6
the Racquette
Arts & Entertainment
May 6, 2016
“Game Of Thrones” Season Six, Episode One Review Katie Daloia Editor
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the story writers for “Game Of Thrones,” seem to be getting along just fine without the help of George R.R. Martin this season. For many die-hard fans of both the book series and the HBO adaptation, there was a lot of concern when HBO announced last year that they would be continuing the series without waiting for Martin to finish his sixth novel. Despite rising concerns, anticipation started to grow as HBO released one promotional trailer after another, until season six episode one, “Home,” aired on May 8. As an avid believer in reading the book before seeing any film adaptation, I began watching season six fully prepared to dislike every part of it. And, although the makeup of this hour long episode did feel a little different from other seasons, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the screenwriters were able
to tie in every little detail from the last season. Unfortunately, it seems that’s all they were able to do in this specific episode. The episode moves from Westeros to Essos to Sothoryos, exploring every main character’s own personal story in what seems like only five minutes before moving on to the next one. To viewers who are not accustomed to watching the show, or possibly haven’t read the books yet, this sudden change in storylines can be seen as a bit confusing. Yet, the famous and visually stunning opening credits scene which soars over each kingdom emphasizes the concept that this war is happening in various locations all over the world. The episode starts at Castle Black, returning the audience to the fatal scene that took Jon Snow’s life at the end of season five. This scene, that has left fans constructing their own conspiracies over the death of a beloved character for more than six months, picks up right where it left off and rather bluntly states that Jon Snow,
played by Kit Harington, is in fact still dead. With so many different storylines going on at once, “Game Of Thrones” feels just as scattered as it always has, which in a way is actually comforting. After all, it wouldn’t be a game of thrones, without highlighting why each character wants the throne just as badly as the others. After Jon Snow’s death scene, the storyline moves to Winterfell, where Sansa Stark, played by Sophie Turner, and Theon Greyjoy, played by Alfie Allen, are still on the run, evidently still alive after their jump off a ten foot wall at the end of season five. Viewers also get a glimpse of King’s Landing, and see that the Lannisters are far from becoming one big happy family again. Not to mention the fact that Tyrion Lannister, played by Peter Dinklage, is still off in Meereen trying to fix the damage Daenerys, played by Emilia Clarke, created when she rode off on her dragon at the end of season five.
Nonetheless, I can’t help but root for the royal imp. He has been through so many ups and downs throughout the entire series, and it’s honestly surprising he hasn’t died yet. Tyrion clearly has no idea what he is still doing in Meereen. Considering his main purpose for going there was to advise Daenerys in ruling her kingdom, he wants to stay on her good side, so that when the day comes to take King’s Landing, he will be a part of it. Still, he’s a bit lost without her actually being there. Regardless of his reasons for sticking around, he is determined to restore Meereen, or at least act like he is going to restore it, until Daenerys’ return. One thing I found this episode to be seriously lacking in was the role of Melisandre, otherwise known as The Red Woman, played by Carice van Houten. From all of the promotional trailers HBO has released throughout the year, I thought she would’ve played a more crucial role in episode one. When Jon Snow died at the end
of season five, conveniently right after Melisandre showed up, I was expecting Melisandre to use her powers to bring Jon back at the start of this season. Instead, she sulked her in room the entire time. Although the writers do hint that a resurrection of some sort may be coming soon, Melisandre doesn’t seem to be too thrilled about it. Medlisandre isn’t the only character who is lacking in screen time. Margaery Tyrell, played by Natalie Dormer, has little to no appearance in this episode as well. At the end of the last season, she had been locked away by the Faith Militant until she was ready to confess to her sins. This episode briefly shows her in her holding cell, still unable to get her husband, the king, to remove her from her prison. All in all, as a recap episode, “Home,” did exactly as it was meant to do. But, as an introduction to a new storyline, it was severely lacking in content. “Game Of Thrones” is currently playing every Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO.
Lougheed-Kofoed Festival of The Arts Saturday, May 7 Workshop: Stage Makeup 10 a.m. PAC Performance: Voices of Victory 7:30 p.m. Dunn Theater
Friday, May 6 Reading: Writers Series 12 p.m. Fireside Lounge - BSU Davif Lane Puppet Workshop and Presentation 2 p.m. Design Studio - PAC Presentation: The Writer’s Craft with Tony Leuzzi ‘92 2 p.m. Fireside Lounge - BSU Presentation: Habitorium with Martin Kruck 6 p.m. Brainerd Hall 202 Performance: Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton 7:30 p.m. ProsceniumTheater
Performance: Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton 7:30 p.m. Proscenium Theater
Sunday, May 8 Performance: Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton 2 p.m. Proscenium Theater Performance: Sister Outsider 5 p.m. Black Box Theater - PAC Performance: Color in Motion 7:30 p.m. Dunn Theater Performance: Fauré Requiem; Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music; Gary Fry Awake, Celestial Airs; Bruckner Psalm 150; Franck Psalm 150 8:30 p.m. Carnegie Hall, NYC