Review: Prometheus

One of the most anticipated returns to a film franchise is Ridley Scott's revisiting of the Alien universe. Prometheus has been hyped as something of a prequel to the original film, set some 30 years before Ripley and the Nostromo answered the distress call from L-426. Prometheus details the first deep space mission sent by the ubiquitous Weyland (sans Yutani) Corporation, after scientists have discovered extra-terrestrial intervention in Earth's past, and what appears to be a map (and invitation) to where they originated from.

Scott has assembled a great cast—Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), Charlize Theron (fresh out of Snow White and the Huntsman), Guy Pearce, and Idris Elba, with Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) and Logan Marshall-Green (Across the Universe) as the two scientific visionaries that kickstart the mission. It's also written by Damon Lindelof (Lost), and depending how you view the end of Lost will have a bearing how excited you are to have him writing Prometheus.

The main cast is pretty decent overall, though it's Fassbender's performance that rises above the rest, playing the original Weyland android and his struggles to search for meaning in his own creation just as Elizabeth Shaw does for humanity's genesis. Charlize Theron has a tough act to follow as the cold and calculating CEO of the mission. Idris Elba is workmanlike as the captain.

Noomi Rapace is the heart of the movie, with her near religious zeal to discover why the alien engineers influenced humanity. Boyfriend Charlie is a little less the fanatic, but the two of them represent the sense of wonder and discovery amid the more corporate elements on the ship. The other characters are the least of the film's strengths, as many in the crew aren't given any development whatsoever, and don't seem like they would measure up to the selection process in the real world. We're told there's a crew of 17, so many of them only show up at pivotal moments. 

Visually, Prometheus succeeds in creating a spectacle—the sets, the environments and the ship itself are stunning and leap off the screen in vivid detail (especially in the IMAX). I rank it up there with 2001 for a memorable take on future space flight. In fact, seeing the Prometheus sitting on the vast alien plain made me think of a similar image from Forbidden Planet. It's quite a contrast to the claustrophobic Alien. Here we get whole worlds rendered beautifully, and vast catacombs and caverns filled with wonders (and a ton of Alien references).

I've noticed a lot of criticisms about Scott's so-called message or theology infusing the movie. I don't get that at all. Sure some characters have their viewpoints, but I don't get a sense that there's a specific message about religion or, as some have said, anti-science. On the contrary, it's all about technology. Equally strong is David's storyline and all the themes that go along with creating artificial life. So there are, in fact, two threads to the story—the alien engineers and David's, both of which deal with creations/creators and all the questions that go along with it.

It's been awhile since I've seen as many spoilery trailers and TV spots for a film like we have with Prometheus. I felt I had a sense of the entire plot, and this is my major criticism (hello, spaceship collision, I'm talking to you). And I was initially concerned the movie wouldn't have the chills, but by the time the crazy starts, there are some really effective scares and disturbing scenes, including one in a surgical pod that should have you on the edge of your seat.

Prometheus doesn't provide any easy answers. It leaves a lot up to the audience to interpret a plethora of clues and elements to piece together the motivations of the engineers. In that sense, Scott was right all along—it's not so much a prequel as a precursor to Alien, and it can take off on its own set of sequels (I hope). As far as flaws, there will likely be enormous criticism about the ending and just what (and what does not) tie in with Alien, a source of debate on the ride home, that's for certain. I believe all the elements are there to tie the movies together and hypothesize just what led to the events in Alien. 

There were also a bunch of sloppy moments where I just shook my head at some of the stupid things the characters were doing. I don't need any training to know I'd be keeping my damn space helmet on inside an alien temple, breathable air or not. And the idea that some members of a mission would actually try to touch an obviously threatening alien lifeform? Seriously.

Prometheus is something to experience just for the style and visuals, but the story is there, as well. It may not rank up there as a ground breaker, genre-changing film like Alien, but it is certainly a smart sci fi entry that warrants multiple viewings, especially for Alien fans. And perhaps even better for those with no Alien baggage whatsoever.

Spoilery Musings:

So, it's obvious the moon in Prometheus is not L-426. Not only is the name detailed, but atmosphere is different. The space jockey at the end dies in the life pod, not the pilot seat. Ripley's crew never saw a bunch of human bodies in the spacecraft, and there was no distress signal initiated here. So that leaves another ship to crash on L-426 (and from the fossilized sample over 2000 years old we get here, it's likely already long crashed by the time of the film). 

The xenomorph which appears to develop during the credits isn't anything new at all, given we see a carving of it on the temple, and the L-426 eggs are presumably already in existence. Does the black goo naturally bring out the classic xenomorph over successive generations?

Other lingering questions—why did the aliens leave cave paintings pointing to their weapons installation moon? Why give those details at all? Who was the alien at the beginning, and was it Earth? Given the goo destroys him, I assumed he might have been infecting the life on that planet to exterminate it as they had wanted to do with Earth.

Using the canisters of the black goo to wipe a planet clean of life is undoubtedly effective. But what a mess to clean up after! Do the aliens plan on terraforming these worlds again? How do they get rid of all the weird ass killer organisms running amok? And why opt to destroy Earth 2000 years ago? Does it have anything to do with the rise of Christianity? Prior to that the cave paintings and artwork suggests they were getting along fine with their creations.

Lots to consider. I'm relieved it honored what went before with Alien, answered a few questions and offered some possible solutions to others, while raising a host of other mysteries. Not a perfect film, by any means, but far smarter than a lot of what passes for summer entertainment.

Review: True Blood "Turn! Turn! Turn!"

Non Spoiler Review:

Turn! Turn! Turn! kicks of season five of True Blood, catching us up with Sookie and Lafayette's struggle to deal with Tara's apparent death. But Bill and Eric are faced with an imminent strike from the Authority after they dispatched with Nan. Sam suffers the wrath of Marcus' pack. 

There was a lot to deal with in this episode, primarily the future of Tara, which bookends the story. Like every premiere, there's several new character introductions and new storylines kicked off—particularly the Authority and the werewolf situation look to figure prominently.

It's tough to gauge True Blood premiere's just because it has so much to catch up on. In fact, it was so packed, I completely forgot Russell Edgington was on the loose. Some worked. Some didn't. Terry and Arlene and Andy's stories are the least interesting when overshadowed with Bill and Eric's travails. So it remains to be seen how everyone's arcs will unfold. But it was good to be back in the swing of things, and this episode had no fairies whatsoever, so that was a big plus!

Spoilers Now!

Bill leaves a voicemail for Jessica that he has to go away for awhile and the house is hers. Meanwhile Eric vampire-cleans up the mess (that being Nan) of his office. They abruptly sense Sookie's danger, sparking from Eric a "Fuck Sookie! She rejected us both." So they agree to ignore it (yay!). Unfortunately as they leave the mansion the Authorty has already arrived and imprison Bill and Eric in silver netting, stuff them in a trunk and drive off.

Lafayette comes downstairs to find Sookie cradling Tara, just as Pam (conveniently) shows up looking for Eric. Sookie begs her to leave, but Pam wants her to tell Eric she's sorry. Lafayette asks her to turn Tara into a vampire, but Pam suggests even if she were do such a thing, her wounds are pretty damn serious and she could rise up damaged. With little choice, Sookie agrees she'll owe her one. Pam would therefore like Sookie to fix her problems with Eric. 

Reverend Steve is at Jason's doorstep, and swears he's not there to hurt him. He hasn't been taught anything about being a vampire, as he was turned as a punishment and woke up in a hole in the ground with a strange woman who ran off. But Steve does know a thing or two, and manages to glamor Jason to invite him in, ties him and gags him, and glamors him to remember asking him to put the tape over his mouth. Steve then confesses he didn't care Jason slept with Sarah so much as she got to sleep with him. Yes, Steve is a gay vampire, and he admits he's in love with Jason.

Jason is flattered, but doesn't swing that way, and that enrages Steve who is about to attack if not for Jessica arriving (conveniently), claiming Jason is hers. He lets Jason go or he'll suffer the true death. Jason then takes back his invitation and sends Steve on his way.

Sam is surrounded by wolves looking for Marcus, but shifts into a hawk and flies away. He goes to warn Luna and Emma that the werewolves will soon be after them. Despite Alcide killing Marcus, Sam refuses to sell him out given he helped with his brother. The wolves have followed them, and faced with threats against Luna and Emma, Sam admits to killing Marcus and goes willingly.

Sookie and Lafayette lay Tara out with Pam in a grave. Pam (arrayed in Wal-Mart yellow sweat suit) admits she's made someone before, but it didn't end up so well. They bury them together and wait to see what happens.

In the trunk Bill and Eric conspire to escape by puncturing the gas tank and end up blowing up the car.  Bill is injured but Eric insists on leaving with him. When it looks like the driver will shoot them, his partner, Nora, turns on him and kills him. Eric recognizes her, and after a long kiss explains she's his sister. But not that kind—Godric was their maker.

Nora is a high ranking member of the Authority and took the opportunity to save Eric when she learned they were being captured. Plus, she knows Bill saved them from the necromancers, so the Authority is out of step with everyone in punishing them. She had already arranged for the car to be ambushed prior to their stunt. They go to ground in a shipping container on the docks to await escape the next day.

Sookie cleans up Debbie's body. Lafayette suggests she just call the police and say it was self defense. But Sookie confesses it wasn't. She knew she didn't have to shoot Debbie but she did anyway. Next Sookie and Lafayette go to clean up Jesus' body. But the body is gone from his living room.

Sookie showers up and reminisces about her friendship with Tara, then gets a visit from Alcide. He explains Russell Edgington is on the loose, even though she thought he was dead. He wants her to stay with him because Russell will be coming after her. Sookie explains she can't, and he won't want her to once she tells him why. She starts to come clean about Debbie but Lafayette comes down the stairs and tells Alcide to leave, given they don't need his protection.

Holly's kids, Wade and Rocky, walk in on her and Andy in bed together. He decides it's time to leave so heads off to Merlotte's for lunch with Jason. Jason goes over to try to make peace with Hoyt, but all he gets is more grief. Meanwhile, Judge Clements comes over to speak with Andy. His son Ronnie got a speeding ticket and asks for a favor to get it lifted. Andy acquiesces. Clements pays for lunch.

Terry's friend Patrick has breakfast with Arlene and the kids. Terry is edgy having him in the house and talking about how Terry used to be in Iraq. When the subject of the fire comes up, it piques Patrick's interest, and he later confronts Terry about it. All the men in their platoon suffered from unexpected fires, too. It's about what happened in Iraq. Terry grabs his throat. He realizes Terry isn't the one who's doing all this, but wants to know if he'll help find out what's going on by locating another member of their group. Terry doesn't know where he is, so Patrick leaves.

Jessica has a college party at Bill's when Jason abruptly shows up. But both are clear that all this business about him being hers was just for the reverend's benefit, and they're still in their open relationship. Yet both get jealous when each flirt with someone else. Jason ends up leaving and driving his girl home, realizing he has feelings for Jessica. 

The werewolves are torturing Sam for information. Martha explains when their pack master dies there are things they have to do. They need his body in order to honor Marcus. She promises no harm will come to Luna or Emma if he gives it to them. Martha and her wolves dig up the spot Sam has indicated and uncover Marcus. Alcide shows up with Luna, who told him what happened. Alcide admits to killing Marcus. Martha is Marcus' mother as it turns out, and transforms and begins eating the body, as do the rest of the pack.

Eric and Nora have sex before they part while Bill awaits outside. But Eric still has his phone and it's Alcide informing him about Russell. Nora, Bill and Eric rendezvous with her friends, who give them their new papers—Bill and Eric will now be Marcelus Clark and Ike Applebaum. Eric says goodbye to Nora but gunfire kills everyone around them. The Authority has arrived.

In some unknown location a victim is dragged down a hallway and tossed into a chamber to be consumed by (what is certainly) Russell Edgington.

Lafayette and Sookie wait at the gravesite at nightfall. Pam rises first, unsure if it worked. Sookie digs out Tara, but sees she appears dead. Sookie breaks down, but Tara rises and comes after her. She screams.

The Verdict:

A Bill and Eric team up in which they reconcile their differences this season is especially appealing, so I'm excited to see where this Authority storyline goes. Undoubtedly they will let the two go after Russell and somehow get absolved of Nan's death. It was also refreshing to see both unwilling to leap to Sookie's aid this time around.

Tara as a vampire was completely expected, so the jury will be out on how they pull this one off because she can swing wildly between awesome and annoying as hell. However, it meant more Pam, so that's a good thing, and the idea that she's her maker should lead to some great exchanges. And Pam really did steal the show with her yellow Wal-Mart sweat suit.

Martha looks like an interesting addition, and I'm anxious to see more of the werewolf culture this season, especially with what it will mean for Alcide killing the pack leader. Does he automatically take charge now? I hope they don't stretch out the truth about Debbie for too long.

Jason's exchange with Reverend Steve seems just a throwaway scene, if only to set up more drama between him and Jessica. Though her party at Bill's mansion was another fun moment. Another subplot completely off the radar is Terry's Iraq backstory, as is Andy's dilemma with local politics, but who knows, it could all spring into something down the road. 

So a good start to the season, if not a tad thick with subplots. Hopefully next week will be more focused on the Authority and werewolves.

Review: Snow White and the Huntsman"

Non Spoiler Review:

One film that has garnered a lot of early hype from some pretty snazzy trailers is Snow White and the Huntsman. Charlize Theron has gotten plenty of screentime this spring, due in equal measures to a multitude of clips and trailers from this, as well as Prometheus. Her portrayal of the evil queen figured prominently in the movie's marketing, a bit unusual given it's about Snow White. 

Snow White and the Huntsman is a surprisingly epic and dark take on the classic fairytale. Young Snow White's place is usurped by the arrival of evil Ravenna who takes advantage of the king's despair over the loss of his wife and quickly kills him and takes over the realm. She imprisons Snow White in a tower for years and years (in which she doesn't look worse for the wear at all) until she learns that it's Snow's very heart that will secure her immortality. A timely escape takes Snow White into the dark forest, requiring Ravenna to enlist the aid of a huntsman to track her down.

Snow White and the Huntsman is directed by Rupert Sanders. It, of course, stars the stunning Charlize Theron (Prometheus, Young Adult) who seriously devotes herself to the role without a hint of irony. Chris Hemsworth (Thor) is the huntsman, and Snow White is played by the ever lazy Kristen Stewart (Twilight). The cast is further rounded out by some great co-stars, including Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane and Toby Jones.

The unique aspect of this interpretation is that everyone gets a backstory—the queen, the huntsman, even the dwarfs. The movie can't be faulted at all for dropping character in favor of action. In fact, I found myself quite sympathetic to Ravenna by the end (though that's in part due to my lack of appreciation for Stewart in general). 

I would say the movie felt a tad long, but in hindsight, how often do we get such an epic and indulgently dark take on a fairy tale? I was surprised at the directions it was charting as the story progressed with the portrayal of Snow White as this sort of messianic queen (a fairy tale Joan of Arc) to rescue the land from the darkness. But it all worked. I don't know how classic this film will become, but it was certainly a feast for the eyes. The costumes (especially Ravenna's) were astounding, while a healthy dose of world building went into the sets and the backstory.

Kristen Stewart didn't ruin the film with her laxidasical and uninspired Snow White, though she's still quite stunning (however Charlize is the fairest, hands down). That is all I shall say about her. Chris Hemsworth is always likeable even with an accent that grew a bit annoying by the end of two hours. I appreciated the relationship that developed between the two in contrast to the customary handsome prince, who is also in there too.

I was most pleased at how this take on the story avoided common clichés. Is Snow White really meant to wed the prince? How can anyone not find a bit of sympathy for Ravenna given her backstory? The notion of a warrior princess, too, breaks convention.

There are the usual critiques that come with a fantasy film. Ravenna's magic levels are always in question, given she can apparently recoup her abilities and youth by sucking dry the life force of any nearby girl. Snow White seems to go on an odyssey for days through both the dark and relatively happy forests, while only a few hours away from the castle when necessary. But there's nothing story crippling here (unless one considers Ravenna should probably have killed Snow White the moment she took over the kingdom). An easy fix. Sadly, no villain has secured me as their advisor (I'm available).

The movie will appeal to hardcore fans of fantasy and not for anyone who might be looking for some more lighthearted stuff (that's not to say there aren't fairies and birds and rabbits frollicking about at one point). It might stretch on too long for most, but for me I was pretty engaged with the portrayals of Ravenna, the huntsman, even the dwarves, together with the rich visuals. In most ways it lived up to the hype of the trailer, and even surpassed it with some surprises. I'll catch it on Blu-ray again so I can better appreciate the eye candy and Theron's entertaining performance.

Review: Game of Thrones "Valar Morghulis"

Non Spoiler Review:

The season finale of Game of Thrones is an exhausting hour, leaving the state of Westeros even more dire than it was in season one. Coming off of last week's sole focus, Valar Morghulis plays catch up with the rest of the characters and storylines.

Theon's reckoning finally arrives as Ramsay Snow lays siege to Winterfell, but the end result is likely not what Robb anticipated. Daenerys enters the House of the Undying to find her dragons, but she sees a lot more of what might lie ahead. North of the Wall, Jon makes a fateful decision, but there's more going on than even Mance Rayder might be aware of. House Lannister is firmly in control of King's Landing, but that does not bode well for Tyrion as the political situation gets a serious shake up.

Several characters are offered a choice to escape the bad times ahead, yet chose not too. This was quite a gloomy episode, and despite all the jumping around to bring us up to date on everyone, it really kept a healthy pace and furthered the sense of impending doom over this entire continent. The season has brought an epic clash of families which appears to be only just beginning, and it will be a long year's wait for season three.

Spoilers Now!

A bandaged Tyrion awakes to a pleased Pycelle standing over him. He calls for Pod, who rushes in to the tiny quarters where he's convalescing. Tyrion instructs him to alert Varys and Bronn he's very much alive. Pycelle explains Stannis suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of Tywin, and he's no longer Hand of the King now that his father is back. Pycelle tosses him a coin for his trouble.

Tywin marches his horse into the throne room as Joffrey declares him the savior of the city and Hand of the King. His grandfather thanks him and rides his horse out. Baelish is called forth next and rewarded for uniting Houses Lannister and Tyrell, and is granted Harrenhal. Joffrey gives Loras a wish, who asks that he find Margaery a husband to join their houses. Margaery steps forward to tell the king she's come to love him from afar. Joffrey says it will be an honor to return her love but he's promised to another. Cersei steps in to explain that for the good of the realm his councillors beg him to set Sansa aside given her brother is raised in rebellion against him. Joffrey protests (for the audience) that he took a holy vow, so Pycelle details that Robert made the pact before the Starks revealed their treachery, and the priests say he is free of any promise in the sight of the gods. Joffrey says he will gladly wed Margaery.

Sansa witnesses all that from the gallery, then walks away and begins to smile. However, Baelish comes upon her and dampens her joy by telling her Joffrey will still enjoy making her his toy in other ways, as well. He won't be letting her go home. But Baelish sees her mother in her, and for her sake he will help get her home. Sansa replies coldly that King's Landing is her home now. Baelish tells her he's a better liar than her.

Ros is covering up a black eye as she receives a visitor. It's Varys, and she realizes who he is. He asks if working for Baelish has been all she hoped it would be. Her true talents are wasted on men, but he would protect those who work for him, unlike Baelish. Her employer is a dangerous man, but he still has weaknesses.

Brienne and Jaime come ashore as he continues to taunt her lack of femininity. They spy three hanging women who served the Lannisters and were killed by northerners. She insists on burying them, but the men abruptly return. They gloat that they killed the women quickly, except one of them. Jaime poses as a simple thief. She explains she's taking him to Riverrun to be dealt with by the Tullys. One of the men recognizes Jaime, and Brienne realizes their lie is caught so she kills all three in seconds, except for the last which she kills slowly. Jaime reminds her those were Stark men and she counters she serves Lady Catelyn and will take him to King's Landing as she promised. Then she resumes taking down the bodies of the women to give them a proper burial.

At Robb's camp Catelyn advises her son Frey is a dangerous man to cross if he should love Talisa. Catelyn explains she hardly knew his father when they married. Love was built slowly over the years. Treat his oaths recklessly and his people will do the same, she warns. But he retorts that she has no right to call anyone reckless. Later on, he marries Talisa.

A bitter Stannis tells Melisandre her god lied about his victory and he led his men to death for nothing. He moves to strangle her, daring her to show him if she really knows how to fight given she advised him so much in battle. Her god is inside him, she replies. He lets her go. He's slowly coming to terms with the realization he murdered his brother. They did it together, she says, and the war is just beginning. It will last for years. He will betray the men serving him, his family and everything he once held dear, and it will all be worth it. Because he is the son of fire. Melisandre has him look into the fire, and after a moment he admits he does see his future.

Winterfell is surrounded. The horns blowing from the northerners are driving Theon crazy, and he has received no word from his father. He's killed all the ravens anyway, so can't send out any messages. He muses to Luwin that the first time he saw Winterfell it looked as though it was eternal. They've always loved reminding him how well he was treated, how much he owed them.

Luwin is bound by oath to serve him and he counsels him to run. He has 20 men against 500 northmen. But there's nowhere to run, and he would be a coward in his father's eyes if he made it home. Luwin suggests he join the Night's Watch where he will be beyond reach of the law. Luwin says there are hidden passageways that could help his escape. It would be dangerous but with luck he would make it. An opportunity to make amends. Luwin tells him he's not the man he's pretending to be yet. Theon replies he's gone too far to pretend to be anything else.

Theon later addresses his men to spur them to battle against the northerners, despite it meaning certain death. They will sing about the battle of Winterfell, he yells, and he seems to encourage the soldiers. Dagmer waits until he's finished and knocks him out, then pulls a sack over his head to secure their own release from the northerners. Luwin comes out to stop them and is speared.

Varys visits Tyrion explaining he won't be seeing him for some time given Joffrey has won and is consolidating his power. It was Cersei who had Joffrey's guard attempt to kill him. Bronn is no longer head of the city guard and his Hill Tribesmen are gone. But Varys promises he will not forget that he was responsible for saving the city. He leaves Shae with him. She wants to look beneath his bandages at his scars. Shae suggests they leave King's Landing for Pentos, given he's terrible at fighting wars. He wants to go but can't. He belongs there and he likes playing the game because he's good at it, but suggests she leave given he's now a monster as well as a dwarf. Shae doesn't let him feel sorry for himself and affirms her love for him.

Daenerys, Jorah and Kovarro arrive at the tower of the House of the Undying, but there doesn't appear to be an entrance. The moment she's out of sight he finds she's disappeared. Daenerys finds herself inside and hears her dragons. She enters a circular chamber and goes through a door to  a version of the ruined palace where it's snowing. The Iron Throne is empty and she pauses before she touches it and instead follows the cries of her dragons, stepping out through another door, which becomes the gate at the Wall. She sees a fire in the distance coming from a tent. Inside it becomes Drogo's tent and he's holding their child. They share a bittersweet reunion, wondering if it's all a dream or if she's dead, as well. She sits with them until her dragons call for her again.

She leaves her dead husband and walks back into the circular room. All three dragons are chained to the rock in the center. Pyat tells her they miss her. When her dragons were born their magic was born again, and it is strongest in their presence, as they are strongest in hers. She will be with them until time comes to an end. Then she finds herself chained to the walls too. Daenerys utters the word dracarys, and the first dragon breathes a puff of fire that sets Pyat's arm aflame. The others join in and burn him alive. When he's dead their chains dissolve.

Arya, Hot Pie and Gendry find Jaqen on the trail waiting for them. She wants to know how to kill like he does, but she must come with him across the Narrow Sea (where her dancing master was from) to the city of Braavos. She has many names on her lips and she could offer them all to the red god then. Arya wants to go but realizes she must first find her family. So they must part, given he has his own duties, and he offers her a coin of great value. He instructs her if the day comes when she must find him, give the coin to any man from Braavos and say Valar Morghulis. Jaqen is dead, he explains and tells her to say it again. She does. And when he turns his face back it's someone else. He says farewell.

In Winterfell, Osha and Hodor sneak outside to find the castle has been sacked and burned. The wolves lead them to the godswood where Luwin is lying, and Rickon rushes to him. He's still alive. They have to go north because they may come back, he says. Osha protests it's the wrong way. Luwin tells them to go to the Wall where Jon will see they are safe. They leave him, but he pleads with Osha to protect the children. She's the only one who can, and she may have to do it against her own kind. He asks her to put him out of his misery quickly, so she draws her dagger. They leave Winterfell as it burns in the distance.

North of the Wall Jon is being led to Mance Rayder's camp. Jon taunts Ygritte and Qhorin manages to get his sword free, lunging after him while declaring him a traitor. Rattleshirt lets them fight. Jon disarms Qhorin and runs him through with this sword. Qhorin whispers we are the watchers on the wall and falls dead. Ygritte says they can tell Mance Jon's the man who killed the infamous Qhorin Halfhand. Rattleshirt unties him and instructs them to burn the body, given Jon won't want that one coming back for him. Ygritte leads him to a ridge where they look over a vast army camp. Time to meet the king beyond the wall.

Xaro lies in bed with Doreah as Daenerys and her followers arrive to wake him. Jorah takes the key to the vault and they open it. It's empty. But she thanks Xaro for teaching her this lesson, and has both him and Doreah sealed in the vault. They set about taking what valuables they find. They're going to have to buy a ship, Daenerys tells Jorah, and she walks off with her dragons as her followers gather their treasure.

Grenn, Edd and Sam hear horns blowing, which should be a sign Qhorin is returned. However, there are three blasts, which signals White Walkers. They run and leave Sam behind who can't catch up. In the snow he sees figures approaching so he takes cover behind a rock. He watches the undead move passed him, including a dead horse with a White Walker who looks right at him. It appears to ignore him and signals its army to march forward.

The Verdict:

The fall of Winterfell was a surprise (no doubt to Robb when he finds out, as well). I find it hard to believe Dagmer and his 20 men could have done it, so I'm assuming they turned Theon over to Ramsay Snow, and it was Roose's bastard that attacked the city? But for what purpose, because it would certainly bring down Robb's wrath when he finds out. Unless it was Roose Bolton himself who has been conspiring against Robb all this time. And where is the bulk of the population of Winterfell? They can't all be dead. 

So many characters were offered a chance to flee—Theon, Tyrion and Arya, but all of them decided to remain where they were and give up a hope of a more peaceful life. Even Daenerys turned down the temptation of the Iron Throne and her family with Drogo to find her children. And in the copious amount of danger and despair there were some glimmers of hope—Shae and Tyrion, Talisa and Robb, and Daenerys' triumph.

Daenerys' storyline, while never the strongest of them this season, did advance her arc towards getting to Westeros, but it also gave us a clearer insight into the growth of her strength as a future queen. If there was any doubt that she might possibly rule, it's been dispelled with the way she's taken her subjects out of the Red Wastes and achieved her goals. Though I have to say that Pyat's death was just a tad quick and easy. One would think someone of his power could dodge that first fireball.

The return of magic to the realm also got some needed explanation. Since we first saw the comet, it was apparent the return of the dragons was heralding something momentous—the House of the Undying finding their own magics growing, and quite possibly Melisandre, as well. Does it all tie in with the White Walkers too?

Baelish's grand scheme bore its fruit with Margaery becoming Joffrey's new betrothed (something I'm sure will not be as compelling for her now that she has it), and the alliance with House Tyrell. Does this mean Tywin can now strike against Robb in force? How strong is this family alliance, given Loras was firmly supporting Renly's claim to the thrown, and Tywin seems to want revenge on their family at some point? Why did Tywin remove Tyrion as Hand of the King, unless he's firmly in Cersei's opinion to be rid of his son. There certainly needs to me a scene to address this next year because Tywin has recognized the value of his son's intellect and it's unusual that he would cast it aside now for Joffrey's unstable rule.

Jon's story unfolded as expected, but it all came off rather easy to get him in the Wildings' good books with Qhorin sacrificing himself. It wasn't so unbelievable that Qhorin would act in the greater good, but the fact that Rattleshirt was so easily convinced to let them fight and then let Jon free did stretch credibility a bit.

Finally, the zombie army looks to be closing in on the Night's Watch, but who blew the three horns? Was it the Night's Watch scouts who already spotted them? Does Mance Rayder know that there's an additional army of the undead moving through the north?

Perhaps the most chilling scene was Daenerys walking among the gutted palace and the snow covered Iron Throne. Is this a premonition of what will eventually befall Westeros? There are simply way too many questions to ramble on and on about, but at least we're guaranteed another season which promises to be even more epic than this one. Even if some events appeared contrived, there's little to critique given the enormous success in bringing such a rich series of novels to the screen on a limited budget. Thankfully the ratings continue to break records for HBO and ensure its continued faith in the series.