Ser Ilyn's Tongue

I really hate to nitpick at such an early stage as overall I liked the episode a lot and it felt great to have a show like this back on TV... But Viserys' crown with the sigil that we've all seen on a million bits of merchandise over the years - did anyone else think that looked like it was designed for an online shop rather than a the monarch of the realm? I didn't like it Apologies if it's just me! The cast was good, the music is as excellent as ever. I've definitely moved from ambivalent to cautiously optimistic.

Has to be 10. The Longclaw moment alone was worth 10, but the whole episode was very enjoyable. It only included the better series 5 storylines. The show makers get some stick (often rightly) but seeing as this episode was largely based on unpublished material, or just made up, they deserve some credit for this one. Also loved the cool wildling women - so obviously going to die as soon as we found out she was 1) cool 2) says bye to her kids!

Really great episode. I definitely preferred it to the openers of series 2 and 3. I'm giving it an 8 in the hope that the series will still get better from here.

Also, just want to add that I especially liked the Roose and Walder scene. Awesome bad guys!

A good episode. Lots of excellent scenes, including the created for tv stuff, and a better finale than season 2. Good to see some of the extended cast return (particularly Maester Aemon). I thought it was lacking a bit of wow factor and personally I found the Mhysa scene a bit naff and cheesy, so I gave it an 8.

The easiest 10 I've ever given. Everything in that episode was brilliant. It could be the best TV I've ever watched. Better than Blackwater. All the arcs were handled perfectly Jon, Dany, Bran, Arya (even Sam), the acting ws first class, the anticipated moments paid off, and it even had some good laughs. I can't understand those that are moaning about the lack of foreboding in the buildup to the RW - it's there! Just watch it! It's just done differently. Even so, that should be a minor niggle. If you like the books (as I obviously do) then they will always be better. Let the show do it's own thing and be the best program on TV.

Everyone seems a bit down about this episode but I really enjoyed it! The deviations from the book all fit neatly, there was some good comedy, a shocking death and the scene on top of the Wall looked amazing. Nice soundtrack too. I give it an easy 8.

Actually, my only minor niggle was the symbolic dropping of the whip in the Dracarys scene. As a whole it was a good scene, but that was just a bit extra cheesey and therefore distracting.

I gave it a 9. Fantastic episode, The first really good one this series. Well acted (as ever) but well written and directed too. Hardly any filler (apart from the Bran scene - but that's OK cos I like Bran) and everything made sense. Varys and Olenna were especially good, I thought. If the rest of the series can stay at this level, I will be very happy.

Personally I would give this episode a 7 at most. I enjoyed it as ever, but I wasn't thrilled by it either. The first Riverrun scene, the chair moving, Dany's improving storyline and the acting in the Jaime and Brienne scenes were good. The rest I thought was only OK - it just didn't grab me particularly. And the song at the end seemed misplaced. Completely ruined the moment IMHO. So far I haven't got particularly excited by this season. To me it feels a bit directionless - like if I didn't know what happens from reading the books, that I would just be watching the characters move around with little real understanding of what's going on or why it might be significant. Also, the Jon storyline has been so poor for so long now that it almost feels pointless. This upsets me as I really enjoyed Jon's story in ASOS. Hopefully it gets better soon. To end on a positive note, everything looks great this year. I don't know what they've done but Westeros is looking a bit more real.

A solid espisode with some good moments. I gave it a nine, as I don't think it quite compared to the last couple of weeks. I'm pretty sure the next episode is going to be a good one though. Bring on the Blackwater!

My second 10 in two weeks. There wasn't a scene I didn't enjoy. Jaime's escape was definitely the highlight. I'd still like more Dinklage, though. And where's Stannis got to?!

I have, of course, thoroughly enjoyed the series but this was first time I really thought its excelled. Brilliant episode, I loved every scene. I don't mind any of the deviations, they don't change much in the long run. My first 10 of the series.

Hello everybody, my name is Pug. I'm not exactly a newbie but I've only just seen this thread and thought I should say hi (guess I should have checked out everything this site had to offer sooner!) I got into ASOIAF via the HBO show too and am now obsessed! I just want to say how much fun it is discussing everything on here, and thanks for all the theories - credible and crackpot alike, they're all good. Good work everyone, you certainly make my slow days a lot more interesting!