This season finale is suitably impressive after a wonderful first season which established Game of Thrones as one of the best TV series of the past 30 years. We continue to get dramatic developments, engaging character based scenes and an exciting ending leaving us full of anticipation for season 2.
Season 1 follows the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series pretty closely and a lot of the content and flow of this episode continue to do that and a lot of great dialogue is adapted closely from the source material. There are though a couple of scenes added into the mix such as an emotional scene when Robb and Catelyn react to the devastating news about Ned and the scene where Catelyn faces Jaime after they capture him. These are very good additions as both scenes are powerful and they fit nicely into the flow of the episode.
Dany awakes from her traumatic childbirth to discover the 'healer' she trusted has betrayed that trust and not only has her child died but Drogo is not saved in the way she expected. The sadness of this scenario is well depicted and the interestingly ambiguous presentation of the actions of Mirri Maz Duur who has cruelly destroyed Dany's life even though Dany saved her. The 'maegi' presents her side of it which is that her life was destroyed by the Dothraki and she was stopping Drogo and his son from wreaking havoc on the world. It is left to us to judge or possibly see both sides equally.
Jon's loyalty to his family is in sharp conflict with his loyalty to the Night's Watch having just made his oath before finding out his brother was riding South to war over their father's death. The book is able to present his inner conflict and his change of heart rather better but the way it is done with the main events and the great conversation with Mormont from the book done superbly well means it still works very well.
We get a great scene between Tywin and Tyrion with Tywin realising he can trust Tyrion to go to King's Landing and try to gain control over Joffrey who has idiotically beheaded Ned just as Jaime has been captured. Charles Dance and Peter Dinklage shine as does the dialogue.
Robb's followers declare him King in the North in a rousing scene and their new prisoner Jaime has us enthralled waiting to see how this will all pan out in the next series.
Arya is taken by Yoren to meet her new travelling companions, men and boys bound for the Night's Watch including Gendry. This is very nicely done and Maisie Williams continues to hugely impress as Arya.
The finale with Dany and Drogo's funeral pyre is a good wow moment to end on and signs off a magnificent season of brilliant drama.
Another episode that is clearly 10/10.
Season 1 follows the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series pretty closely and a lot of the content and flow of this episode continue to do that and a lot of great dialogue is adapted closely from the source material. There are though a couple of scenes added into the mix such as an emotional scene when Robb and Catelyn react to the devastating news about Ned and the scene where Catelyn faces Jaime after they capture him. These are very good additions as both scenes are powerful and they fit nicely into the flow of the episode.
Dany awakes from her traumatic childbirth to discover the 'healer' she trusted has betrayed that trust and not only has her child died but Drogo is not saved in the way she expected. The sadness of this scenario is well depicted and the interestingly ambiguous presentation of the actions of Mirri Maz Duur who has cruelly destroyed Dany's life even though Dany saved her. The 'maegi' presents her side of it which is that her life was destroyed by the Dothraki and she was stopping Drogo and his son from wreaking havoc on the world. It is left to us to judge or possibly see both sides equally.
Jon's loyalty to his family is in sharp conflict with his loyalty to the Night's Watch having just made his oath before finding out his brother was riding South to war over their father's death. The book is able to present his inner conflict and his change of heart rather better but the way it is done with the main events and the great conversation with Mormont from the book done superbly well means it still works very well.
We get a great scene between Tywin and Tyrion with Tywin realising he can trust Tyrion to go to King's Landing and try to gain control over Joffrey who has idiotically beheaded Ned just as Jaime has been captured. Charles Dance and Peter Dinklage shine as does the dialogue.
Robb's followers declare him King in the North in a rousing scene and their new prisoner Jaime has us enthralled waiting to see how this will all pan out in the next series.
Arya is taken by Yoren to meet her new travelling companions, men and boys bound for the Night's Watch including Gendry. This is very nicely done and Maisie Williams continues to hugely impress as Arya.
The finale with Dany and Drogo's funeral pyre is a good wow moment to end on and signs off a magnificent season of brilliant drama.
Another episode that is clearly 10/10.