[Book Spoilers] Pre-airing Discussion

[Dornish Bannerman]

On a different note, how are they planning on concealing Barristan's identity? Or are they not going to try at all?

[Jamie Lannister]

Quite a few spoilerific reports seem to suggest that Roose dispenses his "bastard at the Dreadfort to retake Winterfell," which, if true, pleases me to no end.

There's also a little something about Tywin and his cupbearer bonding over... reading. :dunno:

[House Snow]

On a different note, how are they planning on concealing Barristan's identity? Or are they not going to try at all?

I suspect they will push this storyline until next season. The synopsis for episode ten makes it sound like the 2nd season will end a little short of the book. Sort of gives them an out for holding off casting of Reek/Reeds and having to pay actors who return to the story. Whether they hide Barristan identity, who knows. Its a far easier thing to do in the book.

[Targaryen Kaiser]

Its a far easier thing to do in the book.

I'm pretty sure that with no much effort they can conceal him in the show too. The minor role of sir Barristan in the first season pretty much guarantees that the majority of the viewers will not recognize him even if Arstan ends up with no beard. Time was their ally in this thing.

[Weles]

Quite a few spoilerific reports seem to suggest that Roose dispenses his "bastard at the Dreadfort to retake Winterfell," which, if true, pleases me to no end.

There's also a little something about Tywin and his cupbearer bonding over... reading. :dunno:

Ooh! Where did you hear/read that? If they keep Ramsay I'll be very pleased. The contrast between Roose and Ramsay could be kept out of the show through merging the characters without monstrous plot consequences, but I find both characters and their differences very fascinating so I'll be very glad if they keep Ramsay. Also Roose has to attend the RW. A massacre wedding is a dull affair without at least one Bolton. :devil:

[madman2711]

I see that most aren't interested in ygritte first appearence in the series, she is a scotish hottie actress

I hope that next season jon might be a little more relaxed as his virginity goes away

You know nothing, Jon Snow

[Ser Dermett Corbray]

I see that most aren't interested in ygritte

I hope that next season jon might be a little more relaxed as his virginity goes away

You know nothing Jon Snow

I can't help but wonder if they'll show those immensely intimate scenes where he, uh... kisses the fire? Now that would be pornographic. I can't see it happening :P

Regarding Arstan, has Ian McElhinney been confirmed to star this season? His IMDb page certainly suggests not.

[CrypticWeirwood]

Jaime's released by Cat in ep 8, and we see him on the run with Brienne in ep 10.

The synopsis for episode 10 is up on spoiler TV - http://www.spoilertv...-210-valar.html

So, it also looks like Dany's visit to the House of the Undying is in the finale.

During an interview with the actress, she said that fans of the book “will not be disappointed” by what eventually happens with Dany this season.

I took that to mean that her visit to the dead warlocks who lie dreaming in their House of Dust will be very satisfying for us readers.

This bodes well, I wager. Think of all the CGI, and the myriad scenes of wonder she beholds.

And Rhaegar!

[CrypticWeirwood]

I suspect they will push this storyline until next season. The synopsis for episode ten makes it sound like the 2nd season will end a little short of the book. Sort of gives them an out for holding off casting of Reek/Reeds and having to pay actors who return to the story. Whether they hide Barristan identity, who knows. Its a far easier thing to do in the book.

Sounds like they already have a lot to do with the last episode. And Ser Barristan returning seems more like a season opener than a finale.

But who else would be returning?

[CrypticWeirwood]

It's a good ending, but it also means less Stannis/Davos storyline left from ASOS. (which makes me wonder: what are those characters going to do next season?)

Excellent question.

I think that, as both Brian Sibley first found with his radio adapation of The Lord of the Rings, and as Peter Jackson discovered so much later with his cinematic adaption, having entire episodes where you don’t see one set of major characters at all just doesn’t work out. There’s an edit of The Lord of the Rings films that restores Tolkien’s ordering, and those who’ve seen it say it doesn’t work as well on screen without intercutting.

I imagine the same will be found to apply to A Song of Ice and Fire. My concern is that some of the story arcs just aren’t rich enough in narrative to allow for suffiicient intercutting to keep us in touch with the characters. Both Arya’s and Bran’s seem a little thin, for example. There just isn’t all that much happening. Other story lines have similar troubles.

I am quite interested to see what the shorrunners shall do with this conundrum.

[House Snow]

^ Thats probably why we aren't seeing Arrastan, Reek, Reeds yet(besides having to pay them). Bran, Theon, and Dany have relatively less to do than Arya/Robb/Cately/Jaime/Kinglanding people next season. The introduction/reintroduction can give more screen time.

As for who else is returning in futeure seasons. I forget, but when does Illyn Payne come back in the story. Also Berric Dondarion sounds like he will be back since they mentioned the brotherhood.

[Arkash]

I wish they'd mention Dondarrion's name in this episode...

And isnt Alliser Thorne still waiting in the Red Keep to show the (now useless) hand ?

[zippypoodle]

Not way beyond; we know that Nymeria's pack is loose in the Riverlands, and that she eventually saves Arya when she escapes Harrenhall. Arya also encounters a wolf in the woods while she's off taking a piss in the middle of the night; as long as they don't linger on it, I don't think it's that big of a stretch if Arya should have a chance encounter with Nymeria.

I agree with you. Arya meeting Nymeria would be a huge change from the novel only for the most stubborn of book purists. I hope it happens.

[zippypoodle]

Sadly I believe it is extremely likely this will happen, based on the evidence I will list after.

1. Roose will go to Winterfell.

2. Roose will betray the Northmen from Winterfell who think they are teaming up to retake the stronghold.

3. Theon will allow Roose inside Winterfell after seeing him kill the other Northmen.

4. Roose burns Winterfell.

Watch the 2x06 promo, Robb says "I'll take his head myself." It quickly cuts to Catelyn, yet the face he is looking at when he says it is not her, it is Roose. It is a man with short, black/gray hair.

Roose probably suggets "I'll go north to take Winterfell and deal with Theon/Ironmen." Robb responds "I'll take his head myself." At this point Catelyn probably says something like "Your men need you here to lead them", and Roose concurs.

You set forth a plausible theory and I wouldn't be shocked if it plays out that way. However, I still find it highly unlikely given this description of episode 8 from elsewhere on this site:

At Winterfell, Theon receives a visitor and holds down the fort. Arya calls in her final debt with Jaqen in a way that displeases him. Robb is betrayed. Tyrion and Varys find common ground. Dany ignores Jorah’s advice. Stannis and Davos approach their destination, and Davos is offered a reward.

Based on this I am almost positive they are doing the weasel stew storyline, with Arya naming Jaqen as her third name to force him to help her. Roose Bolton will take Harrenhall with Arya's help. Therefore he can't be in Winterfell.

[zippypoodle]

They also could bring the red wedding in episode 10, so Bolton can kill Robb and let him sack Winterfell afterwards

Maybe Walder Frey will take Winterfell to punish Robb for marrying Jeyne Whoever and they will move the Red Wedding to Winterfell after which Theon will sack Winterfell and flay Roose Bolton.

[zippypoodle]

If 7. is Osha i may give up on the show altogether, i think its going past the point of redemption now.

That's the dumbest thing I've read all day.

Here's my take on the ten teasers:

1. "I need fighters, not kitchen sluts!"

Probably Theon to Osha.

2. Theon (Alfie Allen) makes a shocking decision - is he beyond redemption?

The taking of Winterfell by Theon.

3. "Maybe you should devise our next battle plan while you're about it."

Probably Theon to Osha again. Or Tywin to Arya? She could say something out of turn during a strategy session.

4. Do not mess with The Hound.

His actions during the riot. I'm sure he'll save Sansa and messily kill a few people (hopefully including those who use the obnoxious term "shipping")

5. "Strike hard and true, Jon Snow, or I'll come back and haunt you."

Ygritee, right before Jon fails at executing her.

6. Rose Leslie makes her debut as Ygritte, a Wilding who might spell trouble for Jon (Kit Harington).

self-explanatory

7. "I'm no ordinary woman - my dreams come true!"

Maybe Osha to Bran, which would as others suggest further reduce the chances of seeing the Reeds. I know I'm in the minority on this, but I hope that they cut the Reeds because Jojen is a character I loathe. Not love to loathe like Joffrey, just plain out loathe and wish he wasn't in the novel at all.

8. There's a brilliant moment involving Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) and some cow dung.

Again, during the riot, which confirms it happens this episode.

9. "Kill them - kill them all!"

Joff to the Hound right before and/or during the riot? I bet he gets dung flung at him, then orders his small cadre of guards to kill all the peasants, which then starts the riot. Possibly Cat/Robb as an echo of the scene from last year, only saying that he now intends to kill all the Ironborn in addition to all the Lannisters.

10. Someone's light fingers spell trouble for Daenerys (Emilia Clarke).

They set this up last episode with Dany forbidding stealing, but her khalasar will do it anyway.

[SerMixalot]

btw who was that woman that robb met helping the wounded at the beginning of the last epi, I couldnt catch her name

[greatgeek]

btw who was that woman that robb met helping the wounded at the beginning of the last epi, I couldnt catch her name

Talisa from Volantis(Jeyne Westerling)

[boojam]

Will Dany ever mention the names of the dragons?

[boojam]

I wish they'd mention Dondarrion's name in this episode...

And isnt Alliser Thorne still waiting in the Red Keep to show the (now useless) hand ?

That character is in a all the books , not in a big way, but he sure has vanished.