By ALEX PECHA
Staff Writer
Full disclosure: I haven’t read the Song of Ice and Fire books. So I am one of those people who watches Game of Thrones without any book information. With that in mind, last season left me both amazed and exasperated. I didn’t know who to root for, with several of the most prominent characters now on the dead side.
So with this season starting up, I went in with an open mind. I wanted to see who was new, what was going on, and how they were going to handle what happened last season. After seeing the first episode, I can confidently say I have no idea where they’re going.
They did set the mood for the season really quickly, however. Before the opening credits, they show a character (I won’t spoil who) melting down the sword of a character who died previously, it’s a great visual metaphor and really pounds in the idea that things will never be the same.
Each character or character group (with the exception of Brann) gets a check-in for the start of the new season. Some characters get a few scenes, some get one, but everyone shows up for a short period. All of the characters are dealing with their personal ordeals from the last season, and it really feels like a breather episode with no real big surprises or build ups. Not that this is a bad thing; it allows the viewers to catch their breath with the characters and get comfortable with the series again.
The new episode also introduced a new character while catching you up on old ones. Oberyn Martell is introduced as a charming rogue from the south who’s representing a previously unseen (though mentioned) house in the Game of Thrones universe. The brief scenes he’s shown in manage to set up his motivation, personality, and background; it’s actually pretty impressive how they introduce Oberyn, while explaining him as a person and managing to keep your interest.
Besides him, there aren’t really any new additions to the cast yet. There’s a new tribe of wildings who show up briefly, but they don’t really do much, so it’s pretty much only Oberyn worth noting. Hopefully he actually lives for a reasonable amount time, unlike other characters in the show; I’d like to see more of him.
The actual writing and storytelling of the episode is top notch as always. It’s appropriately tense when rivals are talking and manages to always convey the mood it should. The stand out characters this episode are two of my favorite characters, Tyrion and Arya; the snarky dwarf and the tough noble daughter respectively. They both have great character moments, especially Arya who has a scene so awesome, I’d never forgive myself if I spoiled it.
We’re only one episode in, but I am geared and ready for where this season might bring us. There are some amazing possibilities with all of the characters and settings and I hope the series delivers as it always has.
I also hope someone finally kills Joffery before the fans raid the studio and do it themselves.
