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.  

Archer: Season 4 Episode 1: “Fuque and Riffs”

Welcome back to the Danger Zone!  Archer returns in one of my favorite sequences the show has ever done.  Not only does the super meta opening incorporate Bob’s Burgers (the other show H. Jon Bejamin voices), but also includes a slick reference to A History of Violence.  It all ends in a glorious blood bath that starts off Season 4 with a bang.

The rest of the episode doesn’t quite live up to the opening, but is still pretty damn fun.  I forgot how much I missed all of the non-Archer characters in Archer until they started reappearing and adding to the craziness (Did anyone notice Krieger stuffing a piglet into his pocket?).  The plot of the opener made me question if I remembered everything that happened last season, but explained everything in the end.  As Archer starts to remember and recall the insanity of the past couple of seasons, so do we.  Let the mayhem continue.  Ostrich!

9/10

Girls: Season 2 Episode 1: "Its About Time"

So this year I planned on reviewing a couple of TV shows, they include: Archer, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones and Mad Men.  The one I was on the fence about is Girls.  Then last night, Lena Dunham won  Best Female Actress and Girls won Best Comedy Television show at the Golden Globes, the same night of it’s Season 2 premiere.  I guess it was the universe telling me I should include this show on my rotation.  Or not, who cares.  Anyways, here’s my thoughts on the Season 2 premiere.

The episode definitely felt like a season opener.  It seemed busy trying to catch up where all the characters left off and establishing where they are now, which is understandable.  Still it was entertaining and once the party rolls around, things start to get better.  Hannah is dating Donald Glover!? I like his work on Community and the rap group Childish Gambino, I hope he adds something to the show.  Their relationship looks promising.  Shoshanna is still weird but had my favorite scene of the night.  Marnie has an interesting encounter that turned out to be pretty funny.  Jessa shows up for a scene out of nowhere. 

Overall, a good opener. 

8/10