OT: Winter Is Coming | Game of Thrones Discussion Thread

[juliansteed]

.

- Love having Bronn back, especially teaming up with Jaime?
-

Not sure if you read the books or not but this is a complete change from the books and I love it! In the books Bronn pretty much disappears after Tyrion crosses the narrow sea, and he was never paired up with Jamie. Instead Jamie pairs up with Illyn Payne (since he had his tongue removed, he couldn't tell anyone how bad Jamie sucked with his left hand) for his training and the 2 eventually head out to a different location than Dorne. Bronn and Jamie make a much more interesting pair, especially on TV.

 

[PhillyJoker]

I'm not sure if it's good or bad that a lot of the plots are starting to veer from the books.

I love having a 2nd story in a world that is awesome, but I also wanted to see if my guesses on mysteries from the books were correct. I think that is how they are going to stop from spoiling a lot of things, by completely changing them. So this season has been good.

 

[BGDave]

Wow. Was in Phoenix over the weekend, and saw the episode. Enjoyed it, but there is no need to worry any longer about book readers giving spoilers. As I was anticipating, the series is deviating more and more from the book, sometimes in small ways and sometimes in big ways. And in one case, the series has overtaken the book.

its all good, enjoying it tremendously. I really liked the scene with Brienne and Littlefinger. Awesome latent hatred there.

 

[Comeds]

Does anyone know if the election for Watch Commander was done by popular vote or by electoral votes?

 

[BGDave]

Does anyone know if the election for Watch Commander was done by popular vote or by electoral votes?

Not sure, but I saw no evidence that ID was required before dropping the ring in the hat.

 

[BGDave]

Maybe their swords were their voter ID

Reminds me of 2000. My first US election. Young Canucklehead, just off the boat from Trawnna, standing in line at the polling station in rural Georgia. They have posted a list of acceptable ID necessary before getting your ballot. Number 6 on that list: Concealed Weapons Permit.

Have gun, will vote. Its the American Way

 

[BGDave]

Loved this weeks episode. No Danerys probably had a lot to do with it. Moving the plot forward very quickly on several fronts.

Did not see the Sansa swerve coming. I never cared much for that character, but I actually find myself feeling sorry for her now.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

One thing i kinda didnt get was tyrions reaction to the whore?

Was she pregnant? Or did he just realize that falling in love with another whore would break his heart again lol

 

[BGDave]

One thing i kinda didnt get was tyrions reaction to the whore?

Was she pregnant? Or did he just realize that falling in love with another whore would break his heart again lol

Honestly I thought it was the latter. He had that look like he was looking at the whore but seeing Shae and I guess got feeling a little guilty.

Maybe it is the writers but the actors I find the most engaging are: Tyrion and Varys, Bronn, and Davos. Not counting anyone now deceased.....like Oberon and Ned. Of the women, the only actor I found compelling is Mellisandre.

 

[juliansteed]

I really liked last night's episode too for the most part.

The Arya and Jaquen H'gar storyline has surprisingly been a bit boring so far but I expect it to pick up. Hopefully soon! Arya calling that chick a "****" made me laugh. Must have been hanging around the Hound too long. Don't think she learned that from Ned.

I didn't see the Sansa engagement to Ramsey coming either, even though I figured they were on their way to Winterfell. The Boltons/Littlefinger alliance seems very intriguing. Sansa maybe have thought she was learning to play the game but she remains the ultimate pawn. I wonder if she'll enjoy being engaged to Ramsey any more than she did Joffrey. Theon/Reek could be a wildcard at Winterfell. Ramsey's jealous girlfriend's days are likely numbered. She probably has 1 big scene left that leads to a gruesome death. Curious what will happen when Brienne reaches Winterfell, and what role she might play in the war between Bolton and Stannis. One killed Renly and the other killed Caitlyn. Could Littlefinger manipulate her into a temporary alliance with the Boltons in order to get revenge against Stannis?

That stare the red priestess gave Tyrion seemed very similar to the one Melisandre gave Jon Snow. Many know why Melisandre was staring at Jon, so I can't help but wonder if this chick was staring at Tyrion for similar reasons. Pairing Tyrion and Mormont has the potential to be very entertaining with some great 1-liners from Tyrion.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

So Ser Jorah had to have blown through all his cash on the whore that looks like Khaleesi right?

 

[elocomotive]

One thing i kinda didnt get was tyrions reaction to the whore?

Was she pregnant? Or did he just realize that falling in love with another whore would break his heart again lol

I think he's just been through a lot of emotional trauma (ya know, having your dad try to execute you and then fucking your girl will do that to a guy) and he can't let go of it yet. He can't be with a woman and not think of Shae and all that he went through.

So I think it's happy-go-lucky Tyrion vs. smart and responsible Tyrion. He tried to engage in actual romance and it was stripped from him. He tried to be a real leader and be responsible, and he was cast out from his family like he always has been. He's been happy-go-lucky not because that's who he really is, but because that is how he knew the world saw him (plus - boobs!). And so I think he is at a crossroads right now as to whether to return to the happy-go-lucky person he was or to risk his heart/life/pride to become the man and leader he can be. I saw his decision to not sleep with the whore as a decision to risk being the latter again and to know that he can't go back to who he was if he wants to become what he knows he could be.

I thought it was a really good episode. A lot of rising action and laying groundwork in the early going, but some interesting character development. Tyrion trying to decide. Khalesie struggling with leadership decisions. Marjorie becoming a serious player. Sansa as well? Jon Snow suddenly having two things he's wanted and not knowing how to choose.

I think the end of last season/start of this season has been very Empire Strikes Backy to me. Characters cast off and struggling. A very uncertain future. Great battles not so much. But character development a plenty.

 

[juliansteed]

I think he's just been through a lot of emotional trauma (ya know, having your dad try to execute you and then fucking your girl will do that to a guy) and he can't let go of it yet. He can't be with a woman and not think of Shae and all that he went through.

So I think it's happy-go-lucky Tyrion vs. smart and responsible Tyrion. He tried to engage in actual romance and it was stripped from him. He tried to be a real leader and be responsible, and he was cast out from his family like he always has been. He's been happy-go-lucky not because that's who he really is, but because that is how he knew the world saw him (plus - boobs!). And so I think he is at a crossroads right now as to whether to return to the happy-go-lucky person he was or to risk his heart/life/pride to become the man and leader he can be. I saw his decision to not sleep with the whore as a decision to risk being the latter again and to know that he can't go back to who he was if he wants to become what he knows he could be.

This plus the fact she wasn't very hot.

 

[BGDave]

This plus the fact she wasn't very hot.

Agreed. On the other hand, the priestess (?) outside the brothel doing the whole -one-true-God-dont-I-sound-just-like-Mellisandre thing was cute

 

[juliansteed]

As easy to manipulate that Tommen is, he's already looking like a much better king than his brother or "father" were. Joffrey would have had his kings guard kill all of the High Sparrow's guards as well as the hecklers. But I think his "cousin" Shireen is the smartest of all the Baratheons (trueborn or bastards). I forget the exact quote but she made a nice subtle jab at Stannis that he failed to pick up on.

I'm really liking the Sansa and Littlefinger in Winterfell with the Boltons storyline. Still waiting for Reek to get involved somehow.

Jon Snow really does know nothing. Melissandre is way hotter than Ygritte ever was.

Great move by Jamie to use his golden hand as a shield.

 

[BGDave]

Melissandre is a two bit ho that likes to spout off creepy, ominous sentences. She will give it up for whoever has the biggest sword

More book deviation this week. I am pretty well over the fact that there are deviations, and can enjoy the show for itself. And I have to say I like most all of the deviations so far. GRRM overcomplicates the plot lines in the books, I think the show is much cleaner and clearer.

Since Tommen is not strong enough (politically) to take on his mother, it was no surprise he backed down. It will be interesting to see if he grows into it, or stays Cersei's puppet. Or maybe Margery's?

I said to my wife, I cant wait for when Sansa and Arya are together and they have Littlefinger by the short and curlies. Will Sansa kill him (as she should) or will Arya say "no problem big sis, I got this one" and stick a dagger in his heart (as the Hound taught her)? [And no, that is not a spoiler, I made it up.]

Every week I am more and more impressed by Peter Dinklage. His portrayal of Tyrion is one of the best acting performances I have seen in a long, long time. I mean, can you hear the discussion before this week's scene was shot:

Director: OK Peter, now you and that stiff, wooden statue Jorah are in a boat. Just the two of you. Make it entertaining and show the world how smart you and Tyrion are. And make people chuckle while you do it."

Peter: "Oh come on. I am good, but not THAT good. Have you ever tried talking to Iain (Jorah)? He speaks in grunts. Every word is a puppy-love "Khaleesi". OK, I made a star out of a bald eunuch, but come on, you ask too much now!"

I am interested in what happens with Jamie's mission. I have my own theory, so am looking forward to how this plays out. Yeah, catching the sword was cool. Even Jamie had to admit it was luck

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

on Snow really does know nothing. Melissandre is way hotter than Ygritte ever was.

Nuh uh.

 

[BGDave]

Nuh uh.

 

[juliansteed]

More book deviation this week. I am pretty well over the fact that there are deviations, and can enjoy the show for itself. And I have to say I like most all of the deviations so far. GRRM overcomplicates the plot lines in the books, I think the show is much cleaner and clearer.

Agreed! I really like most of the deviations. Some things just work better in books and some things better on TV (or movies). I especially like the scenes that only feature non-characters. While none of these scenes happened in the books, most don't necessarily contradict any of the books storylines either. They just give additional perspective.

I think the sooner people accept that the TV show is not intended to be exactly like the books, the more they'll enjoy the show. And for those who can't accept the show for what it is, the sooner they stop watching the show, the happier they will be as they'll have more time to spend on things they actually enjoy. Seriously, it never ceases to amaze me how many people complain about the show not being like the books yet continue to watch.

I remember the 1st time I watched Oberyn vs. The Mountain I was actually disappointed because I had certain expectations from the books. But now when I watch it, it's one of my favourite scenes of the whole series because I let go of those expectations.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

You a ginger BG?