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Yeah it is too bad. GRRM confirmed that Belwas has been cut. I imagine his role to be split with (an increased role of) Daario, Ser Barristan, and a little bit for Jorah.

This. Plus HBO likes to get actors from different shows in because it brings attention to other HBO shows, building a case for people to subscribe if their reason for not is that they only watch one show, like Game of Thrones.

I think you may have seen a True Blood commercial...

As did I. They're like, "This guy is hurt bad! Look at all the arrows in his back. Roll him around so we know if he is someone important."

I got my 'Ripple Effect' thread approved. In it, I (as well as anyone who wishes to contribute) talk about the changes from the books that will have a major effect in the future plot of the show. Feel free to come contribute, or just check it out.

Hot mess? Has somebody been watching Arrested Development?

Here is what I said in the rating topic: What a horrible episode. They made it so cheesy. The exceptions are: Roose Bolton. This actor nails in and his presence makes every scene better as another villain (like Tywin) that you hate to love, and love to hate. Tywin Lannister. Charles Dance has continually nailed Tywin, and has the exact presence of Tywin Lannister. You feel the power radiating from him. Bran's story of the Rat Cook. Though his scenes aren't the greatest, Ramsay is the same creepy piece of shit that we read about. Everything else was just cringe-worthy, and at some points I felt like I was watching a soap opera. It hit me hard at first, when Yara gave her speech, and continued for a while after including (just off the top of my head): Jaime's return to King's Landing. Varys and Shae. Tyrion and Cersei. Jaime and Cersei. Tyrion when he walked in on Sansa crying. Jon and Ygritte. Davos, Mel, and Stannis (angels on the shoulders anyone?) Davos and Gendry. I hated that he is crossing from Dragonstone to King's Landing in a row boat. Bull fucking shit. Dany and "Mhysa" was so cheesy. Give her a horse so she can ride past as they reach out. That closing shot was hysterical, as in I couldn't help but laugh at it. Arya's stabbing didn't seem anything near (what I believe this was the "equivalent" of) Crossroads Inn. One of (if not the) best Arya scenes was just butchered. I expected so much emotion from it, but it was completely lacking it because, I think, Arya was silent. I gave it a 2/10 simply because of Tywin, Roose, and Walder Frey (the good parts). I was so disappointed with this episode. ETA: No UnCat. I was so upset. I even had a thread discussing this very topic, and this was about the only thing I was looking forward to.

What a horrible episode. They made it so cheesy. The exceptions are: Roose Bolton. This actor nails in and his presence makes every scene better as another villain (like Tywin) that you hate to love, and love to hate. Tywin Lannister. Charles Dance has continually nailed Tywin, and has the exact presence of Tywin Lannister. You feel the power radiating from him. Bran's story of the Rat Cook. Everything else was just cringe-worthy, and at some points I felt like I was watching a soap opera. It hit me hard at first, when Yara gave her speech, and continued for a while after including (just off the top of my head): Jaime's return to King's Landing. Varys and Shae. Tyrion and Cersei. Jaime and Cersei. Tyrion when he walked in on Sansa crying. Davos, Mel, and Stannis (angels on the shoulders anyone?) Davos and Gendry. I hated that he is crossing from Dragonstone to King's Landing in a row boat. Bull fucking shit. Dany and "Mhysa" was so cheesy. Give her a horse so she can ride past as they reach out. That closing shot was hysterical, as in I couldn't help but laugh at it. ETA: Jon and Ygritte. Arya's stabbing didn't seem anything near (what I believe this was the "equivalent" of) Crossroads Inn. One of (if not the) best Arya scenes was just butchered. I gave it a 2/10 simply because of Tywin, Roose, and Walder Frey. I was so disappointed with this episode.

I want to tear you apart right now. But I will restrain. Read the books.

I've been saying this forever :) Ian McShane would be PERFECT as Doran! Also, since you guys dropped the ball with Dominic West (he thought 6 months in Iceland), try again for him to be the Red Viper!

I nearly cried (I did when I read it). Not because of Robb, because of Cat. Michelle Fairley played it amazingly all the way to the last second. Since basically all of it was good, I will list my complaints, then some key things that stuck out to me. Bad: I was very upset with Roose Bolton's stabbing. It was abrupt, far too 'out of nowhere' but not in the way the book surprised me. I expected to see him walking up, and then do the deed. But instead, he sort of pops into frame like "Surprise!" and stabs Robb. I expected to see him coming, but not see it coming. Sam knowing about the Black Gate and the delay of Coldhands. Since Coldhands doesn't really have an identity (that we can tell from his scenes), there is no casting restraint. It just doesn't make much sense to do it the way they did. On a side note, I like how they tied back to Sam in season one saying "I always wanted to be a wizard." It was dumb how the soldiers of Yunkai--noted to be slaves--surround Daario, Grey Worm, and Jorah, and then they apparently just threw down their weapons? It would have been better to show a man dressed in fancy garb step outside and yelling for the soldiers to attack, and they simply lay down their weapons there. I think that would have had more impact and made more sense. Roslin looked too happy, and not nervous at all. Key points: I like how they added in a bit of the Varamyr prologue by showing Orell's "second life." They did a great job with Bran's warging abilities. It was about time they gave us some real content there. I really liked how they showed how big of a deal it was that Bran could warg Hodor even for a split second. I know this is different from the books (Bran keeps it a secret; warging men is considered horrible), but it did a better job to explain just how special Bran is, given they have dodged it with all of his scenes earlier this season. My one issue was that I wanted Jojen to mention his third eye. I am still curious how they will get Tormund North of the Wall. He needs to survive the battle, and no way he would be captured. I imagine he will now go back over the Wall with Ygritte since their force was just ripped apart, to warn Mance that the Night's Watch is now aware of their imminent attack. I like how they started with killing Talisa. It threw readers like me off because we had no idea where her story was going. It gave us the shock factor that the Red Wedding would otherwise lack for us. I like how much content they got into the wedding--Roose's marriage, Edmure's immaturity, Robb's naivety, Cat's paranoia, Cat's love for her family (in large thanks to Fairley), the Frey's lack of respect when it comes to the rules of honor and the gods (guest right). The Rains of Castamere. When I heard that, I felt my chest tighten. Well done. All in all an amazing episode that I was so worried they would screw up. With Talisa dead, they were able to cut the content of Tywin managing the dormant alliance with Sybell Spicer for the show's future (makes sense). I love how they managed to show us just how close Arya was to being reunited with her family, and also how the Hound does have a conscience that he hides behind anger. The moment of the bedding was also perfect--Edmure looking drunk and boyish. I don't have an ear for this, but was that music played well? I remember in the book it was notably bad, so I wondered if anyone with an ear for music knows if the music was played particularly poorly. I gave it a 10/10.

Remember that Lancel was gravely wounded during Blackwater, and the next time we see him he looks as if he's aged some 40 years. From what I read, the actor really enjoyed being a part of GoT so I expect him to return if they want him to. I hope he does because I thought he started doing a swell job with Lancel last season.

GRRM has said he made a mistake about Jeyne's description in the Jaime chapter. So if that is what you're basing the theory off of, I think he crushed it with that. Having said that, I have no idea what the plan is for Talisa.

I think the "rogue force" is supposed to be what I've always called the "Sewers Squad." I also think the duel will occur for Yunkai, having either Daario or Ser Barristan prove their worth to Dany.

Your analysis is more of the books. I was speaking specifically about the show.

I think it was simply a mistake. They probably said "We need to emphasize that Sansa is so young compared to Tyrion. Somebody check the wiki for her age." The inattention to detail has always been a problem of the series.

*Balon. But no, it won't happen. At least not Joff. It is too great of a scene/episode to have next season. Plus him dying would have the butterfly effect. I think it would be great to begin next season with Balon's death.

Ah I forgot to say that my first impression of Daario in the show is more likeable than book Daario. Nothing to do with looks - I just couldn't see why anyone would fall for Book!Daario. TV!Daario has that same arrogance but with more charm.

I've gotta say I do still favor the first season. They cut a lot of the history but they hit the culture perfectly (I think). By the end of the season, you understand what everyone's story is about, what each main character (that had been introduced) was like in the first book, and Mark Addy was just exceptional as King Robert. Also, and I know this is a point of contention here, but the nudity was less intrusive -- we usually got it through whores in brothels, or Dany with Drogo. The nudity did not seem to change scenes, where now it seems that they go into the writers room thinking "how could we do this, but with her naked." The second season I hated almost every episode of it because it seemed to lack all the details that GRRM avoided. GRRM commented on how silly it is in LOTR where the heroes wear no helms, and never seem to get hit like the common soldiers. But then they butcher his Blackwater episode by having Stannis literally lead the charge without any sort of protection (via shield or helm). And when he gets to the walls, a rock is dropped on the head of the guy next to him. Remember how Jaime cut through men because he knew if he killed Robb Stark, the Starks lose? Every Lannister soldier would be targetting Stannis. GRRM wrote Stannis commanding the battle from a war tent, and it should have stayed that way. Add in the complete butchery of Dany's story. If it weren't for the great acting for Bran, Theon, and Arya the second season would have been unwatchable for me. Arya's story was kept well, as was Theon's, but both ended poorly and abruptly IMO. Also, Stannis' story was weak but they got a perfect actor for Davos. The third season has been quite good. I like how the adaptations seem to make more sense. I think they went too hard on the torture scenes (these could have been quick openers), and I do not like the forced nudity (as I have said), but the characters seem more true. Stannis and Davos' interactions have been great, and I have finally seen what I saw in Book!Stannis. I think they have done a poor job really explaining Robb's story and I hate that they aren't using Jeyne (the way they did it makes me lose all respect for TV!Robb). Dany's story has been great, and NCW has been amazing as Jaime (as he been since the start, but he has done a great job at revealing what Jaime really is, like in the books), and I feel Brienne has been redeemed this season from her season 2 whatever (killing people slowly, looking like she enjoyed it). Bran's story has been a shame this season. Rather than giving us all the good introduction to warging and greenseer magic, we have Osha bickering about how she doesn't trust the crannogmen. Jon's story only had one good scene (which GRRM wrote). They haven't hit the culture of the wildings right. They just seem like the mountain clans, but colder and in much worse living conditions. All in all, season three has brought back the enjoyment that the show gave me in the first season. I actually consider it an adaptation of my favorite book series. Season two made me consider giving up on the show, and I don't even count it as an adaptation because it was the writers making the series what they thought would be cool. Season three has redeemed my interest and made me look forward to each episode. They crushed my heart (in the bad way) with Blackwater last season. I just hope they made the Red Wedding was heartbreaking (in the sorta good way) as it was when I read it (thought it'll be hard since they made sure I dislike TV!Robb).

"Necessary" is not the right word. I think you mean acceptable. Unless we see a Gendry shadow-baby, it was not necessary. I would say it was necessary if Mel snuck the leaches on after Gendry had the post-climax sleepies. But she contradicted her whole thing about not scaring him. He was clearly freaking out. I enjoyed seeing the actress nude as much as the next guy, but as far as plot significance, it had none and actually contradicted material said earlier in the episode.

I have read that some think he will sneak Talisa out of RW. GRRM has said that fan theories will not affect what he writes. I think it goes the same with the books. He will not change anything important. He has said that TV!Osha is more interesting than his own (though this season she is a pain) and that he may write more with her (or something along those lines). I don't think it is altering anything in the world (places, characters, events, etc.). Instead, it changes how he writes, not what he writes.

Sounds like Heresy ;) But many have pondered on the connection between the Others and the Children, and believe the showrunners chose this appearance to intentionally show a similarity between the two. Regarding the ravens and Sam: I feel like it'll be explained by Coldhands simply saying something like "I was told about what you did to the cold one," and Sam figures out it was through the ravens.

You're referring to the characters Jack McCall and Francis Wolcott, both played wonderfully by Garret Dillahunt. I'm not sure if it would work with Jason Momoa, but I would certainly be interested in seeing it. He was great as Drogo.

I was going to say something after four, but six is a bit much. There is a MultiQuote function for a reason. Please use it and do not use up pages just for a small thoughts.

For the rest, we must agree to disagree. I would have preferred you not make things personal, however. But the Mel-Gendry sex scene was pointless. Mel had NO reason to get naked and hop on his dick. NONE AT ALL. She doesn't want him to "see the blade"? How about tying him up in his sleep? There are plenty of alternate methods that would make more sense. I would love to hear your explanation for why it was necessary for Melisandre to have sex with Gendry.