April 14, 2013

Thats What Ygritte Said

Weekly Game of Thrones Musings by Sam Ryu

Game of Thrones is easily one of the best shows on television right nowmy favorite only after Mad Men and Louie. The thing that makes it unique, however, is what it requires from its viewers. The show demands an (almost) encyclopedic knowledge of its characters, their respective stories, and how they each intricately weave into the greater tapestry that is Westeros (and, to a lesser extent, Essos)the fictional world in which Game of Thrones takes place. It demands that you pay attention and keep track of even the smallest details. This might be a bit much for a television show. Why not just sit back, relax, and enjoy the gore, the whores and more? Because with a bit of work, the show becomes so much more rewarding and enjoyable. Im here to help. Season 3, Episode 1 Valar Dohaeris Because we are already two episodes in (and hours away from Episode 3), the inaugural edition of Thats What Ygritte Said (explanation for the title coming soon) will aim to be short and only touch on the really important stuffaka less words, more pictures. Episode 1 is really just a continuation of the Season 2 finale that serves to check back in with the characters and introduce their respective Season 3 storylines. Fat Sam (of the Nights Watch) fails to warn the Seven Kingdoms of the looming White Walkers (zombies) via ravens, Jon Snow (and also the audience) finally gets to meet Mance Rayder (the King Beyond the Wall) of the wildlings, blah blah blah and DRAGONS!!! Baby dragons are now oversized toddler dragons.

April 14, 2013

Mance Rayder tries to stop himself from getting lost in Jon Snows puppy face

Meeting Mance Rayder in the wildling* camp is a big deal because he is a huge question mark. We know how powerful the Lannisters are, how scheming the Tyrells are, and how desperate the Starks are, but we know very little about the people north of The Wall. We know Mance deserted the Nights Watch decades ago and has been amassing an army of wildlings. But what exactly does he want? What are his intentions? How big is their united army of wildling tribes? This will be a major narrative driving force this season. *Wildlings are the people who live north of The Wall. They dont believe in the feudal system that we see throughout the Seven Kingdoms (the kingdoms south of The Wall) and they refer to themselves as the Free Folk. Also, Jon Snows intentions are getting really murky. At first he killed his fellow Nights Watch brother (Qhorin Halfhand) at the end of last season in order to convince the wildlings that he wanted to be a part of them, in order to act as a spy. But does he really? Being a bastard his whole life I think he just wants to matter and be significant. What if actually joining the wildlings gives him that? What if he really starts falling for sassy redhead Ygritte? Fun Trivia: In the books, Tyrion Lannister loses his nose in the Battle of Blackwater (Season 2, Episode 9). But due to obvious practical reason for the show, he doesnt lose his nose but gets a huge scar across his faceleading Cersei Lannister to quip at her brother, They said youd lost your nose, but its not as gruesome as all that. Tyion believes Cersei was the one who commanded the member of the Kingsguard to kill him in that battle.

April 14, 2013

Robb sees dead people

Remember Harrenhal from Season 2? Its that decrepit castle where they tortured prisoners by strapped-on rat bucket around the stomach. Where Arya Stark hung out with Lord Tywin Lannister and where Arya named three people for the face-changing assassin from Braavos to kill. Harrenhal is known as the castle so big, that it is nearly impossible to guard due to the amount of resources it would require. After Arya escaped Harrenhal with her two friends last season and Tywin left to save the day in the Battle of Blackwater, The Mountain (Gregor Clegane, The Hounds older brother) was left in charge. By the time Robb gets there to fight, The Mountain has already leftbut not before killing a bunch of Stark men before he left. Things are not looking good for Robb Stark and his force with diminishing morale. The other lords that fight with him are beginning to question him and his decisions. Especially the decision to break his vow with the old guy (Walder Frey) that let him cross the bridge (Season 1, Episode 9) in exchange for marrying one his daughters. Fun Trivia: Robbs current, forbidden wife Talisa aka the nurse who cuts off limbs is played by Charlie Chaplins granddaughter, Oona Chaplin. Also, Petyr Littlefinger Baelish is being the ultimate creep. Because he couldnt get with his childhood love, Catelyn Stark, he gets friendly with the next best option: Sansa Stark. Is he just trying to scheme for his benefit (remember, he promised to help Ned Stark and betrayed him)? Or does he really lust after poor Sansa?

April 14, 2013

It is hinted that Daenerys understands the language the slave trader in Astapor is speaking (a lower class dialect of Valyrian), but pretends not to so she can leverage a better deal for her slave soldiers, the Unsullied (i.e. letting him speak freely so she has more information when negotiating).
You can cut off your soldiers nipple, but you cant fool the Mother of Dragons.

The hooded Jedi looking guy who saves Daenerys from the crazy scarab scorpion is Ser Barristan Selmywho weve heard Jamie Lannister gush about how he is one of three knights who can probably defeat him in battle. Ser Barristan was last seen being unfairly dismissed from his position of Lord Commander of Robert Baratheons Kingsguard (Season 1, Episode 8).

One of the greatest knights in all of Westeros, ever.

Flashback to Ser Barristans dismissal in Kings Landing. Big mistake, Joffrey and Cersei. A team of Daenerys (plus dragons) and Ser Barristan is going to be one to be afraid of.

April 14, 2013

Season 3, Episode 2 Dark Wings, Dark Words Where Episode 1 sets the pieces in place, Episode 2 starts to move them little by little. We meet Grandma Tyrell, Margaery humors Joffreys twisted/kinky foreplay, two blonde knights fight (one male, one female), and Arya runs into her sisters pseudo-protector, The Hound. But before we start with Episode 2...
Hodor: Hodor?! Bran: Its all right, Hodor. Hodor: *sigh of relief* Hodor....

The rest of the Seven Kingdoms dont know whether Bran and his little brother Rickon (professional nutcracker from previous seasons) are alive or not. They fled a burning Winterfell (with the help of Osha the wildling and Hodor the Hodor) to find asylum at The Wall, where they think Jon Snow and the Nights Watch are.
Arya and gang run into the Brotherhood Without Banners

In Season 1, when King Robert Baratheon was out hunting and Ned Stark was in charge, he ordered the arrest of Tywin Lannister for crimes against the throne. The men he tasked to bring Tywin to Kings Landing were the guys you see above. Before they could get to Tywin, Ned Stark was killed and they subsequently formed the Brotherhood Without Bannersa vigilante group who dont like the Lannisters.

April 14, 2013

The last time we saw Theon Greyjoy, he got knocked out by his own shipmates. Where is he now? We dont know who is holding him captive and questioning him, but pay close attention to the shape of the crucifix he is tied to. Now look at the sigil. Look familiar? The flayed man of House Bolton, Jamie Lannister remarks after his fight with Brienne is interrupted. The guy in the center is Lord Roose Boltons bastard son, who was supposed to retake Winterfell for Robb after the Greyjoys attacked. Lord Roose Bolton is the guy who interrupts Robb and Talisas fireside cuddling (with a look of disapproval) to break the news that, in his words, the Greyjoys burned Winterfell and left before his bastard son could get there. WHICH IS NOT TRUE. It is not clear yet, but this Lord Bolton is shady. And it is assumed that the Bolton men are the ones torturing Theon.