"Game of Thrones" returned last night to HBO for its third season. After a long wait and a much talked about premiere, everyone was over eager to see what "Valar Dohaeris" had to offer. While overall I was just pleased to see the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros grace my television screen again, I was left a bit disappointed.
When the premiere ended at 9:57, I actually said, "That's it?" I didn't think it was bad, I take too much pride in "Game of Thrones" to ever think it was a poorly executed episode, but I wasn't thrilled. One of my favorite aspects of "Game of Thrones" is the breathtaking locations they shoot in and how authentic every background looks, however in the premiere I felt like the Khaleesi was sailing to Oz with its excessively bright colors.
My last complaint is the abundant changes from George R.R. Martin's novel, "A Storm of Swords." I always wonder why writers take such an amazing work and then decide to change it. It's even odder to me because the writes, (Benioff and Weiss) stuck so closely to the book in Season 1 and 2, and now I see them veering dangerously off course. One change that is driving me insane is Dany meeting Ser Barristan Selmy. The meeting has lost all of its meaning, mystery and impact on the rest of the series. I know this sounds dramatic, but trust me, Dany meeting Selmy by him stabbing a CGI scorpion completely changes the rest of, not only their relationship, but Dany's story in the series.
OK -- now for the true recap. With so much plotting and secrecy the easiest way to recap this premiere is by each character.
Let's go back to everyone's favorite "Mother of Dragons," Daenerys Targaryen. We encounter Dany and her three teenage dragons en route to Astapor, which is one of the Slave Cities. Dany wants her Iron Throne back and her dragons aren't growing fast enough so she is in search of an army. She arrives in Astapor and meets with a slaver and his translator, the slaver is rude and annoyed with Dany, mostly because she is a woman and from the West. Dany and Ser Jorah Mormont take a look at the Unsullied, who are the fiercest slave soldiers. Their training begins when they are young and they master weaponry, they are eunuchs, and to ensure they no longer have any "weakness" left in them they are ordered to kill a newborn in front of its mother. The Unsullied have no fears even death, to display their strength and lack of fear, the slaver chooses one man, calls him forward and literally cuts off his entire nipple. Dany is not pleased with the idea of owning a slave army, but Ser Jorah tells her she can command them to do only as she pleases. While walking through Astapor, Dany encounters a seemingly sweet young girl, who rolls a ball towards her to play. Unknowingly Dany picks up the ball, only to find that the ball contains a deadly scorpion. Luckily, Dany is saved by a cloaked man, who reveals himself as Ser Barristan Selmy, or Barristan the Bold. After being told to turn in his sword and white cloak as Lord Commander of the Kingsgaurd by King Joffery and Cersei, Barristan begs Danys forgiveness and pledges to join her Queensguard.
Next let's take a look at my favorite character, Robb Stark. The Young Wolf is accompanied by his new bride, Talisa and his mother Catelyn Stark. The Starks are marching on King's Landing and come upon the ruined castle of Harrenhal. The King of the North and his men encounter the slaughter of 200 north men left by Ser Gregor Clegane, better known as the Mountain. Robb is still upset with his mother, for freeing Jamie Lannister in exchange for the return of his sisters Sansa and Arya. He commands she be taken to a cell while he tends to his fallen bannermen. While these Starks are moving towards King's Landing, Sansa is looking to get away from the capital, with the help of Littlefinger. Sansa is still a bit weary of Littlefinger and so is her hand-maiden and Tryion's lover, Shae.
Speaking of Tryion, one of the more profound interactions in the premiere took place between him and his father, Lord Tywin, the newly appointed Hand of the King. With a new scar across his entire face and new accommodations, Tyrion's status in King's Landing can't get much worse. Well maybe they can, during a meeting with his father where Tyrion's asks he finally receive his birthright of inheriting Casterly Rock. Lord Tywin states: "I will let myself be consumed by maggots" before letting you take over Casterly Rock, he then calls Tyrion "an ill-made, spiteful little creature," one that "killed" his mother.
Things are not looking up for Tyrion Lannister and the same can be said for his sister, Cersei. Cersei is caught between her future daughter-in-law and her spiteful son. Margaery Tyrell of Highgarden is now betrothed to King Joffery and following her sweet visit to an orphanage it seems Cersei has had quite enough of her clever and calculating ways. During a dinner party, the two "queens" partake in the most passive aggressive meal Westeros has ever seen. With Joffery wrapped tight around Margeary's young, pretty finger, Cersei grasps tighter around a wine glass as she feels herself slipping from power.
We also found Ser Davos, or the Onion Knight washed up on a dismal rock looking sunburnt and near death. After returning to Dragonstone on a pirate ship in search of Stannis, all Davos finds is a cell. Stannis has been hiding at Dragonstone following a tragic defeat on Blackwater Bay with only the red priestess, Melisandre, to keep him company. When Davos yields a dagger towards Melisandre, Stannis has him thrown in the dungeon without a second glance.
And last but not least, the heroic and ever handsome, Jon Snow. We encounter the Night's Watch in the opening of the episode where Samwell Tarly gets attacked by a whitewalker only to be rescued by Ghost, Jon Snow's direwolf, and a battered looking Lord Commander Mormont. However, we see that Jon is still seperated from the Night's Watch and is deep behind enemy lines with Ygritte, the wildling girl. After being walked through the massive wildling camp, where we see a giant for the first time, Jon is brought before the King Beyond the Wall, Mance Ryder. After mistaking Tormund Giantsbane for Mance Ryder, the wildlings laugh and finally Jon is told to stand by Mance Ryder. Tensions quickly rise again when Ryder calls Jon a traitor and wants to know why he has left the Night's Watch; Jon tells a horrific story to indicate his wish for life among the free people. Jon says that he witnessed Cratser dump his baby boy in the woods and allow him to get eaten by a white walker. When Jon informed the Lord Commander, he apparently already knew about the whitewalkers. To conclude the story, Jon says "I want to fight for the side that fights for the living."
All of the characters are scheming and plotting, but the question remains who will take the Iron Throne atop of King's Landing?
Episode 2, "Dark Wings, Dark Words" premieres next Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. on HBO.
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