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Loras

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About Loras

  • Birthday 08/16/1989

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  1. I think that technically this episode was poor in places. What on earth was going on with the lighting of that final Dragonstone scene, that was just atrocious! It was as though Nutter had paid no attention to how that set had been lit previously - lots of cold, grey daylight. One of the things I loved about the show was the lighting of the various locations, so I really picked up on this. Overal I voted a 9/10 for this episode. Liam Cunningham was great as Davos. The Dragonstone scenes were a real highlight for me. Loved Arya and the Freys. I also liked the Dany scene at the end, while cheesy, there was some fantastic acting. I would have liked something supernatural at the end of the episode, but then I am a stickler for a pattern.
  2. I gave this episode a 9/10. I loved the whole sequence on Dragonstone, barring that scene in Episode 3, the Dragonstone storyline has been consistently good for the entire season. I particularly loved the scene between Stannis and Davos in the dungeon, everything about that scene was masterfully done. I really like how they are playing Davos as the Jiminy Cricket to Stannis' Pinnochio. Once again, another fantastic set of scenes featuring Daenerys. Emilia Clarke is evolving in the role, there is certainly something reptilian about her performance this season that I am really enjoying. I also liked the toned down version of Daario - though I do wonder whether simplifying this aspect of the story could cause headaches down the line. I enjoyed the additional scene with Daario and the second sons, but I think the theories here are built around some lazy dialogue (every D+D episode has one particular phrase that gets repeated in different places - or so it seems). KL was fantastic as usual. It was nice to see almost all of our regular players down there being featured. Though this season is seriously lacking Varys. I really like where they are taking Cersei this season, but I think that due to her reduced screentime, that the casual viewer will not have been paying attention to Cersei's increasing paranoia. My big problem with this episode is really the choice of scenes to include. Why not have Sam the Slayer and Osha's monologue in the same episode? It seems quite tacked on to have included this scene at the end of this episode. Also where on earth is Catelyn Stark, I really thought that S3 would be 'her' season but so far she has appeared for what... 20 minutes?
  3. I thought that this was an excellent episode. I gave it a 9. I really enjoyed the Jon Snow storyline. It is nice to see the story developing. I could maybe have done without Orell's crush on Ygritte, but it was nice to give the character some motivation. I am beginning to subscribe to the Iceland theory. Let's hope they don't go back there next year! I also liked Osha's expanding backstory, though I can't help but feel it would... . Some excellent scenes! Michelle MacLaren did a great job. I loved the closing shot of the bear pit and Mel's boat from above.
  4. Overall I rated this episode as an 8. I think that the biggest problem that I had with the episode was the scene ordering. I don't think that I will ever understand why the episode started with a Sam scene (that really didn't go anywhere other than to show off the Dragonglass) followed by a Bran scene that didn't achieve that much either. By starting with those two incredibly slow scenes, the episode lost an awful lot of momentum right from the get go. The rest of the episode was good. I loved the Jon sequences and felt that his story has now had some much needed development. I also loved the Varys/Littlefinger scene leading into the montage. The only scene that I thought was dreadful was the Sansa/Loras scene. Though the direction, with their reflections in the pond, made up for the atrocious dialogue.
  5. I really enjoyed this episode and rated it a 9/10. I really loved Kerry Ingram and Tara Fitzgerald. It was really nice to finally see Shireen - poor little lamb. The scene between Shireen/Stannis and Shireen/Davos were really brilliant. The 'Patchface' song was great too. I marked this episode down one point because I felt that the KL sequence that closed the episode was very choppy. It seemed like the scenes had been trimmed down too much to fit in the Daenerys material that wasn't originally going to be in the episode. Otherwise great!
  6. I agree with this. The way that he handles Edmure in the last episode is a prime example of how arrogant he is. Particularly the last line: "I would have told you at this gathering if you had just been patient." Alright Robb... I'll just sit on my hands and wait for you while Lannister forces are camped across the river from me. (I am an Edmure fan though, so I am totally biased)
  7. I gave this episode a 10. Alex Graves' direction was just phenomenal in this episode. From the framing of the shots in the tunnel to the beautiful cave shots. I was just so impressed. Alfie Allen was a standout for me in this episode. I really enjoyed him relating the story of what actually happened at Winterfell. His performance was incredibly raw and moving. Also a shout out to Gwendoline Christie. She was a revelation in this episode. I actually rather enjoyed the Ros/Varys scene. So much to like in this episode. I could have done without the shovelling shit section. I am also pleasantly surprised by how little Littlefinger there has been so far this season.
  8. I gave the episode a 9/10. The positives: - Riverrun: Just a series of wonderful scenes, I really enjoyed them all. I also wish that there was an establishing shot of Riverrun. Michelle Fairley is just wonderful! I also really enjoyed Edmure. (Though I did glimpse Riverrun behind Edmure in the opening scene). - The Theon chase was beautifully shot. - Musical chairs was brilliant. The negatives: - Pod and the whores. The Meereenese knot was particularly creepy looking. - Aiden Gillen continues to disappoint. - Repition in the dialogue: twat, 'the world' as opposed to seven kingdoms etc.
  9. I voted 8/10 again, though I do think that this episode was slightly better than Episode 1. The Good: * The opening: I think this could be the greatest opening scene in the series yet. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I loved Jojen's introduction and the throwback to the pilot episode. Very well done. * The Tyrells: Continue to be great. Diana Rigg and Natalie Dormer are doing an excellent job cementing the Tyrell's as fan favourites. My non-book friends love both of the characters. * Michelle Fairley: A joy to watch. I actually enjoyed that monologue for what it was. It makes sense to the character of Show!Catelyn. The Bad: * Daniel Minahan: I am really disappointed with him as a director for the second week in a row. The action sequence was once again very poor. His shots during the second Theon scene was a complete mess. Is the man obsessed with mirrors? Almost all of the scenes in King's Landing included a character looking at themselves in the mirror! Clumsy and unimaginative. * Shoehorned Characters: I felt like too many scenes in this episode were forced into the plot without purpose. Both of the scenes beyond the Wall were poorly executed, in my opinion. And we have that scene with Tyrion and Shae which may have a pay off but I wasn't a huge fan.
  10. The wee green scorpion-type thing in the little girl's wooden ball.
  11. Yeah, I agree with you here. Davos' plan to kill Melisandre was always a bit rash and always a bit out of character. He has just been rescued from an island in the middle of the sea. He is delirious and has had a 'vision' (in the novels). I actually thought that the scene came across as Melisandre goading Davos to attack her. She was probably aware of his plans in the flames and used it to her advantage. Melisandre just used this as an opportunity to extend her influence over the king. Van Houten totally nailed it too.
  12. It is a great title considering how well it linked all of the stories within the episode.
  13. I thought you would be glad to call something else a cop out :P - I jest ;) My review of the episode... I rated it an 8 out of 10 with my biggest problems being the direction (I really don't like Daniel Minahan as a director) and the order of scenes - surely Tyrion/Tywin should have been the climax of the King's Landing plot? _____________________________________________________ Has there ever been a title so apt for an episode of “Game of Thrones”? The season premiere is titled ‘Valar Doeheris’ which when translated from Valyrian, reads ‘All men must serve’. The theme carried through from the title touches on all of the major stories running through this episode. ‘Valar Doeheris’ is a beautifully produced episode of the show – but it does not come without flaws. The Opening Sequence: Every year, part of the joy of “Thrones” is the opening sequence. I am always excited to see how the steam punk map will reflect my own images of the cities and castles that inhabit Westeros and beyond. Last year I was bitterly disappointed with their rendering of Qarth – which was lifeless and uninspired (I guess it reflected that particular storyline well). This year, my worries have been put to rest. The camera drops down onto the burning ruins of Winterfell – which is in itself a poignant reminder of the events that unfolded in last season’s finale. After that we are treated to a stunning representation of Astapor... complete with Harpy statue. Beautiful. Imposing. I want to get there right now! What I liked: Beyond the Wall: It is not often that I have praise for the ”Jon Snow” storyline, but it looks like things are about to change. The Wildling camp was a beautiful thing to behold (although it seems to have snowed a great deal in the time it has taken them to climb down that cliff), Gemma Jackson is a genius – and it was completed by a CGI Giant. I really enjoy the character of Ygritte, especially now that she has been raised from inconsequential talk of stones, bones and handjobs. Rose Leslie captures the spearwife perfectly and I cannot help but be drawn to her when she is on screen. Going into this episode I was concerned about Hinds in the role of Mance, but he blew me away. He wasn’t Caesar beyond the Wall – but a charismatic, clearly intelligent leader of men. He has captured the nuance of Mance extremely well in his limited screentime and I look forward to seeing his work going forward. Similarly Tormund was well played by Hivju, seems to have been born to play the role. While this Tormund might be grimmer than his larger-than-life book counterpart, I enjoyed his introduction and I love referring to Jon as “baby crow”. Perhaps there is an engaging Jon storyline on the cards... fingers crossed. Astapor: The shot of Daenerys Targaryen looking over the prow of her boat to the Slaver city of Astapor must be one of the most beautiful shots of the series to date. The colours of the shot were outstanding, credit must go to Minahan (though there will be more on him later). Again, there seems to have been course correction here from the poor ”Daenerys Targaryen” storyline in season 2. It was lovely to hear Astapori Valyrian, another wonderful language from David Peterson. Though I am not sure whether the casual viewer would be aware of Daenerys’ understanding. The final section of the episode was wonderful, if somewhat predictable. The manticore was more great CGI and the score to Barristan’s reveal was epic. King’s Landing: Oh how I love King’s Landing and this episode is no different. I found every scene, other than Bronn’s pointless brothel scene and having to endure Aiden Gillen’s Littlefinger on screen, captivating. Natalie Dormer really brought her A-game as Margaery. I think that this is one of the benefits to having introduced her in the second season. We already know what she is about but this episode added a tonne of flesh to those bones. Charles Dance and Peter Dinklage gave me goosebumps during that confrontation scene. Another wonderful piece of acting. I am enjoying the less confident Tyrion following the battle. I look forward to all of their other scenes to come. All the small things: This episode was brimming with moments that made my heart soar. I loved the small conversation between Roose Bolton and Rickard Karstark, where Roose promises revenge for his sons’ deaths. I love how the scornful look of the Northmen forced Robb to find a cell for his mother. I loved Talisa’s brief appearance (though did anyone else notice that Oona’s sigil in the credits is two circling lions...). I loved Davos’ rock and Sallador Saan. I loved all of the establishing shots – King’s Landing from the Blackwater and Astapor from Dany’s ships. What I didn’t like: So I guess you must be wondering what I didn’t like about the episode? Well there are two things: direction and structure. Direction: I have already mentioned that I thought that Minahan has some moments of brilliance in this episode; the way that he captures Astapor is beautiful and the framing of Margaery speaking to the septa from within Joffrey’s litter is a touch of genius. Yet he also has his flaws as a director – in the first season he butchered one of my favourite scenes from the novels (Ned confessing to Cersei) so perhaps I hold a grudge. Minahan seems to really struggle to direct action sequences. Minahan directed three episodes in season one: ‘A Golden Crown’, ‘You Win or You Die’ and ‘The Pointy End’. I have always thought that he struggles with action, particularly in the GRRM penned ‘The Pointy End’. His framing of Arya killing the stable boy is (for me) the worst moment of the entire show so far, it took me completely out of the scene. He also seemed to struggle with the Wight attacking Mormont at Castle Black. He seems to get quite glitchy during these scenes – and cuts about all over the place. We see this style of direction again in this episode and it pulls the viewer out of both the cold open and the episode’s climax. When Sam is running through the snow we are treated to this dark, foreboding snow storm – we know why he is running and we are willing him to be ok. Then he is attacked by the wight and the camera jumps all over the place. It is a mess. Dragging us out of the horror of the scene while the director plays with camera angles. Then the wight is suddenly set on fire... great... and Mormont is standing right beside it?! The direction is really poor, which leads me to be disappointed in the cold open. The action at the end is equally poor and choppy. I hope the idea for Barristan wearing that ridiculous cloak to attempt a classic bait and switch was not his idea. This would have involved that Barristan and not the little girl was the assassin. Anyway, the fight with the manticore was just messy – sloppy even – direction. We hardly see Dany get pushed for a start. Again it drags you away from the action and the importance of the sequence. I sincerely hope that Minahan does not have much action to direct in the next episode. He just needs to leave the camera alone. Pick an angle and stick to it. Rant over – until next week I imagine.
  14. That is a really interesting theory. I guess then that Euron was expecting Victarion to betray him and blow the horn himself. I doubt that Moquorro would be interested in allowing he dragons to be bound to Euron, and has suggested three other men to take the place of the warlocks? I really like this theory.
  15. The only real moment would be Coldhands rescuing Sam and Gilly from the wights. I have this awful feeling that the Shavepate will betray Barristan and will have been working for the Harpy all along. When the horn sounds, the army retreats only for the gates of Meereen to be barred and the dragons loosed.
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