Game Rebounds with Oathkeeper

Game of Thrones returned to form with season 4 episode 4 Oathkeeper.  After two stellar episodes to start the season I think we can all be honest that episode 3 was a bit flat. From the slow progress of Danerys, to the aftermath of Joffrey's death this episode was just pretty much boring.  Don't get me started on the Jamie & Cersei scene, I guess the creators are working overtime on trying to draw up sympathy for Cersei.  While I still loathe the character that was a bit much, and I didn't think they could make the Jamie and Cersei relationship more gross.  They achieved it with rape next to their dead son.  But GoT came back strong with this episode similar to my write up of episode 1 here are my favorite moments.

5. Queen of Thorns partnered with Littlefinger: The one bright spot from episode 3 was the reveal that Littlefinger was behind Sansa's rescue.  This was even better with the reveal that the Queen of Thorns was in cahoots with Littlefinger to murder Joffrey.  As if you couldn't love her character anymore than you find out that she had her hands in taking out the most hated character to date.  Let the realm rejoice, as untrustworthy as Littlefinger is is how much you gotta love Olena Tyrell. Love live the Queen.

4. Locke at Castle Black?: I always wonder how the show runners are going to mix things up and change some things from the book.  The intro of Locke being at Castle Black definitely does that.  We know in the book that Jon simply just misses being reunited with his brother Bran.  But now it seems that the creators have put them on a possible collision course at Craster's Keep.  Not to mention just what exactly will Locke do once one of the Stark heirs is in his sights.  This is an interesting twist that improves on Martin's story.

3.  Bronn & Jamie: Again another change from the book since it wasn't Bronn that was training Jamie to use his left hand to fight with.  But it's a welcome one, Bronn is just as much a smart-ass as Jamie and with his right hand gone now Bronn's the better fighter.  Also who would've thought that Bronn would be the one to make Jamie realize how much his brother Tyrion needs him.  The interaction with them is money and it'd make me even want to watch a spin-off the Adventures of Jamie & Bronn.  It's amazing to me a character I hated so much during season 1 in Jamie has slowly won me over to actually root for him sort of, though they definitely didn't help his cause last week.

2. The Lannister Brothers: Jamie genuinely loves his brother Tyrion, and it's this scene this interaction between the two that made this episode so awesome.  Tyrion from the get go has always been one of my favorite characters.  But seeing him in such dire straights where the jokes have stopped, and he's seriously in fear for his life.  It was really nice to see two brothers talking one little brother pleading with his big brother to help him out.  Anyone that has brothers like I do can totally relate and understand how as a big brother you want to be there for your family.  As much as Jamie's scene with Cersei last week made you really shrink away in disgust, this scene made you start to like the Kingslayer again.  Not since last season's scene with Brienne where Jamie explained why he killed the Mad King have you actually started to feel for the guy.  He genuinely loves his family now it's easy to say in the case of his sister too much so, but this at least makes you appreciate him.

1. King of White Walkers?: Leave to Game of Thrones to make up for the dud of last week with another episode ending that made me leap out of my seat!  It's evident to me that George R. R. Martin is caught, and by next season I wouldn't be surprised if he was passed. Who knows when the Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring will come out.  Guess what at this point I don't care!  I mean this scene was awesome we've always wondered what do the White Walkers want with these babies?  Every time we've seen one of these creatures it's been awesome, but not since the end of Season 2 with that army of the dead have I been more jazzed to know more.  From the way the scene was shot the perspective of this innocent baby, to the icy reveal of these frozen figures.  Than you see who's clearly their leader an ice crowned White Walker, "What's he going to do to that baby!?" I literally was shouting at the TV.  Than every so slowly you see what he's doing changing the baby it a White Walker!  YOOOOOOOOOO! Way to rebound Game of Thrones cannot wait for more!

Obligatory mention: If you've wondered why their was no mention of Danerys it's because I seriously don't care. I'm sorry I appreciate what the character is doing, I mean yes who doesn't love someone freeing slaves. However much like season 1 I'm just pretty bored with this character, and very similar to how I felt in the books like how I feel like Danerys chapters are a chore I just find myself not caring.

Just missed the cut: Jamie sending Brienne and Podrick on their quest.  I know the title of the episode was taken from the name of the sword Oathkeeper that Jamie gives to Brienne as he sets her on her quest to find Sansa.  But it just misses the cut..

Game of Thrones is Back!

This past Sunday Game of Thrones returned with the season 4 premiere Two Swords.  It was a decent appetizer to the main course to come.  I'm not going to go heavy on spoilers, but wanted to pick out the top 5 best moments in the episode. 

5. Joffrey's exchange with Jamie Lannister
Very brief but once again the actor Jack Gleeson puts on display why everyone loves to hate his character.  Condescending to the max as his Uncle/Dad Jamie tries to lay out the security plans for his wedding.  You can see Jamie trying to not argue with the twerp all the while he insults him by bring notice that Jamie hasn't accomplished anything.  This kid is screaming for a beat down.

4. Introduction of the Thenns
For those that may have been disappointed last season that Styr the Magnar of Thenn wasn't introduced.  It was made up in spades as viewers met the Thenns, and it's easy to see why Tormund Giantsbane doesn't like them.  Props to the make-up artists and casting of the actor Joseph Gatt.  I didn't think that guy could play a creepier character than his Albino from Cinemax's show Banshee.  Yet here you have it tall and creepy and no one you'd want to turn your back on.  His question to Tormund of why the meat down South of the wall is so well fed, then you see what he's actually roasting!  Pretty great intro to an insane character.

3. The Queen of Thorns
I'm not sure if Diana Rigg got nominated for any awards last year for her role as Olenna Redwyne better known as The Queen of Thorns.  But let's be honest she should have!  Every time she's on screen she slays it.  Whether it's picking out jewelry with her granddaughter Margaery Tyrell or meeting Brienne of Tarth for the first time.  She just makes you chuckle or smile with her way with words.  I just hope she's featured even more than season.  If she's not called for find something for her to do she's awesome.

2. The Hound & Omar
This came close to being number one.  I'm feeling the Lone Wolf & Cub thing that the Hound and Arrya Stark have going on.  But it was the intro to the scene that had me like okay now!  While Arrya was trying understand the Hounds honor system.  Where he's willing to kill a child on command, but won't rob someone?  He answers with "A man has to have a code" now anyone that's ever seen The Wire knew exactly who said that first.  Now I don't know if show creators David Beinoff and D.B. Weiss made a conscious effort to channel Baltimore's stick-up artist Omar. But it worked, and then to see He and Arrya tear through the Lannister scum for some roast chicken!  It was an awesome way to end the season 4 first episode.  Now they'll totally blow my mind if you have the citizens of Westoros exclaim "The Hound's coming".

1. The Red Viper
I try not to fall into that category of those that read the books, and let it taint my enjoyment of the show.  It's easy to fall into that trap, but I couldn't help but be utterly excited to see the character of Oberyn Martell the Red Viper.  When Pedro Pascal was cast I know plenty were probably like who?  But let's be real outside of Sean Bean who really knew any of the actors from Game of Thrones.  Point is they nailed it, and his intro gave you all you need to know about the character.  He's lustful, smooth, and totally bad ass.  While frequenting the local brothel The Red Viper and is paramour Ellaria Sand (the excellently cast Indira Varma) he happens to hear someone sing the Rains of Castamere.  In that moment with his confrontation with some Lannisters you know what he's all about!  It was early in the episode but still to me stood out as by far the best moment.  The intro was capped off with his exchange with Tyrion Lannister "Tell your Father I'm here, because the Lannister's aren't the only ones to pay their debts" BOOM.

There you have it there was plenty of good stuff Daenerys encounter with her dragons, Jon Snow at the Wall, Sansa in the God's Wood, Jamie and Brienne's exchange.  But I'm just super stoked for this season which the creators have exclaimed is the most action-packed.  It was a pleasing morsel looking forward for more to come.