Joyful Union

Did anyone else notice that Craster looked a lot filthier this episode? I thought during season 2 that he looked a bit to clean and groomed.

He's actually less proactive in the books up to this point in the story. Jon in the show volunteers to follow Qhorin Halfhand, he's told to in the books. He also defies Qhorin's order to kill Ygritte in the show, whereas in the books he just follows Qhorin, and kills Qhorin when he's told to. He also follows Craster into the woods in Season 2, which he never did in the books. You could say they've mishandled the story, but Jon is certainly more proactive in the show.

Was anyone one else impressed with the direction? I thought it was very strong considering the fact that it was Benioff's first directing job. Definitely better at action scenes then Daniel Minahan.

Is that what 10 means? The best episode ever? No, it's just a subjective measure of how much you enjoyed the episode.

I dont think Sandor ever called Arya anything but wolf bitch.

I suppose that you didnt like any of the back and forth between J and B then? You expect a little girl to do a well against a hardened champion fighter? With an unfamiliar sword she hasnt trained with? Why would Thoros's sword be on fire???

Liam Cunningham doesnt get near enough credit. Great performance.

Sansa actually doesnt rat out Ned in the show, so your wrong there. He's also confided in her before, at the tournament in season 1, about the Hound.

Cant disagree that the open didnt make much sense, really a letdown. Dont see how Ros doesnt make sense. Jon's reasoning was pretty good I thought. Not wanting to be part of the Nights Watch because they allow such horrors to take place, dont see the issue there. HH could have done with a mention of Northmen prisoners beforehand, otherwise I didnt see much problem, obviously the Mountain massacred the prisoners before leaving.

Nope. Adherence to the source material may be interesting to compare, and you may think the books did it better, but this does not actually affect the quality of the show. The show is distinct from the books. If it made sense within the context of the show, then it isnt a mistake.

I know, I shouldnt be surprised anymore. I just wish that people would realise that it not being the same as the book, or being worse than the book, is not a valid criticism! If it makes sense in the context in the show, and is compelling and entertaining, that is what is important.

Yes, you are entitled to an opinion, obviously. Just as everyone else is entitled to poke holes in your reasoning, when it makes very little sense. The posts by Tywin gave you a reasonable explanation as to why the scene played out, youve chosen to ignore them, and repeat your earlier criticism.

Im talking about the dragons here, not the entire show, which has a brilliant cast, so I dont get the complaint there. They have to show the dragons, because there are huge part of who Dany is. Not to mention that it looked amazing.

So what are they meant to do instead? Puppets attached to string, flying around the place?

Davos had just been stranded on a desert island, and was clearly weakened. Mel can also predict that he was going to do it, she was probably prepared, just as she was prepared in the books when she sent Axel to capture Davos.

Love this episode! Best moment? Pycelle tossing that coin to Tyrion, "For Your Troubles". What a badass line, loved it!