Review 274: Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings
Based on the second book in A Song of Ice and Fire, A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin, The Seven Kingdoms are at war, as winter approaches, the cruel young King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) sits upon the Iron Throne in King’s Landing, counciled by his conniving mother Cersei (Lena Heady) and his uncle Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), who has been appointed the new Hand of the King. But the Lannister hold on power is under assault on many fronts with brothers Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) & his brother Renly (Gethin Anthony) both of whom have their own claims to the Throne and Robb Stark (Richard Madden) fighting as King in the North.
Meanwhile a new leader is rising among the Wildlings north of the Wall creating new perils for Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) and the Night’s Watch, while across the Narrow Sea, Deanarys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) looks to shore up her depleted power in the East with her three newborn dragons.
The plot is amazing and adds to first series and truly expands the world and characters we have come to know, love and care about. Normally when you create a show you build your world, then you spend further seasons mostly living in your particular office or neighbourhood or city however with Game of Thrones, you build your world - and then you just keep building, you get to see new locations, new places, new characters even.
Head writers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and the rest of the production team really round the world of Westeros and Essos and give a much greater sense of the complexity, scope, scale and wonder of that world. As a result of all this, and I don't know why, I get the feeling that I would like to visit one of those places for a holiday.
Another one of the great things about the season is that we are introduced to whole new bunch of characters, characters who add to the danger and vulnerability, realism and humanity of the show and make it so much more intriguing.
New characters included Stannis Baratheon, King Robert's middle brother, Melisandre (Carice van Houten), Stannis's left hand and a priestess who worships the "Lord of Light", Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), Stannis' right hand man, Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) the newly wedded wife of King Renly Baratheon, Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), a female knight who joins Renly & later Catelyn Stark’s retinue.
Davos would give his life for Stannis, his spine consists of loyalty. He's a man from lowly beginnings, he's a former pirate who carried out an act of great heroism and since then Stannis trusts him as he trusts nobody else. He's a man of honour, humanity and wit and Stannis recognises that which is why he has him around.
Melisandre is a character who is completely defined by her virtually unshakable faith in the "Lord of Light". Her faith is her primary defining feature. She sees the victory of Stannis - that he will be king. She thinks that the "Lord of Light" is inside Stannis so he's a special man to her.
What's intriguing about her is how mysterious she is, how little we find out about her.
She is a strong female character, you cannot easily push her away
Brienne is another character whose completely defined by her loyalty.
Over on the Iron Islands, we meet more of Theon Greyjoy’s (Alfie Allen) family including his sister Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) and his father Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide).
Balon Greyjoy use to be King of Iron Islands and then he rose in revolt against Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon and was defeated and had to give up Theon as a hostage for his own good behaviour.
When Theon returns after all these years, he's more than hesitant to welcome him as he knows he's been raised as a Stark and as a result questions him as to where his loyalties lie.
Malahide expertly portrays Balon Greyjoy as a cold, calculating, ruthless, stubborn, ambitious, unyielding man who doesn't let anybody see what feels so he comes across as somewhat enigmatic.
When Theon returns to the Iron Islands after nine years, he's understandably suspicious. He's been worried for a long time that Theon is going to become more loyal to the Starks than to the Greyjoys.
As for Whelan as Yara, Yara is almost the polar opposite to Theon - she's a true Ironborn, courageous, clever, determined and proud.
Beyond the Wall we meet legendary Night Watch ranger Qhorion Halfhand (Simon Armstrong), Ygritte (Rose Leslie) a wildling who Jon Snow takes captive and Gilly (Skins Hannah Murray) a wilding girl who Sam falls in love with.
Halfhand has built up quite a reputation as one of greatest rangers
Another noticeable, newcomer to the series is Talisa Maegyr (Oona Chaplin) a healer from the Free City of Volantis that Robb Stark falls in love with.
In addition we're introduced to the most intriguing Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) one of Rob Stark's bannerman.
A very interesting newcomer to the series is Jaquen H'ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) a member of a mysterious group of assassins known only as the Faceless Men who helps Arya out whilst she's at Harrenhal. Jaquen H'ghar is very much a man who is shrouded in mystery.
Once again, the themes of identity, family, loyalty and how the loyalty to that family causes you to make very complicated moral choices comes into play this season: Theon returns to his home of the Iron Islands hoping to recruit his father Balon and the other Greyjoys to Rob's cause and he doesn't get the welcome he expects and he's forced to choose between his biological family and his adoptive family. Theon didn't ask to be sent off to Winterfell to live with the Starks and now he's being blamed for it. The moment that Theon is baptised there's no going back.
Directors Alan Taylor, Alik Sakharov, David Petrarca, David Nutter & Neil Marshall’s direction is assured, confident & unobtrusive. The cinematography is gorgeous and captures the beauty and texture of the locations, the scenery is breathtaking, the score by Ramin Djawadi is spectacular, the production design is astonishing, the costumes are lavish, the make up is rich and beautifully detailed.
Ep. 9: Blackwater is a particular stand out. Focusing on one storyline (Kings Landing) and showcasing a tour de force battle between the Lannisters and Stannis Baratheon’s invading forces. The battle is tense, exciting, spectacular and bloody from start to finish and director Neil Marshall really brings his A-Game to the episode. He very clearly has a love for this show.
Lena Heady is once again excellent as Cersei Lannister. She really digs her teeth deeper into Cersei and relishes in revealing her inner self. She faces a lot in a world where women are second class citizens. Jaime was taught to fight, Tyrion was given everything and she was sold and taught to smile. Her first thought with Joffrey was that they’re going to do it together and it’s turned into an absolute disaster and she can’t say it becasue she’s steered it. But her fight as a woman and generally being easily disregarded bites her all the time. She doesn’t have Jaime there to confide in and she’s only got Tyrion and she gets to a point where she tries to confide in him but they’re so dysfunctional that it doesn’t work.
Emilia Clarke once again shines as Deanarys Targaryen. Dany is in a very desperate place in the aftermath of Season 1. Her situation is pretty desperate and the only relationship she can have is with her Khalisar. She must be their strength and she feels a strong responsibility to look after them.
Her drive and determination to take the Iron Throne is something she just can’t control it’s her destiny and it’s so shocking that it’s being questioned.
Whilist she’s in Qarth she struggles to be taken seriously mainly because she’s a woman
This is a season where Dany learns a lesson of self reliance during her time in Qarth and it's a very hard lesson to learn, she's lost her brother, she's lost her husband, she's lost her Bloodriders so the temptation for her has always been to lean on someone else and she learns particularly in Ep. 6: The Old Gods and the New that she can't trust in other people. She ultimately ends up in a place where she needs to do things for herself.
What more can I say but Valar Morghulis, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
New characters included Stannis Baratheon, King Robert's middle brother, Melisandre (Carice van Houten), Stannis's left hand and a priestess who worships the "Lord of Light", Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), Stannis' right hand man, Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) the newly wedded wife of King Renly Baratheon, Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), a female knight who joins Renly & later Catelyn Stark’s retinue.
Davos would give his life for Stannis, his spine consists of loyalty. He's a man from lowly beginnings, he's a former pirate who carried out an act of great heroism and since then Stannis trusts him as he trusts nobody else. He's a man of honour, humanity and wit and Stannis recognises that which is why he has him around.
Melisandre is a character who is completely defined by her virtually unshakable faith in the "Lord of Light". Her faith is her primary defining feature. She sees the victory of Stannis - that he will be king. She thinks that the "Lord of Light" is inside Stannis so he's a special man to her.
What's intriguing about her is how mysterious she is, how little we find out about her.
She is a strong female character, you cannot easily push her away
Brienne is another character whose completely defined by her loyalty.
Over on the Iron Islands, we meet more of Theon Greyjoy’s (Alfie Allen) family including his sister Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan) and his father Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide).
Balon Greyjoy use to be King of Iron Islands and then he rose in revolt against Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon and was defeated and had to give up Theon as a hostage for his own good behaviour.
When Theon returns after all these years, he's more than hesitant to welcome him as he knows he's been raised as a Stark and as a result questions him as to where his loyalties lie.
Malahide expertly portrays Balon Greyjoy as a cold, calculating, ruthless, stubborn, ambitious, unyielding man who doesn't let anybody see what feels so he comes across as somewhat enigmatic.
When Theon returns to the Iron Islands after nine years, he's understandably suspicious. He's been worried for a long time that Theon is going to become more loyal to the Starks than to the Greyjoys.
As for Whelan as Yara, Yara is almost the polar opposite to Theon - she's a true Ironborn, courageous, clever, determined and proud.
Beyond the Wall we meet legendary Night Watch ranger Qhorion Halfhand (Simon Armstrong), Ygritte (Rose Leslie) a wildling who Jon Snow takes captive and Gilly (Skins Hannah Murray) a wilding girl who Sam falls in love with.
Halfhand has built up quite a reputation as one of greatest rangers
Another noticeable, newcomer to the series is Talisa Maegyr (Oona Chaplin) a healer from the Free City of Volantis that Robb Stark falls in love with.
In addition we're introduced to the most intriguing Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) one of Rob Stark's bannerman.
A very interesting newcomer to the series is Jaquen H'ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) a member of a mysterious group of assassins known only as the Faceless Men who helps Arya out whilst she's at Harrenhal. Jaquen H'ghar is very much a man who is shrouded in mystery.
Once again, the themes of identity, family, loyalty and how the loyalty to that family causes you to make very complicated moral choices comes into play this season: Theon returns to his home of the Iron Islands hoping to recruit his father Balon and the other Greyjoys to Rob's cause and he doesn't get the welcome he expects and he's forced to choose between his biological family and his adoptive family. Theon didn't ask to be sent off to Winterfell to live with the Starks and now he's being blamed for it. The moment that Theon is baptised there's no going back.
Directors Alan Taylor, Alik Sakharov, David Petrarca, David Nutter & Neil Marshall’s direction is assured, confident & unobtrusive. The cinematography is gorgeous and captures the beauty and texture of the locations, the scenery is breathtaking, the score by Ramin Djawadi is spectacular, the production design is astonishing, the costumes are lavish, the make up is rich and beautifully detailed.
Ep. 9: Blackwater is a particular stand out. Focusing on one storyline (Kings Landing) and showcasing a tour de force battle between the Lannisters and Stannis Baratheon’s invading forces. The battle is tense, exciting, spectacular and bloody from start to finish and director Neil Marshall really brings his A-Game to the episode. He very clearly has a love for this show.
Lena Heady is once again excellent as Cersei Lannister. She really digs her teeth deeper into Cersei and relishes in revealing her inner self. She faces a lot in a world where women are second class citizens. Jaime was taught to fight, Tyrion was given everything and she was sold and taught to smile. Her first thought with Joffrey was that they’re going to do it together and it’s turned into an absolute disaster and she can’t say it becasue she’s steered it. But her fight as a woman and generally being easily disregarded bites her all the time. She doesn’t have Jaime there to confide in and she’s only got Tyrion and she gets to a point where she tries to confide in him but they’re so dysfunctional that it doesn’t work.
Emilia Clarke once again shines as Deanarys Targaryen. Dany is in a very desperate place in the aftermath of Season 1. Her situation is pretty desperate and the only relationship she can have is with her Khalisar. She must be their strength and she feels a strong responsibility to look after them.
Her drive and determination to take the Iron Throne is something she just can’t control it’s her destiny and it’s so shocking that it’s being questioned.
Whilist she’s in Qarth she struggles to be taken seriously mainly because she’s a woman
This is a season where Dany learns a lesson of self reliance during her time in Qarth and it's a very hard lesson to learn, she's lost her brother, she's lost her husband, she's lost her Bloodriders so the temptation for her has always been to lean on someone else and she learns particularly in Ep. 6: The Old Gods and the New that she can't trust in other people. She ultimately ends up in a place where she needs to do things for herself.
What more can I say but Valar Morghulis, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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