Game of Thrones Season Four box set review and details 

The Blu-ray of the last season is coming out on Tuesday, February 17th, about two months before the

S5 premiere. Same as every year, I’m looking forward to expanding my boxset collection and savour all the extras to tide me over until the airing of new instalments in April. At least one review of the boxset is already available, so you can decide whether you want to get it or not (in case you haven’t preordered it yet).

It goes without saying that the audio and video are of highest quality and receive top grades.

As to the actual content of the season – well, we know everything about that, don’t we. The actual newsworthy bit is that thanks to Brian White from 

we can examine the precise contents of the digital package, with the extras listed in detail, which is the information of utmost interest to us.

The standard in-episode guide is accompanied by the likewise standard sixteen (if I counted right) new illustrated histories, which are always a treat, covering topics from House Martell to the Iron Bank and everything inbetween. EDIT: I’m listing all of them, by popular request: House Martell, House Baelish, Dragons, Poisons, The Bastards of Westeros, The Iron Bank, Robert’s Rebellion, Sellswords & Hedge Knights, The Wall, The Nations of the North, The Kingsguard – Jaime Lannister, The Kingsguard – Bronn, The Maester’s Chain, The Death of Kings, Valyrian Steel, Justice of the Seven Kingdoms.

A behind the scenes look at the battle of Castle Black. 37 min (!) of awesomeness with commentaries from everyone involved.

A political situation recap of season three (25 min). After this you should be fully prepared for the rewatch.

Bryan Cogman’s half hour (!) roundtable with several of the actors that bought it in season 4 (well, their characters did). ‘The Fallen’ is its fitting title. Really looking forward to this one!

Two shorter featurettes: the role of bastards in Westeros (D&D together with GRRM), and

There will be two deleted scenes included this year, one with Bronn and Shae, and one with Daenerys and Missandei. Three minutes of material in total. A completely new type of extra this year is a blooper reel. The length puts it at two minutes, which means it is very likely the video shown previously at Comic Con. It definitely deserves to be included. I just wish they made one of these each season.

The audio commentary list is reproduced below. Episode three has none, while nine and ten feature two each:

Episode One (Disc 1) – David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Pedro Pascal

Episode Two (Disc 1) – Jack Gleeson, Natalie Dormer, George R.R. Martin, Alex Graves

Episode Four (Disc 2) – Michelle MacLaren, Robert McLachlan

Episode Five (Disc 2) – Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams

Episode Six (Disc 3) – Alik Sakharov, Bryan Cogman

Episode Seven (Disc 3) – Aidan Gillen, Kate Dickie, Bernadette Caulfield, Chris Newman

Episode Eight (Disc 3) – Deborah Riley, Michele Clapton, Anette Haelmick

Episode Nine (Disc 4) – [Commentary 1] – Kit Harington, Rose Leslie, John Bradley, [Commentary 2] – Steve Kullback, Joe Bauer

Episode Ten (Disc 4) – [Commentary 1] – Rory McCann, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Graves, [Commentary 2] – Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

This should be fun, as always! I’m looking forward to B-Cog’s insights, hearing what Pedro has to say as fresh meat (Hi, Pedro! Bye, Pedro!), and Gwen’s laughter, to mention just a few highlights.

Follow the link to the review for photos of the unboxing and the artwork.

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Wonder if there will be any editing to ep 3 on the DVD. Thoughts anyone?

On the plus side, Kate Dickey commentary on Mockingbird! That’s a pleasant surprise. Oz will be so pleased!

I always love the commentaries. What’s the over/under on “Lion and the Rose” being the last one GRRM ever records?

Wait,why no Isaac this year,i feel more and more like they push him away every year,first by not being at the Comic Con GOT panel even though he was there for Boxtrolls,next by not being in the next season and now not even being apart of the annual trio commentary which sort of became a tradition ? I sort of feel bad for the kid .

I completely agree. At this point I really have to wonder if there was a personal falling out last year.

Wonder if there will be any editing to ep 3 on the DVD.Thoughts anyone?

No, of course not. Everyone having anything to do with that scene has been entirely unapologetic about it. They aren’t going to censor themselves now.

Aww, no Stark kids commentary track. Weird, especially, since Isaac is in that episode (the only episode that season to feature all three of them, in fact). They seem to record these commentaries as part of production for the following season, so I guess Isaac not being part of Season 5 precluded that?

This is the second box set in a row, I believe, where they’ve doubled up on commentary tracks for some episodes and left one episode with no commentary at all (episode 3.01, last time).

I wouldn’t read too much into that. There were episodes without commentary before, in fact every season, IIRC.

Sure, but i doubt it was a coincidence they choose that episode to leave out.

A Bronn and Shae deleted scene sounds interesting. Maybe we’ll find out what specifically kept her in the city?

Maybe not. All I’m saying is that it has happen before, and therefore it

just be a coincidence. As so often we will probably never find out why they made this discussion.

You guys left out the “Behind the Battle for the Wall” documentary. Kind of a big part of the extras…

, the Stark sisters commentaries and the Lannister trio one most of all !

I need History an Lore. There has to be History and Lore. Where is my History and Lore!?!?!?

I wouldn’t read too much into a specific actor not being featured in the commentary tracks. There was no Peter Dinklage last season, and Emilia Clarke is missing in this one. Maybe Isaac couldn’t do the commentary because he had to do promo for Boxtrolls?

JESUS CHRIST they’re not even DOING a commentary for episode 3 because of the Jaime/Cersei sex scene so badly filmed that EVERONE thought it was a rape scene?

I was hoping there would a deleted scene from Watchers on the Wall (the episode), where a bedridden Ser Aliser (and a freaked out Sylnt) commands Jon to go treat with Mance. He could threaten him, realize Snow’s in de facto control, and then appeal to his sense of reason successfully. Cue scene with Sam where he walks out.

In the final version I thought the decision seemed too quick. It needed more buildup and felt like they cut a scene.

Of course I imagine there’s more than two deleted scenes from this season. I am a little wary about making Bronn and Shae’s ambiguous decision-making clear. It could be good.

Hoped they would have included some of the deleted scenes we glimpsed in the trailers, i.e. Jon saying “It’s as if I went to sleep for a year, and the world’s fallen apart…” and the Tyrion/Pod exchange “I’ve talked myself out of a thousand dark corners Podrick….”

I wish they’d be a bit more generous in this department.

Those would be extended scenes rather than deleted ones. Last year’s DVD featured a few extended scenes IIRC.

Why should they bother stirring that hornets nest? What’s done is done. Anyways, their DVDs for past seasons all left one ep. without a commentary, so this isn’t unprecedented.

BTW, for the wiki, the girl in the skimpy green outfit from the trailer is played by Ollie Kram, a model who is currently listed as playing a “TBA” part. The trailer proves she’s a Braavosi courtesan, so could you update that?

Which I already suspected since she filmed scenes with Irma Mali and Gemita Samarra (Brea) who filmed at the same time as Sarine Sofair (Lhara).

Can’t wait for this. February is so full of riches.

By the way, there’s a newish interview with M. Fairley around. Nothing whatsoever on GOT, but she is asked about her 2015 projects and she says nothing so far, just that she will be “staying home” for a good part of the year. So the ending of her role in Resurrection liberates her schedule in the off chance LS is happening.

Jack Gleeson! Has he ever done a commentary before? Really looking forward to hearing his parting thoughts on the show.

The Histories & Lore animations, from the WhySoBlu review linked:

Curious as to which PoV Robert’s Rebellion will be told this time. We already got quite all the players still alive having narrated their version.

I think “Nations of the north” is about the “Wildling Clans” (which would have made a more accurate name)

My hope is that the Robert’s Rebellion POV is Oberyn, explaining about Elia, and also how the Dornish fought for the Targaryens as a result, and how his uncle Lewyn died at the Trident.

***I found a specs & details website that gives the exact length of each of the Histories & Lore featurettes!

That Superbowl ending was The Red Viper all over again. You think you have the game won and then You get your skull effing smashed in

Holy shit Kingsguard History and Lore! Fucking Hedgeknights!

Dragons!!!! I hope they talk about the Dance of the Dragons

ANd to top it off VALYRIAN STEEL!!! I want them to mention every known blade!

I bet its from Oberyn’s perspective! Cannot waitt!!! AHHHH!!!

….recall that last season, “Robert’s Rebellion” took the unprecedented step of having BOTH Littlefinger and Varys narrate, snarking back and forth at each other.

…I do think Oberyn is most likely — Anything Littlefinger needs to say would be in “House Baelish” — though I wonder if Barristan would be in anything? Nah, they wouldn’t have used Bronn otherwise for a Kingsguard video.

Poison actually makes sense, given how much it features this season; not only was Joffrey poisoned, but how we FINALLY hear the truth of Jon Arryn’s poisoning.

I think it must be. That’s around the only perspective they haven’t covered yet in them.

Sean C.: No commentary for episode 3. Wonder why. *cough*rapegate*cough*

This is the second box set in a row, I believe, where they’ve doubled up on commentary tracks for some episodes and left one episode with no commentary at all (episode 3.01, last time).

They have always left one episode per season on the DVDs without comments. I do not know why.

It does kind of bug me that they refuse to talk about season 4 episode 3. They made a mistake, it happens. It would be nice if they just admitted that and moved on.

Well at least we can hear their thoughts about the rape occurring in the background of episode 4 at Crater’s keep.

happened before. But then when you choose which one does not have the commentary, it is rather easy to pick the one where you have the least you want to say, no? Pretty logical.

It would look weird to come out on the commentary of THAT particular scene and say something along the line: “this is the scene where Jamie does not rape his sister, see? we cut it badly and initially when we read the script one assistant thought it was rape the way we wrote it, but no. Even though he does force himself on her she really wants him in the end, right there see when she says no, but then she pulls him and then we decided to cut right before this.”

Whatever. The world has moved on and I think they chose to let it rest rather than put their foot in it again.

A Bronn and Shae deleted scene sounds interesting. Maybe we’ll find out what specifically kept her in the city?

I really hope that’s it. In my opinion, it’s the biggest unexplained plot point from last season. Hopefully it’s not as bad as the “Doreah murders Irri” scene from season 2, which was cut for a good reason.

There was a write-up about Lena Heady and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on the FanX panel in the Salt Lake Tribune. They discussed that scene, among other things.

Ok, now I feel guilty. I was more interested in the rest of the article, tbh.

Don’t! Good God, you have something to say you should be able to say it freely. And if others want to participate in whatever you post they should without the fear of being judged by others.

It is on topic and it is controversial. When it will be exhausted it will die on its own.

“Asked if they could bring any character back to life on the show, Coster-Waldau said Tywin Lannister and Headey, unfazed by a loud chorus of boos, picked the universally-despised Joffrey.”

Lena didn’t choose her best pal Fairley? Stoneheart confirmed.

Waiting for the price to drop at Best Buy the week before the release to order the House Martell sigil cover. The Histories And Lore are always a highlight, as well as the commentaries. The next couple of weeks are filled with GOT related fun. Can’t wait!

No worries, it was meant as more of an, “oops” (with perhaps a slight hint of maniacal laughter).

They’re discussing how they viewed the scene as the actors playing it, and Lena Heady doesn’t strike me as the type to shy away from what she really thinks.

Ah well. Someone else would’ve posted it here anyways. And the interview’s fun. Headey’s answers are always great.

The perfect Valentine gift! Looking forward to all of the Histories. Heck, looking forward to the whole thing!

I read it. Quite interesting. Didn’t know she had a kid who drives her crazy LOL. Taking it out on everyone else at work as Cersei works too. Thank you for the article.

Good to read that. Thx. I feel bad that the scene affected so many people negatively but honestly I never have felt the same as others about it. Given what Lena and Nikolaj say about it in the panel, I feel more comfortable with my position on the scene (which I won’t go into again).

I’m going for the Martell cover also. It’s actually kind of funny that at one time Best Buy used to be my favorite store but the only thing I’ve bought there in the last four years have been the GoT Blu-Rays.

Just noticed too that on the Best Buy pre-order page it lists a bonus disc as well. I wonder what that will be?

Not a bad analogy. Complete with post-watch stomach sickness and all.

Pretty excited about the histories and lore- “bastards” “hedge knights” “valyrian steel” and “kingsguard” all sound interesting, as well as yet more perspective on Robert’s Rebellion. What could the “nations of the north” segment be about? North of the wall? Skaagos? What am I missing?

While you’re at it could you add the Histories and Lore info that

The Dragon Demands: Poison actually makes sense, given how much it features this season; not only was Joffrey poisoned, but how we FINALLY hear the truth of Jon Arryn’s poisoning.

and don’t forget, the poison from Oberyn’s spear that infected Ser Gregor.

And maybe… just maybe…. the poison that led to a certain patriarch’s throne squatting, and later, his rotting corpse.

Ugh, HBO and home releases. Why do they put so little effort into them? Only 37 minutes about how they made one episode? Why not give ut at least a 30 min featurette per episode, or at least something focusing on all the major scenes. The wedding, Viper vs the Mountain, Brienne vs the Hound, fight at Craster’s etc. And no, those 2 minute videos they release after each episode with the cast and crew giving us a recap of what we just saw don’t count.

It’s one of the biggest shows in the world with some of the most disappointing bonus material. I probably come off as negative, but that’s because I know HBO could do better (and they certaintly have the budget for it).

Off-topic, but for those who play the Game of Thrones Telltale Game, IGN appear to have broken the embargo and posted a video review of the second episode featuring a lot of new footage, if anyone is interested.

-The entire Yara Theons rescue mission which was done very awkwardly and made little sense logistically (dogs, dungeon fight, making it back to boats etc)

-As much as Arya’s first kill of the season was awesome, her second one right through the heart was done in a very lazy way. An ambush turned into a biting fight and then announcing latest news of westros while waiting to die!

-Apparently Vale is suffering from lack of population and collapse of government! So Arya Stark shows up at your gates and since her aunt is already dead you just tell her to go back into the mountains! And no word of this encounter goes back up the chain of command?!

-100,000 wildlings and unknown numbers of giants and mammoths somehow surrendered/disappeared as soon as Stannis forces showed up! And somehow all 100,000 heard Mance’s command to surrender as he was standing in front of his tent.

This is all assuming that the first nights attack on the wall was just a test and they were keeping their main force for later (which in itself makes no logical sense!)

-They need to hire someone with better math to help with the scripts. 12 men at crasters keep?

100 men at the wall? Just watch those episodes again and count Number of kills yourself! doesnt add up!

Oh shut up,you won’t find any other tv series blu ray release that has better features than GOT,what the hell are you talking about ? Be grateful they are even doing so much instead of bitching for the sake of bitching .

They have the next season to produce, they don’t have the time to be producing 10 thirty minute documentaries. They also do far more than literally every other tv show.

I was so sure you were being sarcastic until the very end, when there was no pay-off. Are you actually

? Aside from the Lord of the Rings movies, I’ve never seen a Blu-Ray release as complete as this one, especially for a TV show.

Ok so I know Im a dinosaur (I still have video tapes for heavens sakes!) but I don’t own whatever it takes to play a blu-ray. Will this set come out in DVDs for use old folk?

I bet its from Oberyn’s perspective! Cannot waitt!!! AHHHH!!!

I dont remember having Tywin’s perspective so that could be cool as well !

Nations of the North, if it’s about the North and not the Wildlings would definitly be Roose ! I’d love Roose take on the North politics !

Ok so I know Im a dinosaur (I still have video tapes for heavens sakes!) but I don’t own whatever it takes to play a blu-ray.Will this set come out in DVDs for use old folk?

-As much as Arya’s first kill of the season was awesome, her second one right through the heart was done in a very lazy way. An ambush turned into a biting fight and then announcinglatest news of westros while waiting to die!

-100,000 wildlings and unknown numbers of giants and mammoths somehow surrendered/disappeared as soon as Stannis forces showed up!

And somehow all 100,000 heard Mance’s command to surrender as he was standing in front of his tent.

Its television. And not only that its fantasy television. How can you bitch about the number of men at a battle when there are dragons and magical leech’s that kill?

I’m not “bitching” for the sake of it. I’m just annoyed they seemingly film so much behind the scenes material yet decide to include so little of it.

D&D have little to nothing to do with what’s put on the Blu-ray, like most productions. HBO has their own people editing together those videos, and usually hire a few people to record behind the scenes material (interviews, b-roll and so on) for the whole production. These people are not involved in post-production of the show itself, so I doubt time is an issue.

I love to see how a massive show like this is put together. It’s just a shame there’s so little of it.

I thought it was a damn good game. Better than last year, for sure. The game had an odd balance to it too. Brady’s first drive ended in a pick, while Wilson’s last drive ended in a pick. And both picks were at the same spot on the field! After Kearse’s miracle catch in the waning seconds, I thought we were going to see the Giants-Pats all over again (SB42). I’m just glad it was a decent game. Who knows why Seattle didn’t give it to Strong Belwas at the end?

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