Series Review: Game of Thrones Season 3

The Lannister’s win of Battle of Blackwater Bay secured their reign in King’s Landing and Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) has taken over as Hand of the King. His son Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) does not take his demotion well after risking his life and nearly dying his sister’s orders. Tyrion is still secretly seeing the former prostitute Shae, who is now Sansa Stark’s handmaiden. Cersei (Lena Headley) is still fretting over her lover/brother, Jamie (Nikolaj Waldau-Coster), who was taken captive by Robb Stark. Unknown to Cersei, Jaime is on his way back, escorted by by Brienne of Tarth (Gwendolyn Christie), the female soldier under orders from Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley).

Catelyn is still being treated as a prisoner by her son Robb Stark. Robb (Richard Madden) is furious with his mother for releasing Jamie behind his back which angered his men. He also has to deal with the anger of Lord Walder Frey (David Bradley), who is very peeved that Robb married Talisa (Oona Chaplin), and not one of Frey’s daughters as promised. Robb and Catelyn begin to repair their relationship when they hear that Bran and Rickon, the two youngest Starks were most likely killed by their former friend Theon Greyjoy.

Bran and Rickon are very much alive and are travelling to the Wall to find their half brother Jon Snow (Kit Harrington). They are accompanied by the giant Hodor (Kristian Nairn) and Osha (Natalia Tena). They meet the Reed siblings, Jojen and Meera, and Jojen particularly interests Bran because he has dreamt of the strange boy. Jojen (Thomas Reed) is able to tell name Bran’s seemingly magical abilities: he is a Warg, someone who can see into the future. Jojen begs him to heed to listen to what he sees while he sleeps.

Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) is still on her way to Winterfell with Gendry (Joe Dempsie) and Hot Pie (Ben Hawkey). They find themselves encircled by The Brotherhood without Banners, and meet Sandor Clegane. Sandor seems like a decent man and offers to set them free, but when his men arrive with the Hound (Rory McCann), taken captive after fleeing King’s Landing, and the Hound identifies Arya as a Stark, Clegane’s plans change. They are all taken to the secret cave where the Brotherhood hides out, and the Hound is sentenced to trial by combat. He wins the fight, and his slain opponent is brought back to life by the Brotherhood’s leader, Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer), who is also a follower of Melisandre’s god. Gendry tells Arya that he plans to join the Brotherhood, but his plans are destroyed when Melisandre shows up and takes him away.

Melisandre (Carice van Houten) takes Gendry to Dragonstone where Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane)is licking his wounds following his mortifying defeat. Sir Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham) shows up after nearly dying but he is thrown in a cell for speaking against Melisandre’s madness.

After Jon Snow’s capture by the Wildlings, he is taken to the King behind the Wall, Mance Rayder (Ciaran Hinds). Mance takes a liking to Jon, but warns him that he will be killed if he betrays the people behind the Wall. Jon gets further entangled by sleeping with Ygritte (Rose Leslie), breaking a vow of the Night’s Watch.

After the attack of the White Walkers, the Night’s Watch is in bad shape. They are once again taking refuge in Craster’s keep, but he is as horrible as ever, and the men are soon angered. Samwell Tarly meets Gillie again, the girl who begged him to help her save her young son’s life when the Men were there previously. The unnamed boy is nearly old enough to be offered as sacrifice to the White Walkers, and Gillie is very worried. Lord Commander Mormont dies when some of the Night’s Men rebel and Sam flee with Gillie and the baby, who is later also named Sam.

In Astapor, DaenerysTargaryen (Emilia Clarke) is continuing her quest to reclaim the Seven Kingdoms. Barristan Selmy (Ian McElhinney), the former King’s Guard who was thrown aside by Joffrey Baratheon saves her life and offers her his service, and she accepts. Jorah Mormont (Ian Glen) is also still around to advise her, and the two men flank her side as she frees slaves in every city she enters, offering them the choice to either follow her or be finally free, and also killing their old, cruel masters in retaliation of years of injustice and torture. Daenerys finally gets a massive army when she buys the Unsullied from their barbaric master and Missandei, the translator of the treaty, gets to join Daenerys in her quest and leave behind her life.

Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) is still in King’s Landing. Through a little bit of good luck she was freed of marriage to Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) when Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) became the King’s new fiancé. Margaery is infinitely more capable of handling the King’s madness and through some clever games of her own, she manages to endear Joffrey to the citizens of King’s Landing, but Cersei still deeply despises and mistrusts her. Sansa finds a friend she desperately needs in Margaery, and when Margaery and her grandmother Olenna ask if Joffrey is a good person, she overcomes her fears and tells them how horrible he really is.

Brienne and Jamie are waylaid by Bolton arms men, and Jamie loses a hand. Without his sword hand, Jamie is lost and desolate, but Brienne manages to keep him motivated. Jamie tells Bolton that Brienne has a superbly rich father, ensuring that she doesn’t get raped. He goes through a whole lot of things to try and keep her safe, showing that he has redemption in him. When Roose Bolton sends Jaime back to King’s Landing, Jaime returns and saves Brienne, establishing their unlikely friendship.

The death of Catelyn’s father brings some reconciliation between Robb and Catelyn. He agrees to attend his grandfather’s funeral in Riverrun, much to the anger of Lord Karstark, who still justifiably wants vengeance on Jamie Lannister for killing both his sons.

Petyr Littlefinger (Aiden Gillen) shares the Tyrell’s hopes to marry Sansa to Loras Tyrell. Tywin is furious and intercepts, and convinces Olenna to let Loras marry Cersei instead, and this new development is not taken well at all by the Queen Regent. As reward, Petyr is sent to win the affections of Lady Lysa Arryn, the Lady of the Vale. Tywin Lannister promotes Tyrion to Master of Coin, and while he is happy with new responsibilities he is overwhelmed by the magnitude of the job and his inexperience in it. Sansa becomes betrothed to Tyrion, and no one is happy about the new developments.

Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) is still being held captive and tortured. He is hopeful when a mysterious young man helps him escapes, telling him that his sister is trying to save him. His escape is futile – his saviour is actually not a saviour at all, and only sets Theon free for the sport of catching him again. Theon is castrated by his torturer.

Lord Karstark kills two young Lannisters as retribution and Robb is forced to execute him. As Karstark’s men leave Robb, he is forced to try and make amends with Walder Frey. As a peace offering, Robb’s uncle Edmure is now to marry Robb’s previous fiancé, Roslin. The wedding seems to go well, and even Frey seems like he has made peace about it.

Sam is still trying to get Gilly and her young son to safety after the massacre at Craster’s Keep. They are attacked by a White Walker, but they are saved when Sam uses the dragon glass he found on the mountains on it. Jon and Ygritte are still close and they discuss their relationship. Jojen tells Bran that they must find the three eyed raven, but Osha is still adamant that she will not travel beyond the Wall. Eventually they reach a compromise – Osha will take Rickon to Jon Snow while Bran stays with Jojen and his sister.

Arya Stark escapes the Brotherhood’s captivity, but is once again captured, this time by the Hound. She struggles with her hatred of him while he tries to get her to Robb Stark to claim some money.

Sansa is still horrified by her upcoming nuptials. Shae tells Tyrion that their relationship will end with his marriage to Sansa. Margaery, who has become a great source of comfort to Sansa, assures her that she is lucky to receive Tyrion as a husband. Neither Tyrion nor Sansa enjoy their wedding much, but eventually some form of a rapport does develop.

Gendry arrives at Dragonstone with Melisandre. Stannis has an inkling his favourite witch is up to no good and he releases Davos to stop her, but not harm her. They are just in time to stop Melisandre from sacrificing Gendry for his Baratheon blood, and he is thrown into a cell.

Daenerys arrives at the Yunkai and learn that the Second Sons, a mercenary company, are employed there. She meets the lieutenants of the company, all but one are very rude. Daario Naharis kills his fellow leaders and offers his company to Daenerys. Her army soon takes over Yunkai and Daenerys once again gives the slaves in the city the option to be free or follow her.

Bran and Jon are eventually a few feet apart but Jojen convinces Bran to not let Jon know they are there because it means they will never find the three eyed raven. Bran saves Jon’s life after Jon refuses to kill an innocent man. Jon escapes and Ygritte is furious that he left her behind.

Yara Greyjoy decides to save her brother, but Theon is not himself anymore and eventually she gives up hope. Sam and Gilly finally reach Castle Black and Gilly is allowed to stay and care for the men. When Ygritte sees Jon again she shoots him, and he arrives injured at Castle Black. With Jon and Sam back, Westeros can finally be alerted of the existence of the White Walkers. The news reaches Stannis Baratheon first, and Melisandre says that fighting the Walkers is their most important task.

Rating: 7.5/10

I went in with high hopes for season three, bolstered by the excellence of season one and two. High hopes are often dashed, and mine were just a bit damaged by the slow pace of season three. The story was as good as always, but the characters constantly seemed to be waiting for something to happen.

The last three episodes of the season completely exploded. I left out the big plot twist to spare anyone who hasn’t seen Season three yet. Let me just say I was gobsmacked and screaming and even angrier than when Ned Stark got executed back in Season One. Hint: I HATE MR. FILCH SO MUCH.

Daenerys once again just keeps on climbing the awesome ladder. She occasionally frustrated me in season two, but I thoroughly enjoyed her uncompromising attitude in Season Three. I really liked the inclusion of Daario Naharis. The actor that played him had something, not in looks but in attitude that just smacked of Khal Drogo. The girl has fine taste in men!

I used to be a sympathiser with Stannis, but not anymore. For the first two seasons I thought he was just a man being bamboozled by Melisandre, but he finally showed the full extent of his douchery by his treatment of his scarred daughter. His wife is a thorough nut, and I DO sympathise with him for being married to her.

The girl power in GoT rocks so much. My favourite ass kicking ladies are naturally Daenerys and then Margaery Tyrell, who impressed me so much. I thought she was mad for willingly becoming betrothed to Joffrey, but after a while I could see that she would perhaps be the only person on the planet that could control the @#$%. She furthered endeared herself to me by being so nice to Sansa, who REALLY needed a friend. I also like Arya Stark. That little girl is such a Stark and she just won’t give up and I respect her so much for it.

Some relationships were so sweet and some so annoying. I absolutely adored the love between Talisa and Robb Stark, and the whole Gillie and Sam thing. Shae and Tyrion had something going that was sweet, but eventually I didn’t like Shae’s attitude at all. I did not like Ygritte’s terrifying obsession with Jon Snow. Seriously, I get the addiction to Kit Harrington completely, but wow that was a bit overly attached girlfriend there!

Have you seen the third season? What did you think?

July 17, 2014 by Natasha Categories: ReviewsTags: Aidan Gillen, Alfie Allen, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Carice van Houten, Charles Dance, Davos Seaworth, Emilia Clarke, Gendry, Iain Glen, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Jack Gleeson, Joe Dempsie, Joffrey Baratheon, John Bradley, Jon Snow, King Robb Stark, Kit Harington, Lady Catelyn Stark, Lena Headey, Liam Cunningham, Lord Petyr Baelish, Maisie Williams, Margaery Tyrell, Melisandre, Michelle Fairley, Natalie Dormer, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Oona Chaplin, Peter Dinklage, Princess DaenerysTargaryen, Queen Cersei Lannister, Richard Madden, Rory McCann, Rose Leslie, Samwell Tarly, Sansa Stark, Ser Jaime Lannister, Ser Jorah Mormont, Shae, Sibel Kekilli, Sophie Turner, Stannis Baratheon, Stephen Dillane, Talisa Maegyr, The Hound, Theon Greyjoy, Tyrion Lannister, Tywin Lannister, Ygritte 10 Comments

Game of Thrones: Season 2

Following orders from his father, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) becomes the Hand of the King at King’s landing, while Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) is still on the field. Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) starts worshipping Melisandre’s (Carice van Houten) fire god, burning anyone who objects to his change of faith as offerings. He lays public claim to the Iron Throne as its rightful heir, revealing Cercei’s (Lena Headley) and Jamie Lannister’s incest and one of the results of it – King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson), who has no right to the throne as he has no blood of deceased King Robert Baratheon. Despite his mother’s assurances that he is a rightful heir, Joffrey orders every single bastard child of Robert murdered in King’s Landing.

Robb Stark (Richard Madden) now rides to war against the Lannisters in vengeance of his father’s unfair execution. Robb, named King of the North, offers peace to the Lannisters in exchange that the North function as a separate entity.

Cersei rejects Robb’s offer of peace while Tyrion hatches a clever plan to see who he can trust in King’s Landing by leaking his marriage plans for his niece, Cersei’s daughter, but telling the three separate people different spouses who he intends to marry her off to. Cersei is furious when she learns of his plans and vows revenge on him while she watches her daughter sail away, while Tyrion has the Grand Maester Pycelle (Julian Glover) thrown into prison for his betrayal.

Robb sends his friend, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) to the King of the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide). Theon, the only living son of Balon, was taken captive by Ned Stark following the suppression of the Iron Islands after Balon’s revolt against Westeros, and his father and sister taunt and despise him for his Northern mannerisms, and even his betrayal of Robb Stark’s trust won’t change their minds.

Robb and his mother Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) rides to seek an allegiance with Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) , the gay brother of Robert who has married Margeary Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) who is well aware of her husband’s preferences but doesn’t really care as long as she gets to be queen.

Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), who became the mother of three dragons, is leading her miniscule army through the Red Waste. They are starving and they meet many enemies, all who are unwilling to assist them. In Essos, she sends out riders to look for help, but the rider loses his head and carries a message of warning to her. She and her army eventually reach Qarth, a prosperous city, but they are nearly turned away yet again until Xhoan Daxos (Nonso Anozie) vouches for her and her troops. They are soon fed and cared for within the city, with Xaro offering her everything she wants in return for her hand in marriage. She refuses, still in love with her deceased husband Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), and has to find other resources. Xaro heads up a coup of the state and he becomes the King of Qarth. Daenerys is horrified when her dragons are stolen, and when the immortal warlock Pyat Pree(Ian Hanmore)reveals that he has them locked in his “temple”. She heads to the temple to find many obstacles, including an illusion of Drogo with their baby, but she finds the strength to kill Pyat Pree, free her dragons and leave the temple. She finds one of her handmaidens with Xaro, and locks both of them in the vault Xaro had said held all his riches but is actually empty.

Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) is travelling with the Night’s Watch beyond the wall and they take shelter at the Wildling (Robert Pugh) Craster’s home, where he is living in incestuous relationships with his wives and daughters. It is unclear as to what precisely happens to the boys that are born of the relationships between him and his wives/daughter as he keeps only the baby girls. Jon gets curious and investigates, and finds that Craster offers the boys to the White Walkers in return for safety. Jon is furious and is found by Craster on his way back, leading to tension between Craster and the Watchmen. Meanwhile, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) befriends Gilly (Hannah Murray), one of Craster’s wives who is pregnant. She begs him for help with the baby should it be a boy, but Jon tells him to not interfere any further and make Craster even angrier.

Following her father’s execution, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) is saved by Yoren (Francis Magee). As he heads to the Wall with some criminals to employ as Watchmen, he promises to drop her off in Winterfell in honour of his friendship with her father. He is killed by some of the Lannister’s army for refusing to give up one of his prisoners. Arya thinks the Lannisters are looking for her, but they are actually still hunting for Gendry (Joe Dempsy), who is a bastard child of Robert Baratheon. They both make it out alive by pointing out a dead boy to be who the Lannisters are looking for, but they are taken captive and held at Harrenhal, where they watch people being tortured to death for information no one seems to have. Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) arrives and immediately puts a stop to the torturing, and when he notices Arya is a girl, employs her as his servant and has no clue she is the girl his family is desperately trying to catch. Arya gets an unlikely protector, Jaqen H’ghar (Tom Wlaschiha), a man she saved from being burnt to death. In return for the three lives she saved, he promises her three lives of her enemies. She chooses her first “payment” to be the man who tortured the innocent people of Harrenhal to death. Her second is a man who discovers she is working against Tywin Lannister, and her third becomes a bunch of guards as she and Gendry escapes Harrenhall.

Stannis is still fully in the clutches of Melisandre, much to the discomfort of his right hand, Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham) Stannis sleeps with Melisandre so that she can give him the son his wife couldn’t, but Melisandre gives birth to a shadow creature that kills Renly Baratheon.

Catelyn Stark and Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), a female warrior, are forced to flee Renly’s camp after they witness his murder. Brienne swears her allegiance to Catelyn and vows revenge on Stannis Baratheon.

Back at King’s Landing, things are still not going well for Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner). She suffers abuse under Joffrey every time her brother gains a victory. Joffrey incites a public riot and Sansa is nearly raped by some commoners, but the Hound (Rory McCann) saves her. After she has her first period she is horrified that she can now bear Joffrey’s children, and even though she and Shae (Sibel Kekilli), her handmaiden and Tyrion’s secret lover, tries to hide it, her secret is discovered by the Queen.

Winterfell is attacked by Theon and his men and when Bran(Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and Rickon Stark (Art Parkinson) escape, they are hunted down with a search party. Robb is furious when he hears of Theon’s betrayal and sends men retake Winterfell. Theon burns the bodies of two boys who everyone believes to be Rickon and Bran, but they are hiding within the castle. Bran is still having strange dreams about a three eyed raven and still has no clue what it means. Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) heads to Winterfell to take Theon back to their father, while Osha (Natalia Tena) plans to get Theon, Rickon herself and the giant Hodor (Kristian Nairn) to safety.

The Watchmen arrive at the Hand of the First Men, an ancient stronghold. While Jon is out on a journey with some of the men they capture wildling Ygritte (Rose Leslie). She openly tries to seduce Jon and manages to divert his attention enough to escape, which eventually leads to him being trapped by Wildlings.

Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), still being held captive by the Starks’, nearly escapes after killing a guard. The rest of the camp wants him to be executed for killing one of their own, and Catelyn orders Brianne to take Jamie back to King’s Landing in exchange for her two daughters. Robb is furious with his mother and orders her to be under constant supervision while he tries to calm his men down. He meets Talisa (Oona Chaplin), a beautiful healer, and is instantly captivated by her, despite being betrothed to the daughter of one of his allies. Defying his mother’s warnings, he soon weds Talisa.

The animosity between Tyrion and Cersei reach new heights when she has a prostitute she believes to be Tyrion’s lover beaten up, unaware that she has the wrong girl. King’s Landing is meanwhile preparing for the siege of Stannis Baratheon, and Tyrion gets control of the stock of Wyldfire in King’s Landing and prepares to use it as a weapon. Stannis promises to make Davos Hand of the King if their siege is successful, and agrees to have Mellisandra stay behind.

Stannis Baratheon lays assault to King’s Landing in the Battle of Blackwater Bay. Joffrey, who is supposed to be the fearless King that is leading the army of the city, hides beneath the orders of his mother while leaving Tyrion to rally the men. After an inspiring speech, they set out to kill whatever hasn’t been killed with the wildfire. Cersei drinks herself into a stupor while Sansa tries to calm the ladies down. Tyrion nearly dies on the battlefield but his squire saves him from an assassination attempt by his sister, and Tywin Lannister’s forces arrives, defeating Stannis, and stopping Cersei just in time from poisoning her youngest son Tommen (Callum Wharry)

After the battle, Joffrey agree to marry Margaery Tyrell as a favour to her brother Loras, who helped with the saving of the city. Tyrion still fears for Shae’s safety, especially after his father’s arrival. Melisandre is working on motivating Stannis again, while Brienne is constantly facing attack in getting Jamie to King’s Landing.

Rating: 8/10

The Second Season of GoT was just as riveting as the first season, and maybe just loses a few points because season one had that absolutely WOW factor. I really enjoyed the intricate storyline and the magnitude of each character’s influence, and how everything interlinks so perfectly. I haven’t found any glitches in the storyline and I just enjoyed every story arc created. I love the random giggle moments because there are so few and those present is just hilarious therefore.

Danearys is one of the best and strongest female leads I have ever encountered. I admire her courage and determination and her resolve to never marry anyone again because she loves Khal Drogo so much. I thought the fact that she could walk out of the tent with the illusion of Khal and their baby was powerful and showed how strong she really is.

I found it hilarious that Arya Stark was under Tywin Lannister’s nose the entire time and he didn’t even know it. I have great admiration for both characters. Arya is a brave little thing, focused on surviving and a lot stronger than her sister Sansa. I like how she makes friends with the right people and how her judge of character is always right. I was cheering when she got an alliance with J’aqen and the whole three deaths and how she used them. She needed some champions and having a very scary, mysterious knight as a protector was very valuable to her safety. I think she and Gendry can become such a power alliance if you look at their lineage and I hope that they both make it to the end.

Tywin Lannister I respect. He may be short with his children and be the father of two incestuous children and that Joffrey is related to him, but he is an army man, doing the things he does to protect his family, without the pettiness of Joffrey and Cersei. I don’t like him much for the fact that he wants to kill Robb Stark, but I respect him for the fact that he is doing his job, not because he is hiding an incestuous relationship and invalid claims to the Throne, but because he is a warrior and plans to keep his family alive.

Sansa Stark. I did not like this typical teenage girl at all. BUT, in the end pure pity won out against the irritation I felt towards her. She has really had a tough time since her father died and she is so alone that it is just sad. I like that even though her life is horrible she still carries on.

Tyrrion: I STILL LOVE THIS GUY. He is one of the worthy competitors in my mind to be on the throne. His bravery far outstrips Joffrey’s and he is the only child of Tywin Lannister that deserves an ounce of respect.

Robb Stark: He just rocked in season two. I like how angry he was with his mother – she is constantly messing up everyone’s plans. He is also gorgeous and I love his attitude and that he and Talisa fell in love. Robb has honour and dignity and it is so obvious he is miles better than any Lannister. I respected him because he wanted nothing more than making the North free – he doesn’t ever claim to want that stupid Iron Throne that drives everyone mad

Jon Snow. FTW. He is still so pure and honest and good, and I love how he thinks for himself despite orders. I am not a huge fan of Ygritte, but I do like her attitude. I love his relationship with Sam, and I adore Sam just as much. He is sweet and well read and so different from the people he is surrounded with that he is constantly fun to watch.

The White Walker looks awesome. It is still amusing that everyone is slashing each other up and the biggest threat is around the corner, being ignored by the entire world.

I could go on about every single character in this show and how much I love/loathe them for hours and days, and discuss them forever (I somehow manage to work GoT into most conversation these days… I’ve become THAT person), but as conclusion I will say that this show has so much going for it and if you haven’t started on it yet, do so, and stay off the internet because it is a treacherous bastard that will spoil everything for you.

June 17, 2014 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: Arya Stark, Catelyn Stark, Cersei, Charles Dance, Daenarys Targaryen, Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones, Hodor, Jamie Lannister, Jon Snow, Kit Harrington, Lena Headley, Maisie Williams, Michelle Fairley, Nikolaj Waldau Coster, Osha, Peter Dinklage, Reviews, Richard Madden, Robb Stark, Sansa Stark, Series, Stannis Baratheon, Theon Greyjoy, Tyrion Lannister, Tywin Lannister 9 Comments

Series: Game of Thrones Season 1

Ned Stark: “Winter is coming”

Contains spoilers 

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.

Have you seen GoT season one? What did you think?

May 13, 2014May 12, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Reviews, UncategorizedTags: Aiden Gillen, Cersei Lannister, Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones, Harry Loyd, Isaac Heamstead Wright, Jack Gleeson, Jaime Lannister, Jason Momoa, Joffrey Baratheon, Joffrey Lannister, John Standing, Jon Arryn, Jon Snow, Kate Dickie, Khal Drogo, Kit Harrington, Lena Headley, Maisie Williams, Mark Addy, Michelle Fairley, Ned Stark, Nikolaj Coster, Peter Dinklage, Robert Baratheon, Sean Bean, Series, Sophie Turner, Tyrrion Lannister, Viserys Targaryen 15 Comments