Carl Alves's Blog - Posts Tagged "game-of-thrones"
Game of Thrones: Sons of the Harpy Review
“Sons of the Harpy” was loaded with fight scenes, some political wrangling, and some hints of things to come. It was action packed and good fun. What does it all mean to our favorite characters?
Sansa Stark
In this episode, it starts to become clear that Little Finger has all along been plotting the demise of the Boltons. For all of his lust for power, the one thing that stands above that is his love for Catelyn and then Sansa after her death. He wants revenge for her death, and this is his first move toward getting that. He wants Sansa to marry the loathsome Ramsay and have Stannis crush the Boltons and rescue Sansa. Once more, she’s a marriage pawn in a grand scheme of the men around her, but then again Sansa brings little to the table, so it’s only fitting that she would be a pawn. There was also a lot of mentioning of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan. When Rhaegar, who was married to Ilia Martell, took Lyanna away, who was betrayed to Robert Baratheon, it started the war that led to the Targaryan’s demise. This figures to be a big plot point going forward.
Cersei Lannister
Oh boy, the claws were out in this episode. Cersei is like the proverbial cornered animal. Faced with losing the power and authority she so badly covets, she has come out swinging in a big way. First, she sends Mace Tyrell as far away from King’s Landing as he can possibly get with Meryn Trant (a possible assassination here? I think so). Next she militarizes the High Sparrows. Just looking at our own world history, militarizing a religious group is never a good idea. Although they satisfy some of her short term needs, this sounds like doom in the long run. After all, she had three children from an incestuous relationship with her brother, and the king is a bastard born of incest. This thing is doomed to backfire on Cersei. I also like that Margaery is sending in for reinforcements in the form of Lady Olenna, her grandmother, who is the true brains of the family.
Jon Snow
Although Jon Snow has a history of having a thing for red-heads, Melisandre’s attempt at seducing him was shot down in flames (pun somewhat intended). As it turns out, Jon still has a thing for Ygritte, and hasn’t forgotten her so soon. This episode also started hinting at a widely held fan theory that Jon Snow is the love-child of Rhaegar Targaryan and Lyanna Start, not Ned’s bastard. How this figures into the grand scheme of things will be interesting. I love the scene between Stannis and his daughter. Stannis, who has always been so cold and emotionless, finally showed a little humanity by standing by and loving his daughter, when others would have given up on her and sent her away. Finally a reason to care about Stannis.
Tyrion Lannister
I enjoyed how Tyrion taunted Jorah Mormont on the boat. Jorah is no great thinker and is hopelessly outmatched in a battle of wits with the imp. Much like Tyrion, I suspected Jorah was going to take him to King’s Landing. That he’s going to Daenarys makes life easier for him.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime and Bronn, two swashbuckling fools trying to rescue a princess. Good exchanges by these two and an excellent fight scene to boot. I like how Bronn took down the guard on the horse for Jaime to fight him. I also like how he used his fake hand to help him slay the guard. Also, in Dorne, we are finally introduced to the Sand Snakes. Prince Doran may not feel the need to seek vengeance for his brother, but these four women certainly do. Another headache for Cersei.
Daenarys Targaryan
Things are not going well for the Mother of Dragons. After a nice exchange between her and Ser Barriston about her brother and how he was more of an artist and singer rather than a fighter, all hell breaks loose with the Sons of the Harpy as they go on a killing rampage. The end result is an epic battle scene between them and the Unsullied. We’re left wondering if Grey Worm and Ser Barriston are dead. I’m thinking Grey Worm has met his demise but Ser Barriston is still alive. This can only mean one thing—unleash the dragons. Oh yeah. Looking forward to that one.
Really strong episode. Things are shaping up nicely.
Sansa Stark
In this episode, it starts to become clear that Little Finger has all along been plotting the demise of the Boltons. For all of his lust for power, the one thing that stands above that is his love for Catelyn and then Sansa after her death. He wants revenge for her death, and this is his first move toward getting that. He wants Sansa to marry the loathsome Ramsay and have Stannis crush the Boltons and rescue Sansa. Once more, she’s a marriage pawn in a grand scheme of the men around her, but then again Sansa brings little to the table, so it’s only fitting that she would be a pawn. There was also a lot of mentioning of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan. When Rhaegar, who was married to Ilia Martell, took Lyanna away, who was betrayed to Robert Baratheon, it started the war that led to the Targaryan’s demise. This figures to be a big plot point going forward.
Cersei Lannister
Oh boy, the claws were out in this episode. Cersei is like the proverbial cornered animal. Faced with losing the power and authority she so badly covets, she has come out swinging in a big way. First, she sends Mace Tyrell as far away from King’s Landing as he can possibly get with Meryn Trant (a possible assassination here? I think so). Next she militarizes the High Sparrows. Just looking at our own world history, militarizing a religious group is never a good idea. Although they satisfy some of her short term needs, this sounds like doom in the long run. After all, she had three children from an incestuous relationship with her brother, and the king is a bastard born of incest. This thing is doomed to backfire on Cersei. I also like that Margaery is sending in for reinforcements in the form of Lady Olenna, her grandmother, who is the true brains of the family.
Jon Snow
Although Jon Snow has a history of having a thing for red-heads, Melisandre’s attempt at seducing him was shot down in flames (pun somewhat intended). As it turns out, Jon still has a thing for Ygritte, and hasn’t forgotten her so soon. This episode also started hinting at a widely held fan theory that Jon Snow is the love-child of Rhaegar Targaryan and Lyanna Start, not Ned’s bastard. How this figures into the grand scheme of things will be interesting. I love the scene between Stannis and his daughter. Stannis, who has always been so cold and emotionless, finally showed a little humanity by standing by and loving his daughter, when others would have given up on her and sent her away. Finally a reason to care about Stannis.
Tyrion Lannister
I enjoyed how Tyrion taunted Jorah Mormont on the boat. Jorah is no great thinker and is hopelessly outmatched in a battle of wits with the imp. Much like Tyrion, I suspected Jorah was going to take him to King’s Landing. That he’s going to Daenarys makes life easier for him.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime and Bronn, two swashbuckling fools trying to rescue a princess. Good exchanges by these two and an excellent fight scene to boot. I like how Bronn took down the guard on the horse for Jaime to fight him. I also like how he used his fake hand to help him slay the guard. Also, in Dorne, we are finally introduced to the Sand Snakes. Prince Doran may not feel the need to seek vengeance for his brother, but these four women certainly do. Another headache for Cersei.
Daenarys Targaryan
Things are not going well for the Mother of Dragons. After a nice exchange between her and Ser Barriston about her brother and how he was more of an artist and singer rather than a fighter, all hell breaks loose with the Sons of the Harpy as they go on a killing rampage. The end result is an epic battle scene between them and the Unsullied. We’re left wondering if Grey Worm and Ser Barriston are dead. I’m thinking Grey Worm has met his demise but Ser Barriston is still alive. This can only mean one thing—unleash the dragons. Oh yeah. Looking forward to that one.
Really strong episode. Things are shaping up nicely.
Game of Thrones: The Winds of Winter
Another season of Game of Thrones has come and gone, and this episode shows why this show is the best program on television. There was great plotting, tons of intrigue, and big payoffs. The king is dead. Long live the queen. Meanwhile, we have a new King of the North. Hopefully he fares better than the last one. Revenge was the theme of this episode, and it was served in spades.
Daenerys Targaryan
Prior to her departure to Westeros, Daenerys dispatches another would be suitor. Poor Daario. He’s willing to do anything for her, even rule her city in her absence, but she feels nothing for him. It seems as if men can’t help flinging themselves at Dany, and Tyrion Lannister is no different, pledging his talents to help her in any way he could. He is rewarded when she names him Hand of the Queen. Hopefully, this works out better for him than the last time he was the King’s Hand (see King Joffrey).
Sansa Stark
Sansa apologizes for the idiocy of her actions in the last episode, not mentioning to Jon about the Knights of the Vale. Jon tells her that they have to trust each other. There is nobody more trustworthy in all of Westeros than Jon Snow. However, the same can’t be said about Sansa. Littlefinger makes his move on her and tells her about his ultimate ambition—to take the Iron Throne with Sansa at his side. Although she rebukes his advances, they exchange a knowing look when Jon is proclaimed King of the North. I believe Sansa will ultimately betray Jon. I say, off with her head now. She can’t be trusted.
Jon Snow
He didn’t ask to be king, but they made him one anyway. This scene was very reminiscent of the scene when Robb Stark was made King of the North. Jon’s reign as king is off to a rocky start as his first act (technically this happened before he was declared king) was to dismiss Melisandre when he learned that she had burnt Princess Shereen as an offering to the Lord of Light. I think this was a bad idea. For one thing, Jon wouldn’t even be around without her, and he’s going to need her for the upcoming battle against the White Walkers. Speaking of Jon, we got to see the conclusion of the scene where Ned Stark climbs the Tower of Joy to find his sister, Lyanna, dying after childberth. She hands Ned her child and whispers to him. What does she whisper? That she was not kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen. They had an affair, and Jon was the child of this affair. Since they will want to kill her child since he is a Targaryen, she makes Ned promise to protect him, hence Ned’s cover story that Jon Snow is his bastard child.
Arya Stark
Although I called many of the things that happened in this episode, one thing that took me completely by surprise was Arya appearing out of nowhere (quite literally), and slicing Walder Frey’s throat. This is no loss, as Walder is a pretty loathsome character and more than had it coming. This was a slick and enjoyable scene, one that added on to the episode’s theme of vengeance. One more down on Arya’s list. By my estimate there are only three people left in Arya’s kill list: Cersei Lannister, the Mountain, and the Hound. I think she’s made peace with the Hound since she had an opportunity to kill him and passed on it. I can’t fathom her killing the Mountain, but I can see her scalping Cersei.
Cersei Lannister
As I predicted in my last post, the High Sparrow would die in this episode, and Cersei would use the wildfire stored by the Mad King (Dany’s father) to burn down the Faith Militant in the purge of King’s Landing. There were unintended consequences to her actions as her son, Tommen, decided he couldn’t live without the prospect of the loss of his queen (RIP Margaery) or the Faith Militant and took the plunge off the tower of the Red Keep. No loss here. Tommen was a horribly weak character and will not be missed. Although Cersei has to mourn the loss of her final child, she now possesses the one thing she most desires—power. She is now the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Ah, but this reign will be a short one, and she will be soon dethroned.
My Predictions
Everything that is happening now going forward is positioning the show for the ultimate battle of the living against the dead. With that in mind, the point people for this fight will be: Daenerys Targaryan, Tyrion Lannister, Bran Stark, Arya Stark, and Jon Snow. Everything that is happening is leading to these people battling the White Walkers. Bran has become the Three Eyed Raven to have the knowledge of the history of the White Walkers and how to fight them. Arya has learned to become a Faceless Assassin to do her part in the fight. It wasn’t an accident that Jaqen let her escape from the House of Black and White and that he met up with her to begin with. It doesn’t make sense that this master assassin with supernatural powers was captured and became a prisoner of Tywin Lannister. That was all a setup so that he could meet Arya and later train her.
Dany has amassed an overwhelming force of ships, dragons, Dothraki, her Unsullied warriors, and now an alliance with Dorne and the Tyrells. With this behind her, there is no way the Lannisters will prevent her from overthrowing Cersei. She will be the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms during the fight against the White Walkers. I’m not sure who Dany will marry. The logical choice would be someone in Dorne, but all that is left of the Martells are the Sand Snakes. There is no Tyrell to marry (actually there is Willis Tyrell—Mace’s eldest son who is a character in the books but not in the show). Jon Snow would be a choice, but he’s her nephew.
Jon Snow, as the King of the North, will be the one to lead the forces of the living in battle, but he will face an unexpected enemy in Sansa Stark, whose alliance with Littlefinger will only lead to treachery. Sam Tarley is studying to be a maester in Old Towne, but the real purpose of his being there is to learn what he can about the White Walkers that will help Jon in battling them. And that wraps up another season of the Game of Thrones.
Daenerys Targaryan
Prior to her departure to Westeros, Daenerys dispatches another would be suitor. Poor Daario. He’s willing to do anything for her, even rule her city in her absence, but she feels nothing for him. It seems as if men can’t help flinging themselves at Dany, and Tyrion Lannister is no different, pledging his talents to help her in any way he could. He is rewarded when she names him Hand of the Queen. Hopefully, this works out better for him than the last time he was the King’s Hand (see King Joffrey).
Sansa Stark
Sansa apologizes for the idiocy of her actions in the last episode, not mentioning to Jon about the Knights of the Vale. Jon tells her that they have to trust each other. There is nobody more trustworthy in all of Westeros than Jon Snow. However, the same can’t be said about Sansa. Littlefinger makes his move on her and tells her about his ultimate ambition—to take the Iron Throne with Sansa at his side. Although she rebukes his advances, they exchange a knowing look when Jon is proclaimed King of the North. I believe Sansa will ultimately betray Jon. I say, off with her head now. She can’t be trusted.
Jon Snow
He didn’t ask to be king, but they made him one anyway. This scene was very reminiscent of the scene when Robb Stark was made King of the North. Jon’s reign as king is off to a rocky start as his first act (technically this happened before he was declared king) was to dismiss Melisandre when he learned that she had burnt Princess Shereen as an offering to the Lord of Light. I think this was a bad idea. For one thing, Jon wouldn’t even be around without her, and he’s going to need her for the upcoming battle against the White Walkers. Speaking of Jon, we got to see the conclusion of the scene where Ned Stark climbs the Tower of Joy to find his sister, Lyanna, dying after childberth. She hands Ned her child and whispers to him. What does she whisper? That she was not kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen. They had an affair, and Jon was the child of this affair. Since they will want to kill her child since he is a Targaryen, she makes Ned promise to protect him, hence Ned’s cover story that Jon Snow is his bastard child.
Arya Stark
Although I called many of the things that happened in this episode, one thing that took me completely by surprise was Arya appearing out of nowhere (quite literally), and slicing Walder Frey’s throat. This is no loss, as Walder is a pretty loathsome character and more than had it coming. This was a slick and enjoyable scene, one that added on to the episode’s theme of vengeance. One more down on Arya’s list. By my estimate there are only three people left in Arya’s kill list: Cersei Lannister, the Mountain, and the Hound. I think she’s made peace with the Hound since she had an opportunity to kill him and passed on it. I can’t fathom her killing the Mountain, but I can see her scalping Cersei.
Cersei Lannister
As I predicted in my last post, the High Sparrow would die in this episode, and Cersei would use the wildfire stored by the Mad King (Dany’s father) to burn down the Faith Militant in the purge of King’s Landing. There were unintended consequences to her actions as her son, Tommen, decided he couldn’t live without the prospect of the loss of his queen (RIP Margaery) or the Faith Militant and took the plunge off the tower of the Red Keep. No loss here. Tommen was a horribly weak character and will not be missed. Although Cersei has to mourn the loss of her final child, she now possesses the one thing she most desires—power. She is now the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Ah, but this reign will be a short one, and she will be soon dethroned.
My Predictions
Everything that is happening now going forward is positioning the show for the ultimate battle of the living against the dead. With that in mind, the point people for this fight will be: Daenerys Targaryan, Tyrion Lannister, Bran Stark, Arya Stark, and Jon Snow. Everything that is happening is leading to these people battling the White Walkers. Bran has become the Three Eyed Raven to have the knowledge of the history of the White Walkers and how to fight them. Arya has learned to become a Faceless Assassin to do her part in the fight. It wasn’t an accident that Jaqen let her escape from the House of Black and White and that he met up with her to begin with. It doesn’t make sense that this master assassin with supernatural powers was captured and became a prisoner of Tywin Lannister. That was all a setup so that he could meet Arya and later train her.
Dany has amassed an overwhelming force of ships, dragons, Dothraki, her Unsullied warriors, and now an alliance with Dorne and the Tyrells. With this behind her, there is no way the Lannisters will prevent her from overthrowing Cersei. She will be the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms during the fight against the White Walkers. I’m not sure who Dany will marry. The logical choice would be someone in Dorne, but all that is left of the Martells are the Sand Snakes. There is no Tyrell to marry (actually there is Willis Tyrell—Mace’s eldest son who is a character in the books but not in the show). Jon Snow would be a choice, but he’s her nephew.
Jon Snow, as the King of the North, will be the one to lead the forces of the living in battle, but he will face an unexpected enemy in Sansa Stark, whose alliance with Littlefinger will only lead to treachery. Sam Tarley is studying to be a maester in Old Towne, but the real purpose of his being there is to learn what he can about the White Walkers that will help Jon in battling them. And that wraps up another season of the Game of Thrones.
