Eurymalys

I liked the episode a lot. I also agree with a good deal of the criticism that has been offered in this thread. There have been valuable observations offered on either side: negative criticisms (such as those of the scale of the battle, which I quite agree with) and positive criticisms (the marriage of character/action beats). The least valuable criticism I've seen so far is that which has targeted the people offering arguments rather than the arguments themselves. For my part, the episode as a whole worked. However, I think the Wall plot line could have been tightened so that some of the moments that were forced to occur here could have been implemented more smoothly earlier. But this complaint concerns episode 10 more than it does episode 9: I'm just worried that pushing Stannis' appearance into episode 10 is cramming even more into an episode that's already brimming with incredibly important stuff.

Hm. But it would be such a great way to wrap up her arc this season, her handing the coin over to the captain. Such a clean break.

He sure did. I'm thinking that would have been something of a nightmare, logistically, though. It always sort of confused me in the books too--how's he pull Oberyn on top of him with that spear in the way?

Didn't actually notice this during the fight, but I'd imagine it's because his love for Tyrion. Jaime wouldn't want Oberyn to lose this fight. I thought this episode was solid overall. Ramsay's legitimization actually moved me, which was wholly unexpected. And I just love Michael McElhatton as Roose. About the beetle scene. I thought that the core idea there was powerful and meaningful, and I loved how it resonated through just about every fiber of this show. However, like some other people have stated, it went on for far too long. Also, as (only) one other person has pointed out so far in this thread, the way Orson Lannister was talked about was downright offensive--both the jokes and comparing someone with a mental handicap to a cold-blooded killer. Sure, it fits the world. But it wasn't sensitive enough to work in our world. I thought the fight was wonderful. It was so gruesome I felt sick there at the end, and I was trembling. Seeing Oberyn scream hurt. My only qualm with the fight was that they cut the "If you do not say her name, ser...seven hells" line. Still, I thought it was great.

John Bradley actually did confirm that Coldhands had been cut in an interview with the Wall Street Journal last month. I'm surprised the video hasn't made its rounds yet--a lot of people are still in the dark about the cut. Probably because it's a long interview and the bit about Coldhands is couched near the middle. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7FnnCLLOi4 It's around 16:00. It's a bummer--I loved Coldhands. But according to Bradley, this season is where the show and the books really begin to diverge. He also says, "There are some things that people will be expecting to be in season four that may not happen--or, if they do happen, won’t happen till future seasons." Take that as you will. As someone who's read the books and enjoys the show, I'm on one hand excited by the prospect. On the other hand, I'm kinda terrified. If Stoneheart isn't revealed at the end of the finale, however, I'll go apeshit.