Game of Thrones - Season 2

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Game of Thrones
Season 2
Season 2 DVD Cover.jpg
No. of episodes 10
Country of origin United States
Network HBO
Release
Original run April 1 – June 3, 2012
DVD release February 19, 2013
Season chronology
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List of episodes

Season 2 of Game of Thrones is the second season of the series. It began filming on 25 July 2011, with production expected to last until December 2011 or January 2012. The series is due for transmission in Spring 2012. The series will consist of ten episodes.

Season 2 is closely based on A Clash of Kings, the second novel in the Song of Ice and Fire novel series by George R.R. Martin. Some characters and elements from the first novel, A Game of Thrones, have been held back for the second season and some other elements were brought forward into the first for production reasons. In addition, some storylines and events that happened off-page in the book will be depicted on-screen for the series, and some elements from the third novel, A Storm of Swords, will be brought forward into the second season, in particular to give the character of Jaime Lannister more screen-time.

Plot

Season 2 spans several months on a world where the seasons last for years at a time. The Seven Kingdoms are at war, with the King in the North, Robb Stark, fighting to win independence for his people. Robb decides that he must win the allegiance of the fiercely independent ironborn to his cause, and sends his best friend Theon Greyjoy to treat with his father. Meanwhile, Joffrey Baratheon holds the Iron Throne with the backing of the powerful House Lannister, but his uncle Renly has also claimed the throne with the support of House Tyrell, whose armies are much larger. As they struggle for the throne, Tyrion Lannister arrives in King's Landing to take matters in hand.

However, there is another faction entering the picture. Stannis Baratheon, Robert's younger brother and Renly's older, has also claimed the Iron Throne. A proven battle commander and veteran of several wars, Stannis is known to be utterly without mercy to his enemies and will do what is right even if it destroys him. Advising him is Melisandre, an enigmatic priestess from the east, who believes Stannis is meant for a greater destiny, and Ser Davos Seaworth, an honest and honorable man uneasy with the shift in power at Stannis' court.

Far to the east, Daenerys Targaryen has hatched the only three dragons in the world. Eventually they will grow into terrifying monsters capable of destroying cities at her command, but for now they are still hatchlings and vulnerable. With her khalasar gone, Daenerys and her small band of followers must find a way across a forbidding wasteland and find new allies to support her claim to the Iron Throne.[1]

Episodes

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
1 "The North Remembers" Alan Taylor David Benioff & D. B. Weiss 1 April 2012 3.86[2]
Deterermined to avenge his father's death, the newly proclaimed king Robb Stark and his northern army continue the war against the Lannisters and the boy king Joffrey Baratheon on the Iron Throne. Tyrion arrives in King's Landing to counsel Joffrey and temper the young king's excesses. Meanwhile on the island of Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon claim the throne of his late brother's as well and plots an invasion, allying himself with the fiery Melisandre, a strange priestess of R'hllor. Across the sea, Daenerys, her three young dragons and khalasar trek through the Red Waste in search of allies, or water. In the North, Bran presides over a threadbare Winterfell, while beyond the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night's Watch continue their trek beyond the Wall and must shelter with a devious wildling.
2 "Nightlands" Alan Taylor David Benioff & D. B. Weiss 8 April 2012 3.76[3]
In the wake of a bloody purge in the capital, Tyrion chastens Cersei Lannister for alienating the king's subjects. On the road north, Arya shares a secret with Gendry, a Night's Watch recruit. With supplies dwindling, one of Dany's scouts returns with news of their position. After nine years as a Stark ward, Theon Greyjoy reunites with his father Balon, who wants to restore the ancient Kingdom of the Iron Islands. Davos Seaworth enlists Salladhor Saan, a pirate, to join forces with Stannis and Melisandre for a naval invasion of King's Landing.
3 "What Is Dead May Never Die" Alik Sakharov Bryan Cogman 15 April 2012 3.77[4]
Lady Catelyn Stark arrives at King Renly's camp to negotiate an alliance. Tyrion also tries to gain supports for Joffrey's cause by proposing three different marriages. At Winterfell, Bran Stark will need help to decipher his dreams.
4 "Garden of Bones" David Petrarca Vanessa Taylor 22 April 2012 3.65[5]
Lady Catelyn Stark arrives at King Renly's camp to negotiate an alliance. Tyrion also tries to gain supports for Joffrey's cause by proposing three different marriages. At Winterfell, Bran Stark will need help to decipher his dreams.
5 "The Ghost of Harrenhal" David Petrarca David Benioff & D. B. Weiss 29 April 2012 3.90[6]
In Harrenhal, Arya Stark is promised help by the mysterious Jaqen H'ghar, one of the three caged prisoners during his trip to the Wall. The new situation at Renly's camp forces Catelyn to flee. Theon sails from Pyke prepared to prove that he is a true Ironborn. The Night's Watch arrive at an ancient fortress called the Fist of the First Men, where they intend to make a stand.
6 "The Old Gods and the New" David Nutter Vanessa Taylor 6 May 2012 3.88[7]
Theon completes his master stroke. In King's Landing, the Lannisters send Myrcella from harm's way in the nick of time. Arya Stark comes face to face with a surprise visitor; Daenerys vows to take what is hers; Robb and Catelyn receive crucial news; Joffrey meets his subjects; Qhorin Halfhand gives Jon Snow a chance to prove himself.
7 "A Man Without Honor" David Nutter David Benioff & D.B. Weiss 13 May 2012 3.69[8]
Tywin Lannister begins searching Harrenhal for an assassin. Ygritte continues her attempts to seduce Jon and, after a momentary lapse in Jon's concentration, she escapes him and leads him into a trap. Still shaken from the riot, Sansa Stark is horrified when she awakens to find that she has had her first period. In Robb's camp, a failed escape attempt by Jaime leaves a guard dead and Catelyn worries about the camp's desire for retribution. In Qarth, the warlock Pyat Pree reveals to Daenerys that he stole her dragons, but gives her the opportunity to reunite with them before slaughtering the Council of Thirteen and establishing Xaro Xhoan Daxos as king of Qarth.
8 "The Prince of Winterfell" Alan Taylor David Benioff & D.B. Weiss 20 May 2012 3.86[9]
Theon Greyjoy receives a visitor and holds down the fort. Arya Stark calls in her final debt with Jaqen H'ghar in a way that displeases him. King Robb Stark is betrayed. Tyrion and Varys find common ground. Dany ignores Jorah's advice. Stannis and Davos Seaworth approach their destination, and Davos is offered a reward.
9 "Blackwater" Neil Marshall George R. R. Martin 27 May 2012 3.38[10]
Tyrion and the Lannisters fight for their lives as Stannis' fleet attacks Blackwater Bay. King's Landing becomes the stage of the most decisive battle of the War of the Five Kings.
10 "Valar Morghulis" Alan Taylor David Benioff & D. B. Weiss 3 June 2012 4.20[11]
Tyrion awakens to find his circumstances have changed. Joffrey gives his subjects a reward. Luwin offers Theon advice while he incites the passion within his men. Jaqen H'ghar bestows a gift upon Arya. Daenerys soon finds herself in a strange place.

Production

HBO ordered a second season of Game of Thrones on 19 April 2011, two days after the series premiere.[12] The second season obtained a 15% increase in budget in order to be able to stage the war's most important battle,[13] the Battle of the Blackwater, in episode nine.

Filming took place during 106 shooting days. During three-quarters of those, two crews ("Dragon" and "Wolf") were working simultaneously in different locations.[14] Filming took place in Northern Ireland, include The Linen Mill Film & Television Studios, Banbridge, Ballintoy Harbour in County Antrim, Gosford Castle, outside Markethill in County Armagh and also at Downhill Strand in County Londonderry and at the Paint Hall studio facility in Belfast. Additional filming, particularly of the Night's Watch storyline will take place in Iceland, on the Vatnajökull glacier, in November 2011. Malta will not be used for filming in Season 2, with the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia standing in for King's Landing and Qarth.[15][16]

Casting

Casting for Season 2 began in May 2011.[17]

Returning characters

With the exception of Conan Stevens, whose role of Gregor Clegane was recast with Ian Whyte, all Season 1 actors whose characters are still alive returned for Season 2.[18]

The principal cast is now headlined by Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) instead of Sean Bean.[19] Dinklage, who in the first season was featured at the end of the cast list, signed on to the series for six seasons.[20]

New characters

Given the very large cast of characters in Martin's novels, the producers had to fill a great number of additional speaking roles – Martin has estimated the second season's cast as the largest on television.[21] The new actors include, in order of their appearance:

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 8
Episode 10

Uncast characters

Several characters from A Clash of Kings are not known to have been cast for season two. These include:

Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have said that they would delay the introductions of several key characters first appearing in A Clash of Kings until the third season. They did so because of the large number of characters already introduced in season two, and because they couldn't afford to have people "waiting around" for their characters to become central to the plot.[49]

Full Cast

Main cast

Guest cast

The guest cast is listed in order of rank or social importance by the region they appear in.

At the court of Joffrey Baratheon at King's Landing
At the court of Stannis Baratheon at Dragonstone
At the court of Robb Stark
At the court of Renly Baratheon at Storm's End
On the Iron Islands
Bound for the Wall
At Harrenhal
Beyond the Wall
Across the Narrow Sea

Marketing

HBO released three brief teasers for the second season. The first was released on 11 December 2011, carrying the tagline "The cold winds are rising". It featured Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon announcing his intent to seize the Iron Throne in a voice-over to brief shots of scenes from the new season. The second teaser, published on 29 January 2012, had the eunuch Varys pose a riddle to Tyrion Lannister, again accompanied by brief scenes from the second season. It was viewed 3.5 million times in the first three days after publication, a record for HBO promotional content. The third teaser, published on 29 January 2012.



References & Notes

  1. GOT wika Season 2
  2. Sunday Cable Ratings:'Game of Thrones' Returns To Series High; + 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'The Killing' , 'Mad Men,”Army Wives' & More, April 3, 2012
  3. Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Leads + Atlanta 'Housewives,' 'Mad Men,' 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'Army Wives,' 'The Client List' & Much More, April 10, 2012
  4. Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones,' + 'Real Housewives ATL' 'Mad Men,' 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'The Client List' & More, April 17, 2012
  5. Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones,' + 'Real Housewives ATL' 'Mad Men,' 'Veep,' 'The Client List' & More, April 24, 2012
  6. Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Rises, Ties NBA Playoffs + 'Real Housewives,' 'The Client List,' 'Army Wives,' 'Mad Men' & More, May 1, 2012
  7. Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs + 'Game of Thrones', 'The Client List', 'Army Wives,' 'Khloe & Lamar', 'Mad Men' + More, May 8, 2012
  8. [Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game Of Thrones' Tops, 'Real Housewives NJ,' 'The Client List,' 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'Army Wives' & More, May 15, 2012
  9. Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs, + 'Game of Thrones', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Ax Men', 'The Client List', 'Sister Wives', + More, May 22, 2012
  10. Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Win Night, 'Game of Thrones', 'Mad Men', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Girls', 'Pawn Stars', & More, May 30, 2012
  11. Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs + 'Game of Thrones' Finale, MTV Movie Awards, 'Sister Wives', 'The Glades', 'Longmire' + More, June 5, 2012
  12. Hibbard, James (April 19, 2011). "HBO renews 'Game of Thrones' for second season". Inside TV. http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed/. 
  13. "This Week's Cover: 'Game of Thrones,' the battle to make season 2 epic". Entertainment Weekly. 18 March 2012. http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/. Retrieved 18 March 2012. 
  14. "A Bigger, Pricier 'Game of Thrones'". The Wall Street Journal|. 3 March 2012. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577309432008018946.html?mod=googlenews_wsj. Retrieved 18 March 2012. 
  15. Winter is Coming
  16. Westeros.org
  17. Baltes, Alan (May 2011). "HBO hit series 'Game of Thrones' Season 2 casting call and auditions". TVShowAuditions.info blog. http://www.tvshowauditions.info/2011/05/hbo-hit-series-game-of-thrones-season-2.html. Retrieved May 11, 2011. 
  18. Jeffery, Morgan (13 September 2011). "'Game of Thrones' adds Fintan McKeown, Ian Whyte to cast". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s151/game-of-thrones/news/a340163/game-of-thrones-adds-fintan-mckeown-ian-whyte-to-cast.html. Retrieved 18 March 2012. 
  19. Anders, Charlie-Jane (29 March 2012). "Our Spoiler-Free Verdict on Game of Thrones Season 2". io9. http://io9.com/5897548/weve-seen-4-episodes-of-game-of-thrones-season-2. Retrieved 29 March 2012. 
  20. "Peter Dinklage Was Smart to Say No". New York Times Magazine. 29 March 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/magazine/peter-dinklage-was-smart-to-say-no.html?_r=3&pagewanted=4. Retrieved 11 April 2012. 
  21. Lackner, Chris (23 March 2012). "Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin enthralled by the TV series' magic". http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Game+Thrones+author+George+Martin+enthralled+series+magic/6344203/story.html. Retrieved 11 April 2012. 
  22. "Ben Crompton fits. But why is he so sad?". Winter-is-coming.net. 9 August 2011. http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/08/ben-crompton-fits-but-why-is-he-so-sad/. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
  23. Megan Masters (2011-08-11). "Eureka's Extra Hour, Roseanne's (Scripted) TV Return & Thrones Casting". TVLine. http://www.tvline.com/2011/08/eureka-extra-hour-roseanne-sitcom-game-thrones-casting/. Retrieved 2011-08-18. 
  24. Vineyard, Jennifer (29 February 2012). "Game of Thrones Newbie Carice Van Houten On Joining the Show, Her Movie Black Butterflies, and Nude Scenes". Vulture.com. http://www.vulture.com/2012/02/black-butterflies-and-nude-scenes.html. 
  25. Masters, Megan (July 20, 2011). "South Park Lives, Ringer Nabs Dexter Baddie, Thrones Castings, and More". TVLine.com. http://www.tvline.com/2011/07/tvline-items-south-park-renewed-ringer-jaime-murray/. 
  26. Nededog, Jethro (July 19, 2011). "'Game of Thrones' Casts Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-casts-liam-cunningham-213124. 
  27. Lash, Jolie (1 February 2012). "Access Countdown To 'Game Of Thrones' Season 2: Q&A Liam Cunningham Talks Davos Seaworth". Access Hollywood. http://www.accesshollywood.com/access-countdown-to-game-of-thrones-season-2-qanda-liam-cunningham-talks-davos-seaworth_article_59908. Retrieved 1 February 2012. 
  28. Hibberd, James (July 19, 2011). "'Game of Thrones' casts sorceress Melisandre and Stannis Baratheon". Inside TV (EW.com). http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/19/stannis-melisandre/. Retrieved July 19, 2011. 
  29. Elio (2 August 2011). "Meet Xaro Xhoan Daxos". westeros.org. http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Meet_Xaro_Xhoan_Daxos/. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
  30. Lash, Jolie (8 August 2011). "'Skins' UK Star & Former British Soap Actor Join 'Game of Thrones' Season 2". Access Hollywood. NBCUniversal. http://www.accesshollywood.com/skins-uk-actress-and-former-british-soap-star-join-game-of-thrones-season-2_article_51810. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
  31. "Exclusive: Tom Wlaschiha is Jaqen H'ghar". Winter-is-Coming.net. 3 August 2011. http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/08/exclusive-tom-wlaschiha-is-jaqen-hghar/. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
  32. "Access Countdown To 'Game Of Thrones' Season 2 Q&A: Tom Wlaschiha Talks Jaqen H'ghar". Access Hollywood. 1 March 2012. 
  33. "Does Hannah Murray have flower power? Yes!". Winter-Is-Coming.net. 2011-08-08. http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/08/does-hannah-murray-have-flower-power/. Retrieved 2011-08-18. 
  34. Hibberd, James (August 2, 2011). "'Game of Thrones' casts Theon's fierce sister". Inside TV (EW.com). http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/08/02/game-of-thrones-greyjoy-asha/. Retrieved August 2, 2011. 
  35. "Patrick Malahide cast as Balon Greyjoy". Winter-Is-Coming.net. 2011-08-24. http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/08/patrick-malahide-cast-as-balon-greyjoy/. Retrieved 2011-09-19. 
  36. Lash, Jolie (2011-08-24). "Exclusive: Tyrion Lannister's Squire, Podrick Payne, Cast For 'Game of Thrones' Season 2 | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos". Access Hollywood. http://www.accesshollywood.com/exclusive-tyrion-lannisters-squire-podrick-payne-cast-for-game-of-thrones-season-2_article_52588. Retrieved 2011-09-19. 
  37. Lash, Jolie (8 February 2012). "Access Countdown To 'Game Of Thrones' Season 2: Q&A Daniel Portman Talks Podrick Payne". Access Hollywood. http://www.accesshollywood.com/access-countdown-to-game-of-thrones-season-2-qanda-daniel-portman-talks-podrick-payne_article_60227. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
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  39. Hibberd, James (July 8, 2011). "'Game of Thrones' casts fan favorite Brienne". Inside TV (EW.com). http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/08/brienne-game-of-thrones/. Retrieved July 8, 2011. 
  40. Jeffery, Morgan (12 April 2012). "'Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie: 'I'm similar to Brienne'". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s151/game-of-thrones/news/a376071/game-of-thrones-gwendoline-christie-im-similar-to-brienne.html. Retrieved 12 April 2012. 
  41. Elist, Jasmine (26 March 2012). "'Game of Thrones': The costumes". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-game-thrones-costumes-pictures,0,4363922.photogallery. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
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  43. Bell, Crystal (12 April 2012). "'Game Of Thrones': Richard Madden On Robb Stark Growing Up, Having Sex And Killing Joffrey". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/12/game-of-thrones-richard-madden_n_1411243.html. Retrieved 12 April 2012. 
  44. "Michael McElhatton cast as Roose Bolton". Winter-is-coming.net. 10 August 2011. http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/08/michael-mcelhatton-cast-as-roose-bolton/. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
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  47. "Roy Dotrice is Pyromancer Hallyne". Winter-Is-Coming.net. 2011-08-07. http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/08/roy-dotrice-is-pyromancer-hallyne/. Retrieved 2011-08-18. 
  48. Hibberd, James (28 October 2011). "'Game of Thrones' casts wild beauty Ygritte". EW.com. http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/10/10/game-of-thrones-rose-leslie/. Retrieved 11 October 2011. 
  49. "Interview with David Benioff and Dan Weiss". Westeros.org. 2012-04-09. http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_David_Benioff_and_Dan_Weiss/. Retrieved 2012-04-11.