The Kindling in the North
Game of Thrones is back again with its Season premiere. Winter is indeed coming and a ton of shit is about to go down…. just not in this disappointing episode…
While it feels great to have one of the best shows ever return, I was expecting more out of the premiere. We didn’t see any of Arya (save that for episode 2,) loads of traveling for our characters, and not much action. While I’m fully aware the show can’t be all gore and sex every episode, I was just expecting it to be a tad more exciting and strong considering it’s opening the season.
At the beginning we are treated to a Cersei flashback where she sneaks into the property of a witch. (It’s good to know Cersei is still a bitch in the past as well.) The witch tells Cersei’s future and it’s pretty spot on. For the rest of the episode Cersei is mourning the death of her father and just kind of stand around in a POed mood. I’m intrigued to see if she actually follows through with marrying Loras.
Tyrion seems to be in a safe place with Varys in Essos. Could we finally be seeing part of the Westeros story collide with the Essos story? I really hope so, we’ve only been kept waiting for 4 friggin’ seasons. Varys even subtly mentions Daenerys to Tyrion also. Now while I don’t read the books, I am predicting that Tyrion will eventually side with Daenerys. I cold be way wrong, but that what appears is going to happen.
Speaking of Daenerys, Her story proves to be the most interesting of all. It appears the Sons of Harpy aren’t too pleased with Daenerys and we are seeing the beginnings of a rebellion. A few episodes from now shit is about to go down, and in a big way. A rebellion will happen and we will really see what the unsullied can do. Daenerys also visits her dragons whom we see have grown even more. Her dragons are pissed and Daenerys is scared, which makes me ask the question…. What good are dragons if you can’t control them? I’m sure she will find a way to get them under her wing again and they’ll remain a big happy family.
In the last scene, the King in the North was executed by Stannis at the wall. If I had to pick the least interesting storyline (to me at least) it would be Stannis. His story is just so bland and I don’t really give a crap about him or his entourage. I’m surprised he survived for this long, and I’m hoping he’ll bite the dust pretty soon. It’s always good to see Jon Snow though, and as always h shows him compassionate self by putting the burning King in the North out of his misery.
The Decision
For a premiere, this was a complete letdown. I understand they’re building story, I understand things need explaining, but give us SOMETHING! We were flooded with multiple storylines trying to cram into one episode. I would have had them elaborate more on half the stories, then show us the other half during episode 2. Stannis to me is still boring and to end at the wall just didn’t even get me excited for the next episode. I really wanted to see what’s going on with Arya and we were robbed of that. The show is still one of the best shows on TV so I don’t have any doubts. I am excited about the direction Daenerys’ story is taking. It appears we will finally see Westeros collide with Essos.
A few thoughts. First, I disagree that it was a letdown. This episode set the table for the season, as we see almost all major storylines doing a complete 180 after last season. The last few premieres continued plots – this one had the job of hitting reset. Mission accomplished.
Second, it feels like the theme this episode was “crossing paths”. Tyrion and varys are in the far East and about to meet Dany. Stanis has merged with Jon Snow In the north. Sansa literally crosses the path of Brien. Good to see this season will finally blend storyline and give us the big payoffs we’ve been waiting for.
Finally, the Tyrion “unboxing” scene was one of the best camera shots on tv lately. Well done.