Best episode of the season, no question. Plus: Jamie's hand was a real suprise, considering HBO's decision to lessen Tyrion's wounds. Now for the rest of the show there will be an added CGI/practical makeup. In the end, too essential to the character arch not to include it, so thumbs up... Plus: Westerosi Musical Chairs! Varys has great facial expressions... Plus: Bringing Theon into the story has been handled well, considering he disappears after ACoK and doesn't reemerge until ADwD. I assume letting him go was all one of Ramsay's games he likes to play, which would explain the solider's WTF moment right before the arrow to the head. More mind games and torture to follow, fingers crossed... Negative: Stannis has a serious case of depression, which, if you think about it, is probably a more realistic reaction to utter defeat than what we get in the books; I always thought he came off as delusional in ASoS after Blackwater. Just didn't like the scene. And where the hell is Mel going? Don't change too much guys... Negative: Does anyone else feel Dany's storyline is being rushed? There's a lot more action for her here than in S2, but it seems like they're burning through it rather quickly. I would like more time in Astapor, more Unsullied and more slavers. I was already irked by her scenes in episode one of season three, what with the nonsense of Selmy running around in the Obi Wan robe and his less than shocking reveal, I was hoping for something more. Plus, has anyone noticed in the opening credits just beyond Astapor there's another city? I assume this is Mereen, which implies they are going to leave out Yunki. After the liberation of Yunki Dany earns the title of "Mother" or "Mysha" which just so happens to be the last episode of the season's title. Are they going to cut these scenes? Slow it down folks! And if there's no "Time to cross the Trident" line from Dany next week I'll be pissed... Negative: End credits music choice took me out of the moment. Bear and the Maiden Fair I get, but why not give us the version sung in Westeros, you know the one everyone was singing earlier in episode? The more I reflect on this the more I hate the decision....
