Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 10: "The Children" (Spoilers included)

Game of Thrones ends its best season yet with one of it's strongest episodes.  As a conclusion to the past two seasons; the episode is both epic and fitting.  Firstly, Arya and the Hound resolves with the Hound dying; as we've always expected would happen.  He dies a sad, broken man and Arya shows coldness and mercilessness by not granting his wish to be executed.  Secondly and more importantly, the father and son relationship of Tywin and Tyrion ends with Tyrion murdering Tywin.  This has been building since the introduction of Tywin's character. All the way back to Season 1 when Tywin was introduced; Tyrion told Shae a story about how Tywin hired a prostitute to trick him and he fell for it.  This episode ends with the final resolution to that story; after Tyrion strangles Shae when he finds her in Tywin's bed.  A tremendous moment for Tyrion, the Lannister family and the world of Westeros.

Season 4 has been great, so great I have a hard time believing that 10 episodes have gone by.  A lot happened this year; which is crazy to think about how it only covers half of a book.  Starting with Joffrey's wedding in episode 2, every episode has had a major plot development or driving action.   This finale is no exception.  "The Children" leaves us wanting more Game of Thrones than any other of the season finales to date.

Grade: 9.5

Notes:

- At 66 minutes, the longest Game of Thrones episode to date.

- We start off with Jon Snow walking like a badass.  Then toasting with Mance, like badasses.

- Out of the mist, Stannis and Davos whaaaaaa.

- Everyone get ready for a Frankenstein's monster version of the Mountain.

- Rebelling against her father gets Cersei horny for her brother.

- What kind of braid is Daenerys wearing? It looks cool.

- Daenerys needs to go see How to Train Your Dragon 1 and 2.

- Ygritte, bringing new meaning to the term "fiery redhead".

- NOOooooo Jojen.

- "You can shit later there's people coming".

- Brienne vs the Hound, didn't want any of them to die.  Brutal fight.

- Jamie and Tyrion's bro hug.  The feels.

- Wrong time for Shae to be in Tywin's bed.  He really did love her.

- Tywin dies unceremoniously on the toilet, at Tyrion's hands.  Happy Father's day Tywin.

- Vary hears the bells and proceeds to get the f*** out of there.

- Arya sails into Season 5.

Editor's note:  Another year has gone by.  Thanks to everyone who read these reviews an/or discussed the show with me.  Even those who complained to me about my review being a day late (in 2 instances this year) haha =P.  Watching Game of Thrones with you all has made it a much funner, more enriching experience <3  Bring on Season 5!

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 9: "The Watchers on the Wall" (Spoilers included)

Better late than never right?  Had a long drive from SoCal last night and I felt like I couldn't do this episode justice half asleep (I knocked out in front of my computer after a nice relaxing shower without realizing it).  Anyway, enough with the excuses, on with the show!

So this episode feels almost like a Game of Thrones movie; where the main characters are Jon Snow and Sam.  I like that it focuses solely on one story; its a nice change of pace for the show (especially after the savagery and bleakness of last week's episode; I'm not too excited to go back to King's Landing).  It reminds me of Season 2's Blackwater (one of my favorite GoT episodes) as well as The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, as weird as that sounds.  As an action oriented episode; it delivers.  We finally get to see some of the Knight's Watch face off against the Wildlings, giants included.  My only complaint is that I never felt like Jon or Sam's lives were at risk.  Instead, we get to know some minor characters for a brief second before they are killed off.  The emotional highlight was definitely Ygritte's death.  Her hesitation to kill Jon is what basically killed her.  Aww.  I will miss her <3

Grade: 9.0

• We open to Jon Snow and Sam having a bro moment.
• Sam asks Jon how big Ygritte's feet are.
• Ygritte, the fiery redhead. Rawrr.
• Sam finally kisses Gilley :D
• Giants! Riding mammoths!
• Even though I don't like Alliser Thorne; he is a pretty brave and skilled warrior.
• Jon Snow springs into action like a badass and/or Link from Zelda.
• Go wolf!
• It's hammer time!
• Jon still smiles when he sees Ygritte.
• NNOOOOOOOOOOO YGRITTE WHYYYYY NOOOO
• That scythe though.
• Jon Snow is the Jason Bourne/Ethan Hunt/Solid Snake of Westeros.

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 8: "The Mountain and the Viper" (Spoilers included)

After two weeks of waiting, episode 8 is finally here. More importantly, the Red Viper vs. the Mountain is finally here.  This is the most Game of Thrones has ever emphasized a 1 vs. 1 battle, the culmination of events that started in episode 2 of this season.  Does it live up to expectations?  Honestly, I don't know.  I'm pretty disturbed.  I don' t know how to rate this episode.  I will try though.

So what happened before the battle?  The wildlings continue their violent raids; but luckily Ygritte is the one that comes upon Gilley.  Ramsay and Roose share a Lion King moment.  Grey Worm and Missandei realize they have the hots for each other; and sadly it's revealed that Jorah was once spying for Varys.  Sansa and Littlefinger cover their stories and reveal their motivations.  All of this stuff was pretty solid but nothing spectacular.  Then the battle happens and it would've been pretty awesome if Oberyn won; but he didn't.  His death is brutal; made worse by the man who killed and raped his sister.  If I was biased; I would give the episode a 1.0 for the letdown of the battle and the fact that we won't see Oberyn anymore.  However, the episode was successful in advancing some plot points and gave us a shocker of an ending.

Grade: 8.5

• Episodes starts off with the confirmation that Sam left Gilley in the most dangerous and sleazy town possible.
• "I should never have left her there" -Sam. Duhhh.
• Grey Word checking out translator chick, do you blame him..
• Daenerys and Missandei have both wondered about the Unsullied's junk.
• "I'm glad you saw me." "So am I". Their flirting is so classy.
• The ever-increasing craziness of Theon/Reek and Ramsay.
• That jump cut of the guy who thought he was going to live, then what they did to him after, that's some cold stuff Theon.
• Littlefinger looks horny during Sansa's fake confession.
• About time someone mentioned the awkward breastfeeding; its Lhya's legacy.
• Jorah was originally spying on Daenerys for Varys, whaaaa.
• So Ramsay's having the best day ever.
• "You're not a child any longer".  Littlefinger getting his creep on.
• Jamie cant think of a name for when he killed his cousin.  I suggest cousincide.
• Oberyn: "Size does not matter when you're flat on your back".  Tyrion: "Thank the Gods.."
• Tywin cut Aemon's speech short.
• I watched the last 10 minutes in nervousness, for the worst to happen.
• Oberyn's death was nasty and graphic, made worse by the fact that he was an awesome character.
• I feel sick again, that Game of Thrones feeling that I hadn't had since the Red Wedding.

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 7: "Mockingbird" (Spoilers included)

An episode built around one on one conversations; that is exciting as hell.  This may be one of my favorite Game of Thrones episodes for the quality of character depth that is explored.  Although the tone of episode is still, the stillness is used to look deeper into Tyrion, the Hound, Oberyn, Sansa and Littlefinger.

With Tyrion, we get to see why Jamie can’t help him, why Bronn won’t help him, and why, surprisingly, Oberyn wants to help him.  The story Oberyn tells Tyrion about visiting him as a baby is harsh and noticeably cuts Tyrion deep.  Cersei has wanted him to die her whole life; a fact of Tyrion’s existence.  Character moments such as this one, the Hound’s childhood burning and Littlefinger’s story of unrequited love are what makes this episode an instant classic.

Grade: 9.5/10

Notes:

• “You can kill a king, lose your hand, fuck your own sister, you’ll always be the golden son.”
• We wanted to see Ser Merran die too Tyrion…
• Ser Gregor looks like a wrestler.
• That mercy killing was strangely poetic.
• Arya, cold blooded and badass.  She doesn’t even look phased.
• Bronn is going to start scheming his way into a family inheritance.
• End of the bromance.
• Daenerys liked what she saw.
• Poor Jorah, life in the #friendzone is all pain, especially with Daenerys’s dress the morning after.
• The most vulnerable we’ve ever seen the Hound.
• Hot pie! #dontgiveuponthegravy
• Oberyn will be Tyrion’s champion, I wanted to applaud.
• Robyn creeps me out, especially his fascination with making bad men fly.
• Littlefinger says that he could’ve been Sansa’s father, then kisses Sansa.
• I figured Littlefinger was going to do that, still shocked to see him do it.

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 6: "The Laws of God and Men" (Spoilers included)

A Game of Thrones episode centered around the theme of justice.  Davos and Stannis try to use the idea of financial justice to get the bank of Bravos to back them.  Daenerys has difficulty dealing with justice in her new kingdom.  Is justice through judgement possible in the world of Westeros?  

Tyrion definitely doesn't think so; especiailly since Cersei and Tywin basiccally doomed him before he ever took the stand.  The last half of the episode, with Tyrion's trial, was clearly the stronger half of the episode.  At the end, Tyrion went from a broken man to full rage mode within realizing that Tywin had twisted the trial into a method of gaining control over Jaime.  Tywin's act of defiance and unwillingness to fall into his father's plan was the best part of the episode, followed by the Jaime's realization that his father had already predicted his offer before he offered it.  The mindgames!

Grade: 8.0

Notes:

• Bravos has the coolest looking statue: the soldier wielding the broken sword.  
• Even Stannis has to wait at the bank; he's just like us!
• Ramsay showing up at the battle with blood all over his chest smiling was maniacally amusing.
• Theon's sister is badass, too bad Theon is no more.
• "I believe the phrase 'Fuck the king' was uttered". Muhaha.
• Oberyn tried to have sex with an Unsullied, to his disappointment.
• Varys is coldhearted.
• Tyrion goes HAM.  Damn that was good.
• Trial by combat! *insert Mortal Kombat music here*

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 5: "First of His Name" (Spoilers included)

Finally, an episode where Jon Snow's storyline is the best.  It seems like its been a while since we last go to see him kick some ass and actually kill some people.  The ending is definitely the highlight, with the raid and the burning of Craster's Keep.  I didn't expect Jamie's handslayer guy to die, his infiltration of the Knight's Watch seems pretty pointless in retrospect.  Will the show ever let us see any of the Starks reunite?  (Besides the creepy Aunt reunion)  

Other than the raid, the rest of the episode is pretty static.  It's a lot of scenes of Cersei trying to be nice to everyone to help her out with the trial.  I miss Tyrion, who isn't featured in this episode and usually makes the King's Landing storyline a lot more entertaining.  Hopefully we'll check back in with him next episode with the trial brewing.  We're officially halfway into Season 4, so quick!

Grade: 7.5 (I was thinking 7.0 but decided to bump it up to 7.5 for that last kill)

Notes:

• We open to Cersei cockblocking Tommen and Margaery.
• It seems like Daenerys will never get to Westeros.
• Hey it's that creepy breastfeeding kid from Season 1 and his crazy mom.
• Did that kid just throw Littlefinger's gift down the hatch?
• Wow Littlefinger has done shadier things than I thought.  So he's the one that poisoned John Arryn..
• Sansa's aunt wasn't kidding about that sex screaming.
• The Hound is still on Arya's list.  He's right there Arya, he can hear you..
• Sansa's aunt got cray cray.
• Podrick's horse riding and rabbit cooking skills are the funnies.
• Arya's dance swordfighting is like ballet, I miss Syrio.
• Prince Oberyn has 8 daughters.
• The power of Hodor.
• "Lord Snow" *bow, readies both knives*
• Jon Snow did a fatality.

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 4: "Oathkeeper" (Spoilers included)

A Game of Thrones episode about love; in a very Game of Thrones way. In a nice scene between Greyworm and Missandei, we see both characters getting really into their reading lesson.  Too bad Greyworm is an Unsullied and has no penis; however they can still love each other emotionally.  It's not all about sex yo.  Next, we get every boy's fantasy of Margaery Tyrell sneaking into their bed in the middle of the night.  It's a sweet scene because of Tommen's innocence, he doesn't know what to talk about besides his cat.  And finally, we get Brienne saying goodbye to Jaime.  It's pretty easy to tell that Jaime means much more to her than she lets on.  Protecting Sansa is something she will gladly do for him.  

Around these unusually romantic scenes, we get some plot building and a possible convergence of the Jon Snow and Bran plotlines.   Hopefully that happens next week!

Grade: 8.0

Notes:

• Greyworm and Missandei seem like a cute couple.
• Did Daenerys win the war 8 minutes into the episode?  Well, that was quick.
• Cool looking shot of Daenerys under her new city and flag.
• Bronn's cheap shot muhaha.  That was for last episode...
• Littlefinger giving the Scarface speech, he wants "everything".
• Oleanna was good, very very good back in her heyday.
• Jaime's handslayer guy is infiltrating the Night's Watch?
• Tommen getting his first boner right before our very eyes.
• Ser Pounce!
• Joffrey threatened to skin Ser Pounce and mix his innards in Tommen's food.
• Jaime presents Brienne with her very own batsuit. And Podrick! Potential favorite new pairing.
• Hey its that orphan boy who's parents were murdered last episode.  He wants to practice fighting and be cool like Jon Snow.
• Skull wine though?
• I was scared they were going to kill Hodor.

Bonus:  All hail Ser Pounce.

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 3: "Breaker of Chains" (Spoilers included)

Following last week's events, everyone in Westeros seems to get horny.  Littlefinger gets horny for Sansa, Jamie gets inappropriately horny for Cersei, Sam refuses to get horny for Gilley, Tywin interrupts Oberyn's horniness and I'm pretty sure Daenerys gets horny when Daario kills that soldier.  Around all the sexual tension is a solid, albeit sometimes weird, episode that escalates the conflicts that are unfolding.  While Tyrion awaits trial, the Wildlings attack and Jon forms a counter strategy.  Meanwhile, Daenerys makes the first move in her war against another slave city. There's a lot happening, I can't believe its only episode 3 of this season.  

Rating: 8.5

Notes:

• First image is Joffrey's grim, morbid looking dead face, one more time.  
• Littlefinger in creeper mode with Sansa.  I guess after Catelyn rejected him a long time ago, he wants to go after her daughter? #creeper
• Speaking of creepy, those fake eyes on Joffrey's dead body.
• Tommen seems like a much better person than Joffrey.  Supposedly in the books, he has three pet cats he named himself: Ser Pounce, Boots and Lady Whiskers.
• "Your brother was not a wise king. Your brother was not a good king.  If he had been, perhaps he'll still be alive." Tywin straight to business after Joffrey's death.
• Jaime rapes Cersei in front of their dead child's corpse after talk about murdering their brother.  The hell?
• The Hound and Arya have terrible table manners.
• Sam's girl thinks the term "wildling" is sexy and dangerous.
• Ser Davos is hooked on phonics.
• Could Sam have taken Gilley to a shadier place, geez.
• "When it comes to love, I dont choose sides." -Oberyn.
• Podrick sneaks in contraband (food, attempted wine) for Tyrion, like a true homie. Farewell, there has never lived a more loyal squire.
• The wildling raid was brutal.  "I'm going to eat your dead mama".
• Daario, the badass.  The whole conversation that led to him being expedanble was pretty funny.
• Daenerys, breaker of chains.

Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 2: "The Lion and the Rose"

Did the biggest event this season happen in the second episode?  As far as Game of Thrones characters go, King Joffrey is the worst of the worst.  He is inexplicably evil, takes pleasure in pain and violence, and a straight up brat.  In a universe where almost every character is complex and shown multiple sides, Joffrey is the exception.  From episode 1, he was a character that everyone hated; with good reason.  Personally, I've been looking forward to see him die for a long time.  Now that ITS FINALLY HAPPENED, I think I'll miss his character in the show, as no one was as easily despisable as Joffrey.  This episode reminded us of that, and let him do what he does best (be awful; especially toward Tyrion) one last time.  He was the best representation of a character that was rotten to the soul in the Game of Thrones universe, which is no easy feat.  R.I.P. Joffrey, the best at being the worst.

Rating: 9.0

Notes:

The opening scene with Ramsay chasing the girl reminded me of The Hunger Games, especially with the line "If you make it out of the woods, you win!".

Ramsay found a girl as crazy as he is. 

Tyrion and Jamie have a good sibling relationship #bros

Joffrey does not like being gifted books, likes swords.

Tyrion uses the tough love approach, "You're a whore!".

Melisandre is back, the night is dark and full or terrors.

Bran is going too deep into inception.

Margaery has elaborate wedding hair.

Oberyn and Lorys were eyeing each other hard.

Jamie and Cersei each had their own scenes where they were defending their territories. That twincest connection/jealousy.

Oberyn with that smack talk.

Wow Joffrey's play.  And Tyrion, the cupbearer.  

Look, the pie!

Props to actor Jack Gleeson, he was perfect at playing Joffrey.

Game of Thrones Season 4 Episode 1: "Two Swords"

Finally, Season 4!  Once again, lets journey back into the world of Westeros.  

So what happened in this season premiere?  Many people will say "not much", as the episode kind of serves as a refresher to the show and what the characters are up to.  However, it was exciting to be spend time with all the main players and see where they are at.  Things have changed since the Red Wedding.  Jaime is back, but doesn't get the homecoming he expected and loses favor with both Cersei and Tywin.  Danerys' dragons are experiencing puberty.  Tyrion is still trying to handle his marriage with Sansa while Shae complains.  And Arya, oh Arya.  She gets vengeance and her own pony in that last scene, while turning into a stone cold killer.  In the break between Season 3 and Season 4, the characters' situations have deepened.

What surprises me most about "Two Swords" is how it accomplishes to not feel like it's starting off in the middle of a book (which it is).  The hour went by fast; it was over before I realized it.  Overall, a good season opener to lay the chess pieces back on the table.  

Rating: 8.0

Notes:

- I got chills during the opening credits again; happens every season premiere.

- Jaime looks like a different man clean shaven and with a new haircut.

- First nude scene this season: 12 minutes and 5 seconds in.

- The bastard, the whore and the procurer.

- Prince Oberyn turns straight men gay, then punks some Lannisters.

- Danerys and her dragons, a sight for sore eyes.

- "She wanted to have me executed, but I admired her".

- Shae is the worst part of the episode, I've gotten tired of her character.  That looks to be remedied.

- Golden hand Jaime looks like a Bond villain.

- Sam is better than Jon at reading.

- That Joffrey statue of him standing on a wolf; muhahaha.  I like his style.

- Best scene of the episode saved for last.

Game of Thrones Season 3 Episode 1: "Valar Dohaeris"

Finally, Game of Thrones is back. After all the waiting, the first episode of Season 3 comes and goes by in a heartbeat.  Couldn't you have given us a two episode season premiere HBO?  COULDNT YOU?!  Anyways, its just great to be back in this crazy world, there's really nothing else like it on tv or film right now.

The episode starts off with action North of the Wall with Jon Snow getting all The Departed.  His spy storyline is intriguing and a good way for us to find out whats going on with these Northerners.  At King's Landing, Tywin's presence seems to be bringing new dynamics to Tyrion, Cersei and Joffrey.  Tywin's speech to Tyrion was pretty harsh.  Davos is still alive? (I almost forgot who his character was for a moment).  Robb and Catelyn find Winterfell in ruins.  Danerys' storyline is almost already better than last season, with her interactions with the slave trader a highlight.  This was very much a season premiere episode in the sense that it catches us up to most of the characters and develops new story arcs.

My only complaint about the episode is that it seemed to be about setting up for things to happen, instead of things actually happening.  I have to remind myself that the best episodes of Season 1 and Season 2 usually came a few episodes in after things started getting rolling.  Ultimately, I'm excited Game of Thrones is back and it looks like there's a lot to look forward to, bring on the next episode!

Observations:

- No Arya, Bran or Jamie =[ It was probably a good idea to not to try to cram them in this episode though.

- I got giddy when the intro music started playing.  #nerdalert

- Giants are shy.  Who wouldve thunk it?

- First naked chick, exactly 12 minutes and 40 seconds into the season.  

- The slaver guy was not in a good mood to sell 8,000 slave soldiers.

Bonus:  Here's a picture of the actresses that play Arya, Catelyn and Sansa blowing bubbles at you.