~DarkHorse~

I gave it a 7 (because of the Vale and Craster scenes) In comparison to the other episodes it just seemed to be missing something? Although, I think the Craster's keep business was over-hyped (particularly Locke) and that didn't help. what I liked- The 'Oh shit' face from Littlefinger as Lysa comes in with a septon and Sansa's 'urgh' expression at hearing her screams. Jon vs Karl- I love how they didn't go with the 'hero mops the floor with the bad guy' approach to make Jon look like a bamf. It was nice seeing one of the girls get their revenge and showed Jon to be a hero in another way- actually caring about the daughters/wives. Jon/Bran near miss- I usually moan about Stark 'almost encounters' but they handled this one really well. Bran staring longingly at Jon, wanting to see his brother but knowing his duty is elsewhere. Having him make the choice not to reunite with Jon was allot better than a cruel twist of fate scenario and added to his character development. It really empathised the parallels between Jon and Bran at having to put their duty before their love/family. Arya adding Walder Frey to her list. :devil: "I've missed you boy" :wub: Besides from the Craster's keep and Vale scenes the rest was just 'meh' but still good. what I didn't like- Cersei being manipulative and having a good reason for refusing to pay the Iron Bank- I know allot of people like Cersei being more cunning and sympathetic as opposed to her villainous book persona but I love dumb bitch Cersei, she is funny but still dangerous. Locke- As much as I love the irony behind Bran being the one to kill the man who crippled the man who crippled him (lots of twisted karma!) I think his death was underwhelming. Most impressive acting of the episode for me- Sophie Turner (Sansa) during the Cray Cray Aunt scene and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen) being all wisely creepy! I could literally feel Sansa's building panic with the tears gathering in her eyes and got goose bumps at the dark look from Jojen as he said "I saw you die tonight." Very impressive!

I don't get why people keep saying this? How could Jon have known Bran was at Craster's? No one told him and he didn't even see him there? Jon knew Bran had gone North, not at Craster's. Although, I do find it odd that Karl never taunted Jon with capturing Bran during their duel.

I really hope the first LS scene won't be the Brienne/Pod scene. Her first scene should be a BIG reminder of the RW and the vengeance that is to come. You can appreciate that and root for her but if she tries to kill Brienne and Pod (who are both popular with the fans) then I can't see her going down well with the fans as opposed to getting some Stark revenge. Let us love her reappearance before we hate it! They are definitely including her as 'Catelyn Stark' has been mentioned allot...trying to keep her character remembered.

I would be down right annoyed if they remove those pies from the show!

:agree: It’s bad enough those pesky White Walkers took Gandalf. But now Darth Maul has been turned into a White Walker too! I’m betting they’ll take Voldemort next.

When he climbed the Wall he had to say goodbye to Ghost. It was really emotional but the reunion was even better. Ghost knocked him to the ground and started licking him I think? I really miss the Ghost/Jon dynamic. Two outcasts together...very sweet.

I agree I felt the rape scenes were used to fill in the boobs quota as opposed to showing the horror these woman are enduring.

9/10 my highest score for Season 4 so far! The character interactions were great, the twists were gripping and I have little complaints. The Bran/Jon plot alterations makes for good TV. Why are people getting their feathers so ruffled? Jon not knowing Bran is alive only serves for character development (so far) and doesn't make drastic changes to the plot. Jon didn't want Winterfell anyway and the absence of Robb's will looks like he won't be KitN....although, there are still ways to make these things happen without the knowledge of Bran and Rickon being dead. The show can work around this and will put entertainment first, not character development that is hardly eventful. There are many non-book readers that will find this storyline exciting, making Bran and Jon more likable as characters as opposed to their book material which plays out emotional and admirable in the books (as we can hear their thoughts) but boring and uneventful on the screen. I think the Crasters keep storyline is stealing the spotlight at the moment.

I was looking forward for the Jatin tumblr page.... :bawl: Oh well, better replacement than Olyver, I guess.

:agree: I think he'll be replacing Satin. :crying: :crying:

Was that the Great Other? I never envisioned him as a physical being, more a powerful entity like R'hllor... I guess this means AA reborn (Jon?) will be killing the sucker rather than just his minions?

Interesting, I haven't seen it in full. Thanks for posting this! :cheers: People keep using the "she is as hungry for him as he is for her" part to argue the show scene wasn't a rape but GRRM is clearly establishing the two scenes being different.

Sister Fucker- yes, that one is obvious. Also add in the fact that his sister is married to the King he serves so 'Worst Kings Guard' ever also links into this one. Coward and Backstabber- Killing the mad King proved that he wasn't a coward, he saved hundreds of people while betraying his King and facing possible punishment and scorn. That was very brave and I'm not sure some of the other Kingsguard would have done such a thing. Yes, he backstabbed Aerys but that is perfectly justifiable in my opinion. He was never really loyal/friendly with Robert in the first place...so liar or disloyal would be more appropriate for this one. I think a 'backstabber' suggests a true bond of trust or loyalty that is broken, making it very personal. He never had this with Robert, it was all a farce before it even began- any man who married Cersei would never have his full loyalty. Child murderer- Granted he was trying to kill Bran. Although, he has changed since then. Child neglecter- He was in no position to act all fatherly towards his kids seeing as that would be odd and raise suspicion, possibly leading to their deaths. I also think he wants to be their father- suggested when he wanted to marry Cersei. Worst Kings Guard ever- True...towards Aerys and Robert. On the show- Rapist- He did rape Cersei which also makes him a hypocrite when he saves Brienne from being raped. Kinslayer- He kills his cousin It makes me wonder why they even bothered cutting out the "Jaime Lannister sends his regards" line . I think Jaime is officially their model 'grey' character which doesn't bother me but it does when Cersei is being cleaned up at Jaime's expense.

I honestly think people are too harsh on some of the actors- Emilia, Kit (not so much so far) and Aiden. Emilia- Really does a fantastic job with the Valyrian dialogue and is written to be seen as a Badass. She also nails the intense Dany gazes from the books. In Season 1 she did great with playing vulnerable Dany but hasn't been given the material to show that again...the show are really playing the Badass card with her (unsullied viewers dig that) and she nails that. The only scene where I haven't been impressed was her facial expression during the Dead slave girl pointing the way to Mereen. Kit- Granted people aren't moaning as much about this one but the 'he has got better at acting' comments are grating. He is supposed to be all emo and he did really good with sullen Jon is Season 1. His portrayal suffered at points in season 3 but I would say that was more down to the writing and soppy love scenes. I think some people just can't see past pretty boy Jon as opposed to his book counterpart. Also, he is only getting into his authoritative/badass Jon stuff and so far Kit is doing great with it. He portrays more confidence in his voice but looks under heavy burden if you watch closely. Admittedly, I've moaned about how we haven't seen any Stark grief from Jon (yet and vocally at least) but from his posture you can tell he is troubled/exhausted. Aiden- His accent marks him out as sly and dangerous which really suits Littlefinger. Anyway, these points aside. Charles Dance was excellent in this episode...I couldn't imagine anyone else playing Tywin!

The scene has 47 dislikes on Youtube and allot of scorn from the comments. Probably the worst reaction to a scene I've seen so far. The directors really were playing with fire, they should have made it clearer that 'it wasn't rape' if they were going with that angle. People freak out about what is considered rape and what isn't. Human rights and feminists will be getting out the pitch forks with this scene.

Urgh, they haven't handled the Jon/Stark situation well so far. Although, we haven't had allot of Jon scenes yet so I haven't given up yet. His home is in ruins (by 'Theon'), the Starks are no more, his brother and step-mother were brutally slaughtered, his crippled little brother is facing dangers he is all too aware of beyond the Wall and his little sister is missing and the other forced into a marriage with the enemy....is it too much to ask for some acknowledgement or angst? This is a big part of his character development in my opinion, especially taking into account Aemons 'duty vs love' speech about the reality of his vows in Season 1. I wonder if we'll still get the 'when I woke up the world had fallen apart' quote? I'm still hoping we'll get some angst with Locke or even Stannis talking about Robb and Winterfell.

Victarion allowing crew to gang rape the Maester. Also, Satin got some dodgy stares...but at least he has Jon to protect him. :wub: I also count the Unsullied being castrated as a form of sexual abuse.

Nah, some people have come to the conclusion (that seems pretty plausible) that the little boy will kill Ygritte. She killed his father and we see him getting a good look at her (memorising her face) so I think this could be the person who shoots that arrow. It would add more depth to her death and I don't think the show will have Jon kill Ygritte, especially with Tyrion taking out Shae this season.

Don't be so nasty! :lol: That was from Littlefinger not me.

Well, Jon has an appreciation for the pretty things (Satin being one). Although, I've got to say Satin is a dead ringer for show Jon. On a more serious note, HBO would probably exploit poor Satin...he might turn up in a Loras or Oberyn scene? <_<

Poor Jon! It looks like Alys, Val and Satin won't be happening...oh, well at least we still have Mel for some flirting. :P

Me too! :lmao:

True but she clearly got into it which the shows fails to show. That scenes was so disturbing because Cersei was carried away moaning while fucking her brother in front of their sons corps. There was literally no shame. In the show Cersei is clearly the overpowered one and Jaime the manipulative/controlling one. Yes, he initiated the sex but she was digging it after awhile and egging him on. However, she keeps her 'mother with halo' act for the show while Jaime is dirtied up and proven hypocritical towards one of his redeeming actions- saving Brienne from being raped. My main problem is the lack of making Cersei look bad, just Jaime- killed his cousin but Joffrey had Roberts bastards killed, not Cersei. And now this.

7/10 I still think the standard is high and Season 4 is shaping up to be very gripping and interesting. However, some scenes dragged the episode down for me. Good- Tywin- His exchanges with Tommen and Oberyn were done very well, especially the grandfatherly/advisor nature he shows towards Tommen. It almost reminded me of his Season 2 scenes with Arya. Arya and the Hound- "Are you going to pray to all seven of the fuckers? "Father!" :lmao: I also liked the mention of how disgraceful the RW was ('The Gods will have their vengeance') and how the riverlands (and North) have gone to the dogs since Frey rule. I will never tire of Dany speaking in Valyrian and I loved the broken slave collars in the barrels Jon coming across as more demanding of respect/authoritative. I also liked how he was holding that little boys shoulder for support/comfort. :wub: Bad- Jaime raping Cersei...It WAS rape! Oberyn+ Whores + I AM BI-SEXUAL!! You'd think that's all he has going for him with the added desire for vengeance. Stannis is a Dick, Period. I don't see any duty or dry humour...