Fantastical Musings

Now that it's been about two weeks since the finale of season five premiered, I think it's time to take a moment to reflect on the past season. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this season, although my feelings about it were somewhat mixed. If you're a book reader like me, you'll know that this season was almost a complete departure from the books, and the only way to be okay with that is to try to separate the show from the books in your mind. I try to look at the show and the books as completely different creative projects with differing story-telling agendas. That worked pretty well for me this season, although, I have to say, some moments just fell completely flat for me. Let's review: The Good: The Army of the Dead: I was generally pleased with the way Jon's plot was handled this season. As you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of Jon -- but even I have to say that his plot was really on point this season. The massacre at Hardhome was such an incr...

I can't believe it's OVER! Ugh, I can't wait ten more months for the next season. I JUST CAN'T! As many of you know, I've been sort of lukewarm about this season, but this episode made up for all of the awkward scenes this season. Random deaths, battles, and dragons: this is the Game of Thrones we know and love. I have a lot of thoughts about this episode, so lemme break it down: Favorite Moments: Dad of the Year: We've sort of had a theme of people attempting to be dads this season (cough, cough Stannis, cough, cough), but no one has succeeded as well as Jaime Lannister.  His scene this week with Myrcella was so cute. In fact, it was so cute that -- in true Game of Thrones fashion -- someone had to die. I kid you not, my heart broke into a million pieces when she was like "I'm glad you're my father" and then she DIED! Ugh, so many FEELS! Like, it was worth having Myrcella in Season 5 for that scene alone! Of course, we didn't actual...

So, after last night's finale of  Game of Thrones , I noticed a ton of awesome Yaks about the episode (because, you know, Yik Yak really has its finger on the pulse of the nation). In honor of the end of season five, I decided to share my favorite Yaks with you (and yes, one or two of them are mine): Some people were concerned for their personal safety: Others faced an existential crisis: One helpful yak-er offered a succinct summary of the past season: Many expressed *some* frustration: Some questioned everything: Others offered helpful tips: Others needed help themselves: While others tried to put things into perspective: Of course, there were the obligatory 'Winter is Coming' jokes: Some consoled themselves with hopes of resurrection:  While others mourned for Jon Snow: Meanwhile, some...

I can't believe there's only one more episode!!!! I have NO IDEA how they're going to wrap up this season in only one more episode. UGH! I'm already waiting for season 6. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves, let's break down this penultimate episode. Favorite Moments: Drogon the Dragon: A lot of people online are dissing Dany's scene in this episode. I had a few small issues with this scene, but, overall, I thought it was fantastic. It was so satisfying to finally see a dragon in action. I loved how Drogon just swept in and saved Dany. Not to mention that the whole scene was super well done. I loved that moment when Jorah throws the spear at the Son of the Harpy right behind Dany and then she turns around and everyone is in a golden mask. It was a real :O moment. The Stag: I'm so, so glad that Shireen and Davos  had a final moment together before Shireen's death. The scene with the little wooden stag was just so cute; right now, I'm just...

All I can say, after watching this episode of Game of Thrones , is that I am profoundly grateful that the Army of the Dead is  not coming for me. I mean, I bet living in a fantasy world would be cool sometimes, but not when the zombie nation is knocking on your door; I'll stick with my iced coffee and desk job. I think this episode was one of the only times I've legitimately been scared while watching Game of Thrones . Throughout the entire battle scene (I say battle like it wasn't a complete massacre), I was so anxious and so discomfited; after it was over, my heart was pounding. You know you're watching good TV when the show makes you feel like you're going to be turned into a wight, and you're just sitting on your couch! #AllTheFeels. Favorite Moments: Like Lemmings Do: The entire last scene (i.e. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD) was awesome but the best part -- in my opinion -- was when all of the wights jumped off the cliff, got up, and kept running. For real tho...

Not gonna lie, I wasn't the biggest fan of this week's episode. I think it was rushed and a little sloppy. Don't get me wrong, it was still better than 99% of other television, but still, a little sloppy. You can do better, Game of Thrones , you can do better. Favorite Moments:  "I Dreamed I Was Old, Egg": Hands down, Maester Aemon was the star of the episode. I knew that he was going to die because I read the books, but still, it was so sad . It was so sweet when he was holding Gilly's baby and comparing him to his brother. What makes Game of Thrones so popular is that the characters are human and have wonderful human moments. Even Maester Aemon, who is sort of a peripheral character, has a complex back story. I mean,you have to remember that he's lived through the reigns of at least five different kings and lived to see his entire family (minus Dany) slaughtered. Even if he's a fictional character, you have to feel a little bad for him. I so, so...

Wow. I honestly have no idea how to feel about this episode; it was truly a mixed bag: there were some parts I really loved and some parts I really hated and some parts that had the potential to be cool but were just really poorly executed. All in all, not the best mid-season moment. Let's break it down: Favorite Moments:  Face Thieves: As you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of Arya and her plot, but, I have to admit, even I was a little intrigued by her scenes in this episode. I loved the scene where she was telling Jaqen H'ghr her own story and he was like "a girl lies!" And I was like "oh snap." Also, begrudgingly, I have to admit that the House of Black and White is a really cool set. I think part of the reason I really liked these scenes in this episode was that they were the only remnants of GRRM's original story line. I get that the writer's are forging a brave new path, but sometimes it's nice to see that classic GRRM story tel...

We're now half way through the season and there are so many unanswered questions! So many things we haven't seen yet! So many opportunities for dragons to eat someone! (BTW: That was awesome). It struck me as I was watching this episode that, in a little over a month, this was going to be over and I'm going to have to wait another year to watch again and that's going to be terrible. But, to misquote Lord of the Rings , today is not that day.  Let's break it down: Favorite Moments: Dinner with the Boltons: If you thought the Lannisters were the most evil people in Westeros, you weren't even close. The Boltons are absolutely brutal! Their dinner scene this episode was so, so painfully awkward; it may have been one of the best things I've ever seen. You know it's a good moment when Ramsay Bolton is getting all creepy and sadistic on someone and then, out of no where, Roose Bolton swoops in and tops you. You better come correct when you're dealing wi...

I think this was one of the first times I actually LOL'd while watching Game of Thrones . (I mean, for real, there's not much fun in this show, but this was actually a pretty fun episode -- well, until everyone died. More about that later). Anyway, I loved this episode; it was action packed and fast paced and things HAPPENED . Let's dive in: Favorite Moments: It Pays to Have a Golden Hand: I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love Jaime and I love Bron, and together they make an awesome TV sandwich of awesomeness. I absolutely loved, loved every scene they had together. It was particularly awesome when Jaime was like "we have to save my niece" and Bronn was like "your niece..." and I was like "oh Bronn, you understand everything so well." And don't even get me started on Jaime's golden hand! It was so cool when that sword was coming for him and he was like: "oh, that's right, I can catch that because I hav...

Wow. Not going to lie, the last two episodes were good, but after I saw this episode, I was like "yeah, Game of Thrones is BACK ." A lot of exciting stuff happened this week, so let's break it down: Favorite Moments: Brienne n' Pod, Back on the Road: Brienne and Pod's treks around Westeros have, traditionally, not been the most exciting moments of the show. However, I have to say that I really enjoyed their scene this week. Brienne's story about her bond with Renly was really sweet and touching, and it really filled out her character. Also, who doesn't love how happy to be punished Pod is. Now that Arya and the Hound have disbanded, I think these two are my new favorite odd couple. There's a New Queen in Town:   Long live the queen --  Margaery Tyrell, that is. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see her wedding to Tommen (because, as we know, weddings are always so exciting in Westeros), but I loved seeing her dominate Cersei ...

*Cue the theme music* Da Da Da-da-da-da daaaaa da dadada! Last season, I predicted that season five would be an unmitigated disaster if it strayed too far from the books. Today, it appears that I stand corrected. I think we can all agree that this episode, "The House of Black and White", was much, much, much better than the premiere. The premiere was good, but unmemorable. In this episode, we really get into what I think will be the meat of season five. And frankly, I couldn't be more thrilled. Although this episode made it clear that we are going to be deviating significantly from the path the books took, I actually think that the show runners are making the right decision. It's difficult to translate a series like A Song of Ice and Fire, with all its ins and outs, into a TV show, but this episode proved to be that Benioff and Weiss can do it. Let's break it down: Favorite Moments: That's The Jaime We Know and Love!: After last week's very disappo...