Game of Thrones: 'Lord Snow'

Even before the series premiered, the signs were always good for Game of Thrones. With the backing of the ever-reliable HBO and a hugely solid cast, there was every reason to hope that the show would successfully bring Martin’s world and characters to life. Three episodes later, with the series fully in its stride, it now seems safe to say that the hope was well placed.

Following his arduous journey, we begin with Ned arriving in the capital, King’s Landing, in order to take up his role as Hand of the King. However there is a rude awakening upon his arrival as he finds himself having to come to terms with the cost, metaphorical and literal, of his friend Robert’s reign (Westeros even has a budget deficit). To make matters worse, he finds himself surrounded by a number of Machiavellian councilors, none of whom are particularly trustworthy. Meanwhile, Jon struggles to settle with the Knight’s Watch, only to find solace and counsel from an unlikely source. Across the sea, Daenerys begins to settle into her role as a Khalesi, much to the dismay of her brother.

As was the case last week, this week’s offering ‘Lord Snow’ - didn’t offer action on the level of the opening and closing of the premiere. However, the episode was once again nicely paced (suggesting that the crammed feel of the opener was thankfully a one off) and saw the introduction of both new characters and a new locale.

King’s Landing appeared briefly a fortnight ago, but here it took centre stage as the Stark family arrived in the corrupt capital. The series really seems to have understood the notion of the locations themselves as characters – the harsh North, the vast land across the sea and a hot, dusty, dirty cesspit of corrupt politics.

The strong thematic current running through ‘Lord Snow’ was the notion of the characters being thrust into unfamiliar worlds, finding themselves out of their depth. Ned Stark (a brilliantly brusque Sean Bean) is clearly in hell in the world of Southern politics. Similarly, in the distant North, Jon Snow is left looking hopeless and abandoned on the wall. Both Jon and Ned find themselves having to come to terms with the wonderfully realized character of their hugely diverse, yet equally unforgiving worlds.

‘Lord Snow’ also introduces the inhabitants of these locations. The most notable introduction was that of Peter Baelish, aka Littlefinger (a perfectly cast Aiden Gillen). The slimy, underhand brothel owner and master of coin is a financial wizard who contrasts beautifully with a bewildered looking Sean Bean. While Aiden Gillen oozes sleaze, the best introduction of the hour is perhaps Conleth Hill’s turn as the well informed, wonderfully disingenuous eunuch – Varys.

However, not for the first time, the episode was stolen by Mark Addy’s note perfect King Robert. After two weeks of joviality with intermittent rage, we get a mirror into Robert’s soul tonight in a perfectly delivered and rather moving recollection from his youth. Addy really brought out Robert’s vulnerability with great effect. Likewise, the disgustingly handsome Nicholaj Coster-Waldau brilliantly teased subtle glimpses behind the smarmy, well groomed façade of Jamie Lannister. His subtle winces at the mention of his king slaying path are perfectly delivered.

‘Lord Snow’ was perhaps a little short on thrills and spills, and the blood spillage was somewhat lacking, but once again it moved things along nicely. As the plot thickens and the narrative webs begin to tangle, intrigue is building and I’ve no doubt that the series is set to go from strength to strength from here on in.

Game of Thrones airs on Mondays at 9pm on Sky Atlantic

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