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Arts and Entertainment => Film, Music, Sports, and more => Topic started by: stromboli on June 03, 2013, 11:22:51 AM

Title: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 03, 2013, 11:22:51 AM
Ok, restarting the G of T thread. To those of you who saw the last episode, SURPRISE! Since I've read the books I won't comment on what happened or whatever. But in a general sense, I will say that plot twists do not go the direction you expect them to.  :twisted:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 03, 2013, 08:16:32 PM
Oops, looks like we lost a few hours of posts!

I wanted to ask if we can make spoiler rules. I would like to propose that we only spoil book differences and future information, but allow discussion of everything aired in the TV show openly. Otherwise we would just have to spoil all our comments! Which is what happened in the old thread.

P.s. The actress who plays Catelyn deserves an Emmy for last nights performance, I think. Chilling performance. Wow!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 03, 2013, 10:59:41 PM
No lie, I nearly quit watching GoT after last episode. I will go ahead and spoil it just incase we decide that's the route we go...

[spoil:1k6lvyu1]-Robb Stark was one of the two remaining characters I want to see win the throne. Stannis is cool, but I just don't think he is fit to lead. All that is left now is Danny. I still care about Arya's story arc and to an extent Jon Snow, and of course the Imp and Jamie...But that leads to the problem in my next point...

-This just shows that, even if you are one of the best characters in the show, you can die. Because of this... I feel like just removing all attachment to the characters because there doesn't seem to be any point in it. How do I know Danny doesn't die next episode? And when she dies, I really couldn't give a shit what happens anymore... the Lannisters would have won. I guess the family Jeofry is marrying still interests me and has a chance...but meh.

-On the two bright sides...

1. I have the feeling Jeofry and that Greyjoy guy (the dad) should die soon, since the priestess said their names as well. But at this point, I don't even give a fuck if Jeofry dies... I have had so much rage bottled at the little bitch and have wanted to see him suffer a terrible death, but now that rage is completely dwarfed by my hatred of the Freys.

2. I do have ONE more reason to watch it... I want to see Frey suffer. I don't mean die humiliating like Robb. I don't mean being betrayed and beheaded like Ned. I don't even mean torture like Theron has to endure.

I want to see an entire season dedicated to this man being slowly tortured and broken. Everything that has happened to Theron, I want to be multiplied by 10. I want to see his entire fucking families' heads on pikes, his castle burned and his torture to be a public spectacle. And bloody fuck I want to see Lord Bolton flayed and choked with his own entrails.

You might not have guessed it... but this scene made me extremely mad :|.[/spoil:1k6lvyu1]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 03, 2013, 11:24:23 PM
Quote from: "Shiranu"No lie, I nearly quit watching GoT after last episode. I will go ahead and spoil it just incase we decide that's the route we go...

[spoil:zowygdwm]-Robb Stark was one of the two remaining characters I want to see win the throne. Stannis is cool, but I just don't think he is fit to lead. All that is left now is Danny. I still care about Arya's story arc and to an extent Jon Snow, and of course the Imp and Jamie...But that leads to the problem in my next point...

-This just shows that, even if you are one of the best characters in the show, you can die. Because of this... I feel like just removing all attachment to the characters because there doesn't seem to be any point in it. How do I know Danny doesn't die next episode? And when she dies, I really couldn't give a shit what happens anymore... the Lannisters would have won. I guess the family Jeofry is marrying still interests me and has a chance...but meh.

-On the two bright sides...

1. I have the feeling Jeofry and that Greyjoy guy (the dad) should die soon, since the priestess said their names as well. But at this point, I don't even give a fuck if Jeofry dies... I have had so much rage bottled at the little bitch and have wanted to see him suffer a terrible death, but now that rage is completely dwarfed by my hatred of the Freys.

2. I do have ONE more reason to watch it... I want to see Frey suffer. I don't mean die humiliating like Robb. I don't mean being betrayed and beheaded like Ned. I don't even mean torture like Theron has to endure.

I want to see an entire season dedicated to this man being slowly tortured and broken. Everything that has happened to Theron, I want to be multiplied by 10. I want to see his entire fucking families' heads on pikes, his castle burned and his torture to be a public spectacle. And bloody fuck I want to see Lord Bolton flayed and choked with his own entrails.

You might not have guessed it... but this scene made me extremely mad :|.[/spoil:zowygdwm]
My my, you certainly are invested in the characters!!  But that's good, honest.  Also find it odd, you are not the first person I  have heard express the desire to quit watching.  When this "episode" happened in the book, I didn't feel that way.  Maybe it was really more powerful on TV.

I know it hurts when Martin kills off characters, but I'm sure by now you have realized he does this more often than other writers.  It is terribly painful, I have been left in tears on numerous occasions, but at the same time, that is what makes this whole story SO BLOODY BRILLIANT.  It's real.  In most stories, you know the "good" guy isn't going to die, so even if there is a massive threat/war/battle, even if he gets badly injured, you know he'll pull through.  It makes traditional "heroic" style story telling a little bland and predictable.  Real life is not like that, in real life people we like die, sometimes suddenly and without warning, unfairly and ignominiously, and bad, stupid asshat people sometimes come out on top.

Ok, hope none of that is spoilers because I didn't name one name.  Just general story principal which even only season one watchers should understand.

But now, onto stuff that may spoil for people not up to season 3, episode 9, also very slight spoiler for the future, just to calm some people down, not major, no names named or anything, I promise!

[spoil:zowygdwm]They aren't going to kill of every likable character, or no one would watch or read the story.  Some live, some die, but I guarantee you that at least one (probably more) of your favorite characters is going to be alive and doing interesting things 2 seasons from now.  Neither Martin nor the TV writers would stab themselves in the foot by destroying all the interesting characters and leaving us with a cast of unlikable douchbags.[/spoil:zowygdwm]

About this episode specifically:

[spoil:zowygdwm]If I remember correctly Shiranu, you don't like Arya right?  That's too bad.  I found her story the most compelling tonight.  The lucky/unlucky child who survives the slow destruction of her family, but is forever altered by repeatedly witnessing it.  At least she didn't see them die this time.

And Dany IS on fire isn't she.  Capturing a city without hardly even having to fight for it.  She's hard and soft in all the right places (physically and psychologically, hehe.)

I thought Jon's story got a lot better tonight as well, as did Bran's. Arya and Jon both defending old men...Arya successfully, Jon not so much, but they are still alike in many ways.  And Jon missing Bran and Rickon by yards!

I really hope the finale (episode 10) is what I hope it is.  I really....really...need it, too. Catharsis.[/spoil:zowygdwm]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 04, 2013, 12:22:23 AM
Oh no, I do like Arya.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 04, 2013, 12:32:15 AM
Quote from: "Shiranu"Oh no, I do like Arya.
Oh, that's good then.   :-D
[spoil:1ny3zslw]You should enjoy season 4 then.  She has a GREAT story arc coming.[/spoil:1ny3zslw]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 04, 2013, 12:50:41 AM
To recap my previous reviews of the show:

[spoil:2fvekjuo]Stannis is my king.
Varys is my BFF.
Tyrion is kind of a nice guy, but his spendthrift ways are annoying.
I liked Dany before she went Danybraham Lincoln.
The Lannisters and the Starks are terrible and I hope they both lose the war.
Poor Theon   :(
Littlefinger scares me.
I hope Sam (aka sack of crap) dies.
I hope Jaimie dies.
I hope Cersei dies.
I hope Joffrey dies.
Tywinn is pretty cool, so he lives.

I'm contemplating a fanfic where Stannis takes King's Landing before Tywinn's forces get there.  Joffrey and Cersei die.  Cersei by poison, Joffrey runs and is hunted down through the castle and almost makes it out a window before he's plugged by a crossbow bolt and falls to his death.  Tywinn's forces are intercepted and Tywinn ultimately surrenders.  Tyrion is wounded in battle but survives and is briefly imprisoned before being pardoned to live the rest of his life at Casterly Rock with his "funny whore".  Jaimie tries to escape from Brienne and gets himself killed by locals after he overplays his [s:2fvekjuo]hand[/s:2fvekjuo] position.  Stannis frees Sansa and the Starks conclude their war and march back North.  Arya makes it back to Winterfell on her own a few months later (a few years later, she leaves again to Braavos for "dancing lessons").  Sensing the changing political conditions, the Greyjoys postpone their rebellion indefinitely.   Stannis becomes King.  Davos Seaworth becomes Hand of the King.  Melissandra, Varys, and Littlefinger also advice the King, with obvious bad blood between everyone, Davos and Melissandra have great influence, Varys a moderate amount (or so he'd lead you to believe) and Littlefinger has almost no influence and grows increasingly frustrated.  Stannis restaffs the wall and pushes back the whitewalkers (with copious amounts of fire).  When Dany invades, she pushes hard, and it's a pretty close fight, but Stannis ultimately prevails.  Everyone is happy except the people who are dead.  The End.[/spoil:2fvekjuo]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 04, 2013, 01:41:29 AM
Season 3, Episode 9 review:

[spoil:17axai1t]Robb and his mum have both been taking crazy pills this episode.  Robb:  "If we take Tywinn's castle from him, his people will realize he's not invincible and take his power."  Oh really? That's exactly what happened to you, and you're still kicking.   :-k  And Lady Stark (who feels really bad about wanting a kid to die once and even is tenderhearted enough to spring Jaimie to end hostilities) says, and I quote: "Show them [the Lannisters] how it feels to lose what they love."  *jawdrops*

Lord Frey is great.  Such a character.  LOL.

Daario is SooOO Jaqen.  He even does the "A man" thing.  And Ser Friendzone is slightly jealous though understandably suspicious.

Crap Sack's girlfriend is even more of an idiot than he is.  Yes, you can know things by reading about them.  But Crap Sack should bear in mind that old books recount old conditions that may have changed in the interim.  Idiot.

Arya is definitely going to make some heads roll when she gets older.

Right as the Wildling army rushes up to that poor old man's house, my roomie said "What's in your wallet (//http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drqO8aySdFg)?"   :rollin:

Hodor.  HODOR.  HODOR!  Assuming direct control.  HOD-- ZzzZzzz

Meanwhile, the other Warg screws over Jon by presenting him with a Kill this kitten (//http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IfYoureSoEvilEatThisKitten) dilemma.  Jon wins, but Warg attacks him as an eagle.  Since he's dead, is he trapped as an eagle now?  Or does he lose control when he dies?

Grey Worm is badass in battle.  He's freakin' boss with that spear.  Then they're surrounded by practically all of Yunkai's guards.  And cut.  And suddenly, they all survived and the city is theirs.   :-s   Go Dany.  (he said with sarcastic enthusiasm)  She's 2/2 on victories against Yunkai despite not doing a damn thing herself.

And the other shoe drops.  Lord Frey kills everybody.  Right out of the blue.  Lord Bolton is even in on it.  Good for the guard for not letting the Hound in.  Probably trying to spare the Hound, but the Hound's too much of an idiot to realize it.  All that bloodshed is a bit much for reneging on a wedding plan, don'tcha think?

Poor Arya.  So close...[/spoil:17axai1t]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 04, 2013, 02:10:04 AM
QuoteDaario is SooOO Jaqen. He even does the "A man" thing. And Ser Friendzone is slightly jealous though understandably suspicious.
You do realize that people from the same country often have similar speech patterns and stuff?  I mean, Mellisandre and even the SLAVE Dany rescued also said "Valar Morgulis".  I mean, it could be him, but he's from the same part of the world, so also maybe not.

Also, although they are half brothers and look kind of the same, that's Jon north of the wall, not Robb...lol
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 04, 2013, 02:25:53 AM
Quote from: "Aroura33"Also, although they are half brothers and look kind of the same, that's Jon north of the wall, not Robb...lol
Fixed.

[spoil:1urwnsgm]
QuoteYou do realize that people from the same country often have similar speech patterns and stuff?
There's so many other things, though.  (sadly that post is gone forever)

Jaqen leaves.  Presumably leaves Westeroes.  Tropes being what they are he's too good a character to put him on a bus forever. Suddenly, a character with many of his same character traits is introduced in Dany's plot.  Apparently, an expert assassin as well as a damn good warrior, with an awfully familiar audaciousness to him.  And gets very close to Dany.  Close to her heart...[/spoil:1urwnsgm]
Title:
Post by: stromboli on June 04, 2013, 08:49:16 AM
Season ender next week. More surprises. Don't miss.
Title:
Post by: missingnocchi on June 04, 2013, 10:48:10 AM
I started watching the show a while ago. Only a couple episodes in, but I'm halfway through A Dance with Dragons in the book series. From the discussion, I can tell what point you're at. Actually, I stopped reading the books for a while after that point, but I'm really glad I started again. There is still a lot of cool stuff that's going to happen in season 3, so don't lose hope.

My opinion of the TV adaptation is that everything is perfect, except for Ned Stark. I think he isn't cast well to play the character I knew in the book, and it seems like the result of that is a somewhat different Ned. On the other hand, Robb's portrayal actually enhances my view of him in the books. He isn't nearly as fleshed out as the other characters in the original books, and most of my desire for him to succeed was driven by hating the Lannisters. Now I can actually feel the power of the Young Wolf.
Title:
Post by: stromboli on June 04, 2013, 11:30:00 AM
I think the problem from an author's point of view is that he knows certain characters like Robb, Viserys and Khal Drogo are going to be toast at some point, so he isn't necessarily going to invest a lot into fleshing out the character. Ned Stark might be a good example also. In his case I think Sean Bean was almost a foregone conclusion to play him. I noted when reading that certain characters do tend to be more developed- Brienne, Tyrion, Arya and Sansa, for example, than their initial importance in the story. This is an indication of their future, in my opinion. At the beginning when reading, I never thought Tyrion would become so central. Give Martin credit, he knows how to upend traditional plotting and give it a fresh twist.

I'm dying for the next volume to come out because Martin left some major WTF? at the end of the last book. He really aggravated me with that.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 04, 2013, 02:33:37 PM
S3E9 spoilders:

[spoil:q6iwl9cw](//http://24.media.tumblr.com/0909e75621ef3967f7156bfb6fb77aa4/tumblr_mnuzsnMB591rb3m66o1_250.gif)

Oh you.   :lol:

(//http://i.imgur.com/d6d5Ip7.jpg)

He's not taking his character's death very well.  I sorta feel bad for him, but on the other hand, Richard Madden is a lucky, lucky man.  He has the impossible girlfriend.

(//http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3t4p4ZQ7c1r2gpjvo1_500.png)

When I was your age, I would have broken 50 oaths to get into that.   :-D[/spoil:q6iwl9cw]
Title:
Post by: stromboli on June 04, 2013, 09:12:42 PM
Jenna Louise Coleman
https://www.google.com/search?q=richard ... 80&bih=923 (https://www.google.com/search?q=richard+madden+girlfriend+jenna+louise+coleman&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS415US450&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=64-uUZHwGuXIigLzk4HICw&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=923)

Yowsa.
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Post by: Shiranu on June 04, 2013, 10:31:02 PM
Meh.
Title:
Post by: Notthesun on June 05, 2013, 12:54:38 AM
There are no main characters in Game of Thrones. That's what makes this series so amazing. Anyone can die!!!!
Title:
Post by: Hydra009 on June 05, 2013, 03:03:09 AM
Quote from: "Notthesun"There are no main characters in Game of Thrones. That's what makes this series so amazing.
I dunno about that.  It's fairly obvious who the focal characters are, there's just a lot of them and they get shuffled around a lot, with characters dying off and other characters gaining prominence.  There are also supporting characters who you know will never achieve much prominence - various servants and squires and working ladies and peasants.

I do appreciate that anyone can die, but he makes Hamlet look like Spongebob Squarepants.  There are probably more character deaths in Game of Thrones than Walking Dead.  And the real twist of the knife is that it happens to major characters you've grown attached to and you usually don't see it coming.  It doesn't follow the pattern that you'd expect.  The cop two days from retirement, the wizened mentor, the Red Shirt, the hero's bff comrade, etc - those I can see.  Nope, instead it's characters who you'd expect to be firmly under the protection of character shields who bite it.  And boy do they bite it...
Title:
Post by: Notthesun on June 05, 2013, 04:00:48 AM
See, I still stick to my point. I do not think there are any real main characters in Game of Thrones. Sure, there are the ones he gives chapter perspectives to, but any person is just as much capable of dying as the other. I suppose I just like to think GRRM broke free from the whole idea.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 10, 2013, 11:09:33 PM
So the season finale was not a big WOW like episode 9, but still had some great moments.  To recap some of the things that stood out for me:

[spoil:1nc0xf4x]Arya gets to see her brother's body with his wolfs head sewn on.  That was gruesome.  I was actually cheering for her when she got off the horse at the Frey camp, acting all urchin cute, and then went all stabity on that guy.  Good thing the Hound was there to take care of the rest of them, I think she didn't care if she died.  It was odd how funny the rest of that scene was. The Hound: "Where did you get that knife?"  Arya: "From you." Then hands it back to him without batting an eyelash, while he admonishes her to warn him next time she wants to kill someone.  Somehow, those two are both macabre and humorous.

John Snow proves that he does, indeed, know nothing with his little speech to Ygritte, right before she fills him full of arrows.  Good thing his dad was Borimir, or surely 3 arrows would have killed him.  :rolleyes:
Also, nice that Ygritte gets to fulfill the stereotypical redhead AND woman scorned...soooo predictable.  Ah well.

I don't care what the rest of you say, I like Sam.  I liked the scene with Maester Aemon as well.

So it turns out the Onion Knight (Sir Davos) is the most moral man in all of Westeros.  I swear, Stannis is stupid and easily led, not great traits for a king.  I'd totally hate his storyline if it weren't for Davos, who I just love to death.  Plus, he sure did learn to read fast!  Why is there a G in night?  Good question.  Stupid English spelling.  
It was damn funny when the Red Witch saved Davos.  I thought his eyes might fall out of his head.  That woman has some strange agenda.  Gald some stories will be converging at the wall soon (I hope).

Loved the story Bran tells about the Rat Cook, and how killing someone with guest rights beneath your own roof is the most reprehensible crime in the eyes of the gods.  Murder?  Naw, that's ok if someone did you wrong. Canabalism?  Not a biggie. But murdering someone after feeding them in your own house?  Then you're doomed for eternity.
Gives me hope that Walder Frey will get his eventually.

Did Cerci look disgusted when she saw Jaimies hand, or was that just me?

Theon's sister apparently didn't get the total douche gene from her dad.  Yay!  But it may be too late for poor, dickless Theon (aka Reek).

Tyrion continues to be shit on by his father, who is smart but also a GIANT asshole (although seeing him send Jeoffry off to bed for showing temper was pure awesome).
But really, how much contempt does he have for Tyrion?  You should be thankful I didn't drown you in the sea when you were born, you malformed little troll.  Love you too dad!  But Tyrions whore...whatever the hell her name is, geeze, Dumb bitch.  You are a "problem" and even you admit you know that.  There are only two ways people in Westeros know how to deal with problems like you, buy them off, or kill them.  Turned down a BAG OF DIOMONDS, continues to act like a prissy, entitled bitch.  I think I can predict her future!
What does Tyrion see in her anyway?

I never know what to say about Sansa's story line every week except...poor Sansa.  Do you think the little monster king got to tell her about her mom and bro?

Kind of didn't like the whole Dany, slaves calling her "mother" ending.  If it was suppsed to be heartwarming, it missed the mark with me, just made me feel like Dany is letting it all go to her head, kind of sick.  First time in a while I'm not liking Dany's storyline.

And Brienne is still alive.  And Gendry too.  So yay for that![/spoil:1nc0xf4x]
And now we get to wait a year to find out what happens next!  #-o
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on June 11, 2013, 03:04:27 AM
They only called her mother because she is the mother of dragons. Also, remember she is a young girl. 16-18, I believe.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Jason78 on June 11, 2013, 04:19:11 AM
Quote from: "Aroura33"And now we get to wait a year to find out what happens next!

Yay!   We get to wait a whole year!


Cryogenic freezing can't come fast enough.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: missingnocchi on June 11, 2013, 01:11:10 PM
Seems like the timeline is being changed quite a bit for the show. You guys are referencing events from 3 different books in one episode. I think that's good though, a lot of the stuff in books 4 & 5 is boring, so it would be terrible to have to deal with it all at once. I heard George RR Martin is trying to fix some continuity/story issues from the books in the show, so I trust that the changes are for the better.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Agramon on June 11, 2013, 01:14:41 PM
My favorite scene:

[spoil:2uwj41ib](//http://i.imgur.com/gfmnyRk.gif)
I can't help but love how sadistic Ramsay is. My second favorite scene was Hodor hearing his echo.[/spoil:2uwj41ib]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 12, 2013, 01:28:00 AM
S3E10:

[spoil:2wirna7f]I'm sorta disappointed that there wasn't anything really notable happen in this season's finale.  Not like we need anything after the Red Wedding, but still, season 2 had Dany's final showdown with  Pyat Pree and the undead army moving in while season 1 had.  All three seasons had MAJOR shockers in episode 9 (public execution, a major battle, and a bloodbath of a wedding, respectively), with still some craziness to spare for the finale except season 3.  :(

I disliked Arya's petty revenge.  It accomplished nothing, and probably endangered the both of them.  Way to go.

Jon got shot so that's good news.  Ygritte's definitely getting some mileage out of those crazy pills.

Crapsack meets Ravenboy, forming a critical mass of uselessness and boredom.   :-|

Tywinn puts the King to bed.  Pure awesomesauce.  But seriously, Tyrion had better watch his mouth.  Last time he was wasted out of his mind, but doing it sober (well, as sober as Tyrion gets) in front of the Small Council?  He's lucky he only got off with a warning this time.  And Pycelle totally dropped that note intentionally.  Such a troll.

Jaimie's back.  Finally.  There's been a dearth of actual (non-painful) sex scenes lately that sorely need to be made up for.

Plenty of Team Stannis in this one.  Mostly just reiterating that they really need Gendry as a sacrifice.  Thanks for the newsflash.  And Seaworth springs him (surprise surprise) and escapes death only because 1) he's great at dealing with mailbox spam 2) Melisandra sees his future and is convinced they need him.  To what?  Marshal allies?  Been there, done that, still have the 3rd degree burns.  Team Stannis is apparently switching gears from the civil war (which they've all but lost) to the zombie apocalypse.  Good for them, but Melisandra aside, they don't have jack all to fight them with.  So good luck there.  And good luck in the civil war.  The Lannisters defeated their only real opposition - the Starks - and are pretty much impossible to unseat now.   :(

Dany is really starting to annoy me.  Her plot is just sooo cheerful and successful compared to everything else going on.  Can't wait for her to crash back down to cold reality.[/spoil:2wirna7f]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 12, 2013, 02:13:49 AM
[spoil:shwhgh9y]
Quote from: "Aroura33"So it turns out the Onion Knight (Sir Davos) is the most moral man in all of Westeros.  I swear, Stannis is stupid and easily led, not great traits for a king.
Hey!  He's just trying to fulfill his destiny, claiming a throne that does actually belong to him and using whatever's available at hand to make it happen.  Sure, he gets pushed around by the Red Lady, but she apparently has spiritual intel that no one else is privy to, so it makes sense that's he's pretty trusting with her.  All in all, he's probably the best out of all the claimants to the throne besides Dany.

QuoteWhy is there a G in night?  Good question.  Stupid English spelling.
Seriously.  I still don't even know how to spell gra/ey.  And is it fat chance or slim chance?  And who the hell decided that Bill is short for William?  And don't even get me started on possessives for words ending in a s.

QuoteLoved the story Bran tells about the Rat Cook, and how killing someone with guest rights beneath your own roof is the most reprehensible crime in the eyes of the gods.  Murder?  Naw, that's ok if someone did you wrong. Canabalism?  Not a biggie. But murdering someone after feeding them in your own house?  Then your doomed for eternity.
That one actually makes sense.  It's a biggie back in ancient times, story of Lot and all.

QuoteGives me hope that Walder Frey will get his eventually.
By the looks of things, Lord Bolton is probably going to be the one dishing it out, seeing as he's going to be settling in the area and Frey might prove to be a threat in the future.

QuoteTheon's sister apparently didn't get the total douche gene from her dad.  Yay!  But it may be too late for poor, dickless Theon (aka Reek).
Just a tad late for a rescue.  At this stage, Lord Greyjoy is probably doing his son a favor.

QuoteTyrions whore...whatever the hell her name is, geeze, Dumb bitch.  You are a "problem" and even you admit you know that.  There are only two ways people in Westeros know how to deal with problems like you, buy them off, or kill them.  Turned down a BAG OF DIOMONDS, continues to act like a prissy, entitled bitch.  I think I can predict her future!
What does Tyrion see in her anyway?
Yep.  She's a goner.  She'll probably end up getting captured by Tywinn or Cerci or Littlefinger or (gods help her) Joffrey, and endangering both her life and Tyrion's life.

I don't really see the point in having her in King's Landing undercover if all she's going to do anymore is be jealous of Sansa, of all people.  GTFO already.

QuoteKind of didn't like the whole Dany, slaves calling her "mother" ending.  If it was supposed to be heartwarming, it missed the mark with me, just made me feel like Dany is letting it all go to her head, kind of sick.  First time in a while I'm not liking Dany's storyline.
Same.  She never even lifted a finger the entire time in Yunkai (the Westeroes equivalent of France, apparently), and come to think of it, her conquest of Astapor (the Westeroes equivalent of Austria (//http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kar%C3%A1nsebes)) was pretty damn easy, too.  "Here's my whole army for your dragon, which I will leash just like a dog and personally try to tame.  I sure hope it doesn't burn my face off while you steal my army and burn my whole city to the ground."  Wah waah.[/spoil:shwhgh9y]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: WitchSabrina on June 12, 2013, 10:04:42 AM
You guys know I'm reading these and completely screwing myself up in the process - right?

(//http://www.woombie.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/crying-baby-1.jpg)
cannot watch Game of Thrones............. must wait for release of videos.........  waaaaaaaaaa
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 12, 2013, 11:07:48 AM
Quote from: "WitchSabrina"You guys know I'm reading these and completely screwing myself up in the process - right?
(//http://i.qkme.me/3utpjr.jpg)

Seriously, stay away from this thread if you're not all caught up on the TV show.  That's what I do when a new episode airs and I haven't seen it yet.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: WitchSabrina on June 12, 2013, 11:28:42 AM
Quote from: "Hydra009"
Quote from: "WitchSabrina"You guys know I'm reading these and completely screwing myself up in the process - right?
(//http://i.qkme.me/3utpjr.jpg)

Seriously, stay away from this thread if you're not all caught up on the TV show.  That's what I do when a new episode airs and I haven't seen it yet.

I know -I know you're right.
*hangs head in shame*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 12, 2013, 06:17:43 PM
Honestly, we ARE spoiling just about everything we say in this thread, too!  [-X

I think season one was pretty close to the book, but since then they have started to pull things from all the books to make the TV story easier to follow.  Since parts of books 3 and 4 AND 5 happen at the same time (which was confusing enough while reading it), it makes perfect sense for the TV writers not to strictly follow the books, but instead create a more streamlined timeline and follow it.  I do not envy them their task.  Even I get confused on who did what to whom for how many cookies, and trying to sort it all out so that a TV audience can follow along and actually CARE about it all must be hard.  Some people's stories have already suffered a LOT.  There are characters in the TV show who are extreeeeemely boring to watch, but who, in the books, are some of my favorite characters.  Jon Snow (and hell, the whole nights watch, really) is the best example of this.  His story is really interesting and intriguing in the books, but a downright snoozefest in the TV show.
Dany gets the opposite problem.  She's also wonderful in the books, but on TV she's raised to almost "The only storyline anyone cares about" status.

I like that the TV show puts faces to the characters for me, but honestly, I recommend any one watching the show to take the time between now and next season and read the books!  The characters are sooo much more believable, so much richer, and their motives make a lot more sense when you get to read the thought processes going on, and all the other details.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 12, 2013, 06:32:40 PM
[spoil:16vn5jwk]
Quote from: "Hydra009"
Quote from: "Aroura33"Loved the story Bran tells about the Rat Cook, and how killing someone with guest rights beneath your own roof is the most reprehensible crime in the eyes of the gods.  Murder?  Naw, that's ok if someone did you wrong. Canabalism?  Not a biggie. But murdering someone after feeding them in your own house?  Then your doomed for eternity.
That one actually makes sense.  It's a biggie back in ancient times, story of Lot and all..
[/spoil:16vn5jwk]
I know this, that's why I loved it!  I was afraid they were not going to make this clear in the TV show, because lets face it, a lot of TV viewers are not the brightest people.  I had already seen a lot of forum chatter (over at TWOP) expressing confusion on the scene where the Stark Party is greeted with trays of bread and large bowls of salt.  They didn't get the point.
Even Christians don't often actually understand the morals of their own stories.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 13, 2013, 03:35:45 AM
[spoil:37d2oxy1]
Quote from: "Aroura33"I know this, that's why I loved it!  I was afraid they were not going to make this clear in the TV show, because lets face it, a lot of TV viewers are not the brightest people.  I had already seen a lot of forum chatter (over at TWOP) expressing confusion on the scene where the Stark Party is greeted with trays of bread and large bowls of salt.  They didn't get the point.
Even Christians don't often actually understand the morals of their own stories.
Yep, it's mainly there to tell the viewers that what Frey did would be considered extremely morally repulsive to just about everyone even in the staggeringly sanguinary Westeroes world.[/spoil:37d2oxy1]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Agramon on June 13, 2013, 01:50:14 PM
[spoil:3oul0esz]It just occurred to me that the guy blowing the trumpet...

[youtube:3oul0esz]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y51M4totvXQ[/youtube:3oul0esz]

...was Ramsay.[/spoil:3oul0esz]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on August 23, 2013, 04:13:05 PM
Season 4 needs to get here already!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: JonathanG on August 23, 2013, 05:17:59 PM
Quote from: NotthesunSeason 4 needs to get here already!

Book 6 needs to get here already, too!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 24, 2013, 01:23:27 AM
That's why I've started reading the books.  Daddy needs his fix.

I'm only halfway through the first one, and I've gotta say, they're pretty good.  Fills in a lot of backstory, little details, and character's inner thoughts that you don't get in the TV series.  I also remember things better when I just read it rather than saw it last week.  Or month.  Or year.

I had no idea King Robert (aka King Lard) was so damn awesome back in the day.

(//http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4k6tzFVbp1qgjqzzo1_500.jpg)
(//http://i.imgur.com/vkSXgiW.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Agramon on August 24, 2013, 03:08:04 AM
I really hope they flash back to Robert's Rebellion when he faces off with Rhaegar. I just want to see Robert in full HAMMER SMASH mode.  :-D
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 24, 2013, 03:15:09 AM
Wore my Stark shirt to class yesterday... I was happy that I got 3, "Oh dude! Nice shirt!"s but at the same time dissapointed that I only got 3, "Oh dude! Nice shirt!"s.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on August 24, 2013, 04:55:41 AM
The 6th book needs to get here NOW!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 24, 2013, 08:23:39 AM
Quote from: "Shiranu"Wore my Stark shirt to class yesterday... I was happy that I got 3, "Oh dude! Nice shirt!"s but at the same time dissapointed that I only got 3, "Oh dude! Nice shirt!"s.
No one said [spoil:1f7hqhu6]The Lannisters send their regards[/spoil:1f7hqhu6]
?  Talk about a wasted opportunity.

At the very least, I'd at least inform you that the night is dark and full of terrors.  ^_^
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on August 24, 2013, 08:37:00 PM
Argh, I don't have HBO, waiting for the DVD to see season 3 ><

Heard it was great though, eager to see the new stuff.

I recently bought the first three books but I haven't had time to read them, hoping to soon though
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on October 27, 2013, 12:21:02 PM
[Season 1 spoilers]
[spoil:2c3sa5l0]Been going through a lot of Game of Thrones videos lately:

[youtube:2c3sa5l0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Mp8MzAjAY[/youtube:2c3sa5l0]

I really wish this scene had been in the TV show.

[youtube:2c3sa5l0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reepxduMxiU[/youtube:2c3sa5l0]
[youtube:2c3sa5l0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lioKGRJi7zo[/youtube:2c3sa5l0]

The lore videos are also really good.  You get to see the rebellion from all sides' perspective.  You really get a sense of how troubled the kingdom was during the reign of the Mad King and even though disparate rebel forces united against him, there were lots of cracks in their alliances, cracks that only widened...[/spoil:2c3sa5l0]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on March 10, 2014, 12:53:47 AM
We are less than a month away! Dear God I cannot wait!!!!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Atheon on March 10, 2014, 01:38:46 AM
I want to see if...

[spoil:37uve7bw]Theon Greyjoy really got his penis lopped off.[/spoil:37uve7bw]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: wolf39us on March 10, 2014, 10:20:01 AM
Waiting so patiently!!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on March 12, 2014, 05:12:49 PM
[youtube:39pxb5l9]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLE0NIeBOgc[/youtube:39pxb5l9]

Tyrion's definitely a crowd favorite, even among the actors.  Nobody went with Stannis.  :(
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on March 13, 2014, 09:08:03 AM
I must confess that I went on a binge: watched seasons 1 and 2, last month; and then season 3, the last two days. Guess I'm ready for season 4.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: PickelledEggs on April 07, 2014, 04:36:41 PM
I don't watch Game of Thrones, but this cat does a great rendition of the theme song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEg4SEch27w
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 08, 2014, 07:52:12 AM
LOL
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 08, 2014, 08:15:30 AM
QuoteTyrion's definitely a crowd favorite, even among the actors.  Nobody went with Stannis.  :(

I would probably go with one of the Tyrells... they are the most powerful family and generally the one I relate to the most anyways; sit back and let other people play the game against each other while they secure as much power as they need to without drawing attention to themselves. And truthfully they are the most powerful family in the series; while the Lannisters would argue they have all the gold... that gold isn't edible. The Tyrells reign over the most fertile region of Westeros and own the most food, natural resources and people. A well-fed army and a large population will do them alot more good than bags of gold when shit hits the fan.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 08, 2014, 10:08:31 AM
Top five characters, anyone?

5) Hodor (Hodor, 'nuff said)
4) Jon Snow (You gotta love the underdog of  the wolf-pack.)
3) Daenerys Targarian (I liked her from the beginning, but she really grew into a fiercefull and amazing character.)
2) Davos Seaworth (Not many like him that much, I get the impression. But his honesty and loyalty really resonate well with me.)
1) Tyrion (both in books as in show; perhaps we can fashion him an iron throne forged from daggers)

This was more difficult than I thought. You guys have a top 5?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 08, 2014, 10:47:21 AM
No real order, I like them in different ways.

1. Daenerys Targarian, for just being a straight up bad ass, her code of ethics and being the rightful heir to the throne (for whatever that is actually worth, given the nature of Westeros aristocracy).
2. Ser Mormont... guy is just really cool.
3. The two Tyrell women... I love them both; they are both playing the system without anyone noticing them.
4. Littlefinger; this will be my list's Davos... this dude is just amazingly nefarious and ambitious. I only dislike him because I fear he will cause the death of other characters I like.
5. Arya and/or the Hound: The character development of Arya I really like, but at the same time I love the Hound just being a complete dick.

Honourable mentions; Ramsey (crazy as fuck), the mercenary with Tyrion (not as, but still, crazy as fuck) Davos (I like him), Stannis, Jamie, the blonde swordswoman... and a whole bunch of other's who's names I cant remember off hand but don't want to describe them for fear of spoilers. I love almost all the characters in GoT, even if it's a love-hate relationship.

I would put Theron Greyjoy on the list but unfortunately I didn't want to go past 5. I feel really, REALLY bad for him because I have a hard time blaming him for what he did.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 08, 2014, 01:28:45 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 08, 2014, 10:08:31 AM
Top five characters, anyone?

5) Hodor (Hodor, 'nuff said)
4) Jon Snow (You gotta love the underdog of  the wolf-pack.)
3) Daenerys Targarian (I liked her from the beginning, but she really grew into a fiercefull and amazing character.)
2) Davos Seaworth (Not many like him that much, I get the impression. But his honesty and loyalty really resonate well with me.)
1) Tyrion (both in books as in show; perhaps we can fashion him an iron throne forged from daggers)

This was more difficult than I thought. You guys have a top 5?

Yikes, you left out the dragons?!??! How could you?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 08, 2014, 01:38:28 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 08, 2014, 01:28:45 PM
Yikes, you left out the dragons?!??! How could you?

Hodor.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 08, 2014, 02:45:19 PM
QuoteYikes, you left out the dragons?!??! How could you?


Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 08, 2014, 01:38:28 PM
Hodor.

Don't know what that means, but if it is a spoiler alert, then let's not go there. :biggrin2:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 08, 2014, 03:42:34 PM
My problem is I read the books. I know what transpires next.
Tyrion, but in the book he was seriously disfigured in the battle of Blackwater.

Daenaerys, of course

Shae, played by Sebelli Kekilli, a former porn star. there are a few porn stars in the show
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/04/08/game-thrones-porn-star-cast-members-revealed/

Makes sense to me.  :biggrin:

Oberon Martell. Well played by the actor, Pedro Pascal. They did a great job of casting there. He really fits the character.

Arya and Sansa Stark; for different reasons

Arya because of her role in the story, but in the book she is a younger person.

Sansa in the show because the actress, Sophie Turner, is dead on in her portrayal. She won't get the credit because the character she plays is full of angst and indecision, but she nailed it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 08, 2014, 07:45:52 PM
I like Shaw, even if she's a bit... bitchy...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 08, 2014, 10:47:37 PM
What, nobody likes Brienne of Tarth? Actually a brilliant job of casting. she is also a dead on portrayal by the actress.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 09, 2014, 12:50:52 PM
What I'm hoping in season 4 is a battle of wits between Tywin and Olenna Tyrell (played by the formidable Diana Riggs).
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 09, 2014, 03:19:20 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 09, 2014, 12:50:52 PM
What I'm hoping in season 4 is a battle of wits between Tywin and Olenna Tyrell (played by the formidable Diana Riggs).

Yes please.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pioteir on April 09, 2014, 06:06:44 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 09, 2014, 12:50:52 PM
What I'm hoping in season 4 is a battle of wits between Tywin and Olenna Tyrell (played by the formidable Diana Riggs).

Don't know about You but I think Tyrion is kinda overwhelmed as of late. I'm still waiting for him to show what he's made of.
Also can't wait for Arya's arc to unfold. I haven't read the books so I'd love to see her training to become the faceless assassin. But that's just me.

I don't know if anyone's seen this clip but it's uber accurate if You ask me :))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVaD8rouJn0

Beeewwwwbs!!!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 09, 2014, 07:12:23 PM
Spoiler alert if you haven't seen season 4, epi 1

'
'
'
BTW: what happened to the NSFW button???
'
'
'
'
'




Quote from: pioteir on April 09, 2014, 06:06:44 PM
Don't know about You but I think Tyrion is kinda overwhelmed as of late. I'm still waiting for him to show what he's made of.

He doesn't know yet that Cercei knows about his love for Shea. That should create a few sparks.


QuoteAlso can't wait for Arya's arc to unfold. I haven't read the books so I'd love to see her training to become the faceless assassin. But that's just me.


Valar Morghulis

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 10, 2014, 03:00:00 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 08, 2014, 10:08:31 AM
Top five characters, anyone?
5) Jorah Mormont
4) Tyrion Lannister
3) Varys
2) Jaqen H'ghar
1) Stannis Baratheon.  Born of Salt and Fire.  Rightful ruler of Westeroes.

Honorable mentions to Margaery, Brienne, and Olenna Tyrell.

Note the utter lack of Starks.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 10, 2014, 08:07:47 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 10, 2014, 03:00:00 AM


Note the utter lack of Starks.

BLASPHEMY

Signed: Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon

(Jon wasn't available)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 10, 2014, 09:15:21 AM
Arya is the only Stark I care for (not counting Jon as a Stark, and even then I am "meh" on him).

Yay for more Margaery and Mormont love :D.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 10, 2014, 09:58:14 AM
There's something to be said about Sansa. She went from, ''yeah I will marry the future king'', to, ''yikes, he's a fucking monster'', to, ''oh, I'm now married to a dwarf, how can I fuck that?''
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 10, 2014, 01:15:35 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 10, 2014, 09:58:14 AM
There's something to be said about Sansa. She went from, ''yeah I will marry the future king'', to, ''yikes, he's a fucking monster'', to, ''oh, I'm now married to a dwarf, how can I fuck that?''
It's less "how can I fuck that?" to "my husband is kin to the monster who killed my family and he's hideous and I'm still scared for my life and I don't know if I can even trust him let alone love him".

The moment she ever does anything in the show, I may change my views on her.  But mostly, she's a character who bad stuff happens to.  (apologies to my English teacher)  Aside from soliciting aid and telling the Tyrells the bleeding obvious (lol necklace of sparrow heads) Sansa is almost entirely a reactive character.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Jason78 on April 11, 2014, 01:44:52 PM
Quote from: pioteir on April 09, 2014, 06:06:44 PM
I don't know if anyone's seen this clip but it's uber accurate if You ask me :))

Beeewwwwbs!!!

(http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/408/919/a7f.jpg)

[spoiler](http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/258/613/b62.gif)[/spoiler]

Damn that's good trailer!

Edit: for spoiler tags
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 14, 2014, 01:02:46 PM
Surprise! Joffrey's dead. Little nasty man bites the bitter pill. Tyrion gets the blame! Who did it? Gasp! And Shae is gone! Or is she? Oooooh. Better pay attention, boys and girls!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on April 14, 2014, 01:30:51 PM
QuoteTop five characters, anyone?

1. Tyrion
2. Dany Targaryen
3. The Hound
4. Jamie Lanister
5. Jon Snow

Honorable Mentions to Varys, Little Finger, and Stanis/Red Witch



Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 14, 2014, 01:44:18 PM
Nice spoilers (thankfully I watched it about an hour before reading it...).
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 14, 2014, 09:04:08 PM
Fuck, Dany was nowhere in epi 2, what's wrong with those producers?!??!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 15, 2014, 01:33:00 AM
Quote from: stromboli on April 14, 2014, 01:02:46 PM
Surprise! Joffrey's dead. Little nasty man bites the bitter pill. Tyrion gets the blame! Who did it? Gasp! And Shae is gone! Or is she? Oooooh. Better pay attention, boys and girls!
Tyrion grabbed the poison cup from Margery's setting.  And she was calling Joffrey over for a toast before Joffrey got distracted with Tyrion.  And wasn't Olenna Tyrell just saying how dreadful it was that a man was killed on his wedding night?  The funny thing about roses is that they're so beautiful that people forget the thorns.  Growing strong.  Growing sharp.

It's positively priceless how well Tyrion is framed for this, but obviously, poison is hardly a crime of passion.  But tell that to Cercei, who already hated him and whose one redeeming quality is the love of her children.  Stiring her to vengeance is like pushing water down a hill.

This assassination was so flawless that I'm surprised I didn't see Jaqen H'gar anywhere.  Though maybe I did and I just didn't know it...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 15, 2014, 01:53:19 AM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 14, 2014, 09:04:08 PM
Fuck, Dany was nowhere in epi 2, what's wrong with those producers?!??!
Khaleesi gets enough screen time as it is and wastes far too much of it.  Instead of Stormborn, I'd call her Spring, because she's always marching.

I'm just glad Stannis got a brief scene.  I'm sensing a bit of a fire motif from his faction.  I love how brutally honest he is about everything.  "More than you", "Meat's bad", "Of course I remember", etc.  He's a straight shooter through and through.  I love how he frames the heretics' deaths, not as religious crime but a secular one - "I gave them an order and they disobeyed".  Very shrewd.  I also loved how he didn't answer the question regarding whether or not he could see the heretics' souls.  Maybe he doesn't see anything in the flames...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 15, 2014, 02:00:51 AM
I don't know what the Tyrell would gain from it though...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 15, 2014, 02:38:26 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on April 15, 2014, 02:00:51 AM
I don't know what the Tyrell would gain from it though...
That depends on who's in line for the Throne.  Jamie, perhaps?  Though he doesn't exactly strike me as the kingly type.

Who was that magician from season 1 who tried his best to keep the lion and the wolf at odds?  With no more wolf, the lion grows fat and proud and...powerful.  Far too powerful.  And just as the seven kingdoms knew the fleeting caress of peace.  How untimely.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Jason78 on April 15, 2014, 06:43:29 AM
S04E02 - Best GoT Episode ever!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 15, 2014, 06:47:44 AM
Well, it seems that in GoT, a wedding will lead to the killing of one of the major characters. It happened twice so far, hope this is not a trend.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 15, 2014, 12:59:49 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 15, 2014, 06:47:44 AM
Well, it seems that in GoT, a wedding will lead to the killing of one of the major characters. It happened twice so far, hope this is not a trend.
Cersei is getting married next.  :)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 15, 2014, 02:42:39 PM
No spoilers, but this season will have some very interesting turns of events, so you really want to watch. I'll wait a day before posting after each episode, so as not to spoil it for any that missed the first airing.

One thing you can say for George Martin, he really doesn't leave you with stereotypical conclusions of issues. Every book ends with a WTF? ending that leaves you with your mouth open and no idea what will happen next. I mean I've been reading all manner of fiction since I was a small boy, and he is not like any other author. He really does leave you clueless and guessing what will happen next.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 15, 2014, 03:44:58 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 15, 2014, 12:59:49 PM
Cersei is getting married next.  :)

She won't.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 15, 2014, 04:03:35 PM
Hope you don't think that this is a spoiler, but rather a reminder- Margaery Tyrell is now the queen.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 15, 2014, 04:28:40 PM
Quote from: stromboli on April 15, 2014, 04:03:35 PM
Hope you don't think that this is a spoiler, but rather a reminder- Margaery Tyrell is now the queen.

Oh, okay. Didn't realize the crown would carry over to women. This makes me very happy as the Tyrells are the shit, though sad because it means Margery will probably be dead soon :lol:.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 15, 2014, 11:31:49 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on April 15, 2014, 04:28:40 PM
Oh, okay. Didn't realize the crown would carry over to women. This makes me very happy as the Tyrells are the shit, though sad because it means Margery will probably be dead soon :lol:.
I dunno about that.  She's a LOT smarter than she looks.  And handy with a crossbow.  And the Tyrells in general tend to be just as ambitious as the Lannisters but 80% less cruel.  They also tend to be very amiable and inoffensive.  This is a house that excels at court.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 16, 2014, 04:45:09 AM
Quote from: stromboli on April 15, 2014, 04:03:35 PM
Hope you don't think that this is a spoiler, but rather a reminder- Margaery Tyrell is now the queen.
No way, Stannis is the rightful heir to the throne,  :pirate:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on April 20, 2014, 11:21:20 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 10, 2014, 01:15:35 PM
It's less "how can I fuck that?" to "my husband is kin to the monster who killed my family and he's hideous and I'm still scared for my life and I don't know if I can even trust him let alone love him".

The moment she ever does anything in the show, I may change my views on her.  But mostly, she's a character who bad stuff happens to.  (apologies to my English teacher)  Aside from soliciting aid and telling the Tyrells the bleeding obvious (lol necklace of sparrow heads) Sansa is almost entirely a reactive character.
She's also a little fucking girl. What the hell do you expect her to do? You want her to operate the way Varys does? She can't. You want her to be all rebel and brave like Arya? She can't. She was never as tough as Arya and Arya has no choice since she's on the run. Give Sansa a break. She is an absolutely beautiful character. I love her. That goes for you to Shiranu! Sansa is amazing.

Quote from: Shiranu on April 15, 2014, 02:00:51 AM
I don't know what the Tyrell would gain from it though...
You're not paying attention...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pioteir on April 21, 2014, 08:24:15 AM
Quote from: Notthesun on April 20, 2014, 11:21:20 PM
She's also a little fucking girl. What the hell do you expect her to do? You want her to operate the way Varys does? She can't. You want her to be all rebel and brave like Arya? She can't. She was never as tough as Arya and Arya has no choice since she's on the run. Give Sansa a break. She is an absolutely beautiful character. I love her. That goes for you to Shiranu! Sansa is amazing.

As beautiful as she may be, she's still irritating as fuck.

As for the early departure of the most irritating character in the series, anyone else remebers the yellow-wearing-both-ways-swinging-grudge-carrying Oberyn?

And tell me who didn't have the motive to kill that little cunt. I mean seriously...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 21, 2014, 08:54:33 AM
SPOILER ALERT

[spoiler]It's not believable that "little fingers" is really behind the assassination. There's very little for him to gain, lots to lose. I believe that Tywin had the most to win, and most likely was the masterhead. I loved how he told Tommen  that to be wise a king listens to his advisors, and a wise king continues to listen to his advisors, setting himself as a lifetime power behind the king. Later on, he finessed Oberyn to join him. Great stuff.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 21, 2014, 12:57:23 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 21, 2014, 08:54:33 AM
SPOILER ALERT

[spoiler]It's not believable that "little fingers" is really behind the assassination. There's very little for him to gain, lots to lose. I believe that Tywin had the most to win, and most likely was the masterhead. I loved how he told Tommen  that to be wise a king listens to his advisors, and a wise king continues to listen to his advisors, setting himself as a lifetime power behind the king. Later on, he finessed Oberyn to join him. Great stuff.[/spoiler]

It gets better. You ain't seen nothing yet. But you are right about Littlefinger.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on April 25, 2014, 01:20:34 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 21, 2014, 08:54:33 AM
SPOILER ALERT

[spoiler]It's not believable that "little fingers" is really behind the assassination. There's very little for him to gain, lots to lose. I believe that Tywin had the most to win, and most likely was the masterhead. I loved how he told Tommen  that to be wise a king listens to his advisors, and a wise king continues to listen to his advisors, setting himself as a lifetime power behind the king. Later on, he finessed Oberyn to join him. Great stuff.[/spoiler]

Unless Little Finger made a deal with someone else that may be explained later? Baelish would sell his own mother into slavery if he got something out of it and he is always plotting and scheming.

Joffrey was such an erratic freak that almost everyone has a motive to kill him. i.e. He might kill me next!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 25, 2014, 02:44:04 PM
Note that Littlefinger knew to pull Sansa out of the middle of things- so he had some kind of foreknowledge. This isn't a spoiler- in the books- I've read all the ones so far- no assassin is named. However, by inference you can deduce who profits from it. Tywin gets rid of some problems by getting rid of Joffrey, so he is a possibility. I guarantee he knows more about everything than he lets on. It might be someone else, but he comes up the most likely. Littlefinger had the hots for Sansa's mom, and shelooks a lot like her mother, so he definitely is interested in her.

There are a lot of side players like Varys that could figure in. He is sometimes a good person or a bad one, and he has an agenda of his own, but you don't know what it is. There are surprises yet to happen. Stay tuned.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 25, 2014, 03:12:27 PM
On replay of that episode, I've noticed that Olenna seems to have removed a crystal from Sansa's necklace, which was given to her by Dontos Hollard, the same guy who pulls Sansa from the wedding after the assassination to lead her to littlefingers. During the wedding, Olenna was sitting close to Joffrey and could have easily dropped the crystal (poison) into the wine glass. But I don't know what Olenna would gain from this, since her daughter was marrying the king. Oh the web we weave!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pioteir on April 25, 2014, 03:40:10 PM
Maybe Tywin plotted this with Olenna, and is pulling Oberyn in to unite the kingdom, stop the sensless killing and chaos and prepare for the ice zombies and dragons both coming their way. King little shit was too random and ... well... psycho for Tywin to control or to stabilize the kingdom.

I'm getting tired of seeing Dany and Arya traveling and traveling and traveling some more. DO SOME SHIT GODDAMIT!!!

Stannis is becoming more and more irritating in his psycho lord-of-light babble, burning people etc. Make some moves or gtfo. The old dude thought of an idea to buy them an army of mercs, we'll see where that gets them. I only hope they won't be travellin' for the rest of the season....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 25, 2014, 04:06:12 PM
 :biggrin:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 25, 2014, 05:18:17 PM
It would make sense that Tywin would plot with Olenna - have Joffrey killed, then get Tommen to marry Margaery. It's a win-win.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on April 25, 2014, 10:11:32 PM
Quote from: stromboli on April 25, 2014, 02:44:04 PM
Note that Littlefinger knew to pull Sansa out of the middle of things- so he had some kind of foreknowledge. This isn't a spoiler- in the books- I've read all the ones so far- no assassin is named. However, by inference you can deduce who profits from it. Tywin gets rid of some problems by getting rid of Joffrey, so he is a possibility. I guarantee he knows more about everything than he lets on. It might be someone else, but he comes up the most likely. Littlefinger had the hots for Sansa's mom, and shelooks a lot like her mother, so he definitely is interested in her.

There are a lot of side players like Varys that could figure in. He is sometimes a good person or a bad one, and he has an agenda of his own, but you don't know what it is. There are surprises yet to happen. Stay tuned.

I agree.
I think it was little finger and I think the old lady had the motivation. She did not want hot Margaery married to a freak who was likely to kill her. She would have needed an insider to pull off the deed and who better than the craftly merciless Baelish. It doesn't hurt that her nick name is The Queen of Thorns.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on April 25, 2014, 10:48:44 PM
Quote from: stromboli on April 25, 2014, 02:44:04 PM
There are a lot of side players like Varys that could figure in. He is sometimes a good person or a bad one, and he has an agenda of his own, but you don't know what it is. There are surprises yet to happen. Stay tuned.
You know, I think Varys might be one of the only truly good guys. Almost everyone one else is morally ambiguous but Varys seems to genuinely want to avoid chaos.
In season one he helps Ned Stark and when asked why he trusts Ned enough to help him he says  "There are few men of honor in the capital. You are one of them. I would like to believe that I am another, strange as that may seem."

Later, when Ned is in the jail cell and asks him who he serves he replies  "The realm, my lord. Someone must."

I can't find anything he has done that is violent or cruel for it's own sake. Sometimes he seems not to help some of the "good" guys (if there are any) but it's  seems it's because he couldn't, not that he didn't want to.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 25, 2014, 11:01:07 PM
QuoteI can't find anything he has done that is violent or cruel for it's own sake.

His revenge that he shows Tyrion? Granted, it's arguably justified, but it shows he can be dark and down-right evil.

I am putting it on Littlefinger or Shae. Tywinn seems to be playing it really cool but I think that is just how he is and not because he planned this. Littlefinger is obvious candidate, but Shae is this mysterious woman from across the sea who has reason to be angry at certain (all?) Lannisters and who has proven before that she can be very... cold and almost experienced... when it comes to violence. And we never actually saw her leave the capital, who's to say she didn't slip back in and do something?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 25, 2014, 11:54:55 PM
All I will say is the shit's going DOWN.   :biggrin:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on April 25, 2014, 11:57:36 PM
Quote from: stromboli on April 25, 2014, 11:54:55 PM
All I will say is the shit's going DOWN.   :biggrin:
As opposed to going up?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on April 26, 2014, 08:53:18 AM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 25, 2014, 03:12:27 PM
On replay of that episode, I've noticed that Olenna seems to have removed a crystal from Sansa's necklace, which was given to her by Dontos Hollard, the same guy who pulls Sansa from the wedding after the assassination to lead her to littlefingers. During the wedding, Olenna was sitting close to Joffrey and could have easily dropped the crystal (poison) into the wine glass. But I don't know what Olenna would gain from this, since her daughter was marrying the king. Oh the web we weave!

Good spot. I didn't notice that but IMO it proves that it was Baelish and Olena working together because Baelish reveals that he gave the necklace to Dontos to give to Sansa.

As to the motive, Olena was very interested to find out what Joffrey was like. Upon finding out he was a monster torturing Sansa, she would have expected him to be as cruel to Margaery so.... Kill him off and set up a marriage to the (hopefully) less crazy younger brother. The two houses still need to merge their power no?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: wolf39us on April 26, 2014, 08:59:10 AM
Okay so before I read too much into this thread, I want to make sure that anyone here that has read the GoT books to make sure to put spoilers in spoiler tags.

I, among probably most of you, have been watching the television series and will as a result always be behind the books.

The spoiler function is there.. USE IT.

Thanks :-)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 26, 2014, 09:38:17 AM
Copy that
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on April 28, 2014, 01:18:46 AM
TODAY'S EPISODE: Well watching the show you have to pay attention to things happening. Dontos gives her a necklace. Olenna grabs the necklace, says something about killing a man on his wedding day, only a monster would do that. Gem on the necklace goes missing. Olenna sits really close to Joff. The cup is next to her before it is grabbed to give to Joff. As soon as he dies Sansa is taken. She is taken to Littlefinger. She is gone away. It all happens so smoothly. It has to be littlefinger and lady olenna. It was.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 28, 2014, 03:36:36 AM
I like the Tyrells that much more after this episode. They were in my top favourite characters, now they may be my top.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 28, 2014, 08:14:56 AM
Best scene so far: Brienne leaving Jaime.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 28, 2014, 08:33:18 AM
What was odd was Cersei and Jaime as if that rape, or was it forced sex that became consentual, scene never happened. Go figure.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 30, 2014, 09:54:16 PM
[spoiler]And there was a spoiler at the very end of the episode that wasn't in the book. Did you catch it? With the White Walker king.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 01, 2014, 02:10:20 PM
Quote from: stromboli on April 30, 2014, 09:54:16 PM
[spoiler]And there was a spoiler at the very end of the episode that wasn't in the book. Did you catch it? With the White Walker king.[/spoiler]

I haven't read the book, but I would guess that this is how the WW can increase its population.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on May 01, 2014, 05:28:11 PM
Quote from: stromboli on April 30, 2014, 09:54:16 PM
[spoiler]And there was a spoiler at the very end of the episode that wasn't in the book. Did you catch it? With the White Walker king.[/spoiler]
It wasn't in the book exactly. If my memory serves me correctly, it was said by a wildling. She said it is rumored that that is what they do.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 03, 2014, 07:19:20 PM
Game of Thrones Season 4: Episode #5 Preview (HBO) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrTeAdH3iXs)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 05, 2014, 05:49:40 PM
After episode 5, one wonders where Lady Arryn and Sansa Stark fit into Littlefinger's plan.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on May 05, 2014, 09:44:54 PM
Quote"I bet that Bravosii's hair was as greasy as Joffrey's cunt."
The Hound

The Hound is now officially my favorite character.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on May 05, 2014, 09:59:00 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on May 05, 2014, 05:49:40 PM
After episode 5, one wonders where Lady Arryn and Sansa Stark fit into Littlefinger's plan.

I distinctly remember Varys saying that Littefinger was the most dangerous man in Westeros. After the big reveal that:
[spoiler]Little finger is the one who had Jon Arryn killed using Lysa Arryn to carry out the deed.[/spoiler]

it certainly looks like Littlefinger is pulling quite a few strings.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 05, 2014, 10:42:05 PM
Remember that Littlefinger had a major thing for Catelyn and Sansa is the spitting image of her mother. And yeah, he is a string puller.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: jannugimes on May 06, 2014, 10:17:21 AM
I am going to watch this every Monday night to forget about the fact that people actually do love this malarkey...Pray he is not right when he says that the author will eventually eat himself to death and you are left with no conclusion in this endless story.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 06, 2014, 10:29:52 AM
Quote from: stromboli on May 05, 2014, 10:42:05 PM
Remember that Littlefinger had a major thing for Catelyn and Sansa is the spitting image of her mother. And yeah, he is a string puller.

I can see Littlefinger playing the corrupting factor in any given system, in this case the seven kingdoms perpetually at war,  but how does that play out in the greater arc - the WW about to march South, or an invading queen with magical dragons claiming back her throne.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 06, 2014, 11:11:44 AM
Yeah, but trust me- no matter what your presumptions are about the plot, at unexpected points you will be going WTF? The end of the last book is a serious WTF? I hate G R R Martin. That fucker has left me hanging for 2 years. Think Red Wedding and you get what I mean.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 10, 2014, 10:52:51 AM
Game of Thrones Season 4: Episode #6 Preview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEb5pEMC7fw

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 12, 2014, 01:40:35 PM
So I guess that Bronn will fight for Tyrion, but who will be his opponent?  Oberyn??
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 12, 2014, 03:35:31 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on May 12, 2014, 01:40:35 PM
So I guess that Bronn will fight for Tyrion, but who will be his opponent?  Oberyn??

[spoiler]MMMMMMMnope[/spoiler]


Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 12, 2014, 05:15:24 PM
Quote from: stromboli on May 12, 2014, 03:35:31 PM
[spoiler]MMMMMMMnope[/spoiler]




I had thought that maybe Tyrion might ask Jaime to fight for him, putting Tywin in a bind: if Jaime'd lose, the Lanisters would lose two sons. But I don't think so. Jaime would not go along with that devious plan. Tho, Tyrion is smart enough to think about that. The only thing I can think of, looking at the bigger arc, that Tyrion will survive, is that Bronn can defeat just about anyone the court would select. But then again, who does the selection? Tywin, unanimous approval of all three judges? Cersei?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 12, 2014, 05:23:44 PM
I'm disappointed with Shae. Granted someone put her up to rant and lie. Still, she was in love with Tyrion. Whatever happened to pure love? GRRR Martin needs to talk to the folks at Harlequin.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 12, 2014, 06:08:08 PM
[spoiler]Jaime can't fight for him because he was sworn to protect the king, his son, that was murdered. Bronn is a sellsword who no longer works for Tyrion an has no loyalty to him. You'll never guess the outcome, so don't try.  :biggrin:[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 16, 2014, 12:32:55 PM
Okay, I'm just now caught up and season 4 has been amazing so far.

Daenerys's capture of Mereen was masterful.  Get it?  Haha.

Stannis is finally back in business!  HAIL STANNIS!

I like the Tyrells more with each episode.  My only surprise is that Margery was surprised by Olenna's wedding gift to her.

Tywinn is king in all but title.  The whole court is in his pocket.  His speech to Tommen was great but entirely self-serving.  Wisdom, indeed.

Littlefinger is more conniving and deadlier than ever.  Varys's speech to Oberyon shows a stark contrast between him and Littlefinger.

Oberyon is a welcome addition to the cast.  A bicurious bon vivant.  Quite the juxtaposition between him and Lord Varys, though I suppose they are both very patient about settling old scores.

And to top it all off, there's a scene with Brann that was actually pretty damn awesome!  I think I'm finally emotionally invested in their weird little journey to the magic tree.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 16, 2014, 12:50:33 PM
I've mentioned it here before, but the job of casting has been incredible. The only gripe I have is with Arya because in the book she is younger, and I think it would suit the character better. Sansa, The Mountain, The Hound, Oberyn, Tyrion, Joffrey, Littlefinger, Varys- all are as dead on as I could imagine. I've been disappointed too many times by books made into movies, but this is a great job overall. Couldn't ask for better.

Peter Dinklage is a revelation. The trial scene where Shae walks in and after ranks among the best acting I've seen. He really does flesh out the character completely.

But if you haven't read the books, be warned- WTF is coming. Don't even try to guess what happens next, because you will be wrong. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 16, 2014, 12:59:55 PM
Well, there have been a couple casting hiccups:

Ilyn Paine was retired in the show due to the actor's cancer but I've been told that he has more of a presence in the books.

And either my memory fails me, or Daario looks a bit different.  The Second Son is more like second pick.

But other than that, fantastic.

QuoteBut if you haven't read the books, be warned- WTF is coming. Don't even try to guess what happens next, because you will be wrong.
A man can guess.  But I'm fairly sure I know who goes to the Red God next.  *wink wink*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 16, 2014, 01:16:17 PM
Season 4 Episode 7, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygU32GP5Jgs

Who's the the big motherfucker?!??
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 16, 2014, 01:28:18 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on May 16, 2014, 01:16:17 PMWho's the the big motherfucker?!??
Gregor Clegane (aka The Mountain), iirc.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 16, 2014, 03:47:40 PM
Don't recall see him in the other seasons.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 16, 2014, 08:52:50 PM
JP, you are above me in every respect. Smarter than me, more knowledgeable in many areas and so forth. But the mere fact I know shit you don't about Game of Thrones makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.  :biggrin:

You will meet the Mountain before long.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 16, 2014, 09:08:19 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on May 16, 2014, 03:47:40 PM
Don't recall see him in the other seasons.

He was the guy in the huge dark iron suit.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 16, 2014, 11:28:02 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on May 16, 2014, 03:47:40 PM
Don't recall see him in the other seasons.


The guy in the black armor and the yellow shield with a dog on it.  A bit of a sore loser, heh.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 17, 2014, 06:46:46 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 16, 2014, 11:28:02 PM


The guy in the black armor and the yellow shield with a dog on it.  A bit of a sore loser, heh.

Ha, no wonder I couldn't recognize him with all of his clothes on! Thanks.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 19, 2014, 07:16:02 AM


On epi0407

[spoiler]So, did Tywin plan all this for Oberyn to meet the Mountain and have his revenge? Did Littlefinger kiss Sansa on purpose to send Lysa into a frenzy? What's with Dany fucking an idiot? [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 19, 2014, 10:56:29 AM
[spoiler]Don't recall that Tywin had any plans to that end. Littlefinger? I don't recall that it was planned. The demise of Lysa at some point was planned, but I think he first wanted to establish himself before killing her. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 19, 2014, 11:39:39 AM
Quote from: stromboli on May 19, 2014, 10:56:29 AM
[spoiler]Don't recall that Tywin had any plans to that end. Littlefinger? I don't recall that it was planned. The demise of Lysa at some point was planned, but I think he first wanted to establish himself before killing her. [/spoiler]
[spoiler]Isn't Oberyn seeking revenge because the Mountain raped and killed his sister? And now that they both will be fighting each other just can't be a coincidence. And the only one capable of masterminding this is Tywin - he can easily drop a word or two to Cersei to pick the Mountain, and he personally asked Oberyn to sit on the trial. What else do you need to see that this duel was carefully planned?

As to Littlefinger, he doesn't do anything unless it's part of a plan (hint: Joffrey's assassination), and so kissing Sansa in plain view, making sure Lysa was watching - look at the replay, you can see clearly a shadow moving in the back as he is kissing Sansa - and that has to be part of a plan.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Green Bottle on May 19, 2014, 11:53:17 AM
Iv'e only seen series 1 so far not having Sky as i do but anyway, i thot it was excellent an ill catch up with it in time , but iv'e read all the books apart from ''The Winds Of Winter '' which i found out recently wont be out until October , looking forward to reading it and  seeing how it all ends...................i will drop into this thread now n again  for a wee nosey tho... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 19, 2014, 12:20:36 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on May 19, 2014, 11:39:39 AM
[spoiler]Isn't Oberyn seeking revenge because the Mountain raped and killed his sister? And now that they both will be fighting each other just can't be a coincidence. And the only one capable of masterminding this is Tywin - he can easily drop a word or two to Cersei to pick the Mountain, and he personally asked Oberyn to sit on the trial. What else do you need to see that this duel was carefully planned?

As to Littlefinger, he doesn't do anything unless it's part of a plan (hint: Joffrey's assassination), and so kissing Sansa in plain view, making sure Lysa was watching - look at the replay, you can see clearly a shadow moving in the back as he is kissing Sansa - and that has to be part of a plan.[/spoiler]

[spoiler] In the books it's Oberyn that convinces Tyrion to choose a trial in combat because he knows they will have to call upon the Mountain to defend the accusing party and promises Tyrion that he will fight the mountain for him but mostly for revenge. I don't think Tywin planned Joffrey's murder. And I certainly don't think he planned Oberyn facing off against the Mountain, though if I remember correctly he did plan to throw the mountain under the proverbial bus in order to get Dorne on his side, but I think he mentioned this plan to Tyrion so that would be pretty stupid on his behalf. No, I think Tywin in this instance was simply extremely good at reacting and turning a family drama into the best possible scenario. I think that even if he knew that the Tyrells killed Joffrey, he wouldn't have gone after them for their support is worth more to him than Tyrion is and he saw his chance to finally get rid of Tyrion in what would seem a fair way. I think he even suspects them, but he needs them. Tywin might be the strongest force in Westeros for now, but he's still bound to the game of thrones and can't do as he pleases all the time. He needs allies and can't just go around burning bridges. He's smarter than Joffrey was in this way. In order to stay strong he must look strong. In order to look strong he can't pick fights he can't win and can't demand things he can't get. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 19, 2014, 02:06:48 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 19, 2014, 12:20:36 PM
[spoiler] In the books it's Oberyn that convinces Tyrion to choose a trial in combat because he knows they will have to call upon the Mountain to defend the accusing party and promises Tyrion that he will fight the mountain for him but mostly for revenge. I don't think Tywin planned Joffrey's murder. And I certainly don't think he planned Oberyn facing off against the Mountain, though if I remember correctly he did plan to throw the mountain under the proverbial bus in order to get Dorne on his side, but I think he mentioned this plan to Tyrion so that would be pretty stupid on his behalf. No, I think Tywin in this instance was simply extremely good at reacting and turning a family drama into the best possible scenario. I think that even if he knew that the Tyrells killed Joffrey, he wouldn't have gone after them for their support is worth more to him than Tyrion is and he saw his chance to finally get rid of Tyrion in what would seem a fair way. I think he even suspects them, but he needs them. Tywin might be the strongest force in Westeros for now, but he's still bound to the game of thrones and can't do as he pleases all the time. He needs allies and can't just go around burning bridges. He's smarter than Joffrey was in this way. In order to stay strong he must look strong. In order to look strong he can't pick fights he can't win and can't demand things he can't get. [/spoiler]

Thanks for the info. I haven't read the books, so I'm going by what's on the small screen. It seems like the TV series might be presenting the story slightly differently. I think the producers would need to do that in order to perk up some interest. And it seems to me like they want to make it look like nothing just happens by coincidence - Ned Stark's assasination, the red wedding, the purple wedding, Lysa's execution, for instance, all of which alude to some sinister plan behind those events, but viewed against the bigger arcs - the gathering storms both in the North and Esteros - making those scheming plans kind of petty and, at the same time, a moral lesson in lost opportunities. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 19, 2014, 02:26:41 PM
A. That's who I figured the champion would be.

B. That ending tho.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 19, 2014, 03:47:29 PM
Yeah, my problem is I read the books awhile ago and don't still have them for reference. So I'll detain from "guess" comments from now on.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on May 19, 2014, 08:19:27 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on May 19, 2014, 02:06:48 PM
Thanks for the info. I haven't read the books, so I'm going by what's on the small screen. It seems like the TV series might be presenting the story slightly differently. I think the producers would need to do that in order to perk up some interest. And it seems to me like they want to make it look like nothing just happens by coincidence - Ned Stark's assasination, the red wedding, the purple wedding, Lysa's execution, for instance, all of which alude to some sinister plan behind those events, but viewed against the bigger arcs - the gathering storms both in the North and Esteros - making those scheming plans kind of petty and, at the same time, a moral lesson in lost opportunities.
While the TV series is presenting the story slightly differently they are staying remarkably close to the actual main story points AND they are doing it with remarkable artistry.

I found last nights show to be one of the best.
The performances were amazing. Oberyn's speech to Tyrion was crazy good. Watching Dinklages performance as he hears the heartbreaking story of Cerseis cruelty to him as a baby was Emmy worthy as was the speech itself.
I felt the same way about the hound and Arya as well as the performance by Littlefinger. The show is doing a fantastic job of a book that I thought would be near unfilmable  because the book relies so much on backstory and follows so many characters simultaneously.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 19, 2014, 10:04:52 PM
Just saw the latest one.

I don't know why the Hound can't simply cauterize the wound with hot iron.  Fire applied directly to would would seem to be a bad idea (and he would know what fire does to flesh more than most), but then again, so is a hot iron.

I was definitely wrong in my pick for champion.  Seems like Tyrion got more of a lover than a fighter, though.  Given the brutally cynical tone of the series so far, I don't think that'll play out very well.

Baelish was masterful as always, though explaining that scene to Robin might be a little awkward...

Daenerys really bored me this time around.  Her army is losing steam fast.  And Daario is practically more hateable than Joffrey.

The scene with the Red Woman was really fascinating.  How much of her powers are genuine and how much is trickery?  When Stannis saw into the fire, did he really see the future?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 19, 2014, 10:09:27 PM
QuoteSeems like Tyrion got more of a lover than a fighter, though.

Just incase someone hasn't seen the newest episode...

[spoiler]
They have mentioned several times he is a master of poison, and I seem to recall that he is a renowned swordsman as well. That paired with his rage at the Lannisters and the Mountain... I think he stands a very good chance of killing him.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on May 20, 2014, 08:51:32 AM
QuoteI was definitely wrong in my pick for champion.  Seems like Tyrion got more of a lover than a fighter, though.

If you recall when he was first introduced Tyrion says he is a highly accomplished warrior. This point is driven home when he confronts the Lanister men by himself and doesn't show an ounce of fear even though he is outnumbered by men who are also trained in combat.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 20, 2014, 09:23:58 AM
Yeah, but as I've said here many times, prepare to be surprised. G R R Martin seriously likes to mess with your head. The last book in print ends with a WTF? with what anyone would say is a major character possibly being murdered. I was so mad at the ending I literally threw the book down.

"The Winds of Winter" and "Breath of Spring" are both going to be huge books, something like 1500 pages each. The next one is not due until 2015. I will probably drop dead after reading the last book- I'll be like 70 or so when it is published.  :sad2:

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 20, 2014, 10:02:59 AM
Quote from: stromboli on May 20, 2014, 09:23:58 AM
Yeah, but as I've said here many times, prepare to be surprised. G R R Martin seriously likes to mess with your head. The last book in print ends with a WTF? with what anyone would say is a major character possibly being murdered. I was so mad at the ending I literally threw the book down.

[spoiler]No fear, Tyrion will survive.[/spoiler]

Quote"The Winds of Winter" and "Breath of Spring" are both going to be huge books, something like 1500 pages each. The next one is not due until 2015. I will probably drop dead after reading the last book- I'll be like 70 or so when it is published.  :sad2:


Lighten up. Most people expect to live beyond the 80's. So you'll have plenty of time to catch up on your readings.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2014, 10:40:15 AM
Quote from: stromboli on May 20, 2014, 09:23:58 AM"The Winds of Winter" and "Breath of Spring" are both going to be huge books, something like 1500 pages each.
Sweet merciful R'hllor.  I'm glad I went with the ebooks.  I'd be bent over like Pycelle trying to read those tomes.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2014, 11:03:03 AM
Quote from: Berati on May 20, 2014, 08:51:32 AMIf you recall when he was first introduced Tyrion says he is a highly accomplished warrior. This point is driven home when he confronts the Lanister men by himself and doesn't show an ounce of fear even though he is outnumbered by men who are also trained in combat.
True.  He interrupted two Lannisters sans armor at a brothel and stabbed one before he could draw his sword.  That's impressive, but a far different situation than dueling or war.  His status as a warrior is more of an informed ability than a manifest one, and most of his screentime is for speeches, brothels, and poems.  So it's understandable that one could think him less of a warrior than someone who spends almost all his screentime hewing through people like butter.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: PickelledEggs on May 20, 2014, 08:24:22 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKqSsZYzhaY
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on May 22, 2014, 08:58:54 PM
The mountain isn't such a bad guy. He's got Cersei laughing

(http://www.zonanerd.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nova-mountain.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 22, 2014, 09:52:19 PM
Quote from: Berati on May 22, 2014, 08:58:54 PM
The mountain isn't such a bad guy. He's got Cersei laughing

(http://www.zonanerd.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nova-mountain.jpg)

God, he is huge.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on May 23, 2014, 09:31:24 AM
Game of Thrones Season 4: Episode #8 Preview (HBO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCpWf_ybG3Y

NO EPISODE THIS WEEK
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Agramon on June 02, 2014, 03:17:00 AM
Just one thought:

[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/cZeV5JS.gif)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 02, 2014, 07:01:53 AM
[spoiler]God fucking damn it, that episode pissed me off so... so... sooo... soooooo fucking much.

WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING CHARACTERS YOU LIKE? WHAT IS THE FUCKING POINT!?!??!

I hate this show.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 02, 2014, 08:49:12 AM
Yes, but wait until next episode.......  :axe:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: the_antithesis on June 02, 2014, 12:38:23 PM
Why do I still read the title as "Game of Thorns?"
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 02, 2014, 12:50:18 PM
Quote from: the_antithesis on June 02, 2014, 12:38:23 PM
Why do I still read the title as "Game of Thorns?"

Dyslexic much?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: PopeyesPappy on June 02, 2014, 01:12:27 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 22, 2014, 09:52:19 PM
God, he is huge.

6'9" 419 lbs. according to his Wiki page.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: the_antithesis on June 02, 2014, 01:13:23 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 02, 2014, 12:50:18 PM
Dyslexic much?

I don't think I have dysentery.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 02, 2014, 01:42:04 PM
Quote from: the_antithesis on June 02, 2014, 12:38:23 PM
Why do I still read the title as "Game of Thorns?"

Because the Tyrells are "Growing strong".
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 02, 2014, 03:46:48 PM
Quote from: the_antithesis on June 02, 2014, 01:13:23 PM
I don't think I have dysentery.

:biggrin:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 02, 2014, 04:00:09 PM
Spoilers that go past this episode. Be warned.

[spoiler]So, I spoiled it for myself (and I am glad I did) that the Red Viper lived up to his name and that the Mountain will be dying of poison, and this makes me consider continuing to watch the show.

Oberyn's entire mission was to kill the Mountain and get revenge, so in the end he got that. I would of liked to see him skull fuck Tywin (vastly over-hyped, he is a lame version of Littlefinger) and put Cerci's head on a spike, but the thing that made me so angry was that it was going to be ANOTHER fucking character who died before he could get his revenge on those Lannister pieces of shit (Tyrion and Jamie excluded, of course). That he most likely knew he achieved his goal, and was just trying to get the Mountain to expose Tywin for the piece of shit he is, makes his death more understandable and bearable.

Still, I hate seeing perhaps the greatest character on GoT die so quickly, especially with the Khaalessi becoming a little bitch lately.[/spoiler]

On that note; Damn, I have always loved Littlefinger and FINALLY Sansa, FINALLY you do something! I hope to see more of that!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 02, 2014, 05:48:07 PM
 :wtff:

with Tyrion and beetle talk?!??
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 02, 2014, 05:52:56 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 02, 2014, 05:48:07 PM
:wtff:

with Tyrion and beetle talk?!??

This will enlighten you somewhat. The show has diverged a bit from the book, but creatively.
http://www.wired.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-recap-8/
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on June 02, 2014, 07:05:31 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 02, 2014, 05:48:07 PM
:wtff:

with Tyrion and beetle talk?!??

I think it's all about senseless violence. In following this story I'm always impressed with how the writer doesn't give in to the "good guy" bad guy" trope.
Instead he shows how everyone deals with the senselessly violent world they find themselves in.

Tyrion was trying to figure it out but there appears to be no answer. Just do what you have to do to survive.

From season two.
Quote
The Hound to Sansa
"Stannis is a killer. The Lannisters are killers. Your father was a killer. Your brother is a killer. Your sons will be killers someday. The world is built by killers... so you better get used to looking at them."
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 03, 2014, 12:48:06 AM
Still one episode to go......

[spoiler]...and don't forget, the Red Viper was thought to use a poisoned blade....[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on June 03, 2014, 08:42:27 AM
So who do you think outed Mormont as a spy?
I thought Varis because he is the only one I know of who knows Mormont was a spy, but why would he out his own spy?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 03, 2014, 09:15:50 AM
Quote from: stromboli on June 02, 2014, 05:52:56 PM
This will enlighten you somewhat. The show has diverged a bit from the book, but creatively.
http://www.wired.com/2014/06/game-of-thrones-recap-8/


Thanks for the link.

When I saw the episode, it seemed to me it was out of character for Tyrion. In the TV series, Tyrion is presented as the smart guy, the philosopher, the historian, the avid reader who has come to understand the "game", which often came through in his dialogues with everyone, especially during his short time with Sansa.  In that context, I thought that he would have understood the implication behind their cousin needlessly killing of those insects. Instead it's Jaime who has to enlighten Tyrion. Anyways, that scene simply seemed out of kilt with everything that had happened in the story in so far with Tyrion's character.



Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 03, 2014, 09:20:18 AM
Quote from: Berati on June 02, 2014, 07:05:31 PM
I think it's all about senseless violence. In following this story I'm always impressed with how the writer doesn't give in to the "good guy" bad guy" trope.
Instead he shows how everyone deals with the senselessly violent world they find themselves in.

Tyrion was trying to figure it out but there appears to be no answer. Just do what you have to do to survive.

From season two.

Yeah, that I got it but as I explained to Stromboli, it's the fact that it turned out that it was Jaime who had to enlighten Tyrion in that jail conversation that seems to me out of character. Tyrion should have figured that one, way before his brother.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on June 03, 2014, 01:17:52 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 03, 2014, 09:20:18 AM
Yeah, that I got it but as I explained to Stromboli, it's the fact that it turned out that it was Jaime who had to enlighten Tyrion in that jail conversation that seems to me out of character. Tyrion should have figured that one, way before his brother.

I see what you mean.
I think that Tyrion being so smart and always figuring stuff out, was trying like crazy to find a reason when there really isn't one. Just smash them beetles.


Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 03, 2014, 02:19:48 PM
Quote from: Berati on June 03, 2014, 01:17:52 PM
I see what you mean.
I think that Tyrion being so smart and always figuring stuff out, was trying like crazy to find a reason when there really isn't one. Just smash them beetles.


I kind of agree with JP. The whole sequence was out of sync with the rest. And Orson? WTF?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 03, 2014, 03:07:30 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 03, 2014, 02:19:48 PM
And Orson? WTF?

It's one of those things I'm not used to and GoT does a lot - talk about characters we've never met. The other thing is: introduce a new character, get the audience to like him/her. Then sooner than later get him/her killed. :doh:

As far as Orson is concerned: all I get is that he was brain-damaged and had a happy face whenever he would crush one of those beetles. Is that supposed to be a metaphor for life? Or does it mean that the gods of Westeros are happy when the Mountain crushed the Viper?? OTOH  Tywin didn't seem to be happy to condemn Tyrion to death, but then again Tywin has a plan, he doesn't do things just to get a happy face. Will his plan prevail? Taking from what the series seems to offer, the answer would be a resounding no. :madu:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 04, 2014, 02:37:38 AM
Just caught up.

[spoiler]I'm horrified.  And furious.  I warned you guys that we haven't seen much of his warrior prowess, while we're seen the Mountain plow through people left and right and that G.R.R. Martin leans towards cruelty!  But damn, even I didn't expect the results of the fight to be so damn ghastly.  It's like the Red Wedding all over again.  And unlike that, you didn't see this coming at all and the gore and injustice of it all is so damn terrible.  Fucking hell.

I don't get it.  That character had an awesome motivation and he even said "today is not the day that I die" and if TV tropes has taught me anything, it means that in anyone else's show, this guy is going to pull through.  Watching this show is like watching LOTR for 40 minutes and then the Joker's hostage tape for the last 5.

Fuck me.  I really liked that guy, too.  Pretty much the only guy in Westeroes besides Tyrion and Varys that I actually cared about.  Fuck.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on June 04, 2014, 06:34:58 AM
I don't think this was outside of Tyrion's character. Tyrion is quite the intelligent individual and, like many, needs reasons for why someone does things. It's not out of character simply because Jaime gets there first. That's bad reasoning, Joseph. You forget that Jaime is extremely intelligent as well. He isn't some moron.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 04, 2014, 06:46:40 AM
Quote from: Notthesun on June 04, 2014, 06:34:58 AM
I don't think this was outside of Tyrion's character. Tyrion is quite the intelligent individual and, like many, needs reasons for why someone does things. It's not out of character simply because Jaime gets there first. That's bad reasoning, Joseph. You forget that Jaime is extremely intelligent as well. He isn't some moron.

Yeah, you're probably right. Jaime is underestimated. Foremost, he's a survivor. But he has also shown to have picked up a pearl or two of wisdom  along the way . I'm still counting on him to help Tyrion, and I don't see his relationship to Cersei, which isn't going so well, prevent him from doing such a dangerous gamble.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on June 04, 2014, 05:35:05 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 04, 2014, 06:46:40 AM
Yeah, you're probably right. Jaime is underestimated. Foremost, he's a survivor. But he has also shown to have picked up a pearl or two of wisdom  along the way . I'm still counting on him to help Tyrion, and I don't see his relationship to Cersei, which isn't going so well, prevent him from doing such a dangerous gamble.

Jamie is a great example of how non black and white the characters are.
He starts off banging his sister and throwing a kid out of a window and now he's sorta likeable??

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 04, 2014, 06:00:48 PM
Don't focus on just what you see as the main characters in the game. There are many side players that manipulate and make moves of their own. Littlefinger is stuck in his aerie for now, but other people take advantage of situations that arise. Don't count anyone out until they are dead and buried.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 04, 2014, 06:15:01 PM
Quote from: Berati on June 04, 2014, 05:35:05 PM
Jamie is a great example of how non black and white the characters are.
He starts off banging his sister and throwing a kid out of a window and now he's sorta likeable??
[spoiler]He has done some good things, but he also murdered his cousin in cold blood and raped his sister.  As far as wrongdoing goes, those are two pretty big ones.  In other people's stories, he'd be the main villain.

All the Lannisters (except the two kids) are really screwed up people.  Only Tyrion gives a shit about anyone who isn't either himself or his immediate family, and even then, he's quite the scoundrel (blackmail, false imprisonment, and unwarranted exile come readily to mind).[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 04, 2014, 06:16:55 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 04, 2014, 06:00:48 PM
Don't focus on just what you see as the main characters in the game. There are many side players that manipulate and make moves of their own. Littlefinger is stuck in his aerie for now, but other people take advantage of situations that arise. Don't count anyone out until they are dead and buried.
While Littlefinger is preoccupied, Varys has had free reign at court.  It'll be interesting to see what schemes he hatches next.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on June 05, 2014, 02:12:32 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 04, 2014, 06:15:01 PM
[spoiler]He has done some good things, but he also murdered his cousin in cold blood and raped his sister.  As far as wrongdoing goes, those are two pretty big ones.  In other people's stories, he'd be the main villain.

All the Lannisters (except the two kids) are really screwed up people.  Only Tyrion gives a shit about anyone who isn't either himself or his immediate family, and even then, he's quite the scoundrel (blackmail, false imprisonment, and unwarranted exile come readily to mind).[/spoiler]

What are you talking about? lol
[spoiler]
First, Jaime didn't rape Cersei. Her saying no was only to it not being done in the church, not to it in general.

As far as what you said about Tyrion, REALLY? He's a good person. So he's a scoundrel because he blackmailed some people? Lame. False imprisonment? PYCELLE? He's a piece of shit. Also, unwarranted exile? You're speaking of Janos? That guy was a terrible person to keep around. Tyrion sent a piece of shit to where he deserved.

Do you forget all he's done for Sansa? Bran? How terrible he felt when Robb was murdered at his own wedding? How we stood up to Joff and all the other shitty people? He has done so much good and you call him a scoundrel for those things? lol [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 05, 2014, 03:26:25 AM
Quote from: Notthesun on June 05, 2014, 02:12:32 AMWhat are you talking about? lol
[spoiler]
First, Jaime didn't rape Cersei. Her saying no was only to it not being done in the church, not to it in general.

As far as what you said about Tyrion, REALLY? He's a good person. So he's a scoundrel because he blackmailed some people? Lame. False imprisonment? PYCELLE? He's a piece of shit. Also, unwarranted exile? You're speaking of Janos? That guy was a terrible person to keep around. Tyrion sent a piece of shit to where he deserved.

Do you forget all he's done for Sansa? Bran? How terrible he felt when Robb was murdered at his own wedding? How we stood up to Joff and all the other shitty people? He has done so much good and you call him a scoundrel for those things? lol [/spoiler]
[spoiler](http://25.media.tumblr.com/8386cf86700eb54d731b87bb02fbed9c/tumblr_mkxm70HL6m1r5c64eo1_500.gif)

TIL rape isn't rape (dafuq) and that using one's executive powers to throw people in jail/banish them is okay if they're pieces of shit and/or you're a compassionate guy who has done good things (http://i.imgur.com/vrroVDu.jpg).

Also, in Storm of Swords it's pretty clear that Lancel would've certainly been killed had his little secret gotten out.  And he didn't personally do anything to the Imp except demand a prisoner's release.  So yeah, a pretty machiavellian move on the Imp's part.

I understand that Tyrion had the best of intentions, but he definitely threw his weight around as Hand.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 06, 2014, 03:36:28 PM
Seaso 4, epi 9, trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7zzphqUWmw
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 06, 2014, 04:20:13 PM
Don't miss the last episode. Shits going DOWN.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 07, 2014, 08:37:31 AM
Quote from: stromboli on June 06, 2014, 04:20:13 PM
Don't miss the last episode. Shits going DOWN.

I supposed that this is coded words for another favorite is going to die... :wall:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 07, 2014, 08:39:58 AM
 :biggrin:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 07, 2014, 10:32:18 AM
I personally don't think I can handle another one biting the dust.  *curls into fetal position*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 09, 2014, 09:23:51 AM
[spoiler]WTF with Jon? So he's going to find Mance Rayder, single-hand and unarmed?!?? I guess they want us to think this is a suicide mission. Going with what has happened so far in this season, this isn't a suicide mission. So what does Jon have up his sleeve?


Did anyone feel sorry for Ygritte? Not me.

If it took one giant to lift the gate on the north side, how come the wildlings haven't already  taken the wall?

Too many unnecessary love stories distracting from the main stories: last week, it was Grey Worm with Missandei; this week, Sam and Gilly. WTF?[/spoiler]


Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Berati on June 09, 2014, 01:12:58 PM
[spoiler]
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 09, 2014, 09:23:51 AM
Did anyone feel sorry for Ygritte? Not me.
No, I didn't feel sorry for her. Live by the sword, die by the sword. She killed plenty of villagers and wasn't the kid who shot her one of them?

QuoteToo many unnecessary love stories distracting from the main stories: last week, it was Grey Worm with Missandei; this week, Sam and Gilly. WTF?
Completely agree.
This is why I thought the books would be unfilmable and I'm afraid it's stating to show. Martin did not keep his writing tight enough and has let the story wander into multiple stories. You would need three or four different series to cover everything. This is fine for books that are stretched to 1500 pages each but it's going to be very difficult for the TV people to find any kind of focus.

So far they've done a very good job given the source material IMO but I don't know if they can keep it up.[/spoiler]

A question on spoilers.
Do we need to use the spoiler function to discuss an episode that has already aired?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 09, 2014, 03:45:07 PM
Quote from: Berati on June 09, 2014, 01:12:58 PM
[spoiler]No, I didn't feel sorry for her. Live by the sword, die by the sword. She killed plenty of villagers and wasn't the kid who shot her one of them?
Completely agree.
This is why I thought the books would be unfilmable and I'm afraid it's stating to show. Martin did not keep his writing tight enough and has let the story wander into multiple stories. You would need three or four different series to cover everything. This is fine for books that are stretched to 1500 pages each but it's going to be very difficult for the TV people to find any kind of focus.

So far they've done a very good job given the source material IMO but I don't know if they can keep it up.[/spoiler]

A question on spoilers.
Do we need to use the spoiler function to discuss an episode that has already aired?

I would give a day after the showing, just in case someone hasn't seen it yet. But after that time lapse, I don't think we need spoilers. MHO.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 10, 2014, 01:36:30 AM
[spoiler]Tonight on MTG TV: defender-heavy white Soldier deck VS Gruul Aggro deck.  With snow-covered lands all around.

Am I the only one who actually likes Alliser Thorne now?  Despite tormenting poor Lord Snow, he gave a great talk about leadership and a very inspiring battle speech and hacked his way through quite a lot of Free Folk before wisely aborting what would have probably been a fatal duel with Tormund for some soft hay.  Not a bad day's work.

RIP Pypar K/D ratio:  1

soon-to-RIP Tormund K/D ratio:  ~∞

Sam is the luckiest bastard on the planet.  There's no other explanation for his continued survival.

Janos is the most pathetic character in all of Westeroes.  And that includes Reek.

Giants with arrows that are also giant! (mobile ballista?!) OMFG did you see that guy get shot and fall off the battlements!?

Oh crap!  Kick the oil drum off!  Kick the oil drum off!  Kick it--  *boom*

HOLY BUCKET OF FROZEN COW PISS, did you see that fuckin' giant anchor scrape wildlings off the wall like fuckin' ants?!!!!

Okay, that episode was pretty cool.  I guess the Wall isn't boring all the time.  But it's still missing something.  Or someone..[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 10, 2014, 01:53:36 AM
[spoiler]
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 09, 2014, 09:23:51 AMWTF with Jon? So he's going to find Mance Rayder, single-hand and unarmed?!?? I guess they want us to think this is a suicide mission. Going with what has happened so far in this season, this isn't a suicide mission. So what does Jon have up his sleeve?
It's a really stupid plan any way you slice it.  But he has more Plot Armor than anyone else save Sam, so I dunno, might work.  Or he might just watch Castle Black get steamrolled from a distance.

QuoteDid anyone feel sorry for Ygritte? Not me.
I think she finally ODed on crazy pills.  I mean really, what did she expect to happen confronting Jon in the middle of a raging battle, kind words and a bit of cake?  You either take the shot or you get shot.  Even Sam knows that.

I love how the kid was all smiles.  "No need to thank me, just doing my thing."  Meanwhile, Jon is heartbroken.  But hey, it's not like he could've possibly known that.  Wouldn't have changed anything, either.  Still gotta plug a wildling attacking the castle, ladyfriend or no.

QuoteIf it took one giant to lift the gate on the north side, how come the wildlings haven't already  taken the wall?
No idea.  Really dunno why they didn't just brace it open.  I know everybody but the giant died, but damn, that's a lot of effort to slip only a single unit past the walls.  I dunno about you, but if I saw someone pulling the gate up, I would've been right behind him and I'd bring about half the army with me.

QuoteToo many unnecessary love stories distracting from the main stories: last week, it was Grey Worm with Missandei; this week, Sam and Gilly. WTF?
Agreed.  The plot has drifted a little this season and lingered a lot on nothing much happening to nobody cares too much.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 10, 2014, 02:26:26 AM
Quote[spoiler]Did anyone feel sorry for Ygritte? Not me.[/spoiler]

I did.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: wolf39us on June 10, 2014, 11:31:20 AM
Yeah give it a day or two... Don't come on here an hour after airing without using spoilers lol.

I personally have an automatic downloader and don't usually see the episode until the next day

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 10, 2014, 01:11:41 PM
Personally, I don't touch this thread till I'm all caught up and I encourage others to do the same.  IMHO, the only thing that I think should absolutely be spoiled are portions of the books that haven't been covered by the TV show yet.  By the time I'm all caught up with the books, it'd be by the 50th anniversary of the last season of GoT.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on June 10, 2014, 09:48:46 PM
If you haven't seen the new episode, don't click on the link. There should be no such thing as a spoiler for the show. It's that simple.

As far as the book goes, just leave info about it out of here or spoiler it by putting "Spoilers from books"
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 11, 2014, 12:06:49 AM
[spoiler]IF G.R.R. Martin wrote the Lion King:

(http://i.imgur.com/Plb2SSU.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 13, 2014, 11:30:20 AM
Season 4, episode 10, season finale:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_2936642635&feature=iv&src_vid=CtA1NIphSbo&v=dRa9L0hb-2U
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: chongjasmine on June 14, 2014, 04:18:50 AM
I never really watch the episodes. I read the books, though and enjoy them.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 14, 2014, 12:28:28 PM
Quote from: chongjasmine on June 14, 2014, 04:18:50 AMI never really watch the episodes. I read the books, though and enjoy them.
Infidel!  :razz:

I'm trying to do both right now, not so much out of a love of reading as it is the need for a steady GoT fix.  I like the attention to detail (maybe a bit too much detail) in the books, you see more of characters' thoughts, but there's really something to be said for seeing it all come to life.  Definitely earns its tv spot, imho.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 15, 2014, 01:49:24 AM
LOL XD

(http://i.imgur.com/GLQrj5y.jpg)

source: http://i.imgur.com/GLQrj5y.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/GLQrj5y.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 15, 2014, 02:40:48 AM
[spoiler]


AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 15, 2014, 06:59:25 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 15, 2014, 02:40:48 AM
[spoiler]


AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER![/spoiler]

LOL
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on June 15, 2014, 08:39:50 PM
Today's season finale is perfect for Fathers' day! <3
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 15, 2014, 11:52:28 PM
Having a very hard time finding a (totally legal, HBO-approved) stream of it that works :(. Maybe tomorrow a (totally legal, HBO-approved) stream will be up...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 16, 2014, 08:59:37 AM
Braavos here we come.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 17, 2014, 12:03:02 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 15, 2014, 11:52:28 PMHaving a very hard time finding a (totally legal, HBO-approved) stream of it that works :(. Maybe tomorrow a (totally legal, HBO-approved) stream will be up...
A man might try the sea.  All water streams into the sea.  (A man is not sure if he hears correctly or writes correctly, but... valun derÄ"ptis)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 17, 2014, 12:14:58 AM
Aye, I found one on my sails across the webs.

Gods, but that last episode made me feel good.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 17, 2014, 12:41:43 PM
Has it been long enough to talk about the latest episode?  I think it's been long enough.  So, without further ado, S4E10 spoilers:

[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/wni1Tja.jpg)

I loved the fight between Brienne and the Hound, though her diplomacy (and definitely his) could've used some work.  Hell, she could've paid for Arya right then and there.  The Hound was ostensibly only after the reward money, after all.  And he's not going to get it anywhere else.

But about the actual fight, I love how Brienne fights fair at the very beginning, but quickly adapts to the Hound's dirty fighting (http://i.imgur.com/1oDSnZq.gif) and bashes the hell out of him with a rock with feral ferocity.  She was magnificent.

I'm glad the Hound is dead.  He's dead, right?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 22, 2014, 02:39:05 AM
My new desktop:

[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/sCENgGa.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 22, 2014, 02:58:39 AM
Oh god, I love it :D.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on June 22, 2014, 04:10:34 AM
NEW RULE: If you are not up to date with the show, DO NOT CLICK ON THIS PAGE.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 22, 2014, 04:49:21 AM
So, I've read a very convincing article that (barring a near miracle) the show will finish the series before the 7th (final) book comes out.

Apparently, Maritn has told the producers the general story arc and how it all ends, and they are prepared to do that.  They say they are looking at a total of 7 season, 8 at the most, and we've seen 4 now.  Optimistically, if Martin Releases book 6 early in 2015, then they would be doing season 5 that year.  That give him only 2 years, 3 tops, to write and publish the 7th and final book.  considering his recent writing pace, that isn't super likely to happen.

So....be prepared for the show to finish the story for you.  I'm a little worried that if this happens, or appears to be headed that way, Martin might give up on even writing the final book, and we'll have 6 books, with the 7th one being a tv show....

Pros and cons.  At least someone will finish the story. he won't die with it unfinished.  I've already been through this with Robert Jordan.  Sanderson finished the series, so I felt the satisfaction of knowing how it ended, but was not really happy with it all.  Having someone else finish the work you are used to, with their own touches, twists and spins, is rough.

All the same, I think the TV show is doing justice to the overall story and characters, so if they finish it first, at least it won't suck (I hope).
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on June 22, 2014, 10:57:29 AM
^^^

I can empathize with your dilemma, but do not sympathize as I will never, never, ever read the books.  :wink2:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 22, 2014, 11:56:35 AM
Quote from: Aroura33 on June 22, 2014, 04:49:21 AMSo, I've read a very convincing article that (barring a near miracle) the show will finish the series before the 7th (final) book comes out.

Apparently, Maritn has told the producers the general story arc and how it all ends, and they are prepared to do that.  They say they are looking at a total of 7 season, 8 at the most, and we've seen 4 now.  Optimistically, if Martin Releases book 6 early in 2015, then they would be doing season 5 that year.  That give him only 2 years, 3 tops, to write and publish the 7th and final book.  considering his recent writing pace, that isn't super likely to happen.

So....be prepared for the show to finish the story for you.
Is it possible that the TV show will "end" and then get one more season after the release of the last book?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 22, 2014, 03:07:57 PM
There have been some minor changes in the series versus the book- the most glaring one at the end of this season is the lack of Lady Stoneheart
http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/16/game-of-thrones-why-no-lady-stoneheart/

One of Martin's little surprises at the end of the book, per usual. I don't have a problem with it per se, because carrying forward there is not much of a story arc there in any case.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pioteir on June 23, 2014, 04:55:19 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 16, 2014, 08:59:37 AM
Braavos here we come.

About fuckin time!!!!!! GO ARYA!!! Valar Morghulis goddamit
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 23, 2014, 05:30:21 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 22, 2014, 03:07:57 PM
There have been some minor changes in the series versus the book- the most glaring one at the end of this season is the lack of Lady Stoneheart
http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/16/game-of-thrones-why-no-lady-stoneheart/

One of Martin's little surprises at the end of the book, per usual. I don't have a problem with it per se, because carrying forward there is not much of a story arc there in any case.
It's also entirely possible they are saving that for the beginning of next season (ALA Jeoff's death).  They aren't following the books in strict order.  Of course they might also just leave it out entirely, as they have made more and more changes as time goes along, but all those changes have been with Martin's blessing, or at least his OK.  But we don't actually KNOW if there is a story arc there. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 23, 2014, 05:35:31 PM
Quote from: Aroura33 on June 23, 2014, 05:30:21 PM
It's also entirely possible they are saving that for the beginning of next season (ALA Jeoff's death).  They aren't following the books in strict order.  Of course they might also just leave it out entirely, as they have made more and more changes as time goes along, but all those changes have been with Martin's blessing, or at least his OK.  But we don't actually KNOW if there is a story arc there. 

True. Lady Stoneheart as seen in the books represents very little narrative and doesn't indicate much of a following story line, so it may not be important enough to be included in the timeframe of the show.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 23, 2014, 05:46:47 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 23, 2014, 05:35:31 PM
True. Lady Stoneheart as seen in the books represents very little narrative and doesn't indicate much of a following story line, so it may not be important enough to be included in the timeframe of the show.
Sorry, my keyboard locked up and I had to restart.

I was going to say that we don't know the importance or lack-there-of of Lady Stoneheart's character.  She hasn't done much yet that we know of, but there are 2 books and 3 seasons at least to go.  I think there is a possibility, at least, of her arc becoming more important. 
[spoiler]I mean, the risen dead are THE end game of this series, and we have now been shown not just White Walkers and their King, but Barric Dondarien and now Lady Stoneheart.  For all we know, these different kinds of resurrections of the dead will play a very important role as the story progresses.  Lady Stoneheart seems to be more mindful than a Whitewalker, but less than Dondarien.  Plus she was resurrected by Thoros, same as Dondarien, follower of the Red God (Fire), where-as the white walkers and their king represent Ice.  I'm thinking again about where this will go end-game, as a Song of Fire and Ice.[/spoiler]

Anyway, next season will be very interesting weather they include her or not. I'm not bent when they make story changes, mostly they have been for the better (Thank you for NOT giving us a drawn out Sansa Story this season!!!), and stay on the theme of the books, and the main characters.

I hate having to wait another year for the next season. Grrr. :(  And probably longer for the next book, still.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Notthesun on June 24, 2014, 01:51:29 AM
She will most likely be at the end of the next season's opening episode. It's the last huge thing that happens. The next season requires it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 26, 2014, 03:36:51 PM
[spoiler]Speaking of missing characters, I'm trying to figure out where all the characters are standing at the end of season 4.  What happened to Gendry?  And Edmure?  And Rickon & Osha?  And Ser Friendzone Enemyzone?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shol'va on June 26, 2014, 06:22:23 PM
From a strategic standpoint, I would absolutely allow the wildlings to cross the wall. If they don't, they'll be crushed by the white walkers, and the dead would only swell their ranks. But on the flip side, then you'd have a bunch of displaced tribes on your lands, which spells trouble.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 26, 2014, 07:19:47 PM
It's conceivable that they could cohabitate through one hell of an alliance, but there are some pretty stark cultural and political differences that couldn't be smoothed over easily if at all.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on June 27, 2014, 12:56:43 PM
Personally, I don't see the appeal in Game of Thrones. Although I'd probably watch it if this particular crossover happened:

[spoiler=spoiler'd for size](http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/177/4/7/mother_of_ghidorahs___soonercon_2014_print_by_kaijusamurai-d7o1wk7.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 27, 2014, 01:29:52 PM
How can you NOT like Game of Thrones?  It has Everything!  Fencing, fighting, torture, giants, true love...(and bewbs!). See?

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 27, 2014, 01:44:39 PM
Also, just because, I have to share my favorite GoT video (made me fall out of my chair laughing).

Only covers through season 3, so no spoilers if you've watched that far, and no book spoilers.  But maybe NSFW....

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on June 27, 2014, 04:53:20 PM
Quote from: Aroura33 on June 27, 2014, 01:29:52 PM
How can you NOT like Game of Thrones?  It has Everything!  Fencing, fighting, torture, giants, true love...(and bewbs!).
So it's a sub-par shounen anime realized in live action. *yawn*

Give me something where the characters at least have creative designs! (Be sure and turn on the subtitles.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtfq-807OnA
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 27, 2014, 05:02:16 PM
Doesn't... like... GoT...

Does not compute.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on June 27, 2014, 05:56:36 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 27, 2014, 05:02:16 PM
Doesn't... like... GoT...

Does not compute.
I will not bow down to your conformist ways! :P
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shol'va on June 27, 2014, 08:05:32 PM
Have you watched any of the episodes? Give it a try. Don't let it turn you off just because so many people talk about it. It's for a reason and this time it ain't because it's "teen pop culture". The production quality is just about as high as it can be and the theme etc just great. Try not to get too attached to characters, they have a tendency to, well, get killed off.
In some ironic sense, the show and books are good BECAUSE the writer said the same thing you just did to conformity.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on June 27, 2014, 09:11:59 PM

Quote from: Shol'va on June 27, 2014, 08:05:32 PM
Have you watched any of the episodes? Give it a try. Don't let it turn you off just because so many people talk about it. It's for a reason and this time it ain't because it's "teen pop culture". The production quality is just about as high as it can be and the theme etc just great. Try not to get too attached to characters, they have a tendency to, well, get killed off.
In some ironic sense, the show and books are good BECAUSE the writer said the same thing you just did to conformity.
Of course I've seen a few episodes here and there, it's unavoidable if you have a social life. And as I said, I don't see the appeal.



Sent from Monster Island. Titty sprinkles.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on June 27, 2014, 09:22:02 PM
Quote from: Hijiri Byakuren on June 27, 2014, 04:53:20 PM
So it's a sub-par shounen anime realized in live action. *yawn*


I did 20 minutes of research, not just reading the Wikipedia page on it, to find out what shounen anime is, and GoT is soooo not even anything remotely like that. Just because it has bewbs does not put it in this category. Nor is it action driven. It is 90% a political and personal drama. It continues to be mostly a political and personal drama, it just takes place in a very barbaric and gritty world time/place. Action and bewbs are actually pretty few and far between.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 27, 2014, 11:36:50 PM
Quote from: Aroura33 on June 27, 2014, 09:22:02 PMIt is 90% a political and personal drama.
Bingo.  I've heard it described as a fantasy drama, and I've gotta say, that's a fairly accurate summation.  But I really like TV Tropes' laconic description of it:  "HBO series about intrigue, war, and ancient evil threatening a medieval fantasy world. "

And one of the awesome things about it is that there is such an abundance of characters that you're practically guaranteed to really empathize with and care about at least one of them.  And then you're hooked.  At least until that person dies.  :(
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on June 28, 2014, 03:07:25 AM
Quote from: Aroura33 on June 27, 2014, 09:22:02 PM
I did 20 minutes of research, not just reading the Wikipedia page on it, to find out what shounen anime is, and GoT is soooo not even anything remotely like that. Just because it has bewbs does not put it in this category. Nor is it action driven. It is 90% a political and personal drama. It continues to be mostly a political and personal drama, it just takes place in a very barbaric and gritty world time/place. Action and bewbs are actually pretty few and far between.
I was being facetious. As I said earlier, I have seen the show a few times, and I don't care for it. I don't know what else to say, I find it boring and stupid compared to other shows I've seen. =/
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: PickelledEggs on June 28, 2014, 03:34:30 AM
I've never watched game of thrones... And I don't really feel like it. 


Just saying.

Sent from your mom

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 28, 2014, 03:40:24 AM
GoT thread populated by people who don't like GoT.

(http://gifatron.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cersei-wine-game-of-thrones.gif)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: PickelledEggs on June 28, 2014, 03:55:53 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 28, 2014, 03:40:24 AM
GoT thread populated by people who don't like GoT.

(http://gifatron.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cersei-wine-game-of-thrones.gif)

I don't dislike GoT, I just tend to have a hard time getting in to a long series like that. Same thing with breaking bad and a few others. I believe you that its good.

Sent from your mom

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 12, 2015, 01:34:47 PM
GoT returns tonight!  Damn, it's been a while!

(https://thoughtcatalog.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/tumblr_inline_n3in2ww96r1qbygev.gif?w=500&h=233)

Apparently, a few of the new episodes have been leaked already. :(  If you come across them, please keep it to yourself.  The One True God and One True King command it.

Season 5 and books should still be spoiled, but previous seasons of the show no longer need to be spoiled.

Also, there's a bunch of really fascinating but crazy fan theory videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXU7XVK_2Wd6tAHYO8g9vAA/videos).  Apparently, there are lots of secret plots and alliances going on behind the scenes so subtlety hinted at that they're extremely easy to miss.  Check it out if and only if you're up to date on the books.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on April 12, 2015, 03:11:52 PM
Hey, what happens if the TV series finishes the books before Martin does?  It's not only possible, it looks probably right now. 

I'll be back after watching the episode tonight.  So excited!!!!!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 13, 2015, 02:14:04 AM
Quote from: Aroura33 on April 12, 2015, 03:11:52 PM
Hey, what happens if the TV series finishes the books before Martin does?  It's not only possible, it looks probably right now. 

I'll be back after watching the episode tonight.  So excited!!!!!
They have an end planned.  Maybe not the end, but an end.  They may have to reunite a few years later for one final season.  It's atypical, but not unheard of.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 13, 2015, 03:05:18 AM
S5E1 review:

[spoiler]Man, they are blowing through the material here.  It's about a chapter per minute.  Poor GRRM needs to write like the wind!

We get refreshers of what's going on in with most of the main characters, but there are plenty of new developments.  Maggy the Frog.  (or is it spelled maegi?)  The Sparrows.  The Sons of the Harpy.  The fighting pits.  Stannis' new gameplan.  Tyrion's new abode.  Varys' plan for Tyrion.  Varys' plan in its entirety (mostly).

I particularly enjoyed Margery's mildly (compared to Cersei) bitchy side.  She's so pleasant and courteous in public that it's hard to believe that anything could upset her.  She's obviously afraid for her brother and frustrated at her situation.  Anyone by Cersei's side would be.  Anyone finding out they're stuck at her side for good should be given a medal for not throwing himself or herself off the roof of the Red Keep at the earliest convenience.

I didn't really like the scene with Stannis and Jon, at least not as much as it was written in the books.  In the books, Stannis makes a very explicit and extremely tempting offer that Jon seriously considers for a good long while.  In the TV show, it's just "Hey Jon, would you like some payback?"  "Nah, I've got to stay here and look moody."  "K.  Ttyl."  Dafuq.

I really liked the scene with Mance Rayder.  Great acting.  Really felt bad for the guy.  But I'm kinda disappointed in the wildling submission ceremony getting toned down and cut short.  In the books, it's an absolutely brutal execution.  For starters, Mance is kept in a cage then lit ablaze.  And secondly, he freaking loses it towards the end.  He wails, thrashes about, begs for mercy, and denies being a king.  Stannis raises his glowing sword up high.  Melisandre asks the wildlings to renounce their heathen gods and a whole bunch of them take up the One True God right then and there, each throwing a piece of a weirwood onto Mance's pyre.  That's some seriously hardcore stuff right there.  I freaked out a little reading it.  The show version was lamentably subdued.

Also, a lot of other really, really important stuff is left out.  Like Sweet Robin refusing to leave his rapidly-freezing castle and throwing a temper tantrum.  If I were Littlefinger, I'd kick that brat off the slope.  Maggy's most important prophecy regarding Cersei and the main reason she hates Tyrion so much.  Tywin's unnaturally comical appearance in his funeral.  The guy hated laughter almost his whole life and at his funeral, he's grinning like the Joker while smelling like Flea Bottom.  It's actually sort of funny in a grisly sort of way.

Anyway, onwards to episode 2!  We need to see more Arya and Jorah and Illyrio Mopatis, the last for the very finest in Pentoshi cuisine!  Oh my God does he eat well![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 13, 2015, 04:02:45 AM
All I care about this season is seeing Dorne, especially as they will be adding much that isn't in the books. And possibly flashbacks including more Oberyn. Oh god, yes...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 13, 2015, 04:23:01 AM
I too would love to see Dorne.  It sounds downright idyllic compared to the rest of Westeroes.  Not just in its natural beauty (lemon trees!), but also the people seem more egalitarian, less sexist, and just overall more civilized.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on April 13, 2015, 12:38:16 PM
Saw my very first episode of this, last night! I'm totally lost, I'm wondering if I should go back to view last season, or all of them to really gain a better perspective. I thought the acting was excellent and it seems very well done. Interested in continuing, but...like I said, I'm a wee bit lost. ^_^
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on April 13, 2015, 12:56:55 PM
Quote from: Deidre32 on April 13, 2015, 12:38:16 PM
Saw my very first episode of this, last night! I'm totally lost, I'm wondering if I should go back to view last season, or all of them to really gain a better perspective. I thought the acting was excellent and it seems very well done. Interested in continuing, but...like I said, I'm a wee bit lost. ^_^
Oh yeah, this series isn't something you can stat watching in the middle.  It's a continuous story with so many plots going on at once, it can be confusing even if you do watch every episode in order. 

But I suggest you try and find season one and start there.  It's totally worth it!!! Or if you are a reader....you can catch up by reading the books, too!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Desdinova on April 13, 2015, 02:32:22 PM
Quote from: Aroura33 on April 12, 2015, 03:11:52 PM
Hey, what happens if the TV series finishes the books before Martin does?  It's not only possible, it looks probably right now. 

I'll be back after watching the episode tonight.  So excited!!!!!

I think the books and the TV series will split off into two separate stories.  The end will be the same, generally, but the subplots will not. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Jason78 on April 14, 2015, 01:05:55 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 13, 2015, 03:05:18 AM
S5E1 review:

[spoiler]I can kind of understand why they didn't have him burn to death in a cage, given recent events.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Green Bottle on April 15, 2015, 04:33:26 PM
I've been waiting for ''The Winds of Winter for ages , i wish they'd hurry up. Anyhow, series 5 starting to warm up now but i wont spoil it for any of you, the 1st 4 episodes of the new series can be seen  here.....
http://m.movietube.co/tv.htm?sort=score
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 16, 2015, 04:11:41 PM
Quote from: Jason78 on April 14, 2015, 01:05:55 PM
[spoiler]I can kind of understand why they didn't have him burn to death in a cage, given recent events.[/spoiler]
?  Oh.  Ooooh!  *dawning comprehension*  Good call.  Didn't even think about that.  Damn you, real life, and all your funny aneurisms (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Laconic/FunnyAneurysmMoment)!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2015, 01:05:11 PM
S5E2 review:

[spoiler]Bravos looks so nice.  Canals everywhere.  Jaqen's back!  Aww yeah!  But I didn't like how Arya just wanders around for a bit instead of going right in the house of black and white like she did in the books.

Brienne stumbles on Sansa.  How lucky is that?!  Littlefinger makes good arguments about why she shouldn't be there.  She does have a pretty bad track record and an incredibly unbelievable story about how Renly died.  Plus, Sansa is already well guarded.  Pledging herself to Sansa insults Littlefinger by implying that Sansa's guards are inadequate or inept or that Littlefinger wishes to harm Sansa.  Still, he does offer to have Brienne accompany them, which is as good an offer as anyone in his shoes can make.  No doubt as the prelude to an accident, though.  Brienne was right to refuse.  However, she wasn't right to go nuts the instant she left the inn.  Jeez, that was unnecessary.  Do you know how much good horses cost?  Losing your horse is roughly equivalent to losing your car.  And yeah, Podrick's right.  The Stark daughters refused to be protected, so Brienne is released from her vows.

Jaimie and Bronn head south.  I'm sure that'll work out for them.

Doctor Julian Bashir is Doran Martell.  FUCK YES!  Now, if they just cast Colm Meaney (Miles O'Brien) as Randyll Tarly...

At King's Landing, there's that great scene where Cersei practically takes over the small council.  And since Tommen just signs whatever is handed to him, Cersei is the de facto ruler.  Kevan is understandably pissed.  I don't like how the bounty hunters with the wrong head don't get punished.  In the books, Cersei really shows off her cruel side there.

Gilly learning the letter S was like me in college, heh.  But damn, that part about the Night's Watch elections was extremely condensed in the show, not that I'm complaining.

I really like the scene with Varys and Tyrion.  Varys is such an insightful, amiable guy.  Tyrion is just a cynical, washed-up drunk, so only one thing has changed about him.  It's funny, thinking back about Tyrion threatening Varys for his implicit threat to Shae.  Varys never touched a hair on her head, but Tyrion...

And everything goes to shit in Meereen.  Saw that coming.  Dany definitely should've just taken Yunkai's bribe and headed west when she had the chance.

This episode really threw me for a loop because it's such a major departure from the books.  Practically everything is different, and not just minor details, but major plot points.  It's still good, but damn, I really wanted to see some of the book stuff on the screen, like Jamie in the Riverlands, Tyrion wining and dining with Illyrio Mopatis, etc.  Still, I'm not complaining about seeing more of Varys.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on April 22, 2015, 01:24:33 PM
Yes, this episode threw me for a loop too, as it departed from the books completely in places.  When the episode finished, I looked at my husband and said "Don't ask me what's going on anymore, it looks like we are both in the same boat now".

I do appreciate how the show is editing/changing book storylines though, while maintaining the best characters, not overwhelming us with too many unnecessary ones, and trimming plot lines that basically meander for the next two books (well one, since the last 2 books were divided by character and not chronologically.).
_________________
I realize the show is taking a different path, but if we get to the end before Martin finishes the books, I doubt I'll finish the books.  Maybe.  This isn't a normal situation.  For one thing, I think the show has actually surpassed the books in awesomeness now.  It seems like by books 4/5 Martin had too much going on, and I started to feel less excited and more overwhelmed reading those.  I'm looking forward to how the TV series handles the rest of the plot, especially Dorn!

Oh, and good C=catch, Julian Bashere, I didn't even recognize him!  I'm a huge Trek fan too. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2015, 03:07:33 PM
Quote from: Aroura33 on April 22, 2015, 01:24:33 PMI do appreciate how the show is editing/changing book storylines though, while maintaining the best characters, not overwhelming us with too many unnecessary ones, and trimming plot lines that basically meander for the next two books (well one, since the last 2 books were divided by character and not chronologically.).
Yeah.  The books were all over the place.  But it's unnerving how fast they're going through the source material.  Bran's all caught up, Sansa's almost caught up, and Arya is just few scenes away from being caught up.  The only people who really have much left to do are Cersei, Daenerys, Jon/Davos/Stannis, and the Ironborn.  Man, the Ironborn have a LOT of material left.  I'm actually sort of surprised we haven't seen them yet.

QuoteFor one thing, I think the show has actually surpassed the books in awesomeness now.
I dunno, the books had their moments, too.  I <3 Victarion.  It's downright scary how close my personality is to that guy.  Aeron is cool, too.  Can't wait to see him conduct some religious ceremonies, if you get what I mean...

QuoteIt seems like by books 4/5 Martin had too much going on, and I started to feel less excited and more overwhelmed reading those.
Same.  My main gripe is neither of the last two books really seemed to go anywhere.  Tyrion mopes.  Brienne goes on a wild snark chase.  Cersei cerseies.  The previous books were defined by all these badass moments, but the fourth book has little and less of that.  It's just so moody and dull.  And yeah, way too many side characters.  Slaver's bay characters all seem to blur together.  People like Reznor zo nasdaq, or somesuch.

QuoteOh, and good C=catch, Julian Bashere, I didn't even recognize him!  I'm a huge Trek fan too.
Yeah, it's because I'm Trekkie.  *slides a door closed to a shrine covered with pictures of Alexander Siddig*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on April 22, 2015, 04:56:45 PM
Haha, Cercie cercies, lol.  I like that as a verb or adjective, I'll have to find ways to use it. :)

I'm a Trekkie, I've even attended conventions, but I did not get into Deep Space 9 the way I did TNG. I even watched more of Voyager.  I know, DS9 is actually better (I went back and rewatched, and found some of the best characters ever, like Quark!).

Anyway, I agree it's l kind of alarming how fast they are going through the material, but that just shows how little substantial material there actually was to go through in the last 2 books. 
Yes, I'd like to see what the Ironborn are up to in the TV series.  Do you think they'll curb that story arc as well?  There is more meat in that story arc than in Tyrions recent adventures, for instance.  Maybe they are saving it to tie in somewhere else?  I expect we'll see more of Asha soon, though.

I have so many questions!  I guess they will be answered in a few months when this season is over.  I wonder if we will get to see further along Tyrion, Arya, and others that the books.  I'm very curious how they will handle Cercie's arc, as IMHO, she has one of the best in the last 2 books. What are they going to do with Gilly and Sam and Maester Aemon since they clearly aren't going where the books went with that?

Guess we all have to watch and see now. :)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2015, 05:15:04 PM
Afaik, this season will end roughly where the 4th book ended and season 6 will end roughly where the 5th book ended.  Season 7...R'hollor willing, GRRM will have a new book by then so there'll be something to film.

[spoiler]What's this about Samwell Tarly?! Last time, I checked, he's still following his book story arc.  Sam's scene at the Citadel and his enlightening encounter with a certain glassy-eyed Maester was one of my favorite scenes from the books.  If that scene gets cut, the tv show won't hold a candle to the books in my eyes.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on April 22, 2015, 05:29:09 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 22, 2015, 05:15:04 PM
Afaik, this season will end roughly where the 4th book ended and season 6 will end roughly where the 5th book ended.  Season 7...R'hollor willing, GRRM will have a new book by then so there'll be something to film.

[spoiler]What's this about Samwell Tarly?! Last time, I checked, he's still following his book story arc.  Sam's scene at the Citadel and his enlightening encounter with a certain glassy-eyed Maester was one of my favorite scenes from the books.  If that scene gets cut, the tv show won't hold a candle to the books in my eyes.[/spoiler]
Wait wait, they can't do season 5 is book 4, and season 6 is book 5, because books 4 and 5 take place concurrently.  I mean, they end at roughly the same time period.  Book 4 DOES NOT even have Arya or Tyrion in it.  Their adventures take place in book 5, right?  Martin split up one massive book by characters.  Basically, he wrote book 4 around the Westeros Characters, and book 5 around the Bravoosi , free cities and slaver cities.

So we've already seen characters on both sides, from both books.  But maybe it will take them 2 seasons still to cover the stories taking place in both book, but I hope they do it more chronologically.  Actually, this might explain why we haven't seen the Iron Born yet.  If I'm not mistaken, the events that lead up to the big important thing there in that area really takes place near the end of this timeline, so they may end the season with that, or at least place it nearer the end of the season.
[spoiler]I'm also interested to see how they portray the Damphair and the Ironborn religion.  They've done great with the Red God, I hope they give equal time to the other cool gods.[/spoiler]

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2015, 05:41:01 PM
Quote from: Aroura33 on April 22, 2015, 05:29:09 PMWait wait, they can't do season 5 is book 4, and season 6 is book 5, because books 4 and 5 take place concurrently.
You're absolutely right.  I mean that the ending scene of book 4 would be the end of season 5.  I assume that the King's Landing plotline would resolve before the Essos and Northern plotlines.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2015, 07:28:40 PM
A couple questions about Season 5 episode 2:

[spoiler]Why is Sansa out in the open?  Because last time I checked, both her and the dwarf were wanted by the Queen for regicide.  You can't just wear a different dress and walk the streets like nothing happened.  So is she still wanted or not?  I suppose they might have pinned everything on the dwarf after Tywin died, but damn, no one would say "Hey, there's Sansa Stark.  Haven't seen you since the wedding!  Say, where's your husband?"  I know she confessed her true identity in the Eryie, but I figure the more Arryn bannermen might be more willing to look the other way, given that she's the niece of the late Lysa Tully and given her sob story.  Smallfolk with no loyalties to her family in the middle of nowhere, not so much.

Did Cersei open the box, see the snake, then close the box up again and show it to Jamie?  Cause that sounds sorta strange.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on April 22, 2015, 07:32:44 PM
I read the books too long ago and don't remember the content well enough, so I'm just following the show as best I can. GRRM pretty much admitted he isn't going to finish the books first, and he also said the show will have differences. So whatever. I will read the next published book and continue the show.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on April 22, 2015, 09:21:50 PM
Oh yeah.  Personally, I'm grateful the show exists, or else I fear Martin would leave his fans to hang forever.

And Hydra, that is a really good question. 

[spoiler]I have no idea where in Westeros they were when Brianne and Pod came across Sansa and Littlefinger.  Littlefinger had just been saying he was going to take Sansa far enough away that she wouldn't have to worry about the queen hunting her, but where would that even be?  Where they almost there?  I had the impression they were not that far outside the Riverlands yet.  But yeah, if Breanne can recognize her (and POD for heavens sake, from the side, too!) then it doesn't seem safe for her to be walking around without her face hooded at the very least.
Also, wow, that actress has gotten so tall!  Even with obvious shot editing, Littlefinger is clearly shorter than her.  She'll be as tall s Gwendolyn Christy soon. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Draconic Aiur on April 23, 2015, 11:58:45 PM
I got to episode 3 when they captured unjustlly tyron. One of the good characters and stopped watching it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 24, 2015, 01:30:41 AM
Quote from: Draconic Aiur on April 23, 2015, 11:58:45 PM
I got to episode 3 when they captured unjustlly tyron. One of the good characters and stopped watching it.
You stopped at the third episode of the first season because something sort of bad happened to one of your favorite characters?

*laughs*
*laughs harder*
*rolls on the floor laughing*
*dies laughing*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Jason78 on April 24, 2015, 01:07:40 PM
It's not as if anyone died.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on April 24, 2015, 01:25:04 PM
Oh that's nothing. I haven't seen Breaking Bad yet and got yelled by people with explosive facial expressions several times for that. Seriously. Soon guys, soon. Anyway, at least I am on time with House of Cards. Phew.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Green Bottle on April 25, 2015, 07:02:16 PM
I just watched episode 4 of the new series but i wont spoil it for anyone, but wow'',  who the fff would've expected that.......... :shifty:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 26, 2015, 12:58:00 AM
Hodor must've finally taken the iron throne.  Totally called it in advance.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Aroura33 on April 29, 2015, 12:12:04 AM
Episode 3 had enough unexpected stuff.  Do I have to spoil tag everything? I mean, if you haven't watched the most recent episode, don't read the thread!!  lol

So poor, poor Sansa.  She's either going to be married to psycho boy, or else Littlefinger is using the situation to try and take the north and her with it in the bargain somehow.  Either way, she's a always someone else's pawn.

Loved hearing some of Brianne's back-story, very touching actually.  And how she's softening towards Pod.  I didn't like her murderous rampage lately....she's not a thug like that in the books, where her honor/chivalry is more important to her than most knighted knights.  The wanting to cut down the whores and burry them, that's more Brianne.

Anyway, looks like they are really going off into new territory and rewriting all the main character story lines heavily.  I'm going to be patient and wait until next weekend to watch episode 4....I'm excited to see where the writers are going with it now!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 19, 2015, 12:53:41 AM
So many episodes to comment on, so little time.

As a book reader, please allow me a small rant on the abandoned or radically-altered plotlines.

[spoiler]Changes I loathe and despise:

* Real Sansa marrying the Bolton bastard instead of fake Arya.  First, we're doing the "innocent girl is about to marry a monster" thing a bit too much.  Plus, she goes willingly, which makes no friggin' sense.  Second, Littlefinger gets nothing out of this arrangement and he never works for free.  He hints that he'd combine forces and hit the capital, but with Stannis on the march and winter fast approaching, that seems unlikely.  Plus, Lord Bolton would never be on board with that plan.  Traitors tend not to trust each other.

* The Ironborn.  Visualize Victarion throwing a knight off a ship.  Or Euron feasting in a recently-conquered keep while being attended to by the slain lord's women.  Or Asha fighting in the North.  We're not going to see any of it.  :(

* No Lady Stoneheart or Brotherhood Without Banners.

* No Jon Connington.  Dammit, Jorah, you suck so hard you're sucking in other characters' plotlines!  And Jon is such a badass that it's a real shame to miss him.

* Book Valaryia doesn't look anything like TV Valaryia.  TV Valaryia was more akin to the Sorrows.  Book Valaryia is basically hell on Earth.  If you go there, you're a deadman.  Period. 

* No strong Belwas.  It's not that much of a loss considering that the story so far isn't all that different without him, but he's a big part of a pivotal scene up ahead.  It'd be strange without him.

* Barristan Selmy dying early.  As a wise mentor figure, he'd probably die fairly soon anyway.  But there's this crisis in Meereen that he mans up and deals with as best he can.  So, his death definitely throws the wrench in the Meereen story.  Plus, I really wish that the Unsullied had put up more of a fight, they're extremely well-trained soldiers going up against civies in Guy Fawkes masks.  It shouldn't have been a roughly one-to-one kill-death ratio.

* Dany almost feeding Hizdar to her dragons, throwing him in jail, then proposing marriage.  All kinds of WTF alarms are going off in that poor guy's head.

* No Penny.  Her voyage with Tyrion and Jorah wasn't the most gripping stuff ever, but she helps pull Tyrion back from the abyss.  Sad to not see that, either.


Changes that I don't mind:

* Brienne finding Sansa.  In the books, you already know where the Stark girls are and know that she's on a wild goose chase.  Her chapters tended to drag on and only had any payoff at the very end.  So, it's good she's doing something productive.

* Jaimie and Bronn  in Dorne.  I liked Jaime cleaning up loose ends in the Riverlands, but this works too.

* Loras Tyrell accused of being fabulous.  Guilty as charged!

* the Queen of Thorns is back in town.  She steals the scenes she's in![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 19, 2015, 01:29:15 AM
S5E4/E5

[spoiler]Stannis's little heart-to-heart with Shireen practically had me in tears.  Stannis is the best dad ever!

Stannis:  "So I heard you killed a white walker."
Sam:  "Yeah, with dragonglass.  You know, obsidian.  If we had some more, we could fashion an arsenal of anti-zombie weapons and totally pwn some walker face."
Stannis:  "There's a bunch of that stuff over at Dragonstone."
Sam:  "Great.  So how much did you bring"
Stannis:  "..."

Interesting to see that Stannis is taking Melisandre with him on the march to Winterfell, considering what happened the last time he went to war without her.

The Boltons have the most awkward dinner scene ever!  Absolutely hilarious![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Agramon on May 19, 2015, 06:38:37 AM
S5E6

[spoiler]So help me if Bronn dies to a stupid poison dagger I'm going to lose my shit. Also, who the fuck tries to kidnap someone in the middle of the day WITH PRINCE DORAN PRACTICALLY WATCHING.

Oh yeah, how the hell does Obara (sp?) not wipe the floor with Jamie Lannister? Plot armor much?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Green Bottle on May 19, 2015, 09:08:31 AM
Watched episode 5 last nite an it's starting to get very interesting, but as some of you havent got that far yet ill say nuthing.  But fksake, those damned Sons of the Harpy need sorted out s all im sayin........ :shifty:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 19, 2015, 12:19:07 PM
S5E6

[spoiler]I'll refer you guys to Preston Jacobs, because he covers all the bases better than I could.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh7UdY1lgAo

* Arya's scenes have been dreadfully dull so far.  And her euthanessos scene in particular didn't sit well with me.  I guess I'm supposed to believe that Arya is becoming a better liar, but it's pretty unethical (compare to Jaqen kindly and reverently giving the water to the man who asked for it) and doesn't make sense considering that it should be common knowledge that this temple does not offer healing.  I definitely would've preferred her as Cat of the Canals bumping into a merchant with a taste for gold.

* Littlefinger going back to King's Landing.  STOOPID IDEA.  #1) Cersei almost had you killed, remember?  And now she's head honcho.  Yeah, I'd stay the hell away.  #2) The Sparrows hate sinners, and you are the embodiment of at least 2 deadly sins.  So yeah, the Sparrows HATE you.  And they whip people they hate in the streets.  And they're under the control of Cersei, who also hates you.  Get the picture?  #3  There's no way in hell the Lannisters don't already know Sansa is in Winterfell.  She'd be the talk of the town!  So Littlefinger, what the hell are you doing here?

Littlefinger actually has a good plan to take out the victor after the battle between Stannis and Bolton.  But warden of the north?  In your dreams.  If you thought the Boltons were disliked by the Northmen, just imagine a Southerner - and a lowborn and flesh-peddler at that - ruling over them.

* Myrcella is quite the lovely young girl.  And wouldn't you know it, she's getting kidnapped by two parties at the same exact time.  What luck!  And in broad daylight right in front of the royal guards.  Great plan, guys.

* Sansa's wedding.  Apparently, it caused an uproar on Twitter (http://time.com/3882457/game-of-thrones-twitter-reactions-stark-wedding/).  You know what else causes an uproar on Twitter?  Literally everything.  I mean, we've seen some pretty nasty stuff in GoT so far.  Caster's Keep alone is some seriously messed up stuff, let alone the Red Wedding or the Purple Wedding or the King's Landing duel (aka the chunky salsa duel).  So yeah, it didn't really get to me that bad.  In fact, it's slightly worse in the books.  Theon is forced to participate instead of simply watching.  I still feel really bad for Sansa, though.  I really hope she finds some sort of peace in the end.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 25, 2015, 02:14:20 AM
I actually really liked the latest Game of Thrones!

[spoiler]Cersei's sins finally come to roost!  FUCKIN' STOKED to see how that's going to play out.

Thank the Seven for cutting Samwell Tarly's boatride.  As much as I want to see Oldtown, having to slog through his long and tedious journey was more horrendous for book readers than Sansa's stay in King's Landing.  But watching him get pounded on and then get to do some pounding was probably the 3rd most disturbing sex scene I've seen in this series, and I'm pretty sure there have been more than that many rapes.  Headwound + sex = dead by morning.

The Queen of Thorns is having a pretty surprisingly hard time wheeling and dealing with the High Sparrow.  Trying to bribe a religious fanatic was not a smart play.  She should have tried to use his faith to her advantage somehow.  Also, it's interesting to learn that she seems not the least bit religious.  The Tyrells are actually the only halfway decent family we've seen so far since the Starks went kaput.

Stannis the Mannis loves his daughter.  Finally stands up to the Red Lady.  Good for him.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 25, 2015, 12:43:58 PM
I still haven't gotten around to seeing episode 2 and on of this season... I really need to...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 01, 2015, 02:17:14 AM
Season 5 Episode 8.  Another good one.

[spoiler]Licking the floors.  Damn.  I haven't seen Cersei this low since she was doing Lancel.  Lena Headey is acting the hell out of these scenes.

Yay, they're doing Cat of the Canals after all!  Hot damn, we finally get to see Arya do something cool.

Tyrion and Dany.  I have no words.  Literally.  I'm still waiting to see these scenes in print, Seven damn it!  Everything they're saying here is spoiling a book that hasn't been written yet!  ARGH!

Jon and Tormond's little ceasefire talk went about as well as could be expected.  I liked how they agreed with Tormund, not Jon.  And how some dissented.  Free folk'll do that.  If I were Tormund, I'd try to play up how the Crows are willing to let 'em through the Wall with no fuss.  Paint it like the Crows gone soft and desperate to sue for peace like the cowardly milk-drinkers they are.  And in their stupidity, giving the Free Folk a hell of a deal, giving the Gift and even guarding it for the Free Folk afterward.  The idjits.

The blizzard.  The instant I heard that shit, I was like "Oh no.  Oh no!  Get out.  Get out now!"  If it were me, I'd be on rowboat as fast as my legs could take me, and rowing whether or not anyone else was onboard.  Fuck the King. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g9zxduFtSM)  Fuck the women.  Fuck the children.  Fuck the elderly.  There are no women or children or elderly.  There's the quick and the dead.  You're on the boats or you're fucked.

I strongly disagreed with the heroic last stand mentality.  Jon and Tormund must've been out of their minds.  Those wights are vicious as a well-kicked bag of tigers and twice as deadly.  When a Walker joined the fray, I asked my servant to fetch me my brown pants.  Abandoning the dragonglass was a smart move, but fighting Death itself mano-a-mano was not.  Jon got lucky as fuck this time.

Oh, and apparently, there's still a boat waiting for them at the docks.  The same docks that had hundreds of panicking, desperate people scrambling towards every available boat not a minute or so prior.  What are the odds that one would still be there?  Not bloody likely.  But the plot demands it, so one just happens to be there.  *shrugs*

I really liked the White Walker Necron Lord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjtEy81Fsf8&t=1m44s)'s intense stare-off with Jon and subsequent mass resurrection spell.  Creepy as hell.  If I saw half of what Jon's seen, I'd be halfway to Dorne right now, vow be damned.  It'd take my chances with a headsman.  A hell of a lot better death, at least.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Green Bottle on June 01, 2015, 12:04:59 PM
Im watching episode 7 later an it looks like things are ''hotting up''  :popcorn: :popcorn:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 01, 2015, 10:06:06 PM
Great episode, and I would just like to say that Danish woman who played the Wildling woman was beautiful.

So...

[spoiler]Dragonglass... not as important as previously believed.

I know it's game of Thrones, and everything dies, but did anyone really think Longclaw would shatter? Really now?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 01, 2015, 10:44:05 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 01, 2015, 10:06:06 PM[spoiler]Dragonglass... not as important as previously believed.

I know it's game of Thrones, and everything dies, but did anyone really think Longclaw would shatter? Really now?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]No, but I didn't expect Jon to instagib the Walker with it.  I figured only dragonglass/obsidian could do that.  According to the books, dragonglass can annihilate Walkers with ease but is more brittle than regular steel, so it's less useful except in special circumstances.  So, it has its advantages and disadvantages.  Valyrian steel is spell-forged and mastercrafted steel, so it's lighter and sharper than mundane steel.  The fact that it has all of the advantages of dragonglass with none of its weaknesses kinda irks me a little.  Nerf plz.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 03, 2015, 02:42:28 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 01, 2015, 02:17:14 AM
Season 5 Episode 8.  Another good one.

[spoiler]Licking the floors.  Damn.  I haven't seen Cersei this low since she was doing Lancel.  Lena Headey is acting the hell out of these scenes.

Yay, they're doing Cat of the Canals after all!  Hot damn, we finally get to see Arya do something cool.

Tyrion and Dany.  I have no words.  Literally.  I'm still waiting to see these scenes in print, Seven damn it!  Everything they're saying here is spoiling a book that hasn't been written yet!  ARGH!

Jon and Tormond's little ceasefire talk went about as well as could be expected.  I liked how they agreed with Tormund, not Jon.  And how some dissented.  Free folk'll do that.  If I were Tormund, I'd try to play up how the Crows are willing to let 'em through the Wall with no fuss.  Paint it like the Crows gone soft and desperate to sue for peace like the cowardly milk-drinkers they are.  And in their stupidity, giving the Free Folk a hell of a deal, giving the Gift and even guarding it for the Free Folk afterward.  The idjits.

The blizzard.  The instant I heard that shit, I was like "Oh no.  Oh no!  Get out.  Get out now!"  If it were me, I'd be on rowboat as fast as my legs could take me, and rowing whether or not anyone else was onboard.  Fuck the King. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g9zxduFtSM)  Fuck the women.  Fuck the children.  Fuck the elderly.  There are no women or children or elderly.  There's the quick and the dead.  You're on the boats or you're fucked.

I strongly disagreed with the heroic last stand mentality.  Jon and Tormund must've been out of their minds.  Those wights are vicious as a well-kicked bag of tigers and twice as deadly.  When a Walker joined the fray, I asked my servant to fetch me my brown pants.  Abandoning the dragonglass was a smart move, but fighting Death itself mano-a-mano was not.  Jon got lucky as fuck this time.

Oh, and apparently, there's still a boat waiting for them at the docks.  The same docks that had hundreds of panicking, desperate people scrambling towards every available boat not a minute or so prior.  What are the odds that one would still be there?  Not bloody likely.  But the plot demands it, so one just happens to be there.  *shrugs*

I really liked the White Walker Necron Lord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjtEy81Fsf8&t=1m44s)'s intense stare-off with Jon and subsequent mass resurrection spell.  Creepy as hell.  If I saw half of what Jon's seen, I'd be halfway to Dorne right now, vow be damned.  It'd take my chances with a headsman.  A hell of a lot better death, at least.[/spoiler]

About The boat: to be fair he ordered one of them to come back. I think that was the one.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 03, 2015, 03:46:49 AM
Ah okay.  I must've missed that part.

[spoiler]That boat was just plain strange, though.

(http://i.imgur.com/5vEQ8t9.png)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Agramon on June 03, 2015, 05:35:22 AM
[spoiler]I have a feeling I'm going to really hate Ollie soon.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 03, 2015, 12:49:15 PM
Quote from: Agramon on June 03, 2015, 05:35:22 AM
[spoiler]I have a feeling I'm going to really hate Ollie soon.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Oh yeah, it's coming.

I loved his little chat with Sam.  Ollie basically laid bare his hatred and distrust of wildlings to Sam of all people.  A guy who's in love with one probably wasn't the best choice for that.

Sam makes a few arguments for the alliance and tells him not to worry about Jon.  I loved how oblivious Sam is to the coming danger.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 07, 2015, 03:07:52 PM
Episode 9 tonight.  These are always good for a shocking murder or massacre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJrx7pX5zEc
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 08, 2015, 05:35:06 PM
[spoiler]Fuck Show Stannis.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: TomFoolery on June 08, 2015, 05:46:49 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on June 08, 2015, 05:35:06 PM
[spoiler]Fuck Show Stannis.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]An awesome example of religious fervor gone wrong that I imagine would be lost on most of the faithful, or turned into some sick adage about how Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 08, 2015, 06:04:04 PM
[spoiler] WTF spoilers?[/spoiler]

I'm blown away by Peter Dinklage. He has in many ways become the soul of the show, and his skills as an actor are astonishing. And I'm also glad Sophie Turner got a bigger role in the show than Sansa did in the book. She is presented a lot differently. I saw somewhere that GRRM has said he is done with the G of T books, but I don't know. The show has carried the story in some ways better than the books, and I would not be bothered if there were two different stories told, one in the books and one on HBO. Overall quite pleased with the show. The last episode lived up to my expectations.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: TomFoolery on June 08, 2015, 06:13:29 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 08, 2015, 06:04:04 PM
I would not be bothered if there were two different stories told, one in the books and one on HBO. Overall quite pleased with the show. The last episode lived up to my expectations.

I spent a lot of useless energy arguing this fact with my friends over social media last night. Same with the Walking Dead. I love the written works and the television shows in different ways, and the differences are what keeps them exciting.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 08, 2015, 06:33:36 PM
Seaon 5 Episode 9:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9gC1GiSDDA

[spoiler]Apparently, Stannis' guards are dangerously incompetent.  20 men walk into camp completely undetected and set off simultaneous fires in the middle of a freakin' snowstorm.  What.  The.  Fuck.

Davos is going back to Castle Black.  Good plan, maybe?  Sounds like Stannis just needs him out of the way so...

...oh no...

...

I can't even process what's going on there.  Moving on.

Cat of the Canals has Westerosi guests.  I've gotta say, Lord Tyrell is a surprisingly astute man in financial matters.  I wouldn't be surprised if he's been pulling a Pycelle and pretending to be more of an idiot than he really is.  Great singer, too.

Ser Meryn Trant, I dub thee Ser Pedo.  I'm surprised the brothelkeeper let Arya peek at the goings on there.  I'm pretty sure she feared for Arya's safety and I'd be worried about witnesses as well, but her attempt at shooing Arya away was pretty ineffectual.  I don't know if something like that is a crime or just frowned upon, but it seems like the kind of thing that a brothelkeeper would want to keep on the downlow.  Besides, brothels tend to be pretty big on privacy, anyway.  So, letting Arya hang out there was a bit weird.

I actually liked the Dorne scene in this one.  Doran and Arienne are entertaining to watch, and I really like the setwork.  Plus, there were a couple funny moments.

"Bronn of the Blackwater.  I didn't know the Blackwater had knights"
"Just the one."

*Bronn is elbowed in the face by Areo Hotah*
"Perhaps some soup."

The fighting pits.  No Strong Belwas.  No poisoned locusts.  :( :( :(  This scene is a lot lesser for it.

I did like Tyrion's verbal sparing with Hizdar, though I've gotta say, Hizdar made better arguments than Tyrion.  The stronger man usually does win.  You see, it's all about...holy crap, did you see that?!  That dude's head came off!  And like the jilted lover that he is, Jorah throws his spear at Hiz...a Son of the Harpy?!  Unsullied, I am disappoint.  Seriously, you guys suck.  Stannis's guards are better than you at this point.  And the whole stadium erupts in Sons of the Harpy.  How will Dany and co make it out of this pickle?  Why, it's Draconis Ex Machina, here to save the day! :neutral:[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 08, 2015, 06:41:00 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on June 08, 2015, 05:35:06 PM[spoiler]Fuck Show Stannis.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Agreed.  Granted, Show Stannis has done some horrible, horrible stuff.  He's burned lots of people and even partaken in kinslaying by having his own brother killed (though his hand was definitely forced in that situation).  But combining the two, especially when we just established his incredibly deep parental love for Shireen...

Yeah, his character definitely wouldn't do that.  Hell, Selyse wouldn't do that.  And she's as devout as they come.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 01:20:05 AM
I just really don't see how people are saying what happened in episode 9 was out of character...a direct quote from the character...

[spoiler]"I never asked for this crown. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am the king, I have a duty … If I must sacrifice one child to the flames to save a million from the dark … Sacrifice … is never easy, Davos. Or it is no true sacrifice"

Stannis has ALWAYS been about doing the terrible, but necessary, things to win because he is the king; that is why he would make a good king. And for the people complaining, "IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE BOOKS! HOW DARE THEY DEVIATE"... George R. R. Martin told them it was going to happen, the producers were just as shocked as you were. It's Game of-fucking Thrones, people you like die... brutally. It's season 5, how do you not know this by now?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 09, 2015, 02:32:23 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 01:20:05 AM
I just really don't see how people are saying what happened in episode 9 was out of character...a direct quote from the character...

[spoiler]"I never asked for this crown. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am the king, I have a duty … If I must sacrifice one child to the flames to save a million from the dark … Sacrifice … is never easy, Davos. Or it is no true sacrifice"

Stannis has ALWAYS been about doing the terrible, but necessary, things to win because he is the king; that is why he would make a good king. And for the people complaining, "IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE BOOKS! HOW DARE THEY DEVIATE"... George R. R. Martin told them it was going to happen, the producers were just as shocked as you were. It's Game of-fucking Thrones, people you like die... brutally. It's season 5, how do you not know this by now?[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Guess i am just baffled that a man who turned away from The seven because he didn't think Gods that would let his parents die were worth praying to would have his daughter burned alive to please another one.
But you are right. Ooc it is not. However i hope things plat out differently in The books. Book stannis is one of my favorite characters, and i'd hate him if he did this. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 09, 2015, 03:15:35 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 01:20:05 AM[spoiler]"I never asked for this crown. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am the king, I have a duty … If I must sacrifice one child to the flames to save a million from the dark … Sacrifice … is never easy, Davos. Or it is no true sacrifice"
[spoiler]Context is important.  He wasn't referring to his own child, but Eldrich Storm, his brother's bastard and no one of any importance to Stannis, and even then with reluctance.  In contrast to Storm, Shireen has been shown as being extremely important to Stannis, who heretofore has shown nothing but great affection for his daughter, even having one hell of touching scene with her (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8Tx-h15rz8) showing the great lengths he'd go to secure her safety.  Is it really plausible that he'd turn his back on all of that just because of a temporary food shortage?  (Btw Stannis has dealt with food shortages before with considerably more restraint.  He just instituted a policy of eating horses.  He was nowhere even close to people.)

Also, this is the sort of thing that had Selyse in horror and scrambling to put a stop to it.  And you saw how she reacted to her own brother being burned.

And finally, when Mel first suggested sacrificing Shireen, Stannis is, quoth the wiki, "visibly shocked and disgusted by the suggestion, asking her if she has lost her mind."  But the second time, it's apparently a much more sensible request.  Utterly mystifying.

So yeah, out of character.[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]And for the people complaining, "IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE BOOKS! HOW DARE THEY DEVIATE"
[spoiler]There has been a fair amount of deviation before without much complaint until season 5.  I mean, it's not like people were clamoring for Dick Crabb or upset that Brienne fights the Hound.  Do you think that people are actually complaining about change in general or about bad changes (changes that take away from the story - leave plotholes, screw up established characters, abort important character arcs, etc)?  I'll give you a hint.  It's almost entirely the latter.  I've seen this strawman argument crop up from time, but mostly from people who I'd assume wouldn't know any better.  It's sad to see it here as well from one who really should.  Hell, you've seen me praise some book stuff getting cut, ffs man.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 04:03:02 AM
[spoiler]
QuoteContext is important.

Yes, it is. But the fact of the matter is Stannis has always been the one that, no matter how hard of choice, he will do it to reach the throne. That is who he has been the entire series. Just because he didn't say it about his daughter their does not mean he didn't mean what he said. I would be more disappointed in Stannis if he didn't show that integrity he has shown the entire series.

QuoteIs it really plausible that he'd turn his back on all of that just because of a temporary food shortage?

That is REALLY selling short the situation they are in. If they push forward, they are dead. If they fall back to Castle Black, they are dead... the Nightswatch does not have the resources to provide for themselves, much less themselves, the Wildlings AND Stannis' army.

There is nothing temporary about it... they are caught inbetween a rock and a hard place and are going to die, one way or another, without some divine intervention. That is the simple truth, and Stannis did what had to be done to save them. He has NO allies in the area, no way to start getting supplies, and is trapped in the middle of a blizzard, unable to even raid local farms for supplies. There is no escape route either, no returning home... he is deep behind enemy lines.

I'm sorry, but to stay with the theme of "context is important"... the context is Stannis is fucked without magic. He knew this, and made (for him) the greatest sacrifice possible to save his men and the chance to win the throne, which has been his thing since day one.

QuoteDo you think that people are actually complaining about change in general ...

Yes.

"Ramsey raped Sansa, now she has bruises! THE SHOW HAS GONE TOO FAR!"
"Shireen dies, that didn't happen in the book (yet, even though George R. R. Martin says it is coming)... THE SHOW HAS GONE TOO FAR!"

These are the two major outrages I have seen this season; not the complete fucking up of the Sand Snakes and making them eye candy, "mehs" over the badasses they are in the book. Not anything important... just, "How dare a sick, psychotic torture junkie rape Sansa!".

I don't see what is a strawman about saying Game of Thrones is a story of people you like dying, or becoming an asshole.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 04:04:12 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on June 09, 2015, 02:32:23 AM
[spoiler]Guess i am just baffled that a man who turned away from The seven because he didn't think Gods that would let his parents die were worth praying to would have his daughter burned alive to please another one.
But you are right. Ooc it is not. However i hope things plat out differently in The books. Book stannis is one of my favorite characters, and i'd hate him if he did this. [/spoiler]

[spoiler]At the end of the day, it was the only option he had for survival. The alternative is she starves or freeze to death, along with him and the rest of his army.

It's shit, and it makes him a terrible person, but it makes him the ruler he has to be, willing to sacrifice what ever it takes.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 09, 2015, 05:27:49 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 04:04:12 AM
[spoiler]At the end of the day, it was the only option he had for survival. The alternative is she starves or freeze to death, along with him and the rest of his army.

It's shit, and it makes him a terrible person, but it makes him the ruler he has to be, willing to sacrifice what ever it takes.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]i think it makes him The worst parent in The world and i'd never pledge fealty to him now. Fucker has kings blood himself; let him sacrifice his own life to save his men and family. Shireen's life was not his to sacrifice. She wasn't property to be distanced with. She was a living breathing human being with cognition. She belonged to herself. And she was betrayed by her caretaker. This wasn't 'shireens sacrifice' as i'veseen it named by others. For she wasn't willing; her cries, fear and disbelief made this abundantly clear. This was shireens murder. Nothing more[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 05:31:24 AM
To each their own. To me Stannis has made it clear since day one that he is willing to do what ever is necessary to regain the throne. If you supported him before, then you should have seen this coming. Even if you didn't, this was a pretty obvious scenario that would happen sooner or later.

I guess I am just cynical, because this is how I have always seen Stannis. I thought that was the appeal to him that everyone liked, that he was ruthless in his pursuit of the throne. Guess I was mistaken.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 09, 2015, 07:21:39 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 05:31:24 AM
To each their own. To me Stannis has made it clear since day one that he is willing to do what ever is necessary to regain the throne. If you supported him before, then you should have seen this coming. Even if you didn't, this was a pretty obvious scenario that would happen sooner or later.

I guess I am just cynical, because this is how I have always seen Stannis. I thought that was the appeal to him that everyone liked, that he was ruthless in his pursuit of the throne. Guess I was mistaken.

I never really supported Stannis. But I admired his character. (Still do the book-version, for now.) And even with this recent turn of events, and perhaps even more so now, he is an interesting character. Fuck him (show version), but he's a fascinating fictional character.

[spoiler]
But I liked him for a different reason before. His unyielding and fierce determination surely were characteristics that spoke to me. I also liked his stoic nature, quick mind and his stance on giving out honor and grace where earned and punishment where earned. He truly seemed to seek justice, honor and duty. But these three things are something he, in my eyes, betrayed by murdering his daughter.

What was truly marvelous about his character throughout the books and series was that he was a stoic dutybound man who struggled to do what was right in his eyes. With Davos functioning as his honorbound conscience and the luscious Melissandre being the representation of his desires. Stannis struggled to make the two connect, but found himself time and again incapable of binding the advices of Davos and Mellissandre, basically his id and superego, together. (The only time the two agreed was when he had to ride of to the wall; both to honor his duty as king to protect the realm as his desire to be hailed and accepted as the king by  the realm.)

But often, he chose his conscience over his own desires. For example; in the books it was clear, if I remember correctly, that he informed Davos about the Storms bastard. He was hoping Davos to get the boy out of his reach and was, without saying it, obviously releaved that Davos had smuggled him out. (The show did this a little bit less well.) But despite the fact that Davos, his conscience kept him on a straight path, he couldn't get rid of Melissandre, his desires. And he submitted to them on occasion.

But this transgression is one too far. He got rid of Davos, his conscience, deliberatly and steeled his heart to give into his own desires. It's not out of character and yes; it's fitting in the world of 'A song of Ice and Fire', but it's sad to see a character you like make himself irredeemable. And to me, he is irredeemable. Kind of like Jaime or Theon. Many people have forgiven them for the horrible acts they inflicted on children early on and state they've repented enough. But they'll never be redeemed in my eyes. I was glad to hear 'show-Theon' state that he thought he deserved Ramsay's treatment for what he'd done. But he's still not redeemed to me. I enjoy Jaime's scenes and chapters; they're great fun. But I'll never excuse him for pushing Bran out of a window. And perhaps Stannis will wind up slaying Melissandre and dying in a heroïc fashion to save a carriage full of children from being tossed off a cliff, but I'd never support a man that burned his own child alive. And I think the man who he was before, the man that cut off  Davos' fingers and made him a knight because a good deed doesn't wash out the bad nor does the bad tarnish the good, would've understood that.
[/spoiler]

Sorry for the rant but... predictable or not. Fitting of his character or not. This hit hard.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 09, 2015, 11:53:39 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 09, 2015, 04:03:02 AM[spoiler]That is REALLY selling short the situation they are in. If they push forward, they are dead. If they fall back to Castle Black, they are dead... the Nightswatch does not have the resources to provide for themselves, much less themselves, the Wildlings AND Stannis' army.

There is nothing temporary about it... they are caught inbetween a rock and a hard place and are going to die, one way or another, without some divine intervention. That is the simple truth, and Stannis did what had to be done to save them. He has NO allies in the area, no way to start getting supplies, and is trapped in the middle of a blizzard, unable to even raid local farms for supplies. There is no escape route either, no returning home... he is deep behind enemy lines.
[spoiler]The Show situation does not appear to be that desperate.  There is some snow, but they don't appear to be snowed in quite yet (else how could the Bolton bastard reach them), some men are hungry and cold, but they haven't resorted to cannibalism.  We haven't even begun to see things even get close to Book desperation yet, and as desperate as that was, book Stannis managed to deal with that without losing his humanity.  And according to the map in the TV version, they're right next to a lake they could fish for some food.  And yes, the locals to consider as well.  Lots of other choices are available, as Davos would helpfully point out were he there.[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]Yes.

"Ramsey raped Sansa, now she has bruises! THE SHOW HAS GONE TOO FAR!"
"Shireen dies, that didn't happen in the book (yet, even though George R. R. Martin says it is coming)... THE SHOW HAS GONE TOO FAR!"

These are the two major outrages I have seen this season; not the complete fucking up of the Sand Snakes and making them eye candy, "mehs" over the badasses they are in the book. Not anything important... just, "How dare a sick, psychotic torture junkie rape Sansa!".
[spoiler]The Sansa stuff was SJW-manufactured outrage apparently trying to shame show writers for daring to show rape, even though it's clearly depicted as heinous.  Though they seemed curiously tolerant of similarly horrible things happening to male characters.  Very selective offense.  Rest assured, they don't represent the fandom, and certainly don't represent me.

And over at r/gameofthrones, the TV Sand Snakes certainly got plenty of flak.[/spoiler]

QuoteI don't see what is a strawman about saying Game of Thrones is a story of people you like dying, or becoming an asshole.
It's a story about a lot of things.  Fire and Ice.  Villainy and heroism, though characters are mostly shades of gray.  Not every character necessarily has to become a monster or die.  Such a show would have few fans, except perhaps fans of the White Walkers.  The charm of the show is that many of the prime characters neither give up nor give in, even under intense strain, and are adored by their respective fans because of it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 15, 2015, 01:01:07 AM
That was painful. Probably the most painful episode I can remember, but to be fair it's been awhile since I saw the Red Wedding...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 15, 2015, 02:20:14 AM
[spoiler]Well...fuck.  Stannis really took it up the shorts.  Apparently, going all Mad King with the fires and burning a perfectly innocent princess (instead of just the screw-ups and people who won't bow before either Stannis or the Red God) doesn't exactly inspire loyalty.  RIP Team Stannis.  At least Mel and Davos are safe.  Wonder what they're going to do.  Davos could probably do quite well for himself at Castle Black.  Mel could probably help against the walkers, but I dunno if she could get along with infidels to the Red God.

Samwell is off to Oldtown.  Good.  Since his boat has one less passenger, hopefully they'll skip the boring parts (almost all of it) and get right to the good stuff with the Maesters.

Theon finally grows a pair (figuratively).  Glad to see that he finally remembers who he is.

Arya.  Jesus fucking Christ.  Arya fucking annihilates Ser Pedo.  Mel was right about her plucking out eyes.  God damn.  Quintin Tarantino is probably looking at that scene and thinking it's too violent.  "What happened to his hands?"  "I kinda cooked them up and ate them.  My stomach was making the rumblies that only hands would satisfy."  "What is wrong with you?"  "Well...I kill people and eat hands.  That's two things."

I wonder how Team Dany made it out of that coliseum.  Oh well.  Now Sir Barristan can finally take out Hizdahr and ready the city for the army from Yun...nevermind.  Well, at least we get to see more Varys.  Tyrion and Varys 2016.  Party platform:  tits and wine.

Dany is out in the middle of nowhere.  And she's nearly instantly surrounded by Dothraki.  Damn, that was fast.  Either some unknown Khal is psychic or they read the script.

Bloody hell.  I did not expect that scene with Marcella.  I guess war it is, then.  I prefer the book version of this, though.  In the books, Marcella is okay(ish), but Doran comes clean and lets the captured Sand Snakes know his much more subtle plan against the Lannisters.  It reveals what kind of man he really is - a lot like Varys, actually.  An exceedingly patient long-term planner and definitely not as weak as he seems.  I worry that the show-watchers will just think that Doran is a weak-willed leader who can't even keep his own people in line.

Cersei finally gets her just desserts.  Glorious.  Simply glorious.  This scene is exactly like I remember in the books.  I laughed at her so hard that my side started cramping.  This is 100 times better than when Tyrion slapped Joffrey.  I could watch this all day.  It's also funny how some of the Sparrows fuck up some of the more unruly people in the mob.  I dunno, maybe I'm messed up, but that whole scene is comedy gold.  Plus, the whole end to it with Qyburn is great.  Clegane Bowl confirmed. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psS2IMFkxKo)

Jon Snow finally got what was coming to him.  I feel bad for the guy, but at the same time, you had to have known this was coming.  Master Aemon probably couldn't seen that coming. 

I really miss the pink letter (aka the bastard letter) scene.  It was one hell of a shocking moment in the books, but without the glamor plot and already knowing how the Battle for Winterfell turns out, I can see why they cut it.

But why must you tease us with Uncle Benjen?  *cries*[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: PopeyesPappy on June 15, 2015, 10:25:41 AM
Fuck it. I am now rooting for the white walkers because there is no one left in Westeros worth saving.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: TomFoolery on June 15, 2015, 10:34:10 AM
[spoiler]
Quote from: PopeyesPappy on June 15, 2015, 10:25:41 AM
Fuck it. I am now rooting for the white walkers because there is no one left in Westeros worth saving.

With the rather secondary exception of Stannis' wife, all of the deaths portrayed in last night's episode leave them up to interpretation as to whether or not they actually happened.

I mean, yeah, it looks bad when you jump from a wall, get stabbed a bunch of times, and have Brienne of Tarth swing a sword in your general direction, but we never saw bodies. Just sayin'.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 15, 2015, 12:11:48 PM
[spoiler]I seriously, seriously doubt Stannis is still alive.  He ded.  Liek so dead.  However, Jon might live.  His fate is undetermined in the books.  If I were Kit Harrington, this would be my reaction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrriBr-46_I&t=3m30s).  "Look at my eyes, I am dead serious.  Write him back in!"

But there are still good characters left in Westeroes:

* Davos
* Jamie and Bronn
* Briennne and Pod
* Sansa and Theon
* House Martell
* House Tyrell
* Tommen
* Samwell and the maesters living in Oldtown (You'll see)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Atheon on June 16, 2015, 09:17:49 AM
[spoiler]After licking the floor and having her boobs and pubes exposed to the whole city, Cersei is going to get her some revenge![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 18, 2015, 12:47:48 AM
[spoiler]Fan theory:  Melisandre uses her magic to resurrect Jon like Thoros of Myr did with Dondarrion.  That's the only reason I can see for the writers to put her at Castle Black instead of hightailing it back to Essos.

Points for:

*  Mel sees Jon in her visions all the friggin' time, so his character can't be dead because he's featured in future events.  True, she said the same thing about Stannis, but her vision was specifically about Bolton banners burning brightly (beneath beautiful beech boughs, I might add) not necessarily about Stannis being there to witness it.  Her vision was true, but misinterpreted.  Her character states this outright in both the books and the TV show for a reason.  She says, "I pray for a glimpse of Azor Ahai, and R’hllor shows me only Snow".  Jon also dreams about fighting the Others with a flaming sword.  Taken together, they seem like a strong indicator that Jon will become Azor Ahai.  (Though Dany has an arguably better claim to that title).  Either way, he's important in the war against the walkers, and obviously, that can't happen if he's dead.

*  Additionally, and this is admittedly a pretty dubious claim, is that Jon can't really be dead because he's one of two characters who ultimately resolve the war against the whitewalkers.  Jon is the Ice and Daenerys is the Fire in the Song of Ice and Fire.  The story is ultimately about them.  Therefore, neither can die before its conclusion.  (The implications here are that Dany eventually does make landfall in Westeroes, her forces successfully occupy the capital, and she eventually marries Jon, which would also require that R+L=J.  Any one of these events not taking place would cast doubt on if not outright falsify this argument.)

Points against:

* Kit Harrington said that his character is dead for real.  However, this could not necessarily be true.

I dunno, maybe I've been watching too many Preston Jacobs videos and I've gone completely off my rocker (plus, I might be making the monumental mistake of propping up a shaky theory with even shakier ones) but dammit, this is the only resolution to this show left that would simultaneously wrap things up, would make any sense at all, and would give some sort of solace to fans.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on June 18, 2015, 01:50:52 AM
[spoiler]I am just going to say it... I honestly do believe Snow is dead-dead. I feel that so much stuff pointing to him still being alive/revived is just George R.R. Martin fucking with everyone to make it seem like he has a chance... to make his death that much more dramatic because no one wanted to believe it.

I also feel like season 6 first or second scene will be the decapitated head of Stannis. I think they left it open to interpretation on if he died to, again, just get everyone's hopes up... and then after the months and months of waiting, a punch in the face of his definite dead-ness.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 18, 2015, 02:16:39 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on June 18, 2015, 01:50:52 AM[spoiler]I also feel like season 6 first or second scene will be the decapitated head of Stannis. I think they left it open to interpretation on if he died to, again, just get everyone's hopes up... and then after the months and months of waiting, a punch in the face of his definite dead-ness.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I doubt they'll show his head, but Stannis is 100% dead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWiXr870b58

The director said the reason they didn't show Stannis getting his head chopped off is because they didn't want it to be gratuitous.  He was already beaten and done.  It was very clear that he no longer had any sort of chance of survival by the time Brienne caught up with him.  So showing him actually die was unnecessary.

This being Game of Thrones, some people thought that not actually seeing him die was enough to suspect that he's still alive.  Well, Shireen is most assuredly dead and we didn't actually see her die, either.  Same with Xaro Xhoan Ducksauce and Robert Baratheon.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Atheon on June 18, 2015, 02:48:34 AM
[spoiler]Next season: everyone gets killed off except Daenerys. As the sole remaining character in the story, she easily retakes the Iron Throne. The dragons finish off the White Walkers.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: TomFoolery on June 18, 2015, 09:18:44 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 18, 2015, 02:16:39 AM
[spoiler]This being Game of Thrones, some people thought that not actually seeing him die was enough to suspect that he's still alive.  Well, Shireen is most assuredly dead and we didn't actually see her die, either.  Same with Xaro Xhoan Ducksauce and Robert Baratheon.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]And Gregor Clegane is very much dead but did't stay that way, so... Also, in the books, Lady Stark: dead like Fred. Didn't stop her from continuing to live either. I don't dismiss the likelihood that Stannis is likely dead, but still, it's Game of Thrones. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 18, 2015, 11:31:04 AM
[spoiler]TV-only GoT fans wouldn't know about Catelyn Stark, though.  :P  But yeah, that's a fair point.  A couple characters definitely come back after being written off as dead.  And some don't.  With GRRM, you never know.  Hell, Benjen could still be out there.  But in Stannis' case, I think it's exactly like it appears.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 18, 2015, 03:21:16 PM
[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/m0mHGCA.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on February 15, 2016, 08:52:47 AM
We're almost there for season 6. The teaser is out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmrA8nOZF2Q
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on March 09, 2016, 09:38:17 AM
Another teaser out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuH3tJPiP-U
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on March 09, 2016, 12:24:08 PM
The High Sparrow's words sent chills down me.  Also, an Other in an unexpected place.  Holy shit.

HBO also made some banner teasers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68jBjb5XbQ) and those are great, too.  It seems like every faction has an adversary that is their polar opposite.  Honor vs treachery.  The wealthy elite vs the mob.  Royalty vs barbarians.

I can't wait to see how it'll all turn out.  I hope it does justice to the book!

(http://i.imgur.com/tvwCGtj.gif)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on March 09, 2016, 01:56:04 PM
4-24-16
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 10, 2016, 04:59:01 PM
I've been watching a lot of GOT-content on youtube: mostly the most kick-ass scenes of the prior seasons and a bunch of theory videos. All to get the hype up for the 24th.
While necessarily most of the theories I come across must logically be wrong, seeing as they go against one another, it truly is humiliating; showing me how little I picked up from the books and such.
A great deal of these theories seem to be about Azor Ahai. By the way. Who is (s)he? Who'll be the savior(s) of Westeros, proclaimed in all legend.
And that's fine, wondering all that and such... But I've also been thinking about it from another side. One I haven't seen mentioned yet. But I'm sure it's out there already as I'm not half-clever or -original enough to be the first to have thought it. As well as I'm gonna go out and say, like most theories out there, it's probably not true, but, for a lark, here goes:

Azor Ahai is [spoiler] Nobody

Freaking nobody.

This isn't The Lion, the witch and the bloody wardrobe. This isn't Lord of the freaking rings. This isn't Harry fucking Potter. This, mate, is A song of Ice and Fire. And it's miserably cruel world. Would it really be a surprise if the messiaen saviour didn't arrive? If this story ended in blood, and death and cold winter, would it really be a shocker? G.R.R. Martin goes out of his way to avoid cliché fantasy-tropes. The honoroble die. The honest die. The righteous die. Great houses lose everything. The bulk of the knights out there are right-rotten bastards. Kings butcher their own children in the (false) name of righteousnous. Nobody saves the fair maiden, they pawn her off and use her as leverage and marry her off to cruel joke after cruel joke. This bastard of an author whom we all can't help but love for hurting us, seriously it's like an abusive relationship at this point, does everything he can to show us glimmers of beauty and hope, just to take it away from us. I mean, we're all bloody masochists here. Haven't you noticed it gets increasingly hard to get us to believe this lie of 'everything'll turn out fine', but somehow these lies were us down, just so that when the bud of hope springs, it can be stamped down back into the ground? This is the freaking equivalent of someone offering a man dying of dehydration a cannister of water and pulling it away each time the man reaches for it. After a while, the man will stop trying, and the cruel bastard will say, 'okay fine, it's been fun but here you go, no seriously, come on now'. And then the poor sod reaches, after minutes of coaxing, and the bugger still pulls it away: again.

So that's the first reason. Second one is, right, that if you are going to go into the whole 'prophecy' thing: Azor Ahai is said to save the world from the long night. Well, with all due respect to the suffering wildlings... It hasn't been that long of a night for anyone south of the wall, now has it? The long night, that's like, a hundred years of winter and darkness that is. I mean sure, the people of Westeros are fucked, what with the war of the five kings killing all crops before Winter finaly came, thank you Starks for reminding us thank you very much. But it's been like a few months of winter. Heck, anywere south of Winterfell, it doesn't even seem like Winter fell. I get it's still going to be a few years in the world of Game of Thrones before all is resolved, don't get me wrong, but even then it's going to have been winter for what: three years? With the world's last summer lasting well over a decade; the long night don't look that long now do it?
So for all the likelihood of us getting Azor Ahai reïncarnated or whatever; could just as well be that darkness takes over the world for decades on end and we don't get to see Azor Ahai knock back the darkness and the White Walkers, even if the prophecy comes true. Could be (s)he's born three generations from now, couldn't it?

Again, could be way off base here; probably am. But with all the Azor Ahai predictions out there: wanted to get this option of my chest. And to be honest, it's the best headcanon to adhere to until the story reaches it's conclusion. This way you can only be more thrilled with the real ending when it finally arrives and it turns out Azor Ahai is actually Hodor or something, and if it does turn out to be true at least you won't feel crippling sadness wash over you and you'll have out foxed that abusive yet loveably addictive G.R.R Martin at the very least. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 10, 2016, 05:17:29 PM
Rumor is: Jon Snow will be resurrected by the Red Woman.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 10, 2016, 06:28:39 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 10, 2016, 04:59:01 PMA great deal of these theories seem to be about Azor Ahai. By the way. Who is (s)he? Who'll be the savior(s) of Westeros, proclaimed in all legend.
And that's fine, wondering all that and such... But I've also been thinking about it from another side. One I haven't seen mentioned yet. But I'm sure it's out there already as I'm not half-clever or -original enough to be the first to have thought it. As well as I'm gonna go out and say, like most theories out there, it's probably not true, but, for a lark, here goes:

Azor Ahai is [spoiler] Nobody

Freaking nobody.

This isn't The Lion, the witch and the bloody wardrobe. This isn't Lord of the freaking rings. This isn't Harry fucking Potter. This, mate, is A song of Ice and Fire. And it's miserably cruel world.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I've heard almost that same claim from Preston Jacobs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMgUIPvAlLI&list=PLCsx_OFEYH6vAkHO0gakDrZ8Kuteu-nUn&index=1).  I recommend his video series if you haven't seen it already.  Preston's take is that the prophecy is a lie and the series doesn't end with a hero ruling as a king over a new age.

Three possibilities:

1) One of the players of the Game of Thrones is victorious.

Personally, I'm banking on a marriage between Jon and Daenerys.  A marriage between Ice and Fire.  One or both of them is the chosen one.  They claim the Iron Throne and usher in a new dynasty.  I deeply want this to be true, but this is almost certainly not what's going to happen.

2) An outside faction is victorious.

Maybe the Others steamroll Westeros and the Long Night is endless.  Or maybe the Children of the Forest - thanks to Bran - amp up their weirwood net to psychically dominate all humans.  I'd bet good money on some outside faction winning instead of the feuding Houses.

3) No one wins.

The conflict destroys the world.  Or maybe some sort of peace is brokered (perhaps as a result of worldwide blended consciousness).  Unlikely, but a possibility.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: josephpalazzo on April 11, 2016, 01:33:53 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 10, 2016, 06:28:39 PM
[spoiler]
Personally, I'm banking on a marriage between Jon and Daenerys.  A marriage between Ice and Fire.  One or both of them is the chosen one.  They claim the Iron Throne and usher in a new dynasty.  I deeply want this to be true, but this is almost certainly not what's going to happen.

[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Isn't there a rumor that Jon could be a Targaryen, the R + L = J  theory and possibly he's related to Daenerys?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 11, 2016, 02:19:15 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 11, 2016, 01:33:53 PM
[spoiler]Isn't there a rumor that Jon could be a Targaryen, the R + L = J  theory and possibly he's related to Daenerys?[/spoiler]


[spoiler]And when has that ever stopped anyone in ASOIAF?
Especially Targaryens?

P.S. @Hydra; Hadn't seen his vids yet. Have now. I feel like all I've ever known is thrown upside down. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 11, 2016, 02:22:29 PM
Quote from: josephpalazzo on April 11, 2016, 01:33:53 PM
[spoiler]Isn't there a rumor that Jon could be a Targaryen, the R + L = J  theory and possibly he's related to Daenerys?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Yes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHqzFwodZqQ).  The main alternative is that Jon's mother is Ashara Dayne (http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Jon_Snow/Theories#Ashara_Dayne).  I wouldn't wager a halfpenny on any the rest of them being true.  Personally, I'm in favor of R + L = J.  There's an obvious reason why so much ink is put towards Jon's parentage in the books - it'd have to be significant for the plot.  Given that the story increasingly revolves around the Targaryens, I'd wager fat Walda's weight in gold dragons that Jon is of royal descent.

My predictions for Jon:
1) raised from dead by Melisandre (born of salt and smoke)
2) the Night's Watch (and possibly much of the Bolton forces) are destroyed by White Walkers
3) Jon leads a coalition (an army of wildlings, former Night's Watchmen, remaining Stannis loyalists, and other northerners, especially House Manderly) against the White Walkers and possibly the remaining Bolton forces.
4) Jon wins the war for the War for the Dawn as Daenerys wins the War for the Throne.

Like I said, I doubt there'll be such a feel-good ending, and ultimately some other non-House faction will win, but I do think that Daenerys will claim the throne, just not keep it.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 11, 2016, 02:38:33 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 11, 2016, 02:19:15 PM[spoiler]P.S. @Hydra; Hadn't seen his vids yet. Have now. I feel like all I've ever known is thrown upside down. [/spoiler]
Glad you enjoyed them.  Though be cautious with Preston Jacobs.  Although he goes to great lengths to back up what he's saying, he has a tendency to string together a lot of seemingly unrelated facts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfkNY-XBdOc) into a narrative that superficially seems rational.  I personally think he's overthinking it by far (if half of his theories are true, GRRM is an unbelievably clever and detail-oriented writer), but his videos never cease to entertain and intrigue me.  Just don't have such an open mind that your brains fall out.

The one video I completely agree with him on is the [spoiler]pink letter mystery.  It was authored by Mance Rayder, not Ramsay Bolton.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 11, 2016, 02:55:22 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 11, 2016, 02:38:33 PM
Glad you enjoyed them.  Though be cautious with Preston Jacobs.  Although he goes to great lengths to back up what he's saying, he has a tendency to string together a lot of seemingly unrelated facts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfkNY-XBdOc) into a narrative that superficially seems rational.  I personally think he's overthinking it by far (if half of his theories are true, GRRM is a ludicrously clever and detail-oriented writer), but his videos never cease to entertain and intrigue.  Just don't have such an open mind that your brains fall out.
[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Yeah, well I'm not saying I'm convinced this is one of his a 1000 worlds stories just yet. Also, there are some things that happen that don't seem explainable by Teke or telepathy to me. (Lady Stoneheart being one of them. And the existence of dragons, which are, I believe,  just fundamentally impossible creatures. As well as that i think the reason magic resurges in the world of Westeros is because Dragons return, not the comet. And some other stuff.)
But his video-series did show me, even though I haven't read any of GRR Martin's other works, that there are some returning themes in his books. And the (possible) concept of the children of the forest being a hive-mind hadn't really seeped in before this. Nor of them being 'against' humanity at this point. Though I really could see that right now. It's mostly stuff like that that 'shook me up'.
[/spoiler]

But all in all: a most enjoyable view.
Let me thank you with a vid I found that I find most interesting, which you may not have seen yet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbZkUo8VIh4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbZkUo8VIh4)
P.S. I'll check that out, because my money on the author is currently: [spoiler]I don't have a damn clue!

Could be Melissandre. Could be Stannis, though unlikely. Could be the king beyond the wall. I simply cannot say!

(Though probably not Ramsey, aye.)
[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 11, 2016, 03:36:32 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 11, 2016, 02:55:22 PM
[spoiler]Yeah, well I'm not saying I'm convinced this is one of his a 1000 worlds stories just yet.
It's not part of the 1000 worlds.  GRRM said so himself (https://i.redditmedia.com/n22T7WZ_8654xjmhOGmQ2dEr6-OpFZ7oBxdgwvkRDhk.jpg?w=699&s=ea89697b1fcf4f51b8f4d934faed2ba1).  Therefore, Preston's probably barking up the wrong tree by interpreting asoiaf through the lens of the other books.  However, you're right about recurring themes.  A couple non-asoiaf characters even have the same names.  It wouldn't be much of a shock for similar events to happen...

About the video:
[spoiler]I personally don't see the connection between the Starks and the Seven.  Though the Father, Mother, Maiden, and Warrior are well represented, the Crone and Stranger are real stretches, and there's no actual contender for Smith.  This theory isn't true, imo.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 11, 2016, 04:49:17 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 11, 2016, 03:36:32 PM
About the video:
[spoiler]I personally don't see the connection between the Starks and the Seven.  Though the Father, Mother, Maiden, and Warrior are well represented, the Crone and Stranger are real stretches, and there's no actual contender for Smith.  This theory isn't true, imo.[/spoiler]

[spoiler] I dunno. Smith is weak as shit right now, fully agreed. Though (Stranger isn't all that weak to me, nor is Crone imho.) And she got Jon wrong; he wouldn't fit in at all. But then again there are (at least) two more books.
Though I think it wouldn't be written as them really being the seven, or anything like that. If it were intentional or something, I don't think it would be anything more than a 'novelty' or whatever the word is. Not that it's supposed to really mean anything, just a cool parallell.
Anyways, dude makes a solid case for Mance writing the pink letter. Just one thing, tbh, I always concidered 'waking giants' to be a metaphore for earthquakes. Never really looked deeper into it.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 24, 2016, 11:26:54 PM
Tonight's the night!  Woo!

Here's a recap of previous seasons:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGFEPeIxPaw
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 01, 2016, 09:38:35 PM
I'm curious about what you guys thought of Season 6 Episode 1.  I read that this premiere got less viewers than the season 5 premiere.  I guess people are still upset about Dorne.  Not me, though.  *bites lip*

Like most of the premieres, we get some recap, some exposition, check in with our characters, and not much really happens.  This one was slightly different.  Definitely a dismal, defeatist tone, though.  I feel like if this episode were a person, it'd be really into emo.

[spoiler]The Wall was a bit odd.  Brutus and co just skiddatle and leave the body there.  Kind of an odd thing to do seeing as whoever finds him will know it was murder and go straight to his fellow watchmen about mutinous bastards not terribly unlike the ones they recently put down at Craster's Keep.  Ghost howls.  Is Jon warging him?  (In the books, wargs can posthumously inhabit a nearby animal, but their spirit is overtaken by the animal over time)  Davos gives a lingering look at the blood.  Interesting.

Allister Thorne's little speech at the hall was really poor.  He's lucky to be alive.

Watchmen:  "The Lord Commander's dead!"
Thorne:  "I know, I killed him."
Watchmen:  "Murderer!  Traitor!"
Thorne:  "We've committed treason.  Loyalty is the foundation of the Night's Watch."
Watchmen:  "That's a good point.  Well, off to the chopping block."

Also, he let in the wildlings, too.  Too late to object now.

So, who gets the post now?  I'd imagine there aren't many who'd want it given what happened to the last guy.  That sort of thing sets a bad precedent, imho.

I liked the Bolton Bastard's touching reminisce about Myranda.  A lot of people objected to the "feed her to the dogs" part but I thought it was actually pretty thoughtful.  Morbid, but thoughtful.  She loved dogs.  And food, especially meat, is getting pretty scarce in the North.  The dogs probably don't get much to eat.  Using her body to sustain the animals she cares about isn't all that bad, given the circumstances.

Speaking of dogs, Theon and Sansa are pursued by dogs that magically disappeared during the fight.  Also, apparently one of the Bolton footmen is unaccounted for.  There were 4 horsemen and 2 footmen.  5 Bolton soldiers died in the battle.  Either it's a production slip up or one of them escaped.

Also, Stannis is almost certainly dead.  Totally called it.  "But he wasn't killed onscreen."  True, but you can die offscreen, too.

Jaime's speech was bit odd.  "Everything they've taken from us, we'll take back and more!"  Sound good, but what exactly do you have in mind?  They took Joffrey and Myrcella's lives.  You can't take that back.  I guess he means the throne, which is currently infringed by the Sparrows.  But at this point, I'd let em have it and go back to Casterly Rock where you're safe and your rule is unchallenged.  Right, Lysa Tully?  *kicks body*  I said right?  *kicks harder*

And here's a pointless scene with Margery.  Don't blink or you'll miss it.

Dorne.  I was not prepared.  I was not prepared for the utter disappointment that was Dorne and the complete waste of Alexander Siddig.  He could've been Señor Littlefinger.  Now he's just that guy who sat and wasted airtime and got an insulting death.

Words can't express my deep dislike for this scene.  For all you people who haven't read the books, I feel bad for you.  Because the Dornish plotline in the books is way better.  Areo Hotah goes down like a chump, Doran Martell goes down.  So goddamn wrong.  It'd be like assassinating the president and his Secret Service agent by walking up to them with a switchblade.  Not gonna happen.  Tristane's scene is almost as bad.  It's weird how the sand snakes even got there, but whatever.  They're on his boat, he whips out a sword, and she wants to 1v1 with a whip in close quarters against a swordsman.  I'm no expert on whips, but I'm pretty sure that's a bad idea.  I would've loved to watch that duel play out.  I feel like writers more or less stopped giving a shit about the Dorne subplot and just wanted it finished, which is a real shame because the Dornish master plan was such an awesome reveal in the books.  You guys are really missing out.

I liked Varys and Tyrion's scene.  Witty banter, but they're not exactly blending in.  And that bilingual graffiti didn't make a whole lot of sense.  Pick one language or the other, dammit.  Also, the fleet is burning.  I honestly didn't even remember they had a fleet.  Oh well.

I really like Dany's scene.  Nice to see her have to deal with people without threatening them with dragons or tossing her 30 titles at them.  Seeing her off her pedestal almost makes her relatable.  Also, the Dothraki are a great source of humor!

Blind Arya was good, but wtf was up with them sparring in public?  I guess no one really gives a shit in the slums, but it still seems like a great way to draw attention to yourself, which probably isn't the best idea for a spy.  What happens in the temple of Black and White stays in the temple of Black and White, you know?

And finally, the eponymous Red Woman.  Not my proudest fap.  :P

All in all, this premier was resoundingly okay.  I really hope the next episode is better.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: AkiraTheFighter on May 02, 2016, 11:48:50 PM
Wow Congratulations S06e02 of Floppy Weaners.
[spoiler]You surprised my by reviving someone today, or at least I would've been surprised had it not been for the long pause before John Snow came back to life. How much you wanna bet he's all green with evil now? Also YEY!!! the dwagons are free!!! I wonder if Hordor will ever speak again. I want to know more of what's going on with Brandon. Arya, please don't fuck her up GoT, PLEASE!!! Oh and Professor Filch dies as well as that King and his wife and newborn son, gee who didn't see that coming *note sarcasm*[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 03, 2016, 03:12:01 AM
Season 6 Episode 2:  The Plotline That Was Promised

Fantastic episode!  A lot of pleasant surprises this time around.

[spoiler]After a season's hiatus, we catch up with Bran.  Damn, he's grown.  And we get young Lyanna.  Be still, my heart!  And we learn Hodor's real name.  It's Wylis.  Huh, could've sworn it was Walder.  Whatever.  You know what's screwed up?  Hodor could very well be the name of the guy who beat Hodor witless.

Here's a little treasure that's easy to overlook but blew my mind when I heard it:  "It is beautiful beneath the sea"

In the books, there's a creepy little jester named Patchface who suffered such trauma that it drove him mad.  He says really cryptic and prophetic things sometimes.  For example, he predicted the Red Wedding well in advance of it happening.  His creepy sayings frequently involve the phrase "under the sea".  That can't be coincidence.  Somehow, that little devil is involved with the weirwood net!

Bran has to leave?!  Where's he supposed to go?  There's nowhere for him to go and nothing he can do among men.  His journey to the weirwood tree was a one-way trip.  He was supposed to take over for bloodraven, effectively dead to the realm of men but watching and warning from the weirwood network.  What the hell do they need him to do on foot (figuratively speaking) that he couldn't do from the tree?

Fuck yea, Allister Thorne and Olly get their comeuppance!  Castle Black fell to the wildlings surprisingly easy.

I LOVED the peasant joking about Cersei.  Hilarious!  I love the King's Landing peasantry, they're great for a laugh.  And the Undead Mountain was entertaining, too - in his own way.

The scene with Jaime and the High Sparrow was great.  Very bold, indeed.  The High Sparrow was bluffing, but oh man, what a bluff.  I'm surprised Cersei hasn't yet hired someone to poison his food or stab him in his sleep.  Also, the "overthrow an empire" line might've been a bit unwise in front of the ruling house.  Not a good idea to show your cards like that.  I predict he'll be more familiar with the Stranger before long.

New headcannon:  Tyrion the Dragonrider

Arya's scene was way better this time around.  Jaqen tempts her but she stays true.  Nice going.

Meanwhile, in the North, the Boltons do some brainstorming.  I really admire Roose's invariably shrewd and logical personality, but "uniting every northern house against us" is a pretty bizarre and illogical objection coming from a guy who personally took part in a massacre of northerners.  You don't need to worry about being hated when you're already hated.  But apparently, he needn't worry, because -surprise!- *stab*  Man, lords are dropping like flies lately.  And he went out a lot like how Robb went out.  Poetic justice.

It was strange how Harald Karstark didn't react to the murder.  Just being a guest to people who don't hold guest right is a trying experience, let alone witnessing an assassination/coup.  I'm surprised he didn't head for the hills immediately.  And apparently, those dogs have been getting well fed lately.  I'm surprised that the Bastard's "follow me to the kennel" act still works on people, given how often he does it.  Also, I predict that this new and predictably terrible lord is going to go down harder than Theon real soon, probably by the end of the season.

And holy smokes, we get to see Pyke again?!  And not just Pyke, but Euron and Damphair!  Hell yes!  Also, apparently Balon died like a complete idiot.  Figured as much.  And with him, a bunch of Balon theories bought the farm.  What is dead may never die.

And Jon gets his rez.  It's weird that Davos apparently no longer bears any ill will towards Mel and also wants her to work her magic.  Quite the change for him.  Hopefully, now that his job in Castle Black is done, he'll be heading to whiter shores...[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2016, 01:50:55 AM
Season 6 Episode 5.  Pretty much the perfect episode!  One of the best of the series, imho.

[spoiler]Hot damn, Sansa is assertive as fuck in her talk with Littlefinger.  Where the hell was this Sansa in Season 5?  Imho, her shacking up with Ramsay was plot-induced stupidity and I'm glad as hell that it's finally gone.  Still, turning down Littlefinger might not have been the best move.  But trusting him isn't a good idea either.  Quite the dilemma.

And Davos has a good chance of going to White Harbor.  Hell yes.  Lord Manderly ftw.

Brienne's off to Riverrun.  You know what that means, book readers!  It's happening!

Arya is making great progress.  I loved that little play.  Eddard Stark in particular.  Even Stannis would've laughed at that performance.  The peasants of Westeroes/Braavos are always so scurrilous and candid.  I love it.

that's_a_penis.gif

The White Walkers origins revealed!  *head 'xplodes!*

Aww yiss, motherfucking kingsmoot!  I'm glad Theon did the right thing and didn't seek power for himself.  No Victarion.  No Farwynd.  No dragonhorn.  :(  And Aeron is waaaay too pumped about Euron.  That and he apparently forgot about working his CPR magic to revive people after baptism.  Just throws Euron on the shore like a beached whale.  I thought for a second - just a second - that it would've been pretty funny if Euron had died then and there.  Also, Euron greatly underestimates just how long it takes to build a fleet.  It's not like writing a 10-page paper.  You can't just do it all in one night.  It's more like writing Winds of Winter.  :P

Ser Jorah finally admits to greyscale.  Thanks for coming clean about that highly contagious, deadly disease you have.  Who knows how many people he might've unintentionally infected by now.  He probably rubbed his arm all over Daario's dagger, for all we know.

A new red woman and she has Varys by the (proverbial) balls!  What happened on castration night?  Do tell!  Sadly, that scene got cut short, just like Varys' testicles.

The battle for the tree was amazing!  Bran, Bloodraven, Meera, Leaf, Wylis were AMAZING!  Meera bags a surprising kill.  Damn, is there anyone near the Wall who hasn't killed a walker?!  The Walker attrition rate so far is huge.  You might want to take the rearguard in the future, guys.

And we actually find out the reason Hodor is Hodor!  I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if a million Hodor theorists suddenly cried out in joy or anguish![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 23, 2016, 01:14:23 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 23, 2016, 01:50:55 AM
Season 6 Episode 5.  Pretty much the perfect episode!  One of the best of the series, imho.

[spoiler]Hot damn, Sansa is assertive as fuck in her talk with Littlefinger.  Where the hell was this Sansa in Season 5?  Imho, her shacking up with Ramsay was plot-induced stupidity and I'm glad as hell that it's finally gone.  Still, turning down Littlefinger might not have been the best move.  But trusting him isn't a good idea either.  Quite the dilemma.

And Davos has a good chance of going to White Harbor.  Hell yes.  Lord Manderly ftw.

Brienne's off to Riverrun.  You know what that means, book readers!  It's happening!

Arya is making great progress.  I loved that little play.  Eddard Stark in particular.  Even Stannis would've laughed at that performance.  The peasants of Westeroes/Braavos are always so scurrilous and candid.  I love it.

that's_a_penis.gif

The White Walkers origins revealed!  *head 'xplodes!*

Aww yiss, motherfucking kingsmoat!  I'm glad Theon did the right thing and didn't seek power for himself.  No Victarion.  No Farwynd.  No dragonhorn.  :(  And Aeron is waaaay too pumped about Euron.  That and he apparently forgot about working his CPR magic to revive people after baptism.  Just throws Euron on the shore like a beached whale.  I thought for a second - just a second - that it would've been pretty funny if Euron had died then and there.  Also, Euron greatly underestimates just how long it takes to build a fleet.  It's not like writing a 10-page paper.  You can't just do it all in one night.  It's more like writing Winds of Winter.  :P

Ser Jorah finally admits to greyscale.  Thanks for coming clean about that highly contagious, deadly disease you have.  Who knows how many people he might've unintentionally infected by now.  He probably rubbed his arm all over Daario's dagger, for all we know.

A new red woman and she has Varys by the (proverbial) balls!  What happened on castration night?  Do tell!  Sadly, that scene got cut short, just like Varys' testicles.

The battle for the tree was amazing!  Bran, Bloodraven, Meera, Leaf, Wylis were AMAZING!  Meera bags a surprising kill.  Damn, is there anyone near the Wall who hasn't killed a walker?!  The Walker attrition rate so far is huge.  You might want to take the rearguard in the future, guys.

And we actually find out the reason Hodor is Hodor!  I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if a million Hodor theorists suddenly cried out in joy or anguish![/spoiler]

And might I add: [spoiler]Hodor.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 25, 2016, 02:40:09 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 23, 2016, 01:14:23 PM
And might I add: [spoiler]Hodor.[/spoiler]
Wounded comrade:  "S.H.I.E.L.D. attacking us from all sides.  Take this Cosmic Cube to Hanger 9.  Hail Hydra."

Hanger 9.  Hail Hydra.
Hangr 9.  Hail Hydra.
Hanr 9.  Hydra.
9.  Hydra.
Hydra 9.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 25, 2016, 07:09:27 PM
A possible theory about bran and bloodraven I came up with.

I posted this on reddit too, don't think it'll get much attention

Don't read before you've watched 'The Door'.

[spoiler]BS = BR, could it be true? Probably not, unless Bloodraven uploaded himself into Bran in the episode 'The Door' and takes over Bran... But perhaps Bran and Bloodraven have always been the same...
In season 6 we learn that not only can a greenseers actions have affect on things in the past, they make it so that they've always been that way; creating timeloops. Bran always made Wylis into Hodor. Hodor always accompagnied Bran beyond the wall and held the door, leading to Bran creating Hodor. Interesting, be it paradoxal, stuff.
Now it's clear that Bloodraven knew Bran would create Hodor. That's why he took him to that point in time when the Night's King invaded the weirwood-hideout. So that Bran could create Hodor and make his first obvious timeloop (not counting Ned Stark's turnaround), to make sure that Bran would always end up with Bloodraven. Perhaps Bloodraven at some point observed himself and Bran observing the scene within the weirwood. Perhaps it's possible to observe an observer in the weirwood. But if not, how did Bloodraven, out of all the possible times and locations to choose from, know he had to have Bran right there so he could accidentaly make wylis Hodor? It's because Bloodraven and Bran are a timeloop. Bloodraven remembers creating Hodor, back when he was the Bran in that situation and therefore had to do put his other younger version through the same ordeal. (It's also how he inexplicably knew that the Night's King had found Bran in his vision and put his mark on him.)
Now, I know what you are thinking; Bloodraven is Brynden Rivers. He can't be Bran. They are two different people. Well, I'm not denying Bloodraven is Brynden. But is a possible scenario to solve this problem: After the war against the white walkers, no matter if it ends well or not, Brandon Stark survives. Perhaps in body and mind. But definitely the latter. He hooks up in the weirwoodnet an old, tired man. He's learned much and become immensely powerfull as a greenseer, but he feels his time is ending. Spending some of his last moments in the weirwoodnet to visit those he'd loved and misses, he decides to visit Bloodraven. Upon coming to Bloodraven as a babe, he finds the child is born without screaming or crying. It does not react to stimuli but breathes none the less. Brynden is born a vegetable and will not survive. Realizing he needs a teacher to teach him and history needs Brynden Rivers to loop back into itself, he wargs into the baby and Brandon becomes the babe. (Possibly influencing the babe's parents to call him 'Brynden' by instinct, as 'Brandon's' mind reaches out beyond the babe. Using his knowledge as a lord when growing up as Bran, Brandon/Brynden plays out the life of Bloodraven he's learned through recent history; eventually sending him to the wall and beyond, where he waits and possibly shapes for the new Brandon to fall out of the window and then lure him to the weirwood beyond the wall. And thus, one comes full circle.
Another idea would be that Brynden and Brandon are two seperate entities, but that by Brynden uploading himself into Brandon during the wight-attack; Brandon could warg into a non-braindead Brynden at any time he visited a younger Brynden through the weirwoodnet, seeing as they are bound in mind and soul by always having been bound in mind and soul.[/spoiler]

True? Probably not. But keeping an open mind here :p
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 26, 2016, 12:52:48 AM
I doubt there's any stable time loop going on beyond what we've seen already.  I have my plate full with wild theories at the moment, throw time travel into the mix and I might pop.

Though I have noticed certain characters tend to feel an unexplained presence near weirwood trees:  Ned, Jon, Arya, Theon.  Maybe events are being influenced in extremely subtle ways...

[spoiler]I'm not very strong on Children of the Forest lore so this could be wrong, but my understanding is that the weirwood network is the collective consciousness of the Children of the Forest - when the Children of the Forest die their spirit or essence goes into the weirwood trees, sort of like how dying wargs go into a nearby compatible creature.  But unlike wargs, their consciousness doesn't decay into oblivion and they're connected to all the weirwood trees, not just a single individual.

I dunno if Bloodraven is totally dead or still alive in some fashion in the weirwood network, but either way, he's separate from Bran.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 26, 2016, 09:26:10 AM
[spoiler]Sansa is pregnant.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 26, 2016, 12:32:31 PM
I just thought of a small missed opportunity with the Boltons.  Hopefully, it'll happen in the books:

[spoiler]Roose Bolton's last word:  "Bastard."[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 26, 2016, 07:58:35 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 26, 2016, 12:32:31 PM
I just thought of a small missed opportunity with the Boltons.  Hopefully, it'll happen in the books:

[spoiler]Roose Bolton's last word:  "Bastard."[/spoiler]

Can't be another Targaryen. That would be too much.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 27, 2016, 12:05:19 AM
I meant a regular o' bastard.  (In both senses of the word)  I've had my fill of secret Targaryens.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 29, 2016, 06:33:04 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXbdWSde_0Q
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 30, 2016, 02:21:24 AM
Season 6 Episode 6.

Another good one, though a few characters are in danger purely because of their own idiocy.  I'm not liking this idea of making characters unusually dumb in order to get them into harm's way.  The characters should act normally and danger will find them regardless.  Plot-induced stupidity was a major feature of season 5 and I really hope season 6 doesn't go down that same way.

[spoiler]Bran's green dreams should come with an epilepsy warning.  The audience has probably just had more seizures than Robin's had his whole life.

And just as Bran and Meera are about to die, thus making Hodor's sacrifice absolutely pointless, they get rescued by a mysterious stranger.  Coldhands, probably.  Rabbit juice for breakfast.  Lovely.

But that's nothing compared to Sam and Gilly's dinner.  Awkward with extra helpings of hateful.  "Not fat enough already?"  LOL

Surprisingly, Lord Tarly is dumped on by his family almost as much as he dumps of Sam.  And Sam steals the ancestral sword he's expressly forbidden to wield.  Because of course he did.  Really bad idea there, Sam.  Sam is about to get murdered so very bad.  It's going to be so brutal it'll make Oberyn's death look like Myrcella's death.

And Margaery is officially broken.  You could clap your hands in front of her face and she wouldn't blink.  And the High Sparrow pulled off one hell of a coup.  Well played, though I still don't know how the High Sparrow sleeps at night without getting garrotted until his head pops off.

Jamie is off to Riverrun.  If this is going to play out like I think it's going to play out, the Riverlands are about to get VERY interesting.

Now to Arya.  I like these plays.  Man, they HATE Tyrion.  I bet he's glad he's far, far away.  There's a funny scene where the Cersei actress complains that the play is bad because of bad writing (subtle shot at GRRM?) and says to Arya "do you like pretending to be other people?"  To an actor whose character has an assumed identity, no less.  Haha.

A girl fails her duty.  Valar dohaeris.  And what's more, a girl is not no one.  A girl is still Arya.  The temple of black and white has two kinds of assassins - good assassins and dead assassins.  Arya will die.  (I don't actually expect Arya to die anytime soon, but from the looks of things, she's definitely up shit creek.)

But on more pleasant news, Benjen's back, bitches!

Also, Daenrys is doing her thing.  I kept getting distracted by the set.  Those sand mountains were so damn fake looking that I could barely concentrate on anything else.  But I guess Dany is finally going to go through with invading Westeros.  'Bout time, though Mereen's badly in need some attention first.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on May 30, 2016, 09:22:03 AM
Not sure, but I think the sand mountains are Morocco.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 30, 2016, 12:07:01 PM
Quote from: stromboli on May 30, 2016, 09:22:03 AM
Not sure, but I think the sand mountains are Morocco.
I looked into it.  Spain.  Alhamila mountains.

(http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/70721181.jpg)

[spoiler](https://img.thetake.com/frame_images/a4d9a877ab9122906c60315188b933e00d5db8ab796af43cd2bfcf3245f5d57a.jpeg)[/spoiler]

They look very strange, especially up close.  I could've sworn they were fake.  I guess not.  My bad.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 01, 2016, 02:50:51 PM
We've got areas in Southern Utah that have similar formations. I've seen them before so assumed they were real. With CGI you never know.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 07, 2016, 03:31:49 AM
GET HYPE!

[spoiler]Bronn interrupts the "a Lannister always--" line and deserves to have a statue built to his likeness.

Margaery was great as always.  Last episode had me worried for her sanity.  Good to know that she's still growing strong.

Meanwhile, Arya is having a rough time.  Starks sure have a knack for getting into trouble.

A little bird (https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/4luqf8/spoilers_everything_why_arya_and_the_waif_are_the/) told me the craziest theory about Arya.  Arya is Arya, but Arya is also the waif.  The waif is Arya's Tyler Durden.

Think about it.  No one ever interacts with the waif but Arya and Jaqen.  Not even a glance when she's beating Arya up in broad daylight.  It's like she's invisible.  The waif knows everything there is to know about Arya, while her own her character is obscured.  The waif is truly no one in a way that Arya can never be.  Arya has been trying to become the waif, but she is torn between both personalities.  That's why the waif wants Arya dead and Jaqen gives permission without hesitation or displeasure.  (Otherwise, training and then killing a new recruit is an enormous waste)  In truth, it wasn't the waif asking, it was Arya asking to kill her inner self to finally complete her training.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 07, 2016, 08:04:38 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 07, 2016, 03:31:49 AM
GET HYPE!

[spoiler]Bronn interrupts the "a Lannister always--" line and deserves to have a statue built to his likeness.

Margaery was great as always.  Last episode had me worried for her sanity.  Good to know that she's still growing strong.

Meanwhile, Arya is having a rough time.  Starks sure have a knack for getting into trouble.

A little bird (https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/4luqf8/spoilers_everything_why_arya_and_the_waif_are_the/) told me the craziest theory about Arya.  Arya is Arya, but Arya is also the waif.  The waif is Arya's Tyler Durden.

Think about it.  No one ever interacts with the waif but Arya and Jaqen.  Not even a glance when she's beating Arya up in broad daylight.  It's like she's invisible.  The waif knows everything there is to know about Arya, while her own her character is obscured.  The waif is truly no one in a way that Arya can never be.  Arya has been trying to become the waif, but she is torn between both personalities.  That's why the waif wants Arya dead and Jaqen gives permission without hesitation or displeasure.  (Otherwise, training and then killing a new recruit is an enormous waste)  In truth, it wasn't the waif asking, it was Arya asking to kill her inner self to finally complete her training.[/spoiler]

Interesting theory. I haven't given the Waif that much of an impact on the story, but the way everything has become so convoluted it could happen.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on June 07, 2016, 08:44:34 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 07, 2016, 03:31:49 AM
GET HYPE!

[spoiler]Bronn interrupts the "a Lannister always--" line and deserves to have a statue built to his likeness.

Margaery was great as always.  Last episode had me worried for her sanity.  Good to know that she's still growing strong.

Meanwhile, Arya is having a rough time.  Starks sure have a knack for getting into trouble.

A little bird (https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/4luqf8/spoilers_everything_why_arya_and_the_waif_are_the/) told me the craziest theory about Arya.  Arya is Arya, but Arya is also the waif.  The waif is Arya's Tyler Durden.

Think about it.  No one ever interacts with the waif but Arya and Jaqen.  Not even a glance when she's beating Arya up in broad daylight.  It's like she's invisible.  The waif knows everything there is to know about Arya, while her own her character is obscured.  The waif is truly no one in a way that Arya can never be.  Arya has been trying to become the waif, but she is torn between both personalities.  That's why the waif wants Arya dead and Jaqen gives permission without hesitation or displeasure.  (Otherwise, training and then killing a new recruit is an enormous waste)  In truth, it wasn't the waif asking, it was Arya asking to kill her inner self to finally complete her training.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]

First rule of the faceless men.
You don't talk about the faceless men.
Second rule of the faceless men.
YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE FACELESS MEN.

[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 07, 2016, 11:04:27 AM
[spoiler]I saw an article on Huffpost also making the Tyler Durden comparison, so either that is your "little birdie" or you are psychic.  :biggrin:[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 07, 2016, 12:03:44 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 07, 2016, 11:04:27 AM
[spoiler]I saw an article on Huffpost also making the Tyler Durden comparison, so either that is your "little birdie" or you are psychic.  :biggrin:[/spoiler]
It's from the reddit thread.  The more show-your-source news outlets link the reddit thread.  The ones that are the news equivalent of 9gag don't.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 12, 2016, 02:43:11 PM
Before we get to the next episode, there's still some stuff from the last one that's bugging me:

[spoiler]Some of the Wildlings view Jon Snow as some sort of god, and Mel says he's The Prince That Was Promised, yet when he asks the wildlings to fight alongside him, they're awfully reluctant.  What's up with that?

Besides, they know they're going to have to fight Northerners anyway.  It's not like the northern lords would be cool with a horde of wildling raiders setting up camp in the Gift.

During Jon and Sansa's recruitment drive, no one brings up that Jon is a deserter or that Sansa is wanted for regicide.

"You want me to join you in war?  The Lord Commander of the Night's Watch?  Isn't that against your oath?"
"It's fine, I left the watch."
"Left the watch?"
"Yeah.  I died and technically, the oath is until death..."
"You died?  You seem alive to me."
"Well...I got better."
"Better?  How?!"
"The Red Woman brought me back to life."
"A sorceress used her dark magic to create an abomination?!  Seize him and cut off his head!"

"And you lady Stark, you're wanted for poisoning the King.  Cersei would pay good money for you."
"I didn't do it, I swear"
"Mayhap, but a thousand gold dragons is a thousand gold dragons.  That gold could buy a lot of grain and steel.  It's as your family says, 'Winter is coming'"[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 12, 2016, 04:55:24 PM
[spoiler]Question I had is what Myrcella is up to. As queen, could she have Tommen killed and assume authority? If so, she could order the Sparrow out of King's Landing. Maybe make it look like the Sparrow or one of his minions did it. She could also do what she wants with Cersei.

Samwell stole the Valyrian steel sword Heartsbane. Don't know if this could be Lightbringer, Azor Ahai's sword, but I think it will play a part in some future event.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 12, 2016, 05:22:17 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 12, 2016, 04:55:24 PM
[spoiler]Question I had is what Myrcella is up to. As queen, could she have Tommen killed and assume authority? If so, she could order the Sparrow out of King's Landing. Maybe make it look like the Sparrow or one of his minions did it. She could also do what she wants with Cersei.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Do you mean Margaery?  My answer assumes you did.  If I'm mistaken, I'll make another go at it.

The King has ultimate authority but a Queen can rule as Regent, as Cersei did after Robert died until Joffrey turned 16 and formally became king.  I doubt Margaery could pull off some sort of coup.  Right now, she see's more preoccupied with the safety and freedom of her house.  But if the conflict between the Sparrows and the remaining Lannisters were to turn into bloodshed, well, House Tyrell could come to the rescue as always.  Though sadly, they'd be unable to save King Tommen's life.  The throne could then pass to a more worthy House...[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]Samwell stole the Valyrian steel sword Heartsbane. Don't know if this could be Lightbringer, Azor Ahai's sword, but I think it will play a part in some future event.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Maybe... (https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/42t5aw/spoilers_all_the_pig_that_was_promised/?)

I vehemently doubt this theory, btw.  Sam's role is more like his LOTR namesake.  He's a reluctant hero who helps the main protagonist save the day.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 12, 2016, 06:59:51 PM
Yeah I meant Margaery. Sorry.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 13, 2016, 01:57:12 AM
It's okay, but man, I have some serious misgivings about S6E8.

[spoiler]Jamie straight up says that Sansa is an outlaw.  I wish D&D could've remembered that when Littlefinger took her to brunch at an inn and then married her off in the most publicized wedding in the North since the Red Wedding.  That idiotic plan made no sense even by Littlefinger standards.

I found this latest round of awkward silence between Tyrion, Grey Worm, and Missandei to be amusing (I react to alcohol about the same way as Grey Worm), but I shudder to think the sorts of scenes that probably got cut for this padding.

Jamie only cares about Cersei.  Take that, Jamie character development since season 1.

I'm kind of disappointed with the events in King's Landing.  I was anticipating Cersei saying "I choose violence" to kick off a major bloodletting.  Nope.  Instead, one guy gets his head ripped off and that's the end of that.  Such a tease.

Riverrun?  More like Riveroverrun.  The Blackfish was an idiot for not fleeing.  Also, any word if the Tully army made it out of there in one piece?  Cause the footage was kinda ambiguous.

Man, those slaver ships are kickass.  A trebuchet on every ship?  Impressive.

The Arya plot.  First off, I loved the initial confrontation.  I got a really strong T-1000 vibe from the Waif, too.  But then there's the chase through the marketplace and acrobatics...it's just so, so Hollywoodish.  And GRR tends to break tropes and go for a more grim and gritty plot.  Plus, I could've sworn it was against the House of Black and White's assassin's creed to do their killing out in the open like that.  I could've sworn they were supposed to be way more discreet.  This just isn't their style.  Exciting, in a Hollywood way, but not true to character.

And the final resolution to it all just kinda pissed me off.  Arya struggling for two seasons to become a fully fledged assassin all coming to naught.  What a waste.  I'm glad she's going back home, but it seems all she did as a character was become a better killer.  Same with Sandor, who seemingly became more peaceful only to go right back to being a murder machine.  Even Jon came back from the grave without much an impact on his character.  It's really frustrating to watch these characters go through stuff that you think will change them and they come out of it completely unchanged.  Hopefully, their book counterparts will be more dynamic.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 13, 2016, 10:26:10 AM
Agree with everything you posted; I'm waiting for the book as well. One of the problems with any TV movie presentation is you have to try to get everything in a well defined time frame and package it. I can understand why Martin is taking so long to write the books, but personally wish he'd had the foresight to be about one book further ahead than he was when the TV series started. That explains to me why the problem resolutions go the way they did, to tie off lose ends. They made a major blunder concerning the Sand sisters and the death of Trystane.

And the reintroduction of Sandor Clegane  opens up some questions as to future plot development. I have a feeling he and Arya are going to hook up again. I fear the last episodes are going to be more anticlamactic rather than revealing any new surprises. But we will see. Maybe they will spring some surprises on us. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 13, 2016, 02:03:53 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 13, 2016, 10:26:10 AMAgree with everything you posted; I'm waiting for the book as well.
I don't even know if I agree with everything I said.  I was pretty harsh, maybe unnecessarily so.  It was off the cuff and born of frustration.

The bottom line is that I expected big payoffs with these characters that never really materialized.  Maybe I just had overly high expectations or maybe the show has outpaced the source material to such a degree that D&D is essentially flying blind and had to wrap things up the best they could.  Even so, it's strange how we can have amazing episodes with incredible reveals and then have other episodes that either plod along or resolve really poorly.

A couple people in my family can't get into the show (strong aversion to fantasy) but want to hear about it so I break it down for them.  Honestly, my summaries make the show seem pretty bad.

[spoiler]A Dornish prince voluntarily takes part in a trial by combat and dies.  His bastard children are pissed, want revenge, and to go to war.  The prince's brother won't go to war, so they kill him and his son.

Sansa is a highborn lady who wants to be a pretty princess.  She thinks the prince is lovely, but he turns out to be a sadistic monster.  She's abused horribly for a long time.  Then she finally makes it out of the city.  She's really grown as a character, learning courtly intrigue and real politik and becoming a stronger person.  Then she voluntarily marries a guy who has a reputation of being a complete monster and goes right back to being a victim.

Sam's dad is an asshole who declares that his son will never have his house's badass ancestral sword.  That's not so bad, because Sam is going to study at the university and doesn't need a sword there.  Sam is pissed at his dad and steals the sword.

Dany and her band of Dothraki wander through the desert and they're on the verge of dying.  But she finds a big city.  They won't open the gates to her, so she threatens to kill them.  They let her in but someone steals her dragons.  Then the thief overthrows the city's leadership and captures Dany.  She kills him.  Next, Dany meets some slavers.  She kills them and takes their army.  She lays siege to a slaver city.  She converts some of their mercenaries to her cause, then kills the slavers.  She comes across another slaver city and you guessed it, kills their leaders.  But she wants to rule this city.  They resist her rule, so she feeds some of them to her dragons.  Shockingly, they still resist her rule and eventually she flies away and is captured by Dothraki.  So she kills their leaders and takes their army.  She's a good guy and is greatly admired by fans.

Arya trains to be an assassin.  She washes a lot of corpses.  They teach her a lot of skills besides killing - how to lie and detect lying, how to gather information, how to blend in in a crowd, how to assume a new identity, etc.  Her mentor explains how the assassin's guild works.  They're dispassionate, impersonal killers who excel at doing it quietly and discreetly.  They have no compunction about killing, they're given a target and take it out without hesitation or remorse.  They tell her to kill someone and she hesitates and decides not to do it.  They try to kill her and she knows they're after her.  She has her guard up that night.  The next day, she lets her guard down completely and is non-fatally stabbed several times by an assassin.  Arya gets medical care, but the assassin finds her.  Arya runs and the assassin chases her through the marketplace.  Arya kills the assassin, so the assassin's guild wants to make her a full member.  But she doesn't want to be an assassin anymore and leaves.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 13, 2016, 03:46:14 PM
All to be resolved in the next 2 episodes. Or maybe not. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 13, 2016, 04:00:05 PM
Next episode gives us the much-anticipated [spoiler]Bastardbowl, so that'll be interesting.[/spoiler]

I don't think I've ever cheered on the Starks before, so this'll be a new experience for me.  Here's to hoping the protagonists win for a change and that it's adapted well from the source material.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on June 16, 2016, 01:53:10 PM
Hold the door
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on June 16, 2016, 01:54:48 PM
Manly tears
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 16, 2016, 02:12:44 PM
Yeah, that reveal was a big punch in the gut to me, too.  Best episode of the season so far.

You know what's really screwed up about it?

[spoiler]Hodor's heroic sacrifice might not have even been in any way voluntary.  He might be holding the door open purely because he's being forced to by Bran, staring in horror as the wights rip into his flesh, knowing they're going to kill him and unable to do a thing about it.

And even death gives him no peace.  As a new addition to the ranks of the undead, he's mentally puppeteered by yet another psychic overlord.  Once more, he trudges through the snow as a broken man, but this time with neither a will nor a life of his own.  Internally, he begs for death, but he begs in vain.  Winter has come for him - without remorse or pity, the life of a slave as endless as the land of always winter.  As he lurches through the snow, the only indication that there's still a man behind those lifeless dead eyes are the bitters tears falling into his footprints.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on June 16, 2016, 02:21:43 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on June 16, 2016, 02:12:44 PM
Yeah, that reveal was a big punch in the gut to me, too.  Best episode of the season so far.

You know what's really screwed up about it?

[spoiler]Hodor's heroic sacrifice might not have even been in any way voluntary.  He might be holding the door open purely because he's being forced to by Bran, staring in horror as the wights rip into his flesh, knowing they're going to kill him and unable to do a thing about it.

And even death gives him no peace.  As a new addition to the ranks of the undead, he's mentally puppeteered by yet another psychic overlord.  Once more, he trudges through the snow as a broken man, but this time with neither a will nor a life of his own.  Internally, he begs for death, but it never comes.[/spoiler]

*gets on floor
Tries not to cry.
Cries a lot*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 16, 2016, 02:27:27 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/nYp7Lir.gif)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 16, 2016, 02:33:29 PM
I will settle for Ramsay Bolton getting what he has coming. Might involve hungry dogs.....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 16, 2016, 02:42:33 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 16, 2016, 02:33:29 PM
I will settle for Ramsay Bolton getting what he has coming. Might involve hungry dogs.....
If he doesn't die by the end of the season, I'll be very upset.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 20, 2016, 01:44:28 AM
Well, I am not upset.  In fact, I am very, very pleased.  :)

This episode more than makes up for last week's poor performance.  We finally get the bloodletting we so crave.  As much as I like the speeches and small talk, the battles are what I tune in for.  And I've seen feature films with less of a budget than the episode I just watched.

[spoiler]I liked the Meereen battle far more than I thought I would.  Though I was a bit miffed that Tyrion and Dany would talk strats while being bombarded.  Definitely not the time for that.  Silence the guns, then talk all you'd like.

And 3 dragons on one ship was overkill.  They're clearly not built for defense.  Setting them alight at all is enough to sink em.  (Those siege ships would've been unsuitable for a fleet engagement.  The fact that Meereen's harbor mysteriously exploded while the siege ships were in transit speaks of masterful planning and coordination.)

I loved the fact that they spared the man who knelt.  Grey Worm was awesome there.

Now, to the North.  I thought it was weird that Sansa was so pissed at Jon at the war council.  She's mad at him for not asking for her input, then Jon says he's all ears and she doesn't give him much to work with.  Why not tell him about your trump card?

As for the battle itself, Jon commanded horribly.  Ramsay, ironically, led his troops like a skilled commander should - not dodging arrows and wading in the muck, but barking orders and deploying his army effectively.  The Bolton army used amazing tactics.  Jon's army, not so much.  He was lucky as hell that Sansa's reinforcements arrived just in time (though a little earlier would've been nice, Jon's army probably lost anywhere from half to two-thirds of its fighting strength).

I'm puzzled that Mel was benched the entire episode.  Surely, she could've done something to help.  At the Blackwater, she was all "I could have prevented this" and now, at an actual battle, she doesn't do squat.  What gives?  Book Mel at least spontaneously incinerated a wildling warg's eagle while he was warged into it and gave Stannis's forces a morale boost.

Unfortunately, the show has skipped over the awesome Lord Manderly scenes from the book.  If you're a show-only person, I strongly recommend checking out A Dance with Dragons.  Grab the audiobook.  Warg into someone and get them to read the book.  Use a glass candle on someone reading the book aloud.  Do whatever you have to do, just read it.  You will like the main course, I promise.

And finally, let it be known to Gods and men that Stromboli totally called it.  Death by dogs.  Good ol' poetic justice.  I'd like to think King Stannis gives his approval of the battle's outcome from beyond the grave:

(http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2015/5/17/stannis_approves.gif)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 20, 2016, 02:07:23 AM
For once I anticipated what would happen and it did

[spoiler]I figured Littlefinger would come riding in and save them right at the critical time and that's what happened. And Ramsay getting et by his dogs was poetic justice, totally. Even figured the Dothraki would come riding in en masse and end the battle.

Easily the best episode as far as people getting what they deserved. [/spoiler]

Can't wait for the finale. Ought to be good.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 20, 2016, 02:15:40 AM
Quote from: stromboli on June 20, 2016, 02:07:23 AMCan't wait for the finale. Ought to be good.
Since you had such a great prediction, I give one of my own:

[spoiler]Cersei burns King's Landing to the ground.  Also, Brienne and Jamie have a run-in with the Brotherhood Without Banners.  Not fatal, but one or both of them is going to get seriously hurt.

Speaking of Brienne, she didn't take part in this battle either and she's a Hound-tier soldier.  She could've taken down 50 Boltons.  Plus, Tormund would've chopped the codpiece off any Bolton man within 20 feet of her.  It probably would've been a good idea to wait for her to return before fighting the Boltons.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: SGOS on June 20, 2016, 06:51:04 AM
I watched the first two seasons, bought the third, and never finished watching the set.  I was very interested at first, but then just lost interest.  An odd turn of events, since I didn't dislike it.  But every time I would say to myself, "I should finish watching the third season," I just couldn't muster the interest to sit down and do it.  The three season set is sitting in front of me now on the shelf.  It's been there for 3 or 4 years untouched. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 20, 2016, 11:47:06 AM
Season 3 was great.  Especially episode 9!

Though the first few episodes were somewhat of a lull after the epic battle of season 2, so being bored initially isn't uncommon.  But things pick up and there are major character moments throughout the second half of that season.  That whole season is not for the squeamish, either.

It's only in season 5 that things start slipping.  But even then, it's mostly just certain plotlines and episodes rather than the entire show.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: SGOS on June 20, 2016, 12:58:36 PM
Well, I guess I better dust it off and finish watching the rest of season 3. 

I was luke warm on Breaking Bad at first, but as it progressed, I liked it more and more.  I own all the episodes now, and have watched it maybe 5 times.

On the other end of the phenomenon, I enjoyed season 4 of American Horror Story (Asylum).  For some reason, I watched season 4 first on Amazon.  I tried season 1 and didn't finish it.  Then I bought Asylum for myself.  Thinking season 1 was just a flop, I went out and bought season 3, Freak Show.  But after watching half of it, I don't think I'll finish that one.  It's gory and emotionally disturbing enough, but the story just kind of flops around and doesn't seem go anywhere.  The actors even seem bored with the whole project.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on June 21, 2016, 11:34:40 PM
Rip
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 22, 2016, 12:05:09 AM
[spoiler]Margaery could engineer both Tommen and Cersei's death- him first- and that would fulfill the toad's prophecy to Cersei. It is possible as queen and the sole regent she, now in command of the King's guard, could order the Sparrow and minions out. Poison certainly is within her milieu. The rose picture is the sigil of House Tyrell she gave to Olenna. Olenna immediately took her advice and left. Margaery wanted her family out of the way if possible. Tommen is toast, this season or the next. I think Cersei might still be around next season because she is too central to the story, along with Jaime. Cersei has got to suffer some more, methinks.

question whether Arya will be in the last episode because her situation is basically resolved. Still the issue of Bran getting settled and prepared to battle the White Walkers. also feel that Daenerys' situation is mostly tied up, since she has reclaimed the Dothraki and has everything well in control.

I think it quite possible some characters will pop up, including some or one of Robert Baratheon's 16 bastard kids. And is Sansa pregnant? One scene when she was at the Black Castle she was making new clothes for herself. Might be some significance as Ramsay Bolton's only heir, which would give her the Boltons on a platter, since they are in complete disarray and there is no other heir. A lot could happen. We'll see.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 22, 2016, 12:11:15 AM
Quote from: GrinningYMIR on June 21, 2016, 11:34:40 PM
Rip
[spoiler]It was pretty strange how Ramsay took his desperation shot at Wun Wun and not Jon.  He had a free shot on both of them, and he picked Wun Wun.  If he had killed Jon, it'd be a pyrrhic victory for the Starks.  If he had killed Wun Wun, it'd just be one less giant (of Seven knows how many) in the Wildling army.

Also, the show has been really prolific with the deaths this season.  And I can't help but think a lot of it is just to tie up loose ends or to get rid of characters who are no longer needed.

And GoT's huge cast, much like the small council, is getting smaller all the time.  During season 2 and 3, I could barely keep up with the names and faces.  Now, it's pretty much just the 4 Starks, 3 Lannisters, and Dany with their associated minor characters.  And the locales have be winnowed down more or less to the North, King's Landing, and Meereen.  Eventually, as Dany finally heads west, it'll just be two or one left at the show draws to a close.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 22, 2016, 12:41:31 AM
[spoiler]
Quote from: stromboli on June 22, 2016, 12:05:09 AMMargaery could engineer both Tommen and Cersei's death- him first- and that would fulfill the toad's prophecy to Cersei. It is possible as queen and the sole regent she, now in command of the King's guard, could order the Sparrow and minions out. Poison certainly is within her milieu. The rose picture is the sigil of House Tyrell she gave to Olenna. Olenna immediately took her advice and left. Margaery wanted her family out of the way if possible. Tommen is toast, this season or the next. I think Cersei might still be around next season because she is too central to the story, along with Jaime. Cersei has got to suffer some more, methinks.
Cersei and the Sparrows have got to come to a head.  The whole season has been building up to that.  She's going to have her trial and crap is going to hit the fan.  Margaery might come out on top, but I doubt she can really do much except save herself and maybe her brother.  Tommen might be okay, as neither side wants to hurt him.  But King's Landing is going to burn for sure, and it's anyone's guess who makes it out alive.  The only sure fatality is the High Sparrow, imo.

Quotequestion whether Arya will be in the last episode because her situation is basically resolved.
When Mel met her, she said they'd meet again.  And Arya still has at least one more set of eyes to put out...

QuoteStill the issue of Bran getting settled and prepared to battle the White Walkers.
Yeah, I dunno where he's supposed to find sanctuary.  Maybe at Castle Black, if he can make it there.

Quotealso feel that Daenerys' situation is mostly tied up, since she has reclaimed the Dothraki and has everything well in control.
Looks like she's finally going to set sail.  She's done all she can to fix things at Meereen.  And she can't stay there forever.  She'll have to hand off authority to some sort of governor in her stead.

QuoteI think it quite possible some characters will pop up, including some or one of Robert Baratheon's 16 bastard kids.
All of them are dead except Gendry.  There's a very slim chance he could show up in a Brotherhood Without Banners scene.

QuoteAnd is Sansa pregnant?
Gods, I hope not!  How much time has passed since she jumped the wall?  It feels like forever.  Theon has traveled from Winterfell to Pyke to Volantis to Meereen.  Gotta be at least a two or three months, minimum.  She'd likely be showing by now if she were pregnant.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 22, 2016, 08:11:52 AM
[spoiler]Lol. Daenarys and Yara Greyjoy had a "moment" there according to Huffpost. We might get a little girl on girl in the final season.  :biggrin: Another reason to love GofT.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 27, 2016, 01:12:20 AM
What a finale!  And I thought the ending to Hamlet was bloody!

[spoiler]Oh my gods, nothing was more entertaining than watching Pycelle get his beard trimmed again.  This time, a much, much closer cut.   :smile2:  I was hysterical with laughter.  I've never enjoyed a character's death more.  Not even Ramsay or Joffrey.  What did I have against Pycelle?  He's a nauseating bootlick to his superiors, a complete asshole to his inferiors, and a mummer's fool besides.  And gods damn it, you're not supposed to stiff prostitutes!  Well, I guess you are in a manner of speaking...but you know what I mean!

I said Cersei would burn it down, and boy did she deliver.  Though, it was an awfully well-controlled burn.  The fire didn't spread at all, which is odd for a crowded city.  One would expect wildfire to be more, well, wild.

I've never sympathized with a character more than Tommen.  He had it rough.  Goodnight, sweet prince.  And may Sir Pounce play with you forever up in heaven.

"Only a fool would trust Littlefinger" Damn, way to diss Ned, Sansa!   But it's true, he was a thrice-damned fool, the poor fella.

Aww, Jon Snow is reminiscing about how bad his childhood was and then Mel tells him about Shireen.  Open mouth, insert foot.  Though I'm not glad to see the Red Woman go.  Technically, she isn't a murderer since it was a state-sanctioned killing.  The King gave the order, after all.  But she's been pretty increasingly worthless every season, I guess it doesn't matter if she's there or not.

R+L=J!!!!!!  I fookin' knew it!  In your face, R+L=D and Ashara Dayne!

And we even get the Frey Pie, though the circumstances are wildly different than the books.  Arya is on quite a roll.  Now her kill list is down to what?  Cersei and Gregor Clegane?

The King in the North!  Damn, Lady Mormont is awesome.  She shamed all those houses into swearing fealty.  And she's what, 8 years old?  She has the authority of someone 5 times her age!  Though Jon being King and Littlefinger being King are mutually exclusive.  He now faces a much bigger threat than the White Walkers.

I like Littlefinger's visualization of things.  That's how I operate, too.  It's all about moving things towards the right outcome.  Sometimes you can nudge a few key people, sometimes you have to shove.  It can be frustratingly slow.  But it gets there, step by step.  You don't have to be talented or lucky.  You just have to be persistent.

And finally, I have to ask, what does Littlefinger and the knights of the Vale get in return for their timely service, swooping in (pun intended) just when all seemed lost.  Littlefinger is going to be awarded a castle for this, I imagine.  And it just so happens he has his eye on one...

Harrenhal.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 28, 2016, 12:11:13 PM
Was expecting the death of Loras, but not Margaery. It made sense that Cersei only destroyed the sept, because there has to be a Kings Landing and a throne of swords to be taken at the end. I thought Tommen was toast one way or the other because of the prophecy and his place in the middle of events. He's had a target on him all season. If there was an outright surprise it was Arya doing in Walder Frey and his sons, though that was certainly satisfying. And Jon Snow's origin was no surprise, really. Everybody figured that one out.

[spoiler]The expectation by Cersei is that Tyrion would be her doom, but just as likely it could be Jaime. He was born after Cersei. Jaime is the kingslayer. He might also be the queen slayer. We now have a reshuffled and restacked deck- the Starks once again at the head of the north, Lannister in charge of the south. Tyrells aligned with the Martells. Be willing to bet they fall in with Daenerys pretty quickly.

The expectation also is that Daenerys will wind up on the Iron Throne, but not necessarily. She is just as likely to sacrifice herself against the  Night King to save everybody. And I don't see the dragons as surviving at the end. Who winds up on the throne might be a surprise, as well as who winds up with Daenerys as a wife, if that actually happens. If Jon is her half brother and possibly Tyrion as well, I'm not placing bets on anyone at this point.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 28, 2016, 01:05:02 PM
As thrilling as the finale was, there was a bunch of stuff that seemed cool at the time, but on second look, didn't make much sense.  Nitpick mode engage!

[spoiler]Oh look, some filthy urchin kid is beckoning me over into this dark alleyway.  I'd better follow him.  Not suspicious at all...

Qyburn to urchin kid: When you lure Loras down to the dark corridor, stab him just enough to incapacitate him but don't kill him.  I want him to see those candles burning.  That way, he might almost be able to stop the wildfire from igniting.  And if by some miracle, someone finds him and comes to his aid, he could tell everyone about this gunpowder plot I have with Cersei.

Cersei hasn't come to trial?  That's weird because usually people love being hauled before the inquisition.  I have an idea.  Maybe next time, we should have the accused in custody BEFORE the trial.  Oh well, let's send three sparrows after the woman whose bodyguard can take a spiked mace to the heart without flinching and can tear off a guy's head like a normal person can pluck an apple.  That'll probably work.

You know all that scheming with Margaery vs the High Sparrow?  Doesn't matter, they're all dead.  Aren't you glad that plotline never went anywhere?

Preston Jacobs took issue with Margaery somehow piecing together Cersei's plan and calling for an evacuation.  I disagree with him on this.  Margaery knows exactly how crazy Cersei is.  She might not know about the wildfire bomb, but she knows enough to get out of dodge when Cersei behaves unexpectedly.

The Sand Snakes rule Dorne.  Because apparently, Dorne is a Necromonger colony.  Kill the prince and you get to take his place.  No questions asked.

Who leads the Sons of the Harpy?  This was a huge plotpoint in the books.  In the show, not so much.  Meh, all that interesting intrigue probably would've ruined things.

The King in the North!  The bastard deserter king in the north!  Bear Island knows no king but the King in the North, whose name is Stark.  Oh, he's not actually a Stark?  Well, Snow is close enough, right guys?

Teleporting characters everywhere.  I think Sam and Gilly were the only characters who went on a realistically long voyage.  It took him most of the season to get from the Wall to Oldtown.  Meanwhile, Varys teleports from Dorne to Meereen within the same episode!  Theon travels from Winterfell to Pyke to Volantis to Meereen in record time.  Olenna travels from King's Landing to Dorne in an episode.  Arya travels from Braavos to the Twins in an episode.  Jaime travels from the Twins to King's Landing in a single episode.  And Dany travels from Vaes Dothrak to Meereen in a couple episodes.  Granted, her dragons are faster than your average horse, but her entourage arrives at the same time she does, so that's not a factor.

And the Dothraki are just fine with sailing on the poison water they're characteristically fearful of.  Cause why not.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 28, 2016, 03:22:23 PM
I think mention was made that the sons of the Harpy were run by the slavers. As to the other stuff, well...
[spoiler]
A partial answer to your teleportation is that the events described in individual narratives, as in Arya and Sam, aren't necessarily happening concurrently. Arya's story could have played out over a relatively short time, and concluded well before other events happened, allowing her travel time etc. Obviously she would have to be aware of the events with Frey and Jaime to plan/plot her assassinations. As to Sam, same possibility. Simply because events are revealed at a given time doesn't necessarily mean they didn't happen earlier.  Events playing out over time are not shown, but rather culmination of events. It would obviously take time for the slavers to assemble a task force and set up their attack, travel time and so forth.

There has to be time lapse for people to be made aware of events. Ravens flying about notwithstanding, events to be made known from one kingdom to another must take considerable time. I agree that aspect has been poorly handled, but the show runners may merely be expecting the audience to assume time lapse in the events. You'll never know.

As to the rest- Jon Snow, the Dorne narrative- you got me.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on June 28, 2016, 05:14:38 PM
I just have to say,

[spoiler]I still don't understand the appeal of this show.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 28, 2016, 07:44:45 PM
Quote from: Hijiri Byakuren on June 28, 2016, 05:14:38 PM
I just have to say,

[spoiler]I still don't understand the appeal of this show.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Copious nudity. What's hard to understand? [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on June 28, 2016, 07:45:58 PM
Quote from: stromboli on June 28, 2016, 07:44:45 PM
[spoiler]Copious nudity. What's hard to understand? [/spoiler]
Dude, this is the internet. Copious nudity is a Google search away.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 28, 2016, 08:47:21 PM
Quote from: Hijiri Byakuren on June 28, 2016, 05:14:38 PMI just have to say,

[spoiler]I still don't understand the appeal of this show.[/spoiler]
Here's what I like:

1) A medieval world with real realpolitik, courtly intrigue, and fairly realistic depictions of violence and cruelty.  Very gritty.  The Brave Companions and the Clegane brothers are a very sharp departure from the standard knightly tropes.

2) A medieval world with fantasy races and magic.  None of that is particularly new, of course.  Writers have been doing dragons and giants for forever.  But how they're used is interesting.  There's this clash between the magical/fantastic denizens of the far-flung regions of the world and the comparatively magicless and mundane Westeros.  The white walkers (and arguably the dragons) represent an existential threat to the people of Westeros.

3) Amazing worldbuilding.  Varied locales with their own religions, histories, politics, and famous figures.  Regions have a very distinct feel to them as do the people living there.  The world almost seems like a real place.

4) Lots and lots of characters, though the accuracy of that statement is steadily declining.  There's such a variety of characters with different personalities, goals, and circumstances.  You have honorable nobles, less honorable nobles, learned maesters, courtly schemers, sellswords, knights, barbarians, assassins, greenseers, wargs, priests/priestesses, etc.  And women taking center stage roughly as much as men.  Honestly, it's difficult to not empathize with the plight of at least one of the characters every episode.

5) Although the show is less effective at it, mysteries and intrigue abounds in the books.  Definitely a lot of shocking events, too.

So yeah, it's well worth the time spent reading it and watching it, imho.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 29, 2016, 09:08:13 AM
True story bro.  :biggrin:

I watch it for everything Hydra said. If G R R Martin would get off his behind and produce the books ahead of the series, I'd be much happier. The books are in every way better, because the nuances and asides and references add up to stuff later on and you go, "oh yeah! I get it!" You can't be as subtle and complicated with a series. Better yet he keeps you guessing, because characters that you expect to live get killed, and bad people that deserve to die come out ahead.

As Hydra has also pointed out, there are a lot of problems plot hole and continuity wise with the show, but hey- it continues the narrative that the late arriving books haven't done yet. And the plotting, inside maneuvering and medieval style works for me. Fascinating shit with some copious nudity for garnish.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 29, 2016, 11:16:02 AM
Quote from: stromboli on June 29, 2016, 09:08:13 AMIf G R R Martin would get off his behind and produce the books ahead of the series, I'd be much happier.
He's working on it.  But he's very meticulous and the tradeoff of having so many characters is having to give them all exciting plotlines that fit continuity and characterization and lead up to something incredible.  Very difficult to pull off and very easy to write yourself into a corner, so understandably, it's going to take a while.

QuoteAs Hydra has also pointed out, there are a lot of problems plot hole and continuity wise with the show
Most of the plotholes happen in seasons 5 and 6.  And a lot of em could be fixed pretty easily.

The show cut a lot of book characters and their associated plotlines, which is fine when they use the airtime that they have wisely.  But it's galling to see obvious filler in the show when we know they have awesome stuff that they could have put in there instead. *coughLadyStoneheartcough*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: stromboli on June 30, 2016, 09:36:14 AM
Well one thing is for sure. Cersei managed to write off a whole bunch of subplots with one candle. Along with a whole bunch of religious acolytes. And a babe or two.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 30, 2016, 01:06:57 PM
One part I found funny:

[spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgYSSttAJIM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr39g6hPB_8

Meanwhile, Varys is rolling his eyes at the hypocrisy of Tyrion incessantly making eunuch jokes while being offended by dwarf jokes.

Tyrion has consistently rubbed me the wrong way because his character is shown to be compassionate and empathetic, but he also has this hypocritical, self-righteous streak.  For example, he'll try to shame Theon for his actions at Winterfell even though he strangled his lover in cold blood and murdered his own father.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 16, 2017, 11:46:34 PM
Thrones is back!!! :dance:

What does everyone think of tonight's episode?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hijiri Byakuren on July 17, 2017, 10:02:09 AM
Don't know, didn't watch it because I still don't understand the show's appeal. However, as a result of watching a great many Star Wars videos of late, this popped into my suggestions box:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CTJEZXtr94

Now that's a show I'd watch.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 17, 2017, 07:02:01 PM
I kinda liked the new episode.  Just seeing all the characters again was great.  It feels like it's been ages since the last season.

[spoiler]Arya is pretty much the Grim Reaper at this point.  The logistics of pulling that off seem a big daunting (she posed as Lord Frey for days, summoned all the Freys, and no one was a no-show?) but whatever writes the Freys out of the story is fine by me.  And she comes across the nicest Lannister soldiers in all of Westeroes.  I wonder what dark fate is in store for them.

I really wish Hodor was in that panning shot of the undead army.

Sansa actually made a great point.  The traitors' lands should be divied up among the loyalists.  And she correctly points out that Jon doesn't reward loyalty nor punish disloyalty - an extremely dangerous position for a leader to take.  If he hadn't already on the receiving end of a mutiny, I'd predict one in his future.  But since the King of the North isn't a Stark and everyone's cool with that, it's safe to say that people's natural inclinations are no longer a factor in this story.

Euron in King's Landing would be pretty cool if it wasn't just him (would it be too much to ask for some extras to wear some kraken armor behind him?) and he didn't look like Trent Reznor.  He went from this (https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/gameofthrones/images/4/4d/Game-of-thrones-6x5_euron_promo..jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160523192637) to this (https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/euron.png?w=1000&h=690).  If he wasn't addressed by name, I wouldn't think it was the same person.

And how'd the Black Fleet get to King's Landing?  Did they sail around Dorne and past Dragonstone to tell Cersei that they want to smash Dany's fleet headed to Dragonstone?  I may not be the best captain in Westeroes, but I think I can figure out where to sail.  At the very least, I'd try to beat Dany to the punch, denying her safe harbor.  (We know the Dothraki are a seafearing people and that the narrow sea is frequently racked by storms, so it's pretty much a no-brainer)  Instead, she walks right up to the Dragonstone castle without even a token force guarding it.  WTF.

I'm glad the Brotherhood without Banners are back in the picture and soon to join Jon's budding coalition.  But I dunno about the wisdom of asking the Hound to stare into the flames.  It's pretty amazing that he actually looked.  I would totally dare Beric to prank the Hound by pushing him from behind as he stares.  *insert Jackass music*

Sam apparently has a shit memory because that Dragonglass discussion with Stannis was incredibly important and he forgot it for 2 seasons.  (The truth is likely that the writers forgot about it for 2 seasons)

I liked Sam's bedpan and stew montage.  It really paired well with the soup I was eating at the time.  Thanks.

But seriously, I actually really like Oldtown and the Maesters.  I hope to see a lot more of them.  I just hope we can skip the bedpan stuff from now on.

Also, Sam is super dead for stealing that key.  He's also super dead for stealing that sword.  If there's any justice left in the world, he's in for a world of hurt in the future.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: simplyalex on July 17, 2017, 10:04:10 PM
I need to deactivate my facebook as I am seeing a lot GOT spoilers post. There are times wherein I want to unfriend most of my friends.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 17, 2017, 10:56:48 PM
Quote from: simplyalex on July 17, 2017, 10:04:10 PMI need to deactivate my facebook as I am seeing a lot GOT spoilers post. There are times wherein I want to unfriend most of my friends.
There's so much coverage that if GRR Martin stubs his toe Tuesday morning, the whole world knows it by lunch.  I basically stay off the internet until I'm up to date.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on July 18, 2017, 06:04:14 AM
Spoiler alert.  People die...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on July 18, 2017, 10:29:33 AM
THe north remembered
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 25, 2017, 12:54:53 AM
7x02

[spoiler]Varys is so full of it!  "The Tyrells and the Martells believe in you."  Bullshit!  They mostly just want Cersei dead, and they'll side with anyone to accomplish that.  Varys says he serves the people, but he mostly seems to wants power/influence with a king/queen.  That's why he backs Dany.  He'd have more influence over her than anyone else.  He's self-serving.  He makes it sound so pure and noble.  He's probably even convinced himself.  But it's not the whole truth.

And Dany is horrible for threatening him.  "Betray me and I'll burn you alive."  "Send Jon in to bend the knee."  WTF is wrong with her?!  She treats with people like an overlord, not a leader.  If she tries to rule with a mailed fist, she won't rule long.

And while I'm on my weekly anti-Dany rant, I feel that Cersei's speech against her actually makes a few really good points.  Dany's brutality is legendary.  And Dothraki screamers are unlikely to live peaceably amongst Westerosi.  If I were there, I'd side against Dany just because of the foreign army threatening my homeland.  Though I would be incredibly reluctant to strike the first blow against the dragons.  Definitely an ideal time to steal a page from the Frey/Lannister playbook and wait a while and figure out who's going to win before marching to war.  Better to be a Late Walder Frey than an early Harren the Black.

Randal Tarly throwing shade with the Red Wedding reference!  And you'd think Jamie Lannister of all people would have more sympathy for people with conflicting oaths.

I dunno about Qyburn's test firing.  Don't skulls become more brittle with age?  Plus, that's a relic of extreme historical significance, not a clay pigeon.  And finally, whoever's manning that thing is only ever going to get one shot.  Imho, he just build a Schwerer Gustav.  Absurdly powerful, but impractical.

Olenna made some great points to Dany, but I dunno if ignoring Tyrion was one of them.  Seems to me that if you ignore wise men and foolish men, you learn nothing.

I really hope Sam isn't treating Jorah with the same gloves he uses to clean bedpans.  And that scene transition!  *vomits*

The Ironborn are so unbelievably badass!  Now those are the Ironborn I remember from the books!

*Euron kills Sandsnake, hoisting her into the air*
"My boyfriend said this was a superhero movie but that guy in the suit just turned that other guy into a fucking kebab!" XD

And that very last frame would make for an excellent 4X defeat screen.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on July 25, 2017, 08:37:38 AM
Love where they're going with this, and loved the ending. I think it was more believable to see Theon such a state. I wonder if Jon Snow and Dany will hook up? Hmmm...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 25, 2017, 10:16:35 AM
Quote from: Deidre32 on July 25, 2017, 08:37:38 AMI wonder if Jon Snow and Dany will hook up? Hmmm...
To paraphrase Rawrist:  I want Jon to do the horizontal shuffle with Dany then figure out that she's his aunt.  He's horrified but she has no problem at all with it.  Because that's just how Targaryens roll.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on July 25, 2017, 07:10:28 PM
Hahahaha

[spoiler](http://oi66.tinypic.com/bfow1w.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 25, 2017, 11:18:32 PM
Quote from: Sylar on July 25, 2017, 07:10:28 PM
Hahahaha

[spoiler](http://oi66.tinypic.com/bfow1w.jpg)[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Apparently, that scene was somewhat controversial.  Some people were disgusted by Theon's cowardice, but imo it wasn't cowardice.  It was a calculated decision.

If he fought Euron, Euron would've slit Yara's throat immediately and then would've undoubtedly defeated Theon.  Jumping ship was the only option that gave him even a small chance of saving Yara's life.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 25, 2017, 11:47:57 PM
[spoiler](https://i.imgur.com/XDqtYtw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/I9xqhYc.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on July 28, 2017, 05:08:28 PM
Season 2, Episode 1: The North Remembers

Melisandre says: "Lord of Light, come to us in our darkness. We offer you these false gods. Take them and cast your light upon us, for the night is dark and full of terrors. After the long summer, darkness will fall heavy on the world. The stars will bleed. The cold breath of winter will freeze the seas... and the dead shall rise in the North."

Remember this as you watch Season 7.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on July 28, 2017, 05:09:57 PM
I am really excited for the reunion between Ser Davos and Red Woman. Can't wait to see what's gunna happen.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 28, 2017, 10:52:46 PM
Quote from: Sylar on July 28, 2017, 05:09:57 PM
I am really excited for the reunion between Ser Davos and Red Woman. Can't wait to see what's gunna happen.
She has a name.  :P
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Gawdzilla Sama on July 29, 2017, 01:26:38 PM
http://www.gocomics.com/bloom-county/2016/05/01
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on July 30, 2017, 05:13:00 PM
Just watched s7e2

[spoiler]And with that, Theon is right back into 'Fuck You' town.

Quite a feat. GoT has had characters make me go from 'I like you' to 'I fucking hate you' and vice versa. But from 'I like you' to 'Fuck you' to 'I like you' to 'Fuck you again'... Bravo.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on July 30, 2017, 05:31:09 PM
I'm anxious to see where Theon swims off to. lol Or who will take him in? Who will he side with now, or will he go it alone? He doesn't seem to have the fortitude to go it alone, but you never know. I also want to see how the Lannisters play out. It's weird how there are characters I strongly dislike, but still cheer for (secretly)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 30, 2017, 09:35:50 PM
Quote from: Deidre32 on July 30, 2017, 05:31:09 PMWho will he side with now, or will he go it alone? He doesn't seem to have the fortitude to go it alone, but you never know.
[spoiler]We'll most likely find out soon, but I predict he'll regroup with other survivors and depending on their numbers, they'll either retreat to Dragonstone or they might even pursue Euron.  Euron's rapid ambush and equally rapid withdraw suggests that he may have only hit a (relatively) small number of Yara-loyalist Greyjoy ships.  A large number of ships may be unscathed or only lightly damaged.[/spoiler]

QuoteI also want to see how the Lannisters play out. It's weird how there are characters I strongly dislike, but still cheer for (secretly)
[spoiler]Jamie is the guy I secretly...well, not exactly cheer for...hate less, perhaps?  His character growth over the seasons has done a lot to soften my stance on him.  But he still tried to murder a little kid.  Plus, he stabbed Jory Cassel in the eye.  Imho, Cat should have bashed his brains in when she had the chance.  If/when he dies, I won't relish it nearly as much as I might've in the past.

As for Cersei, let's just say that I packed all my fucks in the Great Sept.  I'll never understand why there aren't mass riots all over Westeros right after what she did became common knowledge. I can't wait for her to get what's coming to her.

The only characters that I'm still rooting for even a little: Brienne/Tormund (what is shipped may never die), Davos, Varys, Yara, Jorah, and the Hound.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on July 30, 2017, 10:55:22 PM
I agree with your spoilers, Hydra.

Ahhh tonight's episode was truly so good!

You've got work to do, Jon Snow.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on July 31, 2017, 12:54:17 AM
7x3

[spoiler]Jon and Dany sure got off to a bumpy start.  They got along like oil and water...or frozen water and some sort of flammable oil.  If only there was an apt metaphor at hand...

And btw, I agree with Jon here for the most part.  Dany's crazy eyes weren't exactly disarming, and neither were her standard demands and threats.  It's so strange that she's squabbling with him about who rules the North before she rules the Crownlands.  The cart before the dragon.

I liked Tyrion's advice to Jon regarding telling people about problems that are too big for them - they can't grasp the scale and don't believe what they can't see in front of their own eyes.  This might be a bit of a stretch, but anyone else think this is a veiled reference to global warming?

I'm surprised Jamie didn't slit Euron's throat right then and there.  Prudent restraint?  Or is this lion too tame to bite live prey?

Wow, Cersei is truly depraved.  I miss the old days when rulers simply dispatched their enemies quickly and cleanly rather than gloat and torture.  Seems like a hobby for someone with lots of free time, which rulers tend to not have much of.  A pretender's sport.

Sansa had some great tips:  centralize grain in Winterfell and rim armor with leather.  +3 grain per turn, +5 soldier frost resistance.

And speaking of 4X strategizing, I like Littlefinger's mentality to prepare for all eventualities.  Though I like to stick to the more likely scenarios and don't bother with extremely unlikely scenarios.  Most people behave in very set, predictable ways in response to certain conditions.  All you have to do is change the conditions and watch events unfold in your favor.

"Be careful of the papermites, they like flesh as well."  o_O

Grey Worm is sooo fucked right now...

"What did he call it?"
"Widow's Wail."
"He really was a cunt, wasn't he?"
LMAO!

I really wanted to see the poison in action, if only to note the variety.  Oldtown must be rubbing off on me.  It would be hilarious if it was The Strangler.  Euron must be rubbing off on me, too.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on August 06, 2017, 10:55:53 AM
See, i GET 'Battleship' but I don't "get" Game of thrones.  Anyone who says atheists are all alike should read this... ;)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on August 06, 2017, 12:40:44 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on August 06, 2017, 10:55:53 AM
See, i GET 'Battleship' but I don't "get" Game of thrones.  Anyone who says atheists are all alike should read this... ;)

LOTR for adults.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 06, 2017, 01:30:42 PM
Quote from: Baruch on August 06, 2017, 12:40:44 PM
LOTR for adults.
Basically.  Though, I'd argue that LOTR was also for adults.  It's not like you hit your next birthday and suddenly, imaginative world-building, dragons, and magic becomes dull.

Game of Thrones is a much gritter, cynical take on a LOTR setting.

People are bastards and bastards are people.  Lords aren't necessarily enlightened or compassionate to their own people, much less another realm's people.  They wage petty squabbles as the world dies a slow death.  Knights are brutish and dishonorable.  Magic exists, but it's dangerous and terrifying.  A coinpurse and a whisper is worth a thousand swords.

Also, GoT is a series with a thousand mysteries and a million fan theories.  Schemers galore, as well as a sketchy history told by unreliable narrators with their own agendas.  These unanswered questions keep a lot of people's attention between books and between seasons.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on August 06, 2017, 01:45:14 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 06, 2017, 01:30:42 PM
Basically.  Though, I'd argue that LOTR was also for adults.  It's not like you hit your next birthday and suddenly, imaginative world-building, dragons, and magic becomes dull.

Game of Thrones is a much gritter, cynical take on a LOTR setting.

People are bastards and bastards are people.  Lords aren't necessarily enlightened or compassionate to their own people, much less another realm's people.  They wage petty squabbles as the world dies a slow death.  Knights are brutish and dishonorable.  Magic exists, but it's dangerous and terrifying.  A coinpurse and a whisper is worth a thousand swords.

Also, GoT is a series with a thousand mysteries and a million fan theories.  Schemers galore, as well as a sketchy history hold by unreliable narrators with their own agendas.  These unanswered questions keep a lot of people's attention between books and between seasons.

I appreciate that people watch what they enjoy watching.  But there are things I am proud to have never watched.  I never saw an episode of 'Dallas'.  Or 'CHIPS'.  Or Baywatch.  Or any "reality show" (it takes some effort).  On the other paw, that doesn't mean every or anyone has to watch the Science and Nature documentaries  and evolution DVDs *I* prefer.  And (*koff, koff*) sci-fi superhero stuff).

But I DO have my opinion about that.  ;)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 06, 2017, 10:07:01 PM
Tonight's episode...epic AF! Wow, soooo good! There are series that I always imagine changing something, but not this.

What I think is intriguing about GoT, is that it depicts everyday life today, only with dragons. And white walkers. And primal lust. And medieval undertones. And...

I love it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 06, 2017, 11:41:03 PM
I'd like to add a bit more on my last post:

Another part of the appeal of GoT is that this represents a huge change in how fantasy TV shows are produced.  For a very long time, fantasy TV shows did not have big enough budgets to hire good actors or do much in the way of special effects.

[spoiler](https://centaurican.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/centaur-xena-hooves-and-harlots-episode.png)
This is what centaurs looked like in the 90s.[/spoiler]

Then HBO announces they're doing this big-budget, film-quality adaptation of a fantasy book series.  The one with a staggering number of characters in varied locales and gigantic, effects-heavy battles.  It was ambitious as hell for 2011.

You can really tell that a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into the production - everything from costumes to sets to the gigantic battles with a bunch of real horses.

It's very reminiscent of LOTR in terms of production as well as the setting.  From what I've read, they tried to top Rome in terms of production quality.  They succeeded!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 07, 2017, 03:19:53 AM
S7e4

[spoiler]So far, the best episode of the season, imho. Liked the dialogue, the interactions, the sense of tension and dread. And the field of fire was pretty damn epic.
I only have one little nitpick. And I have to have one of those because I hold GoT to such a high regard. My friend brought it up first, asking if I thought Bronn was being too much of a 'superman'.
Now... I can understand his character leaving the gold behind. It's of no use to him if he's dead. I can see him even wielding the scorpion rather than fleeing the overwhelming odds because he can't escape with that dragon flying about. But he would not have jumped in front of a firespewing dragon to save Jaime Lannister. I like Bronn. I do. But he's the guy that refused to fight the mountain for Tyrion Lannister. He would not risk his own life like that for Jaime. At least, that's what I think.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on August 07, 2017, 07:09:00 AM
It would be hard to beat Rome (the series).  Et Tu ... Hydra?  There should have been a longer final season for Rome (the series).
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 11:22:30 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on August 07, 2017, 03:19:53 AMS7e4

[spoiler]So far, the best episode of the season, imho. Liked the dialogue, the interactions, the sense of tension and dread. And the field of fire was pretty damn epic.
I only have one little nitpick. And I have to have one of those because I hold GoT to such a high regard. My friend brought it up first, asking if I thought Bronn was being too much of a 'superman'.
Now... I can understand his character leaving the gold behind. It's of no use to him if he's dead. I can see him even wielding the scorpion rather than fleeing the overwhelming odds because he can't escape with that dragon flying about. But he would not have jumped in front of a firespewing dragon to save Jaime Lannister. I like Bronn. I do. But he's the guy that refused to fight the mountain for Tyrion Lannister. He would not risk his own life like that for Jaime. At least, that's what I think.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Bronn would've cut and run as soon as he saw the dragon.  He's a mercenary, not an action hero.  Like with Oberyn's trial, he's smart enough to not fight impossible battles.

This episode deployed character shields for both of them.  Jamie with the implausible last-second tackle and Bronn somehow dodging the dragonfire that blew up the scorpion. They both charge headlong into certain death and not die while the redshirts are mowed down in droves.

GoT's mantra is that anyone can die, but that's a lie.  Certain characters get in way over their heads and are spared while other characters, even relatively cautious ones, get blown away.  Author's fancy, not the circumstances, truly decides their fates.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 07, 2017, 03:07:45 PM
[spoiler="7x4"]"Chaos is a ladder." -- Bran

Favorite single moment in the season this far.

Runner-up:
Jon Snow: 10,000? Less?
Ser Davos: Fewer.
Jon Snow: What?

And I also share the sentiment of all of you (minus @Cavebear :D) that this was the best episode so far -- and it's only going to get better. Have you seen the preview? I cannot wait. Saw the preview and immediately called/texted friends so we can have a party and watch it together. We will be playing GOT Risk, make some foods from GOT, and of course watch the new episode.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 07, 2017, 03:08:49 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on July 28, 2017, 10:52:46 PM
She has a name.  :P

Melisandre. Had to say it -- wouldn't want to burn at the stake :D.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 07, 2017, 03:32:32 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on August 07, 2017, 03:19:53 AM
S7e4

[spoiler]So far, the best episode of the season, imho. Liked the dialogue, the interactions, the sense of tension and dread. And the field of fire was pretty damn epic.
I only have one little nitpick. And I have to have one of those because I hold GoT to such a high regard. My friend brought it up first, asking if I thought Bronn was being too much of a 'superman'.
Now... I can understand his character leaving the gold behind. It's of no use to him if he's dead. I can see him even wielding the scorpion rather than fleeing the overwhelming odds because he can't escape with that dragon flying about. But he would not have jumped in front of a firespewing dragon to save Jaime Lannister. I like Bronn. I do. But he's the guy that refused to fight the mountain for Tyrion Lannister. He would not risk his own life like that for Jaime. At least, that's what I think.[/spoiler]

Quote from: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 11:22:30 AM
[spoiler]Bronn would've cut and run as soon as he saw the dragon.  He's a mercenary, not an action hero.  Like with Oberyn's trial, he's smart enough to not fight impossible battles.

This episode deployed character shields for both of them.  Jamie with the implausible last-second tackle and Bronn somehow dodging the dragonfire that blew up the scorpion. They both charge headlong into certain death and not die while the redshirts are mowed down in droves.

GoT's mantra is that anyone can die, but that's a lie.  Certain characters get in way over their heads and are spared while other characters, even relatively cautious ones, get blown away.  Author's fancy, not the circumstances, truly decides their fates.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Anyone can die, but it is the author who decides when, where, and how they do.

The producers could have paid more attention to detail (see your bold statement, Hydra). A dialogue and Bronn/Jamie escaping to King's Landing would've been a far more realistic venture.

However, Bronn yielding a scorpion and barely escaping dragon fire, and Jamie charging head on towards Dany and her dragon and barely escaping with his life -- that's epic and fun. A dialogue? Meh, not so much (though it can certainly be).

Having said that, I wasn't as surprised by Bronn saving Jamie as I was with Jamie charging head on. Without Jamie, he's nothing. Cersei doesn't like him, and he has no lands, no title, and no money. Jamie's word is all he has -- if Jamie dies, there goes his future.

I still think Jamie will die, but not this season. Most prevailing theory around is that Jamie and Cersei will die together, but that remains to be seen. It's theorized that Cersei will use wildfire to blowup king's landing (she's becoming like the mad king, calling everyone traitors and exercising cruel punishment against enemies), but Jamie will kingslay-her and die in the process from wildfire. I just realized that there is a discrepancy in this theory though; Cersei is not suicidal, so she won't be within reach of the wildfire. So, how will Jamie die then?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 04:04:18 PM
I'll be controversial and say that this isn't the best episode so far.  I actually liked the previous episode, 7x03, a little bit more since it had an especially moving final scene.

And aside from the opening episode, all episodes so far have had a huge battle sequence near the end.  Maybe that's why this season is so short - because they're maxing out the effects budget.

[spoiler]I've gotta say, all that Stark children getting back together has proven to be far less moving than I thought it would be.  Sansa and Arya in particular should've been amazing, especially considering Arya's repeatedly thwarted attempts to reunite with her family.

There's no way Arya could've possibly bested Brienne in a fight.  I can buy that Arya's some uber assassin with braavosi dueling tricks to boot.  But she can't beat physics.  There's no way she could've parried Brienne's sword (a valaryian steel sword, which famously have an especially keen edge) that probably weighs a hundred times what needle weighs.

"Chaos is a ladder."  Littlefinger is so fucked right now.  Schemers die under a spotlight and there's no bigger spotlight than a greenseer who can search through time and space.

To show just how dangerous Dany's dragons are, either Bronn or Jamie should've died in that fight.  Imo, that battle would've been better if both Jamie and Bronn had tried fleeing with the gold right away as Bronn suggested.  But before they can get far, Dany's dragon swoops down on them, knocking over a portion of the convoy, including their coach.  They're both badly injured and Bronn's leg is broken.  In desperation, Bronn uses the scorpion.  It wounds the dragon, which crashes into the scorpion, pinning Bronn to the ground.  Bronn tries to stab it with a scorpion bolt, but the dragon knocks it aside and roasts Bronn point blank.  The last shot is Jamie riding away, face tight with fear and sorrow, as Bronn screams horrifically.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 07, 2017, 04:13:49 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 04:04:18 PM
I'll be controversial and say that this isn't the best episode so far.  I actually liked the previous episode, 7x03, a little bit more since it had an especially moving final scene.


Blasphemy!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 04:29:46 PM
[spoiler]
Quote from: Sylar on August 07, 2017, 03:32:32 PMAnyone can die, but it is the author who decides when, where, and how they do.
I don't disagree, but S1 really set the tone for the show, and it's about Ned Stark, a lord turned super sleuth who makes a bunch of very bad mistakes and gets thrown into a dungeon.  You expect that he'll be saved, because he's the lead and "a good guy" and that's what conventionally happens in fantasy shows.  Except, bam, 1000% dead.

Since then, we've veered ever closer to the conventional "the good guy lives no matter what" mentality that G.R.R. dislikes.  Falls down a mountain?  Alive and well.  Deadly, highly-contagious disease?  That's nothing a little exfoliating and aloe won't fix.  You'll be good as new the next morning!  Stabbed repeatedly and thrown in a filthy canal?  Totes alive.

You see what I'm getting at.  I'm not saying amazing recoveries can't happen (Bran not dying from his fall, Dany not dying from the funeral pyre, Bran escaping the white walkers, Lady Stoneheart's origin story, etc) but they should be few and far between.  Characters shouldn't face certain death time and time again and come out of it unscathed.  It just robs the scene of all its tension when you know that the main character won't die.

QuoteThe producers could have paid more attention to detail (see your bold statement, Hydra).
For real.  But what I pointed out was a pretty small inconsistency, it's nothing compared to Stannis and Dorne.

QuoteI still think Jamie will die, but not this season. Most prevailing theory around is that Jamie and Cersei will die together, but that remains to be seen.
Exactly.  Jamie's slated to die with Cersei.  So any cliffhanger with him is pointless because the audience already knows that he doesn't die yet.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 06:44:40 PM
Quote from: Sylar on August 07, 2017, 03:07:45 PMHave you seen the preview? I cannot wait. Saw the preview and immediately called/texted friends so we can have a party and watch it together. We will be playing GOT Risk, make some foods from GOT, and of course watch the new episode.
I wanted "the GoT boardgame" for Christmas one year.  I got the Risk version.  :(

The maps are pretty sweet, but Risk is kinda played out at this point.

My interest in the board game has waned, and the card game looks great, but getting players together might be a problem, especially after the TV show ends.  I don't know if I want to buy a game where I have to teach people that may or may not have much interest in the first place.  And how often could I possibly get a group together?

Hence my enduring wariness of board/card games.  It's a better experience than video games...if you can successfully get a group together that's willing to learn and play, which is often not the case for me.  You have to roll the dice before you roll the dice, if you know what I mean.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 08, 2017, 02:55:43 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 04:04:18 PM
I'll be controversial and say that this isn't the best episode so far.  I actually liked the previous episode, 7x03, a little bit more since it had an especially moving final scene.

And aside from the opening episode, all episodes so far have had a huge battle sequence near the end.  Maybe that's why this season is so short - because they're maxing out the effects budget.

[spoiler]I've gotta say, all that Stark children getting back together has proven to be far less moving than I thought it would be.  Sansa and Arya in particular should've been amazing, especially considering Arya's repeatedly thwarted attempts to reunite with her family.

There's no way Arya could've possibly bested Brienne in a fight.  I can buy that Arya's some uber assassin with braavosi dueling tricks to boot.  But she can't beat physics.  There's no way she could've parried Brienne's sword (a valaryian steel sword, which famously have an especially keen edge) that probably weighs a hundred times what needle weighs.

"Chaos is a ladder."  Littlefinger is so fucked right now.  Schemers die under a spotlight and there's no bigger spotlight than a greenseer who can search through time and space.

To show just how dangerous Dany's dragons are, either Bronn or Jamie should've died in that fight.  Imo, that battle would've been better if both Jamie and Bronn had tried fleeing with the gold right away as Bronn suggested.  But before they can get far, Dany's dragon swoops down on them, knocking over a portion of the convoy, including their coach.  They're both badly injured and Bronn's leg is broken.  In desperation, Bronn uses the scorpion.  It wounds the dragon, which crashes into the scorpion, pinning Bronn to the ground.  Bronn tries to stab it with a scorpion bolt, but the dragon knocks it aside and roasts Bronn point blank.  The last shot is Jamie riding away, face tight with fear and sorrow, as Bronn screams horrifically.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]It seems to me that this episode's buildup and ending was to pave the way for a Tyrion/Jamie reunion.

The Arya/Brienne duel was weird, especially that we know Valyrian steel can break regular steel (if I remember correctly), but regardless of that missing detail it was a good scene, with Sansa and Littlefinger watching.

The stark reunion was so bland, to be honest. There were some emotions yes, but it was missing captivating dialogue.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 08, 2017, 03:04:57 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 06:44:40 PM
I wanted "the GoT boardgame" for Christmas one year.  I got the Risk version.  :(

The maps are pretty sweet, but Risk is kinda played out at this point.

My interest in the board game has waned, and the card game looks great, but getting players together might be a problem, especially after the TV show ends.  I don't know if I want to buy a game where I have to teach people that may or may not have much interest in the first place.  And how often could I possibly get a group together?

Hence my enduring wariness of board/card games.  It's a better experience than video games...if you can successfully get a group together that's willing to learn and play, which is often not the case for me.  You have to roll the dice before you roll the dice, if you know what I mean.

It's definitely hard to get a group together for board games, especially ones like GoT where interest will eventually wane.

But, they're fun. And, I don't own the game; my friend does.

GOT: The Board Game sounds like a lot of fun, but not sure if any of my friends have it. I will ask. I would prefer it more than Risk I think.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on August 09, 2017, 05:14:34 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 07, 2017, 06:44:40 PM
I wanted "the GoT boardgame" for Christmas one year.  I got the Risk version.  :(

The maps are pretty sweet, but Risk is kinda played out at this point.

My interest in the board game has waned, and the card game looks great, but getting players together might be a problem, especially after the TV show ends.  I don't know if I want to buy a game where I have to teach people that may or may not have much interest in the first place.  And how often could I possibly get a group together?

Hence my enduring wariness of board/card games.  It's a better experience than video games...if you can successfully get a group together that's willing to learn and play, which is often not the case for me.  You have to roll the dice before you roll the dice, if you know what I mean.

Play me Risk on Pogo.com and I'll teach you a lesson....  LOL!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 09, 2017, 04:14:55 PM
Mild 7x4 spoiler:

[spoiler](https://i.imgur.com/mFamH8e.gif)

Jeez!  Whatever those stuntmen are getting paid, it isn't enough.

LOL, I like the one guy who isn't on fire flailing about like he is.  They'll probably end up cutting him out of the final shot.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 10, 2017, 03:01:27 PM
[spoiler](https://i.imgur.com/OF6HkUK.jpg)

Also, what happened to the team of artillerymen dedicated to manning the scorpion?

And do scouts just not exist in this universe?  First, Yara's fleet gets taken completely by surprise.  Now, Dothraki screamers (prob not very stealthy) rampage through the countryside and Lannister forces don't know about it till they're right on top of them?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 11, 2017, 06:28:40 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 10, 2017, 03:01:27 PM
[spoiler](https://i.imgur.com/OF6HkUK.jpg)

Also, what happened to the team of artillerymen dedicated to manning the scorpion?

And do scouts just not exist in this universe?  First, Yara's fleet gets taken completely by surprise.  Now, Dothraki screamers (prob not very stealthy) rampage through the countryside and Lannister forces don't know about it till they're right on top of them?[/spoiler]

[spoiler]People are saying that the river could be shallow near the bank, but deep towards the middle, as it is not a beach. Technically, it's possible as that's how trapezoidal channels usually are.

100% about the scouts. On Facebook there is an image going around that assigns characters a monetary value, and asks people to choose their ultimate squad for $15. I picked Bran, who I consider to be the top scout in Westeros, as he can see through time and space. People didn't seem to appreciate him enough though, from the comments I viewed. Even my own friends and cousins did not appreciate him, as no one picked him. I was like... Tywin + Bran would be unstoppable -- most ruthless strategist in the game and the best scout would win a war hands down.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 11, 2017, 06:53:27 PM
Quote from: Sylar on August 11, 2017, 06:28:40 PMOn Facebook there is an image going around that assigns characters a monetary value, and asks people to choose their ultimate squad for $15. I picked Bran. People didn't seem to appreciate him enough though, from the comments I viewed. Even my own friends and cousins did not appreciate him, as no one picked him. I was like... Tywin + Bran would be unstoppable.
I love the $15 challenge!  Let's do it!  I edited your post to avoid any spoilers.  We should be able to post the $15 challenge publicly without spoiling anything for anyone as long as we don't reveal any specifics about the characters.

(https://i.imgur.com/A6okvsK.png?1)

Team Stannis
The Leader: Stannis the Mannis ($2)
The Magic: Mel ($4)
The Strategist:  Robb Stark ($3)
The Fighter: Brienne ($2)
The Muscle: Khal Drogo ($3)
And one buck left over to hire sellswords.  :)

Could you imagine Brienne fighting alongside Khal Drogo?!  Madness!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 11, 2017, 07:04:45 PM
2 bucks: stannis baratheon - The leader (Book version, not show version, and must be accomagnied by The onion knight. For a strong moral compas and a sense of duty.)
5 bucks: bran stark - The magic (Knowledge is power.)
3 bucks: rob stark - The strategist (He failed as a leader, but he won all the battles.)
3 arya stark - The fighter (Show version, not book version so far. Probably the strongest and most versatile fighter on the list, don't get why she's not five bucks. She'd be a bargain at five bucks.)
2 the hound - The Muscle (Almost went with Tormund because I like the fucker and would have one buck left to buy candy. But The hound and Arya in one team is a nice enough thought. I think, all in all, the muscle is the least important category and should be cheaped out on.)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 13, 2017, 10:31:21 PM
[spoiler]The Lannisters must stop making more babies ahhhh![/spoiler]

I'm loving this season so far.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 14, 2017, 02:15:25 AM
My picks:

$2 Stannis Baratheon - leader and rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
$1 High Sparrow - instrumental in keeping the common people in favor of the king. That will reduce the chance of rebellion.
$5 Bran Stark - the game's ultimate scout. He can see through time and space, and will be able to see the movements of the enemy early enough to help Tywin devise a strategy to defeat them.
$5 Tywin Lannister - the most ruthless strategist in the game, and a proven winner. He might lose some battles, but he wins wars. With Bran's magic, he would be unstoppable.
$1 Bronn - protects Tywin.
$1 Tormund - protects Bran.

As it is quite obvious, my goal in my picks is to win the war and rule in peace. I believe Bran and Tywin are the strongest duo in a war. I believe the Faith and the Crown will make sure the reign of Stannis Baratheon, the first of his name, peaceful and prosperous. I believe Bronn and Tormund are both capable warriors who would defend Tywin and Bran from treachery.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 15, 2017, 11:41:15 PM
Quote from: Sylar on August 14, 2017, 02:15:25 AMI believe the Faith and the Crown will make sure the reign of Stannis Baratheon, the first of his name, peaceful and prosperous.
Book Stannis is an atheist and probably wouldn't tolerate the High Sparrow.  He'd probably tolerate the High Septon, but definitely not the High Sparrow.

QuoteI believe Bronn and Tormund are both capable warriors who would defend Tywin and Bran from treachery.
As long as you're the top bidder, Bronn's loyalty is impeccable.  He'd probably be okay with his hand in Tywin's purse.

Tormund is a capable warrior, but book Tormund is a schemer with a hidden agenda.  Betrayal is possible.

Stannis, Brienne, and Drogo are the only truly honorable characters in GoT (aside from Ned).  If they worked together, they'd be unstoppable.  But yeah, they probably wouldn't get along, either.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 16, 2017, 12:50:42 PM
Sunday's episode was leaked early; therefore, don't read the spoilers unless you want to.

[spoiler]
As usual, nothing really happens in the first twenty minutes.
A few minutes of action and then back to nothing but talk happening.
Half an hour in, some more action.
They caught their winter zombie.
It's an intense wintry version of the walking dead.
Dragons to the rescue.
Nooooo, one of her dragons went down, under the water, and so did Jon Snow as he was dragged under by zombies.
Jon resurfaces and is saved by Uncle Ben.
Now the zombie king has a dragon of his own.
End of the episode.
[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 16, 2017, 10:55:00 PM
My opinion on watching leaked episodes:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4Vbox4WQAENkzX.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 16, 2017, 10:59:27 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 16, 2017, 10:55:00 PM
My opinion on watching leaked episodes:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4Vbox4WQAENkzX.jpg)

The only downside to watching early leaked episodes is that when the day comes it actually airs, I have nothing to watch. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 16, 2017, 11:01:04 PM
Quote from: Sorginak on August 16, 2017, 10:59:27 PM
The only downside to watching early leaked episodes is that when the day comes it actually airs, I have nothing to watch.
I watch 7 analysis videos for every episode of GoT.  It only drops off between seasons.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on August 16, 2017, 11:49:42 PM
Your prince will find only death in the cold north
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 17, 2017, 01:59:46 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 16, 2017, 10:55:00 PM
My opinion on watching leaked episodes:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4Vbox4WQAENkzX.jpg)

I watched The leaked ep too. I can never see it 'legally' anyway. Or I'd have to wait a full year or so to buy The dvd's. Which i do buy, btw, so i am not a Total scoundrel.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 17, 2017, 02:11:30 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on August 17, 2017, 01:59:46 AM
I watched The leaked ep too. I can never see it 'legally' anyway. Or I'd have to wait a full year or so to buy The dvd's. Which i do buy, btw, so i am not a Total scoundrel.

Lol, I got the free 1 month HBO trial, which I will cancel before the month ends. I do not follow a lot of HBO shows for me to subscribe.

Saw leaked episode (needed to reward myself after the hectic day I've had :P), but I will watch it again on Sunday. Parts of the new episode were spoiled for me already, anyways.

I'll keep quiet till Sunday/Monday though.

Just kidding. Hey Hydra, in episode 6... shit happens.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 17, 2017, 02:12:22 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 16, 2017, 11:01:04 PM
I watch 7 analysis videos for every episode of GoT.  It only drops off between seasons.

Who do you follow?

I like Alt Shift X. One of the best out there.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 17, 2017, 02:15:54 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 15, 2017, 11:41:15 PM
Book Stannis is an atheist and probably wouldn't tolerate the High Sparrow.  He'd probably tolerate the High Septon, but definitely not the High Sparrow.
As long as you're the top bidder, Bronn's loyalty is impeccable.  He'd probably be okay with his hand in Tywin's purse.

Tormund is a capable warrior, but book Tormund is a schemer with a hidden agenda.  Betrayal is possible.

Stannis, Brienne, and Drogo are the only truly honorable characters in GoT (aside from Ned).  If they worked together, they'd be unstoppable.  But yeah, they probably wouldn't get along, either.

All are fair critiques. I haven't read the books yet (been meaning to start, but no time...).

It's also unlikely that Bran Stark would work with Tywin Lannister, so I decidedly did not pay much attention to detail when I formed my list. I was evidently more concerned with leadership and winning the war by looking at skills, irrespective of how those characters would work together.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 20, 2017, 04:52:09 PM
Quote from: Sylar on August 17, 2017, 02:12:22 AM
Who do you follow?

I like Alt Shift X. One of the best out there.
* Alt Shift X (essentially an infodump, but an extremely well-made one)
* Preston Jacobs (book-heavy, finfoilery theorist who goes into exquisite detail.  He's probably wrong about half of what he says, but he says a lot of really intriguing things.)
* Red Team Reviews (bannermen of House Jacobs, more easy-going and more tv-heavy)
* Rawrist (very knowledgeable and likable)
* The Last Harpy (theorist with short, interesting videos)
* New Rockstars (tv-heavy analysis videos that often point out easily-missed details)
* Secrets of the Citadel (very detailed, book-heavy theorist with lots of analysis videos)

If you throw in Angry Joe, some nights I "make the eight".  :P
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 20, 2017, 05:10:41 PM
Reminder, I already watched tonight's episode.  hehe
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 20, 2017, 06:05:59 PM
I just realized I never properly reviewed 7x5.  Here goes!

[spoiler]Spoiler: Jamie survives.  Who could have guessed?  Oh right, everyone.  No one thought he was going to die, and he didn't. That cliffhanger totally had me at the edge of my seat. [/sarcasm]

Bronn remembers that he's a merc.  "Dragons are where our partnership ends.  I'm not going to be around when those things start spitting fire at King's Landing."  No kidding.  No sane person would, let alone a sellsword.  Everything else he says in this scene is correct.

The ever-compassionate Dany roasts the Tarly family.  True, they made their choice, but I don't think she made the right call in that situation.  Her speech was also a little weird.  "I didn't come to murder" right after nuking Lannister forces.  "I just want to crush the wheel" Huh?  Even assuming they understand the metaphor, I thought she wants to rule from the Iron Throne.  Seems less like crushing the wheel and more like climbing to the top of the wheel.

You know what would have been 100% better?  If she had done something unexpected, maybe even using this as a teachable moment to show how rotten the Seven Kingdoms have become and how she personally plans on fixing it.  Like pointing out that the Tarlys and Tyrells were allied and allies turning on allies - treachery and death is the current plight of the Seven Kingdoms.  She offers law and honor and prosperity instead.  Something like that might've swayed much more people than her screeching dragon.

Also, Dickon should have totally opted for the Night's Watch.  What delicious irony that would have been.  There could be a regretful apology scene with Sam at the Wall - two sons of an asshole father who messed up their lives in different ways.

Bran's crow scouting is pretty cool.  I loved how the Night King shuts him down.

Goddamn it, Sam.  "I'm sick of reading about the accomplishments of better men."  But you didn't.  You didn't recount tales of heroes.  You recounted boring treatises on a bunch of random topics.  You scrubbed bedpans.  You apparently performed a medical marvel.  But you didn't read or do anything interesting.  The Citadel was a gigantic waste of time.  Almost worse than Dorne, imo.

And fuck you, Gilly, for that annulment thing.  It's like D&D are intentionally taunting book readers.

Jorah's back!  It must've been a quick ride from Oldtown to Dragonstone.  But whatever, I'll assume he linked up with the Dothraki marching from the Reach.  The ride from the Reach to Dragonstone (situated awfully close to King's Landing) could've been perilous - you'd think Cersei would try something - but miraculously, it was completely uneventful.

Varys and Tyrion have a great conversation.  "I'm not the one doing it."

Jon comes up with an insanely stupid plan.  "Let's go north beyond the Wall, fight the undead, capture one, bring it back south of the wall (Weekend at Bernie's, anyone?) and then somehow show it to Cersei so that maybe she'll fight the undead instead of us"  There's a million ways this plan could be a disaster.  For starters, the expedition could all die.  Jon's seen Hardholme.  He of all people should know to avoid fighting, especially on the dead's home turf.  They might not be able to capture one.  They sure as hell probably aren't going to bring one back.  And even if it utterly convinces Cersei, she still might be like "LOL, that's your prob."  Jon, you truly know nothing.

And I swear to the Seven, the writers roll a roulette wheel for Arya's personality.  Now she's giving Arya shit for sleeping in her parents' room (she's the Lady of Winterfell, of course she's going to sleep there) and not beheading lords unhappy with Jon.  Arya, you can't just murder people who annoy you.  Plus, hearing lords' complaints is exactly what Sansa should be doing.  That's how good leaders do things.  "Sansa should be Queen of the North, not Jon!"  Where the hell were these people last season?!  What fickle and useless lords.

Sansa better count her lucky stars that the Vale army isn't getting restless yet.  They came in to smash the Boltons and what did they get in return?  Afaik, not a damn thing.  If I were Littlefinger, I'd have half a mind to take over Winterfell and the Dreadfort.  But apparently, he's too busy playing mind games with Arya.  10 golden dragons says Arya sees through the deception and the Stark kids fall upon him like...well...like wolves.  The plot practically writes itself and so do the puns.

Hey Davos, remember when your kids burned alive?  Guess who made it all happen!  How does that make you feel?  It's so weird how he brings it up and then drops it so abruptly.  I understand that Davos is a practical guy and holding a grudge doesn't help anything, but he shows saintlike qualities here in putting that aside so quickly.  Wars have been started for less.  Literally.

Tyrion's plan is almost worse than Jon's.  Sneak inside King's Landing and talk to the guy who long ago freed you from certain death, assuming you'd get out of dodge without first murdering his father?  Tyrion is deep in hostile territory and talking to a guy who has every right to want him dead.  It's a goddamn miracle Tyrion doesn't die right there.  But Tyrion almost dies all the time.  He must be covered head to toe in plot armor by now.

I fucking love Gendry!  I can even overlook the fact that he's inexplicably already prepped to go.  "I thought you were still rowing"  Davos smuggles in memes, too.  :)

The scene with the goldcloaks was great.  Davos is an extremely persuasive guy.  And fermented crab sounds amazing.  But Tyrion should've been much more cautious.  He practically runs right up to them before spotting the guards.  You'd think someone that short would be better at laying low.

I really want Gendry and Jon to have a heart to heart about their dads, but I don't think it's going to happen.  Also, half a handful of fermented crab says that Gendry dies this season.

The Fellowship of Winter!  Jorah, Jon, Tormund, Gendry, Beric, Thoros, and the Hound.  What a powerhouse!  With some unnamed Wildling redshirts.  I hope you guys have your life insurance paid.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 20, 2017, 07:17:31 PM
I can't believe I opened that spoiler....aaaaahhhh!! >,<
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 20, 2017, 07:18:52 PM
Quote from: Deidre32 on August 20, 2017, 07:17:31 PM
I can't believe I opened that spoiler....aaaaahhhh!! >,<

LOL, hope it doesn't spoil the viewing you have tonight.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on August 20, 2017, 10:04:05 PM
My favorite spoiler ...

"He must be covered head to toe in plot armor by now."
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 20, 2017, 10:56:59 PM
Well, that was a predictable show, not because I saw the spolier/leak above. lol

But, the ending was a surprise.

[spoiler]Poor Dany, to have to fight her own dragon now, even though the dragon will be a zombie dragon, will be sad to watch. I love those dragons. :/[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 05:59:47 PM
7x6 Review

TL;DR It was everything I should have wanted, but it somehow disappointed me.

[spoiler]Jon's ridiculous plan is underway and the Fellowship of Winter (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHMjxzWV0AIqzgM.jpg) heads north of the wall.  The banter was good for the most part (like Tormund sharing his crush on Brienne to the Hound), but a lot of what was said is pretty stupid after analysis.  Like Beric and Thoros justifying selling out Gendry with "we needed the money".  Huh?  What exactly did they buy with that money?  Cause we never see anything come of that.  And the Hound's statement that it doesn't matter because he's a-okay now is dumb.  It's not like you can get out of jail for attempted murder by pointing out that the victim still lives.

Also, is it just me or are they poorly dressed for the cold?  Few of them even have hoods.  IIRC, the wildlings from season 2 were dressed way more warmly and it's only gotten colder since then.

Arya's creepy scene with Sansa.  Something is seriously, seriously wrong with Arya mentally.  That might make sense if the writers had developed this slowly with Arya's training and assassinations really taking a psychological toll on her.  Instead, she's fine with Hot Pie, fine with Bran, then all of a sudden she's like Hannibal Lecter with Sansa.  WTF.

Next, shit really hits the fan north of the Wall.  The undead army encircles our heroes and waits them out - a great strategy that uses the undead army's key strength - attrition warfare.  The undead don't need to sleep or eat and resist the elements.  All they have to do is wait for our heroes to keel over and die.

...or they could just rush them one by one (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Laconic/MookChivalry).  That works, too.  I guess.

Next - and I saw this coming - Dany comes in to save the day.  Awww yeah!

You have no idea how badly I've wanted to finally - FINALLY - see dragons fight ice zombies.  It was supposed to be epic as hell.  It was supposed to be the most memorable scene of the entire series.

The actual scene, however...   It was alright, but it didn't come anywhere close to my expectations.  Not underwhelming, not overwhelming, just whelming.  I'm whelmed.

What I didn't expect is that the undead would be fortunate enough to both have an anti-dragon weapon at the ready (they're suspiciously well-prepared to this situation) and actually down a dragon.  Impressive and heart-breaking at the same time.

Jon survives because of Deus Ex Machina.  The addition of Coldhands would've been okay if his arrival had been foreshadowed - the Fellowship spots a rider following them but disappearing from view almost immediately.  His sacrifice feels very cheap and contrived.

Speaking of contrived, Dany and Jon fall in love.  Why?  Because the plot demands it.

Jon finally bends the knee to Dany (because when you're facing an apocalyptic enemy, sacrificing a few things at the bargaining table is pretty) and Jon's X-COM team finally takes a living Chryssalid back to the Skyranger.  The research better be worth it, Jon.

Actually, Team Fire comes across one hell of an important find, and it has nothing to do with the fettered ice zombie.  They know now that if you kill a White Walker, all of its sired zombies instantly fall apart.  This info changes everything.  Instead of wasting lives fighting the zombies, they can just assassinate the leaders and boom, instant victory.  Just like Supcom.  Or chess.

If only there were some renowned assassin with a valyrian steel dagger...[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 21, 2017, 06:02:06 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 05:59:47 PM
7x6 Review

TL;DR It was everything I should have wanted, but it somehow disappointed me.

[spoiler]Jon's ridiculous plan is underway and the Fellowship of Winter (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHMjxzWV0AIqzgM.jpg) heads north of the wall.  The banter was good for the most part (like Tormund sharing his crush on Brienne to the Hound), but a lot of what was said is pretty stupid after analysis.  Like Beric and Thoros justifying selling out Gendry with "we needed the money".  Huh?  What exactly did they buy with that money?  Cause we never see anything come of that.  And the Hound's statement that it doesn't matter because he's a-okay now is dumb.  It's not like you can get out of jail for attempted murder by pointing out that the victim still lives.

Also, is it just me or are they poorly dressed for the cold?  Few of them even have hoods.  IIRC, the wildlings from season 2 were dressed way more warmly and it's only gotten colder since then.

Arya's creepy scene with Sansa.  Something is seriously, seriously wrong with Arya mentally.  That might make sense if the writers had developed this slowly with Arya's training and assassinations really taking a psychological toll on her.  Instead, she's fine with Hot Pie, fine with Bran, then all of a sudden she's like Hannibal Lecter with Sansa.  WTF.

Next, shit really hits the fan north of the Wall.  The undead army encircles our heroes and waits them out - a great strategy that uses the undead army's key strength - attrition warfare.  The undead don't need to sleep or eat and resist the elements.  All they have to do is wait for our heroes to keel over and die.

...or they could just rush them one by one (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Laconic/MookChivalry).  That works, too.  I guess.

Next - and I saw this coming - Dany comes in to save the day.  Awww yeah!

You have no idea how much I've wait to finally - FINALLY - see dragons fight ice zombies.  It was supposed to be epic as hell.  It's supposed to be the most memorable scene of the entire series.

The actual scene, however...   It was alright, but it didn't come anywhere close to my expectations.  Not underwhelming, not overwhelming, just whelming.  I'm whelmed.

What I didn't expect is that the undead would be fortunate enough to both have an anti-dragon weapon at the ready (they're suspiciously well-prepared to this situation) and actually down a dragon.  Impressive and heart-breaking at the same time.

Jon survives because of Deus Ex Machina.  The addition of Coldhands would've been okay if his arrival had been foreshadowed - the Fellowship spots a rider following them but disappearing from view almost immediately.  His sacrifice feels very cheap and contrived.

Speaking of contrived, Dany and Jon fall in love.  Why?  Because the plot demands it.

Jon finally bends the knee to Dany (because when you're facing an apocalyptic enemy, sacrificing a few things at the bargaining table is pretty) and Jon's X-COM team finally takes a living Chryssalid back to the Skyranger.  The research better be worth it, Jon.

Actually, Team Fire comes across one hell of an important find, and it has nothing to do with the fettered ice zombie.  They know now that if you kill a White Walker, all of its sired zombies instantly fall apart.  This info changes everything.  Instead of wasting lives fighting the zombies, they can just assassinate the leaders and boom, instant victory.  Just like Supcom.  Or chess.

If only there were some renowned assassin with a valyrian steel dagger...[/spoiler]

You left out the very end with the [spoiler]zombie dragon[/spoiler].
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 06:08:31 PM
Quote from: Sorginak on August 21, 2017, 06:02:06 PM
You left out the very end with the [spoiler]zombie dragon[/spoiler].
[spoiler]Now that is scary as hell.

The White Walkers got one hell of a mass gift there.

(mass gift = a superheavy tank destroyed in enemy territory, which is then salvaged by the enemy to fuel their war machine.  A failed attack that actually strengthens the enemy more than hurting it.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 21, 2017, 07:55:07 PM
I liked it enough, but think it was a bit rushed, thrown together? It's like they know they have to condense things now, and it seemed a little sloppy last night.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 08:32:18 PM
Quote from: Deidre32 on August 21, 2017, 07:55:07 PMI liked it enough, but think it was a bit rushed, thrown together? It's like they know they have to condense things now, and it seemed a little sloppy last night.
From what I've heard about production, they really are flying by the seat of their pants.  Instead of relying on pre-existing books, they're basically just working off of bullet point plot structure and filling in the gaps themselves.  They're also trying hard to wrap up loose ends (the HMS abandoned plotlines has officially been sunk this season) and speed towards the end.

I really hope George has things planned out much better in his books.  Especially his trademark subversion of fantasy expectations and elaborate, detailed plots that presumably must have a huge payoff.

Because, I swear to the Seven, if I read that Sam steals Excalibur from the Citadel after tricking the archmaester with the classic "look behind you, there's a dragon" and then personally slays like 50 white walkers by himself, is immediately handed the crown, and he takes dragonrider Arya as his queen-bride and they have a baby together called Jon Syrio Stark (the pornborn) - if that happens, on that day I'll make the Field of Fire look like one of Hot Pie's ovens!!!  :mad:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 21, 2017, 09:14:01 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 08:32:18 PM
From what I've heard about production, they really are flying by the seat of their pants.  Instead of relying on pre-existing books, they're basically just working off of bullet point plot structure and filling in the gaps themselves.  They're also trying hard to wrap up loose ends (the HMS abandoned plotlines has officially been sunk this season) and speed towards the end.

I really hope George has things planned out much better in his books.  Especially his trademark subversion of fantasy expectations and elaborate, detailed plots that presumably must have a huge payoff.

Because, I swear to the Seven, if I read that Sam steals Excalibur from the Citadel after tricking the archmaester with the classic "look behind you, there's a dragon" and then personally slays like 50 white walkers by himself, is immediately handed the crown, and he takes dragonrider Arya as his queen-bride and they have a baby together called Jon Syrio Stark (the pornborn) - if that happens, on that day I'll make the Field of Fire look like one of Hot Pie's ovens!!!  :mad:

LMAO, too funny. But, yea, I agree! It better not be an absurd ending, and where is Theon Greyjoy!!!??? Did they forget about him? One episode left, how will they tie him in. I'm seeing more of Sam than him.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 09:29:21 PM
Quote from: Deidre32 on August 21, 2017, 09:14:01 PMLMAO, too funny. But, yea, I agree! It better not be an absurd ending, and where is Theon Greyjoy!!!??? Did they forget about him? One episode left, how will they tie him in. I'm seeing more of Sam than him.
Yeah, I've been wondering that, too.  I've seen more of Hot Pie than him so far, lol.  Maybe the next episode?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 10:31:30 PM
Question for everyone about the lastest episode:

[spoiler]Which character's death really hit you in the gut?  Thoros?  Viserion?  Benjen?  Unnamed wildlings?

Describe that character's personality in a couple words, then click the next spoiler tag.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Did you have a hard time coming up with anything?  Me, too.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sylar on August 22, 2017, 12:38:52 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 21, 2017, 10:31:30 PM
Question for everyone about the lastest episode:

[spoiler]Which character's death really hit you in the gut?  Thoros?  Viserion?  Benjen?  Unnamed wildlings?

Describe that character's personality in a couple words, then click the next spoiler tag.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Did you have a hard time coming up with anything?  Me, too.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]I hated Benjen's death. I wouldn't say "really hit me in the gut", but I hated it. Why does he always show up out of nowhere to save the Starks? What the fuck is he doing in the North all alone?

His plot has nothing to it besides show up at really convenient times to save the day. I realize they have to end his plot somehow, but they could've at least given us some insight into his character. Also, did they ever tell us how he became half walker half human? I do not think they ever did.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 22, 2017, 11:30:30 AM
[spoiler]Viserion[/spoiler]

Sad sad sad face
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 22, 2017, 12:41:38 PM
Wow, only one more episode.  They shortened this season. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pr126 on August 23, 2017, 12:50:15 PM
I have seen some clips on Youtube on GoT. A veritable gore fest.
Not my scene, thanks. Although I did like LoTR.

GRRM is one sick puppy. But he knows what the market wants.
Blood and gore with sex.

Enjoy.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on August 23, 2017, 01:15:14 PM
Quote from: pr126 on August 23, 2017, 12:50:15 PM
I have seen some clips on Youtube on GoT. A veritable gore fest.
Not my scene, thanks. Although I did like LoTR.

GRRM is one sick puppy. But he knows what the market wants.
Blood and gore with sex.

Enjoy.

I haven't seen such depravity, since I saw a documentary on Torquemada ;-(
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 23, 2017, 07:43:48 PM
Quote from: pr126 on August 23, 2017, 12:50:15 PM
I have seen some clips on Youtube on GoT. A veritable gore fest.
Not my scene, thanks. Although I did like LoTR.

GRRM is one sick puppy. But he knows what the market wants.
Blood and gore with sex.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-QbFaY_wU
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Deidre32 on August 23, 2017, 10:02:19 PM
lol It's so much more than blood, gore and sex. It's not that much gore, I don't think?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 23, 2017, 10:33:03 PM
Quote from: Deidre32 on August 23, 2017, 10:02:19 PM
lol It's so much more than blood, gore and sex. It's not that much gore, I don't think?
Imo, non-viewers think there's a lot more sex and violence than there really is because they rarely see much more than the promos.  They must think GoT fans are tuning into an orgy and pit fight every night, lol.

There's maybe like 20 minutes of sex in the whole series' runtime, if that.  And a surprisingly large amount of it is NOT the pleasant kind of sex at all.  We're talking boner kryptonite stuff here.

There's plenty of violence and a lot of it is pretty gory, but I dunno, it's comparable to other violent cable shows, shows like The Walking Dead.  Maybe along the lines of a Quentin Tarantino film at its bloodiest.  But there's a lot of time where it's just people talking......and walking...and brooding...and talking...and sailing...and talking...and staring off into the distance.

Anyone who tunes in for T&A or MMA fights every night is in for a huge disappointment.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 24, 2017, 12:17:07 AM
So I am really, really behind but... I just got to the best Hodor scene.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 24, 2017, 12:18:22 AM
Quote from: pr126 on August 23, 2017, 12:50:15 PM
I have seen some clips on Youtube on GoT. A veritable gore fest.
Not my scene, thanks. Although I did like LoTR.

GRRM is one sick puppy. But he knows what the market wants.
Blood and gore with sex.

Enjoy.



My god, you are literally everything wrong with humanity. Muslims was whatever, but shitting on GoT? What the fuck type of monster are you?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pr126 on August 24, 2017, 01:35:14 AM
QuoteWhat the fuck type of monster are you?

A monster that abhorrest gratuitous violence. Whether in real life or in entertainment.
Society becoming desensitized to violence, murder, barbarism.

If that is a "monster" to you, so be it.
I think you are over reacting. Think before you write.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 24, 2017, 01:48:07 AM
Quote
A monster that abhorrest gratuitous violence.

So then you are okay with Game of Thrones.

QuoteI think you are over reacting.

I think the joking over-dramatics went over your head.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pr126 on August 24, 2017, 01:55:27 AM
I am not amused.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 24, 2017, 02:08:11 AM
Quote from: pr126 on August 24, 2017, 01:55:27 AM
I am not amused.

Nonetheless, the violence in GoT is not gratuitous in the least. It is a simple necessity to advance the plot and resolve conflict between characters while maintaining a serious tone and serious consequences for your favorite and least favorite characters (and everyone inbetween). Without simulated violence, GoT's story could never exist, and that would be a shame. A body of art this comprehensive, expansive, and making tribute to actual historical events and depicting the realities of humanity outside of just the pretty parts has every right to exist.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on August 24, 2017, 07:23:33 AM
Quote from: pr126 on August 24, 2017, 01:55:27 AM
I am not amused.

So regal, your highness.  We are pleased ;-))
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 24, 2017, 11:35:43 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on August 24, 2017, 02:08:11 AM
Nonetheless, the violence in GoT is not gratuitous in the least. It is a simple necessity to advance the plot and resolve conflict between characters while maintaining a serious tone and serious consequences for your favorite and least favorite characters (and everyone inbetween). Without simulated violence, GoT's story could never exist, and that would be a shame. A body of art this comprehensive, expansive, and making tribute to actual historical events and depicting the realities of humanity outside of just the pretty parts has every right to exist.
Yeah, I don't get how the author is supposed to do a fantasy version of the War of Roses (complete with the Glencoe Massacre) and not have it be bloody as hell.

The beating heart of GoT = fantasy setting + Reality Ensues.

You can't whitewash this stuff because that would defeat the whole point.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on August 25, 2017, 12:46:00 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 24, 2017, 11:35:43 PM
Yeah, I don't get how the author is supposed to do a fantasy version of the War of Roses (complete with the Glencoe Massacre) and not have it be bloody as hell.

The beating heart of GoT = fantasy setting + Reality Ensues.

You can't whitewash this stuff because that would defeat the whole point.

I think the Kennedy family, Bush family, Clinton family, Obama family and Trump family are just like those horrible nobles.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 25, 2017, 04:09:16 PM
https://youtu.be/EJZS87Gw89I
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 25, 2017, 09:13:45 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on August 25, 2017, 04:09:16 PM
https://youtu.be/EJZS87Gw89I
An interesting idea.  But imo the more likely reason that the math doesn't add up is because Writers Have No Sense of Scale, rather than Westerosi people are giants.  (The Attack on Titan distances are spot on, though)

And it's really been bugging me how people can so quickly and relatively safely travel huge distances in season 7.  In the books and in the TV show up until recently, long-distance travel could take months and characters could and sometimes did get sick and die in transit, get kidnapped, robbed, shipwrecked, sidetracked, etc.  Making the journey successfully shows a pretty high amount of fortitude and determination.  It can even change your life.  Treating travel so cavalierly undercuts a lot of the gritty reputation the series cultivated.

In the real world during the middle ages, some europeans used to go on pilgrimages to Jerusalem.  It was treated as a hell of an accomplishment precisely because it was so difficult.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 25, 2017, 09:15:58 PM
I guess the last episode is not being leaked.  How sad.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 25, 2017, 09:35:24 PM
Quote from: Sorginak on August 25, 2017, 09:15:58 PMI guess the last episode is not being leaked.  How sad.
*Varys gets a crate delivered to him from India, he pries it open to reveal the leaker, hogtied*
*Varys caresses the leaker's cheek gingerly and tells him that his girlfriend must have been a lovely woman to inspire such boldness, then nails the crate back shut*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 26, 2017, 02:43:56 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 25, 2017, 09:13:45 PM
An interesting idea.  But imo the more likely reason that the math doesn't add up is because Writers Have No Sense of Scale, rather than Westerosi people are giants.  (The Attack on Titan distances are spot on, though)

And it's really been bugging me how people can so quickly and relatively safely travel huge distances in season 7.  In the books and in the TV show up until recently, long-distance travel could take months and characters could and sometimes did get sick and die in transit, get kidnapped, robbed, shipwrecked, sidetracked, etc.  Making the journey successfully shows a pretty high amount of fortitude and determination.  It can even change your life.  Treating travel so cavalierly undercuts a lot of the gritty reputation the series cultivated.

In the real world during the middle ages, some europeans used to go on pilgrimages to Jerusalem.  It was treated as a hell of an accomplishment precisely because it was so difficult.

Oh i agree wholeheartedly. It's just an interesting idea.
But yes, Jaime's ride down to highgarden would have taken half a season in the first years of the show's run.
But far greater concern than the show, which I know always was meant to be wrapped up in 8 seasons... And of which I can understand that time constraints makes them cut certain things, though it doesn't make me understand why on earth they cut to fewer episodes per season...
No, far greater concern is that it makes me realize either George R. R. Martin will have to 'escalate' the events in his book series as well, though definitely in a less dramatic sence than we see in the show... Or he'll go over 8 books, and dramatically increase the chance that some other author will have to finish his legacy.
I don't know which one sounds worse, to be honest...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 27, 2017, 04:11:02 AM
For all the shit I give game of thrones and the recent episodes. I must give it these two things I failed to notice in the last episode:

[spoiler]1. The mountain that the Hound sees is the same mountain we saw in the background where the Night King was made. (Further, and I might be wrong here. It looks like the night king ritual happened at the other side of the mountain as it seems reversed.) This raises interesting points for the world as a whole. Of course seasons have never made sense in this world. But if a few thousand years ago that area was still green and beautifull, how far North would you have to go to find the real North of the planet? Westeros' planet must be vast. I've read a dragonlord flew over Sothoros, straight south, for a month or a year (I don't remember which) without finding the continent's end. Which in dragonflight, as Dany has shown she can do westeros in a matter of hours (ugh)... is an enormous distance. Could it be... this being a magic world and all that the world is neverending? Beyond the wall, beyond the five forts, all down Sothoros and to the sunset sea.

2. Jon Snow and his improvised kingsguard were fighting the wights with valyrian steel, a flaming sword and ... dragon glass. I hadn't noticed that last bit. And I don't think in the books dragonglass is showd to hurt wights, only white walkers... but still... I can understand the army of the dead going down with single strikes now.

Thanks: alt shift X
https://youtu.be/X_6j7RDaL6E[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 27, 2017, 10:56:54 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on August 27, 2017, 04:11:02 AM[spoiler]2. Jon Snow and his improvised kingsguard were fighting the wights with valyrian steel, a flaming sword and ... dragon glass. I hadn't noticed that last bit. And I don't think in the books dragonglass is showd to hurt wights, only white walkers... but still... I can understand the army of the dead going down with single strikes now.
[spoiler]Yeah, but that still doesn't explain why the wights attacked one at a time instead of dogpiling like they did at Hardholme and at the Three-Eyed Raven's Weirwood tree (and against Benjen, come to think of it).  For an army that has until now used effective tactics, this seems like an incredibly suspicious oversight.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 27, 2017, 11:47:50 AM
I've been hinting at this theory for a while now, I might as well go ahead and say it directly:

[spoiler]Was the Eastwatch battle a trap planned by the Night King?

Despite some losses (one white walker and all its minions), the battle's outcome was a huge win for the White Walkers.  With their new pet, they could possibly breach the Wall (or ferry their forces south of the Wall to attack the Wall at its weakest point or bypass the Wall entirely and ravage the North.

A lot of suspicious things happened north of Eastwatch:

* The fellowship ambushed a white walker (which doesn't seem plausible, watch the very first scene of the series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDVnVlQ6PnE) and get back to me about it if you disagree)

* Assassinating the white walker destroyed all but one of the accompanying wight army.  And it just so happens that the fellowship needs to capture exactly one wight.  How incredibly convenient for them.  Killing the white walker could've killed all the wights present or none of the wights or anything in between.  And it just happens to kill all but one.  What luck.

* During the battle, the undead army seemed to intentionally hold back and avoid delivering a crushing defeat.  This bought the Fellowship enough time for Dany to bail them out.

* The Night King was incredibly well-prepared to deal with two dragons popping out of nowhere.  He had several dragon-killing javelins on hand and one hell of a throwing arm.  And instead of killing the landed dragon and dooming our heroes, he attacks the comparatively much harder to hit flying dragon.  It's almost as if he intentionally let them go.

You might say that the wight army tried their damnest to take out the fellowship - they got Thoros, almost got Tormund, and would've gotten Jon if deus ex Benjen hadn't saved him.  They even tried to shoot down Drogon with the second javelin.  But did they really try to kill them or just try to make it look like they were trying to kill them?

You might also say "How could the Night King possibly have known that Dany was coming?  Dany didn't even know she was coming.  Does the Night King have greensight?"  Maybe.  He sensed when Bran was spying on him - twice - so he might have both the ability defend against greensight and the ability to use it.  This would explain why the undead army has been so incredibly slow to attack the wall.  At even a snail's marching speed, they could be sieging the wall by now.  The reason they haven't yet is because they were waiting on their dragon to be delivered to them first.

But how does this theory square with what we already know about the White Walkers?  It doesn't.  They've never used traps before and never been shown to be quite so well prepared for the unexpected before.  They didn't know where the Three-Eyed Raven was until they marked Bran.  They've never displayed knowledge of any kind beyond their immediate surroundings.  And come to think of it, wights have never before shattered upon their master's death - and we've seen three white walkers die previously (Sam, Meera, Jon at Hardholme), two of them in the vicinity of wight armies.

Imho, either D&D are trying to redo the White Walkers and creating a ton of inconsistencies or this theory is bunk and the Night King was crazy prepared because that's what the plot demanded.  Either option is bad, but the latter option is less bad and more plausible.

So, imho, it wasn't a trap.  It was just kinda bad writing.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pr126 on August 27, 2017, 11:31:36 PM
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2017/08/new-email-malware-scam-tries-to-lure-in-users-with-game-of-thrones-season-7-spoilers/
QuoteOn August 10 Proofpoint detected malicious email messages (Figure 1) purporting to contain unreleased Game of Thrones content. The email used the subject line "Wanna see the Game of Thrones in advance?" These lures are especially relevant since Season 7 of Game of Thrones premiered in July and concludes on Sunday, August 27, and the email claims to contain spoilers for the current season.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 27, 2017, 11:47:34 PM
Quote...though it doesn't make me understand why on earth they cut to fewer episodes per season...

The amount of large scale battles, CGI, etc. in this latest series probably put some major budget and time restraints on HBO, even with the massive "dragon money" they are making.

Quote from: pr126 on August 27, 2017, 11:31:36 PM
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2017/08/new-email-malware-scam-tries-to-lure-in-users-with-game-of-thrones-season-7-spoilers/

Serves potential spoilers right.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 28, 2017, 12:11:17 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on August 27, 2017, 11:47:34 PMThe amount of large scale battles, CGI, etc. in this latest series probably put some major budget and time restraints on HBO, even with the massive "dragon money" they are making.
If that's the case, they could've done more scenes that don't require big bucks.  [spoiler]Sam and Jorah could've been in quarantine together ('cause performing unauthorized surgery on a highly contagious greyscale patient and then wiping your face is super bad) had a real heart-to-heart about Commander Mormont and their respective crazy adventures.  Sam could've recounted his encounter with a white walker and convinced Jorah of their importance.  Then, when Jorah reunites with Dany, he could convince her to go north of the wall to check it out for herself.  That alone would've paved over like half the plot holes this season.  And it wouldn't necessarily take much screentime.  Like 10-15min over two episodes.

The Fellowship's ranging north of the Wall could've been more arduous and with more dialogue.  Maybe get to know Gendry more.

Bran could've said more than three sentences this season.

Theon could've been doing...something.  Anything, really.

We could've had have Patchface or Quaithe make an appearance, Patchface could be introduced as an almost-drowned stowaway on one of Yara's ships.

Imo, they've really been rushing through content this season, and it has been hurting the series.  They shouldn't have filler just to have kill time, but they also shouldn't rush from one action setpiece to another at breakneck pace.  If this puts strain on the viewers, I can only imagine what it's like for production staff.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sorginak on August 28, 2017, 12:13:17 AM
I have my beer, and I am ready to watch.
My thoughts on the season seven finale:

[spoiler]
An hour and a half long.

At least they're talking about cock.  ;)

Dany just had to make an entrance.

Awww, I would have allowed the zombie to kill Cersei.

I don't blame Jon for saying no.

Cersei was all talk, she can't kill her brother.

I so want to see Littlefinger die.  And Sansa shouldn't be so damn stupid.

LOL, kicking Theon in the nuts.  Dude, guess you hadn't heard the news, huh?  Finally, him having no nuts is an advantage.

Oh, stupid stupid Sansa.  WTF, wow, TWIST!!!  Littlefinger got in over his head.  Yay, he's dead!  I figure Arya is going to steal his face and use it somehow.

Oh, Cersei, you are your own downfall.  For once, Jaime says no to his beloved sister.

Bran reveals the truth, regarding Jon's heritage, to Sam who has returned to Winterfell.  Yep, Jon and Dany are brother and sister.  Which means Jon is the heir to the iron throne.  (What is it with George R.R. Martin and incest, lol?)

And now brother (Jon) and sister (Dany) are making love.

Here comes the zombie army.  Makes me think before I see it, will the zombie dragon breath ice instead of fire?  Haha, I was right.  Ice.  (Now I wonder if the zombie dragon's siblings are going to be reticent in attacking the ice zombie dragon)

And the wall falls.  And the zombie army proceeds.

The end.
[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 28, 2017, 12:19:53 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 27, 2017, 11:47:50 AM
I've been hinting at this theory for a while now, I might as well go ahead and say it directly:

[spoiler]Was the Eastwatch battle a trap planned by the Night King?

Despite some losses (one white walker and all its minions), the battle's outcome was a huge win for the White Walkers.  With their new pet, they could possibly breach the Wall (or ferry their forces south of the Wall to attack the Wall at its weakest point or bypass the Wall entirely and ravage the North.

A lot of suspicious things happened north of Eastwatch:

* The fellowship ambushed a white walker (which doesn't seem plausible, watch the very first scene of the series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDVnVlQ6PnE) and get back to me about it if you disagree)

* Assassinating the white walker destroyed all but one of the accompanying wight army.  And it just so happens that the fellowship needs to capture exactly one wight.  How incredibly convenient for them.  Killing the white walker could've killed all the wights present or none of the wights or anything in between.  And it just happens to kill all but one.  What luck.

* During the battle, the undead army seemed to intentionally hold back and avoid delivering a crushing defeat.  This bought the Fellowship enough time for Dany to bail them out.

* The Night King was incredibly well-prepared to deal with two dragons popping out of nowhere.  He had several dragon-killing javelins on hand and one hell of a throwing arm.  And instead of killing the landed dragon and dooming our heroes, he attacks the comparatively much harder to hit flying dragon.  It's almost as if he intentionally let them go.

You might say that the wight army tried their damnest to take out the fellowship - they got Thoros, almost got Tormund, and would've gotten Jon if deus ex Benjen hadn't saved him.  They even tried to shoot down Drogon with the second javelin.  But did they really try to kill them or just try to make it look like they were trying to kill them?

You might also say "How could the Night King possibly have known that Dany was coming?  Dany didn't even know she was coming.  Does the Night King have greensight?"  Maybe.  He sensed when Bran was spying on him - twice - so he might have both the ability defend against greensight and the ability to use it.  This would explain why the undead army has been so incredibly slow to attack the wall.  At even a snail's marching speed, they could be sieging the wall by now.  The reason they haven't yet is because they were waiting on their dragon to be delivered to them first.

But how does this theory square with what we already know about the White Walkers?  It doesn't.  They've never used traps before and never been shown to be quite so well prepared for the unexpected before.  They didn't know where the Three-Eyed Raven was until they marked Bran.  They've never displayed knowledge of any kind beyond their immediate surroundings.  And come to think of it, wights have never before shattered upon their master's death - and we've seen three white walkers die previously (Sam, Meera, Jon at Hardholme), two of them in the vicinity of wight armies.

Imho, either D&D are trying to redo the White Walkers and creating a ton of inconsistencies or this theory is bunk and the Night King was crazy prepared because that's what the plot demanded.  Either option is bad, but the latter option is less bad and more plausible.

So, imho, it wasn't a trap.  It was just kinda bad writing.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Perhaps G.R.R. Martin is just a better semi-realistic historic politicking type writer than he is an epic fantasy writer, or the really good parts of his writing come in the act of writing rather than being prepared before hand. I have always found the mythical aspects of GoT to be a bit... eh... while the real greatness came in it's portrayal of humans. I don't think the Faceless, the Lord of Light, the Three-Eyed Raven, people like Benjin, Lady Coldheart, etc. are all that interesting when fleshed out. They are much more interesting when viewed from a distance than when they are more properly examined.

Either way, still loved this last season. I'm just kinda sad the White Walkers are no longer this looming threat, because I thought that was what made them more interesting... knowing it was a real threat, and everyone just ignoring it. I hope the Lannisters implode and cause more drama, maybe leading to something like the North or even all the way down to King's Landing being lost to the White Walkers. As it stands... it feels like super-hero good guy plot armour is starting to grow around the remaining characters, and that is ab it dull for a series that has always rejected that.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 28, 2017, 11:02:13 PM
Just saw the season finale.  It felt like the first half of the best movie I've ever seen.

I'm sure I'll find something to nitpick later, but as far as I can tell, they finally did everything right.  Plot, characters bouncing off each other, dragon money-guzzling special effects.  Everything was on point.

[spoiler]It felt like Christmas with all the presents I received.

Littlefinger's death - which I sorta saw coming - but this scene was a hell of a lot better than the one in my head.
Arya and Sansa having a touching moment.
Theon growing a pair (metaphorically speaking)
Bran revealing Jon's parentage.
The wall (and dany's pants) coming down.  Btw, Preston Jacobs called that weeks ago.  He might officially have greensight, lol.
We even get the Night King as a motherfing dragonrider!

And I was even surprised by something, which doesn't happen often.  Cersei's false peace, which surely sealed her fate.  And speaking of fates, it seems that the key to a long life is to demand that Cersei kill you.  Pretty ballsy move, though.  Definitely wouldn't recommend it.

Also, I'm not 100% sure Euron was lying about his /gquit.  Pulling a Madagascar (https://i.imgur.com/E9CM3JY.jpg) sounds like exactly the right move right now.  Westeros is fucked.  If I were Bronn, I'd look for that castle on the Summer Isles.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 28, 2017, 11:10:49 PM
I remember I use to like Bronn, but honestly all the sell sword characters haven't interested me in years now. Even legendary ones in other genres grind my gears.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 28, 2017, 11:25:06 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on August 28, 2017, 11:10:49 PMI remember I use to like Bronn, but honestly all the sell sword characters haven't interested me in years now. Even legendary ones in other genres grind my gears.
I like sellswords.  You get a very down-to-earth perspective.  They don't give a rat's ass about honor or justice or feuding lords, they care about getting paid - so they'll tell you how it really is.  They also care about living, so they tend to cut and run from employers who get them into impossible fights, accidentally or intentionally.

Being a merc in the Mechwarrior games was always great.  The shifting web of alliances takes you on quite the tour of the galaxy.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 28, 2017, 11:34:47 PM
Also, Clegane Bowl!  GET HYPE!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on August 29, 2017, 07:27:09 PM
QuoteYou get a very down-to-earth perspective.  They don't give a rat's ass about honor or justice or feuding lords, they care about getting paid - so they'll tell you how it really is.

Meh, fighting for honour, or family, or justice is just as, "how it really is" as fighting to satisfy your own ambitions. They all are the same thing at the end of the day; power. Bronn wants enough power to buy bitches, own a castle, and live like a noble... while someone like Cersei wants enough power to buy bitches (more figuratively), own a castle, and live like a noble. The only characters like that who are really exciting are Littlefinger and Varys. I still don't trust the Varys has the good of the kingdom at the centre of his heart, regardless of what he says.

That's why characters like Jon, Dany... even the Hound, Jorah, the Nightswatch, the Brotherhood are all much more interesting... what they fight is much more "how it really is" than anything Bronn has ever fought for. They don't have a choice; it's fight or die. There is nothing more real than that. You can choose to not fight for money and go on your merry way... not so much when you fight against death itself.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 29, 2017, 10:02:26 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on August 29, 2017, 07:27:09 PMMeh, fighting for honour, or family, or justice is just as, "how it really is" as fighting to satisfy your own ambitions. They all are the same thing at the end of the day; power. Bronn wants enough power to buy bitches, own a castle, and live like a noble... while someone like Cersei wants enough power to buy bitches (more figuratively), own a castle, and live like a noble.
I meant that "they'll tell you how it really is" in the sense that the merc probably knows that the whole conflict is over money/land/power, as opposed to its official, noble reason.  They've seen more of the ugly side of the conflict than most others and don't tow the party line.  Bronn is worlds apart from someone like Polliver (a Lannister loyalist from the Hound's "I'm going to have to eat every fucking chicken in this room" scene)

QuoteThe only characters like that who are really exciting are Littlefinger and Varys. I still don't trust the Varys has the good of the kingdom at the centre of his heart, regardless of what he says.
What does he want, truly?  It's still a mystery.  Perhaps it's just as he says - he truly wants a peaceable realm with a just ruler.  But no doubt he also wants to whisper in that ruler's ear.  To accomplish what?  What could a just (and pliable) ruler provide that an unjust ruler would not or could not?  Hmmm....

QuoteThat's why characters like Jon, Dany... even the Hound, Jorah, the Nightswatch, the Brotherhood are all much more interesting... what they fight is much more "how it really is" than anything Bronn has ever fought for. They don't have a choice; it's fight or die. There is nothing more real than that. You can choose to not fight for money and go on your merry way... not so much when you fight against death itself.
Well, it's not strictly fight or die.  Running is an option.  It's entirely possible to say to yourself "Not my problem" and put enough distance between yourself and the undead threat that you could grow old and die in some pleasure house in Essos before the end of the world.  That's an attitude a lot of people would have, if not the means.  Facing the problem head-on is extremely heroic.  It's also nearly suicidal.  Fight or die could be accurately amended to "fight and die".  Heroes have longer tales than lives, unfortunately.

I had hoped the Knights of the Mind (the Maesters of the Citadel) would play a larger role in this conflict.  "Scientia imperii decus et tutamen", after all.  Apparently not.  More's the pity.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 30, 2017, 05:39:58 AM
On season 8 (season 7 spoiler)

[spoiler]
Fuck the great war. Fuck Cleganebowl. Fuck the valonqar prophecy. Fuck dragons vs Ice dragons. Fuck all those squables.

What I really want to see:

Danaerys Targaryan and Jon Snow walking into Winterfell hand in hand. (Or swooping down on dragons, I'm cool with it.)
Danaerys holds Jon's hand lovingly.
"So this is your home?" She asks, her eyes darting at the bleak but strong and ancient castle.
"Aye." Jon says, breathing in the Northern air of home.
"I can't wait to meet your friends and family."
We see a huge figure from behind. Stunned at the sight. Beyond Jon turns to the feel of the fat man's eyes glaring at him.
Shift of camera.
"I kind of actually thought I'd never see you again." Sam's kind voice breathes.
Cue to Jon's smile. The two walk closer and embrace. Dany stands by, doting but lost.
Jon breaks the hug and gestures to her. "Where are my manners? Sam, this is Danearys Targaeryan. First of her name. Ruler of the andals, the Roynar and the First men. Mother of Dragons. Breaker of Chains. Rightfull heir to the Iron throne..."
Sam bites his lip.
"Lord protector of the Realm. And the last, best hope for Westeros in the fight against the army of the dead. Our Queen." Jon turns. "And this, your Grace, is my brother of the Night's Watch. My most loyal and best friend Sam..."
Danearys breathes to say something.
"Tarly." Jon finishes.
"Fuck." Dany lets escape.

[spoiler]
Alternatively:
"Tarly." Jon finishes.
"Your Grace." Sam says to a stunned Danearys. "How is Ser Jorah Mormont, by the way? I healed him of his greyscale."
"I've made a huge mistake." Dany lets escape.
*The sound of silence by Simon and Garfunkel starts playing*[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sal1981 on August 30, 2017, 07:25:33 PM
Season 7 finale:
[spoiler]
I really liked it when Sansa confronted Baelish and how all his scheming started the wars and basically everything bad happening in Westeros, and probably beyond the Narrow Sea. There's an article that points out how he's responsible for all the shit they're in now south of the Wall.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/08/29/this-one-game-of-thrones-character-is-basically-responsible-for-all-the-things

I never learn, I didn't foresee Cersei going back on her promise and making a deal with Euron Greyjoy to get shipping the gold company's 20.000 men to Westeros when she spoke with Jamie the 2nd time. I genuinely thought she would be  convinced to deal with the army of the dead after she saw the wight.

I thought the season finale was a tad much moralizing about lying and not keeping promises. Which was basically the whole gist of Baelish's execution.
[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 30, 2017, 09:18:12 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on August 30, 2017, 05:39:58 AM[spoiler]Jon turns. "And this, your Grace, is my brother of the Night's Watch. My most loyal and best friend Sam..."
Danearys breathes to say something.
"Tarly." Jon finishes.
"Fuck." Dany lets escape.[/spoiler]
I am 100% behind this.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 30, 2017, 09:37:33 PM
Quote from: Sal1981 on August 30, 2017, 07:25:33 PM[spoiler]
I really liked it when Sansa confronted Baelish and how all his scheming started the wars and basically everything bad happening in Westeros, and probably beyond the Narrow Sea.
[spoiler]Yeah, but I kinda wish he got further along on his plans before he bit the dust.  Maybe even a serious contender for the throne (unfortunately, Cersei's white-knuckled grip on power precluded that).  It seems like he got halfway there and just kinda got stuck.  And even after getting found out by Bran, he didn't get out of dodge.  Just waiting around to be executed.  Kinda sad.  But hey, that's how things go sometimes.

Also, how many people have had a hand on his throat or a blade to his face?  Seems like sooner or later, he'd piss off someone just crazy enough to do it.[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]I never learn, I didn't foresee Cersei going back on her promise and making a deal with Euron Greyjoy to get shipping the gold company's 20.000 men to Westeros when she spoke with Jamie the 2nd time. I genuinely thought she would be  convinced to deal with the army of the dead after she saw the wight.

I thought the season finale was a tad much moralizing about lying and not keeping promises. Which was basically the whole gist of Baelish's execution.
[spoiler]The really surprising thing is that anyone still trusts a Lannister promise anymore.  The thing about betraying someone's trust is that you can only do it once.  After that, no one will trust you.  Surely, the other characters are suspicious about whether or not the Lannister forces will join them.  When they notice that none are on their way (which I imagine would be pretty quickly), there will be hell to pay.  Dany might even fly south and let loose before linking up with the rest of Coalition forces.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 31, 2017, 11:09:55 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 30, 2017, 09:37:33 PM
[spoiler]  Surely, the other characters are suspicious about whether or not the Lannister forces will join them.  When they notice that none are on their way (which I imagine would be pretty quickly), there will be hell to pay.  [/spoiler]

[spoiler]I do believe after the joined slaughter by Drogon and the dothraki, Jaime might very well be the sum total of the Lannister forces, until the Golden Compass arrives. And he's heading North.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on August 31, 2017, 12:04:12 PM
Quote from: Deidre32 on August 13, 2017, 10:31:21 PM
[spoiler]The Lannisters must stop making more babies ahhhh![/spoiler]

I'm loving this season so far.

Is that STILL on?  I just watch science and history dvds
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 31, 2017, 12:15:09 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on August 31, 2017, 12:04:12 PM
Is that STILL on?  I just watch science and history dvds

Lol. You make it sound like GoT isn't real history.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 31, 2017, 12:34:00 PM
Nitpicky criticisms of s7e7 from Preston Jacobs:

[spoiler]There's no logical reason for Jon/Dany and co to seek a truce with Cersei.

Cersei has little to contribute.  Lannister forces have been fighting for almost the entire run of the show.  They've been hemorrhaging soldiers.  How they can still field an army at all is pretty amazing.  AFAIK, in season 7 Lannister forces now consist of a few veteran Lannisters (like Jamie), a lot of young Lannister bannermen, allies (Euron, Tarly, etc), and mercs (Bronn, presumably others) - all have little value to Dany except the veterans.

Dany already has northmen, Watchmen, and wildlings (all well adapted to the cold), Unsullied (footmen extraordinaire), Dothraki (light/ranged cavalry extraordinaire), and dragons.  Lannister forces would fill no niche, except maybe as fodder.  And their unfamiliarity with cold conditions could make them a liability

Instead of trying to mete out a truce, Dany could simply withdraw her forces, moving them all north of the Neck.  The Neck serves as a natural barrier and the great distance between King's Landing and Winterfell would hinder pursuit, so it's unlikely that Lannister forces would venture that far, especially considering that Cersei has tenuous control over the Reach and no control whatsoever over Dorne and the Vale.  Any sane person would deal with those first.  Unless she's suicidal, Cersei wouldn't attack consolidated Coalition forces at Winterfell.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Tyrion claims that he killed Tywin because Tywin tried to have him killed.  In reality, Tywin was going to send him to the wall, but Tyrion opted for a trial by combat instead.  Tyrion was only sentenced to death when his champion lost.

Cersei blames Tyrion for Myrcella's death but her argument is bizarre.  She claims that Tyrion weakened House Lannister by killing Tywin, which ultimately ended up in Marcella's death.  That may or may not be so, but a more direct argument would be that Tyrion is to blame for Myrcella's death because Tyrion sent her to Dorne.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Littlefinger's trial was a real kangaroo court.

* It's pretty amazing that Littlefinger didn't have a plausible explanation for holding a knife to Ned's throat during the failed coup against King Joffrey (or the successful coup against Stannis, depending on your perspective).  That event was personally witnessed by tons of people.  Littlefinger has had years to come up with a good story for that one, yet he comes up with bupkis.

* The testimony is just a bunch of kids asserting stuff without real proof.  And Sansa's story about the Vale completely contradicts her earlier testimony that she gave to the Vale lords - at least one of which is personally present for both stories.  Realistically speaking, he'd call her out for her false testimony, casting her entire testimony in doubt.

* Littlefinger sending Sansa to the Boltons could be an honest mistake on his part.  Book Littlefinger knows that Ramsay Bolton is a monster, but TV Littlefinger was apparently that clueless, as hard to believe as it is.  Also, Littlefinger told Sansa that it was her choice and that if she didn't want to, he'd turn right back around.  He could argue informed consent.

* It's not so much that Sansa learned scheming/manipulation from Littlefinger, it's that she essentially has the word of God backing her up.  You don't have to be a good lawyer when Bran is your witness.  He knows everything.  If he's believed, you can convict any wrongdoer.  She didn't outplay Littlefinger at all.

In summary, it took an omniscient boy, a lack of a real trial, and Littlefinger acting completely out of character to get Littlefinger killed in the end.

* The man/woman who passes the sentence should swing the sword, dammit.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on August 31, 2017, 12:53:11 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 31, 2017, 12:34:00 PM
Nitpicky criticisms of s7e7 from Preston Jacobs:

[spoiler]There's no logical reason for Jon/Dany and co to seek a truce with Cersei.

Cersei has little to contribute.  Lannister forces have been fighting for almost the entire run of the show.  They've been hemorrhaging soldiers.  How they can still field an army at all is pretty amazing.  AFAIK, in season 7 Lannister forces now consist of a few veteran Lannisters (like Jamie), a lot of young Lannister bannermen, allies (Euron, Tarly, etc), and mercs (Bronn, presumably others) - all have little value to Dany except the veterans.

Dany already has northmen, Watchmen, and wildlings (all well adapted to the cold), Unsullied (footmen extraordinaire), Dothraki (light/ranged cavalry extraordinaire), and dragons.  Lannister forces would fill no niche, except maybe as fodder.  And their unfamiliarity with cold conditions could make them a liability

Instead of trying to mete out a truce, Dany could simply withdraw her forces, moving them all north of the Neck.  The Neck serves as a natural barrier and the great distance between King's Landing and Winterfell would hinder pursuit, so it's unlikely that Lannister forces would venture that far, especially considering that Cersei has tenuous control over the Reach and no control whatsoever over Dorne and the Vale.  Any sane person would deal with those first.  Unless she's suicidal, Cersei wouldn't attack consolidated Coalition forces at Winterfell.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Tyrion claims that he killed Tywin because Tywin tried to have him killed.  In reality, Tywin was going to send him to the wall, but Tyrion opted for a trial by combat instead.  Tyrion was only sentenced to death when his champion lost.

Cersei blames Tyrion for Myrcella's death but her argument is bizarre.  She claims that Tyrion weakened House Lannister by killing Tywin, which ultimately ended up in Marcella's death.  That may or may not be so, but a more direct argument would be that Tyrion is to blame for Myrcella's death because Tyrion sent her to Dorne.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Littlefinger's trial was a real kangaroo court.

* It's pretty amazing that Littlefinger didn't have a plausible explanation for holding a knife to Ned's throat during the failed coup against King Joffrey (or the successful coup against Stannis, depending on your perspective).  That event was personally witnessed by tons of people.  Littlefinger has had years to come up with a good story for that one, yet he comes up with bupkis.

* The testimony is just a bunch of kids asserting stuff without real proof.  And Sansa's story about the Vale completely contradicts her earlier testimony that she gave to the Vale lords - at least one of which is personally present for both stories.  Realistically speaking, he'd call her out for her false testimony, casting her entire testimony in doubt.

* Littlefinger sending Sansa to the Boltons could be an honest mistake on his part.  Book Littlefinger knows that Ramsay Bolton is a monster, but TV Littlefinger was apparently that clueless, as hard to believe as it is.  Also, Littlefinger told Sansa that it was her choice and that if she didn't want to, he'd turn right back around.  He could argue informed consent.

* It's not so much that Sansa learned scheming/manipulation from Littlefinger, it's that she essentially has the word of God backing her up.  You don't have to be a good lawyer when Bran is your witness.  He knows everything.  If he's believed, you can convict any wrongdoer.

She didn't outplay Littlefinger, she just has an omniscient person back up her claims.

* The man/woman who passes the sentence should swing the sword, dammit.[/spoiler]

As to the first thing. I said that before too. And I agree.

Second point: [spoiler] Yeah. But I think Tywin would've had him killed if Jaime hadn't offerd himself up as a bargaining chip. And Jaime did make clear he'd offered himself up as a bargaining chip. Plus, saying that Tywin sentenced him to die was something Tryion already said during the bathroom scene. After the trial by combat; Tywin did declare his life forfait. Yes, he didn't have a real choice... But he did do it. To his own son. Whom I'm pretty sure of that he knew was innocent.[/spoiler]

Third point: [spoiler]I agree it wasn't a fair trial. But I don't think that was the point. And I don't think it devalues the story or the scene. Littlefinger was superb at playing the game and avoiding the rules. But he miscalculated in Sansa, thinking she still felt she needed him and that he had control over her. She was his only lifeline in a castle full of Northeners and Vale soldiers that dispised him. It wasn't fair. And it wasn't by the rules. It was, as Sansa said, 'Justice she made herself'. Which arguably isn't justice at all, it's vigilantism at best. It was mob rule. And that's the point. for all his clever deflections and paper shields... Once he found himself obsolete, his cheer backstabbery and dickery over the years was enough to have him linched. It was no justice. It was murder. But it's still hard to argue against anyone not making an effort to stop it from happening.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 31, 2017, 01:03:58 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on August 31, 2017, 12:53:11 PM[spoiler]I agree it wasn't a fair trial. But I don't think that was the point. And I don't think it devalues the story or the scene. Littlefinger was superb at playing the game and avoiding the rules. But he miscalculated in Sansa, thinking she still felt she needed him and that he had control over her. She was his only lifeline in a castle full of Northeners and Vale soldiers that dispised him. It wasn't fair. And it wasn't by the rules. It was, as Sansa said, 'Justice she made herself'. Which arguably isn't justice at all, it's vigilantism at best. It was mob rule. And that's the point. for all his clever deflections and paper shields... Once he found himself obsolete, his cheer backstabbery and dickery over the years was enough to have him linched. It was no justice. It was murder. But it's still hard to argue against anyone not making an effort to stop it from happening.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]True, he was despised by everyone.  He's survived before now because he was always more useful alive than dead, but that has changed.  Bizarrely, Littlefinger was the last person in the room to realize that.  You'd think he of all people would have a better read on the room.

And it was a murder, as cold and hard as Sansa's murder of Ramsay Bolton.  Yet the music and tone of the scene suggests that the first is a worryingly dark revenge killing, but the second is a joyous triumph.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 31, 2017, 01:13:41 PM
One last nitpick from Preston Jacobs:

[spoiler]Jamie being aghast at Cersei agreeing to join the Coalition but failing to honor it.

Cersei has so far:
* cheated on him (with Lancel, potentially with Euron in the future, and Moon Boy for all he knows)
* made extensive use of a torture dungeon downstairs
* blew up the Great Sept, killing a ton of innocent people and inadvertently causing the death of his son Tommen

But not wanting to honor her vow to fight an undead army, now that's a deal-breaker.

And it's odd that someone known as the Kingslayer would now hold vows in such high regard, though I suppose you could argue that his character has done a 180 since season 1.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on August 31, 2017, 03:38:17 PM
Spoilers are OK for me.  I never watched the show.  Never watched Dallas either.  Give me a science show or a few dvds and I'm good for the evening...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on August 31, 2017, 04:15:06 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on August 31, 2017, 03:38:17 PM
Spoilers are OK for me.  I never watched the show.  Never watched Dallas either.  Give me a science show or a few dvds and I'm good for the evening...
But think of all the hours watching the show, discussing the show, watching youtube reviews, discussing those reviews, reading the books, discussing the books, playing the games, etc.

Oh my god, when this series wraps up (both TV and book), I'm going to have to do some serious searching for entertainment to fill that gap.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on September 01, 2017, 07:26:22 PM
[spoiler](https://i.imgur.com/btMM8Na.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on September 02, 2017, 12:33:53 AM
The family of Caesar from Julius and Mark Anthony thru Nero were ... messed up like that.  Inbred.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on September 03, 2017, 11:40:22 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJptaHqta1Q

Showed this to my mom.  She watched the first half and remarked, "What a nice young man.  You should be more like him."

(https://a1.memecaptain.com/src_thumbs/2919.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on September 04, 2017, 02:37:56 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 31, 2017, 04:15:06 PM
But think of all the hours watching the show, discussing the show, watching youtube reviews, discussing those reviews, reading the books, discussing the books, playing the games, etc.

Oh my god, when this series wraps up (both TV and book), I'm going to have to do some serious searching for entertainment to fill that gap.

I'm sure the syndication will last forever.  I watched an original Star Trek last night (the Horta one).
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on September 04, 2017, 07:23:10 AM
Quote from: Cavebear on September 04, 2017, 02:37:56 AM
I'm sure the syndication will last forever.  I watched an original Star Trek last night (the Horta one).

"Damn it Jim!  I'm not a bricklayer!"
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on September 04, 2017, 10:07:55 AM
Quote from: Baruch on September 04, 2017, 07:23:10 AM
"Damn it Jim!  I'm not a bricklayer!"

Yep, gotta love Bones.

Dem bones dem bones, those DRY bones...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pr126 on September 04, 2017, 12:44:50 PM
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2017/09/this-gorgeous-vfx-reel-shows-how-game-of-thrones-army-of-wights-came-to-life/

https://vimeo.com/232009905
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on September 04, 2017, 08:48:51 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on September 04, 2017, 02:37:56 AM
I'm sure the syndication will last forever.  I watched an original Star Trek last night (the Horta one).
Plus, there's always fanfiction (aka seasons 5-7).

Joking aside, I contemplated a short story that takes place in season 2 about two peasant brothers who have an intense sibling rivalry partially due to a strict, demanding father and partially due to mutual antagonism.  The two brothers join different sides in the Stannis-Renly rivalry (as common footmen) and feud with each other in much the same way as their lieges.  Will they be consumed with anger and end up murdering each other?  Or will they find another way of resolving their differences?  Find out!  (Maybe.  Probably not.)

Think of it as a day in the limelight (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ADayInTheLimelight).  Those are often fascinating, imo.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on September 11, 2017, 05:59:32 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on September 04, 2017, 08:48:51 PM
Plus, there's always fanfiction (aka seasons 5-7).

Joking aside, I contemplated a short story that takes place in season 2 about two peasant brothers who have an intense sibling rivalry partially due to a strict, demanding father and partially due to mutual antagonism.  The two brothers join different sides in the Stannis-Renly rivalry (as common footmen) and feud with each other in much the same way as their lieges.  Will they be consumed with anger and end up murdering each other?  Or will they find another way of resolving their differences?  Find out!  (Maybe.  Probably not.)

Think of it as a day in the limelight (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ADayInTheLimelight).  Those are often fascinating, imo.

I just skimmed a newspaer review of GoT.  Sounds like Hound and Mountain...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on October 21, 2017, 02:22:55 PM
https://youtu.be/KGLia03PjII
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on October 21, 2017, 05:40:57 PM
That was really good!  The Japanese people (or style) is always interesting to me.  And of course if a story has swords or dragons ... Japanese folk must like it too.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on October 21, 2017, 09:17:40 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFUtVmIIAxM

I dunno about Pod, but I mostly agree with this.

* At least one main character should die. Probably Bronn.
* Dany should have difficulty maintaining her alliance (Davos and Tyrion should've not gotten along well, same with Tyrion and the Sand Snakes, Theon and Jon Snow, etc)
* Cersei should've blamed the Sept's destruction on Dany, though of course there would be whispers otherwise.
* Stannis would've had a small garrison on Dragonstone (because duh).  Mel would hand it over to Dany's forces without a fight because she has seen in her flames that Dany will fight the Others.
* Sam would be quarantined with Jorah for his unauthorized and incredibly dangerous greyscale surgery.  During the quarantine, they would have a heart-to-heart and Jorah would swear to advise Dany to fight the others.  Sam would stay at the citadel.
* Jon, with Jorah's help, would eventually convince Dany of the white walker threat.
* Instead of the incredibly stupid plan to capture a wight, Dany would fly out to see for herself.  After glimpsing the white walker army, she tries to assassinate the Night's King, attacking in tandem with the Fellowship (Jon, Tormund, etc)  It fails partly because Dany was overconfident, much to Jon's dismay.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: pr126 on October 26, 2017, 02:23:38 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFdbx8YT4dQ
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on October 27, 2017, 02:49:14 PM
Quote from: pr126 on October 26, 2017, 02:23:38 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFdbx8YT4dQ

"“It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.” ― Arthur C. Clarke"

Said the Tasmanian Devil to the Modern Human...  LOL!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 15, 2019, 10:34:13 AM
It's back!  And I've already seen like 16% of the season.  :(

(https://i.redd.it/by1j0mol0es21.png)

[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/i4aw7tgswcs21.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: _Xenu_ on April 15, 2019, 02:10:50 PM
Well, Jon officially knows his lineage now. This should be interesting.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 16, 2019, 08:30:27 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/aSfGmka.jpg)


I'm going to miss this show so much when it wraps up.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 07:04:16 AM
No dis to those who love the show.

But I have often wondered about the attraction of Popular Shows.  There are so many I never bothered to watch (wanting to get actual stuff done).  I never watched a single episode of Charlie's Angels, Dallas, and so many others.  And Game Of Thrones is the same.  Is it that they give you something to to talk about with friends?  Office break time talk?  Social references?

I'm not completely immune; I always watched M*A*S*H but that was mostly because of the anti-war message.  And Star Trek because of the newness and ethical messages.  I don't get most of the others.  What am I missing?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 07:37:53 AM
Quote from: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 07:04:16 AMIs it that they give you something to to talk about with friends?  Office break time talk?  Social references?

I'm not completely immune; I always watched M*A*S*H but that was mostly because of the anti-war message.  And Star Trek because of the newness and ethical messages.  I don't get most of the others.  What am I missing?
First, it's like Lord of the Rings (epic scope) but with a much more pessimistic tone (the heroes don't always win, people don't always make the right choices, people suffer calamity, etc). There's also a bit of tension because characters can and will die left and right, characters that you likely will care about.

There's enough character variety that you absolutely will bond with a character - they'll remind you of yourself or a family member or friend.  I guarantee you, you will root for someone and you'll want tune in just to see more of that person's story.

Mysteries abound.  Less so as the series has progressed, but even on the last season, there are still huge revelations to be had.

Sex and violence - apparently people like that.

Big budget polish - a lot of the time, fantasy and sci-fi shows don't get enough funding and it shows.  GoT has always gotten enough funding for great setwork, gorgeous costumes, impressive dragons, so-so actors, 2.5 seconds of Ghost, and exactly one Targarean wig.  (I kid, but the show really is visually stunning.)

And there is a message underneath all of that - a very strong egalitarian, anti-war message throughout the show.  Westeroes is dying as petty lords and ladies sqabble over some crown.  A corrupt ruler carries out petty revenges as the country bleeds.  Sound familiar?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 08:20:08 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 07:37:53 AM
First, it's like Lord of the Rings (epic scope) but with a much more pessimistic tone (the heroes don't always win, people don't always make the right choices, people suffer calamity, etc). There's also a bit of tension because characters can and will die left and right, characters that you likely will care about.

There's enough character variety that you absolutely will bond with a character - they'll remind you of yourself or a family member or friend.  I guarantee you, you will root for someone and you'll want tune in just to see more of that person's story.

Mysteries abound.  Less so as the series has progressed, but even on the last season, there are still huge revelations to be had.

Sex and violence - apparently people like that.

Big budget polish - a lot of the time, fantasy and sci-fi shows don't get enough funding and it shows.  GoT has always gotten enough funding for great setwork, gorgeous costumes, impressive dragons, so-so actors, 2.5 seconds of Ghost, and exactly one Targarean wig.  (I kid, but the show really is visually stunning.)

And there is a message underneath all of that - a very strong egalitarian, anti-war message throughout the show.  Westeroes is dying as petty lords and ladies sqabble over some crown.  A corrupt ruler carries out petty revenges as the country bleeds.  Sound familiar?

Hmm, I may have missed out on that assuming it was a drama crap.  I originally heard it was an endless series of people getting killed off.

I assume it can be binge-watched?  Where?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 10:04:43 AM
Quote from: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 08:20:08 AM
Hmm, I may have missed out on that assuming it was a drama crap.  I originally heard it was an endless series of people getting killed off.
That's not entirely incorrect - it's just not the whole story.

Imo, the series is 35% worldbuilding/lore, 35% plotting and scheming, 10% horrific violence, 10% speeches, 5% T and A, and the remaining 5% is Sam and Gilly tedium (It feels longer than it actually is)

If that's up your alley, go for it.

QuoteI assume it can be binge-watched?  Where?
Legally, I can only say to stream it on HBO.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: _Xenu_ on April 18, 2019, 10:26:01 AM
You don't have to have an HBO cable subscription or anything, you can get their online service stand alone for $14.99 a month. If you happen to have HBO with a cable package, contact your service provider and they will help you out.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 01:17:05 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2ppLtHbag4

Fun fact:  there actually is a character named Elmo in Game of Thrones.  Elmo Tully, he doesn't make an appearance, he's just mentioned in passing.  More of an easter egg than anything else.

Also, in a different scene, Big Bird became a wight.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 01:39:57 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 10:04:43 AM
That's not entirely incorrect - it's just not the whole story.

Imo, the series is 35% worldbuilding/lore, 35% plotting and scheming, 10% horrific violence, 10% speeches, 5% T and A, and the remaining 5% is Sam and Gilly tedium (It feels longer than it actually is)

If that's up your alley, go for it.
Legally, I can only say to stream it on HBO.

Thanks, but if I ever get HBO, it will be for Bill Maher.  Best since George Carlin...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on April 18, 2019, 01:46:25 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 07:04:16 AM
No dis to those who love the show.

But I have often wondered about the attraction of Popular Shows.  There are so many I never bothered to watch (wanting to get actual stuff done).  I never watched a single episode of Charlie's Angels, Dallas, and so many others.  And Game Of Thrones is the same.  Is it that they give you something to to talk about with friends?  Office break time talk?  Social references?

I'm not completely immune; I always watched M*A*S*H but that was mostly because of the anti-war message.  And Star Trek because of the newness and ethical messages.  I don't get most of the others.  What am I missing?


I haven't seen any GoT either, but I've seen a few clips of it at youtube. It's pretty intense, I guess, and people like living vicarious lives through the fictions of our modern times. They need drama in their boring lives, and it's better to get it from the Lannisters, et al, than their next-door neighbors.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on April 18, 2019, 01:53:56 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 08:20:08 AM
Hmm, I may have missed out on that assuming it was a drama crap.  I originally heard it was an endless series of people getting killed off.

I assume it can be binge-watched?  Where?


One of James Corden's writers had never seen any of it, and so they locked him in a room and made him watch 67 hours of nothing but Game of Thrones! I doubt he'll ever be the same again...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqNT13ywnI8
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 02:45:49 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on April 18, 2019, 01:53:56 PM

One of James Corden's writers had never seen any of it, and so they locked him in a room and made him watch 67 hours of nothing but Game of Thrones! I doubt he'll ever be the same again...


You couldn't pay me enough money to do that.  But I'm reminded of Abraham Lincoln and a bribery attempt when he was a mere lawyer.  I searched all through the internet and could not find it, though the most promising site was all lincoln anecdotes here:

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2517/2517-h/2517-h.htm#link2H_4_0004  you all may find the stories amazing and/or interesting.

But as I recall the story, Lincoln was approached by an opposing attorney who offered him some serious money to drop the case.  Lincoln said "no".

The man then said, "Look, every man has his price".  Lincoln said he was not bribable.  The man doubled his offer.  Lincoln said "no" again.  After that, the man tripled his offer.  Lincoln grabbed the man and threw him down the stairs. 

The man said "Why did you do THAT?"  Lincoln said "You were getting near my price"!

There are things I might watch if constrained or forced by company.  But the price would be high, LOL!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 02:47:57 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on April 18, 2019, 01:53:56 PM

One of James Corden's writers had never seen any of it, and so they locked him in a room and made him watch 67 hours of nothing but Game of Thrones! I doubt he'll ever be the same again...
I know that 67 hours sounds like a lot, but that's almost 3 days worth of episodes released over the course of 8 years.

If my math is correct, you could watch as little as 70 seconds of GoT per day and get all caught up by the season 8 premier if you start microdosing on the same day as the series premier.  (Seasons 1-7 runtime = 3,393 minutes.  April 17, 2011 to April 18, 2019 = 2923 days.)

The book series is where the real challenge is at!  A lot of show-watchers who are unfazed by 3,393 minutes of show-watching balk at the idea of having to sit down and read all 5 books.

But the book series is a mere(!) 4,228 pages published over the course of 8295 days.  Let's assume that all five books were published on the same day and you're a super slow reader who can only read a single page a day.  You'd be all caught up by the end of February, 2008.  You'd have over a decade to sit on your hands and wait for new material!

It's entirely possible (but difficult) to read the whole thing in a year - just read 12 pages a day!  Or take your time and leisurely knock it out over the course of a few years.

The point is, people look at the total numbers and freak out, when really it's completely manageable.  A journey of a thousand miles...

...will take you less than three years if you walk at a leisurely pace of just a mile per day.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 03:38:06 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on April 18, 2019, 02:45:49 PM
You couldn't pay me enough money to do that.
People have done a lot worse things for money.  Most of us here know at least a little of that pain.  Getting paid to watch TV - any TV - instead would be a godsend.

But binging is inherently unhealthy - people need sleep and exercise and decent nutrition.  Plus, it kinda ruins the experience - you don't get any time to process what you're watching and after time, boredom sets in and you don't enjoy it anymore.

The focus shouldn't be finishing a show as quickly as possible, but enjoying a show as much as possible.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on April 18, 2019, 05:45:20 PM
There are Indian TV shows with over 100 episodes.  I will be reincarnated before I can get to the end.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 19, 2019, 05:05:41 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 10:04:43 AM
That's not entirely incorrect - it's just not the whole story.

Imo, the series is 35% worldbuilding/lore, 35% plotting and scheming, 10% horrific violence, 10% speeches, 5% T and A, and the remaining 5% is Sam and Gilly tedium (It feels longer than it actually is)

If that's up your alley, go for it.
Legally, I can only say to stream it on HBO.

I don't mind Sam and gilly, tbh.
I like Sam and gilly. Don't need more than the show provides, but I never mind checking in with them.
I think Sam is one of the characters I 'bonded' with. Along ser Davos, book Stannis, Jon, Brienne and tyrion.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 19, 2019, 06:42:48 AM
At this point, I only really care about Varys, Davos, and Brienne.  Mel as well to a small degree.

I used to like way more characters but they either died or became uninteresting.

Bran and Arya have both dramatically changed, and not in a good way imo.  Tryion has lost almost all of his charm.  Jon is kinda hit-and-miss, and I think I'm starting to hate both Sansa and Dany (seriously, what do dragons eat?).  I never liked Cersei and she's gone way downhill into cartoonish villiany along with Euron.  I weep for show-only fans who don't know book Euron.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 19, 2019, 06:52:41 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 19, 2019, 06:42:48 AM
At this point, I only really care about Varys, Davos, and Brienne.  Mel as well to a small degree.

I used to like way more characters but they either died or became uninteresting.

Bran and Arya have both dramatically changed, and not in a good way imo.  Tryion has lost almost all of his charm.  Jon is kinda hit-and-miss, and I think I'm starting to hate both Sansa and Dany (seriously, what do dragons eat?).  I never liked Cersei and she's gone way downhill into cartoonish villiany along with Euron.  I weep for show-only fans who don't know book Euron.

I never found book arya all that interesting, which was odd because most people did. Trudging through her escapades as she fled from kings landing trying to reach home, up till the point she left westeros, were always a bit of a bore to me, for some reason. The actress did a good job in those parts, mindyou. In the show she kind of made the reverse from interesting to less interesting.
I still like Jon and Dany, in the show. But I get what you mean. I haven.'t yet seen season 8 (waiting for the gf to catch UP). But I know what you mean. The show characters made bad decisions for the sake of the plot.
Here is to hoping the book will someday come and do them justice
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 19, 2019, 04:54:38 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 19, 2019, 06:52:41 AM
I never found book arya all that interesting, which was odd because most people did. Trudging through her escapades as she fled from kings landing trying to reach home, up till the point she left westeros, were always a bit of a bore to me, for some reason. The actress did a good job in those parts, mindyou. In the show she kind of made the reverse from interesting to less interesting.
Book Arya spends too much time in Braavos doing nothing.  Same thing happened in the show.  But her Winds of Winter chapter is fire.  A man is impressed!

So there's hope for book Arya still.  Show Arya, not so much.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 19, 2019, 04:57:00 PM
(https://i.redd.it/dr76pb0zf4t21.jpg)

Tywin: Am I a joke to you?

Plus, Sansa has a whole laundry list of mistakes and misjudgements.

Imho, Hot Pie is the true smartest person in the show.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Munch on April 19, 2019, 07:09:22 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puxjtmU7H70
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 22, 2019, 05:04:25 PM
https://youtu.be/l2ppLtHbag4
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2019, 10:59:07 PM
^

(https://i.imgur.com/Zl2D6GT.gif)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: _Xenu_ on April 22, 2019, 11:04:28 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 22, 2019, 05:04:25 PM
https://youtu.be/l2ppLtHbag4
Cercie would put that annoying puppets head on a pig pole unless it occurred to her to send it downstairs for medical experimentation.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2019, 11:18:09 PM
Season 8 Episode 2:

I really liked it.  Very nice prelude.  I wish it had been rolled together with episode 1 to make an actually cinematic-length episode, but whatevs.

I'm also relieved and glad that characters are having actually heartfelt conversations now.  Episode 1 was very quippy and it honestly had me worried that the writers decided that Marvelesqe two-liners would suffice for dialogue from here on out.

These actually good conversations are interesting in that characters are finally sitting down and voicing their concerns as adults rather than acting out.  And a great deal of it seems like reddit-inspired dialogue where characters are behaving as if they remember the past as well as making reasonable inferences from past behavior and making the sorts of criticisms their characters would naturally make (Dany especially).  It nearly seems like a character-driven show once again.

Also, I love the setwork.  I can tell the crew went through a great deal of effort to portray a decent medieval defensive line.  It looked quite painstaking, and I appreciate that.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 22, 2019, 11:32:29 PM
Now, for the criticisms:

[spoiler](https://i.imgur.com/X0nMDLK.jpg)

Jaime would be lucky to leave Winterfell with his life, imo.  Pushing for more than that is too much to ask.

And Theon is a hard no.  Betrayer, oathbreaker, murderer of Winterfell civilians.  There's no coming back from that.  Ever.  A compassionate person would make it quick and clean.

A tenderhearted person might object to executing him, claiming that every man is vital to the defense of Winterfell.  And that claim would technically be correct, but it would not be just.  Hence my perpetual allegiance to Team Stannis.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 23, 2019, 12:01:03 AM
Death predictions for next episode:

[spoiler]Dead pool:  Bran, Jaime, Brienne, Tormund, Edd, Theon, Beric Dondarrion
Survivors: Jon, Dany, Sansa, Arya, Gendry, Tyrion, Davos, Jorah, Greyworm, Missandei, Sandor Clegane (get hype), Sam + Gilly[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on April 23, 2019, 12:50:32 AM
Arya's young, we try not to sexualize her.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: _Xenu_ on April 23, 2019, 12:20:09 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=347&v=dhWUFXvaZjo
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 23, 2019, 09:59:10 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on April 23, 2019, 12:50:32 AM
Arya's young, we try not to sexualize her.
I half expected to see the police outside my apartment during that scene, lol.

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/805/961/7d6.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 23, 2019, 10:35:37 PM
[spoiler]Everyone:  the crypts are the safest place in Winterfell!

Night King:  (https://ci.memecdn.com/11099780.gif)

Mass rez ability + lots of dead bodies inside the gates = absolute slaughter.  Oh, and did I mention that there are tunnels underneath Winterfell?[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 29, 2019, 01:23:47 AM
Well, that was the most metal episode of GoT that I have ever seen.  It surpassed Hardhome for sure.  I have some minor grievances, but the main plot structure was solid and it hit all the right beats.

Also, my predictions were right and wrong.  And the community as a whole erred significantly.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on April 29, 2019, 04:38:33 AM
Helping the gf catch up with got before we watch season 8. We watched hardhome yesterday. Easily one of my favorite episodes.
You're making me curious for the final season mate
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on April 29, 2019, 08:23:18 AM
All I can say about the 3rd ep is that I am impressed. It was much better than I expected. Well done.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: _Xenu_ on April 29, 2019, 10:41:13 AM
The episode was too chaotic for me, and too dark to view most of the time. I could not keep track of what was going on. I hope now that the Night King is dealt with, we can return to the more interesting realpolitik that defines the series.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 29, 2019, 10:56:22 AM
Quote from: _Xenu_ on April 29, 2019, 10:41:13 AMI hope now that (spoilers!), we can return to the more interesting realpolitik that defines the series.
Oh my sweet summer child...

Realpolitik was seasons 1-4, maybe a little of 5 if you stretch it.  This series went full Hollywood long ago - long, silent stares instead of dialogue (d&d eat that stuff up), plot armor galore, and extremely contrived events pushing the plot forwards.  (Basically, the polar opposite of the asoiaf book series)

In fact, I already have a good idea of what's going to happen at King's Landing and how the show will wrap up.  It's been telegraphed for a few seasons now.  I'll post it in a few days.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on April 29, 2019, 01:46:55 PM
I agree. Nevertheless, the so called criticism of the last episode is largely idiotic. I think, people start to live in these fanstay worlds and miss a lot from a very close angle. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: aitm on April 29, 2019, 09:22:54 PM
I have been devoted to many, many series over my few years but for the life of me I cannot understand the fascination to a show where people go fucking beside themselves over. Fuck man its a TV show. Take your hands off yer nads and let them breath.....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 29, 2019, 11:55:55 PM
Quote from: drunkenshoe on April 29, 2019, 01:46:55 PM
I agree. Nevertheless, the so called criticism of the last episode is largely idiotic. I think, people start to live in these fanstay worlds and miss a lot from a very close angle.
I dunno what exactly you're referring to, but I think people are mostly bummed about White Walkers being built up so much for so long and then their confrontation fell short of expectations.  Especially since this seems like the sort of battle that should've been the grand finale, not the penultimate battle.

I don't know exactly what you're getting at with the last sentence, but generally people are okay with magic and whatever fantasy elements the author brings to the table as long as there's a consistent logic to it.  With GoT, there are a few main rules:

1) No character is safe - any character can die at any time.  If you get in over your head, you're very likely to kick the bucket and no white wizard is going to come riding in to save you.  This isn't to say that it's strike one and you're dead - just that mistakes tend to have brutal and long-lasting consequences.
2) History matters - family history informs character motivations, everyone from Theon to Tywin to Dany seems to be at least partially defined by their family's past.  This is why we get very lengthy sections (hell, even a whole book) on family history.
3) Political scheming - much of the things that happen and don't happen are really the handiwork of advisors and influence-mongers, not their royals and lords.  This is part of the reason why every house has a shitton of characters.
4) Magic is powerful but rare and incredibly dangerous
5) Unreliable narration
6) Prophecy is suspect - GRRM fills his books with prophecy, but following from the above, we can't completely trust prophecy.  Prophecies are ambiguous (a point hammered home by the "prince" that was promised), characters can misinterpret things, there are definitely charlatans (mummer's dragon), and there's the distinct possibility that it might all be bullshit.

In season 8 so far, we have a surprisingly high number of safe characters, very little on history (despite prime real estate for some major revelations), borderline-to-nonexistent scheming, and absolutely zilch on prophecy.  Suffice is to say that there's a very different tone and purpose between what I've been reading and what I've been watching.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on April 30, 2019, 03:51:36 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 29, 2019, 11:55:55 PM
I dunno what exactly you're referring to, but I think people are mostly bummed about White Walkers being built up so much for so long and then their confrontation fell short of expectations.  Especially since this seems like the sort of battle that should've been the grand finale, not the penultimate battle.

[spoiler]I was referring to the people bummed about Arya Stark killing the Night King, but not some tank character, preferably Jon Snow. Then I learned it was known that it would be Arya. (I don't know the books. I don't read about the series, I just watch it. Actually, this is the firs time I looked around.) But I saw so many stupid comments, I was like Aaaaargh. Mainly asking how can she pass them all and where did she jump from?

I might be completely wrong, but I never thought they were the story or even the real villian. In my opinion, the White Walkers were the means to bring certain armies together against Cersei. (A catalyst.) Well not necessarily her at the beginning as I didn't know and just guessed, but whoever would refuse to put aside the differences, fights to work together against anything that would destory the life on that world, would be the evil in the story to fight against together.

Even after a war like this, all major characters are alive this time. And for this show, that's a record of some sort if I am not mistaken. But then all these cahracters also have beef with Cersei.  [/spoiler]       

QuoteI don't know exactly what you're getting at with the last sentence, but generally people are okay with magic and whatever fantasy elements the author brings to the table as long as there's a consistent logic to it.

[spoiler]It was again about Arya killing the NK. I mean, when people get into the world too much, get a side, have their own fantasy in it, they sometimes lose track. [/spoiler]

Otherwise, I agree with what you put below.

QuoteWith GoT, there are a few main rules:

1) No character is safe - any character can die at any time.  If you get in over your head, you're very likely to kick the bucket and no white wizard is going to come riding in to save you.  This isn't to say that it's strike one and you're dead - just that mistakes tend to have brutal and long-lasting consequences.
2) History matters - family history informs character motivations, everyone from Theon to Tywin to Dany seems to be at least partially defined by their family's past.  This is why we get very lengthy sections (hell, even a whole book) on family history.
3) Political scheming - much of the things that happen and don't happen are really the handiwork of advisors and influence-mongers, not their royals and lords.  This is part of the reason why every house has a shitton of characters.
4) Magic is powerful but rare and incredibly dangerous
5) Unreliable narration
6) Prophecy is suspect - GRRM fills his books with prophecy, but following from the above, we can't completely trust prophecy.  Prophecies are ambiguous (a point hammered home by the "prince" that was promised), characters can misinterpret things, there are definitely charlatans (mummer's dragon), and there's the distinct possibility that it might all be bullshit.

QuoteIn season 8 so far, we have a surprisingly high number of safe characters, very little on history (despite prime real estate for some major revelations), borderline-to-nonexistent scheming, and absolutely zilch on prophecy.  Suffice is to say that there's a very different tone and purpose between what I've been reading and what I've been watching.

[spoiler]It's either that Cersei is the really big bad final boss or they are going to hit with something very big we cannot think of. But then I don't know the half of you do. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: aitm on April 30, 2019, 03:54:23 PM
you peeps get way too involved in this....criminy.....I have never spent this much time talking about ALL the shows I have ever seen. Tis entertainment, not life across "in a different dimension".....er.....at least I hope not.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on April 30, 2019, 04:21:50 PM
Quote from: aitm on April 30, 2019, 03:54:23 PM
you peeps get way too involved in this....criminy.....I have never spent this much time talking about ALL the shows I have ever seen. Tis entertainment, not life across "in a different dimension".....er.....at least I hope not.

I just watch the show. Actually, I was just telling Hydra that this is the first time I looked around what people are saying about the show. There is too much material with this one. It's grift, mythic, detailed...surprising...also insipired by 'real' myths. We didn't even get into it.

Also, we are nerds AND geeks. You are aware of that right?

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on April 30, 2019, 05:54:26 PM
Quote from: aitm on April 30, 2019, 03:54:23 PM
you peeps get way too involved in this....criminy.....I have never spent this much time talking about ALL the shows I have ever seen. Tis entertainment, not life across "in a different dimension".....er.....at least I hope not.
A bit strange to complain about GoT discussion in a thread specifically made to discuss GoT, lol.  I guess everyone has a hobby, though some are far more wothwhile than others.

But now that you mention it, I generally watch the episode, watch an average of 5 videos dissecting it (totaling about twice the runtime of the episode), chat it up with friends for about an hour, then discuss it here in 1-3 posts.  So yeah, it's a pretty hefty time committment.

But bear in mind that this is an enormously popular water-cooler type show.  Those don't come all that often.  It's quite an experience.

And when the show isn't on, I watch theory videos and read the books.  How long does that take?  Well, it Varys.  :)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: aitm on May 02, 2019, 04:30:07 PM
:P~
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 03, 2019, 08:24:49 PM
(https://i.redd.it/cubm7q5lrvv21.jpg)

I'd buy him a horn of milk.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 04, 2019, 02:34:59 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OWFAblCmy4

Drum n' Bass is very hit and miss for me, but the novelty of this one is pretty good.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 12:58:20 AM
8x4

Me during the first half:  well, this is boring

Me during the second half:  *uncontrollable screaming*
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: _Xenu_ on May 06, 2019, 08:43:17 AM
Now that Cersie is back, feels like a return to form. This is not going to end well.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 08:59:30 AM
Really? OK, I am getting to it.

E: Oh well...yeah.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 12:01:12 PM
I've gotta say, shippers DEFINITELY didn't enjoy that episode.

I'm still holding out hope for a couple of couples, though.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 12:33:21 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 12:01:12 PM
I've gotta say, shippers DEFINITELY didn't enjoy that episode.

Whenever I watch pirate movies, I want to be extra in a scene like that. Probably, nothing realistic, but looks so much fun.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 12:37:21 PM
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 12:33:21 PM
Whenever I watch pirate movies, I want to be extra in a scene like that. Probably, nothing realistic, but looks so much fun.
I would've given my left kidney to be a Team Stannis extra.

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a5/f4/65/a5f46503a2507982e4f896b3799cb32e.jpg)

Pirate movies are good too, but it would probably be really disappointing to not really be at sea.  But ones actually filmed at sea would be a blast.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 01:06:47 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 12:37:21 PM
Pirate movies are good too, but it would probably be really disappointing to not really be at sea.  But ones actually filmed at sea would be a blast.

Yeah probably, lol. We'd get soaked in any case though. What do you call that in English I couldn't find it, when pirates/sailors fly into the ships with ropes!

Also being a zombie extra in Walking Dead would be real fun too.

I'd love to be in an army like that, but probably even the props would be heavy for me. Also I am a little higher than a meter and a half. lol.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 01:15:39 PM
People claim this is real. Is it? Can't be, can it?



(https://i.redd.it/up03fl0r8jw21.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 01:29:25 PM
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 01:06:47 PMWhat do you call that in English I couldn't find it, when pirates/sailors fly into the ships with ropes!
Boarding, maybe?  Though that doesn't necessarily mean they're using ropes.  I don't think there's a word for that exactly, and there really should be considering how frequent it is in tv/film.

Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 01:15:39 PMPeople claim this is real. Is it? Can't be, can it?
I highly doubt it.  But I'll check it out later.  Honestly, that scene was so tedious that I got up for a drink myself.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 01:40:52 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 01:29:25 PM
Boarding, maybe?  Though that doesn't necessarily mean they're using ropes.  I don't think there's a word for that exactly, and there really should be considering how frequent it is in tv/film.

Oh my god, of course it is boarding. LOL It's completely different in my mother language and for some reason I thought it would be a special term in English. 

Boarding is also used positive, in Turkish 'bordoloma' is only used for attacking a ship that way from a ship.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 01:43:35 PM
OK, in military, it is abrest.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 02:24:22 PM
Spoilers for s8e3

[spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwWqI4AJLmY

I basically agree with this guy.  Thematically, it doesn't seem to make much sense.

Also, I think Mel's scenes could've been fixed pretty easily.

Winterfell's defenders desperately need to buy time for some final preparations or something, so the dothraki have to go in as a distracting force and draw away as many undead as they can at great cost.  Dany is real uneasy with this plan, but she agrees.  Mel is already at Winterfell at this point, so she offers her aid to Jorah's dothraki troops, and Jorah reluctantly agrees.  In this scene, the dothraki don't rush headlong into death, they try to skirmish the flank of the undead, but they're surprised and ultimately defeated by the undead's unconventional army (giants and ice spiders) and magical nature of the undead (sudden gusts of ice, perhaps even ice javelins).  In my version, the dothraki make a heroic sacrifice, they don't die pointlessly.

As the dead approach, the defenders' fires go out and the defenders are unable to relight them.  The defenders start panicking and the dead take advantage of weakened defenses and start their assault.  When things seem bleak, Mel lights the barricades and the defenders rally.

Later, in a her final move, she walks serenely right into the midst of the dead, her necklace glows brighter than we've ever seen it before, and she self-immolates.  She creates gigantic flames that shouldn't even realistically be that high or bright.  I'm talking wildfire-like effects.  Like some sort of reverse Helm's Deep torchbearer.  It temporarily destabilizes the dead's advance, maybe even kills off one white walker and his fraction of the army.

Even the morning after the battle, the necklace still glows somewhat and is hot to the touch.  Davos is dumbfounded.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 04:01:19 PM
[spoiler]I never thought dothraki died pointlessly. I have no idea why people kept saying that. Dorthraki is the only army there that would dare to charge in like that. they are the strongest in that sense. They are wild.   [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 04:22:38 PM
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 04:01:19 PM
[spoiler]I never thought dothraki died pointlessly. I have no idea why people kept saying that. Dorthraki is the only there that would dare to charge in like that. they are the strongest in that sense. They are wild.   [/spoiler]
[spoiler]Because they didn't have a noticeable impact - leading viewers to to surmise it was utterly pointless.  At least as a delaying action it would have some value.

I agree in that they absolutely would and should charge in.  They're not going to man the walls or anything.  That's completely out of the question.  No, they would die as they lived - on horseback.  I just wish that scene more fully communicated their bravery and heroism at literally riding out to face death knowing full well what it would cost them.

Instead, they left viewers with the impression that they're a bunch of Leeroy Jenkins who liked their fire enchants so much they rushed mid thoughtlessly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeKBdRYEYsU[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: drunkenshoe on May 06, 2019, 04:41:45 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 04:22:38 PM
[spoiler]Because they didn't have a noticeable impact - leading viewers to to surmise it was utterly pointless.  [/spoiler]

[spoiler]Ah, I never thought of that. Probably because white wakers are moving on flat terrain like avalanche, lol. But that scene. Torches dissappearing in darkness. Brrrr. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 06, 2019, 05:03:36 PM
And one final thing about s8e3:

[spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7m6HP95EDM

I'm in love with this guy's rewrite.  If this had been the official version, I would beg my brother into watching this!  (he used to watch GoT with me but lost interest sometime during season 7)

This rewrite brings a lot more significance to the Night King and Bran and Arya.  It also creates a major tragedy with relatively minor changes to the plot.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 12, 2019, 05:54:58 PM
I should probably go ahead and give my prediction on the end of the show before the last two episodes air:

(https://66.media.tumblr.com/ea3785dc9c6dc87f0e0dcc7239ddf0bf/tumblr_pknkdffa7p1ubsr6r_540.jpg)

(I'm aware that there are leaks, but I have not read any of them nor do I intend to.)

[spoiler]Cersei dies and King's Landing burns to the ground.  Yeah, not much a shock.  I mean, this has been foreshadowed since season 1.  If you notice, no one on Team Cersei has any real affection/loyalty towards Cersei herself.  She's been supremely lucky so far to have such inexplicable and unwavering devotion.  Expect that loyalty to crumble quickly.  Euron dies from dragonfire, the Golden Company abandons Cersei, and Qyburn simply peaces out when the cause is clearly lost.

But who kill Cersei?  Dany?  Jon?  Arya?  Jaime?  Tyrion?  Varys?  A dothraki horde on an open field?  Dany gets the killing blow.  Yeah, I know, I know.  Valonqar.  But that part was kept out of the show for this exact reason.

But surely some of our heroes will die.  Yep.  Varys dies.  Dany dies tragically, either this episode or the next.  Jaime dies horrifically by Cersei.  Greyworm *probably* dies, but I sincerely hope he doesn't.

Bran doesn't do jack in the show version and combined with Cersei's killer is the main difference between the show and book endings.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 01:38:02 AM
s8ep5: the penultimate episode

[spoiler]I bet King's Landing wishes Stannis had taken it right now.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 01:50:58 AM
I have to be honest... I haven't watched this season at all, but instead am just reading summaries, but...

Damn, the show-writers seem lost as fuck without G.R.R.M.'s doing the heavy lifting for them.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 08:39:12 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 01:50:58 AM
I have to be honest... I haven't watched this season at all, but instead am just reading summaries, but...

Damn, the show-writers seem lost as fuck without G.R.R.M.'s doing the heavy lifting for them.
The character motivations are confused af, some things happen because it would look cool or "subverts expectations", and some things don't happen only because they're not in the script.  Also, D&D/GRRM have a noticeable tendency to kill off characters when they don't know what to do with them anymore rather than them making some major mistake or karma catching up to them.

But overall, these episodes are shot well and do indeed look cool despite the character motivations being kind of borked.  And a lot of characters still had decent arcs.  And in a series with this many characters, it's amazing that they're able to wrap so many in the time that they have.

Imho, it's kind of a mixed bag, neither amazing nor terrible.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 09:50:26 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 01:50:58 AMI haven't watched this season at all, but instead am just reading summaries
The #1 reason why you should watch season 8:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=psS2IMFkxKo

GET HYPE
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 12:59:01 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 01:50:58 AMI have to be honest... I haven't watched this season at all
Reason #2 to watch is Dany.  We've always had two very different takes on Dany and I'd love to see your reaction now.  Hell, I'd buy tickets for that reaction video, lol.

Plus, it would make for a hell of a discussion on the nature of power and the obligations of rulers and ruled.  "It is excellent to have a dragon's strength..."

I am 100% with Varys and 1000% not sorry.  There's a reason he was always one of my favorite characters.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 13, 2019, 01:28:57 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 12:59:01 PM
Reason #2 to watch is Dany.  We've always had two very different takes on Dany and I'd love to see your reaction now.  Hell, I'd buy tickets for that reaction video, lol.

Plus, it would make for a hell of a discussion on the nature of power and the obligations of rulers and ruled.  "It is excellent to have a dragon's strength..."

I am 100% with Varys and 1000% not sorry.  There's a reason he was always one of my favorite characters.

Dany is trans-human.  So they way her mind works, isn't humanistic.  But I do feel for those who had her as a favorite character, and wanted a better end-arc for the final season.

Yes, Varys and Tyrion were favorite characters for me, thinking men, not muscle men.  But I love Arya too.  Not a Mary Sue, she has real skills earned the hard way.  Remind anyone of Assissin's Guild?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 01:54:10 PM
Quote from: Baruch on May 13, 2019, 01:28:57 PMYes, Varys and Tyrion were favorite characters for me, thinking men, not muscle men.
You misspelled drinking.  :P
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 02:00:20 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 12:59:01 PM
Reason #2 to watch is Dany.  We've always had two very different takes on Dany and I'd love to see your reaction now.  Hell, I'd buy tickets for that reaction video, lol.

Plus, it would make for a hell of a discussion on the nature of power and the obligations of rulers and ruled.  "It is excellent to have a dragon's strength..."

I am 100% with Varys and 1000% not sorry.  There's a reason he was always one of my favorite characters.

[spoiler]From what I read though, it makes sense given what has happened to characters around her that she loved and confided in, and since she has always had that side to her. That, and her Westeros subjects don't seem to have any interest in seeing the good she has done. Her becoming the final villain, unfortunately, seems/seemed inevitable.

Even if she is becoming the Mad Queen, that doesn't discredit the overwhelming amount of good she did for the world before then. And frankly I think Westeros probably is better off if institutions like the Iron Throne and all the corruption of King's Landing is burned to the ground... the individual states like The North and Dorne all seem much better off running their own affairs than answering to such a corrupt aristocracy like before.

A Westeros that answered to Dany would have been better off than one that answered to whatever family manipulated their way to the top, but unfortunately it seems they never would submit to her rule and she has lost enough to just about push her over the edge. So burning it all to the ground and starting again seems like the next best thing imo.[/spoiler]

I am waiting for Cleganebowl to hit the Youtbes though, that is one of the main things I want to actually see vs read. And Varys was definitely one of my favorites as well... I cant think of many characters like him that actually had the good of the world as his main objective.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 02:27:04 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 02:00:20 PM[spoiler]Even if she is becoming the Mad Queen, that doesn't discredit the overwhelming amount of good she did for the world before then. And frankly I think Westeros probably is better off if institutions like the Iron Throne and all the corruption of King's Landing is burned to the ground... the individual states like The North and Dorne all seem much better off running their own affairs than answering to such a corrupt aristocracy like before.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Eh, you might be surprised.  I certainly think King's Landing civilians might have a far more favorable view of previous monarchs than you or me.  Even the Starks earned their share of villainy this day - mayhaps enough for another play.

And "good" is always such a subjective thing.  What is good for the wolf is not always good for the lamb, and vice versa.  The wheel of power and war turns and turns, spokes rising and falling endlessly.  But those underneath are ground into the earth with every rotation.

Besides, what is good, exactly?  Murder is bad but mass murder (war) is good, except when it is done to us.  Joffrey kills a prisoner and is rightfully called a monster.  Ramsay tortures and mutilates a prisoner and is rightfully called a monster.  Cersei blows up a Sept, killing many civilians and is rightfully called a monster.  Dany lays waste to a surrendering city, killing virtually all its inhabitants and is rightfully called...

From a purely dispassionate vantage point that counts only harm and not the motivations behind them, Daenerys is the greatest killer of the show.  Joffrey, Ramsay, Euron, Cersei - none of them come even close.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 02:53:58 PM
Also, I'd like to point out that Westeros before Aegon the Conqueror was a hot mess of perpetual conflict (though little appears to have changed in that regard)

Perhaps some sort of sectionalism might overall be better than nationalism.  Perhaps not.  That's a contentious issue both in GoT and real life.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 03:10:06 PM
[spoiler](https://preview.redd.it/qm0hn5gr8zx21.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=75f9b4b659cba9e559c76b3128fe7ad038917bcd)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 03:30:24 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 02:53:58 PM
Also, I'd like to point out that Westeros before Aegon the Conqueror was a hot mess of perpetual conflict (though little appears to have changed in that regard)

Perhaps some sort of sectionalism might overall be better than nationalism.  Perhaps not.  That's a contentious issue both in GoT and real life.

True... but I think for a long while after all that has happened, everyone is going to be sick of fighting and just want to worry about themselves.

Of course, they might also think it's the perfect time to strike at their weaker enemies... or lack resources in their homelands. If anything, I will go back to Dorne... I think the world is really set up at this point for them to massively expand their power. Or the Iron Bank and Bravos...


Quote[spoiler]From a purely dispassionate vantage point that counts only harm and not the motivations behind them, Daenerys is the greatest killer of the show.  Joffrey, Ramsay, Euron, Cersei - none of them come even close.[/spoiler]

She definitely is, but I would also argue the overwhelming majority of her victims were either people who deserved it (slave owners, rebellions) or people who started legitimate wars with her when she offered them a peaceful solution.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 03:44:31 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 03:30:24 PM
True... but I think for a long while after all that has happened, everyone is going to be sick of fighting and just want to worry about themselves.
Absolutely.  That's the intent of the books, from what I can gather.

QuoteOf course, they might also think it's the perfect time to strike at their weaker enemies... or lack resources in their homelands. If anything, I will go back to Dorne... I think the world is really set up at this point for them to massively expand their power. Or the Iron Bank and Bravos...
Dorne and the Vale are particularly well set up to expand their borders into the Reach and Riverlands, respectively.

With the power vacuum and resulting lawlessness in their borderlands, traveling merchants need to be protected from banditry.  Detachments of troops should be selflessly dispatched to patrol the roads and provide much-needed security to vulnerable travelers.  The de facto occupation of foreign lands would be an unfortunate - but temporary - consequence of this noble endeavor.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 04:13:27 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 13, 2019, 03:30:24 PMShe definitely is, but I would also argue the overwhelming majority of her victims were either people who deserved it (slave owners, rebellions) or people who started legitimate wars with her when she offered them a peaceful solution.
[spoiler]Eh...that's true to some degree.  She crucified the masters and no doubt, some of them deserved it.  She also fed a nobleman to her dragons because there was a guerilla operation against her and seemed less concerned with whether or not he deserved it than whether or not it inspired fear.

A keen watcher (or an inattentive one, perhaps even a vegetative one) may notice that she has been needlessly bellicose at times.  *cue montage of threats at the gates of Qarth, threats at parlay with the Yunkish, threats to Tyrion and Varys*

Perhaps the most drastic change is with the viewers themselves - her previous victims were not afforded sympathy because they were perceived as assholes.

The only difference between Dany the Breaker of Chains and Dany the Mad is a small change in perspective.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: GrinningYMIR on May 13, 2019, 07:46:47 PM
Best way of describing season 8 is either dumpster fire, or a show that has abandoned plot logic and character in order to achieve the end of the show
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 13, 2019, 08:04:49 PM
Quote from: GrinningYMIR on May 13, 2019, 07:46:47 PM
Best way of describing season 8 is either dumpster fire, or a show that has abandoned plot logic and character in order to achieve the end of the show
A little of column A, a little of column B...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 14, 2019, 12:23:53 AM
I prefer Gandalf's view.  Don't be so quick to deal out death.  Being a monster is ... monstrous.  But becoming a monster, isn't a cure.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 14, 2019, 06:12:15 AM
Quote from: Baruch on May 14, 2019, 12:23:53 AM
I prefer Gandalf's view.  Don't be so quick to deal out death.
Great advice, and a central part of the GoT show/books.  There's a great scene in the book where a character confuses justice and revenge and many of the characters embody either revenge or justice.

We're meant to see the full results of vengeance and regret rooting for bloodshed in the first place.  In that at least, I think season 8 hit the mark.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 16, 2019, 02:21:56 PM
s8e5:

[spoiler](https://preview.redd.it/yglbdzrpyiy21.png?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=dfaea12e0898e961aebbb6984adbb4696e6698c0)

He has a good point.  I dunno why anyone would interpret ringing bells as an indication of surrender.  As someone who plays a lot of Rise of Nations, bells mean quite the opposite - warning of attack and signaling civilians to take shelter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAwB-FkyWZU

In-universe: ringing bells indicate some sort of calamity - siege, VIP death - but can also be used for weddings.  In reality, medieval bells were also rung during church services, as well as to indicate seasonal celebrations or even the time of day.

IIRC, bells have rarely if ever indicated surrender - either IRL or in GoT.

You know what does indicate surrender?  Striking your banners and/or raising a white flag.  Also, you typically want to negotiate a surrender well in advance of a battle because you can get far more favorable terms and your soldiers/civilians don't die pointlessly.

I dunno why the writers kinda forgot about banners in this show.  They were super important during real medieval periods.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 17, 2019, 11:06:21 AM
(https://i.redd.it/55lgfn18wry21.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 17, 2019, 11:27:30 PM
Scenes that I'm convinced happened offscreen, Part 1:

(Spoilers for stuff revealed so long ago that I'm not even sure I should use a spoiler tag)

[spoiler]Jon:  Sam, I need your advice.  This whole relationship with Daenerys is...weird.  *pained expression*  I mean, she's my aunt.  Isn't that kinda messed up?

Sam:  One second, Jon.  Let me get Gilly.

Jon:  You don't have to...

Sam: This'll just take a second.  Gilly, can you come over here please?

*Gilly enters*

Jon:  Okay, so I had sex with a girl.  Now it turns out she's my aunt and I'm starting to feel pretty weird about it.  This is a really messed up relationship.

*Gilly rolls on the floor laughing hysterically*
*Sam chuckles*[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 19, 2019, 06:11:48 PM
https://youtu.be/Z0ts_bfS--Y
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sal1981 on May 19, 2019, 07:01:24 PM
Well, some 2 hours until the Finale on HBO.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Sal1981 on May 19, 2019, 10:41:11 PM
Well, that was IMO a dull conclusion.

[spoiler]
The whole frontstabbing thing of Dany by Jon was pretty anti-climatic, and why did Drogon burn the iron throne and not just kill Jon? I'm puzzled by that.

That they, somehow, ended with what resembles a representative republic/semi-monarch (although chosen by lords and ladies, instead of the whole people) seemed pretty forced to me, with Bran the Broken as the first to rule.

The Unsullied just piss off back to Naareen or whatever that island was called seemed way too easy. I would be more surprised if Greyworm just lopped Jon's head off, but instead he's back at the Night's Watch as some sort of punishment, big whoop.

There were also some hints at there might be more grounds to cover, with Arya going sailing west of Westeros, like some Magellan explorer, since the maps end at Westeros.

And Sansa becomes queen of the North. That seemed fitting, I think, considering she was treated like shit in the previous season by Ramsay along with Theon.

Overall I think it was mediocre conclusion. With a roaming dragon going about at the end of things. That's one heck of a loose end.
[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 01:04:01 AM
Series Finale

Spoilers without context

[spoiler](https://allthatsinteresting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/napalm-girl-soldiers-smoke.jpg)
(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/02/04/world/04xp-Photo_xp/00xp-Photo_xp-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/11/72/e6/1172e61bfa57db908ab271197eeaa581.jpg)
(https://image.myanimelist.net/ui/OK6W_koKDTOqqqLDbIoPAmnT6-Cgn-SzZiw6s0pf5BA)
(https://deconstructingarresteddevelopment.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/105-comingclean.png?w=1100)
(https://www.mobygames.com/images/promo/original/1467802368-593525546.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d5/90/9e/d5909e7f3410db0aa21a55efc84241c1.jpg)
(https://i.chzbgr.com/full/1004411648/h876465D9/)
(https://www.oddee.com/wp-content/uploads/imgs/art450x300/99440.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Portrait_of_a_Man%2C_Said_to_be_Christopher_Columbus.jpg/220px-Portrait_of_a_Man%2C_Said_to_be_Christopher_Columbus.jpg)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QaY3tm-hEQQ/hqdefault.jpg)

Also, my avatar[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 01:13:17 AM
Quote from: Sal1981 on May 19, 2019, 10:41:11 PM
Well, that was IMO a dull conclusion.

[spoiler]
The whole frontstabbing thing of Dany by Jon was pretty anti-climatic, and why did Drogon burn the iron throne and not just kill Jon? I'm puzzled by that.

That they, somehow, ended with what resembles a representative republic/semi-monarch (although chosen by lords and ladies, instead of the whole people) seemed pretty forced to me, with Bran the Broken as the first to rule.

The Unsullied just piss off back to Naareen or whatever that island was called seemed way too easy. I would be more surprised if Greyworm just lopped Jon's head off, but instead he's back at the Night's Watch as some sort of punishment, big whoop.

There were also some hints at there might be more grounds to cover, with Arya going sailing west of Westeros, like some Magellan explorer, since the maps end at Westeros.

And Sansa becomes queen of the North. That seemed fitting, I think, considering she was treated like shit in the previous season by Ramsay along with Theon.

Overall I think it was mediocre conclusion. With a roaming dragon going about at the end of things. That's one heck of a loose end.
[/spoiler]
I agree.  6/10.  Predictable paired with nonsensical and unrealistic.  How drab.

Broadly, it keeps to the themes of the books, but that's about it has going for it.

As for your loose end...

[spoiler]A roaming dragon is more dangerous than you know.

In the books at least, the dragons have some sort of correlative relationship with magic, just as the white walkers have with the freezing cold.  Magic that wouldn't otherwise be possible is possible while at least one dragon lives.

Expect a magical threat in the foreseeable future.  The warlocks of Quarth, for instance.  Or The Seven forbid, a swarm of dragons.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 20, 2019, 01:30:30 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 01:04:01 AM
Series Finale

Spoilers without context

[spoiler](https://allthatsinteresting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/napalm-girl-soldiers-smoke.jpg)
(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/02/04/world/04xp-Photo_xp/00xp-Photo_xp-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/11/72/e6/1172e61bfa57db908ab271197eeaa581.jpg)
(https://image.myanimelist.net/ui/OK6W_koKDTOqqqLDbIoPAmnT6-Cgn-SzZiw6s0pf5BA)
(https://deconstructingarresteddevelopment.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/105-comingclean.png?w=1100)
(https://www.mobygames.com/images/promo/original/1467802368-593525546.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d5/90/9e/d5909e7f3410db0aa21a55efc84241c1.jpg)
(https://i.chzbgr.com/full/1004411648/h876465D9/)
(https://www.oddee.com/wp-content/uploads/imgs/art450x300/99440.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Portrait_of_a_Man%2C_Said_to_be_Christopher_Columbus.jpg/220px-Portrait_of_a_Man%2C_Said_to_be_Christopher_Columbus.jpg)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QaY3tm-hEQQ/hqdefault.jpg)

Also, my avatar[/spoiler]

In other words, Take their hard earned gilt and F**k the fans ;-(  There is a lot of writing now, IMHO, where the author treats the readers as "deplorablea".

On the there hand I fully agree with this ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVuY7qXNoI

Bran and the others can get burned to ash for all I care.  Death and life are inseparable partners.  The delusional deny this.

Arya is Ma'at, Egyptian goddess of justice.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 01:45:52 AM
[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/81enntyt0az21.jpg)

The Wall's purpose has been fulfilled, plus it has a rather large hole in it.  The Wall is rumored to have been created with magic, so good luck fixing it.

And thematically, I'm not sure that GRRM is going for a "good fences make good neighbors" lesson.

So... ¯\_(ãƒ,,)_/¯

Edit: and the North isn't even a part of the Realm anymore, so idfk how the Night's Watch is supposed to get supplies/watchmen anymore.

It's like a ship with no sails, but I guess that doesn't matter when you're at the top of a mountain, too.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 08:45:17 AM
S8e6:

[spoiler]Tyrion, the cruel Lannisters' demon monkey: "I would like to nominate the king.  He's a nobody with no experience or wealth, but his story is kinda cool."

All the other nobles:

(https://i.imgflip.com/2r3kxc.jpg)

(For a show that took politics seriously for the first four seasons, it's shameful how far it has fallen.)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 09:55:32 AM
[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/yanlivrq2az21.jpg)

That moment when you throw some bullshit at the wall and it actually sticks.

And this is from someone without the benefit of the education and accolades that D&D have racked up.

Just imagine what someone with a good education and a creative spark could accomplish.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Gawdzilla Sama on May 20, 2019, 11:06:04 AM
WatchMoJo is poking the hornet's nest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhHTIO6SaYY

10. His Dark Matter.
("Golden Compass" world."

9. The Watch.
(Ankh-Morpork PD)

8. The Dark Tower.
(Amazon looks to repair the damage the recent movie did to the series.)

7. The King Killer Chronicles
(Prequel to Kvothe.)

6. Chronicles of Narnia.
(Netflix has right to all seven novels, a first for anyone trying to do the books.)

5. The Wheels of Time
(Robert Jordan's series.)

4. Lovecraft Country.
('Nuff said.)

3. The Witcher
(Apparently a video game(?).)

2. Game of Thrones prequel
(Set in the Age of Heroes.)

1. Lord of the Rings
(Silmarillion sources? 2nd Age at least.)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 11:46:17 AM
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on May 20, 2019, 11:06:04 AM4. Lovecraft Country.
('Nuff said.)
I've never heard of this before, which is strange considering I gravitate towards Lovecraft stuff pretty heavily.  Racism + Lovecraftian horrors?  Meh, people have done worse with less.  I'm going to have to wait and see how this one shakes out before committing.

Quote3. The Witcher
(Apparently a video game(?).)
Oof.  Yes, it's an insanely popular video game series.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 07:22:00 PM
[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/6838mhnfeez21.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on May 20, 2019, 07:24:48 PM
Would any of you name your kids after GoT characters?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 08:10:25 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 20, 2019, 07:24:48 PM
Would any of you name your kids after GoT characters?
Yes.  Tormund.  Beric.  Jorah.  Lyanna.

All fine names.  Just nothing too complicated (Darnerys, Hizdahr zo Loraq) or a variant of an existing name (Jon, Petyr)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on May 20, 2019, 08:14:44 PM
I hear some people may regret naming their kid after a mass murderer.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 10:55:54 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 20, 2019, 08:14:44 PM
I hear some people may regret naming their kid after a mass murderer.
[spoiler]That was a total 180 that came out of nowhere in the final act.  No one could have possibly predicted someone whose credo was "I will take what is mine by fire and blood" and threatened to turn cities to the ground would actually burn a city to the ground.

I was really surprised more of the readers/viewers weren't more skeptical from the beginning.  GRRM abhors violence so it would've been rather bizarre for the hero of the story to be a belligerent and ruthless warlord, even one with a seemingly gentle heart.  ASOIAF wasn't written to celebrate violence, particularly "righteous" vengeance.  Besides, neither the fire nor the ice are good in ASOIAF - either taken to extremes is apocalyptic.  Thematically, Dany's flame is either tempered or it burns itself out - there is no other option.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 11:27:23 PM
Kind of a nitpick, but a (relatively) small problem with the finale episode before we even saw the first scene:

[spoiler]Why couldn't the intro have a destroyed King's Landing?  Cause that would have made my week/month/year.

They did it for Winterfell, so it wouldn't be unprecedented.  They even changed the intro slightly throughout season 8, so it's pretty disappointing that there wasn't a big change for the grand finale.  Maybe that's where Ghost's animation budget came from, lol

*edit - nevermind, upon rewatching, the outskirts of King's Landing do indeed look kinda messed up, but it's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail.  I could've gone for waaay more battle damage than that.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 21, 2019, 12:15:13 AM
Scenes that must have happened offscreen, s8e6:

[spoiler]Jon:  Greyworm, I have something to tell you.  Something terrible has happened to Daenerys.

Greyworm:  WHAT??!

Jon:  Okay, so she said she was going to go conquer the world real crazy-like.  So I went up to her and stabbed her 37 times in the chest.

Greyworm:  Jon, that kills people!!

Jon:  Oh wow, I didn't know that.

Greyworm:  How could you not know that?!

Jon:  Yeah, I'm in the wrong here.  I suck.

Greyworm:  So what happened to the body?  Why is it missing?

Jon:  About that.  So Drogon landed, burned down the throne, and carried Dany away.

Greyworm:  He didn't try to eat you?

Jon:  Nope.

Greyworm:  That doesn't make any sense.

Well, thanks for telling me you murdered my queen in cold blood.  You could've just skipped town and no one would've been the wiser, but instead you told me of your heinous crime, a guy who literally just butchered POWs for far less.  Tell you what, I'm not going to kill you on the spot.

Jon:  Really?

Greyworm:  Sure, why not.  I'm just going to take you prisoner until whoever's leader can decide your sentence.

Jon:  Well, Dany named you Master of War just before her death, so I'm pretty sure you're in charge now.

Greyworm:  Nah, not my bag.  I'm only good at two things:  loving my smoking hot girlfriend and stabbing any MFer in spear range.  And I'm all out of girlfriends.

Instead, I'm going to get all the lords and ladies of Westeroes - all ten of them - to decide who's in charge and that person will decide your fate.  Since three of them are blood relations of yours and the fourth is your best friend, there's a pretty good chance that you'll get off scot-free.

Jon:  Gods, I love Westerosi justice.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on May 21, 2019, 01:40:36 PM
Oh. I guess I should use spoiler tags.

[spoiler]Just finished the last episode. It ended pretty similar to how I was expecting. Bittersweet, almost everybody dead, the world sick of war (for now, until they forget and start fighting again), and major changes to the way the government works. I was expecting Jon to become king, but I was wondering how he'd get the queen out of the way without getting thousands of Essos warriors very mad and wanting him dead. Turned out he just stabbed her, and now he's basically exiled. What might have been a better move, and what I was expecting to happen, was for Arya to put Daenerys on her list. All she had to do was sneak up on Grayworm, kill him, take his face, and stab Daenerys when they got a moment alone. With her face stealing abilities, she'd be able to escape undetected, maybe still even go sailing West like she wanted. Then Jon would have been able to claim the throne guilt free.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 21, 2019, 02:17:53 PM
[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/lnw7nlwksjz21.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on May 21, 2019, 02:20:18 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 20, 2019, 11:27:23 PM
Kind of a nitpick, but a (relatively) small problem with the finale episode before we even saw the first scene:

[spoiler]Why couldn't the intro have a destroyed King's Landing?  Cause that would have made my week/month/year.

They did it for Winterfell, so it wouldn't be unprecedented.  They even changed the intro slightly throughout season 8, so it's pretty disappointing that there wasn't a big change for the grand finale.  Maybe that's where Ghost's animation budget came from, lol

*edit - nevermind, upon rewatching, the outskirts of King's Landing do indeed look kinda messed up, but it's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail.  I could've gone for waaay more battle damage than that.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]It's not just the outskirts, but the gates. When the pieces would normally rise while the city is being built, some of the pieces appear to be malfunctioning, broken. The city isn't totally demolished like in the show, but it's there.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 21, 2019, 03:10:12 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 20, 2019, 07:24:48 PM
Would any of you name your kids after GoT characters?

Arya sounds nice ;-)  Particularly at Hitler Youth meetings.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on May 21, 2019, 03:21:43 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbtgMkInvLs


Some people need counselors to help them cope?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 21, 2019, 03:53:13 PM
I always love JJ's opinions on things, and once again... yeah, his opinions are on point. Why the felt the need to clifnotes the last season rather than make it a 10-season series... one of the biggest dropped balls in T.V. history imo because of the cultural scale G.o.Ts is on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhDgsCIX_WQ&t=673s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhDgsCIX_WQ&t=673s)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on May 21, 2019, 05:51:18 PM
I haven't seen a single episode of GoT, so it's all spoilers for me! LOL
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on May 21, 2019, 06:03:47 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgZmsaQroc&t=899s
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 21, 2019, 06:29:37 PM

Edit: I also just looked at D&D's directing history... these dudes are complete ass. There is absolutely nothing in their history to indicate they have any real writing chops, and everything after the books kinda indicates that.



Also, apparently HBO approached them to do 10 seasons so it could be wrapped up correctly... they said no, they wanted to move on to other projects and only wanted to do 7... so instead of hiring new directors they fucking compromise on a half season?

I haven't been upset about this because I kinda fell off the GoT wagon awhile ago, but the more I learn about these dudes I'm getting legitimately pissed. If they had hired an even remotely decent director who could have been even half as good as G.R.R.M. (and wanted to direct the series), imagine how much better this would have been?

GoT might become one of the largest scale case study in how to ruin something amazing by improperly managing it, and that sucks ass.

[spoiler]I still contend Danny was the best choice for the Throne, but it simply wasn't meant to be. I don't think she was the Mad Queen, I think she was someone who dedicated her entire life to make (almost entirely) positive changes and yet was met by unwilling subjects who cared more about their traditions than progress... and ontop of that watched her best friend beheaded, lost Jorah, had "friends' and advisers stab her in the back from the very beginning, fought multiple rebellions, learned that her love was actually a relative... like, yeah, she went crazy but who wouldn't in that situation?

I would argue she was far less crazy even after all of that than Cersi or Jamie, less of a psychopath than Arya, far more competent of monarch than Jon would have been [though if he surrounded himself with good advisers he probably would have been the better ruler]... in almost all regards (other than the people would never accept her), she was still the best choice... which is admittedly less a statement of her "goodness" and more a statement of how shitty Westeros is.

She obviously was no longer fit to be the Queen, but I don't believe it's because she possessed the madness that ran in her family line... I think it's because she just truly went through shit and it broke her. She was far more the Broken Queen than the Mad Queen, and I think that also adds some major poetry to her successor being, "...the Broken".[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 21, 2019, 08:49:41 PM
Quote from: Unbeliever on May 21, 2019, 05:51:18 PM
I haven't seen a single episode of GoT, so it's all spoilers for me! LOL

Spoiler = humans are evil, even when they have neat dragons.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 21, 2019, 09:54:43 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 21, 2019, 06:29:37 PMEdit: I also just looked at D&D's directing history... these dudes are complete ass. There is absolutely nothing in their history to indicate they have any real writing chops, and everything after the books kinda indicates that.
Then you'd love a Youtube channel called The Dragon Demands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB70svbYtro

He goes over this stuff in excruciating detail and has been ringing the alarm about D&D for years.  A lot of it was really alarming stuff like D&D favoring non-dialogue wistful staring over dialogue (hence Dany's lack of lines despite ample screentime) or rewriting a relatively minor character (Ellaria Sand) to have much more screentime because they really liked the actor's emoting.  It wasn't till after the Season 5 Dorne plot that most of us fans saw the cracks in production and started taking these sorts of accusations seriously.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 21, 2019, 10:27:31 PM
I finally have an in-universe explanation for the events of Season 8:

[spoiler]It's a story-within-a-story, like the play in Braavos, penned by Sansa and Sam.

It's pure wish fulfillment on their parts.  They both hate Dany so she's written as a complete monster, Sansa writes herself as Queen of the North - she's clearly envious of Jon's title, Sansa writes that her beloved brother Bran is King despite him being practically a vegetable in reality, Sam writes himself as the archmaester despite flunking out of the Citadel, and the Starks in general and their friends make out like bandits in this new order.  Arya is doing great as a famed explorer (conveniently out of Sansa's hair).  Even Jon's "exile" is essentially a status quo ante for him.

Sansa and Sam both kinda suck at writing fanfics so that's why there are huge plotholes (the loose thread of the Dothraki, the Night's Watch still existing somehow, etc) as well as sloppy mistakes like making Bronn Master of Coin despite the fact that in reality, Bronn has a shaky grasp on the concept of loans (Sansa and Sam don't know this of course, all they know is that he loves money)

This season is literally the result of bad writing.  There's just no other way around it.

In reality, Sam recently arrived in Winterfell and met Sansa and very recently Dany told Sam that she killed his father and brother.[/spoiler]

S&S are the true authors of this madness, not D&D.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on May 22, 2019, 05:02:30 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 18, 2019, 03:38:06 PM
People have done a lot worse things for money.  Most of us here know at least a little of that pain.  Getting paid to watch TV - any TV - instead would be a godsend.

But binging is inherently unhealthy - people need sleep and exercise and decent nutrition.  Plus, it kinda ruins the experience - you don't get any time to process what you're watching and after time, boredom sets in and you don't enjoy it anymore.

The focus shouldn't be finishing a show as quickly as possible, but enjoying a show as much as possible.

Well, OK, I COULD be offered enough to watch some Game Of Thrones.  But I'd have to through you down the stairs first.  ;)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on May 22, 2019, 10:04:50 PM
[spoiler]I don't know if anyone's addressed this yet, but why the hell did they put their women, children, and elderly in the crypt? They knew the villain could raise the dead to fight for him, so why did they think it was a good idea to trap their most vulnerable people with a bunch of dead bodies?

I also feel like Arya sneaking up to the Night King was kinda bullshit. I get what they were going for, a poetic end to the king of death, destroyed by a girl with a gift from the god of death, but how the hell did she get past the army to get the jump on him? If the war with the White Walkers wasn't finished in a single battle, perhaps one of the White Walkers could have been killed in an earlier battle, and Arya could have taken its face. Then sneaking up on the Night King undetected might have made more sense.

Also, it seems very cliched that killing the Night King results in all of the other White Walkers and the dead suddenly dropping dead. I know it was addressed earlier that when a White Walker died, the dead under their control lost their reanimation, but when was it established that killing the Night King would kill all of the White Walkers? Are we just going with vampire rules?

Why even have multiple White Walkers if they're all just going to stand there and watch? Seriously, the other White Walkers don't do a single thing in the battle. The only narrative purpose they serve in the show is having one of them die in the previous season, showing that they can be killed. It just feels like another way rushing the ending just weakened the final season.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 22, 2019, 10:33:46 PM
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 22, 2019, 10:04:50 PM
[spoiler]I don't know if anyone's addressed this yet, but why the hell did they put their women, children, and elderly in the crypt? They knew the villain could raise the dead to fight for him, so why did they think it was a good idea to trap their most vulnerable people with a bunch of dead bodies?
[spoiler]It is the most protected part of the castle, especially when you factor in dragonfire.  I bet lots of King's Landing people wished they had a bunker at the ready.

But...Jon and Tormund know about that mass rez ability so there's really no excuse for that boneheaded move.  But all in all, surprisingly few characters with first names died in those crypts (or at all in that battle), so in hindsight, that wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]I also feel like Arya sneaking up to the Night King was kinda bullshit.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]That's because it absolutely was.  It definitely should've been Jon VS the NK.

I would have enjoyed the NK flying directly to King's Landing and tearing that place apart while Coalition forces fight a distracting army at Winterfell.  If there's anything we've learned about the white walkers, it's that they're very good at adapting their tactics to their foes.  Exhibit A: Ice javelins.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: sasuke on May 22, 2019, 11:01:39 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eSBtwoVXfw
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on May 22, 2019, 11:19:38 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 22, 2019, 10:33:46 PM[spoiler]That's because it absolutely was.  It definitely should've been Jon VS the NK.

I would have enjoyed the NK flying directly to King's Landing and tearing that place apart while Coalition forces fight a distracting army at Winterfell.  If there's anything we've learned about the white walkers, it's that they're very good at adapting their tactics to their foes.  Exhibit A: Ice javelins.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]I don't have a problem with who killed the Night King, but with how it happened. I even think they had a pretty decent way of setting it up. The man who was risen from the dead several times dies one final time, saving Arya, completing his character arc and implying some importance in Arya's destiny. The Red Woman turns to Arya and says, "What do we say to the god of death?" A reference to her former master, as well as her training as a face stealer. The problem, though, was with the execution. It seemed like the writers knew what conclusion they wanted and worked backwards, and it felt very forced when she just showed up out of nowhere to deal the final blow.

Jon's destiny should have been to become king, and I thought that was where they were going, but that was another way the show felt rushed. Tyrion convinces Jon that he should become king. Well, how was he supposed to do that? The people of Essos don't care about Jon's lineage, so it's not like he could just stab her and say, "Hey, guys! Turns out I'm a Targaryen, so I guess I'm king now." Now, if the show was a little longer, the other nations might have had the chance to react to Daenerys' mass genocide by rising against her, and Jon could have turned against her then. But they just couldn't wait to finish the story, so...

Also, the Three Eyed Raven would have made more sense as a Master of Whispers than a king. First they say that he "doesn't want," and now he's in charge of everyone's well being? Yeah. Sounds like a good idea. Making him the king just seems like the directors writing themselves into a corner. They couldn't have Jon released and become king without a whole other battle they didn't have time for, so let's make this random guy king instead.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 12:04:52 AM
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 22, 2019, 11:19:38 PM[spoiler]Jon's destiny should have been to become king, and I thought that was where they were going[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Because that's how 99% of fantasy books turn out.  Jon is basically your traditional hero - a chosen one with a mysterious lineage that turns out makes him royalty.  We've seen this a million times.

What I love about GoT is that it takes typical stuff like this and turns it on its head.

Imo, what would have been a satisfying way of doing that would be people all around Jon clamoring for him to be king and he personally melts the Iron Throne, rejecting both his birthright and the feudalism of Westeroes simultaneously.  That way, his new life with the wildlings makes more sense as a deliberate choice to reject the corruption and endless violence of Westeroes for a more authentic and less cruel barbarian way of life[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]Also, the Three Eyed Raven would have made more sense as a Master of Whispers than a king.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Absolutely.[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]First they say that he "doesn't want," and now he's in charge of everyone's well being? Yeah. Sounds like a good idea.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]"I can never be lord of anything." - Bran
Also Bran, "King sounds nice"[/spoiler]

Quote[spoiler]Making him the king just seems like the directors writing themselves into a corner.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]It's likely that part was GRRM's idea.  He loves the idea of an all-powerful shut-in - a character who is kind of a nobody and doesn't even have much of a life of his own gaining magical powers that give him a great deal of influence on the world and agency that he would otherwise lack.  *coughselfinsertcough*[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 12:17:01 AM
[spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhKOV3nImQ[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on May 23, 2019, 12:40:46 AM
There's one thing I've been wondering for a while, and the series never gave a direct answer to it, most likely on purpose to leave some room for discussion. What is the nature of the gods? While most gods are silent, and may not exist, there are two gods we can confirm exist due to their influence. First is the God of Death, and the second is the Lord of Light. Appropriate, since the two seem to have opposite spheres and goals. Or do they?

One thing I wonder is if these two gods are in reality the same being. Think about what is associated with the Lord of Light. Sure, the god has the power to resurrect the dead, but it also demands human sacrifices. Seems a little odd that a god of life would demand death in exchange for its favors. The Red Lady, who is this god's representative, also uses magic to cast curses and summon dark shadowy monsters to assassinate enemies. This god chooses a man, says he's destined to become king, then lets him die in battle. Then that same god resurrects a second man, says he is destined to become king, and he gets banished. Is there really only the one god, playing both sides of the board, just fucking with everyone?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 08:55:48 AM
I dunno about the show, but for the book series, GRRM says that we'll never really get concrete answers on the gods or the truths of the religions.

While things certainly seem supernatural, they may not be in reality.  Arya's face changing is likely a glamor (a sort of illusion that a perceptive person can see through), Mel's magic is at least partially illusion, skinchanging/greensight is real but it's not necessarily linked to a god, and finally, there's blood magic.  Very little is definitively known about this.  We know little about Rhllor and virtually nothing about The Great Other.

A running theme in GRRM's books is for nonhumans with powerful abilities to pose as Gods and trick humans into fighting for them against other humans.

Fans have speculated for years that the children of the forest - rather than being benevolent mentors of humanity like most nature races are depicted - are actually trying to wipe out humanity and are trying to control Bran in order to use him to control other humans.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 10:40:35 AM
[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/2nso3tmeosz21.jpg)

The maid (maiden) of Tarth is a virgin?  Who could have guessed![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 23, 2019, 01:47:55 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 10:40:35 AM
[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/2nso3tmeosz21.jpg)

The maid (maiden) of Tarth is a virgin?  Who could have guessed![/spoiler]

Being ascetic on food, drink and sex, lets a person build up their "tamas" or vedic power.  If you want the closest modern analogy with a polytheist GoT ... you have to go with Hinduism.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 06:02:44 PM
Fan script doctor for s8e3:

[spoiler](https://preview.redd.it/2cejn1zz3yz21.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=dec621afe3bbeb06c6841cb82554f1f1e2f074a6)

I wanted Brienne to live but this would be such a huge gutpunch that GoT fans would lose their shit (in a good way) like they used to.[/spoiler]

Edit - bigger version of the same image for better readability:

[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/2cejn1zz3yz21.png)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 07:48:21 PM
The Game of Thrones fandom wiki has some real gems in their notes about each episode:

(s8e6 spoiler)

[spoiler]When Brienne is updating Jaime Lannister's entry in the White Book, she writes that he fought in the "Battle of the Goldroad" - a name invented by Game of Thrones Wiki itself.

In behind the scenes videos from Season 7, the showrunners didn't bother to give it a formal, in-universe name, and just referred to it as "the Loot Train Attack" (capitalized) in production materials. Various review sites also pointed out it would be silly to consider this an in-universe name. After several rounds of discussion, the Game of Thrones Wiki Administrators invented on their own the in-universe name "Battle of the Goldroad" - on the logic that they were stated to be crossing the Blackwater River, but were not within sight of King's Landing, and the only other crossing is father upstream from the city, where the Goldroad crosses over it.

This could indicate that the TV writers have read this very wiki itself to copy the name the Administrative staff invented, because they never came up with their own in-universe name for it.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Sansa correctly states that the North was once an independent kingdom and that the Northmen fought to regain that independence. Left unsaid is that all the other regions of the Seven Kingdoms were also once independent kingdoms, save for the Riverlands and the Crownlands, which were carved out of other kingdoms. Three of those other regions had also fought for independence from the Iron Throne in recent memory: The Iron Islands fought for independence in the War of the Five Kings and the Greyjoy Rebellion, the Riverlands had attempted to join with the North under Robb Stark, and the Vale had joined with the North under Jon Snow. Thus, it's a bit curious that only the North demands independence.

(*coughUnbowedUnbentUnbroken*)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Shiranu on May 23, 2019, 09:04:11 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 06:02:44 PM
Fan script doctor for s8e3:

[spoiler](https://preview.redd.it/2cejn1zz3yz21.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=dec621afe3bbeb06c6841cb82554f1f1e2f074a6)

I wanted Brienne to live but this would be such a huge gutpunch that GoT fans would lose their shit (in a good way) like they used to.[/spoiler]

Bruuuuuuh
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 23, 2019, 09:23:46 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 23, 2019, 09:04:11 PM
Bruuuuuuh
I know, right?  And there a dozens and dozens more just like that.

And I would give my 3rd kidney to for any one of these fan scripts to be on screen.  Hell, I have literally come up better writing for this show off the top of my head while watching this show.  And unless D&D and the many, many people who worked with them on GoT are running their operation out of their basement, they definitely have the advantage.

This stuff is so maddeningly frustrating.  It's like baking a masterful tiered wedding cake and nailing the first 4 layers and then sloppily shoving the next two on it and then chucking a bowling ball on top.  It's such a colossal waste of talent and effort.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 25, 2019, 04:04:17 PM
So.  Gf anD I finally got to 'got season 8'
Watched the first to ep. Not sure where the hate is coming from. Top tier got? Nah, but perfectly serviceable so far.
IMHO.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 25, 2019, 05:27:20 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 25, 2019, 04:04:17 PM
So.  Gf anD I finally got to 'got season 8'
Watched the first to ep. Not sure where the hate is coming from. Top tier got? Nah, but perfectly serviceable so far.
IMHO.
Ep1 is okay.  Ep2 is excellent.  It's in episode 3 and after that it starts falling apart.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 25, 2019, 05:29:53 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 25, 2019, 05:27:20 PM
Ep1 is okay.  Ep2 is excellent.  It's in episode 3 and after that it starts falling apart.

Just finished ep 3 with the gf

[spoiler]Arya Azor Ahai-ing the place up was a bit strange, but I can get behind it.[/spoiler]

Other than that, we enjoyed it quite a lot.

And I've heard cleganebowl is still on the horizon, so. There's that.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 25, 2019, 05:32:39 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 25, 2019, 05:29:53 PM
And I've heard cleganebowl is still on the horizon, so. There's that.
GET HYPE
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on May 25, 2019, 11:30:06 PM
Season 8 is definitely one of those things that seems fine on first viewing, but starts showing its cracks as soon as you stop to think about what's happening.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 26, 2019, 04:29:34 AM
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 25, 2019, 11:30:06 PM
Season 8 is definitely one of those things that seems fine on first viewing, but starts showing its cracks as soon as you stop to think about what's happening.

Why would you want to see it more than once? ;-)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 26, 2019, 05:22:08 AM
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 25, 2019, 11:30:06 PM
Season 8 is definitely one of those things that seems fine on first viewing, but starts showing its cracks as soon as you stop to think about what's happening.

Well that's the same with everything, though innit?
You could say that about season 1 of the same show.
You could say that about any show.

Honestly, I'm thinking exactly because I heard so much crap of the eight season, it's actually alright for now. I'm watching it later than everyone else and thus have lower expectations than those watching it when it came out.

Also, I'm thinking a part, not all mind you, but a part of the hate season 8 is getting, (because the first episodes were also getting lots of hate when they came out, I remember,) is because it's not turning out the way people want. But that's kind of the point of GOT, and has been a part of its staple. But at this point, we've all spent way too much time and effort on disecting and analyzing this show so that any fantheory or prediction or, to us logical consequence, that doesn't follow in the show, is a betrayal of the source material and a drop of the ball by D&D. Generally, it seems to me, the more invested one is in GOT the more outraged they are with the final seasons.
And yes, I agree: outrunning the books and thus working without ample source material influenced the show poorly. The first seasons ARE better. They really are. But I also notice that all of the book readers seemed more judgemental over the later, source-less seasons. (While D&D still knew all the events and had access abound to GRR Martin.) Now, I'm also a book reader. But I read them once, and I started after season one of GOT came out. After that I read the books and was never surprised again untill the show went past them. But imagine earlier readers. People who've been following GOT for ages, since it first came out. Who've been waiting for the winds of winter for nigh on a decade. All the while analyzing, making connections, theorizing and predicting... And still, no matter how you sliced it, most were wrong about a lot of things. Add to that that no show was ever going to satisfy them. I doubt the actual book even could after that time. That's bound to lead to a frustration that gets in the way of simple viewing pleasure.
In short, GOT was a phenomenon that swept all of us up. And those of us who lost ourselves so much that we thought we could  predict it,  were most angry of all when that image of ourselves fell short.

At least, that's what I think for now. I still have three episodes to go that can dissapoint the heck out of me.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 26, 2019, 06:59:47 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 26, 2019, 05:22:08 AM
Well that's the same with everything, though innit?
You could say that about season 1 of the same show.
You could say that about any show.
No, one can nitpick about good movies/TV and find weird errors, but that's a totally different pony from glaring flaws like poor characterization, aborted character arcs, and improper setup for big twists that don't make much sense.

This isn't like "Luke Skywalker is a skilled pilot right off the bat, how strange!" And more like "The rebels kinda forgot about the Empire" and "Han Solo says I know to Leia because he just wants her to be quiet while he thinks about Tetris" and "C3PO kills the Emperor because that would subvert expectations"

There's a nearly 12 parsecs gulf between those two types of things.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on May 26, 2019, 07:59:07 AM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 26, 2019, 06:59:47 AM
No, one can nitpick about good movies/TV and find weird errors, but that's a totally different pony from glaring flaws like poor characterization, aborted character arcs, and improper setup for big twists that don't make much sense.

This isn't like "Luke Skywalker is a skilled pilot right off the bat, how strange!" And more like "The rebels kinda forgot about the Empire" and "Han Solo says I know to Leia because he just wants her to be quiet while he thinks about Tetris" and "C3PO kills the Emperor because that would subvert expectations"

There's a nearly 12 parsecs gulf between those two types of things.

Minor point...  Luke was experienced at hunting swamp rats.  If THAT doesn't teach you how to destroy a Deathstar, what would?

Carry on...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 26, 2019, 07:59:29 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 26, 2019, 05:22:08 AM
The first seasons ARE better. They really are. But I also notice that all of the book readers seemed more judgemental over the later, source-less seasons. (While D&D still knew all the events and had access abound to GRR Martin.)
They criticize the later season more because there's more to criticize.  What has Tyrion said that's been interesting in the past couple seasons?  Varys?  Littlefinger?  You can go down the list, comparing season1-4 characters to their 5-8 counterparts.  Most have had a very noticeable decline.

D&D have a very rough sketch from GRRM, but that's it, they're essentially doing it on their own.  And it shows in the final product.

QuoteAnd still, no matter how you sliced it, most were wrong about a lot of things. Add to that that no show was ever going to satisfy them. I doubt the actual book even could after that time. That's bound to lead to a frustration that gets in the way of simple viewing pleasure.
In short, GOT was a phenomenon that swept all of us up. And those of us who lost ourselves so much that we thought we could  predict it,  were most angry of all when that image of ourselves fell short.
It's not the case that the fan base is unpleaseable (most of us love the Battle of the Bastards and other events) or that we're just mad that our fan theories are wrong (no one's losing sleep over Varys not being a merman).

There's actually a lot of things I like about season 8.  They're just outweighed by some monumentally bad writing decisions.  Even the actors got frustrated with this stuff.  They got the real script and thought it was a joke.

The real tragedy here is that we could've been pleased but we weren't because the writers rushed and didn't take the time to make sure it was good.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on May 26, 2019, 12:01:35 PM
Yeah. I didn't hate GoT's ending, but definitely fell short of all the buildup it took to get there. It's not that the show didn't end the way I expected. Actually, it ended pretty similarly to how I was expecting, with a few exceptions. The problem was how they justified it. It just doesn't make sense. The Red Wedding was frustrating, but we love GoT for that kind of unexpected brutality and realism. The ending is brutal, but it's not realistic. You have armies that are nearly completely wiped out in one battle suddenly regenerate in the next episode. You have characters who lack any sense, who completely break character just to get to the ending the writers wanted. With more time given to character development, it could have worked much better. But this season is something I'd liken to taking an entire season of a popular TV show and stuffing it into an hour and a half movie.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 26, 2019, 02:58:11 PM
Watched ep 4, still cool with it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 26, 2019, 04:33:23 PM
Watched s8e5.

[spoiler]I was one betting on mad-queen danearys being a thing before season 8. I only saw it grow throughout the season.

I agree that it's weird how many fighters Dany and the north still had who were combat ready. But troop movements, size and logistics have never been the shows strongsuit. I can live with it. [/spoiler]

Still okay with the season so far.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 26, 2019, 05:25:19 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 26, 2019, 04:33:23 PM
Watched s8e5.

[spoiler]I was one betting on mad-queen danearys being a thing before season 8. I only saw it grow throughout the season.

I agree that it's weird how many fighters Dany and the north still had who were combat ready. But troop movements, size and logistics have never been the shows strongsuit. I can live with it. [/spoiler]

Still okay with the season so far.
One more to go.  Mind the gap!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 26, 2019, 05:30:22 PM
Quote from: Blackleaf on May 26, 2019, 12:01:35 PM
Yeah. I didn't hate GoT's ending, but definitely fell short of all the buildup it took to get there.
The part that kills me is that the whole series is someone's story.  What is their story?  And why are they telling it?  The big reveal is very underwhelming.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 26, 2019, 06:08:56 PM
Not all stories are riveting, unless you are a steel worker ;-)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 26, 2019, 07:12:39 PM
Quote from: Baruch on May 26, 2019, 06:08:56 PM
Not all stories are riveting, unless you are a steel worker ;-)
You could have gone with Tony Stark.  There must always be a Stark in Winterfell.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on May 26, 2019, 09:54:20 PM
Quote from: Baruch on May 26, 2019, 06:08:56 PM
Not all stories are riveting, unless you are a steel worker ;-)

OK, I'm not into GOT at all.  But "riveting, unless you are a steel worker"?  That was GOOD!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on May 27, 2019, 12:27:55 AM
Quote from: Cavebear on May 26, 2019, 09:54:20 PM
OK, I'm not into GOT at all.  But "riveting, unless you are a steel worker"?  That was GOOD!

Anachronistic, mostly welding today ...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on May 27, 2019, 01:10:31 AM
Quote from: Baruch on May 27, 2019, 12:27:55 AM
Anachronistic, mostly welding today ...

Unless you are Rosie...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 27, 2019, 12:09:40 PM
An idea for how the show became a lightning rod for criticism in recent years:

The audience has gotten used to GRRM's signature brutal realism and mysteries and expected that to continue after D&D ran out of book material.  It didn't.

Also, the core audience (asoiaf fans) are people who have been trained by the books to be very detail-oriented.  Seemingly trivial details can make or break theories.  And small discrepancies can indicate lying/scheming, so people watch out for that carefully.

So you have detail-oriented people who go over this stuff with a fine-toothed comb and you no longer feed them theory fodder.  What do they do instead?  They seize on every error, great or small.  And it just so happens that the show has also started putting less care into the small details, so there are also more mistakes to capitalize on and share to the entire internet.

The end result is a perfect tinder for an internet backlash and a firestorm of criticism.

TL;DR: Lack of source material (playing it by ear), making mistakes, having a super analytical fanbase = blood in the streets
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 27, 2019, 04:52:30 PM
Well the Last season was rushed, and not top tier game of thrones but IMHO still better than most things I watch on TV otherwise. That said, while I don't mind where the characters end up at the end of the finale, the execution of that episode might indeed make it the worst, or least good, episode of Got.

Book readers though
[spoiler]Do any of you subscribe to the weir wood net being an evil entity aiming to rule the world? I've always found it an interesting idea, but not one I fully subscribed to. And with bran as the king of the six kingdoms... It could set up for a rather darker ending than what we think we see, in the books. He would be their avatar on earth, after all. [/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 27, 2019, 07:46:29 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 27, 2019, 04:52:30 PM
Well the Last season was rushed, and not top tier game of thrones but IMHO still better than most things I watch on TV otherwise.
Agreed.  Much better than The Walking Dead or Vikings.  But GoT has a hell of a budget, so I expect a hell of an episode to match.  And in every possible way but writing, GoT is unrivaled.  It sucks to have all that hard work sullied by a single bad element.

QuoteThat said, while I don't mind where the characters end up at the end of the finale, the execution of that episode might indeed make it the worst, or least good, episode of Got.
Yeah, which is a shame because finales are where a show should go all out!  Suffice it to say that I expected a lot more than I GoT.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 27, 2019, 08:15:57 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 27, 2019, 04:52:30 PMBook readers though
[spoiler]Do any of you subscribe to the weir wood net being an evil entity aiming to rule the world? I've always found it an interesting idea, but not one I fully subscribed to. And with bran as the king of the six kingdoms... It could set up for a rather darker ending than what we think we see, in the books. He would be their avatar on earth, after all. [/spoiler]
[spoiler]Yes, Absolutely.

If you notice, Bran (along with Sam, but he urged on Sam) was the one to reveal Jon's true heritage.  The effect of this reveal didn't do much of anything except destabilize Dany, eventually leading to her death and Jon's exile.  The two strongest contenders for the crown, taken out with a whisper.  Very convenient for Bran, who essentially just had to inception Tyrion (like my wheelchair?  I got the idea from an old Targarean ruler *wink wink*) and beat out Edmure Tully and bam, everything's coming up Bran.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvWIzIUo51w

The Kingdom is in shambles, though.  North gone, Wall shattered (now that's a lot of damage!), Ironborn who may or may not start reaving again, Riverlands despoiled, Reach bloodied, Crownlands thoroughly charred - but Dorne, the Vale, and the Stormlands are pretty much intant.  Bran the Broken, ruler of a broken kingdom.  The smallfolk at least would certainly see it that way.  There aren't all that many nobles left to complain.  Expect some very pragmatic weddings in the near future.  Jamie may have been the Kingslayer, but Robin Arryn is certainly going to be the ladyslayer.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 28, 2019, 12:56:47 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 27, 2019, 08:15:57 PM
[spoiler]Yes, Absolutely.

If you notice, Bran (along with Sam, but he urged on Sam) was the one to reveal Jon's true heritage.  The effect of this reveal didn't do much of anything except destabilize Dany, eventually leading to her death and Jon's exile.  The two strongest contenders for the crown, taken out with a whisper.  Very convenient for Bran, who essentially just had to inception Tyrion (like my wheelchair?  I got the idea from an old Targarean ruler *wink wink*) and beat out Edmure Tully and bam, everything's coming up Bran.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvWIzIUo51w

The Kingdom is in shambles, though.  North gone, Wall shattered (now that's a lot of damage!), Ironborn who may or may not start reaving again, Riverlands despoiled, Reach bloodied, Crownlands thoroughly charred - but Dorne, the Vale, and the Stormlands are pretty much intant.  Bran the Broken, ruler of a broken kingdom.  The smallfolk at least would certainly see it that way.  There aren't all that many nobles left to complain.  Expect some very pragmatic weddings in the near future.  Jamie may have been the Kingslayer, but Robin Arryn is certainly going to be the ladyslayer.[/spoiler]

Of course the biggest problem with this theory is that there is nothing you could say to actually disprove it, it's a bit of an unfalsifiable hypothesis. Not unlikely, I agree,. But still
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 28, 2019, 06:12:29 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on May 28, 2019, 12:56:47 PM
Of course the biggest problem with this theory is that there is nothing you could say to actually disprove it, it's a bit of an unfalsifiable hypothesis.
New book material will likely clarify the Children of the Forest's true intentions.  So we'll know then.

But GRRM is known to play with tropes - so it'd be odd for this nature-revering forest race that was almost wiped out by humanity to super altrustically lend humanity a helping hand in their time of need.  What's in it for them?  Do they help purely out of the kindness in their hearts?  (Does anyone?)

Besides, what little we do know doesn't bode well for humanity.  According to the terms of the truce, the Children get the forest and humanity gets everything else.  And we know of an old castle called Deepwood Motte.  Unless that's a metaphorical name, that's a pretty clear indication that humanity broke the truce.  There are other indicators, too, but I'll go into that later.

Let's just say that I expect a reveal at the Three-Eyed Raven's tree virtually identical to the skeleton piles in Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Mr.Obvious on May 28, 2019, 06:47:01 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 28, 2019, 06:12:29 PM
New book material will likely clarify the Children of the Forest's true intentions.  So we'll know then.

But GRRM is known to play with tropes - so it'd be odd for this nature-revering forest race that was almost wiped out by humanity to super altrustically lend humanity a helping hand in their time of need.  What's in it for them?  Do they help purely out of the kindness in their hearts?  (Does anyone?)

Besides, what little we do know doesn't bode well for humanity.  According to the terms of the truce, the Children get the forest and humanity gets everything else.  And we know of an old castle called Deepwood Motte.  Unless that's a metaphorical name, that's a pretty clear indication that humanity broke the truce.  There are other indicators, too, but I'll go into that later.

Let's just say that I expect a reveal at the Three-Eyed Raven's tree virtually identical to the skeleton piles in Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

No no, don't get me wrong. I'm well versed in the theory. And weather or not it's the case, I think grr Martin definitely put enough allusions in there to at least keep us wondering and guessing. But I wouldn't be surprised if he'll always keeps it ambiguous. Even when the story in the books is finished.
The problem I'm alluding to is that it could be that the threes are just a force of nature without purpose or intent, just with rules to tap into their magic. And if that were the case, the world would not necessarily be different than if their effects did have purpose behind them. One might say they made Howland Reid go to the festival so that shit would go down, for example, but if the influence had been different then we would never have known. Or mayhap he would have gone somewhere else and we would take that as a sign that the trees guided him there. The fact that he did go to the festival  becomes proof to us, but maybe it is only proof because it has significance and meaning to us.
Take the goldilocks argument as an analogy. The universe, our solar system, our planet, our sun, the other planet's around us... They all had to be 'just right' for us to come into existence. While none of us can deny that the forces and nature did turn out in a way tj'hat we came to be, that is however not proof tj'hat, as some would claim, there is intent behind those forces.
If you assume there is an all-knowing and immensely powerful entity controlling everything (like god or the trees) everything that is, regardless of what it is, becomes proof of that assertion.
Then again: I agree. It is not unlikely and season 8 has further won me to the theory of the weirwood net's sinister nature. Or at least the three Eyed raven (not bran) long con.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 28, 2019, 07:44:26 PM
GRRM has a novella called A Song For Lya where aliens go into some sort of hivemind at the end of their lives, much like the weirwood network.  A human telepath joins the hive mind, and then starts calling to other people.  Who's calling?  Impossible to say.  Are their Intentions pure?  Also impossible to determine.

We're in a similar situation with the children of the forest in asoiaf.  But suffice it to say that acquiring a human who can control people would be a big win for them.  And if that human can see what the weirwoods see, then there are a great deal of places and times he could influence.  That'd be a hell of a superweapon.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 28, 2019, 08:15:58 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMgUIPvAlLI
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 29, 2019, 11:56:25 PM
Why Game of Thrones declined, take two:

A big part of it might be D&D getting major plot points from GRRM and being somewhat at a loss as to how exactly to get these characters there (which would explain the season 7 jetpacks, the infamous wight hunt, etc).  And lacking pivotal book-only characters (the Mummer's dragon) can explain some illogical character motivations.

And according to Scientific American (https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-real-reason-fans-hate-the-last-season-of-game-of-thrones/?redirect=1), the show shifted focus from characters acting within the constraints of societal institutions and norms (sociology) to characters acting out of their own impulses (psychology)

QuoteIn sociological storytelling, the characters have personal stories and agency, of course, but those are also greatly shaped by institutions and events around them. The incentives for characters’ behavior come noticeably from these external forces, too, and even strongly influence their inner life.

QuoteThat tension between internal stories and desires, psychology and external pressures, institutions, norms and events was exactly what Game of Thrones showed us for many of its characters, creating rich tapestries of psychology but also behavior that was neither saintly nor fully evil at any one point.

Suffice it to say that in previous seasons, you cared about religion and the Iron Bank and feudal succession and the stigmas associated with being a dwarf or a bastard or a cripple.  In this final season, none of that matters one iota.  All that matters is the whims of one character or another.  A thousand shows already do that, and much better.

And you know what else you're doing?  Watching dead air.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7WEZtQUIAE6DTW.jpg)

Because D&D love them some sullen silence.  Dialogue clearly isn't their strong suit and they likely know this.  So Emilla Clarke's eyebrows are gonna have to tell the story instead.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 30, 2019, 06:22:53 AM
(https://i.redd.it/juptp3rh95131.png)

Only like 4 of these were ever revealed and they all have rather drab, unsatisfying answers.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on May 31, 2019, 02:38:13 PM
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 29, 2019, 11:56:25 PM
Why Game of Thrones declined, take two:

A big part of it might be D&D getting major plot points from GRRM and being somewhat at a loss as to how exactly to get these characters there (which would explain the season 7 jetpacks, the infamous wight hunt, etc).  And lacking pivotal book-only characters (the Mummer's dragon) can explain some illogical character motivations.

And according to Scientific American (https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-real-reason-fans-hate-the-last-season-of-game-of-thrones/?redirect=1), the show shifted focus from characters acting within the constraints of societal institutions and norms (sociology) to characters acting out of their own impulses (psychology)

Suffice it to say that in previous seasons, you cared about religion and the Iron Bank and feudal succession and the stigmas associated with being a dwarf or a bastard or a cripple.  In this final season, none of that matters one iota.  All that matters is the whims of one character or another.  A thousand shows already do that, and much better.

And you know what else you're doing?  Watching dead air.

Because D&D love them some sullen silence.  Dialogue clearly isn't their strong suit and they likely know this.  So Emilla Clarke's eyebrows are gonna have to tell the story instead.

Impressive.  And I never watched a single episode...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on May 31, 2019, 03:02:13 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME1ezSWjTFo
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on May 31, 2019, 08:10:09 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on May 31, 2019, 02:38:13 PM
Impressive.  And I never watched a single episode...
I still highly recommend seasons 1-4.  Watershed stuff.  Seasons 5-6 should be treated with caution and seasons 7-8 can only be safely watched with higher brain functions temporarily neutralized.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 01, 2019, 08:40:08 AM
[spoiler](https://i.redd.it/uj67umd00p131.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Unbeliever on June 07, 2019, 04:26:08 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AROxBLm7JW8
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Baruch on June 07, 2019, 08:22:41 PM
That was awesome.  Best claymation ever!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 07, 2019, 09:40:13 PM
Alt Shift X just made a video about the finale.

(https://i.imgur.com/NnoGhN1.gif)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Blackleaf on June 10, 2019, 02:18:02 PM
George R. R. Martin and Miyazaki of Dark Souls fame are working with From Software to make a video game. Not a GoTs video game, but a video game nonetheless. I'll be interested to see how much of Martin's brutal, realistic style of storytelling comes through in the game. Hopefully they won't tone his work down to appeal to a bigger audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4euIi1JfMqs
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Cavebear on June 11, 2019, 07:41:21 AM
Quote from: Unbeliever on June 07, 2019, 04:26:08 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AROxBLm7JW8

Wow,  I missed that one...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 13, 2019, 07:47:51 AM
(https://i.redd.it/y46gn7em0y331.jpg)

This is basically like nominating Batman and Robin when you could have nominated The Dark Knight.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones
Post by: Hydra009 on June 29, 2019, 08:16:30 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbwMOiyjFJc

So y'all remember the coffee cup fiasco halfway through season 8?  Well, it turns out we have a pretty good educated guess on how that happened.

It turns out that director David Nutter did not shoot any scenes with that coffee cup in the shot.  It was changed without his knowledge.  And the two producers, D&D, were on set dressed up as wildlings and had the authority to change camera angles.  It's quite likely that this blunder can be chalked up to them.