Tag: Leadership

#Noirvember: “One False Move” (1992) starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Cynda Williams, & Michael Beach

Emma1 Comment

There was no crime in Star City, Arkansas. No murder. And no fear. Until now. -A tagline for the movie

After a drug rip-off which involves 6 murders, the LAPD are on the hunt for a dangerous trio: a sadistic genius- Pluto (Michael Beach; best known for ER), his volatile former cellmate- Ray (Billy Bob Thornton; also co-wrote the screenplay)- and Ray’s 20ish gf- Fantasia (Cynda Williams). Evidence indicates that these fugitives are headed to the small town of Star City, Arkansas. Detectives Dud Cole (Jim Metzler) and John McFeely (Earl Billings) contact the local Chief of Police- Dale Dixon (Bill Paxton)- then head to Star City to continue their investigation. Dale, an energetic cop/family man, is excited by the chance to participate in a nationwide manhunt.

Can something from 1992 look fresh and unexpected (to modern/jaded eyes)? Every element is firing on ALL cylinders in this (lesser-known) indie film: acting, directing, editing, sound/music, sets/production design, costumes/hair, etc. I kept hearing about how great it was on movie podcasts, so decided to check it out (Amazon Prime). This is NOT a typical action/crime/drama, as it’s more interested in character development. None of the main ensemble is what he/she seems at 1st glance. I was a BIT surprised to see Paxton in a complicated role; he is perfectly cast and able to show his range. Thornton (sporting a few extra lbs. and rat-like ponytail) is an immature/sloppy/volatile villain; his trigger finger is itchy. Beach (pressed/polished) is a calm/calculated villain; he is more dangerous than his partner. Williams (who was married to Thornton 1990-1992) is NOT the strongest of actors, BUT she does well here, being paired w/ seasoned actors. Like MANY women (incl. women of color), Williams didn’t have much of a career after her 20s. She is also known for her supporting role in Spike Lee’s ‘Mo Better Blues (playing a singer/love interest of Denzel Washington’s character).

The issue of race adds another layer to the story. The director- Carl Franklin (a former actor) is a Black man; I learned of him in 1995 (when I saw another great neo noir- Devil in a Blue Dress– starring Washington). The racism depicted in this movie is casual/subtle. The contrast between life/values of the city vs. the small town (country) are shown also. For those who want danger, I admit that I was on my the edge of my seat during several scenes. The tension builds… and builds… until the (emotionally powerful) climax! This film was considered “too violent” when it premiered at Sundance; it was produced by a company that makes movies that go direct to video. Luckily, One False Move did get a (limited) big screen release, after critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel spoke of its merits. Siskel put this movie as his fave of 1992; Ebert placed it in 2nd place- wow! Some of you may recall that 1992 was an esp. strong year for movies; these are some titles: A Few Good Men, Damage, Howard’s End, Malcolm X, The Last of the Mohicans, and Unforgiven.

[1] The film starts off quite violently, but once it gets going, the emphasis is on good old-fashioned character study.

[2] Franklin has a wonderful way with his camera, only revealing enough for us to fill in the blanks, and often his camera is used as a character POV device, with close ups and cuts blending seamlessly with mood of the story.

[3] The script deals with the themes of the contrast between the country and the city, racism, and the mask that many people wear to hide the complexities of their lives and their past. Somehow, all these themes come together in the most seamless and nuanced manner to enhance the poignancy of the film.

[4] I have seen this movie twice. The first time, for the whole movie I was on the edge of my seat. This was an intense film. From the extremely brutal beginning to the climatic end, I couldn’t relax once.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

#Noirvember: Films from Noir City DC (OCT 2022)

Emma2 Comments

This year was my 2nd time attending the Noir City DC Film Festival at AFI Silver Theatre (here in my current neighborhood- Silver Spring, MD). I ended up seeing 3 movies- one of which I’d never watched before. During the 1st weekend, TCM’s Noir Alley host, Eddie Muller, introduced the films. I bought Eddie’s book on the behind-the-scenes story of Gun Crazy (1950).

All the King’s Men starring Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Joanna Dru, John Derek, & Mercedes McCambridge

Jack Burden (John Ireland) is a newspaper reporter who hears of Willie Stark (Broderick Crawford) when his editor sends him to Kanoma County to cover the man. What’s SO special about this “nobody” running for county treasurer? He’s supposedly an honest man! Burden discovers this to be true when he sees Willie delivering a speech and having his son pass out handbills, while local politicians intimidate him. Willie is honest and brave; he’s also a “hick” whose schoolteacher wife educated him at home. He loses the race for treasurer, BUT later makes his way through law school. He becomes an (idealistic) attorney who fights for what is good. Someone in the governor’s office remembers Willie, when they need a patsy to run against the govermor and split the vote of his rival. While these (wiser/experienced) political types underestimate Stark, Burden (who becomes Stark’s biggest supporter) overestimates the man’s idealism.

I’d never seen this movie before; it will esp. interest those of you who follow politics. Here we find some of the same themes as in A Face in the Crowd (1957)- a must-see for fans of classics. After living through the Trump presidency, you’ll (no doubt) find comparisons aplenty! The basis of this movie is a Pulitzer-winning novel, All the King’s Men, by Robert Penn Warren; the book was loosely based on the life of a Louisiana politician- Huey Long. The screenwriter/director, Robert Rossen, also worked on Body and Soul (1947) and The Hustler (1961). Ireland reminded me a BIT of Henry Fonda w/ his looks. This is the 1st movie role for McCambridge; she makes a big impression as a tough/unapologetic political operator. Dru is NOT able to convey deep emotion, so in several moments, she dramatically turn away from the camera. Crawford, known for playing mostly “heavy” (tough guy) roles, seems to inhabit his role here. Both Crawford and McCambridge won Oscars for their work!

A Place in the Sun (1951) starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, & Shelley Winters

A chance meeting w/ his uncle after his father’s passing leads to George Eastman (Montgomery Clift) being caught in the middle of two worlds and NOT truly belonging in either one. The son of poor Christian missionaries, George meets his wealthy (paternal) uncle, Charles Eastman (Herbert Heyes), while working as a bellhop in his uncle’s hotel in Chicago. Wanting a better life for himself, George takes his uncle up on his offer for a job in one of the Eastman factories in California. Under his cousin Earl’s directive, George is placed on the factory assembly line. George sees this position as a stepping stone to something better, which he’s willing to work hard to achieve. Feeling lonely, George breaks the rule of no fraternization when he starts dating a fellow assembly-line worker, Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters). Several months later, Mr. Eastman suddenly promotes George professionally and personally. Although he’s NOT used to high society, George is soon befriended by beautiful/young socialite, Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor- then just 18 y.o.)

Quite a big audience was present to watch this film; it’s a classic that stands the test of time. I watched it (w/ my family) as a kid. Mike Nichols said this film was his favorite; the filmmaker watched it 50+ times! Nichols noted that it also influenced how he directed his 1st movie- The Graduate (1967). The director of A Place in the Sun, George Stevens, was one of the most respected/prolific of his era. He came up through the Hollywood studio system, working as a stills photographer, then as a cinematographer. Stevens directed MANY critically-acclaimed/well-loved films, incl. Alice Adams (V early in Katharine Hepburn’s career), Woman of the Year (teaming up Spencer Tracy w/ Hepburn), The More the Merrier (a fun/early rom com), Shane (considered one of the best Westerns), and the epic family drama Giant (also w/ Taylor). The source novel for this movie, An American Tragedy, was written by Theodore Dreiser; it’s based on a true story. The book was adapted into a play by Patrick Kearney. The screenplay was written by Michael Wilson; he also worked on The Bridge on the River Kwai and Laurence of Arabia.

In 1991, this movie was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. One critic wrote that this film represents America, where people are NOT satisfied w/ what they have, BUT always looking for something better. Another critic pointed out the connection shown btwn social class and desirability. The costumes, set design, editing, music/sound, directing, and acting ALL combine to make this an effective (and affecting) story. The director makes some great choices, incl. those memorable close-ups of two of the hottest actors to appear in film. In one pivotal scene, George embraces and speaks reassuringly to Alice, BUT Clift’s body is hidden from the camera. When George and Angela interact, she is often shown in the power position (as a male love interest). Notice their embrace on the balcony, where Clift hunches down and enfolds himself tightly in Taylor’s arms. At the lake, Taylor is sitting up w/ Clift laying his head down in her lap. In the end, did you think that George was a victim of circumstance or a calculating villain?

He would discuss the scene, but not the lines, and would photograph the second or third rehearsal so the scene had an almost improvisatory quality. Stevens would print the first take, then spend the next three hours minutely rehearsing the scene, then film it again. He explained to me that in this way he often got actors’ unplanned reactions that were spontaneous and human and often exactly right. And often when actors overintellectualize or plan their reactions, they aren’t as good. -Winters, describing Stevens’ way of directing

…because Monty was the New York stage actor, and I felt very much the inadequate teenage Hollywood sort of puppet that had just worn pretty clothes and hadn’t really acted except with horses and dogs. -Taylor, on feeling intimidated to act w/ Clift (before they became the best of friends)

Body and Soul (1947) starring John Garfield & Lili Palmer

Charley Davis (John Garfield) wins an amateur boxing match and is hailed as a local wonder. He meets a young woman, Peg (Lili Palmer), the winner of a beauty pageant. Peg lives in the West Village of NYC and is studying to be painter. The young men of Charley’s Lower East Side (LES) neighborhood are mostly jobless; some are looking to make some quick money. Charley’s friend, Shorty (Joseph Pevney- later director of many eps of Star Trek), tries to get the attention of a boxing promoter, Quinn (William Conrad), when he comes to the local pool hall. Suddenly, Charley’s father is killed in a bombing of his small candy store! Charley’s mother, Anna (Anne Revere), is strongly opposed to him fighting; she wants him to continue w/ night school and become a “professional.” Instead of letting his mother sign-up for “relief” (the precursor to welfare), Charley gets Shorty to set up a fight through Quinn. Charley travels to many states and his career grows, as he keeps winning fights. When an unethical promoter, Roberts (Lloyd Gough), shows an interest in Charley, he finds himself faced w/ difficult choices.

This movie (directed by Robert Rossen) is considered to be the best of Garfield’s short/bright career; the screenplay was written by one of his childhood friends- Abraham Polonsky. This role fits Garfield like a (boxing) glove; he also produced the film. Revere (who is related to that Paul Revere) is perhaps NOT the 1st choice for a Jewish mother, BUT she does good in her role (as usual). Palmer (who is British) and Garfield have good romantic chemistry, BUT her (posh) accent is out of place in the gritty world of the LES. Canada Lee plays Ben, a Black boxer who fights Charley, then becomes one of his trainers/close pals. Lee gets a few meaty scenes (rare for this era for people of color in film); he mainly worked in theater. The cinematographer, James Wong Howe (Chinese-American), filmed the pivotal fight holding the camera while being pushed around the ring by an assistant on roller skates! Martin Scorsese saw this movie as a boy; its influences can be seen in Raging Bull (1980), as some viewers noted.

“Storm Warning” (1951) starring Ginger Rogers, Ronald Reagan, Doris Day, & Steve Cochran

EmmaLeave a comment

On the way to a job, a NYC based model, Marsha Mitchell (Ginger Rogers), decides to stop at a small town (Rock Point) to visit her sister, Lucy Rice (Doris Day), who she hasn’t seen in 2 yrs. She will be able to finally meet Lucy’s husband, Hank (Steve Cochran- a character actor who often played villains), who works at the local mill. Upon arriving in town, Marsha witnesses a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) murder! She saw two of the men’s faces (after they removed their hoods), BUT they didn’t see her. We soon learn that the man was Walter Adams, a reporter from out of town who’d been investigating the KKK. Upon later arriving at Lucy’s house, Marsha is shocked to see that Hank was one of the men involved in the murder! Marsha is speechless for a moment, wondering how she’ll break the news to her sister (who looks to be SO happy w/ her life). Meanwhile, the county prosecutor, Burt Rainey (Ronald Reagan), knows that the KKK committed the murder. It seem that everyone in town is aware of this, BUT Rainey knows that none of the locals will come forward to implicate the KKK.

Sheriff Art Jaeger: Well, that’s all there is. I take orders. You give me an order, l’ll do it. You know anybody in Rock Point who will go to the inquest for you and testify against the Klan? Tell me, and l’ll bring ’em in. If you don’t, and you don’t, stop kicking my men around for not doing what you can’t do yourself.

Burt Rainey: I know. But every time someone from New York, Washington, or points north, starts poking his nose in our affairs, we holler foul. Well, if we don’t want the meddling, one of these days we’re gonna have to start cleaning up our own messes. You and me. All of us.

Warner Bros. wanted Lauren Bacall to star, but she’d decided to travel to the Belgian Congo (as it was then called) w/ her husband, Humphrey Bogart, who’d be making The African Queen (1951). This is Day’s first non-singing role. Joan Crawford was asked by studio boss Jack L. Warner to play the lead role; Crawford declined by saying: “Come on, Jack. No one would ever believe that I would have Doris Day for a sister!” LOL- too real! Alfred Hitchcock liked Day’s performance here so much that he asked her to act in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). Day was V happy to work w/ Rogers; before Day’s success as a big band singer, she’d aspired to be a dancer (and Rogers was one of her childhood idols). The writers (Daniel Fuchs and Richard Brooks) were known for fine work; Brooks was nominated for 6 Oscars over his long career.

Burt Rainey: Nobody saw anything. Nobody heard anything. It’s a shame Adam’s body keeps getting in the way.

Walt Walters: I don’t know who’s the guiltier, the one who commits the crime or the one who just stands by and refuses to do anything about it.

Burt Rainey: Sometimes, I sit around for hours trying to figure that one out.

This is an (oddly) compelling film noir/melodrama that I saw recently for the 1st time (Amazon Prime). It’s playing during the Noir City DC film festival at AFI (in my neighborhood of Silver Spring, MD). Where is this town located: Midwest, Southwest, or South? None of the locals have a Southern accent. Christmas is coming soon, BUT there is no snow or Winter weather. There is no mention of race; the ONLY Black residents are seen in a crowd scene (blink and you’ll miss them). There are references to “safety” (incl. of women on the streets) and “outsiders” (who are looked upon w/ suspicion). Local lawmen and businessmen are fearful and complacent; they’ve put up w/ the KKK’s influence for yrs. The KKK is considered more of a criminal organization rather than a hate group.

[1] In many ways, this is a taut and excellent drama. BUT, it also pulls some of its punches. It’s VERY strange that there are no black folks as characters in the film–not even as the victim. Now I am NOT saying the KKK didn’t sometimes kill whites, but this was the exception to the rule and completely negates the whole racism angle. It’s sad, but the film seemed to want to play it safe by playing it that way. However, while Hollywood was very hesitant to address race…

[2] The Ku Klux Klan might have been the Elks in white sheets. No pun intended, but they get quite a white washing here. No mention at all of their racism or hatred of Catholics, Jews, and foreign born of all kinds. Still they are a nasty bunch who have a habit of doing in people who disagree with them.

Ronald Reagan here is a District Attorney who is bland in a very poorly written role. The problem with the Klan was that the various county District Attorneys in the South were more than likely Klan members, or who, at best, just looked the other way. After all, these cretins with the hoods were the very voters who put in the District Attorneys. When the Klan was prosecuted, if witnesses were found against it back in those days, it was always done at the federal level by appointed United States Attorneys.

[3] …this film isn’t very good as a history lesson… […] Storm Warning is still pretty entertaining and worth a look for anyone curious about how such subject matter was treated in an era of censorship and post-war political atmosphere.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“House of the Dragon” (Episode 4: “King of the Narrow Sea”)

EmmaLeave a comment

SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read this post if you haven’t seen, or don’t want to know, details from Episode 4 of House of the Dragon.

Rhaenyra continues her search for a suitable match, Daemon returns to Kings Landing and stirs more trouble for the King. Rhaenyra learns a valuable lesson. -Synopsis from HBO

Are y’all ready for a new dating/reality show- The Bachelorette: Westerosi Edition? Warning: It will get bloody! Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) is on her “tour” (to find the husband of her choice, as her father decided in E3) w/ her loyal Kingsguard, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) by her side. We meet her at a castle, Storm’s End, the home of Lord Boremund Baratheon (an ancestor of King Robert from GoT). In the throne room, there is a long line of suitors (noblemen from ALL over the region) waiting to speak to the princess, as well as some onlookers. Rhaenyra looks bored/slightly annoyed; she fiddles w/ her Valyrian steel necklace (a gift from her uncle). An elderly man (Lord Dondarrion of Blackhaven) talks of his lands, home, and being honored by a visit from her grandmother/the queen (MANY yrs ago). FYI: Ser Criston is the son of the steward of Blackhaven.

Jerrel Bracken [to Lord Blackwood]: Protection? The Princess has a dragon, you dumb c*nt.

Rhaenyra [quietly w/ amusement]: I could learn to like that one.

Next, we see a young man (Jerrel Bracken) taunt a teen boy (Willem Blackwood), as the boy presents his case to Rhaenyra. At first, the princess looks amused. which makes the onlookers laugh. Then, the mood turns tense/ugly and swords come out. Rhaenyra decides to cut the interviews short; she and her entourage of royal guards start to walk out. Behind their shoulders, Willem and Jarrel fight, until (surprisingly) the older/stronger Bracken lies sputtering blood from a wound to the belly! WTH is the meaning to this, you may wonder!? Well, as Princess Rhaenys told us (E1), the young men of this society haven’t had a real war to fight in yrs. They’ve mostly fought in tourneys; of course, those could turn deadly. As one astute YT commentator noted, this also reveals Rhaenyra’s character/potential as a queen; she encourages the insults and doesn’t call off the fighting (Boremund does so).

On the trip back to King’s Landing, the boat Rhaenyra is on gets a bump from Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) atop his dragon (Caraxes). Luckily, the princess is NOT hurt, though Ser Criston is V concerned. One critic said this is was Daemon’s way of flirting- LOL! At court, Prince Daemon struts in wearing a handmade crown (made of bones); Ser Harold Westerling (Graham McTavish) keeps him from coming too close to the throne. Daemon offers King Viserys (Paddy Considine) the Crabfeeder’s hammer, saying to “add it to the pile.” After defeating the Triarchy, Daemon (now w/ short hair) was dubbed “King of the Narrow Sea.” Then, he humbly declares that there is ONLY one true king and kneels before his older brother. The tension is the court is eased when the king and prince embrace! Rhaenyra has been watching w/ interest from the back of the room.

Daemon [to Rhaenyra]: You cannot live your life in fear, or you will forsake the best parts of it.

Viserys is quick to welcome Daemon into the family’s fold; he jokes/laughs at the small garden party they have in the prince’s honor. Look carefully and you’ll see lemon cakes (Sansa’s fave food on GoT) on a table! When Rhaenyra is left out, Queen Alicent (Emily Carey) goes over to her; they have a talk about how their lives have turned out. Alicent is already a mother of 2; she feels lonely/restricted in her role as queen. Rhaenyra regrets the fact that she must marry and have children; after all, her mother died in childbirth.

Rhaenyra: Their wants are of no consequences.

Daemon: They’re of great consequence if you expect to rule then one day.

Afterwards, Daemon tells Rhaenyra she has “matured” these past 4 yrs. They last saw each other when she retrieved the stolen dragon’s egg from Dragonstone. It also confirms a short amount of time (about a year) passed btwn E3 and E4. Notice how he relaxes around her, then offers her his cup of wine to drink (treating her as an equal- as some viewers commented). Rhaenyra says that she wants to live a life of “solitude.” Daemon explains that she can marry, BUT find pleasure outside of that relationship. Their (long) dialogue is spoken in High Valyrian; I thought the actors had great tension/chemistry here!

Later that night, Rhaenyra covers her hair w/ a cap, dresses in rags, and leaves her room (via a hidden passage). The princess experiences the sights/sounds of Fleabottom; her uncle is the guide (of course). There is a fire breather, sellers w/ a variety of goods, and couples kissing in dark corners. One man walks on a tightrope above the crowd; the director (Claire Kilner) commented that “this perhaps best reflects the precarious life of girls.” They stop to watch a “mummer’s farce” (street theater); the actors wear gawdy costumes/wigs and make fun of the royals. Rhaenyra is surprised to learn that these common folk aren’t happy re: her being heir. When she retorts “I don’t care,” Daemon replies that she’ll have to care about these people IF she hopes to rule one day! Some viewers thought that Daemon was trying to make Rhaenyra feel “insecure,” so she’d “depend on his judgement.” I thought that this was also a clever way to get the (sheltered) princess to see how she is viewed outside court.

Next, we have several scenes that the internet was abuzz about! I liked the way that the tense/moody/romantic scenes were directed; we get to see two young women’s POV. Ser Criston takes a long look at his white cloak (representing the chaste life of a Kingsguard), some viewers noted. Scenes of Rhaenyra enjoying her night of freedom were intercut w/ (less than exciting) scenes w/ Alicent. Why do you think Daemon stopped himself in the pleasure house? Did you like the (playful/light-hearted) scenes btwn Rhaenyra and Ser Criston, or did you think their brief romance was a bad idea?

Viserys: Daemon and Rhaenyra share the blood of the dragon, They are restless and chaotic.

It turns out that spies (or “little birds” as Lord Varys used to saw on GoT) are everywhere to get dirt on the royals! The little peasant boy who saw Rhaenyra out on the street comes w/ a note for Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). In the early morning, he goes to see the king w/ the reports of Daemon and Rhaenyra “coupling” (and wow- is it awkward)! The king is (obviously) angered by this; he doesn’t want to believe that his brother could put his daughter in such a precarious position. Alicent overhears what her father said; she also doesn’t want to think badly of her former best friend. When she summons Rhaenyra to the garden for a talk, the princess lies (w/ conviction) to Alicent! Well, teens can rebel, cause their elders headaches/heartaches, and NOT realize the consequences of their actions.

Later, in the throne room, Viserys berates and kicks Daemon, as he lies dirty/tired/hungover on the floor. The king wonders who’ll marry Rhaenyra, now that there are rumors she’s NOT a virgin. Daemon (showing his audacity- yet again), asks for Rhaenyra’s hand in marriage! The king throws him out of the castle- yet again. This was my fave scene in this ep! Smith and Considine are a great acting pair; they’re V good at portraying the conflict btwn brothers. We learned that Daemon’s former mistress, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) AKA The White Worm, is no longer a “common whore.” She has been working for 2 yrs (since their break-up, we assume) as a spy; that little boy was working for her. Some asture viewers said maybe Daemon wanted to get caught in a compromising position.

That night, the king and his daughter have a serious talk; she has been his “political headache” for some time. When Rhaenyra holds the Valyrian steel dagger (part of her legacy) in fire, inscribed words are revealed: “From my blood come the Prince That Was Promised, and his will be the song of ice and fire.” Rhaenyra points out the hypocrisy of this society; a nobleman can sleep w/ whoever he choses. Viserys tells her that she’s NOT man, so she’s held to different standards. He also tells her the importance of being his heir; she can’t just seek out pleasure whenever she wants! Rhaenyra MUST marry a nobleman and birth her own heirs (which will strengthen her claim to the Iron Throne). She agrees to do what her father wants, BUT he needs to get rid of The Hand- Otto!

Later that same night, Otto and Viserys meet in the Small Council room; there is tension and a sense of foreboding. This is one of the (rare) times where the camera is positioned above/to the side of Otto’s head, putting him in a subservient position. Viserys confronts his friend/associate re: (alleged) wrongs he has done. Though he handles himself w/ dignity, Otto looks hurt and (slightly) shaken by being fired. This is also a fine scene w/ two veteran character actors who know their stuff!

There is a BIT of mystery in the final scene of the ep; we don’t see Rhaenyra drinking the “moon tea” (or Plan B: Westeros version) brought in by Grand Maester Mellos (David Horovitz). The tea was prepared carefully by himself; it was ordered by her father. So, Viserys didn’t believe that Rhaenyra was a virgin after all! Don’t forget to watch the Inside the Episode; you’ll learn a LOT more re: this story! Did you agree w/ the analysis of the cast/crew?

“House of the Dragon” (Episode 3: “Second of His Name”)

EmmaLeave a comment

SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read this post if you haven’t seen, or don’t want to know, details from Episode 3 of House of the Dragon.

Daemon and the Sea Snake battle the Crabfeeder. The realm celebrates Aegon’s second nameday. Rhaenyra faces the prospect of marriage.

There is a time jump of about 3 yrs from E2. We start w/ dark humor from the war in the Stepstones; a soldier captured by the Crabfeeder, hoping for salvation from Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), is crushed under the foot of his big/red/long-necked dragon, Caraxes. This fight isn’t about the “common-born,” it’s ALL about Daemon (who seeks glory for himself). He was exiled from court in E2; he and soldiers loyal to him have been trying to get control of these islands for 3 yrs. The Small Council debates sending some men to back-up the prince.

Princess Rhaenyra [to her father when they arrive at the camp site]: No one’s here for me.

Then it’s time to have a (hunting) party, thanks to your host- Lord Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall- note that his name is in the opening credits). Hall also plays Ser Tyland Lannister (Jason’s twin w/ shorter hair), who is the Master of Ships, after Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) quit by storming out of the Small Council meeting in E2. Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Queen Alicent (Emily Carey) aren’t close friends anymore, as we see in the garden scene. (When Rhaenyra told the minstrel, Samwell, to repeat his song, I was reminded of the “play it again, Sam” line from Casablanca.) The nobles are excited to celebrate the 2nd b-day of Prince Aegon; he’s the blonde/healthy son born to King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and his young wife. Alicent is now (heavily) pregnant w/ their 2nd child.

Lord Hobert Hightower: Hail, hail Aegon the Conqueror-Babe, Second of His Name! Here’s to His Grace on his second name day!

George R.R. Martin regretted that there wasn’t enough money to have a royal hunt in S1 of GoT; he is V happy w/ this ep. We see the grandeur of the nobles, there are MANY extras present, and (of course) there is the beauty of nature. Rhaenyra is feeling left out and perhaps acting like a typical teen girl, which frustrates her father (who wants some pleasant/outdoors/family time). Rhaenyra can’t even keep from sniping at the noble ladies when she comes into their circle. Here w/ the ladies, we also have Larys Strong (Matthew Needham- also listed in the opening credits); he’s the 2nd son of Lord Harwin Strong (Gavin Spokes) and has a clubfoot. As he can’t go out sporting w/ the men, Larys can soak up ALL the hot gossip from the ladies.

Lord Jason Lannister: I’d do anything for my queen… or lady wife.

Lord Jason tries to run his game on Rhaenyra, offering her “honey wine” (from Lannisport), then declaring that Casterly Rock (his home) is large enough for a dragon pit. His style of speech/prideful manner MAY remind some viewers of the wealthy/entitled men in Austen’s books (who feel that every single lady should find them a catch). For a moment, Rhaenyra is confused, BUT then realizes that he’s talking marriage! Ser Otto stops her and her father from having a shouting match inside the royal tent, in full view of MANY guests/servants. The princess is pissed off and rides off on her horse, w/ her loyal protector Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) following close behind.

King Viserys Targaryen [to Otto]: I came here to hunt. Not to be suffocated by all this f*****g politicking!

It’s obvious that MOST of the nobles expect the king to name Aegon as his heir, surpassing his daughter. Viserys thinks it’s high time that Rhaenyra was married; he has been “besieged” w/ proposals from ALL over Westeros recently. In the past, she’d shown no interest in marrying or having children, BUT (as heir to the Iron Throne) she’ll have responsibilities. As he stands by a huge bonfire, Viserys (who had been drinking heavily ALL day) wonders IF he made the right decision; Alicent gently tells him it’s late (so he should rest).

Out in the woods, Rhaenyra and Criston get some time to walk and chat; she asks him re: his life (before he became a knight). Later that evening, she still doesn’t want to go back to the camp, so they relax (he w/o armor on) around a fire; a boar suddenly attacks and knocks out Criston! The boar then runs toward Rhaenyra, who fights him off, before Criston stabs it. Then, Rhaenyra rises up and unleashes her rage/resentment upon the animal MANY times w/ her knife.

The king takes his new/decorative spear (a gift from Lord Jason) and kills a large/brown stag, which was captured/held by few nobles. It takes him 2 tries, as Viserys is hungover and weak; this is yet another (pathetic) scene where we see that he’s NOT cut out for his role. Now, this animal isn’t the “white hart” that Otto explained was a good omen to see on one’s b-day. That white stag comes along Rhaenyra’s path, BUT she stops Criston from killing it (showing her mercy/character). When she struts back to camp (messy/bloodied) w/ the boar dragging behind her, there is at one man- Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr)- who gives her a wicked smile/looks impressed. Back at home in King’s Landing, the king tells Rhaenyra that she MUST marry, BUT the man can be her choice!

The last 10 mins. of the ep is an (incredible) fight on a beach btwn Daemon and a slew of Triarchy warriors lead by the Crabfeeder. Daemon pretends that he is ready to surrender, waving a white flag, and offering up his sword. (I was surprised/confused for a few moments.) Of course, this is the type of man (Targaryen) who will NOT give up easily! Daemon fights w/ and kills MANY men, then (finally) defeats the Crabfeeder himself (who didn’t have any dialogue/was killed offscreen in the cave). A LOT of viewers loved this segment, BUT a few thought that it was unrealistic. The prince emerges w/ the torso of his dead enemy, hair a mess of tangles, and covered head-to-toe in blood- wow!