Game of Thrones Recap: Kissed By Fire

Another week, another new epsiode of of Game of Thrones! "Kissed By Fire" is the fifth episode this season, marking the halfway point. Only 5 left, very sad. But when they are this good, I suppose we should not complain. Read on for the recap! 

Arya

Well, the Hound and the One-Eyed Man – who has a name, it is Beric – fight, and Beric's sword is on fire! No matter – after a pretty nice swordfight with lots of growls and yelling, the Hound slices down upon Beric's shoulder, essentially cutting him in two. The priest of the Lord of Light falls upon his body, and a then he LIVES. What the what. Arya doesn't know what to make of it either; and she is pretty mad that the Hound gets to go free, and then later she asks Beric if the Lord of Light can bring back men who've lost their heads, like her dad. Sad face. Beric shows her his scars and tell her that he's died six times now – even the Hound's brother killed him once. Arya is also preparing to get to Camp Stark in Riverrun, and asks Gendry (King Robert's bastard) to come with her. He refuses, saying he wants to choose his own path, and wants to stay with the Brotherhood. Arya is quite sad this episode.

Camp Stark

Robb is pissed. The lord of house Karstark marched into the castle with some men and killed the two Lannister squires in revenge for the loss of his own sons and soldiers, even though they technically didn't do anything. Robb is upset that men are flouting his orders left and right, and orders everyone involved to be hanged. Catlin and her brother tell him that if he hangs Lord Karstark, he'll lose their men, a loss he can't afford. He angrily beheads Lord Karstark anyway.

Later we see Robb puzzling over his war plans, moving small figures around a table to figure out his next move. His wife Talisa comes in and soothes him a bit, and then he decides he will attack Casterly Rock for revenge on the Lannisters. He will, however, need more men. He realizes that the men he needs are from the house of the girl he was supposed to marry – House Frey. We see a plan forming in a little lightbulb over his head!

Beyond the Wall

Jon Snow and Ygritte finally get it on in a cave with hot springs. Nudity all around!

Hit the jump for the full recap!

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Game of Thrones Recap: And Now His Watch Is Ended

Game of Thrones was fantastic this week, you guys! Love love love. Might be the best one yet (yep, I totally said it), and it will definitely go down as one of the top episodes of all time. Without further delay, here is the recap for "And Now His Watch Is Ended"

Jamie and Brienne

Thankfully, the ep started off with Jamie right away, since we were eager to see how he survived his unhanding. The answer is, not surprisingly: not well at all. His hand is tied around his neck to tell his shame, and he falls off his horse into the mud. The bandits kick and beat him, especially when he tries to fight them with his other hand. Brienne is watching out for him the best she can, but there isn't much she can do.

Later in the episode, a defeated mud-encrusted Jamie sits at the fire with Brienne, refusing to eat. She tells him to eat, to live and take revenge. She also goads him about his whining, crying, and quitting, and calls him a woman – yes his lot in life just got a bit crappier, but he's still a damn Lannister and all that. He begrudgingly eats, and then Brienne is downright nice about him saving her from rape prior to his hand being chopped off. Her father has no actual riches to speak of, but Jamie lied for her – she asks him why, but he won't answer. I really love them as unlikely comrades in their currently shitty situation.

Bran & Littlest Stark, Hodor, and Tonks

We briefly see Bran dreaming again of the three-eyed crow, and the redheaded boy is with him as well. This storyline is dull at the moment, I hope something interesting happens soon.

Hit the jump for more from this explosive episode of Game of Thrones!

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Game of Thrones Double Recap: "Dark Wings, Dark Words" & "Walk of Punishment"

Greetings, fans of Westeros! Welcome to my double recap of episodes two and three – "Dark Wings, Dark Words" and "Walk of Punishment". I have to say, I felt that so little actually happened in episode two that it only warranted a short summary, not an entire post/recap. Not a ton of action in that one! Good thing episode three was really important – I'll get to that craziness in just a minute. But first things first!

Episode 2: Dark Wings, Darks Words

Beyond the Wall

Poor old Samwell, still getting crap from his fellow Night's Watch brethren. One asshat in particular is goading him on, pushing him around. The commander stands up for him, and tells the bully that Samwell is in his charge, and if anything happens to him, the commander will kill the bully. Glad Samwell still has someone grumpily looking out for him.

Only a brief glimpse of Jon Snow, Ygritte, and the wildlings – they are watching a warg, or person who can commune with animals and see what they see, with his eye white and blank. Jon has never seen a warg, and neither have we. That leads us to…

Bran & Littlest Stark, Hodor, and Tonks

…Bran and his whole ability to dream through the eyes of the wolves, and seeing the crow with the third eye mean he is also a warg. He is met in the forest by the adorable redheaded kid from Love Actually! He tells Bran he's a warg too, and tells the group to follow him. There are several scenes of them trudging around the countryside talking. Hopefully something more interesting will occur there soon

In King's Landing

Supposed queen-to-be Margaery and her grandma invite Sansa for tea, trying to figure out what the deal is with Joffrey. Sansa finally breaks under the women's questioning and says he's a monster. They only look a little worried, I suppose they feel Joffrey can be dealt with. Margaery ,meets with Joffrey later in his chambers and he shows her a new crossbow – it is all very suggestive and phallic. Margaery seems shrewd, I hope she will gain the upper hand with Joffrey soon – she seems well on her way already. We also see Tyrion making out with handmaiden/whore Shea. Same old, same old from these two.

Hit the jump for more!

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"Game of Thrones" Recap: Valar Dohaeris

Greetings, TV lovers! I am back from hibernation (which is ironic, since winter is coming) to bring you this season's Game of Thrones recaps! There is a lot to keep track of in these crazy realms, so hopefully you are all caught up on seasons one and two, and ready for more political intrigue, new allegiances, and lots of dirty guys and gals in armor.

After the obligatory here-is-what-you-missed-while-you-were-hiding-under-a-rock recap of season 2, the premiere, entitled "Valar Dohaeris" allows us to relive Daenerys' rage filled fire at her dragons' warlock captures, and we heard them shrieking and ripping things to shreds. Score. Those blue-mouthed weirdos scare me.

Beyond the Wall:

Then there is fat friend, Samwell Tardy, running through the snow away from the white walkers. He is attacked by a zombie white walker, but Jon Snow's wolf saves him! Huzzah. The Lord Commander, Mormont, helps out by lighting it on fire. We learn that poor hapless Samwell hasn't sent out the ravens like he was supposed. Idiot. I still like him though!  I also like me some Jon Snow, and we catch up with him and Ygritte at the wildlings adopted 'king' who used to be a night's watchman (aka Aberforth Dumbledore – Ciaran Hinds! Approve). Jon sees a giant hauling wood in the camp, a first for him and the viewers. Once faced with the not-king, Mance Rayder, Jon tells him about the white walkers and says he has come to fight and wonders if he has chosen a fighting side. This goes over well, and he is accepted.

In King's Landing:

Cersei pays Tyrion a visit. He is still recovering from the battle and has a deep scar across much of his face. Cersei tries to weasel of out him why he was to meet with their father later that day. The two trade barbs but she doesn't get any information. We soon discover that Tyrion wants to leave King's Landing and take up residence in Casterly Rock, the Lannister ancestral castle/home. Since his older brother Jamie joined the king's guard and gave up his inheritance, Tyrion insists it is his by right. Tywin thinks very differently, slandering Tyrion, his dwarf stature, his preference for wine and whores, the whole deal. Tyrion stomps off.

Hit the jump for the full recap!

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Review: Doctor Who, "The Bells of St. John"

Right, then, Clara Oswald. Time to find out who you are.

After losing her twice before (in "Asylum of the Daleks" and "The Snowmen"), the Doctor finally meets his impossible girl again. But just who is Clara "Oswin" Oswald?

If you were expecting to find out everything today, you were gravely mistaken.  Still, we have a strong, fun episode to get us back into the swing of things and re-re-reintroduce us to the universe's next companion.

"The Bells of St. John" marks Jenna-Louise Coleman's first official appearance as companion Clara. These first companion episodes (as they should be) are all about the chemistry and the spark between Doctor and his newest assistant. The Doctor needs to be so amazing and spectacular that the companion wants to be whisked away by this youthful, 1100-year-old man, but the companion also needs to be as intriguing and challenging to make the Doctor offer the ride. They have to work best off of each other, and they have to overcome the foe together.

Hit the jump for the full Who review!

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Review: Community, "Economics of Marine Biology"

If you don't like the crispy-liscious taste of Let's, feel free to eat that other greasy brand.

A second solid episode in a row after our exploration into Changnesia! May this trend continue.

Stepping away (slightly) from the overtly serious tone in earlier weeks, "Economics of Marine Biology" was all about the hijinks that can ensue when the group can all be set together in one goal. Dean Pelton is set on landing a Greendale "whale": a low-achieving, high-income student named Archie Decoste (Zack Pearlman), who was recently arrested for selling marijuana to a police officer at a police station. To snag the whale, the Dean enlists the study group (and all of Greendale) to showcase its best worst behavior to entice the human dollar sign to enroll.

While I've had issue with competing subplots in earlier this season, this episode with no less than four plots actually delivered: the main "whale" plot, Abed's Delta Cubes, Troy and Shirley in P.E.E., and barbershop bonding with Pierce and Jeff. While there is some inherent crowding with so many plots at once, none of them overstayed their individual welcome, and each was given time to continue without any part feeling too rushed.

The episode opens with the Dean debriefing the study group of Greendale's newest target: the perfect mix of low intellect, high lack of ambition, and limitless parental support. After Britta's initial indignation of chasing a "rich dumb-dumb" instead of a "science genius," everyone readily admits that Greendale could use more money. Even "too cool for school" Winger is on board with the plan, if at least to get away from Pierce, since this plan is being set up specifically on his day off.

Hit the jump for the full recap and review of "Economics of Marine Biology!"

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Review: Community, "Advanced Documentary Filmmaking"

Science tells us hitting his head would only cure him if hitting his head was the original cause.

I admit to have been a little confused when I saw we were going for "Abed Makes a Documentary," Round 3. Did we really have to do this again? (And we're not even counting the semi-documentary in Season 2's "Messianic Myths" and the historic Ken Burns-style "Pillows and Blankets.")

But who am I to complain when "Advanced Documentary Filmmaking" is easily the strongest episode of this season so far?

This episode wasn't filled with a crazy amount of laughs, but it was full of some pretty good moments. There weren't any of the awkward pacing issues, overly rushed endings, and most importantly, competing subplots that have plagued this season. We just get a solid episode whose conceit (although not novel) is naturally executed. This was an episode where it simply felt like we were in a good place, and that hasn't been true for much of this abbreviated season.

The episode opens with the title cards for another documentary by A.G. Nadir. The Dean, on course to help "Kevin" recover from Changnesia, discovers that his rehabilitation is actually a financial drain on the school. He has tasked Abed with filming a documentary about the pun-filled disease in a bid to obtain grant money from the MacGuffin Neurological Institute, whose coffers must be as deep as its name is fantastic.

Hit the jump for the full review of "Advanced Documentary Filmmaking!"

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Review: Community, "Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations"

Just a shoelace and belt free night of fun!

"Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations" is our first solid episode of Community this season (huzzah!). It ultimately succeeds where majority of the season has failed: it left me smiling at the end, happy with our study group and hoping for more.

While the study group is imprisoned in Shirley's house of guilt for this once-again-late Thanksgiving episode, Jeff Winger finally goes face-to-face with the man whose influence is noted by his absence: his father, William Winger (James Brolin).

After planting seeds in earlier seasons (ultimately ending with the Halloween episode earlier this year), Jeff's storyline carried this episode. The meeting wasn't particularly funny - frankly, it shouldn't be - but it had a lot of truth in it. When Jeff finally confronts his father, there was an air of meaningful sadness masked in righteous vindication. It was a "you tell 'im, Winger" kind of moment, and there hasn't been many of those in the series, much less this season.

The episode opens up with our favorite study group in our favorite study room, all discussing plans for Thanksgiving. The Dean reveals that Jeff made arrangements to have dinner with his estranged father (breaking his "no reading student emails" policy), and the group reacts appropriately shocked to this sudden news. Britta, on the other hand, has the greatest reaction: her therapizing brought on this sudden approach, so she's jock jammin' it up.

Hit the jump for the full recap and review!

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10 Kick-Ass Women To Celebrate

Today is International Women's Day! I thought we would celebrate here on OTF by focusing on some badass fictional women who have busted through gender stereotypes and given us real-life women someone to look up to when the patriarchy gets us down. Here are my top ten inspirational ladies brought to life on the big and small screens.

10. Lara Croft

First stepping in to video game consoles in 1996 and then brought to life by Angelina Jolie on the silver screen, Lara Croft is the female answer to Indiana Jones, except she's far quicker on her feet than the professor, and has way cooler toys. Sporting her trademark double-holster guns, single braid, and steely glint in her eye, this is one female Brit who's not so much high tea as she is high adventure. I admire Lara's fighting spirit and the fearless way she dives headfirst into sticky situations. She's also extremely well-read and knowledgeable about her field, a deft intelligence that comes through both in the video games and the films. She may get a somewhat antifeminist rap for her bosomy profile, but she is rarely dressed for anything other than speed and comfort, eschewing the impractical for cargo shorts, backpacks, and durable non-heeled boots.

Ed. note: the newest Tomb Raider just came out this past Tuesday, and, by all accounts, it's pretty amazing! We're still in the middle of our playthrough of this prequel, but we'll be sure to address the game in the future.

9. Tami Taylor

How do I love thee, Connie Britton? Let me count the many ways. While "Mrs Coach" started out on Friday Night Lights as merely Coach Taylor's stay-at-home support system, cooking up team BBQs and putting out disagreements among the Dillion Panther boosters with her hey-y'all smile and Southern Charm, by the end of the series she was running that school as principal (and her husband's boss, no less!). The series finale sees the Taylor family helping Tami follow her dreams to a high-profile position at a university rather than her continuing to follow the whims of Texas football. She and Eric (Kyle Chandler) have one of the most realistic marriages I've ever seen portrayed on TV, and it is the backbone of this excellent show. We're rooting for her strength and grace just as much as the state championship game.

Hit the jump for the full list!

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Review: Community, "Alternative History of the German Invasion"

Changnesia? Am-dean-sia? I'm all turned around.

Unlike much of the internet, I actually enjoyed this episode. As opposed to the divide-and-conquer approach of the previous weeks' largely disappointing episodes, it was refreshing to see an episode this season where the entire gang rallies together for a common goal. It wasn't without flaws (and some of them were big), but this was an episode about the Greendale 7 and there hasn't been one at all since this short season began.

The episode opens with the group longing for their first-choice History of Ice Cream class, which, according to Garrett, is "as informative as it is delicious." It was, if you recall, originally denied from them due to the events of the first episode, but Jeff is looking forward to actually learning something (double shock!) from their altogether more mundane History course.

And then, as if by clockwerk clockwork, the Germans ruin everything. Like in Die Hard 3 and most of the 20th century.

Hit the jump for the full review!

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