Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon!

[Freya]

The Dany scene was awesome! I mean she was just like "It's MOTHERsmurfING MOTHER'S DAY don't diss me or my dragon's will smurf you up."

show scene spoiler

That and the Twyin Joff scene. Tywin is such a badass. He doesn't take Joff's trout.

[Rantz]

I was a little annoyed at ep. 7Arya saying Death was her god. I know there's less room for subtlety in a TV show, but this crossed the line for me. It sounded really cheesy and forced, and I really thought it was obvious enough already from the show that her world view was becoming quite morbid.

Aside from that, it was an alright episode. Hoping for much more from the last three episodes, though.

[Psychotic]

I was a little annoyed at ep. 7Arya saying Death was her god. I know there's less room for subtlety in a TV show, but this crossed the line for me. It sounded really cheesy and forced, and I really thought it was obvious enough already from the show that her world view was becoming quite morbid.

Yeah I found that jarring too.

It was probably one of the weaker episodes. I guess because no Varys/Littlefinger/Queen of Thorns, and very minimal Tyrion!

Also I don't like what they're doing with Shae. Book spoilers ahoy. (SPOILER)They're making her upset with Tyrion marrying Sansa, presumably to give some context to her betraying him when he is put on trial. In the book she didn't mind about that and that's what made her betrayal so hurtful - it came completely out of the blue. Now you can see it coming.

Theon. Ouch. More book spoil. (SPOILER)Given that Theon disappeared entirely for ASOS and AFFC, I don't know how much more material they can add get out of this - they already did his false escape, his fingers being cut off and now his schlong. I mean, I assume they're going to do AFFC and ADWD alongside each other but they've still got to get another season out of Theon torture!

[Rantz]

Also I don't like what they're doing with Shae. Book spoilers ahoy. (SPOILER)They're making her upset with Tyrion marrying Sansa, presumably to give some context to her betraying him when he is put on trial. In the book she didn't mind about that and that's what made her betrayal so hurtful - it came completely out of the blue. Now you can see it coming.

Theon. Ouch. More book spoil. (SPOILER)Given that Theon disappeared entirely for ASOS and AFFC, I don't know how much more material they can add get out of this - they already did his false escape, his fingers being cut off and now his schlong. I mean, I assume they're going to do AFFC and ADWD alongside each other but they've still got to get another season out of Theon torture!

I considered both of those things too! For Theon, Book spoilersUnless they're gonna add a lot of new material to his story, I think they're gonna have to cut him out (heh) completely from the next season and perhaps a few subsequent ones as well. I imagine they'll use the rumoured death ruse from the books.

As for Shae, Bookbookbookwhat they're doing with her in the show makes me wonder if the same was supposed to be a motivation for her in the books, even though it was never stated, and if it was implied it was pretty subtle. I've wondered about her motivations somewhat - doing it for the cash always seemed too simple to me, even if that was the reason I had to accept.

[Cuchulainn]

Given that Martin has repeatedly said that the existence of any of the gods in the series will never be confirmed--he's been pretty adamant that the ambiguity about which gods are real, or if any of the gods are real is important--I think it's fairly unlikely that anyone turns out to be a god.

Prophesy, on the other hand, is common (if ambiguous), and magic--whether it comes from gods or is only perceived to--clearly exists. If you're expecting R'hllor, the Drowned God, the Seven, or the Old Gods to come down from the heavens and intervene at some point, you're probably going to be disappointed.

Spoilers for AFFC and ADWD:Reading between the lines through much of the material in A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, it's becoming clear that Martin is interested in the struggle between the sciences and the occult. A number of Sam's chapters revealed that most of the Maesters in the Citadel hold disdain for studying magic (which is why most do not have that link on their chain).

It is strongly implied throughout the series that the presence of dragons in the world is related to the existence of magic (note, the sorcerers of Qarth said as much and it's only since Dany woke dragons that the red priests have been able to wield real magic; in the first book when Thoros of Myr participates in the melee with a flaming sword, the fire destroys eventually melts and destroys the sword). It is also strongly implied throughout the series that the Maesters' order was largely responsible for the death of the last dragons.

AFFC sets up a lot of trout in Oldtown, the Maesters, and the septons; Ja'qen's presence as a spy in Oldtown, moving a major POV character down to Oldtown (Sam), and the importance of Cersei's mistake arming the church are not all coincidence. Martin is setting up some big things to happen down south, and I'm willing to bet that a good chunk of it has to do with setting the maesters and the septons up against blasphemous magic.

This picture says the opposite

http://s7.postimg.org/gzcgg357f/Gfhds.jpg

[Agent Proto]

I think I might be the only one who thinks this way, but I really don't like Osha interfering with Bran and his group. (SPOILER)In the books, the group was split in two, Bran traveled with the Reeds and Hodor, and Rickon traveled with Osha. Having them stick together for the show does make sense, but I think it might ruin Osha's relationship with the Reeds (especially Meera) and Bran.

Again, it's probably just me thinking this way.

[Formalhaut]

Watched this latest episode. General thoughts as I watch it live.

Bear and the Maiden Fair thoughts

• I found Sansa's and Margarery's talk in the garden something akin to some sort of "rom-com" talk between BFFs. In Between all of that love natter though was more ambiguity about Margarey's virginal status. When Sansa asked her why she knew so much stuff about love and sex, there's a very distinguished pause and she merely replies that her mother taught her. I picked up on that for some reason.
• Loved the scene between Tywin and Joffrey. Good staging and a dramatic entrance for Tywin sets the scene really. Watch how Joffrey squirms in his throne. For once, Joffrey actually has a point about the dragons and is the first time he had a good idea in his life.
• Jorah again gives good counsel: ignore Yunkai and just route to Westeros, or at least in that general direction. But Dany insists on freeing slaves everywhere like she's some sort of freedom fighter. I get slightly tired of her storyline to be honest. Yawn. Theatrics with the dragons was nice though and I love Dany's smug face. Still, she was offered as many ships as possible: seriously.
• Shae is being a right bitch. She has no concept of the fact that Tyrion had no choice. She doesn't realise that Tywin has loads of power and as far as I'm aware still active on that death threat to Tyrion's whore. Sheesh. Things are starting to go downhill for Tyrion, badly.
• Didn't expect Gendry or Melisandre at all this episode. Little bits of info from Melisandre about her backstory but that's about it. Not bad.
• Arya again. She's still sulking, not that I can blame her particularly. Still, the whole 'death' comment thing is very potent and a tad strong. Get that girl some counselling! Still, her plot will be progressing further now that The Hound is going to frogmarch her back to Riverrun or someplace.
• Ah, a scene with Jaime and Brienne, my favourite couple! Jaime's oath will be a bit tricky to pull through to be honest. They're saying goodbye but I doubt it's for long. If the screenshots and trailers have anything to go by!
• More Theon torture porn now. I'm getting sick of it to be honest. I skipped right through this on X2 speed and got the gist.
• EVEN more Jon and Ygritte talk. Blah blah blah. Some info about failed attempts and more pathos involved in that which will undoubtedly lead to some crescendo. I feel like all Jon's done is walk, and walk, and walk. Oh a wall! And walk again.
• Oh, Bran... yawn. I really liked Osha during Season 1 and Season 2 but this season they're really making her a right bitch. Ever since the Reeds came, she's been moaning and whining and such. Ugh. This did eventually lead to a heart sobbing story from Osha about her former boyfriend. I do sense a group split up at some point down the road. Maybe it will mirror the book (Osha/Rickon leaving) but perhaps in a different way? Eh. Who knows. I just find Bran's storyline uncomfortable at the moment.
• Qyburn talk here. He's very clever, but very twisted. But then Jaime has another salvation moment and rushes back to Brienne for the climax! Yeah woo!! I love a good rescue. It could just be me, but Jaime is quickly turning into Sawyer from Lost. A bit rough round the edges and even a badass at first, but now he's a fully fledged rough diamond hero. The entire rescue sequence is badass, as is the unnamed Bolton man with the crossbow who deserves credit for shooting the bear. A great climax.

And that's essentially a scene by scene thought as I watched it! Overall, it was a decent exposition episode with a thrilling climax. It didn't quite reach The Climb's standard for me, but it was still good. I'm looking forward to the endgame of this season because we've had so much exposition this season it has to reach a bigass crescendo.

[blackmage_nuke]

I was a little annoyed at ep. 7Arya saying Death was her god. I know there's less room for subtlety in a TV show, but this crossed the line for me. It sounded really cheesy and forced, and I really thought it was obvious enough already from the show that her world view was becoming quite morbid.

I didnt think it was about her world view becoming morbid at all. It was just showing she had taken what her Dancing Instructor had said and abandoned her old Gods, and also to show the expression on some of the brotherhood's faces to hint that one of them might be from Bravos

[Pike]

Guys Jaime and Brienne are best friends and I cannot handle how cute it is

[Madame Adequate]

Ahahahah I love when Qyburn was like "Yeah how many lives have YOU saved " thinking he's got Jaime but then Jaime shoots back with "Half a million. The population of King's Landing."

Also I don't know whether Dany or Jaime rescuing Brienne was the better part of the episode, but damn it was great.

[Pike]

Man Jaime gets better with every episode and YES DANY Great ep, can't wait for next week

[Formalhaut]

Season 2: Jaime and Brienne. Oh, okay, a prisoner exchange. Fair enough. Middling storyline.

Season 3: WOW!!!!!!! Possibly my favourite storyline. Keeps me wanting more!


Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the storyline.

[blackmage_nuke]

Has the lord of light been refered to as the red god before this ep? I dont remember anyone reffering to the red god apart from jaqen but i might just be very unperceptive

[Del Murder]

Well that was one of the most boring episodes of this show. Up until the last scene. Jamie/Brienne's storyline has been the best this season.

[chionos]

Well that was one of the most boring episodes of this show. Up until the last scene. Jamie/Brienne's storyline has been the best this season.

Most of this season has been underwhelming, with just bits and pieces of greatness.

I think the Jamienne storyline has been just about the best translation from book to show of any current storyline. As in, I'm enjoying their story on the show even more than I did in the books.