Game of Thrones (TV Series) Valar Dohaeris (2013) User Reviews

Good Beginning of the Third Season

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 27 April 2014]

Sam is saved from a wight by Ghost first and then by Mormont and a few survivors and Mormont tells that they need to return to The Wall to warn people that danger is coming to Westeros. Jon Snow meets Mance Rayder and he questions why Snow wants to join them and Mance is satisfied with his explanation. Tyrion has a meeting with his father that does not believe that he saved King's Landing from Stannis. Littlefinger offers to help Sansa to Leave King's Landing with him while Ros advises Shae to take care of Sansa and to not trust in Littlefinger. Davos is rescued from an island by Salladhor and he asks to be bought to Dragonstone with the intention of killing Melisandre. Robb and his army arrive at Harrenhal and find all prisoners murdered and only one survivor. Daenerys arrives at Astapor and she negotiates slave-soldiers known as Unsullied with the trader Kraznys mo Nakloz. She is also saved from an attempt of murder from a magician by Barristan Salmy.

"Valar Dohaeris" shows a good beginning of the Third Season of "Game of Thrones". How will be the life of Jon Snow living with his enemies is an intriguing point. Will he change his viewpoint regarding the Wildings? The treatment of Tywin despising his son Tyrion explains part of the behavior of the imp. Sansa does not know that Littlefinger betrayed he father and Ros's pertinent advice to Shae is relevant. But the most promising part of this season seems to be Daenerys and her dragons. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Valar Dohaeris"

Fantastic Premiere

[voldie25 · 9/10 · 1 April 2013]

Like with the previous 2 seasons,the premiere titled "Valar Dohaeris" sets up the rest of the season nicely As a die-hard book fan,i wasn't that much satisfied with the opening 10 minutes.In the books,Sam kills the wight himself not Lord Commander Mormont.Also,I wasn't a big fan of the way Jon convinced Mance Ryder(played by Ciaran Hinds)to join the wildlings.Ciaran Hinds is a great choice for the role of the King-Beyond-The-Wall.But the rest of the episode is wonderful.It's a joy to watch Tyrion with Cersei,Bronn and Tywin.The acting is fantastic in all the 3 scenes.

Meanwhile in Astapor,Ser Barristan Salmy saves Daenerys from getting bit by a scorpion thingy.Although this wasn't how things went down in the book,I didn't mind the change The premiere sets up the rest of the season slowly but smartly.

Setting the Table

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 21 May 2015]

Jon Snow is in the snow, making his way into the hearts of his captors. He claims that treason is a small price to pay for his end game. Joffrey is certainly feeling his oats but may begin to wonder at the price he may pay for his coming marriage. Margery has the should of the people and stops in a dangerous place to talk to some orphans about the courage of their fathers. She promises that the king will look after them. The queen is obviously disturbed because her Freudian connection may be severed (she has so many edges). Tyrion gets to talk with his father. He finds he has been used again. The family, it would seem, is the center of things, yet Tyrion must always prove himself. The fact that his mother died giving birth to him trumps everything and his accomplishments are constantly diminished. It would appear that the dwarf brother is starting to realize that he has no friends at all. As a matter of fact, it is clear that should he consider carrying on his relationship with the woman he loves, she will be killed summarily. The balancing of all factors going forth in the war is the strength of this episode. We also have Dani trying to raise an army and coming on a pack of 8,000 mercenaries who have killed babies to get where they are. Her dragons are not mature, but she needs troops now and it will be interesting if she will go along with the wishes of the evil.

Impressive Return

[sophie-wise · 14 May 2013]

I believe it is not too bold a statement to say that Game of Thrones is one of the best programmes to have graced our television screens. Power, greed, violence, sex, incest, fantasy – you name it, the show has it and so wonderfully put together thanks to the masterful craftwork of David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. For the past two series watching each episode was a weekly event, an hour of pure captivation down to the shows sheer epic-ness. Tonight was no exception, as the premiere episode of Season 3 reminded us of just how brilliant it is and how much we have actually missed it.

If, like me, you haven't had time to re-watch Seasons 1 and 2, it may take a while for past events to come together. Thankfully, however, we join the first episode where Season 2 ended, the aftermath of the Battle of Blackwater, Jon Snow's integration into the Wildlings and as Tywin Lannister so helpfully summarises, there are "seven kingdoms to look after, three of which are in rebellion".

In a pre-credit sequence we join the surviving Nights Watch men after an attack from the White Walkers. They declare their loyalty to protecting the seven kingdoms and vow to return to the wall, to warn of the dangers approaching with winter's arrival. After being captured by the Wildlings, Jon Snow is taken to their community (giants and all) and speaks to Mance Rayder, their king. After a startling discovery at the wall in which Craster fed a baby to a White Walker, Jon pledges his loyalty to the Wildlings, wishing to "fight for the right side". Queue title sequence and Ramin Djawadi's instantly recognisable score. We're back.

King's Landing is severely affected after the war. First on a literal level, as surrounding scenery is masked with development and construction, whilst bodies (victim of wildfire) wash up on shore. Second on an emotional and personal level. Joffrey Baratheon is hated more than ever (although perhaps soon to be salvaged thanks to Margaery Tyrell's charitable work) and Tyrion, despite his grand efforts in the war, remains no good to bear the Lannister name. In a wonderfully written and heartbreaking exchange, Tywin Lannister makes this known via discourse of hatred, embarrassment and ridicule. He effectively declares Tyrion to be the bottom rung of the Lannister family and expresses un- paternal wishes. It's to Charles Dance and Peter Dinklage's credit that this scene is so effective. Dance's slurry of venom mixed with Dinklage's pained expressions is a truly captivating moment. Boy how I have missed their presence

Meanwhile, we join Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons at sea, on her mission to build an army. She travels to the city of Astapor to buy an army of trained slave soldiers, known as the 'Unsullied'. So brutal are they, they've killed babies and show no grimace at getting their nipples chopped off. Their stone stature was not as impressive however, as the subtle comedic translated exchange between Daenerys and the army's trainer. Both characters jibe at one another regarding their morals, or lack there of, referring to a recurring theme in Game of Thrones – how low will people stoop resultant from their lust for power?

Whilst in Astapor, an attempted assassination of Daenerys by the warlocks of Qarth fails, and she is saved by Barristan Selmy, the former commander to her father, who pledges his loyalty.

Elsewhere in the episode, we return to Davos, reeling with injuries from the wildfire explosion and mourning the death of his son. He returns to Dragonstone to speak to Stannis Baratheon, only to be locked up after his attack on Melisandre, who appears to have a dark hold over Stannis. Robb Stark continues to travel with his army, wishing to fight the Lannisters. Still angry at his mother for releasing Jamie Lannister (for the safety of Arya and Sana), he expresses his wishes for her to remain locked up. Each of these character tropes remain out of the spotlight this episode, however, leaving depth and focus toward the aforementioned developments of Daenerys and the Lannisters. It is a wise move for this season's opening, as we're taken to the heart of the action and emotion for the time being. As always with Game of Thrones, some story arcs take a while to get going but I have no doubt that it will all be developed brilliantly in due time.

It is worth mentioning the noticeable improvement to the look of the show. To me it felt more vivid, brighter and beautiful. Whilst the majority of additions were CGI, long shots from different locations nevertheless showcased the developments of scenery on a grander scale than seen previously. Game of Thrones is definitely upping its, er... game.

A most impressive return - welcome back Game of Thrones. I've never been so excited for winter.

A solid start to season three

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 30 December 2015]

This episode follows on immediately after the events of season two. After the talk of Mance Rayder, the King beyond the Wall, John Snow finally meets the man and is asked why he wants to abandon the Night's Watch and join his Wildling forces. Meanwhile the rest of the Night's Watch decide that they must return south to the wall to warn of the threat from the White Walkers. Back in King's Landing Tyrion is disappointed when his father refuses to give him what he had expected for leading the operation that had saved the city; Margaery Tyrell shows that she has an understanding of the common people that others around the king can't rival and Lord Baelish offers to help Sansa leave the city. We also learn that Davos Seaworth survived the Battle of Blackwater Bay; upon being found he returns to Stannis and discovers that things aren't going well as Melisandre continues to influence him. Across the Narrow Sea Daenerys heads to the city of Astapor to by an army of Unsullied; slave warriors who will follow any order without question; she clearly doesn't approve of slavery but if she is to take the Iron Throne she will need an army and they are the best.

While there isn't a huge amount of action this is a good start to the third season; it nicely reminds us what is happening with most, but not all, of the major characters. The most interesting events are those that take place away from the Seven Kingdoms; Jon Snow's meeting with Mance Rayder was handled in an interesting way and even managed to produce a laugh when Jon identifies the wrong person as Mance, the giant at the Wildlings camp was also pretty cool. The scenes with Daenerys in Astapor were also interesting as they introduce the Unsullied and the scene where their owner insults Daenerys while translator, Missandei, gives a more polite version was nicely amusing. The other scenes were good too; with a nice mix of plot progression, reminding us what has happened and some mild humour. As expected the acting is impressive throughout; making us believe in the characters even in the more fantastical scenes. The effects for these fantastical scenes are really good; making the unreal seem real. Overall a fine episode that set things up for the upcoming season in an impressive way.

D.B. Weiss and D. Benioff correct their mistakes of previous season!

[seb-chovi-man · 10/10 · 31 March 2013]

As the title of this review suggests, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff have started to correct the mistake they made last season: STAY TRUE TO THE BOOKS. I loved this first episode, mostly because it reminders me of what made first season so damn good! The usual stuff as the acting and production size (costumes, settings, etc) are as good and rich as always. However, the best thing in this episode is the writing, mostly because, once again, it stays true to the books. Of course there are some minor changes, but like in the first season, you even enjoy said changes (unlike last season's incomprehensible changes) and some of the best lines are taken directly from the books, making this episode better still. I hope both D.B. and Benioff continue this way, for this is the formula that makes this TV series so intensely good! My ten-out-of-ten rating goes particularly to the scene between Tyrion and Tywin, and of course, the ending of the episode.

GOT Binge...

[jcbsn · 8/10 · 25 June 2016]

Nice to see things are shaping up nicely for Jon Snow. For Tyrion and everyone else not so much. Littlefinger did figure out Arya's secret, and he is still hosing over Sansa, who should have just left with the hound.

AND HOLY SHIZ, THE DRAGONS ARE BIG AND FLYING! TIME TO TURN IT UP!

Stannis is crazy, and the red witch lady is crazier. Cults, man. Messed up. Inbred rat king is in way over his head, finally. Hopefully his new love interest doesn't get her balls chopped off after he realizes hers are significantly larger in girth than his own.

Despite the dragons, things aren't getting any easier for Daenerys, but piece by piece she is setting herself up well. Definitely playing the long game. I'm still hopeful she crosses paths with Jon Snow and they join forces and absolutely wreck shiz.

Great start of the season

[IamInge · 9/10 · 23 June 2019]

Season 2 ended with "Valar Morghulis". It's only fitting that season 3 should start with "Valar Dohaeris", the second part of the High Valyrian greeting. Particularly so as this season starts off right where we left off in season 2. But this episode is not about lingering in the past. It nicely sets the stage for the new seasons with new subplots and interesting scenes.

All men must serve

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 5 January 2018]

Came to 'Game of Thrones' fairly late in the game and due to being so busy the binge-watching was gradual. Have found myself truly loving the show, very quickly becoming one of my favourites. It totally lives up to the hype and not only does it do the brilliant source material justice (a rarity in television) it is on its own merits one of the finest, most addictive and consistently compelling shows in recent years and quality-wise it puts a lot of films in recent years to shame.

"Valar Dohaeris", with my review summary referring to its English meaning, is a great Season 3 opener. Even if there were episodes from the previous two seasons that were bigger and bolder and understandably new ideas and characters gave the impression of still settling. They for my liking weren't quite used enough, with the episode deftly reminding us briefly but deftly of events from Season 2 and expanding them. Just my personal opinion. It may sound like "Valar Dohaeris" is not a good episode, actually as said already it's a great one with so much done brilliantly.

The characterisation of the older and popular characters continues to excel with some memorable scenes and subplots that weren't as interesting or developed in Season 2 expanded. Appreciated highly the advancing of Daenerys'. In terms of memorable scenes, the exchange between Tywin and Tyrion packs a big emotional punch and is one of Season 3's strongest moments dramatically.

Peter Dinklage, Charles Dance, Kit Harrington and Emilia Clarke are particularly wonderful here and Ciaran Hinds in his introductory appearance is a welcome addition.

Visually, "Valar Dohaeris" looks amazing. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. The visual effects are some of the best of any television programme and are not overused or abused, the scale, the detail and how they actually have character and soul are better than those in a lot of the big-budget blockbusters. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.

One cannot talk about "Valar Dohaeris" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.

It is hard not to be bowled over by the quality of the writing, outstanding isn't a strong enough adjective to describe how good the writing is once again. It always has a natural flow, is layered and thought-provoking and demonstrates a wide range of emotions such as suspenseful tension, poignant pathos and witty humour. The story is paced beautifully, structured with such nuance and attention to coherence, a high emotional level and is done with intelligence, passion and sensitivity.

Direction is superb as is, even more so, the acting with not a single weak link.

In conclusion, great and a great sign of what was to follow. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Not A Bad Opening To Season 3

[Rainey-Dawn · 8/10 · 16 September 2018]

Season 3, episode 1. Tyrion is still not respected by his family - even after the battle of Blackwater and Tywin surely will not give him Casterly Rock even though it should rightfully be his. Cersei still can't be trusted - she is plotting against Tyrion. Robb has his mother put into a room that acts as a cell for her letting Jamie go. Daenerys is gathering an army. Littlefinger is still trying to talk Sansa to leaving King's Landing with him. Joffery is still interested in Margaery. Stannis is back with The Red Woman licking his wounds from his defeat at the battle of Blackwater. Jon is making a pact with the Wildlings.

8.5/10

A great beginning to Season 3

[gavin-thelordofthefu-48-460297 · 9/10 · 20 April 2016]

Valar Dohaeris does a fantastic job continuing where the last season left off and is very interesting to see new characters appear.

The relationships are still good, the performances are still good, the script is well-written, the story's solid, the scenery and music score's great, and the directing along with pacing is tighter and does give a lot of atmosphere to the background and the characters.

My only quibble is that the new characters had little to do and I would love to see more of their lines, but it doesn't matter. Everything else turned out fine. Overall, a great beginning to Season 3 and I would love to review the rest sometime today.

Slow Building Episode

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 27 March 2019]

The main thing that leaps out is how conversational this episode really is. There's not a great deal to say about it, when it deliberately avoids trying to sustain the momentum of last season's finale.

It is a slow moving episode, I suspect the feeling of slowness has to do with the fact that there are no big surprises. Given the slower pace, what this episode is really about is the characters and re-establishing them and their relationships, both old and new. We have Tyrion and Tywin meeting once again. This scene is the highlight of the episode, as Dance and Dinklage get across the bitter reality of their family life. The scene with Cersei before it continues the trend of examining the family dynamic, and the actors do a fair job getting it across. Tyrion's wariness around his sister is well-deserved, especially when we consider the fact that on the show it's been suggested to Tyrion that Cersei herself was behind the attempt on his life.

We do get our first look at Mance Rader, Tortmund, The Unsullied and Quyburn, a character who will go on to be very important.

All in all, despite the quibbles, despite the disappointment in the introductions of the new characters whom book readers had anticipated so much, this was a solid start. Individually, most of the scenes hang well together, with the actors all in top form, and there's a good level of coherence. They avoided the pitfall of last year's opener, which was trying to catch up with every single character (plus giving significant time to a brand new region and characters in it), and so were able to give the scenes they did have just a bit more room to breath. It's only a shame that they loaded so much of last season's finale with the surprises and twists that could have opened this show, and given these scenes a sense of borrowed urgency simply by their juxtaposition wih the surprises that they could have had.

Valar Dohaeris

[tbmforclasstsar · 2 April 2013]

Spring is becoming my favorite time of year, because with it comes (insert winter-related clichéd pun). Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's move on.

Before I begin, for full disclosure, I am an avid fan of the book series, so my views and opinions on the show are somewhat biased. As such, it's impossible not to notice when major events happen differently from the books I am a junkie for, but it's part of the reason an adaptation like this is interesting to watch.

The difficulty of adapting these novels into one-hour television entrées is readily apparent. The lack of any sort of episodic nature, central plot, or main protagonist, as well as a list of characters and locales a mile long makes even recapping the events of the episode an endeavor. But as the show enters the third season, it is apparent that the producers have more than hit their stride, having a clear understanding of when to hold back, and how to focus an episode not around every character, but themes and ideas. With the failure of Stannis' major assault of King's Landing in the explosive Battle of Blackwater Bay, the players have mostly been scattered, routed, or are taking breathers after a close shave. And it's this lull in the action that gives the producers perfect opportunity to hint at the season's narrative arcs, and by all indications it's going to be leagues beyond the thoroughly enjoyable yet oftentimes unmemorable season two.

The premiere, wonderfully titled "Valar Dohaeris" as a response to the season two finale, "Valar Morghulis" (readers will know what this means), begins with an atypical cold open (get it?) several hours from where we were left with the previous finale, in which the initial appearance of the shambling white walker army petrifies the admitted cowardly Samwell Tarly. Luckily, with the start of the premiere, he has found his feet and somehow escaped from the horrors surrounding him. Before he can catch his breath however, he's set upon by one of the frosty corpses brandishing an axe, only to be saved moments before his would-be beheading by an impeccably timed dire wolf lunge, and a torch from the small group of Night's Watch survivors. Although a glimpse of the battle at the Fist of the First Men (the mountaintop where the rangers made camp) would have been greatly preferable, the scene is tense, and provides just enough action to get the blood pumping before the ever-changing opening credits.

Meanwhile still north of the wall, Jon Snow finally reaches the massive wildling camp, under watch of the way too clean and pretty looking Ygrite (seriously, where's the dirt? You live in a hut), home of the mythical giants and equally mythical Mance Rayder, "the King Beyond the Wall." In meeting Mance, Jon is treated to another look into a world of alien freedom where, although given respect, no man is beholden to a lord.

To read the rest of the recap/review (IMDb form too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/game-of-thrones-3-1-valar-dohaeris/

Valar Dohaeris, S3 EP1 review

[mohammedadallawati · 9/10 · 7 November 2022]

Soundtrack : (9.3/10) Dialogue : (9.1/10) Story : (9.1/10) Cinematography : (9.2/10) Character development : (9/10) Conflict : (8.9/10) Excitement : (9.2/10) Reasonableness : (9.3/10) Overall : (9.1/10)

Pros :

• showcase of the wildling and their way of living .

• introduction to several interesting characters .

• getting more with the common people in kingslanding .

• an interesting battle between Cercie and Margery on Joffrey .

• several locations with conflicts occurring to all of them and a great set up of what yet to come .

Cons :

• lack of a cliffhanger .

• some scenes might be considered a bit boring.

Satisfying start to the third season

[mrlewismoon · 8/10 · 9 March 2023]

As every opener should, the pieces are set into place for the grand chessboard ahead of another game of rival strategies. The influence of the White Walkers finally becomes prevalent, though it has always stood as one of the most interesting narrative elements, yet has thus far proven underdeveloped. Tyrion and his familial relationship continues to grow, as does Jon and his role in relation to the Monarchy. Whilst this may be far from the most eventful episode, as last season's penultimate outing was, it sets everything in stone well, but fails to make Danny's dire dragon story anything better than silly.

Things are about to kick up a notch.

[punch87 · 8/10 · 25 October 2019]

A perfectly calibrated masterclass demonstration of how well these showrunners understand the material, its pull and its rhythms, and the patient dedication of the audience they have summoned to join them around the campfire.

An amazing start to the new season

[GusherPop · 10/10 · 1 March 2023]

Game of Thrones is not just a television show. Game of Thrones is a full-fledged event. I have spent the better part of this weekend glued to the television, streaming episode after episode in a marathon of screaming, swords clashing, blood spraying, dragons roaring, and sexposition sexpositioning. To say that the first episode back after a very long wait was eagerly anticipated would be an understatement. Game of Thrones has lost nothing in the long wait between seasons; indeed, the best show on television has gotten even better in the interim, even if HBO telegraphed one big surprise with its "Previously on" round-up. Even with that spoiler (avoid it if you can), the show is nothing short of brilliant thanks to the steady hand of David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. The bulk of the episode this week picks up right where the Battle of Blackwater leaves off. King's Landing is rebuilding, bodies are washing up on the shore, and Joffrey Baratheon is even less popular than he was before the battle - and this is a kid who started a riot and murdered dozens of starving people after being hit in the face with flying poo. However, in a clever note, we see that Margaery Tyrell giving a lesson on how to win people over in a way that instantly makes Cersei hate her with a burning passion. She's got a bit too much of her father in her. Charles Dance may be the show's best actor when it comes to delivering long, blistering monologues. In season one, he ripped into the Kingslayer while ripping into a deer carcass. This season, the carcass he rips into is that of his mangled son, Tyrion Lannister. Despite being blessed with the family name and all the money and power that it comes with, he's the black sheep, the family curse, the physical manifestation of the rot in the Lannister soul. Being a good hand of the king, saving King's Landing with a brilliant scheme, destroying Stannis' fleet. Game of Thrones has taken massive steps towards cranking up the show from a looks standpoint. Director Daniel Minahan doesn't do a lot of trickery this episode aside from a few very clever overhead shots and some of the dragon work, but he doesn't have to because the crew behind the scenes have chosen some of the best-looking, most-interesting filming locations available in the world.

Tywin Lannister: and I would let myself be consumed by maggots before mocking the family name and making you heir to Casterly Rock!

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 3 January 2018]

Valar Dohaeris is a set up episode, but a quality one nevertheless.

Jon meets Mance Rayder, and sees a giant for the first time. Tyrion sits down with his father Tywin to discuss his reward, the highlight of the episode. Tyrion states his case only to realize it doesn't matter. Tywin Lannister: Why? You ask that? You who killed your mother to come into the world? You are an ill-made, spiteful little creature full of envy, lust, and low cunning. Men's laws give you the right to bear my name and display my colors since I cannot prove that you are not mine. And to teach me humility, the gods have condemned me to watch you waddle about wearing that proud lion that was my father's sigil and his father's before him. But neither gods nor men will ever compel me to let you turn Casterly Rock into your whorehouse. Go, now. Speak no more of your rights to Casterly Rock. Daenerys looks to buy an army of Unsullied. Missandei translating the insulting remarks humourous, while now knowing Daenerys can hear it all.

Game of Thrones is a great show, but there are so many characters and different plots, that there are quite a few I just don't care about.

Tyrion, Jon, Tywin and Daenerys the standouts.

Still good

[aazziizz-85383 · 10/10 · 22 May 2019]

The relationships are still good, the performances are still good, the script is well-written, the story's solid, the scenery and music score's great,

Appointment with the King !!!

[elo-equipamentos · 8/10 · 20 October 2019]

GOT is hard to make a proper review, due has many forefronts split in same episode, some has just few minutes, retellings those facts will be boring to the readers, then I will try describe the main scenes which has a most meaningful interest, after the battle Tyrion Lannister was imprisoned in a room, received an unfriendly visitor Cersei, warning him over his near appointment with the king Tywin, in fact it happens, however the conversation wasn't satisfactory to the little boy, his demand was refuses, due his bad behavior to rules mixing pleasure instead his duties, Jon Snow was taken by Ygritte to settlement to talk with Mace Ryder, he asking what's the real purpose to joint to them, the answer can decides the death or..., in other side Daenerys wants a big army, and goes to Aspator to know the special soldiers, fine episode that stats the third season!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: Blu-Ray / Rating: 8.5

Normal Episode, But more fun

[ououzaza · 9/10 · 15 April 2019]

• Story (3.5/5)
• Soundtrack (5/5)
• Dialog (5/5)
• Graphic (5/5)
• Reasonableness (3.5/5)
• Entertainment (4/5)
• Overall (4.3/5)

Casterly rock

[dannylee-78082 · 7/10 · 18 February 2022]

1. Jon meets Lance 2. Tyrion gets destroyed 3. Baristan joins Daenerys

As always, starting episodes are a bit slow.

Jon is deep into the wildling camp. Margerys seems to be much more suited to be queen than Sansa because she is more ambitious. Stannis seems still lost with the Red Women - I almost didn't recognize her. It's a bit confusing that they didn't show any of Tywin's movements - was especially surprised to find POWs dead in Harrenhal. Daenerys finds a new ally - Baristan Selmy, who really is a great addition to her army. This truly is like a Cinderella story albeit a little more brutal.

The scene with Tywin and Tyrion was really well done. This was another scene between the father and the son and we get a really good sense of what their relationship is like.

Overall, we pick up season 3 right where we left off. The claim to the throne is more solid now that most contenders are swaying off including Robb.

Game of Thrones Valar Dohaeris

[dalydj-918-255175 · 1 April 2013]

We return to the seven kingdoms and beyond and once again the episode gives each main character at least one scene unlike the Blackwater episode last year which is still being talked about this week. It was a good return to see some of the main characters. Tyrion is quite low in life now that his father looks down on him. Lady Margarey the new queen is such the polar opposite of King Joffrey making him look even more cruel. Beyond the wall John has finally found the right people to join which includes Ciarian Hinds as the leader of the Wildlings. Daenerys was underused last season and already she is being used much better with her strong disposition which include the dragons which are such great visual effects as they look very real when beside humans. Stannis is still a character more talked about that I do not care for yet so I will see what happens with him when more battles occur. Rob is OK in his ways as he also prepares for the throne like everyone on the show does. A great return and now I seem to respect the universe more which is why I'm happier episodes will be longer hopefully giving more characters screen time to lengthen their stories.

EPISODE GRADE: B+ (MVP: Emilia Clarke)

Catchy flow from the first espisode

[tranthuha-30690 · 10/10 · 4 October 2023]

Tyrion Lannister decided to meet his father who haven't came to visit him during his break for hurt. I felt hurt when hearing his father denied Tyrion effortness for protecting the King's Land. Not only the deny but also terrible words he used for his son. It kinds of racism in the family, parents typically love the normal child more than the unsual. I think this situation may leads to the result of Tyrion becoming one of the loyalty guard of Mothers of Dragons.

Joffrey & Sansa: As soon as our young king meet the Tyrell's lady, he started to fall in love with her. While the Tyrell's girl will become a queen on someday, Sansa is treated unfair by the king, the grace & all the kingdom. Little Finger proposed to help her come back Winterfell. But I'm worried about this man is not act like his show off.

Good introduction to the third season

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 13 September 2020]

This one's a good introduction to the third season, meeing first the most important characters to focus on this year and giving us some indication of the ways in which things are going to play out. I particularly liked the eastern material with Daenerys et al, which promises to broaden and change things considerably from the smaller scale of the previous season. The King's Landing intrigue is as thick as ever and there's even a chance to see Joffrey displaying a more human side, something I never thought I'd see.