Review: Mad Men "Mystery Date"

Non Spoiler Review:

Set against the backdrop of a serial killer making headlines with some gruesome murders, Mad Men delivers an uncomfortable episode. It was a good one, but the type that made you feel you needed to shower afterwards, as many of the characters behaved, or were wrapped up in the unpleasant goings on around them.

Craig has returned on leave, but has some surprising news for Joan, while Peggy has to work late and bonds with Dawn. Michael oversteps himself, and Don has a nasty flu that causes some interesting side effects. Meanwhile, Sally is left in the care of evil grandmother Paulina while Betty and Henry are away.

Some big plot points were hit as well, and probably not in the way initially expected. The characters all seem out of sorts trying to come to terms with the state of their lives. Paulina really stole the show, though, with her vile portrayal of messed up grandma Francis and likely leaving a lasting effect on fragile Sally.

Spoilers Now!

Don is sicker than a dog, and on the elevator up to SCDP he and Megan run into a lovely woman named Andrea, a former freelancer for Sterling Cooper, who chats up Don until he introduces her to his wife. It all doesn't go over well with Megan, who asks how many times is this going to happen. She's having trouble letting go of the continuing stream of girls Don's been with (especially knowing he was married at the time). She reminds him he's got an appetite and he can't blame Betty for that.

Michael and Stan present a new shoe campaign to Don. Michael had wanted to do a Cinderella theme, but Don dismisses it as a cliche. Later on, Michael aces the presentation, but as they're mingling afterwards, he goes on to pitch the Cinderella idea, and the client opts to go with it. When they have a drink later, Don is furious and warns him never to do it again.

Meanwhile, Joyce shows up to show some crime scene shots to Michael, Megan, Peggy and Stan. A serial killer murdered a bunch of nurses and it's the talk of the town. Michael thinks it's disgusting they want to see the photographs.

Joan is preparing the house for Craig's visit and she's had enough listening to her mother's advice about men. Craig returns home and gets to see his baby for the first time, but he needs to tell her something—he has to go back for another year. That night at a family dinner with both their parents, Craig's mother is upset about him going back and it comes out that he actually volunteered for another tour. Craig and Joan have a big fight afterwards.

Roger forgot about a campaign he needs for Mohawk, and Michael has disappeared for the weekend. He needs Peggy to work something up for them. Peggy takes pleasure in having Roger begging for help, so takes $400 in additional bribe money. 

Don goes home sick, but Andrea shows up unexpectedly at the apartment wanting to talk. He's furious, but she boldly walks in. He sends her away and falls asleep, but wakes up to her again and they have sex. Andrea gets ready to leave and says he'll still love it again because he's a sick man. Don strangles her, kicks her under the bed and crawls back under the covers. This is, of course, all a fever dream. Megan wakes up Don in the morning. She had been sleeping next to him the whole time. But his fever has broken.

Working late, Peggy finds Dawn sleeping on the couch afraid to go home due to the race riots. She invites Dawn to stay with her for the night, and they bond over a beer. Peggy really wants another woman to confide in and comments how she started out as a secretary, too, and seems to draw parallels with their mutual situations. Peggy wants to know if she acts like a man and Dawn admits she has to a little. Peggy doesn't know if she still wants to be that person. They go to bed, and Dawn sleeps on the couch, but there's an awkward moment when Peggy pauses to decide whether to leave her purse on the coffee table. Dawn is gone in the morning and leaves Peggy a thank you note.

Given Henry and Betty are delayed out of town, grandma Paulina is forced to look after Sally, who hates her. The feeling is quite mutual, and Paulina revels in subtly torturing her. After teasing her with tidbits about the murders, Sally finds newspaper articles about the serial killer that terrifies her, so asks to sit with Paulina at night. Paulina succeeds in frightening her further, so in order to sleep gives Sally some pills. Betty and Henry return home in the morning, with groggy Paulina on the couch and Sally sleeping underneath.

Joan tells Craig that she's thought about it and wants him to go...go and never come back, because she doesn't need him anymore. She's glad the army makes him feel like a man. And he's not a good man (reminding him of their premarital rape). He angrily walks out promising to never come back. Joan, the baby, and her mother have a nap on the bed.

The Verdict:
This was an ugly episode, watching everyone behave less than stellar, but, as usual, engaging, with some good bits. So far this season the major characters have been struggling to deal with how the world is changing around them, and Mystery Date continues that trend. First, Peggy—how far has Roger fallen that Peggy (with her feet on the desk) can negotiate terms for working late. But her talk with Dawn betrays that she could be tired of it all. Does that mean a change is in store, or was it all drunk talk?

And poor Dawn. She's just happy to have a job, but is pulled into all the machinations at SCDP because Peggy needs to vent and have a normal girlfriend at the office. Yet Peggy hasn't moved beyond her own prejudices yet.

Don's dream murder was an interesting outlet for all his pent up frustrations and fears with his appetites. Megan has a valid concern, given she's privy to all his infidelities and now she's the wife. No wonder she keeps trying to vamp it up for him to ensure his eye doesn't wander.

Don also has to deal with upstart Michael, who gave his own twist on the standard Don Draper client sell. He's fun to watch, but I wonder what direction his character will take—can he survive the season without stepping on too many toes?

Joan's marriage didn't end in the way I thought. Craig's departure was unexpected and he seemed rushed out the door, but is there more to it? Does he suspect the child isn't his, or was it all just him trying to be a real man and going back to fight? I could likely be reading too much into it. But I'm pleased Joan will be back in full form again absent his domineering personality (and she left him with some good parting shots).

Evil Paulina really steals the show. She manages to both elicit a bit of sympathy (with insight into her own upbringing) while continuing to sow discord everywhere and be the absolutely worst role model for poor Sally (who is likely on the road to a lifetime of drug addiction). 

Review: Being Human (USA) "It's My Party and I'll Die if I Want To"

Non Spoiler Review:
The heavily uneven season comes to a climax with Aidan and Suren having to deal with Mother. Nora springs some more convenient supernatural secrets on Josh, that prompts him to take action. Sally has had enough of her crazy and decides to try to get to limbo and maybe make amends for all the horrible things she's done.

Once again, everyone is involved in their own independent story lines, with no bleed over whatsoever, aside from a scene where everyone catches up on what they plan to do. Ultimately, all three end the season within their own plots.

I can't say I'm going to miss the show at all. Season two really turned into a chore to get through and stumble over unlikable characters and their selfish choices. Unless there's a big writing turnover, I doubt season three will be any better.

Spoilers Now!

Suren explains to Aidan she came back to the fold to protect him, given Mother would never have rested before she hunted him down. But that doesn't stop him from scheming to get her back at any cost, including enlisting Henry to kill Mother, who is having a reception at her lake house. Mother is leaving Boston, likely for years, but is making an announcement. Henry's been put on guard detail.

Josh gets a message Nora is in the hospital. The eclipse prompted a change at work (she got her job back) and she has a concussion from falling down the stairs. Nora has another tidbit about werewolves she neglected to mention but conveniently reveals—the curse is in the bloodline, so if he kills his maker, he cures everyone he ever made (pressure!). But she asks him not to because she doesn't want him to become a murder.

Sally fills Aidan in about limbo, while Josh returns home and lets them know he's killing Ray with Haggeman's gun. Aidan reveals he's going to kill Mother too, so Sally offers to help. Sally possesses Ray's wife to draw him out into the country. While waiting, she and Josh say goodbye, given he won't be able to see her if he's successful. She sees reaper, who knew she would slip up and start possessing people again.

Aidan's plan fails, and Mother was expecting him. At the reception, she announces Suren as her successor, and brings out a beaten up Aidan for Suren to kill. Suren balks at doing it, of course, but Mother insists she rid herself of distractions. Aidan tells her to do it. Suren accuses her of wanting everyone to witness her failure again. Suren says she can't, but Mother understands and embraces her. Then she kills her daughter. Aidan manages to free himself and nearly kills Mother, but is dragged back, and taken out to the grave where Suren was buried for the last eighty years. He has no regrets, because he tells Mother she'll have to live on knowing she killed the only person who loved her. He's buried.

At the hospital, Sally asks her mother to shred her, as she needs to go to limbo and thinks there's a way out for all the ghosts she's doomed there. Rena doesn't want to, of course, but Nora walks over and (conveniently) finds out how Sally helped Josh, so she runs off to find him. Sally and her mother bicker, and then Rena's door suddenly shows up, so she offers it to her daughter. Sally won't steal it though, and ultimately just shreds herself and disappears.

Ray shows up on the road and Josh forces him to the cabin where Aidan is supposed to meet him. But when Nora catches up Ray runs off. He gets the leg up on Josh and takes him down. Nora has her own gun and arrives to stop Ray from killing him. Josh tells her to shoot him and save herself. There are two gunshots.

In the house, the radio turns on and Sally calls out for Aidan and Josh, and needs their help (because shredding herself to limbo was a bad decision).

The Verdict:
There's little more to say on this. The storyline has turned back to the UK version (with Sally trapped in the afterlife and talking through the radio). But their way of going about it made little sense. Why does Sally seem to think she can be this expert on the afterlife? She relies on everyone for (bad) information. Why did Rena even need to show up, unless to set up some kind of rescue for next year? How did Sally just shred herself?

No one is in any real tangible danger. Julia has been swept out of the way for a Josh/Nora reunion next year. With the added benefit that Nora is now the fount of werewolf knowledge.

So many characters have come and gone, we've never had a chance to really connect with them, so their deaths lack any meaning—Suren played one note all season. Who cares if she's gone for good. Even Henry got pushed to the back burner again, ready to be pulled out for convenience next year. And considering everyone's decisions this week could mean all three would never see one another again, it was all addressed in a very casual manner as if they were just going out for the night. Sally was leaving (possibly for good), Aidan was likely going to have to go on the run forever, while Josh and Nora had a chance at curing themselves. Yet we get no slow motion/musical queues/montage good-byes, which is a standard trope for this series even for the most mundane event.

It's been a lacklustre season, devoid of any charm or warmth. I highly recommend anyone not familiar with the UK version to check that out and see how real fully developed characters interact.

Review: Spartacus: Vengeance "Wrath of the Gods"

Non Spoiler Review:

Glaber and Spartacus face difficult choices in deciding how and when to strike back at each other, with pressures both from Rome and among the rebels who are running low on food. Ashur's actions begin to catch up with him, while Lucretia and Ilithyia struggle to ensure their futures. As it's the season finale, all of this comes to an outrageous conclusion that actually manages to pale the ending of season one.

Right from the start it's evident that very few characters are safe, and by the end the series has changed so drastically that next season is going to be an entirely new slate. Make no mistake—there are major deaths, some well-deserved, some tragic, and others that came right out of left field. 

Vengeance has been the theme of this season, and vengeance is what we got. We say good-bye to a lot of familiar people and places. It took me a bit to process it after it was over, but I'm immensely satisfied. It's going to be tough to leave behind so many beloved characters, but this series has never been about keeping people safe. 

Spoilers Now!

Spartacus surveys the valley from the cliffs of Vesuvius as the rebels make camp in the barren rocks. Mira and Spartacus appear to have come to some peace with the end of their relationship. Gannicus and Crixus alert them that Nemotes and his men have decided to try to breach the Roman barricade.

Below, Ashur's arrogance taunts Tarsus, but a dispute is interrupted by the Germans attacking. They're taken down by the Romans, and Ashur is about to behead Nemotes as Mira's arrows lead the way for the other rebels to attack. Ashur is shot in the shoulder and Spartacus engages the Egyptian. Roman reinforcements arrive, so Spartacus rescues Nemotes and begins retreat. One of the soliders hurls an axe that misses him and kills Mira. He takes her back up the slopes.

Mira dies and Spartacus takes his grief out on Nemotes and his rash attack, but the German counters he led them to their deaths and she at least met hers as a warrior. Spartacus realizes he's right and declares Glaber will come to them eventually and they'll stain Vesuvius with their blood. However, Spartacus is finding it difficult to come up with tactics to fight against the Romans. Gannicus reassures him that he now regards him a brother and is happy to fight alongside him.

Back at the temple camp Glaber is brought one German survivor, but given he can't speak their tongue, he kills him. He vows to stay his hand until they begin to starve, given taking the mountain would be very costly.

Meanwhile, Lucretia and Ilithyia are journeying to Vesuvius to meet him. Ilithyia is happy she can find some solace in Glaber again, but she treasures Lucretia's friendship and promises a husband for her when they're in Rome. Lucretia grimly explains that Glaber has already promised her to Ashur. Ilithyia assures her they'll rid her of the burden when they get to Vesuvius.

Ashur wants his mercenaries to swear a new oath of brotherhood, making them the first recruits in his ludus. They're interrupted by the arrival of Ilithyia and Lucretia. Glaber seems pleased to be reunited with her, so she presses him to end Spartacus' life so she can return to Rome and have the child. It would require the loss of many men to take the higher ground, he points out. Ilithyia tempts him to agree to accelerate his plans. She lingers a little longer to give him Seppius' bracelet, explaining her slave saw Ashur give it to Seppia, sparking her vengeance. Glaber muses Ashur has served his purpose, but so has Lucretia, who knows secrets he would not have revealed. He wants to put their unfortunate past behind them and seize a glorious future.

Lucretia plays along with Ashur's advances before rejoining Ilithyia. Glaber confronts him, asking if he thinks him a fool, showing him the bracelet. Ashur denies any knowledge, but Glaber draws his sword, prompting Ashur and his men to do so. Ashur laments the end of their association and suggests they take their leave. Glaber offers the mercenaries 1000 dinari each for their service. They immediately abandon Ashur, so he makes a stand but the Egyptian puts his sword to his throat. Glaber opts to test the depths of his loyalty.

Spartacus prepares Mira's body and is alerted to the arrival of Ashur on the path. He comes bearing a message from Glaber—he's grown weary and would return home to Rome and offers terms of surrender. If they lay down their arms they'll be allowed to live as slaves again, but Spartacus' life is the cost of the bargain. Nemotes steps in and says he doesn't want to die, but if so he'll do it as a free man. None of them will take the deal, so Ashur has his answer. Ashur is about to leave, but Crixus refuses to let him go so quickly, and would see him punished for all he's done. 

Ashur taunts Crixus for cutting down a defenceless man, so he's given a sword. Ashur protests that there is no honor in fighting, given he's wounded in the shoulder. Naevia steps in and says she won't have Crixus soil his name for her, so she'll take vengeance herself, given she has greater claim on his life. Crixus reluctantly allows it.

Ashur and Naevia battle as Crixus painfully watches. He brings her down, but she refuses help. Ashur finally has his sword to her throat, gloating how he had her. When it seems she's doomed, she elbows him in the groin and follows up with her sword. She cuts his neck and he bleeds out slowly. Ashur shouts that it makes no difference, his death will not heal her scars. She agrees it won't erase the memories, but it's a start, and lops off his head after several swings. Naevia admits Crixus was right—that it was no easy task to cleave a man's head in one single blow. He promises to teach her.

Spartacus puts Ashur's head on the path as a reply to Glaber. Then Spartacus gets an idea—something the Romans won't see coming. At the temple, Tarsus brings back Ashur's head and Glaber plans to take Vesuvius at dawn.

Back at the ludus Lucretia tosses the red wig over the cliff. Ilithyia joins her, pleased they will soon leave this place. Ilithyia struggles with having to push her off the balcony as Lucretia comments how she saved her from tragedy. Lucretia turns at that moment and startles Ilithyia, and they see her water has broken. Lucretia tells her it's the sign from the gods the child must be born within the walls and leads her inside.

The rebels have woven vines together to provide ropes down the cliffs—enough for four men. Agron, Crixus, Gannicus and Spartacus will make the descent. He gives the rest a final pep talk, that the Romans believe the Roman way is the only way, and that's their fatal flaw.

They begin their climb down the shear cliff face, where Roman guards stand watch below on the path. They take them, head to camp and began to kill everyone there.

Tarsus joins Glaber on the temple wall. He's musing about his future, rising above others in the Senate. Then he spies a fire in the woods at the camp, and Spartacus lights the catapults to bombard the temple. Oenomaus sees the signal from the cliffs and they make their move. Glaber gets his men to advance into the woods, finding the four gladiators ready to fight. They charge and engage but are suddenly met by Oenomaus and the rebels from behind.

Lucretia has summoned the medicus, but Ilithyia fears something is wrong, so Lucretia goes to find something for the pain. Ilithyia hears a cry and sees Lucretia covered in blood, holding a knife. She kills Ilithyia's other slave telling her intent was always to see the curse on the house lifted. Now no one need come between them, she says. Lucretia explains she's but a vessel carrying a gift of the gods for the House of Batiatus, and she'll see it unwrapped.

Glaber orders his troops to fall back as Spartacus and his men pursue. Oenomaus saves Gannicus from the Egyptian, but the two mortally wound one another. Gannicus steps in and kills him, but Oenomaus tells him he goes to his wife, and they'll greet him in the afterlife as a brother. He dies in his arms. 

Lucretia emerges with a baby in her arms, while inside Lucretia crawls across the floor screaming to her. Quintus always wanted a son, and he shall have one, she explains as Ilithyia tries to reach her. She falls back over the cliff with the baby as Ilithyia watches in horror. Then Ilithyia collapses on the sand and dies.

Glaber secures the temple, but the rebels are already scaling the walls. Tarsus is killed. Spartacus and Glaber finally battle. Glaber refuses to die at the hands of a slave but Spartacus says he's a free man and shoves his sword into him. The Romans have finally learned their place before them. With that, the men have taken back the temple and Glaber tells him he's won nothing. Rome will send legions in his wake and one day soon he will fall. Perhaps, but not this day, Spartacus says, and shoves his sword into his mouth as memories of his wife pass before his eyes.

Spartacus tells his people that Rome can send their legions and they'll face them, and all will follow Glaber in death. Now they become an army, he tells Crixus. The rebels shout his name.

The Verdict:
Wrath of the Gods ranks up as one of the best of the entire series, and left me breathless and dumbfounded in places. Mira's death wasn't unexpected at all, nor was Ashur's, but it was immensely satisfying to watch him fall. Oenomaus brought  a very sombre moment, but at the same time a beautiful closure for his arc.

Most shocking was the culmination of Lucretia's plan. It all made a twisted sort of sense, but watching her fall back off the cliff with the baby was one of the most stunning moments of the series. That leaves Ilithyia, who I had assumed was alive, though I've just read an interview with the creators and they've confirmed she's dead, too.

There was little to critique given the epic scale the writers delivered. There's always the head-scratching questions of how fast the rebels can travel on foot down the mountain to the temple, or from Capua to Vesuvius, plans that need go exactly as planned, and for my own satisfaction I'm just going to assume that at some point in season one Batiatus hosted a two-day seminar on the operation, loading and aiming of catapults.

It's an interesting note that Crixus is the only original actor left since the beginning of the series. And the entire cast of Romans is dead, but given the shift in focus for the rebels, apparently Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus will be appearing next season. Nevertheless, the shining star of this year was Liam McIntyre, who has certainly put his stamp on the character.

Spartacus has his vengeance, as does Naevia, and even Lucretia. The season wraps up very nicely with a broad new direction ahead. Glaber's parting words were very ominous, given Rome will indeed send legions, and the inevitable defeat of Spartacus is something always hovering over the series. But they will now rise above the small band of rebels and become an army fighting on a larger tapestry. It's sad to leave behind the arena and Capua, but everything and everyone received a proper send off. 

Review: Game of Thrones "The North Remembers"

Non Spoiler Review:

Game of Thrones' second season gets off to a solid start, returning us to the wonderful world of Westeros, where paternity can be determined by hair colour, and ravens deliver messages faster than the post office. The North Remembers is a compelling new chapter addressing the crumbling political situation in the seven kingdoms. War continues between the Starks and Lannisters. Renly has his own claim, while brother Stannis is about to enter the fray given he is privy to Ned's revelation of Joffrey's paternity. 

The North Remembers expands the epic feel that made for a groundbreaking first season. The world has changed and it looks as though King's Landing is one of the few places that is trying to keep an illusion of calm (though Cersei and Joffrey are bound to end that soon enough). More ominous, it's confirmed that the long summer is over, and this is likely the worst possible time for a long winter to fall over the kingdoms.

This is a dense and busy episode to catch up on where everyone is at, but it succeeds very well—much better than the premiere, given we're at least familiar with these characters now. There are plenty of new and intriguing additions, particularly Stannis Baratheon and his mysterious high priestess. Tyrion continues to steal the show given his more important role as Hand of the King and his scenes with Cersei are memorable ones. All in all, a solid return for one of the best series on television.

Spoilers Now!

Joffrey presides over a contest on his name day, as Sansa endures his company. In typical Joffrey fashion, he has late coming fighter Dontos nearly tortured to death for showing up drunk, but Sansa warns him (and is backed up by the Hound) bad luck would follow if he killed someone on his name day. Then she (cleverly) convinces Joffrey to make Dontos his fool and saves his life.

Tyrion shows up, greeting Joffrey's sister and younger brother and sending all sorts of insincere compliments his nephew's way. He tells Sansa he's sorry for her loss, but she coldly explains her family are traitors and she's loyal to her Joffrey. Joffrey heard he was dead, but Tyrion happily replies he must be off as he has work to do.

At the king's council, Cersei is advised by Pycelle that messages throughout Westeros confirm the long summer is ending, which means a longer winter. They have supplies for five years, and that's it, and peasant refugees are already making their way to King's Landing. She orders them to shut the city gates to them—a longer winter means fewer peasants, after all. Tyrion arrives to everyone's surprise to announce he's Hand of the King in their father's absence.

A furious Cersei speaks to him in private. He informs her she failed to stop Ned's death and now Robb is winning the war. She warns him he's only there to advise Joffrey. Tyrion then learns that Arya is missing and angrily reminds his sister they once had three Starks to trade for Jaime—she's killed one and let one disappear. She's fast becoming the disappointing child, he muses.

At Winterfell, Bran and Luwin are listening to the petition of a minor lord. All their young men are sent off to fight, so there are few left to prepare for winter. Luwin advises Bran that listening to people he'd rather not listen to is one of his new jobs as the acting lord of Winterfell.

Bran later dreams of a comet and seeing through the eyes of his wolf, Summer, looking into the pool around the godswood. Later, on a walk with Osha, he muses about what the comet (which is actually appearing above Westeros) may mean. Rumor is it's an omen of victory, but she says it means only one thing—dragons. He peers into the pool from his dreams and reminds her the dragons are all dead.

The comet can be seen over the Red Wastes as Daenerys and her followers march across the desert. The horse Drogo gave her drops dead from starvation. They're further east than Jorah has ever been, and suggests they're too weak to fight should they encounter other Dothraki or any other of the many dangers they could find. She sends three of her men to ride in different directions to find out what lies ahead. 

North of the Wall, the Night's Watch arrives at a lodge belonging to Craster (an old man who marries his daughters and likely kills his sons). They learn nothing of Benjen's whereabouts. Jon speaks out of turn and is berated by Mormont for annoying Craster, who must be appeased for his hospitality. They discuss the Wildings leaving and the old man suggests they've gone north to join Mance Rayder, who broke his vows to the Watch and is gathering an army with plans to march south. Craster agrees to allow them to stay the night, but warns them all (particularly Jon) about touching his wives. Later, an angry Mormont tells Jon not to forget his place. One day he'll lead, but right now he has to learn to follow.

At Dragonstone, a priestess named Melisandre is addressing a crowd as she burns statues of the seven gods in favor of a one true god. Among them is Stannis Baratheon, newly converted to her beliefs. His councillor, Cressen, is furious they are betraying the gods of their fathers by listening to her. She explains the prophecy of a warrior drawing forth a burning sword that will be a light bringer, and tells Stannis that sword awaits him. He pulls it out as everyone bows to him and he declares their intent to take the throne of Westeros. Everyone returns to the city, except for Cressen and Stannis' advisor Davos.

Cressen laments that Stannis will lead them into a devastating war. He's surrounded by fools and fanatics and needs someone to tell him the truth. Davos, however, doesn't know what the truth is.

Stannis presides over his council as they compose his claim to the throne—he's a stickler for details, but the letter he writes denounces Cersei's children and reveals that they are the incestuous product of her and her brother, making Stannis the only rightful king. Ned told him alone, so he won't make the same mistake and sends that letter to all the lords throughout the kingdoms. Davos interjects and suggests he make peace with Renly, as some have already declared for him. If not Renly, then Robb Stark. Stannis sees no difference between any of them, naming them all thieves who will bend their knee to him.

Cressen takes that opportunity to propose a toast to honor the one true god. He offers a chalice to Melisandre after he first takes a drink. She watches his nose start to bleed, realizes it's poisoned, but still drinks herself as he collapses. She remains unharmed.

At the Stark camp, Robb visits his captive Jaime. He lets him know that Stannis has sent letters to all the high lords and everyone knows Joffrey is his bastard son. Ned knew the truth and that's why he had him executed, and pushed Bran from a window because he saw him with the queen. Jaime just mocks him for thinking himself a conqueror after winning just three battles, though Robb counters it's better than losing three.

Robb lays out some egregious peace terms to one of the Lannister cousins acting as emmisary to King's Landing—the Lannisters release his sisters, with his father's bones and those of all the dead returned to the north, Joffrey and the queen renounce all claims to the North and it becomes a free and independent kingdom, forbidden for any Lannister to enter. The Lannister boy reminds Robb that Joffrey is a Baratheon before leaving with the unacceptable terms.

Theon doesn't have to tell Robb the Lannisters will never agree to his peace. If they hope to take King's Landing they will need ships—and his father has them. Robb doesn't want to go to Balon Greyjoy, given his past rebellion, but Theon points out he's his only living son now and he'll listen to him. Ned raised him to be an honorable man and they can avenge him together.

Catelyn doesn't want Balon Greyjoy as an ally either, and encourages Robb against it. She's more concerned about getting the girls back by trading Jaime, but Robb knows that his banner men would string him up if he were to do that. She decides it's time for her to go back to Winterfell, but he tells her she can't—he wants her to ride south and negotiate with Renly who has an army of 100,000. If he sides with them, they'll outnumber the Lannisters and they'll get the girls back.

Back in King's Landing, Shae loves being in the city with Tyrion. He warns her no one can know she's there and not to trust anyone. Except him, of course, who is a slave to truth. 

Cersei is on a mission to find Arya, so goes to Baelish and asks him to put his resources behind it. He suggests Winterfell would be the logical destination but there are no reports she's there yet. Then she taunts him with vague references to his low upbringing and losing Catelyn to Ned. He (unwisely) counters about her own relationship with her brother that is now the talk of the kingdoms. Knowledge is power, he explains. She decides to prove him wrong and orders the guards to sieze him and cut his throat. Then immediately jokes and changes her mind. The guards, of course, obey. She explains power is power and advises him to locate Arya for her.

Joffrey is having the throne room redone in the more conquering style of the Targaryens. Cersei tells him they can't find Arya and need to locate her in order to secure their negotiating power. Joffrey comments that his grandfather's stupidity in battle is why they're in that bind in the first place, then mentions the lie he heard about her and Jaime. He has no claim to the throne, as he's the rightful king, he declares. But Robert had other children when he grew tired of his mother, and Joffrey wants to know how many bastards he has running around. Cersei slaps him. Furious, he tells her that was punishable by death. And she will never do it again. 

Baelish's brothel is raided by the City Watch Commander Janos Slynt, who drags out the woman who recently bore one of Robert's bastards and kills the baby in front of her. That begins a purge throughout the city of all of Robert's illegitimate children, but when it comes to the final one, Gendry, the boy's former employer tells them he's on the Kingsroad to Castle Black. That caravan is heading north, with Arya.

The Verdict:

The premiere does a handy job getting every player a bit of screen time to catch everyone up. Like last season, some the new, secondary characters get rather vague introductions (prompting look-ups of names online afterwards). The big introduction was Stannis and the cast at Dragonstone. Given he's such a major character we've only heard about until now, he gets a lot of focus. He seems to live up to his belligerent reputation. Though I'm questioning the wisdom of Cressen poisoning himself in order to kill Melisandre. It really played out as an ill-thought out scheme.

Cersei got some great scenes with Joffrey and her brother. It's clear she's terrified events have gotten so out of her control and her power is quickly slipping from her. How far will she go to protect her children at the expense of her family? She's easily become one of the villains I love to hate, and her treatment of Baelish (after what he did to Ned) was quite satisfying.

Of course, with Ned's death, Tyrion has become one of the pivotal stars of the series and one of the noblest characters at the moment (on par with Robb and Jon) but where will his priorities lie when faced with the greater good of the kingdom and loyalty to his father and the Lannisters? Will he sacrifice them if it means saving the kingdoms?

Having not read the books, I have no idea how long Joffrey lasts on the Iron Throne, but I'm suspecting he won't last the season. Unfortunately, Stannis does not appear to be a capable leader either. I'm left wondering why he wants to claim the crown now, and not back when his younger brother first took it from the mad king. It's Renly who appears to be the best choice (and seems to have a large army at his disposal) but would he be willing to let the North live free to appease Robb? Then there's Gendry, who has managed to escape the purge, but how important is he really to the succession?

The most ominous element I found was the seemingly minor plot point at the beginning—the announcement that winter was coming. With the kingdoms in absolute chaos, and Cersei sealing the city from refugees, this is the worst possible time for such a long term catastrophe to hit. Everyone seems pretty naive about it all. I'm guessing Joffrey has not yet been presented with the zombie head from the Wall, either.

There's a clear divide between the powers that be who chart the destiny of Westeros, and the average man on the street who is subject to their whims. It's effectively shown in a couple of instances with the street cleaner privy to Baelish's near execution, and the palace workers seeing Cersei slap the king (which left me wondering if Joffrey might just have them killed for that). 

It's a testament to the writing, casting and direction that all the subplots are equally interesting. Quite the achievement given the vast number of characters on this series. Season two is bound to be quite a roller coaster ride—civil war among multiple king contenders, Daenerys seeking to raise her own army, and events beyond the Wall, with not only the White Walkers, but Mance Rayder gathering his forces for some unknown end, all set against the coming of what is promised to be a devastating winter.