CliqueClackBeyond the Wall: Season four’s big moments
‘Game of Thrones’ is a few short weeks away. The fourth season is bound to be explosive; this week, Beyond the Wall takes a spoilery look at moments we are most looking forward to.
The countdown to the fourth season premiere of Game of Thrones continues. We are now just two short excruciatingly long weeks away from “Two Swords.” Thus far in our weekly column Beyond the Wall, Clackers Bob and Ivey have reviewed some of the new actors joining the cast in year four, as well as taken a long look at how the fortunes of House Greyjoy might differ this season compared to the source material. This week, we are going to look ahead to some of the moments we are most looking forward to this season.
A Storm of Swords is a massive book; splitting the story over two seasons made a great deal of sense. Some argued — especially considering the Red Wedding — that the first season would be front-loaded with all of the good material. The upcoming fourth season will prove that theory wrong, and we’re going to preview that argument here.
As always, our regular SPOILER WARNING before you continue. Beyond the Wall is a column intended for those who have already read A Song of Ice and Fire, the novels by George R. R. Martin that Game of Thrones is based on. So if you don’t know why the Tower of Joy is a pipedream we’d love to see on screen (realizing we never will), then this post is not for you.
Ivey: In nearly every way, the Red Wedding is the centerpiece of A Storm of Swords, and possibly GRRM’s entire series. But it isn’t the only “big” moment in the third novel; there’s a lot that David Benioff and Dan Weiss have left for the fourth season. We’ve got at least one more wedding on the agenda. I’ve long suspected that we’re going to see the Purple Wedding relatively quickly. The wedding itself is a big spectacle, with several standout moments — and that’s not even referencing the ending.
I suspect the Purple Wedding will actually be more of a game changer for fans of the television show than last year’s festivities. Tyrion emerged quickly as a fan favorite — possibly more so on the show than in the novels — and those fans are going to have a hard time finding their favorite drunken letch locked in a cell for a long period of time this season.
Bob: Well, I don’t think anything can compare to the Red Wedding when it comes to game changers, but I do think that Joffrey’s death is going to be a big surprise for most of the viewers (well, those who don’t know it’s coming). I would venture to guess, however, that Tyrion in a prison cell isn’t going to be that big of a deal. For me, it signifies an irrevocable break between Tyrion and the rest of the Lannister clan, and let’s face it — that’s a good thing. It certainly makes one of the more likable characters on the series even more likable.
I’m looking forward to seeing all the action at the wall this season. I think my fondest memories of the last half of Storm of Swords were the stories that took place with the Night’s Watch. Between the political moves surrounding the appointing of a new High Commander and all the wildling attacks, there’s some fun stuff in store for Jon and friends.
Ivey: You know, one of things I never really understood was Tyrion’s choice to confess to Joffrey’s murder to Jaime in the tunnels. He didn’t do it … he knew it, we know it, but now Jaime, the only member of his family that ever believed in him — and the guy that had just set him free. Tyrion had been betrayed by everyone, everyone except Jaime.
But you’re right, the wall is going to be crazy this year. There isn’t much left of the raiding party that went over the wall, so I’m not entirely sure how the southern attack will play out, but no matter how you spin things, the Night’s Watch is in a world of trouble. Jon has to account for his actions in the last season. We know that Alliser Thorne and Janos Slynt will be returning, so your political story is definitely happening.
But Mance Rayder promised to set the biggest fires that the North had ever seen. He is going to attack the Wall with the largest army that we have seen yet on Game of Thrones — and not just because of the giants that he will be bringing. That fight is also a way to pull Stannis Baratheon’s forces into a new part of the story.
Bob: I think one of the more lasting images of Storm of Swords — heck, even the whole series — is the epic fight between the Mountain and the Red Viper. I hope that the show gives it enough time and scale to really make it feel like the craziest, bad assiest fight that it was in the novel. I have a feeling we may have to wait until very late in the season for the scene, but I suspect it’s going to have a lot of people talking.
Ivey: Other than the fight at the Tower of Joy — one we might not ever get to read about, let alone see on-screen — there’s no fight I’m more looking forward to. Oberyn’s approach, his dedication … his sacrifice are all phenomenal. And both men are such badasses, that you know it’s going to be a hell of a moment.
One Comment on “Beyond the Wall: Season four’s big moments”
Tyrion wasn’t in his right mind, and he wanted to make Jaime feel as bad as he felt himself. He didn’t feel like he deserved love from anyone, and wondered if his life had been a joke. But it was a bad call, because Jaime was the only family member that cared about him.
I think it would be cool to have a sort of rewind, flashback episode of things that happened back in the day, which would be an excuse to have Sean Bean back… except that he’s not gonna look like a young Ned at all.