Follow the Three-Eyed Raven to adventure!
The war is raging and Robb Stark (Richard Madden) is continuing to attack the Lannister’s strongholds. As King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) holds King’s Landing but battling his grandfather Lord Tywin (Charles Dance) for control, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) is working to build an army across the Narrow Sea. Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) tries to keep alive among her enemies at King’s Landing while her sister Arya (Maisie Williams) and brother Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) try to survive in the wilderness. Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is fighting to survive north of the Wall, and an army of White Walkers could threaten the land as winter draws near.
The White Walkers are coming for you!
Game of Thrones—Season 3 aired from March 31, 2013 to June 9, 2013 on HBO. The season largely adapts the first part of 2000’s A Song of Ice and Fire Book 3: A Storm of Swords of George R. R. Martin’s epic story. The series continued to receive critical acclaim and won Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) (“Kissed By Fire”) and Outstanding Visual Effects (“Valar Dohaeris”) with nominations for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (“Mhysa”), Outstanding Costumes for a Series (“Walk of Punishment”), Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series (“Second Sons”), Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special (“Valar Dohaeris”), Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series (“Valar Dohaeris” and “Kissed by Fire”), Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) (“And Now His Watch Is Ended”), Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series, Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series (“The Rains of Castamere”), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Emilia Clarke), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Diana Rigg), Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series (“The Rains of Castamere”), Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series (“And Now His Watch Is Ended”), and Outstanding Drama Series.
Am I not being a good host?
Game of Thrones is a heavy series. The show is dense and loaded with characters. While many binge on Game of Thrones, I find I have to usually take my time because I have to digest what I’ve seen. This being said, I find that the more you watch Game of Thrones, the easier it is to binge on the show since you have a better feel for the characters.
The interesting thing about the series is that for an ensemble cast, there are very few weak storylines. The series sometimes forgets characters or sideline popular characters, but the series as a whole really does a decent job fleshing out these characters. In this season, I really like the relationship between Arya and the Hound and Jamie and Brienne. It is unfortunate in the season that the once great Cersei feels a bit sidelined by the plot and the Brann storyline doesn’t seem to be developing fast enough (he essentially just walked around the countryside for the whole season).
One of the best team-ups on TV (followed by Jaime & Brienne)
*****Spoiler Alert***** The best part of Game of Thrones is that it isn’t afraid to shock. This is an odd dichotomy since the show is based on books and for the most part follows them. Still, the show is great for those who haven’t read the books because you never know who will die and when. This season has the famed Red Wedding (which was even parodied by South Park) which killed off Robb and his mother (which was the bigger shame). Many thought Robb was going to be the hero of the show, but in the world of Game of Thrones no one is really safe.
Don’t roll your eyes at me, kid
The show looks great. It has a big budget and great looking locations. From the frozen north beyond the Wall to the deserts across the Narrow Sea, you get to see every type of landscape. It is great and visual. If the show had been put together cheaply, it never would have worked. This show needed a big budget and it got one.
Game of Thrones always pushes the boundaries. It attempts to do things that aren’t always possible. It tries to make you like an unredeemable character in Jaime and keeps you guessing on who you want to win the Iron Throne by continuously creating flawed character (even from the most likable). You know that when you watch Game of Thrones you will find a feast for the eyes and the series keeps you guessing. With dragons, demons, and zombie warriors, Game of Thrones continues to surprise and twists that exceeds most shows on television right now.
Game of Thrones—Season 3 Complete Episode Guide:
“Valar Dohaeris”
3.1 Valar Dohaeris Airdate: 03/31/13
Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) has survived his encounter with the White Walkers and the Night’s Watch realizes the danger at the Wall. Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is held prisoner by Ygritte (Rose Leslie) and debates an uneasy alliance with Mance Rayder (Ciarán Hinds)…the King Beyond the Wall. Davos (Liam Cunningham) has survived the Battle of Blackwater but finds Stannis (Stephen Dillane) is under the control of the Red Priestess Melisandre (Carice van Houten). Robb Stark (Richard Madden) continues his war and learns that the innocents are being killed in the fight when Harrenhal is discovered destroyed. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) deals with his injuries from the battle and finds himself at odds with his father Lord Tywin (Charles Dance) over what is rightfully his as a Lannister. Sansa (Sophie Turner) considers allying herself with the newly appointed Petyr Baelish (Aiden Gillen), but her handmaid Shae (Sibel Kekilli) is warned by Baelish’s assistant Ros (Esme Blanco) to be wary of an alliance. Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) finds his new bride-to-be Lady Margaery (Natalie Dormer) has a different approach with the populous which puts Joffrey at odds with his mother Cersei (Lena Headey).
“Dark Wings, Dark Words”
3.2 Dark Wings, Dark Words Airdate: 04/07/13
Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) remains on the run and has prophetic dreams…leading him to a meeting with Jojen Reed (Thomas Brodie Sangster) and his sister Meera (Ellie Kendrick) who might be able to help Bran with the visions he’s been having. Sansa finds new allies in Lady Margaery and her grandmother Lady Olenna (Diana Rigg) as Lady Margaery tries to forge a relationship with Joffrey. Shae tells her fears about Baelish’s interest in Sansa and questions how to protect her. Jon is held prisoner by Mance and learns about the abilities of wargs. Lord Commander (James Cosmo) orders Sam under the protection of Rast (Luke Barnes). Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) is tortured as a prisoner and learns that his sister might be trying to free him. Robb learns that his grandfather is dead and his brother Bran is missing after the fall of Winterfell…while Lady Stark reveals her true feelings about Jon Snow. Arya (Maisie Williams), Gendry (Joe Dempsie), and Hot Pie (Ben Hawkey) are captured by the Brotherhood which leads to a faceoff between Arya and the Hound (Rory McCann). Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) seeks to trade Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) for Sansa and Arya but finds themselves captured by hostiles led by Locke (Noah Taylor).
“Walk of Punishment”
3.3 Walk of Punishment Airdate: 04/14/13
Lord Baelish has been assigned a mission by Tywin Lannister leaving Tryion with the financial problems of King’s Landing…but finds it has advantages in paying back his savior Podrick (Daniel Portman). Theon makes a dramatic escape and finds a new ally. Stannis worries that his partnership is breaking apart and learns he might have to make a sacrifice for more power. Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) makes a costly deal to strengthen her army. Mance finds the remains of those who faced the White Walkers as his allies in the Night’s Watch return to the home of Craster (Robert Pugh) for shelter. Robb celebrates the life of his grandfather and clashes with his uncle Edmure (Tobias Menzies) over his military choices. Arya and Gendry say goodbye to Hot Pie and find themselves travelling with the Brotherhood and the Hound. Jaime and Brienne are held prisoner by Locke, and Jaime pays a costly price for his pride.
“And Now His Watch Is Ended”
3.4 And Now His Watch Is Ended Airdate: 04/21/13
Tyrion seeks proof that Cersei tried to have him killed during the Battle of Blackwater and forges an uneasy alliance with Lod Varys (Conleth Hill) who discovers Baelish might have plans for Sansa. Cersei finds that Margaery is gaining more power over the people and worries that Joffrey is falling under her spell. Life at Craster’s compound is going poorly and Sam finds himself forced to help Gilly (Hannah Murray) and her newborn. Theon’s desperate escape attempt is met with betrayal. Jaime and Brienne fight to stay alive as prisoners as Jaime deals with losing his hand. Arya tries to avenge Mycah the Butcher Boy which leads to standoff between the Hound and Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer) of the Brotherhood Without Banners. Daenerys prepares to trade a dragon for the slaves she needs to form her army…but the trade takes an unexpected turn.
“Kissed by Fire”
3.5 Kissed by Fire Airdate: 04/28/13
Stannis (Stephen Dillane) returns home and reveals his relationship to Melisandre (Carice van Houten) to his wife Queen Selyse Baratheon (Tara Fitzgerald), but discovers Selyse might have plans for him. The Hound battles Dondarrion…but Dondarrion reveals he has abilities he hasn’t shown. Jon is forced to give up information on the Wall and finds a new relationship with Ygritte. Daenerys works to organize her new army under Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson). Sansa’s plans for a marriage to Ser Loras (Finn Jones) are undermined by Baelish. A decision by Lord Richard Karstark (John Stahl) involving the Lannister boys being held prisoner threatens to drive a wedge between Robb and his men. Brienne and Jaime are turned over to Lord Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) by Locke, and Jaime reveals to Brienne what really forced him to kill Aerys Targaryen. Lord Tywin outlines his plans for Tyrion and Cersei.
“The Climb”
3.6 The Climb Airdate: 05/05/13
Lord Tywin works to arrange the marriage between Loras and Cersei while Sansa finds her chances of escape slipping away. The Brotherhood meets with Melisandre for an exchange and Arya learns that her fate may be tied to Melisandre. Bran tries to keep peace between Osha and Meera and learns that Jon might not be at the Wall through a vision of Jojen. Theon finds himself imprisoned again and is tortured for information. Robb is forced to make a sacrifice of his uncle to appease Lord Frey. Jaime learns that he’ll return to King’s Landing but that he might have to abandon Brienne. As Sam and Gilly fight to survive in the wild with Gilly’s son, Jon and Ygritte prepare for a dangerous scaling of the Wall.
“The Bear and the Maiden Fair”
3.7 The Bear and the Maiden Fair Airdate: 05/12/13
Jon finds Orell (Mackenzie Crook) trying to drive a wedge between him and Ygritte as they travel south. Theon continues to be tortured and finds that he might never be able to come back from it. Gendry learns his true father’s identity from Melisandre. King Joffrey finds he might still be under his grandfather’s control and questions the path that the war is going with the threat of Daenerys rising. Arya learns that she isn’t going to Riverrun…and finds herself face to face with the Hound when she tries to escape. Daenerys works to build her army and finds she might have to fight to get the ships she needs to cross the sea. Jaime heads back to King’s Landing but a threat to Brienne might mean that he will have to return to Harrenhal.
“Second Sons”
3.8 Second Sons Airdate: 05/19/13
Gendry arrives at Dragonstone with Melisandre but learns that Stannis and Melisandre have plans for him. Daenerys works to recruit new warriors in the form of the Second Sons made up of Merco (Mark Killeen), Prendahl na Ghezn (Ramon Tikaram), Daario Naharis (Ed Skrein), but discovers building an alliance could be more difficult (and dangerous) than she thought. Tyrion and Sansa prepare for marriage, and Lord Tywin reminds his son that he must make a child. Sam and Gilly continue their journey through the North to the Wall…and find that the White Walkers still want Gilly’s son.
“The Rains of Castamere”
3.9 The Rains of Castamere Airdate: 06/02/13
Bran and his party approaches the Wall and Bran discovers new abilities as a warg. Jon is forced to choose between his life with Ygritte and the Night’s Watch. Daenerys finds a potential new ally in Daario and makes an attempt to secure her ships. Arya and the Hound approach the Twins as the marriage Roslin Frey (Alexandra Dowling) and Edmure Tully (Tobias Menzies) is about to commence. With a child on the way with Talisa (Oona Chaplin) and the relationship with his mother mended, the wedding seems like a perfect place to mend the differences with Lord Walder Frey (David Bradley)…but looks can be deceiving.
“Mhysa”
3.10 Mhysa Airdate: 06/09/13
Robb Stark and his mother are dead and the war appears to be ending. Tyrion finds more pressure to impregnate Sansa as his father tries to keep Joffrey in check. The Hound and Arya flee the Twins and question their next more. Walder Frey and Roose Bolton find themselves in new positions of power. Theon’s captor is revealed and Theon’s sister Yara (Gemma Whelan) vows to bring him home. A chance meeting between Bran’s party and Sam and Gilly leads to Bran’s passage north of the Wall. Jon learns what can happen when you cross a Wilding as the Night’s Watch learns of the horror that lurks north of the Wall. Daenerys frees the slaves of Yunkai and prepares for her crossing of the Narrow Sea.
Related Links:
Game of Thrones—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 4 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 5 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 6 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 7 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 8 Review and Complete Episode Guide
