Queen of Whores

What's with the sarcasm? I directly said I'm not comparing anything to the books, and not a single one of my criticisms were about comparing the show to the books. Did you even read all of my post? Your first two points could have easily been accomplished by having Tyrion and Oberyn talk more, just like how the in the book that one scene completely defined Oberyn's character. He could have easily made a couple of sly references to Ellaria and their ambiguous sexual nature. Your third point can also be done in conversation, and he already clearly showed heavy dislike for the Lannisters in his short convo with Tyrion in the episode. And the fourth point... how is suddenly stabbing a guy in the hand fighting prowess?

I'm trying not to compare her (or most things now) to the books (cause I'm a couple of inches away from being a purist) but in season 2 Sansa actually carried an air of intelligence and dignity and maturity to her, then in season 3 that dropped right back down to not at all, with several stupid moments like asking if her family could come to the wedding and being far too happy in her marriage to Tyrion. From the premiere it looks like Sansa is getting back on the right track, so to speak.

A very solid 7 out of 10. The best premiere since season 1, but I guess that's not saying much, since the other two were very average. The good - The Arthur Dayne and Duncan the Tall namedrops were so awesome. Easily my favourite things of the episode. - Some of the Hound's lines were hilarious, like "what the fuck is a Lommy," "those people are cunts," and "I don't care if he ate your friend!" - Cool to see the Dreadfort and Meereen in the intro. - I may have had to suppress a little fanboy giggle when Doran and Sunspear were namedropped. - The CGI at the end, of that whole war-torn landscape, was pretty amazing. - Even though it was kind of random and short, I really liked the Sansa/Dontos scene. It was cool to have him hint at the history of House Hollard. And finally Sansa is getting back to her old, not-that-dumb self. The meh - Oberyn's introduction. The entire scene in the brothel was completely pointless and served no purpose. I also didn't like Oberyn brutally attacking that Lannister guy. Sure he was a dick, but c'mon. We will see Oberyn's a badass later. - The Margaery/Brienne scene was completely pointless, since Margaery already doubted Brienne killed Renly, when Loras convinced her. - Emilia continues to be an actress with zero range of tone and expression, and it made her scenes very dull. - The Jaime/Tywin confrontation was a bit underwhelming compared to how I thought it would be. The bad - Olenna Tyrell is seriously getting very annoying and unfunny at this point. She is coming across less witty and more bitchy every episode. When that's the only thing that's not that good about an episode though, I'm generally pretty happy. A really good premiere, and hopefully the season continues with this quality.

There should be a "narrow eyes with disdain" one, and a "Stannis-style teeth grinding one.

I can tell you I'm not working for HBO. I don't even live in America. I said that I was saving the 10 rating for the final two episodes because I'm positive they're going to be amazing, and surpass every other episode this season. If I handed out a 10 rating now, there would be no higher rating to give for the episodes with the real 'wow' moments. I also don't see what was so odd about my sentence. I thought it was pretty clear it meant I had high expectations for the final two episodes and want to hold off giving away a 10 rating so that if/when I assign it to one of the final two episodes it will hold more significance than if I handed out 10s all the time. If only I worked for HBO... I'd love to watch these episodes early. The two week wait is gonna be frustrating.

9/10. I would give it a ten, but I want to save that for the final two episodes. This was personally my favorite episode since the season 1 finale. Despite a few small nitpicks, I loved everything about this episode. The wedding, the leeches, the Seconds Sons, and Sam the Slayer. All perfect. Plus Dany and Mel showing nearly all definitely didn't hurt. Narrowing down the amount of storylines this episode definitely made it superior to every other episode this season, in my opinion, and 3x9 looks like to continue this trend, which is good.

I'm actually reconsidering my rating and giving it a 7. This happens with every episode. I love it while watching and don't want them to end, but after I can't stop thinking of everything I didn't like. Argh, I didn't even feel like this with season 2. They actually had more scenes from the books than made up. There were maybe, what, four scenes vaguely similar to the book? Jon climbing the Wall, Sam singing to Gilly, Robb and the new marriage, and Jaime and Roose. It's just gone too far from the books, I hate to say. I had high-ish hopes for season 3. The annoying thing is I'll keep watching with the hope it'll get better.

I would have given it an 8, but I was feeling generous, so I stretched it to a 9. It's definitely the calm before the storm, and I love those episodes. People complaining about not much happening will soon forget those comments in the coming episodes.

9/10. Fantastic, and my favorite of the season. I was starting to dislike this season ever since episode 3, but thanks to Bryan Cogman my faith has been restored. He should write every episode along with GRRM. Great: - Robb beheading Karstark was perfect. I got goosebumps. - Tywin is the true, book Tywin for the first time since the premier. - Ygritte!! O_O - Jorah and Barristan's conversation was great, but I'm not sure how they're going to reveal Jorah as a spy now. - I was pleasantly surprised to see Yunkai in the opening. - Stannis was far less cringe-worthy than in episode 3. Even alright. - Edmure is less of an idiot this episode which is good. I like book Edmure. - Davos and Shireen was great. - The credit song was fantastic. - My favorite character of the series, Roose, is great already. I'm so excited for the conversation next episode. Not-so-great - Arya was a bit too over-emotional and 'soft' in her scene with Gendry. She was good in the conversation with Beric and Thoros though. - Olenna is starting to annoy me now. She's less witty and more rude. The show is overplaying her a bit too much. Sometimes less is more. - Loras seemingly forgetting his deep love and loyalty to Renly. - I liked the bathtub scene, but Jaime was just a little too over-emotional. The last line was great though. Bad: - Selyse, just... Selyse... Completely different to book Selyse, save for her piety. The babies in the jars... yeah, no. I did notice her naming one of them as Edric though. A nod to readers? Overall I loved the episode and enjoyed it more than any other episode since season 1. Cogman is great for this show. His love for the books really shows. I wish he was the showrunner...

I gave it a solid 8. This wasn't even my favorite episode of this season. 'Dark Wings, Dark Words' gets that title. I honestly expected more from Dany's scene, from what everyone had said, and the mutiny felt rushed and chaotic, and not in the way it was in the book. It really lacked the emotion as well. Yet again Tyrion is on screen for the sake of being onscreen. Varys' monologue was expressed very differently from what I imagined. I also disliked his scene with Ros and that the Tyrell marriage alliance didn't come from the Tyrells themself. Joffrey is being tamed down a bit too much I think. Bran's scene was incredibly pointless and didn't need to be in the episode. Theon's scene was alright, and his line about Ned being his real father was sad. Ramsay's face was pure Ramsay. Funny enough what I enjoyed the most in the episode were the small details. I loved Jaime's hand being around his neck, and drinking the horse piss. It's always nice when they just stick to the book. And even though the scene was a little too long, I enjoyed hearing more Westerosi history in Joffrey's scene. The sept of Baelor looks very nice. I feel indifferent to Arya's scene, mostly because she's been so underplayed this season. I'm honestly more excited for the dual next episode than I was for the Dracarys scene. So I didn't dislike the episode, but I felt it was overrated by many people. And as for it being the best episode of the series, I enjoyed nearly every season 1 episode more than this one. Blackwater was just 'meh' for me. Hopefully judging by events that will transpire next episode I will like that one more.

I gave it an 8, but would have given if an 8.5 if possible. Liked: - Dany talking with Kraznys again and the Rhaegar quote. - I loved Riverrun in the opening titles. It also looks good in the show itself. - Everything about the Blackfish except the way he treated Edmure. - Roose's first name finally being said. - Mention of the Iron Bank of Braavos. - Noah Taylor as Locke is amazing. - The final scene, including the song. Perfect dark humour. Indifferent: - Theon's scenes. Although Ramsay trolling us with 'winter is coming' was hilarious. - Sam and the NW at Craster's. - Arya, Gendry, Hot Pie and the Brotherhood. - The Small Council meeting. I grinned about the chairs, but that was it. Disliked: - Tyrion, Pod and Bronn's scene. Overly long, pointless and took up precious time that could have been spent on more important things, like... - Jon at the Fist. Incredibly rushed and no tension. Mance has no charisma and this may well be the last time we see him this season. - Stannis and Mel's scene. Badly written, and is not showing the Stannis I love in the books. I would rather have seen a scene of Davos brooding in his cell than this scene.

I honestly didn't notice it, but maybe just because I was so caught up on the jarring change of Bran's voice, but I guess we can't blame the kid for puberty. And if the only complaint we have is Sophie's height, we should consider ourselves lucky. I'll have to rewatch and pay attention.

Is it just me or is the show looking more beautiful this season? The scenes in King's Landing stand out especially. The sets look more lived-in and layered, and the lighting and background ambience is great. The Sansa/Olenna/Margaery lunch had a stunning backdrop as well, with the vibrant gardens and the calm sea. Kind of irrelevant comment, just something I noticed though. Anyone else noticed it?

I was reading stuff on here before I saw the episode, and I set my expectations really low, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the episode. Some things could have been done better, sure, by overall it was great and I prefered it a lot over the first episode. Thoros isn't anywhere close to how I imagined him, but I still like him. I was surprised by how much I liked the Joff and Marg scenes. I felt a twinge of nerdiness because of how excited I got when they mentioned Howland Reed. I also think that we may actually see Mace Tyrell in the show at some point, due to how much the QoT mentioned him. A great 9/10 for me. A lot better than I thought. I also didn't hate the Cat scene as much as I thought I would, and I'm one that hates nearly every deviation. I still cringe whenever Talisa speaks though. I hope she is at the RW. I also loved hearing Edmure's name get mentioned for some reason. I'm very excited to see the Tullys. The Jaime/Brienne fight was poorly directed though, and was very underwhelming. Jaime's comments in the whole episode were great though.

Probably my favorite premiere of the series. I'm glad they didn't cram too much into the one episode and left some storylines for later, like Bran, Jaime and Arya. The Good: Tyrion and Tywin scene was excellent, mostly due to it being lifted directly from the book, and the performances of Dinklage and Dance. Barristan's reveal. I don't care that he was introduced earlier, he's one of my favorite characters from the book so I'm glad to see him back. Dany and the Unsullied. I forget the slaver's name, but that scene was great. All of Davos' scenes, especially his talk with Saan (I think it's spelt like that?) Good to see that Stannis looks more grey and worn like in the book. The Meh: Robb and Catelyn in Harrenhal felt like it could have just been moved to the second episode to give them more to do. The cold open with Sam was very anti climactic and disappointing, but I guess we should be used to it by now with the show. Jon seeing the giant was great, but, while Ciaran Hinds is a great actor, he doesn't bring much charisma to Mance. The Bad: Why the hell is Ros still in this show? And how exactly is she an advisor to Littlefinger? Argh and the Ros and Shae scene, the two characters I hate the most on this show, having a pointless conversation together. 8/10 A solid premiere that sets up great stuff to come.

Rated it a mild 7. Pros: Tyrion arriving in King's Landing Tyrion and Cersei conversation Killing of the bastards Cons: Littlefinger threatening Cersei Ros in general Jumped around too much Nearly no Arya Jon behaving like an idiot

Rated it a generous 8. Pros: Tyrion gets rid of Janos Slynt Arya, Gendry, Hot Pie and Lommie scene Theon's scenes on Pyke Cons: Pointless sex scenes Daenerys not doing much Jon cliffhanger

Gave it a good 8. Pros: Theon's 'baptism' of the Drowned God Arya and Yoren Tyrion's clever plot Brienne vs Loras Maergery topless Sansa and Cersei dinner scene Cons: Shae is annoying

Gave it an 8. Pros: Tyrion saving Sansa in the Red Keep Tywin turning up in Harrenhal Joffrey being sociopathic with the whores Harrenhal's look Stannis and Renly parley Shadow birth scene Roose Bolton being introduced Tyrion and Lancel Cons: Daenerys outside Quarth Robb and Talisa

Rated it a 7. Pros: Brienne and Catelyn's conversation Arya and Tywin Theon Stannis and Davos Cons: Renly's underwhelming death Loras and Maergery Daenerys

Gave it a good 8. Pros: Faster pace Theon seizing Winterfell Rodrik's death Riot scene Jon and Halfhand ambushing the Wildlings Arya and Tywin Cons: Littlefinger showing up at Harrenhal Daenerys' dragons being taken

Rated it a solid 7. Pros: Theon Arya and Tywin (dragging a bit though) Jaime Sansa Cons: Jon Daenerys Cersei

Rated it a generous 7. Pros: Relaxed pace Great cinematography Theon and Asha (Yara) Talisa's ass Stannis and Davos Cons: Jon Daenerys Arya (too rushed) Robb and Talisa

Gave it a 7, nearly an 8. Pros: Wildfire Atmosphere Sandor Stannis Rains of Castermere Cons: Lack of scale Cuts to conversation at bad times Rushed ending

Gave it a 6. Maybe a bit harsh but I was annoyed. Pros: Theon's conversation with Luwin Theon's battle speech The ceremony in the Red Keep Arya Jaime and Brienne (but I think they have made Brienne too violent too soon) Cons: Jon Daenerys Actual sacking of Winterfell Tyrion and Shae (they have changed Shae way too much, especially when you look at what happens in aSoS) Ending (should have just had the three horn blasts then credits. Anti-climatic but less cheesy)