Post by izzue on Jul 28, 2016 13:09:16 GMT -5
I'd forgotten how much I loved the Lancel of Season 1! And it's always a pleasure for me to return to the Arya/Syrio scenes - some of my favorites of the entire series. Right off the bat, Arya was "late", "a boy", didn't catch the wooden sword Syrio threw to her picked it up with 2 hands, had the wrong stance. Made no matter - it was obvious the strong rapport was being build almost immediately - and the next time, she did catch the sword. Interesting was Ned's reaction when he opened the door and saw their 'dance lesson' in process...his initial fond smile transitioning quickly into a sombre and sad expression, reflected in his eyes, his entire expression. Obviously, the reality of the danger to his family and him in KL is key, but it wasn't until S6 this year that I was introduced to the idea that the very "play" sword fight was so strongly reminiscent of the one he was with Arthur Dayne at the TOJ. The music for this ending scene mirrors beautifully the reality.
During this rematch, I am especially impressed at how rapidly, and how well, the series advances the major plot lines - we see such significant changes in each character with each episode. Dany stops the Khalasar, then emphatically corrects Jorah's "my Queen" . . . "I am not a Queen, I'm a khaleesi." Her assimilation of power and self-determination is made even more clear when Viserys storms and actually attacks her. Even though she says that he is not to be killed/harmed, nonetheless, she is obviously no longer under his power. Bet we all cheered when the blood rider made Viserys walk back, even before we are aware of just what a pariah that makes him in the Dothraki culture. The eggs focus again, with deepening symbolism, I think, not only for her pregnancy, but on two other counts as well: 1) I believe her certainly that it is a boy she is carrying is a furthering of the inherent 'natural magic' she possesses, which will guide her from this point on, and 2) that the eggs carry life inside them as well.
I'd also forgotten how much I love Yoren -- look forward to seeing more of him before we tragically lose him in a letter episode. Tyrion's humor is wry, as always, but still, I think, with the tone of the defensive sarcasm that lessens over the course of the series. He's still 'lost' in spite of being a wealthy Lannister, telling Yoren that they will stay in the finest castles and inns along the way to KL, for "no one turns away a Lannister." He still has yet to forge the identity that he will later. I do love the part of Tyrion that shines through all of that, though, so intuitive and wisely instructive of Jon regarding bonding with his fellow Nights Watchmen. LC Mormont's frank talk with Tyrion, so prophetic...we're given so much foreshadowing about the WW which won't entirely hit home with us until Hardhome and S6. Mormon is clear, "It's not the willings that give me sleepless nights. You've [to Tyrion] never been out there beyond the Wall, so don't tell me what's out there. . . . Long and dark things are coming, too. . . When winter does come, gods help us all if we're not ready. We also learn something of the time/seasons of Westeros - Tyrion has seen 9 winters, but the longest only lasted 3 years, and the current summer they're in has lasted 9 years. "Winter is coming" again. One of my favorite sentences from the book series, though, is missing from the parting of Jon and Tyrion, and that's when Jon calls Tyrion "friend", and Tyrion says that no one's ever called him that before. Laying the foundation for what will come, though not until S7.
Just a final note -- one of the things I dearly love is when the blood rider (I just can't remember his name) tells Jorah that they don't wear "steel dresses".
But then a couple of other seriously noteworthy from that scene. Jonah talks of the admiration he has for his father but admits, "And I betrayed him." Of betrayal, however, there's another ominous forecast, when he states he needs to ride to Qorhor and that he'll meet the khalasar in Vaes Dothrak. We know what that's about.
During this rematch, I am especially impressed at how rapidly, and how well, the series advances the major plot lines - we see such significant changes in each character with each episode. Dany stops the Khalasar, then emphatically corrects Jorah's "my Queen" . . . "I am not a Queen, I'm a khaleesi." Her assimilation of power and self-determination is made even more clear when Viserys storms and actually attacks her. Even though she says that he is not to be killed/harmed, nonetheless, she is obviously no longer under his power. Bet we all cheered when the blood rider made Viserys walk back, even before we are aware of just what a pariah that makes him in the Dothraki culture. The eggs focus again, with deepening symbolism, I think, not only for her pregnancy, but on two other counts as well: 1) I believe her certainly that it is a boy she is carrying is a furthering of the inherent 'natural magic' she possesses, which will guide her from this point on, and 2) that the eggs carry life inside them as well.
I'd also forgotten how much I love Yoren -- look forward to seeing more of him before we tragically lose him in a letter episode. Tyrion's humor is wry, as always, but still, I think, with the tone of the defensive sarcasm that lessens over the course of the series. He's still 'lost' in spite of being a wealthy Lannister, telling Yoren that they will stay in the finest castles and inns along the way to KL, for "no one turns away a Lannister." He still has yet to forge the identity that he will later. I do love the part of Tyrion that shines through all of that, though, so intuitive and wisely instructive of Jon regarding bonding with his fellow Nights Watchmen. LC Mormont's frank talk with Tyrion, so prophetic...we're given so much foreshadowing about the WW which won't entirely hit home with us until Hardhome and S6. Mormon is clear, "It's not the willings that give me sleepless nights. You've [to Tyrion] never been out there beyond the Wall, so don't tell me what's out there. . . . Long and dark things are coming, too. . . When winter does come, gods help us all if we're not ready. We also learn something of the time/seasons of Westeros - Tyrion has seen 9 winters, but the longest only lasted 3 years, and the current summer they're in has lasted 9 years. "Winter is coming" again. One of my favorite sentences from the book series, though, is missing from the parting of Jon and Tyrion, and that's when Jon calls Tyrion "friend", and Tyrion says that no one's ever called him that before. Laying the foundation for what will come, though not until S7.
Just a final note -- one of the things I dearly love is when the blood rider (I just can't remember his name) tells Jorah that they don't wear "steel dresses".
But then a couple of other seriously noteworthy from that scene. Jonah talks of the admiration he has for his father but admits, "And I betrayed him." Of betrayal, however, there's another ominous forecast, when he states he needs to ride to Qorhor and that he'll meet the khalasar in Vaes Dothrak. We know what that's about. 
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