Spoilers for the third and fourth season of Game of Thrones follow. Also, this show can be graphic in nature and viewer discretion is advised.
In Season 3, HBO’s fantasy drama “Game of Thrones” ended on a rather dark note. Now, at the beginning of Season Four, the award-winning show picks up directly where it left off.
With the deaths of many major characters from House Stark at the Red Wedding, viewers were left dazed, confused, sad, and definitely angry.
Entitled “Two Swords,” the opening scene depicts just that. It starts with the reforging of the Valyrian steel (the strongest metal in Westeros) greatsword known as Ice, and heirloom of the now essentially vanished House Stark. The sword was confiscated by House Lannister, where it was reforged to be used as two smaller swords rather than one huge goliath.
It is an amazing opening cinematic, especially for the Season 4 premiere. Perhaps one of the greatest feats accomplished with this scene was the fact that its portrayal in the book entitled “A Storm of Swords” was relatively minor, however it is carried with great emotion on the television.
Now, back in King’s Landing, Joffrey Lannister sits safely on his throne with his uncle Jaime returned at his side. Stannis Baratheon has been apparently broken after his failed assault on King’s Landing. The war is seemingly over.
But, that doesn’t relieve any of the tension still present.
Season 4 reintroduces the viewers to the miserable Lannister children: Tyrion, the imp, and twin siblings Cersei and Jaime. None of them are pleased in the slightest.
Like many other season premieres, “Game of Thrones” manages to cover a lot of ground, giving a wide glimpse of what is to come in other episodes. However, the truly remarkable feat lies in the fact that it is all accomplished without ever getting dull or repetitive.
A plethora of content and new plot lines are introduced, and the show manages to do it without making it feel rushed or forced, something “Game of Thrones” isn’t necessarily known for.
Finally, one of the greatest shows has made its reemergence, with new installments every Sunday evening.
