1.06 Game of Thrones - A Golden Crown

[Red 13]

No wolves... again... i'm so disapointed. I was really looking forward to seeing the wolves in action in the forest scene with Robb and Brann, but it never happened

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

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.

I think Roz is being set up to be "Shae" from series 2 onwards.
That's how it feels to me anyway. Otherwise it'd be completely useless to have her present and have so many speaking lines in the show.

My 2p anyway.

 

[Ursa major]

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.

As I'm one of the people waiting for the DVDs, I can't really comment on any actor's competence. I would, though, point out that the Dany being depicted it not necessarily emotionally repressed (due to her own feelings, that is) or reserved, but has lived her life with someone completely unhinged. Of course she represses any visible sign of her emotions or opinions; otherwise she might find herself being subject to extra torment from her brother. And when she married, her brother, who had sold her to what she sees as barbarians (who were more than willing to buy her), didn't disappear, but stayed around to continue his torment (and because he wants to keep control of his "investment").

Under such circumstances, I think that we would all keep our thoughts to ourselves and would do everything we could to avoid telegraphing them by our facial expressions. (And as verbal communication between the Dothraki and Dany is difficult, I imagine Dany's expression and body language would be under even greater scrutiny.)

 

[Daisy-Boo]

Hi Ursa

I have no quibble with Dany as a character. I well understand that she can't show her emotions to all and sundry but she still has emotions. However, Emilia Clarke rarely lets the viewers in on Dany's inner emotional landscape.

I'll use Juliana Margulies's Alicia Florrek again as an example. Alicia is the wife of a politician caught in a sex scandal. She's been a political wife for many years and is by nature a reserved person. She's practiced in the art of not revealing what she's feeling. Yet, Margulies plays Alicia with rich emotional range without having to do much overtly. Much of her work is very subtle but the results stay with the viewer.

I know it's not quite fair to compare the young Emilia Clarke with a veteran like Juliana Margulies but there are very young actresses who are capable of such subtleties.

 

[Ursa major]

I haven't seen any of the performances you're comparing, but I do know that Dany lives in a world where she may not have a single friend (and even if she does, she wouldn't have the faintest idea who they are). Unless GoT has shown Dany's facial expressions when she's totally on her own (i.e. no servants nearby), I can't see how we, the viewers, would be able to view her letting her mask slip.

(I'm assuming that Alicia Florrek does have friends she trusts and/or scenes where she's shown alone.)

 

[TK-421]

No wolves... again... i'm so disapointed. I was really looking forward to seeing the wolves in action in the forest scene with Robb and Brann, but it never happened

Well, I think they wanted to reinforce this tension between Theon and his "captors" and his buddy Robb as well them losing control over the situation, where in what was to be a moment of delight for Bran, almost turns into tragedy because Robb and Theon almost lost control.

 

[Red 13]

Well, I think they wanted to reinforce this tension between Theon and his "captors" and his buddy Robb as well them losing control over the situation, where in what was to be a moment of delight for Bran, almost turns into tragedy because Robb and Theon almost lost control.

True, but they could still have done that while including the wolves like in the book.

 

[Daisy-Boo]

Maybe you need to see her performance to understand what I mean. Dany the character is not the problem. How she is written is not the problem. It's what Clarke does with her character that is the problem. She acts the part, she doesn't inhabit it. I can see the acting and that distracts me. Even when she's alone in a scene she barely alters her expression beyond wide-eyed, parted lips, dazed incomprehension.

She's not a bad actress and I feel like I'm being really hard on her now but this is honestly what I think whenever I watch her. I want to see the character and not the actress. If young Maisie Williams can do that for Arya then Clarke should do that for Dany.

 

[Tezz]

Jaime Lannister is my favorite character in the books (such a misunderstood complex chap)

In this episode when Tyrion attempts to name the kingslayer as his champion met by a accumilated gasp from the crowd I actually got goosbumps it was/is my favorite moment so far.

I think Vissy's crowning was a little bit too rushed I always picture that scene in front of a huge crowd and it being a real spectacle I dont like the way Dany is going too bad ass too soon she needs to be the small insecure child she is in the first book and allow natural development.

 

[Boaz]

Jaime Lannister is my favorite character in the books (such a misunderstood complex chap)

I'll second that, Tezz. And before we are shouted down, misunderstood does not mean innocent... Jaime has sinned greatly.

 

[Mesanna]

I'll third the comment about Jaime. I adore his character. He's got just the right amount of arrogance and insolence, that comes from being noble, rich, talented and beautiful. But he's also troubled by some of his actions and what he sees in the world around him. I wasn't sure about the actor picked to play him at first, but I've come to like him. He definitely shows Jaime's arrogance without any problems! I loved that scene a couple of episodes back where he was chatting with Jory, and one minute they were just two guys talking about a shared experience, then Jaime just flicked back into superior noble mode and shut Jory down.

I also had doubts about Emilia Clarke at first, but I've actually come to quite like her now. She does do a lot of dazed staring, but I do feel that there's more underneath. I think the next few episodes will really tell what kind of actress she is.

 

[TK-421]

The Lannister boys were always my favs.

 

[The Imp]

I also had doubts about Emilia Clarke at first, but I've actually come to quite like her now. She does do a lot of dazed staring, but I do feel that there's more underneath. I think the next few episodes will really tell what kind of actress she is.

I think the problem is more with the direction and less with the actor. They seem to be gradually allowing Dany to able to assume a leadrship role, whereas in the book she seemed to take to it more readily, at least in my recollection. The line "The next time you lay a hand on me will be the last time you have hands" was delivered with chilling brilliance. I really beleived her character, and it left me with little doubt that she's up to the task.

 

[Mesanna]

Agree Imp. I think they wanted her to portray Dany as something of a dumb, helpless blonde at first, so that the viewers can truly understand her transformation into a powerful woman in charge of her own destiny. I'm looking forward to what's ahead (not spoiling anything for anyone!)

 

[Red 13]

Agree Imp. I think they wanted her to portray Dany as something of a dumb, helpless blonde at first, so that the viewers can truly understand her transformation into a powerful woman in charge of her own destiny. I'm looking forward to what's ahead (not spoiling anything for anyone!)

You've completely spoiled it for me Mesanna! Now i know there's something to look forward to ahead, huh! Lol, just kidding, obviously...

 

[Brian G Turner]

Being in the minority, I thought Dany was really well acted - she can't help it if she doesn't have that many lines to work with.

 

[Tezz]

I'll second that, Tezz. And before we are shouted down, misunderstood does not mean innocent... Jaime has sinned greatly.

Indeed he has done some pretty messed up stuff, Mainly in my opinion because it has become expected of him by others (the way Ned stark regards and treats him without even so much as really knowing him)

Throughout the first couple of books the reader is the same we believe the picture that is painted from the numerous POV's that make him out to be the evil back stabbing Kingslayer, But in fact he is sorely misunderstood and his motives when killing the mad king where not all that selfish...

mheh maybe im looking too far into it but all that aside he is still up there in the bad ass stakes (one handed and all)

 

[Ursa major]

...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.

As I'm a bit late in starting my reread of the series (prior to the publication of ADWD), I've only just read this, from Tyrion's second POV chapter in A Game of Thrones (where he's on his way north to the Wall):

He [Jon] had the Stark face if not the name: long, solemn, guarded, a face that gave nothing away.

Either Tyrion is wrong is his observations, or Eddard as portrayed by Sean Bean isn't a typical Stark.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

I also think Emilia Clarke has done a great job with Dany so far.