Hey Cape Town Ghibli fans! Get ready for a special gathering!
Gravel Road Distribution is officially launching The Anime Festival at selected Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide, as well as The Labia in Cape Town, with three Studio Ghibli faves.
The festival kicks off with My Neighbor Totoro from 8 August, followed by the release of Spirited Away on 23 August, and Howlβs Moving Castle on 6 September.
The big screen experience will be paired with opening weekend activations at Ster-Kinekor in Cavendish and The Zone in Rosebank.
We’ve been invited to the premiere event on Thursday, 1 August, at The Labia Theatre in Cape Town and would like 8 Studio Ghibli superfans to join us!
To stand the chance to win, head to our Instagram page, comment on the competition post by tagging your Ghibli bestie and @gravelroadfilms with the #theanimefestival2024, and spread the love by sharing it to your stories.
Winners announced on Monday 29 July. Watch this space for more information about the opening weekend activation.
Hope to see you there!
T&Cs
Giveaway limited to fans in Cape Town.
Winners will be contacted by email and should be available to attend the screening on Thursday, 1 August.
Tickets may not be exchanged for another screening date.
It is time to choose: Are you Team Green or Team Black?
It would appear in the first four episodes released to select critics (including your friendly local Superfans!!), that it won’t be an easy choice to make. So strap in and brace yourself, for the Dance of the Dragons is here.
Official Green Trailer
Official Black Trailer
βThere is no war so hateful to the godsΒ as aΒ war between kin, andΒ no war soΒ bloody as aΒ war betweenΒ dragons.β Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was
This is war
There is not much of a time lapse after the explosive S1 ending. We return to House Targaryen, where revenge is on everyone’s mind. Lucerys Velaryon and his dragon Arrax died above Shipbreaker Bay at the hands (and claws and teeth) of his uncle Aemond and Vhagar, and we open to a heartbroken Rhaenyra who needs fulfill her duties as queen while navigating the trauma and grief from losing her son.
Back at King’s Landing, we find Alicent desperately trying to keep her sons under control. One, a reluctant yet petulant king who is desperate for approval and his subjects’ compliance, and the other a fiery terror, thirsty for war. And then there’s her father, the ever-scheming Otto, who still believes that he can convince his grandsons and the small council to play the Game of Thrones in a specific way.
However, these former friends are stull subject to the patriarchy. And while both Rhaenyra and Alicent are keen to opt for restraint and conservative strategy in the brewing civil war, it is once again the battle-thirsty men who seem to get their way. Who can they trust when it is clear that nobody listens to them?
Readers of Fire & Blood (or the Wiki of Ice and Fire for that matter) will know what happens next. As the Greens and Blacks ready themselves for a game of tit-for-tat before the inevitable battles to come, we bear witness to tested loyalties, falling houses, spectacular action, shocking violence – with one particular death happening off-screen, which makes it even more horrifying – and jaw-dropping dragon-on-dragon action.
First impressions
As a book, Fire & Blood is structured as a set of historical accounts with different narrators offering their perspective on events – some more reliable than others. House of the Dragon takes this historical account of the fall of House Targaryen and transforms it into an epic, larger than life war drama with juicy characters, nail-biting tension, graphic violence and battle sequences, and impressive dragon CGI.
There are no more time lapses to be had. The brutal Dance only lasts about 2 years, so nobody needs to age up, and the lead actors have now settled into their roles. The first four episodes have already shown incredible depth of character, and it’s hard to choose an MVP. But for the purposes of this preview, my vote goes to Aegon II, who could so easily have been a one-dimensional hateful boy-king, but Tom Glynn-Carney has masterfully transformed him into a complex character that is equally tragic and comical.
And let’s not forget about the dragons! They are bad-ass with unique personalities, and it is fascinating to see the different dragon-rider relationships unfold. Also, this season preview has once again reminded me of the fact that the Targaryens of old had actual seats with actual seatbelts for, er, safer dragon riding. And without the necessary generational knowledge transfer, poor Daenerys had to hold on for dear life, every time she mounted Drogon 170 years later.
My only concern is that an 8 episode season will be so fast-paced that big moments may lack the emotional impact we’ve come to know and love in Game of Thrones. But I’m excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
So buckle up for a bumpy ride, and stay tuned for our episode recaps.
House of the Dragon Season 2 will premiere on 16 June 2024, and will stream on Showmax from 17 June.
Attention Shazam! superfans: Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the hugely anticipated DC sequel to the 2019 DC hit from New Line Cinema, comes to our screens later this month. And here’s the great news – you have the chance to win tickets to a special pre-screening of the film before it releases!
What is Shazam! Fury of the Gods all about?
βShazam! Fury of the Godsβ continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word βSHAZAM!,β is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego.
Now fully bestowed with the powers of the gods, Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids are still learning how to juggle teenage life with having adult Super Hero alter egos. But when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago, Billyβaka Shazamβand his family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world.
But can a bunch of teenagers actually save the day? Does Billy even want to�
Get ready for an insanely action-packed Super Hero sequel that will bring even more excitement, adventure and comedy, along with all-new realms, bigger threats, monsters and mythical creatures to our heroes.
About the Pre-Screening
The special pre-screening will take place at Movies@ Monte Casino on 16 March at 7pm.
To stand the chance of winning double tickets to this pre-screening, please complete your entry below.
PLUS: Win one of three Shazam! hampers!
Three lucky superfans also stand the chance of winning an awesome Shazam! hamper. Enter below and it could be yours!
Enter for the chance to win Shazam! Fury of the Gods double movie tickets or an exclusive hamper.
Competition Terms
This competition closes on 14 March 2023. Winners will be contacted via email on 15 March. Please submit a valid email address.
The ticket giveaway is exclusive to the JHB venue only.
The prize excludes travel, and cannot be transferred or redeemed for cash.
We finally got around to see Thor: Love and Thunder, stocked with oversized popcorn, donning our 3D glasses, and ready to enjoy another instalment of Taika Waititi’s take on our beloved god of thunder.
The premise is simple: Thor’s quest for inner peace is briefly interrupted when he is tasked with defeating Gorr the god butcher and free New Asgard’s children with the help of Jane Foster (as the Mighty Thor), Valkyrie (as the King of New Asgard, which has become somewhat of a tourist attraction) and Korg (as… Korg). What follows is a one hour 59 minute madcap adventure with loud action, louder music, vintage rock, screaming goats, Hemsworth’s toned butt, plenty of laughs, and two sad stories.
Must. Have. Goat. Funkos.
Impressions
Not one to care for spoilers, I happened to listen to an Ali Plumb review of Thor: Love and Thunder before seeing the movie on the big screen. The big question was: What if this film is… just OK? (and that that’s OK too). This was quite timeous, because in addition to some of the lukewarm reviews, MCU fans were having a complete meltdown on Last Exit to Nowhere on Facebook because their high expectations had not been met.
As a Taika Waititi superfan who has seen every single project he’s been involved in – popular and obscure – and who has loved him since when he was still a nerdy Kiwi and before he even slid onto Rita Ora’s radar, I’m also keenly aware that there will be people who don’t appreciate the Taika style.
In fact, when I saw the hugely positive reaction to Thor: Ragnarok, I expected that his next MCU project would not be met with the same overwhelming enthusiasm.
Ragnarok was a breath of fresh air in a Marvel Universe that had started to go a little stale towards Endgame. It was different. It was exciting. And people were hooked from the moment Karl Urban’s Skurge showed the ladies his stuff.
Thor: Love and Thunder is still classic Taika. He continues to bring all the fun and quirkiness and none of the “film taking itself too seriously” stuff. It was all there in Ragnarok and as a fan, I expected and appreciated that style stamp. But fans are fickle, and were criticizing the movie not doing anything to drive the overall plot forward – especially as the second last MCU Phase 4 film.
Some of the critiques included:
There was some inconsistent pacing that could have been sorted with a slightly longer run-time. Agreed, I felt that.
The CGI quality came under fire, which makes sense in the light of a recent article about the short turnaround times for VFX teams to deliver on an increasing number of movies and series. However, we saw it in 3D so any issues there may have been didn’t bother me too much, tbh. My dodgy eyesight is both a gift and a curse.
There was a barrage of jokes and gags. I didn’t mind this – dad bod to god bod and all…
People wanted to see more of Jane, and they didn’t take too kindly to the fact that Jane’s cancer diagnosis wasn’t fully explored. I would have liked to see her transform into the Mighty Thor for the first time, but I didn’t feel like the lack of exploration of her condition took away from the emotional beats in the film.
Lack of depth to Gorr. With the benefit of hindsight, this was one of the elements that bothered me the most. I would have liked to see more dimension to Gorr as a villain, and explore his tragic backstory against the backdrop of the concept of putting one’s faith in a higher power, only to discover that the higher power isn’t there (nor interested) to answer your prayers. In that way, his final scene with his daughter would have packed more of an emotional punch.
Plot conveniences like Heimdall’s son, and the feeling that he was only created in the film to facilitate Thor’s communication with the kids.
When all this is said and done, I still enjoyed the film tremendously and give it a solid four stars. Korg – and later, Face Corg – was awesome as always. The screaming space goats made me cackle. Russell Crowe’s greasy Greek Zeus was a joy. And I loved the running gag of an increasingly jealous and misbehaving Stormbreaker.
Like many of the stories Korg told over the course of the movie, it was a weird and wonderful stand-alone Classic Thor Adventure, just like it was Classic Taika. Will it win an Oscar? Doubtful. Was it divisive? Yes! Was it totally terrible? Not at all! It was a fun time in the cinema where I could forget about my troubles for a brief moment in my day.
And sometimes, that’s exactly the purpose a movie should serve.
It feels like yesterday. I was sitting on my friend’s bedroom floor, helping her pack for her US trip, when I suddenly stopped. What was that about blue semen and a flaky penis?
Turns out I was listening to Book 2, Chapter 15 – a.k.a Jim’s Secret. The book: Belinda Blinked. The podcast: My Dad Wrote a Porno.
Up until that point, I hadn’t been much of a podcast fan. My Dad Wrote a Porno changed all that, and as it turned out, I was rather late to the party. The podcast already had a global following, with the likes of superfans Elijah Wood and Michael Sheen contributing to the weekly Footnotes.
I became a dedicated Belinker (superfans of the podcast). So dedicated, I was probably the only person on the 2018 New York Marathon course whose running playlist comprised enough MDWAP chapters to take me through the trip to the start line on Staten Island, along the 42.2km course, and the last bit of walking to the Columbus Circle subway station.
So, what is it about?
My Dad Wrote a Porno is a weekly British podcast that, er, comes out on a Monday (a.k.a. #pornoday), with Jamie Morton reading a new chapter from the amateur erotic novel, while his friends James Cooper and Alice Levine provide running commentary, much hilarity, and the occasional anatomy lesson.
Image: mydadwroteaporno.com
It follows the misadventures and sexual exploits of Belinda Blumenthal, whose work as the new International Sales Director of Steeles Pots and Pans takes her around the world meeting a variety of sales reps, business associates and suppliers (including Jim Sterling and his flaky peen). As the books progress, Flintstone throws in clever twists, industrial espionage and an arch villain. Such fun!
Since launching back in 2015, the podcast has amassed a global following, had an HBO comedy special in 2019 and will continue their sell-out World Tour in 2022.
The kicker: Belinda Blinked is written by Morton’s dad, a retired builder who goes under the pen name Rocky Flintstone. He shared some of the initial chapters with son Jamie, who was so horrified by what he had read that he shared it with his best friends, which sparked the idea to turn it into a podcast.
The worst best erotic fiction ever written
But Belinda Blinked isn’t your ordinary erotic fiction. It is a badly – albeit enthusiastically – written series of erotic novels that have asperations of doubling as business manuals. Rocky has zero respect for grammatical rules or literary best practices… or the basic knowledge of the female anatomy for that matter. You will even find a key character getting a random, temporary name change at some point.
When you settle down to listen to the first few chapters you’ll find yourself focusing on the terrible writing and hilarious running commentary. And to be perfectly honest, in the beginning there is no real reason to listen other than to laugh with Jamie, Jamie and Alice. Then you find yourself coming back for more, because surely it can’t get more ridiculous, more funny, more cringe-worthy, right? (It can, and it will.)
However, by the time you get to the third or fourth series, you are so fully invested in the crazy characters, plot twists, and cliff-hangers (or clit-hangers as they are known here) that you will keep coming back for more.
And therein is the genius of Rocky Flintstone. Sure, you laugh at him in the beginning. Sure, the books are absolutely ridiculous. Sure, the writing is atrocious. But, through Flintstone’s son and his friends, Belinda Blinked has become a welcome respite from a world gone mad. And behind the bad grammar and dubious punctuation is a story expertly and intricately woven together – something you will only realise much, much later.
Hilarious quotes for your consideration
“Her tits hung freely, like pomegranates.”
“‘Absolutely,’ Peter replied, ‘In fact, this afternoon weβve just ordered 3000 units of your Oxy Brillo range to get you started, and my purchasing team are looking at other products of yours which will fit into our present range of kitchen utensils.’ ‘Wow!’ Belinda gasped and opened her legs slightly.”
βBelinda bent over and pulled the plastic handcuffs over the Duchesses ankles. The Duchess stood up and stretched her cramped body. Her nipples hardened with her feeling and they were now as large as the three inch rivets which had held the hull of the fateful Titanic together.β
“A small spiral staircase led up to a cramped area above the first class passenger section β¦ Hazel headed immediately to B3, and went inside. To their surprise the whole area was a large bed, nothing else, but it was big enough for three peopleβ¦ B3. ‘Does B3 mean Bonking capacity for three people?’ ‘Exactly’, replied Hazel, ‘Do you think us air crew are stupid?'”
“In fact, everyone here today is going home with a non-stick tin wok. If you look under your seats.”
But… it’s porn!
Yes… but also, no. It is so cringeworthy, laugh-out-loud ridiculous and unrealistic that people have written to the trio to tell them how listening to MDWAP as a couple has helped them be less fearful and embarrassed of sex. It has sparked dialogue on various topics, including women taking ownership of their bodies and experiences.
If nothing else, it helps us laugh again. And by the old gods and the new – we need more laughter these days.
*Spoilers Ahead* Schitt’s Creek has never really been on my superfan radar. I’ve watched random episodes here and there, but usually had another series I was busy fangirling over at the time.
And then I moved to a small town.
Struggling to adjust to life on the farm, while grappling with a series of family crises to the point that I believed our move was cursed, I desperately needed mindless entertainment to take my mind off things… and that’s when I rediscovered the glorious celebration of life and love that is Schitt’s Creek.
The premise of this Emmy Award winning comedy gem from Canada is simple: The filthy rich Rose family – comprising video store tycoon Johnny Rose, his soap opera star wife Moira, and their two adult children David and Alexis – find themselves bankrupt and out on the street, and are forced to move to the only asset they have left: a one horse town called Schitt’s Creek, that Johnny once bought as a gag birthday gift for his son.
Completely out of touch with the realities of normal life, and living in a ramshackle motel, the 6-season series follows the misadventures of the four Roses as they navigate a more ordinary existence, away from the trappings of their former wealth.
Schitt’s Creek is as funny as it is heartwarming. Here are five reasons why you should change your Schitt’s Creek status from Watch List to Actively Watching.
1. Character Development
When we first meet the Roses they are out of touch, over the top, and ready to skip town at the first opportunity. But by Season 3 you are actively rooting for their happiness.
And let’s not forget the quirky residents of Schitt’s Creek – from motel clerk Stevie to Mayor Roland Schitt. You’ll love getting to know them as the seasons go by.
Each character is a fully rounded individual. Watch the post-series “Best Wishes, Warmest Regards” for insights into the lengths that show creators, father and son duo Eugene and Dan Levy (who play Johnny and David respectively) went to to develop each character before the cameras started rolling.
Netflix
2. Embracing LGBTQ
Think of the majority of series and films with LGBTQ storylines and you’ll think of struggle and conflict. This doesn’t happen in Schitt’s Creek, and is the result of a deliberate decision made by the show’s creators to create a world of absolute acceptance, support and love.
In addition to David’s shenanigans throughout the series, Schitt’s Creek also produces one of the most beautiful relationships in TV history in the form of David and Patrick.
In fact, there are only a few occasions that sexuality is ever addressed in the series, including this iconic exchange between David and Stevie…
Stevie: So, just to be clearβ¦ Iβm a red wine drinker.
David: Thatβs fine.
Stevie: Okay, cool. I only drink red wine. And up until last night, I was under the impression that you, too, only drank red wine. But I guess I was wrong?
Stevie: Oh, so youβre just really open to *all* wines.
David: I like the wine and not the label. Does that make sense?
… and when Moira gets invited to Ronnie’s house for some political canvassing, and misunderstands what Ronnie means by her addressing a “key demographic”.
Glaad
3. Moira Rose – Fashion, Wigs & An Outlandish Vocabulary
Moira Rose (played by Catharine O’Hara) is no ordinary mom; she can’t even remember her daughter Alexis’s second name. But all her shortcomings make her even more lovable, and whether you’re here for her screaming, outlandish vocabulary and obscure accent, her uniquely quirky fashion sense or her hysterical wig collection – there’s a Moira for every viewer. Over the course of six seasons, she’s come up with some pearls:
βIβm positively bedeviled with meetings, et cetera.β
βAlexis, donβt be ridiculous. Thatβs exactly the kind of paranoia that makes me weary of spending time with you.β
βWhat you did was impulsive, capricious, and melodramaticβ¦ but it was also wrong.β
“David, stop acting like a disgruntled pelican.”
Alexis: “What’s your favourite season?” Moira: “Awards.”
David and Patrick’s love story is one for the ages, and you are guaranteed to catch feelings during the course of seasons 3 – 6.
Of course, our David Rose had a variety of interesting conquests during the course of the series – including a rather complicated throuple – but from the moment they met to the final seconds of the very last episode, they will make you believe in true love.
5. Short Episodes
Let’s be real: It’s difficult to binge too many episodes of any series in one sitting. The great news is that each episode of Schitt’s Creek averages around 22 minutes, which means you can easily binge a season in one evening. Plus, short and punchy episodes are just the pockets of happiness one needs in this crazy world.
BONUS: Satisfying Series Ending
Guys – what is it with our favourite and most beloved series having the crappiest series ending? Dexter. Game of Thrones. How I Met Your Mother. The list goes on…
Schitt’s Creek has undoubtedly the perfectly most satisfying series conclusion. It wraps things up while leaving the offscreen continuation of the story up to the fans’ imagination. It leaves you wanting more, but in a good way. It’s perfect. Just perfect.
What do you get when you put five stand-up comedians, two musical acts, a magician and two (nearly) naked dancers on the same stage? Another year of the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival, which returned to Cape Town and the Baxter Theatre on 1 July.
Show producer Eddy Cassar has once again hand-picked the acts for their unique contribution to the almost two hour show, and he has clearly not lost his touch, because the 15th edition of Cape Town’s annual winter comedic tonic has been playing to full houses and standing ovations ever since its opening night.
When word got out that Marc Lottering would not return to his usual headliner slot, many people wondered who could possibly take his place. After all, Marc has always been a popular member of the cast and a big drawcard to the show’s diverse Cape Town audience.
The answer is two-fold: Sifiso Nene made his debut at the Funny Festival, and soon had people talking about his subtle yet hilarious digs at SA’s cultural divide (“It takes a village to raise one black child. In white families, it just takes… Mavis.”). I have personally seen people falling out of their seats from laughing at his antics – he is THAT good. I hope Sifiso returns to Cape Town really soon! Otherwise I’ll have to go look him up with I’m in Jo’burg in September.
Sifiso Nene talks about eyebrows.
Closing the show is Emo Adams and his humerous musical stylings, deftly supported by a guitarist and … drummer? Not quite sure what to call the guy keeping the box beat, but I digress. Emo’s set has people in stitches, he is never off-key, and he earns bonus points for his fab adaptation of Punjabi MC’s Mundian To Bach Ke which closes the show. Off-stage, this is a man who travels to Jo’burg and walks off the plane straight onto the Funny Festival stage almost every day, while also navigating life with three youngsters and a newborn at home. Respect.
Emo Adams hits the right notes.
But that’s not to say the other acts don’t deserve glowing reviews, because they do!
Alan Committie returns as the MC – the glue that keeps everything together, and the person responsible for warming up the crowd ahead of each act. It’s a massive responsibility for an ensemble cast like this one, and he does the job exceptionally. As a loyal Committie fan, I’m always in awe of his ability to effortlessly improvise within his carefully crafted set.
Alan Committie’s word games always draws the laughs.
Lindy Johnson opens the show and sets the scene for the rest of the evening. She’s made waves on the comedy scene since she won the talent search that first brought her to the Funny Festival stage, and has since moved to the bright lights of Jo’burg. With her megawatt smile, big hair and even bigger personality, Lindy is the perfect show opener.
Lindy’s love life is as entertaining as the rest of her set.
Up next is Ozzie magician and mentalist, Matt Tarrant. He tries to convince the audience that he is not that great a magician and entertainer to wow the entire crowd, but once you’ve seen his mentalism act and astonishing close-up card manipulation set, you’ll stay up at night wondering “HOW THE HELL DID HE DO THAT?!?!?” He is brilliant, and if you love magic, he is a must-see.
Matt Tarrant’s mentalism skills are rad to the power of sick.
Carvin H. Goldstone, the Jewlu from Durban (go and check out the show to understand the reference) is fantastic. When I initially read some reviews about him, there was consistent reference to his clean, family friendly sets, which of course made me wonder, “… but is he funny?” Boy… this guy is brilliant! His delivery is hilarious and sincere, all at once. And his keen observations and impersonations are on point. I will keep an eye on his show dates to make sure I see him in another setting in the coming years.
Want to know why Carvin H. Goldstone reminds you of someone? Come to the show to find out.
Funny Festival regular, Kev Orkian, closes the first half on a musical note. He is fantastic as the single-guy-in-need-of-love-and-a-visa Armenian, and he is larger than life on stage. The fact that Prince Philip is a big fan who once delayed going to another engagement to congratulate Kev on his show in person should tell you everything you need to know about this incredible performer.
Calling all the single ladies. Kev as the lovelorn Armenian is looking for you.
And then there’s Obakeng Moroe. A fine performer and awesome human, it is almost impossible to think that Obakeng has ONLY been doing comedy for six months. He is the most recent new comic talent search winner to grace the Funny Festival stage, and judging by the audience’s reaction to him night after night, Obakeng has a bright comedy future ahead of him.
Obakeng has hairdresser trouble. Come and see the show to find out why.
Last but not least, dancing duo Ash and Brad Searle (a.k.a. The Big Boys) bring some serious eye candy to the stage. Their set has everything: dancing, comedy, pom poms, six packs, daring gymnastics, the flash of a butt cheek, comedy, dancing, hot bodies… sorry, where was I? If you’ve ever seen them at their spiritual home, Kalk Bay Theatre, you’ll be familiar with their awesome moves. If not, do yourself a favour and see them before Funny Festival comes to an end. You’ll leave, er, satisfied.
The Big Boys are certainly… talented.
There’s only a week left of this awesome comedy and variety show. Most shows are sold out, and if you left your ticket buying too late, it appears that your last chance to see the performers in action is on Monday, 22 July. Do yourself a favour and book your tickets at Webtickets before it’s too late.
You may not feel like venturing out into the cold at night, but once you’ve seen the 15th Jive Cape Town Funny Festival, you’ll be glad you did.
As the proud family of House Wyrd, we have been keeping you up to date with all things Game of Thrones. And as the saying goes on the Iron Isles, What is dead may never die… So we rise again – bigger better and stronger as SUPERFANS, your official guide eating, drinking, entertaining, theatering, magic’ing in Cape Town, South Africa, and beyond.
We are excited to keep on sharing the latest in film, series, comic, gaming, and much more. Join us, and let’s wave our superfan freak flags together.
We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to contribute our thoughts to a Sunday Times article ahead of the Game of Thrones season and series finale.
We were hugely excited to join Pippa Hudson, on Cape Talk on 17 May to chat all things Game of Thrones, ahead of the season and series finale.
Khaleesi Fazielah and Night Queen Leonie joined Pippa in studio ( together with Nicola Burns and her GoT BFF Elri Steenkamp), while Lord Grey Tendai joined us over the phone from Harare, and we chatted about watch parties, cosplay, plot twists, and who we believed would end up on the Iron Throne.
David and D.B. have finally done it: Season 8 has broken the internet, divided the people, and is threatening to tear House Wyrd apart. Can our once peaceful house recover from our vastly differing opinions?
I’m finally back after after taking some time out to mourn the death of my Night King, when Arya’s cunning switcheroo in the epic Episode 3 brought an end to one of my favourite characters. RIP Night King, Melisandre, Theon, Edd, Lyanna, Ser Jorah, Beric, Viserion, and all the Dothraki and Unsullied.
The Night King has left the Game
But I digress. The GOT fandom was still basking in the warm and fuzzies from the fireside party that was Episode 2, so it was inevitable that Episode 3 (and now also E4 and E5) would be quite divisive. What became quite clear was that the show was not pandering to the wants, needs and feelings of millions of fans. It has a story to tell. It has a story to finish. And time’s running out.
And THAT was when the shit hit the fan. First, GOT fans freaked out because the episode was too dark. I’d love to know how many of them saw the original HBO episode on TV vs dabbling in the noble art of soft piracy. I loved the fact that it was dark and confusing and scary and suffocating. I’ve never been in a war, but I have been in a (well-lit) karate match, and when you’re in the thick of things, nothing else matters than what is happening right in front of you. It’s bloody scary. Your heart rate goes through the roof. It’s confusing. All sound is drowned out. And no amount of training can prepare you for what you’re about to face. That’s how I felt watching Episode 3.
Which brings me to Episode 5 – a.k.a. that one time Dany went batshit crazy, fresh from the deaths of her beloved Ser Jorah, Missandei, Rhaegal and the majority of her carefully curated army…
I’ve been wondering how to sum up Episode 5 since seeing it (twice) on Monday night. Working in communications and on social media, I had switched all my SM platforms over to client accounts so that I’d be spared daytime spoilers. I wasn’t quite prepared for the flash flood of fandom hate when I switched back to my own accounts. I already knew that House Wyrd’s Khaleesi Fazielah was breathing fire and getting ready to burn things. But by the old gods and the new, I was unprepared for all the interweb anger!
So I decided to stay in my lane, focus on my work and wait for Ozzy Man to publish his review. As it turns out, we feel the same about the episode, so I’ll let Ozzy speak for me once again… ππ My favourite takeaway though – and something I have said during many a Whatsapp conversation this week – Game of Thrones is doing what it’s always done: Making us angry when it doesn’t do what we want.
Here are some of my personal notes from Episode 5:
Dany’s descent to madness: I am not surprised that Daenerys burned the city. As she and Drogon sat on that rooftop, she realised that all her dreams had come to naught. She lost those she loved. She was not loved by the people of Kings Landing. They were not happy to see her. Think about it: The only time she was the benevolent queen was when she was adored by those she freed. She killed everyone else. She’s been promising death to those who stood against her since Season 2. I am not surprised; in fact, I would have been disappointed if she had gotten off her dragon and started kissing babies.
Jaime & Cersei’s deaths: Ooh, this got people’s g-strings in a twist. The fans wanted (1) Jaime to kill Cersei, (2) Drogon to roast Cersei, (3) Cersei to win the throne, give birth to a little prince who would not be as mad as Joffrey. I couldn’t keep up. I found their deaths beautifully poetic. They came into the world together. They left the world together. They, too, dreamed of cocktails on the beach and a long life together, and it is widely accepted that theirs was probably the most normal and traditional love story on Game of Thrones. We had a chance to get another rare glimpse of Cercei’s humanity – which we last saw during the Walk of Shame – before she was literally crushed under the weight of the Red Keep and her sins.
As an aside… did anyone see those little wildfire explosions? I was actually convinced that Cersei would use her secret stash of wildfire to blow everyone up rather than surrender. In hindsight I’m glad that didn’t happen, but those green plumes were a joy to behold.
Varys: I honestly thought Varys was going to make it to the end. My theory has always been that either Varys or Littlefinger would die, but not both. That being said, I’m totally convinced that he was trying to poison Dany, and the scene with Drogon appearing from the cover of darkness was truly frightening. But man… Varys was probably the one person who actually served the realm, and I wish he’d stayed alive a little longer.
The Hound: I really liked Sandor Clegane. I loved his character arc. And everyone knows that, in the unlikely event that my darling husband dies an unexpectedly premature death, I’ll turn into a total creeper, look for Rory Mccann and go live on his boat. Sandor died a hero’s death by facing his fear of fire and dragging his zombie brother into the pits of hell. RIP Sandor – you are finally free.
I know it’s not popular opinion, but I’m loving Season 8. We knew things would be a little rushed. And, if you set your passions aside for just a moment, you’ll also realise that it’s not the showrunners’ job to make us happy, to make our fan theories come true, or to give us what we expect. It’s their job to create a compelling story, and I for one am glad they did.
I’m not saying there aren’t issues. There have been some continuity problems (coffee-cup-gate, and Jaime’s missing golden hand in that final embrace to name but two), and there are some problems one cannot deny.
But you know what… life is stressful enough. For better or for worse, I prefer to not think about these things too deeply. If you seek issues you will find them. Instead, I choose to go along for the dragon ride and enjoy the spectacle that is the show I have loved for a decade, and take great care representing in costume.
(Fortress of Solitude wrote an interesting piece on fandom outrage.)
Theory / Finale Prediction: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Drogon is going to melt the Iron Throne. I do believe that Dany is going to be killed. Sansa will remain Lady of the North. I secretly hope she ends up marrying Tyrion, now the tallest Lannister around. And, yes, I hope that Arya and Gendry will become a power couple who will travel the realm as mercenaries. She deserves a good man who won’t try and turn her into a lady, and he can make her weapons.
MVP: Euron, the pirate with the guyliner. He bedded the queen. He killed a bunch of people. He had a ton of fun while doing so. I do understand that his character development wasn’t as extensive as in the books, but I do love a bad boy who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Quote of the Episode: Varys: I hope I deserve this. Truly, I do. <You didn’t, Varys. You definitely did not.>
Recap: As a sucker for puns, the episode title immediately stood out. As it turned out, I had it slightly wrong – originally thinking that it only referred to Jaime as the O.G. knight who is currently in the middle of his redemption tour, while also being a play on words as this episode would probably show the final night where peeps from across the seven kingdoms would enjoy a spot of friendly banter before facing certain death.
Instead (or, should I say, in addition), the title also referred to how Brienne of Tarth went from a Lady to a Ser with the touch of a sword. It was a beautiful moment, – wonderfully played by Gwendoline Christie.
The act of knighting Brienne added additional depth to Jaime’s character arc. Gone is Shrek’s Prince Charming lookalike who once shoved a boy out of a window. And, like he mentioned to both Bran and Brienne, he is a different man now. I’ve always liked Jaime. Even when he was an arrogant sister-shagging ponce, he showed great kindness to Tyrion when nobody else did, which gave us a glimpse of the man he would eventually become. I enjoyed witnessing his evolution as a human being.
I don’t buy the Jaime-Brienne romance that GOT fans are pushing though. What I see is two individuals who have been through their fair share in life, and who have deep love, respect and admiration for one another. The kind of love only the truest friendship and loyalty brings.
With the series nearing its end and storylines converging, the episode was understandably content-dense (Ghost! Gendria! Theon & Sansa! “Dany, I am your nephew”! The arrival of the White Walkers! Grey Worm promising Missandei cocktails on the beach!). But the central theme for me was what it meant to be a Knight. To live with honour. To become a person of honour when you weren’t before. It was interesting to see how many of those characters embodied the characteristics of Knighthood without necessarily being Knights themselves. Who has evolved over the past decade to the point where they are now brave, just, and defenders the innocent.
In the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. Yet, in episode 2, it was refreshing to see that the Iron Throne was the last thing on most characters’ minds. Former enemies were now brothers and sisters in arms. Together, and with the knowledge that most of them would be dead within the next 24 hours, they were brave, just, and focused on defending the innocent. Like real Knights do.
Full S08E02 Review By My Man – OZZY MAN
Theory: My inner conspiracy theorist says that this episode (and 1, for that matter) was all about making us love everyone again before cruelly ripping them from our hearts and minds in E3. My death list for next week stands as follow: Grey Worm, Davos, everyone in the Crypt, Jaime in Brienne’s arms after saving her, Edd, Berick and Theon. Will Bran warg into the Night King? I’m not sure… but I DO know that we’ll need extra snacks and tissues next week.
MVP: Brienne is the obvious choice, but I am going to go left of centre here and nominate our Pod. Apart from having a voice of an angel, he has been consistently loyal and true to those he serves.
Quote of the Episode: βIβm no king, but if I were. Iβd knight you ten times over.β β Tormund to Brienne
A new initiative of the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival is to search the entire city and uncover for Cape Townβs next great comic. The township-wide search, aptly called Kasi World Comedy Showdown, has opened its call for entries to search for the cityβs next great funnyman. Entrants will compete for a R5000.00 cash prize and a spot on the prestigious Jive Cape Town Funny Festival.
The Cape Town Funny Festival, the cityβs largest comedy project, opens at the Baxter Theatre from 1-28 July. The winner gets to share the stage with some of the biggest names in the comedy industry locally and internationally. Past winners include Reagan Allen, Lindy Johnson and Yaaseen Barnes and others, who have all made their mark on the South African comedy industry. Additionally, the winner is guaranteed a spot at the annual One Man Comedy Show Extravaganza planned for the Mother City, later in the year.
Eddy Cassar, Festival Director of the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival says that he is thrilled with the development.
βBesides holding the annual search with the Cape Town Comedy Club, which will continue, I am proud to venture into the townships with a separate competition and search the entire City to find its funniest new comic. In the past I have witnessed raw talent develop into confident top class performers, which has transformed peoples livesβ. Itβs a noble initiative and one that the Funny Festival is proud to be part ofβ.
The competition is open to all amateur and semi-professional comedians and also allows entrants who have never performed before the opportunity to showcase their talent. The material must be devoid of offensive language and/or profanities and all material must be delivered in English as the winner plays on an International stage.
The Kasi World Comedy Showdown takes place over a period of five weeks and follows the time frame as follows:
Call to entry opens on the 11th of March 2019 and closes on Friday the 22nd of March 2019 midnight.
Screening of all of the chosen comedians is scheduled Saturday the 30th of March 2019 at Makukhanye Art Room
After the contestants have been screened, those selected will be allocated into different heats, according to their residential township. Family and friends are encouraged to support the comics at the heats. The grand finale takes place at the Makukhanye Art Room in Khayelitsha on 4 May.
Heat 01 – Saturday 6 April – Black Box Theatre at Rent Office, Delft.
Heat 02 – Saturday 13 April – Kraai4Theatre, Kraaifontein.
Heat 03 – Saturday 20 April β Zolani Center, Nyanga.
Final β Saturday 4 May – Makukhanye Art Room, Khayelitsha.
Hopeful entrants must send their entries on either Facebook, Twitter, Instagram using the hashtags #KasiWorldComedyShowdown2019 and #KWCS2019.
Entrants need to send a video clip of maximum a minute, including name and address, comedic material, age and the reason for entering. Further information please email KasiWorldComedy@gmail.com.
All heats are judged by audience audience except for the final round where a panel of judges will preside.
