Schlockmania's Favorite Characters From GAME OF THRONES - Part 2
Now that its pay cable reign has come to an end, Game Of Thrones has carved out a placein television history as one of its most beloved shows and also one of its mostcontroversial. Adapted from George R.R.Martin's series of acclaimed novels, it delivered a sprawling tale of intriguebetween multiple kingdoms in a mythical bygone era. Over eight seasons, itbrought the fantasy genre into the mainstream in a way that shocked anddelighted a fanbase that grew with each year.
It also had one of the most hotly debated final seasonsof any show ever. Schlockmania's quick, spoiler-free take: between having tocontinue an adaptation without source material and deciding to wrap things upin a six-episode season, showrunners/creators David Benioff and D.B. Weissrushed events and character arcs that needed a few additional seasons to unfurlsmoothly. Thus, you had changes in character behavior that felt unnatural,shorthand plotting that often felt implausible and an overall feeling that thestory got to what could have been a satisfying end place in the wrong way.
That said, the journey is still worth taking for thegenre-minded viewer: the first five seasons in particular are really strong.The scope of the production is mindboggling for television, feeling like anepic movie in virtually every episode. Best of all, there is a sprawling castof characters brought to life by a fantastic ensemble of actors. One of thegreat strengths of Game Of Throneswas its ability to handle develop rich and involving arcs for multiplecharacters at once.
The following is the second half of a list ofSchlockmania's favorite characters from the show, with an explanation of whatmakes each noteworthy. It mostly shiesaway from the expected lead characters in favor of the second and third-tierplayers who made vivid impressions with less time than the more prominentcharacters in the narrative. Watchingtheir journeys was the most rewarding part of Game Of Thrones for Schlockmania.
Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal): there are plenty ofcolorful characters who pop up in a season to flesh out the plot but few are ascolorful as Oberyn. He was a prince who flouted convention by being openlybisexual, a revenge-driven fighter who could also be kind to thedowntrodden. Pascal gave the characteran appropriately fiery and charismatic performance, working beautifully withthe show's writers to create a character arc that is emblematic of the show'scomplexity and ability to deliver take-your-breath-away surprises.
Shireen Baratheon (Kerry Ingram): dealing with themisfortunes that fate can deal out is a running theme on Game Of Thrones - and poor Shireen gets some of the cruelesttreatment fate can dish out: born a girl to parents who needed a boy to carryon the royal line, dooming her to be resented by her mother, and cursed throughno fault of her own during infancy with a disfiguring medical condition. Despite all these strikes against her, she isa kind and welcoming soul and a virtual ray of sunshine to fellow travelerDavos during some dark hours. In an unexpectedly heartwarming subplot, she eventeaches him how to read. Warning: there are plenty of characters in this showwhose plights might make you misty but Shireen will break your heart,guaranteed.
Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham): over the eight seasonsof Game Of Thrones, you see manycharacters whose fortunes wax and wane - and their character is revealed by howthey handle the shifts in fortune. Davosis one of the most satisfying to watch because he actually learns frommissteps, conducts himself with humility and does his best to do the honorablething in even when those he is dealing with aren't willing to do the same.Cunningham delivers a compelling performance that finds a blend of charisma andsubtlety that fits the role perfectly. Few of the show's tough guys are ascharming or likeable as Davos.
Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg): There's no shortage ofarrogant, sharp-tongued royals on GameOf Thrones but the boss of the group has to be Lady Olenna Tyrell. The grand matriarch of her clan, she is ascanny a player of court politics as anyone else on the show and she deliversthe best putdowns of anyone on the show, which is saying a lot (her verbalduels with all the members of the Lannister clans offer many of the show'swittiest barbs). Even when faced withdramatic reversals of fortune, she never loses her sense of control or herscorching wit - and veteran English actress Diana Rigg is a delight to watch inevery scene.
Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen): of everyone associated withthe Stark clan, this is the character who inspires the most complicatedresponses. He starts off as an adopted member of their group then rejects themto prove himself to his birth family, becoming hateful and monstrous. He fallsfrom grace in a reversal of fortune that brings him unimaginable suffering...and he struggles his way to redemption, attempting to piece his identity andconfidence back together while trying to right his past wrongs. Allen divesinto the role's challenges fearlessly and creates what is in Schlockmania'sestimation the most complex and rewarding character of the entire series.
Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen): Jorah fits into the group of Game Of Thrones characters who are driven by the idea of regaining a sense of honor. When we meet him, he has been rejected by kingdom and family alike, relegated to the depths where he is ordered to kill the young Daenerys to gain favor with the Lannisters. He regains his dignity by choosing to serve her instead. This begins a grand, tragic/romantic arc where he loves her from a distance and gives all to protect her. Even when he's on the losing end of political machinations, he refuses to give up on his beliefs and proves his honor again and again in a way that humbles his staunchest critics. This makes him one of the most heroic characters on the show - and Glen's performance is pure class all the way.
