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The Game of Thrones: Season 2 launch party in Vancouver featured dangerous sword fighting, beautiful maidens and an advance screening of the season 2 premiere
I was lucky enough to be invited to the Game of Thrones: Season 2 premiere event in Vancouver, hosted by Movie Central and HBO, where I caught an advanced screening of the premiere a week before it actually aired on TV. As a GoT mega-fan, I was extremely excited to be assaulted with all kinds of nerdy goodness.
As soon as I walked through the doors of the Vancity Theatre, I was greeted by the stirring Game of Thrones theme song, which was being pumped through the speaker system. I shuffled out of the way of a leather-clad warrior carrying a bundle of dangerous looking weaponry, then ducked past a young couple who bore a striking resemblance to Khal Drogo and Daenerys.
After navigating through a crowd made up of media, sword fighters and warrior women , I made my way toward The Iron Throne – said to be created from the swords of hundreds of lords – for a photo opp. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, there’s really nothing cooler than striking a kingly pose atop a throne made of swords.
After all this geeking out, it was time for the main event: a screening of the first episode from season 2.
Failing miserably at looking intimidating with a sword, and struggling to look kingly atop the Iron Throne (Image: Movie Central)
Without giving away too much detail, the premiere episode delivered everything that made the show so popular in its first season. Taking place almost directly after the events of Season 1, the premiere doesn’t waste any time moving the pieces into place. The plot sees five self-proclaimed kings seeking the throne of Westeros, currently occupied by Joffrey (who, although he’s now quite a bit taller, still warrants a punch in the face).
A host of new characters is also introduced, including dead King Robert’s much-talked about brother Stannis Baratheon and an alluring red-haired sorceress who you know is going to cause trouble down the road. Familiar faces Jon Snow (now out further behind the wall) and Tyrion (back in King’s Landing acting as the Hand of the King), all return, and it’s a wonder that with all of the different characters and plotlines things don’t collapse under the sheer weight of the scope. Instead, this episode proves that Game of Thrones wasn’t a one-season wonder, and that it will continue to be one of the most engaging hours on television.
After the episode ended, TVW Magazine editor Brent Furdyk sat down with star Kit Harington (Jon Snow), who talked about his experiences on the set, his favourite character (a tie between Tyrion and Jon Snow) and whether or not he does his own hair (in real life: yes, on set: no).
Other highlights included a personal message from Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin and a live sword-fighting demonstration (where I actually got to hold a giant two-handed sword).
All in all, it was a fantastic event for Game of Thrones fans, and served to whet my appetite for the upcoming season.
Game of Thrones: Season 2 premieres this Sunday, April 1, on HBO.