SPOILERS: Don’t read this (reblogged) review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from the most recent episode of Game of Thrones (Breaker of Chains).
Tag: Drama
Game of Thrones: Season 4, Episode 2 (“The Lion and The Rose”) – Top 10 Moments
SPOILERS: Don’t read this review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from the most recent episode of Game of Thrones. 
10) Tyrion toasts himself and the Lannister siblings:”…the Imp, the cripple, and the mother of madness” at breakfast w/ big brother, Jaime.
9) Jaime and Bronn (who has graduated from common whores to the wife of a knight- “she’s a screamer, that one”) practice swordplay on a secluded cliff. Jaime uses his left hand (of course); Bronn treats Jaime just like anybody else. (Jerome Flynn continues to get some of the best/funniest lines!)
8) We may’ve been happy to see Ramsay being dressed down by his father, Roose (“My banners not yours. You’re not a Bolton- you’re a Snow.”) However, as that (tense) scene goes on, Ramsay gains some points via Theon (who has revealed that Bran and Rickon Stark are still alive). Roose, now Warden of the North, listens intently to his bastard, and gives him another task (“…maybe I’ll reconsider your standing.”)
Theon now looks like a completely broken man. He finally learns that Robb (who he thought of as a big brother) was murdered. Alfie Allen will have some (more) acting challenges this season, I’m sure!
7) Varys tells Tyrion that Shae has been found out (we know by one of Cersei’s spies), but he can help her escape across The Narrow Sea. At the wedding breakfast for Joffrey, Cersei points out Shae to Tywin (who warned Tyrion in Season 2 that he’d kill “the next whore I find in your bed.”) Then we have the break-up scene- Tyrion tells Shae that she’ll “have a comfortable life in Pentos,” how he wants to be true to his wife (Sansa), then cuts her down so much that she starts to weep loudly (though she’s a tough gal)! Peter Dinklage surprised me in this scene, since I didn’t think Tyrion could be so harsh with someone he loved. 
6) At Dragonstone (Stannis Baratheon’s stronghold), we see few men being burned at the stake for not converting to The Lord of Light; such occurrences were mentioned in Season 2. Melisandre presides over the event. One of these men is the brother of Selyse, but she doesn’t care, being a total fanatic. My favorite character is back! Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham), looks away while they’re burned. He tells Stannis: “He worshipped the gods of his fathers, and his fathers before him. They were the gods of your fathers, too.” Stannis doesn’t like such comments, since he’s also devoted to this new religion.
We learn more about Selyse later on in a dinner scene, where she tries to connect w/ her husband over their shared struggles during the war. She misses, of course, as Stannis is a man cut off from his emotions. Selyse calls their daughter, Shireen, “a stubborn little beast.” Stannis commands: “She’s my daughter. You will not strike her.” Hmmm… maybe he’s not all bad?
Melisandre wakes up Shireen and tells her more about her religion: “There is only one Hell, Princess, the one we live in now.” Carice Van Houten has such a screen presence!
5) “Bastards are born of passion, aren’t they? We don’t despise them in Dorne,” Prince Oberyn Martell coolly explains to Tywin and Cersei after introducing his “paramour” (lover/companion) Ellaria Sand. This reminded me of one of Edmund’s speeches from King Lear:
Why brand they us
With “base,” with “baseness,” “bastardy,” “base,” “base”—
Who in the lusty stealth of nature take
More composition and fierce quality
Than doth within a dull, stale, tirèd bed
Go to th’ creating a whole tribe of fops
Got ’tween a sleep and wake?
Perhaps George R. R. Martin (who wrote this episode) was inspired by Shakespeare there?
4) “And neither will you,” Loras Tyrell one ups Jaime with these words, when Jaime says he’ll never marry Cersei. Good one! 
3) “But you love him” Cersei replies to Brienne, who’s surprised by this accusation. Jaime, the topic of this tense conversation, is watching both ladies (but can’t hear them). Gwendolyn Christie reveals more of Brienne in this episode with just a few looks: social unease, innocence (of politics), and good manners (even toward King Joffrey, who cuts down her beloved Renly).
2) All the insults, looks (inlcuding reactions of other guests), and tension between Joffrey and Tyrion involving the cup of wine 
1) Joffrey choking and eventually dropping dead- just what we wanted for so long! (Twitter folks cheered with happiness, too.) But what killed him? The wine? The pie? And who planned it? So many suspects…
The Lunchbox (2013) starring Irrfan Khan
Viewer comments:
…this gentle and thoughtful director shows human nature running a very natural course.
It had humor, seriousness, lessons, insight, beauty, love, family, decision-making, sadness, reflections, invisibleness, self-doubt, invention, perseverance, respect, aging, determination, coming to terms when enough is enough and genuine affection in how feelings grew by words alone…
Here is the perfect film (from a first-time director) for smart/sensitive viewers who want an alternative to Bollywood. Neglected middle-class housewife/mother, Ila (Nimrat Kaur), yearns to win back the attention and love of her husband Rajeev, one of the many strivers in the new India. Rajeev barely looks at Ila, is glued to his cell, and often comes home late at night. With the help of her (unseen) upstairs neighbor, she creates delicious (vegetarian, as she’s Hindu) recipes, and packs them in his tiffin (lunchbox).
This lunchbox is supposed to be picked up each afternoon and delivered (via rickshaw, truck, and bus) to his office. However, it goes to a Sajaan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan from The Namesake, Life of Pi, etc.), a lonely/Christian government accountant just a month away from retirement. He likes the food, so an empty lunchbox is delivered back to Ila. Feeling appreciated, she decided to write him a thank-you letter.
The two lonely people begin a correspondence, bringing (much-needed) hope and optimism into each other’s lives. They share thoughts in their letters that no one else knows, from the mundane to the deeply personal. Are they just pen pals? Or is there possibility for more?
Saajan is dreading retirement, and postpones the training of his replacement, Shaikh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a younger Muslim man eager to learn/succeed. I enjoyed the slow reveal of Shaikh’s life- he’s got a fascinating story under that big grin. His character’s struggles and yearnings embody that of many modern, urban men. Siddiqui (still in his 30s), played a pivotal role in Midnight’s Children, and is an actor to watch. Nimrat Kaur is very easy to relate to; I’d never seen her before. She had a make-under for this role; she’s a very glamorous woman in real life. Irrfan Khan continues to (quietly) create magic- he simply becomes the character! He still has a long career ahead (only in his mid-40s). This is a must-see!
Game of Thrones: Season 4, Episode 1 (“Two Swords”)
SPOILERS: Don’t read this review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from the season premiere of Game of Thrones.
Where did you get this much Valyrian steel? -Jaime
From someone who no longer had need of it. -Tywin
In the opening (wordless), the Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), is having Ned Stark’s sword (heavy/long) melted down into 2 separate ones. It’s an unexpected sequence for a season opener. Tywin presents one sword to his first-born son, Ser Jamie (Nicolaj Coster-Waldau), who now has to wield it w/ his good (left) hand. However, Jamie disobeys Tywin’s order of leaving the Kingsguard and settling down at Casterly Rock, the Lannisters’ ancestral home. (What do you think of Jaime’s new hairdo?)
Keep it, a one handed man with no family needs all the help he can get. -Tywin to Jamie
Tywin is disappointed by Jaime’s decision (basically disowns him), but lets him keep the sword.
Viewer Comment: “Two Swords” can be applied in many ways. the greatest symbols of House Stark are destroyed (Grey Wind’s pelt) or recast in someone else’s image (the great sword, Ice). As Ned’s sword is destroyed, Arya – who has been reforged by her adventures – reclaims one of the clearest connections to her past, her own sword, Needle. It’s also interesting to see that as great as the Lannister’s are, they lacked an heirloom Valyrian sword (like other great houses), and no amount of gold could buy one.
You took too long. -Cersei to Jaime, rejecting his advances
Jaime (fitted by Qyburn w/ an ornate/golden hand) is very hurt/shocked to be rejected by his twin/only love Cersei (Lena Headey), who we know had been messing around with cousin Lancel. Some viewers wondered what were “those symptoms” that (ex-maester) Qyburn mentioned? The twins’ break-up scene is interrupted by one of Cersei’s spies, who heard Shae yelling inside Tyrion’s chamber. Uh oh!
Tell your father I’m here, and tell him the Lannisters aren’t the only ones who pay their debts. -Oberyn warns Tyrion
There’s a new kid in town, but he’s not like any other knight we’ve met so far! Prince Oberyn Martell (Chilean actor Pedro Pascal), nicknamed the Red Viper, travels to Kings Landing from Dorne, a desert land w/ customs very different from the capital. His “paramour” Elaria Sand (Indira Varma) is by his side; she played a supporting role in HBO’s Rome. When Olyver (now promoted to “procurer” in Littlefinger’s brothel) calls her “my lady,” she quickly corrects him. “I’m a bastard.” As Weiss and Benioff explained (extra segment), Dornish society doesn’t make outcasts of illegitimate children.
We also quickly learn that Oberyn, who is charismatic, dangerous, and vengeful, likes things his way! He tells Tyrion what’s up- he’s looking for revenge for what happened to his older sister, Elia, at the hands of The Mountain (following Tywin’s orders). I think the casting folks made the right decision to have a newcomer in this role.
We see more of Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Sansa’s (Sophie Turner) marriage. She’s deeply depressed, won’t eat (not even her fave lemon cakes), and seeks the godswood (trees representing the old gods). Poor Sansa! Later on, in the garden, Ser Dontos (the drunken/disgraced knight who’s life she had Joffrey spare), gives her his mother’s necklace (the only thing he has of any value). This is an unexpected and sweet scene. Turner’s really grown as an actress over the seasons!
Someone forgot to write down all your great deeds. -Joffrey says, flipping through The Book of Brothers
There’s still time. -Jaime calmly replies
Is there? For a 40-year-old knight with one hand? How can you protect me with that? -Joffrey retorts
Later on, in a scene w/ Ser Meryn (Ian Beattie) and King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson), Jaime is once again cut down. Ser Meryn resents the fact that Jaime will be the one guarding Joffrey at his upcoming wedding. And Joffrey continues to be a little jerk- no shock there!
Lady Olenna Tyrell (Dame Diana Rigg) is not happy w/ the jewels in King’s Landing. She even tosses one into the garden- LOL! (My first thought: That could be a desi situation! No offense to any easygoing desi matriarchs out there.)
Aren’t you just marvelous! Absolutely singular! -Lady Olenna admires Brienne of Tarth
Brienne (Gwendolyn Christie) comes to speak w/ Lady Margaery (Natalie Dormer). On their garden walk, Brienne explains to the future queen that Renly (a man they both cared for) was killed by a shadow creature bearing the face of his older brother, Stannis. Oooh, I really want these ladies to be gal pals!
I can tell you it’s a very interesting season for Jon because he doesn’t have a paternal or commander looking out for him anymore. In the previous three seasons he’s gone through about six different patriarchal figures and I think now he’s, where he was being groomed, I think now he’s a leader and that’s what this whole season is about for him. -Kit Harington
If we beheaded every ranger who lay with a girl, the wall would be manned by headless men. -Maester Aemon
We learn, from Tormund, that Ygritte missed killing Jon (Jon Harington) on purpose. I liked the small scene between Jon and Sam, where Jon reminisces about his half-brother Robb. He’s coming into his own, gets a great scene in front of he Night’s Watch council.
Dragons, Khaleesi, they can never be tamed not even by their mother. -Jorah warns Daenerys
Whoa, those 3 dragons have grown! Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) points out that they can’t be controlled now. Another change: Daario is now played by Michael Huisman (who I’ve seen in HBO’s Treme). Hmmm… we’ll see how it plays out. I hope there are sparks between him and Dany (Emilia Clarke). “It looks like the cast the actor, not the look, which is a good thing,” said Joanna Robinson (co-host of A Cast of Kings podcast).
Little lady wants a pony. -The Hound teases Arya
Little lady wants to get away from your stench. -Arya retorts
Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), looking pretty grown, and The Hound (Rory Cochrane) happen upon an inn where she spies the man who killed her friend, the butcher’s boy (back in Season 1). He still has Needle (her sword).
You lived for the king, you’re going to die for some chickens? -Polliver (now a Lannister man) asks
Someone is. -The Hound replies matter-of-factly
Inside the inn, they are approached by that repugnant man (now part of the Lannister army; his band of misfits is under The Mountain’s command). The Hound takes his attitude for a bit, then attacks. Arya exacts her revenge, using Needle (a gift from Jon). This scene is sending a mixed message- a young girl killing and enjoying it (note the little smile).
Viewer Comment: Tywin is thinking that he’s pretty much wrapped up the rebellion, but Oberyn, the Tyrells, Dany, and ultimately Arya are all indicating in their own ways that the Lannisters still have a lot more battles to fight.
Knightleyemma 