Review: Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season BD + Screen Caps

THE SEASON — 4.5/5

“Game of Thrones” never lets up with politics, and sex for good measure, continue the stories as each house attempts to gain control of the Iron Throne. In the third season, with back-stabbings and assassinations, not to mention the infamous “Red Wedding”, made the cruel Joffrey Baratheon (JACKIE GLEASON) – and bastard child of brother/sister Jaime Lannister (NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU) and Queen Cersei Lannister (LENA HEADEY) – ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and claim to the Iron Throne. He also draws an alliance with the House of Tyrell culminating with a marriage to Margaery Tyrell (NATALIE DORMER), though early on in this fourth season, it ‘twas a marriage not meant to be…

Season Plot Outline:
In this fourth season, the Lannisters’ control over the Iron Throne remains intact, but can they survive their own egos as well as the ongoing threats around them? While an unshaken Stannis Baratheon (STEPHEN DILLANE) continues to rebuilt his army on Dragonstone, a more immediate danger comes from the south, Oberyn Martell (PEDRO PASCAL), the Lannister-loathing “Red Viper of Dorne,” arrives at King’s Landing to attend Joffrey’s (JACK GLEASON) wedding. At the Wall, the Night’s Watch seems overmatched against Mance Rayder’s (CIARAN HINDS) advancing army of wildings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable foe. What’s more, Daenerys Targaryen (EMILIA CLARKE), accompanied by her fierce trio of dragons and an Unsullied army, is poised to “liberate” Meereen, the largest Slaver City in the east, which could provide her with an imposing force to execute her ultimate plan of reclaiming the Iron Throne for her family.

Quick Hit Review:
“Game of Thrones” rarely disappoints and the fourth season is another success, which is something considering the previous season and primarily the blood-bath episode which was the talk of the Internets. This year we get more turmoil and a death that will most certainly be celebrated rather than mourned and a subplot involving life and death for our favorite snarky character, Tyrion Lannister (PETER DINKLAGE). As in the past seasons, I actually enjoyed the development of Daenerys from the first season and marriage-of-convenience to Khal Drago (Jason Momoa) to season four as she further comes of her own and vies for the throne, an unlikely yet formidable, foe to the rest.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 5.0/5

This “Limited Edition” release has the 5-discs contained in a nice and sturdy Steelbook packaging which is housed in a clear outer packaging with a “Collectible Sigil Magnet” displayed in front. Inside is a code for the Digital HD copy.

In-Episode Guides – Each episode comes with a picture-in-picture feature where viewers can learn more info on the characters, locations and history as well as a “Complete Guide” with text and audio trivia. ** Blu-ray Exclusive **

Audio Commentaries
– Two Swords: Writers/Executive Producers/Directors David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, and Actor Pedro Pascal
– The Lion and the Rose: Actors Jack Gleeson & Natalie Dormer and Co-Executive Producer/Author George R.R. Martin, and Director Alex Graves
– Oathkeeper: Director Michelle MacLaren and Director of Photography Robert McLachlan
– First of His Name: Actors Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams
– The Laws of Gods and Men: Director Alik Sakharov and Writer/Co-Producer Bryan Cogman
– Mockingbird: Actors Aidan Gillen & Kate Dickie, Executive Producer Bernadette Caulfield, and Producer Chris Newman
– The Mountain and the Viper: Production Designer Deborah Riley, Costume Designer Michele Clapton, and Director of Photography Anette Haellmigk
– The Watchers on the Wall: Actors Kit Harrington, Rose Leslie and John Bradley
– The Watchers on the Wall: VFX Producer Steve Killback and VFX Supervisor Joe Bauer
– The Children: Actors Rory McCann & Gwendoline Christie, and Director Alex Graves
– The Children: Actors Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Disc 1:
The Politics of Power: A Look Back at Season 3 (25:02; HD) – Revisit the brutal events of Season 3 to see the power shifts that define Westeros at the start of Season 4.

New Characters & Locations (7:39; HD) – Explore the new societies, cultures and locations of Season 4.

Bastards of Westeros (7:16; HD) – Hear showrunners David Benioff & D.B. Weiss and author George R.R. Martin discuss the role bastards play in the Seven Kingdoms.

Disc 4:
Histories and Lore – Learn about the mythology of Westeros as told from varying perspectives of the characters themselves. ** Blu-ray Exclusive **

Behind the Battle for the Wall (37:11; HD) – Follow the cast and crew as they create the most ambitious battle to date. This documentary explores the challenges of putting together one of the series’ most intense episodes.

The Fallen: A Roundtable (29:37; HD) – Writer Bryan Cogman sits down with a few of the many cast members who meet their demise in Season 4. From first learning of their death to shooting their final scene, this featurette sheds light on what it’s like to live – and die – in the “Game of Thrones” world.

Deleted Scenes (3:05; HD) – Only two scenes are included.

Blooper Reel (2:02; HD)

VIDEO – 4.75/5

AUDIO – 5.0/5

OVERALL – 4.75/5

Overall, it just doesn’t seem fair that it would seem subsequent seasons of “Game of Thrones” gets better but it’s happened… yet again. After a third season ripe with more violence, and blood, than the previous two probably combined (and that’s saying something), season four might take it up a notch, but it’s at least a lateral move. It’s another brilliant year and a top notch (re)release by HBO with amazing features to go along with the incredible video and audio transfers.