pleonasm

I think theoretically a very large well constructed ballista could strike the top of the wall. There is some evidence of some ballista's having a range of 500 yards (1500 feet), so the top of wall? Sure, why not. Was there any evidence in the books that Pyp or Grenn would have really significant role to play in the end game? For me, they were pure supporting players through and through. And both characters got to shine with some memorable moments before getting killed off. I wasn't supra impressed by the episode, but if your going to spend and entire hour televising a battle, there needs to be some casualties of consequence for the Night's Watch. It was a completely logical choice for D&D to make and I can't fault them for it. There simply wasn't enough screen time to introduce another set of characters at the Wall to only have them dispatched 7 or 8 episodes later. Personally, I think this episode should have been episode 4 and ended with Stannis's arrival in episode 5. The Craster's Keep subplot was pointless and that momentum from that great moment between Ygritte and Jon last season was lost because of the long delay before their eventual meetup again.

In defense of D&D (shit, I can't believe I'm saying that), Jon Snow the character suffers on GOT and also in the books, because his story arc ,at least to date, is a fantasy trope writ large. He is Luke Skywalker and every other fantasy / Joseph Campbell type hero character every written. Its is easier to empathize with him with the books -- partly due to the POV structure of books, but a trope is a trope. And that does him no favors... That being said, Season 2 really undermined the character in a significant way, and I don't think the character every truly recovered - at least on the tv show.

Fascinating that the best fight scene in history of the show was in this episode and not the prior one. Kudos to Kit, the other actor, and the stunt team. That was exceptionally well done. It was technically a pretty exceptional episode. I can't really quibble with any of the book changes. I really did like how Thorne had some redeeming moments. It definitely fleshed out a character who has been exceptionally one note since season 1. That said, the decision to make this episode 9, with all the associated filler (i.e. Craster's Keep), really undermined some of the story-lines. The Ygritte/Jon soap opera felt a little flat, by no fault of the actors, but rather that the fact Ygritte was a non entity for most of the season other than her brief appearance last week and in the opening episode.

Meh. That's all I got. Meh. With all the hype surrounding the Mountain and Viper I turned off the tv feeling pretty disappointed. I get that its tv, with a limited shooting time, but how is it possible that a deleted fight scene between Orlando Bloom and Martin Cskokas in Kingdom of Heaven was both more emotionally resonant and dramatic than that. I guess it had all the trademark of a mediocre GOT fight sequence. Poorly staged. Wild sword swings, Camera parked too far from the action. Poor use of dramatic beats to heighten the action. And don't forget the over the top gore ending. Sigh... In other news... Sansa Stark is maleficent and the beetle monologue may be single worst bit of writing in the history of HBO.

It wasn't just the dogs, but shirtless Ramsey Van Damme was just plain silly as well. Personally, I'd preferred it if Yara had managed to get a skittish Theon back to the boats, with Ramsey and his men off in the distance in pursuit, only to have Theon step back announce to Yara and her men that Theon Greyjoy had died. He then runs back to his captors. It's the only way I can rationalize Yara actually leaving Theon behind after her big speeches and her boat trip around Westeros to save her brother. What they had onscreen, I just didn't buy.

I really thought they handled the trial exceptionally well. Some great performances combined with some new but logical revisions to the source material. I wish the same could be said of Dreadfort nonsense. They are now 0 for 2 with their filler plot lines this season. So after Yara's stirring speech last season and her 1/2 season long odyssey to the Dreadfort we get her chased away from Theon/Reek by 3 dudes and some dogs? What the hell? How do Benioff and Weiss keep botching this shit up. There a dozen more effective ways this could have played out, even low cost ones, that wouldn't have included a clunky sword fight in tight quarters and Yara scurrying back to her boats after the first sign of any conflict. And while the Iron Bank sequence was more impressive, I couldn't help but think how unnecessary it was if they simply altered the story line a little and moved the Battle of Wall into a earlier episode and saved a sequence like that for next year.

I just have to restate how in-conceived and poorly executed the entire Lock subplot was this season. I like the actor and his performance, but what a train wreck. Let's recap. Locke is sent on an assassination mission to wipe out the remaining Stark heirs in the North. He miraculously moves from the Dreadfort to Castle Black in record time while the Wildling's mill about in the Reach eating and killing locals. He then ingratiates himself with Jon Snow, presumably to eventually kill him at an opportune moment. He, logically, then joins Jon's mission to kill the Night's Watch rapers at Craster's Keep. For some reason, Locke of all people is sent to scout Craster's Keep. The one guy on the mission who has never ever seen Craster's camp?!?! What the hell? He then super conveniently stumbles onto Team Bran and decides during the planned assault he is now going to kidnap Bran? To what end? He is going to take Bran south to the Boltons? Past Castle Black and rest of the Night's Watch? Even though, he was sent to kill off heirs? It hurts my head....

The fights scenes have never really been a strength of this series. Other than Blackwater, I can count only one really memorable and exceptionally well executed fight scene in 3 and 1/2 seasons (The Hounds vs Beric). Other than that, they range from mediocre, to clunky, to down right awful. The Battle at Craster's Keep is definitely in the latter camp for me. It was if the Director simply yelled out "Sword Fight" and off the actors and extra's went. The result: A poorly paced silly sequence with guys wildly swinging their pretend swords. The thing is, it is possible to put together compelling action sequences on television. It's shame Cinemax's Banshee seems to be able to do better at this each week on 1/8 of the budget of GOT.

What a lifeless filler episode. So Craster's Keep was exactly as I feared, filler. An unnecessary detour, with the almost reunion of some Stark siblings thrown in, until we get to an eventual climax with the Wildlings. Even the battle scenes looked completely staged with little to no sense of drama. And what was with Locke's insane kidnapping of Bran plan? He is going to take him back over the Wall to the Bolton's? What the hell? Sigh... If anything, this season is confirming my worst fears. I have no issue with any attempt to go off book, but Benioff and Weiss are just mediocre writing talents and it constantly shows. Lackluster dialogue, contrived scenes, and offering nothing more than superficial insight into the characters.

It's not fan fiction. Sigh... Bran's ventures North are the television series equivalent of a Mereeneese Knot. Two to three seasons of hiking and sledding is just not going to work in that medium. A rewrite was necessary. You can quibble with what they come up with it. I do. I think this subplot is fraught with problems (including a lack of originality (more rapers), the trapping of Ghost in a cage, a much too long delay in Mance's advance on the wall (he's cribbing from Danny's invasion of Westeros playbook), etc...), but I don't blame them for wanting to invent something dramatically compelling to occur with their leads. Personally, I think they should have just placed Bran and company at Castle Black and let the Battle of the Wall occur in episode 6 or something. But it's a choice. All adapters of fiction make them. This choice is just a shitty one.

On another note, Mance Rayder has apparently been cribbing from Danny's invasion playbook. His advance on the Wall could be measured in geological time. I realize they are saving all the marbles for episode 9, but maybe they should have mixed it up a little and had the battle staged earlier in the season. That said, I'm all on board with the show giving Bran a subplot that wasn't another season of hiking/sledding Northwards, however a visit to Rape Town might not have been my first choice. And while I like the actor playing Tanner(?), who would have made a great Ramsey Bolton IMHO, do we really need another raper in our midst? I just found the whole story-line more exhausting than anything else. A lot of GOT style mustache twirling.

I'm sure there will be a little build up, but it is no question but the biggest misuse of a talented actor (Iian Glen) in the entire series. Two seasons of exposition guy, followed by two seasons as an extra. What a waste... If they are inventing story-lines and subplots, why not give one of your top end talents something to do?

It is unreasonable that some of us would be uncomfortable with that image? It wouldn't have been so bad if: 1. They had spent more time (at least one scene or two) describing the mechanics of slavery in the World of Ice and Fire. Isn't that what Mr. Exposition Jorah Mormont is there for? 2. They hadn't purposely cast white people in the role of the Slave Owners in Astapor. This unfortunately suggests this is less like a Roman style slavery system (anyone who is conquered is property and becomes a slave) vs. a race based slavery system. and a 3rd suggestion... the original casting call notes for Daario specifically requested non white actors (counter to the books, but a good choice for diversity), but unfortunately they either couldn't find an actor they liked or just decided to go with a 'white' guy. Of the 3 recurring characters introduced in Danny's story-line this year, it was only the white guy who actually got any real character development. The two people of color are currently just one dimensional sidekicks.

I am just trying to imagine how low the ratings for this episode would have been if Benioff and Weiss hadn't decided to shift the "Bear Pit" sequence into this episode? its doubtful that sequence was even written by George. I am fine with any changes to the source material is fine as long as its smart, believable to the world of Ice and Fire, and dramatically rich, unfortunately, so many of the changes fail to meet any one of those criteria. I gave it a 3 out 10.

16 year old Book Margaery might be a virgin, but not 30 year old Natalie Dormer's TV Margaery (who has to be at least in her early 20's). Once they decided on casting Natalie, I don't know why they didn't just change her backstory to suggest she had once been married prior to Renly. This would much better explain her mad political skills and sexual maturity. I do agree about the conversation though. One thing that Benioff, Weiss, and apparently George have lost/forgotten/ or are just not interested about when adapting the novels is how the nobles from different Houses interact with each other. It's about pretense, decorum, and presentation. Only giving away the least amount information as possible and always having plausible deniability in case any information shared could be used against you. Why would Margaery share much of anything with Sansa? How does she know what Sansa might say to someone else? Clearly, TV Sansa can't keep her mouth shut.

It won't really resonate with either audience (book readers or non book readers) because Roose is so undeveloped as a character. It would probably been far more interesting to have presented the torturer as Ramsey Snow on Day 1. And that Roose has no love or affection for his bastard. It also could have been used by Catelyn to underscore her fear of what a bastard son might do to a heir (Jon on Robb). Theon's storyline is a just blight on this season. A lot of Non Book readers just don't get the point of spending so much time on it, and a lot of Book Readers are unhappy that its getting so much time in lieu of other story lines or characters that could be showcased

It wouldn't have been difficult. Acting, makeup, some well written scenes where you get some slow reveals in what Ramsey did to him. Part of the problem with the torture is how repetitive the scenes are. They have tried to mix it up, but essentially it boils down to some version of Ramsey mind fucking and then physically doing something to Theon. Given how many television series and movies have had some version of torture scenes in the last decade (the list is so long... 24, Zero Dark 30, all the Saw/torture porn films, Casino Royale, etc...), it becomes more tiring and exhausting than normal. You would have to get incredibly creative with the writing to make that compelling over 5 or 6 episodes. It didn't help that have saddled the audience with the mystery of who the torturer is either. It won't really resonate with either audience (book readers or non book readers) because Roose is so undeveloped as a character. It would probably been far more interesting to have presented the torturer as Ramsey Snow on Day 1. And that Roose has no love or affection for his bastard. It also could have been used by Catelyn to underscore her fear of what a bastard son might do to a heir. Theon's storyline is a just blight on this season. A lot of Non Book readers just don't get the point of spending so much time on it, and a lot of Book Readers are unhappy that its getting so much time in lieu of other story lines or characters that could be showcased.

The Good, The Bad, and Ugly The Good: 1. Jon finally got something to do and say. Finally! 2. Jamie and Brienne - Pretty solid, although thumbs down on the location scout for scene with Jamie and Qyburn, they looked they were just over the hill from Bran and his gang. 3. Danny's scene, although I would kill for a single more personal scene with any combination of Dany, Jorah or Barristan Selmy, they are delivering on Bad Ass Danny this season. And having a couple of scenes earlier in the season of where Danny was exposed to some of the horrors of slavery, would have done wonders to demonstrate her new found role as the Great Emancipator of Slaver's Bay. The Bad and Ugly 1. Theon, theon, theon. The most ill conceived storyline addition to this season just slogs on and on. I don't care about actors, contracts or any of that. This just isn't good at all. In fact, this scene might have been the worst of the season so far. So Ramsey Snow, the bastard of Bolton, a known psychopath who hunts and starves women now has a small harem of hotties at his beck and call to help in his torture games? I call bullshit! There might have been an interesting way to show Theon breaking down to "Reek", but this is not it. 2. Osha's long monologue. I was bored. The Meh: 1. Robb and Talisa. Two talented actors with little to no interesting material. 2. Arya - How did she escape and entire Band of Outlaws again? That was one of the most poorly edited sequences I've seen. 3. Catelyn - I miss u. I wish they had given you some decent material this season. Sigh... 4. King's Landing - Filler and more filler.

I have been saying this since season 1. People have saying Sibel Kekilli is a decent German actor, but I haven't been impressed at all. I wouldn't have been torn up at all if they had kept Esmi Bianco around instead. I wasn't that impressed either, other than the fact Jon Snow finally exhibited some resembling a personality for the first time since Season 1. I am curious how much was rewritten by the showrunners (a common practice in TV writing), before I slam George too much. As I mentioned in a previous post, I do think so much of blame is with the showrunners. Its how they are breaking the stories which causing so many of episodes to feel like filler.

Three things I've learned: 1. Given limited material, George can't turn mediocre material into a great screenplay, only just good. 2. While the Reek/Theon chapters in Dance may be the strongest, I loathe the Theon storyline on TV. Loathe... 3. I blame Benioff and Weiss. Their fuckup of season 2 and how they decided to break stories for Storm of Swords is the cause of every major issue I have with this season, despite the better production values and generally amazing casting.

That would been a great idea. Its definitely something you could envision Ramsey doing, gives some great dramatic material for Bran and company (I'd much rather see a bad ass Osha and Meera vs. them squabbling over rabbits), and also explains why the trip to the wall takes so much time as they are avoiding Ramsey's men. This 'Ramsey' mystery subplot is really a baffling tv decision. They don't want to reveal who he is, because it might tip the tv audience that Roose Bolton will betray Robb, but that is just dumb. It would have been so easy to have a scene where Roose or even Maester Luwin last season, talk about the estranged relationship between Roose and his basterd, and how much dislike/distrust they have for each other. Heck even Catelyn could have referenced Ramsey as why she was so concerned about Jon Snow... a renegade basterd who may have killed Roose's heir.

Agreed. And what's also troubling long term is that its going to force B&B to expedite Theon's storyline from Dance much earlier into the story. They can't possibly have another full season of torture porn, so its likely next year we see Theon as Reek. Its such a poor use of screen time when other characters and storylines could have been better served. I think it would have been much more dramatically interesting and powerful to have kept Theon offscreen for most of the season and then have Ramsey take Robb down to the Twin's dungeon in episode 9, prior to the Red Wedding, and announce he had captured Theon Greyjoy. Theon could have then given his Ned speech at that time. The who is the torturer mystery is just silly... even for non-book viewers... it doesn't justify 6-10 minute scenes every other episode.

With only 10 episodes and limited screen time, I'd like them to stop repeating themselves incessantly (the Theon torture porn scenes) I'd like the characters who know how to play the game, actually play it, rather that make big speeches to their enemies (Littlefinger, Vary's). Yes, it takes some creativity to write scenes where the characters demonstrate what great game players and that reveal subtly their motivations. Or we could be lazy and just have the characters tell us. I'd like some scenes to actually have some subtly and well crafted writing in them, instead of some hammy dialogue and tired gay jokes (Loras/Sansa, Queen of Thornes/Tywin) If your going to invent some new scenes/story-lines as least make an effort to make them logical. How did Mel find Gendry? Did the Lord of Light provide her with a Google Map of Westeros? Maybe try and actually come up with something interesting for Bran & Company to do until they reach the wall (I did like the side effect of seizures for Jojen, that was a nice add)? This was a brutal episode. A solid 2 for me.

My least favorite episode of this season. The Good 1. Despite a couple of not very good effects shots, the scaling of the wall was a pretty effective action sequence. 2. Cersei and Tyrion. I am fine with this this more restrained, almost defeated, Cersei. I am hopeful the deaths of Joffrey and subsequently Tywin will send her over the edge to a more crazed Cersie. The fall will only be more severe, so I am fine with it. 3. The Joffrey and Ros scene. I was never a fan of Ros, but that was a disturbing moment. The Bad 1. Vary's and Littlefinger - I am exhausted with all this out in the open game playing. I know its more challenging to try and showcase the planning and motivations of the behind the scenes players, but the idea that these two are continually just going to joust out in the open, is so silly. They look amateurish. 2. Oleanna and Tywin - Please see above. They are players, they should be playing the game. A far more interesting scene would have been the two of them avoiding the elephants in the room (Cersei's incest and Loras's sexuality) without explicitly mentioning either. 3. Mel, Gendry, Arya and the Brotherhood - Yes, I understand the desire to give some of your actors something to do and reduce the number of roles in the series, but this failed on a couple of different levels. How on earth did Mel know where Gendry was? If she had a vision regarding Arya - where was the follow-up questions for this high born girl? You just walk away? It was just clunky and didn't make any sense at all. The Ugly Theon - I have hated these scenes since Day 1 of Season 3. And for good reason... nothing is happening. Its just simple mind fuckery and torture porn. There was a reason George didn't include a bunch of Theon POV's chapters in Storm of Swords, it wasn't necessary. What's so frustrating, beyond the fact that its eating up so much screen time, is that one or two well written scenes would have been more than sufficient (Please see the opening scene of Zero Dark Thirty or Joffrey and Ros this week!)

This was the strongest episode of the season and if we don't count Blackwater, possibly the best of the last two seasons. That said, I do have some minor quibbles. I still have some issues with how Benioff and Weiss focus their attention. The focus of this episode should have been "Astapor". It needed more than a single scene, even as good as that the scene was. Jamie/Brienne, Cersei, and Margaery all had multiple scenes this week. They needed to fully sell us on the idea that Danny might give up one of her Dragons. Even non-book reader friends of mine weren't convinced for a moment that she was actually going to give up a Dragon for an Army. A small scene with Barristan where she shows some doubt or highlights the risk of what she is doing, would have done that storyline wonders and/or a scene 'showing' and not telling us about the conditions of the Slave class in Astapor would have helpful as well (this would highlight one of Danny's underlying motivations for her actions). The mutiny in the Night's Watch could also have used some better setup. They at least hinted at some discontent in a previous episode, but it felt bungled and confusing this week. The Watch also had critically wounded? It was hard to tell anyone had anything but superficial wounds from the exteriors shot in Iceland. Both these storylines needed more time and scenes to truly flourish and deliver their respective payoffs. I would have given up the walkabout in the Sept or even Tyrion and Vary's scenes for a tighter focus and make this a great episode rather than a good one.