SEASON 3 EPISODE 3
“WALK OF PUNISHMENT”

History has shown us that no character is safe in Game of Thrones.  In many television shows, the main characters are untouchable and you don’t get the same level of suspense that GoT provides.  There were more than a few characters in danger this week and while there were a few close calls, not everyone escaped unscathed.

I was pleasantly surprised by the humor the writers injected into “Walk of Punishment”.  The power play with the chairs was a great moment.  It was a nice reminder that every character has an agenda.  Every character craves power.  Tyrion’s quest to get his squire Podrick laid was another showcase of the show’s lighter side.  As was Edmure’s inability to aim an arrow.

Humor aside, Episode 3 also gave us a moment I felt the first two episodes were missing.  An awesome cliffhanger.  It’s about time Game of Thrones returned!  The final moments of this episode showed us a sympathetic side of Jaime Lannister but it cost him…

For two seasons, Jaime has been a legend of sorts.  The King Slayer.  His trademark arrogance and smugness will certainly take a big hit now that his hand is gone.  Jaime will be a changed man when we see him next.  Humbled.  Helpless.  Angry.

If I had to make a prediction, I’d say we won’t see Jaime next week.  I’m okay with that if we get more Daenerys.  There’s no way she would part with one of her dragons without a plan.  Will we see our first big battle of the season?

Until next week!

COUNTDOWN | Best Moments: Game of Thrones Season 2

XTRA | Screenwriting & The Game of Thrones Theme

CATCH UP:

Episode 1 Moment: Valar Dohaeris

Episode 2 Moment: Dark Wings, Dark Words

SEASON 3 EPISODE 2
“DARK WINGS, DARK WORDS”

I was a little disappointed in the first episode of the season because it felt like an hour long Season 2 epilogue.  While Dark Wings, Dark Words has lingering whispers of season 2, there was enough here to make me feel like Season 3 had begun.  There wasn’t a lot of action but this show is about positioning and politics first and foremost.  The battles will come in time.  For now, I’m happy to watch these characters plan their next moves.

My favorite moment of the episode was a not-so-subtle exchange between Gendry and Arya.

“You could have named King Geoffrey.”

Be honest…  Throughout the whole Jaqen storyline of season 2, you wondered why she never named The King or Tywin Lannister.  It could have been so easy!

It was also fun watching a restrained Jaime take on Brienne.  Theon made a quick and painful appearance.  It’s always tough to see characters get tortured but he was a giant idiot in season 2 so….

Those were fun moments but, for me, the moment of the episode was a close battle between Sansa and her mother Cat.

SANSA CAN TALK!

King Joffrey is one of the most hated characters on television.  A large part of that hatred was sparked by his horrific treatment of Sansa and her relentless silence.  In Dark Wings, Dark Words she finally gets a chance to speak her mind.

“He’s a monster.”

That comment may come back to bite her at some point but it was nice to see her speak of the suffering she has endured.

Overall, it was a close battle but my pick for best moment was Cat’s story.

CAT & JON HAVE HISTORY

We’ve always known her hatred for Jon Snow.  He was a constant reminder of Ned Stark’s unfaithful act.  But praying to the gods to bring death to a child is pretty cold.  (Even in Winterfell)

What I loved the most about this moment was the history.  This show is amazing because of the details carefully placed in every corner of Westeros.  Every character has a story and connections to others.  Jon Snow and Cat haven’t been in the same room since the beginning of season 1.  Yet still, the writer’s managed to use their fractured relationship as a window into Cat’s mind.  Her family is completely shattered and the guilt is a relentless weight on her shoulders.  It was a fantastic moment for the character.

Next week, let’s get back to this guy shall we? Or is he the Smoke Monster of season 3?

COUNTDOWN | Best Moments: Game of Thrones Season 2

XTRA | Screenwriting & The Game of Thrones Theme

CATCH UP:

Episode 1 Moment: Valar Dohaeris

SEASON 3 EPISODE 1
“VALAR DOHAERIS”

The wait is over!  Game of Thrones has returned for another season of battles and betrayals…  Just not in the first episode.  It’s hard to fault Game of Thrones for masterfully balancing so many groups of major characters but I was a little disappointed in Valar Dohaeris.  Much like the first few episodes of Season 2, we spent a lot of time catching up with our favorite characters.

It kind of felt like an hour long ‘previously…  on Game of Thrones‘ montage.  Having said that, this show is overflowing with characters I wanted to see.  I just felt there wasn’t enough ‘Season 3′.

That will change in the coming weeks as the inhabitants of Westeros continue their ruthless campaigns to rule.  As far as choosing a moment, I’m tempted to go with Daenerys’ dragons.  Watching their fishing techniques was pretty fantastic.  As was Jon Snow’s first encounter with a giant.

However, in terms of story, I decided to go with…

TYWIN VS TYRION

“I would let myself be consumed by maggots before mocking the family name and making you heir to Casterly Rock.”

Ouch.

From the moment this scene began, you could feel the tension between father and son.  It’s amazing to see such a powerful character in Season 2 be reduced to nothing by his father with nothing but words.  Tywin really is a hard ass.  I’m sure Tyrion will find a way to get back in the game but it will be much more difficult with his father in King’s Landing.

Some of the best moments of Season 2 came from Tyrion’s strategic and clever mind.  Hopefully, it doesn’t take long for him to pick himself up.

This exchange was easily my favorite moment of Valar Dohaeris.  While it was a slower episode, it served as a reminder of how well they juggle story lines on this show.  I can’t wait for next week as Season 2 is officially wrapped up and Season 3 can begin…  Right?

COUNTDOWN | The best moments from Game of Thrones Season 2

XTRA | Check out this Game of Thrones Interactive Map

SPRING IS HERE! WINTER IS COMING!

Is it just me or was that a really long wait!? Thankfully, the wait is over and Game of Thrones Season 3 is upon us.

Once again, I’ll be choosing the single greatest moment of each episode. A difficult task considering the incredible amount of memorable moments they pack into each episode.

I have a confession to make… At the end of season 2, I went out and bought the first 4 books in George R. R. Martin’s series with the intent of catching up. I didn’t even finish the first book. I can admit it. It’s disappointing but I’ll get through them all some day. If anything because I love this world.

Regardless, March 31 is approaching quickly!  Until then catch up on the best moments from Game of Thrones Season 2 here.

THE OSCARS ARE COMING & THE ATHLETIC NERD HAS YOU COVERED

I’ve never covered the Oscars before and this year I was going to skip it entirely again.  I just didn’t want to upload my predictions and call it a day.  This isn’t a news blog.  I leave that to the websites I visit myself every day.  I don’t want to just post a list of the nominees with commentary and analysis.  (Also, I’m part of a heated & competitive Oscar pool and I don’t want my picks out there.)

I wanted to take a different approach.  So, starting today, you’ll find at least one new Oscar post every weekday until February 25th.  All of these posts deal with Oscar films in one way or another but I’m focusing on how these award winning films affected my life.

These posts include movie countdowns, features, round ups and a massive 8 part series I’m very excited to unveil.

Have any Oscar moments you’d like to share?  Leave a comment!

PS: Still looking for previews and predictions?  I’ve got something in mind.  Come back Monday February 18th.