Game of Thrones, episode 7
The problem with having to watch episodes on HBO GO, often a day later than when they air, is that there's already plenty of fantastic reviews online. Regardless, here's my take on the pivotal episode 7: You Win or You Die.
For fans of Eddard Stark (myself included) this was a hard episode to watch. Poor, noble Ned gets to crash and burn like no one's business. I'll get to that in time.
Right off the bat we're introduced to Lord Tywin Lannister. I think most people were excited by this (at least I was). Tywin is far from my favorite character in the books, but he's a very interesting man, a great antagonist, and a lot of fun to read (and I love to hate him, sort of). Charles Dance did not disappoint. He establishes Lord Tywin as a huge badass from the get go and wonderfully displays the man's ambitions and iron rule over his House and family. That even Jaime is meek before his father says a lot.
However, I feel that the tone Tywin sets in the series, thus far, is different from what was presented in the books. I can't quite see the book version of Tywin skinning a deer as he lectures about starting a dynasty. Tywin's a man of hard stares and unflinching resolve, not a hunter. Still, it's a good way to establish the man in a TV series. Once again so much of what's done in this comes down to this being a visual medium, not a book with narratives. Different opportunities present themselves and characters and backstory must needs be shown in different ways. That said, I'm looking forward to more of Tywin in this season, and especially in later seasons when he gets to really shine.
Eddard's encounter with Cersei in the gardens plays out as I remember it in the books and I have no complaints about it. Cersei takes Eddard's accusations in stride and seems almost proud of what she's done. Huge creep much?
I'm always glad when this series throws us a bone regarding the antagonists. Last episode it was rounding out Viserys nicely by showing his frustration and jealousy. Here it was how much Cersei resents Robert for the love he bears for Lyanna, a woman long dead. Does it make Cersei a better person or less of a villain? Not really, but we understand her more, and that's what we can ask for.
And then, Petyr in his brothel. First of all, I'm highly amused by the fact that his brothel is his office and that he gives his whores instructions in how to pleasure a man, yet the scene still smacks of typical HBO gratuity. I think I'm probably going to call this on any sex scene not in the books, but, as with Theon and Rozz in episode 4 (is that the right one?), it simply gave us backstory we mostly knew and some tits (not that I'm complaining). Littlefinger is far more present in Season 1 than he was in the book A Game of Thrones. Much as I love Littlefinger, I almost worry that it will spoil or give away too much of his plottings and schemes. More to the point, I don't think Petyr would confess his desires and past to a couple of whores that work for him. Sure, the duel between Petyr and Brandon Stark is probably well known, but still, it felt odd somehow.
More than Petyr, I worry about how Ser Jorah's being handled. We see that he's getting letters from Westeros. As someone who's read the first three books, I know what those letters contain and the unfolding of events seems obvious to me. But to one who knows nothing of the plot of the series, how do they perceive it? I'd be curious to know.
Jon again! We haven't seen him in two episodes. I continue to be pleased by the scenes at the Wall and the actors there. Lord Commander Mormant, Maester Aemon and Samwell are all spot-on. Taking the words before the Weirwood was excellent and I love Ghost running up to Jon with one of the dead hands. I don't remember that being in the book, but it's a nice bit to throw in.
Speaking of things not in the book, I don't recall Renly getting so much screentime in A Game of Thrones, and I'm very glad that he is now. I really enjoyed his confrontation with Eddard. Renly's got ambition, and it'll build him up very nicely for Season 2.
Now, Eddard. All the things he did in this episode scaled up and and up. This show does a great job of building to climaxes. It rewards its viewers handsomley for staying invested and it's something that works very well in TV, as well as for books. This is more true the later we get in the season and the higher the stakes for the game of thrones get. Watching everything Ned does, from slightly altering Robert's wording in the letter (from 'Joffery' to 'my heir'), insisting that crowning Stannis is the only right thing to do despite the war that will surely ensue, siding himself with Littlefinger...all of it. I think even someone who hasn't read the books can just see Ned driving blindly and gleefully into a brick wall. He's in so far over his head but he thinks everything will turn out okay because he's a man of honor and he knows he's right. It's a pity that those things won't save him. For the viewer, everything pays of well with the confrontation in the throne room. Who didn't love the shot of the Kingsguard in front of Cersei, with Joffery on the Iron Throne? Or Littlefinger's stinger. "I told you not to trust me."
I haven't paid any attention to Dany in this review. Well, she did some cool stuff, but the scene-stealer for her stuff goes to Kahl Drogo and his epic speech. In guttural Dothraki, no less.
Things will continue to build to the breaking point, and it'll only get more intense in later Seasons.
Some other reviews and such:
On why honor sucks: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/05/game-of-thrones-cheaters-always-win/239608/
Here's an interesting review by a man who hasn't read the books. It rambles in the beginning a bit, but he makes some interesting points (especially about Littlefinger and Jaime): http://boobtubedude.com/index.php/2011/05/29/reviews/game-of-thrones-review-you-win-or-you-die/
This one talks about sex scenes and character history and says a lot of great things about Littlefinger. If you look at only one review, make it this one. This guy's great. I've linked to another review from this site before, but check out the rest of them too. They really discuss the themes of each episode: http://cultural-learnings.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-you-win-or-you-die/
Should anyone have any dissenting opinions or thoughts in general, especially if they haven't read the books, I'd love to hear them.
~Josh
For fans of Eddard Stark (myself included) this was a hard episode to watch. Poor, noble Ned gets to crash and burn like no one's business. I'll get to that in time.
Right off the bat we're introduced to Lord Tywin Lannister. I think most people were excited by this (at least I was). Tywin is far from my favorite character in the books, but he's a very interesting man, a great antagonist, and a lot of fun to read (and I love to hate him, sort of). Charles Dance did not disappoint. He establishes Lord Tywin as a huge badass from the get go and wonderfully displays the man's ambitions and iron rule over his House and family. That even Jaime is meek before his father says a lot.
However, I feel that the tone Tywin sets in the series, thus far, is different from what was presented in the books. I can't quite see the book version of Tywin skinning a deer as he lectures about starting a dynasty. Tywin's a man of hard stares and unflinching resolve, not a hunter. Still, it's a good way to establish the man in a TV series. Once again so much of what's done in this comes down to this being a visual medium, not a book with narratives. Different opportunities present themselves and characters and backstory must needs be shown in different ways. That said, I'm looking forward to more of Tywin in this season, and especially in later seasons when he gets to really shine.
Eddard's encounter with Cersei in the gardens plays out as I remember it in the books and I have no complaints about it. Cersei takes Eddard's accusations in stride and seems almost proud of what she's done. Huge creep much?
I'm always glad when this series throws us a bone regarding the antagonists. Last episode it was rounding out Viserys nicely by showing his frustration and jealousy. Here it was how much Cersei resents Robert for the love he bears for Lyanna, a woman long dead. Does it make Cersei a better person or less of a villain? Not really, but we understand her more, and that's what we can ask for.
And then, Petyr in his brothel. First of all, I'm highly amused by the fact that his brothel is his office and that he gives his whores instructions in how to pleasure a man, yet the scene still smacks of typical HBO gratuity. I think I'm probably going to call this on any sex scene not in the books, but, as with Theon and Rozz in episode 4 (is that the right one?), it simply gave us backstory we mostly knew and some tits (not that I'm complaining). Littlefinger is far more present in Season 1 than he was in the book A Game of Thrones. Much as I love Littlefinger, I almost worry that it will spoil or give away too much of his plottings and schemes. More to the point, I don't think Petyr would confess his desires and past to a couple of whores that work for him. Sure, the duel between Petyr and Brandon Stark is probably well known, but still, it felt odd somehow.
More than Petyr, I worry about how Ser Jorah's being handled. We see that he's getting letters from Westeros. As someone who's read the first three books, I know what those letters contain and the unfolding of events seems obvious to me. But to one who knows nothing of the plot of the series, how do they perceive it? I'd be curious to know.
Jon again! We haven't seen him in two episodes. I continue to be pleased by the scenes at the Wall and the actors there. Lord Commander Mormant, Maester Aemon and Samwell are all spot-on. Taking the words before the Weirwood was excellent and I love Ghost running up to Jon with one of the dead hands. I don't remember that being in the book, but it's a nice bit to throw in.
Speaking of things not in the book, I don't recall Renly getting so much screentime in A Game of Thrones, and I'm very glad that he is now. I really enjoyed his confrontation with Eddard. Renly's got ambition, and it'll build him up very nicely for Season 2.
Now, Eddard. All the things he did in this episode scaled up and and up. This show does a great job of building to climaxes. It rewards its viewers handsomley for staying invested and it's something that works very well in TV, as well as for books. This is more true the later we get in the season and the higher the stakes for the game of thrones get. Watching everything Ned does, from slightly altering Robert's wording in the letter (from 'Joffery' to 'my heir'), insisting that crowning Stannis is the only right thing to do despite the war that will surely ensue, siding himself with Littlefinger...all of it. I think even someone who hasn't read the books can just see Ned driving blindly and gleefully into a brick wall. He's in so far over his head but he thinks everything will turn out okay because he's a man of honor and he knows he's right. It's a pity that those things won't save him. For the viewer, everything pays of well with the confrontation in the throne room. Who didn't love the shot of the Kingsguard in front of Cersei, with Joffery on the Iron Throne? Or Littlefinger's stinger. "I told you not to trust me."
I haven't paid any attention to Dany in this review. Well, she did some cool stuff, but the scene-stealer for her stuff goes to Kahl Drogo and his epic speech. In guttural Dothraki, no less.
Things will continue to build to the breaking point, and it'll only get more intense in later Seasons.
Some other reviews and such:
On why honor sucks: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/05/game-of-thrones-cheaters-always-win/239608/
Here's an interesting review by a man who hasn't read the books. It rambles in the beginning a bit, but he makes some interesting points (especially about Littlefinger and Jaime): http://boobtubedude.com/index.php/2011/05/29/reviews/game-of-thrones-review-you-win-or-you-die/
This one talks about sex scenes and character history and says a lot of great things about Littlefinger. If you look at only one review, make it this one. This guy's great. I've linked to another review from this site before, but check out the rest of them too. They really discuss the themes of each episode: http://cultural-learnings.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-you-win-or-you-die/
Should anyone have any dissenting opinions or thoughts in general, especially if they haven't read the books, I'd love to hear them.
~Josh