Mr. Smith says "Thrones" is Winning, Not Dying
GAME OF THRONES
Episode 8 “You Win or You Die”
By now, likely you know the drill.
This weekend, there was a literary Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention here in Kansas City, and I had the pleasure of meeting George R.R. Martin’s wife, Paris. Lovely woman, very nice. While I was unable to procure an interview, she did invite me to contact her, and I absolutely will. She’s a regular attendee of this particular convention, and I know George has been guest of honor at least twice. So you can look forward to a nice post about that. So what would you have me ask the lady behind the man, hmmmmm?
This week has me thinking about the vows people take. Like this one, the vow the Night’s Watch take….
“Hear my words, and bear witness to my vow. Night gathers and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns, and win no glory. I shall live, and die, at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realm of men. I pledge my life and honor to Night’s Watch for this night and all the nights to come.”
They don’t make this pledge to their commander, or to their house, rather to their gods, and once said, cannot be unsaid. It’s forever, whether they like it or not. Some have to be on the wall, some want to be on the wall. But once there, they are there forever. FOR-EV-ER. I realize it’s not a new concept, people take vows all the time. Vows of silence, vows of chastity, marriage vows and the like. I really love how both the book and the series really nail the gravity of what they’ve just done. The scale of their words is as immense as the wall from which they guard the seven kingdoms. It flavors the story so well.
I was really glad we got to spend more time up north this week. Last week Rob Stark captured a Wildling too. He spared her life and now we got our first glimpse of the people north of the wall. Tough as nails, they are, and trying to get out. Winter’s coming, and with winter, come the others.
Further south, Ned’s letting his honor come before his kingdom, and it’s getting him in trouble. He’s learning Kate learned at the Aerie last week. Fighting with honor doesn’t obligate your opponent to do the same. Cersei is as cunning as they come, and she’s gonna put the screws to Ned. What about her wrath indeed.
There were AMAZING scenes this week, between Jamie and his father, Daenerys and her hubby, Ned and King Robert, Sam and John, and on and on. The level of performance in this is beginning to be showcased more and more.
Though we didn’t see any of Tyrion this week. I don’t know about you, but that made me a bit sad. Not to fear though he’ll be back. Maybe not next week, but he will.
Take a look at next week’s preview:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/6AoQQjkL2gc]
See you next week!
Mr. Smith.
