TAG TEAM REVIEW: GAME OF THRONES EP. 4

This review kinda brings home to me that not reading the books yet has been a good decision, as almost all the negative feedback I've read on this series so far - both here and throughout the web - seems to stem from people who have read the books and take issue with that characters depiction or this character not getting enough screen time or the emphasis their own reading obviously gave it. 

I'm quite happy to read these books once the series ends but I think I'll roll with this series in its entirety first before I go there.

That's what I did with LOTR.

I know I'm re-iterating the comment I made on the other page, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Tourney feels a good bit "bigger" next episode.

I had the impression that things were just barely getting underway and people were still kind of filtering in.  Hugh vs. Gregor probably wasn't a huge "draw" given that Gregor's practically a giant and Hugh was some no-name punk just newly raised to knighthood.  The real "celebrity knights" (well, celebrity knight, anyway) hasn't shown up yet, and Jaime doesn't seem to be taking part in this one.

So basically the crowds might not have shown up in full-force yet.  The preview clip I saw showed Ned and Barristan walking amidst what seemed to be a "tent city" set up for the tournament as well, so I think it'll all come across a little better next episode.  I can hope, anyway.

Nah, I wouldn't hold my breath for the tourney to get bigger. They're on a relatively tight budget. But that's the least important aspect of the show to me. I mean, remember the days when the crew of the Enterprise would beam down to the same red soundstage with a few cardboard boulders every week? It's kind of ironic that we're now criticizing a TV show on the same level we would a movie when it comes to visuals. And unlike some of HBO's classic shows--Deadwood, Carnivale, even Rome--Westeros is made up of dozens of different locations, rather than a single one that can be fleshed out in massive detail. (And for the record, Elizabeth, the bit where Robert passes judgment on Lady was, I'm pretty sure, supposed to have happened at the same inn where Catelyn arrests Tyrion, so they're not just reusing the same sets).

Can't disagree with you guys more about Emelia Clarke. I have some problems with how they're handling her storyline (though I thought this last episode was a big leap forward) but Clarke herself is already starting to seriously impress me, precisely because they HAVE given her so little to do so far. The fact that her standing up to her brother had so much impact is a testament to her acting. It looks like the producers have specifically tailored the narrative to have her slowly evolve from nonentity to major player, and while I have issues with having her be so passive in the early going, we're obviously getting to the point where she starts to kick back.

As for Sansa, I agree she's short-shrifted in the screentime department. Her sullenness seems totally in-character, though; I don't remember her illusions lasting THAT much longer beyond finding out her intended is a psycho and her new family likes to kill her pets. She'll keep rationalizing, I'm sure, but I can't see her being happy about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Prankster 

 

(And for the record, Elizabeth, the bit where Robert passes judgment on Lady was, I'm pretty sure, supposed to have happened at the same inn where Catelyn arrests Tyrion, so they're not just reusing the same sets).

I never picked up on that in the books! Nice catch. That inn plays another role, I think:

I also think Clarke's doing a good job with a somewhat rushed, uneven story.
 

The problem with Daenerys' arc is that it would take an entire season on most shows.  Here, it's happened in the span of four episodes.  Now, I'm all for a woman becoming empowered.  God knows I don't see enough of it in the media, but even as I whooped it up when she smacked Vissy, I had to think that it came too quickly to be truly believed.  I know there's been a passage of time on the show, but to my eyes, she's gone from little victim to IT'S KHALEESI, BITCH! in the blink of an eye.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyQuinn22 

The problem with Daenerys' arc is that it would take an entire season on most shows.  Here, it's happened in the span of four episodes.  Now, I'm all for a woman becoming empowered.  God knows I don't see enough of it in the media, but even as I whooped it up when she smacked Vissy, I had to think that it came too quickly to be truly believed.  I know there's been a passage of time on the show, but to my eyes, she's gone from little victim to IT'S KHALEESI, BITCH! in the blink of an eye.

To be fair, perhaps we've underestimated both characters based on first impression with both Daenerys being stronger and Vissy being weaker than they initially appeared?

Yeah, it's a real shame Danaerys's storyline hasn't had enough time to breathe. Dany IS supposed to b a frightened little girl at first, but getting a chance to spread her wings--and not being as attached to the idea of being an all-powerful ruler of Westeros the way "Vissy" is--helps her adapt and grow strong. The show's producers actually made her weaker in the first few episodes than she was in the book, so that's aiding the sudden turnaround. Though, to be fair, her brother's been bullying her her entire life, and suddenly she literally has all the power and he has almost none--all she had to do was realize it.

The inn is, if you look at the map, located at perhaps the busiest crossroads in the kingdom, right smack dab in the center of the continent, so it's not surprising that important events tend to happen there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyQuinn22 

The problem with Daenerys' arc is that it would take an entire season on most shows.  Here, it's happened in the span of four episodes.  Now, I'm all for a woman becoming empowered.  God knows I don't see enough of it in the media, but even as I whooped it up when she smacked Vissy, I had to think that it came too quickly to be truly believed.  I know there's been a passage of time on the show, but to my eyes, she's gone from little victim to IT'S KHALEESI, BITCH! in the blink of an eye.

I agree. It's the unfortunate reality of how many eps they have. But the moment just didn't feel earned.

I thought it felt completely earned. She hasn't just been "bullied" all her life by her brother, he's abused her terribly. But now she has power she's never known before, and has had it for months. She's been restrained because she thought the people were sewing banners for her brother and praying for his return. When she finally realizes that that's not the case, she feels free to excercise her newfound strength. Remember, she has just as much of "the dragon's blood" in her as her brother.

I'm glad they haven't spent too much time on her as some shrinking violet.

I still didnt watched this movie.I think it will be a good movie to watch.Hope I will get some time soon to watch this movie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1987 

I still didnt watched this movie.I think it will be a good movie to watch.Hope I will get some time soon to watch this movie.

If I get an editorial position open up on CHUD you're first in line to fill it.

Jeez, get his hopes up why don't ya?

I was disappointed they didn't have

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsnakeo 

Jeez, get his hopes up why don't ya?

 

I was disappointed they didn't have

Warning: Book Spoiler! (Click to show)

The Mountain freaking out and killing the (if  I recall correctly) Knight of Flower's horse at the tournament.

You'll see it in the next episode.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob Singer 

I thought it felt completely earned. She hasn't just been "bullied" all her life by her brother, he's abused her terribly. But now she has power she's never known before, and has had it for months. She's been restrained because she thought the people were sewing banners for her brother and praying for his return. When she finally realizes that that's not the case, she feels free to excercise her newfound strength. Remember, she has just as much of "the dragon's blood" in her as her brother.

 

I'm glad they haven't spent too much time on her as some shrinking violet.

Yeah, this. I'm not buying that Daenerys didn't earn her moment in Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things; Viserys treats her less kindly than he might treat the shit on the heel of his boot, and displays nothing but arrogance and laughable ignorance simultaneously in thinking that,

a) He has what it takes to not only rule a kingdom but go toe-to-toe with Robert Baratheon, and

b) People actually fucking want his lily ass on the Iron Throne

I don't think that even Illyrio gives a fuck about Viserys being crowned king as much as he wants to see someone end Robert's rule, though I haven't read the books and can only suppose based on what we've seen. So when Viserys goes on yet again about his sister being a Dothraki slut and how he's the dragon and Sisqo's just a chump, and also threatens her physically, yeah, she's totally earned that fleeting moment of vengeance when she clocks him in his pretty, unscarred face with that gold chain. She's pregnant with the child of the most fearsome warlord of the Dothraki tribes-- who she appears to actually have grown to love, as much as he's grown to love her-- and is treated like royalty by these "savages" more than she is by her own blood. I don't think I would find Daenerys palatable at all if not for the fact that she's stood up to Viserys so strongly by now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelM 

I never picked up on that in the books! Nice catch.

 

Not to pick nits, but you probably didn't pick that up in the books because it's not how it happened there.

NOT REALLY A SPOILER, BUT BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY...

Huh. Well, at least it wasn't a detail that went right by me. I would have checked, but my books are packed away (moving next week). Thanks for the confirmation and correction!