The final season of Game of Thrones is set to see lots of characters come together who have been separated for a very long time. One of the biggest will be Jon Snow and Arya Stark. These two characters haven't interacted since the second episode of the show, but from just that one scene, we… Continue reading Game of Thrones Reunions We Can’t Wait for: Jon and Arya
Westworld inspires all kinds of armchair philosophy — careful examination of every nuance, googling every keyword for maximum allusions, wild indulgence in what the show is saying about the human condition - but it's more than that. "Akane No Mai" keeps the answers tantalizingly out of reach, but it also serves up some satisfying payoff… Continue reading Westworld S2E5: Mirrors
Westworld's "The Riddle of the Sphinx" is the strongest episode so far this season. Though it lacks both Maeve and Dolores, the focus on the mysterious machinations of the Delos corporation, the expanded capabilities of the host technology, and the increasingly murky timelines provides fascinating fodder for new questions and wild speculation. This is Westworld,… Continue reading Westworld S2E4: Who Wants to Live Forever?
In many, but not all, political realms, it's the people behind the scenes that have the most influence. Game of Thrones is no different. Sure, it's easy to name some important characters. Jon Snow is unmatched on the battlefield and his sense of honor has gotten him in trouble a few times, but still, it's… Continue reading Why Varys Is the True Champion of Westeros
Westworld's "Virtu e Fortuna" picks up the pace from last week. Just as its title references Machiavelli's juxtaposition of virtue (or will) and fortune (or fate), the episode continues to explore the balance between the hosts' programming and their new self-directed path. Dolores is well aligned with Machiavelli's idea of a willful leader, but it's… Continue reading Westworld S2E3: Write Your Own Story
Spoilers for Season 2, Episode 2 Most shows have their share of lackluster setup episodes and it seems that Westworld is no exception. The second episode of season two isn't a major stumble, but it failed to leave the impactful impression that viewers have come to expect. Recovery is likely, but what's worrying is that… Continue reading Westworld S2E2: Glitch in the Narrative
Westworld is back! It's time to delve back into all those questions of self and consciousness and meeting your maker, to unravel the mysteries of the Delos corporation, and of course, to get our weekly dose of sex and violence. With the premiere of the second season, what's exciting me most, though, is that this… Continue reading Westworld S2E1: The Revolution is Female
The last season of Game of Thrones will have lots of surprises, but one thing we know will happen is that Aegon Targaryen — aka Jon Snow — will find out who he really is. How he deals with that revelation is up for debate, but there's a scene in the last episode of Season… Continue reading You’re a Targaryen and You’re a Stark
Deaths are a hallmark of Game of Thrones. Ever since Ned Stark lost his head, it's been clear that no one is ever safe. Scores of characters have died in a myriad of ways. For me, the best deaths aren't the most gruesome or even the most surprising, although both of those characteristics factor into… Continue reading The 5 Best Deaths in Game of Thrones
The best way to describe Game of Thrones' Lord Petyr Baelish isn't actually his in-show nickname — a better term would be social climber. In a show where characters must make alliances in order to survive, Littlefinger is the master. He makes and breaks alliances quicker than it takes Drogon to incinerate an entire army.… Continue reading Littlefinger’s Fatal Mistake
