Most Complicated Spoiler Warning Ever: Content from various books in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series will be discussed, including Fire and Blood, and differences in the books and the tv show will be discussed but mostly around the setup of the story.

The Source Material

GoT is based on the still unfinished A Song of Ice and Fire book series by George RR Martin – the first book being A Game of Thrones from which the tv show took it’s name. HotD is based largely on the book Fire and Blood, a “history” of the Targaryen Family (also written by Martin) as well as other facts established in the book series.

The Premise

HotD is based on an event alluded to much in ASOIAF and Fire and Blood – The Dance of the Dragons, a civil war fought between rival heirs to the Iron Throne. King Viserys I’s eldest child is Rhaenyra and expecting resistance to a ruling queen he has the major lords swear to follow his daughter. On the King’s death though many would still rather the King’s son, Aegon (and half-brother to Rhaenyra) take the throne. The disagreement turns violent and soon it is all out war, splitting both Westeros and the Targaryen family. As the Targaryens have plentiful dragons to use in this war it was given the name The Dance of the Dragons (one of the reasons dragons have died out in GoT is many died in this war).

The tv show has changed a few details, most importantly Rhaenyra’s challenger is not her half-brother but her uncle – Daemon. This would presumably be as Aegon was little more than a child and an older – and far more dangerous – challenger could be a more satisfying opponent. Or it could be that as far as HotD is concerned the conflict between Daemon and Rhaenyra is only the first part of this war.

HotD shows events over several decades, looking through IMDb there are a number of actors who play some characters, with child actors standing in for the appropriate stage in life. Indeed it has been said the first season covers nearly thirty years, from the first inkling of a problem to the war itself.

Who’s Who?

Game of Thrones was already a nightmare of characters, families and factions and this is perhaps even more complicated but here is a quick guide to the major characters.

Viserys I – Paddy Considine – the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms at the start of the show and apparently a more tragic character than the one in the books, who is pleasant and generous and the reign was one of peace and prosperity. It is his decision to break with precedence and name his daughter as heir that leads to civil war.

Rhaenyra Targaryen – Emma D’arcy – the first-born child of King Viserys who clearly sees the throne as her birth-right, even though there has never been a queen-regnant (a queen who is the ruler, as opposed to a queen consort, the wife of the ruler. Queen Elizabeth II is queen-regnant).

Daemon Targaryen – Matt Smith – King Viserys’ younger brother and judging from the trailer was the king’s presumed heir until recent events stirred things up. Daemon is a respected warrior and dragon-rider, and of course, is a man. Confusingly in the books, Daemon Targaryen is Rhaenyra’s husband (as well as uncle, yes, the Targaryens are weird) and is one of Rhaenyra’s strongest supporters.

Other important characters – Alicent Hightower – Olivia Cooke – Queen and wife of King Viserys, in the books Alicent was the mother of Aegon, the rival to Rhaenyra, but as in this version it is Daemon who is the rival. Her son, Aegon, seemingly has been cast but has thrown my faction understanding into a muddle as if there is a son then Daemon would be completely cut out of the succession – if you didn’t want a female heir in Rhaenyra you’d have a male heir in Aegon.

Lord Corlys Velaryon – Steve Toussaint – the Velaryons are one of the Targaryen’s closest allies, Corlys is a famed seafarer and adventurer and one of the wealthiest people in Westeros and is married to a Targaryen princess. Also a member of the Small Council (the closest advisors to the king) he will have a lot of sway. In the books he became Hand of the King to Rhaenyra but it is unclear what side he is taking, although in one trailer he says, “The King has an heir, Daemon Targaryen.”

Rhaenys Velaryon – Eve Best – a character always described in the books as Rhaenys Targaryen even after she marries Corlys, this change of name is significant, perhaps indicating this character’s loyalty to her new family and not the Targaryens. Interestingly in the books Rhaenys found herself in a similar position where – if gender were ignored – she would have become queen but was passed over for a male relative.

Ser Otto Hightower – Rhys Ifans – not only is Otto the Hand to the King of Viserys but his daughter is Alicent – Viserys’ second wife. The trailer has Ser Otto bring the issue of succession to Viserys, stressing the importance of having a clear successor. In the books Otto supported Aegon (his grandson) but as this struggle is different who will he support?

So as we travel to Westeros once again for more plotting, betrayal and dragons hopefully you’ll not have to ask quite so often – “who are they again?”

Also Read: Iconic Scenes: Game of Thrones – “The Mountain & The Viper” & “Chaos Isn’t A Pit…”

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Game of Thrones made fantasy cool. The Lords of the Rings films may have brought fantasy firmly into the mainstream but it was the HBO series that made it cool. The show, especially the first four seasons, were astonishing in writing and the development of characters. It was a show that shocked fans with its ruthless plot turns – in the first season three of the main characters die. It also had unforgettable action scenes, from the Battle of the Bastards to Bronn throwing a knight through the Moon Door.

There are two central themes to Game of Thrones: power and love. How characters dealt with power has at times defined them: Robert Baratheon who usurped the throne from a mad king, Eddard Stark who wouldn’t take power for himself, Daenerys Targaryen and the crash course in power politics she got in a few short years. Love is there in Eddard Stark protecting Jon Snow, Jorah Mormont standing beside Daenerys, in the first episode Jamie Lannister throws Bran Stark from a tower and says, “The things we do for love.” The Night’s Watch is predicated on renouncing power and love, they will have no titles and bear no children. The two scenes discussed below show the contrast in furious action and grand dialogue of political schemes as well as the motivations of power and love.

The Mountain and The Viper

Oberyn Martell is only in one season of the show but became a very popular character. Set on avenging the murder of his sister and her children everything he does is working towards that goal. This takes Oberyn to volunteer to fight as champion in a trial by combat for Tyrion Lannister, just so he can get a chance to fight the man who murdered his sister, Gregor Clegane aka The Mountain. Clegane is well-deserving of the name, a huge man and seemingly unbeatable in combat, Oberyn is tiny in comparison. But whereas The Mountain is strong, Martell is quick, with Oberyn dodging the brutal sword swings and making attacks of his own. The duel is one of the high-point actions scenes in the whole show and Oberyn’s repeated accusations, yelled while fighting, ramp up the tension. Despite what everyone watching the battle expects Oberyn wins…almost, giving the Mountain a fatal wound his focus moves to Tywin Lannister, the person who gave the Mountain his orders. And at that moment, The Mountain trips Martell and literally crushes his head. The Mountain is dying but as his opponent is dead already – he’s won. I love this scene for the brilliant action and choreography of the fight scene but also the themes from Game of Thrones it brings in. Oberyn wants revenge, he wants justice for those that he loved, Tywin Lannister is dealing with the consequences of things he did, the whole realm being turned upside down not for politics or power but personal relationships.

The reactions of those watching the battle are priceless. Tyrion’s life is on the line, Jamie Lannister wanting his brother to win but not expecting it, Cersei desperately wanting Tyrion dead, Tywin impassively watching it, ignoring Martell’s direct accusations. Ellaria Sand, Martell’s paramour, watches as well, suitably shocked by the Mountain and nervously awaits the outcome.

It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise that The Mountain would win. The show revelled in dealing out vicious deaths and with The Mountain’s victory, they nearly had two: Oberyn Martell and then, potentially, Tyrion.

Chaos Isn’t A Pit…

Perhaps my favourite aspect of Game of Thrones is the political scheming. This is best exemplified in two characters, Varys, essentially the spymaster for the Seven Kingdoms and Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger, another important figure in the government and politics. The perception of Varys changes dramatically over the show, originally seeming like a traitor he is revealed to be a person who cares for the realm, the people, rather than an individual king. Littlefinger is the opposite, everything he does is for him – betrayal, murder and unspeakable cruelty all to advance his plans. Both are experts at this game as shown by the fact that Varys is a peasant foreigner who has risen to the heights of government and Littlefinger an insignificant noble as there is in Westeros who now holds many titles and lands. The two have a seemingly friendly sparring relationship most of the time but occasionally it is revealed that Varys hates Littlefinger and Littlefinger will happily crush Varys.

In this scene they are along together in the throne room, staring at the legendary Iron Throne. Much is made of whether Littlefinger wants the throne for himself and how such a figure could get it. Littlefinger’s study of the actual chair, noting the legendary aspects of it are entirely made up, but everyone goes along with the lie. Varys warns that all grasping for power will only lead to chaos, which he describes as a pit that will consume everything. Littlefinger responds with one of the most famous lines from the show, “Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder.” Varys despairs at the suffering and destruction that chaos will bring whereas Littlefinger only sees opportunity. Along with this rather chilling speech is the knowledge that Littlefinger has arranged for one of Varys’ spies to be killed, giving us a further insight into the current occupant of the throne, who would murder someone purely for the thrill of it.

Also Read: Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The New Game of Thrones?

Your contribution to Big Picture Film Club will allow us to continue to produce content. No matter the amount your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The post Iconic Scenes: Game of Thrones – “The Mountain & The Viper” & “Chaos Isn’t A Pit…” appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.