Winterfell:
The taking of Winterfell was pretty well done. I loved Bran's reaction to Theon barging into his bedroom; he's so dismissive of "Prince" Theon in the perfect sort of WTF manner. Nobody takes Theon seriously. Alfie Allen is killing it as Theon. Really fantastic. Sure, Rodrick getting killed by Theon isn't like the book, but it was worth it for their interaction at the end and Theon's botched execution. Although I do like the events and deception surrounding Rodrick's death in the books far more. Its just way more of a "OH ****! " moment in the books with everything else going on when it happens.
But Theon finally gets to kick a head! Just about 15 episodes too late!
My only problem is why Rodrick was all alone? Presumably he left Winterfell with men to take Torrhen's Square, so did he just come back to Winterfell by himself? Or are we supposed to think his men were killed?
Littlefinger and Arya:
Another scene thats not in the books, but I didn't mind it. Kind of forced tension though. I'm trying to think if Littlefinger ever saw Arya in King's Landing in season 1 or if they had any face to face interactions? Then again, even if Littlefinger did see Arya and knew it was her, I'd hope he'd keep it to himself or at least have the show not make it clear whether he knows its her.
Part of my major problem with Littlefinger's characterization on the show and many other characters for that matter, is they just bluntly announce their intentions to the world. Littlefinger in the books is a schemer on par or beyond Tyrion or Varys, yet in the show he comes across as blundering too often this season. Not recognizing Arya kind of adds to him being seen as not necessarily the brightest bulb in the box.
And of course, he seemingly has magical travel powers, going from the Stormlands to Harrenhal in record time.
Stuff North of the Wall:
Ygritte was great as was Halfhand. Loved seeing Ghost too. And Iceland is really beautiful and looks amazing.
Of course, if I were to complain about one thing, its the lack of truly epic landscapes. Iceland is great. But if you read the Frostfangs part of the book again, its about 10X more awesome, with the men of the Nightswatch actually scaling mountain cliffs with a real sense of verticality. Same thing that was missing with the Eyrie last season. And they ambush Ygritte and her wildling friends at night in the book, with the Night's Watch men basically calling out their kills before hand, scaling a giant, steep mountain in the dead of night and then striking. Its just a bit more mundane and matter of fact on the show, doing it on a slope at dusk.
My issue here is, again, forced tension and drama though. Its like they need some TV action quotient or something. But its obvious to me when they're doing it. Something like Jon not killing Ygritte and then her running away just makes Jon look like an indecisive, gullible idiot. Yes, he spares her in the book, but its a decisive act by Jon to do so. He tells her to go, he doesn't botch the execution and let her run and then go after her.
Nevermind that this whole thing makes Halfhand and his ranger seem like...not very good rangers? Shouldn't they be able to track Jon down pretty easily? Granted, next episode they could start it off with both Jon and Ygritte waking up and Jon hearing the other rangers coming, then tell Ygritte to run off. Or just have Qhorin be right there as Jon and Ygritte wake up and then have Jon let her go.
I loved Ygritte's little wiggle with her and Jon spooning. Haha. Superb casting.
Although, having been in some very cold environments in my time, why the hell is Halfhand the only person with a damn hat on?! Are the resty of the Night's Watch stupid? Come on!
Of note, just looking back through the books' Jon chapters, they have yet to include some important facts, like what Jon found at the Fist of the First Men or Halfhand telling Mormont what exactly Mance is planning. Wonder if they're just holding back on that for now?
And this:lol:
The Riot:
Another good scene for the most part. Tyrion finally actually getting truly, visibly angry with Joffrey was great.
A bit different from the book but it retains the feel of it plenty. Its good to see the Hound getting something to do finally. And of course
-Spice King totally owned Dany. And thank goodness for that, putting he entitled ass in her place.Seriously, Dany sounds more and more deranged and entitled like her Beggar King brother Viserys every time she opens her mouth. Sure she is a noob when it comes to politics, but she comes across as an idiot. Yes, people are going to grovel at your feet because you have some dragons...but no army...and no allies...and you've never set foot on the land you claim is your's by right...and
- HEY GUYS! XARO XARO DUCKSAUCE IS THE RICHEST MAN IN QARTH! DID YOU HEAR? HE IS A SELF MADE MAN! DID YOU HEAR HE IS THE RICHEST MAN IN ALL OF QARTH? BECUASE XARO XARO DUCKSAUCE IS THE RICHEST MAN IN QARTH!
-Jaime is dyslexic? Did I forget that from the books?
Tywin is awesome.
- Arya and Amory's forced drama- seriously, Arya is running into a about a dozen Lannister men. Why does Amory Lorch say "Get out of the way!" instead of, oh, I don't know "Grab that girl!" Seriously. I'm just not getting the feel of terror and oppression from Harrenhal that I got from the books. Sure, the intro to Harrenhal was brutal but since then its been pretty easy sailing for Arya, which is not the case in the books as she has to toil in the kitchens under Wease and work her way up to cupbearer. Nevermind, we don't have Vargo Hoat and the Bloody Mummers or Rorge and Biter around it would seem.
And killing off Amory Lorch that way means no bear pit! But I guess having him die like that in front of Tywin will cause Tywin to leave next episode I'd guess, making it so Arya can't call Tywin's name to Jaqen.
-Robb's stupidity. In the books his youthful stupidity and thinking with his **** and not his head makes more sense. He's a young guy who is off at war by himself and falls in love. But his scenes with "Talisa" are so average and generic its painful. But he did completely get ****blocked by Cat:
Daaaawwww.
Problem is, in the books, he falls in love when he's on his own. So are we supposed to believe he's going to fall for "Talisa" while Cat is right around? When she's already reminded him of his promise to Walder Frey? It works in the book because we're seeing things from Cat's POV and she goes back to RIverrun, not to Robb's camp. SO when Robb comes back, his romantic status comes as a surprise. Again, it kind of makes the TV characters look really stupid.
THE BASTARD OF BOLTON:
My reaction when Roose name dropped the Bastard at the Dreadfort?
:O:O:ORAMSAY!
- Hello Osha!
- Dany's Dragon Kidnapping:
Probably one of the bigger divergences from the books, but I can bet its Pyat Pree that stole them, thus giving Dany reason to go to the House of the Undying. But it seems like forced TV drama again. Problem is though now, why can't anybody in the future just pull the "Steal the dragons" card? Its something GRRM hasn't resorted to in the books as of yet. Let alone killing all of Dany's Dothraki buddies. Are any of her Khaalasar still alive? Just killing off some of these more minor characters left and right kind of desensitizes you to character deaths on the show it seems- characters dying isn't the exception, you're almost expecting it every episode. Which I think might hurt some of the more meaningful BIG deaths later on in the series.
But where the hell was Jorah during this whole thing?
-Oh and I guess Shae was in this episode. Maybe Arya will say her name. Pretty please?
Modifié par Brockololly, 07 mai 2012 - 11:15 .
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