HBO: A Game of Thrones (ASOIAF)

[Yeekim]

Was I the only one who noticed that Ned signed his letter to Stannis "Eddrrd Stark"?

 

[Leoreth]

Just watched the last episode. The last two sequences were masterfully done, but I especially liked the "Ned and Cersei in the garden" sequence because that's easily my favourite scene in the book.

Tywin skinning the deer was really kind of unrealistic. I'm undecided whether they only needed something to do for him during the scene, wanted to show that he's a guy who's not afraid to get his hands dirty or to scream "symbolism" because of the stag = Baratheon thing. By the way, I imagined Tywin rather similar to how he looks there.

Same with the "Littlefinger at the brothel" scene - it's hard to believe he instructs all whores on his own. But they had to get his backstory with Catelyn and Brandon (Eddard's dead brother) in somehow.

 

[Yeekim]

I didn't have any problems with the brothel scene per se.
However, Littlefinger is supposed to be a magnate of great wealth. Right now, he comes off as a simple pimp, owner of a brothel.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I didn't have any problems with the brothel scene per se.
However, Littlefinger is supposed to be a magnate of great wealth. Right now, he comes off as a simple pimp, owner of a brothel.

"One of many such establishments I own."
OK, it violates the "show, don't tell" rule, but so do the books.
And is he supposed to be that wealthy ?
My impression was that Littlefinger is not special because he's very rich -he sure can't hold a candle to Tywin Lannister or Mace Tyrell- but because he didn't inherit his wealth and is just very talented with money.

 

[Leoreth]

Yeah. He's rich for a low Lord, but I don't think he can match any of the major houses. Also, we don't know if he really owns all these brothels, or if he's only running them from the treasury's money (he's known for multiplying its gold and not hoarding it like his predecessors after all). And financing Robert's kingdom with whorehouses seems rather fitting

 

[Truronian]

I really enjoyed the Tywin scene...

Book semi-spoilers:

Spoiler :

I think the deer skinning served a few purposed (other than the obvious symbolism). Firstly, it shows that he's willing to get his hands dirty (lol). Secondly, it shows he's comfortable with Jamie. I suspect the interaction we see between him and Tyrion will be a lot more tense and formal... hopefully the contrast will outline the difference in his relationships with his two sons.

 

[Leoreth]

Good point.

 

[jammerculture]

plus Robert is killed on his hunt whereas Tywin was obviously more successful. The skinning scene is my favorite "new" scene so far. The guy took that deer apart in no time flat, while barely paying attention while dressing down the greatest swordsman in the realm and a kingslayer to boot. That's pretty badass!

 

[GoodSarmatian]

"I'll be a good wife to him you'll see. I'll be a queen just like you I promise"

Too bad the season is almost over, now that the plot is finally moving forward.

 

[Scratch]

Just 2 episodes left. I liked last night's a lot, save for a bit of disappointment of Jon Snow's battle with the undead. It didn't seem nearly as terrifying as it was in the book.

Loved the scene with Syrio, taking out all those guys with just a wooden practice sword.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

Loved the scene with Syrio, taking out all those guys with just a wooden practice sword.

There's just one thing bugging me about the scene which I didn't notice in the books: Why doesn't he just pick up one of the swords that are lying around after he defeats the guards ? It's not really his preferred sword type, but surely better than wood ?
Anyway, I like that his fate is left ambiguous just like in the book. Him mentioning Death as the only god before has already led to speculation that (spoiler for the later books follows, but doesn't concern the main plot):

Spoiler :

Syrio and Jaqen might be the same person.

 

[Scratch]

There's just one thing bugging me about the scene which I didn't notice in the books: Why doesn't he just pick up one of the swords that are lying around after he defeats the guards ? It's not really his preferred sword type, but surely better than wood ?
Anyway, I like that his fate is left ambiguous just like in the book. Him mentioning Death as the only god before has already led to speculation that (spoiler for the later books follows, but doesn't concern the main plot):

I was thinking that, too. Why not grab one of the swords from someone that fell? Unless he was worried that he might not be able to free the sword quickly enough from someone if it was stuck and he would then be in a vulnerable position. And perhaps for whatever reason he felt his primary duty was to provide time for Arya's escape and he knew he would be good enough with only a wooden sword to do it.

 

[Pacioli]

Arya is one of my favorite characters in the series. I hope some day she will be reunited with her dancing master.

 

[Leoreth]

"I'll be a good wife to him you'll see. I'll be a queen just like you I promise"

I had to laugh at that one too

I know every week someone comes in and declares this the best episode so far, but it's the first time I'm compelled to say that. Mainly because many characters that were only praised previously now get the opportunity to show why: Syrio and Drogo. Plus, this episode introduced Shagga, son of Dolf and Greatjon Umber (whose portrayal here I really like) and includes Ser Barristan's "Joffrey, your kingsguard sucks" moment

I also liked that they decided against ending the episode with a shocker this time.

The thing that bothered me more about the Syrio scene is that Ser Meryn politely waits for Arya to stand still in awe while Syrio turns his back to him and delivers his speech about the death god.

Oh, and they left Syrio's fate uncertain here, too - this certainly will only encourage the "Syrio lives" and "Syrio is Jaqen H'ghar" crowds

Spoiler Next episode :

Given the title of the ninth episode ("Baelor"), we readers all now what will happen in it. I'm asking myself if we will still see Eddard's tower of joy dream. I really hope so only to get a glimpse at Ser Arthur Dayne. But seriously, all hints that are usually interpreted as being related to Jon's parentage ("promise me, Ned", the blue roses) were conspicuously absent so far, so I wonder whether they intend to drop that aspect entirely ...

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I fear your hope is unjustified.
This is one series that would have benefited from a couple of flashbacks like the start of Roberts rebellion, Rhaegars death at the Trident or Eddard seeing Jaime Lanniter on the throne after he killed the Mad King, but I guess getting a couple of more actors to portray dead people or younger version of Ned and Jaime would have been too expensive.
But on the other hand, if they want to include the hints you mention at all this could be an exception.

 

[PeteAtoms]

I thought it was good, but like always, I'm still bad with the names

The Stark boy at the northern wall, was there some significance to his burning his hand on the lantern? It seemed way to deliberate to not come up again.

 

[North King]

Well,

Spoiler burned hand :

Pretty much nothing comes of it.

I mean, he does have to do a lot of hand exercises to regain full use, but he's basically fine and I've never seen symbolism attached to it.

 

[Leoreth]

I fear your hope is unjustified.
This is one series that would have benefited from a couple of flashbacks like the start of Roberts rebellion, Rhaegars death at the Trident or Eddard seeing Jaime Lanniter on the throne after he killed the Mad King, but I guess getting a couple of more actors to portray dead people or younger version of Ned and Jaime would have been too expensive.
But on the other hand, if they want to include the hints you mention at all this could be an exception.

True. Especially Jaime on the Iron Throne would've made for an awesome shot:

Spoiler :

Including these hints is really a long-term investment, considering they cease with the second book and haven't come to fruition yet, but after all GRRM is executive producer there and assuming L+R=J is true, I doubt he would've let them get away with not building it up at all.

On Jon's burned hand (and I really can sympathize with you because of the names, it's bad even if you see them written all the time):

Spoiler :

It's relevant immediately afterwards when the Lord Commander gifts him a bastard sword, which, obvious pun notwithstanding, is a "one-and-a-half-handed" sword and therefore better suitable for someone with an injured hand.

 

[Singularity]

By the way. The screenplay for this episode, The Pointy End, was written by George R R Martin himself. And I think the bar was raised to another level yet again. Pure brilliance.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I can't wait for the next episode.
I really hope they show some batle scenes and don't screw it up.
Slightly spoilerous preview:


Link to video.

I must say that the pacing of the overall series is a bit off. There was too little happening in the first three episodes and too much in the last three (or rather in 8 and 9, there's not much left for episode 10). It also bothers me that some people travel at the speed of plot.