Meanwhile on the Iron Islands (book spoilers)

[Theda Baratheon]

:bowdown: Same!

Because it's definitely something I could imagine Asha doing!

[lostinwesteros]

I'll have to confess that I've never been a fan of any of the Ironborn, and it seemed to me that in the book Asha was cool, aloof, indifferent and just plain mean to Theon, but in this episode, I was just about on my feet cheering. She's definitely joined the ranks of my personal heros/heroines now and I can't wait to see what happens in her story line.

[PhoenixFlame]

I liked Asha in AFFC/ADWD, but wow, this scene! The music was delicious, her voice was so wonderful. I was cheering too.

[Arkash]

I want Tristifer Botley and Qarl among her crew ! Some of my favorite minor characters !

[Colonel Green]

There was no reason to introduce this plotline if she's not actually going to go to the Dreadfort, and from that I personally take that the Kingsmoot isn't going to happen (at least, not in any substantial role). Once Yara's in the North, there's no reason to send her back to the Iron Islands, particularly given that it would be a circuitous journey, and the only consequence of the Kingsmoot is that Euron takes the throne, which can happen without Yara being there.

[TheAwesomeVargoHoat]

I figure Asha and her Ironborn will be beaten back at the Dreadfort by a returning Roose Bolton. And that's when they hear of Balons death and the Kingsmoot. And then we'll have the Kingsmoot in the later part of the season.

At first I was thinking the Kingsmoot all season, but stretching that out for 10 episodes would have been a bad decision, especially with the "bad guy" winning at the end. That would make the disney unsullied cry.

The Kingsmoot taking place in 3 of the last 5 episodes would fit in nicely IMO.

[ugashep]

I think its way to soon to speculate that the Kingsmoot is going to be cut entirely. We'll get a better idea when we see the casting, maybe Asha goes on this quest for Theon and Balon dies (screw that old prick) and Euron comes and flops down in the Seastone Chair while she's chasing at Theon. Asha could demand the Kingsmoot when she gets back instead of the Damphair if they are going to cut him. I've got a bad feeling about Victarion being cut also, in the HBO Season 2 Game of Thrones coffee table book, Euron and Balon are the only two brothers listed in the Greyjoy family tree. They may just turn the whole thing into Asha/Yara vs. Euron, I don't know what they'd do about Vic's trip to Meereen, maybe just have the Crow's Eye go himself? It's not like he does anything in ADWD anyway, as I said though it's all pretty much speculation other than to say that the Kingsmoot is very likely going to be late Season 4 at the earliest.

[Colonel Green]

Cutting the Kingsmoot is a pretty easy decision, because even many readers think it's a pointless sideplot. The show has spent virtually no time in the Iron Islands, the only character attending it the audience would be even vaguely familiar with is Yara, and Euron taking the throne while Yara is away accomplishes the same thing with far less time. Moreover, having Yara sail to the North (all the way around Westeros), then sail back, then sail back to Westeros again, seems pretty pointless. With a raiding plan that seems designed to put her in the thick of the action in the North, there's no real reason to extricate her from it temporarily (which would also detract from her stated desire to rescue Theon).

[Arkash]

I'm still ready to bet than, rather Theon, Yara will offer a window on Rickon's journey... maybe merging one of her "crew-men" with Wex... heck, she might even offer us a window to the Manderlys.

[Nezzer]

I'm still ready to bet than, rather Theon, Yara will offer a window on Rickon's journey... maybe merging one of her "crew-men" with Wex... heck, she might even offer us a window to the Manderlys.

Interesting. I could see this happening. They need someone to fill Wex's role, now that Wex in the show was probably flayed alive by Ramsay along with the other ironmen who followed Theon.

[ugashep]

Cutting the Kingsmoot is a pretty easy decision.

I agree it's possible, I don't think it is money in the bank though. They don't have that much original Iron Island's material anyway, I am not so sure they won't want keep it, I can see them skipping out on characters like the Damphair and Vic much easier than tossing whole plots out. We'll see though, sites like this wouldn't exist if it weren't fun to try to guess things and discuss with others interested enough to do the same.

[Stallion That Mounts Texas]

Marching on the Dreadfort with 50 men? Lets be serious. The Dreadfort has thick walls, massive towers, is made all of stone, and is garrisoned by 600 of Roose Botlon's crack troops. The Boltons held out against the Stark armies for four years before surrendering. Maybe we will see Asha on the rack as well.

[Greyjoy67]

Cutting the Kingsmoot is a pretty easy decision, because even many readers think it's a pointless sideplot. The show has spent virtually no time in the Iron Islands, the only character attending it the audience would be even vaguely familiar with is Yara, and Euron taking the throne while Yara is away accomplishes the same thing with far less time. Moreover, having Yara sail to the North (all the way around Westeros), then sail back, then sail back to Westeros again, seems pretty pointless. With a raiding plan that seems designed to put her in the thick of the action in the North, there's no real reason to extricate her from it temporarily (which would also detract from her stated desire to rescue Theon).

I'd be very disappointed if they cut the kingsmoot. It's one of the most vivid scenes in my head, and one of the few redeeming and interesting storylines in AFFC (my least favourite book by a mile ;))

[Dove]

Marching on the Dreadfort with 50 men? Lets be serious. The Dreadfort has thick walls, massive towers, is made all of stone, and is garrisoned by 600 of Roose Botlon's crack troops. The Boltons held out against the Stark armies for four years before surrendering. Maybe we will see Asha on the rack as well.

Sneak attack yo. Get in, get Theon, get the hell out - maybe taking a few Boltons and some valuables in the process. The 'ol Ironborn specialty.

I could see the plan working in theory, and it's not like Asha has the emotional attachment to the Dreadfort that Theon had to Winterfell and she's gonna try to camp out and hold it or something.

[Nezzer]

Sneak attack yo. Get in, get Theon, get the hell out - maybe taking a few Boltons and some valuables in the process. The 'ol Ironborn specialty.

I could see the plan working in theory, and it's not like Asha has the emotional attachment to the Dreadfort that Theon had to Winterfell and she's gonna try to camp out and hold it or something.

It's not a bad plan. Nobody expects ironmen to attack the eastern coast of Westeros.

[PhoenixFlame]

She's not going to besiege the Dreadfort. Do the Ironborn even have seige equipment? That would get Theon drawn and quartered right on the battlements. This is like Ironborn Black Ops. The Argo of Westeros :laugh: .

[callmedodge]

Season 4 absolutely needs to end with Tyrion and Victarion/Euron heading to Slaver`s Bay. My Unsullied mates are already getting pissed off at Dany not moving towards Westeros. If she`s still pottering about in Meereen at the end of next season (which she almost certainly will) then they need to show the audience that things are at least moving forwards on that front, and that people are heading to get her.

I agree with those saying the Kingsmoot will be at the end of the next season. Not sure how they`ll include Asha in it.

The main problem is Tyrion.

I imagine it to be:

Episode 4: Joff dies. Plenty of time to set up the Red Viper beforehand there.

Episode 7: Tyrion`s trial. The Mountain vs The Red Viper

Episode 9: Tywin`s murder.

Episode 10: Tyrion meets with Illyrio. Mushroom poison dinner and talk of sending Tyrion to get Dany.

This sets up the audience to love Tyrion even more than they do. Which is exactly what D&D will want.

[Guest]

I'll have to confess that I've never been a fan of any of the Ironborn, and it seemed to me that in the book Asha was cool, aloof, indifferent and just plain mean to Theon, but in this episode, I was just about on my feet cheering. She's definitely joined the ranks of my personal heros/heroines now and I can't wait to see what happens in her story line.

Yeah seriously, in the books I did not care at all about Asha (Yara), but seeing that moment in the show I was just like HELL YEAH.

I wonder if her leaving is what causes the fall of her dad.

[Garlan the Gallant]

Quick question, during the scene with Yara there was a specific Ironborn shown with a big beard and a scar above his eye. He is first seen when Asha (Yara) states that she is taking the 50 best men and it pans to him (26:43 on Hbogo). He is then seen following Yara on the boat, almost as if he is her second. I know that this is probably just an extra, but the show has inserted some extras that are named characters from the books (e.g. Maege Mormont, Gerald Glover, Bowen Marsh, Chella, Timett, etc.). I have been trying to figure out who this is amongst Asha (Yara)'s crew and if this person has any basis from the novels. I was wondering if any of you could help me figure this out. Here is the crew listing of the Black Wind from the novels:

Corm

http://awoiaf.wester...index.php/Cromm

No physical description

Droopeye Dale

http://awoiaf.wester...p/Droopeye_Dale

No physical description

Eerl Harlaw

http://awoiaf.wester...php/Eerl_Harlaw

No physical description

Fingers

http://awoiaf.wester...ingers_(Ironman)

No physical description

Grimtongue

http://awoiaf.wester....php/Grimtongue

No physical description

Hagen the Horn

http://awoiaf.wester...index.php/Hagen

No physical description

Harl "Six-toed Harl"

http://awoiaf.wester.../index.php/Harl

No physical description

Lorren Longaxe

http://awoiaf.wester.../Lorren_Longaxe

No physical description

Qarl the Maid

http://awoiaf.wester.../index.php/Qarl

He is beardless. I'm thinking it can't be him.

Rogon Rustbeard

http://awoiaf.wester...oggon_Rustbeard

He has a huge red beard.

Rolfe the Dwarf

http://awoiaf.wester...Rolfe_The_Dwarf

He is a head taller than anyone on her crew.

Rook

http://awoiaf.wester.../index.php/Rook

No physical description

Characters listed as Asha's supporters at the Kingsmoot:

Baelor Blacktyde

http://awoiaf.wester...aelor_Blacktyde

He is smooth-faced and handsome. I don't think this fits.

Harmund Sharp

http://awoiaf.wester...p/Harmund_Sharp

No physical description

Harras Harlaw

http://awoiaf.wester...p/Harras_Harlaw

He is tall with a long face and is austere and bears the Valyrian steel sword, Nightfall. Thought this character was shown with an axe, I believe.

Meldred Merlyn

http://awoiaf.wester.../Meldred_Merlyn

He is a bald fat man. Does not fit.

Rodrik Harlaw

http://awoiaf.wester...p/Rodrik_Harlaw

An average-looking man, Rodrik has brown hair and eyes and a short, neat beard that is grey. He has requested a Myrish lense to assist with his vision. There is no way he's the Reader.

Tristifer Botley

http://awoiaf.wester...ristifer_Botley

He has messy hair and large eyes. He is handsome. I don't think this description fits.

Here is a screen capture form the episode:

http://i11.photobuck...zps9f310d75.png

-Edit- I see that there has been some discussion of this character; however, my post still applies.

Hopefully, someone can figure it out. Of course, he may just be some extra without any literary basis.

[JonDunn]

I kind of liked the scene it actually makes me really like Asha/Yara. I'm not sure where it's going but Yara is really fun to watch in the show so I'm curious to see where it goes. I think they will find a way to improve the Ironborn story from the books.

Let's be honest, there is NO way the Ironborn story can be told exactly like it was in the books and have it be interesting to the audience. Shortcuts have to be made.