Much of Game of Thrones' unlikely success can be attributed to how much it downplays the more fantastical elements. In doing so, not only does it appeal to a larger audience that wouldn't normally be interested in "nerd shows," it also makes the magical moments all the more compelling. By this point in Season 2, the show was a certified hit, but this episode's finale was a true gamble. Dragons and zombies are one thing, but zealous witches giving birth to smoke demon assassins is another thing entirely. Thankfully, one of the coolest and weirdest moments from the books becomes one of the show's most memorable scenes. The spawn of Melisandre is a horrific and amazing creation, and its existence backs up the argument that R'hllor is the one true god of Westeros. Yet in true Game of Thrones fashion, this abomination isn't even the episode's true monster. No, that distinct honor goes to King Joffrey, a villain who's even more awful onscreen than he is in the books. When Tyrion buys him a couple of prostitutes to calm him down, he uses the opportunity to take advantage of them in sadistic ways. It's an effective way to demonstrate Joffrey's inhuman cruelty, and it reaffirms Joffrey's status as one of TV's most despicable characters.
J.D. Laney is an aspiring novelist and screenwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. When he isn't trying to write his own material, he is constantly consuming the work of others for analysis and, occasionally, for fun. He has a particular interest in film, literature, and video games.
