What a great end to a great season. I honestly wasn't sure if HBO could do the books justice in only 10 episodes, but they did it and they did it well. All of the actors were fantastic, even Sophie Turner (Sansa) who hadn't really impressed me until episode nine. I thought Jack Gleeson (Joffery) was amazing (and disturbing) as an emerging tyrant in this episode and I can hardly wait for next season because I think he has the potential to really bring Joffery's character and cruelty to life. The King in the North scene was one of my favorites from the books and the show really pulled it off. I had chills. Also great were the Littlefinger and Varys scene (there really wasn't much dialogue to it, but there was good tension and chemistry) and the scene between Catelyn and Jamie. With just a single look of pain/anger/shame at hearing Catelyn's question of justice, I suddenly believed that Nikolaj Coster-Waldau could be a convincing Jamie. Jamie is probably my favorite character in the books and his character's transformation from incestuous prat to honorable knight should be really entertaining. Maybe I'm being picky but i wasn't crazy about the scenes on the Wall this season, including this episode. Likely that's because I'm comparing it to north of the Wall, which has the potential to be terrifying/amazing. I also thought the dragon scene could have been done better. I mean, did they all pass out for a few hours and wake at once? Dany's hair is flame retardant? I know that Dany is supposed to look shell-shocked but the result was a look of forced bewilderment. The dragons looked great, but I'm going to be realistic and guess that they will only appear in season 2 a handful of times for budget purposes. I wasn't upset by Roz and Pycell's scene, although it was drawn out. It showed that Pycell is shrewd and playing an act as well. He likely also knows that Roz is a spy for Littlefinger and wants to appear a vacuous old man. I gave the episode a 9 out of 10, and would have given it 9.5. Great acting, great way to end the season. Lots of good tie-ins going forward to season 2. I was just really disappointed by the ending scene. Look how you've spoiled me GRRM!!! I give the first season a 9.5 overall. Amazing series and has the potential to get better. I love the way the story is driven by each unique character, but there is risk in this as well. All in all, i think some of the 'epic-ness' was taken out of the story this season in favor of developing the characters. There were no big battle scenes, no melees, or shots of large armies. But each character's progression was so real and emotional that I was hooked right away. I can't wait for season 2.
