Game of Thrones has one of the best intros in the business and it's a welcome sight after a long wait for season 5. Ramin Djawadi's opening theme cries epic, one that is impossible to get sick of, whether you are tuning in week in week out or settling in for a season marathon. It's great to see the Eyrie and Pentos back on the map, as well as Winterfell no longer burning, albeit being garrisoned by a less than admirable Bolton house.
We are presented with 3 major scenes from the get go; the 2 Lannister story lines, separated by the Narrow Sea, and Dany's reign in Meereen. The budget of GOT is evident by not only the Great Sept of Baelor which houses Tywin Lannister's dead body, but a very impressive special effects shot where the statue of Meereen tumbles down from the great pyramid. It signals a new era. Elsewhere both Varys and Cersei begin with very blunt dialogue. For Varys it's the least subtle he has been in the entire series, proclaiming his Targaryen loyalties immediately, while Cersei is presumably aware of Jaime's actions in freeing Tyrion. While Varys claims that Dany is stronger than Tommen and gentler than Stannis, Dany shows her immovable stance on slavery and the fighting pits in Meereen. It begs the question just how up to date Varys is with his protégée and if he is considering the wisdom of these potential rulers.
In a more intimate scene Daario and Dany discuss the many affairs of being a queen post coitus. It's a distinct contrast between the normal royal presence of Dany with her loud proclamations and gestures. For once Emilia Clarke's acting shows the subtleties of her character and the stress of being such a young queen. It's another facet of Dany which we have not seen for a long time.
The TV show equivalent of Stalwart Shield makes his first appearance in a memorable scene, the castrated Unsullied warrior paying a prostitute for a cuddle instead of the usual. It doesn't have quite the same impact here; taken out of its context of the paranoia and bloodshed of the Meereen war. It is instead used for the introduction of the Sons of Harpy, which is very effective, mostly due to the menacing gold mask. For those less attentive viewers there follows another scene where Missandei questions the motives of the late Unsullied. It is there to merely prop up the relationship angle of her and Grey Worm.
To be even more blunt, Gilly spells out Ser Alliser's hatred for wildlings in our first look at Castle Black on the Wall. Hannah Murray as Gilly manages to shed her naivety in the new season by pointing out that Sam cannot leave the Wall just to follow her. Even Jon Snow isn't the boy who knows nothing anymore; in fact he's one of the most experienced men at Castle Black in the wake of the wildling assault last season. And he isn't without sexual experience either, as Mel finds out with a very blunt question which signals her intentions quite clearly. It's a far cry from the mysterious red women, the dark magic user that Davos has been so concerned about.
It's great to see Robin Arryn all grown up, although his fan base (if it exists) won't be too eager about his swordsmanship. Even with his great name it's pretty clear that Littlefinger's focus is on the new and improved dark Sansa. Eugene Simon returns, although barely recognisable, as Lancel Lannister, a new servant of the Seven. His father as Kevan Lannister is also returning as a ruling presence in King's Landing. Time will tell what effect they have on Cersei, in addition to the Tyrell influence of Loras and newly crowned queen Margaery.
The episode ends with Mance Rayder being burned alive, which is never pretty. It's a grim conclusion to the start of a grim season. While Dolorous Edd stands next to Jon Snow, two figures in Pip and Grenn have already departed. It's ambiguous what everyone thinks of Mance being made an example of in front of the wildlings, but for one exception; Jon, who takes pity and ends his life prematurely with an arrow through the heart. Amidst all the chaos of season 5, he will look to be firm and just. It's those qualities that are often attributed to kings, one of which is standing nearby as a free man burns. What is Stannis' next move? That and many more questions will be answered in the next 10 weeks.
We are presented with 3 major scenes from the get go; the 2 Lannister story lines, separated by the Narrow Sea, and Dany's reign in Meereen. The budget of GOT is evident by not only the Great Sept of Baelor which houses Tywin Lannister's dead body, but a very impressive special effects shot where the statue of Meereen tumbles down from the great pyramid. It signals a new era. Elsewhere both Varys and Cersei begin with very blunt dialogue. For Varys it's the least subtle he has been in the entire series, proclaiming his Targaryen loyalties immediately, while Cersei is presumably aware of Jaime's actions in freeing Tyrion. While Varys claims that Dany is stronger than Tommen and gentler than Stannis, Dany shows her immovable stance on slavery and the fighting pits in Meereen. It begs the question just how up to date Varys is with his protégée and if he is considering the wisdom of these potential rulers.
In a more intimate scene Daario and Dany discuss the many affairs of being a queen post coitus. It's a distinct contrast between the normal royal presence of Dany with her loud proclamations and gestures. For once Emilia Clarke's acting shows the subtleties of her character and the stress of being such a young queen. It's another facet of Dany which we have not seen for a long time.
The TV show equivalent of Stalwart Shield makes his first appearance in a memorable scene, the castrated Unsullied warrior paying a prostitute for a cuddle instead of the usual. It doesn't have quite the same impact here; taken out of its context of the paranoia and bloodshed of the Meereen war. It is instead used for the introduction of the Sons of Harpy, which is very effective, mostly due to the menacing gold mask. For those less attentive viewers there follows another scene where Missandei questions the motives of the late Unsullied. It is there to merely prop up the relationship angle of her and Grey Worm.
To be even more blunt, Gilly spells out Ser Alliser's hatred for wildlings in our first look at Castle Black on the Wall. Hannah Murray as Gilly manages to shed her naivety in the new season by pointing out that Sam cannot leave the Wall just to follow her. Even Jon Snow isn't the boy who knows nothing anymore; in fact he's one of the most experienced men at Castle Black in the wake of the wildling assault last season. And he isn't without sexual experience either, as Mel finds out with a very blunt question which signals her intentions quite clearly. It's a far cry from the mysterious red women, the dark magic user that Davos has been so concerned about.
It's great to see Robin Arryn all grown up, although his fan base (if it exists) won't be too eager about his swordsmanship. Even with his great name it's pretty clear that Littlefinger's focus is on the new and improved dark Sansa. Eugene Simon returns, although barely recognisable, as Lancel Lannister, a new servant of the Seven. His father as Kevan Lannister is also returning as a ruling presence in King's Landing. Time will tell what effect they have on Cersei, in addition to the Tyrell influence of Loras and newly crowned queen Margaery.
The episode ends with Mance Rayder being burned alive, which is never pretty. It's a grim conclusion to the start of a grim season. While Dolorous Edd stands next to Jon Snow, two figures in Pip and Grenn have already departed. It's ambiguous what everyone thinks of Mance being made an example of in front of the wildlings, but for one exception; Jon, who takes pity and ends his life prematurely with an arrow through the heart. Amidst all the chaos of season 5, he will look to be firm and just. It's those qualities that are often attributed to kings, one of which is standing nearby as a free man burns. What is Stannis' next move? That and many more questions will be answered in the next 10 weeks.