World Enough and Time

Today I read a post on one of my mailing lists where someone linked to a rather entertaining review of Game of Thrones by someone who didn't like it:

Lame of Thrones.

I laughed and enjoyed the article, but I was boggling every second at how different Greg Olears reaction was to mine. I was already a fan of the books. (Which may be deteriorating, I'm not sure, but I was certainly mesmerized by "Game of Thrones" when I first read it.) I love, absolutely love, characters named Ned, and Tolkien, and rough'n'tough heroes with righ'n'tough hair. To vaguely remember Sean Bean as 'one of the kings in Lord of the Rings' is shocking to me - I could list Sean Bean's roles, the timeframe of the parts he has played, and digress to comments on the sexy costuming and cinematography connected to the different scenes.

I have always thought that looking up names of characters and actors in a show when reviewing it wasn't in order to look smart to the readers, but to make the commentary clear and readable and informative. And that to fail to do so was lazy and incomplete journalism. Olears gets dispensation because he's playing it for comedy, but still.

We all have different choices as to who in the Game of Thrones series is the most despicable character; my money's on Walder Frey, maybe, but Viserys is not a bad choice. Anyway, Viserys wasn't having sex with Danaerys, was he? Just being all creepy and touchy. She had to be virginal for whatever marriage he set up.

Since I kind of like Draco Malfoy, and hate Joffrey Baratheon, it saddens to me to agree that they are played alike. But I think the actor playing Joffery is much better than Tom Felton, whom I like in the role, but I think he has the acting range of a peanut.

"There’s nothing more emotionally manipulative than the defenestration of a small child.". The line made me smile, but really, I don't see anything emotionally manipulative about it. It's a plot point. Kids are not immune to being hurt by violent action in this series.

I'm not sure why Olears found Khal Drogo hard to believe. I suspect Olears is not a fan of sword and sandal drama, either. Didn't understand why he thought Danaerys looked or seemed modern.

Ser Jorah Mormont does indeed put up with a lot of horse shit but that's not a plot point. Funny thing is, I always remember Momont's name, but not the name of Sir Richard Carlyle. Much as I love Downton Abbey.

If Olears prefers Kardashians to Starks and Lannisters, he just doesn't have my taste in entertainment at all.

Today I watched the first episode of season 2 of Game of Thrones, which would be A Clash of Kings if they were entitling it like the books.

( A few thoughts... )

Gentleman's Quarterly has named Peter Dinkledge Stud of the Year. I found his reactions amusing; interesting to see him as himself, rather than as Tyrion.

I like Lindy West's assessment of Game of Thrones: "...Dinklage emerged not only as Throne's unlikely moral center and comic relief but as its breakout star."

I would agree with that.

After feeling physically good and energetic all week, I slept badly last night - waking up with allergy symptoms - then slept late and felt exhausted all day. Huh. I liked last week better.

Anyway, did the following:

• Breakfast at IKEA. Delish. And except for a few pieces of extremely delicious potato, it accorded with my Eat By Design plans.
  
  
• Watched last week's episode of Lost Girl. More Bo/Lauren romance! Not sure what I think about that; or at last, the show seems to imply that happy polyamory isn't what's about to happen, and I like Bo's relationship with Dyson too much to want her to pursue the romance with Lauren. Hmm.
  
  
• Went to IKEA with Pim and masseru, because she needed shelving for her CDs. IKEA is having a huge sale because they are about to move to their newly build, much large building - the largest in Canada, they say. Opening on December 7.
  
  I bought a lamp for $3.99, and a light bulb for it for $4.99. Also a duvet cover, battries, and Kristian Regale to drink with my friends this afternoon. I had hoped it was something lunacy_gal could drink; and I'm happy to say, it was.
  
  After we got home masseru realized she'd failed to buy the DC shelving. I guess a return visit is in order.
  
  
• Did more research on items in The Game of Kings, but didn't actually work on the web page.
  
  
• When we got home, I met Pim's new little hamster, Boo. Whom I call Little Boo. Cute little thing, with a cage like a palace - coloured turrets and tunnels and wheels. Amamzing how mobile her whiskers are.
  
  
• Tasia, funkym3485, and lunacy_gal came over to my place and we watched three episodes of The Game of Thrones - #5, 6 and 7. Enjoyed it mightily once more.
  
  
• I cooked a pork loin roast. Mmmm.
  
  
• Went up to masseru's place and watched this week's episode of Castle, the one with Elvis impersonators. Cool.
  

This afternoon I watched the first four episodes again with lunacy_gal, Chris, Janet, and Tasia.

Enjoyed it again so very much. Again, admired the production values, the costuming, and the good acting - especially from Maisie Williams, who plays eleven-year-old Arya, and Isaac Hempstead-Wright, who plays ten year old Bran Stark.

It was interesting seeing how the plot fits together, seeing episodes all in a row. I'd forgotten about the scene between Tryion an Yoren on the wall - and then couldn't remember who Yoren was when we see him again in episode 8. Have we seen Qhorin Halfhand? Probably not. He isn't significant in A Game of Thrones and television is pragmatic: people are only introduced if they have a part in the immediate plot.

I'm loving Tyrion more, the more I see him. And Jamie. And, well, everyone except the ones I hate. If you know the books, or the show, you probably know who I am thinking of.

Tasia has also read the books. When Walder Frey's name was mentioned in episode 4, she and I both went, "Eeuw," becuase, well, he's the worst of the worst as far as I'm concerned. (But htere are a few other contenders for that role.)

I'm impressed by Illyrio, coming up with dragon's eggs for Danaerys. Interesting that he didn't give them to Viserys.

While working at my computer here, I turned on the television to listen to something in French. There's a movie playing on CBOFT that caught my attention immediately; and I quickly realized it was the 2005 version of Lassie, dubbed into French.

So I listened, and worked on various things, and didn't look up much. Then suddenly I did look up, and saw Peter Dinklage on the screen. Felt a rush of affection, for the sake of Tyrion Lannister, the wonderful character he portrays in Game of Thrones.

But it gets better. Next thing I know, Peter Dinklage is saying to Lassie, "L'hiver s'approche." It's the he motto of the Starks in game of Thrones: "Winter is coming".

Hah! Love it.

Morning: went for a long walk along the canal, listening to China Miéville's The City and the City.

I went to the Farmer's Market, and bought poatoes, onions, organic lamb and strawberries. Learned something: I'd been so happy that I was walking freely and with no back pain. So for the last fifteen minutes or so of my walk - the portion after I'd bought the food at the Lansdowne Park Farmer's Market - my back hurt. I had things to carry. Moral of story: don't walk and carry things at the same time.

Sigh.

Afternoon: Had lunch with lunacy_gal at "Alex's Bread and Deli" on Bank Street. We each had an empanada - something I don't think I've ever had before. Afterwards, went to Morala's for coffee and an almond square.

Then at my place, we watched Gerard Depardieu's 1990 version of Cyrano de Bergerac. Excellent acting, great costumes and direction - and the worst subtitles I've ever seen on a French film. Written by someone whose English was... limited. For want of a better word. The French was easier to understand - it at least made sense!

In the evening, I watched The Game of Thrones with maaseru and Pim. ( Thoughts... )

Loved tonight's episode of The Game of Thrones. I wonder if I would love it as much if I didn't already know and love the books. Part of the thrill is seeing scenes we never saw in the books - such as the scene between Renley and Loras - so we're getting a whole new opportunity to see new scenes and facets of characters.

And part of the thrill is recognition, both of places and people.

It gives me renewed hope for A Dance With Dragons. If, as I imagine, George R.R. Martin has gone back and added scenes, rewritten moments, and has done it so well, it's a sign of his revived enthusiasm, and that bodes well for the next book. That aside, it has increased my anticipation level pretty much back to where it was before the disappointing A Feast For Crows.

( As for tonight's episode.... )

So: looking forward to next week and (at the moment) glad I ordered the coming novel.

Loved it. Noticed a few changes from the book, but mostly good ones. I loved how they got in the information about Jon Snow's mother, and the death of the Targaryen kings, and Rhaegar and Lyanna. The crisis with Joffrey and the wolf was handled well, as was the fight between Catelyn and the assassin who went after Bran.

Benjen Stark is well cast. And Tyrion! Love him more than ever.

Impressive Sean Bean interview about A Game of Thrones.

It's looking good.

Though I'd say that interview contains big spoilers. Approach at your own risk, if you don't know the story already.