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| Crown of chaos. GAME OF THRONES: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON has arrived on Blu-ray and DVD. Images: HBO/WARNER BROTHERS. |
GAME OF THRONES – THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON
Out now on five-disc DVD box set from HBO
(Also available in a lavish six-disc Blu-ray box set)
Reviewed by Scott Weller
TV’s boldest and bloodiest attempt yet at adult sword and fantasy, adapted from George R.R. Martin’s spectacular novel series GAME OF THRONES, makes its supreme second season debut on Blu-ray and DVD this month- A Clash of Kings, living up to its subtitle and full of epic battle, betrayal, honour and brutality: the start of a powerhouse civil war by the various fractions of Westeros for overall domination. GAME deservedly continues to win plaudits for its intoxicating brew of big-time storytelling, memorable characters, thrilling action and bravura sexuality. Developed and created for television by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, their adaptive hands on the source material continues to be second to none alongside the iconic Martin-HBO’s once big risk now shining brightly as its star series.
Going deeper into the realms of fantasy and the supernatural, it’s also a season of witches, warlocks and White Walkers amidst many grim new environments, filmed in the beautiful but haunting wastes of Iceland and Croatia (leading to a heavily revised opening title sequence covering the expanding locations), that wouldn’t look tempting in any future Westeros travel brochure!
The season has had criticisms in some quarters about its pacing, but I say poppycock! Often moving faster than a dire wolf’s bite, all of the main characters had plenty to do, especially in its second half, with lots of great mixing and matching throughout, whilst supporting players provided important, surprising and revelatory moments adding texture and keeping the continuing narrative inventive and invigorating. Some truly shocking and unexpected moments occur early on. From here, new outside factors look set to change the game and map of conquest forever...
An intriguing mix of new writers and directors add flair to the new season, including the fine talents of THE X-FILES and SMALLVILLE visualist David Nutter and the promotion of once Season One cinematographer Alik Sakharov to full-time director.
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| Keeping sanity in Joffrey's court: Peter Dinklage, superb as Tyrion Lannister. |
Star power-wise, Sean Bean’s weighty presence as Eddard Stark is much missed this season, but the vacuum is well filled by Peter Dinklage, getting deserved top billing status in the series, continuing his multi-layered, award-winning, constantly scene-stealing performance as noble good guy Tyrion Lannister, even better here than in his previous season.
The alliances and double-dealings prove even more ingenious and blood thirsty, of which the perpetuating cycle of violence and vengeance gets off to a fine and bloody start courtesy of regular series director Alan Taylor, linked to the arrival story-wise of a signs and portents comet, as blond mopped mad youngster King Joffrey (the marvelously horrible Jack Gleason) begins his out of control reign of terror and big scale tantrums in the South’s King’s Landing, almost cross-bowing his now despised wife to be, poor misguided young Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), whose father he had decapitated for treason, starving his loyal people (leading to crisis point mid-season) and King Herod-like on the hunt for any bastard children that may threaten his crown. Both Lena Headey as Joffrey’s weakened mother, Cersei, and Aiden Gillan, as the backstabbing Petyr, give improved performances this year amongst this backdrop of horror, with only the arrival of equally despised and feared Tyrion, in his new position as the Hand to the King, able to cool things down, whilst equally determined not to fall foul of the same mistakes made by his loyal and decent predecessor: Eddard Stark.
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| In charge of the asylum-spiteful King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). |
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| A hero who needs support: Robb Stark (Richard Madden). |
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| Beware the Witch! Melisandre (Carice Van Houten) wants power. |
Meanwhile, the King’s fiercest enemy, the revenge seeking Robb Stark (Richard Madden), despite his perceived inexperienced, continues his successful war footing against the blond haired Lannister tyrants, but the conflict is fractured further with the arrival of Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane, a dour and bitter performance), who believes he is the true and rightful heir to the Westeros throne (having received a letter of confirmation of his entitlement from the late Stark and has the key to victory against the sea port with his huge army of sailing vessel warships and support from a mysterious witch, Melisandre (a dark, capturing performance from Carice Van Houten), seemingly beguiling him with her powers and sexual charisma, wanting to rule by his side. Special mention must go to the eerily effective and waayyy out pregnant black ghost scene in episode four, which will have surely have viewers collectively and repulsively going Urgghhh and Cool! at the same time, whilst making the inbreeding of the Lannister’s look positively normal by comparison!
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| Patrick Malahide as the double-crossing Baylon Greyjoy. |
Seeking allies in such a momentous period of crisis, the Starks desperately need the support of a cobwebbed and decayed looking, very creepy Patrick Malahide, well cast as Baylon Greyjoy, leader of the Iron Islands, possessing his own sea based army, planning his own sneak attacks and conquest of the various fractions during the civil war.
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| One of the seasons best new characters: Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie). |
As the fortunes of war filter across Westeros, previous rock solid characters to love and hate have their destinies changed. He may be locked up for most of this season, but sword loving King slayer and incest purveyor Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) continues to be as vile and dangerous a presence as ever, his tongue as sharp as his sword, and his later slaying of his cousin in an escape attempt from the Starks proving pretty damn brutal. Another superb example of the talented series writers cleverly pulling out the rug from under our feet in character build-up and violent drama. Keeping him under observation for the latter part of the run is the striking new female character of Brienne of Tarth, played by the statuesque Gwendoline Christie. Whoever in the casting department found this striking blonde should be commended - she’s terrific in a rising star role and comes across as a totally believable swordsman out for revenge with the tragic murder of young Reylinn Baratheon. Her new allegiance to Catelin Stark is beautifully written and touchingly played by both her and Michelle Fairley in another stand out series moment.
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| Not afraid to get his hands dirty in battle-wily warlord Tywin Lanniser (Charles Dance) |
On the younger side of the cast, the two fugitive Stark children have some fine moments in the spotlight in the latter half of Season Two: most notably the fugitive Arya, played by the cute Maisie Williams, who unexpectedly becomes linked to the fortunes of the crafty but oblivious warlord Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance, as great as ever) when she becomes one of his servant girls, trapped in his decayed castle prison. Crippled Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) also looks set to play an even bigger part in Season Three.
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| Horror in the city of Qarth for Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and Ser Jorah (Iain Glen, right). |
Across the great sea, far away from the battle but no less a complex part of the machinations to come, the exiled Daenerys Targaryen (the petite and lovely Emilia Clarke) is in a desperate state. Her newborn dragons are growing, but her adoptive tribe is depleted to the point of extinction as she leads her remaining tribes people, along with ever-loyal servant Ser Jorah (a memorable doting performance of hidden love from Iain Glen) across a harsh desert wilderness in order to escape the betraying Dothraki tribesman and find new allies that can be trusted- who won’t steal her dragons. The mysterious city of Qarth waits, where she encounters and meets another assortment of devious and ambitious characters. Trust No One-admirable advice which she doesn’t truly accept, sending her into an even more desperate scenario, and an exciting arc conclusion linked to her rescuing her fire breathing children, whom finally burst out flame at their Warlock jailer in another of the series greatest moments.
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| Into the arctic wastelands as Jon Snow (Kit Harington) meets fiery Ygritte (Rose Leslie). |
Further sinister forces above and beyond such petty war-rings, witches and dragonfire continue to stir. Investigating the unusual events happening beyond their mighty barrier wall, the downtrodden but dutiful Night’s Watch scouts led by tough old bird James Cosmo, with Kit Harington’s youthfully brave Jon Snow as his squire, go further out beyond the North Wall into the arctic wastes (the new location filming in Iceland adding incredible atmosphere) in search of the missing Benji Stark and confront not only the growing-in-strength Wildlings, resentful against their southern neighbours, but the looming return of the White Walkers of ancient times. Being honest, not a lot happens here early on, and Snow’s later romance with Wildling woman Ygritte (Rose Leslie) proves irritating, but things are well worth the wait in those snowy climes by Season Two’s conclusion. Surely wanting to be the next Brian Blessed of film and TV, Robert Pugh enjoyably hams it up early on as Craster, the pedophile ruler of a Wildling clan, marrying his daughters and keeping the linage going, but sacrificing any sons to a mysterious force out in the night-time’s snowy wilderness.
Amongst the shocking and totally unexpected deaths, Episodes three to six are probably the strongest of the second run, where the drama and brutality taking place amidst the stunning cinematography beautifully merge in a natural whole (and anyone missing their fix of sexual escapades after their almost disappearance at the end of season one had better check out episode two!), whilst episode five and six see some marvelous drama and character moments and even a hint of romance with certain brewing characters (notably Robb Stark (going against a pre-arranged upcoming political marriage)). More character intrigue intensifies the plot as old and new alliances build, change or fracture, especially linked to the involvement of several new emerging talents (we look forward to seeing how things develop regarding Natalie Dormer’s ambitious Margarey Tyrell’s relationship to Joffrey, and the in and out appearances of assassin shape changer Jagen H’ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) going in to year three). Characters in once miserable predicaments take their chance to get their revenge on their former masters, notably Alfie Allen as the weak Theon Greyjoy, turning his allegiance away from the Starks and leading a sneak attack on Winterfell, which leads to its eventual destruction and the fugitive escape of its royal children, and the sad death of Donald Sumpter’s custodial presence as Maester Lewin.
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| Bronn (Jerome Flynn) lights the fuse for the epic Battle of Blackwater Bay. |
But the greatest showpiece event of the season has to be with episode nine: the incredible Battle of Blackwater Bay. After such expectations from readers and viewers, and worries that the shows budget might not be able to handle such an epic sequence, its ultimate visual realisation didn't disappoint, literally blowing us away with its confident, often astounding film-making. From the spectacular start, showing the majority of Stannis’s fleet blown to smithereens by the green wild fire carnage initiated, to seeing Tyrion’s true courage, almost getting his head sliced off, valiantly leading the king’s hordes to battle in the final huge storming of the city walls, no expense was spared in carving out this bloody splendour, written to exhilarating perfection by creator George R.R. Martin, aided by Neil Marshall’s faultless direction. As well as the gritty action (up there with anything seen in the bigger budgeted LORD OF THE RINGS movies), intense, richly drawn character moments keep it firmly centered on the attacked inhabitants of King’s Landing that will be remembered by viewers for a long time to come: from the weak willed Joffrey called away from his hour of glory, unable to prove himself to his soldiers, to the drunken bile, and twisted stories of the bitter Cersei, ready to sacrifice her youngest child should the enemy pierce the royal environs.
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| The fearsome White Walkers have arrived... |
Beyond that incredible battle and aftermath-as if things couldn’t get any better!- the final scene of the season will linger and haunt the mind-it certainly sent a true shiver of dread and anticipation down my spine- as the deathly visage of one of the White Walkers, atop his equally zombified, blood stained horse, sends a deafening call to arms, and a blood-curdling scream to camera capable of giving the possessed Donald Sutherland eerie and terrifying cry (from the end of 1979’s INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS re-make) a run for it’s money!- as it pulls back to reveal a frightening army now approaching the White Wall. With Kings Landing failing to take heed of the Nights Watch warning about them, the White Walkers have finally arrived en masse. And nothing will ever be the same again.
Our heroes are now in the darkest of places (Tyrion, in particular, a disfigured hero in emotional and psychological ruin), many of them isolated and making life-changing decisions for the worse, spread out ever further across the world of Westeros. Exciting new developments await in Season Three: Jon Snow’s new allegiance to the Wildlings seemingly taking us to a meeting with their once Night Watch leader: King Mance Rayder. Meanwhile, House Stark is a gutted shell- it's noble house and children stretched across the kingdoms-the news of which will strike heartbreak with their fiercely protective mother, though dragon reunited Daenerys, despite the traumas of Qarth, gets one step nearer to the iron sword throne she feels belongs to her-but she still has a long obstacled road ahead of her.
April 1st can’t come quickly enough in my book…
Season Two featurette: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qj01kwBMb0
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| Desert dangers for the vulnerable Daenerys at the beginning of the season. |
Special features on the DVD release:
• Creating the Battle of Blackwater Bay - See how the epic Battle of Blackwater Bay was brought to life in this exclusive, in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the climatic episode. The 30 minute feature showcases never-before-seen interviews with cast and crew.
• Game of Thrones: Inner Circle - Actors Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Michelle Fairley and Liam Cunningham talk in detail about their experiences shooting season two in this roundtable discussion moderated by executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
• The Religions of Westeros - Hear author George R.R. Martin, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss discuss the competing religions in the series and how they influence the various characters in Westeros and beyond.
• Character Profiles - Profiles of seven major characters as described by the actors portraying them including Renly Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, Robb Stark, Theon Greyjoy and more.
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| Tyrion faces the full force of the enemy in the Battle of Blackwater Bay. |
• Audio Commentaries - 12 commentaries with cast and crew including David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington and more.
Audio Commentary Participants
Episode 1 - "The North Remembers" with commentary by executive producers/writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
Episode 2 "The Night Lands" with commentary by Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy) and Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy)
Episode 3 "What Is Dead May Never Die" with commentary by Writer Bryan Cogman and director Alik Sakharov. Plus commentary by Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark)
Episode 4 "Garden of Bones" with commentary by Carice Van Houten (Melisandre) and Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth)
Episode 6 "The Old Gods and the New" with commentary by Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Rose Leslie (Ygritte) and writer Vanessa Taylor
Episode 7 "A Man Without Honor" with commentary by executive producers/writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
Episode 8 with commentary by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie Lannister) and Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark)
Episode 9 with commentary by co-executive producer/author of A Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin. Plus commentary by Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), and director Neil Marshall
Episode 10 with commentary by Rainer Gombos and Steve Kullback of the visual effects team. Plus commentary by Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) and co-executive producer Alan Taylor
KOOL TV RATING: Compulsive, addictive and absorbing, Season Two of GAMES OF THRONES is a terrific slice of cake to be devoured and savoured. A true must-have in any KOOL TV reader’s collection. Overall series and extras: 4 out of 5
Order GAME OF THRONES Season Two here:
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