Seasons two and three are up there as some of the best television ever. Honestly, both seasons are incredible. I meant to write about season two once I was done, but I could not stop watching and just burned through season three. I ended up not writing any notes during season two, haha. Fortunately, I remembered during the third season.
One thing I can say about season two: Blackwater was one of the greatest episodes ever. The battle was full of twists. Bronn firing the arrow that ignites the wildfire is a top ten moment in this show. But also, Pod saving Tyrion during the battle is an underrated moment in the episode.
Here are a few thoughts on S3:
-Jojen Reed easily has the best introduction. Just walks up to Bran and the gang, Summer is growling and snapping like he will attack, and then sniffs Jojen and walks away. Always trust the direwolves.
-Jon and Ygritte in the cave, probably the only moment in the entire show when Jon Snow is truly happy for a moment.
-Beric and the Hound’s sword fight. The flaming sword, the Hound’s fear, the close quarters, the way the camera moves around the room. Again, this is one of those excellent scenes that never really gets the mention in best moments of the series.
-I love the way Charles Dance just dominates every scene he is in, especially the few times he and Joffrey share the screen together. My favorite scene is when Joffrey wants to know why Tywin has not informed him of the Small Council matters. Jack Gleeson does such a great job of acting like a young kid, who is afraid of his grandfather, whereas when he deals with Cersei or Tyrion, he comes off as an arrogant prick. The best part is when Tywin walks up the dais to the throne, speaks to Joffrey, then turns to leave without being dismissed, but gives a quick turn to say “your grace.” Charles Dance says so much without saying a word.
-Speaking of great performances…no one ever mentions Richard Madden as Robb Stark. The King of the North has so many great moments. His love story with Talisa, his rage at his mother, the way he deals with Rickard Karstark. Madden is believable as this young lord, who becomes king, who has the nobility and wisdom to rule the entire North.
-My favorite moment of the show is probably when Daenerys takes control of the Unsullied. When she offers to buy them with one of her dragons, and the master constantly belittles her Valyrian, but then it turns out she understands him…oh yeah, that is an amazing moment.
-I still love how the Red Wedding is done. The book and show build the tension in similar, but very different ways. If I remember correctly, it is told from Catelyn’s POV in the book, and she is noticing all the out-of-place things (certain family members are missing, Roose wearing armor under his clothes, the band is terrible and playing too loud). The show has those things, but they build the tension with the music. The band is playing “The Rains of Castamere” and there are little things like the guard locking the doors, or Roose saying he does not drink because it dulls the senses.
There are so many moments in these two seasons that I did not even mention. But like I did last time, I want to think about a What If? The reason that Robb heads to the Twins is to try and apologize to Walder Frey for breaking his marriage pact. Robb wants to convince Lord Walder to join his side, which will help replace the numbers he lost when the Karstarks head north. What if instead of going to the Twins, Robb went to the Vale. The distance from Riverrun to the Eyrie is not much more than to the Twins. Yes, Lysa Arryn turned down Catelyn, but what if Robb showed up with a small entourage, her brother Edmure, as well as the Blackfish. Enough support to convince her to send her army with Robb to take Casterly Rock. Hell, Robb was a good diplomat, maybe he convinces her to send half her forces with him, and leave the rest to guard the Vale. Something fun to think about…how would Tywin respond to his home being attacked?
