Davos and Tormund see a concert, and Game of Thrones’ Emmy-winning sound man talks his craft

We’ve got a few odds and ends for you today. Let’s start with a sight I’m sure every Game of Thrones fan has been dying to see: Davos Seaworth and Tormund Giantsbane taking in a U2 concert together.

Photo: Belfast Live

Kristofer Hivju (Tormund) and Liam Cunningham (Davos) were seen taking in the sold-out show at the SSE Arena in Belfast. Because they are super-nice guys, they had no problem taking selfies with fans.

Alan Lewis – PhotopressBelfast.co.uk. 20/11/2015. Mandatory Credit – Picture by Justin Kernoghan

Elsewhere, Audio Media International sat down for an interview with Ronan Hill, who has worked as a sound mixer on Game of Thrones’ since the pilot. Hill recently won an Emmy for his work on Season 5’s “Hardhome” and revealed an on-set story about that storied episode.

"A lot of the show is shot exterior in difficult, inaccessible locations…Our local weather is also a challenge. I remember one morning in particular when we were shooting the shoreline scenes on Hardhome. There was horizontal rain. It was one of those rare occasions were you feel filming is impractical and someone will make the decision to send us home. When the decision was made it was to set up four cameras and shoot."

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night shall stop Game of Thrones from filming material. The full interview is interesting, if technical, as Hill talks about the equipment he uses to bring the show’s soundscapes to life. It’s a good read for audiophiles.

Finally, let me take you back a few weeks into the past, when Emilia Clarke revealed that her performance as Daenerys Targaryen was partially inspired by Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchette’s performance as the Queen of England in 1998’s Elizabeth. Blanchett is current doing press for her movie Carol, and an interview for Extra brought up the connection (the interviewer’s exact phrasing: “Emilia Clarke, who plays Khaleesi, has said…”). Blanchett was charmingly flattered.

"Oh, really? I’m sure it would have gone the other way, if she’d been born when I played Elizabeth. That’s really lovely! Gosh, I’m flattered."

Blanchett also admitted to watching Game of Thrones, although she does it with her hands over her face, presumably to prepare herself for the bloody bits. Extra has video of the interview.

BEGIN SPOILERS AND SPECULATION

Returning to the U2 concert, I’d like to read too deeply into things for a moment. If Hivju and Cunningham are hanging out, it could mean that they’ve spent time together on set, which could mean that their characters will get some scenes together in Season 6. Based on filming reports, we know that the wildlings will travel south with Jon Snow and take part in the fight against House Bolton and its allies toward the end of the year. As a prominent wildling, it’s assumed that Tormund Giantsbane will be among them.

It’s less clear what part Davos will play in all this, or even if he’ll play a part, but there have been reports that he’ll be present at the battle, as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tormund and Davos fighting on the same side.