Game of Thrones: Season Three Review

WARNING!!!  Stop if you haven't finished watching the third season of Games of Thrones. 
WARNING NUMBER 2!! This is a long post. 

I promise I will try my best not to be one of those "that's not how it was in the book" people and keep the two separate, but there are moments it is difficult to do that, when the show doesn't do a character and storyline justice and properly. Especially when how it impacts the future of the story. 

I've also decided that the easiest way to break down my thoughts and reactions to the season is simply by two categories: What I liked and what I didn't like about this season. 

To start, as critical as I may be at times of the show, I felt that overall the third season was done well. In many ways the best so far. The third novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series - A Storm of Swords is the longest and a fan favourite (including mine). Many things happen that change the course of the series (as if that wasn't known already).   This season the  production value went up, the pace was slowed down and not every episode was crammed with all the multiple storylines, although at times I felt a few scenes where shoehorned in or rushed and not explained.  There was an overall attempt at character development and building and moving the plot forward. To quote Kit Harirngton (Jon Snow), this was an "impact season" as was the first.  It is also important to note, that the third season covered about 2/3 of the novel it is based on. The fourth season will continue and begin to incorporate more of the fourth book- A Feast for Crows. As the series continues, the fourth and fifth book: A Dance with Dragons, will be blended together. This makes sense since book four and five take place at the same time and are parallel, but with different and new character's and their point of views. 

Also, PLEASE hurry George R.R. Martin and finish The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring...okay, thanks! 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

I have to start with my biggest criticism of the third season (actually starting form the second half of the second seaon) and that is of the characterization and storyline of Jon Snow. 

For those that know me, my personal crush on Kit Harington is not a factor. I like the character of Jon Snow in the books, especially in the third one and after, he has one of the best story/character arc in the series. It is sad that with a talented actor who understands the character so well and one of the few in the cast to have read the books. This isn't a criticism and I understand the reasons for the actors not wanting to. It is just you can tell through his interviews that Kit understands Jon in a way that the writers of the show don't and have decided to ignore. 

I knew we were in trouble when in the promotion gearing up to the third season there seemed to be a lot of focus on Jon's relationship with Ygritte. I'm not denying the importance of this, but Jon's time with the Wildings impacts who he is later on. This time for Jon is about "killing the boy and becoming a man" to paraphrase a line from the book. He is developing into the leader he is destined to be. Life beyond the wall and with the Wildlings isn't exactly what he thought it would be from what he was told and learned before. I can't say much more than that, but by not showing what Jon learns from Mance Raydar and his relationship with Tormund Giantsbane about the Wildlings will have to somehow be fixed in order to make his future decisions make sense. 

Along with this, they did not show how much inner turmoil Jon is dealing with during this time. He's loyal to the Night's Watch always, and everything he does is linked to the command given earlier in season two by Qhorin Halfhand for Jon to be a double spy that even includes Jon having to kill him. In the book Mance asks Jon why he has left the wall and wants to join the Wildlings just after he tells Jon that he has seen him before in Winterfell during the feast when King Robert asks Ned Stark to be his hand.  Jon knowing Mance is skeptical and he has to be convincing smartly answers- something along the lines of "you were there at the feast, you saw where they put the bastard, away in the other room so as not to offend." Meaning to me that is Jon trying to show that he is sick of being treated like crap and only known for being a bastard and a nobody even at the wall. So by becoming a Wilding, he has become "free" and nobody cares about his background. For someone who is naturally ambitious and wants to make something of himself this works.  In the show Jon's reason is that Commander Mormont knew about Craster sacrificing his sons to the white walkers and did nothing about it. So he "wants to fight for the side that fights for the living." This is enough to convince Mance to give Jon a chance. Please. The biggest fail is the portrayal of Jon's relationship with Ygritte. The show turned Jon into a lovesick puppy and it seemed at times this was something Stephanie Mayer could have written.  

 The show has decided to overdo the romance between Jon and Ygritte. I won’t even go into how annoying T.V Ygritte was/is. There was also hardly any build up this season of Jon showing any interest in Ygritte up to the cave scene. There is no bonding or really getting to know one another. This isn't some love story. Jon deciding to break his vows and have sex with Ygriite was not out of love. The first time was a way for Jon to further prove himself to the Wildlings. He was still under suspicion and this was a last resort for him and to survive. He was still essentially following orders to be a double spy. Jon cares for Ygritte yes, but this is more a young man confused about sex, love and lust, and his loyalty with the first female who isn't a family member he comes across. After every time Jon is "with" Ygritte" he feels guilty and confused. That he has betrayed himself, the Night's watch and even Ygritte.  There is no mountain top kiss, and no teary goodbye. When Jon finally sees his opportunity to leave he does  without hesitation. He gets up on the horse and flees. Ygrittte shoots ONE arrow, not an excessive three to his thigh. She does this not out of some betrayal  but out of anger and loyalty to the Wildlings, just like Jon is loyal to his brothers. She is attempting to stop him from warning the Night's Watch about the Wildling's plan of attack. Some people online have said that Jon is an ass for leaving Ygritte. Haven't they been paying attention? It was always about the Night's Watch and protecting the realm for Jon. What was he suppose to do? Pick up Ygritte and bring her back to Castle Black...that would have gone over well. 

For example: "I know one thing. I know that you are wildling to the bone. It was easy to forget that sometimes, when they were laughing together, or kissing. But then one of them would say something, or do something, and he would suddenly be reminded of the wall between their worlds." (ASOS, p. 559)

"Sometimes Jon forgot how wild she was, and then she would remind him." (ASOS, p. 558)

"Too many lives depended on his somehow reaching Castle Black before the Magnar." (ASOS, p. 560)

So instead of focusing on Jon's development and character, they focused and upped the romance. I've gone long enough about this, but they just didn't do this aspect of the story justice and it is so important. 

A little too much Theon.

Instead of focusing on Jon we get a scene with Theon or another in a brothel. Don't get me wrong, Alfie Allen is a great Theon and brings a depth to him and at times sympathy towards Theon we fight against. Theon is actually not in the third book at all, and doesn't reappear until fourth or fifth, I can't exactly remember. I understand for T.V purposes the audience had to be reminded of Theon and his storyline moved earlier, but I think a few scenes throughout the season could have been enough. That could have been replaced with a Jon or even a Bran scene. I must say, Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton is creepy to watch, but he is so good and is arguably just as evil or more so as King Joffrey. 

Catelyn Stark

Poor Catelyn, and not just for what happens to her at the Red Wedding. That was horrible to read and was also bad, despite knowing what was happening to watch on screen. What upset me was how much reduced  as a character she became. Catelyn has POV chapters and everything is scene though her perspective. I liked that the writers expanded the character of Robb, and it was important in many ways and they had a great Robb Stark in Richard Madden. By doing this, they ended up cutting down Catelyn's character and importance. We don't see how politically smart Catelyn is. How much Robb counts on her advice, even after she releases Jamie Lannister. After all she was raised a Tully and married to Ned Stark for years. She knows how to play the game of politics, differently but just as equally as Cersei Lannister. They are meant to be opposites and balance each other out. Instead she is pushed into corners and reduced as nothing but a grieving mother, which is only part of her character. Michelle Fairley shinned this season when given the chance. Her monologue about praying for Jon not to die, then backtracking on her promise, her monologue about her father and childhood was acted wonderfully. Her final scene as a mother who has just watched her eldest (and to her knowledge her only son) die, reduced by grief and war to kill an innocent person herself, and then finally give up and be killed was heartbreaking. 

Unequal Nudity. 

Not that I'm a perv or anything, but for a show that claims it is and wants to be equal...it isn't. Yes sex and politics go hand in hand, even in the world of Westeros. Always has and always will. Yet there is more female nudity on the show than male. Whether it is a scene in a brothel, Daenerys taking bath, or Melisandre needing to be naked to get king's blood to name a few instances, can feel a little excessive at times. Seeing all of Theon in season one, a brief glimpse of Robb (who dresses while his wife writes a letter naked) and a long shot of Jon jumping into a hot spring doesn't cut it. Again, I'm not trying to be a perv, but if you're going to claim be equal and progressive...follow through. 

Direwolves

More please! I think that's is self explanatory. Not to get on a rant again, but the lack of Ghost by Jon's side is also problematic for plot reasons and that needs to be fixed for future happenings as well. They are just as important as dragons and are intertwined, literately with their characters. 

WHAT I DID LIKE

Jamie and Brianne

The banter and dynamic between these two is perfect. The friendship and the respect the two develop for one another is one of my favourite aspects of the series. I didn't want to start to like Jamie or get into his mindset when reading, but one of the great things about the books and series is that people are not black and white. To start to begin to at least understand Jamie and how he sees the world was extremely interesting to read and now watch. To see him go through a change as a character in how that vision of the world changes as well.. I wouldn't say Jamie is a 'good guy' but he is one of the most humanized, humbled and flawed characters in the series. It will be interesting to see how his character and storyline go (I do have a bit of an idea)  and  I can even accept some of the changes to his story, and they work well for T.V. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is perfect as Jamie Lannister and Gwendoline Christie as Brianne of Tarth does just as much justice to the character. There should be a spin-off with these two, lol. 

Daenerys the badass. 

I had issues with her storyline last season, but that has almost been entirely fixed this season. We now have seen growth in Dany. She is more confident and stronger with herself and those around her. She is learning to be a leader in a harsh world. Learning the game of politics herself. Some criticisms have been made with how a white character is freeing lesser non white characters who are slaves ( to put it lightly). I can see were they are coming form, especially since in the books the people she comes across are all different in their look and races. Yet sometimes I think we are too sensitive and read too much into nothing. Or maybe I'm just too tired and blinded by my Jon disappointment that I can't think straight, lol. Some exciting stuff for her character is coming and it should be interesting to see how it all plays out in the books and TV series.  

Dragons and CGI

Linked to Daenerys are her dragons. As they grow and become more of a presence the special effects linked to them needs to be good, and they were this season.This is in part the production value being upped and better. That is probably where most of the money went to and the lack direwolves as a result. The show will probably get more money for its budget as a result of this season's success that will also be needed. The cinematography and sets are incredible for a show and will need to continue as more places, characters and crazy events are coming. 

The Red Wedding. 

I remember reading this and being in complete shock at what was happening. I wanted to smash my Kobo, scream and shout and almost gave up on the entire thing. How could this be! Then again, I shouldn't have been all too surprised. If you haven't learned by now, no one is safe in the Game of Thrones  and things can change quickly. Happiness, honesty, loyalty and general goodness tends to be punished. As much as I was dreading this event, a part of me was very curious and interested at how the show would handle this. From the hints and clues throughout the season to the actual event the show did it justice. As soon as the 'Rains of Catamere' began to play and Catelyn lifted Roose Bolton's shirt to reveal chainmail  my heart and stomach began to hurt all over again. And then it happened. Some are calling this a watershed moment in television history, and maybe so. That it will be up there with other iconic T.V moments such as 'who shot J.R.', Ross and Rachel kissing for the first time, and well, Ned Stark's death. It is an important moment in the series that essentially affects everyone. Michelle and Richard nailed it in this scene (I actually almost typed killed it). I'll never forget Robb's look on his face and his voice as he gives up and says "mother," and Catelyn's scream and look of total anguish up to her throat being slashed. RIP King of the North and Lady Stark. 

Want more salt into the wound? As this was Michelle and Richard's last scene to film, Richard admitted to leaving the set as soon as they were finished and got straight on a plane back to London from Belfast, crying 'like a crazy man' the all the way back. Michelle refused to answer calls and emails from the show creators for a week, and when she finally did, she said reason was that she was 'in mourning.' 

Too harsh? Think of this. Catelyn, Robb, Talisa, Greywind and Lady are now all reunited with Ned. 

There are more things about the third season of Game of Thrones that I could talk about, but these are the main issues that stuck out. Overall it was a great season and I can't imagine how difficult it is to adapt thousands of detailed pages into ten hours screen time per season. 

So now we wait. We wait almost a year until next spring for season four.