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.

House of Cards: Season 2, Episodes 11-13

Season 2, Episode 11: 9.0

Teeheehee.  I knew something was going to happen with Meechum, I just didnt know what.  Frank and Claire were getting overly friendly with him in the last couple of episodes, offering him beer and toasting to him.  I speculated that it might be some kind of plot to get him to do something evil.  Maybe have him kill someone or to get him involved with some kind of political scandal?  Nope!  It turns out, they wanted him for a threesome, mostly for Frank I believe.  Some sexual healing.  Things got weird.  Deliciously weird.

-Some other stuff happened this episode.
-During questioning, Frank makes a Kim Kardashian jokes and gets everyone to laugh, except the main prosecutor.
-Stamper's addiction is Rachel.  She reminds him of booze.
-Frank fidgets when hes nervous.
-Tusk has a team of 8 attorneys.
-Remy protects Jackie when questioned by Tusk.  Love is complicated.
-Stamper looks confused and devastated when he sees Rachel with Lisa.
-Meechum is bad at cleaning up broken glass.
-Bow chicka bow wow.

Season 2, Episode 12: 8.0

The episode where Frank's endgame finally reveals itself.  He wants to incriminate the President by linking him to Tusk and Feng's illegal political schemes; thus making him eligible for impeachment.  Claire's job was to encourage marriage counseling, so that when the President is investigated, his marital issues and medication will destroy his public image.  Not bad of a strategy this time around, especially compared to the confusing mess that was Frank's plan with Russo in Season 1.  I like that the plan ultimately comes down to President Walker, Frank and Tusk and how they will incriminate each other.

-President Walker's marriage counselor is a G, would rather face contempt of court than to talk.
-President Walker admires Mayweather's tactics, precision, speed and counterpunch.
-Game on, for the first time ever, the President actually appears smart for once.
-Stamper goes into serial killer mode, popping up out of nowhere to help Lisa with her battery.  Suspicious much?
-Megan is bad at answering questions, good at getting flustered and caraazyyy.
-Major power reversal between the hacker and the FBI guy.  Also, dude's wife is cheating on him.
-Rachel and Lisa's break up scene was sad, hopefully they get back together.

Season 2, Episode 13: 8.5

A strong episode to end a great season.  Frank's manipulation pays off, with him successfully getting Tusk and President Walker to turn on each other.  My only issue with this episode extends more to the series in general.  Frank has had no worthy adversary; all of his gambles seem to pay off in his favor.  If President Walker went through with the letter, everything Frank had worked for would have been in vain.  Yet, I also understand the delicious appeal of the show is watching Frank manipulate and crush his adversaries.  At the end of the episode, Frank has finally done what he set out to do in Season 1, Episode 1.  The last scene in this episode was his victory lap, ending his relationship with President Walker on good terms and becoming the President of the United States.

-"I serve this nation, and this President.  Not myself"- Frank.  The antithesis of the show.
-President Walker is shown strategizing with Linda Vasquez, followed by scenes of Frank strategizing with Stamper and Grayson.  I'd take Team Frank/Stamper/Grayson any day, they're crazier and darker.  Much darker.  Even the lighting is darker in their strategy scenes.
-40 hours to make it happen.
-Jackie Sharp, impeachment crusader.  Getting points for not being Frank.
-Claire breaks down and cries from all the evil she's done.
-Dramatically, Frank and Tusk meet at an opera.
-Hacker guy is now the boss.
-Frank's letter, what is this?  The Notebook?
-Poor President Walker, he seemed like a good man.  Too oblivious and manipulated though.
-Was Stamper going to kill Rachel?
-Death by Rachel, we all saw it coming in some way or another.  R.I.P Stamper.
-Xander Feng is going to die.  His weird sex stuff went nowhere this season.  I guess every character on this show just has to have some weird sex thing.
-*knock knock*
-Thanks for reading everyone.  It's been fun, see you in Season 3!

House of Cards: Season 2, Episodes 9-10

Season 2, Episode 9: 8.5

House of Cards takes time to focus on two underdeveloped characters, with good results.  The episode takes a much needed break from Washington politics to deal with scandal.  The first one involves Claire and Adam, and brings back some of residue from their relationship in Season 1.  Claire destroys any feelings they might have had with each other by ruining Adam’s life to cover her story.  The other scandal involves Freddy, and his troubled background/ family.  Frank offers to help him, but at a distance.  Freddy refuses pridefully. 

The episode highlights two unintentional casualties in Frank and Claire’s lives.  Freddy and Adam are just victims of a war between Frank and Raymond Tusk.  When Freddy closes his restaurant and walks away, we get the worldview of a down on his luck ordinary man, a type of character we never see in House of Cards. 

-Directed by Jodie Foster.

-Episode starts off with Freddy killing a bug, hittin them weights, then burning the newspaper looking like a badass.

-Freddy gets some plot development besides being Frank’s chef?

-Claire did Adam wrong, she could’ve at least told him about their plan.

-“I’m the ceiling”, Stamper claiming his territory.

-Freddy goes out broke and in trouble, but like a G.

- "Do you think I’m a hypocrite? Well, you should”.  Frank sad and regretful, for once.

-Claire and Adam’s fallout is messy and nasty. 

-Tusk kills a bird, he’s terrible.

-Claire requests suffering.

Season 2, Episode 10: 8.0

This will be known as the episode where Meechum walks in on Frank watching porn.   Pretty random right?  Or is it… Maybe Frank planned that, he apparently can predict and plan everything.  Anyways, what else happened.  Claire and Jackie have a face off.  Stamper’s weird relationship with Rachel gets deeper; affecting his work.  A money trail with the casinos and China connects everybody, endangering everybody.  Things are heating up.  Bring on the final 3!

-Stamper spends time listening to Rachel read, then gets in trouble with Frank for slacking off.

-The previous episode reminded me of The Wire; so far this episode (pre-credits) reminds me of Die Hard.

-Meechum works overtime, as long as necessary.

-“You think you can just get me wet and I’ll spill everything?” Uhh, phrasing.

-Frank loathes sleep.

-This show goes through a lot of reporters.

-Stamper needs a bed time story, he’s distraught.

House of Cards: Season 2, Episodes 7-8

Season 2, Episode 7: 8.0

An interesting episode, in that it sees the professional relationship between Frank and President Walker becoming more personal.  I usually like to watch Frank take apart and slowly destroy his enemies, but I feel bad seeing Frank and Claire manipulate the Walkers.  President Walker seems like a good, honest man that happens to be easily manipulated (his wife is even more susceptible to this).  Seeing the Walkers open up and accept the Underwoods as friends when they clearly have a hidden agenda feels…dirty. 

-That political ad was pretty spot on.

-Frank got chewed out.

-“Maybe, mostly it’s the fucking ribs though.”

-That punching bag, Frank is a troll.

-Stamper, the ladies man.

-Grayson is a wildcard.

-The President sure looks like he enjoys playing with action figures.

-The First Lady is so easy manipulated.

-Connor is Joan’s ex husband on Mad Men.

-Retail BBQ Sauce?!

-“You know what I like about money?  I can stack it.”

-This show makes jogging look really dramatic.

Season 2, Episode 8: 7.5

The last couple of episodes have been pretty heavy on the political drama, with team journalism (Lucas and Co.) put out of commission.  The romantic subplot between Remy and Jackie is a poor non-Frank subplot and has started to get boring.  Luckily for this episode, things heat up at the end.  Rachel and Amy finally consummate their love; Feng ends his relationship with Tusk; and the Adam affair from last season is finally revealed.   

-That Native American guy sure didn’t like that picture of Andrew Jackson.

-Rachel makes coffee in her bra.

-The lady that Claire let go was impressed by Starbucks coffee.

-Uh oh, Remy and Jackie are about to go steady.

-The First Lady thinks Claire is her #bff.

-“The tip of your iceberg is melting Frank”, said smugly by Tusk.

-“Dogs are so predictable aren’t they?”

-Ribs on the flight back.

-Stamper smells Rachel’s sheets, creepily.

-The fight with Chief of Staff Linda Vasquez has been brewing since episode 1.

-Rachel <3 Amy? Yes, indeed.