What I’m Watching: Game of Thrones (Season Premiere)

Game of Thrones: Season 3, Episode 1 “Valar Dohaeris” (B+)

This was a good opener, though I do admit that I had forgotten quite how dense and confusing this show sometimes is, with so many self-appointed kings that it’s hard to keep track of just who everyone is and how they’re related to each other (and I say that as someone who watches a number of shows and regularly handles many different plot arcs in a given week). That said, it’s still a great show, and it’s evidenced in a few key scenes, despite the fact that certain characters, namely the incomparable Arya Stark, are wholly absent. Anything involving the Lannisters is absolutely gripping, though we also didn’t have a chance to see Jamie in this entire hour. Tyrion being chewed out by his father was harsh, and I do hope that he’ll soon be able to regain his stature. Cersei isn’t exactly having a great time either, being marginalized by her son and Margaery, whose grand show during their trip through town is yet another example of Joffrey’s impotence. Watching Margaery demonstrates just how unintelligent and unimpressive Sansa is, and I wonder if her escape plan is going to get Petyr Baelish in trouble. Daenerys is going to return with a vengeance, and I would be concerned about anyone who could enlist that emotionless army composed of warriors who have all slain babies. I’m so glad to see that Liam Cunningham’s Davos didn’t perish at Blackwater, though he has essentially doomed himself to death by challenging Melisandre in front of a completely hypnotized Stannis. In an expected but somewhat early move, HBO has renewed this show for a fourth season, meaning that there’s plenty more of this saga to come.