Another Sunday, and the last episode of Game of Thrones–for all seasons must end. After last week’s epic Battle of the Blackwater, it was time for the writers to wrap up all the loose plot lines and leave us with a bevy of brand new cliffhangers. Some of these were completed quite well–fantastically, chillingly well! Others…not so much. As usual, minor SPOILERS to follow.
Another Sunday, another episode of Game of Thrones, and things are heating up! Well… no. They’re just simmering to a slow boil. I know the whole adage of the watched pot, but these watched plots need to pick up the pace. There are only two more episodes until the end of this season, and we are very slowwwwly working our way to a series of climaxes. Just wish they’d get on with it already. As usual, minor SPOILERS to follow.
Another Sunday, another episode of Game of Thrones, where there’s always a surprise–even if you’ve read the books. There’s chaos, betrayals, coups and a general sense of discord throughout Westeros and beyond. With just two three more episodes left, and quite a bit to fill it with, the writers at HBO seem to be setting us up for some fast-paced happenings in the coming weeks. Buckle up, and watch for spoilers.
Another Sunday, another episode of Game of Thrones. As usual, warnings of kinda-spoilers–kinda, because unless you’ve read the books the clues I give won’t make a lick of sense. This offering, titled “The Ghost of Harrenhal,” spent actually little time in Harrenhal, dizzily transporting us from The Wall to Essos and back. We start off with Stannis’s and Melisandre’s freakish shadow baby teaching Renly, and all newcomers to ASOIAF, the dire meaning of “valar morghulis.” This leads to a case of “guilt-on-first-sight” by several guards who implicate Brienne the Beauty in the crime, and pay for their sloppy detective work on the sharp end of her sword. Nice fight scene. Lady Stark urges the lovesick king’s guard (who was seriously barking up the wrong tree) to flee with her, as Renly’s forces sail away, disintegrate into mass confusion or start lining up for Stannis. Later Brienne takes an oath of vengeance and swears her fealty to Lady Stark, in a touching Thelma & Louise moment that we all know is going to end in a brutal hanging. (see? no sense. not a lick.)
Another Sunday, another episode of Game of Thrones. So I sat through episode 3 of the 2nd season, where, as expected, very little happened. Tyrion is consolidating his power in King’s Landing. After a glimpse last week of a White Walker, Robb and the Watch get kicked out of Craster the Molester’s incestous “lovenest,” and are to set off in search of Wildlings. Bran’s doing his pre-Warg thing. Theron Greyjoy, flush with daddy issues, is about to engage in some serious *betrayal* that will not go well for him in the end (what rhymes with REEK?) And Renly is busy making with the man-love instead of getting his army into the field. Was hoping to see what’s up with our favorite Targaryen, but they kept it in Westeros. No Red Lady or Stannis either. Bummer. Did get a strong showing of Natalie Dormer as a politically astute Margaery Tyrell. And Gwendoline Christie makes an excellent Brienne the Beauty (was wondering who was going to fill that part). Some excitement came at the end (which is becoming typical for the series), with Arya and Yoren–though I remember that enire scene a bit differently in the book. In any case, our youngest Stark has started the deathwish name recital ritual, so we’re well on our way to “Valar Morghulis.” Till next week, because all men must die . . . .
Phenderson Djèlí Clark 