Lee Hnetinka’s opinion about GOT season 2

Season 2 of Game of Thrones consists of ten episodes and began filming on July 25, 2011 and wrapped on December 12, 2011. Season 2 has a budget 15% higher than Season 1, putting it in the region of $69 million.[1] David Benioff and D.B. Weiss returned as executive producers and show runners.

The season premiered on April 1, 2012.

Season 2 is mostly based on A Clash of Kings, the second book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin.

Season 2 of Game of Thrones consists of ten episodes and began filming on July 25, 2011 and wrapped on December 12, 2011. Season 2 has a budget 15% higher than Season 1, putting it in the region of $69 million.[1] David Benioff and D.B. Weiss returned as executive producers and show runners.

The season premiered on April 1, 2012.

 Season 2 is mostly based on A Clash of Kings, the second book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin.

Plot

Season 2 Locations map

A map showing the notable locations featured in Season 2.

Season 2 spans several months on a world where the seasons last for years at a time. The Seven Kingdoms are at war, with the King in the North, Robb Stark, fighting to win independence for his people and those of the Riverlands. Robb decides that he must win the allegiance of the fiercely independent ironborn to his cause, and sends his best friend TheonGreyjoy to treat with his father, who is hatching plans of his own. Meanwhile, JoffreyBaratheon holds the Iron Throne with the backing of the powerful House Lannister, but his uncle Renly has also claimed the throne with the support of House Tyrell, whose armies are much larger. As they struggle for the throne, TyrionLannister arrives in King's Landing to take matters in hand, only to face opposition from his scheming sister, Cersei, now the Queen Regent.

However, there is another faction entering the picture. StannisBaratheon, Robert's younger brother and Renly's older brother, has also claimed the Iron Throne. A proven battle commander and veteran of several wars, Stannis is known to be utterly without mercy to his enemies and will do what is right even if it destroys him. Advising him is Melisandre, an enigmatic priestess from the east, who believes Stannis is meant for a greater destiny , and Ser Davos Seaworth, an honest and honorable man uneasy with the shifts in power at Stannis' court.

Far to the east, DaenerysTargaryen has hatched the only three dragons in the world. Eventually they will grow into terrifying monsters capable of destroying cities at her command, but for now they are still hatchlings and vulnerable. With her khalasar gone, Daenerys and her small band of followers must find a way across a forbidding wasteland and find new allies to support her claim to the Iron Throne.

In the distant north, the Night's Watch has mounted an expedition beyond the Wall, searching for missing rangers and investigating rumors of wildlings gathering in the mountains. For Jon Snow this will be a rite of passage as he is asked to make difficult choices, for the realm and for himself.

Starring cast

·        Peter Dinklage as TyrionLannister (10 episodes)

·        Lena Headey as Queen CerseiLannister (9 episodes)

·        NikolajCoster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister (4 episodes)

·        Michelle Fairley as Lady Catelyn Stark (8 episodes)

·        Emilia Clarke as Queen DaenerysTargaryen (8 episodes)

·        Aidan Gillen as Lord PetyrBaelish (7 episodes)

·        Iain Glen as SerJorahMormont (7 episodes)

·        Kit Harington as Jon Snow (8 episodes)

·        Charles Dance as Lord TywinLannister (7 episodes)

·        Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth (6 episodes)

·        Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Prince Bran Stark (7 episodes)

·        Richard Madden as King Robb Stark (6 episodes)

·        Sophie Turner as Princess Sansa Stark (7 episodes)

·        Maisie Williams as Princess Arya Stark (9 episodes)

·        Alfie Allen as TheonGreyjoy (8 episodes)

·        John Bradley as SamwellTarly (6 episodes)

·        Jack Gleeson as King JoffreyBaratheon (6 episodes)

·        Rory McCann as SandorClegane (5 episodes)

·        Stephen Dillane as King StannisBaratheon (7 episodes)

·        Carice van Houten as Lady Melisandre (4 episodes)

·        Natalie Dormer as Queen Margaery Tyrell (4 episodes)

·        James Cosmo as Lord Commander JeorMormont (3 episodes)

·        Jerome Flynn as Bronn (7 episodes)

·        Conleth Hill as Lord Varys (6 episodes)

·        SibelKekilli as Shae (8 episodes)

Also starring

·        Jason Momoa as KhalDrogo ("ValarMorghulis")

·        Selected guest starring cast

·        Donald Sumpter as MaesterLuwin (7 episodes)

·        Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth (7 episodes)

·        Steven Cole as Kovarro (7 episodes)

·        Joe Dempsie as Gendry (7 episodes)

·        Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie (7 episodes)

·        KristianNairn as Hodor (7 episodes)

·        Natalia Tena as Osha (6 episodes)

·        Tom Wlaschiha as JaqenH'ghar (6 episodes)

·        Amrita Acharia as Irri (5 episodes)

·        NonsoAnozie as XaroXhoanDaxos (5 episodes)

·        Julian Glover as Grand MaesterPycelle (5 episodes)

·        EsméBianco as Ros (5 episodes)

·        Oona Chaplin as Lady TalisaMaegyr (5 episodes)

·        Ben Crompton as EddisonTollett (5 episodes)

·        Ralph Ineson as DagmerCleftjaw (5 episodes)

·        Finn Jones as SerLoras Tyrell (5 episodes)

·        Mark Stanley as Grenn (5 episodes)

·        Roxanne McKee as Doreah (5 episodes)

·        Art Parkinson as Prince Rickon Stark (5 episodes)

·        Simon Armstrong as Qhorin (4 episodes)

·        Ian Hanmore as PyatPree (4 episodes)

·        Forbes KB as Lorren (4 episodes)

·        Rose Leslie as Ygritte (4 episodes)

·        Kerr Logan as MatthosSeaworth (4 episodes)

·        Michael McElhatton as Lord Roose Bolton (4 episodes)

·        FintanMcKeown as Ser Amory Lorch (4 episodes)

·        Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne (4 episodes)

·        Aimee Richardson as Princess MyrcellaBaratheon (4 episodes)

·        CallumWharry as Prince TommenBaratheon (4 episodes)

·        Gemma Whelan as YaraGreyjoy (4 episodes)

·        Ian Whyte as SerGregorClegane / White Walker (3 episodes)

·        Andy Beckwith as Rorge (3 episodes)

·        Nicholas Blane as the Spice King (3 episodes)

·        Karl Davies as Ser Alton Lannister (3 episodes)

·        Maisie Dee as Daisy (3 episodes)

·        Ron Donachie as SerRodrik Cassel (4 episodes)

·        Gerard Jordan as Biter (3 episodes)

·        SlavkoJuraga as the Silk King (3 episodes)

·        Sahara Knite as Armeca (3 episodes)

·        Hannah Murray as Gilly (3 episodes)

·        Robert Pugh as Craster (3 episodes)

·        Eros Vlahos as Lommy (3 episodes)

·        Gethin Anthony as King RenlyBaratheon (3 episodes)

·        Ian Beattie as SerMerynTrant (3 episodes)

·        Eugene Simon as SerLancelLannister (3 episodes)

·        Tony Way as SerDontosHollard (3 episodes)

·        Dominic Carter as Lord Janos Slynt (2 episodes)

·        Edward Dogliani as the Lord of Bones (2 episodes)

·        Roy Dotrice as Hallyne (2 episodes)

·        Francis Magee as Yoren (2 episodes)

·        John Stahl as Lord Rickard Karstark (2 episodes)

·        Elyes Gabel as Rakharo ("The North Remembers")

·        Lucian Msamati as SalladhorSaan ("Night Lands")

·        Ian Gelder as SerKevanLannister ("The Prince of Winterfell")

·        Wilko Johnson as SerIlyn Payne ("Blackwater")

Text extracted from:http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Season_2