Game of Thrones Season 5 - Episode 1
This is something I've been doing over on FB since season 3, but thought I'd put them here too for posterity.
Warning, there will be SPOILERS (for both the episode involved and I will talk of book events as I sort out differences)
- We open with something this show has studiously avoided so far in this series (despite ample, ample opportunities), a flashback. Cersei and her friend on their way to see the hedgewitch Maggy the Frog to have her fortune told. For the most part, they do the prophecy bang on; no she'll never marry the prince (Rhaegar), but she'll marry the King (Robert). The thing about the number of kids is amusing, for like a moment. Question for book readers, did I miss the last part, about the valonqar, or did they leave that out? Cause if they did, I'm hoping we get another flashback, cause that's really freaking important. It answers so many questions about Cersei.
- Tywin's funeral is the fun affair you expect it to be. Cersei's awfully bitchy to Jaime, mainly 'cause "He loved you more than anyone else in the world." Which yeah, but it's also Tywin, so that's really not saying much.
- "What's in the boooxxx?" Oh hai Tyrion. Varys looks suitably grossed out. I love that fussy eunuch. They're at Illyrio's of course, head of the Targaryen restoration front in Essos.
- Speaking of Targaryen restoration... here we are in Mereen pulling down the Harpy. I'm sure this is symbolic somehow. Oh yes it is, since the Sons of the Harpy are now killing Dany's people. Poor White Rat. He just wanted to be held.
- Yeah... not seeing the need to expand the (non-existent in the book) relationship between Grey Worm and Missandei.
- Hullo Jon. Jon's training, Allister Thorne's still being an a-hole, Sam is whipped and I miss Pip and Grenn. Ugh. Melisandre. Keep that healthy mistrust for her Jon. It's... healthy. Stannis meets with Jon and Stannis requests that the Wildings are let through so he can use them as an army to conquer Winterfell. Uhh... wasn't it Jon who wants to let the Wildings through the Wall because y'know... White Walkers? So this is an interesting change.
- Meanwhile at the Vale, poor Robin Arryn is displaying his lack of martial prowess as Sansa stiffly looks on. Not much to do here except drop thinly valed hints that Robin is weak and Sansa has the right name.
- Yay! Pod and Brienne! Don't be mean Brienne. Pod's kinda awesome. Oh ok, she's having a crisis of faith that she's failed Catelyn in finding her daughters...
- And there goes Sansa. Where is Sansa going? (an aside, I'm going to complain one more time that we didn't get a proper ascent from the Eyrie with Mya Stone and mules and all. Those were such great passages in the books.)
- Tywin's wake. Oh right, Lancel's become a zealot. Nice introduction of the Sparrows (and Kevan Lannister again).Haha Lancel, you're still a dweeb (typical Lannister, making everything all about them).
- Uhhh... Loras. Ok, I truly believe they are doing a great disservice to Loras in the show. In the books, he really did love Renly and grieved for him. He certainly wasn't promiscuous or indiscreet. But anyway, we do get Margaery breaking up the festivities and what are you plotting Maergery?
- Name calling contest between the Imp and Spider . I'm liking this whole thing of having Varys take Illyrio's place so far. But... with "who said anything about 'him'" I question that with this statement they are getting rid of an entire plot from A Dance With Dragons that felt like it should be fairly important but now I'm questioning it as a complete redherring? So book readers, what of Young Griff?
- Back to Mereen and reopening the fighting pits. Oh please, please, please let this lead to Strong Belwas.
- Shut up Daario. I don't care what you have to say.
- Where's Drogon? Not with his bros chained in the basement. I felt bad for Viseryon and Rhaegal.
- Hey Mance. Is it just me or did his conversation with Jon basically boil down to 'you know nothing Jon Snow'? So they're gonna burn Mance cause y'know, Melisandre. But that's all Imma gonna say about this.
Well they packed a lot into that, and I'm pleased, even though the idea that I don't really know what's coming to be a little disturbing, but also a little exciting. Season premieres are never great as they have to do a lot of table setting, but I'm ok with that. Hopefully next week, we'll get some Arya though.
Warning, there will be SPOILERS (for both the episode involved and I will talk of book events as I sort out differences)
- We open with something this show has studiously avoided so far in this series (despite ample, ample opportunities), a flashback. Cersei and her friend on their way to see the hedgewitch Maggy the Frog to have her fortune told. For the most part, they do the prophecy bang on; no she'll never marry the prince (Rhaegar), but she'll marry the King (Robert). The thing about the number of kids is amusing, for like a moment. Question for book readers, did I miss the last part, about the valonqar, or did they leave that out? Cause if they did, I'm hoping we get another flashback, cause that's really freaking important. It answers so many questions about Cersei.
- Tywin's funeral is the fun affair you expect it to be. Cersei's awfully bitchy to Jaime, mainly 'cause "He loved you more than anyone else in the world." Which yeah, but it's also Tywin, so that's really not saying much.
- "What's in the boooxxx?" Oh hai Tyrion. Varys looks suitably grossed out. I love that fussy eunuch. They're at Illyrio's of course, head of the Targaryen restoration front in Essos.
- Speaking of Targaryen restoration... here we are in Mereen pulling down the Harpy. I'm sure this is symbolic somehow. Oh yes it is, since the Sons of the Harpy are now killing Dany's people. Poor White Rat. He just wanted to be held.
- Yeah... not seeing the need to expand the (non-existent in the book) relationship between Grey Worm and Missandei.
- Hullo Jon. Jon's training, Allister Thorne's still being an a-hole, Sam is whipped and I miss Pip and Grenn. Ugh. Melisandre. Keep that healthy mistrust for her Jon. It's... healthy. Stannis meets with Jon and Stannis requests that the Wildings are let through so he can use them as an army to conquer Winterfell. Uhh... wasn't it Jon who wants to let the Wildings through the Wall because y'know... White Walkers? So this is an interesting change.
- Meanwhile at the Vale, poor Robin Arryn is displaying his lack of martial prowess as Sansa stiffly looks on. Not much to do here except drop thinly valed hints that Robin is weak and Sansa has the right name.
- Yay! Pod and Brienne! Don't be mean Brienne. Pod's kinda awesome. Oh ok, she's having a crisis of faith that she's failed Catelyn in finding her daughters...
- And there goes Sansa. Where is Sansa going? (an aside, I'm going to complain one more time that we didn't get a proper ascent from the Eyrie with Mya Stone and mules and all. Those were such great passages in the books.)
- Tywin's wake. Oh right, Lancel's become a zealot. Nice introduction of the Sparrows (and Kevan Lannister again).Haha Lancel, you're still a dweeb (typical Lannister, making everything all about them).
- Uhhh... Loras. Ok, I truly believe they are doing a great disservice to Loras in the show. In the books, he really did love Renly and grieved for him. He certainly wasn't promiscuous or indiscreet. But anyway, we do get Margaery breaking up the festivities and what are you plotting Maergery?
- Name calling contest between the Imp and Spider . I'm liking this whole thing of having Varys take Illyrio's place so far. But... with "who said anything about 'him'" I question that with this statement they are getting rid of an entire plot from A Dance With Dragons that felt like it should be fairly important but now I'm questioning it as a complete redherring? So book readers, what of Young Griff?
- Back to Mereen and reopening the fighting pits. Oh please, please, please let this lead to Strong Belwas.
- Shut up Daario. I don't care what you have to say.
- Where's Drogon? Not with his bros chained in the basement. I felt bad for Viseryon and Rhaegal.
- Hey Mance. Is it just me or did his conversation with Jon basically boil down to 'you know nothing Jon Snow'? So they're gonna burn Mance cause y'know, Melisandre. But that's all Imma gonna say about this.
Well they packed a lot into that, and I'm pleased, even though the idea that I don't really know what's coming to be a little disturbing, but also a little exciting. Season premieres are never great as they have to do a lot of table setting, but I'm ok with that. Hopefully next week, we'll get some Arya though.