"What good is power if you can't protect the ones you love?"
HBO's True Detective has taken over the TV conversation to such an extent that viewers are worried how they are possibly going to fill the huge shoes left after tonight's season (and, sort of series) finale. Of course, this is the typical reaction following the final episode of a number of the premium network's shows including Game of Thrones, the one who will soon fill those aforementioned huge shoes. Don't worry, the fourth season will surely satisfy all your viewing needs and make the murder mystery a distant memory. No? Maybe you need to watch the new 'Secrets' spot again?
Perhaps, revisiting the Red Wedding will help you forget about True Detective and remember your hatred for Westeros' 'Yellow King.' Joffrey's snivelling face and stag-antlered crown (he's still a Baratheon in name, if not in blood) also open both of the first two trailers for Season 4, 'Justice' and 'Vengeance,' because nothing is as powerful as the hate for that sadistic coward. He probably is 'The Yellow King.' Sorry, I'm getting off track. Back to the GoT promo its new looks at the upcoming season.
To be honest, this was probably the least satisfying trailer of the three so far mostly because of the heavy reliance on characters talking. I'm as big a fan of the show's sharp dialogue as anyone but the Game of Thrones promos work best when they pick a few winning soundbites and pair them, and loads and loads of action, with a piece of music that sets the tone. And, after using Chelsea Wolfe's "Feral Love" and The Everlove's (cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees') "Cities in Dust" for 'Trailers 1 and 2,' respectively, the 'score' for secrets added nothing. Remember the incredible Season 2 spot with "Seven Devils" by Florence + The Machine? That's how you cut a trailer to music.
Still, "Secrets" did contain a few shots worth mentioning. I like how all the previews keep introducing Pedro Pascal's Oberyn Martell since he's probably the most significant new player in the Game and this time we get a glimpse of him walking and talking revenge with Cersei. The full scale attacks on Mereen and The Wall also get some screen-time with Dany's army looking to continue her advancement in the Free Cities while Jon is back at Castle Black just in time to battle the Wildlings he 'betrayed.' Oh, and how about the shot of all three grown dragons? The rest of the promo played a bit of catch-up, making sure to show all our favorite characters in their current situations (Jamie re-learning to fight from Bronn will be too rad) as this is likely the last full length trailer before the premiere.
The spots are far from the only push that Home Box Office is making for the return of their award-winning fantasy series with and an excellent Valar Morghulis poster campaign as well as a some cool teases from more magical points of view. Can't forget about the three-eyed ravens, dragons and direwolves. I especially like how the 'All Men Must Die' poster made the raven's undercarriage resemble the Iron Throne. After all, that's what this is all about. If you don't have time to revisit Season(s 1, 2 and) 3 to gather your Game of Thrones bearings, HBO released a handy, 15 minute preview called 'Ice and Fire: A Foreshadowing.'
The fourth season of Game of Thrones premieres on Sunday, April 6 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Based on the novels by George R.R. Martin, the TV series was adapted by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and stars Peter Dinklage, Kit Harrington, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
