scotcat

This was - in my opinion - probably the best finale since season 1. Did that mean it was without flaws? Nope, not by a long shot. I still cannot stand the show's version of the Sand Snakes - which automatically took the show down a notch for me. R+L=J! We have confirmation! I know the book purists are quick to say nothing in the show has any bearing on the books, but do you really think something this important will differ from the books?

It's so easy to criticise D&D from the safety of the internet, isn't it? AFFC and aDwD were filler books, with no real plot advancement. The filming of the (presumably) final seasons was always going to be a challenge. I think we'd all hoped that WoW would be on the shelf by this point in the game, only leaving the final season. Clearly, this hasn't happened. The show and the books are separate entities and -five years in - people still seem to have trouble with this concept. Not everything can be put on screen and tbh, to still see people trotting out the exact same arguments is insane. Get with the program or change the channel.

Double post. Sorry - that's the 2nd one today, no idea what's going on with my laptop. :bang:

The burning was certainly hard to watch - which was the whole point. They wanted to stick the knife in, with Shireen's death & it worked 100%. But was it out of character for Stannis to make this decision? No, I don't think so. Certainly not for show Stannis. He truly believes his own hype (as told to him by Mel) - he is going to be king & he's going to beat the army of darkness, this is his destiny. He's willing to do whatever is necessary to see this done. His trust in melisadre is absolute. She told him this was needed & so he saw it done. As for Mereen - wow! That is all.

Double post. Sorry.

I love how people are whinging about character assassination & how book Stannis wouldn't do something like this. Let's look at his history: Stannis is the guy who murdered his own brother (using magic) in order to kill his nephew in order to take the IT. Stannis is also the guy who would have sacrificed his nephew (Edric Storm) if Davos hadn't stepped in. Yes, he may well sacrifice everything for the Realm - possibly himself included - but everything also includes everyone around him.

8/10. It wasn't the most awe inspiring season opener we've had, but it did a good job of setting the board for what's to come. Yes, there are more pronounced changes with this season but I can see why they've been made - I'm not having a hissy fit about them. I loved the Varys and Tyrion scenes. Ciarin Hinds - I love this actor. It's a shame to see him go, his scene was another episode highlight. Littlefingers plans continue along nicely. I can't warm to the whole Missandei/Grey worm plot, but there wasn't much of it this week, so that was fine.

Same here. In the book, it was definitely consensual - now Jaime is a rapist (ok sleeping with your sister isn't exactly a badge of honour, but still). If the directors intention was to show she gave her consent he failed miserably. I don't know how this is anything other than character assassination in the part of D&D I'm afraid. (And I'm someone who has been supportive of these two on the whole). As for the rest of the episode, it was solid enough. It wasn't on a par with the last two eps, but it did it's job. The whole scene in the sept just leaves a very bad after taste for the whole ep.

8/10 from me. It wasn't perfect, but still a good cut above the majority of what's on TV at the moment. Jack Gleeson has done an excellent job - I've always said its harder to play a villain than a hero - as Joffrey and, as much as I'm glad to see Joffrey meet his maker, I'm sorry to see him go.

Thought this was a good, solid premiere. I gave it 8/10. I'm glad it did so well in the ratings. So many shows have a drop off in the numbers when they've been around for 3 seasons, so this is an encouraging sign.

I gave it 8 out of 10. I really enjoyed this episode and there were some excellent scenes in it - the cersei/Tyrion scene and the Tywin/Arya scene in particular. Theon is progressing nicely.The gorgeous shot of Harren Hall was a treat. Its not perfect - the new Mountain is just wrong casting, I'm just not sufficiently creeped out by Bolton and Qarth could be stronger as a storyline.

A solid 8 from me. As has already been mentioned in this thread, I wish people would try judging the episodes by their own merits. If you are expecting a literal tranlation from the books, you are always going to be disappointed. TV shows have budgets that have to be adhered to.

I think justified is very much a changable concept under these circumstances. The Dothraki felt they were justified in what they did to Mirri's village and people. Mirri felt she was justified in the route she opted to take.

Hello everyone! I'm scotcat. I started watching the tv series and discovered this forum. After lurking for a few weeks, I finally decided to take the plunge and join the forum. I've only read the first book in the series, but I loved it and can't wait for the other books to be delivered.