Game of Thrones - Episode 3.05 - "Kissed by Fire"

HBO

     After 24 intricately constructed episodes, "Kissed by Fire" may be Game of Thrones' best edited episode yet.  With significant advancements in plot from each storyline, this felt like a real turning point in the series, allowing it to move forward to the second half of the season.  Many things are revealed in this episode, including Stannis' wife and daughter, the real story of how Jaime Lannister became the Kingslayer and the true powers of the Lord of Light, and that's not even counting the amount of nakedness on display.  In fact, this episode had a curious fascination with putting its characters in very "revealing" situations, their physical openness matching their emotional openness to another person.  Another motif of this episode is fire and heat.  Not only is "fire" in the episode's title but the two demonstrate natural power over so many of these characters that it shows why George R. R. Martin named his book series A Song of Ice and Fire.  This episode may not have featured fire-breathing dragons or the slaughter of multiple men but the amount of great character moments provided for a compelling forward-moving motion that sustained throughout.

Mad Men - Episode 6.04 - "To Have and to Hold"

Michael Yarish/AMC

     For those who don't completely loathe the behavior of Don Draper yet, this episode presents more evidence as to why you should.  The hypocrisy he shows in this episode is both astonishing and delusional.  Don wishes to hold on to his philandering as long as he can, as if it has become part of his identity.  And yet, as we see from this episode, the prospect of Megan doing anything approaching sex with another guy is seen as the worst thing in the world.  What I love about this episode is how it unapologetically shows Don for the artificial construct he is.  He is his own creation and he may have the classic look of successful, confident man but the absence of truth inside him has rendered him unable to do the things of which he used to be successful.

Game of Thrones - Episode 3.04 - "And Now His Watch Is Ended"

courtesy of HBO

     Let's face it, there's no other shot in "And Now His Watch Is Ended" that compares to the one pictured above.  It is an epic summation of the true power of "Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen", as she proudly states at the end of the episode.  After two and a half seasons spent wandering around deserts and being manipulated by nearly everyone around her, she finally unleashes her pent-up anger and wrath upon Kraznys, who stands as a symbol of tyrannical slave master.  This is a common thread through every storyline in this third season's fourth episode, and it's one that only Game of Thrones can do with pure gravitas and vengeful badassery.  It is undoubtedly the best episode of the season, but not just for its ending.  Each of the seven storylines covered are done so in a compelling way that start small and gradually build to the natural, fiery conclusion.   

The Place Beyond the Pines (Cianfrance, 2013)

     What is the cost of doing whatever it takes to protect and honor your family?  This is the primary question at the heart of The Place Beyond the Pines, the latest film from Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance.  Like Blue Valentine, the film makes the most of Ryan Gosling, whose very presence as The Loner With Wide Staring Eyes has carried many of his recent films.  Gosling stars as Luke Glanton, a motorcycle stuntman working for local state fairs.  When he learns that his former fling Romina (Eva Mendes) has had his baby, he quits his job and promises her he'll do whatever it takes to provide for them.  This is the point of action that sends all the dominoes falling, not just for them but for another family altogether.

Game of Thrones - Episode 3.03 - "Walk of Punishment"

courtesy of HBO

     This third episode was a fun one that featured exciting bow-and-arrow action sequences, a comedic sexual encounter and a hand chopped off an owner who prides himself in his ability to wield a sword.  There have been times that the series has taken itself so seriously, wrapped up in its own mythology, that the entertainment quality begins to lack.  Episodes like these provide for the type of sex, violence and comedy that  HBO prides itself on.  I mentioned in my latest Mad Men review that those who are only interested in the surface-level sex and intrigue of the show would love that particular episode, and this week's Game of Thrones fulfills that need for the fantasy, sex and violence lovers.  Even with these entertaining moments standing out, the episode still finds room to advance the plot further for several characters, including Daenerys, Stannis, and those beyond the Wall.

Mad Men - Episode 6.03 - "Collaborators"

Michael Yarish/AMC

     Upon glancing at the fan comments on Mad Men's Facebook page last week, it became clear that many hated the premiere.  They used words like "BORING." and "Way too dull for a premiere," while failing to articulate what it was they were unsatisfied about.  Much of the two-hour premiere's conflict was internalized for each of the main characters, so I can understand why those who only gravitate to the show for the adultery, sexism and excessive drinking would be disappointed.  Personally, I loved the premiere, with its obsession with death and aging weighing on the minds of the characters who once thought they had it all.  "Collaborators" does not carry those themes over from the premiere in any overt manner but it does show characters like Don, Pete and Peggy desperately clinging to whatever it is that makes them happy.

Game of Thrones - Episode 3.02 - "Dark Wings, Dark Words"

courtesy of HBO

     Much of the problem with reviewing certain cable shows on an episode by episode basis is in the very nature of their structure.  Episodes do not necessarily have a beginning, middle and end in the traditional standalone television episode sense so much as their seasons as a whole tell one huge beginning, middle and end.  Such is the case with Game of Thrones, which is still in the very beginning stages of setting up the action of this third season.  The storylines in "Dark Wings, Dark Words" could have worked very well if HBO decided to blend all of the storylines from both episodes into one two-hour season premiere event but instead they end up feeling less important compared to the ones featured in "Valar Dohaeris".  We finally get our fill of Bran, Arya, Jaime and Brienne while honing in on who is quickly becoming the MVP of the season thus far, Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell.

Mad Men - Episode 6.01/02 - "The Doorway"

Michael Yarish/AMC

     "You know, we sold actual death for 25 years with Lucky Strike. You know how we did it? By ignoring it."

     This particular line encapsulates the themes covered not only in the season six premiere of Mad Men but also in the series as a whole.  As the period drama returns to its penultimate season we have reached the year 1968, a time when the previously benign attempts at social revolution had reached a fever pitch.  The characters we've followed since 1960 have grown older, seeing the world they once owned slip from their fingertips before they even knew it.  Season Five was largely about what it means to grow older and facing the latter half of your life, especially for the male characters, and this theme has continued into "The Doorway", a two-hour masterstroke that sees Don, Betty and Roger facing an era that may not be suited for them.

Game of Thrones - Episode 3.01 - "Valar Dohaeris"

courtesy of HBO

Quick Note: I have only read the first book in George R. R. Martin's series A Song of Ice and Fire and therefore have no knowledge of what's to come in future episodes.  I have read no spoilers and any predictions I make that come true are pure coincidence.

     The technical prowess of Game of Thrones is truly unmatched for the television medium.  If combined together, each 10-episode season could be a theatrical film that would rank up there with the latest blockbusters.  The amount of detail that goes into the various elements of the show (dragons, sweeping landscapes, undead creatures, epic battles) is astounding; it's no wonder the show cleaned up at the Creative Arts Emmys last year.  When this level of production matches the intricate, fantastical story and world George R.R. Martin has created, there is truly no greater experience on television.  "Valar Dohaeris" mostly had this intrinsic mixture of elements but the amount of storylines packed into this episode without a greater overall theme to tie them together create a slightly unsatisfying sense of chaos.     

In this episode we travel to five different locations: Beyond the Wall, King's Landing, Dragonstone, Harrenhal, and Across the Narrow Sea.

~*Beyond the Wall*~

     We pick up exactly where we left off at the end of Season 2 with Sam running away from a fleet of White Walkers.  He is facing certain death until Mormont and the Night Watch come and free him, chastising him for not sending a raven of warning.  This is an engaging opening scene but I can't imagine that it sets the stage for what's to come.  Season 1's White Walker attack introduced us to the brutality of this world and Season 2 showed us the monstrous King Joffrey enjoying a fight to the death in front of him, signaling the impending war.  What we have here doesn't feel like a new beginning.  If anything though, this may be an indication that the White Walkers and others beyond the Wall will play a much bigger role in this season than the first two.  The idea of a more animalistic threat being out there just beyond the trivial fight for power between warring families has been fascinating since the start of the series so it should be interesting to see the looming threat become more and more of a reality.  

     Some miles away, Jon Snow is still under the capture of the Wildlings and ultimately wins the trust of their king, Mance Rayder (played by scenery-chewing Ciarán Hinds).  I'm intrigued to watch the level of trust unfold with this relationship over the course of the season, considering the initial hesitation on both sides.  Snow may very well be playing a long con here but it's tough to imagine him keeping up the charade for too long.