Kvothe the Arcane

The major point of happiness I got from this episode was that Theon is looking very likely to be in the next series instead of cutting him out for 2/3 years, there's no way they could not include him and hopefully Ramsay after that exit. I loved Tywin's arrival, really looking forward to him shaking things up and clashing with Joffrey as I loved that element in the books. The ending beyond the Wall was a spectacular cliffhanger also, the books ending was much less grandiose, TV requires a cliffhanger. I'm also pleased the halfhand was killed by Jon, albeit in different circumstances, I hope they emphasise his remaining loyalty to the Watch next series.

The Robb/Talisa/Catelyn side of things is a complete disaster. Karstark mentioning the seven was bad but the King of the North? It was just plain shit from the writers. Its honestly hard to recognise Robb as the King in the North in the show. I appreciate the embellishing of Robb's character that needed to happen with him on screen instead of far away but they have completely ruined him to many, he is nothing in comparison to Eddard in terms of likeability through his actions, which is something that really came across in the books. I'm similarly disappointed with Arya leaving Harranhal with clean hands but they can easily rectify that on the road to Riverrun, she will need something to do after all.

The House of the Undying scenes were interesting, but ultimately served absolutely no purpose, Dany really needed some prophecy thrown around at her along with links to the past (ie. Rhaegar scenes) to properly link her character to returning to Westeros. My non book reader friends reactions to when she doesn't go to Westeros is going to be hilarious, isn't the point she turns to Slavers Bay because Illyrio sends her the ships back to Westeros?

All in all, despite how awesome Blackwater was, this season has failed to live up to the first. Alfie Allen as Theon has been spectacular, Peter Dinklage nailed it again also. I'm hoping next series (or two) are the best the series have, in conjunction with SoS being the best book. Beyond the Wall and King's Landing are in order for this to happen, but the plots in the Riverlands and Winterfell/The Dreadfort seriously need sorting out early on next series to get the show back on track.

As perfect an episode that could ever have been done.

Special shout out needs to go to Stephen Dillane, he really sold his performance of Stannis to me this episode, truly brilliant. I'm also glad they have not gone for the nose-less Tyrion also, whilst the brutality of the injury worked excellently in the books on TV it would just hinder Peter Dinklage's fine acting with prosthetics on his face all the time.

Here's looking forward to next week's finale, they have a lot to fit in!

People need to calm down and judge the show in the long run, yes it is irritating at times when they omit what we see as important character developments, but we do not know for sure yet if they have not just moved them. Remember that Arya murdering a guard could easily happen in season 3 of the show, which quite frankly, they will need to beef out as they cannot do a whole series of her in the wilderness before meeting Beric. They can easily have a scene where Arya kills a Lannister scout or to that effect.

I am not a particular fan of Talisa (mostly as the name Tulisa is just polluted in my mind as synonymous with terrible music, other British people will know what I'm saying), but she is still fulfilling the role of Jeyne Westerling from the books, as long as the role is fulfilled in the general character arc, ie. Robb betraying the Freys then I think it is fine, I mean Jeyne or the Westerlings were hardly the most important characters, the importance came from what Robb does and the consequences of his actions.

I am disappointed Stannis hasn't been given more screentime this season though, given his importance, he isn't really coming across as much of a threat even now when he's sailing, The Kings Landing scenes were far too calm, I hope they build this siege up a hell of a lot in the next episode before any fighting begins. I would guess that that is their plan as any serious tension this week would be mostly forgotten in the wake of what would therefore be pointless violence.

All in all, whilst I agree this season has not been as spectacular as the first, I think its ridiculous to write the whole show off based on character story arc changes that have not been completed yet on screen, judge the arc at its end not the middle!

They'll capture Quorin; he and Jon will talk, he'll instruct Jon to kill him, blah blah blah. All ends the same.

Exactly, in fact I think its quite a good change as it serves to demonstrate that the wildlings are actually strong beyond the Wall, they are still in the characterisation stage, where all we've seen is Craster and Osha remember, the audience needs to know on their land the Watch isn't going to have an easy ride, especially given next series' plot with Mance's invasion. In the same point the Watch needs to be emphasised as being decadent and outnumbered.

Theon was again absolutely superb, Alfie Allen has been one of the best actors this series without a shadow of a doubt. The end scene was perfect.

Still hoping Ramsay comes in at the end instead of some sort of Dagmar change, as far as I remember there has been no mention of Ramsay except from Roose or anything to connect Dagmar with Ramsay except it being the most obvious course the writers have taken, what I think may happen now is that Theon will send Dagmar off with the gold and he will return with Ramsay, and then Ramsay will sort things out, so to speak.

Great episode, the last two have been amongst my favourites of the show.

I gave it a 9 purely for Maester Luwin's ''NOOOOOO'' at the end.

I'm definitely on the "one-of-the-best-episodes-so-far" camp.

The sack of Winterfell was really heartbreaking. The contrast of Bran's reactions at the begining when Theon enters his room and during the beheading of Ser Rodrick was a nice touch. The kid is doing a fine acting job. And Theon - there was definitely an "Anakyn Skywalker"-moment there. The expression on his face after he kicks off the head from the body says clearly "There is no turning back". I've actually never liked Theon, but love the drama of his character.

Btw, am I the only one who is wondering where Summer is, when Theon comes into Bran's room? They didn't exclusively emphasized in the show that the wolves are held captive in the God's wood, did they?

Those wide shots in the second season of the show are really great. Love the scenes north of the Wall. Love to see Ghost again. Qhorin was not exactly how I imagined him and I have a problem with the fact, that Jon was the one who wanted to join Qhorin's group in the show. IIRC Qhorin took the initiative in the books. But I could live with that. Hopefully they will go somewhere with those changes. I can't understand all the complaining about the Jon/Ygritte - scenes. Yes, there are some changes, but I am still positive and prefer to wait and see the purpose of all this. I got from the scene that Jon was hesitating to kill Ygritte (as in the books). I think it was a last-minute decision to cut the rock instead of Ygritte's head, when he realized he cannot kill a woman. But then he panicked and started chasing her without thinking. It was just some rush panicking-reaction imo. I still wonder about the purpose of this change - perhaps it is a setup for the Jon-Ygritte relationship. I just hope they won't change Jon's character in some drastic way. I'm ok with the Jon-scenes so far. The actress playing Ygritte is great and the chemistry between them works so far. I am still convinced that Jon won't go straight to the wildlings-camp without having killed Qhorin.

The Arya/Tywin scenes are superb. Those two could really have a show on their own and no one would complain abot that. I am not a Lannister fan (except for Tyrion and a bit of Jaime) so even if Tywin is represented more humanly in the show, I don't like him. Charles Dance is doing a great job though. Don't mind the dialog between him and Arya, don't mind even the hiding game with LF. My only complaint is that we see too much LF and not enough Varys. Want more Varys! Stealing the letter gave Arya a good reason to choose the second death. It was more plausible for the non-book readers that way imo.

The riot scene in KL was very intense. I don't mind the lack of hourses. The anger of the crowd, the panick of the nobles - I just bought it. My only complaint was that Joff got slapped only once.

Dany's scenes were at least interesting for me as always. I enjoyed how condescendig the spice merchant was. And the whole "I will burn this and that... " is really starting to go on my nerves. The stealing of the dragons didn't wake any emotions. We all know she is going to have her dragons back at the House of Undying. I still have some hope for the prophesies left.

Robb, oh Robb, you trully are a King! I hate that the show made Robb such a lovable character. I liked him in the books, but the second season showed him in a really good light. Now I like him even more in the show. I have no doubts that Jane is the beautiful nurse. Still not sure what the purpose of the whole hiding of her personality is. I gues we'll have to wait and see.

Imho this episode was really dynamic, dramatic, showed some very important moments and despite all the changes from the series, it was really great.

Totally agree about the nurse being Jane Westerling, I would imagine she is concealing her identity as she is from a Lannister bannerman house in the northern army, plus a noblewoman at that, it would enable her to interact amongst the troops a lot more. Also, it creates a sense of intrigue for her character to help the audience connect with her, which is needed given her importance in the storyline.

Great episode, definitely one of the best of this series so far.

Loved the Theon, Qhorin and Riot scenes particularly, the Ser Rodrik scene was an excellent change, helped flesh out Theon's situation in Winterfell. However, I am finding the Daenerys storyline just as dull as I did when I first read CoK, the fleshing out of it they are doing is taking away from the much more engaging Westeros based action. Delighted Ramsay Snow/Bolton is making it into this season though, the Reeds will be missed in the course of the season though, if Osha replaces them in Bran's storyline it just will not make sense on screen, with all her characterisation from the first series it would just look insane to take the character along with Bran.

All in all though probably my favourite episodes or both series, the geographical and character switches really worked brilliantly in this one.