Peripheral cuts

Ahoy, squirts! Quin—I mean, FaBio here! With the latest slew of casting announcements, I thought it high time (i.e. the readership stuck hot pokers in my eyes and screamed at me) to do another Casting Cuts post.

Is this the last Casting Cuts post? No. There will never be a last one. Maybe when the show itself gets the axe. Flying spaghetti monsters willing, that end will come when GRRM hopes it will come—in ten years. I’ll be 52 years old and possibly dead.

Please note that, aside from the number one name remaining on my list, I truly believe season one to be more-than adequately covered. Eighty-four speaking roles for an inaugural season of anything is enough. Hell, I’m hoping it’s not so much that it confounds potential audiences. At least they won’t have to memorize names–just beards.

SPOILER NOTE: as per the usual, this post and its attached comments will be riddled with spoilers of various magnitudes. Newcomers, you have been warned! Spoilers abound! And really, isn’t it about time you actually read A Game of Thrones?

I once again give you my list of the top ten roles that remain to be cast. I have ranked them in my personal order of importance, but feel free to debate the merits of their rankings as well as the impact their absence would have on the story. Special non-mention must first go to Tobho Mott, whom a reliable bird has told me is pretty much already cast. So I won’t fret about him. I also won’t fret over the High Priestess of the Dosh Khaleen, because between one crone or the other—who cares who gets the role? Whichever actress can wail the loudest?

The best of the rest are:

1.Walder Frey: We still only have a passing mention by GRRM, months ago, that they were looking to cast the old bastard, and there’s still no guarantee it will be for this season. But unless they’re really screwing with the timeline I would say he’s vital. I understand how Riverrun and all its folk could be moved over to season two, but if you don’t have Catelyn and Robb’s cross-country travails in the second half of season one, you essentially give them nothing to do for the last four or five episodes. Even if you argue for the crowning of Robb at Winterfell (before he actually leaves), what else does he have to do? Worse, having no Walder Frey weakens Catelyn. We see her at the Eyrie—losing Tyrion—and next thing we know she’s wringing her hands at Whispering Wood. And that’s assuming they don’t move that to next season as well. Walder Frey is at the top of my “Where are you?” list. (The “Late” Lord Frey indeed.) My ultimate wish is that they’re saving the casting and holding out for the hope that Roy Dotrice regains his good health and is able to slip into the old vulture’s chair.

2.Roose Bolton: Many are of the opinion that it is better served to have a quality Bolton (i.e. a relatively well-known and skilled actor) ready to go for season two rather than stuffing someone into his shoes in season one just for the sake of appearances. And I mostly agree, except for one argument: Roose Bolton is supposed to command the forces at the Green Fork. I would strongly argue against a “faceless” Bolton for this task, especially since he loses. You’re not going to fear the terrible sight of the Flayed Man if he gets his ass kicked before we even meet him. I would even rather support the notion of sending the Greatjon to command in his stead, and maybe have Bolton come late (season two) to Robb’s cause, but I don’t want a mere mention if he’s not going to make an impression. And even with that argument, I still think he goes a long way to balance out the Greatjon at Robb’s table. Between the Greatjon and all the other typical blustery northern lords, it would be nice to see a calmer countenance in that sea of bearded faces. If I had my druthers we’d have a quality Bolton in season one.

3.Jeyne Poole: All we really have regarding poor little Ms. Poole is the fact that she had a stand-in while they were filming certain Winterfell scenes; it doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll actually be a credited actress or survive the cutting room floor. I still consider her relevant to the production—if for no other reason than giving the energetic Sophie Turner someone to bounce off of.

4.Mya Stone: I’ll just repeat what I said last time (just pretend I’m saying it louder): If they’re really focusing on the Hunt for Robert’s Bastards, they would be remiss in leaving out his eldest. Can she make an appearance in later seasons? Sure. But now is better.

5.Beric Dondarrion: I’m still in support of the notion that has us casting some dude in Beric’s armor for season one and then an actual Beric (with a face and everything) later on down the road. But eventually we need to see him. I’m not in the minority when I say he’s important.

6.Podrick Payne: Because we still need someone to blame. Besides Padraig.

7.Lyanna Stark: Now we’re delving into flashback territory. Is it a role with few lines? Probably, but it’s still vital. They need her face for Lyanna’s tomb at Winterfell (unless Robert’s “She was more beautiful than that” quip becomes some sort of inside joke), and they need her voice for “Promise me, Ned.”

8.Rhaegar Targaryen: Flashback territory part two. If you have Lyanna, you need Rhaegar, even if he’s only at first seen at the Trident, in full armor and helmeted.

9.Tysha: This is a role I’ve been weighing in my mind a while now. She was vital to Tyrion’s development, and my hope would be for a full-on flashback scene where we get to see her secret marriage to Tyrion as well as Tywin’s reaction and the subsequent actions he takes. It’s possible they’ll just have Dinklage give it to us in a tragic monologue, but since this is a wish list…

10.Kyra: Granted, this role wouldn’t have even popped onto my radar before the enigmatic TIA came back into the Game of Thrones conversation, but the more I think about it the more I like the idea that Theon might actually get his little “bed weasel.” This is HBO: there will probably be a lot more on-screen sex than even the generous amount GRRM gave us. And that’s …

… that’s just fine.

• Published on 11/07/2010 at 6:17 AM CDT
• Last updated on 11/07/2010 at 6:17 AM CDT