MY GOT REVIEWS - Summary
Note: I haven't suddenly improved my English, but I've discovered subtitles.
More and more impressive. Constant themes: families stick together, and individuals do too. Lots of scenes of bonding and closeness. I like this inner consistency. Also, nice fidelity to the book, and changes when needed. Many details might be foreboding for us faithful readers; this alone makes this series a treat to watch. They are nicely establishing the characters' past.
Arrival at King's Landing. Ned is quite muddy (and Jory on a white horse, sigh). Love Ned's stare at the suggestion that he should change: A Stark is Always Appropriate. The famous throne room scene: a great way to bring back the awful memories of both Ned's and Jaime's past. The Mad King has finally a name: Aerys. Jaime is despised for having done "justice", an interesting interpretation. Ned doesn't care that Jaime avenged his family; he dislikes Jaime for having broken his vow to Aerys. "You served him well, when serving was safe." Lots to discuss here.
Varys!!! And Renly. Great entrance of LF, and another very interesting mention of Brandon. They are really going out of their way to establish Westeros' past.
Cersei dressing Joffrey's tiny wound. Yeah, it could get infected, I know. Once again I wonder: Is Cersei already delusional? Or will she, by AFFC, have learned her own lesson so well that she will truly believe "Truth is what you make it"? Turns out Joff has no idea about who his father is. Cersei is so mother-blah-some I have to coin a word. I almost understand Joff's deranged nature here. Impressive acting by Jack Gleeson. Another nice touch of continuity with the mention of the "seven gods".
Heheheeeee, Arya stabbing the table!!! Maisie rocks. Actually there's nothing funny, because one sister is mourning her friend and the other her direwolf. Ned gives Sansa a doll; a sign that her childhood is over, judging from her reaction, or a foreshadowing of the "giant" scene in the Eyrie?
Arya - Ned. Lovely father-daughter scene. Interesting parallel with Cersei-Joff: both families want to defend themselves. Of course this scene leads in the end to THE SCENE. Just so! I laugh in delight a couple of times every time I watch this scene. The "Italian Swordmaster" is awesome as expected. “I’m a girl!” “Boy, girl, you’re a sword, that is all.” Love this quote, straight from the book. Ned's look at the end says "OMG, I’ve raised a killer."
Old Nan – Bran. This scene is sad for so many reasons, but the mention of Duncan the Tall is a treat!!! Also scary - it builds to a crescendo, and my Desk Cat jumped on "her" desk just when Robb entered! I can't warm to Robb yet, dunno why. Chemistry, I guess, despite him being more Tully-like than the others. Bran: "I’d rather be dead." Weirdly, reminds me of "You do not talk about Fight Club." No matter how it looks, this boy is a fighter.
Cat arrives in King's Landing, escorted by Rodrik’s beard. Her initial reaction to LF is hostile, though later she'll lovingly describe him as a friend to Ned. This is a bit inconsistent. Varys appears and begins to establish himself as the Spider, with his "little birds". LF's hideaway does not go down well with Ned, who proceeds to throttle him until Cat saves LF. The necessary exposition is quick and well-made, and oooh, kiss. Great acting by both leads, especially on Ned's close-up. It's the last time they'll see each other alive, and I think even a new viewer can feel it. This scene is nicely paralleled by Jaime&Cersei's. Finally we know why that line in the trailer was so mumbled - Jaime was talking into the hair of his beloved.
Desk Cat says: Nmjnhj
The Wall. Tyrion! Old Bear Mormont! Thorne! Jon fights like a street brawler, I like it. Is it the first time we hear Mormont’s name? I have a true problem in keeping the chronology straight, what with the Maester’s Path rewards etc. That's why I'm a BwP (Brotherhood Without Previews). Others with a better memory probably have no problems with preview spoilers. However I did not expect to see Yoren so soon; he rocks! I also like Benjen very much. If only. But Benjen, you should know that saying "We'll speak when I return" is BAAAAD luck!!! I don't feel too much of a connection with Jon, but more than with Robb.
Robert. This scene is amazing. "Stamina"??? Too modern. But Ian McElhinney totally rules, and his chemistry with Jaime as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is amazing. I'm officially in love with Ser Barristan Selmy (I don't think he's been named yet).
Dany - Jorah. The bags under her eyes show the hard life she's having. Awesome Jorah shows his loyalty (for now). Later, the Jorah-Rhakharo scene is another nice parallelism with the Jaime-Barristan camaraderie and bonding. Aha, the spy reveals himself (to us knowing viewers)! Where exactly are you going, Jo?
Damn, I want to fall in love with Jorah again, especially as embodied by the great Iain Glen. But Jorah has even less probabilities to survive in future books that the Blackfish. Sorry, I'm not investing in these characters anymore.
Rhakharo! Viserys as Beggar King is awesome. Later, Dany is wonderfully amazed by the realization she's pregnant.
Meanwhile, Jon begins bonding with his comrades and turns from a street brawler into a competent trainer. And Dany bonds too - with her husband. Stuff to reflect upon here too: when did it turn from rape into consensual relationship?
Hahahaaaa Tyrion pissing from the Wall, AND NOT WIPING BEFORE SHAKING JON'S HAND /13-years-old