another new scene, our introduction to Cersei and Jaime. Not only do we learn they are siblings, but we learn they are hiding something and it was something the recently-deceased Jon Arryn might have uncovered. The central mystery of the first season is therefore established. game of thrones dvd
Back to Winterfell and we get our first glimpse of the Godswood. A gorgeous shot. The King and his party arrives to some great fanfare (seriously, the music in this part is great). Maisie is great here, “Where’s the Imp?” And what the King says to Bran here has to be heartbreaking to book readers. Also, I love how Robert completely ignores Cersei.
Down to the crypts, and flashback to the original pilot as well. Addy and Bean do well here to convey they are old buddies reuniting after many years apart. And we finally find out where the Imp is, at a brothel natch. This scene was originally written to occur in King’s Landing, but was moved to Winterfell (they have brothels there?). Back to the crypts, where we find out who Robert’s true love is and jump cut to…
The last Targaryens. I love this scene, not only because Harry Lloyd is creepily fantastic as Viserys but because the shot of Dany getting into the bath is thrown in as a nod to what we all expect to be the final shot of the season. I love all the little nods to the fans that David & Dan have included in the series.
Eventually, we find our way back to Winterfell where the feast is underway. Benjen’s encounter with Jon is a nice little new scene that helps establish what the Night’s Watch is all about. And I absolutely love Jon and Tyrion’s encounter, even with no tumbling and no Ghost, but at least most of the great lines from the book are retained. “All dwarfs are bastards in their father’s eyes.”
Now we’re at the feast where a good bit of original pilot footage has made the show. Bean’s original hair looked so much better, a shame they had to go with the wig for the rest of the season. Ah yes, the infamous Ned and Jaime encounter. This brings back memories. For those who weren’t around in the very early days, we had gotten our hands on a copy of the original pilot script and this scene was in there. And many fans were not thrilled with this addition as it made Ned sound more of a “badass” than he was in the books. Plus there were complaints about the “because when I fight a man for real, I don’t want him to know what I can do” line. I didn’t mind the scene much at the time, and still don’t. It helps establish the central Stark vs. Lannister conflict.
But in case that central conflict is lost on some viewers, it is hammered home in the next scene where Lysa’s message is delivered. And we get one of the more drastic changes here where Catelyn is resistant to Ned going to King’s Landing. In the books, she wants Ned to go to try to unravel the mystery of Jon Arryn’s death. She only becomes resistant to him leaving after Bran’s fall. Personally I don’t mind the change and can understand why David & Dan made it. Too much back and forth in a matter of two episodes would make Catelyn look wishy-washy and not the strong-willed woman she actually is. I think in the book that sort of thing works better when you can spend more time with each character.
Back across the Narrow Sea and we get the wedding and then soon after the bedding. Another change here, as Dany does NOT enjoy her first time. This change stands to be a bit more problematic as it has been noted that Dany’s sudden change in attitude towards Drogo later seems less motivated out of love and more of a case of Stockholm Syndrome. I would be curious to hear what our readers think of this change.
And then, the finale. That moment that stands to hook those viewers teetering on the edge, so to speak. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau plays it so well too. It is sure to be a shock and hopefully will draw viewers back for episode two.
Overall, a fantastic opening episode. David & Dan have done a great job fitting in all the necessary character introductions and requisite backstory for this first hour while still keeping things moving. And some of the new scenes and little nods to the fans show that they know these books inside and out. So the first hour is in the books, with nine more to go and many more great moments ahead, I think we can say that winter is just getting started.
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