The Greenseer

You must be trolling, I'd like to know what shows you are watching that are better

I agree, but still think there is time to work in news of Bran and Rickon before his release. I think that may be one of the cliffhangers in the final episode, leaving non book viewers to believe the Stark boys are dead till next season. Meanwhile Cat frees Jaimie.

9 Really great. Now for the nitpicking: The changes in the storylines actually keep the show interesting, though I don't love them all. The other posters have made some good points. Theon was a perfect blend ruthless, clueless, and desperate. Dany is coming off a bit crazy bratty, Tywin scenes are good TV, he sure can eat and drink it seems, as often as Arya shuttles back and forth to the table, haha. Not sure why they let the Hound find the moons blood. Still hate the new mountain actor, he has no emotion and is too thin, whereas the old mountain was straight scary. Dont love Brienne's awkward portrayal. Another flaw that really bothers me for some reason: Hodor. Hodor sounded like a Shakesperian trained actor when he intelligently states Hodor twice. He is a half-wit he is supposed to mutter Hodor as a reflex, to something he can't express, yet somehow conveys his emotion. Such as Hodor? or Hodor! or Hodoooor... How hard is it to get that right? Not sure how the cat sized dragons are going to burn down the House of the Undying. Anyone?

Really? I'd love to know what you are watching that is better. Especially in the fantasy genre...

A solid 9. Now we're cooking with gas. In previous episodes the story deviations bothered me and were not convincing. This episode however, handled all of the deviations believably. The acting/directing was even better. Plot lines should be easier to follow for non readers. Loved the shock of the opening sack of winterfell, and the pathetic portrayal of theon. Ygritte is awesome, almost exactly as I picture her. We got a bonus Joff slap! Like the dragon thieving, it always seemed like something that should have happened. Tywin/Arya scenes give us dome more insight into the Tywin character, plus he's possibly the best actor on the show. Solid. This was the best show of the season so far.

A solid 9. Now we're cooking with gas. In previous episodes the story deviations bothered me and were not convincing. This episode however, handled all of the deviations believably. The acting/directing was even better. Plot lines should be easier to follow for non readers. Loved the shock of the opening sack of winterfell, and the pathetic portrayal of theon. Ygritte is awesome, almost exactly as I picture her. We got a bonus Joff slap! Like the dragon thieving, it always seemed like something that would have happened. Tywin/Arya scenes give us dome more insight into the Tywin character, plus he's possibly the best actor on the show. Solid. This was the best show of the season so far.

HBO has extras online, they need to air these, following the shows to help explain the backstory. Or AGOT equivalent to the show Talking Dead, which is a discussion about the show Walking Dead which airs after each episode.

I tried to use gravatar but when I click change photo, I select gravatar then hit done. When I then go back to my user name at the top right corner of the forum page the image shows up. I click on save changes, then check my user name again and it is back to blank?!

Sorry dbl post

I gave it an 8, but on further consideration probably should have been a 7. If the show has to make cuts due to screen time & budget constraints, why add so much crap in that isn't even in the books? Examples: Joff and hookers-Joff is already evil enough we don't need additional made for tv scenes to drive that point home. Robb and silent sister: has no point unless that turns out to be Jeyne, which seems to make no sense. LF and Cat: 'let's get it together baby, here's your husbands bones!' what lame BS. Dany getting belligerent with the Qarth: whats the point? There will be plenty of time for her to grow into her royal self. Highly unlikely after starving in the desert and begging for food. Other disappointments: The mountain that rides: looks more like the tree that walks, put some stuffing under that armor, and bulk homeboy up a bit! Mel's shadow babies: looked more like a black fog machine, than a shadow. I think it could have been done more like, well... a shadow! Also my wife who has not read the books, was lost and had many questions, which has me fearing for the overall viewership of the show. The fast dialogue with thick accents are not helping much. Particularly the Stannis/Davos scene, any non book viewer had to be wondering WTF they were talking about. Same with the Arya prisoner scenes, IMO it was not clear as to where they were, and what info the torturers were trying to get, if you were a non reader.

I gave it a 9. My complaints: Really can't stand the Shae portrayal, I dont remember her being so annoying in the book, way to much time dedicated to her too. I agree that Theon should have been drowned, that would make for good TV. Finally I hear the word 'Hodor' and it wasn't even him saying it, WTF? Hodor needs to say 'Hodor' on the reg! The whole Renly Loras thing and sexuality in general is really being overplayed. Have to admit to cringing a bit, maybe thats the goal, to push comfort boundaries. But hey sex sells....