220 replies to this topic

[Mulled Wino]

Not sure how people rate the eposide a 10 and still have qualms about it.  Shouldn't a 10 be a perfect epsidoe?

[Dontos the Slim]

I'm loving how dark they are making the Sansa storyline (outside of the scenes in the book). Obviously, her story isn't exactly a fairytale in the books, but there are certain pivotal scenes that will be muted somewhat.

Spoiler

In the previews for next week, it appears that the Sansa strip-down scene will occur. But since the actress is only 16, the scene will not have the impact it does in the book (that's probably not true at all, of course, but still....I don't think they'll be able to show her fully nude in front of the court like in the book).

So they're adding little dark bits to her story that aren't in the book. And they have to, because Sansa's story is very, very dark.

[Oberyn King]

Gave it a 9.

Tyrion as good as he always is, a perfect Brienne, a beautifull Margaery, a very stressed Sansa and epic Yoren.

I was hoping for a little more Damphair's background though.

[NW Deserter]

I don't think that's the Damphair, just a random priest. He was never listed as cast.

[Oberyn King]

NW Deserter, on 16 April 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

I don't think that's the Damphair, just a random priest. He was never listed as cast.

Whaaaat??  No Aeron???  One of my darkest fears has come true

[The Monkey]

Oberyn King, on 16 April 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

Whaaaat??  No Aeron???  One of my darkest fears has come true

It would be foolish to cast an actor for the role already, when his story at this point is so small. If they do, they have to keep that actor's schedule clear for several years, even though he doesn't appear, just so that he can return when his story gets bigger. It's more practical not to include him until his presence holds some value. Just like they did with Jaq'en in the last episode of season 1.

[Thorny Issues]

The Monkey, on 16 April 2012 - 10:47 AM, said:

It would be foolish to cast an actor for the role already, when his story at this point is so small. If they do, they have to keep that actor's schedule clear for several years, even though he doesn't appear, just so that he can return when his story gets bigger. It's more practical not to include him until his presence holds some value. Just like they did with Jaq'en in the last episode of season 1.

Get outha here with ya logic and reason!

Seriously though, for a 'random priest' that actor had excellent presence. Perhaps we'll see more of him...

[Giskard Reventlov]

Gave it 9. Though it had some "in between" feeling. I liked Tirion and  Margaery storylines  and Brienne was well cast and acted.

[m_k]

Its perfect 10 from me. I liked everything in this episode with all the book deviation. The theon burning the letter was great. Can't wait for the next episode its shadow baby time............

[Abaddon]

I give it a 9 (following an 8 and a 7.5 promoted to 8 respectively).

Was going to write a lot more, but the homophobia that is continuing to crop up in these threads is making me sad and is pretty much killing my interest in posting.  "I'm not homophobic but that was gross".  If you feel like turning away from the screen because two men are kissing, but you don't find kids being stabbed through the throat coughing up blood troubling, you're homophobic.

Oh yeah, and I still don't get Shae.  I hope they have somthing more in mind for her than the book version because otherwise I don't really see the point.

Edited by Abaddon, 16 April 2012 - 11:45 AM.

[episodenone]

EgoistMusketeer, on 16 April 2012 - 10:05 AM, said:

Everyone gets aged up and it fits the progression of the story.  Arya's character works fine as a teenager by book 4 and Sansa needs to be a bit older for when Joffrey strips her down, etc.
If the Bran actor hits a growth spurt that might get awkward quickly though, a grown man riding Hodor won't look right.

Yea - that would definitely be too funny and rough on poor hodor.  he already has his work cut out for him... a 100 pound kid is a heck of a lot easier than a 150!

[Cellio]

Exceeded my expectations, Although the scene with Lommy, I find it so, so hard to watch...

[episodenone]

Who cares about the guy on guy scenes?   We've come too far to feel like we need to mention them.

ESPECIALLY if you are a guy who loves the girl on girl scenes.  Just deal with it.

To lighten the mood on this topic--

My wife walked in during that scene -- doesn't watch the show and doesnt read the books...

She stands there for a minute - then asks me how often do i truly watch gay porn?  What could I say?  I still dont know if she was serious!

Eh - it was like 20 seconds of a 56 min show.  Move along.

[Grail King]

Except for the male on male bonding ( do we really have to have it thrown at us) I get they are lovers from S1 and the book.

I gave it a nine, Asha,Theon, Margery, Sansa, Cersei plus Tyrion all hit the mark big, you can see the conflict that Theon was going through, and Sansa's stress with the cruel Queen talking of Robb's head maybe on a spike and later her words with Shae.

And the producers are sending out the word that Margery is a scheming little wench with Dormer's portrayal of her.

Sure looks like Sophie Turner grew up a lot.

[The Third Reed]

SO much better than last week it's almost untrue. I'll go with the standard positive and negative lists.

Pros:

Tyrion as per, kudos goes to the way in which the "You can't tell" scene was filmed. Very good.
Balon and Theon. Fantastic acting, and the burning letter scene was absolutely fantastic.
Arya's scene was a very good interpretation given the assumed budgetary and temporal constraints.
General acting from Cersei in the scene where Tyrion reveals his plans for Myrcella.
Brienne seems well cast.

Cons:

The Night's Watch scene made Craster knocking Jon out rather pointless really. Jon could have just mentioned it to Mormont as they left IMO.
Asha is a petulant child with all the allure and attitude of a damp rag. Sorry, I just really do not like this piece of casting.

I'm rather indifferent on the whole Renly/Loras thing. I don't think it needs to be as fleshed out, but I also think it served us with establishing Margaery's intelligence now rather than later.

All in all, a strong 8.5

[Incesticide]

Gave it an 8. It was a vast improvement over episode 2 which very much almost made me walk away from the series altogether. It was also an excellent example of how veering away from the books can be a good thing when used wisely. Theon's scenes were particularly choice, and if I had to single out one scene it would have to be the "letter burning" one - probably one of the most poignant moments of both seasons. Arya's conversation with Yoren was also deftly done despite it not being in the books. Unlike episode 2, I felt that the racy guy on guy scene was actually well made, and was important in terms of moving the plot - Margaery was amazing in her role. Tyrion was obviously great, as always - especially the scene with Cersei. Incidentally I've always thought that Lena Headey plays the role of an increasingly paranoid queen regent to perfection.  

Unfortunately, I'm still not quite convinced by Sophie Turners portrayal of Sansa. The impression I got from the books was that Sansa was excellent at masking her feelings and was the epitome of politeness despite her internal dialogue. Mind you, her performance in this episode was much much better than in the first episode.

[Lady Meera Reed]

Gave it a 9. Best season 2 episode by far.

[IronSuitor]

This is a show in which a woman gets full frontal naked in nearly every episode. You are insane if you think that two dudes making out a bit in a scene that advances the plot is a reason to complain.

The actors who play Loras and Renly (both of whom I hated in the first season) are actually doing a much better job, IMO. Also I'm glad they're fleshing out Margaery earlier. They need a good actress for the part, and no decent actress would sit around for two seasons doing essentially nothing.

[ServantOnIce]

Abaddon, on 16 April 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

"I'm not homophobic but that was gross".  If you feel like turning away from the screen because two men are kissing, but you don't find kids being stabbed through the throat coughing up blood troubling, you're homophobic.

That's not an accurate statement. Many folks in the past few weeks have complained about the needless "T and A" of the series especially in the Ros scenes, now they complain about see two men get it on and they are homophobic?

Come'on Son!  Get outta here with that mess son!   There are many "straight" folks who don't like seeing fake sex or fake kissy kissy on screen. Doesn't mean they are heterophobic.

Yessh,

[ServantOnIce]

TheEvilKing, on 16 April 2012 - 06:05 AM, said:

Gave that sucka a 10.
- Sam's scene with Gilly was a bit cheesey.

I gave it a 10 as well. Television can't get much better than that. I disagree though I love what they are doing with Samwell and Gilly.  The producers showed the attraction right away . .  and show them laying a base for their relationship something that was mentioned in the books but most folks "glossed" over.  

They hit a grand slam with that episode . . finally felt like an epic.