Game of Thrones: episode one

Let me start by saying in all future reviews of Game of Thrones, I will not be calling Joffrey 'King Joffrey’. I will simply address him by name and not as holder of the crown. I refuse to recognise him as ruler of the seven kingdoms. His latest antics saying: "I saved the city. I won the war,” after he ran out on his troops last season has pretty much cemented his legacy as the most irritating person on television in a long time. In fact I think he is only rivalled by Pete Campbell in Mad Men.

With that being said, there is something weird about the pacing of Game of Thrones. This show can be so slow yet saturated with so many scenes you often forget where you started. Last Friday's premiere of season four managed to transition between humorous and sincere to unnerving, intense and violent. It set the tone for what is arguably going to be the most significant season in the series yet.

The title of the episode is Two swords, and is a reference to a pair of blades that are made from Valaryian steel taken from the Starks by Tywin Lannister. One of the swords is given to Jaime Lannister. This, I think, is the first time since GOT begun that I actually warmed up to Jaime. Often in the series, even when he is imprisoned, he comes across as a self-satisfied jerk. But the vulnerability he shows as he tries to train and use his remaining left hand to fight makes him surprisingly relatable. I am hoping that the writers explore more of this side of him and who knows he might even switch allegiances and turn his back on Cersei who spends this entire episode rejecting his advances. It’s infuriating, as she laments how he was not there for her. Duh, he was being held captive whilst you were busy running around in cashmere gowns in the royal house. What should he have done? Please Cersei, spare us your tales of suffering. 

Thankfully the episode also marked the debut of Dornish Prince Oberyn. A mysterious enemy of the Lannisters who visits the capital under the guise of coming to the royal wedding of Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell, but he makes it clear that he is intent on avenging his sister. He blames her death on the Lannisters. Although a slimy figure, he could prove useful in dethroning that unbearable Joffrey from the iron throne. The question is how will he do it and will he want to cease the crown as his own or simply align with someone else?

 

 

Let’s take a moment here to reflect on the sheer awesomeness that is Olena Tyrell, played by Diana Rigg. She, I think, is the first person to leave Tywin speechless as they talk about old times and the danger facing the crown. Her mixture of sarcasm, wisdom and indifference is just a marvel to watch and it ensures she steals every scene she is in. This episode is all about exposition and setting up narratives for the rest of the season. What makes it work so well however is the unpredictability of it all because anyone can do anything. Across the narrow sea, as the mother of dragons moves from city to city liberating slaves and building an army, she has some trouble of her own. Not least of which are her babies who are not babies anymore and are starting to show their wild side.

Mercenary Daario Naharis continues to win over Daenerys, not only because he is a great fighter and strategist, but because he is charming and un-phased by the fact that she has three dragons that could reduce him to ash in a second. What we have here ladies and gentlemen is the makings of a fiery love triangle. If Daenerys and Daario end up being together I am sure Sir Jorah Mormont will have a lot to say about that. He is clearly in love with her, and I hope this doesn't result in some broad emotional farce that delays the Khaleesi's journey to Westeros.

Lastly, this week marks the purple wedding, as Joffrey finally weds Margaery. I wish the happy couple all the best (not).

GOT, Mnet every Friday at 21:30