Game of Thrones: The Complete Second Season

I enjoy fantasy in many forms, including episodic TV. I had neve

I enjoy fantasy in many forms, including episodic TV. I had never gotten into the big, long books full of big, long swords, upon which this series is based, but the series itself seemed like it would be entertaining, and sure had a big following. So my husband and I watched the whole first season (somewhat bemusedly), and have now seen 4 episodes of Season 2. I'm thinking now, that it's so very popular, because it's porn for people who are embarrassed to just go out and rent porn. I am not prudish, but was frankly quite surprised at the amount full-frontal female nudity and extensively detailed simulated sex scenes that seem to be necessary, or possibly integral, to bringing the work of G.R.R.Martin to screen. Those who enjoyed that aspect of the first season, will certainly not be disappointed by Season 2. So far, the number of erotic and nude scenes do seem to be keeping pace with Season 1 -- possibly, a little kinkier. For instance, there are more uses of incest, and sadism. Oddly, nearly all the production values are excellent, including consistently good acting. The sets and locations are impeccably realized. The costuming is skillful, although the results are sometimes silly-looking. Cinematography, excellent. Editing, often a little confusing. Dialogue can be witty and/or entertaining, but sometimes a bit overblown and bombastic (a frequent problem with fantasies set in some imaginary historical era). On the other hand, the story itself appears to be going nowhere, as more and more new characters keep turning up, whose relationships to each other and the basic plot seem rather obscure. I suppose this pot-boiler aspect captures the essence of real early warfare (antiquity through the Renaissance), which frequently dragged on for decades, achieving little but the constant re-drawing of borders on maps, with betrayed allegiances and "rolling heads" being the easiest ways to move up in the world. What bothers me most about the whole series, is the extreme emphasis on women's bodies, fertility, and sexuality, as mere bargaining chips in the "really important" machinations of power-hungry men. One way or another, men stake their claims to thrones and power, by using women - as whores, baby-makers, alliance-builders, hostages. Even the few women in the story who appear to have or acquire some significant amount of power, have only managed to do it through bedroom activity (dutiful, kinky, or both) with the right powerful man. It seems that for any of the female actors, from leads to bit players, getting cast in this production almost guarantees having to strip for the camera, and often, to end up on her hands and knees (which is not the most flattering pose for most women, but does visually reinforce the message of male domination). In contrast, very few of the male actors with speaking roles have had to get naked; I only remember one who was "full-frontal" in Season 1, and he was a bit player. So for me, the tone of the whole thing seems demeaning to women, in this way the male gaze is endlessly directed to the stripped female body, both within the story, and in "real-life" terms. Otherwise, the filmmaking is good enough, that I do intend to watch this series through to the end of the season (despite my misgivings about its not doing us women any favors), mostly to see if the storytelling itself can possibly end up redeeming its own crass aspects. But right now, I can't imagine being lured into watching Season 3.

5 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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Good

The show is getting interesting. One of my favorites. Suspense even better.

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Fantastic Season 2 follow-up to a great Season 1. Not for the pr

Fantastic Season 2 follow-up to a great Season 1. Not for the prudish.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I preordered this item in January. But nothing happened with it,

I preordered this item in January. But nothing happened with it, so I cancelled it and proceeded to do it all over again. Here's hoping it ships tomorrow like it's supposed to. 

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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I preordered the item over a month ago. It was released on

I preordered the item over a month ago. It was released on 2/19/13. I haven't received the item-it
I should have the product or at least a tracking number. if this is Barnes & Noble customer service, it is sadly lacking hows my order is still "processing"
.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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