“GAME OF THRONES” RETURNS FOR FOURTH SEASON
“Game of Thrones” returned for its fourth season on Sunday after a year of leaving fans in a state of disbelief and heartbreak from the infamous Red Wedding episode. While the premiere lacked high excitement, it set the audience up for a season that promises to be just as thrilling as its predecessor.
Sunday’s episode, “Two Swords,” opens with the melting of Ned Stark’s (Sean Bean) former sword, Ice, as Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) turns it into gifts for both Jamie and King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). We are immediately reminded of the loss of the Stark family not only through this scene but also through the playing of “The Rains of Castamere” featured in the episode; the music that signaled the execution of Rob (Richard Madden) and Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley). The premiere was not the most dynamic introduction season opener, but it served its purpose of exposition to set up the audience for the season to come.
With so many questions that fans have been contemplating since last season, the episode does a good job of providing foreshadows of what are probably the more important storylines. Overall, the premiere does an exceptional job of introducing the audience to the current setting of the story and all the characters we have loved, hated, and hated to love.
In Kings Landing, the city prepares itself for the royal wedding of King Joffrey and Margarey Tyrell (Natalie Dormer). Meanwhile, Sansa Lannister (Sophie Turner), formerly Stark, still remains heavily distraught over the murder of her family and her “shorter” than ideal marriage. While she tries to isolate herself in a place where she is utterly alone, she now finds herself an ally with a familiar face. Jamie tries to acclimate himself to his unwelcoming family. Danerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) continues her conquest of the Free Cities while the “unfamiliar face” of Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman, who replaced Ed Skrein) continues his conquest for her heart. Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) returns to Castle Black yet remains under suspicion of being a traitor in light of his recent reconnaissance endeavor with the Wildlings. Finally, the Hound (Rory McCann) helps Arya (Maisie Williams) unleash her inner vengeance while confronting enemies of her past in an epic bar fight that leaves fans cheering and ready for next week’s episode.
Probably the most interesting new character introduced this season is Oberyn Martel of Dorne (Pedro Pascal); Prince Doran’s brother sent in his place to the royal wedding. Suspicion is immediately aroused when Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) welcomes his party due to the blood feud between Lannisters and Martels. Oberyn’s insatiable sexual appetite, skilled swordsmanship, and his mysterious motives for being in King’s Landing will most likely make him a fan favorite.
Watching Dany’s dragons grow significantly larger also promises some long awaited dragon action. The disobedience evident in Drogon in his interaction with Dany and his supremacy over the other two dragons foreshadows trouble for the Mother of Dragons.
Ygritte’s (Rose Leslie) apparent anger at Jon Snow is quickly challenged when it is pointed out that she could have easily killed Jon Snow, but lets him live. A showdown of lovers is only destined to take place at some point in the season.
As a fan who has read all the books, I personally like the divergence from the book series as it allows me to enjoy in the excitement, shock, and surprise other fans get to experience when watching the show. Without spoiling too much for potential readers, a few major plot points are already being altered which will be quite interesting to see how they will play out in the overarching plot of the season. For example in “Storm of Sword,” book three in the series, Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) did not reach Kings Landing until after the royal wedding.
“Two Sword”s introduced numerous storylines of our favorite characters; however, there were more in this episode than normal, which did not allow enough time for any major plot twists. Then again, it is only the first episode. Those of us who read the books know that season four will be more exhilarating than the previous season. So if you found yourself slightly disappointed, rest assured, there will be just as much emotional trauma for you to suffer through in the next few months.
PHOTO TAKEN from winteriscoming.net
