“The Lion and the Rose” is a timely reminder of why Game of Thrones is excellent television. Not because it dispatches one of the most detestable fictional characters in recent history, but because it continues its trend of subversion. George R.R. Martin is infamous for his predilection for dispatching his characters en masse, often unexpectedly.…
The Game of Thrones season three finale begins amidst a maelstrom of chaotic violence, Stark bannerman hacked to pieces surrounded by hellish flames. It’s a confronting opening even before the “young wolf” is brought forth, but it’s not representative of the episode as a whole, which takes the opportunity for reflection after the enormity of…
(Extended Cut posts are articles where I’ll exceed my usual 200-word limit to allow for more detailed discussion) Well, that happened. With one deft swoop, Game of Thrones sealed its title as the least fan-friendly show on television. The show has carefully spent three seasons developing the Starks as well-meaning, sentimental types, a rare beacon…
(Extended Cut posts are articles where I’ll exceed my usual 200-word limit to allow for more detailed discussion) Game of Thrones has always had sex as a major selling point, and it hasn’t always been particularly thoughtful about its use of sex and nudity. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a problem! As a fan of…
This week’s episode has the same problems as last week’s – predictable, drawn-out plot developments – but some gorgeous cinematography and crisp writing made for a more engaging hour. The best two scenes of the episode had much in common. Both were precisely photographed and both pertained to a verbal power struggle between two imposing…
Like last week’s premiere, “Dark Wings, Dark Words” is largely a place-setting episode. But where “Valar Dohaeris” felt accomplished, thanks to a consistent tone, this episode felt clumsy. I think this is because “Dark Wings, Dark Words” fell victim to the ‘clunky pilot’ curse that I spoke about in my Hannibal review. We’re in the…
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