Just Because I Pay For Your Services Doesn't Diminish Our Friendship

[netgirl_y2k]

That was the episode where the season two budget went to die, right? And I'll tell you what, it was worth every damn penny.

I can only assume that there are a metric fuckton of acting awards winging their way to Lena Headey as we speak, because BLOODY HELL. Her darkly hilarious Cersei Explains it All scenes with Sansa to her Lioness with Cub scene with Tommen. Oh, little King Tommen, I want only good things and kittens for you, I suspect I am doomed to disappointment.

There are EVIL STAGS in the forest. And because that scene was a show addition (good show, show!) I truly thought she was going to go through with it. Give this woman all the acting awards. Invent new awards.

Speaking of people who should be congratulated on their, well, existence. SANSA. Her friendship with Shae needs to continue forever and ever, in fact they need to leave King's Landing with all possible speed and move to a little cottage by the sea, Tyrion can visit. And "of course you'll be in the vanguard" and "I will pray for your return my lord. As I pray for the king's." BOOM. Hopefully S3 will have all the delicious Sansa-Tyrion-(Shae?) interactions.

And, actually, I really liked her scene with the Hound, which I wasn't expecting. The show seems to have removed that weird sexualised vibe from their relationship that was present in the books and which hit every one of my power differential squicks. I found myself almost wishing that she'd accepted his offer to escort her north.

You know, given that I'm supposed to be rooting for the Starks I really should stop being so pleased to see Tywin Lannister, but DAMN, man can make an entrance.

Whoever decided that this episode should be the Battle of Blackwater and nothing else was having a good day at the office, weren't they? Especially after a series that seemed to be floundering a bit under the weight of all the separate stories it needed to tell.

So, next week is the finale, which I'm guess will be the sack of Winterfell, Dany's misadventure in the House of the Undying, and possibly the capture of Jaime and Brienne? And then that's it. What will I get up for on Monday mornings, other than, you know, work.

Comments

[netgirl_y2k]

For all the battle stuff, which was awesome this episode really lived and died by Lena's portrayal of Cersei. Her earlier "Bring me more wine. And bring Sansa, I've thought of more horrible things to tell her!" scenes adding a wonderful touch of black humour to proceedings, to her utterly heartrending scene with Tommen, going out on the Iron Throne wearing the closest thing she's ever been allowed to armour. Oh, Cersei.

I KNOW. The Hound and Tyrion really are the King's Landing branch of the Sansa Stark appreciation society.

GoT airs on a day later here, and basically the entire reason I'm subscribed to that cable channel is so that I can watch it in HD, on the big screen, lying on the couch, instead on hunched over my laptop like I watched S1, and it is so, so pretty.

[miarrow]

Oh, oh. She is wearing the only thing she's been allowed to wear for armor. CERSEIIIII.

Someone made a wonderful point about how Sansa is basically born to be Queen with how she handles Cersei running off and taking care of the scared people, whil Cersei keeps trying to be King. And there's really nothing wrong with that, but it's a wonderful observation of their characters and the gender roles of suck in Westeros.

GoT airs on a day later here, and basically the entire reason I'm subscribed to that cable channel is so that I can watch it in HD, on the big screen, lying on the couch, instead on hunched over my laptop like I watched S1, and it is so, so pretty.

I purchased the S1 Blu-Rays, but Dad currently has a subscription to HBO and a giant assed TV that's got the clearest screen ever so it's really difficult not to be sleep deprived and watch it there. If only I could call in "Winter is Coming" sick to work.

I think from this episode alone I'll have to own the S2 BluRays, but heavens were they pushing it this season with some of their ridiculousness.

If only GRRM could have written an episode with Cat in it.

[netgirl_y2k]

"I can't come into work today, Winter is Coming."

"It's June..."

"Hush, you. Winter. Is. Coming."

I think from this episode alone I'll have to own the S2 BluRays, but heavens were they pushing it this season with some of their ridiculousness.

In this, the show is mirroring my experience of first reading the books. Moments of inspired genius, broken up by moments of I don't know what you people are smoking, but the street value must be phenomenal.

[miarrow]

I just don't understand how they can get things so so right and then SO HORRIBLY WRONG.

I don't think I'll ever forgive them for Irri.

[netgirl_y2k]

They've got me looking forward to the Red Wedding. How in Seven Hells did that happen!?

[miarrow]

I suspect GRRM will write that one. I've heard a few comments about how he writes the best episodes, while true, he clearly picks the best episodes to write as well.

I'm much less choked up about the Red Wedding now that they've completely made me lose all interest in Robb and badly used Catelyn.

[fyrdrakken]

I heard that the actress playing Irri was apparently having some problems with her work visa. So, seems to have been another case of killing a character off rather than recasting when they were losing the actor.

[miarrow]

That doesn't explain why Jhqui just disappeared. I find that rumor suspect.

[fyrdrakken]

When was the last time we saw Jhiqui? Did the character supposedly die in the Red Wastes? (Hadn't heard anything about her actress one way or the other.)

In any case, I've heard stories about two Dothraki actors being written off for RL reasons, but the show killed off most of Dany's remaining tribe. That's definitely a writing decision, and I don't know where they were going with that, and won't know until the story arc plays out or until I read an interview with people who worked on the show talking about it.