Season 4, Episode 1
Two Swords
***SPOILERS***
This episode opens bolding, with no dialogue and seeing the forging of two valyrian swords. Such a great way to open the season. Harking back all the way to season 1 with Ned Stark's sword "Ice" being reforged. It is a reminder of the past as well as a threat for the future. Another addition for fans of the opening sequence is the inclusion of the Dreadfort with the symbol of the flayed man on their banner.
Jaime gets a beating, figuratively speaking in this opening episode. Firstly with Tywin who demands that he return to Casterly Rock as his heir. Jaime at the end of last season had just returned after losing his sword hand. Jaime seems like the only one of his siblings that can really stand up to his father's orders. But still he takes the sword, a literal taking up the mantel of being commander of the king's guard. It's great to see Jaime stand up to his father and his attempt to find honour. Difference from the book: Jaime returns later in the book after the royal wedding. Later in the episode Joffrey mocks Jaime stating there is nothing written about him in the book of the brothers which includes the men of the King's guard. Jaime manages all the harsh encounters in this episode well and with humour. He is perhaps more humble and less arrogant than the Jaime of the past seasons with his mocking self-assured cockiness. Jaime also gets a lecture from his sister Cersei who blames him for coming too late. Difference from the book: Unlike in the show where Cersei and Jaime have a cold reunion, in the book Jaime and Cersei have a heartfelt and intense reunion. Brienne also is having a go at Jaime for not safely returning the Stark girls. Jaime however is a pragmatist with witty sarcasm. It's great to see Jaime and Brienne still together in this season. Difference from the book: Brienne is captive upon arriving in King's Landing.
The scene of welcoming the wedding guests to King's Landing was great. Nice to see more humour between Podrick, Bronn and Tyrion. It also points out the significant loss of status of Tyrion. A subtle reminder that he is no longer the hand of the king and is instead master of coin. This is at the request of his father. Thus Tyrion has little to no power at this stage of the series. This political point is beautifully handled in a comedic manner. This sequence also fits perfectly the introduction of Prince Oberon and Elaria the guests from Dorne. The scene in Little Finger's brothel importantly introduces a number of key character points. One that he is a frequenter of whores, including group and same sex encounters. It also demonstrates his self-import and arrogance as a prince who demands. Further in the scene it also shows his quick anger towards any of the Lannisters opening old wounds. This also shows his penchant for violence. At least for Lannister men. In the brothel we also learn that Elaria is a "Sand" the name of bastards in Dorne. In the exchange between Tyrion and Prince Oberon, Tyrion is definitely at the disadvantage trying to smooth over old wounds which Prince Oberon is having none of it. He makes thinly veiled threats. Tyrion in the season isn't much of a political player.
And then we are introduced to Dany with her dragon's much grown since the last season. Even now they are growing beyond her control. However Dany is a great royal presence, much different from the scared and abuse victim at the beginning of the series. First she was a child victim, a Khaleesi and now she acts like a Queen and warlord. It's a cute introduction of both Greyworm and Daario. I have to admit I'm somewhat disappointed with the recasting of Daario. The role was previously played by Ed Skrein in series three. Daario is now played by Michiel Huisman (Treme). He looks very different from the past season and also different from the description in the book which depicts Daario as this very handsome and colourfully dyed hair warrior. So far I'm not a fan of the new Daario, but will be interested to see how he progresses throughout season four. So far in the first episode he seems more cute than the smirky and arrogant character from the book.
It is painful to see Sansa's decline and refusal to eat, but nice to see some interaction between her and Tyrion. Peter Dinklage plays the role of guilty party and compassionate friend beautifully. Once again Shae imposes herself on Tyrion and by this point I was sick of seeing Shae and Tyrion fight about her safety and the dangers.
I felt the conversation between Jaime and Cersei was a little stilted as it was meant to be. In the scene it references Cersei's "symptoms" that have gone. I could speculate that it is sleeplessness? or she may have needed "moon tea", if perhaps she is sleeping with Lancel? I wonder if this will be something that is explored in further episodes. Cersei is much changed, Jaime notices her increased drinking. It now seems that there is a rift between Cersei and Jaime, they no longer have the passion and closeness seen in the previous seasons. Although this is somewhat different in the book.
This episode introduces the Thenns who meet with the other free folk from beyond the wall. It is revealed that Ygritte didn't kill nor intend to kill Jon Snow who we saw wounded at the end of season three. I wasn't really that interested in this particular storyline at the moment although it will become significant later on this season. I felt like the introduction as the Thenns as cannibals was a little over the top really.
It was really nice that they included Jon Snow's trial and Master Aemon was quite funny in this scene. It also re-introduces Janos Slynt the previous lord of the King's guard that had been sent to the Black by Tyrion a season ago. I love the way this show ties things together that are seasons apart, it makes every detail significant.
The scene between Brienne and Margery is very different from the book. It had a nice bit of humour with Lady Olenna's comment "Aren't you marvellous?". It does draw attention to the fact of how things have changed since the death of King Renly and reminds audiences that Brienne was accused of kingslaying something Brienne and Jaime have in common.
Sansa's storyline is furthered with the introduction of Ser Dontos, something that is much more developed in the books. Casual viewers would doubtless have forgotten this character who appeared season's previous.
Arya and the Hound are a great dark comedic team. I'm really enjoying Arya's violent streak as she progresses through killing all the people on her list and manages to get her "needle" back. This last sequence has a lot of dark humour to it as well as violence and speaks of much more to come. Although there are some definite changes from the book and it will be interesting to see where the show takes this duo in the future episodes.
Overall a rather slow start to the season instead of a dramatic beginning, but it does a lot of great character studies and plot development. There were a lot of nice comedic moments and some great one liners. This episode demonstrated that season 4 from the outset will take things in a very different direction and how the character dynamics have changed.
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