By now, if you haven’t heard, the first four episodes of Game of Thrones season 5 was leaked by someone with a press screener copy, probably guaranteeing that HBO never sends out press screeners ever again. Which I think is perfectly fine — the show is so popular that HBO doesn’t actually have to court entertainment outlets for their reviews. They can watch it with the rest of the world and then review it afterwards, like what ordinary viewers do. They can’t release their reviews until after the episode has aired anyway — what’s a few hours’ more delay?
But I must admit, I was very tempted to be a pirate and watch all four episodes at one go, though I ultimately decided not to. Firstly, the quality of the leaked episodes aren’t fantastic, and I didn’t want to spoil my enjoyment in any way; and secondly, I would prefer to watch it with the rest of the world and be able to talk about it openly, instead of spoiling it for people who would rather not be pirates. Game of Thrones is a viewing experience with the community, not a secret to be spoiled, whether you have read the books or not.
Now that’s out of the way, let me get on with my “instant reactions” of the first episode.
First ever flashback in the show. Even when young, Cersei looks mean-spirited.
I get “Gold will be their crowns”, but not really “Gold will be their shrouds” — unless the witch means they will all die young? Which prince was Cersei promised to by the way?
The blue-eyed pebbles on Tywin Lannister freaked me out a little before I realised what I was looking at.
Even though Cersei hated her father (she did, right? I didn’t remember wrongly?), she still mourned his death as though she loved him. I guess that’s dysfunctional parent-child relationships for you.
Definitely my favourite exchange of the night:
Tyrion: “Do you know what it’s like to stuff your shit through one of those air holes?”
Lord Varys: “No, I only know what it’s like to pick up your shit and throw it overboard.”
Once again, why do they like to have blatantly half-naked women thronging the street in broad daylight? :S I’m sure not even in the Middle Ages whores did that…
Poor guy. :S Paying for a whore to soothe him with a lullaby like his mother, only to be slit in the throat!
How does George R. R. Martin come up with such strange names like “Sons of the Harpy”?
Who is this Mossador? Actually, I’ve forgotten a lot of what happened last season. When did Daenerys reach Meeren, and why did she decided to stay there again?
Hey, Ser Alliser (that guy who hates Jon Snow) is still alive! I thought he was wounded fatally in battle. And he still allows Janos Slynt the coward to skulk around beside him, I see.
Robin Arryn the spoilt brat is now forced to “work” for his living, with no crazy mother to defend him. Hah!
Sansa has become snarkier towards Littlefinger since we last saw her. I like it!
And what a coincidence! Their carriage passed not far from Brienne and Podrick, just as they were talking about Sansa. Speak of the devil, but never the twain shall they meet.
Seems I’m going to have to rewatch the episodes with Lancel Lannister, cause I can hardly remember him too.
I really don’t like the relationship/scenes between Dany and Daario Naharis. The latter isn’t a very likeable character.
Whoa, Dany is really brave/stupid/suicidal, Mother of Dragons or not, to go into the darkness without a light whence she knows not her uncontrollable dragons now hide.
THANK YOU JON SNOW, FOR SHOWING MANCE RAYDER MERCY AND SPARING HIM A TERRIBLE LONG-DRAWN DEATH. That was horrible to watch.
By the way, if you haven’t, you HAVE to watch the below skit of Seth Meyers bringing Jon Snow to a dinner party. Everything about it is perfect, but especially Jon miming the events of the show.
