Monday 20 June 2011

TV: Game of Thrones Finale

For those of us following Game of Thrones, you will know that the season definitely ended off ... interesting. I've still yet to make up my mind on if the show's first season ended off as successful as it began, but I can say that the writers definitively tried to shake things up!

"I can't move, this armor is too heavy!"

Season One Finale Spoilers: You've Been Warned! 

As fans will remember, in the second to last episode of Game of Thrones titled "Baelor", our hero and apparent lead Ned Stark, played by Sean Bean (LoTR), was unexpectedly and gruesomely beheaded in a twist that only those who read the book could expect. This feat brought controversy left and right for the show, as many fans 
publicly protested the move; as can be seen from this hilariously 
accurate portrayal by Downfall's Hitler:


This brings us to the series finale"Fire and Blood", which, after watching, can be seen as an episode that's main goal is to set up all the plot lines for next season's story. If the next season was coming in September or October, I would have probably enjoyed this episode more then I believe I have, as opposed to its scheduled Spring 2012 release. This is because I felt that there was too much setting up taking place, and not enough closure on the major plot lines from the first season. 

As the writers are almost directly adapting the series from the books, they are forced to abide by the book's pacing, and because the book was written in a way that Book 1 (Season 1) and Book 2 (Season 2) should be considered simply part 1 and 2 of a much larger book, there are no conclusions at the end of book 1, and in turn, no real conclusions in the TV series.

"I can't hold off all this hate!"

I guess it comes with the turf, but because of this issue, I felt that the finale was one of the more weaker episodes in the first season. Joffrey bringing Sansa to see her father's head - We already know she's angry. Robb Stark learning of his father's death - definitely 
necessary but expected. The Lannister army retreating - Kind of a disappointment, you'd think there would be some sort of epic battle. The wise old man lord dude goes to the brothel and is really flexible - Rather not have seen that. 

I would say that there were three highlights in the episodes, that of Arya 'becoming' a boy to escape north, the Nightwatch going on the offensive, and finally the Drogo burning scene and the birth of the dragon brood.

"Check out my ride!"

All in all, a decent end to a great show. Hopefully the creators keep the quality up in the second season, and that the wait is not too long.

  • Do you watch the show?
  • If so, did you like the finale?
  • What did you think about Ned's death in the previous episode?
  • High expectations for the second season?
Let me know in the comments below!

29 comments:

  1. First of all: Like your blog. Keep up the good work.

    I gotta admit I'm not a frequent watcher of the show. I'm not really into fantasy and dragons. I'm rather the sitcom guy.

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  2. Very nice post, nice to see alot of effort put into it. Ive seen it on tv put ive never actually watched it. Seems like its pretty decent though. Ill check it out some time

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  3. Awesome post,
    keep it up!

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  4. I haven't watched the show, but it seems to be all the rage right now.

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  5. Hmmm, this has piqued my interest. I'll check out the show.

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  6. I say a succesful ending of season 1!

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  7. I've never seen the show. Good post though!

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  8. Who needs to watch t.v. when you can read about it. you make it even more interesting then the producers. keep up the great work and for the love of all things holy never stop.

    a3

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  9. Great show, the finale definitively lived up to my expectations.

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  10. i heard a lot of people disliked the finale. i haven't seen it yet so i can't say.

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  11. I've never seen this before, but it looks cool.

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  12. I love the show. I'm very satisfied with the series so far. I can't wait to see the second season!

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  13. Never really seen the show, but will check it out if I have time.

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  14. Never seen this before either, but it looks like I definitely need to check it out!

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  15. Never seen that TV show, I'll look into it.

    Love the those Hitler edits.

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  16. Going to start watching it tonight so skipped over the second half of your post.

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  17. I've heard such great things about this, i'll have to check it out sometime.

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  18. I haven't watched them yet but I'm planning a big marathon in summer vacation with my cousin! :D

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  19. Hey whats up? I'm about to shamelessly plug my corny blog featuring completely original comics about all sorts of things! From me complaining to me being melodramatic, you'll love some of it, I promise but can't guarantee

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  20. Never seen the show, but it looks pretty interesting. Great post!

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  21. I didn't see the show this season, but i saw commercials! Will definitely tune in next season.

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  22. Which character did Sean play in LOTR?

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  23. i've never seen it, but i'll sure give it a try!

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  24. If you keep posting about game of Thrones I am surely going to follow this!

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  25. that dragon thing ruined it all. I didn't read the books, but I hope the story will stay more realistic (like this first season, except finale)than fantasy.

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  26. I watched an episode, it seems pretty good definite good read

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