All Good Things...


"Any man who must say, I am the king, is no true king." — Tywin Lannister, "Game of Thrones"

Last night was the finale of the third season of "Game of Thrones." When it was over, I was kind of bummed. It will be nine months until the world of Westeros returns to HBO, and it will be a long wait to see the next 10-episode installment.

When the show first debuted, I was cautious. I didn't know what to make of the concept and, having not read the books, I wasn't totally invested in the pilot. But something kept me coming back, and by the end of the first season I was sucked in. I guess it was really episode nine, when Ned lost his head, that full convinced me this was a fascinating, if brutal world.

Flash forward to the end of the third season and I have to say I will really miss "Game of Thrones." It's 10-episode season felt far too short, especially after the brutal turn of events in episode nine — with the Red Wedding — that really opened up a new world of possibilities. There is a reason that "Thrones" is now the flagship show for HBO and, quite possibly, the best cable show on TV.

With all apologies to "Homeland," which slipped in season No. 2, this was the best complete show of the season, and I hope the Emmy voters recognize that. The storytelling was great, and the performances were even better.

After the high of where the story went in the penultimate episode, it was fitting that the finale had a much slower pace of action. All the parties involved were left reacting to the changes in the balance of power. The Starks are done. The White Walkers are coming. And in the East, an army of freed slaves are growing. All of it leaves unlimited potential for where the story can go.

And, like so many fans of the show, I've kept my reading of the books behind the pace of the show so I can enjoy those twists and turns as they come. Now, the waiting game begins.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more