Activision has announced that Men in Black: Alien Crisis will hit the shelves on May 25. This will be the same day as the release of Sony’s Men in Black 3; adapted from the the Men in Black comic books. The news that has hit the net has been of the generic nature as no one seems to know what stance to take on the game. There simply isn’t enough information to make an informed opinion. Maybe consumers have become numb to the words of advertisement announcements.
Here’s some of the official announcement:
In Men In Black: Alien Crisis, players take on the role as Peter Delacoeur, a MIB Agent in training, assigned to unearth enemy aliens who are planning to destroy planet Earth. With hidden surveillance and stealthy guards on the prowl, players must ambush confidential alien intelligence and stop all alien attacks. Men In Black: Alien Crisis brings exciting, realistic MIB Agent movements as players shoot, and dodge their way through action-packed levels to escape fierce alien assaults. Additionally, all platforms feature two-player split-screen gameplay and four-person “hot-seat” competitive action for awesome friends and family involvement.”
Right off the bat I had an sophomoric reaction to the name of the video game character, Peter Delacoeur. If we are to follow the naming convention of all MIB agents, it means that the name will be shortened to the first letter of the first name. “In this game, you will play as Pee.” ‘Welcome Pee.’ “Look out Pee!” If you’re playing on the Ninteno Wii, you’ll control Pee with your Wii. Yes, I’m a comedic genius.
While the name may be hysterical to my addled mind, the cover art is brilliantly done. The image of the MIB agent is obscured enough to conjure the image of Will Smith or Tommy Lee Jones, without having to pay any likeness fees. Honestly, I can almost imagine the moustache on the shadowy face of Agent Pee.
“To create a completely authentic Men in Black world and tone, Activision aligned with Jeff Gomez and Mark S. Pensavalle’s Starlight Runner Entertainment, Inc. to create the story and script of the upcoming videogame. Starlight Runner, a leading creator and producer of highly successful transmedia franchises, was selected by Sony Pictures to work in concert with the filmmakers to provide a single voice to the Men in Black universe with the upcoming film and related properties.”
Remember, this is Activision we’re talking about. While known for Call of Duty and the Guitar Hero games, it seems the majority of gamers want to hate what they have to offer. The consensus though is that the game will be, “kiddy” in nature, which is not so innovative or “in your face” and a little more generic when it comes to gaming. As the game’s story doesn’t seem to be cannon to the actual movie, it gives me the feeling that the game will be closer to Call of Duty with an MIB skin on top of it.
“The game will be available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii. All versions of the game are compatible with the Top Shot Elite peripheral. The PlayStation 3 version is also compatible with the PlayStation®Move sharp shooter and the Wii version with the Wii Zapper™.”
FEATURES INCLUDE:
3rd Person Combat Tactics: Dodge and take cover as you battle hostile aliens in this action-packed, 3rd person rail shooter.
Investigation and Interrogation: Players must obtain vital intelligence by examining locations and interrogating suspects.
Nothing is What it Seems: Aliens often use clever disguises. Employ MIB investigative techniques to detect hidden threats.
Diverse and Customizable Weapons: Wield an awesome assortment of alien firepower including MIB classics like the “Noisy Cricket” and unique firing modes such as “freeze rays” and “antigravity grenades.”
High Octane Action-Oriented Experience: Pursue and escape fierce aliens in intense cinematic chase sequences.
Like most Joss Whedon fans, I love Fran Kranz. He is one of my favorite veterans of Joss Whedon projects. (Dollhouse anyone!) Finally, we get to see him again in this Friday’s opening of The Cabin in the Woods.
While he does have the new film opening he is also going to be appearing WITH Whedon (as well as Amy Acker, his costar from Cabin in the Woods) in Much Ado About Nothing, a new low-budget adaptation of the William Shakespeare play. It was filmed last year as a “mystery project” and in only 12 days.
Kranz said regarding the secret project,
He shot that while he was on vacation,” says Kranz. “I remember he said he was going to go to Italy with his wife and kids, then all of a sudden he started to shoot a movie, which is crazy… He does a lot of readings at his house, he’s a great host. He always has people over, but he likes to have something to do, something specific. Sometimes he’ll read plays. One night we all read ‘A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’. He called me one day and said he was thinking about doing ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, but filming it this time. That struck me as doing something handheld, with a Flipcam or something. Not something big with grip trucks, all of this equipment and stuff. But that’s what it turned into.”
Even better for Whedon fans is that it will also include other familiar faces such as Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, and Reed Diamond.
He turned his home into a movie set,” Kranz continues. “He had extras and all of that. We had no idea. But I think that’s what he wanted. He wanted us to go into it with a casual feel and to do Shakespeare like you’re not used to seeing. He didn’t want big production value or it to be over-rehearsed. I think he wanted it to be natural. It might be a bizarre benefit to it that we didn’t master the language. The other actors all came from different places so it was an eclectic group. It’s Shakespeare, the language is rich and dense… I think it could be this wonderful blessing that it feels intimate, alive and casual and fun. I hope that bleeds off the screen and will be refreshing for audiences. I haven’t seen it yet, but I trust Joss always and I think it’s going to be awesome.”
Unfortunately there is no specific release date yet for Much Ado About Nothing, we do get our Fran Kranz fix with The Cabin in the Woods this friday, April 13th, which was written by Whedon and Drew Goddard.
Whedon is also releasing his Marvel’s The Avengers on May 4th.
Fran Kranz also took time to answer recent questions about The Cabin In The Woods.
Early critics of the film have said that this is a film that will deconstruct the horror genre. Kranz gave his thoughts on the genre over the last few years and the effect his new film will have on it.
I loved the first Saw movie, I thought it was awesome and it had a great concept. I like Eli Roth and thought the first Hostel was kind of fun. Cabin Fever, too. But I know the Saw and Hostel franchises were definitely under scrutiny by Drew and Joss, I know they were disappointed by where horror films were headed or where they were presently. I know Cabin Fever isn’t recent, but can’t think of any “cabin” movies that were made recently. The “cabin” reminds me of the glory days of horror in the ’70s and ’80s. The Evil Dead and the original Friday the 13th. The Cabin in the Woods pays homage to those classics. When we started shooting, Drew gave us those movies to watch – The Evil Dead, the original Friday the 13th,The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Night of the Living Dead – he wanted to get us into the mindset of the classics. At the end of the day, Joss and Drew could speak better of this than I can. I just see Cabin in the Woods as a very fun movie. Great adventure movie. When I finished the script, “horror film” did not come to mind, or even “funny horror film.” I just thought it was a fun, crazy, action, adventure movie. It steps outside of the genre and is so hybrid genre and unique. There are so many movie kidnapping and killing movies – torture porn – I just don’t see any value in those. Cabin is needed and wanted and I think audiences will understand why we’re getting it now. And, I just drew a blank… “
He also talked about the camaraderie that comes with fellow actors in films together.
Drew was saying how the young people in horror films…he doesn’t get the sense that the characters in these movies don’t like each other anymore. In current horror films, one person is killed and the rest of the characters don’t even care. They don’t seem to have real relationships. That’s something we stressed in our movie. Drew wanted us to be believable as friends and love each other. He said, don’t pay attention to turning the conventions on their heads, that’s my job. He wanted us to focus on being real and making the performances honest. So, in terms of camaraderie, that informed us to actually being friends. We all loved each other. We were up in Vancouver and had our own Cabin in the Woods thing going. It was just us in a hotel, having dinner, getting drinks. We grew tight and I’m still very close with everyone and I have a special man crush on Chris Hemsworth.”
Be sure to go see Cabin in the Woods this friday or at least watch the trailer below:
A few weeks ago toy maker and mega company, Mattel announced they were turning The Hunger Games into Barbies. Specifically, the heroine of the tale, Katniss Everdeen. And now we have a first look of what they Barbie doll looks like. The doll does not show Katniss wearing her reaping dress, or the dress that is on fire, but a more natural look for the character: her arena wear complete with a miniature mockingjay pin, bow and arrow, forest-tromping boots, and that one, plump braid.
The doll’s designer, Bill Greening said,
I chose to dress her in the outfit she wears during the games, since this is where all the non-stop action takes place and is instantly recognizable by fans. Of course, she wears her mockingjay pin proudly on her lapel.”
Designers made sure to get the look correct by examining the actual outfit worn by Jennifer Lawrence, who played Katniss in the film adaptation. Greening added,
“Hopefully Hunger Games fans can appreciate the attention to detail. The doll’s minimalistic style and details — such as her loosely braided hair and makeup-free look — also really embody the heroic character Katniss.”
He claims it is a make-up free look, but she sure does look polished to me. Aside from that, I do agree that they did a good job bringing the look from the movie to the doll.
Greening also mentioned that he was a huge fan of the book and the film allowing him to pay tribute to Katniss and the novels.
“I am a huge Hunger Games fan and loved all three books, so it was truly an amazing experience for me to be able to design the Katniss Barbie doll,” Greening says. “I think it really pays tribute to Katniss and The Hunger Games.”
The Hunger Games Katniss Barbie will be available everywhere in August and for pre-order starting today at 12 p.m. ET at BarbieCollector.com and various other online retail outlets.
Marvel Studios has released another “new” TV spot for the highly-anticipated movie, Marvel’s The Avengers. I really like how they’re really stressing the “Marvel” portion. It really gets away from the trademark issues that were happening in the UK over the use of the name, “The Avengers.”
As this is the 6th television spot that has been recently released, it too has its own focus, this time being Captain America, titled “Back in Action”. Yes, some of the footage has already been seen, but there are a few snippets and text that make this spot original.
The film will hit screens in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D on May 4. Directed by Joss Whedon, the film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson.
Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel’s The Avengers is the superhero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.”
The new film sports an all star cast. It includes:
Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron Man:
A self-described genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist with a mechanical suit of armor of his own invention. Becoming a superhero is obviously the best way to make people forget one’s a drunk and a reformed arms dealer. Honestly, Stark needs to run for President now.
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America:
A World War II veteran who’s convinced his only way to help in the war effort is to do drugs. As the poster boy for steroid use, Steve Rogers is enhanced to the peak of human physicality by an experimental serum. While the spot focuses on the Captain as the team leader, maybe they should have gone with someone more… PC. In the Ultimate series, the Captain doesn’t buy that he’s in the future. How does he arrive to this conclusion? He bases it on the premise that there aren’t any African-American soldiers who’ve made the rank of Colonel. “Must be a Nazi trick!” Next thing you know, women will be able to vote.
Mark Ruffalo as Dr. Bruce Banner / Hulk:
A genius scientist who somehow gets caught in the blast of his own science experiment. Forget fail safes and controlled environments. Due to the exposure to gamma radiation, Banner is transformed into a monster when enraged or excited. Ruffalo was cast after negotiations between Marvel and Edward Norton broke down.
Lou Ferrigno; the man behind the monster in the 1977 television series of the Hulk, will voice “The Hulk.” Lots of screaming and maybe some monosyllabic words. “Hulk… Smash!”
Chris Hemsworth as Thor:
The god of thunder and disco era armor. Thor which is based on the Norse deity of the same name is more a space alien than; thus saving religious issues being brought up in the movie. Hemsworth stated that he was able to maintain the strength he built up for Thor by increasing his food intake, consisting of a number of chicken breasts, fish, steak and eggs a day. Fine and dandy really, but does an actor ever have to pig out and get obese for their role? Probably, but not to be made of eye candy for those that like their men made of abs. Now excuse me while I go back to eating this tub of ice cream.
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow:
A highly trained spy working for the international peacekeeping organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. “Her superpower set is using a gun and launching a luchador wrestling technique that disables men with her swinging crotch.”
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye:
A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and master archer known in the comics as the “World’s Greatest Marksman”. While originally a superhero with a crippling obsession with bows and arrows, Hawkeye has had some proper reconstruction of his superhero background. Now his abilities are due to his specials eyes. Better than lasik, operations have allowed Hawkeye to squint his way into seeing his targets; his eyes utilize more muscles to constantly change the way he sees over long distance.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki:
Thor’s adoptive brother and nemesis based on the deity of the same name. Man, how did Odin the All Father not see any of this coming? I thought he had a plan for everything.
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury:
The baddest director to ever walk the street for S.H.I.E.L.D. The Colonel was revealed in previous films to be coordinating the “Avenger Initiative” which I thought was the training program for potential Avengers. While he forgot to recruit Spider-Man and the Wolverine, Jackson was brought to the project with a deal containing an option to play the character in up to nine Marvel films.
Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill:
A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who works closely with Jackson’s Nick Fury. While in the comic she is pretty much a control freak and a raging bitch, I just don’t buy Smulders in the role. This is not “How I Met Your Mother”.
Preparations for The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire has begun, and lead star Jennifer Lawrence is still trying to cope with her new amount of fame.
The Hunger Games is the big screen adaptation of the first novel from the Suzanne Collins trilogy.
She told MTV News,
It’s kind of like when we’re there, let’s talk about it. But until then I’m sick of hearing about myself as Katniss. And also we’ve been focusing on getting this one out so much that we haven’t really had time to talk about the second one. I’m sure they’ve had time.”
The sequel picks up where the first novel/movie leaves off. Katniss and Peeta return from the Games as victors and begin their victory tour across Panem. But there is a rebellion underway and Katniss is in the center of it. Then she has to cope with the new ruling put in place for the 75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell.
I think one and three are my favorites [in the franchise]. But ‘Catching Fire,’ I’m looking forward to shooting ’cause it kind of becomes more of a war movie.”
Playing Katniss might seem tough for other actors to pull off, but Lawrence, who is already an acclaimed actress felt a connection with the heroine.
I knew I could read the lines and say them without forcing anything. I could speak as this character. There are a lot of scripts where I simply can’t find those words. There are no way those words can come out of my mouth and feel natural. Katniss is a girl I can understand.”
Lawrence, along with her co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth have already signed on to do the entire franchise. While some actors might be worried about committing to such a long, multi-year project, Lawrence saw it as a positive.
That was definitely something to take into consideration. But then I was like, I’m an actor so I would be doing a film, at least a movie a year anyway,” she explained. “And then the opportunity to play a character that you love and something you’re really passionate about, that happens rarely, if at all, in somebody’s life. So now it’s a blessing ’cause I got to play this character that I love this year and then whatever I didn’t like, I can fix next year.”
The Hunger Games hit theaters on March 23rd, and it’s sequel, Catching Fire has a release date of November 22, 2013.
New TV spots for the upcoming film, Marvel’s The Avengers are coming out almost everyday now. A new one called “Roll Call” has hit the internet and televisions everywhere.
Marvel’s The Avengers is set to hit 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D theaters on May 4. It is the highly anticipated film from Joss Whedon that continues the big screen events in Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk,Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger.
Marvel’s The Avengers is the superhero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
The new film sports an all star cast. It includes:
Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron Man:
A self-described genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist with a mechanical suit of armor of his own invention.
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America:
A World War II veteran who was enhanced to the peak of human physicality by an experimental serum.
Mark Ruffalo as Dr. Bruce Banner / Hulk:
A genius scientist who, because of exposure to gamma radiation, transforms into a monster when enraged or excited. Ruffalo was cast after negotiations between Marvel and Edward Norton broke down.
Lou Ferrigno will voice the Hulk.
Chris Hemsworth as Thor:
The god of thunder based on the Norse deity of the same name. Hemsworth was cast as part of a multiple movie deal. Hemsworth stated that he was able to maintain the strength he built up for Thor by increasing his food intake, consisting of a number of chicken breasts, fish, steak and eggs a day.
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow:
A highly trained spy working for the international peacekeeping organization, S.H.I.E.L.D.
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye:
A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and master archer known in the comics as the “World’s Greatest Marksman”. Renner said it was a very physical role and that he trained physically and practiced archery as much as possible in preparation.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki:
Thor’s adoptive brother and nemesis based on the deity of the same name.
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury:
The director of S.H.I.E.L.D., who was revealed in previous films to be coordinating the “Avenger Initiative”. Jackson was brought to the project with a deal containing an option to play the character in up to nine Marvel films.
Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill:
A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who works closely with Jackson’s Nick Fury.
Today begins our championship of the 6th Annual BSC Book Tournament: A Taste of the Hunger Games. We have featured 32 different dystopian novels, and over the last few weeks our readers have voted it down to the remaining two books.
We have Dark Parties written by Sara Grant who was originally featured in the Female Lead Bracket VS The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch who was originally featured in the Global Catastrophe Bracket. These two will square off in our final championship and one will be crowned the winner of Optionated’s 6th Annual BSC Book Tournament.
First, Ill give you a little background of each novel, and you can vote for which one you want to win at the bottom. Voting will continue through till April 10th, with the winner announced April 11th.
Dark Parties written by Sara Grant
Publication Date: August 3, 2011
Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield “protects” them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there’s nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says…
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a “dark party” to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she’s ever known, including the people she loves the most.
About the Author
Sara Grant is an American living in the UK. Born and raised in Washington, Indiana, Sara graduated from Indiana University with degrees in journalism and psychology. She now works as a freelance writer and editor for Working Partners, a London-based company creating series fiction for children. She lives in London with her husband. This is her first novel.
The Eleventh Plague written by Jeff Hirsch
Publication Date: September 1, 2011
In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.
In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing–and their lives–forever.
About the Author
Jeff Hirsch graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with an MFA in Dramatic Writing. THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE is his debut novel. He lives in Astoria, New York, with his wife, and you can visit him online at www.jeff-hirsch.com.
It was reported earlier this week that director Gary Ross hadn’t signed on to direct the continuation of Hunger Games franchise, but that negotiations were still ongoing. However, it has now been reported that he will not be returning to direct the sequels.
Ross seemed committed to the film over the last few weeks saying,
I’m looking forward to it. Simon Beaufoy [‘Slumdog Millionaire’], who’s a writer I’ve been a fan of for a long, long time, is doing the script. I can’t write the ‘Catching Fire’ script right now because I’m finishing [‘Hunger Games’], and we’re on a schedule where the script has to get written right now. So I’m unbelievably fortunate that someone like Simon is going to be writing the script. […] That’s a thrill. He’s somebody that I respect and I just love his work.”
But apparently, it wasn’t enough as he has decided against it.
Playlist has claimed that the exiting of Ross isn’t as much of a monetary problem as previously reported. While he has decided he would rather not spend so much time in the same story, the low salary offer probably did not help convince him to stay on. Ross was paid $3 million to direct the first film, The Hunger Games and will also reportedly receive a five-percent cut of the backend. But he had asked for a pretty significant raise to do the second film. However, reports have been flying all week that Lionsgate negotiations had gone south and neither party would budge.
Lionsgate will now have to hire someone pretty quickly if they wish to stay on track for their November 22, 2013 release date.
At least one good piece of news for today is that Jennifer Lawrence, who plays main character Katniss, is open to shoot the film on schedule since the production of the new X-Men film has been pushed back to accommodate.
Robert Baratheon (King of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros) and his Queen, Cersei Lannister, travel north to make his old friend Eddard “Ned” Stark – Lord of the frozen land of Winterfell – an offer he cannot refuse. Across the narrow sea in Essos, the exiled Prince Viserys Targaryen forges a new alliance to regain the Iron Throne; he will trade his sister Daenerys in marriage to the savage Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo in exchange for Drogo’s army. Back in Winterfell, Ned’s wife Catelyn receives a clue that may implicate members of the royal family in a murder, and their young son Bran makes a jaw-dropping discovery.
2 ”The Kingsroad” April 24, 2011
Bran’s fate remains in doubt. Having accepted his new role as the King’s Hand (the King’s closest confidant and chief bodyguard), Ned leaves his home in Winterfell with his daughters Sansa and Arya, while Catelyn stays behind to tend to Bran. Jon Snow, Ned’s bastard son, heads north to join the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch, protectors of the Wall that keeps the vicious “Others” and the savage wildlings from entering civilised Westeros. Tyrion Lannister, the Queen’s brother, decides to forego the trip south with his family, instead joining Jon’s entourage heading to the Wall. Viserys bides his time in hopes of winning back the throne, while Daenerys focuses her attention on learning how to please her new husband, Drogo.
3 “Lord Snow” May 1, 2011
Ned joins the King’s Small Council at King’s Landing, capital of the Seven Kingdoms, and learns just how poorly Westeros is being managed. Catelyn decides to go covertly to the south to warn her husband, but is intercepted by an old friend, Councillor Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish. Jon struggles to adapt to life on the Wall, as he trains with a number of low-born recruits who are not impressed by his bloodline. Tyrion, also visiting the Wall, is beseeched by the Watch Commander Lord Mormont to plead the King and Queen to send more men to join the Night’s Watch, for powerful enemies are massing beyond the Wall. Bran, now awake, is unable to recall how he fell. Daenerys, now possessing no small measure of control as Drogo’s “Khaleesi”, begins to stand up to Viserys.
4 “Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things” May 8, 2011
Ned searches for clues to the unexplained death of Jon Arryn (the former King’s Hand), and in the process uncovers King Robert’s illegitimate son. Robert and his guests witness a tournament honoring Ned. Jon takes measures to protect Samwell Tarly, an awkward and friendless boy, from the abuse of the Night’s Watchmen; a frustrated Viserys clashes with his newly-empowered sister; Sansa dreams of life as a queen, while Arya envisions a far different future. Catelyn rallies her father’s allies to make a point, while Tyrion finds himself caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
5 “The Wolf and the Lion” May 15, 2011
Robert and Ned have an argument over how they should deal with the advance of the Targaryen/Dothraki alliance. Catelyn and Tyrion arrive at her sister Lysa’s home in the Eyrie. News of Tyrion’s kidnapping reaches King’s Landing where Jaime Lannister, the Queen’s twin brother, demands answers from Ned.
6 “A Golden Crown” May 22, 2011
Viserys threatens Daenerys’ safety when Drogo refuses to pay his debts. Ned is left in guard of the Iron Throne while the King goes to hunt, and learns the secret left by Jon Arynn.
7 “You Win or You Die” May 29, 2011
Ned confronts Queen Cersei over the truth of Jon Arryn’s death as Robert, mortally wounded during his hunting, prepares to name his successor. Jon Snow takes the vows of the Night’s Watch. Khal Drogo summons his army to invade Westeros after Robert conspires to poison Daenerys. Robert appoints Ned as Regent of the Iron Throne, who will rule until his heir is of age. Ned brings the King’s declaration before Cersei, Joffrey (eldest of the King’s children), and the Small Council. Ned asks Baelish to secure the cooperation of the City Watch in removing the Lannisters from the throne – Joffrey is not Robert’s son but Jaime’s, he reveals, making Stannis Baratheon (Robert’s older brother) the true heir. However, the loyalty of Baelish and the City Watch lies with the Lannisters: Ned is swiftly captured, and his men killed.
8 “The Pointy End” June 5, 2011
As the Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks, Ned’s eldest son, Robb, rallies his family’s allies to war. Sansa pleads with Joffrey to spare her father’s life while Ned, still captive in the dungeons, finds an unexpected ally in Councillor Lord Varys. Jon and the Night’s Watch confront an ancient evil from beyond the Wall, while across the Narrow Sea, Drogo’s army marches west towards the Seven Kingdoms.
9 “Baelor” June 12, 2011
As the Stark and Lannister armies prepare for their first battle against one another, Tyrion leads his barbarian allies into battle while Robb and Catelyn bargain for a renegade Lord’s help. With Drogo dying from his infected wound, Daenerys goes to desperate measures to save her husband’s life by using a witch’s blood magic, much to the horror of the Dothraki. At the Wall, a Targaryen reveals himself – and the price of loyalty – to Jon, who worries about events outside of the Wall. In a final bid to save his daughters’ lives, Ned falsely confesses to conspiracy and swears fealty to Joffrey as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. To the horror of Ned’s daughters – and delight of the assembled crowd- Joffrey has him executed regardless.
10 “Fire and Blood” June 19, 2011
The news of Ned’s execution quickly spreads to all corners of the Seven Kingdoms, triggering seismic events for each member of the Stark family. The North secedes from the Seven Kingdoms and proclaims Robb as their King. With Jaime captured by the Starks and Robert’s brothers challenging Joffrey’s claim to the throne, Lord Tywin Lannister assigns his son Tyrion as King’s Hand to keep Joffrey and Cersei in check. Jon plans to desert his post at the Wall to avenge his father; his friends convince him to stay, and he joins the Night’s Watch in an expedition to confront the foes massing beyond the Wall. Daenerys learns to her sorrow that her unborn son is dead and her Drogo has been left in a vegetative state due to the witch’s treacherous magic. Unable to bear her husband’s ruin, Daenerys ends his life and lights a funeral pyre. She burns the witch alive alongside Drogo’s body and her three dragon’s eggs, and walks into the flames herself as the fire reaches its peak. When the embers die the following morning, Daenerys rises, unharmed, flanked by three newborn dragons.
Rachel: How does it feel to be back in Westeros? Enjoying a bigger budget and critically acclaimed actors?
Elena: It feels GREAT to be back in Westeros! Damn. I was definitely starting to feel like I could get back into playing the Game of Thrones before the season started, but pretty much from the rundown of the most salient points of last season I was thinking fuck yes. It’s just…so devious! And so dangerous! And there are so many beautiful men; I just don’t know where to look. I feel like Mozart in Amadeus: “They’re all so beautiful! Oh, why don’t I have three heads?” Except that usually there is only one on screen at any given time, so, you know, I get by with just the one. And the costumes are looking sharper, and the scale seems bigger, and we have gotten to see that the pretty excellent dragon effects from last season were not a fluke. Pretty much the first episode was everything I hoped it would be.
This is also the first season I’m watching with no idea where the story is going or who any of the new characters are (other than those I can identify by name or prior reference, such as Asha “Yarra the Pirate” Greyjoy or Stannis Baratheon). I actually think it makes it more fun for me, because then I can discover the story and have the insane reactions to events that all the non-book-readers enjoyed last season.
…If I’m being honest, I have to admit I am enjoying the show more than I enjoyed the part of the first book I read. I think the reading speed I was limited to made a difference—this show just seems to move so much faster than the book did (whereas if I had been reading the books at a normal speed I probably wouldn’t feel like it was THAT big a difference, because I would expect the book to be a 10-12 hour read straight through).
At this point I am planning to just let the series ride and go read the books after the show is done. However…I reserve the right to change my mind if at the end of this (or any future) season I can’t stand not knowing what happens next! I think the lack of a final book in the series will hamper that impulse, though…if I have to wait one way or the other, why not just pace it out with the show?
Rachel: The first episode opened with Joffrey! He’s your favorite! Do you think Sansa is doing well?
Elena: HA! Your assessment of Joffrey in the anticipation post, that he is the one character we are meant to hate unequivocally and as such should be cherished, really helped me with him. Now I can revel in his bastardry (heh—literal AND figurative) and not have to worry about keeping an open mind on him or whether I’ll have my mind changed when I see his point of view the way I’ve heard happens with Cersei/Jaime in later books.
Sansa is…surviving. And for that she gets serious props. She has been thrust into a shit situation (okay, she also thrust herself into it BUT she didn’t really understand it and, while, WELCOME TO REALITY, WHERE ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, PRINCESS…she is also a sheltered young lady who is being abused, threatened, and is living in fear of her life). And yet she is still alive, and more than that, she is not just looking out for herself or trying to become like her keepers, but in her own way is still exercising her own will. Saving that man? That was ballsy.
Show Sansa is actually kind of admirable. I don’t want to emulate her, but I like what she is doing. My problem with book Sansa was that I got her point of view, not just her actions, and her point of view convinced me she was functionally retarded…some kind of daydream savant or something. If I don’t have to see her FUBAR point of view, I can project some kind of practicality and shrewdness behind her behavior here. Yay, Show Sansa! You might make it to the end alive!
Rachel: Thoughts on new characters? Stannis, Davros, Melisandre, Craster?
Elena: Stannis kind of disappointed me. He was so…uncharismatic. Definitely not like either of his brothers. And we thought Ned Stark was inflexible? Shit. Stannis makes Ned look like an anti-hero of ambiguous morality. “My brother rebels? Kill him for a traitor. Dead Ned Stark’s son rebels? Kill him as a traitor.” Stannis does not play the Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend Game. He only recognizes enemies.
Melisandre is really interesting to me because she is the first female we have met who is gaining power through her own agency (as opposed to who she was born or whom she married). I also reveled in her unspoken Princess Bride reference: “I’ve spent the last three years building up an immunity to iocane powder.” In our Skype discussion Rachel asked me if I thought she had done some subterfuge like that or if she is protected by her god. I vote that she is not touched by the divine but is simply a master manipulator. I think it would be more interesting, narratively speaking, if she DOES have the backing of a god whose power she can call forth at will…but I have yet to see any damn evidence of any god manifesting in the world, and so for now I am taking the cynical view on her.
Craster is…the fundamentalist who marries his daughters and wants to bang Jon Snow, Who Knows Where to Put It, because Jon is prettier than half his daughter-wives? Yeah, that guy was crazy. I hope his daughter’s riot over Jon Snow when he leaves. Lol.
Rachel: Five kings (ok, 4 and a queen). Place your bets! Stannis or Renly? Is Dany doing it with her bloodriders? Did you like Robb’s decision to send Theon to the Iron Islands?
Elena: Stannis lasts longer than Renly—because Melisandre is going to give him an army of true believers, and that is going to trump gold and political ideology/hero worship.
I think Dany is about to start doing her blood riders…menstrual days give the term a whole new meaning (…I know. ICK. Sorry. Had to!)
Robb is entering a world of pain with that choice. YOU ARE KING IN THE NORTH, SO STAY IN THE NORTH. DUH. I understand Theon’s point that if you want to win the war you have to take King’s Landing. The thing is…Robb doesn’t need to win the war. He needs to not lose the war until the south gets tired of fighting the north. No one can get behind him the way they can in the south thanks to the bottleneck on the continent. Winter is coming, and he and his men know how to survive in the winter better than any of the thin-blooded southerners. They are all about to start infighting. All he has to do is make the conflict with his army last so long and be so costly they give up. Eventually even the Lannisters would if Robb can make the costs outweigh the benefits.
Rachel: Next week will probably be more Ayra and Renly, less King’s Landing. What are you hoping for next episode?
Elena: More of the same! And a Nymeria/Arya reunion!
Tyrion’s Axiom of the Week: If I were capable of tricking father, I’d be emperor of the world.
Elena: What did you think of the new-to-show characters–Melisandra and Stannis & co, and northern hut guy?
Rachel: Seeing as I’ve read the books I’m more interested in seeing side characters that I love hit the small screen (Davros! Dolorous Edd! Gilly! Ser Dontos (that Elena called “that man” LOLZ)), but I’m also really really excited for Team Stannis. Because as Elena has said, Stannis is the wet blanket of Westeros. You can always count on him to come in and ruin your day. He IS worse than Ned. He’s totally and absolutely unforgiving. There’s the right way to do things and the wrong way to do things. Stannis is the arbiter of right. It makes him so interesting to me. You can tell in his intro scene with the burning of the Seven and Melisandre telling him to draw out the burning sword, that he might not give a shit about any of it. When he is finished with the ceremonial duties of Melisandre’s R’hllor show (that is the one true god’s name btw, R’hllor) Stannis just leaves the sword on the beach and marches his uppity butt back up to Dragonstone to write a snippy letter. You get the feeling that Stannis does not put up with any nonsense, and yet he’s putting up with all KINDS of nonsense with this R’hllor business.
Which is exactly why I asked Elena if she thought Melisandre had magic/god on her side. Those of us who have read the book tend to say Melisandre definitely has some magic. She does some crazy shit! We’re hoping she can pull off another piece of magic in the next book (c’mon George!). I can’t wait for that thing that is going to happen just to get Elena’s reaction. I predict lots of fuck words.
Elena: Any changes from the book that you found significant, even if the change itself isn’t that big?
Rachel:I think it is significant that Littlefinger is so confrontational. The Littlefinger in the novels is much slyer, to the point where any commotion he causes makes me think he is trying to distract those he confronts from juicier meat. I LOVE the scene between him and Cersei, but it also comes off (like the monologue with the prostitutes from Season 1) as something Littlefinger just wouldn’t do.
The rest of the episode remains a set up and introduction of new characters. I have no complaints whatsoever. As I say in the podcast – television might actually be a better medium for this story.
Elena:Who’s winning the badass CG/CG enhanced pet war, direwolves or dragons?
Rachel: Definitely the dragons! The direwolves look great, Grey Wind was all huge and wolfy, but he also looked slightly like he’d been pasted over Robb and foreshortened. I was hella impressed with the dragons. Not only do they look like they have weight and leathery texture, but they also look great in the full sunlight of the red waste. That’s hard to do with CGI.
I’m sad because it also looks very expensive so I don’t think we’ll be seeing too much of the dragons or all three at once. HOWEVER, we can tell that the budget has been increased. The costumes are richer, there’s more location shooting, the CGI is def. better and most importantly the Wig Budget has been raised! YES!!!! Cersei is free of that horrible contraption they had on her head! It’s amazing! She looks soooo much better!
Elena: Now that Martin’s got 2 books left, any thoughts on what happens when the show catches up to him? Or do you think he can pull off a book every 2 years to stay ahead of the series?
Rachel: Here is where I defend myself with regards to my previous statement.
I was talking about the show with a friend, and they made a very valid point. The show definitely takes advantage of the fact that GRRM is a screenwriter. He is extremely aware of how his work would translate visually. Game of Thrones is great television, period. The New York Times can suck it. It has fewer characters than most soap operas and more drama. There are teams and individuals that viewers can root for. There are vistas and clothing and food and magical animals and bawdy jokes. It’s television! What the show does BETTER than the novels is cut the bloat. It gets rid of all the stuff we don’t need. That stuff might be nice to read, but it would be hell to sit through, and so it gets cut.
We know book 3, A Storm of Swords, is being cut into two seasons. Fine. A very lot happens in that book, plot wise. I don’t think you can say the same for Feast or Dance but it’s arguable due to the amount of characters involved that they too can be cut into multiple seasons. Cool. Let’s say we DO catch up to Dance with the series. If George maintains his 6-year time frame for writing the novels…we might catch up with him for the last novel. This could happen. George has a lot of demands on his time now that the books have gotten so popular and the TV show requires his attention and screenwriting on occasion, plus his other projects and tours and conventions. He could very well take 6 years to write the next book. Will the show then become canon?
He’s told Benioff and Weiss the ending. Presumably because HBO wouldn’t sign on to a project they didn’t have a full outline for. So if they follow that overall plan will George then produce the exact opposite in his novels? JUST TO SCREW WITH US? Who knows!?
Honestly, I don’t think it’s something to actually worry about. But it does make for nice conversation – books vs. the show: what is canon?
Can’t get enough of us? Then listen in on our brainstorming conversation for this episode! The podcast is back…well, like a White Walker it has come back from the dead as a less formal but more lethal version of its former self. No guests. No structure. Just Elena and Rachel discussing the episode over drinks. More wine, sir?
Activision has announced that Men in Black: Alien Crisis will hit the shelves on May 25. This will be the same day as the release of Sony’s Men in Black 3; adapted from the the Men in Black comic books. The news that has hit the net has been of the generic nature as no one seems to know what stance to take on the game. There simply isn’t enough information to make an informed opinion. Maybe consumers have become numb to the words of advertisement announcements.
You must be logged in to post a comment.