Game of Thrones-Winter is Coming & The Kingsroad
My buddy at work has been bugging the stew out of me to watch Game of Thrones. I remember watching a slate of episodes back in 2012. I saw Eddard Stark get beheaded by command of incest child Lannister, Joffrey.
That was one night when I was channel surfing HBO. My first scene of the show was wicked Joffrey, a demented little shit, and his scheming mother, Cersei, ordering Eddard's execution. His tomboy daughter, Arya, looking on within a crowd.
Sean Bean embues noble and grace in his Lord of Winterfell. His tenor is soft in speech but encourages respect. Those around him look upon him honorably. So in a dark world of "the seven kingdoms", such a character is certain to take the sword.
In "Winter is Coming", I could just sense that the wicked has their way. Imagine looking back to this episode at what destroys the Starks: incest between the Lannisters is a catalyst. Joffrey the actual son of brother and sister, Jaime and Cersei, wrought with a devious mind and heart. Hellspawn born from the forbidden, Joffrey is recognized as the son of King Robert, holding the throne at King's Landing.
Tragedy derives at the end of the episode when Eddard's son, an active "castle wall climber" (ironically, he promised mother, Catelyn, he wouldn't do it again, but the kid just couldn't help himself), sees brother and sister doing the nasty. Jaime earns the trust of the kid and pushes him out the window of a tower room in Winterfell. Fade to black. This sets up a troubling awareness that the innocent are not immune to evil.
King Robert wants Eddard to replace his "hand" (Hand of the King, a title of authority and security, and protecting the Kingdom) who died of a fast illness. Robert loved Eddy's sis, and the two visit a burial site with a special statue dedicated to her memory. Robert trusts no one, and Eddy is that one man who would protect his best interests. The Lannisters, however, will rid themselves of both. Lots of tragedy and the throne and it's power are bedfellows with King's Landing.
So Daenerys' name had escaped me. Emilia Clarke was so stunning, I just wanted to get lost in her beauty. In the world of Game of Thrones, such beauty rarely remains uncorrupted. She was on my mind today, and I hadn't written about the Targaryen subplot last night. Because so much emphasis was on Winterfell in "Winter is Coming", I spent my time on them. I had intended to write more today after some contemplation. So as I mentioned my pal at work is a GoT [extreme] fan, and Daenerys was a name I'll probably struggle with for a bit. At any rate, I asked him what her name was. I was quite impressed with his email response:
Verbatim this is. I look forward to her life's journey.
In Winter is Coming, she is offered to a savage warrior leader, Khal (Jason Momoa) of a tribe known as the Dothraki. Her brother, Viserys (Harry Lloyd), eyes King's Landing and sees the Dothraki as his meal ticket. Best laid plans, right? Viserys proclaims he'd have Daenerys fuck Khal and all his Dothraki if it could win him back the throne to the Targaryen line! Obviously Daenerys is scared of being hurt by a brute who would be rough with her. The gift of the petrified dragon eggs by Magister Illyrio (Roger Allan), who worked at great length in brokering this marriage, will significantly alter Daenerys' name and notoriety. Jorah (Iain Glen) is familiar to me because I watched the show right after the Eddard era concluded with his execution. How Jorah factors as a form of wisdom and strength for Daenerys was my introduction to him. By her side, offering advice and loyal. Starting at the beginning, knowing some of what happens makes the experience fascinating.
As far as the Whitewalkers at the onset of "Winter is Coming", for Game of Thrones, there was just enough to wet our appetite. Creepy and effective: definitely a precursor of things to come. Establishment of a serious threat to all seven kingdoms.
I was going to chew on a specific look made by Catelyn towards Jon Snow--a frontrunner for favorite character along with "the imp" (what he's called by pretty much everyone), Tyrion--and an uncomfortable situation seething an undercurrent of resentment and disappointment (Eddard's brother is commissioned by Jon to join him as part of security for Westeros), but I think Michelle Fairley deserves some love as does Kit Harington for their performances in the ensemble. Jon is a formidable character to me. He's considered the bastard child of Eddard 'Ned' Stark and Catelyn looks at him with subtle disapproval that certainly speaks on what he represents: betrayal by the man she loves, "presumably". If Ned did this, Winter is Coming doesn't address the details. Ned doesn't appear to be such a dishonorable husband. Sure King Robert ass-grabbing a wench openly in front of wife, Cersei, is one thing, but Eddard doing so flies in the face of what he stands for.
As my friend said, on this show "nothing is as it seems". Kit embues Jon with a quiet strength, integrity, leadership qualities, and control of his emotions. Jon seems to follow the lead of Ned, accepting the jeers about his lot in life. Even the pup direwolf he receives from a litter left behind after their mother was killed is distinctively different than the other Starks, born from Catelyn.
The second episode of Game of Thrones once again has Tyrion and Jon Snow in the middle of conversation, and both of these characters continue to be my favorites. But before talking about these two, I want to go ahead and address the more important plot regarding Prince Joffrey and his shenanigans.
That was one night when I was channel surfing HBO. My first scene of the show was wicked Joffrey, a demented little shit, and his scheming mother, Cersei, ordering Eddard's execution. His tomboy daughter, Arya, looking on within a crowd.
Sean Bean embues noble and grace in his Lord of Winterfell. His tenor is soft in speech but encourages respect. Those around him look upon him honorably. So in a dark world of "the seven kingdoms", such a character is certain to take the sword.
In "Winter is Coming", I could just sense that the wicked has their way. Imagine looking back to this episode at what destroys the Starks: incest between the Lannisters is a catalyst. Joffrey the actual son of brother and sister, Jaime and Cersei, wrought with a devious mind and heart. Hellspawn born from the forbidden, Joffrey is recognized as the son of King Robert, holding the throne at King's Landing.
Tragedy derives at the end of the episode when Eddard's son, an active "castle wall climber" (ironically, he promised mother, Catelyn, he wouldn't do it again, but the kid just couldn't help himself), sees brother and sister doing the nasty. Jaime earns the trust of the kid and pushes him out the window of a tower room in Winterfell. Fade to black. This sets up a troubling awareness that the innocent are not immune to evil.
King Robert wants Eddard to replace his "hand" (Hand of the King, a title of authority and security, and protecting the Kingdom) who died of a fast illness. Robert loved Eddy's sis, and the two visit a burial site with a special statue dedicated to her memory. Robert trusts no one, and Eddy is that one man who would protect his best interests. The Lannisters, however, will rid themselves of both. Lots of tragedy and the throne and it's power are bedfellows with King's Landing.
So Daenerys' name had escaped me. Emilia Clarke was so stunning, I just wanted to get lost in her beauty. In the world of Game of Thrones, such beauty rarely remains uncorrupted. She was on my mind today, and I hadn't written about the Targaryen subplot last night. Because so much emphasis was on Winterfell in "Winter is Coming", I spent my time on them. I had intended to write more today after some contemplation. So as I mentioned my pal at work is a GoT [extreme] fan, and Daenerys was a name I'll probably struggle with for a bit. At any rate, I asked him what her name was. I was quite impressed with his email response:
Daenerys Targaryen, mother of dragons, the first of her name, blood of old Valyria, breaker of chains, queen of the andals and the first men, eater of horse hearts, speaker of languages, voted best hair in Westeros, bride of the great khal.
Verbatim this is. I look forward to her life's journey.
In Winter is Coming, she is offered to a savage warrior leader, Khal (Jason Momoa) of a tribe known as the Dothraki. Her brother, Viserys (Harry Lloyd), eyes King's Landing and sees the Dothraki as his meal ticket. Best laid plans, right? Viserys proclaims he'd have Daenerys fuck Khal and all his Dothraki if it could win him back the throne to the Targaryen line! Obviously Daenerys is scared of being hurt by a brute who would be rough with her. The gift of the petrified dragon eggs by Magister Illyrio (Roger Allan), who worked at great length in brokering this marriage, will significantly alter Daenerys' name and notoriety. Jorah (Iain Glen) is familiar to me because I watched the show right after the Eddard era concluded with his execution. How Jorah factors as a form of wisdom and strength for Daenerys was my introduction to him. By her side, offering advice and loyal. Starting at the beginning, knowing some of what happens makes the experience fascinating.
As far as the Whitewalkers at the onset of "Winter is Coming", for Game of Thrones, there was just enough to wet our appetite. Creepy and effective: definitely a precursor of things to come. Establishment of a serious threat to all seven kingdoms.
I was going to chew on a specific look made by Catelyn towards Jon Snow--a frontrunner for favorite character along with "the imp" (what he's called by pretty much everyone), Tyrion--and an uncomfortable situation seething an undercurrent of resentment and disappointment (Eddard's brother is commissioned by Jon to join him as part of security for Westeros), but I think Michelle Fairley deserves some love as does Kit Harington for their performances in the ensemble. Jon is a formidable character to me. He's considered the bastard child of Eddard 'Ned' Stark and Catelyn looks at him with subtle disapproval that certainly speaks on what he represents: betrayal by the man she loves, "presumably". If Ned did this, Winter is Coming doesn't address the details. Ned doesn't appear to be such a dishonorable husband. Sure King Robert ass-grabbing a wench openly in front of wife, Cersei, is one thing, but Eddard doing so flies in the face of what he stands for.
As my friend said, on this show "nothing is as it seems". Kit embues Jon with a quiet strength, integrity, leadership qualities, and control of his emotions. Jon seems to follow the lead of Ned, accepting the jeers about his lot in life. Even the pup direwolf he receives from a litter left behind after their mother was killed is distinctively different than the other Starks, born from Catelyn.
The second episode of Game of Thrones once again has Tyrion and Jon Snow in the middle of conversation, and both of these characters continue to be my favorites. But before talking about these two, I want to go ahead and address the more important plot regarding Prince Joffrey and his shenanigans.
A sequence (or is confluence?) of events all bring about the inevitable decimation of the Starks thanks in part to the Lannisters. Joffrey is made king once Robert is “disposed of”, and he uses the title to rid his family of Ned Stark, a lord of stature certain to circumvent his own authority if he continued to live. How do we get to Ned (Eddard) in the victim role of “off with his head!” and Joffrey commanding it with definite glee? Well, Ned’s daughters travel with him as he dutifully (even if he didn’t want the role) accepts the position of Hand to the King, following King Robert to King’s Landing through horse travel.
Joffrey and Ned’s daughter, Sansa, are to be wed eventually and go for a walk. Arya, Ned’s other daughter, was given a thin sword by Jon Snow, the supposed illegitimate bastard son Catelyn despises (he represents Ned’s adulterous betrayal while away at war). Arya is a tomboy far more attracted to sword fighting and jousting than wearing dresses and gowns and getting all dollied up. She is innocently training with a butcher’s boy near a river when Joffrey eyes them. Joffrey is a brat needing to justify his eventual prowess as a commanding king, and spreading fear to the “weak” and lowly is right up his alley. The kid prince psycho decides to cut the boy with the blade of his sword, offering bravado for Sansa to witness, while Arya insists he stop. The butcher boy is a victim of circumstance: if he never accepts to train with Arya, he wouldn’t be found by Joffrey and be targeted. When Joffrey’s “dog”, a slave to be ordered around (he’s an intimidating guard with a burn on one side of his face), later finds the butcher boy, running him over with his horse! Arya’s direwolf protects her by chomping down on Joffrey’s arm when he threatens her. Arya is persistently defiant towards him as any two kids might fight when one tries to bully the other. Joffrey begging for his life while Arya holds a sword up to him gave me as many giggles as Tyrion (his uncle) slapping him for “disrespecting the Starks”. Cersei uses her role as queen to give Joffrey plenty of royal leverage although King Robert often disregards his antics as embarrassing. Like when Robert scoffs at Joffrey for being defeated by Arya.
Direwolf protection is especially emphasized in “The Kingsroad” as Arya’s pet attacked Joffrey for his insolence and how comatose and paralyzed Bran (previously thrown off the tower window by Jaime Lannister because he was caught by the castle wall climbing kid fucking his twin sister, Cersei) has a hit on him by the Lannisters who provide an assassin with a special dragon-bone handle dagger to kill the kid so he won’t wake up and spill the beans. Catelyn wasn’t supposed to be in the room after a fire was started on the Winterfell property by Cersei (her hair is found at the fire site by Catelyn when she goes investigating), and the assassin decides to go ahead with his plans, although she certainly puts up a fight. No need, the direwolf rips out his throat instead as the dagger blade cut both Catelyn’s hands! Ned is ordered to have a direwolf in custody (Sansa’s) executed because Arya’s was shooed away for its own safety. Over and over, the Lannisters continue to cause the Starks misery. It gets worse and worse.
Two big events—the Bran incident and Joffrey’s river embarrassment—are catalysts in the deaths of many Starks, while the survivors endure strife and danger. We fans of Starks are just accustomed to seeing them die strategically and wonder if those not yet dead will soon wind up being so.
As far as Jon Snow and Tyrion, as mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, I liked their conversation about being a bastard and small-sized dwarf respectively. There was a similar conversation in the previous episode during a dinner outside of the feast hall shared between them. Tyrion seems to see something in Jon others don’t necessarily. He questions Jon’s decision to join the Night’s Watch at the Wall where they protect Westeros from the threat of Whitewalkers (monsters of mythos). Jon, the bastard son Catelyn looked on with scorn for what she believes he respresents, is the perfect foil for the guard: he has few reasons to remain with Ned’s bunch. He’s not wanted so why wouldn’t Jon join the Watch and do something with his life? Tyrion, however, spotlights what a waste this destination would be. Jaime had also previously made a snide, digging remark about joining the Night’s Watch and dedicating his life to something quite unflattering. It is all a type of pointed declaration that this isn’t ultimately where Jon’s life will be stationed long-term. But this episode’s conversation has a nice moment where Tyrion’s asked why he’s always reading books by Jon who seems to be carrying this frozen expression of disappointment and unfulfillment. Knowledge is power and wisdom comes in handy.
I have really responded to Emilia Clarke so far as Daenerys Targaryen in the first two episodes of Game of Thrones. She's mentioned in a conversation between King Robert and Ned Stark in "The Kingsroad" as they discuss her betrothal to the king of Dothraki, Drogo. Her father being slain ("usurped" is the term supposedly used by those who oppose Robert's reign) and the Targaryen family exiled from King's Landing. Ned speaks of her name with sickened scorn, considering her "just a child". Daenerys has decided she wants to seductively hold Drogo under her spell during sex, instead of their rough doggy-style slave fucking which has Daenerys wincing and displeased. She wants to impact him instead of the two remaining distanced. So she turns to former sex slave-now-handmaiden, Doreah (Roxanne McKee) for advice and learning. Sure enough, Daenerys has Drogo letting her guide their sexual activity, looking him in the eyes and getting on top, sitting in his lap, and pulling him in nice and close. Doreah on top of Daenerys imitating "riding her" certainly was titillating for this viewer! Those dragon eggs getting emphasis and attention is definite foreshadowing of things to come: Daenerys will have her hatchlings and all who oppose will feel her wrath.
I have really responded to Emilia Clarke so far as Daenerys Targaryen in the first two episodes of Game of Thrones. She's mentioned in a conversation between King Robert and Ned Stark in "The Kingsroad" as they discuss her betrothal to the king of Dothraki, Drogo. Her father being slain ("usurped" is the term supposedly used by those who oppose Robert's reign) and the Targaryen family exiled from King's Landing. Ned speaks of her name with sickened scorn, considering her "just a child". Daenerys has decided she wants to seductively hold Drogo under her spell during sex, instead of their rough doggy-style slave fucking which has Daenerys wincing and displeased. She wants to impact him instead of the two remaining distanced. So she turns to former sex slave-now-handmaiden, Doreah (Roxanne McKee) for advice and learning. Sure enough, Daenerys has Drogo letting her guide their sexual activity, looking him in the eyes and getting on top, sitting in his lap, and pulling him in nice and close. Doreah on top of Daenerys imitating "riding her" certainly was titillating for this viewer! Those dragon eggs getting emphasis and attention is definite foreshadowing of things to come: Daenerys will have her hatchlings and all who oppose will feel her wrath.
Comments
Post a Comment