The second episode of After the Thrones, HBO’s in-house “Epic Weekly Recap Show,” has arrived, as it will be every Monday, after the latest episode of Game of Thrones has aired.
After the Thrones was created by executive producer Bill Simmons. Its hosts are author, screenwriter, and critic Andy Greenwald and writer/editor Chris Ryan, from Simmons’ upcoming content site, The Ringer. Andy and Chris are joined by guest Mallory Rubin for the Ask The Expert segment.
Chris and Andy
“Home” was a huge episode, and Chris and Andy get right into it: they had no doubt as to who came out on top in the WHO WON THE WEEK? contest:
Andy: “If you take eight daggers to the heart and you come back to life, then you my friend, you won the week.”
The guys aren’t surprised that Jon Snow returned, but Andy makes an interesting point about how nice it is for secondary characters to develop when the A-listers are sidelined:
I have to say, though, I was a little surprised at the timing (of Jon’s return). I came into this season hoping he was back right away, and actually, I thought it could have stretched out a little bit longer, and here’s why: it comes off something you (Chris) said last week, which is when characters are taken off the board or off the stage it gives other characters a chance to share the spotlight, and one thing we are seeing very much as the show goes on for a longer period of time, and it’s happening in Meereen, is the strength of the leader matters, but honestly the strength of the #squad you leave behind that sometimes matters more.
The hosts discuss the three ways a character can be resurrected (so far) in Game of Thrones: the “ice way,” courtesy of the Night’s King, the “science way,’ such as disgraced Maester Qyburn bringing back the Mountain as Ser Robert Strong, and Melisandre’s way: the way of the Lord of Light.
In the REWIND THE THRONES segment, Andy and Chris head to the map and catch up with each character. They also consult book histories to explain nuances to viewers who don’t know the Game of Thrones universe inside and out. Finally, they discuss the rise of magic and prophesy this season, plus how viewers currently feeling good about Jon, Brienne, and Sansa might be lulled into expecting more happy endings than the show will eventually provide.
Andy and Chris with the map
In discussing the high tension between the Lannisters and the High Sparrow, Chis makes an interesting point:
A lot of what you see on this show is battles between kingdoms, important houses, houses that are rising and falling but big houses just the same. But what we are starting to see this season a little bit, is the rise of these people who have been traditionally on the margins, and what the Faith Militant and the High Sparrow are sort of saying is that something else is coming. Not just this war is coming, but we can overthrow an empire if we all just work together.
In the WHO THE F!&K WAS THAT segment, the TV show appearance of Euron Greyjoy put in context, and the hosts explain what the ironborn mean when they say things like “paying the iron price” and “kingsmoot.”
Guest Mallory Rubin (she knows her stuff, and also has a great collection of Game of Thrones T-shirts) appears in the ASK THE EXPERT segment to chide the boys about their lack of knowledge regarding the history of haircuts on the show, and then discusses Bran’s return. She also refreshes us on the background of the ancient Children of the Forest and the importance of Lyanna Stark.
Chris and Mallory
Andy also reminds us: “If everything we see (on the show) matters, then what we see Bran see matters, and the three Starks that he saw (in his greensight vision) are important.”
In THE BIG IDEA segment, Chris and Andy discuss the episode’s major themes, which include home and second chances—resurrection being a BIG second chance for Jon Snow—but also new opportunities for Brienne, Melisandre, Theon, and Cersei, and who has learned from their own mistakes and who has not.
As the hosts PREVIEW next week’s episode the biggest question is, of course, what is next for Jon Snow.
Via http://winteriscoming.net/2016/05/03/recap-after-the-thrones-hbos-epic-weekly-recap-show-episode-2/
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