WatcherontheRock

For the episode in itself, that was close to perfection. I won't repeat what so many of you already said. 1- For locations : the sept is awesome, and I haven't noticed, but in the opening credits, the Twins are already here, when they go from Riverrun to Winterfell. Interesting. 2- For images : the atmosphere in Craster's Keep was just fantastic. The lights and of course the actions were the perfect match. 3- For Varys : I love him. But his scene with the sorcerer felt a bit odd. Varys does nothing without purpose, and he certainly doesn't reveal his personnal life. So was it a way to show the bond between Varys and Tyrion, and prepare the privy scene, and even something more only GRRM and D&D know? I hope so. His meeting with Olenna was great, and his interaction with LF always fascinating. By the way, I do not predict a long life for Ros. LF hates those who try to play with him (except Varys). 4- "I don't distrust you because you're a woman. I distrust you because you're not as smart as you think you are". Well Tywin, you distrust her because you don't have to trust her. You are the boss, a boss doesn't trust. Love the way he said "All right. Contribute" (subtext : speak your part and let me write my letter to my old friend Walder Frey alone). Tywin's scenes are very well constructed, and now we know that Cersei and Tyrion are on the same level with him, which is a very low one. And of course, who can't wait to see Tywin finally meet his grandson? Joffrey needs a sharp lesson. 5- I was, for the second time of the show, impressed by Brienne, but this time, in an emotional way. "You're a bloody woman". That line is fantastic, and the way she treats Jaime is great. She's really a great character, and Christie a great actress. 6- We finally meet Ramsay. Great scene, with the look in the end (reminded me of Frodo in Mount Doom). Smart move besides from D&D : Joffrey will progressively fade, until he chokes, and by the time we'll have his replacement. And Ramsay is a deal madder than Joffrey. 7- The last branch of the seven pointed star : Daenerys of course. Absolutely brilliant. There is nothing to drop. Dracarys of course, and the Unsullied. But the looks, his speech in Valyrian, the look of amazement/relish/delight on Mormont's and Selmy's face. And the very final shot. Even the music was great. In the top 5 of all the series. Only two less good scenes : Bran, too short, it just felt they wanted us to remind he existed. Arya. The scene was good, but I don't think they fully succeeded in the introduction of Beric. But I'm sure the trial of next week will erase this hesitation. And I've seen episode 5 preview. We'll finally really meet Roose. I expect a lot of this scene. "Bolton's silence was a hundred times more threatening than [Locke]'s slobbering malevolence"

I personnaly think it will happen earlier. Season 4 will not only be the second half of ASOS. They will begin to dig into AFFC and ADWD. I would place it at the exact middle of the season. Tyrion arc's end will certainly be the privy scene, episode 9, or even 10 (I want Tywin to die as late as possible). But I don"t think this will be the high point of the season (it is in the books, but not in the sense of the RW. The death of Tywin unleashes further chaos in the realm, but no one realises it immediately). This my great question for season 4 : what will be the great moment, after Ned's beheading, Blackwater, and obviously the RW ? I really don't know.

I give a 9, because for me Blackwater remains the only episode which deserves 10. That said, this episode was just fantastic. All the scenes were at least good, Bran's and Arya's a little below the rest. And Dany's just perfect, and there are not so many in the series. This scene is in the top 5 of the series, and this episode in the top 5 of the series as well. I hope I'll give a 10 to a certain episode 9, where "the drums were pounding, pounding, pounding".