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

SEASON 2 EPISODE 9
“VALAR MORGHULIS”

The brilliant final chapter of what was an outstanding season of television has come and gone.  The second season of Game of Thrones is over and the long wait for season 3 begins.  After delivering one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen, the minds behind the show delivered a fantastic final episode full of resolution and promise.

It was a season full of amazing battles, tense moments, betrayals, twists, love, violence, greed and heroics.  But none of the moments I picked originated beyond The Wall.  Jon Snow’s story seemed like a season long stall.  What was the purpose of his story?  It became clear to me a few episodes ago that Jon’s tale was more than likely a major seed for Season 3.  It was and it was glorious.

And so the FINAL Game of Thrones Moment is dedicated to The North.

The episode’s final scenes provided us glimpses of not one but TWO giant armies.  One belonging to Mance Rayder and the other made up of organized Zombies and Zombie Horses.  The Night’s Watch certainly has their hands full next season.

It was a phenomenal moment to see the zombie army marching on The Wall especially under the command of this guy:

Obviously there were other big moments not the least of which was Dany’s fire breathing children and escape from Qarth.  But this moment was, to me, the most significant moving forward.  After an entire season at the bottom of the pack in terms of interesting stories, the north is front and center now.  Winterfell is in ruins, Jon Snow is with a huge army of Others and a very dangerous horde is on the loose.

Game of Thrones…  I love you.

Valar Morghulis

The rest of the episode was absolutely packed with awesome moments.  Tyrion had a touching scene with Shae while his father became Hand of The King.  I can’t wait to see how Tywin handles Joffrey’s antics.  Something tells me the young King will be on his best behavior.

We finally got to see Daenerys’ story move forward.  She’s been stuck for a few episodes now but she busted out in a big way.  Those dragons will certainly be a force in future seasons.

Stannis’ resolution was a little disappointing.  Still no smoke monster.  Just more manipulation at the hands of Melisandre.  Another sweet moment came when Jaqen revealed his ‘unique’ talent to disappear. I hope that’s not the last we see of the faceless man.

The remainder of the episode was spent repositioning characters for their Season 3 journeys.  All in all, it was a spectacular episode that summed up season 2 and set up an even better season 3.

Game of Thrones…  I love you.

So much so that I finally decided to pick up the books.  I grabbed the first 4 and I’m already blasting through Book One.  I simply can’t wait for another year.  By the time season 3 begins, I’ll be completely caught up.

So…

GAME OF THRONES MOMENTS: SEASON 3

I had so much fun writing this series.  It’s hard to believe it’s already been 10 weeks.  10 tremendous episodes.  10 memorable moments.

Next Spring, this column will return with a different twist.  For the first time, I’ll be able to relate to the story as both a viewer AND a reader.  I’m looking forward to picking apart the similarities and differences.  Unfortunately for us all, Winter is Coming and it’s going to be a long wait until this incredible show resumes.

Until then, catch up on past episode here:

Episode 1 Moment
Episode 2 Moment
Episode 3 Moment
Episode 4 Moment
Episode 5 Moment
Episode 6 Moment
Episode 7 Moment
Episode 8 Moment
Episode 9 Moment

What’s your favorite Game of Thrones moment?

SEASON 2 EPISODE 8
“THE PRINCE OF WINTERFELL”

I hate to say it but this may have been my least favorite episode of season 2…  But this is Game of Thrones after all so that’s pretty much giving it a 7/10 instead of 9 or 10.  There was a LOT of talking in this episode as the players move towards their penultimate destinations.

Stannis is knocking on King Joffrey’s front door.  Tywin marches towards Robb who has a separate force ready to reclaim Winterfell.  Daenery’s is on route to reclaim her children from the House of the Undying.

In the middle stands Tyrion has his quest to clean up the mess his nephew has caused in King’s Landing without revealing his love for Shae.  Brienne escorting Jaime amidst constant teasing at her expense.   Kat having to deal with Robb’s anger after freeing Jaime in the first place.  John Snow not doing much in the north except fearing people with skull masks.  But the most entertaining conversation in the episode was courtesy of Arya and Jaqen.

So this week’s moment is revealed.

“Un-name me.”

Even though it was incredibly frustrating to have Tywin right in front of her without naming him, I thought Arya’s quick thinking was pretty great.  Naming Jaqen knowing he would honor his word was a brilliant way to get what she wanted.  Freedom.  His reaction was priceless.  It’ll be interesting to see where Jaqen pops up next.  He’s slowly creeping up my list of favorite characters on the show.

“The girl must do as she’s told.”

Still, she should have named Tywin first but I understand it’s a TV show and that’s a crappy way to kill off such a strong character.

THE PRINCE OF WINTERFELL

While nothing MAJOR happened in this episode, it was still necessary to prepare us for the season’s final episodes.  The only real disappointment this season has been John Snow’s storyline.  It’s…  Just okay.  I can’t help but wonder if his journey is more of a seed for Season 3 rather than a vital component of Season 2.

All in all, it was another solid episode of Game of Thrones.  It just wasn’t as amazing as the others before it and certainly will pale in comparison to what lies ahead.

Catch up on past episodes here:

Episode 1 Moment
Episode 2 Moment
Episode 3 Moment
Episode 4 Moment
Episode 5 Moment
Episode 6 Moment
Episode 7 Moment

SEASON 2 EPISODE 6
“THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW”

This episode was up and down for me but it did come with one unforgettable moment we’ve all been thinking about since day 1.  Someone threw a big chunk of crap in King Joffrey’s face.  As if that wasn’t enough, Tyrion finally (and literally) tried to knock some sense into his nephew.

“We’ve had vicious kings and we’ve had idiot kings, but I don’t know that we’ve ever been cursed with a vicious idiot.”

So this week’s moment goes to Tyrion once again.  It’s mind boggling that Joffrey is this clueless proclaiming that an entire mob be put to death while they are rising up against him.  It’s sad that Tyrion will never get through to him now that he’s caused a war and everyone hates him.  It’ll be interesting to see what Joffrey does now that people have begun to revolt.  It’ll ALSO be interesting to see what he does to Tyrion for slapping him.

I’m so happy we still have over half a season left.

The Old Gods And The New

As I mentioned above, the rest of the episode was hit or miss for me.  The events in Winterfell were certainly compelling especially with that brutal beheading at the hands of newly evil Theon.  Robb Stark’s reaction to the news was awesome.  We really don’t get enough Robb though it’s nice that his mother returned and he is finally up to speed on everything.

Arya is still trying to keep her identity safe though it would appear her anonymity will be short lived.  She has now wasted a ‘name’ to protect herself but WHY hasn’t she ordered one of those fancy darts to strike the neck of Tywin?  Problem solved right?

Jon Snow and Daenerys’ story lines felt like stall tactics in this episode.  Jon volunteered to join the men and then couldn’t kill the Wildling girl…  The fact that she knew his name was interesting but I’d like to know where it’s going.  Is the North going to invade Westeros at some point?  What will they find now that they are beyond the wall? (Maybe I should read the books)

As for Daenerys, she is still clinging to hope that someone will hand her an army and now she doesn’t even have her dragons.  At some point, this girl needs to show the Qarth folk who is boss.  We are all rooting for her at this point but no one listens to her.  She needs to do some convincing next episode.

Catch up on previous episodes:

Episode 1 Moment
Episode 2 Moment
Episode 3 Moment
Episode 4 Moment
Episode 5 Moment