"1917" is the latest film to slip in as an awards show contender, with a bafflingly late release date (the film won two Golden Globes before it even had a wide release). The largest point of discussion has been the stylistic choice to film and edit the story to appear as if it's happening in one take. Though this reason might not be incentive enough to watch for those that don't enjoy historical war dramas, it should appeal to those with an interest in more advanced technical filmmaking techniques such as this.

Unfortunately, 1917 suffers from a Bandersnatch effect, as the novelty of this technical gimmick quickly wears off. The crew deserve all the credit for the difficult labour involved with creating this illusion, but as Duncan Jones recently tweeted, 'Cutting is like punctuation. It's a tool that can be as creative as the content.'

1917 would have benefited greatly if more consideration had been given to developing the story and its characters. It begins to feel very surface level in addressing the ethical dilemmas of war and combat, or the toll that it takes on the soldiers that fight in battle.

Will and Tom are the two lead characters tasked with delivering a message to stop some soldiers on their side from going into a battle where they'd be falling into a trap. The premise and execution of it on a storytelling level is very simple and straightforward. It's by no means a bad film, but it's peculiar to see it be ranked so high in the award show season. There are respectable performances from the lead actors, and the many A-list names that pop in for a scene or two, but overall it's just okay.

Watch the video review of "1917" here:

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"Rocketman" might just be the greatest biopic yet. More or less everyone in the world has heard of Elton John, whether for his original songs, the covers other artists have done of them, or the revitalised popularity of "Your Song" after Moulin Rouge took the world by storm. What people may not know is the origin story of Elton John, the living legend of music.

"Rocketman benefits tremendously from the fact that Elton John is still alive. Often times, these biopics are commissioned after the subject is no longer alive to give their input on the project. This is a crucial component to developing the unique style of this particular biopic. Elton John's songs have been incorporated in the more surreal style that music is used in actual musicals. Typically when the music of an artist is used in their biopic, it's presented under real circumstances. They will sing that song when they're writing, recording, or performing it because it's part of their life story being told.

Taking this creative liberty with how the songs are used to shape the narrative is a fresh take on the music biopic. There are some fantastic special effects which are another surprising addition considering the film's genre and concept, cool transitions formed through the use of choreography, and dreamy musically driven sequences.

The story takes you through Elton John's life. His childhood introduces his difficult relationships with his parents, which are a recurring source of deep character insight. This vulnerability he shows and the deep desire he has to be loved are just as central to his identity as his passion for music. Another refreshing aspect of the film is that it doesn't milk his sexual orientation for drama, nor does it erase this facet of his identity. Hollywood films frequently display a propensity for going too far in one direction or the other when telling stories of gay characters.

Elton's journey from a shy, closeted musician to the living legend we know him as today is made all the more compelling by the performances of the excellent group of lead actors. For those unfamiliar with the logistics of Elton John's career, he has a long friendship and collaboration with Bernie Taupin. Bernie is a lyricist, and Elton creates the music afterwards. There's such a beautifully soft, gentle quality to their relationship. One of the things that the audience learns about them is that they've never had a fight in all the years that they've been friends and it's a great point to include because it subverts the narrative that the media likes to perpetuate about Elton. Painting him out to be some hot-tempered source of drama makes for far better clickbait than reporting on the loving friendship he has with one of his oldest friends. These two have made some of the greatest hits of the century together and there's never been a falling out between them. Taron Egerton beautifully portrays the range of emotions of Elton's journey and Jamie Bell bring a grounded contrast as Bernie, particularly in the later stages of the story when Elton has begun to show more of the temper he's gained a reputation for.

Richard Madden portrays John Reid, a former manager and romantic partner of Elton John. Their relationship burns hot and goes down in flames. John Reid is a truly dubious figure and toxic presence in Elton's life and it's really cool to see Richard Madden expand into a role like this. He's previously admitted to having played many Romeo types in his career, essentially good men who had bad things happen to them. With this performance, he's able to show an entirely new side of his abilities as an actor and explore a darker side of the human condition, that of what a person can inflict on someone so close to them.

A film about Elton John's life and career would not be complete without some truly extravagant costumes. There are so many iconic fashion moments that Elton served as a performer over his decades of success and the wardrobe team responsible for bringing these looks to life deserve tremendous praise.

"Rocketman" is both a fun musical and a compelling story about overcoming inner emons. Not only are viewers treated to a greater insight into Elton John's personal journey and how he became the icon he's known as today, watching the film is a truly cathartic experience.

"Rocketman" is playing in cinemas worldwide.

Watch the full "Rocketman" review here:

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With plenty of gorgeous sweeping landscapes, a generous helping of bibbity bobbity boo, and a tightly corseted heroine, Cinderella makes her way to theaters as Disney's latest princess to get a live action adaptation. It stays very close to the original 1950's telling, not taking the generous liberties that last year's Maleficent did, but it still has plenty to inspire dreams and foot fetishes.

After her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters, who reduce her to scullery maid. Despite her circumstances, she refuses to despair. An invitation to a palace ball gives Ella hope that she might reunite with the dashing stranger (Richard Madden) she met in the woods, but her stepmother prevents her from going. Help arrives in the form of a kindly beggar woman who has a magic touch for ordinary things.

Director, Kenneth Branagh brings his picturesque landscapes and love of Shakespeare out in full force. In every rolling scenic pan, the focus remains on Cinderella, highlighted as almost a beacon. She's just a little bit brighter than anything around her, even from a distance. Every scene, especially the Prince's fete is so opulent and textured, it brings a whole new level of awe to the beautiful picture. Cinderella's classic ballgown is beyond gorgeous with its lavish layers, and butterfly accents.

The story itself plays on the safe side, all the while shoving the message of being brave and kind will conquer all. It gets a little preachy, and repetitive. While much is the same as the classic cartoon, there are a few changes, which makes the classic feel new again. One of those changes is the introduction of Ella's parents that have only been mentioned in back story in the past. A golden haired Hayley Atwell brings Cinderella's mother to life, displaying both strength and tenderness. She like her daughter, are so sugary sweet, that she's too good to be true. Ben Chaplin is Cinderella's handsome traveling salesman father, who is dotting on his daughter, and utterly in love with his wife. The loss of her father is utterly devastating, and  so well done, that its tear worthy.

From there the story delves into the more classical aspects with Cate Blanchett's Lady Tremaine turning the young Ella slowing into nothing more than a servant girl waiting upon her and her horrible daughters. Blanchett really shines in this aspect, delivering a performance that is reminiscent of the movie stars of the golden age such as Bette Davis. She revels in her wickedness, and had the film focused on her instead it would have been a delightfully darker tale. The little back story into her descend into darkness really helps to flesh out her character.

Instead Cinderella goes for a much more naive and lighthearted feel, and excels there as well. Lily James is mindnumbingly sweet as Cinderella. Her childlike positivity can make the most callous of us believe in magic. She emits a fresh exuberant attitude while being free speaking and earnest, its easy to see why the Prince would fall head over heels for the girl after a chance meeting in the woods. And the way the girl effortlessly glides into the Prince's fete, its no wonder that she's the belle of the ball.

And speaking of the Prince, Richard Madden is so shiny and bright as the Prince, he's almost hard to look at. Seriously shiny, to the point I think they must have applied Vaseline to his teeth. I'm not sure if it was the beard or dire scowl on his face during his Game of Thrones days, but his blue eyes have never shined so bright.

The rest of the supporting cast are equally delightful in the very small parts their given. Delivering an extra bit of glitter and Helena Bonham Carter brings to life Cinderella's playful and slightly ditzy Fairy Godmother. Holliday Grainger's Anastasia and Sophie McShera's Drizella are byproducts of an overly doting, but fairly rotten mother, who've spoiled them beyond repair. Derek Jacobi is the kind hearted king, with a bad ticker, who's part is all too brief. Rounding out the cast are Nonso Anozie as the Prince's sound board and Captain of the guard and Stellan Skarsgård as the dubious Grand Duke.

Many will come for the mass appeal of the short Frozen Fever playing before it, but will find themselves falling in love with Cinderella. The story lacks the panache or uniqueness of Enchanted or The Princess Bride, but more than makes up for those short comings with charm delivering a story with loss, love and magic.

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By the time day 2 of Comic Con hits, the need for sleep is at a high, but it doesn’t matter because you’re at Comic Con, and you can sleep when you get home. So with the Game of Thrones signing ticket in the bag, there was some time to hit the floor.

One of the things that I usually do when I first get my badge is check out the program book and see what booths will be there. This year, one ad stuck out: a book ad for the new book Fiend. Its cover was interesting and it was billed as “Walking Dead meets Breaking Bad.” I was so in.

So with some time until I had to hit the other signings and events on my agenda, I headed to find Fiend. When I got to the booth, the guy working tried to get me to put on a temporary tattoo advertising the booth. I made him put it on my hand, if I was going to wear the thing I wasn’t going to put it there myself. Then I asked him to pitch me the book. He gave it a fantastic pitch, and I was completely sold. I told him I’d buy a copy and asked if the writer would be in so I could get it signed, but he said it was already signed. I’m odd, I like items to be signed in front of me if they’re being added to my collection. But he didn’t say he had any unsigned, he said that I could have the copy for free though, but I still wanted to meet the writer.

Now at this point normally an author would have piped up and said he wrote the thing, and not many authors are out selling their own books down with the publishers, so I didn’t expect the guy I had been chatting with for the last thirty minutes to be the author but I caught a glimpse of his name tag and saw that it was. Oh I felt so silly, but I told him, since it was his first book that I had to buy it to support his work. But he insisted that I take the book free of charge. So I told him that I would buy one for the girl I was with, and he gave her a copy too, telling me that we could play this game all day.  So I settled for giving him a hug and offering to write a review for him, which he graciously accepted both. Check back for the review!

 

Next we regrouped and headed over to pay Michael McMillian a visit. Michael is one of those people who are on the top of my to-do list for comic con, even though I see him not only every year, but several times a year. He’s just a lot of fun to be around, and his stories are really quite charming. This year he was there to promote his upcoming book for True Blood, Steve Newlin’s Field Guide to Vampires. It was obviously written prior to Steve’s transformation, and it’s very funny, especially the parts that are written by the characters of Eric and Pam.

Next up was the Phineas and Ferb signing, which almost didn’t happen for me because of time constraints and the large amount of people waiting for them. This show has a huge following, seriously huge. But I have a little one who is nutty for the show, and so its not one I can skip without consequences, partly because it was the first time I had seen Alyson Stoner at a convention. Every year I not only bring back something signed by the cast, but also a voice memo of some sort for her, and she already had one from everyone there (Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh, Dan Povenmire, Vincent Martella, and Dee Bradley Baker) except Alyson. So while the line managers said only one thing per person signed, he let me slip in two since I also had a poster that was just missing Alyson’s signature, and Alyson recorded a message as Isabella inviting her to join the fireside girls. This cast is really great with their fans.

The last signing of the day for me was the Game of Thrones signing. It was the first time I had ever gotten a signing ticket and I could not be more excited. The downside was that it was at the WB booth. The way they set up their signings its almost impossible to get pictures if you’re in line for it, and even if you’re outside of it, they have security blocking it. But I got a little facetime with the cast, D.B. Weiss, David Benioff, George R.R. Martin, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Michelle Fairley, Richard Madden, Rose Leslie, and John Bradley were all in attendance. The worst though was seeing some fan favorites who had perished it made me miss their characters all the more, but they all had other projects that they could talk about.

If you want to see more pictures from the day check out our Flickr album!

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Lannister men come under siege as they fart around, literally. Rob massacres the camp, killing 5 Lannisters and a whole lot of others. Rob chooses not to torture the prisoners that remain, against the advice of his council. Rob takes care and pity with all of the men, and gives one of the nurses, some bedroom eyes as she hacks off a man’s leg. He question’s the woman Alisa, but she has compassion for the people not the war. Rob tells her that he plans to overthrow the king, but he has no plan for after.

Joffery holds Sansa at arrow point. Sansa has no knowledge of her brother’s plans. For once he sides with reason, because his mother told him to, and does not kill her, but has his knight beat, and humiliate Sansa in public. Before he can do the girl further damage, Tyrion stops him. Tryion gives him a little education, and tells Bronn to kill the king’s guard if he interfers. Tryion helps Sansa to her feet and apologizes. He asks her if she wishes to end the engagement, and she tells him that she adores King Joffery, and Tryion believes she may survive the Lannisters yet.

The Dog waits for Joffery, making sure he sees the gift Tyrion left him. He’s left him some whores, hoping that it’ll quell some of Joffery’s urges, not knowing how sadistic the little prick is. But Joffery asks one whore to spank the other, and when the spanking isn’t hard enough, he forces her to be spanked harder, leaving the girl in tears. And yet that isn’t enough, he hands the girl a sword, wanting his uncle to see what he’s done with his girl. The girl howls in pain.

Renly receives his guest Baelish as a guest. Littlefinger is not well liked by Renly, and tells him that he can either come to King’s landing and find open gates or a prolonged siege. Baelish next finds Margaery, trying to procure knowledge about her marriage to Renly. He gets little from Margaery, as she’s very much onto his game.

One of her riders returns to Daenerys, it seems someone is willing to welcome the mother of dragons.

Arya, Gendry and company are led to a tower, awaiting torture. Arya recites names of the Lannisters and those who wronged her father.

Baelish sets eyes on Catelyn, but she’s less than welcoming. He tells her that he tried to help Ned, begged him to leave, and she draws her knife on her when he claims they should be together. When sweet talking doesn’t work, he brings up Sansa and Arya, making her believe he can save them, unknowing that Arya is far away and out of Lannister castle. Littlefinger tries to bargain with  Catelyn . He brings her a gift from Tyrion, the girls for Jaime. The gift is not a piece of her girls, it’s her husband’s remains, just as Rob had asked for. Baelish tells her that her husband was a good man, and should rest in the crypts of Winterfell, and he leaves her alone with what’s left of her husband.

The torturer comes to chose another victim. They ask where is the brotherhood, and when the man doesn’t know, they torture him by strapping a bucket to his chest with a rat in it. And when the man cannot answer his questions they heat the bucket, and the rat boreing begins.

Renly and Stannis meet for a little discussion. Renly pokes fun at Stannis and him suddenly finding religion. Melisandre tells him that he should worship Stannis.  Catelyn  tries to get the boys to set aside their animosity, but none will budge. Stannis does not have many followers having never wanted them, while Renly is loved by many. Stannis plans on fighting.

Daenerys comes to the Trader of Spices home in Carth. He takes an interest in her dragons, and she asks for food and shelter first. The Trader refuses to grant her access, and he walks away. She doesn’t appreciate his attitude, and issues a threat, that when her dragons are grown she will burn their city first. One of the Thirteen petitions to allow Daenerys and her people in, and when he is shut down, he invokes a sacred rite to allow her and her people into the beautiful city of Carth.

Another head is placed upon the pike, and it’s a new day. Today Gendry is chosen. Again they ask where the brotherhood is, as they prepare the rats. Tywin Lannister rides in upon a white horse. He’s upset over the tragic waste of able young bodies and laborers. He asks Gendry’s trade, and tells him blacksmith, a very useful trade, much more useful than wall decor. Tywin takes one look and instantly knows that Arya is a girl and takes her for his own.

Tyrion receives an order to have Pycell released. The hour is very late, and it raises his attention. And immediately finds that Cersei is sleeping with their cousin. She likes to keep it in the family obviously. The man begs for Tyrion’s forgiveness, but plans to use the man for information, and he readily agrees. Tyrion tells him that he will release Pycell in the morning, but he will no longer be a member of his council.

Davros meets with Stannis. Stannis plans to play dirty to win the war. Davros will sneak Melisandre in to kill his brother. Melisandre toys with Davros as he rows her to shore. They find that their passage is barred, and she removes her robe to show an extremely pregnant belly, and prepares to give birth. Some kind of black smoke demon crawls from her body, and this thing is no baby from the calves on it.

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Craster kicks out the Night’s Watch from his daughter loving home. Mormont doesn’t want to hear why Jon had the crap kicked out of him, not caring that Craster is sacrificing the babies, and then he realizes that Mormont already knew. Men like Craster are forgiven their evils because of the help that they can give, and although some horror took the child, they can do nothing.

Gilly is sadden over Sam leaving, seeing that her hope leaves with him. He tries to give her something that means a great deal to him, and though she protests, she takes it.

Bran is having more dreams, and seeing through his direwolf’s eyes. He’s experiencing the complete senses of the direwolf, and he asks about skin walkers. He believes his dreams to be true, knowing things that he should not, but he’s talked out of those thoughts, his head filled with explanations of lost magic, of dragons gone, giants dead, and forgotten children of the forrest.

Renly watches over some friendly jousting, when Catelyn arrives. Margaery is excited by the friendly carnage on the field. Brienne wins the tourney quickly, she asks for a spot in the king’s guard, and Renly grants her wish. Margaery and Renly greet  Catelyn  with open arms, and offer her Jofferey’s head. Renly takes her through camp, and  Catelyn warns that his knights are those of summer, but says that winter is coming. Renly sends her to her tent.

Yara sneaks up on her brother, Theron, who’s still a little upset about feeling her up. Balon goes over his battle strategy with Yara. Balon has plans for his son as well, but he isn’t getting nearly as many ships as his sister. Balon forgets that it was his choice to keep the peace and surrender his only remaining son, and he treats Theron as if he were the one that betrayed him.

 Shae is upset over being kept closed in. Tyrion is looking for a way to keep her safe, and Shae doesn’t want to hear any of his reasons. Shae is his weakness, and he looks to protect her even if she doesn’t understand.

Sansa sits with Cersei and her children for dinner. They talk about the impending wedding between Sansa and Jofferey, which is on hold until after the war. One of the younger children asks if Jofferey will kill Rob, and Cersei tells him that he might, but either way Sansa will do her duty. Poor Sansa is trapped with no way out. Shae comes to be Sansa’s handmaiden, and though she is hesitant at first by the new arrival, she quickly goes over what her duties should be. Shae quickly shows her lack of knowledge in being a handmaiden. Shae offers to leave, but Sansa isn’t ready for her to leave.

Tyrion plans to broker an alliance to assure loyalty and an army, but he must keep the information from the queen. He tells each man of the council a different ploy to marry off Princess Marcella, and gets each to agree with great accolades and promises. Little finger falls hardest for the plan, with the most to gain.

Renly makes time with the knight of the flowers, who’s a little testy at not only having lost to Brienne, but also to her appointment at knight’s guard. The knight refuses to put out until the king has bedded his sister Margaery, the people are talking, and an heir needs to be conceived. Margaery comes to his bedchamber, and Renly can’t quite get it up on his own. Margaery tries her hardest, even offering to have her brother come and help. She knows the truth, and she’s not upset by it. It’s a very cunning woman, and she understands what’s at stake. She knows that his enemies plan to tear them apart, but the only way  to get them to stop is to make a baby.

Cersei comes to stop Tyrion and his latest plan, unknowing her little outburst told him just who the leak in the council was. Tyrion makes a great argument as to why Marcella is not safe in the palace, but Cersei will hear nothing of it.

Theron contemplates warning Rob, but changes his mind at the last moment, and pledges allegiance to his father. Yara looks a little scared as Theron takes his oath.

Little finger is ;less than pleased to find that he was dupped. Little finger has heard of all of the potential matches for Marcella. .Tyrion is planning on using Little finger to free Jaime. But Little finger isn’t the leak. It was Pycelle. And Tyrion makes sure that Pycelle and his duplicity does not go unanswered for.

Varys meets with Tyrion, and the two play at words. Varys gives a riddle, and Tyrion tires of the riddle quickly, but Varys makes his point, A small man can cast a large shadow.

Arya finds herself restless, Yoren shares a sweet bed time story with her of how he came to be on the Night’s Watch. Warning horns are sounded, and Yoren tells Arya and Gendry to hide, and if things go wrong to run north. The Golden Guard have returned and tell him to give up Gendry, he refuses, and an arrow though the leg just manages to piss him off. From there things go very wrong, and when every one is running, the three prisioners cage are set onfire. Though Arya poked at the men with a stick last week, she takes pity on Jaqen H’ghar and his companions and gives them then means of escape. As she runs, one of the Golden Guards captures her and takes Needle. The men ask for Gendry again, and Arya tells them that they already got him, pointing out that one of the dead bodies are wearing the bull helmet, though he’s really standing next to her. Clever girl.

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Arya continues her ruse posing as a boy in camp. Some prisoners try to make friends, one sweet talks her, but the others less so. A pair of knights come upon the group and Arya and Gendry hide, Arya thinking that they’re looking for her, and Gendry wanting to listen. They’re after the prisoners, who are headed to the knight’s watch. The man in charge gives the men the choice to leave without their prizes. They then tell that they’re looking for Gendry, and he learns for the first time that he is not safe.

Tyrion comes to his room and finds Varys with Shae. Varys is charmed with Shae. And Tyrion tells Varys that he’s not Ned Stark, and he won’t be threatened. Varys doesn’t fear Tyrion either. They go off to Cersei’s meeting.

Cersei sees Rob’s demands, and she’s not willing to give them anything that he asks, not even to give him his father's remains. She asks after Jamie, and sends word to him that he’s not forgotten. A raven has arrived with news from beyond the wall. The wildlings have gotten out of control, and Cersei brushes it all off. Mormont needs more men, but even with Tyrion’s sound guidance she refuses to listen. Cersei is being spiteful, she knows that what Tyrion says may be true, but she's underminding his every action.

Beyond the wall, Sam questions Craster’s number of wives.  Ghost approaches one of the wives, and Sam shoos him away. She’s wary of his kindness, but Sam doesn’t even know what he’s getting into. He brings the wife to Jon, the wife is pregnant, and she fears having a son. She wants them to take her with them. Jon tries to talk sense into Sam, but Sam is too simple and kind hearted to face the reality of the situation.

In Dany’s camp the people are tired. A single rider returns, but not the whole rider, just his head. They are surrounded by enemies, and the the Kahlessi is pissed. Rakharo is dead.

Theron sails towards his father’s home. He has high aspirations, thinking that he’ll soon be king. He beds the captain’s daughter, and though she begs, he won’t take her with him. I don’t blame him.

Littlefinger watches over his brothel, and one of his girls, Ros, is having a hard time after watching the bastards slaying of last week. Baelish makes it clear, you either make money, or you’re disposed of, in the most depraved way possible. Ros’s tears dry up quickly.

Tyrion meets with the head of the city watch in regards to the bastard reaping. He tries to not get to the bottom of things. He’s cleaning house, which means getting rid of the corrupt. Under his care, his mean slaughtered Ned Stark’s men, and innocent children. He sends the man to the black watch. He appoints Bronn to the head of the city watch. He asks his new man if he would murder innocent children without question, and Bronn actually has integrity.

A few boys discuss handing over Gendry to prevent war, Arya sees the folly in it. When Gendry comes about, Arya begins to drill him. She wants to know why he’s being hunted, but he’s evasive. But when she hears her father’s name it piques her curiosity. Gendry turns the tables on Arya, and he knows that she’s not a boy. Gendry teases her a bit about being high borne, not knowing he is as well.

Theron finally makes it home, and with a puffed up ego, he gets knocked down a few pegs. He needs to get to his father’s keep, and one of the men on the wharfs offers to get him a horse. A woman offers to take him there, since its on her way. She already knows who he is. He makes way to friendly with the girl, but makes it home. Balon GreyJoy looks upon his son for the first time in 9 years, and Theron claims there is no love lost for Stark’s death. Balon is less than maternal, disgusted with all that the Starks have done with him. The Starks were good to Theron, he was treated well. Rob Stark will give Balon back his kingdom. And Theron discovers that his playmate was actually his sister, Yara, dirty. If any will lead the attack for Rob, it will be her. Balon will not take Rob’s offer. He will take his crown.

Davos meets with men on the behalf of Stannis. The other armies are larger, but they have God on their side. The smuggler is willing to help, but he wants to bed Cersei. Davos can promise him riches but nothing more, he takes him up on the offer. Stannis has given Davos much, and that has earned him his loyalty.

Cersei stomps her foot over the head of the city watch’s removal from office. Tyrion is trying to help the hole that Cersei and Joffery have dug. Joffery was the one behind the slaughter of the bastards. Cersei looks to injure Tyrion, since his truths have cut her to the quick. She blames him for their mother’s death, and it’s a blow that silences Tyrion. Poor hateful woman, picking on Tyrion, the only one with any logic.

Stannis hears that they finally have ships and Melisandre fills his head with more bad ideas. She has seen the future, and thinks that he can rule it all, when he kills his enemies with fire. His brother’s army greatly outnumbers his own, but Melisandre tells him that they can overcome all. She poisons him towards even his wife, telling him that she will bear him a son, when his wife has bore nothing. Anyone else think she has something to do with that?

Jon watches Craster take a new baby into the woods. Looks like the daughter wife had her child. Jon follows him deep into the night, he hears some ghastly noises, but no cries at first. When Craster passes a hiding Jon, he finally discovers what happens to the sons. Something comes to take the child away, and looks like Craster wasn’t as gone as he thought, and knocks poor Jon’s light’s out. 

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Game of Thrones is back and I could not be happier.

We begin with a knightly display, where the Dog is the victor, and Sansa treads carefully by Joffery’s side. This gladiator display is to celebrate Joffery’s name day. And even when he appears generous,  he’s generosity is steeped with cruelty, because lets face it the kid has always been a selfish prick, and putting a crown on his head has only made him worse. Sansa’s quick thinking saves Sir Dauntus. Tyrion remarks on Joffery’s lack of showing on the battlefield. Joffery seems a little upset that the news of Tyrion’s death was overstated, because Tyrion is very much alive and spunky. He gives his condolences to Sansa, and Sansa gives the crappy spiel about her traitorous family that is keeping her alive.

News comes that summer is truly over, as they say eventually the Starks are always right, and now winter is truly coming. Tyrion’s next stop is with Cersei, and the Queen mother is no less happy to see him, and he gives her a bit of news. He is the hand of the King, and with that Cersei dismisses the counsel, she’s obviously overjoyed to have one brother close to her, or she should be cause Tyrion is smart. The death of Ned Stark has great and lasting consequences, and the Lannisters are not well liked, but Tyrion has a great plan, though Cersei’s carelessness has greatly diminished their bargaining chips. Ned was beheaded during her watch, and Aria has escaped, which only leaves Sansa as their final means to make a bargain with the Starks.

Bran is lord at Winterfell, with his brother Rob off making war, and he’s forced to listen to old men go on and on about the war, and he’s less than pleased. A direwolf runs through the woods, and Bran sees through its eyes. When he’s on Hodor’s back, he goes to the spot he saw in the wolf’s eyes. He looks at the comet, and believes it’s a good omen for Rob, Osha says that it can mean many things, but it always points to dragons, but he’s not ready to believe that yet. Poor foolish child, Dany is coming and she’s bringing dragons.

Daenerys tries to feed one of her dragons, but it won’t eat. Her brother knew little about dragons, and he isn’t there to even tell her his fables. She’s on her own. The beautiful white horse that Drogo gave to her on their wedding day falls over dead. She’s quickly running out of options. Her people are too weak to fight off those who would take her dragons, but still on they must keep going. She sends out riders to find a city, to find someplace for her people.

In the North, Snow and the others come across an inbred community of wildlings. This is the first town they’ve come across that isn’t abandoned. An army is being gathered to take over the kingdoms, and it already outnumbers any they have.

Melisandre prays to her god on a well lit beach. They’ve lit a fire the seven gods of the kingdoms, Melisandre taunts him, but no one will stand against the red priestess. She’s in Stannis Baratheon’s employ, and she has him draw a sword from the fire. Stannis is leading his people into a war his advisor’s know that he cannot win, but none are willing to tell him, not even Davos. Stannis has drawn up a damning and truthful claim against the throne. Stannis plans to do what Ned Stark failed to do and shine lights upon Cersei and Jamie’s incestuous relations. Not only does Stannis make his bold statements, he also does not plan to make any allegiances. His greatest opposition to this plan dies at the feet of the red priestess.

Rob checks in on his dirty sexy prisoner, Jaime Lannister.  Jaime’s sharp tongue is nothing in his favor, and he becomes a little uneasy when Rob’s direwolf comes to his side. Rob reveals the truth’s that Stannis has revealed, and the puzzle pieces that have clicked into place, and Rob’s a little too confident for only having won three battles.

Tyrion’s friend, Shae is loving the city a little too much, but Tyrion warns her of the viper’s nest that surrounds them.  

Cersei goes to Lord Balesh for a favor, she wants help finding Aria. Balesh makes snide remarks about Cersei’s family, and she has him seized, and flexes her power. She doesn’t dance around her desires, she wants Aria and she wants her now. Silly Balesh, I always thought he was smarter than to taunt the queen like that.

Rob makes his demands on the Lannisters. He wants his sisters, his father’s remains, and the remains of all those who have died, as well as the Lannisters to release all claims upon the North. Rob delivers his terms, offering peace, but is more than willing to make the streets flow with blood if he has to. Theron tells him that Kings Landing must be taken to win the war, and that means that they must enlist Balon GreyJoy, Theron’s father. Theron may not be a Stark, but he has been with Ned’s family for most of his life. He was given to the Starks to ensure Greyjoy’s good behavior, but Theron has always been treated well, and he’s willing to go ask his father for help.

Catelyn Stark does not want to trust GreyJoy, but Rob sees no other choice, especially not if he wants his sisters safe. But he’s also smart enough to know that he cannot win a war just to save his sisters, that it is not enough of a cause to sacrifice so many lives. Rob plans to send his mother to negotiate with Renly, and though at first she protests, she sees the light to his plan, he is after more than just revenge.

Cersei finds Joffery remodeling the throne room. He has no tact, no idea of strategy and Cersei talks to the dolt. With how manipulative and crafty she is you’d think that even a smidge would have rubbed off on him, but no. Instead, he’s a petulant foot stomping child. Joffery thinks that the incestuous claims are pure gossip, but his insensitive questioning angers Cersei, and she forgets herself for a moment. His mother slaps him, as she should because he’s being an arrogant prick, and he threatens her with death. She’s created quite the monster, and has no one to blame but herself.

The head whore in Lord Balesh’s whorehouse gives the new girl a tour around the place. The whorehouse gets a good tossing, and mother and child are brought out, they kill one of the king’s latest bastard son, and a rightful heir. Throughout the kingdom there’s a bastard cleansing, all the true bastards of the kings are being hunted down, and disposed of. But Gendry, the blacksmith bastard Ned located last season is with Aria, and they’re headed North.

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Are you ready for April 1st? I'm not talking about all the tricks that will surely be played, but rather the new season of Game of Thrones.

The season premiere will start as Robb Stark and his northern army continue the war against the Lannisters, Tyrion arrives in King's Landing to counsel Joffrey and temper the young king's excesses. On the island of Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon plots an invasion to claim his late brother's throne, allying himself with the fiery Melisandre, a strange priestess of a stranger god. Across the sea, Daenerys, her three young dragons and khalasar trek through the Red Waste in search of allies, or water. In the North, Bran presides over a threadbare Winterfell, while beyond the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night's Watch must shelter with a devious wildling.



 Game of Thrones episode 2.1, "The North Remembers" airs on HBO April 1st, 2012. The episode stars Richard Madden, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Jack Gleeson, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and is directed by Alan Taylor.

Game of Thrones episode 2.2, “The Night lands” airs on HBO April 8th, 2012.

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