Two Swords. This Sunday marked the return to HBO’s grimdark fantasy epic, A Game of Thrones. This season is based on the second-half of George RR Martin’s A Storm of Swords, book 3 in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. The first episode takes us through Westeros and the lands beyond the Narrow Sea, displaying palace intrigue, spoiled kings, Wildling cannibals and (of course) dragons. As usual, spoilers and then some.
And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that Lord of Castamere, But now the rains weep o’er his hall, with no one there to hear.–The Rains of Castamere
So last night, Game of Thrones happened… I know. I know. It’s hard to get up and deal with life this morning after that episode. People are gnashing their teeth. Walking around in a daze. Asking WTFu-Schnickens just happened!? You wanna know what just happened? George RR Martin just happened! That’s what! The old man giveth, and he taketh away! So c’mon, let’s talk about it already…before someone puts up one of those inappropriate “Hitler Reacts” memes. Oooh, too late.
Another Sunday another Game of Thrones, and things in Westeros are lurching towards some unwelcome ends. Chaos is a ladder.
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.
Phenderson Djèlí Clark 