King of the Road

Who honestly gave this a 1 or a 2? Come on.

Jaime murdered his cousin? Why don't I recall this?

Season 2 Episode 7, he bashed his skull in to draw Karstark over so he could get the keys to his chains.

Thanks! I don't agree at all with the first bit, but yes, it was repetitive and it was a metaphor for something the show has already made a point of at least twice. I'm sure though it was not a metaphor for Gregor and Oberyn, as I said. It was important that is was a long story with no explanation in the end - because that was what the story was about. It was painful because it happened just before the fight, not argueing that at all. I'm fine with people not liking it, I just think it's silly to call it bad writing, which it really isn't.

If that speech was in a book, people would be analysing it for the symbolism, potential foreshadowing, or even just for a hint of the author's own ideals and thoughts. But it's on a screen, thus it can never be as intelligent or well thought out, instead it was just getting in the way of the awesome visual spectacle of the upcoming fight. It was a terrific scene and deserves plaudits both for the writing, but also the acting.

Ridiculous, this was one of the best episodes yet. My personal favourite, if not necessarily the one I think is the best.

I'm not certain on which points you and I are in disagreement. You said yourself it's not the worst episode of the series. I said the same.

As for internet faux-outrage, well, it is. Do you think mainstream media care one bit about Jaime's character arc and the supposed damage to it? Do you think they protest because Jaime raping Cersei means the show condones rape, glamorizes and romanticizes it? That this, after all the shit that has happened on the show, is somehow the most morally reprehensible act we've ween? No. They jumped on the bandwagon because they saw the potential for clickbait. Just look at the dates of the published online material. The media outlets had these episodes for weeks in advance. Almost no one made a big fuss over the scene. Actually, many respectable critics noted the interesting deviation from the books and expressed interest in how it will turn out. Then the net explodes in outrage and suddenly everyone publishes articles on inappropriateness of the scene. So, yeah, where media and the internet culture are concerned, it's faux-outrage, an opportunity to stand on a soapbox and show just how progressive they all are. Then they can pat each other on the back and say mission accomplished.

Your comments are always a joy to read, voice of reason.

Yes, he's become one of my favorite characters. However, that's usually a bad sign for them - we already know he has more to say to Dany regarding her family, so he'll probably get stabbed in the back on his way to greet her triumphant return to Meereen.

Yeah I can see Victarion killing him when his guard is down.

I hope Barristan makes it to Westeros, I'm not ready to say goodbye to his character yet.

Forget unTalisa. I want unNedfetus. He could have a little cloak, and Thoros could keep him in his pocket. Maybe his commands could be so quiet that only Thoros could hear them.

http://static.tumblr.com/cczbgy6/13Mm1y427/tumblr_m1te0wb5nn1rr2hg7o2_250.gif

Brilliant!

If Michelle Fairley isn't returning for whatever reason, then there are really only three plausible options for who takes on the role of Lady Stoneheart in my opinion.

1) Talisa Stark - Probably the most logical option, as she has the closest ties to both Robb and the Red Wedding than anyone other than Catelyn. Just as Lady Stoneheart does, she has a distinguishing wound that could be as equally definitive of her character as Catelyn's cut throat is.

2) Beric Dondarrion - It may be that he feels some guilt regarding his treatment of Arya. This, in addition to a sense of honour and nobility could mean that he desires vengeance on the Freys for their actions.

3) Brynden Tully - I've read a lot of speculation that he could be the one to take control of the Brotherhood in the WoW. If this is true, then it's perfectly logical that he should begin his ties with them now. He was also present at the RW and so knows exactly who was responsible, whilst his family ties to both Catelyn and Robb make him an ideal bringer of justice to the Freys.

Now, obviously these suggestions could create problems regarding Brienne's storyline, as none of them have ever met her (?). Nonetheless, I feel that the character is too important to simply cut, and so if Michelle Fairley doesn't return, then for me it has to be one of these three.

For the record, I hope that she does come back as Lady Stoneheart, if only because she's been in it since episode 1 and I'm not ready to say goodbye yet.

Drunk Barristan is dope. Blackfish ran out on the wedding (not to piss) but because his buddy Barristan text him about a better party at The Dragon Tent.

Brilliant! :laugh:

What the fuck is the show doing with Roose? Did anyone else see the way he suggestively had his arm right next to Catelyn? Why was the show teasing an attraction between Roose and Catelyn? The actor does what the script says. Roose was leering at Cat and had his arm next to her in a flirtatious manner. That suggests that they deliberately wrote him as perving over Catelyn.

/sarcasm.

My God you're right! How did I miss that, it's quite clear that in the series the RW is the result of Roose's unrequited love for Catelyn! The old 'If I can't have her, no one can!' scenario.

Barristan Selmy had a little wine, but he is clearly not hammered, if at all drunk, he's just a little quiet. If he had been lying on the floor in front of Daenerys, sitting in his own urine and vomiting on Missandei then that would have been an issue.

He did look a tiny bit drunk to me if I'm completely honest! :P That said, it didn't spoil anything for me, he's now the hard drinking and harder hitting Ser Barristan Selmy, the greatest fighter the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen.

He's like Bond, he's at his best after a few drinks.

- No fight/resistance during the RW, just a tiny slaughter. No army/burning tents. No sense of the real measure (!) of the event. Oh well, budget I guess. The atmosphere still felt right, though.

We could see this next episode, there're a lot of shots of burning tents in the preview. Even if it isn't shown, I don't think it detracts from the emotional impact, but I would nonetheless put good money on seeing some kind of resistance/battle in the next episode.

Did anyone else think that Roose Bolton's smirk at Catelyn was acted absolutely perfectly? What a great way to show just how badly the man's betrayed Robb, a perfect reveal to the audience of his treachery.

I can't quite believe it, but I actually liked Daario. In the books he is without a doubt the one character I would gladly hand over to Ramsay Bolton, and yet here his swagger seemed both natural and justified. I'm looking forward to his rivalry with Ser Jorah and maybe even Ser Barristan.

Two kings will fall this season, it seems. We have the Red Wedding in the next episode, and from what we've seen in the trailers, Yara's story is continuing in Season 3 - which only makes sense if they plan on Balon biting the dust this season too.

Surely that'll be this season. Then by Season 4 it's two kings down, one to go. Should be good!

Excuse me, but I don't recall Robb moving from Riverrun, in this episode. The only scene he was in was the one with the Freys, who rode from the Twins to Riverrun to discuss Walder's terms. Am I missing something?

Oh no he hasn't moved North yet, but he probably will. I assume he will begin his march in the next few episodes. It's hardly a ground-breaking change that alters the entire plotline.

So many story lines butchered this episode. Robb heading towards the North so he can head west??? BWB selling Gendry? All capped off by over the top cheese-a-thon at the top of the wall. There were some very good moments as well but one of the weakest episodes.

He's going North so he can get the men to go West. It's not too complicated. :) In the books, he was heading North to get the men so he could go North, in the show, North to go West.

Is anyone else really, really digging Theon's arc this season? I don't understand the impatience, we know who is torturing him, but all these mind games are fantastic development for the "relationship" Theon and Ramsay have.

Alfie Allen's Theon is much more important to the show than he is to the books at this point, and I'm loving it.

Him and Jaime are my favourite bits of the season so far. I can't wait for more scenes with Iwan Rheon; wasn't sure about him when he was first cast but he's definitely proved me wrong. Great actor!

Perhaps they will have Mace refuse the match as in the book (Willas to cersei) The idea of Mace refusing Cersei for Willas probably had something to do with their plans for Sansa although required them to slight Tywin in a way he probably is touchy about. Now, the same thing could be applied using Loras in the show if they go that way.

I imagine it'll be Olenna who refuses the match in the series. We've seen a scene of her snapping a quill in front of Tywin, which could be her reaction to being asked to sign a marriage contract? Maybe she'll even suggest that Loras join the Kingsguard?

The Pod mention is pointless, has nothing to do with Pod's character and nothing with actual plot. Shitloads of actual plot has been cut, and this has been inserted for what reason? It's not funny, it's not entertaining and it doesn't make any point.

A lot of people think that the Podrick Payne gag is quite funny. It's not supposed to make a point, it's just a little bit of light relief amidst the rest of the dark plotline.

I definitely don't agree with you about the Arya meeting the BwB scene being botched. No massive changes there.

You haven't said what was incomprehensible about the Varys/QoT, save to say that it wasn't in ASoS, and in your opinion marginally changes the character of Olenna Tyrell. It was a perfectly plausible scheme and scenario.

It'll probably end up being a random whore from Kings Landing as the replacement Arya. It would be nice if it was a character if we were already aware of but I don't think it's necessary, so long as she is suitably vulnerable.

(Why was the BWB singing The Rains of Castamere? That bugged me a lot. Even if it was as a joke, that is still very odd... was it an oversight?)

It's a catchy song, I imagine it's one that people belt out regardless of their allegiance. It is a good tune after all. Also, Tom o'Sevens sings it in the books just off the cuff, so that could be proof that it's a generic song sung by many. Having Thoros sing it also provides a little nod to small details for the book readers.

Lets just see how the Hound's trial turns out. If that fight sucks then we can all get scared.

Whether something sucks though is a subjective thing, I mean I thought Jaime vs Brienne was pretty damn good. It should be spectacular if nothing else, it can't fail to be with a

flaming sword and of course Beric

. Even if it is merely average though it's hardly the be all and end all of the show, there are many more epic moments still to come!

The Hound

vs Beric

is (in my opinion) comparatively low on the list of things I'm most excited for in the TV series.

i love the rains of castamere, but why would the brotherhood without banners who are out to kill lannister men sing the Lannisters war anthem?

Tom o'Sevens sings it in the book doesn't he? I think it's in ASoS part 1, not really sure.

I agree with PhoenixFlame though, it's a damn catchy song, only natural that you'd want to belt it out once in a while, regardless of your allegiance!

My guess, they are setting up Quburn as a Lannister stooge from the start. He gets intentionally left behind to infiltrate and see if he can breed dissension in the ranks. He will be the one who connects Roose with Tywin. I think this makes a lot of sense and could work really well.

My thinking was that he has simply gone a little insane as a result of what he has seen and has been done to him. Lying amongst corpses for I would imagine a protracted period of time would perhaps psychologically steer him towards

necromancy

.