[Book spoilers] What you loved about the episode

[PhoenixFlame]

Can this be a recurring episode thread? Positivity, woo! Every now and then, I like to do more than bitch.

- Brutus! I've met Tobias Menzies and he's a total sweetheart so I'm always excited when i see his name. Hope Edmure gets to redeem himself a bit.Still, the opening scene was so funny. I liked Robb's half-smile/almost-laugh and Catelyn sending him a "STFU" look.

- The horse chase scene, especially that shot over the torturer's shoulder where Ramsay walks up. I was giddy with how awesome that scene was.

- Arya's whole scene with Hot Pie. So cute and not played for irritating saccharine feels. I love the Hound's background monologue too, especially when Anguey fires back, "oh, so you can kiss 'em?"

- The musical chairs scene. My favorite micro-moments within that scene were Littlefinger's duck-and-scamper, Vary's tongue-to-cheek face, and elegant refined Cersei picking up a heavy chair and hauling it around the table.

- How steely Dany was when brokering her deal.

[Hound's She-wolf]

I with they would, so that they stop clogging up the damn show

Why don't we have a "like" button anymore? I need one for this post.

[Dove]

basically everything

Really though,

+ Great cinematography, amazingly well directed. there's a whole thread for this so yeah

+ The Brotherhood Without Banners. Thoros of Myr is fantastically charismatic (this episode gets an A++ just for his topknot ahahaha) and so is Anguy, for being such a minor character. They've had maybe five minutes of screentime and they've already left a fantastic impression. I can't wait to see more stuff with them + Arya + the Hound.

+ Michelle Fairley. No matter what you think about Catelyn herself or the material she's been given to work with I think Fairley is my favorite actress on the show, and she kills it in all her scenes. Her grief was genuinely touching, and not overwrought. The faces of Riverrun were introduced well and succinctly in the time allotted.

+ Jaime/Brienne. They fittingly have best chemistry on the show, and both are fantastic in their roles. I think we'll all laugh at what could have been with "thapphireth" and "kingthlayer!!" but Locke/Bolton bannermen work well in the context of the TV show.

+ The small council. I laughed like an idiot, what an amazing scene. Without words and with total hilarity, the social dynamics of the members of the small council was perfectly communicated. Sassy Cersei Best Cersei, I could probably watch an hour of just her and Varys reacting to things off-camera

+ Theon's story. So goddamn tense, really building the dread and heartbreak for people who know what's coming and the confusion/hope for those who don't. The horse chase is one of the best scenes this show has ever done, and I nearly jumped IRL when that first arrow whizzed past his ear.

+ Daenerys Stormborn, first of her name, Khaleesi of the Dothraki, the Unburnt, Mother of- She's great, Emilia's great, Jorah and Barristan's sniping at each other and dick-waving is great, Kraznys mo CompleteJackass is great, everything's great

+ Sam. Idk the actor's name and I'm too lazy to check atm but he has a way of making you feel for the guy with his facial expressions even when he's being immensely useless. Really pulling for Sam the Slayer to happen because he's defending Gilly and the baby. Also Craster licking his lips at Sam and his bizarre fucking laugh cracked me the hell up.

[Hound's She-wolf]

I will try to be positive, even though anything good I felt about this episode has been overshadowed by that dumbass whore sideshow debacle:

1. Jaime and Brienne, I love their bickering, I love them. The final scene was painful and wonderful, I instantly felt horrified and sorry for Jaime and I love to hate Jaime. I liked the sudden shift to the music and closing credits, it was shocking but I still liked it.

2. The Hotpie goodbye scene was touching, sad and sweet.

3. Jorah and the Rhaegar quote was wonderful. I loved the debate with Barristan.

4. The pissing contest over the chairs in the small council was great, as was Varys giving LF the side eye and WTF? face. I'm starting to like Varys more and more.

5. Cat finally got to grieve for her sons and her decimated family.

[SerMixalot]

The entire scenes with Dany Selmy and Jorah were just outstanding.

[Silverx2]

once I'd gotten over it being a colossal waste of time.

I wouldn't say that. In later books Pod shows some real attachment to Tyrion, almost like a son, His plan to go off and find Sansa in order to be able to have Tyrion back again was one of my favorite storylines in AFFC. In order for that to make sense they need to build up the relationship between Tyrion and Pod more so then just "oh well pod was his squire, so thats why he goes off on this adventure by himself, Follows the maid of tarth, Climbs through posionious bushes and comes face to face to lady stone heart."

Pod goes through some serious shit in the hopes of being reunited with tyrion. that requires some build up we did not get in the books

[PhoenixFlame]

I wouldn't say that. In later books Pod shows some real attachment to Tyrion, almost like a son, His plan to go off and find Sansa in order to be able to have Tyrion back again was one of my favorite storylines in AFFC. In order for that to make sense they need to build up the relationship between Tyrion and Pod more so then just "oh well pod was his squire, so thats why he goes off on this adventure by himself, Follows the maid of tarth, Climbs through posionious bushes and comes face to face to lady stone heart."

Pod goes through some serious shit in the hopes of being reunited with tyrion. that requires some build up we did not get in the books

I hope they further develop their relationship--it will make Pod's character so much more compelling when he's roving around the countryside. Dude's a badass in the making. Of course, it makes me a bit sad Tyrion's on the other side of the world while Pod's getting his neck stretched.

[Former Lord of Winterfell]

I wouldn't say that. In later books Pod shows some real attachment to Tyrion, almost like a son, His plan to go off and find Sansa in order to be able to have Tyrion back again was one of my favorite storylines in AFFC. In order for that to make sense they need to build up the relationship between Tyrion and Pod more so then just "oh well pod was his squire, so thats why he goes off on this adventure by himself, Follows the maid of tarth, Climbs through posionious bushes and comes face to face to lady stone heart."

Pod goes through some serious shit in the hopes of being reunited with tyrion. that requires some build up we did not get in the books

Good thread on that issue:

http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/85009-pod-tyrion-brienne-book-spoliers/

[Former Lord of Winterfell]

+ Michelle Fairley. No matter what you think about Catelyn herself or the material she's been given to work with I think Fairley is my favorite actress on the show, and she kills it in all her scenes. Her grief was genuinely touching, and not overwrought. The faces of Riverrun were introduced well and succinctly in the time allotted.

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of her casting because of her age, but she's been wonderful. In a sense, it's the most realistic, human portrayal of any major character.

[Wall Builder]

I loved the expression on Dany's face when she was negotiating with Kraznyz. It was just a hint of a smirk that said "I know what you're really saying and I'm going to fry you're insulting ass."

[HouseLark]

I loved the expression on Dany's face when she was negotiating with Kraznyz. It was just a hint of a smirk that said "I know what you're really saying and I'm going to fry you're insulting ass."

Emilia Clarke has been great so far this season, but she's had much better material to work with compared to last year.

I'm with those who want more of the Hound as well. He's had 2-3 lines so far and they've been brilliant. Rory McCann oozes menace; I can't wait for scenes at the Twins with Arya, and the duel with Beric, of course.

[Sansa in the North]

Jaime's hand was the best!

Also, this:

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of her casting because of her age, but she's been wonderful. In a sense, it's the most realistic, human portrayal of any major character.

[victim]

+ "Always the artists." I know Jon and Mance have been seriously underhanded to start this season, but this reminded me of one of those really curious moments all the way back in season 1. Also, it shows the White Walkers are more than just mindless zombonies.

+ Jaime's reaction to losing his hand. And the worlds reaction to the Bear and the Maiden Fair.

[Spring Snow]

I can't think of anything I didn't love about this episode, aside from maybe the Pod scene? Call me a D&D sycophant if you want but I really, truly enjoy this show, and loved this episode in particular. :lol: I've already enthused about the general direction and how effective I found it in the related thread, so I'll leave it at that. My favorite moments were the small council, Daenerys' scenes, and Theon's horse chase, with a special mention of course going to Jaime, Brienne, and Locke McSapphires. Oh, and Hot Pie's... wolf... bread? And Catelyn venting her grief with her uncle. And-

Well, I think you've gotten the point.

+ "Always the artists." I know Jon and Mance have been seriously underhanded to start this season, but this reminded me of one of those really curious moments all the way back in season 1. Also, it shows the White Walkers are more than just mindless zombonies.

I'm very intrigued in the way the show is portraying these strange White Walker moments, since D&D probably know something about them that we don't.

[Karmarni]

I'm with those who want more of the Hound as well. He's had 2-3 lines so far and they've been brilliant. Rory McCann oozes menace; I can't wait for scenes at the Twins with Arya, and the duel with Beric, of course.

Episode 4 preview with "You want to cut my throat, get on with it" is the best Hound delivery yet (the true angry Hound, of course).

[DarkAndFullOfTurnips]

I hope they have Sandor do his original quick little speech about the difference between him and "knights."

[shiola]

10. "He was not the last dragon." "We are not men" And the Valyrian semi-reveal.

I liked the "We are not men" line a lot. It was a good Dany soundbyte, and the bigger fans of Dany especially probably loved it. I'm surprised a lot of people seemed to have a problem with it. Dany's back to her cool self this season.

[shiola]

The Jaime/ Brienne storyline is brilliant and Coster-Waldau has nearly achieved what the books could never do: I'm beginning to develop a soft spot for Jaime.

The Arya and Hotpie goodbye was terribly sweet and sad. Also it was short and sweet, but it was fantastic to see the Hound get some characterisation and lines...FINALLY!

Brilliant scenes with Dany. She has really returned from the brink after the awful storyline last season where she was channelling Viserys. Her dialogue with the slaver was brilliant and his odiousness' death next week will be a joy to behold. Also really like the design of her dress.

The Theon storyline is good and it makes sense to move the moat Caitlin story to this season so that Theon has something to do apart from being tortured, which would be awful to watch for a whole season continuously.

I agree with all of this. I am head over heels for Nikolaj, and shameless about it. I love him in the books and Nikolaj is so spot-on in his portrayal of Jaime. Gwen is an amazing Brienne as well. Depending on how much of Brienne's Adventures they keep in the show, I think I'll actually enjoy them more than I did in the book simply because she's a joy to watch.

I love the Hot Pie goodbye. Him telling Gendry "Don't get stabbed." and Gendry awkwardly tapping him instead of a hug and saying "And you, don't.. burn your fingers." It was so sweet! Arya's "Hot Pie, it's really good!" was a great line. Something about the way she delivered it made the scene for me.

I agree with Dany as well, and am looking forward to Theon's storyline.

[shiola]

Can this be a recurring episode thread? Positivity, woo! Every now and then, I like to do more than bitch.

- Brutus! I've met Tobias Menzies and he's a total sweetheart so I'm always excited when i see his name. Hope Edmure gets to redeem himself a bit.Still, the opening scene was so funny. I liked Robb's half-smile/almost-laugh and Catelyn sending him a "STFU" look.

- The horse chase scene, especially that shot over the torturer's shoulder where Ramsay walks up. I was giddy with how awesome that scene was.

- Arya's whole scene with Hot Pie. So cute and not played for irritating saccharine feels. I love the Hound's background monologue too, especially when Anguey fires back, "oh, so you can kiss 'em?"

- The musical chairs scene. My favorite micro-moments within that scene were Littlefinger's duck-and-scamper, Vary's tongue-to-cheek face, and elegant refined Cersei picking up a heavy chair and hauling it around the table.

- How steely Dany was when brokering her deal.

I definitely plan on making a thread about this for each episode, if they get accepted. I enjoy the show less when I read all the criticizing, so I want to see how I'd feel if we came together and "nitpicked" in a positive light as well.

I agree with all of this, except I wasn't a huge fan of the Blackfish-pushing-Edmure-and-Robb-chuckling. But it's still nice to see that someone did like it, because that's taken a lot of heat on the boards.

The horse chase scene was all kinds of scenery porn and amazing camera tricks. I don't know anything about filming but it looked amazing.

I also liked that exchange with Anguy and The Hound! I'm glad someone else mentioned it. I forgot to mention it.

Dany was so HBIC with her dealings. I like her again. I hope the show keeps her more likeable than she was in the books, like they kind of do with Tyrion. It makes the show more fun to watch, whereas the books I like that everyone has facets that I dislike.

[Lady Arwen]

"He was not the last dragon" and "We are not men" were my personal favourites. Also, Dany thugging Jorah and Barristan when they contradicted her in front of Kraznys. Classic Dany!