As season two of Game Of Thrones gets closer and closer to our TV sets, I find myself thinking back to the book more and more often. A Clash of Kings is chock full of great moments, and I know I have more than a couple that I am looking forward to seeing on screen. This week we’ll discuss the scenes and moments that I’m most looking forward to and next week we’ll discuss Ivey’s list.
The spoiler warning on this post is super high for A Clash of Kings, not so big for the rest of the books. You have been warned!
Bob:
The first moment that I’m looking forward to is going to be coming late in the season. One of the biggest battles in the whole series of novels is the Battle of the Blackwater. I’m curious and excited to see it on the screen. It doesn’t hurt that the episode is being penned by George R. R. Martin himself. I’m eager to see how the battle translates and if it’s going to have to get scaled down for budget. I certainly hope they include the wildfire, as that was such a key element of the naval skirmish.
Ivey:
I think they will include the wildfire (I’m certain we’ve already caught a glimpse of it or two in some of the trailers). Blackwater is an important moment, if for no other reason that it was the first real battle shown on page (and thus now screen). It will set the standard for how future battles will be shown. I think it will be important, too, to not ignore the Sansa POV chapters from that time period, as they are significant politically.
Bob:
Yeah, I think the Sansa chapters in A Clash of Kings are perhaps her best. I love the interactions between her and Sandor, and I’m looking forward to seeing them, too. They didn’t make my list of top moments though.Instead, I think the riot in the streets of King’s Landing is going to be a fantastic moment. I’ve definitely caught sight of it in the trailers for the new season, and, seriously, who doesn’t want to see trash thrown at Cersei? It’s going to be a great cathartic moment after all of the Lannister crap we had to deal with in season one.
Ivey:
I too think that’s a big moment, because it shows just how out of touch the Lannisters all are (save Tyrion) with the small folk. It was one of the first times in the buildup to Stannis Baratheon’s attack that I felt the Lannister’s rule might be in jeopardy.
Plus, any moment in which Tyrion slaps Joffery like the moron that he is is good times in my book. I’m constantly amazed that as politically deft as his mother usually is that he turned out to be such a sod.
Though I doubt we’ll see much of either the High Septon or Lollys’s fate that day.
Bob:
Yeah, well, you know, inbreeding isn’t known for producing really smart people. I could probably stand not seeing the gruesome violation of Lollys (who hasn’t really been on the show up to now anyway), but I kind of would like to see the High Septon getting torn apart by an angry mob. I think I’ve been watching too much Walking Dead.
Finally, I’m so excited for Melisandre, such an enigmatic and fascinating character. For a fantasy series that seems very grounded in reality (save for the dragons) I’m eager to see how the producers decide to tackle the shadows that she summons to do her dirty work. One of the more bizarre scenes in the entire series is when she literally births one in front of Davos, appearing pregnant before producing a spirit from her … loins.
Ivey:
How did I know that you were going to bring up the “shadow birth” scene (perhaps the fact that we’d discussed this list in advance clued me in, or perhaps I’m just aware of your fascination with this particular scene). The last time I remember you this excited about a small moment was Viserys’s Golden Helm last season. Whereas I understood that moment, I don’t really get this. Mel’s going to lean back, spread her legs, and a shadow will come out. Like Casper, but more black-like.
But I think you’re on to something … this was the first moment in the series where I began to believe that Westeros really wasn’t grounded in our reality. Dragons are one thing, but just because a medieval based story has dragons doesn’t necessarily mean there will be magic, shapeshifting and all of the other crazy things that happen beyond the Wall.
Bob:
I’m mostly just curious to see how the show approaches it, because if it were me in charge, I think I would be tempted to skip the whole magic shadow monster pregnancy and just have her conjure it up with her hands. I’m also looking forward to seeing the shadow slit Renly’s throat. It should be one of the more shocking … and maybe even confusing … moments in the series and a big turning point. Will it be obvious to the audience who or what killed Renly?
Ivey:
I understand … I’m not sure why those moments had less of an impact on me, but they did. I think part of that might be, and I know I’ve discussed this before, but I just don’t “get” Melisandre yet. I’m still not sure where she fits into the story as a whole.
Bob:
For me, wondering about a character’s motivations and goals just adds to the intrigue. I love the character.
Next week we’ll discuss Ivey’s most anticipated moments and let us know what yours are in the comments.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Mar 07, 2012 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
Daenerys at the house of the undying remains my favorite chapter in the whole series, and will be absolutely amazing if done properly. It’s pure horror, and contains critical foreshadowing of future events.
Indeed. This week we talked about the things Bob was looking forward to; next week it is my list. We’re going to hit the House of the Undying then.
Though, we’ve got to look at the schedule between now and the premiere … There’s so much to discuss about what might and might not translate from the House of the Undying scene, it might get a post of its own.
Book 2 was Tyrion at his absolute best. Anything with him is sure to be wildly entertaining.