Ladies take the lead in 'Thones' opener

As HBO’s epic “Game of Thrones” returns for a third season, the battle for the Iron Throne is as contentious and volatile as ever.

While blonde and psychotic little Joffrey Batatheon currently reigns, he’s got an abundance of opposition. Robb Stark is battling his way toward King’s Landing, but can he take the pressure of the crown? Everyone’s favorite Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen, has her pet dragons in tow and seeks an army to take back the throne her father once sat on. Stannis Baratheon, recently defeated at the Battle of Blackwater, licks his wounds in a cave with his insane redheaded witch mistress.

Plus, I’m pretty sure there are like, 12 other people vying for the Iron Throne, but it’s hard to keep track of so many characters spread across such a vast land.

But that has always been one of “Game of Thrones” many strengths, juggling multiple story lines and running them simultaneously with the precision of clockwork. All in all, there’s only so much time we can spend with each character in a season, let alone an episode. Which is why the third season premiere is unfortunately Arya Stark-less.

Same goes for Jaime Lannister and his captor Brienne of Tarth, last seen headed to King’s Landing to negotiate the release of the captive Stark girls. But rest assured we’re bound to see these characters soon enough.

I am happy to report I’ve finally almost got every character’s name down. I can also probably vaguely explain each character’s intentions as well, though that’s always been tricky in the land of the Westeros. This goes back to the show’s necessity of handling so much all the time.

Most of the time when I’m watching “Game of Thrones,” I’m only 75 percent aware of what’s actually going on. But that only speaks to the show’s brilliance when I don’t exactly know what’s happening. Every scene is directed with such exactitude, each piece of dialogue so expertly timed to deliver the bite it’s worthy of. While the tail end of last season relied on grand battles and showmanship, this season begins with a series of dialogue-heavy exchanges between small groups of players. But it’s just as exciting, so have no fear the momentum will halt.

And if the first episode is to be a jumping-off point, it seems the ladies of the Westeros are bound to have their finest season yet. Not only does Daenerys get more badass as the show progresses, but King Joffrey’s new fiancé Margaery seems to have her eye firmly on the prize.

Let us not forget she was the woman more than ready to marry a gay man just to call herself Queen. We can only imagine the manipulation she’ll subject Joffrey to. In a show built on masculine brawn and swords, the feminine touch may prove to be the most influential of all.

By Dane McDonald