Winter is Coming

The House Stark featurette from the HBO website. Link from youtube.



Right then... First things first... Eddard of house Stork? Fortunately this seems to be a one off, but it does make me cringe every time I hear it.

Despite that though I think this is an excellent scene to open the Stark Feature with. It shows some of the coldness and harshness of the North, whilst still reflecting some of Eddard's tenderness in the mournful way he condemns the prisoner.

Next David Benioff talks about what he thinks the series is about. I am not sure that it really helps us understand the family, but it does show the angle he approached the series from as both a writer and a producer.

Next we see the man himself, the elusive George R R Martin. The rumours that he does not really exist and is actually just Raymond E Feist in disguise are finally debunked!

Just look at that beard! I know I am supposed to be reviewing the series, but in all honesty, as a facial hair enthusiast myself, I have to say that is an amazing beard. I almost feel like making a blog just for that beard, and how beards of other fantasy authors can just not compare (I'm looking at you again Feist!)

Mr Martin gives us some detail on the place that the Starks live in, which is not so useful to me, but to newcomers to the series is probably invaluable. I mean, if we hadn't been told that it snows in the North then we might have thought that the Starks had a terrible drug problem. Thank the lord the Mr Martin was here to put us straight.

The shots of Winterfell are looking powerful. They really have evoked the strength of such an ancient place. Even the inside shots look intimidating and haunted. Kings Landing, by contrast, looks warm, but still unfriendly.

Next we see Sean Bean as Ned Stark. I can honestly not think of a more perfect casting for this character. His relatively big name can carry alot of weight as the main character of the series, and his northern English demeanor is perfect for the Starks of Winterfell. Coupled with this, I don't think I have ever seen Sean Bean act badly, even when he has been in bad films. They are still often worth a watch just because of the power that he brings.

Mr Bean discusses the Stark words (it has always bothered me a little that they do not say motto, but I suppose it is just another setting detail) and the importance they have in the story. Winter is Coming, I cannot think of any three words that could describe the story so well (other than "Shit gets Real" perhaps).

Next is discussed the symbolism of the Stark Direwolf. It is worth noting that whilst Direwolves did exist in prehistoric times, the Wolves described in the books are much larger. This might not be the case in the series though as it might be difficult to aquire pony sized dogs... perhaps a husky great dane cross, but I don't think the bastard offspring of Whitefang and Scooby-Doo would look right. The type of dog actually used was a Northern Inuit Dog, with Siberian Husky pups as the pups.

A bit more on Ned and his relationship with the King. I love the chemistry between these two actors, as well as the fact they picked Yorkshiremen to play them both. Perhaps those from the Vale have Yorkshire accents? It isn't the first time Mark Addy (who plays Robert) and Sean Bean have been in a show together, but I am unsure if they have shared screentime in the past. I am looking forward to it.

Talking on Ned's honour leads nicely into his family, his wife Catelyn Stark, played by Michelle Fairely. I approve of this casting as well. Michelle's down to earth good looks give her the natural beauty that I imagined Catelyn to have, although her face is slightly sharper than what I imagined it to be. Her real test is in the acting though, and she seems to understand what the character is about. Family, Duty, Honour, The house words of her old family.

Richard Madden looks great as Robb, and that Scottish accent serves wonderfully. He also has a look of Ms Fairley about him as well which suits the character.

Sophie Turner's Sansa Stark is next, again looking wonderful, she does look as though she could be a young Catelyn, and like Michelle Fairley, seems to understand her character. We also get a glimpse of her with Joffery Baratheon, and it looks as though there is chemistry there.

Massie Williams looks more feminine than I imagined Arya to be, but a lot of Arya's tomboyishness comes from her own perception anyway. Interestingly they have preserved the fact that she is left handed, although the actress is right handed. My only quibble would be that she looks like the other children, when Arya is described as standing out, being like her father whereas the rest take after their mother.

Isaac Hempstead-Wright's Bran is dealt with quickly explaining his position as the youngest of the active children.

The youngest child, Rickon is glossed over very quickly. In the books he has little personality, being a ferocious toddler and not much else. With the three year age up I am interested to see how his personality will change.

Next we come to Jon Snow, Ned's Bastard son. Kit Harrington looks the part, if a little similar to Richard Madden. Mr. Harrington does seem to understand a lot of the strain on his character, if anyone has been filled in on secrets about his character it is likely to be him. Jon Snow also seems to be the character who has had the most new material written for him. Ned never speaks with Jon about his mother in the book.

Finally we come to the last of the Stark family. Benjen Stark, first ranger of the Night's Watch. The fact that Kit Harrington tells us what the watch is gives us clues as to where the character is going, as do the scenes where Jon talks to Benjen. Joseph Mawle, who plays Benjen also looks enough like Sean Bean to be believable as his brother.

Ultimately I think the Stark family are really well cast, and will play their roles really well. The North has been powerfully evoked and reflects brilliantly on the adaptation. Winter is Coming, and I wish it would hurry up!