Happy New Year, fellow TV Sluts!
I hope you all had a wonderful non-denominational holiday season and rang in the new year in style. After the shit show that was 2014, I am certainly looking forward to 2015. Though the current television landscape is looking kind of...bleak, I guess is the best word? There's a lot of dark, gritty shows out there, but come on, give a girl a break.
ABC is certainly trying very hard to inject some humor and color into the Winter with its medieval musical comedy, Galavant. And yeah, you read that right. Medieval. Musical. Comedy.
I admit I did not have high hopes, and the eye rolling was mighty during the opening number. The "fractured fairy tale" thing seems kind of played out at this point...but dammit, Galavant ended up charming me completely by the end of the first episode. Mostly due to Timothy Omundson's delightful performance as the "evil" King Richard. Sure, he'll execute someone for overcooking the mutton and counts genocide as a hobby, but he really just wants his queen to love him. You can't fault a guy for that, right?
The plot starts off in your typical fairy tale cliche; Galavant is the brave, powerful knight whose lady love is kidnapped by King Richard. Galavant rides to her rescue...but (needle scratch moment), Madalena decides to marry the King and have guaranteed money, power, and you know, basic medical care. Feminism is all about women making the choices they want, right? Anyway, fast foward one year and Galavant is a drunk mess who has yet to get over being dumped by his one true love. His squire introduces him to a princess who is trying to rescue her parents from King Richard (or is she???) and off they all go on a quest. Wait, I mean a QUEST. During which there are ADVENTURES. And of course, lots of musical numbers, montages, and cameos. Yes, that's John Stamos cracking medieval Yo Momma jokes. Just go with it.
I think that's the best advice to give you before you start watching Galavant. Just go with it. Don't question it, don't wonder why ABC decided to make it, just enjoy it while it lasts. It's one of life's simple pleasures, like Kraft mac and cheese. Tastes ok, is less filling, but hits the spot on a cold winter evening.
Galavant is basically Spamalot meets The Princess Bride. It knows it's ridiculous, and while not all the jokes and songs are winners, there are enough that are to make it fun to watch. Check your brain and snark at the door, drink the Kool-Aid, and just enjoy the farce.
Galavant airs Sundays at 8:00PM on ABC. You can watch the first two episodes on the show's website.
Showing posts with label winter is coming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter is coming. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Friday, June 27, 2014
HBO Round-Up
**Spoilers for the season finale of Game of Thrones and season premiere of True Blood*
It seems to defy belief that the fourth season of Game of Thrones would end and nobody here at TV Sluts would comment on it. I mean, we commented on it to other people in our daily lives, but just not to you guys. Not because we don't love you, but because you would be surprised how hard it is to coordinate the schedules of several working adults to figure out a time when an online chat can take place.
So instead of a patented TV Sluts GOT chat, you'll just have to make do with little old me, sharing some thoughts.
First thought: WOW.
This season has been my favorite by far, and not just because we are into some real meaty plot stuff, but because it is also the season that has deviated the most from the books. Not in any real substantive way, but in some amazing character moments and relationships and yes, even some minor changes in the plot.
So despite having read all the books several times, I was still on the edge of my seat throughout the finale. Scenes like the Hound. vs. Brienne throw-down (not in the book) had me filled with anxiety because I had no idea what was going to happen! That must be how watching the entire show is for others. How do y'all take the pressure??
Even when I knew what was going to happen, such as the Tyrion--Shae--Tywin scene, everything was so well done and acted that I was peeking through my fingers because of the tension. Tywin Lannister, the most powerful person in Westeros, killed by his son on the shitter....oh, excuse me, the privy. Classic.
I don't want to go through and just rehash the finale with comments like "wasn't that cool?!?" because the whole thing was cool. This show just keeps getting better and better, and despite all the horror, death, and pain of the fourth season, they even managed to end on a hopeful note with Arya sailing off to a new life across the sea.
*cue "awwwwws" from the crowd*
....and as they say, out with the old and in with the new! With the conclusion of Game of Throne's most recent season, we get the premiere of True Blood's seventh and final season.
It seems like I might have been the only person who was excited for the True Blood premiere. Everybody I would ask "are you watching True Blood???" would look at me weird and respond with something along the lines of, "oh, I stopped watching X number of years ago." This saddens me, because I still find the show wildly entertaining. Silly, no doubt, but still entertaining.
The season premiere last Sunday followed a typical True Blood pattern. We started off with a bang, checked in with all the characters, laid the groundwork for the season to come, and had to make due with some meh plots.
There was no waiting for the action in the premiere; we opened the show right where we left off, with a horde of hepatitis V infested vampires attacking (and kidnapping and killing) many of the poor citizens of Bon Temps.
And then....we flash over to Tara's gross mother, who, in an astounding act of grace in last season's finale, finally "fed" and "nourished" her daughter by allowing Tara to drink her blood. And Tara's mother is weeping over a big pile of vampire goo that is....Tara. Yep, apparently Tara died. And off screen!
Though like I said...if she ends up coming back in some fashion, I definitely won't be surprised.
The episode set things up nicely for the season: all the show's most annoying characters are locked in the Fangtasia basement getting eaten one by one by the infected vampires. Sookie is still making stupid decisions (wandering off in a huff when she KNOWS there is a pack of evil vampires close by) but somehow still being awesome and banging Alcide so at least girlfriend has made one good choice. Jessica is quickly becoming one of my favorites through her bravery in protecting half-fairy Adilyn, Andy has shown some of the best character development in the last seven years of any character I can think of, Bill is....well nobody really cares about Bill, right? Except his book does sound like something I would TOTALLY read.
There are more characters and subplots then you can shake a stick at, but it seems like this year True Blood has finally hit upon a main story that affects everyone on the show and is driving everyone towards related goals. Except for one notable exception.
Pam spent the premiere wandering around "exotic foreign" backlot sets in her search for Erik. We haven't seen hide (and what a nice hide it is) nor hair of him since he burst into flames on the side of a Swedish mountain last year. I love that Pam is looking for him, especially after he released her from the maker bond, but dear god, I am already bored with this plot.
Bring Erik back. NOW.
But that one flaw aside, I am very excited for what the final season holds. I haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse books so have no idea how things end up there and no expectations or hopes for how things end up on the tv show. As always with True Blood, the best strategy is just to enjoy the ride. Silly as it may be.
It seems to defy belief that the fourth season of Game of Thrones would end and nobody here at TV Sluts would comment on it. I mean, we commented on it to other people in our daily lives, but just not to you guys. Not because we don't love you, but because you would be surprised how hard it is to coordinate the schedules of several working adults to figure out a time when an online chat can take place.
So instead of a patented TV Sluts GOT chat, you'll just have to make do with little old me, sharing some thoughts.
First thought: WOW.
This season has been my favorite by far, and not just because we are into some real meaty plot stuff, but because it is also the season that has deviated the most from the books. Not in any real substantive way, but in some amazing character moments and relationships and yes, even some minor changes in the plot.
Remember this guy from the book? YEAH, ME NEITHER.
So despite having read all the books several times, I was still on the edge of my seat throughout the finale. Scenes like the Hound. vs. Brienne throw-down (not in the book) had me filled with anxiety because I had no idea what was going to happen! That must be how watching the entire show is for others. How do y'all take the pressure??
Even when I knew what was going to happen, such as the Tyrion--Shae--Tywin scene, everything was so well done and acted that I was peeking through my fingers because of the tension. Tywin Lannister, the most powerful person in Westeros, killed by his son on the shitter....oh, excuse me, the privy. Classic.
"Lord Tywin Lannister, did not, in the end, shit gold."
I don't want to go through and just rehash the finale with comments like "wasn't that cool?!?" because the whole thing was cool. This show just keeps getting better and better, and despite all the horror, death, and pain of the fourth season, they even managed to end on a hopeful note with Arya sailing off to a new life across the sea.
*cue "awwwwws" from the crowd*
....and as they say, out with the old and in with the new! With the conclusion of Game of Throne's most recent season, we get the premiere of True Blood's seventh and final season.
It seems like I might have been the only person who was excited for the True Blood premiere. Everybody I would ask "are you watching True Blood???" would look at me weird and respond with something along the lines of, "oh, I stopped watching X number of years ago." This saddens me, because I still find the show wildly entertaining. Silly, no doubt, but still entertaining.
The season premiere last Sunday followed a typical True Blood pattern. We started off with a bang, checked in with all the characters, laid the groundwork for the season to come, and had to make due with some meh plots.
There was no waiting for the action in the premiere; we opened the show right where we left off, with a horde of hepatitis V infested vampires attacking (and kidnapping and killing) many of the poor citizens of Bon Temps.
And then....we flash over to Tara's gross mother, who, in an astounding act of grace in last season's finale, finally "fed" and "nourished" her daughter by allowing Tara to drink her blood. And Tara's mother is weeping over a big pile of vampire goo that is....Tara. Yep, apparently Tara died. And off screen!
Clean up in aisle 3.
Of course, I immediately call bullshit. No way True Blood is going to kill a major character without some more fanfare. But then I read this article by my favorite tv author, Jacob (who used to write amazing recaps for Television Without Pity). Jacob raises the most excellent point that the show has basically shit all over Tara's character since the second season, so Tara's potential death feels more likely. Sadly. Despite Tara's kind of...I dunno, uselessness? to the overall plot aside from being the person who wanders off and gets in trouble or yells at everyone a lot, I've always liked the character. Probably because the actress does such a great job, but still. Tara deserved better.
Though like I said...if she ends up coming back in some fashion, I definitely won't be surprised.
The episode set things up nicely for the season: all the show's most annoying characters are locked in the Fangtasia basement getting eaten one by one by the infected vampires. Sookie is still making stupid decisions (wandering off in a huff when she KNOWS there is a pack of evil vampires close by) but somehow still being awesome and banging Alcide so at least girlfriend has made one good choice. Jessica is quickly becoming one of my favorites through her bravery in protecting half-fairy Adilyn, Andy has shown some of the best character development in the last seven years of any character I can think of, Bill is....well nobody really cares about Bill, right? Except his book does sound like something I would TOTALLY read.
This is totally my next book club pick. My Mom is gonna love it.
There are more characters and subplots then you can shake a stick at, but it seems like this year True Blood has finally hit upon a main story that affects everyone on the show and is driving everyone towards related goals. Except for one notable exception.
Bring Erik back. NOW.
But that one flaw aside, I am very excited for what the final season holds. I haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse books so have no idea how things end up there and no expectations or hopes for how things end up on the tv show. As always with True Blood, the best strategy is just to enjoy the ride. Silly as it may be.
Erik is always starting fires. IN MY PANTS.
Monday, March 10, 2014
The White Queen
Starz has been making quite a name for itself with original programming lately. The channel first caught my eye with Spartacus, which I love, though it didn't impress me with it's take on Camelot (but I am thinking about revisiting that one on DVD).
I heard some good things about the limited run series, The White Queen, and decided to give it a try on Netflix. It initially aired in the BBC and on Starz last year. And it was....alright? I guess? I'm a big Tudor history fan, but was honestly a bit disappointed.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of the series, how about some background and a brief history lesson, mmkay? The White Queen is set during The War of the Roses, circa 1460s, when the great English houses York and Lancaster vied for the throne. When the series opens, Edward IV of House York is King...and he falls for Elizabeth Woodville, a widow of House Lancaster. Whoops! Not a good idea to marry a member of your enemy's house. Edward is kind of a bastard, but Elizabeth (and more so her mother) ain't no fools, and they see that banging the King is a pretty good way to get some serious power and property. So they're down with going to bat for the Yorks. A girl's gotta do and all that rot.
So, Elizabeth is the White Queen in this scenario--because the symbol of House York is a white rose. Got it? The problem with all this history is also a problem with the show. It's SUPER complicated. Everyone is related to everyone else (thanks, inbreeding!), but people constantly change sides in the war and everyone is a pasty white person so it's kind of hard to keep things straight in your head. I spent a good 4 episodes trying to figure out who certain characters were and where they stood in the game of thrones (see what I did there?).
Comparisons to the other medieval dramas on premium cable are inevitable. So let's just get right into it. Unlike Game of Thrones, The White Queen doesn't handle the complicated plots and shifting loyalties of its characters particularly well. Starz tried to make things a bit more mysterious by implying that Elizabeth, her Mom, and her daughters have some witchy abilities, but it never really committed to that idea one or the other. Basically, The White Queen doesn't go far enough with the politics, fantasy, or battle scenes to be as awesome as Game of Thrones, nor does it have the sexiness to pull off being a guilty pleasure like The Tudors. It's kind of stuck in the middle, mired in mediocrity.
Ok, that last point might have been a bit harsh, but at the end of the day, I can tell you The White Queen didn't do a great job holding my attention, and the narrative was split between too many potential queens to tell a cohesive story. I wasn't really rooting for any of the characters to succeed (even though I knew how things eventually turned out), though ostensibly Elizabeth should be the center of the story and the "heroine."
Still, I stuck with it until the end which means I must have found some of it intriguing. It's also a welcome change to see several women featured at the center of story and to drive the action through their choices and machinations. I think what was really lacking was a character who was smart enough to effectively manipulate the situations and people. There was a lot of reaction and not a lot of actual action.
In sum, if medieval dramas are your thing, stick with the shows that have done it better and give The White Queen a pass. Now we just need to see how DaVinci's Demons and Black Sails shake out...
I heard some good things about the limited run series, The White Queen, and decided to give it a try on Netflix. It initially aired in the BBC and on Starz last year. And it was....alright? I guess? I'm a big Tudor history fan, but was honestly a bit disappointed.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of the series, how about some background and a brief history lesson, mmkay? The White Queen is set during The War of the Roses, circa 1460s, when the great English houses York and Lancaster vied for the throne. When the series opens, Edward IV of House York is King...and he falls for Elizabeth Woodville, a widow of House Lancaster. Whoops! Not a good idea to marry a member of your enemy's house. Edward is kind of a bastard, but Elizabeth (and more so her mother) ain't no fools, and they see that banging the King is a pretty good way to get some serious power and property. So they're down with going to bat for the Yorks. A girl's gotta do and all that rot.
So, Elizabeth is the White Queen in this scenario--because the symbol of House York is a white rose. Got it? The problem with all this history is also a problem with the show. It's SUPER complicated. Everyone is related to everyone else (thanks, inbreeding!), but people constantly change sides in the war and everyone is a pasty white person so it's kind of hard to keep things straight in your head. I spent a good 4 episodes trying to figure out who certain characters were and where they stood in the game of thrones (see what I did there?).
Comparisons to the other medieval dramas on premium cable are inevitable. So let's just get right into it. Unlike Game of Thrones, The White Queen doesn't handle the complicated plots and shifting loyalties of its characters particularly well. Starz tried to make things a bit more mysterious by implying that Elizabeth, her Mom, and her daughters have some witchy abilities, but it never really committed to that idea one or the other. Basically, The White Queen doesn't go far enough with the politics, fantasy, or battle scenes to be as awesome as Game of Thrones, nor does it have the sexiness to pull off being a guilty pleasure like The Tudors. It's kind of stuck in the middle, mired in mediocrity.
Ok, that last point might have been a bit harsh, but at the end of the day, I can tell you The White Queen didn't do a great job holding my attention, and the narrative was split between too many potential queens to tell a cohesive story. I wasn't really rooting for any of the characters to succeed (even though I knew how things eventually turned out), though ostensibly Elizabeth should be the center of the story and the "heroine."
Still, I stuck with it until the end which means I must have found some of it intriguing. It's also a welcome change to see several women featured at the center of story and to drive the action through their choices and machinations. I think what was really lacking was a character who was smart enough to effectively manipulate the situations and people. There was a lot of reaction and not a lot of actual action.
In sum, if medieval dramas are your thing, stick with the shows that have done it better and give The White Queen a pass. Now we just need to see how DaVinci's Demons and Black Sails shake out...
Saturday, June 15, 2013
The Great White Targaryen
Hello, readers!
Clovis here. Because we got such a great reaction from our conversation about the
Game of Thrones episode “The Rains of
Castamere”, Maggie Cats and I are reprising our conversation for this week’s
season finale, “Mhysa”. In it, we discuss the continued fallout from the Red
Wedding, King Joffrey’s umpteen millionth temper tantrum, Arya Stark’s
ongoing journey into badassery, and the uncomfortable racial politics of Daenerys
Targaryen’s quest to liberate all of the people who are darker-skinned than she
is.
It should go
without saying that there are major spoilers ahead and you should not read if
you haven’t already watched the final episodes of this season, or if spoilers
are just not a thing that you worry your pretty head about. Spoilers from the
books are completely absent, however, as I haven’t read them either.
Do enjoy!
Maggie Cats: It pains me to admit it,
but I was underwhelmed by the finale. I feel bad saying that, since coming off
the events of the Rains of Castamere how could it be anything BUT a bit underwhelming.
Clovis: I'm inclined to agree. That
could partially be because of the hugeness of the Red Wedding, but it just felt
a little too much like a coda.
Maggie
Cats: It felt like a season premiere. Instead of some
journey's end...it felt like a bunch of journeys’ beginnings.
Clovis: I
kept thinking that the season should have ended with that horrible shot of Cat
dying and then this would have been an appropriate re-introduction.
Maggie
Cats: Exactly. I guess there were other characters that had
things going on after the Red Wedding that they wanted to get to in a
finale...but can you imagine if the image of Cat dying had been the last thing
you saw for a year?
Clovis: It
would have been EPIC. That said, however, I really liked the opening scene.
Seeing the carnage still going on was a really good way of keeping the impact
of the deaths strong. I also had a seriously sick-to-my-stomach reaction seeing
that they had defiled Robb's body the way they did.
Maggie
Cats: Definitely. That's from the books, and I was wondering if
they were going to go there. As a non-book reader, was it clear to you it was
Robb's body?
Clovis: Oh
yeah. The wolf's head really did what it was supposed to do. Also, for people
like me for whom the wolves remind me of my family dog, it was doubly
heart-breaking. Lay off the Direwolves, people!
Human slaughter is one thing, but puppy murder is a bridge too
far!
Maggie
Cats: The way you could see the strings/thread holding it on was
SICK. But in more lighthearted news, it's nice to see Arya has picked up a
sidekick in the Hound. Bron and Tyrion as the wacky sitcom couple is sooooo
2012. This year it's the Arya and Clegane show!
Clovis:
I kind of want Arya and the Hound in a spin-off series all to themselves. Like
an 80s buddy cop movie.
Maggie
Cats: You want EVERYTHING to be a 80s buddy cop movie.
Clovis: It's
true. I'm willing to die on that hill.
Maggie
Cats: I think you watched too much Lethal Weapon.
Clovis: Also
guilty as charged. But in either case, I really liked the Arya gets stabby
scene.
Maggie
Cats: Yes. I mean, the audience knows she is a total BAMF, but
this was kind of the Hound's first time seeing was she can actually do.
Clovis: I
loved that the Hound's reaction wasn't "dude, don't kill people." but
"dude, let me know when you're going to do this next time, mkay?"
Maggie
Cats: Well, he can't really throw stones on the whole "not
killing people” thing. He is good sidekick material for her.
Clovis: Exactly.
And he's definitely building a grudging respect for her.
Maggie
Cats: I don't really remember too well where their story is
going, so I hope the writers give us some more moment like that. I love how all
these people are like Arya's mortal enemies (like Tywin) but then they meet her
and are like, "dude, this kid is awesome." Arya would so be Facebook
friends with all the Lannisters.
Clovis: Can
I also say how much I loved her "this is the first man I've
killed..." qualifier, just moving right past that boy she killed a few
seasons ago.
Maggie
Cats: Yeah! She did a good job too with it. Go for the arteries.
Clovis: Definitely.
Sister don't play, you know?
"Make 'em pay... make 'em all pay..."
Maggie
Cats: What did you think about Bran meeting up with Sam? I
appreciated that they established right away that Sam knew exactly who he was. Sam
= smart.
Clovis: I
was actually really relieved with that - I get that the story is about how all
these people are being separated from each other, but it was nice to have a
couple of the storylines converge, even if just for a little bit. Basically I
felt like some of these characters have earned the right to meet back up with
their compatriots or at least hear, like Bran did, that they're still alive.
Maggie
Cats: Agreed. And I am glad that Sam hung on to the dragonglass.
It wasn't clear. And then he just started pulling it out of every pocket and I
was like, "ok, then."
Clovis: Yes!
I thought he dropped it back when he took out the White Walker and I was like,
"SAM! YOU LOVEABLE FOOL YOU!"
Maggie
Cats: Point of order: in the books, Sam kills the White Walker
(called "the others") in front of the Night's Watch guys. They dub
him Sam the Slayer. I kind of miss people calling him Slayer; he deserves
props.
Clovis: See,
I wish they could have kept that detail. Not to hate on Gilly, but she's not
exactly the most enthralling of travelling partners, you know?
Maggie
Cats: Ah, bless. She is not the sharpest tool in the shed. And
you just KNEW Sam would fall for the first woman to ever talk to him.
Clovis: Oh
totally, bless his heart. I did seriously LOL at Sam being all, "hey, my
vows are intact - it's not my kid" and then Gilly is like, "I named
him Sam!" <facepalm>
Maggie
Cats: STFU Gilly! You are Not. Helping.
"Sorry if my joy at being free from a life of constant rape and repression has me caring a little less about you saving face in front of your boss."
Clovis: I
didn't realize that the Maester they were talking to was actually a Targaryen!
I think I saw that on the added features when I was watching the episode. I
liked how that connected, though.
Maggie
Cats: I feel that they was mentioned way back in the first season
when Jon was talking to him. But yes, he is actually the last man of the Dragon
line. It was a conversation about how you have to give up all ties when you
join the Watch. And he chose to not get involved in the war when Robert
overthrew the Targareyns. When Jon was all, "they killed my Father,
RAWR!"
Clovis: Ahhh,
gotcha. Still, good world-building, you know?
Maggie
Cats: If there is one thing Song of Ice and Fire is good at....is
world-building. And killing people. Often at the same time!
Clovis: Speaking
of which (on both counts) can we talk Dany for a second?
Maggie
Cats: Oh, you mean her 5 seconds of screen time?
Clovis: In
fairness, it was an impressive five seconds. She can literally be like, "Nuthin.
Was on screen for two minutes. Freed an entire cadre of slaves. U?"
Maggie
Cats: I dunno, it seemed a little to "the great white
hope" to me. It comes directly from the books, but the visual rubbed me
the wrong way.
Clovis: THANK
YOU! That's where I was going with this.
Maggie
Cats: It all makes sense, the people live in the desert so of
course they are browner and she is all pale and silver...but still. The picture
of it was a little squicky.
Clovis: Exactly.
And there's been some rumbling around the corners of the interwebs to that
exact effect. Here's
a good example. Short version, the author argues that Dany's entire
"White Woman of Privilege Leads the Savages Out of Darkness" is
really, really discomforting.
Maggie
Cats: True. But on the other hand...and god, I hope this does
not come off as racist....if you look at our world, and if you are dealing with
a nomadic tribal people who live in the desert...I mean, how else are we
supposed to make them look? I think the problem is that you establish Westeros
as a land full of white people, when we move the action to another land...what
are you supposed to do to differentiate?
Clovis: That's
why this vein of discussion about Dany's story and the GoT world in general is
interesting to me - one of the counterpoints to that article is that the
Dothraki are not depicted as brutes and savages, but are shown to have culture,
society, character. Contrast that to the great pains they take to show that the
white European stand-ins are arguably way more barbaric in their actions in
Westeros and it makes for a confounding argument. Likewise, as some of the
commentators pointed out, the Wildlings are wholly described as barbaric and
uncivilized...and universally white.
Maggie
Cats: Tywin Lannister and Joffrey are basically the most
horrible people in the story. And they are white as the day is long.
Clovis: I'm
personally reserving judgment on the racial politics of the show (and books)
until they're done. It's hard to argue one way or another about the author's or
filmmakers' intentions until you know the whole story.
Maggie
Cats: I think we're all just bringing our own bullshit to the
story.
Clovis: Yeah,
agreed.
Maggie
Cats: The people arguing that the depiction of the Dothraki and
other peoples is racist...probably don't stop to think about how horrible the
white people are in the story. Is it racist to show the white people living in
a medieval feudal society? I mean, I don't know--I'm not advocating anything in
this discussion. Just that the image of the Dany as the great white hope struck
me as a viewer and was a bit discomforting.
Inside the GOP's wet dreams.
Clovis: Completely
agreed. It's hard to have a lot of medieval white people tropes. They didn't
make a lot of youtube videos back then.
Maggie
Cats: Oh, please, there are medieval white people tropes coming
out the ass of this show. The evil Queen, the innocent princess, the knight who
is a savage...But almost all fantasy is.
Clovis: Very
true. I stand corrected. I was thinking in terms of "embarrassing white
people tropes" of which there are many, just harder to nail down for the
time.
Maggie
Cats: How about white people dancing at a wedding? Or playing
basketball? Next season on Game of Thrones....
Clovis: EXACTLY! Of
course, white people did behave pretty badly at the last Westerosi wedding we
saw...
Maggie
Cats: HA! And there is another wedding coming up! Speaking of
Joffrey, that kid is OUT OF CONTROL. I think Tywin is starting to get actually
concerned. The day is coming when he is not going to go to his room when he is
told.
Clovis: How
much did you love the "the King is up past his bedtime" conversation?
Maggie
Cats: Um, it was AMAZEBALLS.
Clovis: The
dynamic between Joffrey and Tywin is so much fun to watch. Since Cersei is so
obviously incompetent at raising her own child.
Image courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.westeros.com
Maggie
Cats: I did love the little moment between her and Tyrion
though.
Clovis: Absolutely.
Just when I start to hate Cersei, she goes and throws in a glimmer of something
that makes her feel sympathetic, in this case honestly talking about how her
memories of a young Joffrey are the only things that keep her alive and that
even the cruel, adult version of her son can’t take that from her. Jesus, it
was just heart-breaking.
Maggie
Cats: That is one lonely bitch. The only person she has to talk
to is someone she loathes. Not that she doesn't bring it on herself, but
still. In the books you don't really get these kind of moments with her
character until Book 4, so I like that we are getting more of it in the show.
Clovis: She
needs a girlfriend to, like, get mani-pedis with or something. Too bad all the
women of King's Landing are terrified of her.
Maggie
Cats: Or she threatens to have horribly murdered. She might want
to work on her friendship style.
Clovis: Yeah,
she needs some life-coaching. Starting with "whatsay you not sleep with
your brother so much?"
Maggie
Cats: Arya should be her life coach! Wackiness ensues.
Clovis:
Although we all know Arya would be leading Cersei into some kind of Rube
Goldberg-ian trap to have her slaughtered terribly. Arya is probably not the
best person to be the guardian of Cersei's physical or emotional wellbeing.
Maggie
Cats: OK, fair enough. I can't wait to see how the Cersei/Jamie
dynamic has changed now. Too bad we have to wait AN ENTIRE YEAR.
Clovis: I
know. He's changed so much in the time he's gone, physically and emotionally. I
have to admit, I've been doing some background reading on Jaime and I've
developed more of a sympathetic eye for him. I feel like his entire life has
been about him basically doing the hard thing that no one else would do and
then just taking the shit that gets dolled out for it. I know it's not been in
the show as much, but reading about his role in basically preserving the city
of King's Landing when the Mad King wanted to burn the entire place to the
ground rather than let Robert have it goes a long way to explaining why Jaime
killed the king.
Maggie
Cats: Another great example of hidden depths. The people in
Westeros like to assign labels to people ("Kingslayer") but then it's
not always accurate or fair. But then you have to remember...he pushed Bran out
of a tower.
Clovis: Exactly.
Just when I start to like him a bit...
Maggie
Cats: I love the layers! Like a delicious parfait of incest and
bravery! I've said too much.
Clovis: So,
looking ahead to season four, can I make a few wild guesses about what I'd like
to see without any confirmation from those who have read the books? I have to
believe that we've got more character deaths coming and my sincere hope is that
they'll pair the deaths of people we like with maybe at least one or two that
we're ready to get rid of. That said, my money is on Shae and Littlefinger not
making it out of season four alive.
Maggie
Cats: Hmmmm. That's all you'll get from me.
Clovis: Varys
pretty much established that if Shae sticks around, she's going to cause
problems for Tyrion. That doesn't bode well, in my mind. Littlefinger seems to
me to be overplaying his hand, and so far whenever we've seen that, it doesn't
go well for the character in question.
Maggie
Cats: Do you think Tyrion was involved in the offer to get Shae
to leave town? She seemed to think he was. I would also just like to point out,
that stuff we don't know about Varys until book 5 was in the show from the very
beginning. And I think it was better for it.
Clovis: Varys
is such a manipulator, but one that has let slip that he does actually like and
respect Tyrion. I think he tried to get Shae out of town because he honestly
wants Tyrion alive and capable and thinks those two are together it won’t
happen.
Maggie
Cats: Mostly his motivation to protect the realm and his
contacts across the sea. I don't remember Varys trying to get Shae to leave
being the book, so I agree. Tyrion was not involved.
"Just because I'm a whore doesn't mean you can buy my love. Oh hey wait..."
Clovis: Another
point in my mind for Shae not being long for this world, there's sort of an
unwritten rule for this story, which is if something can go wrong to make
Tyrion's life worse, for God's sake let it happen. Shae dying would fit that
bill well.
Maggie
Cats: Awwww. Also, true. I wish you could see me, I am clapping
my hands in anticipation for you to see what is going to happen. The term
"fiendish glee" might be appropriate.
Clovis: So
aside from that, I have to hope that season four will bring us more of Arya
being awesome (no brainer, there), Bran continuing his vision quest and, please
God, more Margaery Tyrell (and her grandmother) being charmingly manipulative. Shall
we wrap this up with an eager eye to next season, then?
Maggie
Cats: Yes; despite the underwhelming finale, I am very excited
for where the story is going. So by that definition, it was successful. There
is some great stuff coming! I look forward to watching the internet explode
some more.
Clovis: Yeah,
me too. Certainly a lot to discuss.
And
with that, onward to season four, my good people! Coming…Spring of 2014. L <sad trombone>
Friday, June 07, 2013
It's a nice day for a red wedding.
A few days ago, I received the following text from my fellow TV Slut, Clovis:
In order to help Clovis cope with the trauma, we decided to have a therapy internet chat session to hash out the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Rains of Castamere. I've cleaned up the grammar and punctuation and edited some of the hour long dialogue, but for the most part, these are our stream of consciousness thoughts. Enjoy!
Me: I am super curious to hear about your reaction to the episode, so, Clovis: what did you think??
Clovis: Well, before we get too into the details, let me just say this: you and I are both fans of Joss Whedon, so if ever there were some people who are primed to accept horrible, painful deaths of beloved characters, I feel like we fit the bill.
Me: Excellent point. Hmm....that reminds me of something I saw on the internet (shares link):
Clovis: That said, this may have been one of the harshest character death episodes of tv show that i have ever seen.
Me: So which character death are you referring to? Robb? Cat?
Jason: Well, all of it really. It was kind of carnage!
Me: I remember when I read Storm of Swords, I literally had to put the book down and walk away and question whether the Red Wedding had really just happened. It was actually very similar to my response when Ned died in Game of Thrones.
Clovis: Similar to that death, this is not the cliff-hanger. In other words, two of your main characters are just removed and you still have to make it through a lot more story.
Me: But I give the show runners credit...there were enough changes to still make it extra horrifying for those who had read the book. Like Robb's wife getting stabbed IN THE BABY.
Clovis: OH MY GOD YES!
Me: I mean, I can see stabbing someone--that's just business. But stabbing IN THE BABY. That is some cold shit. Clearly Filch is still upset that someone petrified Mrs. Norris.
Clovis: I had a bad feeling the second they got all twee about what they were going to name it and didn't Robb want to teach young Ned Stark about the beauty of the world while riding around on sepia-toned horses or something, but OH MY GOD! Yes, that's exactly what he's pissed off about.
Me: I can just see the Instagram photos of baby Ned Stark now but NOPE. In the book, the wife (Jeyne) is not there nor is she pregnant....I believe but the pregnant part made it way worse.
Clovis: So this is just added spice on the part of the show to go right to our guts.
Me: Ha, guts I see what you did there.
Clovis: Though, I have to say the hardest part for me was Cat.
Me: Some people just can't catch a break and remember, she believes that almost all of her kids are dead at that point.
Clovis: I KNOW!
Me: A lot of people have a problem with Cat because of her treatment of Jon Snow, but I think she is an amazing character...she felt real--good people are often jerks.
Clovis: I agree!
Me: But that doesn't make her not a total badass.
Clovis: I like that she's complex; I like that she admits to herself that she couldn't love Jon Snow even though she knew it was her duty to do it. She gives herself some shit for that.
Me: Exactly, she is strong. I see a lot of her in Sansa actually (apparently so does Littlefinger).
Clovis Oh that's interesting. And yeah, that makes sense, given Littlefinger's obsession with Sansa. But to return to the scene of the crime for a moment...the thing is, I was worried that something was going to happen to Cat with they way they filmed her reactions during the wedding and the feast. I just had a sick feeling, because of all the Starks, she was the one who kept saying that Filch (whatever his name is here) was not going to be pleased and was going to make problems for Robb's impulsive decision. Cat was just sort of convinced that because she was a Tully, somehow they could maybe mitigate the damage or something.
Me: Yes, that entire scene was great at building up dread and then when she started noticing little things, and the slow drums started you knew shit was going to GO DOWN.
Clovis So when the arrows start coming out, at first she goes down, but then hauls herself back up LIKE A BOSS and tries to retake control. I went back and forth between thinking "okay, Cat's going to make it. I guess Robb will too?" to thinking "well, they can't just kill the wife - she's not THAT central of a character".
Then down goes Robb and the wife and I think for a minute that Cat will be left alive to just have to live with the misery and the actress gives that horrible, heart-breaking wail. And then, almost as an after-thought, her throat is just gone. Ugh.
Me: I don't think I can remember any other book or tv show that dispensed with so many main characters at one time.
Clovis : RIGHT!!!!
Me: But that's why I love this series.
Clovis: That's what got me. NO one was safe.
Me: With the books first, and now the tv show, NOBODY IS SAFE and normal tropes don't hold true. I love being surprised, I hate guessing the end and you can NEVER do that here some people cannot handle that.
Jason: Definitely not. Also, how badly do you feel for Arya? I just feel like there's no amount of industrial strength therapy that is ever going to save Arya's poor sense of safety.
Me: Arya has ALL THE PTSD.
Clovis: She's going to be going into Westerosi POW camps when this whole thing is over and giving the war wounded shit for being pansies for only losing two legs or something.
Me: The Onion had a really funny article about the Red Wedding where even George RR Martin, was like, "Oh, shit! I totally forgot that happened!" I have to admit moments like this almost make me wish I hadn't read the books. I mean, I love them and they are fab and I had my own freak out when I first read Storm of Swords but I feel like there was this big collective event that happened on the HBO series and I now stand kind of outside it.
Clovis: You mean you feel that way right now, as the world freaks out over the show reacting to knowledge that you already had? I can see that. It's hard being an early adapter.
Me: But to know that it was coming had its own challenges. They really expanded Robb's role in the show and worked on breaking down and repairing his relationship with Cat . And then to know this was coming.... of course there was the question, "will they go through with it???" but I never really doubted.
Clovis: I do really like he structure of their relationship, especially this season. We got a really nice sense of how difficult Cat's decision to let Jaime go was and what that did to Robb's credibility. Watching them deteriorate only to have to build back up their relationship is right out of classic Greek tragedy, but that's why its so effective. It makes it hurt so much more to know that they were just starting to get back on good footing again.
Me: I also liked how we spent time with Robb mapping out his plan to take Castlery Rock. In fact, now I am like: "Wait! That was an awesome plan! I wanted to see Tywin's face!" I suppose they had to have a legit reason for him to return to the Twins and kiss Frey ass. So what's the overall lesson here?
Clovis: Aside from trust and love no one, ever?
Me: The lesson is Tywin Lannister is smarter than you. Walder Frey may have been morally bankrupt enough to actually kill these people...but this has Tywin written all over it. "The Lannisters send their regards" STAB.
Clovis: Oh totally - one of the nameless characters that I can't keep track of said something to that effect as he delivered the killing knife plunge into Robb's chest.
Me: Next time, just send a card, mkay? Oh, that guy was Roose Bolton! The flayed man is his sigel. His bastard son is the one torturing Theo. Actually I don't know if the show has made that clear, but I believe it has been referenced .I say bastard, meaning literally bastard.
Clovis: Oh that makes sense! I hadn't realized that, but once you put it in context...
Me: That's why that guy likes peeling off Theon's skin. And the Boltons are clearly all assholes.
Clovis: So, another theme to this episode, which is MASSIVELY echoed in the horrible final minutes, is the members of this fractured family getting SO CLOSE to being together only to be torn away. Again this also happened with Bran seeing Jon Snow fighting off the wildlings at the base of the tower. You could also argue that something similar, if smaller, is evident in Ygritte's reaction to Jon Snow running off once that fight is over - they were just getting close and now they're falling apart.
Me: Absolutely. This entire season has been about puzzle pieces slowly getting maneuvered into place. Oh, and we need to talk for a moment about Rickon actually getting speaking lines.
Clovis: I know! So proud of that little guy! It's almost like he had a character!
Me: Haha and he wasn't terrible, so bonus. Also: Bran is a super strong ward. Poor Hodor. STFU HODOR or, ok, I'll just possess you.
Clovis: I have to assume there's more to his story as this entire series goes on, but again I was struck with "wow, yet another Stark is being separated from his only family members."
Me: I almost see the land beyond the wall as Bran's underworld. You know, hero's journey and all that.
Clovis: That certainly sounds like it's what they're building to--all this business about needing to find the three-eyed raven certainly has a lot of that going on. Also, it should be clear that Martin, as you said, is always moving chess pieces on the board, so clearly Bran's story isn't a throw-away one.
Me: If I could get metaphysical for a moment, I wonder if the Stark kids are supposed to represent parts of a whole. Like Bran is the spirit ,Robb is the heart, Arya is the hand, and Sansa....is the uterus? I don't know, that's all anyone cares about with her. Oh, and Rickon is the pinky toe and Jon is the mole on the ass that nobody ever wanted.
Clovis: Theon is the raging case of herpes that was contracted in college.
Me: Some mistakes you can never live down. You spend the rest of your life disclosing to everyone about stupid Theon.
Clovis: What happens on the Iron Islands stays on the Iron Islands. Except for Theon. That comes back with you.
Me: And doesn't just burn your genitals, but your WHOLE DAMN CASTLE.
Clovis Yeah, your "house" is never really the same after that, is it?
Me: Nope what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except for Robb and Cat since they are way dead.
Clovis: So, should Jon Snow be getting worried that he's next?
Me: ....you shouldn't ask me things like that you know. This is when I make my nah nah face.
Clovis: That's true NO SPOILERS!!!
Me: Because I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I will remind you however that the name of the series is Song of Ice and Fire. So someone is ice and someone is fire, but who???
Clovis: That's what I've been guessing! I figured Ice and Fire had to be people, I mean, the easy answer would be that Jon Snow is Ice and Dany is Fire.
Me: Maybe they will get married. And rule the entire world.
Jason: But that could also be a red herring of some kind.
Me: Like communism.
Clovis: Sweet, dragon-y communism
Me: I am a Jon/Dany shipper. I need to look up some fanfic.
Clovis: There you go.
...and that pretty much ended the conversation. See you at the season finale, gentle readers!
UPDATE:
"OH HOLY JESUS JUST WATCHED GAME OF THRONES!!!"In case you couldn't tell, Clovis had just watched the Game of Thrones episode, The Rains of Castamere, where (SPOILER) lots of people die at a wedding. And by lots of people, I mean thousands of soldiers, a recurring character, and two major characters. Needless to say, this came as a bit of a shock for people who, like Clovis, are fans of the HBO series, but have never read the books. On the other hand, there are people like me who have been a fan of the books for a long time (with me it's been 11 years and counting) and have been waiting three seasons for this scene. Dubbed the "Red Wedding" in The Song of Ice and Fire series, it's as seminal an event to the books as the death of Ned Stark.
In order to help Clovis cope with the trauma, we decided to have a therapy internet chat session to hash out the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Rains of Castamere. I've cleaned up the grammar and punctuation and edited some of the hour long dialogue, but for the most part, these are our stream of consciousness thoughts. Enjoy!
Me: I am super curious to hear about your reaction to the episode, so, Clovis: what did you think??
Clovis: Well, before we get too into the details, let me just say this: you and I are both fans of Joss Whedon, so if ever there were some people who are primed to accept horrible, painful deaths of beloved characters, I feel like we fit the bill.
Me: Excellent point. Hmm....that reminds me of something I saw on the internet (shares link):
Clovis: That said, this may have been one of the harshest character death episodes of tv show that i have ever seen.
Me: So which character death are you referring to? Robb? Cat?
Jason: Well, all of it really. It was kind of carnage!
Me: I remember when I read Storm of Swords, I literally had to put the book down and walk away and question whether the Red Wedding had really just happened. It was actually very similar to my response when Ned died in Game of Thrones.
Clovis: Similar to that death, this is not the cliff-hanger. In other words, two of your main characters are just removed and you still have to make it through a lot more story.
Me: But I give the show runners credit...there were enough changes to still make it extra horrifying for those who had read the book. Like Robb's wife getting stabbed IN THE BABY.
Clovis: OH MY GOD YES!
Me: I mean, I can see stabbing someone--that's just business. But stabbing IN THE BABY. That is some cold shit. Clearly Filch is still upset that someone petrified Mrs. Norris.
Clovis: I had a bad feeling the second they got all twee about what they were going to name it and didn't Robb want to teach young Ned Stark about the beauty of the world while riding around on sepia-toned horses or something, but OH MY GOD! Yes, that's exactly what he's pissed off about.
Me: I can just see the Instagram photos of baby Ned Stark now but NOPE. In the book, the wife (Jeyne) is not there nor is she pregnant....I believe but the pregnant part made it way worse.
Clovis: So this is just added spice on the part of the show to go right to our guts.
Me: Ha, guts I see what you did there.
Clovis: Though, I have to say the hardest part for me was Cat.
Me: Some people just can't catch a break and remember, she believes that almost all of her kids are dead at that point.
Clovis: I KNOW!
Me: A lot of people have a problem with Cat because of her treatment of Jon Snow, but I think she is an amazing character...she felt real--good people are often jerks.
Clovis: I agree!
Me: But that doesn't make her not a total badass.
Clovis: I like that she's complex; I like that she admits to herself that she couldn't love Jon Snow even though she knew it was her duty to do it. She gives herself some shit for that.
Me: Exactly, she is strong. I see a lot of her in Sansa actually (apparently so does Littlefinger).
Clovis Oh that's interesting. And yeah, that makes sense, given Littlefinger's obsession with Sansa. But to return to the scene of the crime for a moment...the thing is, I was worried that something was going to happen to Cat with they way they filmed her reactions during the wedding and the feast. I just had a sick feeling, because of all the Starks, she was the one who kept saying that Filch (whatever his name is here) was not going to be pleased and was going to make problems for Robb's impulsive decision. Cat was just sort of convinced that because she was a Tully, somehow they could maybe mitigate the damage or something.
Me: Yes, that entire scene was great at building up dread and then when she started noticing little things, and the slow drums started you knew shit was going to GO DOWN.
Clovis So when the arrows start coming out, at first she goes down, but then hauls herself back up LIKE A BOSS and tries to retake control. I went back and forth between thinking "okay, Cat's going to make it. I guess Robb will too?" to thinking "well, they can't just kill the wife - she's not THAT central of a character".
Then down goes Robb and the wife and I think for a minute that Cat will be left alive to just have to live with the misery and the actress gives that horrible, heart-breaking wail. And then, almost as an after-thought, her throat is just gone. Ugh.
Me: I don't think I can remember any other book or tv show that dispensed with so many main characters at one time.
Clovis : RIGHT!!!!
Me: But that's why I love this series.
Clovis: That's what got me. NO one was safe.
Me: With the books first, and now the tv show, NOBODY IS SAFE and normal tropes don't hold true. I love being surprised, I hate guessing the end and you can NEVER do that here some people cannot handle that.
Jason: Definitely not. Also, how badly do you feel for Arya? I just feel like there's no amount of industrial strength therapy that is ever going to save Arya's poor sense of safety.
Me: Arya has ALL THE PTSD.
Clovis: She's going to be going into Westerosi POW camps when this whole thing is over and giving the war wounded shit for being pansies for only losing two legs or something.
Me: The Onion had a really funny article about the Red Wedding where even George RR Martin, was like, "Oh, shit! I totally forgot that happened!" I have to admit moments like this almost make me wish I hadn't read the books. I mean, I love them and they are fab and I had my own freak out when I first read Storm of Swords but I feel like there was this big collective event that happened on the HBO series and I now stand kind of outside it.
Clovis: You mean you feel that way right now, as the world freaks out over the show reacting to knowledge that you already had? I can see that. It's hard being an early adapter.
Me: But to know that it was coming had its own challenges. They really expanded Robb's role in the show and worked on breaking down and repairing his relationship with Cat . And then to know this was coming.... of course there was the question, "will they go through with it???" but I never really doubted.
Clovis: I do really like he structure of their relationship, especially this season. We got a really nice sense of how difficult Cat's decision to let Jaime go was and what that did to Robb's credibility. Watching them deteriorate only to have to build back up their relationship is right out of classic Greek tragedy, but that's why its so effective. It makes it hurt so much more to know that they were just starting to get back on good footing again.
Me: I also liked how we spent time with Robb mapping out his plan to take Castlery Rock. In fact, now I am like: "Wait! That was an awesome plan! I wanted to see Tywin's face!" I suppose they had to have a legit reason for him to return to the Twins and kiss Frey ass. So what's the overall lesson here?
Clovis: Aside from trust and love no one, ever?
Me: The lesson is Tywin Lannister is smarter than you. Walder Frey may have been morally bankrupt enough to actually kill these people...but this has Tywin written all over it. "The Lannisters send their regards" STAB.
Clovis: Oh totally - one of the nameless characters that I can't keep track of said something to that effect as he delivered the killing knife plunge into Robb's chest.
Me: Next time, just send a card, mkay? Oh, that guy was Roose Bolton! The flayed man is his sigel. His bastard son is the one torturing Theo. Actually I don't know if the show has made that clear, but I believe it has been referenced .I say bastard, meaning literally bastard.
Clovis: Oh that makes sense! I hadn't realized that, but once you put it in context...
Me: That's why that guy likes peeling off Theon's skin. And the Boltons are clearly all assholes.
Clovis: So, another theme to this episode, which is MASSIVELY echoed in the horrible final minutes, is the members of this fractured family getting SO CLOSE to being together only to be torn away. Again this also happened with Bran seeing Jon Snow fighting off the wildlings at the base of the tower. You could also argue that something similar, if smaller, is evident in Ygritte's reaction to Jon Snow running off once that fight is over - they were just getting close and now they're falling apart.
Me: Absolutely. This entire season has been about puzzle pieces slowly getting maneuvered into place. Oh, and we need to talk for a moment about Rickon actually getting speaking lines.
Clovis: I know! So proud of that little guy! It's almost like he had a character!
Me: Haha and he wasn't terrible, so bonus. Also: Bran is a super strong ward. Poor Hodor. STFU HODOR or, ok, I'll just possess you.
Clovis: I have to assume there's more to his story as this entire series goes on, but again I was struck with "wow, yet another Stark is being separated from his only family members."
Me: I almost see the land beyond the wall as Bran's underworld. You know, hero's journey and all that.
Clovis: That certainly sounds like it's what they're building to--all this business about needing to find the three-eyed raven certainly has a lot of that going on. Also, it should be clear that Martin, as you said, is always moving chess pieces on the board, so clearly Bran's story isn't a throw-away one.
Me: If I could get metaphysical for a moment, I wonder if the Stark kids are supposed to represent parts of a whole. Like Bran is the spirit ,Robb is the heart, Arya is the hand, and Sansa....is the uterus? I don't know, that's all anyone cares about with her. Oh, and Rickon is the pinky toe and Jon is the mole on the ass that nobody ever wanted.
Clovis: Theon is the raging case of herpes that was contracted in college.
Me: Some mistakes you can never live down. You spend the rest of your life disclosing to everyone about stupid Theon.
Clovis: What happens on the Iron Islands stays on the Iron Islands. Except for Theon. That comes back with you.
Me: And doesn't just burn your genitals, but your WHOLE DAMN CASTLE.
Clovis Yeah, your "house" is never really the same after that, is it?
Me: Nope what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except for Robb and Cat since they are way dead.
Clovis: So, should Jon Snow be getting worried that he's next?
Me: ....you shouldn't ask me things like that you know. This is when I make my nah nah face.
Clovis: That's true NO SPOILERS!!!
Me: Because I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I will remind you however that the name of the series is Song of Ice and Fire. So someone is ice and someone is fire, but who???
Clovis: That's what I've been guessing! I figured Ice and Fire had to be people, I mean, the easy answer would be that Jon Snow is Ice and Dany is Fire.
Me: Maybe they will get married. And rule the entire world.
Jason: But that could also be a red herring of some kind.
Me: Like communism.
Clovis: Sweet, dragon-y communism
Me: I am a Jon/Dany shipper. I need to look up some fanfic.
Clovis: There you go.
...and that pretty much ended the conversation. See you at the season finale, gentle readers!
UPDATE:
Monday, May 13, 2013
A Game of Gifs
Here's a new guest post from a long-time friend of mine...let's call him Outgoing Pete. Because his name is Pete and he is outgoing. See how that works? Anyway, Pete likes Game of Thrones and gifs. So he has scoured the internet to bring you some the best. Enjoy!
My feelings about Mondays are simple.
But not during Game of Thrones season. You see, Monday is the day when the internet blooms with all the tasty goodies from Sunday Night television. And the best of the best, the choicest of the choice are far and away the Game of Thrones gifs. (quasi spoilers below).
Take for example this gif from season 1.
Magnificent. Look how it captures the scolding look from Tyrion. I'd swear there are actually daggers emanating from his eyes. Look at the weakness that Joffrey expresses after being slapped. There are so many details, you can't hope to get it all in real time. And like fine wine it gets better with age. I love watching this more then when it first hit teh interwebs.
Here is another great example from this season. A mashup of GoT with the mic drop meme.
No comment necessary. See this is what makes Game of Thrones gifs the best. The show evokes a visceral reaction, and so do these gifs. I mean maybe I get some loathing from Mad Men, but that's about it. But in the spirit of competition I must admit that Mad Men has its moments.
Still in the category of "gifs where people just say their lines" Game of Thrones still reigns supreme. And that is how I get through Monday.
ps: And as far as the pronunciation of gif goes. "it's gif, not gif, that's peanut butter man."
My feelings about Mondays are simple.
But not during Game of Thrones season. You see, Monday is the day when the internet blooms with all the tasty goodies from Sunday Night television. And the best of the best, the choicest of the choice are far and away the Game of Thrones gifs. (quasi spoilers below).
Take for example this gif from season 1.
Here is another great example from this season. A mashup of GoT with the mic drop meme.
No comment necessary. See this is what makes Game of Thrones gifs the best. The show evokes a visceral reaction, and so do these gifs. I mean maybe I get some loathing from Mad Men, but that's about it. But in the spirit of competition I must admit that Mad Men has its moments.
Bam! You tell him Joan. (Joan is the best of all time -- Maggie Cats)
Still in the category of "gifs where people just say their lines" Game of Thrones still reigns supreme. And that is how I get through Monday.
ps: And as far as the pronunciation of gif goes. "it's gif, not gif, that's peanut butter man."
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Secret Boyfriend of the Week: Insert obligatory "Winter is Coming" double entendre here
He's young. He's handsome. He's King in the North. He's the one, the only....
ROBB STARK.
Robb has it tough. He was forced to take over as head of House Stark following the shocking death of his father. He then went to war in an attempt to win back his hostage sisters and ended up getting himself declared King. Don't you hate it when that happens? All you want to do is kick some Lannister ass and you end up proving yourself SO AWESOME that all the grizzled old soldiers around you start calling you King. Man, if I had a dollar for everytime...
Wait, where was I? Right, Robb Stark. I mean, just look at those curls. I ask you, what man has hair that perfect? I just want to run my fingers in it. And then yank on it really hard, but that part might be just me.
My point is that Robb Stark is very pretty. Sure, he may not be the brightest bulb, but he's got lots of other great qualities. A very developed sense of duty and honor. A brilliant strategic mind, despite his lack of actual battle experience (though we're working on that). And ok, he really screwed the pooch when he married that dull brown haired girl, but he's a young man with certain...urges.
Actually no, I can't defend that decision.
Because Robb gave his word. If you're a lying Lannister lion that might not mean much, but Robb is a STARK. And he gave. his. word. And then went and married the first pretty young thing that wandered into his path. And now I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen....
You know what they say. Winter is coming. And everyone has to pay the piper. Even Kings.
ROBB STARK.
(cue the sounds of fangirls everywhere shrieking, or more appropriately, baying like wolves)
Robb has it tough. He was forced to take over as head of House Stark following the shocking death of his father. He then went to war in an attempt to win back his hostage sisters and ended up getting himself declared King. Don't you hate it when that happens? All you want to do is kick some Lannister ass and you end up proving yourself SO AWESOME that all the grizzled old soldiers around you start calling you King. Man, if I had a dollar for everytime...
Wait, where was I? Right, Robb Stark. I mean, just look at those curls. I ask you, what man has hair that perfect? I just want to run my fingers in it. And then yank on it really hard, but that part might be just me.
My point is that Robb Stark is very pretty. Sure, he may not be the brightest bulb, but he's got lots of other great qualities. A very developed sense of duty and honor. A brilliant strategic mind, despite his lack of actual battle experience (though we're working on that). And ok, he really screwed the pooch when he married that dull brown haired girl, but he's a young man with certain...urges.Actually no, I can't defend that decision.
Because Robb gave his word. If you're a lying Lannister lion that might not mean much, but Robb is a STARK. And he gave. his. word. And then went and married the first pretty young thing that wandered into his path. And now I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen....
You know what they say. Winter is coming. And everyone has to pay the piper. Even Kings.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Do you prefer your zombies hot or cold?
Sunday night was a big night for geeks. In fact, it was kind of like the geek Superbowl. Over on AMC you had the third season finale of The Walking Dead and the long-promised show down between Rick and the Governor. And at the same exact time on HBO there was the third season premiere of Game of Thrones.
What's a girl to do?
Luckily I have a DVR so I wasn't forced to make any hard decisions. But I feel bad for those who aren't so lucky. Though let's be honest, if you have HBO you probably have some kind of digital television recording device.
In any event, it was definitely a "Hello, Goodbye" type of situation that unfortunately worked out way better for one show and not so great for the other. Let's start with the good stuff first!
Game of Thrones Season 3 Premiere
I feel like I could actually go back and just cut and paste from my review of the Second Season premiere. In fact....
[Valar Dohaeris] does what any good season premiere should--it establishes where the characters are, what they want, and what they are doing. Since last season, the many (many) characters in the Game of Thrones universe are scattered throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and Dany is still wandering across the sea (and don't expect that to change any time soon).Hmm...strikingly familiar, eh? Season 3 expands the Game of Throne's character base yet again--though this time it seems like we are seeing more familiar faces that have decided to come back around. Hey look, it's Salladhor Saan! And Barristan Selmy! These guys were very minor characters in the earlier seasons, so you're forgiven if when you saw them your reaction was more "huh?" rather than "DUN!" As someone who has read the books multiple times their reappearance wasn't a surprise to me, but I am sure that if I was just going by the tv show I would have had to do some interneting to try and remember just who the heck these guys were.
Despite the lack of substantial plot movement, the premiere was a solid episode. There was a lot to establish and a lot of characters to revisit, and once again the writers managed to make it all flow naturally without a "and now let's go check in on X character!" feeling. I won't recap where everyone is right now, but there is definitely a feeling of the more things change, the more they stay the same. Tyrion is still getting shit on by everyone in King's Landing, Tywin is still a total badass/jerkface, Cersei is still a cunthammer, Dany is STILL trying to find an army (side note--how creepy/badass are the Unsullied??), and Robb and his Mom are still wandering around looking for Lannisters to fight. Oh, and Margaery is still proving that she will be a major, if underestimated, player in the game of thrones.
In the book: has nose cut off.
In the show: rakishly handsome scar. Oh, television.
The only real advancement in plot occurred up North, where Jon Snow met with some of the new Season 3 characters, notably Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall. He's played by, "Hey! It's That Guy," Ciarán Hinds, who seems to have the mix of gravitas and charisma that the role requires. Not just anyone could unite the wildlings or impress Tormund Giantsbane. Or actual giants, for that matter. Did I mention the giants?
Speaking of the North, it was gratifying that Season 3 picked up right where Season 2 left off, with Sam running about in the snow after spotting the White Walker group headed for the camp of the Night's Watch. Seems like he missed the party, er, battle, but at least some of the Crows seem to have come through it ok. Though Lord Commander Mormont certainly gave him a talking to for not sending the messenger crows with word of the fight. Whoops! Sorry Sam, those 3 minutes are all you get this week!
God, I just want to put my hands into those curls....and pull on them REALLY HARD. Just me?
And that's kind of the big problem with Game of Thrones at this point. The subplots have become so numerous and the characters so far geographically from one another, that it feels like in each episode we are only sampling small pieces of a buffet rather than enjoying a full satisfying meal. Don't get me wrong--it's an embarrassment of riches really, since the show is gorgeous and wonderful. But right when you settle into a meaty scene, like between Tyrion and Tywin or Little Finger and Sansa, it's time to whisk away across the continent to visit someone else for 5 minutes. For goodness sake, we didn't even get a chance to see Arrya or Jamie Lannister in this episode.
After going through the Season 2 rewatch last week, it's clear that the best way to think about Game of Thrones is as a 10 hour movie or miniseries, rather than a 10 piece episodic tale. There's just way too much to enjoy in one hour of television. This of course makes the week break between episodes so maddening. Still, we play the cards we are dealt and if HBO leaves us salivating for each new episode....then I suppose they should consider raising a "Mission Accomplished" banner. Because THAT is the way to run a network.
The Walking Dead Season 3 Finale
Oh, for fuck's sake. Really? That's it?
What is it about this show? The first episodes of the season start so promisingly and then the wheels start spinning....and nothing seems to happen. We've spent the last 4 episodes sitting around talking about this big showdown between Woodbury and our prison folks...and then it lasts like 2 seconds and involves some kind of bait and switch where nothing really occurs.
Truth in advertising.
Sure, Andrea and Milton died. But was ANYONE really invested in Andrea at this point? She has made the most spectacularly poor decisions of anyone in pretty much any zombie apocalypse ever, so excuse me for not caring that she had to die. The ONLY reason her death actually matters to me at all is because of whatever effect is will have on Michonne (who is pretty much the only consistently awesome thing that got added to the show in Season 3).Alright, so I know I am engaging in a lot of hyperbole here. A shit ton of stuff actually happened in Season 3, including the deaths of many other characters (including Lori who was arguably the second "biggest" character after Rick), but what does it say about the show that it seems like nothing happened? Because it sure feels like this group of people has spent most of the zombie apocalypse sitting around chatting with each other. Add to that the growing number of inconsistencies (hilariously listed by Buzzfeed here), and the show has become more of a chore than a treat to watch.
I'm not saying I'm going to stop tuning in. There is always the promise that next season they'll get things right (though how many of us felt that way after Season 2)...and the show can still make me want to curl up in a little ball on my couch from tension and scariness. But. BUT. There's only so much a girl can take. Hopefully the writers will focus more on the good stuff from this season--like the evolution of minor characters like Carol and the expansion of the world the characters live in--rather than the bad. Because I'm not sure how much more chit chat I can take, or how much crazier they can make the governor. Stop beating it, that horse is dead.
Let's be honest. I'll keep watching as long as Daryl is alive and kicking. Any self-respecting Boondock Saints fan would do the same.
So, to recap. The season premiere of Game of Thrones left me practically chomping at the bit for the next episodes. But the season finale of The Walking Dead? Eh, I guess I'll continue watching when it comes back. And that pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Game of Thrones Season 2 Rewatch
The premiere date for the new season of Game of Thrones approaches....so that means it was time for a new Maggie Cats tradition: the Game of Thrones rewatch!
I started this tradition last year; invite a bunch of people over to my house, indulge in some themed crafts and baking, and run an entire season of HBO's Game of Thrones all day long to catch up before the new episodes start. The rules are simple: the first episode starts at 11 in the morning and we run them straight through, no breaks. People are free to come and go as they like, so there is usually a crowd throughout the day.
One of the things I love most about the rewatch (other than having a chance to cook some awesome themed snacks) is the mix of people. Some of us are big fans of the books, have read them all, and also really love the show. Others only track the show and have no idea of what lies in store for their favorite characters (mwahahahaha). And finally, there are always some noobs....who have no idea how the world of Game of Thrones works....or how truly fucked up some of the characters are.
"Oh my God! He really is as big a douchebag as the internet says he is!" --Monkey Sri, new to the show.
Running all the episodes back to back also is the best way to catch up. The story flows, you catch things you missed with a week break between episodes, and the season seems to fit together like a puzzle. Of course, it also means that some of the flaws become more obvious. Did Dany really do anything except wander around the desert and ask rich person after rich person for money? And "where are my dragons??" totally became the new "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaalt!"
But perhaps the slowest plotline was Jon Snow. There was a lot of tramping through the snow and snarking with Ygritte. Tramping. Snark. Tramping. Snark. Sure, we got some movement at the end of the season when he arrived at the camp of the King Beyond the Wall, but it was kind of a slog to get there.
So I am declaring this year's Game of Thrones rewatch a success! We ended up with probably about 20 people, 3 dogs, 50 chicken wings, and lots of other yummy treats. And I absolutely cannot WAIT until the season 3 premiere. There is so much great stuff coming up...and I don't just mean things from the third book, Storm of Swords. The changes that the writers have made to the story have been almost universally positive (remember all those awesome scenes with Arya and Tywin?). Which means I am super excited for the surprises that lie in store!
Oh, and here are the House Sandwiches that I "made." I used the heraldic banners from Inn at the Crossroads to indicate the types of sandwiches....and printed up a banquet menu. Example: House Targaryen was Spiced Italian. Because those Targaryens are certainly spicy.
I started this tradition last year; invite a bunch of people over to my house, indulge in some themed crafts and baking, and run an entire season of HBO's Game of Thrones all day long to catch up before the new episodes start. The rules are simple: the first episode starts at 11 in the morning and we run them straight through, no breaks. People are free to come and go as they like, so there is usually a crowd throughout the day.
One of the things I love most about the rewatch (other than having a chance to cook some awesome themed snacks) is the mix of people. Some of us are big fans of the books, have read them all, and also really love the show. Others only track the show and have no idea of what lies in store for their favorite characters (mwahahahaha). And finally, there are always some noobs....who have no idea how the world of Game of Thrones works....or how truly fucked up some of the characters are.
Running all the episodes back to back also is the best way to catch up. The story flows, you catch things you missed with a week break between episodes, and the season seems to fit together like a puzzle. Of course, it also means that some of the flaws become more obvious. Did Dany really do anything except wander around the desert and ask rich person after rich person for money? And "where are my dragons??" totally became the new "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaalt!"
But perhaps the slowest plotline was Jon Snow. There was a lot of tramping through the snow and snarking with Ygritte. Tramping. Snark. Tramping. Snark. Sure, we got some movement at the end of the season when he arrived at the camp of the King Beyond the Wall, but it was kind of a slog to get there.
"Sure, living in the wilderness is fun and all, but what I really want to do is take a typing correspondence course and become a secretary." That's a Downton Abbey joke in case you aren't in the know.
So I am declaring this year's Game of Thrones rewatch a success! We ended up with probably about 20 people, 3 dogs, 50 chicken wings, and lots of other yummy treats. And I absolutely cannot WAIT until the season 3 premiere. There is so much great stuff coming up...and I don't just mean things from the third book, Storm of Swords. The changes that the writers have made to the story have been almost universally positive (remember all those awesome scenes with Arya and Tywin?). Which means I am super excited for the surprises that lie in store!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Winter Hiatus
Top 5 reasons you know it must be winter hiatus in TVland:
1) The DVR reached 0% for the first time since...well, since the winter hiatus last year.
2) And then I promptly filled it up with sappy holiday movies from The Hallmark Movie Channel and ABC Family. In related news: I cannot wait to the watch The Mistle Tones, you guys.
3) My Netflix queue is getting whittled down...doesn't this seem like the perfect evening for a Sherlock rewatch? Though making Irene Adler a dominatrix makes me roll my eyes every time.
4) Most people get giddy for the upcoming holidays...I get giddy for the return of tv shows after the New Year like Justified, Merlin, Face Off, and yes, even Smash.
5) I couldn't come up with a fifth thing actually, but you can't have a list made up of only four items, right?
Newsflash: it's already here.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monster Mash: Update!
Remember that whole discussion about mashups and merges and whether or not it was all leading to the end of the world, televisionically speaking? Good times. Apparently your TV Sluts may have stumbled upon a nascent meme, because check out what I found floating about the funny papers today:
Evidently there's an entire universe of this stuff floating out there online. I'm tempted to offer this as possibly an updated (and less squicky) version of Rule 34: if it exists, there is a My Little Ponies/Game of Thrones mashup of it.
Ironically, this "friendship" doesn't end well for Brony Stark.
Evidently there's an entire universe of this stuff floating out there online. I'm tempted to offer this as possibly an updated (and less squicky) version of Rule 34: if it exists, there is a My Little Ponies/Game of Thrones mashup of it.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Coming
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Monster Mash
This past weekend, Monkey Sri and I were talking and the course of our conversation came around to something very closely resembling this exchange:
CLOVIS: Have you seen the cartoon that mocks the Game of Thrones scene where Daenerys eats a horse’s heart by combining it with My Little Pony?
MONKEY SRI: You are a horrible, heartless human being and I’m ashamed to be seen in public with you.
CLOVIS: …So, is that a no?
That may not have been a literal translation, but I assure you the subtext is accurate. By way of context, it’s fair to mention that Monkey Sri is a big fan of My Little Pony whereas I am, well, not. For my turn, while I wouldn’t describe myself as a huge fan of Game of Thrones, I have really enjoyed watching it and find it to be pretty close to the exact kind of television I enjoy watching whereas Monkey Sri may have a different perspective on the show. The point being that we were both approaching this horrific image from opposite sides of the appreciation gap and I think I bridged it a bit further than she did.
Laugh with me, fellow heartless humans!
But Monkey Sri’s distaste (Disgust? Revulsion? Abhorrence? Sri, please weigh in on how accurate or inaccurate my read on this is in the comments) got me thinking about a bigger issue. Shows have to put forth a lot of conscious effort to “manage the brand” of what they are. It’s the reason why some shows have product tie-ins and others don’t. It’s also at least part of the reason why producers are so careful to manage the promotional materials for their show so that the look and feel of it doesn’t get too altered. On the other hand, removing characters and putting them in new context can bring you attention you didn’t have before and it can allow you to appeal to viewers who may not have originally thought to give your show a chance. So with all those arguments, are television mashups like the one above a good or a bad?
Different from a crossover, where characters from two different properties interact in the same story for whatever reason, mashups involve purposefully putting characters in situations they wouldn’t, shouldn’t or couldn’t exist in. Basically imagine a Saturday Night Live sketch, only done by the actual show creators and not necessarily to exploit a funny pretense that will quickly get old after 30 seconds.
And to think, I once believed I couldn't find Tim Tebow any more boring than he already was.
Personally, I enjoy mashups. I like considering how my favorite characters would behave in utterly different circumstances. My favorite episode of The Simpsons remains the one from the late 90s where Mulder and Scully, voiced by their live action counterparts, came to Springfield to investigate Homer’s claim that he saw an alien. Likewise, anyone of a certain age will likely remember watching old Scooby-doo cartoons and how exciting it was when our teenage crime solvers got to occasionally run into someone from a different world, such as the Harlem Globetrotters, The Mamas & The Papas or even Batman and Robin.
Unfortunately, mashups can also really damage the television property. Mashups done right give us humor or a new understanding of the characters. Mashups done wrong just feel painful. For every enjoyable Star Wars Muppet Show there’s always a Star Wars Holiday Special.
So what do you think? Do you want to see your favorite characters and places put into different contexts or do you feel like that harms the story that you are trying to enjoy?
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