Game of Thrones - The Complete Third Season

Although events continue to meander through far too many separate storylines, Season Three of Game of Thrones begins pairing off some of our characters in unexpected ways. Together on the road, Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) are more interesting than either have been separately. In much the same way, Arya (Maisie Williams) and the Hound (Rory McCann) make for amusing traveling companions.

In something which is beginning to become a pattern for the show, the season leaves its big event for near the end of the year. Season Three gives us the memorable Red Wedding in which we say farewell to some of the glut of supporting characters (although not necessarily all the right ones). And Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) begins to grow her army and legend. She gets some memorable moments, but sadly is destined to become mired in the show's pacing and her journey home to reclaim her thrown will get put on hold for a good long while. Disconnected from all other threads, it seems obvious to everyone but the show's writers that she's the series' standout character.

Even if the show makes some strides this season, I couldn't give two shits about Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) or any of the palace intrigue. I'm still not completely sold on Jon Snow (Kit Harington), and his awful decision-making, or his younger brothers, and would gladly see Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) put out of her misery - although her temporary pairing with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and its complications for his relationship with Shae (Sibel Kekilli) does offer some amusement. While some characters and storylines have won me over, there's still work to do in other aspects of the show.

[HBO, Blu-ray $59.99 / DVD $49.99]