"Game of Thrones" fans rejoice as HBO as released the season two teaser trailer. Tis will have to keep them satisfied until a more detailed trailer is released ahead of the April 2012 premiere.
Showing posts with label HBO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HBO. Show all posts
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
'True Blood:' Everyone must choose a side
As "True Blood" heads toward the finale of season four it's ratcheted up the action. "Soul of Fire" brought a deadly, yet hilarious conclusion to the Marnie vs. vampires war.Picking up right where last week left off, our favorite vampire team channeled by Michael Bay with a pitch perfect slow motion "we're about to blow something up" walk.
Unfortunately, Sookie was inside which rendered both Bill and Eric unable to finish the job. Jason then appeared and gave a hard dose of truth to Sookie's vampire lovers about how much she had sacrificed for them. They relented and decided to come up with a plan b.
Meanwhile, inside witch HQ Marnie and Antonia are having a lover's quarrel until Marnie forcefully binds Antonia's spirit to her. She then does the smartest thing ever and tells Bill and Eric to kill themselves or she'll kill Sookie. It's surprising no bad guys have been this direct with their plans before now.
Thankfully, Pam is thinking straight and uses a rocket launcher to break up the proceedings. This doesn't sit well with Eric, who banishes her from his sight.
Alan Ball, this will not do. Pam and Eric are the best couple on TV and need to make up immediately. Besides, she really was the only one thinking straight in that moment. Even Jessica questioned Bill with a placed "suicide, really?"
Marnie, upset that Sookie ruined her plan to make the vampires walk into her sun-fuel protection barrier, surrounds her in a ring of fire. Sookie, with all her powers, just stands there screaming. No huge display a fairy magic, even though she had done just that, moments earlier. It was a rare unrealistic moment for Ball.
Finally, the intense, dark magic Jesus is working in the back kicks in and separates Antonia and Marnie, thus breaking the sun filled forcefield surrounding the Moon Goddess Emporium (A ridiculous name by the way).
Everyone rushes in and Marnie's lone, faithful disciple says the magic words "if you want Marnie, you'll have to go through me." Eric takes this literally and goes through his chest to his heart, then menacingly stands in front of Marnie eating her follower's heart. Bill then shoots Marnie with an automatic weapon, which seemed a little anti-climatic for someone who had caused so much chaos.
Almost immediately after the carnage cleared, the awkward high school love triangles kicked in with long looks between Sookie, Bill and Eric, and uncomfortable conversation between Jason and Jessica.
Here's the thing, fans of the books know who she chooses, so why not buck convention, save us from two more seasons of "will they, won't they" madness and have her make a choice at the end of the season, then deal with what that decision means.
The best of the rest:
- Sam and Alcide had the best revenge road trip ever, when they track down Marcus, kill him and Alcide coldly dumped Debbie.
- Does anyone else think Sam and Alcide should leave Bon Temps and start their own supernatural detective agency.
- Andy inexplicably runs into a random fairy in the woods and has sex with her. Was there a point to this?
- No crying Boyd this week, but that was ok. Will he be one of the many deaths Alan Ball talked about at comic-con?
Monday, July 4, 2011
'True Blood' season four, episode two recap
After last week's surprise packed premiere, "True Blood's" second episode of the fourth season settled in to begin revealing where this season's story arcs will go.
The action picked up with Eric in Sookie's bedroom telling her that she was his. She resisted of course, causing women worldwide to wonder why she's so stupid. The most fantastical element of the show may be the fact that a woman didn't want to be kept by Alexander Skarsgard.
Thank god for Pam. She let Sookie know that she needed to belong to somebody and Eric would be a good choice. It does seem like after everything she's been through she would realize that she needs protection. As much as viewers like her, Sookie is one of those characters who never quite learns her lesson.
Meanwhile, it was revealed through flashbacks that Bill has been working with the American Vampire League since 1982. It was a fun touch to see Bill living in England as a punk rocker in the '80s. The scene gave him a little more character and allowed Stephen Moyer to use his own voice for a change.
This revelation led to how Bill became King of Louisiana. He brought backup to his fight with the queen and she was shot with wooden bullets with a silver core. It was quite a disgusting and unceremonious end for Queen Sophie Anne.
Compared to Eric, Bill has always seemed a little boring. However, as king he has an edge that makes their fight for Sookie more competitive.
So far the weak link this season is Jason's storyline in Hotshot. Why he cares so much about Crystal and her crazy kin, is mind-bottling? Every time the action cut back to him tied to that bed, it brought the show to a screeching halt.
Last season's plot vacuum Tara, returned but her time has matured her, making her more likable and smarter. She immediately senses there's something off with Lafayette and Jesus' coven and is ready to get back to her life as Toni.
When Eric shows up to the confront the witches, who are necromancers, all hell breaks loose.
The witches cursed Eric with amnesia, which led to Skarsgard's hottest scene yet. When he came stumbling onto the road with that sweet naive look on his face, there's not a woman alive who could have resisted.
Skarsgard really shined, instantly indicating with his eyes that this was not the Eric we had spent three years falling in love with.
Now that Eric has amnesia, it's time for the audience to finally get the Sookie/Eric love story they've been waiting for.
Next week brings the fallout from Eric's condition and hopefully more Pam.
The action picked up with Eric in Sookie's bedroom telling her that she was his. She resisted of course, causing women worldwide to wonder why she's so stupid. The most fantastical element of the show may be the fact that a woman didn't want to be kept by Alexander Skarsgard.
Thank god for Pam. She let Sookie know that she needed to belong to somebody and Eric would be a good choice. It does seem like after everything she's been through she would realize that she needs protection. As much as viewers like her, Sookie is one of those characters who never quite learns her lesson.
Meanwhile, it was revealed through flashbacks that Bill has been working with the American Vampire League since 1982. It was a fun touch to see Bill living in England as a punk rocker in the '80s. The scene gave him a little more character and allowed Stephen Moyer to use his own voice for a change.
This revelation led to how Bill became King of Louisiana. He brought backup to his fight with the queen and she was shot with wooden bullets with a silver core. It was quite a disgusting and unceremonious end for Queen Sophie Anne.
Compared to Eric, Bill has always seemed a little boring. However, as king he has an edge that makes their fight for Sookie more competitive.
So far the weak link this season is Jason's storyline in Hotshot. Why he cares so much about Crystal and her crazy kin, is mind-bottling? Every time the action cut back to him tied to that bed, it brought the show to a screeching halt.
Last season's plot vacuum Tara, returned but her time has matured her, making her more likable and smarter. She immediately senses there's something off with Lafayette and Jesus' coven and is ready to get back to her life as Toni.
When Eric shows up to the confront the witches, who are necromancers, all hell breaks loose.
The witches cursed Eric with amnesia, which led to Skarsgard's hottest scene yet. When he came stumbling onto the road with that sweet naive look on his face, there's not a woman alive who could have resisted.
Skarsgard really shined, instantly indicating with his eyes that this was not the Eric we had spent three years falling in love with.
Now that Eric has amnesia, it's time for the audience to finally get the Sookie/Eric love story they've been waiting for.
Next week brings the fallout from Eric's condition and hopefully more Pam.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
'Game of Thrones' finishes with new beginnings
After last week's heart-stopping episode, "Game of Thrones" finished its first season with the crowning of a new king and queen.
As news of Ned's execution spread through the kingdom, the full effect of his death became clear. Catelynn and Robb comforted each other and continued on to King's Landing hoping to rescue Arya and Sansa. The men of the north also decided to fight for independence and declared Robb king of the north.
However, Arya was already headed north with men bound for the Night's Watch, among them Robert's oldest illegitimate son. Meanwhile, Sansa was stuck in the castle living under the cruel rulings of Joffrey.
For a moment it seemed like the show would go its own way and have Sansa kill Joffrey, but that would have been too easy. Not to be too mean, but I was kind of hoping Sansa would throw herself off that bridge and end the audience's suffering.
Perhaps the most exciting development of season two is the prospect of seeing Tyrion as Joffrey's Hand of the King. Tyrion is the only one who stands up to Joffrey and calls him out on his shortcomings. Judging by the way Joffrey treated that poor minstrel, Tyrion has his work cut out for him.
At the Wall, Jon found out about his father and like any good son rode off to put his sword through Joffrey's head. Fortunately for him, his fellow Night's Watchmen tracked him down and dragged him back.
For me, Jon's story has been the weak link of season one. The setup finally paid off when Jon spoke with the Lord Commander about war at the Wall being more important than Robb's war with the Lannisters. Apparently, the Lord Commander is the only one who understands what's at stake in the north.
Across the Narrow Sea, Dany awakes to discover her child dead and Drogo in a catatonic state. This is the doing of the creepy witch, who all but screamed at her that she was going to kill her child. The witch explains that she had no life after the Dothraki sacked her village and she saved all the villages her son would never burn.
In the most heart-breaking moment of the episode, Dany realizes Drogo is gone and suffocates him. She honors him with a funeral pyre surrounded by her dragon eggs, straps the evil witch to the fire and then purposefully walks in.
Her resolve was stirring and provided Emilia Clarke with one of her best scenes of the season. The next day she became a true Khal when she appeared unharmed and naked, surrounded by her newly hatched dragons.
Though it was clear all along that Dany was the true dragon, it was game-changing to see it finally happen.
After a jam packed first season, it's seems cruel for HBO to make fans wait a full year for what is sure to be an equally mesmerizing second season. At least the show's comic-con panel will help dull the pain.
As news of Ned's execution spread through the kingdom, the full effect of his death became clear. Catelynn and Robb comforted each other and continued on to King's Landing hoping to rescue Arya and Sansa. The men of the north also decided to fight for independence and declared Robb king of the north.
However, Arya was already headed north with men bound for the Night's Watch, among them Robert's oldest illegitimate son. Meanwhile, Sansa was stuck in the castle living under the cruel rulings of Joffrey.
For a moment it seemed like the show would go its own way and have Sansa kill Joffrey, but that would have been too easy. Not to be too mean, but I was kind of hoping Sansa would throw herself off that bridge and end the audience's suffering.
Perhaps the most exciting development of season two is the prospect of seeing Tyrion as Joffrey's Hand of the King. Tyrion is the only one who stands up to Joffrey and calls him out on his shortcomings. Judging by the way Joffrey treated that poor minstrel, Tyrion has his work cut out for him.
At the Wall, Jon found out about his father and like any good son rode off to put his sword through Joffrey's head. Fortunately for him, his fellow Night's Watchmen tracked him down and dragged him back.
For me, Jon's story has been the weak link of season one. The setup finally paid off when Jon spoke with the Lord Commander about war at the Wall being more important than Robb's war with the Lannisters. Apparently, the Lord Commander is the only one who understands what's at stake in the north.
Across the Narrow Sea, Dany awakes to discover her child dead and Drogo in a catatonic state. This is the doing of the creepy witch, who all but screamed at her that she was going to kill her child. The witch explains that she had no life after the Dothraki sacked her village and she saved all the villages her son would never burn.
In the most heart-breaking moment of the episode, Dany realizes Drogo is gone and suffocates him. She honors him with a funeral pyre surrounded by her dragon eggs, straps the evil witch to the fire and then purposefully walks in.
Her resolve was stirring and provided Emilia Clarke with one of her best scenes of the season. The next day she became a true Khal when she appeared unharmed and naked, surrounded by her newly hatched dragons.
Though it was clear all along that Dany was the true dragon, it was game-changing to see it finally happen.
After a jam packed first season, it's seems cruel for HBO to make fans wait a full year for what is sure to be an equally mesmerizing second season. At least the show's comic-con panel will help dull the pain.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
'Game of Thrones' episode three recap
As a newcomer to the "Game of Thrones" world I am constantly craving more information about the characters, but only because they're so well written and acted that I can't wait for the next episode.
This week the long trip to King's Landing finally comes to an end when the royal court arrives at the capital. Ned immediately finds out that the King is broke and $6 million in debt to the Lannisters. He must also deal with his daughters' reaction to the previous episodes events.
Arya is Candace's favorite character and you can see why in this episode. She's the only person who is willing to speak her mind regardless of the consequences. Ned explains that she must control her tongue and arranges for her to begin training with Syrio Forel. Unfortunately, this also gives him a vision of Arya's violent future.
Meanwhile, Dany is becoming more of a khalessi everyday and now that she is pregnant it won't be long before she drops her idiotic, petulant brother. We were also given a glimpse of the more gentle relationship between Dany and Drogo, which is one of my favorite storylines.
The show's most interesting character Tyrion Lannister was at the Night's Watch with Jon Snow helping him figure out how to fit into his surroundings. What makes Tyrion so fascinating is his ability to instantly size up any situation and figure out how to gain from it. Peter Dinklage is perfectly cast and steals every scene he's in.
Now that we are at episode three, you can see the building blocks for the plot twists that are to come. Dany's move toward the Dothraki and away from her brother, Cersei's control of Joffrey and the building war between the Starks and Lannisters.
The way this story unravels and moves amongst the different plots is a testament to George R.R. Martin's writing ability and HBO's talent at adapting stories into series.
This week the long trip to King's Landing finally comes to an end when the royal court arrives at the capital. Ned immediately finds out that the King is broke and $6 million in debt to the Lannisters. He must also deal with his daughters' reaction to the previous episodes events.
Arya is Candace's favorite character and you can see why in this episode. She's the only person who is willing to speak her mind regardless of the consequences. Ned explains that she must control her tongue and arranges for her to begin training with Syrio Forel. Unfortunately, this also gives him a vision of Arya's violent future.
Meanwhile, Dany is becoming more of a khalessi everyday and now that she is pregnant it won't be long before she drops her idiotic, petulant brother. We were also given a glimpse of the more gentle relationship between Dany and Drogo, which is one of my favorite storylines.
The show's most interesting character Tyrion Lannister was at the Night's Watch with Jon Snow helping him figure out how to fit into his surroundings. What makes Tyrion so fascinating is his ability to instantly size up any situation and figure out how to gain from it. Peter Dinklage is perfectly cast and steals every scene he's in.
Now that we are at episode three, you can see the building blocks for the plot twists that are to come. Dany's move toward the Dothraki and away from her brother, Cersei's control of Joffrey and the building war between the Starks and Lannisters.
The way this story unravels and moves amongst the different plots is a testament to George R.R. Martin's writing ability and HBO's talent at adapting stories into series.
Monday, April 18, 2011
'Game of Thrones' episode one recap
Unlike Candace, I'm a newcomer to "Game of Thrones." I'm not familiar with all the ends and outs of the characters and where the story is going. I'm coming in as a clean slate, which is nice for a change.
The first scene immediately caught my attention with a horrible massacre by an ancient supernatural race. I'm not sure who or what White Walkers are, but I'm terrified.
Following the horrific opening, the episode slowed, which is to be expected when a show has to introduce this many characters and establish their motivations. So to make things easier, I will try to recap one family at a time.
House of Stark
Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark (Sean Bean) governs the north under the rule of King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy). He is asked by the King to become the new Hand of the King when the old one dies. Think White House Chief of Staff, only everyone carries swords.
The interaction between Ned and Robert showed the cameraderie of old friends while never letting us forget that Robert is the King.
House of Lannister
Queen Cersei's brothers Tyrion and Jamie take full advantage of their positions, with Tyrion the dwarf (Peter Dinklage) pratically living at the brothel and Jamie, well we'll get to him momentarily.
Cersei (Lena Headey), is (as Candace calls her) Lady Macbeth. She plots against her husband and Ned, and uses her children as political pawns. The way she gave the backhanded compliment about the north to Ned's wife was exactly what you'd expect from her.
Jamie is "the kingslayer," because he killed the previous King, a member of the Kingsguard and respected as one of the Seven Kingdoms greatest swordsman. He is Cersei's twin and SPOILER ALERT!! lover.
Ned's son Bran suffered the unfortunate consequences of finding out this secret, as Jamie pushed him off the castle wall to keep him quiet.
House of Targaryen
King Targaryen ruled the Seven Kingdoms before Robert, he was the King Jamie killed. His son Viserys and daughter Daenerys long to return to their rightful throne and Viserys (Harry Lloyd) arranges a marriage between Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and warlord Drago (Jason Momoa) so that they can use his army to start a war.
Their wedding was a rowdy affair that featured a fight to the death, because "a Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is a dull affair."
Later the sun literally sets on daenerys' virginity as Khal Drogo makes her his wife in a heartbreaking, yet beautifully shot scene.
As the series progresses, the action will become faster paced and the political intrigue more complicated, but as a first episode the last twenty minutes set things up nicely.
The first scene immediately caught my attention with a horrible massacre by an ancient supernatural race. I'm not sure who or what White Walkers are, but I'm terrified.
Following the horrific opening, the episode slowed, which is to be expected when a show has to introduce this many characters and establish their motivations. So to make things easier, I will try to recap one family at a time.
House of Stark
Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark (Sean Bean) governs the north under the rule of King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy). He is asked by the King to become the new Hand of the King when the old one dies. Think White House Chief of Staff, only everyone carries swords.
The interaction between Ned and Robert showed the cameraderie of old friends while never letting us forget that Robert is the King.
House of Lannister
Queen Cersei's brothers Tyrion and Jamie take full advantage of their positions, with Tyrion the dwarf (Peter Dinklage) pratically living at the brothel and Jamie, well we'll get to him momentarily.
Cersei (Lena Headey), is (as Candace calls her) Lady Macbeth. She plots against her husband and Ned, and uses her children as political pawns. The way she gave the backhanded compliment about the north to Ned's wife was exactly what you'd expect from her.
Jamie is "the kingslayer," because he killed the previous King, a member of the Kingsguard and respected as one of the Seven Kingdoms greatest swordsman. He is Cersei's twin and SPOILER ALERT!! lover.
Ned's son Bran suffered the unfortunate consequences of finding out this secret, as Jamie pushed him off the castle wall to keep him quiet.
House of Targaryen
King Targaryen ruled the Seven Kingdoms before Robert, he was the King Jamie killed. His son Viserys and daughter Daenerys long to return to their rightful throne and Viserys (Harry Lloyd) arranges a marriage between Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and warlord Drago (Jason Momoa) so that they can use his army to start a war.
Their wedding was a rowdy affair that featured a fight to the death, because "a Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is a dull affair."
Later the sun literally sets on daenerys' virginity as Khal Drogo makes her his wife in a heartbreaking, yet beautifully shot scene.
As the series progresses, the action will become faster paced and the political intrigue more complicated, but as a first episode the last twenty minutes set things up nicely.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The first 14 minutes of HBO's 'Game of Thrones'!
I know for the fans of the books, this is *SCREAMING* worthy, but I was doing nothing else but clapping and squealing the whole time I was watching this....basically the first two chapters of the book.
Friday, April 1, 2011
WonderCon 2011: Stephanie gets a taste of Westeros!
Stephane is attending WonderCon this weekend, and just minutes ago, got to sit on the Iron Throne from "Games of Thrones", HBO's new fantasy series that premieres this month.
To say that I'm a little jealous is an understatement.
If you are at WonderCon this weekend, don't miss out!!!
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