Game of Thrones Season 3

When I was a wee boy a friend of the family was staying with us. The best way to describe her is as a Wodehousian-aunt like figure. I must have been well behaved (I was once) because she brought me two small booklets of Greek myths. It was from such wonderful beginnings that my love of history and fantasy began.

But that love faded over time. Trite story lines, two dimensional characters, and predictable plots drove me from fantasy for several years.  Then I read Game of Thrones and George R. R. Martin rekindled that love and reminded me that fantasy can be so much more. I thinks it is great, and for the last couple of years HBO has been bringing it to the screen.

My partner and I had a marathon to catch up and it was full of candles, roast meat, wine. I have to recommend a good marathon especially over winter.  As requested here is my take on Season 3.

WARNING SOME SPOILERS FOLLOW

Season three takes us beyond the wall with Jon and the crows seeking out the King of the North, the civil war between the Starks, GreyJoys, Lannisters and Baratheons and the uncivil war in the royal court between Tyrion, Cersei, along with the introduction of the Tyrells. Last, but not least Daenerys Targaryen and her struggle for power to reclaim the iron throne. There is so much to talk about I will touch on the major Characters:

Jon Snow

A rather chilly Jon's (Kit Harington) journey north of the wall takes him into Mance Rayder's (played by the very cool Ciarán Hinds) camp, bringing him into contact with Giants, wildlings and the King beyond the wall (sadly no mammoths). Jon joins the wildlings and his growing relationship with the saucey Ygritte brings his loyalty to the crows into question. But Jon's loyalty to his father's people and the wildlings callous disregard for their lives wins over and he chooses duty over love.
I think Jon has a long way to go yet, and he might just survive this. I thought Harington plays the young Snow very well, he balances vulnerability and strength equally when needed. The scenes with Rose Leslie were very good, although she definitely wears the trousers in the relationship. I am sure we haven't seen the last of her. Mackenzie Crook gave a good performance of the Warg Orell.

A little mention for Sam Tarly, he is a over weight, cowardly custard, but he has a massive heart and a cleverer mind that is often over looked due to his shy nature. It is easy for people like Jon and Robb to be heroes, but more and more I find myself rooting for him. While he is weak and soft and a coward, he finds his strength when there are those weaker than he that needs help. When Gilly and her baby were in danger young Sam rescued her. And of course we learn that Sam has the secret to defeating the white walkers.


Robb and Catelyn Stark

How can any red blooded man not like Robb Stark (Richard Madden); a brilliant general, a good leader, strong, handsome and apparently stupidly stupid over skirt. Yes brave Robb, the wolf of the north didn't lose a single battle, but he made some poor decisions. The worst of course was falling for Talisa and marrying her, breaking his oath to Walder Frey. Whether we can blame Talisa (Oona Chaplin) for the various bad choices he made in season three, (of course we should that devil woman!), or whether his youth and inexperience caused those mistakes (naaah it was the chick), but he made one too many. Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairly) couldn't quite make the transition from mother to a lord to mother to a king. In her attempts to save what was left of her family she consistently alienated Robb, which aggravated the problems they had. Still all that aside, The Rains of Castamere episode was excellent. Madden and Fairly gave an excellent performance, to the point where Episode 10 Mhysa, as a little bit of a anticlimax.  Bye Robb I salute you. 

Bran and Rickon Sark

Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) and Rickon (Art Parkinson) have escaped the Greyjoys and met up with the enigmatic Reeds. Bran is learning more and more about his dreams and discovers that he is a warg, someone that can possess animals. Following the Reeds counsel he sends Rickon away with Oosha for safety while he heads over the wall north.  Bran meets up with Sam Tarly on his way back and Sam tells them that Dragon glass can kill the white walkers. Brans story is interesting and I am curious to see where it goes. Poor old Rickon doesn't have much of a storyline but if Bran is the new lord of Winterfell, then Rickon is his heir, so I suspect given the next books to come out of Martin are an estimated 3000 pages he will come back. Also in the storyline the body count continues with Maester Luwin dying (veteran actor Donald Sumpter).

Arya Stark

Brave little Aryra is out of the frying pan into the fire. Her alliance with the assassin Jaqen got her and her friends freedom from the Lannisters, only to be captured (again) by the Brotherhood Without Banners. They intended to ransom her to the Tullys but after they sold her friend Gendry to Melisandre, she runs off.  Only to be captured by the Hound who intends to return her to her mother.  Arya has been captured more times than Daphine from Scooby Doo!  Faced with the slaughter of her entire family she has some names, a coin and a promise. I can’t wait to see where it leads. 

Sansa 

Probably the least favourite character of the series, poor old Sansa is vilified for not being Arya, Robb or Danerys or even Cersei.  I have a soft spot for Sansa who learned at her cost the dangers of court.  Yes of course it was her foolish confession to Cersei that brought about her fathers capture, but I think she has paid for that mistake somewhat.  She is a lonely abused girl who is trying her best to survive with what she has.  She has not wit, or armies or friends, well friends that she can trust.  If she could not marry into the Tyrell, then her marriage to Tyrion is actually a blessing. Not that you can blame her for seeing otherwise, marrying into the family who orchestrated the murder of her family.    I wonder if she will survive them all.

Stannis Baratheon and Matthis the Onion knight.

Matthis and the red priestess battle for Stannis’s soul as he battles for the realm. Unrelenting Stannis is defeated by the Lannisters  when Lord Tywin arrives in the nick of time to rout his army. Matthis struggles to keep his king out of the light and human sacrifice on the road of human decency.  Unfortunately for the onion Knight Melisandre has something to offer the king that Matthis doesn’t in the way of a compelling argument, wink wink.  But the question remains was the death of Robb foretold by Melisandre the work of her god, or was it coincidence?

The Lannisters

 Tyrion with his wit, intelligence and compassion is easily a favourite. Peter Dinklage plays the part exceptionally well and makes the character more likeable than he is in the books.  His compassion for Sansa brings out open defiance against Jofferys madness and cruelty.  Tyrion gets some of the best lines and despite his best attempts to do his duty to his house and the security of the Kingdom, he ends up in a small room disfigured and neglected with his father taking all the glory. But he is not alone.  Jaime is maimed but, unlike Tyrion, his disfigurement appears to ground him. The Kingslayer forms a curious friendship (Starkhome syndrome?) with his captor Brienne of Tarth. Removed of his wealth, his father’s protection and  the love affair with his sister, Jaime turns out to be a decent sort of fellow. The beautiful Cersei on the other hand has no respect from her father, no lover, and only her last child to dote on, and is turning even meaner. 

Theon Greyjoy

 In scenes that probably gave Quentin Tarrentino wood, Theon is being tortured by the rather psychotic Ramsey Snow, the illegitimate son of Lord Roose Boltan after his men betray him and leave him to the Starks justice.  Despised by everyone in Westeros but his sister Yara, who is moved by her little brothers torture to go and get him.

Daenerys Targaryen

 In this season the mother of dragons, through her wits and guiles, amasses a small army. In a brilliant move the destitute queen trades a dragon for an elite army from a slaver. The unsullied are an almost unstoppable force of highly skilled and disciplined warriors that obey without question.  Once they followed Daenerys she ordered them to kill all the slavers, and for the dragon to kill the slavers.  Daenerys is a great character, strong, compassionate, clever and also ruthless. She is everything Cersei wants to be in a queen but is too crazy to be. Daenerys is methodically conquering the land and has slightly lost sight of the Iron Throne in order to destroy the slaver city states but her dragons are growing and if she dallies any more there will be no one left to conquer.

The Tyrells

 So finally we get Lady Olenna Tyrell one of my favorite characters from the books. Yes the Queen of Thorns is an excellent addition to the story and fences with Lord Varys, Lord Tywin and Tyrion. Diana Rigg has brought the character to life and I am excited to see more of her. Her grand daughter Margaery Tyrell (the delicious Natalie Dormer) befriends Sansa, and charms the mental Joffery much to Cersei's displeasure. The Tyrell enter the game of thrones late but make a strong bid for the game. The Lannisters kept them at bay for now by marrying Sansa off to Tyrion. But who knows what will happen in season 4. Hopefuly more Lady Olenna and and Lady Margaery. Oh yeah Loras flounced around blah. 

There was blood, and mud and bottoms galore. Oh a special mention should go to Lord Varys for possibly the creepiest scene ever. Well done Varys. The series are great and in some ways better than the books. I can't wait for season 4.

And wrap up because winter is bloody well here!

World War Z

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 World War Z; an oral history of the Zombie war was written by Max Brooks, the son of comedian, director and actor Mel Brooks. It was inspired by  The Good War, an oral history of World War II by Studs Terkel.Like the  The Good war, World War Z  is a collection of first hand accounts and stories of
various people who were affected by a Zombie apocalypse.

 

The book is a well written synopsis of a possible and not so implausible reaction in a fictional circumstance from various perspectives; civilian, military and corporate all over the world. From the wall around Israel to the South African triage system, Brooks posits conflicting agendas, government cover ups, military blunders and simple people trying to survive, and he does it in a simple interview style which adds to the plausibility of the stories. Brooks creates credible circumstances that we can believe in. He doesn't stray in to the crazy mutant world like  the resident evil franchise has made, he sticks to the basics. And for me it really works.

The book is an easy read, but in a subtle way you do find yourself being drawn into the stories. I understand why this book has become such a cult classic. I can also understand the trepidation and the criticism of the fans for the up coming movie  here.

 

This trailer  seems an extraordinary departure form the book. I will probably see it anyway but I am not confident as it seems like a dog. 

But the book is excellent and I really recommend it. 7.5 Zombie monkeys from me

The best of Ford

Some guys at work asked me;  Han Solo or Indy?

This is a difficult choice as these characters are two of the most influential and coolest characters of my generation. Women want them and men want to be them. Hell women want to be them!

 

 Do I prefer Han the lovable rogue with a heart of gold over the maverick academic adventurer whose ethics outweigh scientific and financial gain?

 

I need to examine the characters more carefully.

 

Han Solo

Han is a swashbuckling smuggler, an unashamed  criminal who will kill to survive. Han shot first!

He flies a souped up space ship which can out fly and out shoot anything else in the galaxy.   His companion is a is a giant alien warrior who manages to sound threatening and whiny in the same conversation. 

Hilarious! 

Han, gives up his life on the edge and joins what seems to be a lost cause out of friendship. That choice of loyalty for his friend not only saves the day but changes the fate of the galaxy. He becomes a general without losing his independence or changing his nature.

 

He marries a Princess, and by joining the rebellion gives up a life of smuggling and shoots space Nazis.

 

Also on a mythological front like all the central characters in the star wars movies (episodes 4,5,6) he is a classic archetype of narrative. The trickster who transforms into a warrior.

 

Doctor Indiana Jones

 

Indiana Jones is a highly intelligent academic, whose expeditions to recover lost treasure in the golden age of adventure take him around the globe. He battles evil villains, find lost tribes, gets beat up a lot, kisses beautiful girls, avoid death traps, punches Nazi’s and has Sean Connery as a father.

 

Unlike Solo, Dr Jones has always exhibited a high degree of ethics.  While he is no stranger to death, it is obviously not something that he is entirely comfortable with.  However when the stakes are high he will face that consequence straight on.  Also unlike Han,  Dr Jones is his own character. While born out of the dilettante gentlemen  adventurers of the late 19^th century to the 30’s, his character is of a style than an archetype. After Raiders of the lost ark he inspired thousands of boys (and  girls) to become archaeologists and to injure themselves with bull whips.  He also blew up a tank using a horse.

 

Han Solo is a hero of high fantasy, Doctor Jones is an intelligent adventurer,  both characters are fun, funny, tough and cool.

 

I think I would have to choose……

 

Indiana Jones. 

Indy has more depth to his character, his relationship to his father, his fear of snakes, his imperfect relationship with the women he loves.  I think that he is the more developed character and we can relate to him more.  Han is swept up in a space opera that doesn’t allow us to delve too deeply into him as a character. Han is certainly cool and we want to be him, but we can identify with Indy.

 

Tough choice but I am ok with it. 

While discussing this a friend threw in Jack Ryan into the mix. This got me thinking that it is no coincidence that these three great characters are played by Harrison Ford. Also that as I age my choice may change as well. As a  boy I liked Han Solo, as I grew up I preferred Indy. Maybe when I older and a father I will prefer jack Ryan, a kick arse dad saving the day, and his country?

Perhaps, but for now I think I will dream of exotic locations, swords, hidden treasure and the lovely Karen Allen. 

But I am interested what do you think, Indy or Han?

American Horror Story

I am not intending to blog about TV but I think this show deserves a special mention. In this terrible time of Kadashian sisters reality TV and Wayan brothers sitcoms there has been a bit of a renaissance of excellent television at the moment. Game of Thrones, Downton Abby, the new TMNT reboot and American Horror story. 

This twelve part story surrounds the Harmon family. After Mrs Harmon miscarries their son, and the husbands subsequent infidelity with one of his students they family are seeking a new life in LA. Unfortunately for the Harmon's they have chosen to live in a haunted house, filled with vengeful and murderous ghosts including a ether addicted surgeon with Frankenstein complex, and a  maid who appears differently to different people. 

Each episode is a disturbing look at the horrible and bloody history of the house and how it affects those inside it, living and dead. Even the opening credits are scary! Bloody china dolls.

The series was created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, if those names sound familiar you may know the as the creators of Nip/tuck or Glee. And while that may surprise many that these guys can turn from Glee to this I don't. I dislike musicals, and putting on television is a stroke of evil genius.

The cast includes Zachery Quinto, Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton and the amazing Jessica Lange. I want to give a special mention to Jamie Brewer who played the psychic child Addie. Both a sympathetic and disconcerting role.  Addie being locked in the punishment room was a particularly disturbing

episode.

Jessica Lange won a golden globe and a emmy for her role as Constance Langdon, the ageing southern belle who was the previous owner of the house. Her performance is excellent, stylish and sinister, Charming and brimming with malice at the world. her performance was so good she is also in the next season which is a entirely new story.

 
The series is a clever take on famous American  horror stories, the haunted house, the monster in the cellar, the inbred child that lives chained in the attic, bloody Mary etc. The writers have taken these urban legends and woven them into the history of the house. It is a clever catalogue of American horror mythology combined in a well written story.

If like horror give this a try, but it is not for the faint hearted, or those that think this is a strange version of Glee.

eight little monkeys hiding behind the couch

It is that time of the year again when management start discussing where you want to be in five years time. Apparently drinking cocktails in Milan is not a proper answer. 

As I ponder this super important  question, my mind and imagination wandered and I thought of this. I thought it was appropriate given what day it is.

My individual developmental plan as a Manager of a maritime economic redistribution team. Here is how I will develop my position  this using the capabilities below.

 

 Collaboration

I understand the need to foster open dialogue and develop an effective team harmony. To be an effective team we require a diverse skill set and personality mix, who can still all work together for an exciting and productive life of maritime economic redistribution. I am also hoping to work with other stakeholders in various ports to meet our targets and to provide the best customer service. If we meet our targets I recognise that we should share that success as a team and celebrate our strengths. With working with such a diverse and mixed team it is important recognise their perspectives. Even if they are Spanish.

 

 

Communication

I pride myself on having excellent communication skills. I hope to utilise them effectively during team meetings, negotiating with customers and resolving conflict swiftly in the cut and thrust environment of maritime economic redistribution. I am confident that I will communicate with authority and conviction while negotiating with clients and I have achieved excellent results in the past. In this industry, you do deal with a varied mix of clients, stakeholders and even competitors so it is important to adapt your communication style to your recipient. Whether it is a local Governor, or a Dutch merchantmen I an a strong believer of courtesy and open dialogue to get my point across.

 

Client Focus

I am entirely client focused. The entire industry of maritime economic redistribution must have a swift and actionable process where we can identify our clients, communicate our strategy and our objectives in a timely manner, so we can achieve maximum outcome and profitability. While I am always seeking feedback on improving my service, I pride myself that I maintain a high professional standard regardless of circumstances.

 

Self-Management

Obviously it is important to be able to operate independently from time to time. The nature of the industry means that there is no real upper management due to the franchise nature of maritime economic redistribution. I believe I have the skills necessary to operate independently and to manage my team. However, I am also willing to learn new strategies, develop, and adapt to changing circumstances. I am able to remain calm during adversity and I can adapt through adversity to try to resolve issues promptly.

 

Action Oriented

I am a firm believer on taking responsibility for my own actions, and not claiming responsibility for any success unless it is deserved. I think it is not only important to identify, but to create opportunities for effective client service. Thus I try and network through various external stakeholders and research various client profiles so I can preempt and seize rewarding prospects before they get away

One of my prominent stakeholders.

 

 

Another important stakeholder

 

 

Judgement and Decision Making

I think that I have a unique perspective into the industry because I think it is important to examine the humanitarian aspect of the service we provide. If you are entirely results orientated I believe that it will damage the industries long term productivity. Strategically this will effect the work environment and will reflect on your team and individual performance when you are called to account.  Also you need to make rational decisions and be a clear about any potential emotional aspects to any decision made.

Recieving feed back regarding past performance.

 

Leading

I like to think that my strong leaderhship style does get the best out of my team. Plenty of Grog, wenches and booty does create an enthusiatic approach to our work. And if there are any challenges to my leaderhship I find that my skill set swiftly eliminates the problem. 

 

 

                 Happy international speak like a Pirate day!

Fear and loathing in the civil service

Yes, it is that time of year again where budgets are spent hastily in philanthropic excess after months of shylockian restraint. Managers who consider employees a necessary evil in achieving their targets suddenly transform into inspiring enthusiastic leaders. It is the end of the financial years and I have to write my end of year performance document.

I loathe it.  I don’t think I am alone in this. Even the managers seem to despise the whole process. Still it is a necessary evil. Or at least an evil they won’t let us avoid.

I have no inclination or ability for self promotion. A previous manager of mine would constantly criticise me for sharing credit with other team members instead of expounding on my own achievements.  It is not something I have ever been confident about.
But my manager asked me very kindly for me to complete it on time so she could attempt to meet her objectives.  I may have several faults but I could set her up to fail so I knuckled down to write up my document for the year.

And by knuckling down I mean procrastinate.

But after I had almost exhausted every possibility to procrastinate, I really decided to have a go at completing it. But I knew that in the normal course of things I would get distracted by my colleagues asking for an opinion or for my assistance with a query. Knowing that I would happily discard my performance document at the first opportunity I decided to set up a process to avoid such distractions.

So I created  THE BOWL OF KNOWLEDGE 

 Inside the bowl was the potential answer to any question that a colleague would put to me. All they had speak their question out loud and then pick a answer out of the bowl.
Here are some of the answers. I have removed some as they are either too work related, or or mention people I should not mention on a public forum. Even if they do need a slap.

So here is an insight into the bowl of knowledge.

• You are making the baby Thor Cry
• Perhaps a milk shake and a pie will settle things
• Somebody needs a slap
• Bollocks to that
• That’s rubbish
• Genghis Khan knew how to resolve issues
• What would Lemmy do?

• Perhaps a five minute break would help?
• Raspberry slice is the ticket
• Daniel is on Crack Cocaine
• Ask Rachel
• No exceptions
• I doubt that would mitigate your concerns.
• And does that sound plausible to you?
• No I can’t
• Maybe for a beer?
• Maybe tomorrow
• Wild horses could not drag me to do that even with the promise of a meat pie and a beer
• No!
• I don’t want to!
• Stop it.
• If instructions say you may, then it is your discretion.
• I don’t care if it is just for sex, it is still a marriage
• Will that make a difference to the outcome?
• Harpoon!
• Try to be systematic
• Declines make me smile
• Their tears taste like champagne
• You and your hippity hop music
• What would Johnny cash do?
• What would Darth Vader do?
• Hippy!
• They don’t drink shandies in Valhalla
• Windows 7 sucks, but then most of our IT systems do.
• Perhaps Rome?
• Human trafficking, cigarette, guns and drug smuggling
• Army, police, Military, militia and government
• Unless they confess we will never be 100%
• Lying scumbag
• It’s arbitrary
• There is no logical reason. It’s better just to proceed
• Orcas are Dolphins not Whales
• That’s never genuine
• I wouldn’t trust him to put himself out if he was on fire.
• No I am Warldorf. Marty is Statler.
• Smash him
•  Red wine over white
• I’m more of a cavalry man
• AK 74
• Tea?
• Coffee?
•  The secret is to cook the meat slowly
• I think every which way but loose was a low point
• I suggest your ipod and loud music
• Angolia
•  No the other Rachel
•  You should always address the character issue
• Despite what the law says it can be around 14
• Pies are good for any meal
•  If you have tried twice is there any benefit to a third time? You are not Robert the Bruce.
• Have you tried turning it off and on again?
• It’s a combat zone.
• No NoNoNoNO!
•  Smash his face in
•  Winston Churchill
• Gustavus Aldolphus
•  Sweden

 

• Sausage
• Muppet!
• Have you asked the Library?
•  If you understand the history then you understand the problem
• A detailed chronology is always needed
• Woot!
• They need to provide satisfactory evidence
•  

I hope you enjoyed that. My colleagues certainly did. 

have a great Saturday.