A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

[Ohiospeedo]

Sweet. The finale will be an extra 10 minutes longer. What has everyone thought of this season? I thought it was good, and pretty much stuck to the book with a few minor changes. Next season is going to be awesome.

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Sweet. The finale will be an extra 10 minutes longer. What has everyone thought of this season? I thought it was good, and pretty much stuck to the book with a few minor changes. Next season is going to be awesome.

[DigitalFudge]

I'd love to see those things that were in the very first episode and that kidnapped that guys son's.


It seemed like they were a big deal but we completely stopped seeing them.


I'll settle for just the dragons though, tbh.

[maxpowr9]

Sweet. The finale will be an extra 10 minutes longer. What has everyone thought of this season? I thought it was good, and pretty much stuck to the book with a few minor changes. Next season is going to be awesome.

I think I read on HBO the episode is 72 minutes long. They basically have to go through all the stuff I said in the spoiler so I expect this episode to be all over the place tying up said knots.

[Native Son]

So, Dan & Dave totally dropped the ball with Catelyn. In the books, Catelyn releases Jaime AFTER she discovers that Theon [supposedly] killed Bran and Rickon. That motive causes her to get her girls back at any cost. In the show, that is clearly not the case and that scene between Rob and Catelyn is a total wash and just completely out of character for Catelyn. It seems that many other reviewers who have read the books feel this has been the biggest faux pas yet in the series.

Still a selfish act no matter how it's painted. So does it really matter?

[zoltanspawn]

I felt like I waited forever for Tyrion to get his axe.

[aberro21]

The season finale was like every other episode this season, more boring than not. This should have been a regular episode in the middle of the season. I'm not even excited about a 3rd season.

[neoachilles]

A list of new characters for season 3 is up on Entertainment Weekly's website, and I am excited to see a few of these characters come to life. First, Meera and Jojen Reed. Someone stated before that they had been merged into Osha's character, and I was a little bummed. Jojen in particular is instrumental in helping Bran hone his abilities. I'm glad that we will actually get to see their story play out. Then, we get to see the "Queen of Thorns" Olenna Redwyne. I loved Loras and Margaery's grandmother in the books and can't wait to see her on screen. Last but not least, Mance Rayder. What can you say about the King Beyond the Wall? He's a mysterious, almost legendary figure in the books, and when we do finally get introduced to him, he turns out to be an awesome character as well. I am really looking forward to season 3. I just don't know if I can wait a full year, though.

[joesman]

The season finale was like every other episode this season, more boring than not. This should have been a regular episode in the middle of the season. I'm not even excited about a 3rd season.

This episode was thrilling from beginning to end. How could this have been placed anywhere else but in this finale? Was Tyrion injured before last episode? Was Theon taken down last episode?




SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE LAST EPISODE--------





The House of the Undying was thrilling and magical and very, very pleasing. Mother of Dragons don't take no shit.

The ending with the White Walkers was chilling to the bone.

Joffrey finding a way to not marry Sansa and to marry Margery which made Margery very happy and Sansa, too.

I didn't read any books or spoilers save one that I wish I hadn't of seen, and yet it will steel my nerves when I know it is going to happen so maybe it won't be as horrific as Ned Stark's beheading.

[Hawkinout]

This episode was thrilling from beginning to end. How could this have been placed anywhere else but in this finale? Was Tyrion injured before last episode? Was Theon taken down last episode?

The House of the Undying was thrilling and magical and very, very pleasing. Mother of Dragons don't take no shit.

Dany's parts were the best parts of the episode, freaking loved it! I liked the prophecy scenes and when her dragons finally burned...can't remember his name right now. Also, Dany is setting sail guys! She means srs bidness now.

Also, Sansa not actually being free is kinda sad, but hopefully the Hound will really help her, because I do not trust that Petyr Baelish fucker.

And I'm not sure what's going on with Tyrion, I know he said why he didn't want to leave, but he should. I hope he doesn't get hurt again or worse, killed, if he stays on Castle Rock...

[Hawkinout]

I meant King's Landing, not Castle Rock and even that's wrong. It should be Casterly Rock.

[maxpowr9]

Still a selfish act no matter how it's painted. So does it really matter?

It is selfish but still it gives them a reason. Rob would be the last male to pass on the Stark name so he needs babies now. Catelyn has her motherly intuition kick into high gear and needs her daughters back now before they are slain.

Dany's parts were the best parts of the episode, freaking loved it! I liked the prophecy scenes and when her dragons finally burned...can't remember his name right now. Also, Dany is setting sail guys! She means srs bidness now.

Also, Sansa not actually being free is kinda sad, but hopefully the Hound will really help her, because I do not trust that Petyr Baelish fucker.

And I'm not sure what's going on with Tyrion, I know he said why he didn't want to leave, but he should. I hope he doesn't get hurt again or worse, killed, if he stays on Castle Rock...

Not surprisingly, a crap ton of stuff was cut from the House of the Undying scene. The prophesying goes into far greater detail in the books (the entire house stuff lasts for like 50 pages) like Dany being the "the slayer of lies" about the false kings in Westeros.

As for Sansa, call it spoilers but remember from season 1, Petyr Baelish has been friend-zoned by Catelyn since they were teenagers. Note how Petyr keeps making observations how Sansa reminds her of Catelyn and well, you see where that is going...

[Ohiospeedo]

Good finale! I have read all of the books, and I was almost tempted to reread the 2nd book after the season was over...but I couldn't deal with the inane details and long descriptions of each knight again. I kinda wished that they stuck to the book a little bit in the finale. There are some details that they left out, and some that they put in themselves. The white walkers didn't appear like that in the book right?

[Rolyo85]

I loved Season 01, but Season 02 ended up being on the lukewarm side for me. There were a ton of amazing things, but overall it was way too simplified, compared to the book. I know those are separate mediums, which is why I have no trouble with changes, but when I could see all the changes were made almost entirely in order to dumb down the story... Not cool. Though 10 episodes is nowhere near enough for that book ,and I'm glad A Storm of Swords will be split in two seasons.

Also, they need a bigger budget. Noticeably.

[maxpowr9]

Also, they need a bigger budget. Noticeably.

You do realize that season 2 cost just over $100 million to make? I do agree that there should have been 12 or 13 episodes or "extended" episodes (75 minutes) as the story was stretched way too thin. Season 3 will be up to Joffrey's wedding so there is plenty of story to go for 10 episodes.

[Rolyo85]

Yeah, I know it's expensive as it is. But knowing doesn't really erase the fact that multiple scenes were put there or changed exclusively to save money. Like Dani's dragons being hidden half the time, or the Blackwater stuff...

[braex27]

I am late to the party - just finished season 2 - love it love it all! Cannot wait for season 3. In the meantime, reading the books!!

[maxpowr9]

I dunno when season 3 will end in the books. I have been told that...

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

The "finale" will be the Royal wedding and the Red Wedding get's dumped into season 4. However, in the BtS, Dan and Dave talked about filming the Red Wedding.

There is only 10 episodes scheduled for Season 3 so I get the strange feeling that many of these will be "extended" if the spoiler is in fact true.

[Native Son]

Oooh, I'm so excited....

[Apollo]

Good first episode. This is going to be a good season.

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I dunno when season 3 will end in the books. I have been told that...

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

The "finale" will be the Royal wedding and the Red Wedding get's dumped into season 4. However, in the BtS, Dan and Dave talked about filming the Red Wedding.

There is only 10 episodes scheduled for Season 3 so I get the strange feeling that many of these will be "extended" if the spoiler is in fact true.

I hope it ends with it this season. I really want to see the internet light up with the reactions.

[Ohiospeedo]

Good first episode. Are they breaking Book 3 into two different seasons?

[ElmosToe]

Loved it.

John Snow can sprinkle his snow on me any day.

[-Callum-]

Loved it.

John Snow can sprinkle his snow on me any day.

I KNOW, RIGHT?! He's the only man on the show I find attractive. Is that weird? I dunno.

Didn't really care for the first episode, but, eh...lots to build upon, so it's all good. Hoping some, uh, someone prominent, uh...dies.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

I hope Joffrey is poisoned and the two Starks are killed. Lady Stoneheart would be badass...the likelihood of that happening is slim though...

[hylas]

so, i finally saw the first episode of season 3. im super excited to have GoT back. but i think this was one of the shows weaker episodes. still perfectly entertaining, of course, but not great. it just felt like a bunch of stuff happening rather than a chapter of an ongoing story. also, like in season 2, the special effects are hit and miss. i guess thats inevitable, as the scope widens and the supernatural elements become more prominent. the casting and acting is, as always, top notch.

(mild spoilers ahead)

characters i love:
danaerys - soooooo excited about her upcoming storyline
lady margaery & ser loras - those two rock, and i cant wait for lady olena to show up
lady catlyne - although, having read the books, i dont love where her story is going.
jaime & brienne - im such a 'shipper for those two
arya - love love love
gendry - i kinda forgot what happens to him, but hes a great sidekick for arya
tyrion
yara/asha - i dont love the greyjoy subplot, but shes cool
osha & igritte - wildling women rock!
grenn - hands down the most gorgeous actor here, and hes got some stiff competition.
bronn - didnt care much for him in the books, but in the series, hes hilarious.
varys - reading is fundamental! the library is open!

characters i love to hate:
cersei - as with catelyne, i wish her story was different, but i like the character
melissandre - although she may turn out to be one of the good guys, after all
king geoffrey, tywin lanister, lord bolton - hate hate hate hate hate so much hate
little finger - evil bastard

characters that bore me:
davos - hes alright, but his stories never really excite me. the actor does a great job, admittedly.
jon snow - zzz
sam - zzzzzzzzzzzz
sansa stark - oh god stop being such a stupid cunt
rikon stark - i bet martin would retcon him away if he could.
everybody in dorne - probably too early to worry about them, tho

characters i can take or leave:
theon - dudes going some ugly places
bran - his storyline mostly bores me, but it may be interesting to visualize it, since so much weird shit goes down
roz - she has potential as a double-agent for varys (which i presume she is now)
the hound
rob stark

[maxpowr9]

I KNOW, RIGHT?! He's the only man on the show I find attractive. Is that weird? I dunno.

Didn't really care for the first episode, but, eh...lots to build upon, so it's all good. Hoping some, uh, someone prominent, uh...dies.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

I hope Joffrey is poisoned and the two Starks are killed. Lady Stoneheart would be badass...the likelihood of that happening is slim though...

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

I believe the season finale is supposed to be the Royal Wedding and not the other RW. I don't think they can adequately build up two of the major plot points into one season. There is just too much ground to cover and there isn't a lot of fluff like A Dance With Dragons

Some of the reveals are out of place compared to the book like Ser Barristan but I feel this is one of the better 'film' adaptation events that had to happen as viewers will just be baffled by the "old man" and his storytelling and there is lots of good ones to come. Another change I have been liking is Shae. In the books she is truly a money grubbing whore but in the TV show, she has a much more human side. Especially for book readers, you see a lot of seeds being planted [no pun intended] that come to fruition later in the series. I could list them all but if you read the books, you know all the foreshadowing that happened in this episode...

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

Littlefinger and Sansa, Margaery and Cersei, Shae and "Ros", Tyrion and Tywin, Roose Bolton and well "the entire North"

I just get a chuckle that people are starting to hate the Jon Snow story arc too.

The viewer has to keep in mind that this is a serial so you won't have that "season opening" feel like a typical show and this just drops you into the action. You can't just start watching the show fresh now and expect to follow along easily.

[rotary]

These pauses between seasons are too long. Half my time during the premier was spent trying to remember what was happening. Looks like a season 2 rewatch is in order

[hylas]

this doesnt really have anything to do with ice & fire, but im giving away "the steel remains" and its sequel "the cold commands" by richard k. morgan. (my parents got me a kindle for xmas, so im getting rid of all my pulp novels). so, if anybodys interested. id just expect you to pay for the shipping, i live in amsterdam.

[maxpowr9]

These pauses between seasons are too long. Half my time during the premier was spent trying to remember what was happening. Looks like a season 2 rewatch is in order

It's worse when you're reading the books as you won't have a character's chapter for 300 pages at times. I took up my friend's suggestion and kept a small journal on my readings so I would not get lost when I read. I get the feeling that a lot of the ancillary plot lines that add more life to the "World of Westeros" will be cut because it will only distract the already complicated story as it is.

[zoltanspawn]

These pauses between seasons are too long. Half my time during the premier was spent trying to remember what was happening. Looks like a season 2 rewatch is in order

The pauses for readers of the series has been measured in years!

[Ohiospeedo]

I actually found the reading the Wikipedia plot summary to be useful to remember what happened in previous books. Not tempted to go and re-read the books.

Slow episode last night...but understand the need to set up the storylines.

[maxpowr9]

I actually found the reading the Wikipedia plot summary to be useful to remember what happened in previous books. Not tempted to go and re-read the books.

Slow episode last night...but understand the need to set up the storylines.

LOL "exposition" this is all rising action again with foreshadowing of the season's climax.

Again, another Catelyn flub tonight. Dave & Dan must really hate her as a character because that's two major flubs with her. Her dad isn't dead yet in the books. In fact, his death is what sends Catelyn into an emotional death spiral. At least from the books, there is this notion that Catelyn is so focused on The War that she doesn't allow herself to grieve all the death around her. This was touched upon early in season 2. When she witnesses her father's death, it literally hits home and Cat becomes as bat shit crazy as her sister [oh we will see her again but not for a LONG while!].

I get a kick out of all the Dowager references to Lady Olenna from reviewers when the book was written long before Downton Abbey was even a thought. Noob writers!!!

I do like the flushed out Margaery compared to the book where I don't think she gets PoV chapters till Feast for Crows.

I can't fucking wait until next week when Varys and Lady Olenna match wits.

It's amusing to watch the falls of various characters after book 2 where many of them peaked. Tyrion is no longer the Hand. Rob Stark admits attrition is taking a toll on his army and with most of his family supposedly dead, it's extremely hard to keep morale up. The Black storyline just starts to suck. Bran's story is just weird and gets weirder. Arya's story tapers off. Dany peaks in this book so her story line is gonna be quite good, hopefully!

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

There is one thing that infuriates me post-facto to reading. How so many of characters nearly cross paths but never actually meet. Martin is evil like that.

[zoltanspawn]

I get a kick out of all the Dowager references to Lady Olenna from reviewers when the book was written long before Downton Abbey was even a thought. Noob writers!!!

I'm just now finishing up the first season of Downton Abbey. I'm like, Ygritte is also a mousy, defeated house maid?!

[Native Son]

Poor Arya. She never catches a break.

C'est la vie

[neoachilles]

Daenerys. Fucking. Targaryen.



That is all.

[umjreon88]

Daenerys. Fucking. Targaryen.



That is all.

YES! I can't, the Epic-ness of the last episode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! Just too amazing! Dracarys!

[layton]

Last nights episode was amazing, season 3 is improving on season 2 already.

[-Callum-]

After last night's episode, I can say with certainty most people will be completely pissed if Dany doesn't take the throne by the end of the series.

[maxpowr9]

After last night's episode, I can say with certainty most people will be completely pissed if Dany doesn't take the throne by the end of the series.

Actually, the next moral dilemma is about to her like a ton of bricks. She may have a moral compass pointing due north towards righteousness but mind you, she just "won" an army of 8000. How does she plan to feed them?

Throughout the rest of the book series [at least "it is known" LMAO] she will continue to face these silly moral quandaries and the outcome of her recent actions, including Qarth, have not come to fruition yet.

Those actions don't come till to fruition when George goes Deus ex machina at the end of the fifth book for a soft reset with Dany which did piss off many readers.

[neoachilles]

Kudos to whomever does the kids' make-up--I just found out that the actress playing Arya is 16. And, apparently, Bran's actor is 14. And here I thought they were still babies.

[Native Son]

Poor Jaime's sword hand. That's a lot to have to endure.

When will it end?

[ElmosToe]

After last night's episode, I can say with certainty most people will be completely pissed if Dany doesn't take the throne by the end of the series.

Agreed.

Something about her, she is sooo damn sexy!


And my hope is for Sansa to cut off Joffrey's head at some point, and laugh while she does it.

[maxpowr9]

Yeah for nudity!

Another great episode last nite. A little exposition for Shirene would have been nice but oh well. She has greyscale which is like having really bad psoriasis. Since the malevolence towards the disease is misconstrued as a communicable disease, she's basically locked away and becomes a book worm because of it.

The last scene of the episode sets up the rest of the season very well.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

Cersci foils Tywin by having Loras join the kingsguard making him unable to marry so she can continue to fuck around. Tyrion blabs to Shae that he is to wed Sansa [mind you, Shae is Sansa's handmaiden] and starts that set of dominoes.

It's just a shame that all these characters are 'peaking' right now because IMO, the forth book, A Feast for Crows, is the worst of the series so far. It's not "bad" in the typical sense but it's just a lot nothing going on.

[maxpowr9]

This was totally a "filler episode" to get characters from point A to point B. It wasn't too bad per se but a lot of talking. The downfall of Rob Stark is has been drawn out for far too long that I feel the suspense built up won't be as powerful as the books.

It is quite obvious who Theon's torturer is if you have been paying attention attentively.

With that, during the Gilly-Samwell scene, there are 3 horn calls which most reviewers seemed to have missed which well set up a good scene.

I am still trying to wrap my head around the whole Melisandre scene because that is not in the books at all. I think they are subbing Edric for Gendry if you have read the books. Of course, there is another theory that we toyed around with at work.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

You know those nasty fetus jars? I get the feeling those will be subbed in for the leeches when the "name calling" begins: 3 jars, 3 names. That should be a very powerful scene.

I will say, this is the sociopathic Littlefinger that I wanted in the TV series that I am glad they are getting to. I will say, the Ros ending was actually very powerful and kudos to D&D for that adaptation. It's totally a visual interpretation of the Varys-Littlefinger conversation. Ros goes from a lowly whore to a "spy" and reaches her peak only to get whacked for trying to leap a few rungs too quickly.

[Corny]

I haven't seen ep6 yet, but the last two were one of the best so far. As for your theory in the spoiler tag, I thought about that too - immediately when they showed those, especially after the scene were M. left.

Didn't think about Edric->Gendry yet.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

but given the little bit of story that Gendry has after Arya left, it might be posible. A shame, I always liked the character and I even like the actor more.

[kindabikindagay]

I always thought the 3 nasty baby jars were Stannis's wife's miscarriages.. also am I the only one who thinks Melissandre is a badass bitch? she's downright evil, I love her. also this is my first time seeing this thread so don't hate me if I mix up old episodes.. Arya is a bamf. she's the bravest of em all..

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

really sucks what's gonna happen to robb and worse! cat!! I love her so much D:

haven't read the books but I have spoiled it for myself :3

also earlier in the series maybe episode 3 or 4.. that last scene with daeny and the army killing the slave master.. anyone else thought she deserved the iron throne?

[neoachilles]

As a fan of the books, as well as the show, Daenerys is the only person I can imagine being on the throne. Seizing Astapoor the way she did showed for the first time, I think, that she has the stones to play dirty to get it. I fucking love her.

[Corny]

^i'm not too sure about that. what followed astapor makes you question her leadership skills ..

[neoachilles]

I'm not going to deny that she got overwhelmed. It was a little too much, too soon. In my opinion, she should have stayed there until she had gained some kind of experience in running a kingdom effectively. But I stick by my previous statement, taking Astapor was a baller move, and she is the only one who belongs on the Iron Throne. I just hope Martin doesn't feel the need to give her the Ned Stark treatment before then.

By the by, does anyone have any ideas concerning the prophecy of the

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

dragon having three heads?

I had a wee epiphany a few nights ago at work, and I think I may be on to something.

[maxpowr9]

I'm not going to deny that she got overwhelmed. It was a little too much, too soon. In my opinion, she should have stayed there until she had gained some kind of experience in running a kingdom effectively. But I stick by my previous statement, taking Astapor was a baller move, and she is the only one who belongs on the Iron Throne. I just hope Martin doesn't feel the need to give her the Ned Stark treatment before then.

By the by, does anyone have any ideas concerning the prophecy of the

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

dragon having three heads?

I had a wee epiphany a few nights ago at work, and I think I may be on to something.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

If you read the books, you know this culminates at the end of A Dance With Dragons when she realizes that she laid waste to these cities and they again have fallen back into turmoil and she completely fucked up. Mind you in the books, she is still a teen; around 18 by the end of book 5.

- Of all the story arcs, Bran's is by far the worst and will continue to disappoint until we touch the material near the end of book 4.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

I fucking hate how GRRM will tease all these "close encounters" with Arya and Rob and Bran and Jon Snow.

- They're totally playing up the pregnancy of Talisa to make RW far more painful.

- Corny, you can tell that the "leech scene" is eminent with the brief Gendry appearance this week and Meli knows this too.

- For non-book readers, the "torture porn" of Theon is much easier to grasp in literature than it is on screen. At least in the books, you can break down his psyche in long narrative where as on screen, you see his "favorite bits" being chopped.

[Ohiospeedo]

Poor Theon.

It sucks we only have 3 more episodes, they are splitting Book 3 into two seasons. I think I have an idea on how they are going to end it this season (having read the book).

[layton]

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

If you read the books, you know this culminates at the end of A Dance With Dragons when she realizes that she laid waste to these cities and they again have fallen back into turmoil and she completely fucked up. Mind you in the books, she is still a teen; around 18 by the end of book 5.

- Of all the story arcs, Bran's is by far the worst and will continue to disappoint until we touch the material near the end of book 4.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

I fucking hate how GRRM will tease all these "close encounters" with Arya and Rob and Bran and Jon Snow.

- They're totally playing up the pregnancy of Talisa to make RW far more painful.

- Corny, you can tell that the "leech scene" is eminent with the brief Gendry appearance this week and Meli knows this too.

- For non-book readers, the "torture porn" of Theon is much easier to grasp in literature than it is on screen. At least in the books, you can break down his psyche in long narrative where as on screen, you see his "favorite bits" being chopped.

Which is a shame because I really like the characters of Bran, Jojen, Meera, and Hodor.

I agree on the pregnancy, but it will be interesting to see what follows the RW since
Spoiler

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

Talisa's book counterpart, Jeyne Westerling, survives the Red Wedding, will Talisa survive, even if she has a baby in her, if the baby is a son wouldn't that make Bran's claim to Winterfell invalid.

It was very uncomfortable watching Theon this week, I hated Theon last season, but I would never wish his fate on my arch enemy.