My TV Viewing

[jeannev]

 So, 2 television shows I've been watching have drawn to a close, and 1 television show I've been waiting for has made its debut.

I'll put my comments about all 2 under a cut for anyone who doesn't wish to be spoiled for something or other.

Comments

[huzzlewhat]

How did I miss that you were watching Game of Thrones! I've been dying to squee fannishly about it!

does anyone need to see some old man that they don't really care about provide some exposition on past kings with the oft naked prostitute Roz washed herself? No, no one needs to see this. And besides, the exposition didn't really offer anything new, or move the episode forward. But it took forever.

I loved that scene, but only after it was over. Because as I watched it, I was right there with Roz, rolling my eyes and waiting for the fool to stop rambling on. And then after she left and he got up, stood up straight, and did his little stretches, and purposefully adopted the weakened, bent-over posture before he walked out the door - it goes back to the eunuch telling Ned that everyone at court is playing a role. I assume that this counsellor, whose name I never bothered to remember, is far sharper and stronger than anyone thinks, and he's letting his age allow people to underestimate him - you're safer in this court if you're assumed not to be a threat - and he'll have a part to play later on when no one expects it. Naked Roz was a visual distraction in the same way his rambling was an aural one, and it was all structured so that we disregarded him as anyone serious. It's risky TV, to deliberately bore your audience. But I guess they knew that anyone still watching in Ep 10 couldn't turn away. :-)

I feel so bad for Sansa, and she hasn't been my favorite Stark child up till now. But she's now caught in an awful place, with no allies in sight. But could it be The Hound has developed a soft spot for her? I think so. However, I would've preferred that he had let Sansa push that horrible inbred little shit Joffrey right off that bridge, which I feel certain she was planning to do.

Sansa scored major points with me last night. I haven't liked Sansa up til now - I've had a mantra of "She's 13. she's 13. she's 13. This is normal for 13" - running in my head when she starts whining and bitching and getting starry-eyed over Joffrey. But she went a long way toward winning me back with that scene on the bridge. Because when she first looked down over the edge, I thought she was thinking suicide, but when it turned out she was thinking of pushing Joffrey over... heh. There's steel in this girl after all. She was definitely going to push Joffrey over, and The Hound knew it. And while he advised her to obey, I loved his wry acknowledgement that she wouldn't, by telling her to keep the handkerchief. And again, the idea of playing parts - right now, Joffrey feels safe turning his back on Sansa while he's standing on a ledge 40 feet up. She's shown the audience that she's not weak; let's see how she plays it with Joffrey and Cersei. And whether Tyrion buys it when he arrives. I'm torn between reading the books and not, because I'm so invested with this as a show that I don't want it spoiled for me!

Regarding Jon - I fully expected him to take off south, and was surprised when he decided to go back. But from a narrative standpoint, I shouldn't have been, because what's coming out of the north is the huge looming danger, bigger than the political squabbles, and he's our narrative link to it. And in the end, I was pleased that he did his duty to fulfill his oath. And the scene of the rangers riding out through the gates, Ghost following, was seriously badass.

And no, I don't worry about Arya not surviving. I worry about her life seriously sucking, but I think she'll come through it. And not to marry Lord Frey's son, either. :-P

And Tyrion is hands down my favorite character. I think he'll rock as Hand of the King. The question is whether he can get now-King Joffrey to listen to him. (You know what I adore most in that gif you posted? How the guy behind Joffrey doesn't react AT ALL.)

[serenography]

Just adding a drive-by YES, YES, YES! to everything you guys are saying about GoT.

Tyrion is an amazing character and masterfully portrayed.
I think I love Arya as just as much though. She's just such a great character. I hadn't caught that she was with the King's bastard son. Interesting...

Reminding myself that Sansa is 13, and has always been raised as "the pretty one" is what kept me from despising her. But I also have a lot of sympathy for her situation now.

Joffrey - No words for what a despicable little shit he is, as he was raised to be. Nice job by that young actor.

How odd is this? The pillow that Daenerys used on Drogo was the EXACT SAME one I was laying on while watching the episode. I guess Daenerys shops at Nordstrom rack too. ;)

I could go on and on. So much depth to so many characters. The crazy sister still nursing the crazier son... GAH!

And yes, DRAGONS! Made me squee myself silly.

Falling Skies - Agreed. Not perfect, but I'm sucked in enough to give it a spot in the DVR rotation.

[jeannev]

Well, feel free to squee fannishly here!

I have found with this show that almost no scenes are completely wasteful. Whether I enjoy them or not is another story. So, I can concede that the scene in question served a purpose, even if I think they could've trimmed it a bit for time.

I think the show is fudging a little on the Stark childrens ages, because Sansa sure doesn't look 13. But they keep talking about her "not bleeding yet", so I guess they're sort of suggesting she's around that age. I know in the book, Robb and Jon are supposed to be 17. And Rickon, the youngest, is around 3 (I think). So, it seems to be a little fuzzy.

I think Dany is supposed to be only 15 or so, but I think the show definitely suggests her as a bit older.

I do have knowledge of what happens in the next book, but my lips are sealed!

I agree with you about Jon, but also, he's a Stark. Whatever his last name is, he was raised by Eddard Stark. So, duty and honor loom large in his life. Going to be with Robb may have felt right to him, but would he ever have gotten over dishonoring himself by not honoring his pledge? I don't really think so. Robb and Jon are SO their fathers sons.

I really look forward to seeing more of what lies beyond The Wall.

I don't think Arya is in for an easy life. But I hope one day she can be reunited with Jon, because in his good-bye scene with her, it was so clear how much they loved each other.

LOL, I love The Hound in the background of that gif too. He knows Joffrey is a little shit, and he probably wants to smack the snot out of him too.