HBO: Game of Thrones

[rhinohide]

http://time.com/#30199/game-of-thrones-trailer-devil-inside/

New Game of Thrones Trailer Dials Up the Incest Factor Critics and celebrities got to see the first episode of season four of Game of Thrones Tuesday night at the New York City premiere. For those of us who weren’t so lucky, did we really need yet another Game of Thrones trailer to whet our appetites? Yes, we did.

[Juliajms]

You can check out a bunch of red carpet pictures of the cast here.

https://twitter.com/GameOfThrones/

Lena Heady looks amazing.

[ChitHappens]

Sigh...

The only character that has even come close to making the loss of Jr. Ewing/Larry Hagman less painful! True bad ass:

[Juliajms]

He couldn't look any more dapper, could he?

[ChitHappens]

No he could not! And whomever dressed Charles, should have a go at old Alfie. I thought they stopped making those ill fitting shiny suits long ago.

[Vee]

Dat INXS cover, tho

[rhinohide]

I looked for this on netflix and couldn't find it. My son wanted to watch it but doesn't have HBO. could you link? Please.

[DRW50]

It's not available on Instant. You have to get the discs.

[Juliajms]

Looks like there might be a movie at some point.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Game-Thrones-Movie-George-RR-Martin-1079525.aspx

[ThePrinceOfSunspear]

Obvious next cash grab but I'd be down to see it either way.

He needs to work on the damn novels though.....

[DRW50]

So, after finishing the first season a few days ago...

Favorite scenes:

Catelyn and the direwolf fending off the assassin who came to kill Bran

That exquisite, lengthy scene where Cersei and Robert talked about their failed marriage

Robert slapping Cersei ("I shall wear it as a badge of honor" "Keep quiet or I'll honor you again")

Catelyn at the Aerie realizing her sister's madness

Jon's friends reciting the oath to convince him to stay with the Night Watch (very cheesy and 1940 MGM but I loved it so much)

Miri Mazz Duur shaming Dany for her arrogance and lack of understanding (wonderful acting and one of the only times that story moves beyond the weird colonialist trappings)

Dany telling Miri that she will hear her scream (and she did)

Arya's fencing master fighting off the guards as she escaped (I'm going to delude myself into thinking he's still alive and fled King's Landing)

Sansa nearly pushing Joffrey off the walkway

Robert and Tywin wearing Jaime down to nothing, because they knew that inside he felt he was nothing. Jaime should be pathetic but NCW and the writing make him far more vulnerable than I'd expected him to be.

That unbelievable speech from Old Nan about the North.

That scene where Versys and Littlefinger call each other out as being worthless schemers no one has respect for, yet then acknowledge that they must maintain their uneasy truce.

What did not work for me:

- the filler porn and the endless profanity that sometimes felt forced into people's mouths

- Littlefinger and all his scheming against Catelyn and Ned based on a lot of backstory and rushed through one or two episodes at most. The whole thing was very tell-not-show and made Catelyn look like an idiot. Aiden Gillen also seemed to visibly struggle with most of this material.

- Dany's story. I spent the first 4-5 episodes alternately cringing at the dubious stereotypes and waiting for Joxer to pop up. Even as I began to accept the story more, I never managed to see her brother or Drogo in roles beyond plot devices. This story had some very moving sequences, especially when it comes to the white savior syndrome, but I just couldn't believe in it as a whole.

- Renly and Loras. I'm glad that GoT felt no need to make gay or bi characters overly flashy or lively, but they're both so very dull. Loras being Cersei's boytoy came out of nowhere and the most I took from it is that he doesn't have an ass.

Edited March 20, 2014 by DRW50

[ThePrinceOfSunspear]

Lol DR you sound just like me. I too have convinced myself that Syrio Forrel (the fencing master) is SOMEHOW still alive in the world. He's just hiding out somewhere waiting for the Starks to come back into power..

Old Nan's speech was really hilarious as is Bran's reaction. Varys and Littlefinger are two of the most interesting characters in the novels. Even after 5 books I'm still not sure whether I trust either of them or who I should root for...

[Vee]

That wasn't Loras with Cersei. That was Lancel Lannister, a family cousin.

[DRW50]

Oh well that's a relief. I thought it was Loras because I read that they were together and I couldn't tell them apart. So that was the guy Robert kept berating, right? The cup bearer.

I appreciate you letting me know.

In my half-asleep writings I forgot to mention that I did think Emilia and Jason Momoa had great chemistry. I can see why they had such a fan following. Considering the nature of the relationship, they did a lot to sell the love between the characters.

[Vee]

Yes, Lancel was Robert's squire, IIRC. He has a somewhat larger role in Season 2, but I've yet to spot him in Season 3.

The doll who plays Loras, Finn Jones, I first glimpsed on The Sarah Jane Adventures, as Jo Grant's grandson.

Edited March 21, 2014 by Vee