Game of Thrones – Season 3

Description:
Duplicity and treachery…nobility and honor…conquest and triumph…and, of course, dragons. It’s ‘Game’ on for Season 3 of this epic, Emmy(R)-winning HBO series based on the bestselling book series by George R.R. Martin. In Season 3, family and loyalty are the overarching themes as many critical storylines from the first two seasons come to a brutal head. Meanwhile, the Lannisters maintain their hold on King’s Landing, though stirrings in the North threaten to alter the balance of power; Robb Stark, King of the North, faces a major calamity as he tries to build on his victories; a massive army of wildlings led by Mance Rayder (Ciaran Hinds) march for the Wall; and Daenerys Targaryen–reunited with her dragons–attempts to raise an army in her quest for the Iron Throne.

A Song of Ice and Fire:
It is interesting to see that Benioff and Weiss have cut Martin’s third book, A Storm of Swords, in two: season three is the first half; season four will be the second.

(Beware! Spoilers after the jump)

Game of Thrones – Season 2

Description:
Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue abound. The primary families are the Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon families. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard Stark to serve as his chief advisor. Eddard, suspecting that his predecessor had been murdered, accepts so that he can investigate further. It turns out more than one family is plotting to take the throne. The Queen’s family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take control. Across the sea, the last surviving members of the previously deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also plotting a return to power. The conflict between these families and others, including the Greyjoys, the Tullys, the Arryns, and the Tyrells, leads to war. Meanwhile, in the north, an ancient evil awakens. Amidst war and the political confusion, a brotherhood of misfits, The Night’s Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the horrors beyond.

The second season of the American fantasy TV series Game of Thrones premiered in the U.S. on HBO on 1 April 2012. Like the first season, it will consist of ten episodes. It will approximately cover the subject matter of A Clash of Kings, the second book of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R.R. Martin, of which the series is an adaptation. [2]

(Beware! Spoilers after the jump)

Game of Thrones – Season 2 – Seven Devils

Game of Thrones – Season 2 – The Cold Winds are Rising

Game of Thrones Season 2 (A Clash of Kings)

A new HBO teaser for Season 2

“My brother left no true-born heirs. By right and birth and blood, I do this day lay claim to the iron throne of Westeros. Let all true men declare their loyalty. The iron throne is mine by right. They will bend the knee, or I will destroy them. The cold winds are rising.”
– Stannis Baratheon

Notice the three horn blasts at the end of the clip?

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
The sound went on and on and on, until it seemed it would never die. The ravens were flapping and screaming, flying about their cages and banging off the bars, and all about the camp the brothers of the Night’s Watch were rising, donning their armor, buckling on swordbelts, reaching for battleaxes and bows. Samwell Tarly stood shaking, his face the same color as the snow that swirled down all around them. “Three,” he squeaked to Chett, “that was three, I heard three. They never blow three. Not for hundreds and thousands of years. Three means—” “—Others.”
- – (A Storm of Swords)

Welcome back Game of Thrones!

Game of Thrones – Season 2 Trailer

Game of Thrones Season 2 (A Clash of Kings)
HBO has released an in-production trailer for the second season of Game of Thrones. The trailer provides a behind-the-scenes look at the filming on season two. The new season of Game of Thrones premieres on HBO in the US in April 2012.

Game of Thrones – Season 1

Description:
Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue abound. The primary families are the Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon families. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard Stark to serve as his chief advisor. Eddard, suspecting that his predecessor had been murdered, accepts so that he can investigate further. It turns out more than one family is plotting to take the throne. The Queen’s family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take control. Across the sea, the last surviving members of the previously deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also plotting a return to power. The conflict between these families and others, including the Greyjoys, the Tullys, the Arryns, and the Tyrells, leads to war. Meanwhile, in the north, an ancient evil awakens. Amidst war and the political confusion, a brotherhood of misfits, The Night’s Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the horrors beyond.

Being a great fan of the books, I have been eagerly anticipating this series. Alas Game of Thrones is not being broadcast in Australia, but thanks to the internet where there is a will there is a way. The Australian airing is on the Showtime premium channel beginning Sun 17th July, two days before the final episode is aired in the USA.

(Beware! Spoilers after the jump)

Game of Thrones – Lemon Cakes

Tom Colicchio’s Game of Thrones food truck delivered the flavours of Westeros as part of The Maester’s Path in the lead up to the HBO premier screening. The lemon cakes are mentioned throughout the books as being a much appreciated treat.

“Gods be true, Arya, sometimes you act like such a child,” Sansa said. “I’ll go by myself then. It will be ever so much nicer that way. Lady and I will eat all the lemon cakes and just have the best time without you.”
- A Game of Thrones

Lemon Cakes (Serves 6)

• 1/2 cup sugar plus additional for dusting ramekins
• 2 eggs, separated
• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• Pinch kosher salt (a variety of edible salt with a much larger grain size than common table salt)
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Finely chopped zest of 1 1/2 lemons

Heat the oven to 300 F (150 C).
Butter and lightly sugar 6 4-ounce (0.5 US cups) ramekins.
Beat the egg whites until they hold soft peaks then set them aside.
Sift the sugar with the flour and salt. In a mixer, using the whisk attachment, combine the buttermilk, lemon juice, egg yolks and lemon zest.
Gradually add the flour mixture then fold in the egg whites.
Divide the batter between the prepared ramekins.
Place the ramekins in a water bath (set the ramekins in a larger pan; “ll the pan with enough hot water to come half way up the ramekins) cover with aluminum foil.
Bake until the cakes rise – about 25 minutes then uncover and continue baking until the tops are lightly golden and the cakes spring back when touched, about 15 minutes more.
Unmold and serve.

Courtesy of Tom Colicchio [1]
From Craft of Cooking, Clarkson Potter, 2003

LINKS:
[1] Tom Colicchio’s recipe for lemon cakes – Making Game of Thrones (PDF) [HBO - Making Game of Thrones]
[2] HBO’s Lemon Cakes (2011-Apr-17) [Learn2Cook]
[3] GAME OF THRONES: Taste of Westeros… On a Food Truck? (2011-Mar-29) [SciFi Mafia]