More mediocre movie conversations. Sometimes the world needs a light to show them the way. You won't get that here. This blog is an informal free for all. Enjoy.
For more formal reviews, check out our sister blog:
http://mediocrityatthemovies.blogspot.com/
What'd everyone think of the season premiere? Does everything Arya do just bum you out, like it does me? Does anyone else take the destruction of Ice as one of Tywin's greatest sins, like it's a crime against history? When do Podrick the Sex God and Ellaria Sand share a scene?
I'm assuming we're keeping this spoiler free for those who haven't read the books...
I thought the initial scene was fantastic, a great setting for the show/season. Tywin having Ice melted down and reforged, throwing the pelt into the fire... I was hoping for some nice visuals for the swords with the distinctive red and black shimmer. Definitely a sin...may Eddard's ghost haunt him in all seven hells.
What I didn't like.... was the Thenn. Cannibals? Not sure what they're trying to do with that... i don't really seeing it adding anything to that story, but we'll see.
I thought it was sort of funny that Oberyn makes the comment about preferring pale skinned women when his skin color stirred up a bit of controversy with his casting. We haven't seen enough to say whether Pascal does the role any justice.. but first impressions were pretty good, I thought.
What's this about Arya? I enjoyed that scene quite a bit... mostly because the Hound is one of my favorite characters, but just enjoy her and her scenes in general.
It was a bit odd that Daario looked completely different... I figured they'd at least leave his long hair. I was hoping for blue or purple...but nothing. At least the Dragons look neat!
There were some other points, but i'll stop for now!
Overall, I think it was a solid premiere... but with that, think it will end up being one of the weakest episodes of the season and am excited for things to come! GRRM's episode up next!
I like Arya, one of my favorite characters and I'm glad she finally got to kill some people. That said she may have to get recast unless George RR decides to write the last couple books to be multiple years in the future from now- she's already like 15 or 16 and playing a couple years younger, she's going to outgrow that part soon.
I have much more of a problem with Sansa- I'm not saying she needs to put out but it doesn't take a genius to recognize that Tyrion finds Joffrey to be more despicable than she does and that he did have great respect for her family and feels terrible for her.
I'm glad Bobby confirmed my suspicion that guy was recast- I don't remember names of tier 2 characters and on so I was guessing that was who that person was but not sure. Apparently the actor is filming a prequel to The Transporter.
Tywin took great enjoyment destroying that sword and even insulted it talking about its ridiculous size. Everybody in Westeros has penis envy.
That opening scene was absolutely fantastic. We're all waiting for the music to cue and BAM, Charles Dance again being a badass. No one has ever made penis envy look so cool.
For me, the Arya stuff is some of the best on the show; well-written, well-acted, thematically strong. This week's scene was straight out of Inglourious Basterds. It's just extremely depressing that she's going down the road she is. Every person she kills, she's moving further and further away from a return to a normal life once all this is over, especially considering how much pleasure she takes from murder. I think her arc is shaping up to be the most tragic over the course of the series, and to see the steps laid out give me a big sad.
The old Daario was garbage, though I'd say the same thing about book Daario. I'm very happy they recast him.
On the actress that plays Arya, she's 16 or 17 and still only an even 5 feet tall. I think they'll be fine sticking with her for however long the series runs. For the other kid actors, Bran already looks too old, they recast Tommen for this year, and who knows when we'll see Rickon again. Sansa's not going anywhere, and Bran's too central to recast. We'll just have to hope Hodor's got good insurance for his inevitable back surgery.
I immediately buy Oberyn as someone completely off the chain and unpredictable. I'm really looking forward to anything involving his character. The Thenns as cannibals don't bother me. They've established some wildlings tribes as cannibals, so it may as well be a tribe we're going to get to know. The show's already tackled innate human taboos like incest, why not cannibalism, too?
Only thing I can think of as a negative would be Shae's scene. I don't mind the actress, but I don't think the plotting around her is as good as elsewhere. Though we'll see what that spy stirs up around her...
I agree, the old Daario was garbage. I actually liked the way he's written in the book... but i'm happy to give the new guy a chance here.
The problem I have with the Thenn's, is that they're supposed to be the more 'civilized' of the wildlings... with better armor/weapons, organization with a complete and central devotion to Styr. Here, they've completely downgraded them to savages. I don't think cannibalism is something the show should stay away from, at all.. I just wasn't happy to see them stick it in there. It's not a central point to the overall story, though.
I agree with Shae and Tyrion's scene being a negative. I see where they're going with it, but i don't like the tension that's there... and that Tyrion wants her to go away causing her all that resentment towards him.
I think the Thenn's are composite character's here. They represent, to me, the fact that maybe the Wildlings really aren't so much on the same side. Also, that there are for more dangerous people beyond the wall that we haven't met yet. Third, they give us something to root against if the Wildlings do attack the North. The other Wildlings are pretty much likable at this point.
I agree that the Arya stuff is depressing. Below Bryan mentions that she won't get revenge with a perfect soul. I agree. However, the depressing part is that she has no feelings at all attached to killing people. If you look at the Stark children, 3 of them are what the show would consider killers. Lots of the bad* guys talk about killing because it's enjoyable. There's a reference to even Ned Stark enjoying killing. (I think they're attempting to bend the world to their POV so they don't feel so awful about what they do.) So back to Ned's 3 killer children. Robb is most like Ned. He will kill when he has to, but takes no enjoyment and does connect negative emotions with it (He never wanted to kill Kahrstark). Jon skews towards being softer. He couldn't kill Ygritte. On the flip side is Arya, who is now down the path with The Hound. Kill when you need to, when you're commanded to, or when it suits your purpose. You may have a code, but you enjoy it as well.
I guess the Shae thing, to me, is just getting stale. I just rewatched The Bear and the Maiden Fair and it's the same stuff. It's not a very convincing plotline. She is a whore who knows she could never marry a royal dude. Tyrion has already offered her riches, a home and security. It's tiresome that she continues to act like she's in a different world. I don't know. It just seems pretty forced.
*I use the term bad loosely and in convenience as Martin's characters sway one way or the other. It makes the show excellent, but makes simple categorization hell.
I have a memory issue, where did he get the sword?
I think Arya's character/actor/scenes are all very well done. I'm not sure having lived her life it would be possible to not seek revenge outside of being a demi-god w/ a perfect soul.
Is Daario the guy who battled in the city for Calisi? The character switch has me confused.
What'd everyone think of the season premiere? Does everything Arya do just bum you out, like it does me? Does anyone else take the destruction of Ice as one of Tywin's greatest sins, like it's a crime against history? When do Podrick the Sex God and Ellaria Sand share a scene?
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming we're keeping this spoiler free for those who haven't read the books...
ReplyDeleteI thought the initial scene was fantastic, a great setting for the show/season. Tywin having Ice melted down and reforged, throwing the pelt into the fire... I was hoping for some nice visuals for the swords with the distinctive red and black shimmer. Definitely a sin...may Eddard's ghost haunt him in all seven hells.
What I didn't like.... was the Thenn. Cannibals? Not sure what they're trying to do with that... i don't really seeing it adding anything to that story, but we'll see.
I thought it was sort of funny that Oberyn makes the comment about preferring pale skinned women when his skin color stirred up a bit of controversy with his casting. We haven't seen enough to say whether Pascal does the role any justice.. but first impressions were pretty good, I thought.
What's this about Arya? I enjoyed that scene quite a bit... mostly because the Hound is one of my favorite characters, but just enjoy her and her scenes in general.
It was a bit odd that Daario looked completely different... I figured they'd at least leave his long hair. I was hoping for blue or purple...but nothing. At least the Dragons look neat!
There were some other points, but i'll stop for now!
Overall, I think it was a solid premiere... but with that, think it will end up being one of the weakest episodes of the season and am excited for things to come! GRRM's episode up next!
I like Arya, one of my favorite characters and I'm glad she finally got to kill some people. That said she may have to get recast unless George RR decides to write the last couple books to be multiple years in the future from now- she's already like 15 or 16 and playing a couple years younger, she's going to outgrow that part soon.
ReplyDeleteI have much more of a problem with Sansa- I'm not saying she needs to put out but it doesn't take a genius to recognize that Tyrion finds Joffrey to be more despicable than she does and that he did have great respect for her family and feels terrible for her.
I'm glad Bobby confirmed my suspicion that guy was recast- I don't remember names of tier 2 characters and on so I was guessing that was who that person was but not sure. Apparently the actor is filming a prequel to The Transporter.
Tywin took great enjoyment destroying that sword and even insulted it talking about its ridiculous size. Everybody in Westeros has penis envy.
That opening scene was absolutely fantastic. We're all waiting for the music to cue and BAM, Charles Dance again being a badass. No one has ever made penis envy look so cool.
DeleteFor me, the Arya stuff is some of the best on the show; well-written, well-acted, thematically strong. This week's scene was straight out of Inglourious Basterds. It's just extremely depressing that she's going down the road she is. Every person she kills, she's moving further and further away from a return to a normal life once all this is over, especially considering how much pleasure she takes from murder. I think her arc is shaping up to be the most tragic over the course of the series, and to see the steps laid out give me a big sad.
ReplyDeleteThe old Daario was garbage, though I'd say the same thing about book Daario. I'm very happy they recast him.
On the actress that plays Arya, she's 16 or 17 and still only an even 5 feet tall. I think they'll be fine sticking with her for however long the series runs. For the other kid actors, Bran already looks too old, they recast Tommen for this year, and who knows when we'll see Rickon again. Sansa's not going anywhere, and Bran's too central to recast. We'll just have to hope Hodor's got good insurance for his inevitable back surgery.
I immediately buy Oberyn as someone completely off the chain and unpredictable. I'm really looking forward to anything involving his character. The Thenns as cannibals don't bother me. They've established some wildlings tribes as cannibals, so it may as well be a tribe we're going to get to know. The show's already tackled innate human taboos like incest, why not cannibalism, too?
Only thing I can think of as a negative would be Shae's scene. I don't mind the actress, but I don't think the plotting around her is as good as elsewhere. Though we'll see what that spy stirs up around her...
I agree, the old Daario was garbage. I actually liked the way he's written in the book... but i'm happy to give the new guy a chance here.
DeleteThe problem I have with the Thenn's, is that they're supposed to be the more 'civilized' of the wildlings... with better armor/weapons, organization with a complete and central devotion to Styr. Here, they've completely downgraded them to savages. I don't think cannibalism is something the show should stay away from, at all.. I just wasn't happy to see them stick it in there. It's not a central point to the overall story, though.
I agree with Shae and Tyrion's scene being a negative. I see where they're going with it, but i don't like the tension that's there... and that Tyrion wants her to go away causing her all that resentment towards him.
I think the Thenn's are composite character's here. They represent, to me, the fact that maybe the Wildlings really aren't so much on the same side. Also, that there are for more dangerous people beyond the wall that we haven't met yet. Third, they give us something to root against if the Wildlings do attack the North. The other Wildlings are pretty much likable at this point.
DeleteI agree that the Arya stuff is depressing. Below Bryan mentions that she won't get revenge with a perfect soul. I agree. However, the depressing part is that she has no feelings at all attached to killing people. If you look at the Stark children, 3 of them are what the show would consider killers. Lots of the bad* guys talk about killing because it's enjoyable. There's a reference to even Ned Stark enjoying killing. (I think they're attempting to bend the world to their POV so they don't feel so awful about what they do.) So back to Ned's 3 killer children. Robb is most like Ned. He will kill when he has to, but takes no enjoyment and does connect negative emotions with it (He never wanted to kill Kahrstark). Jon skews towards being softer. He couldn't kill Ygritte. On the flip side is Arya, who is now down the path with The Hound. Kill when you need to, when you're commanded to, or when it suits your purpose. You may have a code, but you enjoy it as well.
DeleteI guess the Shae thing, to me, is just getting stale. I just rewatched The Bear and the Maiden Fair and it's the same stuff. It's not a very convincing plotline. She is a whore who knows she could never marry a royal dude. Tyrion has already offered her riches, a home and security. It's tiresome that she continues to act like she's in a different world. I don't know. It just seems pretty forced.
*I use the term bad loosely and in convenience as Martin's characters sway one way or the other. It makes the show excellent, but makes simple categorization hell.
I have a memory issue, where did he get the sword?
ReplyDeleteI think Arya's character/actor/scenes are all very well done. I'm not sure having lived her life it would be possible to not seek revenge outside of being a demi-god w/ a perfect soul.
Is Daario the guy who battled in the city for Calisi? The character switch has me confused.
I assume he acquired Ice when he slaughtered all of Ned Stark's men and Ned Stark himself.
DeleteYeah, that's who Daario is.
DeleteIllyn Payne also used Ice to behead Ned Stark... :(
DeleteShane your direct replies are confusing me. *Subscribing
ReplyDeleteNaming your children after tv shows, I love it! http://www.vox.com/2014/4/9/5590250/game-of-thrones-has-changed-the-way-we-name-babies
ReplyDelete