Written by: Stinson
Warning, may contain spoilers!
So the long awaited return of Game of Thrones has finally arrived!! While there were some deviations from the book (we'll talk about those in a minute) it was still what fans have been jonesing for. The CGI was as always, top notch. I hear that we're going to be getting a more steady stream of it this year vs just one huge mega explosion at the end of the season. Which is very good. I know they're going to have to do some work to Nikolaj's hand for upcoming episodes.
So about the deviations. Some major, some minor. Like Shae. I don't see how they're going to purpose her betraying Tyrion. From the looks of things, she actually truly cares for Tyrion and Sansa. I suppose that will make it hurt so much more though.
My next big issue was with Samwell Tarly. He did get the ravens off. He was quite proud of himself for doing so too. That really wouldn't have taken much for him to say. It would have given his character a bit of redemption for the viewers as well. He doesn't get a lot on the series. Also, while we're on the subject of Sam... Why the hell was Ghost with him?? I know that him and Jon part ways in the book, but that's not til he's about to scale the Wall. Unless there's another large white wolf wandering around with the Brothers...
Wandering now to Jon. First off, Mance has every single wilding in his camps. So why is the camp so damned small? And where were the Frostfangs? I did really enjoy the change they did in Jon's dialogue with Mance. He says something about never being more than a bastard on the Wall. While the new dialogue has him saying ‘I want to fight for the side that fights for the living’ and that is just such a great line!! I wish GRRM would have used it in the original story. I also wasn't very fond of the actor that plays Mance. I always pictured him younger and… a bit like Stannis I suppose. Not in demeanor, just in the looks mind you. That’s a personal preference though. One more thing… Where was Varamyr Six Skins?
On to Dany! So the only real problem I had with her WAS EVERYTHING. Where was Strong Belwas? Was he just not an important enough of a character to bring into the story? Or does that just make the whole Barristan Selmy thing too complicated? Oh yeah, don’t even get me started on Selmy. He was supposed to remain unknown for about half the book! I don’t care if it’s confusing! It’s supposed to be! The Unsullied weren't supposed to have armor, they don’t need it. All they have is a shield with some random animal on it, and the customary spiked cap of the Unsullied. But nooooo, let’s waste lots of money by making this guys armor instead of making a nice, big mountain range for our giants to play in! And last but not least, they could have made it seem like Dany understood what The Good Master was saying. She did. She knows like, what 4 languages now? It wouldn't have been hard to shoot some reaction shots.
So over all, though there were deviations (it’s to be expected, I know) it was a good episode. Not my favorite, and there will be better. I can’t expect the first episode to be an instant run away hit. They have to set up for stuff, I know. I give it 6 and ¾. It’s better than a half, but not good enough for a 7.
Warning, may contain spoilers!
So the long awaited return of Game of Thrones has finally arrived!! While there were some deviations from the book (we'll talk about those in a minute) it was still what fans have been jonesing for. The CGI was as always, top notch. I hear that we're going to be getting a more steady stream of it this year vs just one huge mega explosion at the end of the season. Which is very good. I know they're going to have to do some work to Nikolaj's hand for upcoming episodes.
So about the deviations. Some major, some minor. Like Shae. I don't see how they're going to purpose her betraying Tyrion. From the looks of things, she actually truly cares for Tyrion and Sansa. I suppose that will make it hurt so much more though.
My next big issue was with Samwell Tarly. He did get the ravens off. He was quite proud of himself for doing so too. That really wouldn't have taken much for him to say. It would have given his character a bit of redemption for the viewers as well. He doesn't get a lot on the series. Also, while we're on the subject of Sam... Why the hell was Ghost with him?? I know that him and Jon part ways in the book, but that's not til he's about to scale the Wall. Unless there's another large white wolf wandering around with the Brothers...
Wandering now to Jon. First off, Mance has every single wilding in his camps. So why is the camp so damned small? And where were the Frostfangs? I did really enjoy the change they did in Jon's dialogue with Mance. He says something about never being more than a bastard on the Wall. While the new dialogue has him saying ‘I want to fight for the side that fights for the living’ and that is just such a great line!! I wish GRRM would have used it in the original story. I also wasn't very fond of the actor that plays Mance. I always pictured him younger and… a bit like Stannis I suppose. Not in demeanor, just in the looks mind you. That’s a personal preference though. One more thing… Where was Varamyr Six Skins?
On to Dany! So the only real problem I had with her WAS EVERYTHING. Where was Strong Belwas? Was he just not an important enough of a character to bring into the story? Or does that just make the whole Barristan Selmy thing too complicated? Oh yeah, don’t even get me started on Selmy. He was supposed to remain unknown for about half the book! I don’t care if it’s confusing! It’s supposed to be! The Unsullied weren't supposed to have armor, they don’t need it. All they have is a shield with some random animal on it, and the customary spiked cap of the Unsullied. But nooooo, let’s waste lots of money by making this guys armor instead of making a nice, big mountain range for our giants to play in! And last but not least, they could have made it seem like Dany understood what The Good Master was saying. She did. She knows like, what 4 languages now? It wouldn't have been hard to shoot some reaction shots.
So over all, though there were deviations (it’s to be expected, I know) it was a good episode. Not my favorite, and there will be better. I can’t expect the first episode to be an instant run away hit. They have to set up for stuff, I know. I give it 6 and ¾. It’s better than a half, but not good enough for a 7.
