Ep. 20 Recap: "Valar Morghulis"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode recaps:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."
Ep. 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die."
Ep. 14: "Garden of Bones."
Ep. 15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal."
Ep. 16: "The Old Gods and the New."
Ep. 17: "A Man Without Honor."
Ep. 18: "The Prince of Winterfell."
Ep. 19: "Blackwater."

Episode 20: "Valar Morghulis"
Original Air Date:  June 3, 2012.
Directed by:  Alan Taylor.
Written by:  David Benioff & D.B. Weiss.

Tonight, as befitting, we close out what ended up being a fantastic Season 2 with the showrunners themselves returning to pen the final episode. And what would a Benioff & Weiss episode be without Alan Taylor directing? Also, after last week's masterpiece, how would the season finale fare by comparison? These questions and more will be answered . . .

. . . Now!

Ep. 19 Recap: "Blackwater"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode recaps:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."
Ep. 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die."
Ep. 14: "Garden of Bones."
Ep. 15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal."
Ep. 16: "The Old Gods and the New."
Ep. 17: "A Man Without Honor."
Ep. 18: "The Prince of Winterfell."


Episode 19: "Blackwater"
Original Air Date:  May 27, 2012.
Directed by:  Neil Marshall.
Written by:  George R. R. Martin.

Tonight we get a real treat, folks. We get an epic film director in Neil Marshall, a super fan of the show who came in at the last minute to save HBO's bacon when the originally planned director bowed out. And lucky for us, too, since he would end up directing what book readers all knew was going to be an amazing battle-TASTIC hour of television! But best of all we get the author of the books himself, George R. R. Martin, adapting his own work in writing the teleplay. George wrote last season's episode 8: "The Pointy End," but could he do the impossible and write an episode to surpass that one?

Two words: HELLS YES!!!

Ep. 18 Recap: "The Prince of Winterfell"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode recaps:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."
Ep. 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die."
Ep. 14: "Garden of Bones."
Ep. 15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal."
Ep. 16: "The Old Gods and the New."
Ep. 17: "A Man Without Honor."


Episode 18: "The Prince of Winterfell"
Original Air Date:  May 20, 2012.
Directed by:  Alan Taylor.
Written by:  David Benioff & D.B. Weiss.


RECAP.

Again, I'm dividing up this week's recap not by scene, but by location. And whereas last week I started in Qarth and worked my way north to Jon Snow, this week I will do the opposite and start beyond the Wall working my way south. Since I gave you all free license to sound your disgust for this format in last week's comments section and only one of you did, you have only yourselves to blame if this arrangement doesn't exactly float your boat. Me, I think it makes for shorter recaps, which is a blessing on my fingers.

Now, let us begin . . .

Ep. 17 Recap: "A Man Without Honor"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode recaps:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."
Ep. 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die."
Ep. 14: "Garden of Bones."
Ep. 15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal."
Ep. 16: "The Old Gods and the New."


Episode 17: "A Man Without Honor"
Original Air Date:  May 13, 2012.
Directed by:  David Nutter.
Written by:  David Benioff & D.B. Weiss.


RECAP.

I'm going to do something a little different this week. Instead of a recap covering every single scene as they occur chronologically in the episode, I'm dividing it up by locations on the overworld map instead--taking a general northwesterly sweep starting from the continent of Essos across the Narrow Sea. I'm hoping this will make the recap portion much shorter. Not to mention it should be easier to connect plot developments specific to each location, and facilitate remembering certain key facts without jumping from place to place like a flea with Alzheimer's.

If you don't enjoy this format, please remember to sound off in the comments section at the end. I welcome all feedback. And so, let us now begin . . .

Ep. 16 Recap: "The Old Gods and the New"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode recaps:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."
Ep. 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die."
Ep. 14: "Garden of Bones."
Ep. 15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal."


Episode 16: "The Old Gods and the New"
Original Air Date:  May 6, 2012.
Directed by:  David Nutter.
Written by:  Vanessa Taylor.


At the end of last week's review, I mentioned how there had been some rumblings among the general viewership that things were getting a little too dark in this show for some viewers to handle. And I remarked that nothing we've seen so far would come close to how dark the storyline will truly get if they continued to stick with the books.

This week we got a chance to see those words come true. Seven Hells, this was one brutal episode! And yet, it makes my heart sing. For this is exactly the tone of the books! This episode came closest to capturing the dark, twisted brilliance of the author's mind than any other this season and before. Yes, exactly.

So let us get started, shall we? Let us find out how . . .

Ep. 15 Recap: "The Ghost of Harrenhal"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode recaps:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."
Ep. 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die."
Ep. 14: "Garden of Bones."


Episode 15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal"
Air Date:  April 29, 2012.
Directed by:  David Petrarca.
Written by:  David Benioff & D.B. Weiss.


Oooh, a chilling title for what I'm sure will be a chilling episode, especially given how last week's showing, "Garden of Bones," ended on such a deliciously dark and horrific note. Knowing what I already know about which parts of the book tonight's episode roughly covers, I sat down in front of the tube already expecting a few more gruesome killings than usual for this show. And one notable death in particular. But, I'm getting ahead of things. Let us begin from the, er, beginning . . .

Ep. 14 Recap: "Garden of Bones"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode reviews:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."
Ep. 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die."


Due to unforeseen circumstances and a hectic schedule, I won't be able to bring you this week's recap of Game of Thrones. But, have no fear, for my good buddy Rodney Lopez--aka, Dilking--will be picking up the slack in the meantime with his own take on the episode. Please show him the same courtesy you would myself, and look for me to add my own 2 cents in the comments section below. And for those of you wondering, no this won't be a permanent thing (I hope). If it all works out well on my end, I plan to be back with next week's recap.

'Till then, play nice!

--David
===============================================


Okay, the Bimillennial Man has determined that these GoT recaps are taking way too much time. So in an effort to keep them alive, I, Dilking, have submitted this recap in his absence to keep the series rolling.

Also, please pardon the drop in writing quality, I'm a gifted amateur at best when it comes to writing, (and I've NEVER read the books) but I'm willing to help out a friend in need. And now, onto the recap!!

Ep. 13 Recap: "What Is Dead May Never Die"

Previous Game of Thrones Season 2 episode reviews:
Ep. 11: "The North Remembers."
Ep. 12: "The Night Lands."



Episode 13: "What Is Dead May Never Die"
Air Date:  April 15, 2012.
Directed by:  Alik Sakharov
Written by:  Bryan Cogman



RECAP.

As has been the trend starting with this season, all new episodes start off exactly where the previous ones end. So where last week we left off with Craster clocking Jon Snow something fierce on the noggin, this week we begin with the old coot dragging the emo Night Watchman by his ear back to his "keep." Furious with the actions of the one man, Craster hands Lord Commader Mormont and his men their walking papers. Outside, looking like he just walked off the set of Spartacus, Jon Snow is getting bandaged up by his good friend, Sam. Aww, Sam -- you're such the perfect wing man. This Bud's for you! Mormont chews his understudy out, but when Jon tells him what he saw Craster do in the woods, the Commander's eyes tell him he's playing a broken record. Turns out the Night's Watch has always known about Craster sacrificing his sons. Sacrificing to who or what, no one really cares. He tells Jon that the wildlings worship some pretty frightening gods, and its best not to get involved. There's some heavy stuff at work out there in the wilds of the Far North. Things they will have to face themselves soon. And men like Craster, well, they're all the friends a ranger's got behind the Wall. Yeah, but with friends like these . . .

Lord Varys Says: All My Little Birds React To Ep. 12

Tweet, my little birdies. Tweet, tweet!

Over at Winter Is Coming.net, regular contributor Fire and Blood, aka (FaBio), has gone and collected all the Twitter tweets from the night Ep. 12 "The Night Lands" aired. Click here to read the full collection of what regular viewers like me and you had to say as they watched the episode, intercut with FaB's colorful commentary. People say the funniest things about this show, which is just the epitome of cool and says a lot about its popularity. Go on click, I guarantee you'll enjoy these.

In fact, here are some of my favorites:

"@tmunzar:  You know a TV Show kicks major ass if you never ever skip it’s opening theme and credits."

"@Paco_ICEandFIRE:  LMAO OMG EAT HER FISH PIE!!! THATS ALL VARYS WOULD BE ABLE TO DO ACTUALLY!"

"@PaleGirlSquad:  Holy crap! Theon is of the House of Cthulhu!!!"

"@HEELSherrod:  Greyjoys have an epic ass den! release the Chimney!!!!"

"@AustinH_24seven:  The next time I compliment someone’s clothing, I’m going to follow up by asking if they paid the iron price for it."

"@MelRedPriestess:  Melisandre is dark and full of Stannis."

"@YgrittetheWild:  Well, Stannis certainly screwed over Westeros. #GOT140 #puns."

"@FYWinterfell:  Jon Snow! Why are you going out there? Jon Snow, you know nothing!"

"@LoriTweets:  Oh, Jon. The thing about Starks: they always get caught investigating shit. SEND SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT."

"@eddywards84:  Is there anyone that knows whats going on in #GameOfThrones or am I just thick?"

LOL! at that last comment. Some people need to pay closer attention than others, methinks. Game of Thrones isn't the type of show you check Facebook and update your contacts on your mobile while watching. I personally watch it with the lights off and my eyes GLUED to the tv screen for the entire hour. Nothing disturbs me during this time. Nothing!

Ep.12 Recap: "The Night Lands"

Episode 12: "The Night Lands"

Air Date: April 8, 2012.
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Written by: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss.


RECAP.

This week we get a new addition to the title map sequence. After Dragonstone, last week's newcomer, we're sent on to Pyke and the Iron Islands, the seat of House Greyjoy. My, but those bridges swaying back and forth between each fortified crag sure do look DANGEROUS!

Game of Thrones, Ep. 11: "The North Remembers"

And here we are at last. The one show I've been waiting for to return above all others. The Walking Dead? Mad Men? True Blood? None of them have anything on my very favorite show, Game of Thrones! And yet, I wasn't so sure I would get around to writing my impressions of each episode like I did for Season 1 around this time last year.

After watching the first episode of this new season, however, all doubts were erased. How could I not talk about such a fantastic show? For those not in the know, Season 2 is based largely, but not solely, on Book 2 in the A Song of Ice and Fire series titled: A Clash of Kings, and written by George R. R. Martin. ACoK is about the war of the five kings--five men (well four men and one very delusional teenager) who claim the Iron Throne of Westeros for their own. The backdrop to the second book is a strange crimson comet suddenly appearing in the skies immediately after the birth of Daenerys Targaryen's three dragons, portending many different prophecies depending on who you ask. Is it a sign for good, or an omen for evil? Again, it depends on whom you ask.

One mysterious woman arrives in Westeros from across the Narrow Sea with an answer. In many ways, although we've never met her before now, this woman will serve as linchpin to all that gets going this season. Her manipulations will lead to a repositioning of the entire map of war currently being waged between only two factions, but which will flare up to consume the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms before long.

Come along with me as we begin what promises to be a memorable season of extraordinary television unlike any seen before it. There will be much to discuss, I am sure.

So without further ado, let's get on with it!

It's Coming . . .

No, not Winter. Although I like what you did there . . .

Yes, I caved in. I have watched the first episode of Season 2 of Game of Thrones -- and I LOVED IT!!!

So this has given me the energy to get off my rear and kick things into motion. I am even now writing up my recap and impressions of the episode, and will acquire the appropriate screencaps to go along with the review. Look for it sometime tonight or tomorrow. More than likely tomorrow. LATE tomorrow.

What can I say, there's a lot to be said about this whopper of a premiere. Hooo-boy!

Don't Panic!

Yes, the second season of Game of Thrones has begun. Episode 11 aired last night, and . . . I have not watched it yet. GASP!

I know, right?

Unfortunately, I have it saved on my DVR but won't have the time to watch the episode until sometime later in the week. Don't cry for me, Argentina. I'll be okay. But damn if I'm not just itching to tear into this season! I've been listening to the soundtrack on iTunes something approaching fevered fanaticism all day to make up for it. Still, I must not give in until I can properly devote the necessary time for appreciation and enjoyment of what I've been waiting an entire year to see. I think I can make it . . .

I've let it slip to a few people that I won't be writing those wildly popular Game of Thrones reaction posts this season. Even though that series generated (and still does, in fact) this site's highest numbers to date, I simply don't have the time to spare like I did last year for such an exhausting undertaking. Those things took a lot out of me to write, man!

But, you know, now I regret saying anything. I've been getting a lot bemoaning and gnashing of teeth from my friends to keep it going, and what can I say? I'm a sucker for earnest persuasion.

So, this is my way of saying not to give up hope just yet. I may just have it in me to put up some sort of recap/analysis post each week. But don't hold me to that commitment just yet. I want to watch the first episode of this new season first, then see how I feel about it. If I do decide to go through with this, it won't be in the same format as last year. I know, I know . . . some of you got quite a kick out of my on the fly reactions to each scene. But that just won't do this time. I found that I ended up spending more time taking notes with each episode rather than just sitting back and enjoying it as it aired. And that just can't be allowed anymore.

This time, if I write anything about my reaction to the episode at hand, it will be in the form of a detailed recap followed at the end by my personal opinions on what I just saw. I can't promise witty, I can't promise hilarity. But I can promise that I will do my best to encapsulate all the good points about the show and make it more clear certain elements or whole scenes that might escape fans who are not as familiar with the books as I am. I've been hearing from some friends that this first episode of the new season in particular is very hard to follow for those not familiar with the names of all the new characters being introduced.

Yeah, I can see how that might be difficult to take in on the first showing. So if I can, I would like to make things easier for those of you who love the show and visit this blog.

Hmmm, talking about all this now makes me more ready to make it so! See what you guys do to me? :)

If you have seen this Sunday's episode already and want to talk about it in the comments below, please feel free to do so. Remember, I've read all the books--more than once, in fact--and there isn't possibly anything you can spoil for me. If you have any questions about what you saw, ask away, too! I don't need to have seen the episode to know what you are asking about. I already did as much for a co-worker of mine today who had a lot of questions concerning a certain mysterious red-headed newcomer this season.

So, have at me!