1.06 Game of Thrones - A Golden Crown

[Mesanna]

I've just finished watching the show here in the UK and I agree with the comments about Viserys being just a little pathetic. I *hated* him in the books and I was glad when he died. I felt that he deserved it and I'd no sympathy. But TV Viserys, whilst acting like a total douchebag now and then, mostly seemed weak and needy. I wonder if I'll view him in a slightly different light next time I read the book.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Just finished myself, and really enjoyed the episode.

Probably got an awful lot to absorb, but really enjoyed the episode.

I think it is quite good watching the show with someone who has not read the books, getting a totally different reaction.

It's quite a while since I read the books, but I always remember Viserys always struck me as weak and pathetic, full of self importance and bluster, but basically weak. I thought the portrayal spot on, but that's just me....

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Cersie and that same worrisome look is starting to bother me. From the books, i dont think her face was balled up like a fist all the time. i'm afraid after this series is over she wont be able to take that look off, and she will become "type casted" for the rest of her acting career. Nevertheless, she does a well enough job in this role.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed this. I commented on it after last weeks episode (although I can't remember in which thread). It's really starting to get old.

Like I said over on the GRRM boards, this was one of my favorite episodes so far. Glad to be back with Dany's story, and I enjoyed the scene with Viserys and his golden crown. I also started to feel bad for the 'TV Show' Viserys, whereas I never felt that way while reading the book. I liked the scenes at the Eyrie; those were especially well done. Sansa is starting to annoy me, and I was never really bothered by her in the books.

I thought the pacing and acting were very good this episode. Does anyone know if this director (Minahan I think?) will be directing any other episodes?

 

[The Imp]

Just to wiegh in on Viserys.

On a 1-10 scale of being a douchebag he's a 10 in both the book and the TV, or WAS He was willing to at least threaten to cut Dany's unborn chilld out of her body, told Jorah that men like him wouldn't be prosecuted ubnder his rule, sold his sister to people he thought were savages in an effort to get his kingdom back. He also physically abused Dany and in general acted like a popmpous and arrogant ass. I'm glad he was paid in full.

 

[Dornish First Sword]

Viserys was most definitely a major douchepig and was portrayed wonderfully on screen I thought. The only thing that didn't come across was he seemed alot more fearful in the books, Dany talks about them always being on the run because of his fear of the usurpers knives being so close.

 

[Brian G Turner]

An enjoyable episode, building up pace nicely. Especially good to see Bronn in action.

Curious point, though - didn't Ned figure out the issue with the royal children two episodes ago? Or did I misinterpret that?

 

[Dornish First Sword]

I think in the previous episodes he made the connection about Roberts bastards, he hadnt made the connection about the royal children.

 

[Mesanna]

Lady of Winterfell, I agree about Sansa. Sansa gets a lot of criticism for being passive, foolish and a dreamer (at least in the earlier books). But, I must admit, I never saw her as being rude, the way she was to the Septa last night. That felt a little out of character for my impression of Sansa (Sansa who goes on about a lady's courtesy and all that). In her head she might be thinking "Septa, you're a boring old bag who drones on and on" but I think she would always smile politely and put on a show of interest.

 

[svalbard]

I enjoyed Robb showing off his fighting skills and his interaction with Theon. The producers are thinking ahead all the time.

 

[Culhwch]

I could do with Roz.

And what about your poor wife?

What exactly was the point of that scene? Not enough flesh in the episode, so they needed someone to flash some? And is Roz now going to turn up in King's Landing? And for what reason? I just found that addition entirely bizarre....

Once I had to explain who Bronn was I knew that a lot of the import was lost on any that didn't already know.

Agree with this. I thought that whole sequence in the Eyrie really lacked punch.

 

[The Imp]

And what about your poor wife?

What exactly was the point of that scene? Not enough flesh in the episode, so they needed someone to flash some? And is Roz now going to turn up in King's Landing? And for what reason? I just found that addition entirely bizarre....



Agree with this. I thought that whole sequence in the Eyrie really lacked punch.

How embarrassing. That's what I get for posting when impaired. That should have read i could do WITHOUT Roz. I think her character is completely useless. Inventing her is probably my biggest gripe about the series.

 

[woodsman]

Yeah Roz is just not needed. It's gone too far now IMHO.

On the other hand: Bronn! Looking like really good casting now. Although the fight just lacked urgency in my opinion and I thought it took place outside. My faith in the Mayor as Littlefinger is paying off though - liking him more and more. The fish and Tully line was great.

The Dany stuff is now up with Ayra as some of my favourite, sorry I didn't really pity Viserys at all. He was needy and pathetic in the books, in a serial killer sort of way.

 

[Brian G Turner]

What exactly was the point of that scene? Not enough flesh in the episode, so they needed someone to flash some? And is Roz now going to turn up in King's Landing? And for what reason? I just found that addition entirely bizarre....

It looks as though Theon is being treated as a POV character - his scenes do not establish story, but do reveal a lot about Theon's background and character. Continuity for later seasons to mirror books, methinks.

 

[Daisy-Boo]

I feel ambivalent about Emilia Clarke (but not Dany). Clarke so often has a dazed, blank look that I find more and more annoying. Even an emotionally repressed or reserved character can subtly display a wide range of emotions. (Prime example is Juliana Margulies as Alicia Florrek on The Good Wife. Margulies can convey so much with just a look and a raising of the eyebrow.)

Clarke is very beautiful and displays flashes of good acting, such as the scene in her tent when Viserys strikes her and she defends herself so ably. But other than that, I'm constantly aware that she's acting and that is very distracting.

On the other hand, young Maisie Williams (Arya) delivers a very natural and seemingly effortless performance. It's like she climbs into the character's skin and just is Arya. She truly is a joy to watch.

 

[xLORDSNOWx]

I feel ambivalent about Emilia Clarke (but not Dany). Clarke so often has a dazed, blank look that I find more and more annoying. Even an emotionally repressed or reserved character can subtly display a wide range of emotions. (Prime example is Juliana Margulies as Alicia Florrek on The Good Wife. Margulies can convey so much with just a look and a raising of the eyebrow.)

Clarke is very beautiful and displays flashes of good acting, such as the scene in her tent when Viserys strikes her and she defends herself so ably. But other than that, I'm constantly aware that she's acting and that is very distracting.

I too have thought about this very thing when watching Dany go through her initial culture shock and subsequent maturation process. I compare the (acting) blank and dazed looks that she displays to that of Ned (Sean Bean). I often laugh to myself anytime someone gives him any type of news. His facial expressions are a crystal clear glass to his true emotions. i think as the series continues she will lose the innocence that we have seen as blank/dazed and take on a more (dare i say) Cersie demeanor.

 

[svalbard]

I was sort of underwhelmed by Beric Dondarrion. I expected someone younger and more dashing and where is Thoros of Myr. Otherwise another great episode.

 

[digs]

I was sort of underwhelmed by Beric Dondarrion. I expected someone younger and more dashing and where is Thoros of Myr. Otherwise another great episode.

Me too! I thought he was a little old and plain.

Interesting what someone mentioned before about the absence of the direwolves. At this point I barely even remember they exist, and I've read the books. Definitely need some more development.

 

[C Of K]

Yeah Roz is just not needed.

I can't seem to find any purpose for her character, either. I was quite disappointed to see her continue to eat up screen time in Episode 7.

 

[Conor]

I was sort of underwhelmed by Beric Dondarrion. I expected someone younger and more dashing and where is Thoros of Myr. Otherwise another great episode.

Me three! I was looking forward to seeing the Lightning Lord in the flesh. At the moment I am putting him in the same caregory as Renly.

Not a real big deal though as overall everything else is great.

I have been feeling the same about Roz, I remembered reading the casting news months ago and seeing they created a role or charachter I first thought of Shae. Wonder why they added her with so many other characheters from the books that they COULD have given some more time to.

 

[Daisy-Boo]

I too have thought about this very thing when watching Dany go through her initial culture shock and subsequent maturation process. I compare the (acting) blank and dazed looks that she displays to that of Ned (Sean Bean). I often laugh to myself anytime someone gives him any type of news. His facial expressions are a crystal clear glass to his true emotions. i think as the series continues she will lose the innocence that we have seen as blank/dazed and take on a more (dare i say) Cersie demeanor.

You're so right about Ned. The man has obviously never heard of a poker face. I enjoy every scene he's in because in some ways he's like a babe in the woods when compared to people like Littlefinger and Varys.