1.04 Game of Thrones - Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things

[TK-421]

Just wanted to add that I agree with Memnoch on the disappointment with the Hand's Tourney - was not even approaching the epicness i had in my minds eye - there was like 70 people there!

73 actually. I counted.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Really enjoyed this episode - glad they're not pushing the nudity like they did in the first.

Characters are developing nicely, and as new ones are brought in, even though they don't look exactly as I imagined, they work very well to the spirit of them - Hodor and Samwell were just as they should be, and worked to the same effect.

Interesting scene with Jaime guarding Robert's whoring sessions. Very sympathetic to Jaime indeed, so we're being shown different sides of the coin (ie, it's not just Ned vs the world).

Was surprised the tournament section was so short - am not sure whether to expect a big more next episode - as probably cost a lot to shoot and seeing just one joust wouldn't get the money's worth. But if it means pushing on with the story, so be it.

Oh - and Bronn! At least, I'm presuming the man in the inn who immediately took Tyrion's gold was he? If so, looks well cast.

Also on the point of hereditary - glad they didn't drag out that too much as seemed to take up a lot of the book from memory. Which means we're pushing fast into the real politics now, which should mean some pretty exciting episodes.

 

[TK-421]

I believe the tournament will continue into the next episode. In some of the previews I did see Loras give Sansa the flower and it wasn't in the episode, so I am only assuming we will see it the next episode.

 

[purple_kathryn]

The guy from work was (inadvertently) responsible for a (very) minor continuity error.

The scene where Littlefinger is telling the Hound's story to Sansa & Arya there is a guard in the background, wearing a helmet with mail around his chin (at one point he steps back) the camera then moves to the Hound. When they move the camera back to Littlefinger he's standing beside the white haired guy standing beside Robert (sorry cannot remember the characters name) he's there wearing a different helmet (one with a nose bridge)

 

[Red 13]

Good episode. I didn't mind the invented Viserys scene so much because it showed how much of an asshole he is, plus it did shine a light on the dragons a bit more.
I'm reading book three at the moment and i must say that the way i used to imagine the characters has slowly morphed into the actors from the series. I guess that means they're all doing a good job, lol. Its kind off irritating though.

 

[Slyde]

I think this was the best episode yet, not perfect, but better than the first 3.

Highlights (for me):

- Finally get to see Ghost
- Cat vs. Tyrion at the Inn (perfectly done)
- Sam Tarly is just as I imagined him to be
- Dany asserts her authority over her brother
- Littlefinger tells Sansa about the Hound & his brother.
- The scenes with Jon and Sam helped establish their friendship quickly.


Disappointments:

- Tournament was too small and too short (maybe there will be more in episode 5?)
- Gregor hardly looks like "The Mountain That Rides". He may be big, but I expected MASSIVE like Andre the Giant.
- The scene with Gendry just didn't feel right. Maybe it was rushed, or maybe the Gendry actor wasn't what I expected. I can't put my finger on it, but it seems like it could've been better.

 

[TK-421]

Yes, there will be more tournament in episode 5. The synopsis pretty much confirms it.

Personally, I thought the smaller scale tournament goes better with the grittiness of the series and the fact the kingdom is bankrupt (a point made a couple of times) than some grandeur affair. It also contrasted well with the statement by Viserys that the Targaryens came from Valyria to found the greatest kingdom in the history of man.

 

[The Imp]

I think this was the best episode yet, not perfect, but better than the first 3.

Highlights (for me):

- Finally get to see Ghost
- Cat vs. Tyrion at the Inn (perfectly done)
- Sam Tarly is just as I imagined him to be
- Dany asserts her authority over her brother
- Littlefinger tells Sansa about the Hound & his brother.
- The scenes with Jon and Sam helped establish their friendship quickly.


Disappointments:

- Tournament was too small and too short (maybe there will be more in episode 5?)
- Gregor hardly looks like "The Mountain That Rides". He may be big, but I expected MASSIVE like Andre the Giant.
- The scene with Gendry just didn't feel right. Maybe it was rushed, or maybe the Gendry actor wasn't what I expected. I can't put my finger on it, but it seems like it could've been better.

I wasn't in love with their choice for gendry either. The only reason anyone will call him "The Bull" will be because of his helmet. That's such a small matter though

I thought they made Gregor look pretty big compared to hugh, who wasn't a small guy, at last in the scene where they were shown next to each other.

 

[Conor]

I also loved the early scene where Tyrion is back at Winterfell and showing Bran his design for a saddle that will help him ride a horse again. The kindness Tyrion shows for Bran also the interaction between Tyrion and Theon was well done and hopefully helping anyone who has not read the books better understand who Theon is.....and I'll just say it, any scene with Tyrion in it.So well cast!

 

[Boaz]

I'm reviewing the series with the intention of watching the show.

Boaz, that's one of the dumber claims you've made.

What I mean is... I'm not trying to compare it to the books. I'm not trying to relate hints and clues to the books. I am trying to view it on it's own merits... in and of itself... without outside prejudices. Admittedly, this is an impossible task since I've read the first book seven times.... but I've made a few observations which I'll share.

The White Walkers let Will go. He's obviously to be a messenger. But what's the message? Don't come back or we are coming? Dunno. The message was not received.

Maester Luwin is very comfortable with his life. He is at ease counseling Eddard, he shows exasperation towards Catelyn, he admonishes Robb, and he is by turns tender and stern with Bran. The entire Stark family trusts him implicitly.

The Lannisters are mean to everyone... just because they can. Jaime antagonizes Eddard, Jon, Eddard again, and Jory. Cersei is more subtle... she antagonizes Catelyn, Sansa, and Catelyn again while making them think she's pitying them. Well done, Cersei. After picking on Mycah, Joffrey would have killed Arya if Nymeria had not intervened.

Jon opened up to Sam and told him the reason he's still a virgin. His reasoning for his choice was eerily similar to my own when I was seventeen.

The series is superbly cast. Despite the physical limitations of Mark Addy and Lena Headey... they both need eight inches, him in height and her in bust line... they are simply splendid as King and Queen. Between them they have one redeeming quality, which Tyrion remarks upon in the second season. Jason Momoa is phenomenal as a silent hulking brute. Iain Glen is terrific as Lord Friend Zone. Harry Lloyd, Rory McCann, John Bradley, Richard Madden, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, and others are all well done so far. But Michelle Fairley, Sean Bean, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Conleth Hill, and Jack Gleeson already stand out after four episodes. Granted, if Sean Bean does not stand out as the lead protagonist after four episodes, then he has failed. I'll also say that Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington are young and inexperienced to be cast into leading roles. I'd say Clarke is better than Harrington at this point, but Jon Snow is such a close-mouthed and brooding wannabe that it's tough to gauge Harrington. Clarke's portrayal of Dany's wedding night was poignant. And then they threw small roles at actors like Margaret John, Donald Sumpter, Ian McElhinney, Julian Glover, Owen Teale, Ron Donachie, and James Cosmo who never, never, never drop the ball... and we end up with supporting actors who can really help the young cast.

I will admit that I think Petyr Baelish could have been better cast. I think Aiden Gillen is fine, but not fantastic. He looks good... could be a bit shorter. I can see him trying to be diabolical and shifty. But I don't want to see him try... I want to see it just flow. It's probably not a fair comparison, but Charles Dance and Diana Rigg both exude power and avarice with every breath. They are Tywin Lannister and the Queen of Thorns, they are not acting. I think of Gillen as playing Baelish. But I admit that I don't have anyone better off the top of my head.

Alliser Thorne comes across as spiteful, but justified in his harsh methods. It is life or death beyond the Wall.

Tyrion has blondish hair.

Myrcella and Tommen, Cersei's other children, are sweet and good.

We don't really know why Robert rebelled against the Mad King. We know the Mad King's son, Rhaegar, raped Eddard's sister (and Robert's fiancee). And we know that the Mad King executed Eddard's father and brother.

Jaime despises everyone... except Cersei (his true love), Tyrion (his brother), and Barristan (his idol).

Jaime also told us the last words of Aerys II, the Mad King. "Burn them all."

Eddard has no clue where the true power lies in King's Landing. At the first Small Council meeting, he despises Baelish, ignores Varys, shows semi-deference to Pycelle, and is friendly to Renly. I know I'm jumping the gun with knowledge from the books, but he declared his allegiances in total opposition to actual power.