Holy guacamole I love this show so much! First of all, I've always known that I missed a lot of details in each episode despite having watched the series through multiple times, but damn... I had no idea JUST HOW MUCH I MISSED!
I just finished the Season 1 Finale. This show is so good lol... here are some recurring thoughts while watching.
1. Sean Bean is so freaking cool. I miss Ned Stark already, and no matter how many times I see that seen in front of the Sept of Baelor, I get sad.
2. Lena Headey is an AMAZING ACTRESS! She's also very beautiful. A perfect casting for Cersei. I've heard people treat her like shit in public because they can't separate real life from TV. That's a real shame, because she is absolutely incredible.
3. Jack Gleason is also an amazing actor. His scenes as Joffrey on the Iron Throne are masterful. He plays Joffrey so well. I love watching him pick at the Throne as he thinks of sadistic ways to punish people. Such a shit, I love it.
Now, onto the by episode recaps!
Episode 8: The Pointy End
- It begins with the slaughter of the Stark soldiers. The Starks really don't have much luck outside of their lands, and especially in King's Landing. Last time they were there, they were all killed in the throne room by order of the Mad King. This kind of mirrors that. Will the Starks ever learn? Stick to the North for the love of Pete!
- Syrio Forel and the theory that he's a Faceless Man holds water, people. He fights off a bunch of Lannister guards with a wooden sword! AND you only see him about to fight Ser Merryn Trant, you never actually see him die!
- Sansa tries to make it back to her room without hassle from any of the Lannister guards. Except she's intercepted by the newest member of the King's Guard, the Hound. The way he looks at her, like she's lunch, is incredibly creepy and eerie. It says a lot about his future relationship with Arya and how much his character develops.
- I forgot all about Arya's first kill. I remember her escape from Harrenhall, but I totally forgot she kills a stable boy as she tries to escape the Lannisters at the Red Keep. Stabs the kid right in his chubby belly. She's shocked, but not remorseful. Another example of how her path was pre-destined.
- I forgot about Varys' jailer costume. I wonder how often he travels like that, or in another costume. Also, a few episodes back it's revealed that he previously met and knows Catelyn Stark. I wonder if Varys ever intended on working with the Starks. Ned asks Varys, "Who do you really serve" He replies, "The realm, my Lord. Someone must." I believe him.
- At the Wall, Sam is the first to realize that the dead Rangers that have been brought back are not decaying despite having been dead for some time. He's also already read whatever text the Night's Watch keep on record about the White Walkers. Aside from Maester Aemon, Sam proves to be the most knowledgeable brother of the Watch. "You may be a coward, Tarley, but you are not stupid." - Lord Commander Mormont.
- Tyrion and how he manipulates the mountain clans is fantastic. How could anyone dislike Tyrion?
- Snow and the Dead Man. Sounds like a band name. Also, Ghost looks almost exactly like the first dog I ever had. I want him.
- I like seeing Dany gain more and more confidence. She really embraces her new role as Khaleesi. It's the start of her claiming her destiny as the Mother of Dragons.
- Bran sitting in front of the weirwood tree in the Godswood of Winterfell is a little eerie now that I know where he goes. Note: the tree's carved face still has closed eyes. I can't remember if they ever appear to be open. Staying vigilant.
- Naked Hodor hahaha lol. Damn, dude, you could of held the door with that dong of yours & still managed to get away safely! HA! I'm not jealous, I swear.
- Sam's love of reading, his ability to read quickly and retain the information, plus his childhood dream of becoming a wizard are all clues to how important he will be in Season 7. Or at least I think so.
- Every scene with Catelyn and Robb is fluff. Some scenes are really cool and show off how great of a leader Robb is and could be, but overall they're both pawns of the grand overall story rather than important characters that will continuously affect the plot.
- We meet Tywin and immediately see him underestimate his enemy. This becomes a theme with him. He underestimates Robb and the Stark army several times, Tyrion almost all of the time, Dany's progress in Essos, and Jamie & Cersei's relationship.
- Another throne room scene full of Starks being betrayed and slaughtered. Seriously, will they learn? We see how sniveling, treacherous Janos Slynt is corrupt and gets his first promotion for being a shithead.
Episode 9: Baelor
Bad ass Ned line: "You grew up around actors. Learned how to put on a great show. I grew up with soldiers... I learned how to die a long time ago."
- We're introduced to Long Claw, a gift from Jeor Mormont to Jon. The moment is marked by Jeor telling Jon that only a man can wield Long Claw, and so Jon must be a man if he wants to carry it. His first step into manhood, Jon's journey is just beginning!
- Catelyn makes a deal with the Freys so the Stark army can cross the Trident. She negotiates a marriage between Robb and a Frey daughter and Arya to a nephew once they come of age. Uh...seriously? Arya?
-BINGO! This is one of the moments that I have been waiting for! It's the first 1 on 1 conversation between Jon Snow and Maester Aemon. Jon has heard the news of Ned's treachery, and Robb's riding South to war, and Aemon doesn't want him to abandon his vows. The conversation though, could be about something other than what Jon thinks it's about. Very interesting. Here it is, word for word:
Aemon: If the day was ever to come when your Lord Father was made to choose between honor on one hand, and those he loved on the other, what would he do?
Jon: He would do whatever is right. No matter what.
Aemon: Then Ned Stark is 1 in 1,000 men... ...What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a new born son in your arms? Or a brother's smile? ...We all do our duty when there is no cost to it. Honor comes easy to [NED] him, yet in every man's life there comes a day when it is NOT EASY.
Jon then argues back about the things he's feeling that has to do with the plot of season 1 to have us all feel that the conversation is just relative to this situation, but then Jon says something and the way Aemon reacts had me freaking out!
Jon says: I may be a bastard, but [Ned] he is my father and Robb is my brother!
And Aemon LAUGHS and replies: The gods were cruel when they saw fit to test my vows, waited until I was old...
He goes on to describe his personal feelings when he heard the news of how Robert's Rebellion ended. With the death of his nephew Rhaegar and Aemon's youngest brother Aerys the Mad King. To him it was the "end" of the Targaryan line. Jon then realizes who Aemon is. Aemon is trying to use this anecdote to keep Jon at Castle Black, but he could just as easily be talking about Jon's birth and why Ned chose to hide Jon as a bastard rather than reveal another Targaryan. It's a very interesting scene in a great episode. Unfortunately there's no clear evidence that Maester Aemon knew anything about Rhaegar and Lyanna's relationship, but this conversation kind of suggests he might.
- Moving on, Dany discovers that she can't just be a Khaleesi to be taken seriously.
- Never noticed how openly Tywin display how he wants Tyrion dead. He's clearly disappointed when Tyrion arrives in the Lannister camp after escaping the Eyrie, then puts him in command of the Vanguard against Robb's army. Tyrion survives that and once again Tywin is not happy about it! What a dick!
- I love Jorah Mormont. He's so freaking cool. It's pretty clear that he has other feelings for Daenarys other than just her body guard and advisor. The interesting thing I picked up in this scene though is that Jorah suggests going to the port of Asshai! And that they'll be safe there! WHAT??!!! Asshai is terrifying! If you don't know about Asshai CHECK THIS OUT!
- Bad ass line: Drogo's Blood Rider: When he dies. She [Dany] is nothing.
Dany: I have never been nothing. I am the blood of the dragon.
- Mirri Maz Dur - She warns Dany about the use of blood magic; then tricks Dany by killing Drogo's horse and making Dany think that the horse was the sacrifice, when really it's her unborn baby. Dany unknowingly sacrifices her unborn son's life to become the Mother of Dragons. Also this means that Dany's transformation is supported by magic, not just because she has Targaryan blood. Evidence suggests that she can withstand high temperatures without experiencing pain, but to survive a night inside a funeral pyre? Um...magic has to be involved. I'll have to keep an eye out for evidence of magic in season 6, when she returns to Vaes Dothrak.
- Ned's execution scene, and it still makes me sad. There's a theory here too. It says that just before Ned dies, he is looking out at the crowd, seemingly searching for Arya, and then has a look of peace and calm come over his face just before the sword takes his head. The theory is that Ned sees an older Bran, standing in front of him and helps ease Ned's pain. I don't think so. Now re-watching this scene with that theory in mind, it's clear that Ned is searching for Arya, and when he sees that she is no longer hanging off of the statue of Baelor (where he spots her earlier and tells Yorrin), he is slightly relieved. Ned is an honorable man and would not want any of his children to see him executed. Theory debunked.
Episode 10, Season 1 finale: FIRE & BLOOD
- Poor Arya, the last thing she sees in King's Landing is an unconscious Sansa (assumed dead) and a headless Ned. No wonder she doesn't think she has anyone!
- More 3 eyed raven talk about the Winterfell crypts. Why are Hodor and Osha afraid? I used to think it was because of Hodor's mental state, and Osha's lack of education, but there's something else there too. Either they've heard stories, or there's a vibe coming from the crypts. Either way, I am interested in knowing more about what's down there. Hoping for a big reveal in season 7!
- Bran then tells the story of Lyanna's death. It is the first time we hear the story, and I know it's wrong, but it's a great example of how history is shaped by a single point of view and getting "facts" from one single source. Ugh, made me think about real life.
- Every scene I watch with Tywin in it, it shows me something I never noticed before. I've only seen Tywin's strengths before, now I've noticed how much of his weakness he reveals when he commands. His obvious disdain for Tyrion and constant underestimation of Robb's army shows a different side to the character. Honestly though, it's there if you're looking.
- Watching these early scenes with Shae and Tyrion it makes me wonder why Tyrion was so shocked when she betrays him. She behaves like a child when presented with something she doesn't like; throwing tantrums and insulting the other person. She freaks out on Tyrion when he tells her what his father said about bringing Shae with him to court in King's Landing. Then, to solve matters or ease the tension, she blows him. She behaves in the same way after betraying Tyrion in season 4. Shae is jealous and angry at Tyrion because he tries to send her away (for her own safety). What she doesn't realize is how pained Tyrion is because of this. Instead of trying to understand the situation of why this has to happen; she freaks out, makes up some ridiculous story that the people of King's Landing eat up, and then fucks the one that helps her through it all. Tywin. She is truly a pathetic character and watching these scenes make me feel bad for Tyrion because he thinks that the only way he will feel loved is if he pays for it.
- I forgot how Grand Maester Pycelle is playing his own version of the game of thrones. He seems to have a weekly appointment with a whore from Littlefinger's brothel. On top of that, after Ros leaves his room, he does some stretches and straightens his back out then dons his Maester garb. Only after putting on his maesters chain and checking his appearance in the mirror, do we then see the Pycelle that he shows to the public. Just before he opens the door, he slouches over and starts to shuffle his feet. He's clearly acting older than he actually feels.
- Pycelle also says some interesting things to Ros before she leaves. She's not really paying attention, but I found it interesting. He starts to rant a bit about the other kings he's served. Mentions Aerys the Mad King, and how he watched him "melt away" into madness with dreams of fire and blood. There's a theory that Bran goes back in time via a weirwood tree and gives Aerys the idea to burn everyone. I don't believe this happens. I don't think there's a moment that Aerys goes from ok to the Mad King. It's a slow burn, as I like to say, and starts with paranoia and doubt in his supporters and family. I really hope we can see some of this in season 7.
- Just before Dany walks into the pyre, she looks at Jorah like "it's going to be ok, trust me". But how does she know? Did the spell shake something loose inside of her? Is it an inner sense of destiny? It doesn't really matter though, because she is right.
- Last scene of the finale and also one of the most bad ass lines in the whole season if not the entire series:
Dany: I am Daenarys Stormborn, of the House Targaryan. Of the blood of Old Valyria, I am the dragon's daughter and I swear to you. That those that would harm you will die screaming.
Mirri Maz Dur (the sheep lady that did the blood magic spell and betrayed Dany): You will not hear me scream.
Dany: I will. But it is not your screams I want... only your life.
Then she sets fire to the pyre, burning Mirri Maz Dur alive, and cremating Drogo. Lastly she walks into the pyre herself, and when she emerges the next morning, she is the Mother of Dragons with a baby Drogon on her shoulder, Viserion on her lap, and Rhaegal in her arms. Holy shit, I fucking LOVE THIS SHOW!!!
And that is season 1! I'll be starting season 2 in a few minutes, but won't be posting anymore updates until Monday. So have a great weekend, interweb slingers!
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