Old Nan's Blog

Theon Greyjoy is a man without a family. He was taken from his family when he was young – a ward of Ned Stark’s who never felt like a Stark(but I believe he wanted to fit in but just didn’t). He goes back home where his father and sister are very cold to him – almost like they blame him for the death of his brothers. Theon wants to belong – to prove himself to his father.

This week on “Game of Thrones” reveals why I really do not like Theon Greyjoy – although I had felt sorry for him thanks to his portrayal in the television series. But this week we begin to see just what kind of guy he really is. Theon capturing Winterfell is interesting – Winterfell is a good stronghold and very personal to him. Now can Theon keep Winterfell? Will his family come to his aide?

Oh, Theon, if only Ned Stark were alive, you never would have taken Winterfell. Damn you Ned and your morals.

Another Sunday night, another new episode of “Game of Thrones.” This week we saw Renly and his new wife Margaery Tyrell. We also meet Brienne of Tarth. Lady Catelyn Stark arrives to talk with Renly and is shocked to see the self-pronounced king holding a tournament instead of getting ready for battle.

Renly is the most popular of all the kings. He is loved and has way more followers than his brother Stannis and Robb Stark. He does have the best shot at winning the Iron Throne by force but he is not taking this seriously. Catelyn points this out to him as she calls his men the Knights of Summer but (you guessed it!) winter is coming. (Really..what other words would you expect from a Stark?)

There is this association with summer that is it a carefree, easy time. Brann is a child of summer – never having experienced winter. He has had life easy. These knights who are having a tournament really haven’t known battle. They are green and distracted by the romance or showmanship of war. Catelyn has experienced both winter and war before. It is anything but romantic. These summer knights will be ill-prepared to take on Joffrey and King’s Landing. Catelyn knows this, and it worries her.

Summer is definitely seen as carefree – which is the only way of life the younger people know. In the book, you know what Catelyn is thinking when she comes upon Renly’s camp. In the episode, you knew from her look. Very cool. I’m loving seeing this play out on the small screen.

Oh and winter is coming – it’s just not here yet. Autumn has officially arrived though – so we are getting closer. The Knights of Summer would do best to prepare now.

From season one, we learned that the opening will have changes to the map depending upon which houses/areas are featured in the episode. So I expected to see the differences there but my husband caught another change in the season two opener that others have noticed, too.

Peter Dinklage is listed first in the opening credits. My husband thought it was because of his many awards including the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor that got him top billing this year. I think it may be because Tyrion’s character is very important in the second book as he really runs the show in King’s Landing. It is awesome to read. I would always get very excited when I would make it to a Tyrion chapter. So I think that combined with his stardom from all his awards make him the star for season two.

Also Lena Headley moved up a spot in the opening credits. Of course, having Sean Bean and Mark Addy not in the credits for season two leaves some spots to fill. But who better to fill it than Tyrion and Cersei? Cersei has more of a role in book two. So both characters are pivotal in the second book, so it makes sense to give the actors a better spot in the credits. Or it could be just coincidence since the two top-billed stars were killed off in the first season.

HBO has officially ordered the third season of Game of Thrones! Like there was ever any doubt, right? The best show on television was sure to be picked up for season three. Heck, HBO might as well order season four since the third season will cover half of the book – A Storm of Swords. You’ve gotta have season four! The second part of the book is so jammed packed that I wonder if for storytelling purposes – and maybe a season cliffhanger – they will rearrange it a bit. If not then season four will be one heck of a ride!

George R.R. Martin will be writing the seventh episode of season three. It has the working title “Autumn Storms.”

Episode two of Game of Thrones(season two) was wonderful. It featured Theon Greyoy and his family. This is one of my favorite parts of the book – Clash of Kings – and was anxious to see it play out on the small screen.

Theon arrives at the Pyke on a ship where he is ‘engaged’ in activities with the captain’s daughter. Theon is a real piece of work in the books as he is really snotty to her. She wants Theon to take her with him and she would become his salt wife – a concubine if you will. Theon is totally not liking the idea and lets her know it. He really is a dick.

Theon arrives at the Pyke and is looking for passage to Castle Greyjoy so he can be reunited with his father. He runs into a young woman who offers him a ride. She is very flirty with him and Theon eats it up – groping her and talking dirty to her. Well he is very surprised to learn this young attractive girl is Yara Greyjoy – his sister. OH HOW SWEET IT IS! Theon looks like a fool and is totally embarrassed. It was so much fun to read that part in the book. Then Theon’s dad is mean to him – again it’s awesome in the book. But I find watching it on screen, I have a different reaction.

I actually felt bad for Theon but how can that be? I really do not like Theon but it’s hard not to feel bad for him watching it in the TV series. He is taken from his father by Ned Stark when he was very young and now returns – not a Stark and not a Greyjoy according to his father. Theon definitely probably had a better life with the Starks because life on the Iron Islands seems really rough and tough.

So who knows? This second season I might have empathy for Theon more than I had reading the book – although I really doubt that empathy will last when it comes to season three…

Here is the synopsis for episode two of Season two of Game of Thrones.

Episode #12: “The Night Lands”

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: April 8 (11:00 p.m.), 10 (11:00 p.m.), 11 (10:00 p.m.) and 14 (1:00 a.m. ET/11:45 p.m. PT)
HBO2 playdates: April 9 (9:00 p.m.), 12 (8:00 p.m.), 13 (midnight), 15 (2:35 p.m.) and 20 (10:00 p.m.)

In the wake of a bloody purge in the capital, Tyrion chastens Cersei for alienating the king’s subjects. On the road north, Arya shares a secret with Gendry, a Night’s Watch recruit. With supplies dwindling, one of Dany’s scouts returns with news of their position. After nine years as a Stark ward, Theon Greyjoy reunites with his father Balon, who wants to restore the ancient Kingdom of the Iron Islands. Davos enlists Salladhor Saan, a pirate, to join forces with Stannis and Melisandre for a naval invasion of King’s Landing.
Written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss; directed by Alan Taylor.

When I read Game of Thrones, I had seen the complete season one – so I knew what to expect. It made the reading slow – since I might stop at some point not wanting to read what comes next(Brann falling for example). When I read A Clash of Kings, I read it a lot faster – in fact I blazed through it. It took about a month – which may not be blazing speed for some but for me it is.

Since I didn’t have to visual aid of the TV show for the second book, there are a lot of little details that went right past me – hence one reason I want to read it again. But I’m looking forward to watching season two to see what I missed(or have forgotten) in A Clash of Kings. This episode looks to highlight one of my favorite parts of the book – where Theon returns home. Bless his heart – that’s all I got to say about that – at least for now.

Winter is coming has posted a press release from HBO that contains the synopsis of the first five episodes from season two which begins April 1st.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Episode #11: “The North Remembers”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: April 1 (10:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 3 (11:05 p.m.), 4 (10:00 p.m.) and 7 (10:15 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 2 (9:00 p.m.), 5 (8:00 p.m.), 6 (midnight), 8 (4:00 p.m.) and 20 (9:00 p.m.)

As Robb Stark and his northern army continue the war against the Lannisters, Tyrion arrives in King’s Landing to counsel Joffrey and temper the young king’s excesses. On the island of Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon plots an invasion to claim his late brother’s throne, allying himself with the fiery Melisandre, a strange priestess of a stranger god. Across the sea, Daenerys, her three young dragons and khalasar trek through the Red Waste in search of allies, or water. In the North, Bran presides over a threadbare Winterfell, while beyond the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night’s Watch must shelter with a devious wildling.
Written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss; directed by Alan Taylor.

There is a log packed into A Clash of Kings. I was hoping to read through it again before the series starts. I better hurry if I plan to. One of my favorite parts of this book is Tyrion’s time in King’s Landing. He puts in motion a lot of things into play. Also we will see more of Renly, Bronn, the Hound, and many more characters who had minor parts in season one but will have bigger roles in season two.

Now that we have satellite TV, we are ready for season two to begin! Only a few short weeks!

Tuesday night I was able to sit down and watch the first episode of Game of Thrones on Blu-ray. I must say that the picture was beautiful and so glad that my pre-ordered copy from Amazon arrived on the release date. I want to review each episode from season one and continue to review when season two starts in less than a month.

The first episode does a really good job of introducing the main characters of the story. When I first watched this episode, I hadn’t read any of the books. The imagery of the television series was enough to hook me into watching even if I didn’t quite understand everything going on with the story. My husband did offer some insight as I watched the first episode since he had read the books. It was nice to watch this episode again having read the first book.

The episode opens with a scene from the Wall some men of the Night’s Watch are heading north beyond the Wall. Of course all of that you know if you’ve read the book. But just watching the episode it is very clear (especially on Blu-ray and a large television) that these men travel through a long tunnel and two gate to get to the other side. One brother of the Night’s Watch stumbles upon some dead wildlings. He alerts his party to show them but the wildings are all gone. Well, not really. Now they are white walkers – zombies who do not care for the living that much. Two party members are killed while one escapes – the one who originally found the bodies.

Next we are introduced to the Starks at Winterfell. Brann is practicing his archery skills while brother Robb and half-brother Jon Snow cheer him on. Also watching is Brann’s parents – Eddard and Catelyn Stark. Sansa and Arya are having a needlepoint lesson but you can tell Arya would rather be elsewhere. She leaves and shoots an arrow into the center of Brann’s target – prompting Brann to chase her. It’s a fun scene and helps to establish who is who for the most part.

News comes of the deserter caught in Winterfell. Ned (Eddard) leaves with his sons and his ward Theon Greyjoy to pass sentence on the deserter. The penalty is death and Ned carries out the sentence – believing if a man passes the sentence then he should be the one to carry it out. On the way back to Winterfell, they stumbled upon a dead stag and direwolf and find a total of six wolf pups. Each Start children will have one and one will be for Jon Snow – Ned’s bastard child. It is Jon who convinces Ned not to kill the pups but to give them to his children since the direwolf is the sigil of his house. Jon then discovers the sixth pup.

The Hand of the King – Jon Arryn – is dead so the King Robert Barratheon travels to Winterfell (along with his wife Cersei and her two brothers Jaime and Tyrion(the dwarf or Imp as he is called even though he does not like the name) and half their household. It’s a huge party that has come to Winterfell. Ned accepts the King’s appointment because he feels he has to although Catelyn is not happy about it.

Ned’s brother – Benjen – who is a brother of the Night’s Watch – comes for the King’s visit to Winterfell. Jon decides to return with his uncle and become a brother of the Night’s Watch. Tyrion decides to visit the wall and make the journey with Benjen, Jon, and some other ‘recruits’ – who are actually convicts who would rather take that black(oath the Night Watch members take) than have their sentence carry out. This method is a way that a lot of people are recruited for service. Jon and Tyrion began to ‘bond’ on the trip.

In Pentos – across the Narrow Sea – we meet Viserys and his sister Daenersys – the last of the Targaryens who ruled before the current king. Their father is referred to as the Mad King and was killed by Jamie Lannister. Viserys has arranged a trade with the Dorthaki leader – Khal Drogo. He offers his sister’s hand in marriage in exchange for an army so that Viserys can take back the crown for House Targaryen. You do not have to have any knowledge of the books to see what a dick Viserys is. Daenersys and Khal get married and then consummate their marriage. In the show, this part is very hard to watch as Dani does not enjoy it. The books version is a lot better. I can see why they presented it this way. It’s television and you can convey so much with looks and glances. One of the wedding gifts Dani receives are three dragon eggs that you get the feeling she really likes. I mean she stares at them a lot. This part made way more sense after reading the book because she does seem preoccupied with fire(hot things) and not getting burned.

Brann loves to climb as is established early in the episode. He is climbing a tower when he hears some noises. He climbs closer to get a better look and sees the queen, Cersei, getting it on with her twin brother, Jamie (Eeeww, right?). Jamie catches him and pushes him off the ledge saying the things he does for love. Brann falls and so ends the first episode.

Whew! And here I was thinking I would keep these reviews short! There are several points to this first episode that I want to expand on but don’t want to get lost in one post. So instead of immediately posting a review of the next episode, I will write a few more posts about the first episode. A lot happens and it’s so important. The TV show does a really good job of packing in the emotion and story of the book.

Tomorrow I will talk about some of the differences in the book and in the first episode. Also I want to touch on my first impression of the TV show and then my impression on watching after reading the book. I still think those who have not read the books will enjoy the TV show but having read Game of Thrones will help you understand character motivation.

One thing that is so impressive about Game of Thrones TV series is the opening. Apparently The Simpsons changed their opening last night to do their own version of the Westeros map featuring places like The Couch and Burn’s Landing.

The video is on You Tube. I haven’t watched it yet but plan to tonight.

Well..one of the big days. The Game of Thrones season one will be released on Blu-ray and DVD. I have it pre-ordered and cannot wait to watch the whole series later this week. I ordered the Blu-ray discs that have several special features. Looking forward to most is finding the dragon eggs.

I pre-ordered it through Amazon, and it is on its way. So I should have Game of Thrones tomorrow! This weekend we bought a new TV for the living room – so it will be super sweet to watch Game of Thrones on the much larger screen.

As I watch each episode, I plan to review it here. This will lead up to April 1 when the premiere is for season two. So very exciting since the cable guy is coming Friday! No more watching Game of Thrones somewhere else. We will have HBO. Exciting times indeed.