Game of Thrones

[Slash]

Holy Hell at Tywin. I liked the guy last season despite knowing he did some extreme things but the way he ripped into Tyrion when he asked about getting Castley Rock (?) cause he was the rightful heir after Jaime was uncalled for. Tyrion put everything on the line to defend King's Landing and almost lost his life in the process not because of it but because of his family and his father rips him like that and tells him if he does good/whatever, he'll be given proper title and a proper wife. I feel bad for Tyrion being in that family. I think Jaime is the only one that has shown he's cared about Tyrion in some capacity but to hell with Tywin and Cersei on that front.

I like the guy they've cast for Mance. I kind of expected someone who looked more younger (maybe the guy that Jon initially thought was him) but it works. And nice to see a 'Giant'. I like how they're kind of steadily easing in some of the fantasy elements/creatures as we go along. Also seems like the Night's Watch had their run in with the White Walkers and took a beating. They need to get back to the wall but with the army we saw heading in that direction at the end of last season, good luck with that.

Daeny is looking for an army and seems to have found one of 8 thousand to add to the Dothraki that are still falling her (which is pretty much a band). The 'Unsullied'? They're no longer 'men', they don't fear death, they have no 'weakness' and have killed newborns to prove it. They'll even let you cut their nipples off and thank you for it. Don't know what the hell was up with the dude who was just trash talking Daeny the entire time. He had quite the mouth on him. Daeny however now has another great fighter at her back in Barriston (?), the former head of the Kingsguard (was he the one who pretty much told Cersai & Joffrey to go f' themselves and walked out?). I think it's great that he left and went to search out the rightful heir of the 'Mad King' and also saved her. I'm guessing the 'magicians' are the ones who tried to kill her (judging by the lips/mouth on the little girl and disappearing the way she did)?

Davos survived the explosion but it seems Stannis' witch has him twisted now. It seems Stannis believes that they lost the assault on Blackwater and taking King's Landing because he listened to Davos and left the witch instead of taking her along. I'm wondering if Davos simply returned for his own death now if Stannis actually believes that.

Joffrey is so afraid of his own people that he's going around in an armored carriage and is afraid to get out. His new wife/queen to be doesn't seem to care and loves to interact with the people. She's either going to help improve Joffrey's/the Lannister image in King's Landing or she's going to get the people mainly on her side and can just oust/take the throne for herself/her family. I'm interested in seeing what her game is.

[pixiestyx]

Great premiere.  Loved the Tywin/Tyrion  scene.  It's almost word for word what happened in the book. I also liked Cersei's "I thought you lost your nose" line, since it was a nod to the book (Tyrion loses his nose in the book).

I'm a bit surprised that we saw the Unsullied so soon since I thought it might take a couple more episodes.  I was also a bit surprised at first that they revealed Barriston so soon (it comes out later in the book).

It also looks like they might be fixing Jon's storyline since I thought his was ones of the ones they messed up a bit (along with Arya's). 

Great to see Ghost, even for a little bit.  I really liked how they focused on a few characters rather than try to cram everyone in.  It also seems like the scenes were a bit longer than last year.

Looking forward to what comes next.

[pixiestyx]

Another good episode.

I loved Lady Olenna.  Dianna Rigg is perfect as her, just as I imagined her. Poor Sansa doesn't know who she can trust.  I also really loved Margery's scene with Joffery and how she manipulated him.  She's very clever and plays the game quite well.  I liked the brief flicker in her eyes when Joffery talked about banning Renly's type of 'perversion'; she was obviously thinking of Loras.

I enjoyed Jaime and Brienne's banter and even their fight.  Jaime did fairly well for having his hands tied and not being in any condition to fight (since he's been a prisoner for a year).  He was no match for Brienne in the state he's in.

Jojen and Meera are great, particularly Jojen. I liked their introduction even if it was a bit rushed.

Jon didn't have much to do other than introduce the idea of a warg (which is what Bran has been doing).

Arya....I'm still not too happy with what they've done to her story but I liked her spunk when dealing with the Brotherhood without Banners.

As a side note, I'm pleased to see the amount of direwolves in the first two episodes.

Book talk, up to A Storm of Swords (mainly talking about a change from book to show):

SPOILER: Click to show

I'm curious as to why they have Robb and Cat under the impression that Bran and Rickon might be alive or taken prisoner by Theon.  In the books, Cat and Robb believe 100% that they are dead. It's their "death" that is the motivation behind many of Robb and Cat's actions. In fact, it was finding out that Bran and Rickcon were 'dead' that pushes Cat to release Jaime. The only thing I can think of is that Robb lied to Cat to give her some hope; that the message he received stated that Bran and Rickon were dead.

Book Talk, up to A Dance with Dragons:

SPOILER: Click to show

I wonder how they are going to handle Theon's story. He's a POV character in  A Clash of Kings and then he doesn't show up again until A Dance with Dragons so he's
gone for two books. I guess they'll move some stuff around.

[Slash]

I like how the Hound pretty much just screwed over Arya right on the spot. She got off easy with Littlefinger (cause he knows to keep some cards to play) but the Hound just outright blew her cover. I'm surprised he got captured though. How awkward would that have been if Sansa went with him and by fate, met up with Arya again like that?

Speaking of Sansa, the girl just seems lost. She's been telling people what they want to hear and all but she can't trust anyone and even if she did, she doesn't seem to know who. The Hound tried to extend her a lifeline and she passed on it. Littlefinger, despite other motives is trying to do the same. Tyrion seems to have a concern for her (loved his back and forth play fight with Shay) so I wonder if him & Shay will try to help her as well. Margery doesn't hold anything against the girl and wants to know of her experiences with Joffrey so there should be some comfort there in trusting her too.

And yes, Margery is interesting to me cause I want to see her pretty much be the undoing of Joffrey. She seems to be making all the right moves in being in good favor but not being under his thumb at the same time. The Anti-Sansa approach. She's doing her own thing and at the same time, it's causing more of a rift between Joffrey and Cersei (I'm really wanting to see how much Cersei pushes cause the boy has already threatened her once...or was it twice?).

So Bran is a 'Warg'. I want to see where this goes now that he's got two new members to his group. Like I said, I love how they're steadily introducing more 'fantasy' elements to the show.

[pixiestyx]

Things have started to pick up this past episode.

Jaime getting his hand cut off followed by the end credits song was a bit...odd.

Love the small council meeting.

[Slash]

Seems a lot of people are kind of 'put off' by that ending credit song choice.

Jaime losing his hand is going to really alter his character, more than just physically. The guy is known for his swordsmanship and he just lost his hand. And for the most part, that's all he's really been good at/had in life. Guess he played the Father/Lannister card one too many times and to the wrong person at that this time. I do wonder how this will impact things though: Cat was sending Jaime back as a good will/faith gesture to exchange for Sansa (and Arya if she was there). However, Jaime isn't being returned whole now if he ever does make it back. Won't this kind of dampen such an exchange? Unless Jaime vouches for the girls/that the Starks weren't at fault exactly and instead seeks vengeance on the particular House that took his hand.

Dany must have a plan. The last thing I expected her to do was give up a Dragon. I think she'll get the Unsullied under her command and when she's their new owner, turn them on the city and command her Dragon back to her or for them to help burn the city. Dany seemed really put off by what she saw in the city (the slaves that were strung up) and what she heard (the Unsullied killing newborns and the money going to the Slave owners, not the mothers). I can see this being a ruse to get the power/forces she needs.

[Slash]

The hell with the Night's Watch falling apart like they did and killing Mormont. Sam has run off but the rest of them started fighting with each other. I wonder if Sam will run into Jon Snow and the rest of the WIldlings if he's heading towards the wall. I guess what can you expect of a bunch of criminals who have their backs against the wall (again?).

The final scene with Dany. So good with the zooming out to show her new army leaving. As soon as she got the whip, she turned on the city. The best part is the language they were speaking the entire time was Valkyrian, which she knew/is native to her family. She understood all the crap he was saying about her and makes it even better that she just stood there and took it, waiting for this moment. She's got the Unsullied now, free and following her of their own will + some other slaves that were freed I'm sure. Jorah (?) should have had a little bit more faith in Dany when she was offering up one of her Dragons.

Wonder how long till she comes knocking on the door of King's Landing and that's if she doesn't pick up more soldiers on the way. Will have to see when she arrives to see what the battlefield looks like at that point. Starks + The North, Lannisters/King's Landing + Tyrells, Stannis + whatever he has left. Can't forget the White Walkers & Wildlings marching on the wall too and depending when Dany arrives, she can be walking right into that, mopping up whatever force still wants to claim the Throne or adding her forces to the defense of the land (I don't the latter 2 would have it- Stannis & the Lannisters but I can see the Starks wanting to protect the land if the Wildlings/White Walkers breach the wall and the Starks don't even want the Throne to begin with).

Grandma Tyrell is just too funny. So blunt and upfront with what's on her mind. Margery (?) has Joffrey wrapped around her finger and it's putting him more at odds with Cersei who's gone to Daddy Lannister, Tywin, to deal with the problem. He doesn't seem to have much of a problem with someone reeling the boy in and he seems to want to do so himself as well since Cersei has failed to. Sansa seems to think things are looking up on her part with the possibility of marrying Loras and being sisters with Margery. I do have to wonder how this will hold up though if Sansa marries in. Lannisters and Starks are at war with one another so the Tyrells will be smack dab in the middle with that. You have the Brother married to a Stark and the Sister married to a Lannister. Hell, the only reason the Tyrells joined with the Lannisters is because they wanted vengeance against Stannis for killing Renly. If Renly had survived and Cat was able to make her deal, it would have been Renly's forces & the Tyrell's joining with the Starks. So do the Tyrells just pull themselves from the conflict at that point or stick with the Lannisters? Would it matter if Margery is calling the shots and can orchestrate something?

Felt bad for Jamie this episode (and seeing his hand just tied around neck). I know he's always had a certain attitude about him because of his family but still seeing him treated like that was sad. Brienne seems to have gotten through to him at the very least for the time being. All he's had is his swordsmanship to call his own and now that his sword hand is gone, he feels like he's got nothing left. Still wondering where his character goes from here and I do hope the captors get theirs. Between the Jamie treatment and what they were going to do to Brienne, just have no sympathy for whatever happens to them.

[pixiestyx]

^ I know the answers to your questions.  But I'm doing my best not to spoil things, which is why I don't go into much detail. And spoiler it when I do.

The end scene with Dany was incredible.  They really nailed the scene from the book.

Love, love, love Lady Olenna. "There was a gold rose on my chamber pot.  As if it made it smell any better" The scene with her and Varys was great.  As was the scene with Varys and Tyrion. Margery really knows how to manipulate Joffery.  Honestly, the Tyrells have been some of the strongest characters this season.

Sad to see the old Bear die.  I always liked him as a character.

I liked seeing the dreams that Bran has and that Jojen is now with him in them.

Poor Jaime.  It's funny how you can get to 'poor Jaime', considering he threw Bran from a window.  They are doing a really good job, in my opinion, with Brienne and Jaime's story.

Curious to know what you think of the Boy and Theon.

[Slash]

I have no clue what to think of the Boy and Theon. I mean, they've done a good job of getting me to show some sympathy for Jaime who has done some horrible things (Bran) but Theon I just loathe and place in the same category as Cersei and Joffrey (no sympathy whatsoever). The Boy who was trying to help him must be crazy or sipping what Joffrey is sipping in the sadist department. Freeing Theon, leading him around and back to the dungeon saying that Theon killed the ones who were sent to bring him back? I mean, the look on the Boy's face was just crazy "I'm enjoying this!" What was the point of all that?

Even though Theon finally seemed to come to terms/admit that he screwed up and that Ned Stark was more of a father to him, I laughed when he was strapped back up. More torture for him please. A third and fourth serving would be welcome.

[pixiestyx]

You really hate Theon. lol

I actually like tv Theon better than book Theon. I HATED book Theon. I nearly threw my book when I thought Theon had killed Bran and Rickon. I still don't like tv Theon.

[pixiestyx]

This episode was so good.  So much straight from the books goodness.

Jon and Ygritte - they kept the bit about the Lord's Kiss in there.  Not sure I was expecting that but then again this is HBO.

Stannis - finally saw Selyse and saw Shireen.  I wasn't sure they were going to keep Shireen in there and I liked her scene with Davos.  The dead babies in jars were stupid.

Queen of Thornes and Tyrion - such a great scene between the two.  I can't stress enough at how fabulous Diana Rigg is as Lady Olenna.  Also the scene gave some ideas on how small Daenarys' Unsullied army is compared to what is in Westeros. Which leads me to.....

Jorah, Barriston and Grey Worm - liked the scene between Jorah and Barriston as well as the introduction of Grey Worm

Jaime and Brienne - loved the bathing scene.  Jaime really has an incredible arc.  He went from being one of my most hated characters to one of my favourite (even though he's done some terrible things).

The Hound and Beric - Great fight between the two.  We finally get to more the of fantasy elements with the resurrection of Beric

Arya and Gendry - bittersweet scene between the two.  I always kinda shipped them in the books.   Also, I think they are slowly getting back on track with Arya's storyline.

Tywin, Tyrion and Cersei - fantastic scene.  Charles Dance is incredible as Tywin.  Cersei went from gloating to being put in her place by Tywin.  Tywin dislikes Cersei almost as much as Tyrion.

Possibly one of my favourite episodes of the series.  I know what is being set in motion and I am so excited for it.

[Slash]

Show is doing an amazing job of making me care more and more for Jamie. He broke his oath to the Mad King on the grounds that the king not only asked him to bring him the head of his own father, but because of the threat of the wildfire laid throughout the city that would have killed thousands of innocent people. The act wasn't done out Jamie being a 'Lannister', but to protect the people of the realm. It's sad that he's been sacked with the name 'Kingslayer' cause it doesn't really do him justice for what he did for the realm. Instead, the name is kind of mocking him because of his role and oath that he broke. I liked in the end after Brienne said she needed help for the Kingslayer that Jamie said his name as if he wanted to be done with the title. And this all stems from Ned Stark finding him and judging him? Jamie didn't challenge at all and has lived with it all this time. Overall, great scene.

Hey Cersei, how's it feel? So smug in what was happening to Tyrion that she didn't see that smack down coming her way from dear old daddy. I really want to know how this is going to play out cause you have both Lannisters and Tyrells jostling now for control of the realm by marrying into the remaining Houses of power. You got Loras and now Tyrion positioned for Sansa so that when Robb is dealt with, she becomes heir to the North. Margery if she keeps on trucking is in a great position with the people and Joffrey so she can have King's Landing in her back pocket but Tywin himself is trying to place Cersei on the other end in Highgarden. I'd really like to see how Tyrion and Cersei fight Tywin on this arrangement.

Robb, what the hell are you doing? I understand its the way of the North and such but you're creating your own problems. Yes, whatshisname Karstark acted against your wishes and slaughtered 2 Lannister children that were under your protection and then mouthed off to you in front of your men that you were soft but him and his House were a significant part of your forces in the war. Killing him sent that force home and now, for you to make up for that loss, you have to go to the man who's daughter you were supposed to marry and we already know you broke that promise. Good luck with that. I guess he was kind of in a pickle. He couldn't let Karstark get away with talking to him like that but he also needed the forces (not to mention Karstark was kin of his). Damned if you, damned if you don't.

Was Jorah fishing for an answer/hint from Barriston? Wasn't Jorah in on the plot to kill Dany for passage back to Westeros? And I liked the scene with Grey Worm saying that he chooses to keep the name because its the name had when he was freed by Dany. Kind of underwhelming in appearance but we'll see his skills in battle.

This Lord of Light stuff is getting interesting. Able to come back from the dead at a price. Arya asking about it though.... Gendry is now staying too. Does he really believe that he'd be regulated to having to call her M'Lady after all this or would he feel it'd be proper to? She obviously wants to keep him by her side with the family comment.

[pixiestyx]

Jaime is way more complicated that he appears. 

Yep, I'm pretty sure that Jorah was fishing for information from Barriston.  I don't think that Dany knows he was spying on her for Robert (but I could be forgetting).

[Slash]

Will do a full write up of the episode later but just had to say this episode had one of those moments that left me truly disgusted. The scene with Ros (?), the girl who worked for Littlefinger being handed over to that sadist Joffrey and the end result and all you see is a look of pure joy and happiness on the boy's face as he admires his work and getting to actually try out his crossbow. Pure disgust at the scene and the 2 aforementioned characters. Just ugh...

[pixiestyx]

Ros being killed actually shocked me.  I had figured they were setting her up to take the place of a book character and later events.  Now I have no idea what they are going to do concerning that.  I didn't mind Ros all that much (she only became interesting to me this season), but it always seemed like she was taking away screen time from other characters.  Now since they've killed her off, she really served no purpose.  Besides, we already knew that Joffery was twisted so I don't totally see the point of having him kill her.  Unless it was to show how absolutely ruthless Littlefinger is.

Arya is back to saying her prayers (Joffery, Cersei, etc) and starting some training. I'm very happy with this. I'm also interested what Melisandre said to her.  I wasn't expecting her to take Gendry but I have an idea what they're going to do with Gendry. I'll have to wait and see if I'm right.

The scene between Olenna and Tywin was amazing.  "he's a sword swallower through and through" LOL.

Theon has it bad. The Boy (have you figured out who he is yet?) is really twisted and sadistic on a whole different level than Joffery. Theon's torture was pretty hard to watch.

Jon and the wildlings have made it over the wall, Rickon actually spoke, Jaime and Brienne are to be parted and Robb is marrying off Edmure to a Frey.

It was a good episode but a step down from the previous two.  Mainly it's a stepping stone for the stuff that is going down the next couple of episodes.