Do you think we're ever going to have Meera and Jojen telling Bran of the tourney at Harrenhal?
Hey anon.
Well, so far, they haven’t tackled anything, or barely anything about the past. So, idk.
I think in the third episode, Jojen and Bran talked about their parents and the rebellion, so maybe they could explore that and talk further about some details. But, personally I would love if they make it more prominent in the story, and they actually take the time to explain it well. Flashbacks would be amazing, or maybe in green dreams!
If they don’t even mention it, I think they might create a big plot hole, they might not be able to solve in future seasons.
Just a question about the Stark children... Do you think it is quite distractingly obvious now that Sansa, Bran, and Arya are not the ages they are pretending to be... Like Sansa is about 14, Arya is 13 and Bran is 12 (these are all based around Sansa's age, it started when she was 13 and I am presuming it is about a year between start of series 1 and start of 3) it is really noticable that Maisie is filling out, Sophie is super tall and Issac's voice has broken, its starting to get silly now.
Hi anon.
It doesn’t bother me. I understand your point, but it doesn’t personally bother me. Working with children and teenagers has that issue. No actor they could have chosen would have stayed looking 12 for 5 years. It was bound to happen (unless it was one of the Fanning sisters).
Maybe they could have filmed 2/3 season in a row to decrease the visual impact on that. Other than that, I don’t know.
And recasting the roles wouldn’t be a personal choice of mine.
Anyway, thanks.! (I did get your ask, and the other one too. It’s just that I try to answer them in order, and yours was under 20 more that needed to be replied first. Sorry for the delay).
My thoughts on S03E02 “Dark wings, dark words” (SPOILERS)
EPISODE RATING: Fluent. Engaging.
ACTING RATING: Outstanding.
VIEWER RATING: Uneventful, but more entertaining than the last.
READER RATING: Character driven. Detailed. And some misinterpretation of a character.
FAVOURITE PERFORMANCES:
MUCH IMPROVED PERFORMANCES:
FAVOURITE MOMENTS: Bran's dreams.
Point by point review:
1- Bran and the three-eyed raven:
I loved this scene, from the season 1 flashback(?), to the introduction of Jojen Reed.
I think they were able to condense in one scene, certain details, that makes ASoIAF intriguing and entertaining.
On acting terms: no complaints.
I think Isaac Hempstead can certainly handle his scenes with ease, even when the majority of them, depend on his solid skills.
Thomas Sangster made a stellar entry. And even though his character was aged, I still think he could have played the younger version of the role, as a younger actor. I think is a great casting choice, and his acting was on point. Just the reliability in his voice, when he delivered the lines, is proof enough he can master the portrayal of this character.
The Reeds' personification is the best one so far, when it comes to supporting roles on the show.
I think the dialogue showed, in a nutshell, what Bran's chapters are about, and why his connection with the Reeds is so important, or important to the Starks in general.
2- Robb-Talisa:
The King and Queen of no chemistry!
I have to, one more time, judge the choice of actress in this case. I really don't know, how could they cast an actress who doesn't bring the chemistry, or can't even work on it, with an actor who was already involved on the show.
They don't make for a believable couple, cause the two are not comfortable enough to work together. The scene by the chimney looked forced, and anticlimactic.
Oona Chaplin is not even convinced when she delivers her lines. Is like she doesn't believe such words would come out from her character's mouth. But who could blame her, right? Still, she doesn't help Talisa's cause by acting so detached from her character. Is like she can't wait to be done with it, and go back home. And when is up to her to carry the scene, it gets even worse.
Madden is a disappointment at this point. I really thought, circa season 1, he was good. He just happens to be average-to-ok. In this episode he just circled around there, not taking risks with his performance.
The writing for both characters is so lazy, and unimaginative, that is painful to watch. Painful!
3- Catelyn-Robb:
I'm not entirely sure I like the change from Cat sitting beside her father's death bed, to her finding out after he's already dead.
It saddens me the show didn't make room for the Riverrun story, when it was appropriate to have it. And in result of that, Catelyn as a character, and her relationships with others, have suffered. Cause even if you are not a fan of the Tullys, you've got to admit, eliminating Edmure and his actions from season 2, has damaged Robb and Cat's relationship, and has most definitely placed blame on one, rather than on both, for their current situation.
Madden's acting was ok, but I expected from from him.
Fairley's was superb. She's constantly reminding us she is Catelyn Tully. And I say Tully, and not Stark, because she definitely works and understands both sides of her character, she embodies them to perfection, and brings the side according to the situation, and to what Cat herself, would have felt at the moment. She's a Tully for most of her interpretation, and she turns on the Stark side when needed. And seems so simple for her to show that, that I can't really explain her subtlety. She just is.
4- Theon Greyjoy:
I'm pleased with how they are advancing on his storyline.
At first I wasn't sure what could they do for the character at this point. But now, I can definitely see it's a smart move to keep him around this season.
Allen's acting, even though is good, it's certainly not what I expected. I think he does justice to the scene, but is not as good as I expected him to be.
Of course, he's one of the best ones, among actors of his years, but I don't find him to be that great.
Perhaps I'm asking a lot more, because I know the actor can do it. I think he can achieve a grand performance, if he just adjusts a couple of things in his scenes.
I think there were seconds in which he was great, and I want him to be like that for the entire scene. But, he absolutely brought the needed drama to the scene. When he screams in pain, you can feel the pain with him.
5- Jaime-Brienne:
I was a bit disappointed by their scenes. I thought they were going to be the central feature of the episode, the exciting part, the juice of the fruit. But that didn't happen.
I feel the blame should go to the director in this case. *I think I can say it now, and it could be applied for future references in this post, that there's something off with the dramatic element in this season. They are having problems when creating good dramatic moments, good action moments, good nerve-wraking moments. And as consequence, the actors are not allowed to engage in the scene as much as they should. Which could be partially the actors' fault, and at times it should all be pin on the writers and director.
In this case, I felt the ending scene, the fight scene, was not well coreographed, cause it could have had a lot more riskiness, and a lot more thrill, if it had been planned out better. Felt to me, the actors looked like they were rehearsing for the actual scene, rather than playing it. And yes, I am aware, he was supposed to be clumsy, since he was in shackles, but still. It could have been a lot more fluent, and less calculated, for a better result.
Nevertheless, the writing was pretty good.
I think the dialogue was well thought of. It definitely created the tension between the characters, and it showed the side of each of them, reflecting perfectly the motivations and reservations each character has on the books. Seemed like book!Jaime, and book!Brienne were extracted from the source, and placed on the screen for a moment.
On acting terms: these scenes were the second best part of the episode.
Coster-Waldau embodied perfectly Jaime's personality. I think he was able to show his sense of humour, his sass, his carefree attitude, and annoyance, during the journey to KL. He definitely earned the second billing for this episode. Bravo Ser!
Gwendoline Christie has a certain subtlety that can go unnoticed if you don't pay attention to her face expressions. She definitely won me over.
When given the chance of more screen time, she takes good consideration of it, and works around it, not disappointing anyone, not even herself, or her character.
She was my favourite of the two, for the fighting scene.
Brienne's pride, hidden insecurities, and stance, were portrayed to perfection by this actress.
Mostly, I think, she understands her character, and translates that onto her performance.
6- Joffrey-Cersei / Joffrey-Margaery:
I liked this scene. Though I'm not sure if such roughness is needed to show Cersei's lack of control over her son. But I'm still pleased with them.
The dialogue was appropriate.
Jack Gleeson continues to amaze me.
I think he knows exactly the boundaries when playing a character like Joffrey. Any actor could have easily fallen in ridiculousness with a character like this, but not Gleeson.
He was able to bring the perfect amount of hatred, and self-righteousness, as well as nailing Joff's spoiled child personality. He goes from a simple smirk, to a disgusted face in within seconds, showing how much control he has over his performance.
Lena Headey, renounced to a second place, gave a steady performance. Knowing her place on the scene, and not returning to her old problems. I'm happy with her improvement this season.
About Joffrey and Margaery:
I liked the scene.
Gleeson and Dormer worked really great together. But his acting stands out. And the way he approached Joffrey's nervousness, inexperience, and capriciousness, was what made this scene.
He's in complete control over his body language, and the result is a good performance, with memorable moments.
7- Sansa-Shae:
And this is how you destroy the purpose of Littlefinger as a character.
It went down like this:
Shae: Did Littlefinger ask you to do anything for him?
Sansa: *poker face* No he just wants to help me, because he loved my mom.
Shae: be careful, he might be a pedo.
Sansa: No way! He's too old.
Shae: Well duh!
8- Sansa-Loras-Margaery-Lady Olenna:
I think Finn Jones managed to have the only bad performance of the episode, with just two minutes on screen. I don't think he can really be believable in his role. He just doesn't have it.
Sophie Turner has grown so much as an actress on screen. She improves with each episode.
Her scene when talking about Joffrey, was particularly good. She was able to show the inner conflict on her face. But, is probably when she regains her composure right after breaking down, when she shows she can, in fact, be great when playing a scene, not so easy to convey. Outstanding!
Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna, is a great addition to the cast. I think she embodies the role, and has great timing with her sarcasm and jokes. Great casting, great actress.
Natalie Dormer continues to show she can play a future queen like no one else can. She has a certain ease for this kind of roles. But so far, this season, and this show, has showed more of her skills, than any other.
She comes off as a natural, with well planned out body language, line delivering, and chemistry.
Is good to see a girl, who in her role, doesn't have to try hard to convey a future queen. Which makes me wonder how could she have worked with a character like Dany. And I know I'll get all sorts of complaints about this, but the matter of fact is, Dormer is more suited for roles that show women in power.
The scenes were good. Filled with books' details that delight readers.
Well orchestrated and appropriate dialogue.
9- Catelyn's monologue:
This part deserves its own mention.
Let's just leave at what I've already expressed in this ask, and let's no go any further with criticizing the stupidity of the writing, and the misinterpretation of a character. CHARACTER ASSASSINATION!
Moving on to the best part of this scene, and for sure the best part of the episode, Michelle Fairley's acting.
I cannot express in words what this actress has. She brought tears to my eyes.
An engaging performance, relying on every bit of her senses to convey this moment of grief to such perfection. She even showed a little bit of trembling in her pulse. Her body language is in complete syncronicity to her lines.
She leaves us in awe of what she's capable to do, even with such disastrous material. Showing once more, she's above the material this show provides her with.
From side-eyeing Talisa, to bringing tears to this shriveled heart, she was my favourite of the episode.
10- Jon Snow scenes / the NW scenes:
Uneventful. The only thing I liked was the Orell's warging part.
And for his share, John Breadley West, is doing justice to his character.
11- Arya-Hot Pie-Gendry:
The scenes were entertaining enough.
Mostly, I liked Hot Pie. Ben Hawkey is definitely giving the comic relief the scenes need. His acting was the one that stand out.
The three actors worked well together, and with the newcomers as well.
Definitely hooked for the next couple of scenes this trio is going to have.
*I repeat my concern about the lack of timing and climate they give to certain scenes. It happened again when the Hound realizes Arya is among the Botherhood.
The writing and directing need to work on that, to make the scene more compelling.
If someone had stopped Arya's way out, or would have grabbed her by the arm, not letting her go, or making her turn around for the Hound to see her, it would have been more thrilling.
The way it was, left nothing to the viewer to be excited or nervous about.
12- Tyrion-Shae:
Completely unnecessary scene. It just didn't do anything in general for the episode.
I don't need to have Tyrion on each episode to remember his name.
And one more time, Peter Dinklage needs to work on that accent, or completely abandon it. No accent is better than bad accent.
I think what the ask about Isaac and the arrow wanted to say is that, even in the few second we see Isaac during the whole trailer, we can see good acting.
Oh ok, thanks.
I didn’t know if they were mad at something, or if there was a fight (Isaac is good-Isaac is bad) going around and I had no idea about it, or if I read it wrong. Sometimes is hard to understand what people are trying to say, or where they are coming from, just in a few lines.
Like I said, I try not to focus in what we see on the trailers, since it’s just so minimal, that for me is difficult to judge and get conclusions from it.
But I do agreee he’s a good child actor, and it’s gonna be great to see how he grows into his character as he grows himself.
