked to become the Hand of the King, the King’s chief advisor because the previous Hand died. Ned’s wife Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) receives a letter from her sister Lysa (Kate Dickie), in which she tells them that her husband, the previous Hand Jon Arryn (John Standing) was murdered by rival House Lannister of which Cersei is a member of. Ned travels South with the King and his two daughters Arya (Maisie Williams) and Sansa (Sophie Turner),on a quest to discover what happened to Arryn and still trying to protect his family. Sansa becomes betrothed to the son of Cersei Lannister and the King, Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson).Ned’s illegitimate child, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) decides to join the Night’s watch, an ancient brotherhood sworn to protect the people of the Seven Kingdoms from what lies behind the wall. It is rumoured that beyond the wall there lies a terrifying danger that have slept for a thousand years.
Ned’s young son, Brandon (Isaac Heamstead Wright) discovers the incestuous relationship between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime (Nikolaj Coster), nicknamed the King’s slayer for killing the Mad King. Jaime pushes Brandon out of a high window and Brandon is paralyzed. When he wakes up he pretends to not remember what happened, perhaps knowing that he will die if he ever told anyone. He is visited by Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), the Dwarf brother of Queen. Tyrion gives him plans that describe the makings for a horse saddle made to help lame people ride. This makes Brandon’s mental recovery increase. He is attacked by savages while riding alone and his brother takes a woman as a slave instead of killing her. She and Brandon become friends when she carries him around places.
Jaime Lannister: “The things I do for love”
Catelyn stays by Brandon’s side, convinced that he did not simply fall. Robb Stark (Richard Madden) the eldest of the children takes over leading Winterfell because his mother has become obsessed that Brandon is still in danger. She is proven to be right when she and Brandon are attacked in the room and they narrowly escape death when Brandon’s wolf saves them. She is convinced the Lannisters are involved when she finds a golden lock in the tower Bran fell from, and decides to covertly visit her husband with it and the dagger she took from her now dead assailant. Back at the King’s landing, Ned Stark learns that Arryn died because he discovered a secret about the Lannisters and wants to know what it is.
Across the Narrow Sea on the continent of Essos, the exiled and arrogant Viserys Targaryen (Harry Loyd) lives. He is the Mad King’s son and Viserys believes that he is the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms. To reclaim the Iron Throne, he needs an army to wage war on Baratheon, and marries his sister Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) to the leader of the Dothraki, a warrior tribe. Upon her wedding, Daenerys is gifted with three priceless dragon’s eggs. Her family, the Targaryens, are rumoured to have dragon’s blood in them. As there hasn’t been dragons seen for thousands of years, this isn’t something incredibly powerful. She is married off to KhalDrogo (Jason Momoa) and she has trouble adapting into her new life. When she learns how to please her husband, their relationship develops and she finds her confidence and voice as the Khaleesi of the tribe and through her and Drogo’s developing love. Daenerys becomes pregnant with Khal’s son and the tribe is overjoyed, and Viserys is terrified when he realises how much the Dothraki love their new Khaleesi. Without being able to bully his sister or intimidate Drogo, he threatens the pregnant Daenerys, much to his error.
Daenerys
Prince Joffrey and Sansa go on a walk and everything seems to go well until they encounter Arya and one her friends, a butcher’s son, practising sword techniques. Joffrey attacks the boy, and Arya defends him in turn. Joffrey wants to strike Arya but her wolf attacks him, biting his hands. Joffrey shuns Sansa’s help and lies to his mother, the Queen, and even though Sansa knows his story isn’t true she sides with him, alienating her sister when the wolf is sentenced to die. Ned asks to kill the Wolf because he will do it with dignity. The butcher’s son is found murdered.
Ned is working as the Kind’s hand and is shocked by how badly the Kingdom is being run. The King’s treasury is indebted to the Lannisters, something Ned does not like because it means the Lannisters are actually running the show. Ned is surprised when he is visited by Catelyn, brought to him by Councillor Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Aiden Gillen). Baelish has been in love with Catelyn for many years and promises to help Ned Stark with his investigations.
Instead of heading south to the King’s Landing, Tyrion Lannister decides to travel with Jon’s entourage to the Wall. After a few bumps, a cordial relationship is established between Jon and Tyrion. At the Wall they hear tales of the White Walkers and Tyrion is requested to urge his sister to send more men to protect the Wall. Tyrion is captured on his way back by Catelyn, and she takes him to her sister for justice. Her sister went crazy after her husband’s death and she is very difficult to converse with. Tyrionplays the law card and is released after he gets someone to fight for him and the soldier wins the fight.
Ned hears that the King plans to kill Daenerys and her unborn child. Ned strongly disagrees with it and this makes him resign as Hand of the King. The Lannisters are furious that one of their family members was imprisoned by a Stark and Jaime and Ned fight each other. One of Jaime’s men stabs Ned in the knee and Jaime leaves him alive because he wants to kill Ned fairly. While Ned recuperates the King visits and they make amends and Ned takes his job back. He wants to sends his daughters back to Winterfell, much to Sansa’s disapproval. Ned discovers the huge secret Arryn was killed for – he found out that Joffrey was not the King’s son, but he is the son of Jaime and Cersei. Ned talks to Cersei, telling her that he will tell the King when he returns from the hunting trip. However, the King is attacked by a boar on the trip and dies shortly after his return. Before Robert dies, he appoints Ned as the regent of the Iron Throne until Joffrey is of age. However, Ned words the king’s last wishes as the “rightful heir” instead of “Joffrey”. Baelish assures Ned that the City Watch will back him taking on Cersei, but he is betrayed by Baelish. Ned is taken prisoner on treason charges for claiming Joffrey is not the rightful heir to the throne and he is thrown in the dungeons. During Ned’s fight and imprisonment, Arya manages to escape the castle but Sansa is caught and kept under the Queen and King Joffrey’s rule.
King Joffrey
When the Lannisters realise that Tyrion has escaped, they press their advantage over the Starks. Ned’s eldest son, Robb, wages war to get his father back, and he rally his mother’s father’s allies to war. As they ride to war, Sansa begs Joffrey mercy over her father. Joffrey beheads Ned and says this was a merciful death, and forces Sansa to look at her father’s head on a pole.
Meanwhile on the Wall, Jon has adapted to his new life. At first, he is only seen as the bastard son of Ned Stark, but he begins to make friends and earns respect on his superior fighting skills. He especially befriends Samwell Tarly (John Bradley), an overweight, awkward and friendless boy who was shunned by his family. Jon gets the rest of the guard to treat Sam kindly, and they soon discover that while Sam might not be the most brave or strong, he is intelligent and has a vast knowledge. Sam and Jon’s other friends become instrumental in keeping Jon alive. Deserting the Guard means death to the deserter and Jon is tempted to leave a few times – when he hears that his father has been imprisoned and that his brother Robb is marching to war against the Lannisters. Sam convinces Jon each time that they have their own war brewing on the Wall and Jon listens and stays. Two bodies are returned back from the woods beyond the gate – two men who used to be guards. These men “awake” and Jon’s wolf, Snow, sense something is wrong. Together they attack these “zombies” and they save the leader of the Wall’s life that way.
After Vicerys’s death, Drogo does not plan to continue his siege on the Seven Kingdoms. He changes his mind after an attempt on Deanerys’s life and begins to assemble gold by infiltrating small towns. Daenerys keeps some of the women who were sentenced to being raped and killed, angering Drogo’s warriors. One especially foolhardy man attacks Drogo because of Drogo’s ruling that the women must not be harmed and Drogo kills him but his blood is infected a dirty blade. Daenerys asks a witch to help save Drogo and she keeps his life at a terrible price – Daenerys loses her baby and Drogo lives in a catatonic state, forcing the heartbroken Daenerys to smother him as it is not something he would have wanted for himself.
Ned’s execution spreads to his family and the Kingdoms, triggering huge emotions. The warriors of the North proclaim Robb as their King and they march to the King’s landing, wanting Joffrey’s head. TywinLannister assigns his son Tyrion as the King’s Hand to keep Joffrey and Cersei from running amok. Daenerys burns her husband’s body and the witch that caused her child’s death and husband’s catatonic state, and burns herself amongst the Dragon’s eggs as well. She emerges the following morning, unharmed, flanked by three dragons and the remaining members of the Dothraki and their slaves bow to her.
Rating: 8.5/10
This is one of the best pilot seasons I have ever seen. It is gripping from the start, highly intricate and tells an epic story. The characters are excellently portrayed, each as entertaining as the next. The antagonists are murky and it is never clear who will betray who and what their motives are.
The costumes were something that gave me great joy. There was so much detail on each outfit and each Kingdom had its own specific look. The war paint on the Dothrakiespecially looked very well done.
The relationship between Khal Drogo and Daenerys was another key element of the success of the season. They started off very badly with her being sold to him, Drogo not being particularly nice about it. I admire Daenerys so much. She took her situation and turned it around, became respected and loved and found a partner that she deeply loved. Them eventually falling in love was the most beautiful part of the entire story, and I found his death excruciatingly sad, but understood that she couldn’t let him live in such a form and that he would not have wanted such a life.
You can’t be an internet user and not know the universal hate for King Joffrey. It is only at the end of the season that he truly becomes a little bastard but he does it so spectacularly that you immediately hate atrocious personality. I still find it extremely difficult to feel sorry for the Sansa Stark – she soooooo wanted him and now she is stuck with him.
Ned Stark: Oh my fucking life I love Sean Bean. He is a fantastic, brilliant man and he rocked as Stark. He was one of the best characters – he was brave and had dignity and would not let anyone do anything wrong as lond as he could prevent it. He had such a revering attitude towards his wife – something not found amongst the people in the Seven Kingdoms, especially their King (I will say that the Queen is equally messed up BTW) I hated Ned’s death – that was how Joffrey got his shithead title for me – and how he was just betrayed by everyone in the King’s landing. Couldn’t he have atleast lived to see his son beat the shit out of one of the Lannisters?
Tyrion Lannister – I seriously love him. He is so intelligent and wise and kind and NOTHING like the rest of his family.
Jon Snow: I have a major idea as to what is up with him but I will remain quiet and see if I am correct. If I am, it will be awesome. I really like him and think he is one of the only remaining men to be worthy of that Throne, if he ever would be a contender.
All the child actors in here: Children actors are most often than not dodgy. These kids rocked it. They are essential to the storyline and made the show just that much more enjoyable.
Everyone was so commenting about the sex and the violence in here (mostly the sex) but I really did not find it that bad. Sure, there were a few dodgy scenes (the INCEST) but overall it is just showing how the people of the Seven Kingdoms lived.
Another thing that I found well done was the magical elements. It is so casually introduced that it is never ridiculous. The amount of the unbelievable is so small that it is accepted into the storyline without much thought.
The storyline is very complicated but this is worth the watch. I love that you never know what will happen. I have NEVER been so scared of spoilers than now. I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. Everyone is further along than I am AND I TRUST NO ONE. The episodes are long but I never felt it was too long. I cannot wait to watch season two, which will hopefully have some of the much talked about winter in.
Life of this city girl 