Let the winning finally commence. I know that this is a death sentence to be saying out loud when playing a Game of Thrones adaptation but I cannot help but feel happy at the events of Sons of Winter when my characters finally received some room to boast after being step on so many times. Much like any episode from the actual show, this latest episode has transferred to a more action heavy affair where people are likely to have an arrow pierce their skulls and diplomacy takes a bit of a back seat. While this may be true I still felt the increasing need to remain tactful and always be on my guard, this is still a dangerous game the Forresters are playing and with two episodes still left it's best not to count my chickens before they hatch.
The episode wastes no time in letting you know the events of the last episode will begin to shape this one. Players first start off at the Wall with Gared who finds himself in shackles after getting some much needed revenge for the death of his family at the hands of the Whitehill soldier that now found himself at the Wall with him. Despite having an eye witness to the battle that took place though it appears that there is no way to escape from being punished for what occurred. A brother is dead and you have to pay the price for it. At this point I wasn't too shocked by this as I knew it had to be shoehorned into the story, some of decisions end up being just that in any Telltale game and players have to accept it even though it is a choose your own story game. Again, I wasn't mad at what the events led to because Gared finds himself heading north beyond the Wall to hopefully find the North Grove and help his family.
His family may not be needing as much help as I once thought though once I delved into Rodrik's story again. Rodrik has had nothing but bad luck since his addition into the storyline, he has had to bend the knee and be a good obedient man no matter what horrors the Whitehills brought down on his people. The addition of Lord Whitehill's son Griff last episode was particularly the worst of it all, he isn't Ramsay Bolton bad but he is a cruel and vile sort that I wanted to beat the snot out of since I first met him. Well, as it so happens I would get my wish. Help arrives from an ally I did not expect to see coming this episode and their aid finally adds some man power and skill to the Forrester cause. It feels unbelievably good to finally have some leverage to work with and too finally have a leg to stand on, no pun intended on Rodriks part. There is an ultimate confrontation with Lord Whitehill that did leave me a bit uneasy in my new found strength but I was able to hold my head up high until the ominous conclusion however.
Mira perhaps receives the least amount of screen time in her entire time with the series. She has desperately tried to maneuver herself into a position of power where she can make a difference for her family. Having watched the show I should have been more aware of what was going to happen when I aligned myself with certain people but that all is in the past and the future seems to look bright. At King Tommen's coronation party you must move quickly to try and make your deal for the Forrester's ironwood and secure funds to help your family back home. It may be a den of snakes where everyone is a spy or some sort of enemy but Mira finally appears to be learning how things work in King's Landing and her choices seem to be more apt to the situation she finds herself in. You move from person to person like a detective and get information that will make or break your efforts here and while it appears a bit tedious, it was rather enjoyable making my own plans and gaining information to use for myself for a change. The biggest event for Mira though may not even be for your family as questions about your friend Sara may lead you down more dangerous paths for your future. Finally, we have the obvious heavy hitter in the action department with Asher as he stands before Daenery's Targaryen on the eve of her entrance into Mereen. Daenery's character has come a long way since the first season of the show and it shows here as she stands confidentially before Asher as he makes his claims about see her dragon. Something feels somewhat off however about the way Daenery's behaves on screen that does not inspire the same sort of vindication that I have seen before now. Most of the characters that have been incorporated into the game have been frankly spot on up until this point but here it seems the writers may have missed a step.
I too missed a few steps though with how I maneuvered myself before Daenerys as it seemed Asher could not use his usual rugged charm to his advantage this time and that along with his fighting skills are the only powerful tools in his bag. Luckily I was able to make use of the latter skill by offering myself and Beskha to go in with the invasion team to free the slaves and the city of Mereen. I had to continue my long streak of betraying Beskha in order to get to that point however, her character may be a great one but the bridge between her and Asher has been the easiest one for me to continually burn and yet have it remain intact. I did start to feel better once I learned about her mysterious past and when the option to explore it came about I was happy to help her out even if it causes trouble later on. The rest of the mission into Mereen plays like a stealth shooter where you make your way through the streets to an outpost filled with guards. You move through the outpost stealthily taking out your enemies up until the climactic action scene that had my heart pounding out of my chest. It's quite possibly the shows best action scene so far and I haven't had something so exhilarating happen like this since the first episode at the Red Wedding and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
Finally! Some justice has come for House Forrester and while again it may be a bad omen to be so cheerful before the day is through I cannot help but feel good about finally striking back in Sons of Winter because it so rarely happens in anything Game of Thrones related. The heavy action was mixed well with the political intrigue for the story and everyone appears to be playing their part for the Forrester's future. Not everything ran so smoothly such as the Night's Watch lack of forgiveness for Gared or Daenery's none to convincing performance but for the most part things moved along rather well for the story this time around. I will move cautiously into the next episode however as you can never be pleased for too long when it comes to playing this dangerous game.
It seems as though the endless cycle of torment continues
onward for House Forrester but hope may soon be on the way at least that is
what I was praying for as I started the latest episode of Telltales Game of Thrones. But, like anything with Game of Thrones my hope would surely be
quickly dashed as it is something of a double edged sword for this universe.
Nothing good comes to the story without something equally or more terrible
waiting around the corner. Will the remaining members of House Forrester be able
to break free and reclaim dignity and glory for their house? Well, let’s find
out.
Two new editions joined the party in episode two, Rodrik and
his banished brother Asher both began their stories and efforts to try and
protect their house from being destroyed. Unfortunately, Rodrik continues to
have a rough go of things in this episode as well, he is not only cripple and
badly disfigured but the pressures of running a house weigh heavily on him and
everyone is looking to him for answers. It’s seems harsh to expect so much of
someone who can’t even wield a sword and can barely ride a horse, however, we
do see signs of his strength returning. It is wonderful to see him start to
stand on his own two feet because frankly he is getting his butt handed to him
and that doesn’t change this time around either. The cycle of abuse continues
back at home for Rodrik with the arrival of Lord Whitehills son, Griff. He is
just as unpleasant as his father is and aims to show you nothing but discontent
and ridicule in this chapter.
You are once again forced to go through an experience like
the one last episode with kissing Lord Whitehills ring and must choose to rise
up or set your pride aside until it is time to strike. Nothing you do seems to
help though once again and it’s really getting on my nerves to be honest. On
the bright side, there is a promising development when you find out that aid
could be found in an unexpected ally. You not only learn why Asher was possibly
banished but also you gain valuable intelligence that finally adds a spark to
the Ironwrath story.
As for Asher, things are getting increasingly tense as the
struggle to help your family but also stay true to your friendship begins to
cause problems. While making your way to Daenerys and her potential aid of an
army, you find yourself in between a large black scaly dragon and the soldiers
you were formerly being chased after last episode. A critical moment arises
where your Uncle Malcolm and Beskha are both in trouble and need your help but
you can only help one. Why? Why do you do this to me? My choice was probably
the obvious one but no matter what your loyalty to one or the other will lead
to some scorn by somebody. Outside of this things don’t get too critical, just
a unfriendly meeting with your old friend, fighting a blood thirsty dragon and ending up before the Queen
herself to spice things up. Much of what Asher is doing across the Narrow Sea
provides action for the story and that isn’t a bad thing, plenty of what lies
around the corner for him is about to get tough and I’m eagerly awaiting what
is about to happen.
Further adding to the spiciness of things, we head back to
the Wall where Gared takes on his vows and enters into the Night’s Watch as a
full fledged ranger. Not only that, he also receives an unexpected visit from his
Uncle and they discuss the North Grove. It was a secret that has been bubbling
under the surface and one that I was waiting to pop back up again. We receive
new information on its whereabouts and you quickly realize that Gared is going
to have to make a hard decision between his duty and his family. The whole
thing finally made me feel some love for Gared’s character and story as things
have been rather stagnant for him. Now though things are definitely heating up
for him.
An unexpected surprise also happens for Gared as well with
the arrival of the new recruits to the Wall. We see the potential for some very
sweet revenge, the kind that you always know will be so delicious if it ends up
happening because it is just so rare for Game
of Thrones and I can’t say I hated it in the least. It does bring up the
upsetting fact that some of your decisions for the game don’t appear to be all
that critical. One minute I’m busting open my friend’s face to defend my other
friend and now we’re all good friends again. Also, when Jon Snow chimes in and
tells me to forgive and forget and not do anything rash now that we’re all
brothers, I knew that I wouldn’t have any choice later on.
This fact also continued to bother me with Mira’s story too.
Lady Margaery isn’t happy in the least to find out that you now have made
friends with Tyrion Lannister. She doesn’t know the extent of what you have
done with him but never the less she isn’t pleased, especially since the Queen
has heard about the two of you together as well. It never ends in King’s
Landing, everyone is a big baby who needs their back scratch after they were
slighted in some way and it is pretty accurate to the real thing. However,
whether you choose to continue your friendship with Tyrion is about the cause
problems for your relationship with Margaery. For me, I have done nothing but
support Lady Margaery in the hopes that she’ll soon help me but I finally said
“screw you” to that as she hasn’t done me any good. The fact that she almost
immediately rights me off after this makes me angry though, sure I did turn my
back to you but I’ve supported you all the way and I’m doing it to help my
family. It makes you question all of your decision making and wonder if there
is any real consequence to your actions though. Like everything for Game of Thrones, you just have to cross
your fingers and hope for the best.
I am pleased with The Sword in the Darkness as there is
plenty of forward motion this time around. All the character’s stories are
starting to heat up, Gared is hopefully on his way to the secret of the North
Grove, Asher may be about to make friends with Daenrys and Mira continues her
efforts as she always has, God I feel bad for that girl. Hopefully, Rodrik will
also see a powerful return in the next chapter as well, he receives some new
intelligence and his strength returning means he may soon be able to fight back
and break the never ending torture back at Ironwrath. Everything is just so
juicy with this chapter that I can hardly contain myself and I’m ready to dig
right into the next.
Good:
- We see some solid story building and potential for the next
chapter
- Gared finally gains some intrigue for his story
- Mira continues to impress
Bad:
- Decision making is starting to feel like a flop
- Rodrik still getting bullied hard and is a genuine repeat
from the last chapter
In Game of Thrones,
there are several prominent families, each rulers of one of the Seven Kingdoms
of Westeros. When the show starts out,
you are shown a patrol in the far north, beyond The Wall, with the Night’s
Watch, guardians of the Seven Kingdoms from threats that lay beyond, which in
their eyes is always Wildlings, savage nomads that try to go south to raid
settlements. However, there is soon
another, much more dangerous threat that reveals itself, and sets up for a
menace not seen in Westeros for thousands of years. However, the most interesting part of this
show doesn’t lie in this conflict, it lays with the conflict between the ruling
families in the Seven Kingdoms; among them the Starks and Lannisters, who are
the focus of most of the first season.
However, across the sea, the last
two Targaryans (the former ruling family) seek a means of regaining their lost
throne in Westeros, which adds another faction to the mix.
A better way to let you glimpse what is going on in Game of Thrones
The conflict starts out right in episode one, with a
conspiracy over the death of the Hand of the King, an official who helps govern
the Seven Kingdoms for the King, Robert Baratheon. After the death of the previous hand, King
Robert rides to the Northern castle at Winterfell, under the rule of lord
Eddard “Ned” Stark. Stark, like his
ancestors, is deeply bound by honor, and is perhaps the only person in the
Seven Kingdoms that Robert truly trusts.
However, the Lannisters have plans of their own, and between their deep
political connections and even deeper pockets, they sit high and mighty in
Westeros. Suspicions run right that the
Lannisters have many secrets to hide, and that it may have been what led to the
previous Hand’s death. Lord Stark
decides to try to get to the bottom of things, and the best way to do that is
to serve as the new Hand of the King.
What ensues is a mix of political strategy, gripping suspense, and a
raw, unrestrained feeling that this show runs with to create a truly unique
experience that sets itself apart from anything else on television.
Some of the set designs are simply beautiful, and really help give atmosphere to the show.
Game of
Thrones is easily my favorite show right now, and there are several
reasons why: the characters are all amazingly well-written, and are all complex
enough to where even after watching three seasons you still can’t always
exactly nail down what makes a person tick.
Some are decent, honorable, but have a couple of stains on that honor,
others are out to manipulate, to pit the powerful against each other in order
to clear their own path to power, but may have compelling reasons for doing so. There are no real “heroes” in this series,
nor are there entirely pure “villains,” either.
What makes the characters so compelling is that they all occupy
different shades of grey, and even then, those shades can change.
Costume design is phenomenal, too.
I love the action, the cast is impressive, and the story is
epic, yet very detailed and intricate.
You really don’t know where this story is going, or where it will end
up. What makes things even more
suspenseful and tense is knowing that nobody is ever truly safe. Having seen a lot of “good” television, you
notice that there are usually predictable paths that a show can follow, and the
only real twists come from outside interference that the audience either can’t
expect, or simply involves the audience not being privy to some detail that was
deliberately left out. Now, you will
still find hints of that in GoT, but most of the surprises come from within,
when circumstances change, or characters make a difficult or sudden choice, and
that’s what makes this show great. Not
everything works together smoothly, and that makes it all feel much more real,
since things rarely fall into place, and characters are all trying to adapt as
events unfold.
Tyrion has always been a fan favorite. Not sure if it has to do with his whit and charm, or if it simply stems from being the only Lannister you don't want to see dead.
Now be warned, this is HBO, with sex, nudity, and blood. However, it all really suits the story well,
surprisingly. I generally feel that any
use of sex appeal is a cheap attempt to generate fans, but this show works it
in more naturally, with just as much, if not more, than most movies that use it,
but it all works towards this feeling of a raw, uninhibited story that holds
nothing back, and challenges the viewer to both accept the reality of what is
going on, while also challenging the viewer to keep up with the many storylines
and plots. There is only one source of
criticism that I could even make about the show, since so many storylines mean
that you only get a small bits of each during an episode, and many would likely
find it difficult to follow. However,
this really works for me, because the details of each story have an impact on
events taking place elsewhere. For me,
it’s not a weakness at all, since it shows the intricacy of the story and
characters, and the transitions are all well-timed while driving the narrative
forward.
Later on in the series you can tell this is all CGI, but the reason is because in the story, Direwolves grow to be the size of a horse, so finding an actual dog after puppy-hood is impossible. But man, are these dogs I would love to have.
An amazing story, exceptional cast, and epic scale with a
rare attention to detail make this the most incredible how on television for
me, hands down. Without getting into
spoilers, this show will surprise you.
Many who have either seen the series, or heard about it, will probably
already have a good idea what I’m talking about, but still, the show will
almost certainly surprise you in some way.
It doesn’t cater to fan expectations, it outright defies them,
sometimes. That’s what makes me fall in
love with this show the way I have. Too
many writers cater to whatever fans expect, forcing romance or switching
loyalties just to make sure you wear a smile on your face throughout. This show will not do that; it will be bold,
making choices that people won’t always appreciate, but doesn’t completely turn
away from what it believes fans would find acceptable, neither. This bold measure means I honestly have no
idea what to expect, and that you truly feel like this is a story that stands
on its own, not being pulled and changed by fan outrage or expectations in any
way.
What kind of epic fantasy story doesn't have dragons?!?!? I'd still rather have a direwolf, though.
This is a drama/epic-fantasy/action/suspense series that
continues to surprise me even after 3 seasons.
If you don’t want to buy this series without knowing what you’re buying,
borrow it, stream clips, do what you have to, but I can’t do this show enough
justice. It’s bold, original, raw,
challenging, full of deep and original characters, and always full of suspense.
To call it the best series in recent history would be insulting it by
comparing it to other shows. This show
is truly unique, and impresses me throughout. It doesn't pander to expectations, but that only makes me respect it more, and feel compelled to keep watching, just to see how everything eventually turns out. This is the best show I've seen in a long time, maybe ever. It is a masterpiece that sucks you into its world of intriguing realism, and overwhelms you with an epic scale of characters, both in quantity and quality, and a brilliant originality that quenches a thirst I didn't even know I had in television.
Good:
-Outstanding story.
-Very detailed, intricate, original characters that
challenge the audience and each other.
-Unpredictable, with no set destination or single
over-arching goal to steer the story, besides survival and whatever motives the
characters have.
-No real favoritism, some are more likeable than others, but
there is no clear cut protagonist to hog the screen.
Bad:
-Not a real fault of the show, but it IS and HBO series,
with nudity, sex, and violence.
Not for the weak of heart or stomach.
So forget about it, kids, unless your mom and dad say you can.
New GoT trailer... 'nuff said. It's right around the corner, and I can't wait. In honor of the release of season 3 this week on DVD/Blu-Ray, he's this awesome trailer, and maybe a little more this week, who know?
