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shapinglightJust watched this. More behind cut with spoilers.
Poor old Jon. He really doesn't get any brighter, does he? In this episode, he got rings talked around him first by the bluff bloke in the hat (can't remember his name), then by Ygritte. What's more, he managed to get himself thoroughly lost and confuzzled. He even lost Ghost, or Ghost lost him, not sure which. And he forgot to bring a hat - or anything resembling a snow pole to help him avoid all these crevasses the bloke in the hat was talking about. No wonder Ygritte was smirking.
The northern characters in this episode were exceptionally northern this week, weren't they? If it wasn't Ygritte running rings (well, almost) around Jon against the background of the spectacular Icelandic scenery, it was Ser Rodrik facing down Theon (the horrid little weasel!) and demanding he get on with this beheading business because Ser Rodrik doesn't have all day, you know. Or, most northern of all, it was Osha, who does indeed 'know stuff' and has managed to rescue Bran and Rickon and their direwolves, (and Hodor, but not Maester Luwin! sob!) from right under Theon's nose - and just as well, because the Bastard of Bolton is coming, and after what people had to say about him after episode 4, I don't think you want to be around when he turns up. :whimper:
Speaking of unpleasantness, the riot scene in Kingslanding and the almost rape of poor Sansa were quite horrible (though Tyrion getting to slap Joffrey again made up for it a bit). Joffrey really is beyond saving, isn't he? I think that him turning his back on Tyrion after Tyrion had told him he couldn't let Sansa die was the end for him. It may not come for a while, but it will come. Wouldn't surprise me if the Hound killed him. In fact, I hope he does. Have to say, I did get a bit impatient (well, more than a bit) with Shae for not being kinder to Sansa in their scene together, but I suppose, in the circumstances Sansa is in, Shae's advice was good advice. Except that she can trust Tyrion. But she won't.
The unpleasantness at Harrenhal was slightly less unpleasant this week. Terrific scene with Arya and Tywin, who are getting on rather well, all things considered, and the three way scene with Littlefinger was also wonderful. I still can't work out whether he'd guessed who Arya was or not. Arya had better be more careful, especially as, as of the end of this ep, she has only one 'wish' left. She'd better make sure she picks a good one for the last life Jaquen owes her.
Now I think of it, this was a very Stark-centric episode. We caught up with all six of the Stark children (I'm including Jon, even though I think he's probably not Ned Stark's son at all), though the best thing I liked about the Robb scene was the way it tied things together with goings on at Winterfell. Am not much interested in Robb's love life, have to say, though the lady from Volantis (can't catch her name) is very beautiful (and frightfully, frightfully posh).
Finally, the Dany scenes, which were sun-soaked and gorgeous compared to all the dire, dour goings on oop north. I'm warning to Xaon (is it?), and beginning to think Dany could do a lot worse. He's tall, he's rich, he has a nice smile. Ah, who am I kidding? I'm still 'shipping her with Jorah, who was noticeable only by his absence in this episode. In fact, I sort of had the impression Dany was trying not to think about him, as another noticeably absent character, Jaime Lannister, was very present in his family's thoughts and got mentioned a lot,but not one mention of Jorah. Where was he, I wonder, when the dragons were stolen? Will Dany blame him for not protecting them? For that matter, where was Doreah? And is Irri dead? :( Anyway, I suppose the magicians have stolen the dragons (unless - oh dear! that person carrying the baskets to the Tower of Whatever wasn't Jorah, was it? :whimpers again:), I hope Dany gets them back, though I admit she worried me slightly in this episode with her belief in her own destiny. She came across a bit like Melisandre when she talks about Stannis, except that Dany was talking about herself.
I suppose the one complaint I have about this episode was that it isn't very clear how much time has passed since the beginning of the season, or what the current status quo is. Renly is dead, yes, and (I assume) Stannis is marching on Kingslanding, but I'm not clear (okay, I've forgotten), why the Kingslanding populace are hungry, or why Lord Tywin is sitting around at Harrenhal chatting with Arya instead of out fighting Robb. Not that any of this matters too much, I suppose, as war is confusing and probably the protagonists don't really know what's happening either.
Trivial stuff
Lady Wotsit from Volantis really is frightfully posh. Also, have just remembered where I've seen the actress before. She was Marnie Madden in The Hour, wasn't she? Another posh girl with a core of steel.
Cersei was extra-specially emotionless in this episode except when she was ill-wishing Tyrion. She did have a very nice dress, though.
Finally, because it's the thing that really struck me in this episode, first prize for Extreme Northerness goes to: Osha! You can't get more northern than that.
Poor old Jon. He really doesn't get any brighter, does he? In this episode, he got rings talked around him first by the bluff bloke in the hat (can't remember his name), then by Ygritte. What's more, he managed to get himself thoroughly lost and confuzzled. He even lost Ghost, or Ghost lost him, not sure which. And he forgot to bring a hat - or anything resembling a snow pole to help him avoid all these crevasses the bloke in the hat was talking about. No wonder Ygritte was smirking.
The northern characters in this episode were exceptionally northern this week, weren't they? If it wasn't Ygritte running rings (well, almost) around Jon against the background of the spectacular Icelandic scenery, it was Ser Rodrik facing down Theon (the horrid little weasel!) and demanding he get on with this beheading business because Ser Rodrik doesn't have all day, you know. Or, most northern of all, it was Osha, who does indeed 'know stuff' and has managed to rescue Bran and Rickon and their direwolves, (and Hodor, but not Maester Luwin! sob!) from right under Theon's nose - and just as well, because the Bastard of Bolton is coming, and after what people had to say about him after episode 4, I don't think you want to be around when he turns up. :whimper:
Speaking of unpleasantness, the riot scene in Kingslanding and the almost rape of poor Sansa were quite horrible (though Tyrion getting to slap Joffrey again made up for it a bit). Joffrey really is beyond saving, isn't he? I think that him turning his back on Tyrion after Tyrion had told him he couldn't let Sansa die was the end for him. It may not come for a while, but it will come. Wouldn't surprise me if the Hound killed him. In fact, I hope he does. Have to say, I did get a bit impatient (well, more than a bit) with Shae for not being kinder to Sansa in their scene together, but I suppose, in the circumstances Sansa is in, Shae's advice was good advice. Except that she can trust Tyrion. But she won't.
The unpleasantness at Harrenhal was slightly less unpleasant this week. Terrific scene with Arya and Tywin, who are getting on rather well, all things considered, and the three way scene with Littlefinger was also wonderful. I still can't work out whether he'd guessed who Arya was or not. Arya had better be more careful, especially as, as of the end of this ep, she has only one 'wish' left. She'd better make sure she picks a good one for the last life Jaquen owes her.
Now I think of it, this was a very Stark-centric episode. We caught up with all six of the Stark children (I'm including Jon, even though I think he's probably not Ned Stark's son at all), though the best thing I liked about the Robb scene was the way it tied things together with goings on at Winterfell. Am not much interested in Robb's love life, have to say, though the lady from Volantis (can't catch her name) is very beautiful (and frightfully, frightfully posh).
Finally, the Dany scenes, which were sun-soaked and gorgeous compared to all the dire, dour goings on oop north. I'm warning to Xaon (is it?), and beginning to think Dany could do a lot worse. He's tall, he's rich, he has a nice smile. Ah, who am I kidding? I'm still 'shipping her with Jorah, who was noticeable only by his absence in this episode. In fact, I sort of had the impression Dany was trying not to think about him, as another noticeably absent character, Jaime Lannister, was very present in his family's thoughts and got mentioned a lot,but not one mention of Jorah. Where was he, I wonder, when the dragons were stolen? Will Dany blame him for not protecting them? For that matter, where was Doreah? And is Irri dead? :( Anyway, I suppose the magicians have stolen the dragons (unless - oh dear! that person carrying the baskets to the Tower of Whatever wasn't Jorah, was it? :whimpers again:), I hope Dany gets them back, though I admit she worried me slightly in this episode with her belief in her own destiny. She came across a bit like Melisandre when she talks about Stannis, except that Dany was talking about herself.
I suppose the one complaint I have about this episode was that it isn't very clear how much time has passed since the beginning of the season, or what the current status quo is. Renly is dead, yes, and (I assume) Stannis is marching on Kingslanding, but I'm not clear (okay, I've forgotten), why the Kingslanding populace are hungry, or why Lord Tywin is sitting around at Harrenhal chatting with Arya instead of out fighting Robb. Not that any of this matters too much, I suppose, as war is confusing and probably the protagonists don't really know what's happening either.
Trivial stuff
Lady Wotsit from Volantis really is frightfully posh. Also, have just remembered where I've seen the actress before. She was Marnie Madden in The Hour, wasn't she? Another posh girl with a core of steel.
Cersei was extra-specially emotionless in this episode except when she was ill-wishing Tyrion. She did have a very nice dress, though.
Finally, because it's the thing that really struck me in this episode, first prize for Extreme Northerness goes to: Osha! You can't get more northern than that.
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no subject
Date: 2012-05-08 10:17 pm (UTC)No wonder Ygritte was smirking
Heh. There's a REASON her catch phrase in the book is "You know nothing, Jon Snow." :)
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Date: 2012-05-08 10:25 pm (UTC)I felt so wonderful when Tyrion slapped Joffrey! I had to rewatch the whole scene tree times! BITCHSLAP!
Cersei remember me a little bit of Darla (AtS) terribly loyal to the psycopath she loves ... Cersei your psyco-son started the war, so shut up and leave Tyrion alone! è_é
Arya and Jaqen for the win, seriously. They're lovely!
Theon, you little shit!
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Date: 2012-05-08 10:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-08 10:32 pm (UTC)She's not wrong, as we say oop north. :)
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Date: 2012-05-08 10:33 pm (UTC)Yes, it was a thing of beauty. I agree that Cersei has some Darla-like qualities, but I think Darla was probably a nicer person. ;)
Arya and Jaqen for the win, seriously. They're lovely!
I agree. Again, if she wasn't only about 12, I'd 'ship them. Gendry who?
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Date: 2012-05-08 10:35 pm (UTC)And you're probably right about Ghost. He'll turn up once Ygritte has had her wicked (but sensible) way with Jon and and rescue him.
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Date: 2012-05-08 10:43 pm (UTC)I really like her, but I think that she needs to stop complaing against Tyrion, since the all thing was her fault (Ned killed, the war, Joffrey)
I agree. Again, if she wasn't only about 12, I'd 'ship them. Gendry who?
LOOOL. Seriously with this shipping-Arya-thingy: she's just a little girl! *-* Also an Arya is better than a couple! That's my new motto.
Your icon is lovely *w*
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Date: 2012-05-09 01:06 am (UTC)Who knows. This entire subplot wasn't in the books! :)
They were really straying off book this week.
* Jon/Ygritte didn't get lost (though he couldn't kill her in the book, either).
* Dany's dragons were never stolen. Osha didn't have to sleep with Theon to break Bran and Rickon out (though another poor character did so I guess they bound up two characters into Osha. Actually, that would make binding 4 characters into Osha as there are two missing characters that she seems to be taking the place of because they haven't been introduced and they were part of Bran and Rickon esscaping.)
* Sansa wasn't nearly gang raped. The mob went nuts, she was pulled from her horse and The Hound dashed in to save her. Another character (that doesn't exist on the show apparently) actually was gang-raped, so I guess like Osha they thought they'd split the difference.
* Shae was the maid of the character who was gang-raped... and she was even less sympathetic (it was a very unflattering moment for Shae).
* This wasn't the way that Arya's second kill went down, and there was never the Littlefinger near-miss.
* Theon didn't personally kill Rodrick.
However, I found all of these additions interesting and in character. :)
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Date: 2012-05-09 05:06 am (UTC)I felt it was clear that things were headed in that direction, though, in the books. They weren't just going to pat Sansa on the back for not being a Lannister!
(I actually think book-readers should probably not mention the dragon-stealing not being the books, because that can be a pretty huge spoiler?)
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Date: 2012-05-09 05:10 am (UTC)I was laughing when she told Jon he'd freeze before she did. Well, yes, because his foolish head isn't even covered :P Ghost is a smart direwolf and has probably gone off to bond with someone who knows enough to cover his head when it's cold!
I lovelovelove the Tywin-and-Arya scenes. They are really the highlight of the episodes so far (and I cannot say enough wonderful things about Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister. He is basically everything I could have hoped and wished for and he's so believable as the parent of these three children.) At first I thought it was kind of heartwarming that he'd taught Jaime how to read, but then some people on TWOP mentioned this and I think they're right: Tywin couldn't have a less than perfect child, and so that's why he taught Jaime because ... well, an illiterate lord would be as laughable as Tywin made Amory Lorch. And Tywin doesn't LIKE that. I suspect that's why he gets along so well with Arya: she's bright as a button but she's also not HIS own child. He doesn't have to care about what she's doing to the Lannister name :P
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Date: 2012-05-09 05:12 am (UTC)ETA: Ned's death wasn't Cersei's fault at all (unless the fact that Joffrey is a psycho is her fault, but I feel that Robert bears a bit of responsibility for raising his heir too :P) She didn't want Ned dead, she wanted him alive and at the Wall! (I did think her complaining about Tyrion sending Myrcella to Dorne was a bit silly, though, considering what happened immediately after the farewells were said. Myrcella could easily have been in the same horrible position as Sansa was!
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Date: 2012-05-09 08:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-09 11:15 am (UTC)Really? Interesting. Maybe -among other things, because it won't be just that - this is a different way of splitting up Dany and Jorah than in the book (not that I know exactly what happens in the book). The more I think about it, the clearer it is that she's going to blame him for the dragons being stolen and Irri being killed etc. Where has he disappeared to?
I think you're probably right about them smooshing those other characters/scenes together. It makes sense really and will be less confusing for viewers who may feel overwhelmed by how many new characters there are already. Plus, with Osha, they're building on her previous interaction with Theon.
* This wasn't the way that Arya's second kill went down, and there was never the Littlefinger near-miss.
That's very interesting, but in this case (well, in all cases you've mentioned), I would hate to have missed that scene. It was great. And I think
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Date: 2012-05-09 11:17 am (UTC)Very true. That was a horrible scene.
Re: the mention of the dragon-stealing not being book canon, I don't mind knowing personally. After all, I still don't know how it's going to pan out.
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Date: 2012-05-09 11:20 am (UTC)I haven't actually seen anyone seriously 'shipping Arya. Where are they doing that? If it's on Tumblr, fortunately for me, I'm not likely to see it. Actually, I'm 'shipping Arya/Tywin, though as a weird father/daughter thing, obviously. Their scenes together are pure gold.
Your icon is lovely *w*
:)
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Date: 2012-05-09 11:25 am (UTC)I agree. She was great. So many wonderful new female characters this season.
I agree about the Tywin/Arya scenes. They're pure gold. Wonderful stuff. I do wonder if Tywin's seemingly nice story about teaching dyslexic Jaime to read was implying that he beat literacy into him. I'm sure you're right that Tywin couldn't stand the shame of a son of his being illiterate. He has no real personal vanity that I can see, but the name of his house means everything. Which, of course, is why he dislikes Tyrion so much. Something I think Littlefinger was banking on when he told Tywin about Tyrion's plan to exchange Sansa and Arya for Jaime.
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Date: 2012-05-09 02:36 pm (UTC)Doubtful in that it was substantially later and it involves the (fun!) reappeance of a character who has disappeared for a while. It would be sad to miss that reveal.
Also the break with Dany was a bit more sad than simple anger.
I think you're probably right about them smooshing those other characters/scenes together.
Yeah and I kind of anticipated that they would.
The show has the advantage of coming after the books. They can see what's necessary and what isn't (and if there's a question, they can always ask Martin).
Martin so OVERpopulates the books, that there simply has to be some editing of characters, and, honestly, there's nothing that Meera does that Osha cannot do. The only logistical problem I can see is that in the books they split up with Osha taking Rickon and Meera and Jojen going off with Bran and Hodor (that and Meera is only a teen and Jojen a child). As it stands, Osha has both boys and I'm not sure what they do with Rickon (though I have considered they could possibly have Rickon basically be Jojen. It's not like Rickon did anything special and if Martin really is going to pick up do anything with that tiny Rickon hint in ADwD they can worry about that later. (If it's not just a red herring. The books have plenty of imposter characters running around so who knows) As for now, Rickon can be the damsel in distress part of Jojen and Osha can continue being the one looking out for Bran. I'm assuming that Meera is now Osha in the show, as Meera's purpose is basically "Bran guide and protector" and other than the damsel part, Jojen is just there to tell Bran stuff, and they've already set Osha up to do that too.)
Re: Arya's kills. I've largely forgotten them. One was the guy who was in charge her of and regularly beating her in the kitchen. Another was a Lannister soldier bragging about gang-raping peasants and she just got furious and gave his name before thinking it through. I think the way the show did it worked better.
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Date: 2012-05-09 02:43 pm (UTC)Ygritte was brilliant.
I've really had it with Theon, though. He's crossed the line from annoying to despicable to "just get him off my show now". I don't even want to see him suffer, I just want him gone. He's like Matt in Nip/Tuck, the emo idiot whose only role seems to be to always make the stupidest, most destructive decisions he's physically capable of, for no other reason than "LIFE IS UNFAIR EVERYONE HATES ME WOE". I was hoping Hodor would carry Brann into his bedroom to finish him off in his sleep.
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Date: 2012-05-09 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-09 03:49 pm (UTC)True, but we weren't forced to live though grubby men unlacing their drawers as they stripped Sansa. That scene really upped the tension.
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Date: 2012-05-09 06:28 pm (UTC)Also the break with Dany was a bit more sad than simple anger.
:( Ah well, I knew it couldn't end well.
Martin so OVERpopulates the books, that there simply has to be some editing of characters,
From what I've seen in the first book, I agree. I just wish they'd smooshed the Boltons together too, the way you hoped they would. Now I'm on tenterhooks in case the Bastard of Bolton (or even Roose himself) turns up at Winterfell and starts flaying people left, right and centre.
I think from what you describe above that having Osha, Bran and Rickon all stick together will work a lot better.
I think the way the show did it worked better.
It sounds so from the way you describe it.
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Date: 2012-05-09 06:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-09 06:31 pm (UTC)It's only two, unfortunately. Still, I'm glad not to have to imagine someone slapping him offscreen this week.
I know what you mean about Theon. He is despicable. But I can't help feeling just a teeny bit sorry for him all the same. Not sure why really. I don't like him at all.
Agreed about Ygritte. I need an icon.
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Date: 2012-05-10 09:33 pm (UTC)Theon downfall was horrible, and he couldn't even chop Rodrik's head off properly. He doesn't have a bone in his spine - he's just pushed around by people he seeks approval of. Even Rodrik goaded him into chopping his head himself. Pathetic, but pitiable.
And now with Bolton's bastard coming there (took me a day to figure that out, missed it in the show as I didn't recognized Bolton), thoughts of Winterfell fate fill me with terror...
Another guy I didn't recognize was the one Arya got killed. I can't tell apart Amory Loch, the Mountain and Polliver (had same issue with Theon, Jon and Robb early last season), so had no idea on whom Arya wasted her 2nd wish. Amory then... OK, that's really a waste. The 3rd one will be meaningful I bet.
Tywin bonding with Arya over Jaimie dyslexia didn't sit right with me, felt too modern. Tywin seems caring about her too much. Maybe he's playing her, or maybe he's really that lonely and surrounded by idiots - but couldn't quite believe that. Same with LF - I think he recognized Arya and wants to gain something from it.
Sansa scene - ughhh... I thought they would do it for real and was terrified. Thanks for Hound turning up, but then he started disembowling people. Damn. At least Jeoffry got slapped and hit with cowshit, but it's not enough for me now. After what he did he needs to pay adult price.
Now Jon's scenes were downright silly. When he took the hood of properly dressed for a climate (pay attention NW, that's what you wear in the North) wildling and saw perfectly clean and fresh girl with shampooed hair, I couldn't help but think of this Star Trek classic:
That was LOL all the way, but you expect that from TOS, not from GoT. :D
And even when Jon went to sleep on a cold ground he didn't pull his hood over his head! And where was his wolf? And the rest of the guys? The whole setup was just so improbable!
And now Dany. Spice merchant gave her great talk. Dany came across not like Melisandra in those scenes but more like Viserys to me. Hysterical entitled screams, but with a real power behind them. And Melisandre is boring, while Dany never is. But then - ugh, what an ending, I was shocked. Whoever stole the dragons (seems it were warlocks), how do they hope to get away with this? It's a small city, should be easy to solve this crime. What they are playing at? And does it mean all Dothraki are dead now? :( Noo...
Jorah I think was looking for a ship as bidden.
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Date: 2012-05-11 01:26 pm (UTC)Sounds like you didn't really like it, then? Have to admit, I enjoyed it, despite occasional bits of silliness, like Ygritte being so clean. I suppose it's possible (not likely) that the Wildlings know the location of a hot spring?
I really liked all Tywin's scenes with Arya, and I didn't think it was too modern. After all, it's not really the middle ages, or whatever, just a fantasy equivalent of them.
I'm sorry if all the Dothraki are dead too. Dany hasn't done much to protect her Khalasar really, has she? I wonder if they regret choosing to follow her?
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Date: 2012-05-11 07:14 pm (UTC)As mostly those pieces were hard to watch, too upsetting, even though they were good.
I liked how scared Tyrion was, it was powerful. He was a bit too smug when he just came, everything was going as he planned, but the futher we go, the more he unravels.
North storyline doesn't grip me so far, but we'll see how it goes.
And for Tywin being a cuddly grandpa to Arya - not buying it. But I think there is more to it than we are seeing.
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Date: 2012-05-12 10:03 am (UTC)Oooh, you too? That's been my pet theory for years now; I've been gathering evidence for it. What made you think so?
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Date: 2012-05-14 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-14 03:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-18 03:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-22 09:24 am (UTC)