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Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: Hammers on April 24, 2016, 03:58:07 PM

Title: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 24, 2016, 03:58:07 PM
I think I will get up at 3AM local and watch.

Peder
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 24, 2016, 04:26:08 PM
I think I will get up at 3AM local and watch.

Peder

 :D

I will be watching tomorrow evening  8)
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 24, 2016, 04:36:51 PM
I only do dvd and finished watching Season five on Friday.

Roll on next year  lol

cheers

James
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Vermis on April 24, 2016, 04:50:00 PM
Gave up at the end of season... 3, I think. It's gotten like the books, going round and round, except with more 'shock' moments shoehorned in. Every so often someone dies.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobby Services on April 24, 2016, 05:14:23 PM
Oh, that GoT.  Thought I'd missed some news from Antenocitis workshop there for a minute.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 24, 2016, 07:28:55 PM
I'm still enjoying it. More so than the books, which I gave up on due to overdosing on misery. I'll be watching tomorrow (get a Now TV box James, they've also got all the Star Wars films, Clone Wars and Rebels).
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: NickNascati on April 24, 2016, 07:51:28 PM
I am definitely looking forward to it.  I'm sitting here now with a "Night's Watch" tee shirt on.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 24, 2016, 07:55:53 PM
(get a Now TV box James, they've also got all the Star Wars films, Clone Wars and Rebels).

I don't have enough time to watch whats on normal telly and dvd let alone get another source of things to watch  lol

cheers

James
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 24, 2016, 08:03:20 PM
I don't have enough time to watch whats on normal telly and dvd let alone get another source of things to watch  lol

cheers

James

Just don't watch normal telly!  The boy and I are thoroughly enjoying Clone Wars!
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on April 24, 2016, 08:52:34 PM
I'm looking forward to it. When I can buy it on Amazon video in 10 weeks time, as soon as it's finished on Sky. Now I just need to avoid all the spoiler excitement for the next 10 weeks! Since the TV adaptation has now largely overtaken the books (although not in all storylines) we are in largely uncharted territory...
Since the books are, IMHO, infinitely better than the TV adaptation, with its sensationalist skimming over the surface of the story, cutting of many corners, and wilful plot alterations, I am not entirely happy that the story is, really, no longer Martin's own carefully (and Oh so long and painstakingly) wrought creation. But there you go. We live in an age of intsant gratification...

I will certainly be watching it as soon as Amazon get hold of it. I would rather disembowel myself with a plastic teaspoon that pay any money to Sky though. So I can wait 10 weeks  :)
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 24, 2016, 11:05:33 PM


I have just started on Star Wars; Rebels too.
If you have not seen that with the boy, give it a go.
He will love it.
(As I must confess I am enjoying it too.... ;)).



We're about half way through Rebels season 1 but have focused on Clone Wars for continuity.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: grubman on April 25, 2016, 12:14:33 AM
I only do dvd and finished watching Season five on Friday.

Roll on next year  lol


Yep, I watch the DVDs only (and I could watch it on TV tonight if I wanted to).  We prep by watching all the previous seasons and picking up little things we missed or forgot, then watch the new season (usually an episode a night)...then we wait till next year.

Like some others, I enjoy the series...didn't like the books.  I read the first two books, then stopped shortly into the 3rd for two reasons.  Primarily because I got sick of only bad stuff happening to everyone (which is much more bearable on TV since things that last for chapters in the books are over in a few minutes on TV).  The second reason is because Martin writes Penthouse Letters porn like a 12 year old (you can almost hear him giggling, drooling, and touching himself when you read those scenes).  I don't mind sex in a story, but it should be as well written as the rest of the book. (MHO)
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: grubman on April 25, 2016, 12:18:09 AM
We're about half way through Rebels season 1 but have focused on Clone Wars for continuity.

Rebels is Awesome with a capital A.  So I purchased the boxed set with all the seasons of the Clone Wars...couldn't make it through season one they were so boring.  My sister says they pick up around season 4, but I haven't been able to make it that far.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Helen on April 25, 2016, 02:32:28 AM
As with season five, I shall wait a year until its released. By then, I shall know all the spoilers. What's not to like about GOT!
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: grant on April 25, 2016, 03:01:21 AM
I think I will get up at 3AM local and watch.

Peder

I gave up part way through season 2. Haven't missed it.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: grubman on April 25, 2016, 03:07:46 AM
I gave up part way through season 2. Haven't missed it.

Well, hopefully you watch Walking Dead, or you are missing the two reasons to own a TV.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: MattW on April 25, 2016, 03:16:34 AM
That was fun  :D
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: throwsFireball on April 25, 2016, 06:12:46 AM
I wonder how badly they'll butcher the plot this season. They don't even really have GRRM's books to work as a handrail.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: driller on April 25, 2016, 07:18:39 AM
Well, hopefully you watch Walking Dead, or you are missing the two reasons to own a TV.

surely, you jest
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on April 25, 2016, 07:36:49 AM
That was fun  :D

 It was a very interesting episode.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Tordenskjold on April 25, 2016, 07:45:26 AM
I kinda lost respect for GoT last season. The plot moved with all the speed and suspense of a glacier, too much focus on cheap shock thrills - the amount of degredation and rape that female characters have to go thorugh got too much for me.

And the Sand Snakes - what a let down  :? Rarely have I been so disapoointed for something I looked forward to. Poor dialogie in all their scens, poorly choreographed fights, flat characters... Meh.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 25, 2016, 09:44:47 AM
No spoiler, and I'll try not to gush but that was pretty ruddy good. It seemed to me that they've upped their game even further in the location, graphics, scenery and props department. Very inspiring. Budget increase, advances in tech or both, I guess.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on April 26, 2016, 12:37:21 AM
I just watched it....

I think I was disappointed. : (

Now yes I know, the show is the show and the books are the books.... But damn. If you've read the books and just seen that episode, you will know what plot / characters I am talking about. WTF??? It does seem that all the wonderfully complex plots of the book have been done away with for cheap thrills, which upon close scrutiny really make NO sense. Ah well....

There were some good scenes though. The ending scene was very interesting!
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on April 26, 2016, 01:56:03 AM
I'm still enjoying it. More so than the books, which I gave up on due to overdosing on misery. I'll be watching tomorrow (get a Now TV box James, they've also got all the Star Wars films, Clone Wars and Rebels).

Really??  The books had all sorts of extra intrigue that kept things interesting, and could balance out the other plotlines when they were depressing. To me, last season was a dreary deathmarch, punctuated by incredibly awesome moments like Hardhome and the Wall plotline, and some of Arya's scenes, but the overall tone was so dark it could kind of lost me.  Someone on reddit put it best IMO, "in the books, no character is safe, bad or good, whereas in the show it feels like the goodies get punished and the bads get away with everything."



I kinda lost respect for GoT last season. The plot moved with all the speed and suspense of a glacier, too much focus on cheap shock thrills - the amount of degredation and rape that female characters have to go thorugh got too much for me.

And the Sand Snakes - what a let down  :? Rarely have I been so disapoointed for something I looked forward to. Poor dialogie in all their scens, poorly choreographed fights, flat characters... Meh.

Now yes I know, the show is the show and the books are the books.... But damn. If you've read the books and just seen that episode, you will know what plot / characters I am talking about. WTF??? It does seem that all the wonderfully complex plots of the book have been done away with for cheap thrills, which upon close scrutiny really make NO sense. Ah well....

Yeah, that was one of my favorites in the books... I'm hoping that decision was made to hasten it's end in the show as that plotline (show version) was already pretty widely disliked and (hopefully) it was apparent to the showrunners that it'd already been botched.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 26, 2016, 04:53:25 AM
No spoiler, and I'll try not to gush but that was pretty ruddy good. It seemed to me that they've upped their game even further in the location, graphics, scenery and props department. Very inspiring. Budget increase, advances in tech or both, I guess.

Having steadfastly avoided this thread for 24 hours (just in case of spoilers), I've now watched it and concur.  8)

Interesting points also made by others. I think I enjoy GoT so much because I'm not particularly invested in the plot. I haven't read the books and so have no expectation of the storyline so instead I enjoy it as a collection of visual spectacles some of which are more loosely related than others. All that Hammers says about production values therefore rings true for me.

Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 26, 2016, 08:25:43 AM
I dont find it difficult at all to separate the books and the tv shows. Two different animals, almost, the latter taking unspiration from the former.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on April 26, 2016, 10:15:59 AM
I'm excited, just no spoilers please. In fear of reading any I haven't read the rest of this thread  lol
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Conquistador on April 26, 2016, 11:13:17 AM
Well, hopefully you watch Walking Dead, or you are missing the two reasons to own a TV.

I did not know there was a reason to own a TV!
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on April 26, 2016, 06:09:37 PM
The books had all sorts of extra intrigue that kept things interesting, and could balance out the other plotlines when they were depressing.

Exactly!

I can't but feel that with the last and perhaps this season of GoT all the brilliant plot intricacies and character subtleties of the books are being abandoned for more 'shocking' throat-cutting and stabbing scenes.

There was an article in my local paper today about the show actually, as apparently the guy who makes a lot of the bows and other weapons for the show is local. It described it as being 'the show known for its gory death scenes', or something like that. Surely it should be known for more than that!!!  :(

The chapters I enjoy most in the books are those that show the politics of rule and the realities of war. So for that reason I loved all the Kings Landing chapters from the POV of Tyrion and Cersei, with the intrigue and scheming.... The Arya, Jaime and Brienne chapters that showed their journeys through the horrifically war-torn Riverands.... And also the Davos (and other Stannis-related) chapters, showing the difficulties of trying to unite people to a rebel cause, trying to hold them together after defeat, and attempting to win new allies to your side, with all the scheming that goes with it. The Davos chapters in White Harbour were some of my favourites! I do think the show is dumbing it all down a bit. Obviously that can't be avoided to a certain extent... But some of the choices they have made just seem so DUMB!

I'll still be watching every episode of course.  ;)
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 26, 2016, 06:20:04 PM
Charlie_: Is the local bowyer Steve Ralphs?
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on April 26, 2016, 06:37:15 PM
Charlie_: Is the local bowyer Steve Ralphs?

Just look it up, yes it is!

Just looked up the article online to find out, here's the quote from it by the way...

"It is the hit television series known for its bloodthirsty plot lines, and the inventive ways in which its main characters are killed off."

Inventive? I'm counting THREE characters who have been killed by being unexpectedly stabbed through the head from behind now, one of them through a helmet! What a stupid way to kill someone!
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 26, 2016, 07:04:51 PM
I've got a couple of recurve bows made by Steve.... About 15 or so years ago after he worked on Gladiator.

Regarding GoT, I guess there's the book audience, the book/TV audience, and the Tv audience. It's not hard to assume that the TV audience massively outweighs the other elements of the GoT market.... And what pays the piper etc.

By modern movie standards (it is rated 18 IIRC) it's not particularly excessive. Thing is, I guess, it gets compared to TV when it's really more comparable to a series of movies.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 26, 2016, 07:07:20 PM
I've got a couple of recurve bows made by Steve....

And there's another layer of the onion...

 o_o

 lol

cheers

James
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 26, 2016, 07:15:07 PM
I definitely agree that the character development in the books was richer and that the subtleties (or not) of the politics was a highlight. I read that GRRM said that he didn't like typical novels because you always knew that the bad guys would get their comeuppance and the good guys would win in the end, thus making the stories predictable and mundane (I'm paraphrasing the gist rather than quoting!).  GRRM response to this was to create a more believable world where bad quite often bested good but my personal perspective is that he went so far in the opposite direction that it became predictable in that any character you had any sympathy for would be brutally treated and quite often killed. I couldn't put the first two books down but by book three I just got fed up with it, even throwing down the book in disgust at one point. It was a shame to leave such great characters behind but it had become a sort of fantasy version of Eastenders (a relentlessly miserable UK soap opera). I didn't even watch the first two seasons of GoT because I thought there was no way it could capture the feel and depth of the books. When I did watch them I found I enjoyed them, possibly because the misery has less time to build then dwell with the pace of the shows.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 26, 2016, 07:29:14 PM
I can think of a few people who wont be surprised, though.
 ;D ;D :)




I just nodded and read on  lol
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 26, 2016, 07:40:28 PM
I'm pretending to ignore you all   ;)  :D
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on April 26, 2016, 09:31:17 PM
I'll still be watching every episode of course.  ;)

Forgot to say that this goes for me too, for better or for worse...   lol :D
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 26, 2016, 11:26:17 PM
Here is a spoiler which may tilt the balance of a few sceptics among you: Carice van Houten is showing her bosom to the camera again.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on April 27, 2016, 08:45:53 AM
I have seen it and I must say that there are interesting story lines in the parts of the show that left the books behind now!!! I won't say more but I think it is well worth watching ! And I read all the books!
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Brummie on April 27, 2016, 09:12:43 AM
I think this season will be pretty entertaining.

More Undead people AND it looks like there will be a few major battles near the end that will be worth a watch!
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on April 28, 2016, 08:24:47 AM
Here is a spoiler which may tilt the balance of a few sceptics among you: Carice van Houten is showing her bosom to the camera again.

That's one way of describing that scene... lol
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 02, 2016, 08:54:26 AM
S6E2, it is good, innit? I was glad to see they expanded into the furneral use of painted eye stones.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 02, 2016, 09:02:18 AM
I keep forgetting that I don't have to wait until 21.00 to watch it! "Kids do you fancy watching something other than Bubble Guppies?"
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on May 02, 2016, 09:54:04 AM
 Episode two was very good.Lots to like.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 02, 2016, 05:08:29 PM
Episode two was very good.Lots to like.

Agreed, made me forget all the bad feeling I had after Episode 1.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on May 02, 2016, 07:05:30 PM
 Just watched it again.The trailer for episode three looks interesting too.Found it on youtube.

 I am now thinking that it will be Brann who finds-out who John's parents are.What with him going into the past.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: throwsFireball on May 02, 2016, 07:53:49 PM
Episode 2 was much better.

Still, the huge plothole at the end of episode 1 is still irritating...

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 1 AHOY

Melisandre takes her necklace off earlier in the series. If that's the only thing holding her together, then she should've been old woman form in a bathtub scene earlier on.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 02, 2016, 08:45:07 PM
Just watched episode 2.... yes, I rather enjoyed it, probably more so than episode 1, but still not entirely happy. Minor rant ahead!  :)

I think the biggest issues with the last few seasons of the show have been how the pacing is so all over the place. Certain story lines and plots get rushed and don't make much sense or aren't very effective, then others are dragged out for far too long and become boring and repetitive... and some do both.... Dragged out and then suddenly rushed.

Of course the reason some plots perhaps drag on a bit is because the TV show needs to give major characters lots of screen time, or else have them disappear for a season (it's probably best they had no Bran in season 5!). Note that certain characters only have a few chapters in certain books. The best example is Sansa. I really enjoyed her chapters in the Eyrie, lots of interesting things got covered, mostly to do with Littlefinger's character (who interestingly had been more of a background character until Book 4, whereas the show has given him lots of screentime), his plots, and general Westeros politics. But it's just a few chapters over 2 books (I think). Obviously the show wants to keep her a big character, and if they had tried to keep her where she in the books we would have had 2 seasons of her just moping around with Littlefinger, which would quickly become one of the most disliked story arcs! I feel that's kind of what's happening with Arya's story - it's the one I find least interesting on the TV show, as it seems to just be her sweeping and getting beaten up with a stick for 2 seasons.

Another interesting thing is that alot of the BIG events that have happened or will happen in this season, us book readers really don't know how to take them. Many of them will no doubt be made up for the show, and won't happen anything like that in the book (I'm looking at you, House Martel). Whereas others, for all we know, might well happen in later books. For example, what happened to Shireen last season - is that the show fucking up the story, or is that actually gonna happen in the Winds of Winter? So when certain shifts of power or such happen, as did in this episode, I don't really know whether to dismiss it or take it seriously....

EPISODE 2 SPOLIER AHEAD!

.
.
.
.
.
I really think the whole Melisandre / Davos / Jon's resurrection thing makes no sense. Why the hell does Davos care so much about John, he barely knew the guy! And cares so much that he is willing to turn to the Red God and the woman he despises to try and bring him back from the dead! Which of them first said "Hey wouldn't it be cool if we could bring him back from the dead?" He basically goes to her and asks "So, do you know any magic spells that would re-animate him?" And that whole last scene was so.. obvious. As if any viewer was NOT expecting that predictable gasping-as-he-opens-his-eyes bit at the end.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Sir_Theo on May 02, 2016, 08:48:17 PM
Episode 2 was much better than 1 (although I still enjoyed that one ) I'm just pleased Thrones is back!

I'll be happier when Ramsey Bolton gets his come uppance though...
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 02, 2016, 11:05:46 PM
Davos is an honourable man. Jon is an honourable man. Seemed to me entirely right that Davos would do his best for Jon. I liked the way they dealt with 'it'.  :)

I am really rather looking forward to Jon Snow versus Ramsay Bolton  8)
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: throwsFireball on May 02, 2016, 11:18:25 PM
My biggest problem with the show is that they've constantly introduced plotholes and changes that just weren't necessary. The overwhelming majority of the books could've easily been worked in without changes but the show's writers seem to think they know better when they definitely do not.

About the only improvement is the change of Bran's journey. George RR Martin completely messed this up in the books and it seemed like Bran took a full two years to travel 600 miles (200 hours / 25 days worth of slow travel).

I really think the whole Melisandre / Davos / Jon's resurrection thing makes no sense. Why the hell does Davos care so much about John, he barely knew the guy! And cares so much that he is willing to turn to the Red God and the woman he despises to try and bring him back from the dead! Which of them first said "Hey wouldn't it be cool if we could bring him back from the dead?" He basically goes to her and asks "So, do you know any magic spells that would re-animate him?" And that whole last scene was so.. obvious. As if any viewer was NOT expecting that predictable gasping-as-he-opens-his-eyes bit at the end.

I'm hoping for something a bit more flashy in the books. It's obvious it's coming, it's just it's been a huge disappointment in the show.

Episode 2 was much better than 1 (although I still enjoyed that one ) I'm just pleased Thrones is back!

I'll be happier when Ramsey Bolton gets his come uppance though...

It really irritated me that Roose got killed by Ramsey. In the books and earlier in the show, Roose is always fully aware of what kind of monster Ramsey is and he's always ten steps ahead of him. Roose would've had Karstark ready to stab Ramsey in the back in the event that he had a son.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 03, 2016, 01:19:00 AM
It really irritated me that Roose got killed by Ramsey. In the books and earlier in the show, Roose is always fully aware of what kind of monster Ramsey is and he's always ten steps ahead of him. Roose would've had Karstark ready to stab Ramsey in the back in the event that he had a son.

See that's one of the events which may still actually happen in the book, in fact its perfectly plausible. But the way they did it was just.... boring.
Wow, ANOTHER semi-major character being stabbed unexpectedly.... I think most viewers must be getting immune to the emotional impact of stabbings by now. If it happens in the books, I think it would be much more effective if it happened 'off-screen' as it were, so certain POV characters hear the news that Roose Bolton is dead, and there are rumours his bastard did it. Much more interesting!

Also, in regards to Davos...
I'm gonna quote a youtube video I just watched about the episode, which put it better than I could - "Davos comes in, and asks Melisandre to resurrect Jon Snow. WHY? Why on earth would Davos want Jon Snow resurrected? What is his dog in this fight? Davos essentially had two motives - to make Stannis king, and help the wall in their fight against the white walkers. Davos barely knew Jon, and what he did know about Jon was that he was a pretty divisive leader - he got himself assassinated. Why would Davos, a man who blames Melisandre for the death of his son, go to her and ask her to resurrect Jon? The whole reason they went to the wall was that dead people were rising, and marching against it. The entire Davos character is someone who doesn't like black magic, but now randomly for no good reason he wants Melisandre to dabble in it and resurrect Jon. Davos speaks with all this urgency in the scene, but there's no urgency."
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 03, 2016, 07:31:29 AM

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 1 AHOY


I really don't think you should be posting spoilers here. Read this thread from the start and I think you'll see it it the nice thing to not do.

Strike that. Why shouldn't we be allowed to do that, they are after all out in the open. I have asked Chris to put a 'Spolier alert!' on the whole thread.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: throwsFireball on May 03, 2016, 07:45:10 AM
See that's one of the events which may still actually happen in the book, in fact its perfectly plausible. But the way they did it was just.... boring.
Wow, ANOTHER semi-major character being stabbed unexpectedly.... I think most viewers must be getting immune to the emotional impact of stabbings by now. If it happens in the books, I think it would be much more effective if it happened 'off-screen' as it were, so certain POV characters hear the news that Roose Bolton is dead, and there are rumours his bastard did it. Much more interesting!

I just think that Roose is much too coldly calculating and intelligent to allow for it to happen.

Also, in regards to Davos...
I'm gonna quote a youtube video I just watched about the episode, which put it better than I could - "Davos comes in, and asks Melisandre to resurrect Jon Snow. WHY? Why on earth would Davos want Jon Snow resurrected? What is his dog in this fight? Davos essentially had two motives - to make Stannis king, and help the wall in their fight against the white walkers. Davos barely knew Jon, and what he did know about Jon was that he was a pretty divisive leader - he got himself assassinated. Why would Davos, a man who blames Melisandre for the death of his son, go to her and ask her to resurrect Jon? The whole reason they went to the wall was that dead people were rising, and marching against it. The entire Davos character is someone who doesn't like black magic, but now randomly for no good reason he wants Melisandre to dabble in it and resurrect Jon. Davos speaks with all this urgency in the scene, but there's no urgency."

Yeah, it's the butterfly effect. In the latest book, Davos is going to Skagos to get Rickon. He's not sitting around at Castle Black.

You can tell when the writers get away from GRRM's book-script since they start to act weird and the lines are awful. I mean, in the latest episode Tyrion says, "I drink and I think a lot, that's what I do." The flanderisation is unreal.

I really don't think you should be posting spoilers here. Read this thread from the start and I think you'll see it it the nice thing to not do.

Hence why I've marked them as being spoilers. ;) To be honest, if you're reading about Game of Thrones on the internet then you should just expect spoilers regardless.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 03, 2016, 07:50:23 AM
Episode 2 was much better.

Still, the huge plothole at the end of episode 1 is still irritating...

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 1 AHOY

Melisandre takes her necklace off earlier in the series. If that's the only thing holding her together, then she should've been old woman form in a bathtub scene earlier on.

I liked that scene. I't is not really clear that it is the necklace which is the One Ring of Melissandre. Maybe she draws powers from it, maybe she just decided to let go for a night and 'act her age'.

Anyway, I am sure the people at Elizabeth Arden is very interested to know how she does that.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: throwsFireball on May 03, 2016, 07:58:38 AM
I liked that scene. I't is not really clear that it is the necklace which is the One Ring of Melissandre. Maybe she draws powers from it, maybe she just decided to let go for a night and 'act her age'.

Anyway, I am sure the people at Elizabeth Arden is very interested to know how she does that.

It's also a big deal because the reason Melisandre can start doing her magics and all that is because the dragons are back in the world. Or at least it's very, very heavily implied that it is the case.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 03, 2016, 08:13:12 AM
It's also a big deal because the reason Melisandre can start doing her magics and all that is because the dragons are back in the world. Or at least it's very, very heavily implied that it is the case.

Heavily implied in the books or TV or both? It's entirely possible that I've not been watching closely enough but I haven't taken that connection from the TV.

Regarding last week's 'continuity blunder', I just don't see it that way. I also imagine that's she powerful enough to reveal herself as and when she wants to - she's actually more powerful than she herself thought, as she discovered this week.

Quote
You can tell when the writers get away from GRRM's book-script since they start to act weird and the lines are awful. I mean, in the latest episode Tyrion says, "I drink and I think a lot, that's what I do." The flanderisation is unreal.

That line by Tyrion was my favourite* of the episode. It seemed so apt and amused me.  :D

*closely followed by 'next time I get a good idea like that, punch me in the head'  ;)
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: throwsFireball on May 03, 2016, 08:28:45 AM
Heavily implied in the books or TV or both? It's entirely possible that I've not been watching closely enough but I haven't taken that connection from the TV.

Regarding last week's 'continuity blunder', I just don't see it that way. I also imagine that's she powerful enough to reveal herself as and when she wants to - she's actually more powerful than she herself thought, as she discovered this week.

Another one of the problems on the TV show is that they've pretty much just skipped over the dragon-magic connection. As an example, Thoros of Myr (who did the first resurrection magic in the series) started to get powers after the dragons came back. There's also a prologue chapter in the books which describes the Citadel and one of the Maesters being a master of arcane arts. He's never been able to light a glass candle but suddenly it starts flaring up in his window at night etc.

There's also a couple've throwaway paragraphs in one of the books before Daenarys meets Barristan Selmy (RIP TV Selmy) where they're talking about firethrowers and fire eaters and someone saying that the last time they came through they could barely perform any tricks and now they're moving fire around like they have control over it.

A lot of people have said to me, "Yeah but like isn't the Red God the real one because Melisandre can do magic?" and the answer is very clearly a very firm NOPE.

That line by Tyrion was my favourite* of the episode. It seemed so apt and amused me.  :D

*closely followed by 'next time I get a good idea like that, punch me in the head'  ;)

The problem is that Tyrion's characterisation in the show and the books is wildly divergent at this point.

Tyrion in the books is currently trying to escape into Meereen as he's been bought by a slavemaster who is sieging Meereen along with another dwarf. This part of the books is his character growth into being less of the drunken sot.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 03, 2016, 08:39:20 AM
It's also a big deal because the reason Melisandre can start doing her magics and all that is because the dragons are back in the world. Or at least it's very, very heavily implied that it is the case.

You are right. I forgot that bit. It's in the books, rather than the TV series, right?
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 03, 2016, 08:40:23 AM
See that's one of the events which may still actually happen in the book, in fact its perfectly plausible. But the way they did it was just.... boring.
Wow, ANOTHER semi-major character being stabbed unexpectedly.... I think most viewers must be getting immune to the emotional impact of stabbings by now. If it happens in the books, I think it would be much more effective if it happened 'off-screen' as it were, so certain POV characters hear the news that Roose Bolton is dead, and there are rumours his bastard did it. Much more interesting!



Quite expected, I think.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 03, 2016, 08:41:17 AM
Ah thanks TFB  :). That all helps with my understanding.

It kinda makes me glad I didn't read* the books as if I had, I would have been invested in them, and doubt I would be enjoying the TV presentation.

*to be honest I hadn't even heard of the books until I started watching the TV presentation, and I didn't pick that up until part way through series 1.  :o

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 03, 2016, 01:38:16 PM
Ah thanks TFB  :). That all helps with my understanding.

It kinda makes me glad I didn't read* the books as if I had, I would have been invested in them, and doubt I would be enjoying the TV presentation.

*to be honest I hadn't even heard of the books until I started watching the TV presentation, and I didn't pick that up until part way through series 1.  :o



Yes, to be honest my dissatisfaction with the tv show began when I started reading the books. So perhaps you shouldn't read the books as they will ruin the show. Though my argument instead would be that if you like the show, and like reading.... Well, you are gonna enjoy this book series. Read them!!!! : )

I'm glad I got to enjoy the first three or four season before starting the books though. I REALLY enjoyed them. Interestingly, parts of the show that seemed incredible, looking back now seem... Kinda naff. Best example would be the battle of the Blackwater, end of season 2. That was the most exciting part of the series at the time, I simply loved it. But now I can see it pales in comparison to the book's account of the battle, from the points of view of Davos and Tyrion. Those chapters just had me glued to the pages and left me breathless! Looking back at that episode, it seems kinda lame to me now in comparison. I guess that just goes to show the power of a good book! I believe books will nearly always beat screen adaptations in the end, however good the latter (see LOTR, also Harry Potter). Hollywood cannot live up to the power of the imagination! : )
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 03, 2016, 02:24:53 PM
All very true Charlie.  :)

TBH I read nowhere near as much as I used to, my 'alone time' now tending to be consumed by miniatures!  :D

However, I do enjoy the book readers' take on the TV series, especially as it often fills in blanks that weren't deemed 'necessary' for the casual TV viewer.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 09, 2016, 10:46:17 PM
I rather enjoyed episode 3. It covered a lot of ground. The flashbacks are getting dangerously close to telling us something (maybe!).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: throwsFireball on May 09, 2016, 10:47:45 PM
The Rickon thing is moronic. What a mischaracterisation of almost every Northerner in the series.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 09, 2016, 11:21:45 PM
The Rickon thing is moronic. What a mischaracterisation of almost every Northerner in the series.

Yeah that one has people pretty split from what I've been reading on reddit and discussing with fellow reader friends.  It could be a (rather unbelievable given who Ramsay is and what he tends to do) show-only twist on the Great Northern Conspiracy, but based on the description for a fat Northern Lord character casting call, why put Umber in Manderly's role?  One point that I could see being true, and wouldn't mind personally was that in order for "B*stardBowl" (as it is affectionately referred to   :D ) to have more suspense, they need the Boltons to actually have some support so that army vs. army for the big fight is actually believable. 

While this is an irritating change for readers like ourselves, "this is different so it is bad" isn't the greatest POV to take here.  You have to remember that the Umbers are barely in the show, so this isn't some mis-characterization of beloved Stark allies.  If Show-SmallJon is to be taken at his word, then the GreatJon is dead, and his brief appearances several seasons ago are show-watchers only connection with that House.  The change didn't make me feel great knowing what I know (from what's in the books), but to a show-only viewer (even with the huge popularity of the books, these people still vastly outnumber us), I can see it making sense.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 10, 2016, 06:54:43 AM
The Rickon thing is moronic. What a mischaracterisation of almost every Northerner in the series.

Yeah, that bit did have a very contrived feel. I wasn't keen on it. The Arya stuff is also getting very samey and a little clichéd.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on May 10, 2016, 07:22:28 AM
 Looks like Bran is about to find-out who Jons Mother is and his twin sister too.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 10, 2016, 09:48:52 PM
Yeah, that bit did have a very contrived feel. I wasn't keen on it. The Arya stuff is also getting very samey and a little clichéd.

I'm not a fan simply because [spoiler incoming]....




They killed Shaggydog! He should at least have had the chance to maul some bad guys.


And yes, the Arya storyline is without a doubt the most boring part of the show now. Shame, as her scenes used to be among the best.


I still hope there is SOME sort of northern conspiracy going on that will bring the Boltons down. Even if the Umbers are aligning the wrong way. Still... Smalljon doesn't seem particularly matey, he might well be planning to ally with Ramsay to defeat the wildings then turn on him?
They've re-introduced House Umber and House Karstark and so far painted them as 'bad guys'. I'm hoping they introduce some 'good guy' northerners out for revenge. Wyman Manderly? Lady Dustin? The Mountain Clans?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 10, 2016, 09:52:34 PM
Max von Sydow, gotto love the presence the guy brings. But in the books he is supposed to be the Blood Raven (Brandon Ricers?), the Hand whto was banished to the wall, just 90 years before current events... Right? Int the show its said he's been parked in that tree for a 1000 years, which would make him, what, Brandon the Builder?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 10, 2016, 09:55:31 PM
I just looked at the wiki page for season 6 to see the cast, and saw some interesting new characters. Characters from the books who who haven't appeared yet, admittedly very minor, interesting to see they have chosen these two out of many options, the first one in particular I've always wanted to see more of in the books.

For book readers, go to the wiki page here, check out the cast list for In The Riverlands, the two 'new' characters....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones_(season_6)#Cast
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 10, 2016, 10:04:02 PM
I'm not a fan simply because [spoiler incoming]....




They killed Shaggydog! He should at least have had the chance to maul some bad guys.


And yes, the Arya storyline is without a doubt the most boring part of the show now. Shame, as her scenes used to be among the best.


I still hope there is SOME sort of northern conspiracy going on that will bring the Boltons down. Even if the Umbers are aligning the wrong way. Still... Smalljon doesn't seem particularly matey, he might well be planning to ally with Ramsay to defeat the wildings then turn on him?
They've re-introduced House Umber and House Karstark and so far painted them as 'bad guys'. I'm hoping they introduce some 'good guy' northerners out for revenge. Wyman Manderly? Lady Dustin? The Mountain Clans?


Lady Dustin is a bonafide cynic could have been used as a bastard insted of Smalljohn. But I have the same hunch as you, that Umber will turn on Bolton. It's a shame the the Manderly canibal pies are not a part of the show. I liked that in the books.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on May 10, 2016, 10:54:49 PM
Should we place bets on how many episodes Rickon lasts until he dies?  ;D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on May 11, 2016, 07:30:05 AM
He should stay alive for a while ( Rest of season 6) is my bet!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 11, 2016, 08:23:56 AM
My hunch is that a trained-up Arya is going to be sent to kill Jon Snow. That seems to be where all the "abnegation of self" is going, given her closeness with her half-brother at the start of the story.

That would at least rescue her storyline from kung-fu cliches ...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 13, 2016, 03:54:39 PM
Just watched the first three episodes (a friend has kindly let me enable my iPad as one of her 4 eligible devices on Sky Go :))

So we are discussing S6 openly in this thread now, right? Since there's a big SPOLIER ALERT in the title...

Just in case:

SPOILER ALERT!


Interesting so far. My thoughts:

- Can't believe so many people in the world of social media are so amazed and surprised that Melisandre is in reality an old crone. Haven't these people read any fairy tales, where this is an absolutely staple cliché? The beautiful enchantress is ALWAYS an old hag under a spell of glamour...
- Pretty obvious from the end of A Dance With Dragons that Jon Snow was not dead. The producers strung it out well for marketing purposes, but clearly, along with Tyrion, Arya and probably Dany, Jon Snow is one of the four key characters that GRRM identifies with. And so will be with us to the bitter end of the tale. Count on it.  ;)
- Don't like the way Weiss and Benioff are casually killing off so many of the senior characters in a random fashion - that's Prince Doran, Balon Greyjoy and Roose Bolton, all swiftly despatched, as was Stannis at the end of S5. None of this happens in the books, nor looks likely to happen in the books (with the possible exception of Balon's fall from the bridge, which is an accident - probably - and not a push from Euron, who is not there at the time).
- The whole Bran flashback thing looks like it's fast-tracking the audience to the answer to the greatest riddle in GoT - Jon Snow's true parentage - rather prematurely, given that they've got another two seasons to go...
- The Karstarks and the Umbers have suddenly become baddie scum? That's not right.
- The Dorne storyline has been completely bastardised - can't work out why. The Greyjoy storyline is still largely missing in action.
- Thank God Brienne has finally found Sansa. Couldn't cope with all those near misses as they criss-cross Westeros.
- Where is Littlefinger, he of the increasingly broad Irish accent?
- Great to see Woodes Rogers from Black Sails as a fleeting cameo role as Ser Arthur Dayne, Sword of The Morning :)



Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Eric the Shed on May 13, 2016, 04:08:44 PM
I think this series will spill the beans on Jon Snow's real parentage...I think we almost got it in the last episode...hence the flashbacks

I believe that Jon Snow is not the bastard son of Ned Stark but his bastard nephew...I'll let you work out who is the mum (easy) and then work out the dad !

Once you have determined that you might see where this programme could be heading...

My hypothesis was built whilst reading the books - the latest three episodes of the TV series series seem to be playing this out...

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 13, 2016, 04:38:40 PM
Obviously. I just wonder how much the scriptwriters will adhere to GRRM's dogma of *NOT* sticking to traditional TV stories ( him being a long time scriptwriter, I have heard the GoT saga is a way for him to channel the way history, rather than story, works).  I mean , can they refrain from "tying this up" in the end?

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 13, 2016, 05:57:37 PM
- Don't like the way Weiss and Benioff are casually killing off so many of the senior characters in a random fashion - that's Prince Doran, Balon Greyjoy and Roose Bolton, all swiftly despatched, as was Stannis at the end of S5. None of this happens in the books, nor looks likely to happen in the books (with the possible exception of Balon's fall from the bridge, which is an accident - probably - and not a push from Euron, who is not there at the time).

Agreed. It's almost as if they don't quite no what to do, and they fall back on the "Kill off a character quickly!" method.

Though Euron was almost certainly responsible for Balon's "fall" in the books! Seeing it in black and white though I think is just much less interesting than hearing it as a rumour.

Likewise, I imagine what happens to Roose could very well happen in the next book. But again, I think Martin would deal with it very differently. I can imagine it being heard about as a rumour by several POV characters "Did you hear, Lord Bolton is dead? Murdered by his bastard, they say." Something like that. And even darker (and conflicting) rumours about what apparently happened to his newborn son. That can be SO much more effective than actually seeing it happen, I think. But oh well, it's a TV show! :)

Quote
The Greyjoy storyline is still largely missing in action.

To be fair, they could just be saving it all for this season, which does make a certain amount of sense. The only thing that worries me is as far as I'm aware they haven't cast anyone as Victarion. I loved his chapters, gave a really interesting viewpoint on the whole Ironborn culture (he becomes strangely likeable for someone who's lifestyle essentially revolves around murder and rape).

Quote
Where is Littlefinger, he of the increasingly broad Irish accent?

Perhaps he is drinking himself to death after the realisation that he royally messed up all his years of scheming last season? "Excellent, my years of hard work are paying off, and I've got the heir to the Vale and the heir to the North in the palms of my hands, I have the title to rule the Riverlands and the position to control the Vale.... Now, I'll just give Sansa away to pyscho Ramsay Bolton... Oh shit, no, why did I do that?????"
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 13, 2016, 06:35:48 PM

I believe that Jon Snow is not the bastard son of Ned Stark but his bastard nephew...I'll let you work out who is the mum (easy) and then work out the dad !


Indeed, Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark is the most common assumption. Although since that theory has been no.1 on the internet for the last several years, Martin will probably resolve it in some other, less obvious way in the books. Or not resolve it at all, because he's a contrary old wotsit...
HBO will probably go for the obvious, though.
There are plenty other theories. (http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Jon_Snow/Theories)
But given that we all want to see Jon Snow riding a dragon, I'm sticking with the theory that he's part Targaryen - despite his rather obvious lack of silver blond hair...  ::)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 13, 2016, 07:30:51 PM
Indeed, Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark is the most common assumption. Although since that theory has been no.1 on the internet for the last several years, Martin will probably resolve it in some other, less obvious way in the books. Or not resolve it at all, because he's a contrary old wotsit...
HBO will probably go for the obvious, though.
There are plenty other theories. (http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Jon_Snow/Theories)
But given that we all want to see Jon Snow riding a dragon, I'm sticking with the theory that he's part Targaryen - despite his rather obvious lack of silver blond hair...  ::)

I personally really don't care much about Jon's parentage, or at least I really hope it doesn't actually matter in terms of the larger plot. People obsess about this sort of thing...  I would LOVE it if Martin revealed it, and it had no effect on the story. An interesting little insight into the back stories of some of the characters.... But irrelevant to the present day.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 13, 2016, 08:33:54 PM
Indeed, Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark is the most common assumption. Although since that theory has been no.1 on the internet for the last several years, Martin will probably resolve it in some other, less obvious way in the books. Or not resolve it at all, because he's a contrary old wotsit...
HBO will probably go for the obvious, though.
There are plenty other theories. (http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Jon_Snow/Theories)
But given that we all want to see Jon Snow riding a dragon, I'm sticking with the theory that he's part Targaryen - despite his rather obvious lack of silver blond hair...  ::)

I want to see Tyrion Lannister riding a dragon, which is obviously in the offing.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 13, 2016, 08:36:39 PM
I want to see Tyrion Lannister riding a dragon, which is obviously in the offing.

Oh yes! That I'd enjoy!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 16, 2016, 11:09:46 PM
Just saw the latest episode...

Yeah, I have lost any faith I once had in this show. That last scene was laugh-out-loud ridiculous....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 17, 2016, 12:20:55 AM
Just saw the latest episode...

Yeah, I have lost any faith I once had in this show. That last scene was laugh-out-loud ridiculous....

Yes, that episode did really fly off the paper it was written on. Kinda dull, really. My only enjoyment was, again, fantasizing about knocking Ramsay Bolton's face in with a sledgehammer.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 17, 2016, 03:35:53 PM
None of this happens in the books, nor looks likely to happen in the books (with the possible exception of Balon's fall from the bridge, which is an accident - probably - and not a push from Euron, who is not there at the time).

I thought that in the books, Aeron/Asha/other Ironborn were openly questioning why Euron so conveniently turned up after Balon bites the dust, so this could be a "we had no POV character to see it happen vs the omnipotent camera" situation.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 17, 2016, 08:40:56 PM
I thought that in the books, Aeron/Asha/other Ironborn were openly questioning why Euron so conveniently turned up after Balon bites the dust, so this could be a "we had no POV character to see it happen vs the omnipotent camera" situation.

Absolutely. And it's a bit of a shame. Rumours, gossip and unreliable narrators are much more fun! The camera leaves no doubt, which is boring.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 17, 2016, 09:15:48 PM
Absolutely. And it's a bit of a shame. Rumours, gossip and unreliable narrators are much more fun! The camera leaves no doubt, which is boring.

Wholeheartedly agree, but that's one of those things that is quite hard to convey with precious screentime vs. internal monologue that's a staple of fiction novels.  Strength of one medium, weakness of another.  I try to judge the TV show on the good vs. bad TV show things it does, it'll never top the books anyhow.  ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 17, 2016, 09:49:22 PM
Just saw the latest episode...

Yeah, I have lost any faith I once had in this show. That last scene was laugh-out-loud ridiculous....

And basically a retread of the finale of series 1 where she emerges from the fire...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on May 18, 2016, 07:49:42 AM
I like the way it ended last night. It promises a way out of the whole tedious slavers bay going-nowhere-storyline Daenerys has been stuck in for the past manny seasons.

Now she might actually go somewhere and do something. Tyrion has also conveniently fixed the whole slavers bay domestic problem.

So now she can retur to Westeros leading a horde of Dothraki and her dragons.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 18, 2016, 08:18:49 AM
I like the way it ended last night. It promises a way out of the whole tedious slavers bay going-nowhere-storyline Daenerys has been stuck in for the past manny seasons.

Now she might actually go somewhere and do something. Tyrion has also conveniently fixed the whole slavers bay domestic problem.

So now she can retur to Westeros leading a horde of Dothraki and her dragons.

I agree. I thought it was a good 'positioning' episode. I also thought the letter from Ramsay to Jon was an amusing device to set up the Wildlings vs the Boltons (which also just happens to be a central theme of my own GOT-derived wargaming project  :D ;))
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 18, 2016, 08:23:45 AM
And basically a retread of the finale of series 1 where she emerges from the fire...

The best guide to the future is the past  :D

It was foolishly arrogant (but what can you expect from a bunch of mysoginists?!) to let her near fire
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 18, 2016, 10:10:27 AM
I didn't mind the ending,  though it did highlight the Dothraki's appalling approach to fire safety. All those braziers and not even a fire bucket or fire escape!  They brought it on themselves really.

It was unintentional the first time she did it so I just saw it as her learning from what happened previously and playing her trump card.

The Ramsay Bolton thing is getting a little two dimensional though. He is just an out and out shit and that's all there seems to be about him. Roose should have had him done in ages ago.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 18, 2016, 11:14:32 AM
I didn't mind the ending,  though it did highlight the Dothraki's appalling approach to fire safety. All those braziers and not even a fire bucket or fire escape!  They brought it on themselves really.

It was unintentional the first time she did it so I just saw it as her learning from what happened previously and playing her trump card.

The Ramsay Bolton thing is getting a little two dimensional though. He is just an out and out shit and that's all there seems to be about him. Roose should have had him done in ages ago.

But how do you portray a man knowing fullhe has y well of what stuff your 'subject' is made but who has still not realized that you have pushed him one step too far.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 18, 2016, 11:24:57 AM
He's nice to his dogs
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 18, 2016, 11:42:11 AM
But how do you portray a man knowing fullhe has y well of what stuff your 'subject' is made but who has still not realized that you have pushed him one step too far.

I suppose so. He just strikes me as to much of a liability for someone like Roose Bolton to tolerate. But perhaps that was Roose's weakness that made him more than a flat villian; Ramsay was still his son.

He's still a dick!  (Ramsay that is. I kind of liked the Roose character).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 18, 2016, 07:29:15 PM
I'm starting to get tired of Ramsay myself. I kind of hope he gets killed soon. There really is not much emotional impact left when he kills someone or generally does something 'evil'.

Sorry to bring it back to the power of books over TV, but I think it's interesting. I'm finding a lot of the plots / characters on the shows starting to get dull, or stagnate. I think it's because a TV show has to give these things regular screentime. Ramsay is the best example. In the books, he doesn't actually get that much 'screentime'.... But through Theon's thoughts and recollections, plus various accounts of his actions going back (I think) to the first book, the reader knows all about him. In the show, to get the viewer to understand what he is all about, they need to constantly show him doing 'evil things', which starts to get stale after a while.
Also worth pointing out that he has been a regular in the show since Season 3, where he basically spent the whole time torturing Theon. And Theon has been a regular since the very beginning. In the books, after the sack of Winterfell, Theon is not seen or heard of for several books. Everyone thinks he is dead. When he pops up in the 5th book, it's a really shocking moment. "Holy shit, that crippled old man is THEON! What the hell happened to him?" And all the torture and abuse he has been to is detailed (or at least hinted at) though his thoughts and recollections, which is how the reader really gets to know Ramsay. In fact, there are I believe only 6 (I think?) Theon chapters in that one book, but they cover a hell of a lot of ground.
What else we know about Ramsay precedes the sack of Winterfell. He has a bit of a reputation before then. When Robb is off fighting and Bran is left in charge of Wintefell (so before Theon takes Winterfell), one of the domestic issues Bran encounters it 'The Bastard Of Bolton', so we know of him by reputation waaaaay before he actually appears. Lots of northern lords are wanting to marry the recently widowed Lady Hornwood with hopes to inherit her estate. Ramsay marries her forcibly, 'disposes' of her and claims all her lands for himself.
Anyway my point is, in the books Ramsay has been there since the beginning and is still a very interesting character. In the show, I am just bored of seeing him killing people.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 23, 2016, 07:57:42 AM
That was pretty good. I mean episode 5. A lot of revelations crammed into one episode though, something one is not used to.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 23, 2016, 02:39:30 PM
That was pretty good. I mean episode 5. A lot of revelations crammed into one episode though, something one is not used to.

Yeah, one was especially emotional ("hold the door"  :'( ) and one more interesting origin reveal...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on May 23, 2016, 02:52:01 PM
Yes episode 5 was very good indeed!!!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on May 23, 2016, 03:18:48 PM
 Wonderful episode and pretty sad too  :'(.

 Things seem to be picking up speed now.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 23, 2016, 06:42:17 PM
Will be watching it in a few hours time. Glad to hear it's a good one aftee last week's more general advancement episode.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: nic-e on May 23, 2016, 07:35:35 PM
Just watched episode 5. I am not afraid to admit i had to hold back tears, something i was not expecting.

Also alot revealed int hi s episode but really it all played second fiddle to that ending.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 23, 2016, 08:27:50 PM
Prior to last night, the episodes so far have been mostly setup and little payoff/action taking place.  This week changed that in a big way, and next week looks like the big event shaping up in King's Landing will take place, which as yet another event that has not happened in the books yet, I'm really excited for.  I have to say, regardless of whether or not we think the "how" is good or how we thought it would play out in the book timeline, the "what" of these events where the show has passed up the book timeline are making the show much more enjoyable for me.  I now understand how edge-of-your-seat great the show must have been for show-only watchers all this time.   :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 23, 2016, 08:55:25 PM
Prior to last night, the episodes so far have been mostly setup and little payoff/action taking place.  This week changed that in a big way, and next week looks like the big event shaping up in King's Landing will take place, which as yet another event that has not happened in the books yet, I'm really excited for.  I have to say, regardless of whether or not we think the "how" is good or how we thought it would play out in the book timeline, the "what" of these events where the show has passed up the book timeline are making the show much more enjoyable for me.  I now understand how edge-of-your-seat great the show must have been for show-only watchers all this time.   :D

I was not very keen on the idea of the Children chucking mills bombs.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 24, 2016, 03:32:33 PM
I was not very keen on the idea of the Children chucking mills bombs.

It's the CGI cheap way of representing the Children using magic as a weapon, and we know from the books that the Children used magic frequently in their battles against the First Men.  I understand it bothers some, but I never had a problem with it personally, it's another of those "my imagination did this better!" moments.  But obviously it did, imagination will always trump physical representation when it comes to fantasy.  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 24, 2016, 04:43:02 PM
Well it all just goes to show how we are all drawn to different things...  ;)
I thought episode 5 was all a bit bitty and 'meh' and basically dull.
I liked the Sansa / Littlefinger encounter. And the cheesy Dany/Jorah tearjerker. Thank God Iain Glen has been rehabilitated.

The rest of it left me pretty cold. Partly, I suppose, because my favourite part of the series is what happens in King's Landing, and obviously this was their week off...
The whole Bran storyline is still a mystery to me and therefore not that interesting, including the demise of poor old Hodor.
I also find it a bit sad because the lad playing Bran was such perfect cutesy casting in season 1. Unfortunately, a year in book time has taken 6 years of that young actor's real life to shoot, and he has turned into one helluva gormless-looking spotty youth... (Well, not literally spotty, but you know what I mean... )
Just unlucky I guess. An outcome of the process taking so long. But it doesn't help my suspension of disbelief. I think this is one occasion when they might have been better off changing the actor as he started to shoot up...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 24, 2016, 05:13:27 PM
That kingsmoot was seriously underwhelming.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on May 24, 2016, 05:15:29 PM
Jon Snow is Robert's bastard  :D

cheers

James
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 24, 2016, 05:48:31 PM
That kingsmoot was seriously underwhelming.

Yep, they clearly spent all the 'extras' budget in Mereen and Vaes Dothrak...  ::)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 24, 2016, 08:21:35 PM
That kingsmoot was seriously underwhelming.

I didn't hate it, but the "lets go kill my niece and nephew me hearties, har har har" Euron was pretty meh/bleh. That line did it in for me.  :?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 24, 2016, 08:35:47 PM
I didn't hate it, but the "lets go kill my niece and nephew me hearties, har har har" Euron was pretty meh/bleh. That line did it in for me.  :?

He reminded me of Lord Flashheart from Blackadder for some reason,  particularly with that line. I quite enjoyed the episode but was dismayed to see the direwolf population decline further. Also, shittest crown ever, though I could actually see a kingsmoot being as anticlimatic as that in reality. Sit in on a council meeting and you'll see what I mean!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 24, 2016, 08:36:03 PM
I didn't hate it, but the "lets go kill my niece and nephew me hearties, har har har" Euron was pretty meh/bleh. That line did it in for me.  :?

Agreed, I didn't hate it either. It was probably a very good scene! But the one in the book was so much better...

Likewise, the show's Euron and the guy that plays him seems perfectly fine. It's just the book Euron is infinitely more interesting, mysterious, dangerous.... Important to note that he has a massive reputation in the book, and before we ever meet him as the reader we hear how he has sailed in just days after Balon's death and taken the Seastone Chair, and how Victarion and Aeron are all up in arms about it... And when we meet him he's quite a character. And he has a crew of 'mutes and monsters'.... And a god-damn dragon horn which he uses to announce his arrival at the kingsmoot! In the show it's more like.... oh, who's this guy? And then Asha/Yara and Theon steal all his ships and he's like "Yeah, we'll do everything I just said, but we'll have to build the fleet from scratch again! Let's get ship-building!"

Plus, there are lots of other interesting Ironborn characters who seek to claim the Seastone Chair, before Victarion, Asha and then Euron make their election speeches.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on May 25, 2016, 01:26:06 PM
Is this one too soon or to cruel?
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t75/Fredejensen/C247B59E-5082-43AF-AA3D-30CD32DDC760_zpsj41p0c2x.jpg) (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Fredejensen/media/C247B59E-5082-43AF-AA3D-30CD32DDC760_zpsj41p0c2x.jpg.html)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on May 25, 2016, 01:42:08 PM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/25/hold-the-door-now-game-of-thrones-fans-are-making-hodor-doorstop/

;)

Cool end scene in that episode...but left me cold emotionally. The whole explanation for the "Hodor-Hodor-Hodor" was a bit...dull...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 25, 2016, 01:48:22 PM
Cool end scene in that episode...but left me cold emotionally. The whole explanation for the "Hodor-Hodor-Hodor" was a bit...dull...

My feelings exactly. Feels like a really cheap explanation...
I wonder if this was in GRRM's mind all along - or whether this is a hastily concocted solution to the mystery of Hodor, dreamt up on the back of a fag packet by Weiss and Benioff... Feels a lot like the latter to me  :?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 25, 2016, 03:21:09 PM
My feelings exactly. Feels like a really cheap explanation...
I wonder if this was in GRRM's mind all along - or whether this is a hastily concocted solution to the mystery of Hodor, dreamt up on the back of a fag packet by Weiss and Benioff... Feels a lot like the latter to me  :?

I read an article that said it came from GRRM and he told W & B it was in his plans. I'll see if I can find the link.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 30, 2016, 09:01:35 AM
Episode 6: That was *fucking* good! I especially like the Shakespearian thread.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on May 30, 2016, 09:39:20 AM
 Just watched the latest episode and it was very good.Quite a few twists which i was not expecting.The Crown and the Faith now working together.The Battle with the Riverlands looks like it will be good.With Jon and Sansa's forces heading there too and other Houses joining the Blackfish's side.
 Great to see Benjin back.So what would you call what happened to him then?Frostborn maybe.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on May 31, 2016, 07:20:33 AM
Is Benjen really alive or somehow a  "good" undead?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on May 31, 2016, 07:28:13 AM
It was ok. But the costume department really have to up their game the Tyrell soldiers armour was horrible!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 31, 2016, 07:59:55 AM
Found it a bit slow and boring to be honest. Another ending with Emilia Clarke ranting 'I'm going to rule the world' gibberish from her dragon. Seen it several times before. Still at least Arya is back, that's something. Let's hope this rather flat episode is just a springboard to a much more satisfying and dramatic run of episodes to round off the season...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 31, 2016, 08:35:02 AM
"That was a bit flat"

.....Was my immediate reaction at the end of episode 6. With a tad of further reflection I'd go on to say that some of it was quite boring. As a non-Book-reader the Benjin (?) character was a mystery to me. I quite like that Margery is (I hope) manipulating both High Sparrow and Tommin but the scene on the steps was comical in appearance .... I very much agree that the costume department failed on that one.  As Dany gave her closing speech, which I also agree was more than a bit samey, I was distracted by thoughts that (1) the character has a lot more presence when speaking strong/calm while naked and (2) the Dothkari won't be quite so enthusiastic when they get to The North and experience the cold. Best scenes go to Arya (great line: "you want to watch that one ....") and to Gilly (whose inability to walk decorously in dress/shoes combo was both apt and amusing).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on May 31, 2016, 11:58:36 AM
Thought it was quite boring...
A couple of good parts, but most was slow, predictable and same old, same old.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 31, 2016, 03:09:01 PM
My initial reaction was a general feeling of "bolas azulas" as the expected showdown at the Great Sept was a no-go.  lol  However, given some time to reflect they did set up an awful lot of interesting stuff this episode.  I'd have preferred the ending to be Arya blowing out her candle vs. another Dany speechifyin' moment.  I didn't really have a problem with that speech in and of itself, as it accomplished two things:
1) showed Daario (he of suspect loyalty, at least in the books) looking very concerned, which stuck out especially against the background of euphoric Dothraki
2) Dany's sounding a little more like the Mad King: a destroyer and not a ruler.

But its timing and setup were what hurt it for me:
1) For her to dip off screen and have Drogon suddenly be totally cool with her, I don't know about that.  :?  I've read some argue that seeing her leading a 100,000 strong horde earned his respect, and I guess dragons are supposed to be pretty intelligent, but at least at time of viewing, it felt cheap to me.
2) I don't think the fact that it seemed so similar to the speech 2 episodes back was in and of itself the problem.  I think it was the fact that point #1 has already primed us in eyeroll-mode and the fact that it was SO soon after the other speech that took all the impact out of it. If this speech had occurred, say, at the end of the season, there might have been enough of a time lapse between them that it didn't feel like such an obvious retread.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 31, 2016, 06:49:10 PM
I think the Dany and Mereen story arcs are getting really quite dull and predictable.

And I gotta wonder... if she makes it to Westeros with a horde of Dothraki, mercenaries and dragons..... that's not gonna end well, for anyone. What's she expecting the Dothraki to do??? Their culture essentially revolves around war, rape and destruction. Unleashing her horde on Westeros is not gonna endear her to the people.... But yes, I do quite like the idea (in both book and show) that she's turning out not be quite the heroine everyone was rooting for in season 1. Perhaps a lot of viewers haven't realised it yet and are like "yeahhhhh, Daenerys is gonna be queen!!! Go dragons!!!!!!"... I think that's missing the point.... ;)

Elsewhere...... what the hell is Sam gonna do with his father's sword???? What does he think that's gonna achieve?? Is he still going to the Citadel to be a Maester? I can just imagine how that will go....
"Hello, I've come to study to be a Maester."
"Great, come on in young man! Wait, what's that?"
"It's a Valyrian steel longsword."
"Why have you got that? ...Did you steal that?"
"It's mine."
"Ok, well you're gonna be a maester, so.... you can't bring that with you."


And Benjen.... In the books, there's not a great deal to it. He was Ned Stark's brother, and a member of the Night's Watch - the head ranger. Jon Snow looked up to him, and wanted to follow him and join the Watch, which he did. Then Benjen went missing whilst ranging beyond the wall.
That's it. He's probably dead.
Fans are always wondering, will he come back, what's he doing, blah blah blah... But I like to think the truth is simply that he is dead. Not EVERYTHING is a conspiracy, and not every character who supposedly dies without us seeing the body is actually alive, and not every mysterious character is gonna be someone else in disguise.
The show seems to have merged Benjen with Coldhands, a VERY mysterious character who first appeared a book 2 or 3 I think. He assisted Sam and Gilly when they were fleeing south to the wall, and also helped Bran, Meera, Jojen and Hodor on their way north. He is described as fitting the decription of the wights (ie zombies), doesn't eat, keeps his face covered, but still seems 'alive'.
Oh, and he rides a giant elk!
Lots of fans wonder if it's actually Benjen, but apparently GRRM has denied this.

Anyway, seems like the show has decided to please these fans with the Coldhands = Benjen theory.

I wonder how many viewers are thinking - "wait... who? Uncle Benjen? I don't know this guy." He hasn't been seen since season 1.... the first few episodes.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 31, 2016, 07:21:18 PM
Thanks for those insights.  8)

TBH I don't remember Benjen from Season 1..... It was years ago and Show-viewing is so much more casual than Book-reading. As my brother recently remarked to me: "When I first started watching there wasn't a warning that there'd be exams later!"
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 31, 2016, 07:29:24 PM
(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/gameofthrones/images/5/54/Jon_and_Benjen_1x03.png/revision/latest?cb=20110626074809)

Uncle Benjen!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 31, 2016, 08:32:01 PM
Yeah, the bit with Heartsbane being stolen by Sam was sorta puzzling. But I take that as a show-only situation as both the sword and its current user are up in the crownlands/riverlands near King's Landing in the books. :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 01, 2016, 02:33:51 PM
I always figured Coldhands was Benjen Stark... just because it was denied does not mean it is true.  They swore up and down that Jon Snow was dead - in fact he was, but then he was resurrected.  You could imagine similarly that Coldhands is no longer Benjen Stark, as he is no longer a living person... either way, the Coldhands character was not identified in the books so far.

As for the disappointment many feel about the showdown at the Sept, IMO that is basically how things happen in the books.  There is a big buildup in tension for chapters upon chapters, and you feel like some climax is coming, and then it is delayed by a new intrigue  o_o Frustrating, but addicting at the same time. I found the books to have wayyy more focus on intrigue and politics than fighting, and I found the battle scenes in general to be somewhat sparsely detailed compared to all of the politicking...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 01, 2016, 04:01:29 PM
I always figured Coldhands was Benjen Stark... just because it was denied does not mean it is true.  They swore up and down that Jon Snow was dead - in fact he was, but then he was resurrected.  You could imagine similarly that Coldhands is no longer Benjen Stark, as he is no longer a living person... either way, the Coldhands character was not identified in the books so far.

As for the disappointment many feel about the showdown at the Sept, IMO that is basically how things happen in the books.  There is a big buildup in tension for chapters upon chapters, and you feel like some climax is coming, and then it is delayed by a new intrigue  o_o Frustrating, but addicting at the same time. I found the books to have wayyy more focus on intrigue and politics than fighting, and I found the battle scenes in general to be somewhat sparsely detailed compared to all of the politicking...

Yeah, I think that as an impatient person I find it easier to deal with in a book, where I can keep up a furious pace and continue reading to satisfy my curiosity vs. a weekly TV show.  lol  I am actually glad he doesn't spend a lot of time detailing the battles, it plays to his strengths and doesn't paint an unrealistic picture of medieval warfare as seems to happen so often in fantasy literature.  I did find his writing in The Battle of The Green Fork, one of the few that gets a POV description in the books, to be pretty good.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 01, 2016, 05:25:54 PM
Yeah, I think that as an impatient person I find it easier to deal with in a book, where I can keep up a furious pace and continue reading to satisfy my curiosity vs. a weekly TV show.  lol  I am actually glad he doesn't spend a lot of time detailing the battles, it plays to his strengths and doesn't paint an unrealistic picture of medieval warfare as seems to happen so often in fantasy literature.  I did find his writing in The Battle of The Green Fork, one of the few that gets a POV description in the books, to be pretty good.

Yes, I'm glad there isn't lots of detailed accounts of battles. That could easily bog the narrative down.

One of my favourite parts of the books has been all the 'on campaign' accounts of the war in the riverlands. Most of the which you see through the eyes of Catelyn, and later when the war is wrapping up through Jaime's eyes. We don't really see any battles, but we hear accounts of battles, skirmishes, raids and sieges from all sorts of characters... We get to see lots of war councils, which are great fun, especially with all the heads of the different houses involved.

And then in A Clash of Kings, when we finally get a detailed account of a huge battle through the eyes of a POV character who is there.... the Battle of the Blackwater as seen by Tyrion... WOW. It is absolutely breathtaking.

Battles side, when there are 'fight scenes' they are dealt with really well. A sudden outburst of violence that has you on the edge of your seat and leaves various people dead or dying. Not treated lightly. I think the most effective 'fight scene' for me was with Brienne, when she ran into Shagwell, Timeon and Pyg in a spooky overgrown ruin. Particularly effective as at that point you realise, despite all her training and skill with the sword and desire to be a knight... she's never actually fought someone for real before! She's never killed a man, and you suddenly realise she's just a young woman with a sword (who luckily does know how to use it). Makes the scene really tense and powerful, especially as she has history with these guys.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 01, 2016, 08:48:43 PM
Battles side, when there are 'fight scenes' they are dealt with really well. A sudden outburst of violence that has you on the edge of your seat and leaves various people dead or dying. Not treated lightly. I think the most effective 'fight scene' for me was with Brienne, when she ran into Shagwell, Timeon and Pyg in a spooky overgrown ruin. Particularly effective as at that point you realise, despite all her training and skill with the sword and desire to be a knight... she's never actually fought someone for real before! She's never killed a man, and you suddenly realise she's just a young woman with a sword (who luckily does know how to use it). Makes the scene really tense and powerful, especially as she has history with these guys.

Absolutely!  :-*  That might be one of the best scenes in the entire series, and I really hope they find a way to put it in the show in some fashion, maybe merging it into her upcoming jaunt down to the Riverlands.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 01, 2016, 09:57:06 PM
Absolutely!  :-*  That might be one of the best scenes in the entire series, and I really hope they find a way to put it in the show in some fashion, maybe merging it into her upcoming jaunt down to the Riverlands.

Unfortunately I don't think that'll happen - they've made her into a killing machine from day one apparently. And there isn't anyone is the show she has 'history' with.

I've recently been re-reading Feast For Crows and Dance With Dragons just through certain characters... Going back to the characters I enjoyed the most and reading all their chapters in sequence. I've done Jaime, Victarion, Asha and I'm now on Brienne. It's a great way to re-read the books I think, you don't have to commit to re-reading the whole series again, and reading each character's chapters one after another helps give a fresh look on the character and their story. All sorts of little details you missed the first time round...

Anyway, when Brienne travels out to Crackclaw Point, ending in her little showdown, I was really struck at how eerie the surroundings were. Pine forests, bogs and coastline, isolated from everywhere else, very lonely... And a growing sense of unease and danger. And the unfortunate end of poor Dick Crabb!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 02, 2016, 03:37:29 PM
Unfortunately I don't think that'll happen - they've made her into a killing machine from day one apparently. And there isn't anyone is the show she has 'history' with.
Very true on that count.


I've recently been re-reading Feast For Crows and Dance With Dragons just through certain characters... Going back to the characters I enjoyed the most and reading all their chapters in sequence. I've done Jaime, Victarion, Asha and I'm now on Brienne. It's a great way to re-read the books I think, you don't have to commit to re-reading the whole series again, and reading each character's chapters one after another helps give a fresh look on the character and their story. All sorts of little details you missed the first time round...
I'm surprised I've never heard this suggestion before but I think I'm going to take you up on that... I had just started A Game of Thrones again, got about 1/2-2/3 through and stalled out. I may start with Davos as he might be my favorite characters.

Anyway, when Brienne travels out to Crackclaw Point, ending in her little showdown, I was really struck at how eerie the surroundings were. Pine forests, bogs and coastline, isolated from everywhere else, very lonely... And a growing sense of unease and danger. And the unfortunate end of poor Dick Crabb!
That whole Maidenpool-> Crackclaw Point -> The Whispers sequence was one of my favorites and has stuck in my memory quite vividly.  I actually would like to do some House Crabb, Celtigar, and Mooten men in miniature form because of it.  They're pretty useful actually, because they were staunch Targ loyalists and so would be usable in the many Targaryen civil wars and rebellions.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on June 06, 2016, 03:50:38 AM
 Some really great little scenes in the latest episode.Best line of the show for me is 'Snow'.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 06, 2016, 03:19:44 PM
Agreed, there were some cool things, but it did seem a bit slow...

Let's hope that Arya doesn't die before she does something interesting... that would sure make for an anticlimactic storyline.  :?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 06, 2016, 03:36:29 PM
I saw some interesting theories that the Arya we saw this episode is in fact Jacqen in glamor, as Arya did not have Needle on here and was pretty brazen about being out in the open when she knew she'd be in the crosshairs; that ultimately it was some sort of test for The Waif.  Not sure I put any stock in that, but it was interesting to think about nonetheless.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on June 06, 2016, 03:42:26 PM
Was amazed that the Glovers didn't side with Jon and Sansa as the Mormonds did . The Glovers are supposed to be one of the biggest supporters of house Stark.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 07, 2016, 01:25:36 AM
Was amazed that the Glovers didn't side with Jon and Sansa as the Mormonds did . The Glovers are supposed to be one of the biggest supporters of house Stark.

Well, in the book yes, but this isn't the book is it?

Despite all my criticism of this season, I rather enjoyed that episode. Lots of interesting things going on.

Nice to see how they are bringing lots of the storylines from the books back into it. Changed around, perhaps messed up a bit in the process and obviously no where near as detailed or effective, but nevertheless nice.

Interesting that they haven't brought House Manderly in yet. It's one of the three that Ramsay mentioned being the strongest, alongside Umber and Karstark, who have apparently allied with him. We've this episode seen Mormont and Glover, and had references to Hornwood and Cerwyn. Surely Manderly is coming up, and it's gonna be good! Either the one House that completes the Stark / Wildling army, or perhaps they will be betraying the Boltons in style? Either way, I hope we get to meet Lord Wyman.

Margaery is playing quite a game it seems. Looking forward to seeing her 'plan' work out.

I really don't know where the Arya storyline is going though... haven't a clue. We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully her time in Braavos hasn't just been for no reason.

Also they seem to be bringing the Brotherhood Without Banners back, but quite what state they are in right now is.... unsure... Was the bloke in the yellow cloak supposed to be Lem Lemoncloak? I wonder who's leading them now, and what their agenda is....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 07, 2016, 04:58:52 AM
Well, in the book yes, but this isn't the book is it?

This is truly key to enjoying the show at this point when there are many differences; some key, some more quibbling but of course as gamers, we have an extensive memory of such details.  ;) :D

I am looking forward to "The North Remembers", regardless of whether it is delivered by the same character in exactly the same words.  As long as the feeling is there, I'll be happy.  I think the Glover rejection and northmen-wildling tussle in camp is setting out stage at a low point for this speech to pick us up again next episode.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on June 07, 2016, 07:47:38 AM
 I thought the Brotherhood without banners were a bit like Robin hood and his merry men.Sort of looking out for the little people not killing them.

 It is great to see the Hound back and the scenes between him and Ian McShanes character were good to watch.

 Thronecast threw more possibilities into the mix,one of which was the Cirio was in-fact Jacqen.It does make you wonder what Arya will be upto next.

 Loved the scene with the Wildlings and Jon Snow.

 I think that once the Southeners see the Giant they might start to believe in the White walkers and other creatures which they thought were just fantasy.

 Seem's like the Ironborn are getting some R&R before setting off.I do hope that Theon starts to get his mojo back as he is a great character.

 Having not read the books sounds like a good thing with the different ways things are playing out.

 One person i spoke to mentioned Caitlin coming back with the Brotherhood.I cant remember what he said she was called though.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 07, 2016, 03:27:24 PM
The latest episode was great entertainment, even though I feel that the theme of rapid changing allegiances, which I think is the hallmark of GRRM, is in decline. I was waiting for the Blackfish or Jamie L to suddenly break truth and lash out at one or the other.

The Hound bit was rather expected wasn't it? But was it really the Brotherhood Without Banners who butchered the sept builders.

By the way, the rough sept construct would make a great terrain piece.

The scoulding of the widow queen by the Queen of Thorns was very good, to.

Oh, and, yeah!, I really thought that King Jeoffry was the bastard who really made my fist itch but I think he has been succeeded by the High Sparrow, bigtime!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on June 07, 2016, 03:39:11 PM
Well they're going full-on with unkilling favourite killed characters at the minute. Very glad in Sandor's case, I bloody love that scumbag. But at this rate we're in danger of the "anyone can die" thing being completely undone and getting into superhero comic territory, where characters are constantly "killed off" (wink, wink) only to come back shortly after. Kind of undermines the tension of it all, really. What's next? Robb? Ned? Tywin?

Hell, at the rate we're going, Theon even stands a pretty good chance at getting his willy back. :)


(I wonder what would have happened if Theon's real-life big sister Lily had decided to play Alfie's sister in the show like they wanted? I really can't see her as Ironborn, it would probably have been terrible, but the possibility is intriguing. The scene where Theon, er, feels her up is what made her say no, apparently. Whenever I listen to Lily's song "Alfie" I can't help but hear it as being sung by Yara to Theon. Especially when she says "stop being a twat." lol)

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 07, 2016, 04:00:27 PM
Well they're going full-on with unkilling favourite killed characters at the minute. Very glad in Sandor's case, I bloody love that scumbag. But at this rate we're in danger of the "anyone can die" thing being completely undone and getting into superhero comic territory, where characters are constantly "killed off" (wink, wink) only to come back shortly after. Kind of undermines the tension of it all, really. What's next? Robb? Ned? Tywin?

Hell, at the rate we're going, Theon even stands a pretty good chance at getting his willy back. :)


(I wonder what would have happened if Theon's real-life big sister Lily had decided to play Alfie's sister in the show like they wanted? I really can't see her as Ironborn, it would probably have been terrible, but the possibility is intriguing. The scene where Theon, er, feels her up is what made her say no, apparently. Whenever I listen to Lily's song "Alfie" I can't help but hear it as being sung by Yara to Theon. Especially when she says "stop being a twat." lol)



Yeah, I agree.

I liked that  runty Mormont lass. Brass balls, she had, even though she had not reached puberty.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 07, 2016, 04:10:34 PM
Ian McBold was very good in Deadwood but in episode 6 he appears a bit like a one trick pony.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 07, 2016, 05:16:31 PM
I enjoyed that one. Particularly the moment where Arya got stabbed. not a moment too soon  ;)
(She won't die, obviously. GRRM is on record as saying she's one of his favourites... )
Ian McShane doing his Ian McShane thing. Rapscallion as he is.
Liked the stand off between Jamie and the Blackfish.
Lots of good moments.
And the brilliant Tim McInnery, Blackadder's idiotic chum Lord Percy, as the grouchy Glover (he's making quite a fine line in these parts now - he was playing a fire and brimstone priest in 'Outlander' last... )
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: jim rae on June 07, 2016, 05:44:11 PM
Sansa's letter was obviously to Littlefinger asking for the Knights of the Vale.  :o

Arya's scene made my head spin. Was it Arya or the faceless man or the waif? Seems an unnecessary plot device.  >:(

So, Sandor's back?

Oh, and i've just seen the trailer for Episode 8 no actual spoilers but one of the High Sparrow's acolytes gets a chain round his smug neck...



Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 07, 2016, 05:56:59 PM
To be fair, in the books, there is a mysterious character with one of the septons who is suspiciously described as likeness to the hound, so he was probably always supposed to come back.  That and his actual death was not documented in the books or in the show... just 'assumed'.  At least with Robb, Ned and Tywin, their death was well documented, and in Robb and Ned's case, their body parts separated to seal the deal.  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on June 07, 2016, 06:08:06 PM
To be fair, in the books, there is a mysterious character with one of the septons who is suspiciously described as likeness to the hound, so he was probably always supposed to come back. 

 Is this the Gravedigger character?My Son has mentioned him.

 Would be good to see the Hound face off against the Mountain.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on June 07, 2016, 06:22:59 PM
And the brilliant Tim McInnery, Blackadder's idiotic chum Lord Percy, as the grouchy Glover (he's making quite a fine line in these parts now - he was playing a fire and brimstone priest in 'Outlander' last... )

Did you notice he did the Captain Darling eye-twitch at one point? That made me chuckle a bit.


(Unless of course Tim McInnery just genuinely has a twitchy eye in real life, it could be that.)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 07, 2016, 07:06:26 PM
I had to avoid this thread for a week as I missed last week's episode. I did enjoy the double feature but the two episodes kind of got mixed into one. Highlights and lowlights?

It is great to see the Hound back, apparently 'Cleganebowl' is a thing. Who knew?

It was also good to see the Blackfish back too, I liked him in the books even if he didn't have a tremendously big part.

Lady Mormont was a scene stealer.

The High Sparrow seems to be increasingly just another powerbroker,  simply coming at things from a different angle.

The Danyrs thing is sort of losing my interest. After episode 5's  "build me a thousand ships" from Uncle Squidly (Euron) the "how many ships will I need?", "about a thousand",  "no one has that many ships" conversation seemed a touch clumsy.

I feel like Tyrion is somewhat wasted there (as things stand).

I'm assuming that episode 9 will be the traditional battle episode so that only leaves next week's episode to set it up. Will it be the Riverrun siege or the Winterfell battle. I deliberately didn't say seige there as I seem to recall Roose Bolton having a go at Ramsay for charging out to Stannis. I was wondering if he will cockily try the same to Jon but maybe he'll be the one taken by surprise? 

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. The Viking on June 07, 2016, 07:12:35 PM

It is great to see the Hound back, apparently 'Cleganebowl' is a thing. Who knew?


The Danyrs thing is sort of losing my interest. After episode 5's  "build me a thousand ships" from Uncle Squidly (Euron) the "how many ships will I need?", "about a thousand",  "no one has that many ships" conversation seemed a touch clumsy.

I feel like Tyrion is somewhat wasted there (as things stand).



I heartily agree. The whole Mereen thing was just boring me to sleep... Clegane got the show back where the nitty gritty is.

In fact I think the show works much better/best in the faux European setting.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 07, 2016, 07:29:27 PM

I heartily agree. The whole Mereen thing was just boring me to sleep... Clegane got the show back where the nitty gritty is.

In fact I think the show works much better/best in the faux European setting.

Yes. I agree with that too.

The Bran stuff is getting interesting too. Is he the original Bran the Builder in some form? Will his mark of the Night King mean that the Night King can follow him anywhere? Will we find out who Jon's parents are this season? Will the High Sparrow ever get his cassocks looking whiter than white again?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 07, 2016, 07:55:17 PM
I had to avoid this thread for a week as I missed last week's episode. I did enjoy the double feature but the two episodes kind of got mixed into one. Highlights and lowlights?

It is great to see the Hound back, apparently 'Cleganebowl' is a thing. Who knew?

It was also good to see the Blackfish back too, I liked him in the books even if he didn't have a tremendously big part.

Lady Mormont was a scene stealer.

The High Sparrow seems to be increasingly just another powerbroker,  simply coming at things from a different angle.

The Danyrs thing is sort of losing my interest. After episode 5's  "build me a thousand ships" from Uncle Squidly (Euron) the "how many ships will I need?", "about a thousand",  "no one has that many ships" conversation seemed a touch clumsy.

I feel like Tyrion is somewhat wasted there (as things stand).

I'm assuming that episode 9 will be the traditional battle episode so that only leaves next week's episode to set it up. Will it be the Riverrun siege or the Winterfell battle. I deliberately didn't say seige there as I seem to recall Roose Bolton having a go at Ramsay for charging out to Stannis. I was wondering if he will cockily try the same to Jon but maybe he'll be the one taken by surprise? 



I think the battle will have to be Jon and Ramsay.. in the books, I seem to remember the siege of Riverrun ending anticlimactically.... though I don't quite remember exactly what happened anymore.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on June 07, 2016, 08:01:46 PM
Yep a much better episode. The Queen of Thorns dialogue was excellent and The Hound was the dog's wotsits. I echo the sentiment that Dany etc has become boring. I think I'd actually prefer the series if it were just Westeros (the dragons are also a bit tiresome).

Looking forward to the Winterfell battle : I have it in mind that the Wildlings will rise up out of the snow (thus their camo-mottled-clothes) to surprise and overwhelm the cocky Boltons.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 07, 2016, 08:18:01 PM
I dunno... my guess is a Deus ex Machina where Littlefinger appears to ride in and save the day just as Jon's forces are on the brink of defeat.  ::)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 07, 2016, 08:31:45 PM
I dunno... my guess is a Deus ex Machina where Littlefinger appears to ride in and save the day just as Jon's forces are on the brink of defeat.  ::)

Yep. I'd put money on it.
Littlefinger of the increasingly Irish accent to the rescue.


The Danyrs thing is sort of losing my interest. After episode 5's  "build me a thousand ships" from Uncle Squidly (Euron) the "how many ships will I need?", "about a thousand",  "no one has that many ships" conversation seemed a touch clumsy.


That is very funny Steve, and very true. I think now Weiss, Benioff and co are off the leash and running without the constraints of the books, the exposition and dialogue has been a lot more clunky. The first few seasons had lots of killer lines. This season noticeably less so to my mind.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 08, 2016, 08:37:54 AM
Yep. I'd put money on it.
Littlefinger of the increasingly Irish accent to the rescue.

That is very funny Steve, and very true. I think now Weiss, Benioff and co are off the leash and running without the constraints of the books, the exposition and dialogue has been a lot more clunky. The first few seasons had lots of killer lines. This season noticeably less so to my mind.

Yeah, the renegade Iron fleet theme seems like a clumsy handed production attempt to "we have to pull all this shit together so we can tie a ribbon with a bow allaround it".

*This* is very much a series I'd lie to see, like life itself, close open ended.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on June 08, 2016, 09:08:34 AM
Whilst it would be good to see the hound back in action. I found the scenes with him very artificial. It was just plain weird how the septon all of a sudden explained to the Hound how he found him and nursed him back to life. When they have plainly been together for a long time.

I do get that there needs to be some explanation. But it was just very clumsy.

Clearly Aria does not die. No one on this show dies slowly. If main characters die it is quick and sudden.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: jim rae on June 08, 2016, 09:10:17 AM
One thing that has mightily (YAY, Mightily) hacked me off, is the fact that they haven't decided to film where I live.

Here, in Spain, they've filmed in Andalucia and Catalunya (the fighting pits of Meeren were in a converted bull-ring). Rumor has it that they're scouting locations at the moment in the Canary Islands.

Unfortunately, where I live (Galicia in the NW) we have some of the most spectacular of spectacular Atlantic coastlines in Europe. Lots of green as well as some impressive cathedrals which could easily be improved with a 7-pointed star..  ;)

Not happy at all, i'd love to be running about the countryside getting chopped up by Lannister bannermen (and getting paid for it!)  :)

Oh, and talking about the Hound, a mate of mine (who's a profesional actor) was the little old guy with the wagon who got beaten up by him in season 3/4....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on June 08, 2016, 09:32:05 AM
I do see that Littlefinger to the rescue is the likely angle but I find it just a bit too obvious to be interesting. I would prefer something shockingly rational - such as was the case with the unexpected (to me anyway) deaths of Rob Stark and Joffrey (and, dare I say, Jon Snow).  All being resolved by Littlefinger is predictable enough to be boring. In fact, I'd much rather he thought he was coming to 'save the day' but was instead ambushed and killed by Ramsay.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on June 08, 2016, 09:46:08 AM
I agree. Littlefinger will probably go and lift the siege at Riverrun. He does have some claim to that castle.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on June 08, 2016, 10:10:11 AM
The producers should really invest in some decent scriptwriters for next season. It's quite staggering to observe such a decline in dialogue and staging since the show has outpaced the books. That's not to say that SoIaF was a flawless example of storytelling, far from it (the erratic wanderings of various characters have nearly driven me off several times).
But the TV series seems to rely too much on very basic outlines that Martin provided without taking any effort to flesh them out. To be honest, the plot itself is dull. Martin's true talent for short stories, however, enabled him to write small gems of dialogue and setups, which the show's sadly lacking now.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 08, 2016, 05:38:50 PM

That is very funny Steve, and very true. I think now Weiss, Benioff and co are off the leash and running without the constraints of the books, the exposition and dialogue has been a lot more clunky. The first few seasons had lots of killer lines. This season noticeably less so to my mind.

Definitely. Last season too.

The one that sticks in my mind recently is "Let's go murder my niece and nephew" from Euron.

Shame as Euron's speech and the whole Kingsmoot chapter in the book was FANTASTIC. So much good dialogue to use!

Here's some Euron dialogue from an earlier chapter....

AERON: We shall have no king but from the kingsmoot. No godless man-
EURON: -may sit the Seastone Chair, aye. As it happens I have oft sat upon the Seastone Chair of late. It raises no objections. Who knows more of gods than I? Horse gods and fire gods, gods made of gold with gemstone eyes, gods of carved cedar wood, gods chiselled into mountains, gods of empty air... I know them all. I have seen their peoples garland them with flowers, and shed the blood of goats and bulls and children in their names. And I have heard the prayers, in half a hundred tongues. Cure my withered leg, make the maiden love me, grant me a healthy son. Save me, succor me, make me wealthy... protect me! Protect me from mine enemies, protect me from the darkness, protect me from the crabs inside my belly, from the horselords, from the slavers, from the sellswords at my door. Protect me from the Silence. Godless? Why, Aeron, I am the godliest man to ever raise sail! You serve one god, Damphair, but I have served ten thousand. From Ib to Asshai, when men see my sails, they pray.
AERON: They pray to trees and golden idols and goat-headed abominations. False gods...
EURON: Just so, and for that sin I kill them all. I spill their blood upon the sea and sow their screaming women with my seed. Their little gods cannot stop me, so plainly they are false gods. I am more devout than even you, Aeron. Perhaps it should be you who kneels to me for blessing.

And what does the TV show give us?

"I'm going build that fleet... ...and I'm going to give it to Daenarys Targaryen, along with my big cock."
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on June 08, 2016, 05:45:36 PM
Quote
The one that sticks in my mind recently is "Let's go murder my niece and nephew" from Euron.

That was most definitely a low point in the production.  :o
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 08, 2016, 06:10:58 PM
That was most definitely a low point in the production.  :o

That, and the not at all rousing speech Dany made before the horsemen rabble.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on June 08, 2016, 06:13:10 PM
That, and the not at all rousing speech Dany made before the horsemen rabble.

Yeah, I found myself more interested in the horsemen as one of the riders seemed to be having a lot of trouble with his mount and I thought he might be thrown.......
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 08, 2016, 08:58:08 PM
Perhaps it's a Carry On mash up with Game of Thrones?

Wench with ample bosom walks in to Euron's throne room eating fruit

Euron: Cor! Luvlee pair darling!
Wench: titter titter, fanks but it's an apple.

Cue Carry On music and Sid James style laughter.

Euron: Now let's go moider my niece and nephew.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 13, 2016, 08:45:37 AM
I am note very impressed by episode 8. As usual it has its ups and down but it feels, as many episodes in S6 , inconsistent with the storytelling of previous episodes. I have thought several of the episodes in this season all in all great, but there is some hamfisted writing in the history arches and character development. Some cuts seem quite unnecessary in a story so crammed with threads.

The 'joke cut' in for example. What was the point, or at least *necessary* point?

The surrender of Riverrun was completely unconvincing.

The Brianne-Jaime plotline seems uncharacteristically soppy.


The Arya-FacelessGirl bossfight was not bad but I had hoped for more in that showdown, what with all building up towards it.

I really liked the graphics of the bombardment of Merreen, but the turning up of the Queen was too expected and anticlimactic. I was really hoping for Grey Worm or Tyrion or someone local to straddle on of the remaining dragons and go to town with the slavers.

I liked the Brotherhood without Banners cut and I though the kings distancing form his mother was very good.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: jim rae on June 13, 2016, 12:56:18 PM
On the whole, I enjoyed it. The 'joke' scene was utterly pointless. The attack by the slavers looked superb but why, (or how?) did the mother of dragons arrive? Bus? Flies over the city in a steroid-enhanced dragon, sees an invasión fleet and does bugger-all? Doubt it somehow....  :o
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 13, 2016, 02:55:04 PM
I thought the episode was ok.  Finally get to see both Cleganes cause some mayhem.  My thought on the Cersei storyline is that Cersei always seems to be her most dangerous when things look the bleakest for her.  Does anyone know what she was talking about with Qyburn at the end?  What his little birds had found?  I have either forgotten or it has not been revealed.

I thought they could have improved the Jaime/Edmure interaction by sticking closely to the book - in the book, Jaime explains how he will destroy and disassemble the castle at Riverrun like was done to the Reynes of Castamere and that is what caused him to convince the Blackfish to surrender.  Also, in the books the Blackfish gets away... but I guess they are likely going to combine what his character does with Brienne or something.  Makes sense for a tv show, but is kinda sad they didn't keep his character around.

I am glad to see that the Arya storyline is hopefully starting to go somewhere.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 13, 2016, 03:34:06 PM
I was fine with Riverrun, Blackfish dies vs. getting away as in the books but really, what more purpose can he serve? I understand they have to streamline and condense for TV.  Jaime's scenes were the highlight of the episode for me, both with Brienne and Edmure.  NCW is a fine actor and he delivered in spades this episode.

Hound and BWB scene was excellent, another highlight of the episode.

Agreed re: Mereen, weakest segment of the show and this one felt particularly meandering and anti-climactic.

The Arya storyline was fine, how they arrived here was maybe not the best but now that this section was wrapped up, we can look forward to what she does next.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 13, 2016, 09:09:26 PM
I didn't mind it either. The Arya chase scene reminded me of Terminator 2 a bit.

I liked the Hound scenes too, he is an entertaining character.

Shame about the Blackfish too, it's almost as if he had become surplus to requirements on the TV show so they got rid of him. Another week without that murderous bastard Ramsay too.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on June 13, 2016, 09:23:27 PM
 I thought the Arya and the waif chase scene was just like Terminator too ;).

 The Hound had some great lines in this episode.

 Need to know the rest of Tyrions joke though :).

 The trailer for next weeks episode looks like it will be the best of the series and maybe of the show.

 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 13, 2016, 09:34:02 PM
I thought the Arya and the waif chase scene was just like Terminator too ;).

 The Hound had some great lines in this episode.

 Need to know the rest of Tyrions joke though :).

 The trailer for next weeks episode looks like it will be the best of the series and maybe of the show.

 

Just watched it. I hope the Umbers turn on Ramsay just when the little shit thinks he's won. The Bolton 'phalanx' seemed a little' 300' though.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 13, 2016, 11:19:51 PM
I think the Hound and the Brotherhood scenes, despite being a complete change from the books, worked nicely. Sandor, Thoros and Beric are cool characters, might be fun to see what they get up to together, regardless of how different they are from the book originals.

I think the Arya storyline for this season and the last has all been a bit of a mess to be honest. I guess they got to where they wanted to, but... What was the whole point in it? And who's gonna help Jacquen wash all those bodies now? Looks like he's gotta look after the whole place by himself! He must be pissed.....

The Riverrun scenes were good. BUT the Jaime character is SO different to the book version now, it's a real shame. I think he's had some good scenes this season, but if you stop and think about it... What really is his character all about now? Are we supposed to like him or not? As I might have said before, the Jaime storyline in the last two books I LOVED, such an awesome character transformation, he became one of my absolute favourites. And the show dealt with him really well before he made it back to Kings Landing (the whole being taken around by Brienne, having his hand cut off, etc.. Season 3 was it?).

Tyrion and Varys in Mereen.... Such a waste of two awesome characters. I just don't care about them any more.

Also, just a funny side note.... Has anyone else noticed how the show seems obsessed with soldiers marching in perfect formation? We've seen the Unsullied do it since season 3, but just this season we've also seen the Tyrell army, and this episode the Lannister troops, do the same.... I think it looks ridiculous! All in matching armour too. I much prefer the idea of the Lannister army consisting of minor lords and knights with their retinues rather than a horde of clone troopers.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Sangennaru on June 13, 2016, 11:27:00 PM
I much prefer the idea of the Lannister army consisting of minor lords and knights with their retinues rather than a horde of clone troopers.

Same for me... but the 501st Lannister was badass. And their helms resemble the Urukhai, so it's a bunch of mixed sensations. :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on June 14, 2016, 10:43:43 AM
Just watched it. I hope the Umbers turn on Ramsay just when the little shit thinks he's won. The Bolton 'phalanx' seemed a little' 300' though.

I remain mystified by the ever-changing snow conditions at Winterfell!  What with the melt since Stannis got defeated it's no wonder the southerners don't take the talk of White Walkers seriously......
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 14, 2016, 02:25:00 PM
I remain mystified by the ever-changing snow conditions at Winterfell!  What with the melt since Stannis got defeated it's no wonder the southerners don't take the talk of White Walkers seriously......

I did notice that but it didn't really bother me. That sort of thing was always quite common for me.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on June 15, 2016, 11:40:08 AM
Soooo...Snow & co get saved by Littlefinger and FINALLY kill the twat Bolton? Cersei finds herself a huge cache of wildfire under the city and goes nuts against the faith (killing Tommen? Would fulfill the prophecy)?
Looking forwards to episodes 9 and 10...these should be epic. The first 8 were quite dull (apart from some moments). The whole Arya storyline is bit odd and baffling in this season...it just makes no sense. I really hoped Arya turned out to be Jacquen who was testing the waif. But alas...a rather boring and predictable last moments for her in Braavos.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 15, 2016, 07:22:20 PM
Nah, Brandon will use the wildfire agaimst the Nightking
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 15, 2016, 08:42:01 PM
Wasn't the big cache of wildfire used during the battle of the Blackwater?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 15, 2016, 10:37:21 PM
Wasn't the big cache of wildfire used during the battle of the Blackwater?

In the books, I think they actually found the wildfire, and it's suggested there are other hidden caches as yet unfound, throughout the city. Can't quite remember how it worked out in the show though....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 16, 2016, 03:06:57 AM
It seems fitting that Qyburn would have secured a good amount for her.  I just remember how airtight Ned Stark thought he had things wrapped up against Cersei in book one...

She may be one of the most terrible people ever, but man, I don't think the High Septon has a chance, really...  o_o

Can't wait for the final 2 episodes! They will probably make us wait until episode 10 to see the conclusion of this storyline though
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 16, 2016, 06:52:10 AM
Have anyone heard if they are already planning to go past seven seasons?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 16, 2016, 07:00:50 AM
Have anyone heard if they are already planning to go past seven seasons?


Weiss apparently said during an interview that the show could be down to its final 13 episodes after season six wraps up. It's an unusual number given seasons are normally ten episodes. They have both stated that there is a definite end planned rather than continuing just because it is popular. Perhaps season 7 will be 13 episodes or maybe it'll be ten and then a season 8 mini series of 3 longer episodes? I'm glad to hear they intend to stop at US shows sometimes have a tendency to run until they are unwatchable.  Heroes anyone?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on June 16, 2016, 07:50:18 AM
Quite of the few series I watch on Amazon are 13 episodes of 45 minutes. Probably not relevant but I thought I'd mention it!  :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 16, 2016, 02:54:48 PM
I believe there are two more seasons, but at a reduced number of episodes.  I think this is because, even with their massive budget, the scale of what they have left to depict requires a higher per-episode budget. Same overall budget, but more episode with fewer overall episodes. I imagine they will all be on the longer side as well.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on June 18, 2016, 06:34:52 PM
Another one of the problems on the TV show is that they've pretty much just skipped over the dragon-magic connection...

A lot of people have said to me, "Yeah but like isn't the Red God the real one because Melisandre can do magic?" and the answer is...

Good heavens! Talking about magic and religion making sense! What is the world coming to?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on June 18, 2016, 06:45:55 PM
I personally really don't care much about Jon's parentage, or at least I really hope it doesn't actually matter in terms of the larger plot. People obsess about this sort of thing...  I would LOVE it if Martin revealed it, and it had no effect on the story. An interesting little insight into the back stories of some of the characters.... But irrelevant to the present day.


I totally agree with this. Aristocratic lineage, a fine hobby for a previous century. Don't care about it now. Jon Snow bores me so much (he knows nothing!) that I'd be fine if he died at the Wall. (Oh, wait... )
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on June 18, 2016, 06:51:26 PM
... too much focus on cheap shock thrills - the amount of degradation and rape that female characters have to go through got too much for me.

Compared to what? ...Outlander? ;) (seriously, don't watch Outlander then!)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 18, 2016, 10:42:17 PM
I am note very impressed by episode 8. As usual it has its ups and down but it feels, as many episodes in S6 , inconsistent with the storytelling of previous episodes. I have thought several of the episodes in this season all in all great, but there is some hamfisted writing in the history arches and character development. Some cuts seem quite unnecessary in a story so crammed with threads.

The 'joke cut' in for example. What was the point, or at least *necessary* point?

The surrender of Riverrun was completely unconvincing.

The Brianne-Jaime plotline seems uncharacteristically soppy.


The Arya-FacelessGirl bossfight was not bad but I had hoped for more in that showdown, what with all building up towards it.

I really liked the graphics of the bombardment of Merreen, but the turning up of the Queen was too expected and anticlimactic. I was really hoping for Grey Worm or Tyrion or someone local to straddle on of the remaining dragons and go to town with the slavers.

I liked the Brotherhood without Banners cut and I though the kings distancing form his mother was very good.

Agree with all this.
I have found this season weak so far, with more disappointing or pointless sequences than great GoT moments. I think they have literally as well as metaphorically lost the plot.
This interesting article proposes why: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jun/13/game-of-thrones-season-six-is-wasting-all-our-time

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 20, 2016, 01:56:34 AM
Agree with all this.
I have found this season weak so far, with more disappointing or pointless sequences than great GoT moments. I think they have literally as well as metaphorically lost the plot.
This interesting article proposes why: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jun/13/game-of-thrones-season-six-is-wasting-all-our-time



Aside from the interesting whittling vs. sculpting metaphor, I found that article largely the same as reading the complaints on the ASOIAF reddit.  That is not to say I disagree, it used to be that The Walking Dead that would make puzzling and frustrating decisions, which I would then contrast with Game of Thrones, a show that was almost completely devoid of them.  These last two seasons have closed the gap there somewhat, although HBO is still a far, far better network than AMC (as well as the gap in achievement level between their respective source material, which really shouldn't even be an insult to TWD) and it shows.  I have found myself wishing for Fargo season 3 (probably my favorite show currently on TV and an excellent watch if you haven't yet seen it) in the midst of the season climax of Game of Thrones, which would have been unthinkable a year or two ago.

I disagree that Riverrun was pointless.  Sometimes, scenes are about the characters, rather than affecting the political plot.  In fact, I'd argue that the Riverrun plotline was far more valuable than Jaime's entire jaunt off to Dorne; it has singlehandedly revived Jaime's character arc and development/redemption, while Dorne "gifted" us with the worst line of dialogue I have seen on TV in a long time, and I watch The Walking Dead.

Also surprised to see as much angst about the Blackfish among the fanbase as there is.  He was rather a minor character, and the difference in his escaping (in book) vs choosing his death (in show) can be traced to a couple important bits of detail that differs from show to book.  In the books, Jeyne Westerling is alive and pregnant; Robb's Kingdom is literally still alive, and contained in Riverrun.  Also, Blackfish is not at the Red Wedding in the books.  OTOH in the show, Jeyne's counterpart and one of the most stupid and puzzling deviations from the books, "Talisa",  ::)  is butchered at the Red Wedding, and Blackfish is present, and flees.  Robb's kingdom is well and truly dead, and his motivations for an honorable death are also a bit more understandable (survivor's guilt).

Now, I'm not saying I think this was a flawlessly executed segment by any means, and I think some of its shortcomings stem from earlier slip-ups (as I outlined above), but overall I don't think it deserves the panning it has received.  The Arya plotline conversely....yeah, not much good I can say on that one.  :?  The director of that episode, Mark Mylod, has directed several of the lowest-rated episodes of the show on IMDB (which are still stupid-high since even meh episodes of GOT have a lot of great elements).  Here's hoping the episode tonight brings the magic back somewhat.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on June 20, 2016, 04:20:01 AM
 Having just watched the latest episode Battle of the Bastards i have to say best episode ever.Lots going on and nice to see some action in the big battle pieces.

 Will make for great gaming material too.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 20, 2016, 07:35:00 AM
Aside from the interesting whittling vs. sculpting metaphor, I found that article largely the same as reading the complaints on the ASOIAF reddit.  That is not to say I disagree, it used to be that The Walking Dead that would make puzzling and frustrating decisions, which I would then contrast with Game of Thrones, a show that was almost completely devoid of them.  These last two seasons have closed the gap there somewhat, although HBO is still a far, far better network than AMC (as well as the gap in achievement level between their respective source material, which really shouldn't even be an insult to TWD) and it shows.  I have found myself wishing for Fargo season 3 (probably my favorite show currently on TV and an excellent watch if you haven't yet seen it) in the midst of the season climax of Game of Thrones, which would have been unthinkable a year or two ago.

I disagree that Riverrun was pointless.  Sometimes, scenes are about the characters, rather than affecting the political plot.  In fact, I'd argue that the Riverrun plotline was far more valuable than Jaime's entire jaunt off to Dorne; it has singlehandedly revived Jaime's character arc and development/redemption, while Dorne "gifted" us with the worst line of dialogue I have seen on TV in a long time, and I watch The Walking Dead.

Also surprised to see as much angst about the Blackfish among the fanbase as there is.  He was rather a minor character, and the difference in his escaping (in book) vs choosing his death (in show) can be traced to a couple important bits of detail that differs from show to book.  In the books, Jeyne Westerling is alive and pregnant; Robb's Kingdom is literally still alive, and contained in Riverrun.  Also, Blackfish is not at the Red Wedding in the books.  OTOH in the show, Jeyne's counterpart and one of the most stupid and puzzling deviations from the books, "Talisa",  ::)  is butchered at the Red Wedding, and Blackfish is present, and flees.  Robb's kingdom is well and truly dead, and his motivations for an honorable death are also a bit more understandable (survivor's guilt).

Now, I'm not saying I think this was a flawlessly executed segment by any means, and I think some of its shortcomings stem from earlier slip-ups (as I outlined above), but overall I don't think it deserves the panning it has received.  The Arya plotline conversely....yeah, not much good I can say on that one.  :?  The director of that episode, Mark Mylod, has directed several of the lowest-rated episodes of the show on IMDB (which are still stupid-high since even meh episodes of GOT have a lot of great elements).  Here's hoping the episode tonight brings the magic back somewhat.

I wouldn't consider myself a fanboy, but the above is a interesting read: I care about the type and complexity of the drama and the resources spent on scouting locales and for most parts cast to create a fantasy epic. It is not easy but they have moved the genre forwards with several steps. I just wonder if GRRM has taking his hand from the creation or if he is getting bored or sloppy?

I agree that from as dramas I think Fargo, Sopranos, the Wire are better.

I also disagree about Dorne: I think the sheer opulence of the locales made me quite distracted from what was actually said. I am a big fan of Moorish architecture. :-)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 20, 2016, 07:36:21 AM
"Battle of the Bastards"... Now *that* is a promising title...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 20, 2016, 08:36:33 AM
"Battle of the Bastards"... Now *that* is a promising title...


Holy fucking hell... That was like horrible! Not like bad but as in very high sacrifices to get something. Some scenes were like from a horror movie.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: LeadAsbestos on June 20, 2016, 01:35:02 PM
Well, I may just quit watching. Really mediocre all around.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 20, 2016, 02:49:00 PM
I knew Rickon wouldn't last... that was, what, his second appearance in an episode?  o_o
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 20, 2016, 03:26:19 PM
Holy fucking hell... That was like horrible! Not like bad but as in very high sacrifices to get something. Some scenes were like from a horror movie.

Yeah, it was brutal.  :o  A good thing considering the very clear anti-war theme in the novels. There had been a few too many "**** yeah, bad***!" violent moments this season so it was nice to see that revived.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 20, 2016, 07:09:34 PM
Pretty impressive! Can't really complain too much about silly plot decisions, as it was pretty much one big spectacle.

In terms of the battle, it was pretty damn good I feel. I think the cavalry charges were fantastic, and Ramsay's archers shooting into the melee was very appropriate. The press of bodies and rain of arrows made me think of Agincourt. The Bolton spearmen and their "HAH!" shouts were a bit.... I'm tempted to say daft, but just the spectacle of the charging cavalry made up for it!
 
Where the hell is that damn dire wolf when you need him?

Poor Rickon! Not because he died, but he didn't get a single line of dialogue this whole season!!!!!!!! Not a damn word.

Ramsay's death was fitting, as expected.... But I kinda think I would have preferred it if Jon had just beaten him to death with his fists as everyone watched in silence. Or if Ghost ate him!

I still think Smalljon Umber was a very curious non-character. He didn't have much to say or do, but had some real energy to him I feel... There was lots of talk of Northern Conspiracies when he first appeared, and it would have been SO GOOD if he had turned on the Boltons at the last minute. But instead he was just another minor villain to be killed, oh well.....

Also, all the characters seem to have forgotten that Jon died and was resurrected! With the exception of his brief chat with Melisandre, it really hasn't been referenced (does Sansa even know???) and it seems that the experience didn't change him AT ALL. It could have been cool if it made him somewhat impervious to injury, I was expecting to see him riddled with arrows but still fighting, or something...

I still don't quite understand why Sansa never told them about the Vale army on its way. Made even more odd after her big argument with Jon about their lack of manpower.

But overall... That was good fun!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: McMordain on June 20, 2016, 08:22:22 PM
I still don't quite understand why Sansa never told them about the Vale army on its way. Made even more odd after her big argument with Jon about their lack of manpower.

This! Why didn't she tell Jon? Why? This made the effort of their army pointless. All those deaths for nothing. >:( I couldn't enjoy the northern parts of the episode at all.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Lowtardog on June 20, 2016, 08:29:31 PM
Spot on episode, and dont forget who holds the power and the manpower now at winterfell, it certainly not Jon Snow. Sansa for the win!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: McMordain on June 20, 2016, 08:42:28 PM
It's not Sansa either. It's Littlefinger...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 20, 2016, 08:51:33 PM
It's always Littlefinger.

I agree though, it is a mystery as to why Sansa did not disclose anything about Littlefinger and the knights of the Vale... especially the night before the battle.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. The Viking on June 20, 2016, 10:37:40 PM

I agree though, it is a mystery as to why Sansa did not disclose anything about Littlefinger and the knights of the Vale... especially the night before the battle.

Maybe she's hoping he would die.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 20, 2016, 11:50:14 PM
Maybe she's hoping he would die.



 lol

Quite enjoyed that one, although all pretty predictable. Well done, nonetheless. And since we've all been waiting 5 years for the despicable Ramsay to get his long overdue come-uppance, that episode was always going to be a winner.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: jim rae on June 21, 2016, 01:11:57 AM
This episode more than compensated for some of the previously sub-par events within this season... Great family fun....  lol

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on June 21, 2016, 02:19:04 AM
Thanks to this thread, I'll probably skip watching Season 6 when it comes out on disc, which is how I watch GoT. Just doesn't seem like a very interesting season from what I've read here.

By the way, I read books 1, 3, 4, and 5, the first book after seeing Season 2 on TV, skipped the 2nd book, and read the other's before watching the rest of GoT on discs. I thought the books were each about 50% too long. GRRM could have cut out 1/3 of each of the books and I would have liked them better. And Martin failed to write a proper climax and conclusion to books 3, 4, and 5. It was clear that neither he nor his editor had any discipline.

Thought the first few seasons of the TV show were generally better for cutting out some of the books. Through season 5 of the TV series, I thought most of the plot changes were better than the book, with few exceptions. One exception was the changes in the Arya story in season 5. In the books Arya solved killing assignment problems in a much more interesting way.

Although I still like 2 or 3 of the surviving characters (Tyrion, Arya, and maybe Jaime), I've lost hope of Martin or the script writers doing anything really interesting with them in the future. And I'm tired of waiting for the people of Westeros to invent the guillotine and start killing off their disgusting aristocracy.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Sangennaru on June 21, 2016, 08:20:52 AM
I really enjoyed the episode 9 interms of direction, photography, all the action scene were masterpieces! However... the whole battle strategy reminded me of a chinese blockbuster i watched a while ago, it's full of clichet, with spearmen moving with perfect coordination in weird formations without any hope to keep cohesion and with the wildling letting them move without objecting... Not even the 300 spartans were so well-trained! And the whole "wall of carcasses" thing is not even remotely reasonable as well, not to mention the perfect timing of the cavalry (which was not communicating, it was indeed a surprise) that came just at the right moment.

Again, i really enjoyed the scenes, but my suspension of disbelief was way gone.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 21, 2016, 09:15:24 AM
I really enjoyed the episode 9 interms of direction, photography, all the action scene were masterpieces! However... the whole battle strategy reminded me of a chinese blockbuster i watched a while ago, it's full of clichet, with spearmen moving with perfect coordination in weird formations without any hope to keep cohesion and with the wildling letting them move without objecting... Not even the 300 spartans were so well-trained! And the whole "wall of carcasses" thing is not even remotely reasonable as well, not to mention the perfect timing of the cavalry (which was not communicating, it was indeed a surprise) that came just at the right moment.

Again, i really enjoyed the scenes, but my suspension of disbelief was way gone.

And I dont find the deployment of the giant believable. If he could smash though the castle gate, severely, pierced, as if it was made of tinders, why held up by a shield wal. A kick, and there would be a breach in a fallanx no more than two lancers deep and the wildlings(skirmishers) could do their thing. I suppose the Real World equivalent of a giant is a war elephant. I am not all that familiar with their tactics. Were they not best deployed against unfamiliar cavalry, anyone?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 21, 2016, 09:18:32 AM
And I dont find the deployment of the giant believable. If he could smash though the castle gate, severely, pierced, as if it was made of tinders, why held up by a shield wal. A kick, and there would be a breach in a fallanx no more than two lancers deep and the wildlings(skirmishers) could do their thing. I suppose the Real World equivalent of a giant is a war elephant. I am not all that familiar with their tactics. Were they not best deployed against unfamiliar cavalry, anyone?


A quick google seems to have me in the wrong: elephant may have mostly prestige and terror effects, and possibly also as a fighting platform. Like a hummer or the hulk of a '252'. :-)

Anyway, several of us seem to have some trouble with the logic of a series which in many ways lays closes to our world but sometimes or even increasingly darts away towards the magical and fantastic (low fantasy).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on June 21, 2016, 09:59:26 AM
With Wun  Wun I wondered why he didn't just pluck those pikes from their hands. Grab 5 of them, yank... Rinse and repeat.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on June 21, 2016, 12:22:32 PM
While there was definately a lot of cgi involved apparently a lot of the battle was real life old school stunt work.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/andyneuenschwander/15-facts-about-the-battle-of-the-bastards?utm_term=.llORGM3Od#.ofmv69qem
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Furt on June 21, 2016, 01:42:00 PM
I thought the scenes where Jon was surrounded by a swirling mass of colliding cavalrymen and horses was pretty cool and likely fairly realistic. Unfortunately I did find the wall of the dead and the encircling shield wall too much to forgive.

Poor Giant, couldn't he have just fell on the Bolton men in the shield wall and wiped out a good twenty or so of them.  :o

Overall a good battle scene and so much more than what we have received before.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Brummie on June 21, 2016, 02:17:19 PM
Why have there been so many god damn downers when it comes to Season 6?

Its been a perfectly legit season, what made it any less than all the others? I'm starting to think people are just getting tired of the franchise.

Personally I thought the Battle of the Bastards was awesome.

The pile of corpses may have been a bit excessive, but lets put it like this:
1: when two large bodies of mounted men charge each other and collide, the collission itself would be catastrophic. Those horses would have died/dropped where they met, and there were hundreds of them on a seemingly narrow corridor/close formation, so the space to dump all those corpses is pretty small.

2: I've seen multiple dead horses (Barn fire on a family farm killed 4 animals, 1 was a fully grown stallion) and a dead horse is no small thing, people underestimate how much space corpse takes up, times that by 100-1000 and add alot of dead/injured men into the mix and you have a considerable enough pile that you can't just step over them.

As for the encircling shield wall, yeah, a bit perfect maybe, but not impossible. I thought the direction it came from was more unusual as it snaked around them as opposed to advance from the front.

And the Wildlings not intercepting the wierd wall of spears? Well having only just got over the whole phenonmenon of fighting mounted men, a solid wall of shields and spears might take the momentum out of you and make you a tad dumbstruck if you'd never seen it before so...

Anyway, the key issue with critiquing it is, well, the criticisms are heavily perception based, and there is no 'by the book' way in which things happen. At least not in warfare. 


Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on June 21, 2016, 02:23:42 PM
I am not entirely convinced that Sansa did not tell John that the Knights of the Vale was comming. I think she might have but off screen to keep it a surprise. As if no one saw that one comming...

I thought as much anyway. That the whole thing was a rouse to make Ramsay thing that they were doing what he wanted them to. Only to spring the Knights on him at the last moment.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 21, 2016, 03:19:57 PM
Perhaps, but I don't think they would have put themselves in so much peril just to make a trap...

Also, now that I think more about it, are there no scouts in the North anymore? It seems that 10 000 knights were able to just walk up the continent without anyone noticing or being alarmed?  o_o
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on June 21, 2016, 03:36:26 PM
I loved it when the Riders of Rohan came over that hilll...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on June 21, 2016, 03:36:35 PM
 Sansa may not have known if Littlefinger would come or not so that might be worth taking into consideration.

 People can argue about battle tactics but if you look at historical battles stupid things did happen.Just look at the ECW,ACW where they just walkied upto each other then started to shoot.Seems daft to me to waste lives like that.Also WW1 storming from trenches into a hail of bullets is just suicide but it did happen.

 After seeing the trailer for the next episode i am wondering if Walder Fay will try another stunt like the Red Wedding with the Lanisters.You just never know with this series.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 21, 2016, 04:24:26 PM
Having some low (Maybe up to your waist) corpse piles makes sense.  But people wearing armor aren't going to climb the corpse piles to fight hand to hand, why would they unless it was in their path like up against a castle wall or something?  They would go around it where they would at least have the possibility of better footing.  I'm sure they made that decision because having lots more smaller corpse piles would have meant they needed a wider shot and been harder to pull off.  And the really, really tall corpse pile has more of a striking visual effect and tonal message, I guess.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Lowtardog on June 21, 2016, 04:34:03 PM
Why have there been so many god damn downers when it comes to Season 6?

Its been a perfectly legit season, what made it any less than all the others? I'm starting to think people are just getting tired of the franchise.

Personally I thought the Battle of the Bastards was awesome.

The pile of corpses may have been a bit excessive, but lets put it like this:
1: when two large bodies of mounted men charge each other and collide, the collission itself would be catastrophic. Those horses would have died/dropped where they met, and there were hundreds of them on a seemingly narrow corridor/close formation, so the space to dump all those corpses is pretty small.

2: I've seen multiple dead horses (Barn fire on a family farm killed 4 animals, 1 was a fully grown stallion) and a dead horse is no small thing, people underestimate how much space corpse takes up, times that by 100-1000 and add alot of dead/injured men into the mix and you have a considerable enough pile that you can't just step over them.

As for the encircling shield wall, yeah, a bit perfect maybe, but not impossible. I thought the direction it came from was more unusual as it snaked around them as opposed to advance from the front.

And the Wildlings not intercepting the wierd wall of spears? Well having only just got over the whole phenonmenon of fighting mounted men, a solid wall of shields and spears might take the momentum out of you and make you a tad dumbstruck if you'd never seen it before so...

Anyway, the key issue with critiquing it is, well, the criticisms are heavily perception based, and there is no 'by the book' way in which things happen. At least not in warfare. 





I agree, enjoyed it, and being fantasy anything goes😃
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 21, 2016, 04:52:50 PM
The spectacle around Jon during the battle was visually very impressive, I thought. Some of it may have been a touch unrealistic but it conveyed a sense of chaos and randomness that I thought worked for the scene. The corpse wall itself was a little convenient and clumsy but the concept of not being able to walk except on bodies was suitably shocking. I thought the shieldwall / phalanx came across as alittle odd but I wondered if it was derived from someone on the show reading about schiltrons?

By the end I didn't even care too much that the predictable last minute charge by the Knights of the Vale decided the day, by that time I just wanted Ramsay to get twatted. I was glad that Tormund survived as I like the character,  but poor Wun Wun is gone gone.

I do get the impression that it only has perhaps one more season in it. I hope they bow out gracefully and don't flog it to death because I like many of the characters and I like the setting and I know I'd still watch it just to find out what happens to them, even if it's shit.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on June 21, 2016, 05:08:50 PM
Quote
I know I'd still watch it just to find out what happens to them, even if it's shit

That sounds like my commitment to watching The walking Dead  lol

I started off as a casual watcher of GoT, really got into it in Seasons 3 to 5, but season 6 has served to tame the growing enthusiasm.  I did enjoy episode 9, despite that I was resigned to the almost-without-a-doubt-pretty-much-an-absolute-certainty-destroyer-of-tension expectation that the Knights of the Vale would come riding over the hill and save the day.  Yawn.  The rest was pretty good: I enjoyed Mereen and of course the Bloody Big Battle.  My worry for the seasons that follow is that it'll be too clean cut.... lots of immaculately-dressed shining knights are a turn-off for me, I much prefer the grittier Wildlings and Boltons, etc. 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 21, 2016, 05:14:49 PM
That sounds like my commitment to watching The walking Dead  lol


You're not alone in that boat.  ;) lol


The rest was pretty good: I enjoyed Mereen

Aside from the continued trend of the writers having Dany speak almost entirely in "EPIC ONE LINERS"™, I thought Mereen was excellent all around.  The North had some issues but was very enjoyable nonetheless. I am a little confused on why people are saying this is the best episode the show has ever had, but I guess that's a widely held opinion at the moment.  We'll see if it holds up given time.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 21, 2016, 05:43:09 PM
Despite the many criticisms of various parts of the battle (of which I could make many), I think the way they portrayed the chaos, blood and mud of the melee was very effective. Even if the wall of bodies and certain other elements were somewhat silly, the general effect of HORROR worked very well! It was seriously gritty, dirty, blood-and-sweat sort of fighting.... Not pleasant.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 21, 2016, 06:38:17 PM
Despite the many criticisms of various parts of the battle (of which I could make many), I think the way they portrayed the chaos, blood and mud of the melee was very effective. Even if the wall of bodies and certain other elements were somewhat silly, the general effect of HORROR worked very well! It was seriously gritty, dirty, blood-and-sweat sort of fighting.... Not pleasant.

Agree with that  :)
Obviously most of the battle was ridiculous in a whole variety of respects as pointed out above. But then it is fantasy after all, not a historically accurate portrayal, and so not bound by real world physics etc.
I think season 6 so far has been distinctly meh, for many of the reasons described all through this thread - although mainly because instead of now cherry-picking the best bits of Martin's voluminous epics to create a powerful, heady distillation of all the best bits, best characters, best lines and best story elements, the producers are suddenly having to make stuff up from scratch themselves. And the result is - IMHO - distinctly flabby and mediocre compared to what went before. By no means awful, but fairly obviously not quite as good.
But I did feel this episode was more of a return to form. Let's hope episode 10 seals it with an even bigger bang  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 21, 2016, 07:03:29 PM
Let's hope episode 10 seals it with an even bigger bang  :)

 ;)

And besides that likely event, I'm looking forward whatever is happening at the Twins.  It should be quite interesting.  :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 21, 2016, 08:06:00 PM
Despite the many criticisms of various parts of the battle (of which I could make many), I think the way they portrayed the chaos, blood and mud of the melee was very effective. Even if the wall of bodies and certain other elements were somewhat silly, the general effect of HORROR worked very well! It was seriously gritty, dirty, blood-and-sweat sort of fighting.... Not pleasant.

Certainly. I thought is was *emotionally* one of the most captivating scenes I have seen in television drama. I thought, quite frankly, it was in many parts horrifying.

The sheer fact that Sansa had warned Jon about what he was facing made it all the worse, which has a lot of predecessors both in drama and history. Irrational of him to proceed but not unprecedented. I just don't quite get why she would not have told him? Could she have become that crass? It would, in a way, make sense...

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 21, 2016, 08:29:18 PM
Certainly. I thought is was *emotionally* one of the most captivating scenes I have seen in television drama. I thought, quite frankly, it was in many parts horrifying.

The sheer fact that Sansa had warned Jon about what he was facing made it all the worse, which has a lot of predecessors both in drama and history. Irrational of him to proceed but not unprecedented. I just don't quite get why she would not have told him? Could she have become that crass? It would, in a way, make sense...



The way in which she told Jon that Rickon was effectively dead anyway showed that side to an extent.  Sansa would never have jeopardised the battle by charging headlong towards him. The smile as she realised she'd caught the Bolton army was another. The death of Ramsay and the way she dealt with it underlined it. She has become a realist at the expense of many of the traits that Jon still clings to. She's sort of on her way to becoming a female Littlefinger.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 21, 2016, 08:40:30 PM
The smile as she realised she'd caught the Bolton army was another. The death of Ramsay and the way she dealt with it underlined it. She has become a realist at the expense of many of the traits that Jon still clings to. She's sort of on her way to becoming a female Littlefinger.

Indeed, I think this is the point. Whereas in the books, GRRM has Sansa lose her naivety yet manage to more or less retain her saintliness in the face of appalling treatment at every turn, Weiss and Benioff have clearly decided to follow a more predictable (and probably more realistic) character evolution - and have some of the cruelty inflicted on her start to rub off on her.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 21, 2016, 08:44:25 PM
The one thing I just can't really get over is that they brought little Rickon back (not so little anymore) for this season, gave him two brief scenes, AND NOT A SINGLE LINE OF DIALOGUE!!!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 21, 2016, 09:18:33 PM
The one thing I just can't really get over is that they brought little Rickon back (not so little anymore) for this season, gave him two brief scenes, AND NOT A SINGLE LINE OF DIALOGUE!!!

That's a problem to you? I've grown accustomed to it, the off hand dismissal of characters.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 21, 2016, 11:09:32 PM
That's a problem to you? I've grown accustomed to it, the off hand dismissal of characters.



One line is all I wanted, even if it was something lame like "you killed my wolf, you bastard!"  ;D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 22, 2016, 06:52:49 AM
One line is all I wanted, even if it was something lame like "you killed my wolf, you bastard!"  ;D

He didn't even say "aaaarggggh" when he was killed.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Brummie on June 22, 2016, 10:44:50 AM
Perhaps, but I don't think they would have put themselves in so much peril just to make a trap...

Also, now that I think more about it, are there no scouts in the North anymore? It seems that 10 000 knights were able to just walk up the continent without anyone noticing or being alarmed?  o_o

The North is a big place (bigger than the rest of the 7 kingdoms combined i think) with a spare population, and considering just how many Northerners are dead or probably on the sidelines about whose side to support, I doubt anyone would want to get their feet wet and start informing on a 10,000 man army.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 22, 2016, 12:28:50 PM
The North is a big place (bigger than the rest of the 7 kingdoms combined i think) with a spare population, and considering just how many Northerners are dead or probably on the sidelines about whose side to support, I doubt anyone would want to get their feet wet and start informing on a 10,000 man army.

Though it should be noted that to get to the North you have to go through / past Moat Caillin, a ruined fortress that guards the only road through an impenetrable swamp, the only way to the North on foot.... And Moat Caillin is currently held by... The Boltons!

But having just typed that out, I guess the small force of Boltons defending it could have been defeated by the Vale army!!!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on June 22, 2016, 02:39:26 PM
Yeah, I am pretty sure Littlefinger told Sansa the forces were stationed at Moat Cailin when he met her in Moletown.  But you would at least think if there was a nominal Bolton presence there, they would have been notified.  Perhaps we can just chalk it up to the hubris of Ramsay?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 27, 2016, 10:44:29 AM
A lot of expected 'tying up loose ends' this episode, but I liked:

-I did not foresee Arya popping up to deal with Walder Frey like that. A rather nice, but a rather cursory weaving in of the Frey pie, in the book served by Manderly.

- Tommen throwing himself off the wall was not expected (by me) but a rather 'logical' step given his nature. I like that bit. But Cersei's reaction to that? Jamie's? Have they become that tempered or already accepting the faith foreseen for their children? I can't quite see why she would why she would claim the Iron throne after that, even they try to justify it by making her say 'I like doing what pleases me'. Even if I think a fictional character should have an arch of development, it is not consistent enough with her fierce lioness mother character established in many previous episodes.

-Sad to see Margery Tyrell go. Excellent character/actress.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on June 27, 2016, 11:04:46 AM
Yep, didn't expect Margery to go. Glad the sparrow is gone although I kind of wished he had stayed around longer and cemented his views for longer and deeper into the people.
A friend of mine had already predicted Jon Snow's heritage but it was very cool to see that.
I'll be very interested in next season seeing reactions to Cersei, her claim on the throne seems way too loose (they also called her Lannister didn't they during the crowning?) And also seeing what little finger does as his best laid plans are again being upset by others. Look out Jon.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: jim rae on June 27, 2016, 01:01:55 PM
Good family fun once again.  :)

The pie, if memory serves me right is a nod to Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus although feel free to correct me...

The last scene with the dragons flying a Combat Air Patrol over Daenerys´ personal Overlord (well, at least Operation Neptune), was a nice touch... Don't they have a Dragon Carrier in the fleet tho´?

I enjoyed seeing those smug SoBs of the Sparrows consumed by righteous fire although it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Gets my 9.5/10....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on June 27, 2016, 01:07:33 PM
Wow wow wow! What an epic finale. Loved every moment of it, including the fantastic cello music in the first and ending scenes. Perfectly chosen. Season 6 was quite mediocre but thankfully they ended with two awesome episodes. Looking forward to season 7!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 27, 2016, 03:31:46 PM
Bella Ramsey (!), Lady Lyanna Mormont may be my favorite actress (at least supporting) of the whole series. What a lass!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 27, 2016, 06:38:47 PM
I'll contribute to the echo chamber: 'twas a good 'un.  :D  Really, no complaints. I was very happy the whole way through.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 27, 2016, 09:27:33 PM
Bella Ramsey (!), Lady Lyanna Mormont may be my favorite actress (at least supporting) of the whole series. What a lass!


Absolutely. She's a great character. I enjoyed the episode too. The whole Sansa / Baelish thing is kind of sinister, especially those looks good exchanged at the end. Still no direct confirmation of Jon's dear old dad though I guess that is strongly inferred.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 27, 2016, 10:15:26 PM
A lot of characters did some impressive teleporting around Westeros this season, most notably Littlefinger.

But Varys beats them all with this episode!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 27, 2016, 10:24:34 PM
There has been a lot of unusual travel this season. The Varys thing was just ridiculous though.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Reed on June 27, 2016, 10:25:05 PM
A lot of characters did some impressive teleporting around Westeros this season, most notably Littlefinger.

But Varys beats them all with this episode!

Worst of it is that it was totally unnecessary to have Varys at that scene. But I'm quite content with this season, a lot more than with season 5.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Andym on June 28, 2016, 07:32:11 AM

-Sad to see Margery Tyrell go. Excellent character/actress.


Ah, but did she die? If I remember the episode, the only person you actually see burned is the High Sparrow!

Maybe she'll have some miraculous escape, Mission Impossible-esque, where we see Margery running just at the very edge of the explosion, then leaping into Blackwater Bay as the flames sweep over the surface of the water above her! ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on June 28, 2016, 07:41:34 AM
I didn't quite get why Tommen just threw himself out of a window. It would have been much cooler if he would have at least tried to stand up to Cercei.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 28, 2016, 07:53:59 AM
I actually thought that scene was really good. The fact that he didn't even try to confront Cersei probably made it worse for her.

I do hope they don't pad it out and drag the show down now. It probably needs to come to some sort of conclusion while people still care about the characters.

The Jamie - Cersei thing will be interesting. Has she just flipped? It seems to be getting set up for next season with an army of the North,  an army of the Queen at King's Landing (however fractious) and an alliance of Dorne,  Iron Islands renegades, Dothraki and the Unsullied probably coming from the south. There should be a conveniently sized army when the Night King finally passes the Wall.
 

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: JollyBob on June 28, 2016, 09:14:44 AM

I did not foresee Arya popping up to deal with Walder Frey like that. A rather nice, but a rather cursory weaving in of the Frey pie...


Frey Bentos!  lol

I'm so sorry, I've been sitting on that one all night and couldn't hold it in any longer.

Otherwise, great episode, nicely setting up a huge fight next season. Will Jon and the army of the North ally with Danaerys and Dorne, do you think? Team up and defeat the Lannisters and then sqaure off against each other...?

I can imagine Westeros settling into a very tense Cold War at the end of the final season... Nice open end to the show.  ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on June 28, 2016, 09:21:27 AM
I would place money on John Snow/Baratheon King of the North marrying Daenerys. Creating a royal super couple able to defeat both the Lanisters and the army of White walkers.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 28, 2016, 10:14:58 AM
Of course this does mean that Sansa is definitely his cousin, not his sister. King and Queen of the North?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on June 28, 2016, 10:37:41 AM
What ever happened to Baratheon's bastard? He hasn't been back in it for...ever. Has he been written out?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on June 28, 2016, 10:39:29 AM
He was killed by Renly and the Red woman, wasn't he?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 28, 2016, 10:42:22 AM
I would place money on John Snow/Baratheon King of the North marrying Daenerys. Creating a royal super couple able to defeat both the Lanisters and the army of White walkers.

Quite obvious innit. A low odder.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Andrew Rae on June 28, 2016, 10:54:19 AM
He's a Targaryan though, isn't he? Bit much to marry his auntie, surely.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 28, 2016, 12:37:14 PM
He's a Targaryan though, isn't he? Bit much to marry his auntie, surely.

Not at all. Quite the thing, really.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 28, 2016, 01:05:56 PM
I didn't quite get why Tommen just threw himself out of a window. It would have been much cooler if he would have at least tried to stand up to Cercei.

I have mixed views on that scene, I can argue for and against it.

Against it, yeah it means we missed out on a potentially very important scene of Tommen standing up to Cersei. None of her other children go to do that (well Joffrey was rude to her at one point). Could be pretty big for her....

But then, it was pretty shocking how he did it. I honestly wasn't expecting it, and a lot of this episode I could guess what would happen next... That was the one moment that genuinely took me by surprise, so that was good.

What did everyone think of Pycelle being stabbed to death by children? I feel that's a case of them taking a cool scene from the book and trying to shoe-horn it into their mangled plot. I feel it didn't make much sense and could potentially be a bit of a "wait...what?" moment for non-book readers. Why did Pycelle have to die, why was he stabbed to death by children, why wasn't he at the Sept to get blown up with everyone else, and why does Quyburn have an army of murderous children? It makes more sense in the books (the sept blowing up doesn't happen or at least hasn't yet, two politically important characters are murdered in a stand-alone incident, it's not Quyburn the children work for and it makes much more sense why there are children involved). But then I think I'm just getting tired of the endless stabbing scenes in this show... Perhaps this particularly ugly one just pushed it too far for me!!!!

I feel the same way about Walder Frey's death. They had a VERY cool plot / theory / event from the book, and tried to shoe-horn it into an event of their own devising, rather clumsily I think. Let's just say in the books, there are Frey pies, but it is so much more effective, and not shoved down your throat. More of a "Oh... wait... oh shit!" moment when you finally realise it, and it's nothing to do with Arya. A great character who has been cut from the shows is responsible (well actually he did briefly appear for the first time in this episode!), but it's left to the readers to actually notice what he's done.

As to the overall plot and direction the show is now taking, again I have mixed feelings. It seems like they are obviously tying up loose ends, killing off unwanted characters and making for a very neat showdown-like storyline to end the show. If it's true that the last 2 seasons are gonna be 7 episodes each, this makes sense. Now as a book reader I find what they are doing to be really dumbing it all down.... So.... Cersei is now the evil/mad tyrant, Jon Snow is the king in the north, and Daenarys comes up from the south to unify the realm and overthrow Cersei? Cersei gets overthrown, Daenarys sits the iron throne, and then I guess there'll be some sort of showdown between her and Jon. Jon will probably persuade her they need to work together, they'll defeat the white walkers with some helpful dragonfire and then... get married and live happily ever after? Hmmm I hope not.
BUT obviously it is impossible for a TV show to keep up with the intricacies of the books, I know they are at some point gonna have to bring it all in and go for some sort of neat conclusion. I just hope they don't completely dumb it down in the process.
Because the most important thing about the books to me is that it is not about good v evil, heroes v villains, etc. It is about real people. Shades of grey all over. That's what makes the story work.
The show could potentially be going in the direction of good guys uniting together to fight bad guys.

BUUUUUT...... For what it's worth, I have no idea how the books themselves are actually going to end. Finding a way to bring his epic story to a close without resorting to dumb good v evil showdowns is going to be ultimate test for GRRM as a writer. I don't know how the hell he's going to do it, we'll just have to wait and see!  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Andrew Rae on June 28, 2016, 01:31:44 PM
Not at all. Quite the thing, really.


I was mainly pointing out he's a Targaryan not a Baratheon. But I don't see it happening except where they fall in love, defeat everything, get married then Bran tells them they're nephew and auntie. And then one kills the other in some kind of sub-Shakespeare tragedy. "Noooooooooooooooooo!"
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 28, 2016, 02:54:30 PM
Thought the Tommen scene was excellent, are we thinking of the same Tommen? He couldn't even bear to look in his mother's direction when he made the announcement about banning Trial by Combat, there was no way he was going to stand up to her  He'd quite taken to both his faith and Margery, and Cersei took them both away.  Cersei, who would never step in when Joff would bully him, and who he's figured out murdered his father.  He has continually been maneuvered and used by other people and put in their power, so throwing himself out the window is not only him choosing something for himself, it's also about the only way he could stick it to Cersei, and quite easy to do when he has nothing left to live for.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: nic-e on June 28, 2016, 07:29:24 PM
I think tommens suicide was his stand up to his mother.
He knew more than any of her children how much she cared for them, and he knew she'd done what she did for him, at least in her own mind.
He could stand up to her, imprison her, even execute her, and she wouldn't care because she'd have beaten fate and saved her last child.

So he did all he could to defeat her and finally gain freedom from a system he was never in control of.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 28, 2016, 08:04:06 PM
I think tommens suicide was his stand up to his mother.
He knew more than any of her children how much she cared for them, and he knew she'd done what she did for him, at least in her own mind.
He could stand up to her, imprison her, even execute her, and she wouldn't care because she'd have beaten fate and saved her last child.

So he did all he could to defeat her and finally gain freedom from a system he was never in control of.


I knew someone would come along and express it in better words than I did, so ignore mine and read this instead.   ;) :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on June 28, 2016, 08:12:49 PM
Final episode – lots of teleporting and loose ends desperately tied together. I'm rather surprised how few surprises remain. And what is not already expected feels like a let down, e.g. the surgical strike with wildfire instead of burning King's Landing to ashes.
Now that Jon's Targaryen ancestry is more or less revealed (did they really have to proclaim another King of the North?), next season we'll most likely see Bran informing Tyrion that he's Daenery's half-brother. Very few other 'secrets' left.

BUUUUUT...... For what it's worth, I have no idea how the books themselves are actually going to end. Finding a way to bring his epic story to a close without resorting to dumb good v evil showdowns is going to be ultimate test for GRRM as a writer. I don't know how the hell he's going to do it, we'll just have to wait and see!  :)

'Winds of Winter' is long overdue, and now S6 has drawn to an end, I'm almost sure it's going to be the last book of the SoIaF series. GRRM may release it at some point, because he's actually written at least some parts. But what's the incentive to continue? The TV show has outpaced him already, and however clumsy and lazy the scripts are, the plot and its final solution will be revealed.

I'd be more than happy if GRRM had already written all missing books and were to release them in one go in advance to the final season the year after next. Writing doesn't work like that, though, particularly not under extreme pressure. I wanted to be angry, but I actually sympathise with GRRM. :'(
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on June 28, 2016, 09:03:55 PM
He was killed by Renly and the Red woman, wasn't he?

I know he killed Rickon. But when did he kill the Baratheon bastard, the one that was travelling with Arya for a bit in the early seasons, season 2 or 3.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: nic-e on June 28, 2016, 09:07:35 PM
Gendry is still rowing.  he will turn up in the last episode and punch out the night king with his now giant arms, then row the entire planet through space to position it better and give it a proper season cycle.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 28, 2016, 09:42:01 PM
I was mainly pointing out he's a Targaryan not a Baratheon. But I don't see it happening except where they fall in love, defeat everything, get married then Bran tells them they're nephew and auntie. And then one kills the other in some kind of sub-Shakespeare tragedy. "Noooooooooooooooooo!"

Targaryans also intermarry like rabbits.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 28, 2016, 10:41:52 PM
Loved that. Thought episodes 1 - 8 were distinctly meh, episode 9 was rather good, and in terms of pure drama (despite all the nonsensical time travelling) I thought episode 10 was outstanding. The question, I suppose is: is such a long, slow, and sometimes frankly dull and uneventful burn, really justified by having a glorious and almighty humdinger of a finale?
Of course, like all stories, there's an arc and a build towards a climax in each season - fair enough. But this now seems to have reached a ludicrous extreme, where the audience is starved of great moments for most of the series, just in order to deliver an even more massive hit or rush at the end. On the whole I'd prefer the drama to be spread out a bit more, as I'm sure it was in earlier seasons.
But, for this episode, I have to say - epic job. Almost too many brilliant, beautiful, vengeful and otherwise satisfying moments to take them all in. i might have to go and watch it again in fact  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on June 29, 2016, 08:06:41 AM
me too . Now another 12 month of waiting :?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: The Voivod on June 29, 2016, 10:16:31 AM
I loved this episode.
Arya was a bit rushed, but worth it. It was an epic start for her long overdue revengestreak.

Curious what will happen to Jaime now that Cersei has done excactly what he was trying to prevent by killing the mad king.
Can't imagine this going well. I think we found the one who will kill her. It would be the last nail in her coffin if he turns against her.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 29, 2016, 02:29:19 PM

Curious what will happen to Jaime now that Cersei has done excactly what he was trying to prevent by killing the mad king.
Can't imagine this going well. I think we found the one who will kill her. It would be the last nail in her coffin if he turns against her.

Isn't there something in the witch's prophecy that may describe just that?

Jamie comes across as a good guy that does bad things. Cersei has always done what she thought was best for her family.  Now they're not there what will her attitude be?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on June 29, 2016, 02:48:39 PM
Isn't there something in the witch's prophecy that may describe just that?

In the books at least, the 'prophecy' tells her to beware the valonquar, which she finds out his High Valyrian for 'little brother'. So it's one of the things that drives her paranoia and hatred / fear of Tyrion, and ultimately helps her on the way of going mad. She thinks Tyrion is going to kill her.

However there are many theories about it. The four most interesting being:

1. It refers to Jaime. They are twins, but she came out first, which makes him a little brother too.
2. It could refer to ANY OTHER CHARACTER who is a younger brother of someone else. Possibilities could be Tommen, Loras Tyrell (who has two older brothers in the books), Stannis Baratheon  (who is still alive in the books), Bran Stark, Euron Greyjoy... The list goes on.
3. 'Little brother' is just one way of translating the word. It could mean 'little sibling', as apparently High Valyrian is gender neutral. (I think?)
4.  Prophecy is bullshit, and it means nothing except to make her paranoid!!!!!

I can't quite recall exactly what the witch woman said to her in the show.

Anyway, Jaime killing her would be a pretty fitting end. I was kind of disappointed that her wildfire explosion just blew up the Sept, I thought the idea was it would spread.... like wildfire? And consume all of King's Landing. And Jaime would have to kill her to stop it happening. Still could possibly happen later on though.

I sure hope their relationship becomes much more strained and difficult now. One of the most important things in Jaime's change of character in the books it that he has effectively broken up with Cersei, in a really bad way. When she sends him a letter asking for his help, telling him she loves him, when she first gets herself arrested by the Faith, he burns the letter without replying. The show has made him a much less interesting character as it stands right now. Book Jaime has become a really very likeable character, who has done some bad things in his past and is pretty fucked up, but has essentially come out a good guy. Show Jaime... I don't quite know. After losing his hand and his time with Brienne he became much more sympathetic and likeable... Yet since getting back to Cersei, he's apparently still devoted to her and kind of going back to where he started. They had a great character development on their hands, then kind of forgot about it and let it slip. Hopefully next season we will see a big division between them at last.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 29, 2016, 04:21:19 PM
I must say, the explanation for the "jetpack Varys" or general "time travel" issues people have been having this season is very simple and straight foward: different storylines are taking place at different times.  Even the books do this, otherwise we would have even more of the dreaded "Mereenese knot" and a whole lot more dull travel scenes.  I get that it's a bit different than say, a nice 2 hour contained feature film where (assuming it's a competent bit of storytelling and not say, the Star Wars prequels  ::) ) it's generally considered a slip up if things aren't explicitly shown, but it does make sense considering the constraints of screen time.  They have to consider the overall pacing and arc of the season, while also making sure they don't have all their epic action in on episode and lots of travel and slow burn scenes in another.  And even with doing this, we still had some awfully slow episodes this season...  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 29, 2016, 04:31:56 PM
I must say, the explanation for the "jetpack Varys" or general "time travel" issues people have been having this season is very simple and straight foward: different storylines are taking place at different times.  Even the books do this, otherwise we would have even more of the dreaded "Mereenese knot" and a whole lot more dull travel scenes.  I get that it's a bit different than say, a nice 2 hour contained feature film where (assuming it's a competent bit of storytelling and not say, the Star Wars prequels  ::) ) it's generally considered a slip up if things aren't explicitly shown, but it does make sense considering the constraints of screen time.  They have to consider the overall pacing and arc of the season, while also making sure they don't have all their epic action in on episode and lots of travel and slow burn scenes in another.  And even with doing this, we still had some awfully slow episodes this season...  lol

So now Westros has the equivalent of a Guy Fawkes night to remember.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 29, 2016, 04:38:59 PM
So now Westros has the equivalent of a Guy Fawkes night to remember.

Wow, that's quite an apt comparison.  :o :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on June 30, 2016, 01:44:51 AM
Would be a bit more like Guy Fawkes if it was the religious party that tried to blow up the Kings Landing parliament. Oh wait, Kings Landing still doesn't have a parliament. It's a purely aristocratic show.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 30, 2016, 02:27:05 AM
Would be a bit more like Guy Fawkes if it was the religious party that tried to blow up the Kings Landing parliament. Oh wait, Kings Landing still doesn't have a parliament. It's a purely aristocratic show.

Quite like GRRM to have a conflict between two sides where neither are completely defensible.  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: jim rae on June 30, 2016, 10:47:29 AM
(https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13501798_1204056059613080_6493065548314432606_n.jpg?oh=20eeede963c1dba4ccb2a7ff13d4f48f&oe=580B7DBD)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on June 30, 2016, 03:28:03 PM
 lol lol lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on June 30, 2016, 04:51:02 PM
That is pure brilliance.  8) :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Ogrob on June 30, 2016, 05:10:09 PM
That was an actual laugh out loud moment. Rather rare for me.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on June 30, 2016, 06:51:34 PM
It's looking like season 7 will be 7 episodes based on what people are saying about the director line up. Apparently they have said it's entering the 'end game'.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: jim rae on June 30, 2016, 06:58:48 PM
(https://i0.wp.com/www.geeksaresexy.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/awk.jpg?resize=600%2C672&ssl=1)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on July 01, 2016, 10:02:56 AM
that is even better! lol lol lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on November 16, 2016, 01:28:43 PM
Raising this from the grave to share two awesome videos, related to GoT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_EuNmQOpbw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XGd8w9RhUM
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tomrommel1 on November 17, 2016, 09:55:54 AM
 lol lol lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 15, 2019, 09:44:40 AM
So, anyone seen it yet?  ;D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 15, 2019, 10:08:54 AM
DVD for me  ::)

You can spoil it though as I personally think it'll be shit and not a patch on the first few seasons (other opinions are available  ;D ).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 15, 2019, 10:12:31 AM
I have just seen the first 5 minutes this morning. Can't say much about that.

You really didn't like the Battle of the Bastards in the last season? Nor Aryas killing of the Freys? Nor  Samwell Tarly curing Jorah Mormont from greyscales? I thought it all great stuff.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Helen on April 15, 2019, 10:23:22 AM
Looking forward to GOTs on DVD have all the others.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malamute on April 15, 2019, 10:29:29 AM
I have just seen the first 5 minutes this morning. Can't say much about that.

You really didn't like the Battle of the Bastards in the last season? Nor Aryas killing of the Freys? Nor  Samwell Tarly curing Jorah Mormont from greyscales? I thought it all great stuff.

No Spoilers please, I've only seen season 1.... ;)  ;D

Its DVD for me and how ever many hours of my time it will take me to watch it all... lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 15, 2019, 10:31:06 AM
No Spoilers please, I've only seen season 1.... ;)  ;D

Only season 1?! Good God, man, that's pure illiteracy!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 15, 2019, 10:38:38 AM
I have just seen the first 5 minutes this morning. Can't say much about that.

You really didn't like the Battle of the Bastards in the last season? Nor Aryas killing of the Freys? Nor  Samwell Tarly curing Jorah Mormont from greyscales? I thought it all great stuff.

Arya was good but the battle was predictable along with the killing of Wun Wun in Winterfell. Jorah has proved to be a popular character and curing him was again, predictable.

The books and series (at the start) were good as there was a real element of unpredictability in them. You didn't really now what was going to happen next. As soon as HBO had more of a say in what the story line was going to be it became less enjoyable for me.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still watch it and probably like it I'll just be disappointed that it will follow the standard fantasy tropes.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 15, 2019, 10:59:39 AM
Arya was good but the battle was predictable along with the killing of Wun Wun in Winterfell. Jorah has proved to be a popular character and curing him was again, predictable.

The books and series (at the start) were good as there was a real element of unpredictability in them. You didn't really now what was going to happen next. As soon as HBO had more of a say in what the story line was going to be it became less enjoyable for me.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still watch it and probably like it I'll just be disappointed that it will follow the standard fantasy tropes.

Ah, it's the killing off of key characters youmiss. Well, I agree with you there.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on April 15, 2019, 12:28:42 PM
DVD for me  ::)

DVD!?
What kind of a caveman are you?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 15, 2019, 12:43:34 PM
The big, hairy kind  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Inkpaduta on April 15, 2019, 06:16:17 PM
Yes, I saw it last night. It was a good episode that caught you up after such a long time off the air.
Jon finds out. Every major character from the series is in the episode except one. That was cool seeing them all
together after so many years.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: 3 fingers on April 15, 2019, 07:14:08 PM
No Spoilers please, I've only seen season 1.... ;)  ;D

Its DVD for me and how ever many hours of my time it will take me to watch it all... lol
Same for me ,only ever watched 4 of walking dead I think? Seen all of vikings ,peaky blinders and Narcos and sons of anarchy though  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 15, 2019, 09:27:41 PM
So, anyone seen it yet?  ;D

Just watching it again...so much to absorb...already liking the direction this is going to go.

 :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on April 15, 2019, 09:33:54 PM
It starts a bit slow I thought.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 15, 2019, 09:40:44 PM
It starts a bit slow I thought.

Just to ease in those people that haven’t had the first seasons on endless repeat since the end of Season 7

 lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 15, 2019, 09:47:34 PM
Only regret:

No elephants

 :(
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malamute on April 15, 2019, 10:38:25 PM
Same for me ,only ever watched 4 of walking dead I think? Seen all of vikings ,peaky blinders and Narcos and sons of anarchy though  lol

That’s more than me, haven’t watched any of those apart from Walking dead and only got to season four of that. lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 15, 2019, 11:37:21 PM
Just watched it and I enjoyed it. It could be a big anti climax but after 7 years I can't not watch the rest of it. Mind you, I wish I hadn't taken that attitude with Heroes.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 15, 2019, 11:43:58 PM
I enjoyed it - setting the scene (as if the previous seasons hadn’t done that  already :D)

I’ve also watched all of:
Peaky Blinders
Ripper Street
The Walking Dead
Fear the Walking Dead
Sons of Anarchy
Narcos

I could go on ...,,,  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: LeadAsbestos on April 16, 2019, 01:24:18 AM
I thought it was one of the worst episodes yet. Really wooden, all the things you expected had to happen, the flying dragon romance was really bad.

That said, the first ep of most seasons is usually a little rough, so I'll hold on! Too far invested now to quit! :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 16, 2019, 08:08:44 AM
It sort of "raked the grounds", prepping it for the episodes to come.

I did not like how the rescue of Asha Greyjoy was directed/written. Very off hand and unrealistic (if that's a legitimate complaint in a world with  zombie dragons).

Other than that, it was OK. I liked the plot twist when Sam Tarly learnt about the execution of his father and brother by Daenerys.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Sangennaru on April 16, 2019, 08:47:57 AM
I did not like how the rescue of Asha Greyjoy was directed/written. Very off hand and unrealistic (if that's a legitimate complaint in a world with  zombie dragons).
I entirely agree, but that's not a really good argument, IMHO: Yes, there are zombie dragons, but they are consistent with the magic world they're in.
However, when things happen without consequentiality, the suspension of disbelief drops quickly. Magic and/or tricks are not a good excuse for plot holes.


Too far invested now to quit! :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 16, 2019, 02:05:27 PM
Apparently everyone dies at the end and the entire planet is destroyed. Oh, hang on, that was Warhammer Fantasy.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on April 16, 2019, 02:11:23 PM
It's a legitimate concern story-wise, H. It felt like it wasn't really earned. I thought the story of Asha's rescue would play out over several episodes. But now she's rescued just like that so they can send Theon off to stand in the background with everybody else in the storyline in the North.  I know we laugh about all the people they've killed off, but I'm beginning to think they haven't killed enough off. Especially in the North they have too many characters for the amount of story there is. I'm worried most of them aren't going to get much to do.

Whenever Theon is on the screen I get Lily Allen's "Alfie" playing in my head. Makes it hard for me to take his scenes seriously.   :)

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on April 16, 2019, 02:12:56 PM
And yes, Sam's bit was the best.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on April 16, 2019, 02:19:00 PM
I enjoyed it. Felt like more of the same. Agree the bit with Sam was one of the highlights.

Bit confused though, because I thought the deal was that this final season had taken two years to make, and was cut down to just six episodes (rather than the usual 10) because each episode was going to be like a magnificent 90 minute feature film in its own right.
And yet the opening episode was just the regular 50 minutes...

Colour me slightly disappointed  :(

Well we’ll see if the rest of the season lives up to the hype I guess...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 16, 2019, 02:23:20 PM
I enjoyed it. Felt like more of the same. Agree the bit with Sam was one of the highlights.

Bit confused though, because I thought the deal was that this final season had taken two years to make, and was cut down to just six episodes (rather than the usual 10) because each episode was going to be like a magnificent 90 minute feature film in its own right.
And yet the opening episode was just the regular 50 minutes...

Colour me slightly disappointed  :(

Well we’ll see if the rest of the season lives up to the hype I guess...

7 episodes, I believe, but yes, one needs more to properly sort out protagonists in a deserving way.


EDIT: You're right it's but 6. Even worse.



Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 16, 2019, 02:25:17 PM
It's a legitimate concern story-wise, H. It felt like it wasn't really earned. I thought the story of Asha's rescue would play out over several episodes. But now she's rescued just like that so they can send Theon off to stand in the background with everybody else in the storyline in the North.  I know we laugh about all the people they've killed off, but I'm beginning to think they haven't killed enough off. Especially in the North they have too many characters for the amount of story there is. I'm worried most of them aren't going to get much to do.

Whenever Theon is on the screen I get Lily Allen's "Alfie" playing in my head. Makes it hard for me to take his scenes seriously.   :)

They're siblings, right?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on April 16, 2019, 02:28:35 PM
Yeah, Alfie Allen who plays Theon is English pop singer Lily Allen's little brother. Years ago she did a song called "Alfie" where she moans about him being a twat. He didn't take it very well at the time, apparently. I guess he had the last laugh, though, because he's in Game of Thrones these days and she's basically nowhere.



Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 16, 2019, 03:29:18 PM
Did you notice there was quite a bit about the next generation of little Northern lords and ladies

I liked Tyrion's comment to Davos about AKarstark heraldry as lady Alys Karstark enters Winterfell: 'One of the better sigils. Beats and onion, anyway.'   I  thought that was funny since, as most who have painted GoT knights know, Westros heraldy is a bit all over the place. :)

I still think lady Lyanna Mormont is my favorite character after Tyrion.

Now, the way little Ned Umber is nailed to the wall of Last Hearth, in the center of a spiral of chopped off arms and legs, what does that mean?  Do I remember correctly that the Nightking was created tied to a weirwood the center of such a spiral?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on April 16, 2019, 03:37:02 PM
I know I said I'm not bothered about spoilers but I'm going to have stop reading this thread now  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on April 16, 2019, 04:48:04 PM
Bit confused though, because I thought the deal was that this final season had taken two years to make, and was cut down to just six episodes (rather than the usual 10) because each episode was going to be like a magnificent 90 minute feature film in its own right.
And yet the opening episode was just the regular 50 minutes...
First two episodes are normal duration (+-55min), last 4 will be +-80min. Didn't realise it either until I started watching it.

Got a bit bored during S8E1 to be honest. Given A) the imminent undead invasion, and B) the fast-approaching end of the show, I figured there would be more sense of urgency to get stuff done. Instead, we just have people having reunions, with some funny, and some dreadful one-liners and little to no emotion (beyond Sam, and to an extent Jaime). And of course a dragon riding scene that took up a whole chunk of the episode and CGI budget...

Now, the way little Ned Umber is nailed to the wall of Last Hearth, in the center of a spiral of chopped off arms and legs, what does that mean?  Do I remember correctly that the Nightking was created tied to a weirwood the center of such a spiral?
They also made fancy patterns in the very first ever episode I think, and certainly one with dead horsies north of the wall (Fist of the First Men?) later. Plus in the cave paintings. Just a way the Children of the Forest and White Walkers like to express themselves I guess.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 16, 2019, 05:03:28 PM
They also made fancy patterns in the very first ever episode I think, and certainly one with dead horsies north of the wall (Fist of the First Men?) later. Plus in the cave paintings. Just a way the Children of the Forest and White Walkers like to express themselves I guess.

It’s a pre-Instagram form of communication - the NightKing is just expressing himself through performance art...

...destroying the wall is “breaking down barriers”...

...raising an army of the dead is a “damning incitement of the social care system in Westeros”...

...sticking Ned Umber on a wall is meant to represent..erm... “how youth can spiral out of control if left unattended”...

Actually, I think he really nailed that last one ... {edit} sorry, correction he used a sword.

 :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 17, 2019, 12:44:24 PM
The look on Jon Snow's face when he realises he's even more kingly than he thought he was - like, "Why always me? Why do I always have to be the king?"  lol

Thought Ep1 was an improvement on most of last season, myself.
Title: Re: So am I the only one excoted about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 17, 2019, 01:43:14 PM
I only do dvd

So dark ages  :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 21, 2019, 07:19:11 PM
My 10 month old daughter is in the habit of waking me up around 2am. Tonight, I'm not so worried about that  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 22, 2019, 04:20:22 PM
No one else was up in the middle of the night to watch? I'll keep quiet then..

... but I'd be surprised if anyone is disappointed by ep2.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on April 22, 2019, 04:56:49 PM
They also made fancy patterns in the very first ever episode I think, and certainly one with dead horsies north of the wall (Fist of the First Men?) later. Plus in the cave paintings. Just a way the Children of the Forest and White Walkers like to express themselves I guess.
The 'Game of Thrones' Night King Spiral Mystery Has Officially Been Solved (https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2019/04/21/the-game-of-thrones-night-king-spiral-mystery-has-officially-been-solved/#6741a53d2506)
Quote
But there is no more need to theorize, and we have arrived at an actual answer for this question. I’m not just talking about a really good fan idea that sounds correct, I’m talking about the guy who wrote the premiere and put the flaming spiral in it explaining outright what it means. Here’s Game of Thrones premiere writer Dave Hill talking to the New York Post when asked the question:

    “As we saw with Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven, the spiral pattern was sacred to the Children of the Forest, who created the Night King by sacrificing a captured man in a spiral “henge of stones.” The Night King then adopted the symbol as a sort of blasphemy, like Satan with the upside-down cross.”
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 22, 2019, 09:13:04 PM
SPOILER ALERT...should know this by page 22 of the thread... :D

No one else was up in the middle of the night to watch? I'll keep quiet then..

... but I'd be surprised if anyone is disappointed by ep2.

Watched ep2 a couple of times today...just watching now for the third time - am sure there will be those that say “no big battle...BORING...” but in the context of the 18 month wait, ep2 was all about reminding us of the characters we’ve become attached to...before they get brutally slain in the next four episodes.

Would be interested to know if anyone else watched the Brienne knight story...the smile on her face...and thought ...”yup she’s dead meat”.

Will be interesting to look back in 4 episodes time - ep.2 seems to be all about pairing characters up...presumably so one of each pair dies to make the loss greater.

Arya/Gendry....Sansa/Theon....Greyworm/Missandei.....Jamie/Brienne/Tormund (ok..it’s a 3)....and maybe even ...Jon/Dany??

Also interesting for the important conversations that are interrupted and left hanging...firstly Sansa’s question over the future of the North, and secondly, the much signposted question of who should sit on the Iron Throne.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Ogrob on April 22, 2019, 09:24:59 PM
Just seen it, loved all the character moments.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 22, 2019, 10:07:24 PM
SPOILER ALERT...should know this by page 22 of the thread... :D
Would be interested to know if anyone else watched the Brienne knight story...the smile on her face...and thought ...”yup she’s dead meat”.

Will be interesting to look back in 4 episodes time - ep.2 seems to be all about pairing characters up...presumably so one of each pair dies to make the loss greater.

Yes, dead meat for sure. I thought the ep handled the build-up really, really well. Some excellent dry humour too: Tyrion musing about what he'll do as a zombie; Arya's seduction technique - "Take your own bloody pants off".

Three thoughts thinking ahead. One, I'm feeling most characters in this ep will be dead by the end of the battle for Winterfell.
Two, the constant mentions of the crypts - other fans seem to think the night king will animate the dead. Dunno about that - could just be a red herring?
Three, wouldn't surprise me if the night king takes Winterfell and the surviving heroes have to regroup elsewhere, hence the Greyjoy bit in ep1. Though increasingly I think Cersei, rather than the night king, is the real force to be defeated as far as this season is concerned.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on April 22, 2019, 10:35:44 PM
Loved that. Did not disappoint in the least  8)
(Still a regular length episode though... maybe the ‘feature-length’ epsiodes start next week...  ;)

Yeah, I think they’ll actually dispense with the Night King and co quite quickly next episode (all that dragon glass) and the rest of the final season will be taken up with the real business of the Game of Thrones.

Personally I’ve always felt that the whole white walkers storyline was a red herring from the core tale that GRRM set out to write in the first place, which was a pseudo-medieval Wars of the Roses style dynastic struggle with politics, skullduggery, sex and extreme violence.

Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon - all still in play. That’s what the denouement is going to be concerned with. And so much more enthralling than hordes of zombies.

Of course I could be wrong  ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Codsticker on April 23, 2019, 12:21:04 AM


Personally I’ve always felt that the whole white walkers storyline was a red herring from the core tale that GRRM set out to write in the first place, which was a pseudo-medieval Wars of the Roses style dynastic struggle with politics, skullduggery, sex and extreme violence.

Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon - all still in play. That’s what the denouement is going to be concerned with. And so much more enthralling than hordes of zombies.
I agree- way more interesting. The White walkers are like a side show. :D

Based on the pairings provided by AKULA my guesses for "Who doesn't make it alive to see the final credits?" are:
Gendry... Theon... Greyworm... both Jamie and Brianne... and Danys (yeah, that's right  :o,  I think she dies in a heroic CGI flying dragon battle where she sacrifices herself to destroy the King of the Dead. Mr. Martin, if you are reading this feel free to pinch that for the novel  :D).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on April 23, 2019, 05:54:09 AM
Grey Worm and Missandei were making plans for the future. At least one of them is definitely going to die!

Afraid Theon is also not long for this world, he and Sansa were just too sweet together. Brienne may not make it out alive either (Jaime has to survive, to rid the world of Cersei). Wonder if Bronn is going to show up as some point? Couldn't care less about Dany to be honest. She has become increasingly repetitive and annoying. Has no chemistry with Jon anyway. Would be a lot easier without her too.

Guess if it takes the entire episode to fight and defeat the dead, it will more or less be ok. Trouble is that a quick ending will make it seem too easy, while there simply isn't much time to drag it out too long. A castle under siege doesn't make a retreat likely either (otherwise, being defeated at first, then rallying and defeating the White Walkers could work). But yeah. People are going to die.

Great song too by the way (first by Podrick, then over the credits): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTa1jHk1Lxc&t=0s
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 23, 2019, 07:14:54 AM
The 'Game of Thrones' Night King Spiral Mystery Has Officially Been Solved (https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2019/04/21/the-game-of-thrones-night-king-spiral-mystery-has-officially-been-solved/#6741a53d2506)

That's what I thought.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 23, 2019, 08:05:02 AM

Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon - all still in play. That’s what the denouement is going to be concerned with. And so much more enthralling than hordes of zombies.


Thinking about it some more, Jon Snow is going to die at Winterfell, isn't he? It works on a couple of levels: it makes sense characterwise (he doesn't want to be king and can't be with Dany any more; to save the North is all he's really living for and has been for a while).
It also makes sense plot-wise as he is the character keeping the alliance together. Without him, Dany and Sansa pursue their own interests, Arya can champion Gendry's claim to the throne, and Cersei can try to play them off against each other while Tyrion has something to do trying to hold it all together.
Finally, it creates a "shock death" for the viewers (and sticks one in the eye of the fans complaining about plot armour last season).

It'll be a bit boring if Jon dies and so does the night king. Things will get interesting if the latter survives, though I don't think they have the time to drag this story out and deal with the confrontation with Cersei .
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 23, 2019, 08:18:40 AM
I will be mightily vexed if Cersei doesn't kick the bucket.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on April 23, 2019, 01:59:35 PM
Personally I’ve always felt that the whole white walkers storyline was a red herring from the core tale that GRRM set out to write in the first place, which was a pseudo-medieval Wars of the Roses style dynastic struggle with politics, skullduggery, sex and extreme violence.

Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon - all still in play. That’s what the denouement is going to be concerned with. And so much more enthralling than hordes of zombies.

Arguing against myself for a moment here... To be fair, the very first scene of the very first book (and indeed the opening of episode 1 of the HBO series) started with some unfortunates north of The Wall being hunted down by White Walkers, so I guess it's always been part of the plan. But I still feel that the thing that drives the main thrust of the story is the dynastic struggle between the great houses of Westeros, and that the Night King is very much a sub-plot...
But that might just be my bias against what are essentially zombies. (Unlike seemingly the other 99% of humanity, zombies hold no interest or attraction for me whatsoever :))

I remember reading somewhere years ago that the three characters that George R R Martin visibly loves the most - and identifies with, so would NEVER kill off are Arya, Tyrion and Jon Snow. Although I've also heard that list as Arya, Tyrion and Daenerys... In any event, if you subscribe to this analysis of the Martin psyche, Tyrion and Arya will survive. One of Jon and Daenerys, possibly not... Can't see Cersei surviving it. GRRM might go for such an unconventional ending where the manifestation of evil self-interest ends up winning the game, but then it's not really his story any more. I can't see Weiss and Benioff going for anything other than a Hollywood ending where someone vaguely good and deserving wins the day, and the evildoers all get their come-uppance.

But I'll get back to you on that in 4 weeks' time  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 23, 2019, 05:02:11 PM
To be fair, the very first scene of the very first book (and indeed the opening of episode 1 of the HBO series) started with some unfortunates north of The Wall being hunted down by White Walkers, so I guess it's always been part of the plan.

The title of the whole series also sorta gives it away - zombies vs dragons.  ;)

But yeah, this is one problem I've always had with GoT, both the books and TV series. It can't decide whether it is the Wars of the Roses or the War of the Ring. I think we're meant to see the night king as one more claimant to the iron throne (in a way), but it doesn't work in practice because, among other reasons, Westeros is also just meant to be the battlefield in which the struggle between ice and fire plays out.

Just my rambling 2 cents  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on April 23, 2019, 06:14:24 PM
 I am thinking that the young girl in the latest episode who wants to fight is the Waif and has came for Arya.Been good so far and looking forward to the next episode.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 23, 2019, 08:20:12 PM
I am thinking that the young girl in the latest episode who wants to fight is the Waif and has came for Arya.Been good so far and looking forward to the next episode.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 23, 2019, 08:39:00 PM
Based on the pairings provided by AKULA my guesses for "Who doesn't make it alive to see the final credits?" are:
Gendry... Theon... Greyworm... both Jamie and Brianne

Not so much the final credits...I’m expecting a high body count in Episode 3.

Jamie has been looking to write his page in that Book of Knights, so expect another attempt at a heroic death...remember that suicidal charge to take out Dany (ignoring the dragon she was good next to)? Will he succeed this time, or will Brienne die saving him ?

I’m also expecting the crypt to become a death trap (no pun intended) ...either the Night King reanimates the dead, or there is some sort of tunnel from outside that the thousands of years old Night King knows about...maybe he is even a Stark? Why? Because Dany sent Tyrion down there for safety...plus the scene with the waif who wants to fight.

BTW - does anyone else think that Theon is the last person in Westeros you’d entrust to protect the Three-eyed Raven? Yes I know, in movie world it is all about one last chance for redemption, but if you’d lived through the events of the last 7 seasons you’d be thinking that this guy has failed at everything....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: General Ballroom on April 24, 2019, 08:33:19 PM

Watched ep2 a couple of times today...just watching now for the third time - am sure there will be those that say “no big battle...BORING...” but in the context of the 18 month wait, ep2 was all about reminding us of the characters we’ve become attached to...before they get brutally slain in the next four episodes.


Was it just me or was the 2nd episode more boring than the 1st?

I enjoyed the first couple of series, quite exciting, more exciting than the books (I had to resort to listening to the 2-3 volumes on audio books....) but it just seems that the denouement is a fudge to bring everything to a neat close, almost like George RRRRR Martin never really knew how it was going to end.... just saying......
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Codsticker on April 25, 2019, 02:48:33 AM
... it just seems that the denouement is a fudge to bring everything to a neat close, almost like George RRRRR Martin never really knew how it was going to end.... just saying......
It is a concern I have...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 25, 2019, 08:05:37 AM
It is a concern I have...

A bit like  the  TV  series  'Lost'
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on April 25, 2019, 04:49:01 PM
Was it just me or was the 2nd episode more boring than the 1st?

I enjoyed the first couple of series, quite exciting, more exciting than the books (I had to resort to listening to the 2-3 volumes on audio books....) but it just seems that the denouement is a fudge to bring everything to a neat close, almost like George RRRRR Martin never really knew how it was going to end.... just saying......
Pretty sure he knows how it ends, just no clue how to get there! He can (and does) take years figuring out how character A with knowledge of X can get to character B in place Y at the same time as character C does Z. The showrunners, meanwhile, are pressed for time and rather less interested in the fine details, so just merge characters A and C, and AC then teleports across the continent whenever the plot desires it. Neither is exactly optimal.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on April 25, 2019, 07:37:03 PM
Despite the frequent contrasting of GRRM with JRRT, he is on the record as a fan, and when asked about the type of ending ASOIAF will have, he has said something along the lines of LOTR:

https://www.tolkiensociety.org/2015/11/george-r-r-martin-my-ending-will-reflect-the-lord-of-the-rings/ (https://www.tolkiensociety.org/2015/11/george-r-r-martin-my-ending-will-reflect-the-lord-of-the-rings/)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Codsticker on April 26, 2019, 05:55:49 AM
A bit like  the  TV  series  'Lost'
Exactly...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on April 26, 2019, 08:57:40 AM
My own house are avoiding spoilers by binge watching all 7 previous seasons... and we will wait till the DVD box set comes out. I can separate my love of the books from the entirely different treatment in the series. I have no doubt that the body count in the final act will equal all the other seasons put together. For as we all know 'the night is dark and full of terrors'... My money's on wildfire, dragonglass and dragonfire winning out. Not everything that freezes is destroyed, but fire will do for all...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 27, 2019, 07:25:31 PM
Anyone else finding the wait until the next Game of Thrones ep reeeaaaaaaalllly long?  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on April 27, 2019, 07:39:55 PM
lol
Yep!
Not long to go now... watch episode 2 again, n case you missed something  ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on April 27, 2019, 09:10:43 PM
So obviously Ep 3 is going to be the big battle against the Night King, and lots of characters will be killed off.....

If the bad guys are defeated in this episode though - what next? That leaves 3 episodes to deal with the other villain, Cersei. Do you think that's what will happen? 3 episodes against the Night King, then the survivors head south and we have 3 episodes against Cersei?

Or perhaps something that sees the two storylines entwined a bit more? Say, they think they have defeated the Army of the Dead, and head south, but it's not all quite over....


In the books, I am much more interested in the politics and power struggles than the Others. However I feel in the show that the political side has got pretty boring, it's now at the stage that 'everyone is friends, or dead, except Cersei.' So I'm hoping the last 3 episodes give us more apocalyptic Long Night ice age zombie horror (and give it the real sense of DREAD that the books have managed to achieve), rather than just trying to unseat Cersei, which would be quite dull I think.


Or even better.... Perhaps the third and ultimate conflict will be Jon vs Daenarys, or a general breakdown of unity and all-round fuck-up that ends up showing how the power struggle for the Iron Throne is ultimately pointless, and no one gets to be King/Queen? That will be the most satisfying end I feel. If it ends with Jon and Dany sitting on the Iron Throne together and ruling wisely til the rest of their days, I might puke.....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 27, 2019, 09:50:32 PM
I think there is something in the crypts at Winterfell and Kings Landings that will upset all the applecarts (the new credits hint at this), so I don't think the last few episodes will be boring or predictable.

Still, here is my prediction-ish: Jon is the only person keeping everything together in the "we're all friends vs Cersei" picture Charlie mentions above. If he dies soon, things get very interesting and unpredictable. As I said upthread, it wouldn't surprise me if he dies in ep3 taking out the night king. I think that is what he wants to do - he doesn't want to rule, he just wants to defeat the dead.

But rarely in GoT do characters get to die the way they want! :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on April 29, 2019, 08:46:11 AM
But rarely in GoT do characters get to die the way they want! :)
I agree - "Valar Morghulis, valar dohaeris" is probably Martin's mission statement for ASOIAF!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 29, 2019, 09:11:12 AM
Hmmmmmmmm. Interested to hear what other people made of ep.3.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 29, 2019, 10:06:12 AM
I have not seen yet but I am at the last pages of this one...

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51oHPmwqK4L._SX323_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)

..and I have to say I feel dirty and bloated with blood and gore after reading it.    :?

It is worse than the ASoIaF, as it is much lacking in subtle character complexity. I know that the whole universe of G R R Martins books is supposed to be a reflection of the history of our own world but all the violence, rape and cruelty against men and women; infants to old is worse in 'Fire & Blood'. There is no counter point, or at least not enough of it imo, in this book, which makes it very much a study in misery, which  I really got enough of half through.,

There are however some new ideas for wargaming scenarios, especially involving dragons. They are not invulnerable to a dedicated team of humans.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on April 29, 2019, 02:36:38 PM
[SPOILER]




They really should have seen that coming, even though I didn't. Where's the best place to hide during an undead infestation? Probably not in a crypt.




[/SPOILER]
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Jemima Fawr on April 29, 2019, 03:21:29 PM
Military Lesson #1: "Time spent on reconnaissance is rarely wasted."

Military Lesson #2: "Military engineering exists to keep your enemy in the killing ground.  Kill him while he's delayed by it."

Military Lesson #3: "Don't deploy your army in front of the f&%*ing military engineering."
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 29, 2019, 04:50:17 PM
Military Lesson #1: "Time spent on reconnaissance is rarely wasted."

Military Lesson #2: "Military engineering exists to keep your enemy in the killing ground.  Kill him while he's delayed by it."

Military Lesson #3: "Don't deploy your army in front of the f&%*ing military engineering."

Quite.

I must rewatch Ep2 when they had the strategy meeting...for starters I don’t think the Dothraki were listening (in character I guess), but why stick the catapults outside the walls...and then barely use them, why not use the Unsullied to man the walls?

That said, I enjoyed the mayhem....much more so when I’d turned up the brightness on my TV.

Looking forward to the last 3 episodes.

 :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on April 29, 2019, 04:55:36 PM
Yeah, the dark and murky look was tiresome. That same thing made "Solo" less enjoyable than it might have been and now they've done it to GoT, too. Was hard to tell what was happening half the time.

It's that bloody Emilia Clarke, it must be!

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Timbor on April 29, 2019, 05:33:35 PM
Yeah, I found the lack of use of the siege weapons weird. I assumed they deployed outside the walls because there was not enough room inside.

Also, did Jon's dragon die, or did it just land and he fell off? Hard to tell with all the darkness...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 29, 2019, 05:51:02 PM


Sorry, A FEW SPOILERS HERE!!






+1 for finding the murkiness annoying. Still not sure if Sam is dead. Was sure Brienne and Greyworm died at points, but then that was because I couldn't see properly - then they show up later.

Didn't enjoy the episode much as I'd hoped. The battle got boring, and as soon as the red lady said "Some eyes are blue" I knew Arya would save the day. Shame, as I am hoping she gets Cersei - but then Season 8 will basically be Super-Arya-kills-all-the-baddies. She's the best character imho, but still, GoT shouldn't play out like that.

Best bit: the night king raising reinforcements. Made me realise that strategy is pointless against the NK. Unless you kill him, doesn't matter what you do, you're going to lose. So I didn't mind too much about the silly battle strategy. Also thought the Dothraki light brigade charge made sense. Your cavalry just got a whole bunch of apparently magic weapons? Doesn't seem so silly to try them out.

I'm now most looking forward to seeing what Jaime chooses to do next. Whose side will he choose? Assuming he survives Bron, of course.

Oh yeah, no idea if the 2nd dragon died, but I hope so. Two dragons would make the fight against Cersei a bit too easy, even with no Dothraki (RIP).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: manic _miner on April 29, 2019, 09:32:29 PM
 Really enjoyed this episode.Lots to take in and will have to re-watch it again.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 29, 2019, 09:46:31 PM
I just finished episode 3. I am sure you will mock me but I was quite anguished through the whole thing. I don't think I've been this affected by a film/series since the first installment of Lord of the Rings.

I need to sleep on it before I can comment the plot, I feel. *If* I can sleep. Phew...


EDIT: Little Lyanna Mormont got a very worthy end, I like that.

(https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/2820911/size/gn-gift_guide_variable_c.jpg)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 29, 2019, 09:57:08 PM
Little Lyanna Mormont got a very worthy end, I like that

100%

Tbh, was surprised the body count of characters wasn’t significantly higher - Beric, Theon, Lyanna and Jorah.

Watched it three times today while building some more Unsullied, and started on a small band of Mormonts for my project.

Makes the final 3 episodes more interesting though - “the greatest army in the history of Westeros” is gone, and with the Night Kings defeat, Cersei is in a strong position.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 29, 2019, 10:13:45 PM
I just finished episode 3. I am sure you will mock me but I was quite anguished through the whole thing.

No way man  :) I admit I got bored of the battle by the end, but the way they racked up the tension to begin with - that was full on!

Akky and others gaming GoT: how do you game the night king now? Every model his army kills comes back to fight on his side - seems kinda impossible to wargame with him on the table now?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 29, 2019, 10:24:29 PM
Akky and others gaming GoT: how do you game the night king now? Every model his army kills comes back to fight on his side - seems kinda impossible to wargame with him on the table now?

Been thinking about that - for some games I’d use one of the other White Walkers that presumably have much more limited resurrection powers, but everything is about Balance.

If you game with the Night King on a table I’d suggest he can only play his resurrection “joker” once per game, and that it requires all his concentration during which time he is vulnerable (as we almost saw in Episode 3)...who knows, maybe the dragon fire would have worked if he was using his powers for something else at the time?

Ultimately though, it’s worth bearing in mind he was defeated by the actions of a single heroine, so the rules I’m going to write for my games will have to somehow reflect those extra special contributions, while allowing for mass battles with hundreds of figures per side, AND fit on a double side of A4...

 :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on April 29, 2019, 11:39:04 PM
I actually found that a bit boring in places and silly in others. Not as good as the Battle of the Bastards to be honest. But it had some good cinematic moments. And some nice moments too. Mainly the quiet bits. As I suspected, that’s the Night King plotline wrapped up and done with, leaving the rest if the final season for the real business of the Game of Thrones... Good. I think both dragons survived by the way  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on April 29, 2019, 11:53:50 PM
The trailer for next week shows both dragons.

Lyanna Mormont stole a big piece of that episode, she is/was a great character. Apparently she was only ever meant to have been in one episode but the actress did such a great job that they kept her in.

I thought it was a little over long too, but glad the night king is gone, he was basically the Westeros Plague with about as much character (which was probably the intention).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: pixelgeek on April 30, 2019, 12:03:07 AM
I just want to know what poor bastards have to clean up after the battle
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on April 30, 2019, 12:35:28 AM
I liked the way the battle ran through : sacrifice of the many (“you can’t beat death”) to draw the Night King into the garden for whomever might have the chance to finish him off. I’m glad it wasn’t Jon who did the crucial deed, it’d have made him too much of a ‘legend’.

I thought the length was fine, and watched in a dark room, the night-time setting was immersive.

The sacrifice of the army to draw in the Night King makes for a more   interesting set up in the next episodes, as there’ll be no conventional (and repetitive as we’ve already seen dragons against infantry etc) battle for Kings Landing and the iron throne but instead, hopefully, something more duplicitous.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 30, 2019, 07:33:10 AM
I just want to know what poor bastards have to clean up after the battle

There will a boom in  the undertaker business in the greater Winterfell area, that is for sure.

I think my secon most favorite moment of the battle (of.. what, has it gotten a name yet), was the whole build up and conclusion of the Charge of the Light Dothraki Brigade. Cinematically I thought it was a brilliant. They are all riled up and empowered, setting of into a murky distance just and we see them be engulfed, flicker and die, one by one. All this with the camera basically being fix in one place.

I think my first pang of loss was to see the dire wolf Ghost set of with he riders. While the relation between man and beast (with the exception of the  dragons) is not a central theme of neither film nor book, I always mourned the dire wolves (only Arya's pooch is still alive, right?). Sure, they are metaphors for the struggles of House Stark, but like with some other human characters a part of me wanted to see them triumphant. Another trick by the writers to keep also us animal lovers engaged, I am sure.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on April 30, 2019, 07:35:37 AM
I was actually very disappointed by this episode. First of all it was waaay to dark I was sitting there squinting at my screen to try and figure out what on earth was going on. The amount of stupid tactical blunders were inexcusable. Even for at fantasy series with undead and dragons. Why the hell would you place your army in front of all your defenses!? And when you know the enemies one weakness is fire, why don't you have much more of it? And why is the fire you do have dependant upon someone blundering around in the fog on her dragon..? I mean it is quite standard equipment in any siege that you have oil you pour down on your attackers and set fire to it.

Although it was kind of cool that it was Arya and not Jon who killed the Night king it was a very Deus ex machina moment. She just flew in from nowhere to do it.
Someone clearly forgot to invite any of the Dothraki to any kind of strategi meeting. The only thing that would have made the charge of the Dothraki light brigade cool would have been if the Night king had sent an undead Dothraki charge right back..

Lyanna Mormonts badassery was the high point of this episode for me.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 30, 2019, 07:36:51 AM
Lyanna Mormont stole a big piece of that episode, she is/was a great character. Apparently she was only ever meant to have been in one episode but the actress did such a great job that they kept her in.

Very much a LotR moment, when you think about it. A midget desperately stabbing a hulk of a monster.

I thought it was a little over long too, but glad the night king is gone, he was basically the Westeros Plague with about as much character (which was probably the intention).

I never felt it was too long.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on April 30, 2019, 07:57:37 AM
I think my first pang of loss was to see the dire wolf Ghost set of with he riders. While the relation between man and beast (with the exception of the  dragons) is not a central theme of neither film nor book, I always mourned the dire wolves (only Arya's pooch is still alive, right?).

Ghost survived - spotted in the sneak peak for Ep4
 :)


I was actually very disappointed by this episode. First of all it was waaay to dark I was sitting there squinting at my screen to try and figure out what on earth was going on.

Turn up the brightness on your TV, trust me, it makes a difference, particularly to the first 20 minutes.


you know the enemies one weakness is fire, why don't you have much more of it? And why is the fire you do have dependant upon someone blundering around in the fog on her dragon..? I mean it is quite standard equipment in any siege that you have oil you pour down on your attackers and set fire to it.

I agree, the catapults were barely used...I was hoping they were a plot device to illuminate the battlefield if nothing else. The trench was obviously meant to be set fire to, but again made for a dramatic moment. 

The amount of stupid tactical blunders were inexcusable. Even for at fantasy series with undead and dragons. Why the hell would you place your army in front of all your defenses!?

The tactics piece is an interesting one...during the series, the three greatest military leaders were mentioned as Tywin Lannister, Ned Stark and Randyll Tarly...the last of which was captured and executed by Dany when he refused to bend the knee. Perhaps if he’d been allowed time to cool off in chains, as Tyrion suggested, he would have signed up to the battle, and kept the Unsullied behind the castle walls.

If you look at the leaders at the strategy meeting in Ep2 - none of them were proven military commanders - Jon is a fighter, but effectively lost the Battle of the Bastards, Tyrion is a political adviser, Daenerys is prone to mood swings...even Greyworm despite being a highly capable “regimental” level Officer seems to lack the strategic perspective (unsurprising given he started as a slave soldier).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 30, 2019, 08:40:59 AM
On tactics - yeah, I see the complaints. BUT......

.... in the key respect their tactics were spot on given the nature of the enemy. Lure the NK into the godswood, and kill him. Doesn't matter what else you do, because if you don't do that you're going to lose. (They needed some luck for this, but who doesn't in battle?)

Tywin and the other military experts may not have realised that this was Warhammer 4th ed (big hero on flying monster kills big hero, game over). Jon and co. did. Hence Jon trying to hold Dany back early on - they were waiting with their dragons until the NK appeared.

Hence my question about gaming it upthread - how do you stop a wargame featuring the NK from turning into Herohammer?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on April 30, 2019, 10:30:53 AM
They really did waste their time building all those trebuchets. When you have the castle you don't want siege weapons, you want anti-siege weapons. That effort would have been better spent on cauldrons, ballistae and other such stuff on the walls.

But that didn't really bother me any, if I'm honest. It's just a talking point.


I'm not quite sure why the Night King was so obsessed with Bran, though. If he had lurked at the back his minions would have easily killed Bran for him and the baddies would have won. He was defeated by his desire to do the deed himself. What does he even gain from Bran's death that he doesn't already have? I'm sure someone can come up with a lore reason, but it seems to me that it is entirely for the plot's sake.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on April 30, 2019, 11:36:59 AM
They really did waste their time building all those trebuchets. When you have the castle you don't want siege weapons, you want anti-siege weapons. That effort would have been better spent on cauldrons, ballistae and other such stuff on the walls.

But that didn't really bother me any, if I'm honest. It's just a talking point.


I'm not quite sure why the Night King was so obsessed with Bran, though. If he had lurked at the back his minions would have easily killed Bran for him and the baddies would have won. He was defeated by his desire to do the deed himself. What does he even gain from Bran's death that he doesn't already have? I'm sure someone can come up with a lore reason, but it seems to me that it is entirely for the plot's sake.

I was sort of half expecting Bran to flaunt some greenseer superpower, or even  reveal some secret bond to the NK (as has  been much speculated about among the fanboy/girl theorists). As it turned out Arya was the Captain marvel of the plot. Guess that works but it was less of a surprise.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 30, 2019, 12:34:00 PM
I was sort of half expecting Bran to flaunt some greenseer superpower

I've only *just* realised that when Bran wargs into the crows, he does so to lure the Night King to his location.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: LordOdo on April 30, 2019, 12:53:56 PM
I've only *just* realised that when Bran wargs into the crows, he does so to lure the Night King to his location.

How?

In a previous episode, 1 or 2 of this season, he stated the Night King does always know where he is, due to the mark on his arm. So there would not be any luring needed, I guess?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: bergschotten on April 30, 2019, 01:11:44 PM
I just finished episode 3. I am sure you will mock me but I was quite anguished through the whole thing. I don't think I've been this affected by a film/series since the first installment of Lord of the Rings.

I need to sleep on it before I can comment the plot, I feel. *If* I can sleep. Phew...


EDIT: Little Lyanna Mormont got a very worthy end, I like that.

(https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/2820911/size/gn-gift_guide_variable_c.jpg)

I totally agree, it was 'harrowing' in parts I started watching it at about 5.30 (UK) but was so agog at the pace and carnage I had to stop and it is only episode 3!!!!!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: pixelgeek on April 30, 2019, 01:26:14 PM
On tactics - yeah, I see the complaints. BUT......

Not sure what tactics will do against an army that runs at you at full speed, doesn't care for its own safety, literally flows over your lines in waves of troops, puts out a flaming barrier with their own bodies and then uses their bodies to form a ramp to attack the walls of the castle.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on April 30, 2019, 05:30:52 PM
.... in the key respect their tactics were spot on given the nature of the enemy. Lure the NK into the godswood, and kill him. Doesn't matter what else you do, because if you don't do that you're going to lose. (They needed some luck for this, but who doesn't in battle?)
But didn they succeed in luring the Night King to Bran, given that the wights had basically sclaughtered their way through the forces before he got to Bran? Dany+Jon+dragons were somewhat supposed to jump him once the time came, but Arya was in no way planned. A planned ambush with dragonglass arrows or every person available with valyrian steel weaponry. This was, what, dumb luck? Fate? Not even part of a prophecy, which I found to be the most confusing part (as the prophecies did make it into the show). Arya was never the Prince(ss) who was Promised, or Azor Ahai. The fact that this basically means the whole Long Night invasion of the dead started and ended in the scope of one hour is anticlimactic to say the least.

Not sure what tactics will do against an army that runs at you at full speed, doesn't care for its own safety, literally flows over your lines in waves of troops, puts out a flaming barrier with their own bodies and then uses their bodies to form a ramp to attack the walls of the castle.
A suicidal charge against an enemy able to raise the dead seems the worst tactic imaginable. Setting up a (loose) defensive line outside of the castle walls not much better. Maybe sally out if they surround and attempt to starve you, but if they just blindly attack, delay with obstacles and by defending the walls while raining down all the dragonglass arrows, artillery and oil you can muster to thin the numbers. They could hardly have done a worse job, unless they just put Bran outside the castle with no defenders whatsoever (not that Bran appears to have any use whatsoever).


In a different context, I might have enjoyed the episode despite the ridiculousness and stupidity of the "plan". The fact that it was an overly long, barely visible display of shapes attacking other shapes, whereby most characters had extra heavy plot armour aside, not a single white walker actually fought and it all ended with an undeserved dea ex machina, well, did not make it so. Not sure if it was the worst episode of the show, but it might have been.

For the past few years, we have been told by Jon and co how this was the fight that mattered. Turns out it was over in a day, with limited casualties as far as the "important" characters were concerned and far fewer others had they been sensible. Should have seen this coming. After all, what does Jon know?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on April 30, 2019, 09:12:58 PM
Don't mean to hog the thread, just enjoying chatting GoT with you all.

LordOdo: It took me a while to get this, but I think the warging bit is supposed to be seen as follows: we see the Night King directing his army from the air - so yeah, he can always find where Bran is but his attention is instead focused on the battle, then Bran wargs and the crows find the NK, and he switches focus to Bran (we know from last season that he can sense when Bran is magically watching him), flies off in that direction.

PixelG: I don't think we disagree? (Sorry, not v. good at interpreting others' posts). As Plynkes pointed out upthread, anti-siege weapons would have been more useful than siege weapons, and that seems true even if you're facing a zombie horde. So yeah, I can see that as a tactical error while also thinking that they got the only crucial tactical choice right: lure the NK into a trap, kill him and you win, otherwise you lose.

Coenus S: hadn't thought about the prophecies, that is super interesting. I wonder if GoT prophecies aren't literal (so unlike e.g. LotR ones). So Arya doesn't fit the description of Azor Ahai, but she still *is* the person that the prophecy is about - it is just that the prophecy has a few fictional elements in it reflecting the biases of the religion it belongs to. Sorta fits with religion in GoT, do you think? The different religions are human creations, but they have a common root in some elemental forces at work in that world. So they're not literally true, but have some truth in them.

I definitely shared a lot of your negative reaction to the ep at first, but on thinking about it some more I've managed to convince myself it makes more sense than I thought it did at the time. I mean, I was disappointed more heroes didn't die (actually thought Sam did, bah), but it kinda makes sense that in that sort of battle the most likely survivors are the very best fighters, no?
 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: pixelgeek on April 30, 2019, 11:00:53 PM
Ultimately it is a TV show and they aim for entertainment and not tactical realism  ;) I don't know that I would have liked it if the battle lasted past the end of the episode in any case.

Continuing the discussion though, I actually don't think that anything they did would work against a horde of zombies. I also don't know that the battle would last more than a day despite any better tactics. They created ramps of bodies for goodness sake! I think that hordes of zombies, especially fast ones with weapons, are dramatically under-estimated as a threat. Especially when there is a guy that can resurrect the entire army at the drop of a hat.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Andym on May 01, 2019, 06:26:19 AM
Ultimately it is a TV show and they aim for entertainment and not tactical realism  ;) I don't know that I would have liked it if the battle lasted past the end of the episode in any case.

Continuing the discussion though, I actually don't think that anything they did would work against a horde of zombies. I also don't know that the battle would last more than a day despite any better tactics. They created ramps of bodies for goodness sake! I think that hordes of zombies, especially fast ones with weapons, are dramatically under-estimated as a threat. Especially when there is a guy that can resurrect the entire army at the drop of a hat.

The impression I got was that the dead the Wight King rose back up were the comrades of the living that had been slain by the dead. The undead killed by Dragon glass and fire were still unmoving/dead again/ashes.

The bits I didn't understand were.....

1. Having the best part of your army standing in FRONT of the defenses!

2. Having the catapults in FRONT of your army that's in FRONT of your defenses!!

3. Only firing said catapults 5 seconds before the Dothraki cavalry charge the White Walkers.

4. Not using the oil you've used to fill the ditches,  in cauldrens ready to be tipped onto said piles of zombies climbing up the castle wall and then setting fire to them, thus creating another fire obstacle for them to cross.

5. Not putting the deadly tank trap/dragon's teeth covered dragon glass OUTSIDE the castle walls. The traps were slaughtering zombies that ran into them!!!!

And last but not least.....

6. Daenerys calmly sitting there while she knows there's a horde of zombies about,  allowing them to crawl ALL over the back of her precious Dragon!!!


I really found this episode difficult to watch. It should have been one of the best, but it REALLY was marred by being waaaaay too dark and suffering from jumpy camera syndrome!! That and the fact that the story seems to have been dumbed down. Gone were the twists and turns that make the series, only for Arya to somehow appear out of the dark, after being chased around an empty(?) Castle!! The story seemed to be heading in the direction that Bran was going to be something or do something when the Wight King found him. AND why did he want him in the first place?!?

Rant over!! ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 01, 2019, 08:45:24 AM
I thought it was pretty good overall. The silly tactics were offset by the almost operatic drama (all those flames winking out!). And while I'd have liked to see a bigger clear-out of named characters, I can appreciate the need to have characters dying significantly (as with Jorah) rather than apparently randomly.

I do think the previous two episodes could have been used to build up a greater sense of the Army of the Dead's inexorable advance - perhaps showing more of the mopping up of nearby, lesser fortresses (we got a bit of that with the Umber boy, but it could have been amped up more, with other northern strongholds falling).

Overall, I thought it was much better than Helm's Deep in the LotR films. That battle seems to get worse every time I see it. Compare Arya's escape through the library to the dwarf-tossing sally-port lark in The Two Towers for an example of how to 'zoom in' on a siege without breaking the tension. And the ill-advised Dothraki tactics were nothing compared to the Isengarders' bringing pikemen to a siege!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on May 01, 2019, 08:53:20 AM
The story seemed to be heading in the direction that Bran was going to be something or do something when the Wight King found him. AND why did he want him in the first place?!?
They mentioned in the previous episode that the White Walkers want to wipe out "the memory of the world". A memory that so far has yet to produce anything of much note (aside from "use me as bait", which hardly worked, given that the dead slaughtered their way through Winterfel before they finally got to Bran). Why they attack now, after all these centuries (and invaded south, rather than attacking in force when the former Three Eyed Raven had been hanging out north of the wall for considerable time), and whey they were created in the first place, or why exactly they want to spread death and memory loss.. guess we won't know now they're gone.

Coenus S: hadn't thought about the prophecies, that is super interesting. I wonder if GoT prophecies aren't literal (so unlike e.g. LotR ones). So Arya doesn't fit the description of Azor Ahai, but she still *is* the person that the prophecy is about - it is just that the prophecy has a few fictional elements in it reflecting the biases of the religion it belongs to. Sorta fits with religion in GoT, do you think? The different religions are human creations, but they have a common root in some elemental forces at work in that world. So they're not literally true, but have some truth in them.
For all the talk of A Song and Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones subverting the fantasy tropes, it shouldn't be forgotten this is not always the case. Stone dragon eggs? Of course they hatched after all. Jon being stabbed? Sure he'd come back.
The prophecies (more of them and more prominent in the books, but not wholly absent from the show - though I struggle to remember which made it in what form!) are not unlike those found in mythology and other works of fiction. If the prophecies are wrong, there is no point to them, at all. No, the eternal difficulty lies in how the words are (mis)interpreted. Oedipus tried to prevent killing his father and marrying his mother, fled from the people he thought were his parents, and, well, you know the rest. The Witch-king of Angmar thought he was unkillable as no man would kill him, forgetting about the existence of women and hobbits.

As said, the books especially contain numerous prophecies and visions. These are often too vague to be clear until after the fact, or misinterpreted to devastating effect. Melisandre sees visions in the flames, and wrongly makes Stannis into the promised hero to end the Long Night, Azor Ahai. Cersei was told she would lose her children, be replaced by a queen younger and more beautiful than her and be killed by her younger brother. Her actions to save the former end up losing them, she thinks Margaery is the contender while this is likely another mistake (though it's unclear who it actually is) and while she always suspects her monstrous brother Tyrion to become her undoing, odds are it will be her slightly younger twin brother and former lover Jaime. (This second part was not in the show I believe, so who knows.) In the show, they definitely alluded to the Prince who was Promised (possibly but not certainly the same character as Azor Ahai). Last season, Missandei and Daenarys discussed the original wording, and how it could refer to a Prince or Princess (again, vagueness at work - both for characters and indeed the reader/viewer). There is the surrounding story of how the hero would be (re-?)born amid salt and smoke, which could refer to Dany, Jon or many others including Davos (Dragonstone, tears, Blackwater Bay). In the books, there are also creepy Patchface and the ghost of High Heart, who appear to have predicted the Red Wedding, the deaths of Joffrey, Renly Baratheon and the old Greyjoy, the battle of Blackwater Bay and more, including events yet to come. Again, the words are true - but vague and very susceptible to wrong interpretation...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Harlock on May 02, 2019, 06:37:19 PM
Not sure what tactics will do against an army that runs at you at full speed, doesn't care for its own safety, literally flows over your lines in waves of troops, puts out a flaming barrier with their own bodies and then uses their bodies to form a ramp to attack the walls of the castle.

To be frank my cat would have a better plan than the one used by Jon and the crew...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 02, 2019, 07:08:07 PM
To be frank my cat would have a better plan than the one used by Jon and the crew...

Oooh, that would have been a good episode. The aloof cruelty....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 03, 2019, 10:21:00 PM
As it turned out Arya was the Captain marvel of the plot. Guess that works but it was less of a surprise.

She has been the key since s1 e1, with the Hound
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 03, 2019, 11:02:40 PM
I won't repeat the ridiculous tactical errors......

Things which really baffled me....

What the hell was Bran doing all episode? In fact, what the hell has he been doing all this and the last season?? Or what the hell has he been doing every since he went to live with an old man in a tree????? Just really anti-climactic, like the writers have gotten him to this point and have know realised "Oh, what do we do with him now?" He literally sat there, then warged some ravens for no apparent reason, which apparently lasted the whole battle. Then woke up in time to meet the Night King, didn't say a word, then Arya saved the day...

Similarly, the White Walkers, and the Night King himself. So, that's it? No characterisation, no motivation, no explanation? Just.... stabbed with a magic dagger, turns to ice cubes, his whole army dies. Oh. This show has been building up the White Walkers as this apocalyptic ice age horror.... Sure, they killed a lot of Wildlings on their way south to the wall, sacked ONE castle in the North.... apparently slaughtered an entire army...... and didn't make it any further. What the hell did they want with Bran at all?????
The books have such a great sense of dread and horror around the whole 'winter is coming' theme, and we've only actually ever seen the White Walkers twice. I remember the most gripping, terrifying chapter is when the wights attack the Nights Watch north of the wall, which is when you see them for the first time. In both book and show it happens at the end of book/season 2, start of book/season 3..... And it's incredible. You see it from a terrified Sam's point of view, as he is one of the few survivors. But in comparison, by this stage of the TV show, it's just meh, more zombies, and the Dark Lord who controls them.
(Wouldn't it have been cool if the Night King had spoken in this episode?)

Ghost the dire-wolf. It seems both the writers and all the cast have completely forgotten he exists these last two seasons. Occasionally someone remembers and you see ONE shot of him briefly, but he never does anything and no reference is ever made to him.

What was that weird scene with Arya hiding in the library all about??? She started fighting the zombies and was really kicking ass, taking loads of them down... Then suddenly she is in side a deserted (and completely silent) Winterfell hiding under the table from just a few zombies who are prowling around the bookshelves, and she has to be saved. As if she suddenly forgot who she was, what she was doing there, or how to fight. But she remembered in time to save the day.

Did John's dragon die? That wasn't clear.

Did all (or most) of the Unsullied get killed as well?




However some things I liked....

The real hopeless, depressing sense of it all being over... zombies overrunning the castle and literally everyone being hacked to death. Really quite harrowing. Though I was sure I saw Jaime, Brienne and others being killed, only for them to miraculously still be alive later!

The Dothraki charge, though tactically absolutely ridiculous... It was pretty scary to see them riding off into the dark and seeing the lights go out and everything go quiet... Then have Jorah gallop back with a look of terror on his face.....

Dragon-on-dragon combat. Shame it was hard to quite see what was going on, but still... Pretty fantastic from what could be glimpsed. Think about it, aerial combat between two monstrous fire-breathing lizards, trying to stay in the air as they grapple and rip chunks out of each other, as their riders cling on for dear life.... It should be something incredible to see, and if you could peer through the dark and the blizzard I think this episode had some pretty great dragon combat going on. Makes me look forward to seeing the new Godzilla film actually....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: TheBlackCrane on May 03, 2019, 11:53:57 PM
My two cents - Sansa ends up on the Iron Throne. The entire arc for her has been how she's gone from being naive to learning to be ruthless, and the whole 'What about the North?' question suggested all is not going to go well there... (Edit: apologies if someone has already suggested this - I haven't read the entire 27 pages of the thread!  lol)


As for the last episode, I find it hard to get all that wound up about it all as a piece of fiction really! Granted people want to see realism and so forth, but we are talking dragons, zombies and so forth here, so I can forgive silly tactics and apparently dark footage and so forth  :D

Personally I've been far more interested in the war for the Iron Throne anyway than the war against the Night King. The Golden Company turning up is interesting given it has a very different direction in A Dance with Dragons.

Mind you - I've been waiting for the next book, The Winds of Winter, since 2011 - I figure (and hope) that the battle for Winterfell and the war against the Night King may well be fleshed out a lot more than any tv series can really do.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 05, 2019, 09:45:01 AM
The Golden Company turning up is interesting given it has a very different direction in A Dance with Dragons.

I’m looking forward to seeing them...the only shots so far have been pretty distant...like Cersei I’m disappointed at the lack of elephants.

 :(
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 06, 2019, 08:41:43 AM
Lordy...

So what's the rest ofya's verdict of episode 4?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 06, 2019, 09:38:18 AM
Lordy...

So what's the rest ofya's verdict of episode 4?

SPOILERS!!


Thought it was great. Pleased Greyworm survived the battle against the night king now - he is going to seriously fuck up some Lannisters in the next couple of episodes  :)

Tyrion/Varys subplot has promise. As does Bronn/Lannister bros plot - Bronn's reason for his current course is now open to reversal. Not sure where Arya/Hound subplot is going.

I'm sure a lot of people will be complaining about the silliness of failing to spot a large fleet on a clear day when flying on a dragon, but the surprise was pretty shocking to me at least so I don't care abt the silliness.

Woooooo two episodes to go until I finally find out how the story might end!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 06, 2019, 10:07:09 AM
SPOILERS. 



Lordy...

So what's the rest ofya's verdict of episode 4?


Hell yes!!!

I’d agree with BP that the Tyrion/Varys subplot is v.interesting - am surprised that Tyrion wasn’t peppered with arrows at the end, and I fully expect Varys to be toast in the next episode as Dany goes full Targaryen....

This week’s (probably well wide of the mark prediction)....Varys tries to stop Dany incinerating Kings Landing, and ends up getting burnt, Dany attacks Kings Landing with her dragon, gets peppered by the Scorpion ballistas and dies, Arya kills Cersei while the Hound fights the Mountain, then Jon finally arrives to find Dany and Cersei dead, Kings Landing a smouldering pile of ashes and then spends the final Episode brooding.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 06, 2019, 06:45:12 PM
SPOILERS!!!

I enjoyed it. More skullduggery and politics, with some good dialogue. ‘She’s hateful - and so am I’. Nice.

But really, the whole teleportation thing is in full flood again - one minute the half drowned survivors of the Euron Greyjoy’s ‘ambush’ are hauling themselves ashore on a beach near King’s Landing. Next scene they’re all reunited and dry in council back at Dragonstone like nothing’s happened...

And honestly - what is the point of dragons if they are that easy to kill? Doesn’t it just undermine the entire point of the story?

And again, the whole military tactics thing has just been fried on the altar of storytelling expediency. So Dany would ride her dragon straight towards Euron’s ships and into the teeth of his giant, dragon-killing crossbows, but wouldn’t fly around behind them with her air superior manouverability, and unleash dragon fire on the whole fleet?
I appreciate the story needs to be served, but it surely needs to cling onto some kind of internal logic, otherwise it just becomes nonsensical.

It’s still great - looks great, great characters, great lines, great overall story - but the glaring plot conveniences, teleporting, ridiculous non-tactics, and general preposterousness of how events unfold are getting increasingly silly, and feel at odds with the kind of gritty believability (for a fantasy story) of the first few seasons.

So - still enjoying the ride, but despite myself, getting increasingly disenchanted with all the short cuts and daft, illogical occurrences...  ::)

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 06, 2019, 07:03:11 PM
It’s still great - looks great, great characters, great lines, great overall story - but the glaring plot conveniences, teleporting, ridiculous non-tactics, and general preposterousness of how events unfold are getting increasingly silly, and feel at odds with the kind of gritty believability (for a fantasy story) of the first few seasons.

So - still enjoying the ride, but despite myself, getting increasingly disenchanted with all the short cuts and daft, illogical occurrences...  ::)

Hmmm....should I mention to Captain Blood that Winterfell has a Starbucks....?

(https://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/67A55E61-53B8-4195-AA6E-362F2100DA2F_zpsgtsxkf5h.jpeg)

 :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on May 06, 2019, 08:38:49 PM
"....... but wouldn’t fly around behind them with her air superior manouverability, and unleash dragon fire on the whole fleet? ......"

Actually that would have been a far better plot twist than some of them  lol

It is daft thing at times. It's a good daft thing though. We're all still watching.

Oh..and my bet.....Sansa on the throne....or it gets destroyed so there is no throne and the north wields the power under Sansa, till everyone gets p*ssed off with her and...so it continues. No happy ending.  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 06, 2019, 08:59:51 PM
Oh..and my bet.....Sansa on the throne....or it gets destroyed so there is no throne and the north wields the power under Sansa, till everyone gets p*ssed off with her and...so it continues. No happy ending.  lol

Good call.....of course if Cersei, Dany and Jon die....then Gendry would have a strong claim to be the rightful king, so Arya would have to kill him so Sansa could takeover ....or Tyrion takes over....or Tyrion marries Sansa....

Have we covered every possibility yet?

 lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Will Bailie on May 06, 2019, 09:02:00 PM
Why do certain characters think that Jon would be a better ruler than Dany?  Sure, he's a nice guy, honorable and likable, but he has a pretty deplorable track record when it comes to making good decisions, listening or consulting with advisors, acting impetuously, reading the mood of his team (see:  getting murdered by mutinous Crows) and relying on a combination of luck and Deus Ex (or other, wiser characters) to save the day and his sorry ass.

Dany certainly isn't perfect, but she seems to have a better history of leadership than Jonny.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 06, 2019, 10:06:51 PM
Yep. I’m still sticking with Sansa and Tyrion on the Iron Throne. Stark and Lannister united at last. The two characters who have come on the longest journey of personal discovery, etc etc  ;)

Yes, I heard about the Starbucks coffee cup but hadn’t spotted it myself. Was it really that obvious?  lol
I shall have to rewatch.
:D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 07, 2019, 12:21:01 AM
SPOILERS!!!

I enjoyed it. More skullduggery and politics, with some good dialogue. ‘She’s hateful - and so am I’. Nice.

But really, the whole teleportation thing is in full flood again - one minute the half drowned survivors of the Euron Greyjoy’s ‘ambush’ are hauling themselves ashore on a beach near King’s Landing. Next scene they’re all reunited and dry in council back at Dragonstone like nothing’s happened...

I agree on both points. It was a good episode for the "game of thrones" aspect of GoT, which is ultimately more satisfying than the "winter is coming" side of things.

But the plot holes ... Surely the biggest one is Cersei's pregnancy? Given the number of north-south journeys made since the child's conception, it's hard to see how (a) she isn't showing much more and (b) Euron can possibly believe that it's his.

Euron, of course, is the show's biggest missed opportunity. The book character's more like Darth Vader than a cavorting pantomime pirate - but we get the latter. It's been like this since he was introduced: the showrunners chose to replace that marvellous line about serving ten thousand gods ("From Ib to Asshai, when men see my sails, they pray") with "I'm going to find the queen and giver her my big cock". Not the best bit of adaptation ...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 07, 2019, 12:43:00 AM
The dragon death felt a little cheap to me, and the parlay scene seemed really one-sided considering what Dany+co brought to the negotiations.  That aside, I was satisfied with the episode.  Hoping for quite a bit of payoff in episode 5, and I remain pretty curious what plot threads will keep us on seat's-edge from Ep 5 end-Ep 6.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 07, 2019, 02:03:18 AM
SPOILERS!!!
 the whole teleportation thing is in full flood again - one minute the half drowned survivors of the Euron Greyjoy’s ‘ambush’ are hauling themselves ashore on a beach near King’s Landing. Next scene they’re all reunited and dry in council back at Dragonstone like nothing’s happened...

I thought the ambush took place before Dragonstone? Will have to watch again to check, but they were supposed to be sailing there before linking up with Jon at Kings Landing.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr. Zombie on May 07, 2019, 06:40:08 AM
I likes this episode. But the claws sure did come out fast. Now that humanity is safe from the Night king.

I feel that the real unsung heroes of the battle of Winterfell. Are the poor bastards who cleaned up the whole mess seemingly overnight. Imagine surviving a battle where you fight a bazillion dead. Clean it all up. Have a night of drunken debauchery. And still get up early to shovel snow so that Arya and the Hound can have a nice ride south.

Not all heroes wear capes indeed. 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 07, 2019, 09:22:01 AM
SPOILERS!!!

I enjoyed it. More skullduggery and politics, with some good dialogue. ‘She’s hateful - and so am I’. Nice.

But really, the whole teleportation thing is in full flood again - one minute the half drowned survivors of the Euron Greyjoy’s ‘ambush’ are hauling themselves ashore on a beach near King’s Landing. Next scene they’re all reunited and dry in council back at Dragonstone like nothing’s happened...

And honestly - what is the point of dragons if they are that easy to kill? Doesn’t it just undermine the entire point of the story?

And again, the whole military tactics thing has just been fried on the altar of storytelling expediency. So Dany would ride her dragon straight towards Euron’s ships and into the teeth of his giant, dragon-killing crossbows, but wouldn’t fly around behind them with her air superior manouverability, and unleash dragon fire on the whole fleet?
I appreciate the story needs to be served, but it surely needs to cling onto some kind of internal logic, otherwise it just becomes nonsensical.

It’s still great - looks great, great characters, great lines, great overall story - but the glaring plot conveniences, teleporting, ridiculous non-tactics, and general preposterousness of how events unfold are getting increasingly silly, and feel at odds with the kind of gritty believability (for a fantasy story) of the first few seasons.

So - still enjoying the ride, but despite myself, getting increasingly disenchanted with all the short cuts and daft, illogical occurrences...  ::)

I agree, that whole bit felt a bit with the dragons/Greyjoys/scorpions felt a bit rubbish and leaves the story full of holes. Sure, you understand they need to wrap things up but this was rather unelegant. The dragons have so far been dispersed with in a manner which is consistent with GoT lore (by dragons, by magic, by scorpions) but episode was very shoddy cinematography compared to the fight between the three dragons in episode 3. In fact, there was no strugle at all just a quick dispersing of a main strategic factor to get out of a plot conundrum.

What I still like about the show is that it is still able to convey a feeling of real loss, in this case as Theon, Berric Dondarrion, Dolorous Edd, Jorah and Lysanna Mormont. Even during Rhaegal's demice, even if off hand, I felt a pang.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 07, 2019, 10:31:53 AM
They should have just left the dragon dead at the hands of the Night King. That would have been a fitting end for it although it wouldn't have shown the importance of the Scorpions I guess. But yes, I felt it was a bit too quick and didn't have any lead up to the death of the second dragon.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 07, 2019, 10:50:04 AM
Is thought the ambush took place before Dragonstone? Will have to watch again to check, but they were supposed to be sailing there before linking up with Jon at Kings Landing.

You’re probably right. I thought they were heading to KL, but it may be they were ambushed outside Dragonstone. Even so, that just opens up more plot holes. Like how did Euron teleport with an entire fleet from KL and get into position unseen just outside the enemy stronghold? And when we last see Tyrion apparently drowning at sea, Grey Worm and a few bedraggled survivors hauling themselves ashore on an isolated beach, and who knows what happened to Varys, with every one of their ships sunk - yet suddenly they are all warm and dry and having a conference back in Dragonstone and no time has elapsed... and Euron didn’t try to finish off the survivors?

Anyway, it’s pointless really moaning about it I accept. You just have to take it at face value, enjoy the ride and the things which are great about it, and ignore the fact that they’ve clearly given up on any sense of internal logic when it comes to where people and armies are, how they got there, and behaving in any ways that make logical sense when they do get there.
::)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 07, 2019, 10:55:09 AM
Anyway, it’s pointless really moaning about it I accept. You just have to take it at face value, enjoy the ride and the things which are great about it

Yep, agree with that 100%. I am just looking forward to an ending now, hoping to enjoy it as much as I can.

Though my favourite meme from ep3 was "The night is dark and full of errors".
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 07, 2019, 11:00:50 AM
 lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 07, 2019, 11:25:21 AM
Quote
Anyway, it’s pointless really moaning about it I accept. You just have to take it at face value, enjoy the ride and the things which are great about it, and ignore the fact that they’ve clearly given up on any sense of internal logic when it comes to where people and armies are, how they got there, and behaving in any ways that make logical sense when they do get there.

That’s pretty much how I’ve viewed it from S1E1. I find it’s much better to view it with a less than fully enquiring mind and a nice beer. I expected it to ‘jump the shark’ for me well before now, but it hasn’t so I’m happy just to roll along enjoying the final two episodes come what may.  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: McMordain on May 07, 2019, 01:40:30 PM
Unfortunately they went beyond the point where I can suspend my disbelief.  :(
I don't understand why is it so hard to write the show in a way that is logical and internally consistent.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 07, 2019, 01:53:33 PM
Unfortunately they went beyond the point where I can suspend my disbelief.  :(
I don't understand why is it so hard to write the show in a way that is logical and internally consistent.

Out of interest what finally tipped you over the edge?

The 800 foot high wall of ice, the army of undead, the dragons, the seeming messing travel time/distances, or the fact that Winterfell has a Starbucks?

 ;) :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 07, 2019, 05:37:57 PM
You’re probably right. I thought they were heading to KL, but it may be they were ambushed outside Dragonstone. Even so, that just opens up more plot holes. Like how did Euron teleport with an entire fleet from KL and get into position unseen just outside the enemy stronghold? And when we last see Tyrion apparently drowning at sea, Grey Worm and a few bedraggled survivors hauling themselves ashore on an isolated beach, and who knows what happened to Varys, with every one of their ships sunk - yet suddenly they are all warm and dry and having a conference back in Dragonstone and no time has elapsed... and Euron didn’t try to finish off the survivors?

Anyway, it’s pointless really moaning about it I accept. You just have to take it at face value, enjoy the ride and the things which are great about it, and ignore the fact that they’ve clearly given up on any sense of internal logic when it comes to where people and armies are, how they got there, and behaving in any ways that make logical sense when they do get there.
::)
Varys was in the background with the others on the beach...

I would've thought a garrison would be left on Dragonstone, but if it was deserted, why didn't Euron land troops there? Instead of hopping on a boat, Missandei should've jumped overboard...   
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 07, 2019, 06:51:47 PM
There's a tragic irony in that Missandei, we can presume, is captured only because Grey Worm orders her to take the lifeboat. Had she jumped/been sunk with the rest of them, she might have had a better chance of making it to shore.

That strikes me as one of the better bits of writing in the episode, along with Tyrion's potentially giving the game away to Euron that the child isn't his.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 07, 2019, 07:05:26 PM
Not sure I agree about the Dragon, he was clearly already wounded following the battle and a strong theme of GoT is everyone can die really easily. The point made by Sansa was rammed home as he took the plunge...

Not sure they were easy to kill either - the Night King was pretty tough with his javelins (though he had a big weakness and the standard bad guy weakness of arrogance leading to stupidity etc) and the second do go was severely weaken.

And I loved the shock value of it.

Something tells me neither Ayra or The Hound Will survive, pity I'd have loved a spin off film or series about those two....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Blackwolf on May 07, 2019, 09:44:54 PM
Whilst not a GOT fan (Joe Abercrombie is more my thing),I do enjoy this thread, it's the running synopsis ,reading events second hand,your comments the primary source; very amusing.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: McMordain on May 07, 2019, 10:40:02 PM
Out of interest what finally tipped you over the edge?

The 800 foot high wall of ice, the army of undead, the dragons, the seeming messing travel time/distances, or the fact that Winterfell has a Starbucks?

 ;) :D

The fact that people thought it is a good idea to hide from the undead and their leader who can raise the dead in the crypts, which is full of dead... And no one questioned it at all. I thought that they just want to bait it and will not go through with it. But of course they did that. Then no one of importance died in what should have been an absolute massacre... After that I just couldn't care any more. I only watch it now because I'm kind of interested how low they can go, and I doubt the books will be ever finished so this may be the only ending I will get.

I can accept magic and dragons and big icewalls if it is established as part of the word the writer is building. What I cannot stand is stupidity for the shake of drama, inconsistent rules of how the world works, characters acting in ways which are out of character just to further the plot or to fit the current narrative theme.
Even if this is a fantasy it could have and should have internal consistency and established rules of how things work. And the showrunners should not just ignore these rules when it does not fit into what they want. It lessens the stakes...
There is a lot of fantasy and sci-fi out there which does not have to sacrifice its established rules to have great scenes and emotional pay-offs. It is a bad argument in defence of a fantasy work, that you just have to accept it if it's bad (or turned bad), because you do not have any problems with the magic or dragons or any other not real stuff in it. If you think this way then what's the difference between the LotR films or the first season of GoT and the In the name of the King film (or it's sequels)?

I can enjoy bad movies but bad is not what I expected of GoT. Well at least not this level of bad.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 07, 2019, 11:02:18 PM
Whilst not a GOT fan (Joe Abercrombie is more my thing),I do enjoy this thread, it's the running synopsis ,reading events second hand,your comments the primary source; very amusing.

Love Joe Abercrombie. ‘Best served cold’ is one of my favourite books of all time. So good I’ve read it three times - which is more than I can say for any of George RR Martin’s tomes - although I like them too.
Would be interesting to see how Joe Abercrombie’s novels would make it through translation onto the big/small screen. I’m amazed nobody’s yet tried. Perhaps they have and I’ve just missed them. In some ways, they’d probably lend themselves better - the cultures and characters he has created in his First Law cycle of novels are very distinctive and already quite cinematic in nature...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Blackwolf on May 08, 2019, 12:28:27 AM
Oh indeed, read all his books many times; Heroes is my favourite, then I re-read one of the others..."You have to be realistic ".
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 08, 2019, 05:01:07 AM
Not sure I agree about the Dragon, he was clearly already wounded following the battle and a strong theme of GoT is everyone can die really easily. The point made by Sansa was rammed home as he took the plunge...

Not sure they were easy to kill either - the Night King was pretty tough with his javelins (though he had a big weakness and the standard bad guy weakness of arrogance leading to stupidity etc) and the second do go was severely weaken.

And I loved the shock value of it.

Something tells me neither Ayra or The Hound Will survive, pity I'd have loved a spin off film or series about those two....

You are right, but they could have stressed some more the bad condition the Rhaegar was in. He just came across as as big and fearsome as ever.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 08, 2019, 07:46:20 AM
To be honest, I am underwhelmed. I stop watching GoT in season 4. Then, with everybody singing its praises I made the effort to watch the next three seasons. While it wasn't that exciting, it wasn't painful either, so was relatively well disposed for this season. Thing is that it looks rushed. It's like the writers need to wrap everything up in just six hours and don't know what to do and how to do it; what needs to be told and what can be left out of the story. And the deaths by the sake of shock value leave me cold. (Hey! Look! We kill TWO dragons! Aren't we bold?)Even if the story arc until then made of Dragons and White Walkers the stuff of nightmares, the show dispatch them with a slight of hand (See? It was just a bad dream. Go back to sleep).

So far 8th season is being painful to watch. Even fan service deaths -like that of Lyanna Mormont- look stupid and meh.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Sangennaru on May 08, 2019, 09:04:05 AM
I can accept magic and dragons and big icewalls if it is established as part of the word the writer is building. What I cannot stand is stupidity for the shake of drama, inconsistent rules of how the world works, characters acting in ways which are out of character just to further the plot or to fit the current narrative theme.

Exactly this, which is the basis of good science fiction too.
At this point, they could well have 5 hidden dragons nobody mentioned before, a whole new continent right below westeros made of marshmellows, and clearly Cersei being the nineteenth Doctor.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 08, 2019, 09:35:40 AM
Something I’ve pondered (even though I’m trying not to engage brain while watching):

The lands/tales of “ice and fire” I’d imagined referred to the narrative driving awesomeness of the white walkers and the dragons. But it now transpires that both were/are ‘relatively’ easily eliminated from the story arc. So maybe “ice and fire” actually refers to the distinct personalities involved, such as Cersei and Dany (and perhaps in the final showdown they  will cancel each other out leaving space for a more temperate conclusion).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 08, 2019, 09:46:44 AM
I wonder if the show runners are still following the outline given them by Mr. Martin, or if they have said "fuck that shit," chucked it in the bin and gone entirely off-piste? Would be interesting to know.

The internet has gone crazy, declaring GoT ruined, lumping it in with Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who as the latest in a line of destroyed franchises. I'm not really there yet, but I can see where they are coming from in some ways. It's definitely not as good as it used to be. I watched some old clips with Charles Dance earlier, and found myself thinking "I miss those days."



Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 08, 2019, 10:09:43 AM
The internet has gone crazy, declaring GoT ruined, lumping it in with Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who as the latest in a line of destroyed franchises.

For me, it’s a TV Series with great battles and betrayals, and some thumping tunes - I’ve got it on endless loop in my games room while I churn out yet more figures for my Westeros project.

 :D

In those rare moments I think “they haven’t done it right” I remind myself that at least they’ve actually made eight seasons. GRRM wasn’t confident that the story would get picked up for an established run on TV....if you want the “pure” GoT experience the books are the best place to start, but difficult to read while painting
 
 ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 08, 2019, 10:28:45 AM
Yeah, I can get with that. I'm still enjoying it, but that doesn't mean I am blind to its faults. To be honest both the extreme viewpoints: "It's ruined, I'm never watching it again" and "It's fantasy! Nothing matters!" seem pretty silly to me.

It is rather distressing that the discussion is becoming politicized, like everything else these days. At least both the left and the right are finding their own things to get upset about this time, though. That's nice for them.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 08, 2019, 10:53:15 AM
Quote
I wonder if the show runners are still following the outline given them by Mr. Martin, or if they have said "fuck that shit," chucked it in the bin and gone entirely off-piste? Would be interesting to know.

From what I have heard in the times of the 'Me too' movement Mr Martin has problems with writing a lot of sex scenes and wanting to be on set for them all....doesn't sound too good. I have also heard some of the actors - like Dany's - have said enough all with that perv stuff.

As for the outline, I wanted the last season to be good and bring things together but I do feel the directors are rushing things to just wrap it up. The battle of Winterfell was a classic, with a lot of the battle scenes just plain lame. For example, horses will not charge into a mass like that, and the Dolthraki weren't that stupid! That said, the image of their flaming swords going out as they were devoured by the dead was pretty good.

The Unsullied were massed in formations with massive gaps between men, when they should have closed ranks like Greek Hoplites did to cover one another and provide a good shield wall. Plus, did anyone notice the big gaff that almost all the Unsullied were essentially wiped out (run over) but yet in Episode 4 Grey Worm says they only lost half of the force? Please!

That leads me to the biggest gaff, as at the end of the battle of Winterfell when the Night King is defeated (I won't go there, as that bit about Arya sneaking past all the dead and white walkers was way too much!), Dany's army was pretty much wiped out as were the North's forces (heck, the North's forces were wiped out at the Twins during the Red Wedding!). So what the heck are they doing saying only 1/2 are dead and they have plenty left to defeat Cersei's forces???? Get serious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And yes, the Battle of Winterfell was filmed far too dark...more like a very old episode of the X-Files, but darker!

Quote
The internet has gone crazy, declaring GoT ruined, lumping it in with Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who as the latest in a line of destroyed franchises. I'm not really there yet, but I can see where they are coming from in some ways. It's definitely not as good as it used to be. I watched some old clips with Charles Dance earlier, and found myself thinking "I miss those days."

Okay, Star Wars was ruined by the latest installment but if you look back at the older movies there were a lot of issues in it already...so par for the course. Personally I think the 'Clone Wars' cartoons and 'Rogue One' were the best of them so far...at least my 7 yr old thinks so!

As for Star Trek, I still hold hope for the movies...but as much as I have tried, 'Star Trek Discovery' just plain blows! And 'Doctor Who' I gave up like 10 doctors ago!  ;D

Two more episodes and you can see a lot more cast members getting killed off. Personally I don't know why Cersei just didn't fire all those ballistas she had on the City Walls at Dany & Co and get it over with! Also, has anyone considered that if King's Landing is put to the torch then all that 'Wild Fire' stored underground will go up like one big bomb! End of story!

As for me, well, after the 'Red Wedding' I pretty much gave up on the show as being a great story line. Yet I have continued to watch as there isn't much else good on TV these days (waiting for the new season of 'Gomorrah' to start  :-*) and one does need to keep up with the times!

That's my 2 pence coin in!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 08, 2019, 10:55:54 AM
It’s becoming politicised? Dragons and zombies? Hilarious.

I did see something in one paper yesterday claiming that the series was discriminatory in some way because none of the characters ‘of colour’ lasted (following the demise of Missandei). But seeing as this was substantiated by claiming Oberyn Martell (played by a hispanic American actor), as a person of colour, and seeing as pretty much every significant character has died - or will do shortly - irrespective of ethnic origin, I took this with a pinch of salt.

Bonkers that people will seek to find some sort of political import or advantage in something as entertaining yet essentially silly as an escapist sword and sorcery yarn. ::)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 08, 2019, 11:10:13 AM
Quote
It’s becoming politicised? Dragons and zombies? Hilarious.

Of course Richard, the zombies are the liberals and the dragons are the people... lol lol lol lol lol

Seriously, everything these days is seen through a political lens, and distorted accordingly. We can't have swastikas on models as it might offend someone; despite the fact that the symbol has been used throughout time. We can't do this, do that, etc....everything has become so politically correct yet uncorrect at the same time.

For example, I find your wonderfully painted WW2 French forces offensive, as they portray the Natives as subservient to their French Colonial Oppressors!  ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D

The world has gone mad as history isn't history anymore. And FYI, I am not supporting the swastika used by Nazi Germany, as that is indeed offensive to some...but it is history so understand that and stop re-writing history! Rant over...all Richard's fault! :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 08, 2019, 11:15:01 AM
It is bonkers but it is happening, in an all-too familiar way. For example:

The anti-PC crowd are saying the "strong female characters" thing is out of hand again; that all the males have been turned into useless failures, and the women are succeeding at everything.

On the left they are saying that the massacre of the Dothraki is a metaphor about immigration, and that it is "problematic" that these outsiders of colour all got wiped out, and that makes the show somehow pro-Trump or something.

Note I do not espouse these viewpoints, I'm simply commenting on the madness. I think we're at a point now where both sides have dug their trenches so deep they can no longer get out of them.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 08, 2019, 11:19:55 AM
Quote
On the left they are saying that the massacre of the Dothraki is a metaphor about immigration, and that it is "problematic" that these outsiders of colour all got wiped out, and that makes the show somehow pro-Trump or something.

Well it is proof that 'Walls' work!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

That said, on the walls of Winterfell they had put dragon glass on wood hanging in front of the walls and on the top...but it seems to have done nothing....but yet when the dead ran into the barricades they died instantly....who was the technical director on the show, as they clearly have no common sense! Perhaps they were too busy having a Starbucks coffee that they left on the table for the next episode!  lol lol lol lol lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 08, 2019, 11:32:23 AM
I wonder if the show runners are still following the outline given them by Mr. Martin, or if they have said "fuck that shit," chucked it in the bin and gone entirely off-piste? Would be interesting to know.

I read a comment by GRRM indicating something like that.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 08, 2019, 11:52:38 AM
I wonder if he cares, that means people will still be able to buy his books for a completely different ending... possibly. (Well of course he will care)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 08, 2019, 12:35:55 PM
Everything that is good ends badly... Lost, Deadwood, Luther, Bunny and Fizz in Eldorado...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 08, 2019, 01:15:33 PM
Deadwood is making a comeback! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WrXmhvXTA
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 08, 2019, 01:24:44 PM
Deadwood is making a comeback! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WrXmhvXTA

Oi! Start your own thread

 ;) lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on May 08, 2019, 02:25:43 PM
I wonder if the show will end up in the typical lists of shows where the ending was so despised it tainted the whole saga (like Lost, or Dexter). Things started to get dire with the whole Dorne situation, but I was kind of hoping the last series would be better, given they had GRRM's notes on how it would end (but not how to get there, so e.g. S7 was expected to be more nonsensical). If teleportation, invisibility and missiles with tracking devices had been introduced in the series as an existining type of magic, things would be fine(ish), but while the dragons and zombies fit in, Euron's ship ambush with perfectly aimed bolts does not.
"Everything can happen because fantasy" is a poor excuse for poor writing.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 08, 2019, 02:57:36 PM
If teleportation, invisibility and missiles with tracking devices had been introduced in the series as an existining type of magic, things would be fine(ish), but while the dragons and zombies fit in, Euron's ship ambush with perfectly aimed bolts does not.

Ok I’ll play devils advocate....

 :)

The writers wanted to show how Dany’s character changes - so in the space of an episode she has lost Jorah, Missandei and Rhaegal (ie two of her strongest emotional supports plus one of her “children”). The scene where Dany is testing Rhaegal’s flying ability before they leave, and the moments before the ambush all build up for the shock and loss.

Yes, you could argue there is no way a dragon rider should be ambushed by a seaborne fleet...any wargamer worth their salt would be flying circuits over the fleet with their binoculars out as if they were in a PBY looking for the Japanese fleet near Midway, but the point is that Dany isn’t a military leader, rather someone supremely overconfident in their own “destiny”.

Yes, she has already lost one dragon...to a magical being, who is now dead, and yes, she had another dragon wounded by a ballista, but that was over land - evidentially she hadn’t considered that someone would make loads more AND mount them on ships.  In the moments before the ambush the camera shows Dany paying more attention to Rhaegal than anything else.  Perhaps someone in the fleet should have seen Ironborn (maybe they did...it just wasn’t one of the characters on screen) but even then, they had no way of warning Daenerys.

As for the “homing missiles” we see 3 bolts strike home (one of which was a glancing blow) but there were 8/9 (?) ships all armed with ballistas, so perhaps these were the best shots and the others fell well short and out of camera shot....at the time the dragons weren’t taking evasive manoeuvres.... the next shot missed Dany, and then when she dived at the fleet everyone missed, probably not least because of the pressure of a bloody great dragon diving straight at them.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 08, 2019, 05:24:45 PM
I'm in the same boat as Akula (a magically teleporting one with guided crossbow bolts? Maybe  ;))

The series, although rushed, is giving me enough to rationalise some of the silliness. Another case in point: the Dothraki charge. Time your catapult barrage to break up the enemy infantry formations just before your best fighters' cavalry charge hits? Ground is frozen, so those boulders should roll a bit  :) And your best dudes all now have seemingly magical weapons? Might just work.

Not arguing against anyone who has given up on the series through silliness though - good writing wouldn't leave you having to rationalise so much.

Anyhoo, predictions! I expect the writers to stick to the middle of the road, so the Mountain is *about* to kill Arya, when the Hound and/or Gendry steps in to save her. No idea who wins Cleganebowl, suspect they both die.
Also, at least some of the Wildlings show up at the crucial moment to help turn the tide.
Also, Bronn to change sides again.  :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 08, 2019, 05:27:58 PM
Deadwood is making a comeback! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WrXmhvXTA

YE-HAR! A month to watch the seasons again..
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 09, 2019, 03:24:57 AM
The internet has gone crazy, declaring GoT ruined, lumping it in with Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who as the latest in a line of destroyed franchises. I'm not really there yet, but I can see where they are coming from in some ways. It's definitely not as good as it used to be. I watched some old clips with Charles Dance earlier, and found myself thinking "I miss those days."

All I can say is based on the "logical, informed critiques" some (some complaints have merit, I have some of my own but they don't "ruin" the show)  of these folks have, I would NOT watch shows based on their writing.  lol

It’s becoming politicised? Dragons and zombies? Hilarious.

I did see something in one paper yesterday claiming that the series was discriminatory in some way because none of the characters ‘of colour’ lasted (following the demise of Missandei). But seeing as this was substantiated by claiming Oberyn Martell (played by a hispanic American actor), as a person of colour, and seeing as pretty much every significant character has died - or will do shortly - irrespective of ethnic origin, I took this with a pinch of salt.

Bonkers that people will seek to find some sort of political import or advantage in something as entertaining yet essentially silly as an escapist sword and sorcery yarn. ::)

There was an interesting line in a GRRM interview about the Unsullied being all actors of color and he pointed out that in the books, they are like slaves in Greek/Roman times - from all over the place.  But the realities of filming Essos in Morocco is.... the extras are Moroccans.  :D  Imagine thinking "Film Affirmative Action" demands more pasty Moroccan actors!  lol lol

George, despite any accusations of gratuitous sex scenes, has always been head and shoulders above the average fantasy writer in terms of writing dynamic, interesting female characters.  And any accusations of anti-POC are especially ludicrous in the face of recent developments - he is an executive producer on an upcoming HBO series based on an African-flavored fantasy/sci-fi book by a young African-American woman - https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmvzmx/george-rr-martin-is-adapting-an-african-sci-fi-novel-for-tv-vgtrn (https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmvzmx/george-rr-martin-is-adapting-an-african-sci-fi-novel-for-tv-vgtrn). I haven't had time to give it a read yet, but bought it for Kindle and am excited to give it a go.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: cdm on May 12, 2019, 10:45:14 AM
I find myself increasingly dissatisfied with watching it, and even skipping scenes in episode 3 and 4. I doubt I'll ever go back and watch it again either.

It leaves me with that kind of feeling I had with the third Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies where I just couldn't be bothered facing the annoying/uninteresting parts enough to even care about seeing the end of the story. I feel the same way about Star Wars 9. Maybe I'm just not the target audience anymore, or my tastes are requiring more meat and logic in the storylines, and they're more interested in veganish story lines. Not sure.

It has some great parts in it, the bits they care about still has some interest like the Sansa arc, but it seems to me there are parts they aren't personally interested in and are just skip tracking over them to get back to what they like. The framework is there, though I'm not sure whether the failings I'm feeling are due to rush of the story line, or simply a lack of interest by writers, or my changing tastes in what I'm willing to overlook.

The shooting down of the dragon felt lazy, as does the increasingly wooden Danny, the towers and town entry battlements without parapets, the sinking of the navy with super powered ballistas, or the slave girl who couldn't grab Cersei by the arm and drag her over the open parapet edge.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: lethallee61 on May 13, 2019, 05:38:45 AM
Well..............Episode 5 was pretty damn intense.  :o
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 13, 2019, 06:32:27 AM
Well..............Episode 5 was pretty damn intense.  :o

Have to say, I really enjoyed that! No idea how it is going to end.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 13, 2019, 10:17:06 AM
Yes, I enjoyed it too. Quite a few main character deaths that I hadn't expected this episode but the last. (unless the night king comes back and raises them all again... plot twist? lol )
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 13, 2019, 12:54:46 PM
Yes, I enjoyed it too. Quite a few main character deaths that I hadn't expected this episode but the last. (unless the night king comes back and raises them all again... plot twist? lol )

I thought it ruddy good. Quite ’The Bunker’.... And a whole lot of other tropes. Am I the only one who thinks they are letting the directors roam quite wild lately? They have been allowed to use cuts, camera angles, slomo and other modes previously not used in the series. No skin of my nose...

 By the way: Arya will kill Danaerys, and possibly Cercei, she and Jamie are not dead.  Varys has by ravenmail made sure Westros knows Jon is the trueborn king.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 13, 2019, 01:13:30 PM
So the latest Targaryen monarch proved to be just as mad in the head as the worst of her forebears.

I really get the feeling they don't want us to be on Daenerys' side any more. There is hardly a shot when she isn't grimacing like a mad woman or has a thousand-yard-stare.

I have some mild gripes, but on the whole I thought the episode a good one.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 13, 2019, 01:26:51 PM
I thought it was predictable crap, especially since D&D foreshadowed the destruction of King's Landing several seasons ago...

The dragons are useful only when the plot demands it and those scorpions are useless when the plot demands it. 

Reading the comments in the USA Today article, 'Game of Thrones' recap: The series just burned itself to the ground (https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/05/12/game-thrones-recap-season-8-episode-5-daenerys-arya-tyrion-jaime-cersei/1166469001/), Clarke's horny fanboys will accept and defend any old crap from D&D. >:(
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 13, 2019, 01:28:47 PM
SPOILERS!!   SPOILERS!!   SPOILERS!!
Was trying to hold it in but feel an urgent need to write it all down!






Now THAT is what a big-ass dragon should do!

Other things I thought were great, in no particular order:
Euron's last words.
The Mountain vs Qyburn, always thought he'd like to do that.
Cleganebowl lived up to expectations.
Jaime and Cersei's last moment together (although Hammers has now made me wonder, hmmmm).
The Golden Company's demise.
Was looking forward to Greyworm going beserk and fucking all sorts of Lannisters up, but he didn't need to with Drogon in beast mode.
Arya with murder in her eyes.
Drogon's "Alien" homage just before Varys gets toasty.

Sure, it is still a bit fast moving, but there are worse things. If this plot was a GRRM book, Arya and the Hound would meet four different sets of minor characters on the way to Kings' Landing, taking them down several sub-plot dead-ends and three volumes to bloody well get there.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 13, 2019, 01:29:59 PM
Have to say, I really enjoyed that! No idea how it is going to end.

SPOILERS....




Must admit when the wildfire stores started to cook off, I was expecting the whole city to go in one Big Bang. Episode 6 would just be Sansa receiving a raven.

 :D

Not only has Dany gone full Targaryen, but Greyworm had the blood lust as well...(understandably signposted after Missandei’s execution)...did you note the look on his face when Jon tried to stop the slaughter? Will be interesting to see whether his mood has changed after the destruction of Kings Landing...if not, am half expecting him to go for Jon.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 13, 2019, 03:44:17 PM
So the latest Targaryen monarch proved to be just as mad in the head as the worst of her forebears.

I really get the feeling they don't want us to be on Daenerys' side any more. There is hardly a shot when she isn't grimacing like a mad woman or has a thousand-yard-stare.

I have some mild gripes, but on the whole I thought the episode a good one.

I thought Varys' toin coss analogy was quite acute (in the light of the read of the Targaryen rule of Westros).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 13, 2019, 04:11:03 PM
Man! What a mess of episode! Almost as bad as S8E4! Almost. Annoyingly predictable; characters' deaths as thrilling as watching mussels  feed, and overall bad writing. Honestly, the only thing that would save this mess is for Daenerys killing Jon Snow and marrying Sansa Stark. At least, THAT would make for a really interesting ending!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Ogrob on May 13, 2019, 07:46:34 PM
I very much enjoyed it. Was a bit down after last couple of episodes where it felt like characters were just making stupid decisions out of character, but this episode felt true to character more than we've seen since ep 2.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Lowtardog on May 13, 2019, 08:08:45 PM
I thought it ruddy good. Quite ’The Bunker’.... And a whole lot of other tropes. Am I tve only one who thinks they are letting the directors roam quite wild lately?

 By the way: Arya will kill Danaerys, and possibly Cercei, she and Jamie are not dead.  Varys has ade sure Westros knows Jon is the trueborn king.

My prediction although tycoon could still die
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 13, 2019, 08:38:25 PM
Not only has Dany gone full Targaryen, but Greyworm had the blood lust as well...(understandably signposted after Missandei’s execution)...did you note the look on his face when Jon tried to stop the slaughter? Will be interesting to see whether his mood has changed after the destruction of Kings Landing...if not, am half expecting him to go for Jon.
Yeah, thought that was a great subtle bit!

My prediction: Jon Snow kills Arya by mistake (she is wearing a face in order to assassinate Dany- which she may successfully do).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 13, 2019, 09:33:09 PM
Well I thought that was visually brilliant. Think that’s where the budget went in this series. And it had some nice moving moments as well.
I’ve decided Lena Headley is a bloody marvellous actor, whatever you think of the character.
I do agree however, that...

The dragons are useful only when the plot demands it and those scorpions are useless when the plot demands it. 

The ridiculous over-effectiveness of the dragon as an invincible and apparently inexhaustible weapon of mass destruction in this week’s episode (doesn’t it need to refuel somehow from time to time?) just points up the glaring expediency and inconsistency of the dragon as a completely feeble and useless asset in last week’s episode. So why didn’t this week’s Daenerys+dragon do that to the Iron Fleet last week, since it managed to do it so completely effortlessly this week? Stupid and irritating.

Overall though, I have to hand it to them. As pure spectacle it takes some beating. And some wonderful cinematic moments, including the ending.

Yep. Arya to kill Daenerys - if John doesn’t get there first. I still reckon it’ll be Tyrion and Sansa on the Iron Throne at the end of it...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 13, 2019, 10:02:37 PM
So why didn’t this week’s Daenerys+dragon do that to the Iron Fleet last week, since it managed to do it so completely effortlessly this week? Stupid and irritating.

Totally agree on LH's acting! Hadn't really realised how subtly good she is. Here's a more positive spin on the dragon stuff: Daenerys didn't need/think about tactics before, convinced of her invulnerable dragons; now she knew she needed to change her angle of attack. So she did - steep dive rather than almost horizontal charge. And it worked! I also wondered about the refuelling though - I'll give you that.

But yeah, fantastic spectacle, and as you say that is where the budget went. Now we really know why the night king attacked in the dark!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 13, 2019, 10:17:30 PM
So why didn’t this week’s Daenerys+dragon do that to the Iron Fleet last week, since it managed to do it so completely effortlessly this week?

The key difference was the mindset (or mental state) of Daenerys

Episode 4 - Rhaegal got taken out easily because Daenerys wasn’t expecting an attack by Scorpions and the dragons weren’t weaving. When Dany adopted the correct tactics and dived with Drogon she broke off the attack because her rationale side (or maybe some subconscious instinct for self-preservation) overcame her anger. If she’d pressed the attack without fear of the consequences she might have taken out the Iron fleet there and then.

Episode 5 - Daenerys was by this point very aware of the threat posed by the Scorpions and used the correct tactics from the outset....the difference this time is that her anger (over the death of Missandei AND the “betrayal” by Jon) had left her mentally unhinged and meant that she was fully committed to the attack...with no regard for her own safety.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 14, 2019, 12:24:50 AM
Now we really know why the night king attacked in the dark!
You're over thinking it...

'Game of Thrones' cinematographer addresses 'The Long Night': 'I know it wasn't too dark' (https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/04/29/game-of-thrones-the-long-night-too-dark-cinematography-battle-of-winterfell/3614184002/)

A pair of pretentious prats...

In another article, I can't find now, it was purely an aesthetic choice: differentiating Winterfell's carnage at night with daytime one at King's Landing. They must've forgotten that Blackwater occurred at night, yet one had no issues differentiating one person from the other. Even the overrated Battle of the Bastards was rather blurry and it was during the day. I'm bored of this Saving Private Ryan style cinematography, as it only works scenes focused on squad level small groups, not big sweeping pre-modern style battles - these should be colorful displays of heraldry and initially shining equipment.   
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 14, 2019, 02:54:33 AM
Have D&D forgotten that Winter is Here? It was starting to snow last season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaEgFn2KmLc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaEgFn2KmLc). Even if King's Landing didn't end up with a few inches, I would've thought there would've been some effort to depict cold weather. The Night King had nothing to do with the season, AFAIK.

What was the point of bringing in the Golden Company? Never mind that the soldiers weren't depicted as described in the books, but I was expecting more than merely Unsullied with balls. I think they were included for decimation, due to the commanders rebuffing with laughter, Viserys' offer in the first season
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 14, 2019, 08:00:33 AM
The Golden Company was a bit disappointing I must admit. Given that they were supposed to be 20,000 strong, they could have done with some CGI multiplication, per the Unsullied in previous episodes.
I don’t recall their appearance from the novels, but I rather liked their outfits in this. Kind of Byzantine, which I think works in the context of Essos as against Westeros.
The main problem was that there only appeared to be a few dozen of them, rather than the promised 20,000. They deployed in front of the city (again!) And they did absolutely nothing.  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 14, 2019, 08:15:34 AM
Have D&D forgotten that Winter is Here? ...... The Night King had nothing to do with the season, AFAIK.

I read an interview the other day (will see if I can dig it out) where GRRM hinted that the weather cycle wasn’t natural (either the Night King or something else). It was noticeable that the blizzard followed the NK, and the storm broke after he was killed.

The Golden Company was a bit disappointing I must admit. Given that they were supposed to be 20,000 strong, they could have done with some CGI multiplication, per the Unsullied in previous episodes.
I don’t recall their appearance from the novels, but I rather liked their outfits in this. Kind of Byzantine, which I think works in the context of Essos as against Westeros.
The main problem was that there only appeared to be a few dozen of them, rather than the promised 20,000. They deployed in front of the city (again!) And they did absolutely nothing.  lol

I agree, I liked the look of them, although I don’t fancy having to paint loads of those shields  :D

Could definitely have done with a few more wide shots of them to build the tension (and convey the scale), but there was more than a few dozen...

(https://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/E0C1F3F3-0CF3-403D-BD96-E7C140984C31_zpso8ztzpdm.png)

Interesting that there are a few holes in the line...lack of discipline compared to the Unsullied, or are these the ones that Euron killed on the voyage over...   ;)

There was a scene later with Tyrion walking through the shattered gates where there were a whole bunch of Golden Company running away from the city, so I took it as the rest broke left and right ...away from the breach, and the charging Targaryen/Northern forces.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 14, 2019, 09:12:37 AM
Totally agree on LH's acting! Hadn't really realised how subtly good she is. Here's a more positive spin on the dragon stuff: Daenerys didn't need/think about tactics before, convinced of her invulnerable dragons; now she knew she needed to change her angle of attack. So she did - steep dive rather than almost horizontal charge. And it worked! I also wondered about the refuelling though - I'll give you that.

But yeah, fantastic spectacle, and as you say that is where the budget went. Now we really know why the night king attacked in the dark!

It really takes some acting to make me (and apparently  many others) to hate Cersei as much as I do.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on May 14, 2019, 09:15:15 AM
Loved most of it. Especially how Danny sees how to attack with her Dragon, to burn the enemy and basically to instill terror into the enemy. You might have a cool ballista that brought down a Dragon in an ambush, when Drogon swoops in and burns everything you're pissing your pants in fear...so the ambushed becomes the ambusher. It felt good to see Drogon get to work.

*The opening with Varys was fantastic. I saw it coming, but losing such a big character within 5 minutes was a great way to get this episode started. Loved the acting in that scene too.
*I actually loved how the Golden Company was decimated in seconds. They may be veteran soldiers, but when a huge dragon attacks from behind and takes out a large chunk of your formation (including your leader) in a big explosion of rocks and flame, even these guys will lose it. Discipline and experience probably won't matter when that monster arrives. It's just pure chaos then and then they're easy prey for Jon's forces.
*Loved Arya's scenes, no "super assassin" stuff, just a person trapped in a city attacked by two monsters. It's her scenes that showed Danny's madness the best. And now she wants to kill Danny...
*Cleganebowl was a good crowdpleaser. Had a good laugh when Qyburn was squashed like a bug too.
*Jaimie's story was an odd one. Although I'm glad Euron's dead (he was just a stupid cardboard character), I didn't expect him to take down the Kingslayer. And then Jaimie saved Cersei (meh) and they were just buried beneath the rubble. Oh, not really epic. Then again, this is Game of Thrones and people die can unexpectedly and unheroically (Rob Stark anyone?). But good to see Cersei gone.
*And Jon was...just Jon. Not really noteworthy and really predictable.
*Maybe my favorite scene was Tyrion and Jaimie...a toast to you mr. Dinklage!
*Only thing that bugged me was how long Danny's tantrum lasted. After a while it got a bit boring to see Drogon keep torching the place and it felt a bit off. Even her rage must have burnt off by then.

Can't wait for the finale!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 14, 2019, 09:23:47 AM
I read an interview the other day (will see if I can dig it out) where GRRM hinted that the weather cycle wasn’t natural (either the Night King or something else). It was noticeable that the blizzard followed the NK, and the storm broke after he was killed.

I agree, I liked the look of them, although I don’t fancy having to paint loads of those shields  :D

Could definitely have done with a few more wide shots of them to build the tension (and convey the scale), but there was more than a few dozen...

(https://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/E0C1F3F3-0CF3-403D-BD96-E7C140984C31_zpso8ztzpdm.png)

Interesting that there are a few holes in the line...lack of discipline compared to the Unsullied, or are these the ones that Euron killed on the voyage over...   ;)

There was a scene later with Tyrion walking through the shattered gates where there were a whole bunch of Golden Company running away from the city, so I took it as the rest broke left and right ...away from the breach, and the charging Targaryen/Northern forces.

A quick estimation gives about a 1000 in the scope of that image. But I guess what Richard is talking about is the lack of  screentime for the GC. Personally I liked "the  flight of Harry Strickland" sequence before he was perforated by Grey Worm.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 14, 2019, 11:11:59 AM
The dragon fire did frustrate me (don't get me wrong, I though it was a great episode) but the fire instantly smashing down masonry?
The death that I regret the most was The Hound, He showed the most change in the series to quite a likable character. Glad he didn't have his head popped though.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Andym on May 14, 2019, 12:55:05 PM
I find myself getting more frustrated as this draws to a close!

Characters motivations and ethics change at will with seeming little or no reasoning! Daenerys and Cersei being the two obvious ones. I understand they wanted the Dragon Queen to go nuts, but would a better story if she was at the end of her tether.

Jon Snow and her join forces to face and defeat the Night King. In the process she loses half of her army. The Lannister’s, by not joining to fight the white walkers, still have a full strength army. Jon snow lets her know about his heritage, which she struggles to accept personally. Both of them go down to Kings Landing to take Cersei off of throne. In doing so, the attack on Kings Landing takes a heavy toll on her, killing her beloved Unsullied, Tyrion, Dothraki AND Jon Snow, and leaving her on the brink of crushing defeat. Realising that ALL is lost, and finally admitting Jon Snow would have been the better ruler, she takes out her suicidal rage on the Lannister forces and goes for Cersei. Cersei being a manipulative, scheming bitch, has set wildfire charges to blow up her own people and make it look like Daenerys did it, but her engineers miscalculate and bring the Red Keep crumbling down around about the two queens as Daenerys makes to kill her. Throw in Jamie trying to rescue Cersei from Daenerys, the fight between the Dog and Mountain and you have an episode!

Cersei has been a hard bitch the whole way through the series, only to break down crying at the end?!?

As for the Scorpions easy killing dragons in one episode to being fucking useless on the next!!....that’s just sloppy writing!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 14, 2019, 07:07:53 PM
Regarding the Golden Company, they were used simply to show the power of the dragon - I liked it. It reminded me of the way George Lucas used the sail barge in RotJ - after it taking weeks of worker hours to construct he just blew it up... Just because something is beautiful doesn't mean it lasts forever, and because of that it has more impact.

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d6/e8/79/d6e8792de06698dd6e3a57b0a8e2225f.jpg)

(https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-9f59bd08bcef24145329ccc4219f261a)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 14, 2019, 08:36:01 PM
It’s becoming politicised? Dragons and zombies? Hilarious.


Just as a small aside, zombies and horror have been used (almost since their inception) for social and therefore political commentary...

Zombies have also been used in philosophy as imaginary creatures designed to illuminate problems about consciousness and its relation to the physical world.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 12:43:29 AM
Regarding the Golden Company, they were used simply to show the power of the dragon - I liked it. It reminded me of the way George Lucas used the sail barge in RotJ - after it taking weeks of worker hours to construct he just blew it up... Just because something is beautiful doesn't mean it lasts forever, and because of that it has more impact.

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d6/e8/79/d6e8792de06698dd6e3a57b0a8e2225f.jpg)

(https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-9f59bd08bcef24145329ccc4219f261a)

Are you serious?!? What impact? It was just CGI on CGI action and it could've been any mercenary company or rows of potted plants. If I'm not mistaken, the dive bombing run on the ships was reused footage from the Mereen battle.   
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 15, 2019, 05:27:42 AM
On the plus there weren't hundreds of masons and carpenters crying off camera
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 15, 2019, 09:59:10 AM
Are you serious?!? What impact? It was just CGI on CGI action and it could've been any mercenary company or rows of potted plants. If I'm not mistaken, the dive bombing run on the ships was reused footage from the Mereen battle.   

You are mistaken.

See this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ9QQMXTftY&t=72s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ9QQMXTftY&t=72s)

..which I fond jaw-droppingly impressive. The built 17 streets in the backlot of the studio and  a wall of containers to keep the press out.
This "how we did it" confirms that there really is no substitute for live action at close quatrers. The did try it a lot in The Hobbit, i suspect that is why it feels so much more artificial than the  LotR flick.

I  seriously recommend all fans and cineasts to watch that Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 5  "Game Revealed" from HBO. I got as much of a kick out of it as I did from the broadcassted episode.

I also recommeend all those dissappointed in the plot choices of David Benioff and D.B. Weiss to take a gander at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W8j6wOvxuo&t=311s
 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W8j6wOvxuo&t=311s), Game of Thrones | Season 8 Episode 5 | Inside the Episode. I am not satisified with all turns of events myself, but I respect the process they are going through to keep tying everything together. All in  all I think they have done a good job. As for TV entertainment, I think it is safe to say the show is  sans pareil.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 15, 2019, 10:09:36 AM
If I'm not mistaken, the dive bombing run on the ships was reused footage from the Mereen battle.   

Sorry, but you are mistaken, the Mereen battle had different ship designs, the sky was crisscrossed with flaming missiles, and Daenerys wore a different outfit.

(Edit) ah, Hammers beat me to it....  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 15, 2019, 11:34:23 AM
As for TV entertainment, I think it is safe to say the show is  sans pareil.

The Wire, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy, Godless, Deadwood, Battlestar Galactica... Humm... I beg to difer.  ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 01:16:11 PM
You are mistaken.

See this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ9QQMXTftY&t=72s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ9QQMXTftY&t=72s)

..which I fond jaw-droppingly impressive. The built 17 streets in the backlot of the studio and  a wall of containers to keep the press out.
This "how we did it" confirms that there really is no substitute for live action at close quatrers. The did try it a lot in The Hobbit, i suspect that is why it feels so much more artificial than the  LotR flick.

I  seriously recommend all fans and cineasts to watch that Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 5  "Game Revealed" from HBO. I got as much of a kick out of it as I did from the broadcassted episode.

I also recommeend all those dissappointed in the plot choices of David Benioff and D.B. Weiss to take a gander at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W8j6wOvxuo&t=311s
 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W8j6wOvxuo&t=311s), Game of Thrones | Season 8 Episode 5 | Inside the Episode. I am not satisified with all turns of events myself, but I respect the process they are going through to keep tying everything together. All in  all I think they have done a good job. As for TV entertainment, I think it is safe to say the show is  sans pareil.
So what? I get it, you're a show fan, so reasonable criticisms are simply dismissed...

I wasn't referring to the street fights, but the Golden Company's destruction.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 01:21:14 PM
Sorry, but you are mistaken, the Mereen battle had different ship designs, the sky was crisscrossed with flaming missiles, and Daenerys wore a different outfit.

(Edit) ah, Hammers beat me to it....  lol
I wasn't referring to the close ups or the CGI arrows...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 01:31:50 PM
It really takes some acting to make me (and apparently  many others) to hate Cersei as much as I do.
If you think staring down, looking like you're constipated or disappointed,  in almost every scene, throughout the series constitutes good acting... lol

Headey is better than Clarke in displaying emotion, but below any of those older actors killed off in earlier seasons. Gleeson was better at drawing out the hate towards a character.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 15, 2019, 01:35:57 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/15/a-song-of-ice-and-ire-how-game-of-thrones-enraged-its-audience
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 15, 2019, 01:47:24 PM
Ha, "injury-time character development", I like that.  :)



Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 15, 2019, 01:48:18 PM
The Wire

Sheeeeeiiiiiiit, The Wire was great, but I wouldn't say it was a spectacle in the way GoT can be. And S5 was crap with the fictional serial killer.

But yeah, The Wire is still the best TV ever.

Back on topic: only one more episode to go! Feels funny.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 01:50:52 PM
The Golden Company was a bit disappointing I must admit. Given that they were supposed to be 20,000 strong, they could have done with some CGI multiplication, per the Unsullied in previous episodes.
I don’t recall their appearance from the novels, but I rather liked their outfits in this. Kind of Byzantine, which I think works in the context of Essos as against Westeros.
The main problem was that there only appeared to be a few dozen of them, rather than the promised 20,000. They deployed in front of the city (again!) And they did absolutely nothing.  lol
Golden Company (https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Golden_Company)

They're 10,000, not 20,000 strong...

While I didn't expect a faithful depiction, I was expecting more than just a scene like in Sweet Liberty with the renenactors.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 02:02:49 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/15/a-song-of-ice-and-ire-how-game-of-thrones-enraged-its-audience

Here's another one: Emilia Clarke And The "GoT" Creators Have Responded To The Daenerys Plot Twist Backlash (https://www.buzzfeed.com/elliewoodward/emilia-clarke-game-of-thrones-creators-daenerys-controversy)

Unlike Varys' attempts to poison Daenarys, the descent into cliched villainy was obvious for seasons, despite Clarke's wooden acting - remember the scene with the visions? The problem is that the last 2 seasons seemed rushed, almost like D&D have better things to do - what if they had accepted the studio's offer of 10 episode seasons? I expected more from a truncated season, instead of filler scenes and unnecessarily long battles.   
 

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 15, 2019, 02:04:28 PM
The Wire, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy, Godless, Deadwood, Battlestar Galactica... Humm... I beg to difer.  ;)


Yes, well, I was a bit eliptical in my post. I was thinking sans pareil in terms of ambition, daring annd pay off. My list is not the same as yours but you mention a few which I place up there to. But I still do not percieve any of them as complicated yet as successful as GoT (with Band of Brother second).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 15, 2019, 02:05:20 PM
I thought the episode was pretty good. Daenarys's propensity for atrocity has been built up steadily over the series - and foreshadowed both by her father's toasty ways and the visions in Quarth (or wherever it was).

And - as in the previous episode, with Grey Worm's ordering Missandei to the lifeboat having tragic consequences - I thought there was some decent plotting in there. I liked the way that the revelation of Jon's ancestry played into the tragedy not in itself, but by the fact that his Northern disinclination for incest leads him to reject Daenarys as a lover and thus tip her from "love" to "fear".

The Euron stuff was rubbish, of course, as it alway is (why did they think it a good idea to take Darth Vader and turn him into Jack Sparrow?). And I wasn't particularly interested in the clash of Cleganes.

Also, I think we have to accept that GoT (like LotR) can't do convincing massed battles. The best fight the show's done is Hardome, which was essentially a skirmish. That was almost note-perfect. But once you get into bodies of troops and manoeuvres, it's all a bit of a mess (see also The Two Towers, with that ridiculous, computer-gamey charge along the causeway and the gravity-defying charge down the slope that followed ...).

But what GoT can do is sustained mood. I thought the echoes of the likes of the sack of Magdeburg, not to mention Dresden and Hiroshima, were chillingly well done. It looks like there'll be more of that next week.

My longest-standing complaint about the show is that its warfare has got steadily less medieval. I lament the vanishing of all the glorious full helms that were in evidence at the start of the show (think Brienne, the Hound, etc.).

The most ridiculous aspects of the show's approach to warfare are Martin's fault, I think: the bowless invincibility of the Dothraki (just why are these light cavalry so effective?) and the very existence of the Unsullied: child eunuchs would not grow up to be formidable soldiers, let alone look the real soldiers they use as extras!

But - as with the Long Night - I was gripped throughout and am very much looking forward to the conclusion.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 15, 2019, 02:05:38 PM
So what? I get it, you're a show fan, so reasonable criticisms are simply dismissed...

Uh, what?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 02:26:04 PM
I read an interview the other day (will see if I can dig it out) where GRRM hinted that the weather cycle wasn’t natural (either the Night King or something else). It was noticeable that the blizzard followed the NK, and the storm broke after he was killed.

Martin(2005): US Signing Tour (Ann Arbor, MI) (https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1365)

Quote
Someone asked why the seasons are so messed up. Martin said he couldn't give an answer necause that would be telling! He did say that there would eventually be an answer in one of the books, and the answer would be a fantasy (as opposed to a science fiction/science based) answer.

Game of Thrones: There’s a Scientific Reason for Westeros’s Years-Long Winters Or at least, there are climate scientists happily overthinking this fantasy world.  (https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/07/game-of-thrones-westeros-winter-climate-science)
Martin has been consistent with the lazy magic explanation, but there's a difference between the books and the TV show, the most obvious being the depiction of the Others and the lack of a Night King in the former. In both instances the cold does accompany 'em, but I haven't found any mention of being responsible for the extended seasons. Like the Children of the Forest, the Others/White Walkers, are part of an inscrutable magical world, not contributing to it. It's possible D&D changed it, like how they easily got rid of the Tyrells and Martells in a lazy manner. o_o
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 15, 2019, 02:45:21 PM
My longest-standing complaint about the show is that its warfare has got steadily less medieval. I lament the vanishing of all the glorious full helms that were in evidence at the start of the show (think Brienne, the Hound, etc.).

The most ridiculous aspects of the show's approach to warfare are Martin's fault, I think: the bowless invincibility of the Dothraki (just why are these light cavalry so effective?) and the very existence of the Unsullied: child eunuchs would not grow up to be formidable soldiers, let alone look the real soldiers they use as extras!

But - as with the Long Night - I was gripped throughout and am very much looking forward to the conclusion.
Don't forget the lack of color in a pseudo-medieval setting in contrast with the battle scene from Knights of the Round Table(1953): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9X6dxQ3nIk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9X6dxQ3nIk).

Martin did set up the battles, but D&D ignored the details, such as pikemen at Blackwater. The Dothraki are supposed to be mounted bowmen and we saw it last season.

https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/122846-wouldnt-the-unsullied-be-weak-wout-testicles-to-produce-testosterone/

I don't see the Unsullied as formidable, especially as depicted on TV: they're good in organized groups, but fail as individuals, like in the street fights in Mereen against the insurgents.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 15, 2019, 02:50:49 PM
Ha, "injury-time character development", I like that.  :)

The Alex Ferguson (and now Mauricio Pochettino) school of TV
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 15, 2019, 05:32:55 PM
If I'm not mistaken, the dive bombing run on the ships was reused footage from the Mereen battle.   

Sorry, but you are mistaken, the Mereen battle had different ship designs, the sky was crisscrossed with flaming missiles, and Daenerys wore a different outfit.

(Edit) ah, Hammers beat me to it....  lol

I wasn't referring to the close ups or the CGI arrows...

So what were you referring to? I’m genuinely interested in what you think was reused footage, given it was a completely different cityscape, different ships, different background, and the only dragon that featured in both pieces of footage was “different” because the actual scenes were different, and the rider was wearing different clothing...so what footage was reused?

 :?


So what? I get it, you're a show fan, so reasonable criticisms are simply dismissed...

Hammers didn’t appear to be dismissing criticism, he just pointed out that he believed you were mistaken, and provided a link to make his point.

I’m not sure why you are taking this tone in what has otherwise been a very civil discussion....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 15, 2019, 06:38:38 PM
Don't forget the lack of color in a pseudo-medieval setting in contrast with the battle scene from Knights of the Round Table(1953): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9X6dxQ3nIk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9X6dxQ3nIk).

Yes! Older films seemed to be a lot better at depicting individual heraldry (a notable failure of Braveheart)

Martin did set up the battles, but D&D ignored the details, such as pikemen at Blackwater. The Dothraki are supposed to be mounted bowmen and we saw it last season.

True - but am I not right in thinking that both books and show put a lot of emphasis on their charge and arakhs? It's been a long while since I read the books, though.

https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/122846-wouldnt-the-unsullied-be-weak-wout-testicles-to-produce-testosterone/

I don't see the Unsullied as formidable, especially as depicted on TV: they're good in organized groups, but fail as individuals, like in the street fights in Mereen against the insurgents.

They're touted as "the best infantry in the world", no?

There's a lot of specious reasoning on that thread, and a huge underestimation of the role of strength. It's strength that makes fighters quick and agile; I agree with the poster there who said that DEX and STR aren't as separate as RPGs would have us believe.

Eunuchs lose muscle mass rapidly, even when castrated as adults. They also have frail bones and tend to suffer from scoliosis and osteoporosis eventually. But the Unsullied are castrated when very young - so they wouldn't develop adult mass and strength in the first place. They'd be essentially overgrown children.

The books handwave this with "training". But eunuchs wouldn't respond nearly so well to training as normal men, and they'd be more vulnerable to overtraining and exhaustion. So they'd be starting from a position of severe weakness and then "running to stand still" in avoiding muscle loss, fat gain and gynaecomastia.

So, basically, your uncastrated conscripts who do a bit of training would be getting stronger (and would be heavier, stronger and more aggressive to start with) while your Unsullied would be trying to stave off muscle loss, flab and injuries.

To make matters worse, the Unsullied fight in a phalanx-type formation. Imagine a giant rugby scrum with normal forwards on one side and a bunch of flabby kids who've never undergone puberty on the other ... ouch!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 15, 2019, 07:08:47 PM
Hobgoblin - well, I've learnt something today!

On the general point abt the Dothraki - I thought (hazy memory of the books) a lot of their power is in the fear they instil in the 7 kingdoms folk. No one has really seen the Dothraki, but they've all heard the (no doubt inflated) tales of how awesome they are. So there's a palpable sense that 7 kingdoms soldiers might have lost that battle before they even fight it.

The strategy guys know differently though - doesn't Jaime/Tywin/Robert (can't remember who) in Season 1/Bk 1 say "Oh yeah, the Dothraki are great until they encounter armoured knights and castle walls. We've nothing to worry about."

Jaime does get the heebies about them in Season 7, but isn't that because a) he had no knights with him when the convoy is attacked and b) they had Drogon  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 15, 2019, 09:59:12 PM
I still reckon in the books, if it comes to Dany invading Westeros with a dothraki horde, she'll suddenly realise what an awful idea it is. Either they will simply refuse to cross the sea, or they will but prove completely ineffective in the siege warfare that taking Westeros would probably require.



I gotta say, just focusing on the military side of GoT, the show really irritates me. All the military have what I call 'stormtrooper syndrome' - they are all depicted as faceless automatons.

This works for the Unsullied of course.

But both the Tyrell troops back in season 6 (I think?) and the Lannister troops who take Riverrun (also season 6?) are portrayed as all wearing identical uniforms, marching in perfect lockstep. It just looks silly I think, and nothing like the more historical vision I had in my head when reading the books. Of course, this is just personal taste. But I would much prefer to see all the armies as being much less disciplined, and varied in their armour and weaponry, with heraldry of individual knights and lords in evidence.
(at least the Tyrell troops had spears and shields - the Lannister troops seemed to be equipped with just swords!)

And then we briefly got the Golden Company... who apparently were another host of stormtroopers / clones. I'd much preferred them as say, heavy cavalry... In the books they are supposed to feature a lot of Westerosi exiles, or descendants of those who fought (and died) for Daemon Blackfyre in the Blackfyre rebellions..... Many of whom have (dubious) claims to lands and estates in Westeros. Well that's probably just among the leadership and officers... But I always imagined them as having a more Westerosi style of fighting rather than the other more exotic / eastern mercenary companies.

Again though this is just personal preference - if the show is intentionally trying to distance itself from medieval Europe aesthetically (and perhaps a more classical vision of warfare).... Then fair enough  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 16, 2019, 12:00:49 AM
I’m not sure why you are taking this tone in what has otherwise been a very civil discussion....

Indeed. It’s a friendly, civil discussion amongst fellow enthusiasts. If you’ve got some aggression to get out of your system, do it elsewhere. This isn’t that kind of forum.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 16, 2019, 12:50:25 AM
Indeed. It’s a friendly, civil discussion amongst fellow enthusiasts. If you’ve got some aggression to get out of your system, do it elsewhere. This isn’t that kind of forum.
I don't know why you couldn't bring this up via PM. :-I

There was no hint of aggression in my tone and simply someone pointing it out based on their perception doesn't make it so...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 16, 2019, 01:44:16 AM
My biggest disappointments with the last season so far:

1. The dragon's breath of hot air being converted into a gigantic light sabre that turns wood into matchsticks and cuts through massive stone buildings. I think fire is impressive enough without that.

2. Missandei missing her opportunity to wrap her chains around Cercei's neck and jump off the wall with Cercei out of loyalty to Dany. Oh well. My friend pointed out that Missandei has always been non-violent.

3. Brienne failing to hook up with Tormund. He would have been a better match for her.

4. Tyrion & Arya not having very much intelligent action or dialog. But that's been a problem for about 3 seasons. In the books Arya did some really cunning and creative things in Essos. And Tyrion used to have more fun things to say.

5. Jaime going back to Cercei. Ick!

6. Unbelievably bad tactics in the battles.

7. The apparent resurrection of Dany's armies after the Night King's army had appeared to kill 95% or so of Dany's armies at Winterfel. Should have had no Dothraki left at all, maybe 2 dozen Unsullied, if that, and maybe 2 dozen other northern soldiers. Instead she somehow still has hundreds, if not thousands. Where did all these extra guys come from? Absurd.

8. Gratuitous and pointless scenes of Arya & Brienne losing their virginity. And the point was? Previously in GoT the sex fit into the plot better. This just seemed to be tossed in.

9. Watching mobs of suicidal people flocking INTO Kings Landing, instead of running away from it across the countryside just before Dany's assault. These people were clearly too dumb to live.

I'm still watching anyway. It's epic. It's a great spectacle. Not nearly as sorry to be watching this as I was that I watched all of LOST.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 16, 2019, 01:49:58 AM
I still reckon in the books, if it comes to Dany invading Westeros with a dothraki horde, she'll suddenly realise what an awful idea it is. Either they will simply refuse to cross the sea, or they will but prove completely ineffective in the siege warfare that taking Westeros would probably require.
When I first saw that scene with the armada of ships ferrying troops, I assumed Dornish sailors, but then I noticed Dothraki and wondered: how much time had lapsed? The Dothraki fear crossing the narrowest part of the Narrow Sea and possibly island hopping via Stepstones, yet here they are manning ships. ??? Essos has more cities than Westeros, but simply pillaging or the threat of hinterlands might be why the Dothraki earned such a reputation for savagery. The stand of Unsullied proved how mounted raiders are ineffective vs infantry in formation, even a thin red line of Lannister spearmen in the Battle of the Goldroad.

I gotta say, just focusing on the military side of GoT, the show really irritates me. All the military have what I call 'stormtrooper syndrome' - they are all depicted as faceless automatons.

This works for the Unsullied of course.

But both the Tyrell troops back in season 6 (I think?) and the Lannister troops who take Riverrun (also season 6?) are portrayed as all wearing identical uniforms, marching in perfect lockstep. It just looks silly I think, and nothing like the more historical vision I had in my head when reading the books. Of course, this is just personal taste. But I would much prefer to see all the armies as being much less disciplined, and varied in their armour and weaponry, with heraldry of individual knights and lords in evidence.
(at least the Tyrell troops had spears and shields - the Lannister troops seemed to be equipped with just swords!)

And then we briefly got the Golden Company... who apparently were another host of stormtroopers / clones. I'd much preferred them as say, heavy cavalry... In the books they are supposed to feature a lot of Westerosi exiles, or descendants of those who fought (and died) for Daemon Blackfyre in the Blackfyre rebellions..... Many of whom have (dubious) claims to lands and estates in Westeros. Well that's probably just among the leadership and officers... But I always imagined them as having a more Westerosi style of fighting rather than the other more exotic / eastern mercenary companies.

Again though this is just personal preference - if the show is intentionally trying to distance itself from medieval Europe aesthetically (and perhaps a more classical vision of warfare).... Then fair enough  :)
I think it might be cheaper to outfit everyone identically and the producers/prop department assuming the viewer being unable to differentiate between Tyrell, Baratheon and Lannister soldiers, though this was ignored in the Battle of the Bastards, lol aside from the Bolton pikemen and pavisiers. 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 16, 2019, 04:00:21 AM
Yes! Older films seemed to be a lot better at depicting individual heraldry (a notable failure of Braveheart)
I don't seem to hate Braveheart now as I did years ago...

It did what it set out to do: depict an heroic William Wallace probably loosely derived from a work of fiction. The real WW grew up in a "gated community", went to a private school and was probably betrayed while visiting his mistress and Isabella of France was nine years' old and would give birth years later, long after the former's execution! At least the battles didn't involve soulless CGI soldiers, even though the Scots look like they just came out of a mosh pit!

First Knight had one side in blue, but it wasn't a good movie, though the night battle was better than in GoT.

True - but am I not right in thinking that both books and show put a lot of emphasis on their charge and arakhs? It's been a long while since I read the books, though.
Until the Battle of the Goldroad, I would've said the Dothraki in the TV show aren't the same as in the books, but I suppose it doesn't matter anymore, as the series is about to end. Ser Jorah mentions that their bows have longer range than Westorosi ones - probably composite - and they're better riders, but I don't recall the latter in the show - was there ever a cavalry battle?

1) How did the Dothraki gain a reputation as city sackers, when they know nothing of siege warfare? Maybe attacking the gates or gaining entry via subterfuge, but how many times would this work? Like the Mongols, maybe they used specialists from subject territories?

2) In the show, during Ser Jorah's duel with Qotho, the latter couldn't penetrate the former's armor with his arakh, though later the Dothraki have no issue slaying armored Lannister soldiers. Maybe it's safety related: in Sharpe's Waterloo, French cuirassiers were killed after getting their breastplates smacked with swords. lol 

They're touted as "the best infantry in the world", no?
Depends on what's meant by "best" and how much of this has to do with the sales pitch...

There's a lot of specious reasoning on that thread, and a huge underestimation of the role of strength. It's strength that makes fighters quick and agile; I agree with the poster there who said that DEX and STR aren't as separate as RPGs would have us believe.

Eunuchs lose muscle mass rapidly, even when castrated as adults. They also have frail bones and tend to suffer from scoliosis and osteoporosis eventually. But the Unsullied are castrated when very young - so they wouldn't develop adult mass and strength in the first place. They'd be essentially overgrown children.

The books handwave this with "training". But eunuchs wouldn't respond nearly so well to training as normal men, and they'd be more vulnerable to overtraining and exhaustion. So they'd be starting from a position of severe weakness and then "running to stand still" in avoiding muscle loss, fat gain and gynaecomastia.

So, basically, your uncastrated conscripts who do a bit of training would be getting stronger (and would be heavier, stronger and more aggressive to start with) while your Unsullied would be trying to stave off muscle loss, flab and injuries.

To make matters worse, the Unsullied fight in a phalanx-type formation. Imagine a giant rugby scrum with normal forwards on one side and a bunch of flabby kids who've never undergone puberty on the other ... ouch!
Strength without skill is useless and based on their training enforcing discipline, Unsullied group tactics make up for their lack of strength and only 1/3 of the boys survive to adulthood. Also, they imbibe the wine of courage, numbing their pain senses and maybe testosterone is one of the secret ingredients. Adrenal glands produce small amounts of testosterone and there are female soldiers on the frontlines. Phalanxes aren't rugby scrums: othismos debate.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 16, 2019, 07:01:56 AM
My problem with Daenerys' character development is not that she is brutal, but the reasons after her cruelty. In previous seasons, and in the books, there is a travel: she goes from being naďve and full of good intentions, to realize that the exercise of power requires to take unsavory compromises, to be feared and to act like those you despised. Her actions were reasonable, according the themes in the story -power is not for innocents-. However, in the last few episodes she has been transformed from a ruthless politician -cast in the mold of Elizabeth I, including her barrenness- into a bloodlust, mad woman. Her father took 30 years in showing his madness; she has taken less than a few weeks. That, in my book, is lazy, dissapointing writing. It's not a bleak ending what irks me -I love Breaking Bad, and its ending is not particularly uplifting-, but the inconsistencies in character development.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 16, 2019, 07:13:35 AM
Her change was dramatic, but then again I wasn't convinced by Anakin in SW either.

It is still by far the best mainstream telly around at the moment.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 16, 2019, 07:26:58 AM

But what GoT can do is sustained mood. I thought the echoes of the likes of the sack of Magdeburg, not to mention Dresden and Hiroshima, were chillingly well done. It looks like there'll be more of that next week.


Exaktly! GRR Martin again and again says borrows and steals from history, he even says it is his process. of course  the scriptwriters have done the same. I very much think the carpet bombing of Kings Landing is supposed toevoke memories of vengeful bomb raids and artillery barrages as those of the British at Dresden, the German Blitz and the Soviets at the end of WWII (just to name a few).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 16, 2019, 07:31:15 AM
Her change was dramatic, but then again I wasn't convinced by Anakin in SW either.

It is still by far the best mainstream telly around at the moment.

Indeed. It takes a truly great writer to pull the stunt of transforming the Heroe into the Villain without looking a forced change. Neither GoT (the show) nor Star Wars have been able to manage that evolution smoothly. 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 16, 2019, 08:16:02 AM
Exaktly! GRR Martin again and again says borrows and steals from history, he even says it is his process. of course  the scriptwriters have done the same. I very much think the carpet bombing of Kings Landing is supposed toevoke memories of vengeful bomb raids and artillery barrages as those of the British at Dresden, the German Blitz and the Soviets at the end of WWII (just to name a few).

But that's the problem: it doesn't work as such. Dresden, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Berlin, Coventry... all of the were ruthless political/strategic decissions. They weren't product of a childish tantrum, but planned actions of strategic terrorism. They were used to communicate an idea: you are powerless against us and either unconditionally surrender and submit yourself to our mercy or you will be wiped out. Even when the war ended, violence by the victors was focused, planned, not indiscriminated. In GoT is the action of a character that fits into the "scorned, mad woman" literary trope. That's what makes it so out of character. Daenerys has proved before that she can be ruthless, but always rationally, politicaly cruel... but now, out of the blue, she becomes a ravaging harpy, bent on destruction, for no other reason that "she is mad".

If the writers wanted to evoke Dresden or Tokyo, they should have shown the whole scene as a deliberate action taken by the "good guys" after rationalising the need to destroy innocent civilians in order to topple a murderous regime, not as a temper tantrum. Means justify ends is more compelling as plot device than "look! I am mad!".
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 16, 2019, 08:26:29 AM
But that's the problem: it doesn't work as such. Dresden, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Berlin, Coventry... all of the were ruthless political/strategic decissions. They weren't product of a childish tantrum, but planned actions of strategic terrorism. They were used to communicate an idea: you are powerless against us and either unconditionally surrender and submit yourself to our mercy or you will be wiped out. Even when the war ended, violence by the victors was focused, planned, not indiscriminated. In GoT is the action of a character that fits into the "scorned, mad woman" literary trope. That's what makes it so out of character. Daenerys has proved before that she can be ruthless, but always rationally, politicaly cruel... but now, out of the blue, she becomes a ravaging harpy, bent on destruction, for no other reason that "she is mad".

If the writers wanted to evoke Dresden or Tokyo, they should have shown the whole scene as a deliberate action taken by the "good guys" after rationalising the need to destroy innocent civilians in order to topple a murderous regime, not as a temper tantrum. Means justify ends is more compelling as plot device than "look! I am mad!".

I dont't agree. She clearly says that if she can't be loved whe will be feared and she uses that to justify her ignoring the bells, to really drive her supremacy home. To me, that works.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 16, 2019, 08:35:54 AM
I dont't agree. She clearly says that if she can't be loved whe will be feared and she uses that to justify her ignoring the bells, to really drive her supremacy home. To me, that works.

That's not how the scene is built. It is clear that it is a spur of the moment decision, not meditated. It isn't planned. She behaves like a disorganized psychopath. She is the Manson family, not Hannibal Lecter.

There is nothing political in her actions.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 16, 2019, 08:54:44 AM
In the video that Hammers linked above, the production team make it clear that they were influenced by the haunting images of the destruction of Dresden, the strategy behind Dresden not getting a mention .
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 16, 2019, 09:03:02 AM
She clearly says that if she can't be loved whe will be feared and she uses that to justify her ignoring the bells, to really drive her supremacy home. To me, that works.

That's not how the scene is built. It is clear that it is a spur of the moment decision, not meditated. It isn't planned. She behaves like a disorganized psychopath. She is the Manson family, not Hannibal Lecter.

There is nothing political in her actions.

In a sense I think you are both right...as Hammers said the scene with Jon is meant to be a turning point when she gives up on the notion of being loved in Westeros and will settle for being feared, but the actual scale of the firestorm that followed is more the act of someone that has become unhinged....she could have become feared by just burning the Red Keep.

In terms of the rapid descent into “madness” it’s probably worth considering recent events...the deaths of Jorah, Missandei and Rhaegal were all very personal, but I’d suggest the first of these was the most significant because Daenerys was also involved in hand to hand combat with the dead...until then she had been relatively “sheltered” with others doing the killing for her....even a trained soldier could well have PTSD in such a scenario so it’s hardly surprising if this triggered some underlying psychosis.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on May 16, 2019, 10:27:28 AM
Just a thought, but I've seen a lot of "clues" within the series turned into red herrings or getting nowhere altogether. Hence the setup of the burning of King's Landing was the Dragon Queen feeling robbed of her victory by Jon and his troops on the ground. Unfortunately it wasn't continued as such – e.g. by a more significant lack of Targaryen troops, Lannister soldiers readily surrendering to Jon, and citizens welcoming him as their saviour from Daenerys' wrath, all contributing to the queen's perception of betrayal.
Perhaps this whole subplot was one of the "bare bones" provided by GRRM, which the writers were supposed to flesh out themselves. It's such a pity D&D have proven their inabilities at character-driven storytelling over the last couple of seasons. :?

Another case in point: For a very short moment I expected Varys to reveal yet another heir to the Iron Throne in his letter. (Based on the books my guess would've been Tyrion as bastard of Aerys II, so he comes out as the legitimate ruler of the South while his 'wife' and last remaining intellectual equal Sansa would declare Northern independence…) But I'm now rather frustrated by the series and don't expect anything meaningful from it. Here's hope GRRM will continue at some point (or nominate a 'successor') to wrap up the story in a more orderly fashion.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 16, 2019, 01:38:55 PM
Just a thought, but I've seen a lot of "clues" within the series turned into red herrings or getting nowhere altogether. Hence the setup of the burning of King's Landing was the Dragon Queen feeling robbed of her victory by Jon and his troops on the ground. Unfortunately it wasn't continued as such – e.g. by a more significant lack of Targaryen troops, Lannister soldiers readily surrendering to Jon, and citizens welcoming him as their saviour from Daenerys' wrath, all contributing to the queen's perception of betrayal.
Perhaps this whole subplot was one of the "bare bones" provided by GRRM, which the writers were supposed to flesh out themselves. It's such a pity D&D have proven their inabilities at character-driven storytelling over the last couple of seasons. :?
This make perfect sense and explains why Daenarys ennobled Gendry and why she saved Mirri Maz Duur. She was expecting another Mereen, the scene itself being a copy of El Cid at Valencia, and when she didn't get the expected reaction, everyone and everything was committed to the flames. A bit more effort with the camera and better facial expressions from Clarke, that silent scene could've shown this, but it failed on several levels. The whole comparison with Dresden and WWII fire bombings is pretentious prattling - wonder how D&D will handle their Star Wars and ACW series. :-I 
 
Another case in point: For a very short moment I expected Varys to reveal yet another heir to the Iron Throne in his letter. (Based on the books my guess would've been Tyrion as bastard of Aerys II, so he comes out as the legitimate ruler of the South while his 'wife' and last remaining intellectual equal Sansa would declare Northern independence…) But I'm now rather frustrated by the series and don't expect anything meaningful from it. Here's hope GRRM will continue at some point (or nominate a 'successor') to wrap up the story in a more orderly fashion.
I never expected this theory to pan out...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 16, 2019, 03:45:52 PM
Here's hope GRRM will continue at some point (or nominate a 'successor') to wrap up the story in a more orderly fashion.

Expecting an orderly wrap up is a bit much to hope for. In all the things I have read by Martin there has never been a happy ending. There's just an  ending.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 16, 2019, 03:56:10 PM
Expecting an orderly wrap up is a bit much to hope for. In all the things I have read by Martin there has never been a happy ending. There's just an  ending.

The best wrap up I can imagine is a final scene of Daenarys riding up to some peasants slopping mud in a field and asking, "Who is your lord?" ...only to be told that they have no lord, and that they're an autonomous collective!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 16, 2019, 04:04:54 PM
As King's Landing is being torched, I have to wonder... where is Godzilla when you really need him?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Sir_Theo on May 16, 2019, 04:56:47 PM
That's not how the scene is built. It is clear that it is a spur of the moment decision, not meditated. It isn't planned. She behaves like a disorganized psychopath. She is the Manson family, not Hannibal Lecter.

There is nothing political in her actions.

Numerous times in the show she has wanted to take the extreme and violent course of action but been talked out of it by, variously, Jorah, Tyrion, Varys and Jon.  Feeling betrayed by all her advisors, with 2 of her 'children' and her two closest confidants dead I can see her taking the action she's wanted all along. She's her father's daughter.

The only real problem with this season (apart from the usual stuff like the military tactics and costumes) is that it needs to be longer, it all feels very rushed compared to the previous 7 seasons, as epic as the episodes have been.

That said I've been enjoying it!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on May 16, 2019, 05:01:00 PM
Expecting an orderly wrap up is a bit much to hope for. In all the things I have read by Martin there has never been a happy ending. There's just an ending.

No one called for happy ends. ;) Rather consistent character arcs instead of the improvised, stuttering versions we're getting since season 6.

For me these "overarching themes" are one of Martin's strengths. In SoIaF he's developed quite a few characters only to shatter them in a way that highlights their mindset. (The destruction or inversion of role models and gender stereotypes as well as the predominance of social imprint over genetic and structural/cultural factors in Martin's characters are to me but some of the most interesting topics conveyed in his writing.) I'd just like to see if some of the latest developments (like Brienne and Jaime blundering into sexual intercourse) were intentional or mere fan service.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 16, 2019, 05:02:11 PM
Expecting an orderly wrap up is a bit much to hope for. In all the things I have read by Martin there has never been a happy ending. There's just an  ending.

I didn't expect a happy ending. I did expect a coherent ending, though.

Edited: Mad Doc explained it better than I
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hupp n at em on May 16, 2019, 06:00:17 PM
I feel the buildup to Mad Queen Dany was insufficient and very sudden, but mostly problematic in the execution.  No shots or scenes of the peasants showing hate towards her or jeering etc, and rather than going to the Red Keep first and then getting carried away, she just strafes streets full of civilians block by block.  Dany is tempermental and has the Targ fire&blood attitude in her, but it was a bit too 0-100 for me and seemed like abject cruel murder rather than "sorry, you're in my way and I'm getting my way!" 

I've been pretty disappointed in this season, though I feel like a lot of the complaints are rather nitpicky.  I do think the way the cast has reacted to this season says something about how they decided to resolve/ignore character arcs - I think Emilia, Pilou, Kit, Peter, Gwendolyn, Nicholaj, Lena, Conleth, Nathalie, and Jakob have all voiced some displeasure/confusion/concern regarding their characters or overall plot choices.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 16, 2019, 07:37:23 PM
Burn them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

I hope someone has the good sense to collect all the gold from the Golden Company to help pay for the restoration (complete rebuild) of King's Landing!  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 16, 2019, 07:59:40 PM
Burn them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

Speaking of which, I’m sure everyone noticed the sporadic explosions of wildfire during the episode (part of the scene that prompted Jon to order the retreat)...so presumably Cersei was planning to torch large sections of the city and blame it on the dragon.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 16, 2019, 08:11:48 PM
I did notice that but it appeared to be stored on upper floors of buildings....so don't know what the point of that was as when Cersei blew up the city before she stored it all underground, for maximum damage (confined explosions go upwards!). Also, why didn't they load those javelins with some sorta of wildfire device....that would have been fun to watch.

Okay, last episode this Sun and I expect more of the cast to die! Jon Snow has to go as he is just too darn nice to rule anyone....just a big pushover! Heck, he couldn't even control his own troops during the sacking of the city. Speaking of which, why doesn't Snow (and Queen Dany) have a personal guard? Cersei has one...so doesn't every ruler with sense. Heck, the tyrant Maduro down in Venezuela has it own personal bodyguard. Hitler had the SS, Alexander the Companions, Napoleon the Old Guard, etc. GoT has been a fun show to watch but whomever is the military advisor/consultant clearly doesn't have a clue about the subject! Where is Dale Dye when you need him! ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 16, 2019, 08:27:02 PM
I did notice that but it appeared to be stored on upper floors of buildings....so don't know what the point of that was as when Cersei blew up the city before she stored it all underground, for maximum damage (confined explosions go upwards!). Also, why didn't they load those javelins with some sorta of wildfire device....that would have been fun to watch.

It seemed to suggest that there wasn’t enough wildfire available for a Big Bang, and that Cersei was more concerned with torching houses (and blaming it on Daenerys) rather than using it as a military weapon...afterall a dragon would set fire to the tops of houses.


why doesn't Snow (and Queen Dany) have a personal guard? Cersei has one...so doesn't every ruler with sense. Heck, the tyrant Maduro down in Venezuela has it own personal bodyguard. Hitler had the SS, Alexander the Companions, Napoleon the Old Guard, etc. GoT has been a fun show to watch but whomever is the military advisor/consultant clearly doesn't have a clue about the subject! Where is Dale Dye when you need him! ;)

Well, for much of GoT, Daenerys did effectively have Ser Barristan Selmy and Jorah Mormont as her bodyguards, and Greyworm was never far away, along with half a dozen Unsullied.

As for Jon, well if you can’t trust your “brothers” of the Nights Watch not to stab you through the heart, then who do you trust to guard you...besides, EVERYONE loves Jon Snow...apart from Daenerys..and Greyworm....yes he is screwed.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on May 17, 2019, 06:55:52 PM
2) In the show, during Ser Jorah's duel with Qotho, the latter couldn't penetrate the former's armor with his arakh, though later the Dothraki have no issue slaying armored Lannister soldiers. Maybe it's safety related: in Sharpe's Waterloo, French cuirassiers were killed after getting their breastplates smacked with swords.
Oh yes, armour actually being functional, rather than decorative. I wish more shows would illustrate that, or in this case, remember it. No wonder the main characters don't bother wearing helmets - armour is clearly useless anyway.

Numerous times in the show she has wanted to take the extreme and violent course of action but been talked out of it by, variously, Jorah, Tyrion, Varys and Jon.  Feeling betrayed by all her advisors, with 2 of her 'children' and her two closest confidants dead I can see her taking the action she's wanted all along. She's her father's daughter.
The father she wasn't raised by, a man she never knew? Just inescapable genetics than ey? That's a bit bleak.

I agree that the sudden change in her character was badly done. There was not enough leading up to it, and the trigger was.. what? Hearing the bells and looking at the Red Keep apparently. I figured she would attack Cersei et suis, but no, she decides to just slaughter thousands of civilians and destroy the city. Even the Mad King had more method in his madness - both what he did and why he did it. This was entirely out of character, even taking into account any changes in character of the duration of the show and recent events. She has become merciless to those she despises, and has come to hate Cersei and her accomplices. The citizens of King's Landing are not among those.

Speaking of which, why doesn't Snow (and Queen Dany) have a personal guard? Cersei has one...so doesn't every ruler with sense. Heck, the tyrant Maduro down in Venezuela has it own personal bodyguard. Hitler had the SS, Alexander the Companions, Napoleon the Old Guard, etc. GoT has been a fun show to watch but whomever is the military advisor/consultant clearly doesn't have a clue about the subject! Where is Dale Dye when you need him! ;)
Jon had a big, lovely, loyal dog at some point.. until they decided dragons and countless exploding buildings were more important things to spend the CGI budget on. Poor Ghost. At least he's safe up North with Tormund now, no doubt getting a nice saucer of giant's milk each morning.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: mcfonz on May 18, 2019, 07:30:32 PM
I feel the buildup to Mad Queen Dany was insufficient and very sudden, but mostly problematic in the execution.  No shots or scenes of the peasants showing hate towards her or jeering etc, and rather than going to the Red Keep first and then getting carried away, she just strafes streets full of civilians block by block.  Dany is tempermental and has the Targ fire&blood attitude in her, but it was a bit too 0-100 for me and seemed like abject cruel murder rather than "sorry, you're in my way and I'm getting my way!"

I'm with Akula. I actually think people are looking at this in too much isolation and with too much simplicity.

She threatened to do this in the last episode. We'd already had a discussion about it with other characters. Tyrion feared it but didn't want to believe she was capable of it, at the very least he understood that she was close to snapping point hence his threats and desperation in the attempted negotiations. Jon was more or less the same. Varys believed she could, and indeed, would do it and warned Tyrion of such and suggested Jon as being more level headed.

I also think it ignores something else going on. Another play for the throne. Daenerys wants to be wanted by the people as much as Jon is. She hasn't the time, the ability or the charisma to win them over the way he has done. So she can't be more popular than Jon. What better, then, to make Jon less popular? To burn the city he is in theory leading the attack against. Drag his name down rather than bring hers up. He was part of the slaughter of Kings Landing. Jon the fair did nothing to protect the innocents. Will they be so ready to back him now he has the same blood on his hands, of those innocents?

I've been pretty disappointed in this season, though I feel like a lot of the complaints are rather nitpicky.  I do think the way the cast has reacted to this season says something about how they decided to resolve/ignore character arcs - I think Emilia, Pilou, Kit, Peter, Gwendolyn, Nicholaj, Lena, Conleth, Nathalie, and Jakob have all voiced some displeasure/confusion/concern regarding their characters or overall plot choices.

For so many reasons this season was always going to be rushed. From the book not being finished and even Martin not necessarily knowing how he wanted it to end. He's well known to be a far from pacey writer, there was always going to be the risk that the TV show overtook his books. Then you have the actors. Many started out as relative unknowns, or actors/actresses who's careers had quietened etc. Since the first series several have risen to the level of movie stars. This means that their availability becomes reduced and more expensive. Shooting a longer series therefore may have a much more difficult task in terms of getting people committed to shooting and in terms of expense. As with many TV series, often they end before their desired finish. As a result the last season often feels a bit 'choppy'.

Taking all of that on board, not to mention it not being taken directly from Martin's work either, I think they are doing fine. So far I haven't seen any drastic alterations.

Part of me still wonders if Bran will just wake up and it'll have all been a part of a nasty dream after being pushed from the tower.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Coenus Scaldingus on May 18, 2019, 09:35:43 PM
For so many reasons this season was always going to be rushed. From the book not being finished and even Martin not necessarily knowing how he wanted it to end. He's well known to be a far from pacey writer, there was always going to be the risk that the TV show overtook his books. Then you have the actors. Many started out as relative unknowns, or actors/actresses who's careers had quietened etc. Since the first series several have risen to the level of movie stars. This means that their availability becomes reduced and more expensive. Shooting a longer series therefore may have a much more difficult task in terms of getting people committed to shooting and in terms of expense. As with many TV series, often they end before their desired finish. As a result the last season often feels a bit 'choppy'.
GRRM wanted about 10 seasons. HBO was happy to have this last season be 10 episodes. It's purely the showrunners who decided against either.

Quote
So far I haven't seen any drastic alterations.
Dorne? Azor Ahai, Nissa Nissa and Lightbringer? The prince that was promised? Valonquar? Aegon Targaryen/Blackfyre? Starks being able to warg? Lady Stoneheart? Horn of Winter? Euron's Dragonbinder?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 18, 2019, 09:41:40 PM
So, not long to go before the final episode now.

A question for you all: who is going to be in charge at the end?

My guess: 7 Kingdoms splinter, Tyrion in charge of the south; Sansa in charge of the north. Jon and Dany dead; Arya still alive but choosing domestic bliss with Gendry.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: mcfonz on May 18, 2019, 10:25:01 PM
GRRM wanted about 10 seasons. HBO was happy to have this last season be 10 episodes. It's purely the showrunners who decided against either.

They can want what they like. Tying down what are rapidly becoming prime role movie stars for that long is going to be an uphill battle with TV. As things stand though, one also has to consider that some of the episodes have been longer. So whilst there might be less of them, in all they probably are not that far off 10 in total. At the end of the day, it is the production company that has the budget and knows how far it will stretch. GRRM wanting more is almost a joke in the sense that he'd have had to have kept pace with book releases, and he is mostly quite agitated when asked about when the book will be ready from the interviews I have seen. TV can't wait. So it is what it is.

Dorne? Azor Ahai, Nissa Nissa and Lightbringer? The prince that was promised? Valonquar? Aegon Targaryen/Blackfyre? Starks being able to warg? Lady Stoneheart? Horn of Winter? Euron's Dragonbinder?
You misunderstand me. I meant none of the TV series characters have drastically changed this season - at least not in ways that shouldn't have been expected. I wasn't comparing to the books.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 19, 2019, 03:09:32 AM
Game Of Thrones Season 8 Is A Disappointment - Here's How We'd Fix It (https://screenrant.com/game-thrones-season-8-disappointment-fix/#leave-comment)...

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 19, 2019, 11:09:46 AM
I'm with Akula. I actually think people are looking at this in too much isolation and with too much simplicity.

She threatened to do this in the last episode. We'd already had a discussion about it with other characters. Tyrion feared it but didn't want to believe she was capable of it, at the very least he understood that she was close to snapping point hence his threats and desperation in the attempted negotiations. Jon was more or less the same. Varys believed she could, and indeed, would do it and warned Tyrion of such and suggested Jon as being more level headed.

I also think it ignores something else going on. Another play for the throne. Daenerys wants to be wanted by the people as much as Jon is. She hasn't the time, the ability or the charisma to win them over the way he has done. So she can't be more popular than Jon. What better, then, to make Jon less popular? To burn the city he is in theory leading the attack against. Drag his name down rather than bring hers up. He was part of the slaughter of Kings Landing. Jon the fair did nothing to protect the innocents. Will they be so ready to back him now he has the same blood on his hands, of those innocents?

I tend to agree with this. It struck me as I watched the episode that Jon Snow's reputation is now pretty heavily besmirched, despite his efforts to avert the sack of the city. And perhaps his well-meaning ineffectuality is actually a design feature rather than a bug (as with the awful, dithering film-Aragorn).

The burning of King's Landing and Daenerys's potential for cruelty, vengeance and destruction have both been heavily hinted at from early in the series. After all, she's been threatening to burn cities to the ground almost since she got the dragons. And the notion that (pseudo-)medieval conquerors might turn victory into atrocity is hardly a surprising one. There are certainly plenty of real-life examples that hardly needed dragons to make things worse.

I thought season 7 was pretty bad, but I've been pleasantly surprised with season 8. And, more than anything else, I like the fact that the series is turning out to be a tragedy, not a typical against-the-odds heroic narrative. I hope that's borne out tomorrow.

Another point on the battles: I don't think cinematic/TV medieval warfare has got any better since Eisenstein, and it's certainly got worse since Kurosawa (who was great at convincing you that what you were seeing was part of a much bigger whole). But I do think GoT has done some fairly good things in portraying a sort of medieval warfare. I didn't particularly like the Battle of the Bastards, but I thought the sack of King's Landing (leaving the dragon aside) was more convincing, horrifying and 'realistic' than most attempts to portray medieval warfare.

I certainly think that GoT's best battles (Blackwater Bay, Hardhome, the Battle of the Bastards, the Long Night, the sack of King's Landing) have been much better than their equivalents in the Lord of the Rings films. Compare Hardhome with Amon Hen, for example: one is visceral, tense and horrifying, and the other has giant uruks toppled with pebbles or knocked over like ninepins by the heroes.

And I'd take Hardhome over the Moria sequence any day (the latter's great until the door bursts open, and then it all degenerates into CGI siliness).

So, while GoT's battle scenes have their problems, the competition's hardly stellar. At the very least, the GoT battles have the advantage of being tense and gripping all the way through: no one surfs on a shield or tosses a dwarf!

Strength without skill is useless and based on their training enforcing discipline, Unsullied group tactics make up for their lack of strength and only 1/3 of the boys survive to adulthood.

I'd disagree with your point on strength a bit. Strength is a major component in most martial skills. It doesn't mean that the strongest fighter's always going to win - far from it. But in a lot of fighting situations, strength can go a long way to compensate for a lack of skill. You can see that in the historical selection of big men for guard and assault units (size is a good proxy for strength on average).

And the Unsullied - as prepubertal castrates - would be a lot weaker to begin with, and a lot less responsive to training.

Skeletons of medieval warriors typically show that they were extremely physically robust. The archaeologist who excavated the Repton viking burials once told me that the bones had the same sort of muscle-supporting growths as you'd see on the skeletons of modern powerlifters. Knightly skeletons also show significant muscular development, and you can tell a longbowman by the skeletal impact of the muscular development required from the job. But the Unsullied, with overlong, gracile skeletons, wouldn't be equipped to develop in these ways.

Quote
Also, they imbibe the wine of courage, numbing their pain senses and maybe testosterone is one of the secret ingredients. Adrenal glands produce small amounts of testosterone and there are female soldiers on the frontlines. Phalanxes aren't rugby scrums: othismos debate.

Well, maybe - except that the concept isn't anywhere in the text. So it's a it of a reach. There are female soldiers on frontlines today, but there weren't consistently in the ancient and medieval worlds; gunpowder is a great leveller. Also, I think I'm right in saying that a typical woman would produce more testosterone than a typical prepubertal castrate; both have adrenal glands, but women also get testosterone from their ovaries.

You're right that phalanxes aren't scrums, but I think it's fairly clear from the sources that they must on occasion have been somewhat scrum-like (when both sets of combatatants were sufficiently committed and brave). Could we agree that being a hoplite was a physically demanding job, and that ample testosterone would help with adaptation to it?

Most importantly, the Unsullied should have high-pitched voices. I'm trying to imagine Grey Worm as he should have sounded. I think his actor has done a good job, especially this season, but he'd have to be a tremendous thesp to pull off the character with the correct unbroken voice! ;D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 19, 2019, 11:15:39 AM
Game Of Thrones Season 8 Is A Disappointment - Here's How We'd Fix It (https://screenrant.com/game-thrones-season-8-disappointment-fix/#leave-comment)...

That article makes some very good points about time. The central thesis - that this season should have lead up to the Long Night and the next to King's Landing - is hard to argue with.

With the benefit of hindsight, last season could have been a slow build-up to the Long Night (perhaps with the Jon-Daenerys alliance as "the cavalry" and with the whole wight-capturing caper ditched) and this one could have concentrated on setting the scene for The Bells.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 19, 2019, 12:56:03 PM
I think I'm right in saying that a typical woman would produce more testosterone than a typical prepubertal castrate; both have adrenal glands, but women also get testosterone from their ovaries.

Sentences I never thought I would read on a wargaming forum...

;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 19, 2019, 05:49:44 PM
What did you all think of 'Cleganebowl'?

It seems after killing him off, they brought back The Hound a few seasons later as he was a popular character, and everyone wanted to see him fight his brother. Ok, fair enough, can't complain too much.

What I thought was weak writing was how in season 6 he pretty much just decided to go south and kill his brother for no apparent reason other than fan service. But I'm not gonna make a point of complaining about it.


BUT..... I actually heard a fantastic reason it could have been slightly rewritten so it made much more sense!

You see, the Clegane brothers had a sister.... and it is heavily implied that the Mountain was responsible for her death when they were younger.

So in Episode 4, when Sandor and Sansa were having their chat at the feast, it could have slightly been rewritten, she could have asked him something like "why are you so hateful, what happened to you?". And he could have broken down and told her the (very brief) story about the sister, and why he hates his brother so much. Something he would never discuss with anyone else, but as we have seen he has had a bit of a soft spot for both the Stark girls.... And then he could realise or explain it's because they (or perhaps just Sansa) remind him of his dead sister. And that's when he decides "fuck it, I'm gonna go kill Gregor".

Wouldn't that have been better?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 19, 2019, 05:52:48 PM
Ready to talk about spin offs yet? Or do we need to wait until this last episode airs tonight? I ask because ATT-Warner-HBO has announced an intention to produce spin offs. Maybe that entity will look at our suggestions. Here's mine:

1. Bankers on Essos dealing with and using the economic crises caused by Cersei's default on the Lannister loans to advance the positions of their rival banking empires.

2. A group of epidemiologists led by Samwell Tarley based in Old Town trying to solve the problems of contagious diseases in the world of GoT.

3. A medieval Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider/Librarian/Warehouse 13 team investigating dangerous magical objects and trying to keep them out of the hands of evil characters such as Daenerys. The first season could deal with a rumor of the existence of more dragon eggs.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hobgoblin on May 19, 2019, 06:19:12 PM
What did you all think of 'Cleganebowl'?

It seems after killing him off, they brought back The Hound a few seasons later as he was a popular character, and everyone wanted to see him fight his brother. Ok, fair enough, can't complain too much.

What I thought was weak writing was how in season 6 he pretty much just decided to go south and kill his brother for no apparent reason other than fan service. But I'm not gonna make a point of complaining about it.

Yes, I agree with everything you say here. And your proposed alternative sounds a lot better.

In general, I think that "fan service" is an awful business. That's why I dislike the concepts of test screening and giving the audience what they want. They should get what they're given!

It's easy to think of great films - from Seven Samurai to [/i]No Country for Old Men[/i] - that would have been thoroughly ruined if audiences had been allowed to influence the director into keeping protagonists alive or otherwise undermining the bitter endings that they have.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 19, 2019, 07:02:09 PM
Clegane's brother is responsible for his burn, right? I always assumed that was motive enough to kill him.

The fight was good - I liked how they didn't spell out what Ser Gregor had become, but it became increasingly clear he couldn't feel pain or really be wounded. "Why don't you die?"
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 20, 2019, 12:25:04 AM
Clegane's brother is responsible for his burn, right? I always assumed that was motive enough to kill him.

Yeah, but why does Sandor wait all his adult life before deciding to go kill him?

Perhaps beforehand he had a comfortable job (Prince Joffrey's bodyguard) and murdering his brother (one of Tywin Lannister's bannermen) would probably not be good for his career prospects.... but if killing him was all he cared about he had plenty of opportunity to have a go once the War of Five Kings breaks out. After fleeing the Battle of the Blackwater (book / season 2) he basically becomes an outlaw / wanted criminal, and indeed spends time with a bunch of outlaws who also want to kill Gregor (though admittedly they apparently want Sandor dead too). That whole period of war and chaos in the Riverlands would have been the perfect opportunity to go and kill him without any worry about repercussions. In the book, he is injured in a fight with Gregor's men - they actually want to take him back to Harrenhal with them, which Gregor is currently occupying. Great opportunity if revenge is all he cares about. Instead he kills them and continues on his way to return Arya to her relatives (so he cares more about money than revenge). In the book his wound becomes infected and he is left for dead by Arya, in the show he runs into Brienne who defeats him and he is left for dead again. But in both the book and show he apparently is found and saved by a religious character, and turns to a life of peace (in the book it's more of an easter egg the reader might miss, whereas in the show the character actually returns to the screen). Here's where they differ noticeably - in the book we do not hear from him again, in the show he for some reason decides to go North to fight against the White Walkers? Then when that is all done and neatly tired up, he thinks "hey, guess I'll go back south again and kill my brother now...."
Why? Because the show thought it would be cool, and there's only a few episodes left!
Not that I'm saying it's necessarily a bad idea.... just that it could easily have been made a bit more interesting by explaining more of his back story, through his interaction with Sansa. Sure, the whole sister backstory has never been mentioned in the show, and is barely mentioned in the books... But that's not a problem, it could have been introduced for the first time during his conversation with Sansa and would have made perfect sense, and added a very interesting new dimension to his character. And could have been interesting for Sansa, if after hearing the story she said something to encourage him to do it, showing her new ruthless side.....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: lethallee61 on May 20, 2019, 04:03:11 AM
Regardless of the critical analysis that will obviously follow for many weeks to come, I personally thought the final episode was absolutely brilliant.

Thanks for 8 seasons of quality television. I’m just so grateful we’ve come so far from the only available fantasy television being “Xena: Warrior Princess”.

Now........what’s next?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 20, 2019, 05:03:31 AM
Lazy fan-fiction of an ending after eight years...

Can't wait for the reboot!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 20, 2019, 05:58:02 AM
What a relief that it's finally over!  :D Didn't have to make total sense, just had to end.

Glad there were a few moments of levity. Was getting to be too much cello...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 20, 2019, 06:40:34 AM
Watched the last chapter, and... meh. Besides who is king (the reason why is so absurd that it is laughable, but what do I know?) nothing too surprising. The whole chapter is a plothole within another plothole. Well, it has been a dissapointment... which is not unexpected, given how rushed and unsatisfactory have been the last two seasons.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 20, 2019, 07:57:32 AM
Yeah, but why does Sandor wait all his adult life before deciding to go kill him?
I agree that is odd, but the sister backstory would just make this even more puzzling, as he has even more reason to do it sooner.

I think he tried to find meaning elsewhere but couldn't, just too damaged an individual. Also I think he chose his moment because he knew the Lannisters were done. Sandor's always had a cowardly side - he's not going to take the Mountain on unless the power balance changes? I dunno, that is just how I made sense of it.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 20, 2019, 08:02:12 AM
Apologies for double post, but this one has:

SPOILERS!! SPOILERS!!  SPOILERS!!





Last episode was meh. Too much Lord of the Rings-ish standing around looking destiny-driven while saying bite-sized bits of dialogue rather than actually conversing. Best bit was Drogon. Didn't see King Bran coming.

The last couple of seasons have certainly had their faults, but as someone who found the aimless plots and turgid prose (same descriptions used over and over) of the last few books unbearable, it was nice to get an ending!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 20, 2019, 08:37:30 AM
Not a spoiler at all, and despite overwhelming literary evidence to the contrary, according to filmmakers Middle Earth and Westeros share a unique feature in warfare - they never invented the ditch/moat!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 20, 2019, 09:01:12 AM
I know Harold did well getting from Stamford Bridge to Senlac, but Jon's Northerners were apparently capable of doing a tad over 400 miles march in 3 days according to Jon in S8 (the Trident to K Landing). Presumably they have HS2 in Westeros...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 20, 2019, 09:42:26 AM
Okay, stayed up late last night to watch the last episode and wow what a total waste of time (and loss of sleep!). For the avoidance of any doubt, the last episode (and most of the last season) just plain SUCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Let's not beat around the bush, the writers and directors for GoT screwed this one up royally! 

So voice your displeasure at bad writing (the actors did what they could with the script given to them) and ask for a remake by signing the petition!

https://www.change.org/p/hbo-remake-game-of-thrones-season-8-with-competent-writers?source_location=discover_feed

It probably won't happen but let the HBO Execs know that they can't keep screwing things up without consequences!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Darathar on May 20, 2019, 09:52:57 AM
I don't think it sucked. Rushed hell yes, all it could be NO. But that's the show since season 5. It started like Lord of the rings and ended like the hobbit movies in a sense. I can see why it's a colossal project to undertake i'd burn out too which is probably why show runners should know when to hand a project over but probably can't fit legal reasons etc.

Can anyone else see Jon abandoning the nights watch to live with the free folk? No one can stop him. The nights watch is too small, Sansa won't care, noone south would care and the second the unsullied handed back the city they became weaker than any full army in Westeros.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 20, 2019, 11:16:56 AM
How about all those people who named their daughters Daenarys or Khaleesi? How do they feel about season 8? ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 20, 2019, 11:21:42 AM
Mad as a brush!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Darathar on May 20, 2019, 11:29:03 AM
 lol I never thought of that!? Makes it even funnier now.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 20, 2019, 12:00:16 PM
Mind you 'Dracarys Bloggs' still has a certain ring to it!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 20, 2019, 12:03:25 PM
lol I never thought of that!? Makes it even funnier now.

Isn’t it?!  lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 20, 2019, 12:07:35 PM
I don't think it sucked. Rushed hell yes, all it could be NO. But that's the show since season 5. It started like Lord of the rings and ended like the hobbit movies in a sense. I can see why it's a colossal project to undertake i'd burn out too which is probably why show runners should know when to hand a project over but probably can't fit legal reasons etc.

Can anyone else see Jon abandoning the nights watch to live with the free folk? No one can stop him. The nights watch is too small, Sansa won't care, noone south would care and the second the unsullied handed back the city they became weaker than any full army in Westeros.
I heard one train of thought saying that the whole thing about sending Jon to the Nights Watch was just a plan of Bran so that Jon could go North and live out his days with the Wildlings as the Night's Watch is a completely pointless group now anyway. Makes sense to me. But yes, Jon's character would honour his debt I am sure, especially after killing the woman he loved.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 20, 2019, 12:24:49 PM
I don't think it sucked. Rushed hell yes, all it could be NO. But that's the show since season 5. It started like Lord of the rings and ended like the hobbit movies in a sense. I can see why it's a colossal project to undertake i'd burn out too which is probably why show runners should know when to hand a project over but probably can't fit legal reasons etc.

Can anyone else see Jon abandoning the nights watch to live with the free folk? No one can stop him. The nights watch is too small, Sansa won't care, noone south would care and the second the unsullied handed back the city they became weaker than any full army in Westeros.

Neither do I. It  was an ending of an extremely complex weave and I am petty sure that GRRM, if he  ever comes  to it, will make a better job  of it. What I liked and what I found consistent is there was a mix of exepcted and unexpected turns of events. I did not foress Bran becomeing the king just to mention one., I was in two mind whether house Targaryen would continue to rule. I sort of hope for a specatuler end to the last, litteral, dragon. But, as I have said before, in the chronicles of the House Targaryen, there examples of a few dragons taking off (as Drogon had done before).

After these 8 season I sort of feel like I sometimes do after a really big shindig: content, nostalgic, a bit annoyed with details and slightly hungover.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 20, 2019, 02:26:53 PM
Quote
I did not foress Bran becomeing the king just to mention one

But that is the entire problem with the way the show ran...as they develop all these characters and then fail to bring things through...and instead give the crown to 'Bran the Broken' because he was being a peeping tom and got shoved out of a window by Jamie Lannister (one of my fav characters). That said, I don't think Jon Snow was fit to rule anyone, let along lead an army. He proved time and time again to be useless. In the first battle of Winterfell we charges right into a battle and gets his army encircled! At the second battle of Winterfell he sits on his dragon on the ground for ages instead of toasting the undead, which would have saved some lives. Then before the gates of King's Landing he does bugger all...and once the city is breached, he can't even control his own forces. What sorta leader is that? Not a good one! I could go on and on but Jon Snow is useless. Heck, he kisses Dany for sticking her in the gut. And where was Dany's guards to make sure a heavily armed Jon Snow was allowed in...the only weapon Snow didn't bring was a scorpion! Just bad writing and a plot my 7 yr old could better write.

While the show has been entertaining at times it has also demonstrated a lot of failures for such a resource-intensive show. HBO should be ashamed at this. This is right up there with the Soprano's crap ending, True Detective Season 3 (where the lead detective gets dementia and can't remember who the person is! Ahhhhhhhh!), etc....just a long line of bad story telling.

Well at least we have Chernobyl, which is looking pretty good with two (2) episodes thus far....and a Deadwood movie that looks promising.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 20, 2019, 02:37:07 PM
But that is the entire problem with the way the show ran...as they develop all these characters and then fail to bring things through...and instead give the crown to 'Bran the Broken' because he was being a peeping tom and got shoved out of a window by Jamie Lannister (one of my fav characters). That said, I don't think Jon Snow was fit to rule anyone, let along lead an army. He proved time and time again to be useless. In the first battle of Winterfell we charges right into a battle and gets his army encircled! At the second battle of Winterfell he sits on his dragon on the ground for ages instead of toasting the undead, which would have saved some lives. Then before the gates of King's Landing he does bugger all...and once the city is breached, he can't even control his own forces. What sorta leader is that? Not a good one! I could go on and on but Jon Snow is useless. Heck, he kisses Dany for sticking her in the gut. And where was Dany's guards to make sure a heavily armed Jon Snow was allowed in...the only weapon Snow didn't bring was a scorpion! Just bad writing and a plot my 7 yr old could better write.

While the show has been entertaining at times it has also demonstrated a lot of failures for such a resource-intensive show. HBO should be ashamed at this. This is right up there with the Soprano's crap ending, True Detective Season 3 (where the lead detective gets dementia and can't remember who the person is! Ahhhhhhhh!), etc....just a long line of bad story telling.

Well at least we have Chernobyl, which is looking pretty good with two (2) episodes thus far....and a Deadwood movie that looks promising.

You read my mind... even the part on Chernobyl!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Codsticker on May 20, 2019, 04:45:11 PM
Oddly enough I wasn't disappointed... I was prepared for much worse.

 I think we all knew Danerys was going to to die but I thought Jon was done too. I figured Sansa would end up queen of everything.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Andrew_McGuire on May 20, 2019, 05:15:19 PM
Not a spoiler at all, and despite overwhelming literary evidence to the contrary, according to filmmakers Middle Earth and Westeros share a unique feature in warfare - they never invented the ditch/moat!

Well, there was Moat Cailin, though the water obstacle appears to have been a natural feature. Riverrun had one of the more traditional kind, I seem to recall, which Brynden Tully (Blackfish) managed to swim.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AWu on May 20, 2019, 05:25:30 PM
Never watched the series but I love the memes  lol

This is my favorite :)
(https://scontent-waw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60973260_10213877408478288_6350523839113330688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent-waw1-1.xx&oh=8d7867787f28fecc5bcc4c8570464cdf&oe=5D63C02A)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 20, 2019, 05:38:07 PM
The Real Reason Fans Hate the Last Season of Game of Thrones: It's not just bad storytelling—it’s because the storytelling style changed from sociological to psychological (https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-real-reason-fans-hate-the-last-season-of-game-of-thrones/)...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 20, 2019, 05:56:30 PM
That was a really interesting article by Prof Tufekci, and highly relevant to how things are today. People don't know how to tell stories and understand what shapes/creates them. Clearly the writing team of GoT doesn't understand how to write...and apparently they moved onto Star Wars where they will destroy that (and some of it was pretty bad already!).

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Inkpaduta on May 20, 2019, 06:33:37 PM
It seemed very anticlimactic to me. The death of Dany was rushed and without much wow factor.
Bran as the king was lame. Basically, the writers could have picked anyone to be king/Queen. There
was nothing in the show that would make you see Bran becoming king. You watch eight years for the
writers to throw a dart at a board and say "He will be the king at the end." Gendry would have made better
sense.

Jon simply can't keep any vow he has ever made. A vow to the Night Watch, he broke it. A vow to
be King of the North, he broke it. A vow to follow Queen Dany, broke that too. A vow to go back to the
Night Watch, nope he rides off. Hey, a great hero uh.

So the North can go independent but not the Iron Isles who have been fighting for independence the whole show?
Yara just sat there and voted for Bran. Right.

Then, all the leaders will come together and pick the bestest king from now on. Really Sesame Street ending there.

Overall, Meh for me.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 20, 2019, 06:48:06 PM
As I look back on season 8, I can only remember 4 scenes that I actually liked:

1. Brienne being kighted (not that I'm a fan of aristocracy, but she has always been committed to the ideals of knighthood)

2. Watching Drogon melt down the Iron Throne (I've always hated that hideous thing)

3. Sam suggesting that all the people vote for a king to a bunch of aristocrats

4. Tyrion, Bron, Davos, & Sam bickering about government business at the end
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 20, 2019, 06:54:03 PM
Not really sure I how feel. I kind of enjoyed it while it was happening, but I've felt that way about every episode this time, only for the episodes to fester in my mind and get worse as time goes on and the more I think about them. Maybe the key is to not think about it!  lol


Whatever else happened and how I feel about it, I loved the scene where Tyrion found the bodies of Jaime and Cersei. Peter Dinklage is great when you give him something to work with. Pity we haven't had much of that in recent years. I don't think that character has had anything interesting to do since he shot Charles Dance on the toilet with a crossbow.


Ere, that sounds like something out of Cluedo, doesn't it? Tyrion, in the toilet with the crossbow. :)


Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 20, 2019, 06:57:21 PM
It seemed very anticlimactic to me. The death of Dany was rushed and without much wow factor.

Jon simply can't keep any vow he has ever made. A vow to the Night Watch, he broke it. A vow to
be King of the North, he broke it. A vow to follow Queen Dany, broke that too. A vow to go back to the
Night Watch, nope he rides off. Hey, a great hero uh.

So the North can go independent but not the Iron Isles who have been fighting for independence the whole show?
Yara just sat there and voted for Bran. Right.

For the Death of Daenarys I was hoping for something more along the lines of Julius Caesar, with Dany turning to say, with several knives sticking in her, "You too, Jon?"

Never liked Jon. In the book he personally killed my favorite character in the whole series, Ygritte.

Yeah, with the destruction of King's Landing, and the slagging of the Iron Throne, it would have been the perfect time for the Seven Kingdoms to go their separate ways (especially the Iron Islands).
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 20, 2019, 07:12:51 PM
I kind of enjoyed it while it was happening, but I've felt that way about every episode this time, only for the episodes to fester in my mind and get worse as time goes on and the more I think about them. Maybe the key is to not think about it!  lol

Haha, I'm mostly the opposite. I don't always enjoy the episodes while watching them, but afterwards start thinking about them and filling in some of the stuff the script gestures to/leaves open, filling in the blanks. Then it makes more sense and I feel happier about it.

Totally agree about Peter Dinklage though. GRRM removing him from the centre of power where his scheming is so interesting was a plot mistake.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 20, 2019, 08:00:45 PM
Yeah, but why does Sandor wait all his adult life before deciding to go kill him?

Until the assault on Winterfell by the Night King he loses hope on a regular basis (as per the Battle of Blackwater)...he is big, and has the bravado of a bully (like his brother) but he lacks conviction. He gains that...finally...when he goes to rescue Arya...he faces death and says f@#& it!


Lazy fan-fiction of an ending after eight years...

Can't wait for the reboot!

To be fair the biggest surprise from the last episode would have been if you liked it

 ;)

Can anyone else see Jon abandoning the nights watch to live with the free folk?

Completely


I loved the scene where Tyrion found the bodies of Jaime and Cersei. Peter Dinklage is great when you give him something to work with. Pity we haven't had much of that in recent years. I don't think that character has had anything interesting to do since he shot Charles Dance on the toilet with a crossbow.

Fantastic actor, and like you said underused towards the end.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 20, 2019, 08:20:28 PM
Overall, I enjoyed the arc of the 8 seasons...but I would have loved to have seen a bit more blood, and a bit less “let’s sit around and discuss our differences” in the last feature length episode....specifically Jon and Greyworm fighting it out.

Once Dany was dead, it would have been more satisfying to have seen the northmen, perhaps with the assistance of any remaining Lannister’s, and the populace of Kings Landing, fighting back against the Unsullied and Dothraki.

A couple of things did bother me specifically...

Firstly, Bronn - Lord of Highgarden and Master of Coin....did anyone apart from Tyrion that was present at the talks at the Dragon Arena actually know who Bronn was? Lord Royce May have remembered him, but he was just a sellsword (who served the Lannister’s) and commanded no soldiers...why would anyone give him Highgarden...his deal was with Tyrion and Jamie...no one else.


Secondly, Bran....has he just pulled off the ultimate coup? He can see the past/future and warg, but hasn’t exactly been a massive help.

What he has done is pressure Sam to tell Jon he is the Targaryen heir to the throne, presumably safe in the knowledge that the secret will get out, and that eventually he will kill Dany....oh, and that he will himself then be offered the throne.

He didn’t warn anyone about the impending firestorm, and he was very happy to bundle Jon off to the Wall...is it a “reward” because Jon loves the north, or actually a convenient way of getting rid of a claimant to the throne.

“Bran the Broken” or “Bran the schemer”?  Certainly “Bran the Dull”..I’d be plotting against him from Day One...but then he’d probably already know that...duh!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on May 20, 2019, 09:37:42 PM
Loved it. Sure it was rushed, but we all knew it would be. A good ending to the series and in style.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 20, 2019, 09:53:57 PM
Quote
Loved it. Sure it was rushed, but we all knew it would be. A good ending to the series and in style.

So were you drinking when you watched it??? ;D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on May 20, 2019, 10:11:59 PM
Other than the melting throne and Drogon's departure....rather dull.

Nothing changes much...as selection of Bran and the later council scenes showed. Not everyone is happy but for a while there will be stability and peace. Until the next king is needed....

Well here's to the spectacle it was and could have been.

Like the advert said....what's next?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 20, 2019, 10:27:00 PM
“Bran the Broken” or “Bran the schemer”? 

Ooooh, now that is something I hadn't thought of. That adds a really cool layer to the final. "Why do you think I came all this way?" - he had the throne in mind.

I assume Tyrion put Bronn in power (I don't recall him being at the council who elected Bran, might be wrong though). A Lannister always pays his debts. As someone said above, nice to see a Lannister actually doing so.

The more I think about it, the more I like the ending of the series. Lots of things to ponder, and I'd really like to see a good writer fill it out a bit more in a book one day. Ha.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 20, 2019, 11:49:32 PM
I loved the ending. Yes it had some stupid bits and some rushed bits, but it was also very moving and cinematically very beautiful in many places. Thought they pulled back a lot of ground.
And essentially, let’s face it, the Starks won.
If that’s not a fulfilling and just end to the story cycle after everything that’s been done to them and all the injustices and trials they’ve been put through for the last nine years, I don’t know what is  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Dr Mathias on May 21, 2019, 12:29:25 AM
And essentially, let’s face it, the Starks won.
If that’s not a fulfilling and just end to the story cycle after everything that’s been done to them and all the injustices and trials they’ve been put through for the last nine years, I don’t know what is  :)

Sansa (and House Stark) was the overall winner from my point of view.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Blackwolf on May 21, 2019, 01:11:57 AM
Haha, well said Richard.
When I started to read the books, I was expecting Macbeth, I'm unfortunately what I got was RJ Feist (albeit for modern tastes),it was all very American wasn't it(statement).
I was expecting a more open ended 'grim dark' finish...in idipsum.
This thread has been a vicarious pleasure, thanks all :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 21, 2019, 05:52:49 AM
I just want it recorded that the Dylan guy who started that petition is categorically not me! (One of my pals has already accused me of that).


Though if I did remake it, it would be an entire season of Tyrion rearranging chairs, that bit was great.


Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 21, 2019, 07:17:45 AM
I just want it recorded that the Dylan guy who started that petition is categorically not me! (One of my pals has already accused me of that).


Though if I did remake it, it would be an entire season of Tyrion rearranging chairs, that bit was great.

Haha, that dumb petition reminds me of those football fans starting a petition to overturn a result they didn't like.

Tyrion arranging the chairs was a great touch: he's nervous, wanting to do well on the first day of his new job.

Anyway, I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread for the final season, so thanks to you all for such an interesting discussion. It has added to my enjoyment of the series a lot, with loads of great ideas filling out different bits of each episode.
Thanks, ladies and gents!

Someone said to me, years ago before the TV series, that the way to get into the books is to cheer for the Stark children: it is really all about them. The finale seems pretty good with that in mind, though as I said above it could have done with less silently-gazing-over-the-horizon from the main characters.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 21, 2019, 07:21:17 AM
I just want it recorded that the Dylan guy who started that petition is categorically not me! (One of my pals has already accused me of that).


Though if I did remake it, it would be an entire season of Tyrion rearranging chairs, that bit was great.

 lol It was!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 21, 2019, 08:23:16 AM
The final winner would be... Winter.
Everyone has been bracing themselves for not just the Night King, but the worst, longest winter in generations. No human intervention can stop that. Once everyone had finished murdering each other, burning their homes, crops and supplies, there would be nothing worthwhile left to rule over.

Daenerys would finally taking the seat of the Iron throne among the ruins and ashes of King's Landing as prophesied in the earlier dream sequence in S2 having (either by accident or by design) disposed of all opposition. The scene would pan out to a dragon's eye perspective flying out over a Judgement Day/Day After Tomorrow scene of war, devastation and fires being extinguished by the onset of blizzard like snowfall - fade to white.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 21, 2019, 09:49:43 AM
Quote
The final winner would be... Winter.

Yeah but I am confused as winter came to King's Landing but in the final shot of Jon Snow going north they show a plant growing through the snow. So does that mean winter is over? If so, won't the man-made ice wall separating the north and wilds melt (global warming  ;D )? Just wondering why it would be snowy down south and then spring already in the north?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on May 21, 2019, 10:03:39 AM
So were you drinking when you watched it??? ;D

No, I just managed my expectations well ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 21, 2019, 10:45:13 AM
No, I just managed my expectations well ;)

You are a good man. A good, good man. Solid.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 21, 2019, 10:47:45 AM
My thought on winter was that the Night King was making it in preparation to come south. With the death of the Night King the terrible winter was going too. moving back to the type of winter they were more used to.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 21, 2019, 10:52:14 AM
Yeah but I am confused as winter came to King's Landing but in the final shot of Jon Snow going north they show a plant growing through the snow. So does that mean winter is over? If so, won't the man-made ice wall separating the north and wilds melt (global warming  ;D )? Just wondering why it would be snowy down south and then spring already in the north?
Exactly! Yet another example of S8 writers ignoring S1 to S7 and the whole ASOIAF backstory/history. A cheap meme for hope like the plant at the end of Hayao Miyazaki's 1984 Naussicaa. It would be a colossal waste of White Ravens announcing that Winter has arrived, let alone the North's famous catchphrase'. The wall has stood for many weather cycles so would not melt. It also makes no sense for the Freefolk to go North again to a Land of Always Winter when the weather was supposedly going to get apocalyptically worse! The predictions were all that the long summer would be faced with an equally long winter. Resources have been squandered or burned in all the conflict. Old Nan told stories of people freezing in their castles, mother's killing their children rather than seeing them starve. The North Remembers - and so do ASOIAF Fans!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 21, 2019, 11:28:56 AM
Bucking the trend slightly, but I quite liked it... have to work now but will explain (and open lyself to ridicule) later...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tuco74 on May 21, 2019, 12:04:14 PM
I actually liked the final episode insofar as it was the best way to wrap up what had gone before (particularly in the last few episodes). I do have mixed feelings about the series as a whole, for as much as they nailed the books, there were plenty of other areas where they got it wrong. It's similar to the Lord of the Rings movies I suppose - it's not the stuff they left out that bothered me, it's the stuff they added but didn't need to.

I do maintain though that the final scene should have been Robert Baratheon saying 'and that's what will happen if we don't kill her now!'
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Cubs on May 21, 2019, 03:26:04 PM
I do maintain though that the final scene should have been Robert Baratheon saying 'and that's what will happen if we don't kill her now!'

Catelyn Stark wakes up from a terrible dream as Ned Stark is just getting out of the shower ...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: tuco74 on May 21, 2019, 03:59:55 PM
Catelyn Stark wakes up from a terrible dream as Ned Stark is just getting out of the shower ...

If you swap those two characters round you've got a winner.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 21, 2019, 07:37:47 PM
I hava a question: at the meeting of the lords of the realm, where lord Edmure Tully made an ass of himself and eventually Brandon is made king, there are two geezers I dont recognize nor can name. Who are they supposed to be?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 21, 2019, 07:49:12 PM
I dunno, but one fellow at the meeting looked like he was from Dorne. He was dressed just like old Inigo Montoya used to when he was in the show.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on May 21, 2019, 07:49:58 PM
a fulfilling and just end to the story cycle after everything that’s been done to them and all the injustices and trials they’ve been put through for the last nine years

And that's exactly my problem. It was a happy end for most characters who survived this last season's mayhem. The books as well as the TV series have gone to great lengths tearing down their audience's expectations. As much as I – grumpily – loved the scenes of Brienne honouring Jaime's deeds or Tyrion conferring with his fellows – it was all about each and everyone back on the old tracks. Which have led whereto exactly? Westeros and a good part of Essos plunged into bloody wars, social crisis, and general turmoil. For some reason I'm not convinced the solution to all the desaster and upheaval caused lies in "Let's just switch to a 'presidential system', uhm, 'elective monarchy', because it'll be fine…"  ::)
I actually felt belittled by the writers who thought it fit to brush aside Sam's proposal of a different solution, no matter how improbable it was - and thereby ridiculed fans who'd hoped for a more apt and witty conclusion to a series of world-shattering events. And let's not mention Bran the Schemer raised to the throne or 'foreign workers', once their job's done, silently returning to 'their country'…

That said, the last episode wasn't as bad as I feared based on the season so far. Some scenes were drawn out, perhaps to cover a lack of meaningful dialogue and action. Others were touching and played to the strengths of actors to shine before the curtain fell. First and foremost, I'm glad to have finally seen the (or one possible?) end to a story which I picked up somewhen in the early 2000's – fully expecting its conclusion before I would reach book 4 or 5… :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 21, 2019, 08:02:54 PM
And that's exactly my problem. It was a happy end for most characters who survived this last season's mayhem. The books as well as the TV series have gone to great lengths tearing down their audience's expectations. As much as I – grumpily – loved the scenes of Brienne honouring Jaime's deeds or Tyrion conferring with his fellows – it was all about each and everyone back on the old tracks. Which have led whereto exactly? Westeros and a good part of Essos plunged into bloody wars, social crisis, and general turmoil. For some reason I'm not convinced the solution to all the desaster and upheaval caused lies in "Let's just switch to a 'presidential system', uhm, 'elective monarchy', because it'll be fine…"  ::)
I actually felt belittled by the writers who thought it fit to brush aside Sam's proposal of a different solution, no matter how improbable it was - and thereby ridiculed fans who'd hoped for a more apt and witty conclusion to a series of world-shattering events.

That said, the last episode wasn't as bad as I feared based on the season so far. Some scenes were drawn out, perhaps to cover a lack of meaningful dialogue and action. Others were touching and played to the strengths of actors to shine before the curtain fell. First and foremost, I'm glad to have finally seen the (or one possible?) end to a story which I picked up somewhen in the early 2000's – fully expecting its conclusion before I would reach book 4 or 5… :D

Interesting to hear you expected a happy clappy reformed world ending. I never saw the ASOIAF universe to have the potential for that sort of thing. It’s all about struggle and temporary gains.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 21, 2019, 08:05:45 PM
I dunno, but one fellow at the meeting looked like he was from Dorne. He was dressed just like old Inigo Montoya used to when he was in the show.

IMDB have them down as some unnamed Riverland and Vale lord. Highly unsatisfactory.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 21, 2019, 08:11:00 PM
There's a character called "Dornish Prince" too. So I guess that's three unnamed characters now.

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AzSteven on May 21, 2019, 08:23:05 PM
That said, the last episode wasn't as bad as I feared based on the season so far. Some scenes were drawn out, perhaps to cover a lack of meaningful dialogue and action. Others were touching and played to the strengths of actors to shine before the curtain fell. First and foremost, I'm glad to have finally seen the (or one possible?) end to a story which I picked up somewhen in the early 2000's – fully expecting its conclusion before I would reach book 4 or 5… :D

It felt to me like the writers/producers were given a bullet-pointed summary from Martin of where all the characters would end up at the end of the books, and the producers effectively scrabbled a very condensed set of episodes to get everyone at those points at the end of the series.  That gave us a rather confused and jumpy path to get to those end points; the end points themselves were fine, but the producers poor writing ability and rushed timeline resulted in dissatisfaction in how the tv series got to the end.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on May 21, 2019, 08:33:19 PM
Interesting to hear you expected a happy clappy reformed world ending. I never saw the ASOIAF universe to have the potential for that sort of thing. It’s all about struggle and temporary gains.

Like last time: I didn't mention a "happy clappy" solution. On the contrary.
Ordinary people have suffered a lot, despite the series' focus on upper class struggles. These elites, however, have also unmasked their motives and thereby debased themselves in any number of ways. From a sociological view point – and sociality has been key to the plot throughout – it's unlikely at best that this would not result in more evident changes to the social system and its cultural agency.
If GRRM drew inspiration from the Wars of the Roses, he could've noticed said changes. E. g., if only a keen thought, democracy was on the cards but discarded (cf. Thomas Morus). Yet the people in charge weren't the ones who'd started it all, both by dynasty and mentality. If GRRM did notice, though, I'm not sure it transpired to the show writers.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Cubs on May 21, 2019, 09:02:16 PM
If you look through George RR Martin's back catalogue, something that stands out is that he sets out to write a lot of series of stories … then gets bored and abandons them halfway through. He just seems to lose interest, or runs out of ideas once he's begun what he initially envisages being an epic tale running into several books.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised that this is what he has done again. He has pretty much just stopped writing the 'Song of Fire and Ice' books and is now amusing himself writing prequels instead. Well, good for him if that's what he wants to do, he is free to write (or not) whatever he wants. It certainly hasn't done his bank balance any harm. I do feel sorry for the TV writers though, who have been dumped with the task of completing a story arc without the original writer and pleasing an army of fans. It seems like they just rushed it out, to run for the hills as quickly as possible.

Massive, massive hit though it has been overall, I wonder if another production company will be happy to sign up to an indeterminate number of seasons of a partially written tale in quite the same way again.   
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 21, 2019, 09:24:07 PM
Mad Doc: really interesting political reading there! Personally, I never viewed it like that (not saying you're wrong to). I have always had the impression that the common folk in GRRM-land don't even see a more liberal world as a possibility. Daenerys in her lofty rhetoric moments is the closest we get to it, but it is still a long way, conceptually speaking, from her vision to something like that of the English Levellers.
I quite liked the lack of big change. If GRRM-land had ended up closer to our vision of democracy, the whole thing would have been an overlong re-working of those Feist/Wurts Kelewan novels (Servant of Empire I think from memory? Jeez, they got bad fast) in a different setting. That would have been a bit boring for me.

Cubs: yes, you've totally nailed it. GRRM writes himself into a corner he can't be bothered/doesn't know how to get out of. I also think he's more of a world-builder than a story-teller. Part of ASOFAI's problem is he sends characters to different parts of the map for (as far as the plot demands go) no other reason than to write about that bit of the map.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 21, 2019, 09:28:19 PM
IMDB have them down as some unnamed Riverland and Vale lord. Highly unsatisfactory.

Well they killed everyone else of note, so I guess they had to hastily invent a few more previously unseen nobles... shoddy really, but it makes a kind of sense. Although actually it makes little sense because some of those represented (Tully, for instance, and Tarly) were not one of the great houses, but a subsidiary house? Highgarden wasn’t represented by its new lord, Bronn (the Tyrells all having been exterminated), and there were three Starks but no Targaryen (John Snow, although for obvious reasons). So given that it wasn’t representative of the seven kingdoms / seven great houses, one wonders why they felt the need to invent a couple of random additional lords. Kind of symptomatic of the slipshod approach of the final season, where everything became all rather loose, and internal logic flew out of the window.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 21, 2019, 09:34:55 PM
one wonders why they felt the need to invent a couple of random additional lords

I wonder if they will get an action figure?

 ;) :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Blackwolf on May 21, 2019, 09:42:29 PM
Cubs,you're exactly right,that's the trouble with Martin's narrative, or lack thereof; writing each chapter as a short story in it self with no cohesion,I wonder if he does a plot outline? I think not.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Charlie_ on May 21, 2019, 11:31:31 PM
Well, it's all over. Kind of a relief really.

Ever since season 5 I've been bitching and moaning about all the plot inconsistencies, shoddy writing, crap dialogue, misused characters, losing sight of the themes that make the books great etc......

But I'm not gonna go on about that any more!

I mean, I can pick holes in the way it ended and say "well I can assure you it won't happen like that in the books..." But... how are the books gonna end? I honestly haven't a clue! So though the details may irk me, I can't really complain about the ending in any way.

Dany burning King's Landing and getting herself murdered? Sure why not!
Jon going back beyond the Wall at the end of the series? Sure why not!
Sansa becoming the Queen in the North? Sure why not?

Bran becoming King? Er, I dunno.... But sure, why not.

I thought the last scene with Drogon was fantastic, even if it made no sense. One thing the show definitely did well was how they depicted the dragons.

I thought Jon being sent back to the Night's Watch, even if it maybe made no sense, was a very nice bittersweet ending for his character, and quite emotional actually.

And I thought Brienne becoming Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and finishing Jaime's entry in the fabled 'white book'... That was actually fantastic, and a great way to tie up both of their character arcs I think! (I wonder what was written about all the nameless Kingsguard who died between Barristan's dismissal and Jaime's death though? Are some of them still around? And if so, I wonder if any of them are the same ones who served Robert? A few got killed by the Hound. Does Ser Gregor get an entry?)

Though I gotta ask... what the hell happened to the Dothraki at the end? I think their re-introduction in the show as really tiresome, they were usually never seen and were just brought out every now again when they are needed to ride around and shout a lot. When Dany was giving her victory speech, I actually thought she was about to order the Unsullied to slaughter the Dotraki for some reason, and kind of wished she had.....




One thing I will leave you to ponder. So apparently Grey Worm is going to sail off to live on the Island of Naath, the home of his dead girlfriend, and apparently take all the thousands of Unsullied with him...... (lucky they retrained to become sailors, huh?)

From the World of Ice and Fire book......

Quote
...strangers from beyond the sea do not live long on the Island of Buttterflies. The Ghiscari seized the island thrice in the days of the old empire; The Valyrians erected a fort there whose walls of fused dragonstone can still be seen; a company of Volantene adventurers once built a trade town, complete with timber palisades and slave pens; corsairs from the Basilisk isles have landed on Naath countless times. Yet none of these invaders survived, and the Naathi claim that none lasted more than a year, for some evil humour lurks in the very air of this fair isle, and all those who linger too long on Naath soon succumb. Fever is the first sign of this plague, followed by painful spasms that make it seem as if victims are dancing wildly and uncontrollably. In the last stage, the afflicted sweat blood, and their flesh sloughs from their bones.

Enjoy your new home!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 22, 2019, 12:52:47 AM
Well they killed everyone else of note, so I guess they had to hastily invent a few more previously unseen nobles... shoddy really, but it makes a kind of sense. Although actually it makes little sense because some of those represented (Tully, for instance, and Tarly) were not one of the great houses, but a subsidiary house? Highgarden wasn’t represented by its new lord, Bronn (the Tyrells all having been exterminated), and there were three Starks but no Targaryen (John Snow, although for obvious reasons). So given that it wasn’t representative of the seven kingdoms / seven great houses, one wonders why they felt the need to invent a couple of random additional lords. Kind of symptomatic of the slipshod approach of the final season, where everything became all rather loose, and internal logic flew out of the window.
House Tully of Riverrun is one of the Great Houses, ruling the Riverlands. House Tarly were vassals of Tyrell and due to lazy writing, switched sides, and should now be among Bronn's bannermen, assuming there's still an House Tarly.

The Dorne arc didn't make sense, considering D&D had plenty of material to work with: revenge on the Lannisters by murdering one's relatives?!?  o_o Everything's been loose and slipshod for the past four seasons and D&D had a year off.

Anyone think Sansa asking Bran for independence was rather pathetic? No one wanted her as Queen in the North in Season 7 and I don't recall Jon Snow abdicating, even in imprisonment.

Who controls the Westerlands? In addition to being Hand, is Tyrion Lord of Casterly Rock?

In the absence of House Martell, House Yronwood (https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/House_Yronwood) have the strongest claim over Dorne.

Seven Kingdoms (https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Seven_Kingdoms)

(https://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/3/3a/Seven_Kingdoms.png/300px-Seven_Kingdoms.png) 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 22, 2019, 01:33:15 AM
'Game of Thrones' Finale May Have Revealed How Daenerys Comes Back to Life: Melisandre wasn't the only Red Priestess around...  (https://www.inverse.com/article/56023-game-of-thrones-finale-spoilers-daenerys-dies-or-does-she)

 :o :o :o

Quote
Kinvara, a high-ranking Red Priestess, appeared briefly in Season 6, traveling from Volantis to Meereen to pledge her support for Daenerys Targaryen. We haven’t seen Kinvara since, but it’s worth noting that in Season 7, Melisandre left Westeros and traveled to Volantis on a mysterious mission. Melisandre already knew she would die in Westeros, but maybe she needed to prepare Kinvara for the task ahead.

Of course, Kinvara isn’t the only Red Woman in Volantis. There’s an entire Red Priesthood of Volantis. So if someone is going to bring Dany back to life, it’s probably going to happen there.

So now Dany Bois could possibly pull a Sheev Palpatine from the Dark Empire series sans clones?!? She already has an army of impotent stormtroopers...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 22, 2019, 07:18:09 AM
The ending makes as much sense as the rest of the season. It has been akin to a coitus interruptus.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 22, 2019, 07:32:37 AM
I wonder if they will get an action figure?

 ;) :D

 lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 22, 2019, 08:16:21 AM
Not the best season, but perhasp not the worst either.

And overall as mainstream telly goes it was amazing. Compared to the rest of the cr@p on TV that is on offer it is head and shoulders above - I am talking fantasy/sci fi domain here. But even cop and drama shows... For me the only other thing I've seen that was good is The Terror. It even beats most fantasy film except:

(https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ybl9afRHAJwAb2VR0KOqrh4usmI=/124x0:1156x688/1200x800/filters:focal(124x0:1156x688)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46893596/vlcsnap-2013-01-03-00h56m55s34.0.0.png)

There have been so many shocks and twists along the way that it would have been hard to have a better ending.

I was happy to see that the three Stark characters came out of it with what they wanted, Bran being no longer a Stark was punished for being touched by the Evil Blue Guy when Heidi's Grandad was trapped by that "bad" tree that wouldn't let him go....

Perhaps the Imp could have died, I found his speech the most annoying part of the season (and perhaps the series).

Perhaps Dany's I've gone crazy speech should have come before the battle and not after, but regardless the Destruction of KL was a "great" moment and great TV. I even liked the fact that the Dragon was unable to kill Jon that's to his Dragon blood it showed that it was a beast or burden/pet and not a completely free entity - perhaps it didn't want to kill all those people - maybe it learned it's lesson when it killed the shepard's kid on the other side of the pond.

The three story lines the Starks offer make for good tv, books, film and gaming ideas so that's good and of course someone will want to tame the North again or find that Dragon.

And remember the highs - The Red Wedding, The Mountain exploding people's heads and Ned Stark having his lopped off.

I haven't enjoyed TV as much since Deadwood, which also had a poor ending (perhaps to be set right) and compared to other endings it was satisfactory.

I am almost disappointed to see that next year's series is 5000 years before, but wouldn't it be worse to follow the same characters...

Ultimately compared to the rest of "gamer related" TV it stands out by miles...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 22, 2019, 10:14:43 AM
The one thing which does bug me with the this wrap up is the rationale why Bran the Broken should be king.

Tyrion says:
"What unites people? Armies? Gold? Flags? Stories. There’s nothing in the world more powerful than a good story. Nothing can stop it. No enemy can defeat it. And who has a better story than Bran the Broken? The boy who fell from a high tower and lived. He knew he’d never walk again, so he learned to fly. He crossed beyond the Wall, a crippled boy, and became the Three-Eyed Raven. He is our memory, the keeper of all our stories. The wars, weddings, births, massacres, famines. Our triumphs, our defeats, our past. Who better to lead us into the future?"

I find this feeble. Or I do not have the insights required to get it.

I guess that roman emperors have been selected on weaker grounds, like Claudius. Perhaps that's from where the scriptwriters picked their inspiration. Claudius, after all, turned out to be quite able administrator and lawmaker.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 22, 2019, 10:35:56 AM
As I said before, the last season despite some good bits essentially SUCKED as a story...and Condottiere pointed to a good link explaining why. Here it is again. It has some big words in it but I think this group can handle using a dictionary!  ;D 

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-real-reason-fans-hate-the-last-season-of-game-of-thrones/


And don't forget to sign the petition, if for nothing else than to voice your disgust at bad writing from a bunch of grossly overpaid Hollywood types!

https://www.change.org/p/hbo-remake-game-of-thrones-season-8-with-competent-writers?source_location=discover_feed

It probably won't happen but let the HBO Execs know that they can't keep screwing things up without consequences!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 22, 2019, 10:42:59 AM
The one thing which does bug me with the this wrap up is the rationale why Bran the Broken should be king.

Tyrion says:
"What unites people? Armies? Gold? Flags? Stories. There’s nothing in the world more powerful than a good story. Nothing can stop it. No enemy can defeat it. And who has a better story than Bran the Broken? The boy who fell from a high tower and lived. He knew he’d never walk again, so he learned to fly. He crossed beyond the Wall, a crippled boy, and became the Three-Eyed Raven. He is our memory, the keeper of all our stories. The wars, weddings, births, massacres, famines. Our triumphs, our defeats, our past. Who better to lead us into the future?"

I find this feeble. Or I do not have the insights required to get it.

I guess that roman emperors have been selected on weaker grounds, like Claudius. Perhaps that's from where the scriptwriters picked their inspiration. Claudius, after all, turned out to be quite able administrator and lawmaker.

Aside from Tyrion's excuse about stories (which I though not the least bit subtle) Bran knows the past better than anyone and can see where others went wrong. He also has no ambition of his own to further his own agenda (that we know of, maybe this was a big ruse by him).

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 22, 2019, 11:47:35 AM
As I said before, the last season despite some good bits essentially SUCKED as a story...and Condottiere pointed to a good link explaining why. Here it is again. It has some big words in it but I think this group can handle using a dictionary!  ;D 

Tututut... We don't shout on LAF, do we? We all have opinions, so let's try to express them with a degre of restraint.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 22, 2019, 12:25:19 PM
Yeah, for what it is worth I second Hammers's view on big red text. I love LAF because people don't shout at each other or call each other names. Just my opinion.

The one thing which does bug me with the this wrap up is the rationale why Bran the Broken should be king.

I think it was feeble. It was also the only way Tyrion could see to stay alive (who else would let him live?), I think, so he had to try something.

Given the way all the Lords plotted in earlier times, my guess is they are all biding their time. King's Landing is in ruins, winter is coming (the shoot through the snow struck me as heavy metaphor rather than realism), it is all a massive mess. Let someone else get things back on a steady footing, *then* make your play.  (If I were to reach for a political analogy, something something labour's approach to Brexit something something).

Plan won't work if Bran can warg into Drogon though. I think his reign will be pretty secure if he can pull that off  :)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: sukhe_bator on May 22, 2019, 01:11:08 PM
Plan won't work if Bran can warg into Drogon though. I think his reign will be pretty secure if he can pull that off  :)
what makes you think he didn't... it may explain why Drogon left Jon alone...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 22, 2019, 02:01:27 PM
@Hammer....have a sense of humor...it is just a TV show...which sadly went from really good to so-so....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 22, 2019, 03:48:50 PM
what makes you think he didn't... it may explain why Drogon left Jon alone...

Oooooooooooooooo, never thought of that!  Ha, that really would make him Bran the Schemer!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Andrew_McGuire on May 22, 2019, 05:41:17 PM
The one thing which does bug me with the this wrap up is the rationale why Bran the Broken should be king.

Tyrion says:
"What unites people? Armies? Gold? Flags? Stories. There’s nothing in the world more powerful than a good story. Nothing can stop it. No enemy can defeat it. And who has a better story than Bran the Broken? The boy who fell from a high tower and lived. He knew he’d never walk again, so he learned to fly. He crossed beyond the Wall, a crippled boy, and became the Three-Eyed Raven. He is our memory, the keeper of all our stories. The wars, weddings, births, massacres, famines. Our triumphs, our defeats, our past. Who better to lead us into the future?"

I find this feeble. Or I do not have the insights required to get it.


I guess that roman emperors have been selected on weaker grounds, like Claudius. Perhaps that's from where the scriptwriters picked their inspiration. Claudius, after all, turned out to be quite able administrator and lawmaker.

As a case for being the leader of a nation, that is certainly...unusual. As Tyrion is known to be the author's favourite character - if not his occasional mouthpiece - it also makes me wonder whether GRRM is planning to run for president.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: mcfonz on May 22, 2019, 06:46:00 PM
I thought it was fine.

Everyone expects a fireworks extravaganza for endings when in life, that's just not the case.

This isn't a panto or a Disney happy ending.

It all went more or less how I thought it would in the end and I'm not particularly surprised or disappointed.

Life in Westeros goes on. They needed a leader. There are lots of reasons for Bran being King. The stories bit makes sense too, especially when it comes to what we have seen. Many stories, many riddled with holes and lies to inspire people to follow their lords and ladies.

Bran is the balance between the North and the South. Whilst he is king Sansa is unlikely to have issue with the 6 realms he leads. We knew that the people of the North wouldn't bend the knee to the South again. And who can blame them?

So in many ways we're back to the start. And back to the reality of medieval politics. Keeping families happy by giving their members seats and responsibilities in high places. Was it really going to end any other way?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 22, 2019, 08:33:30 PM
Oooooooooooooooo, never thought of that!  Ha, that really would make him Bran the Schemer!

Just remember I coined Bran the Schemer TM ... and I’ve got a deal going with the new Lord of Highgarden to share the marketing rights.

 ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 22, 2019, 08:58:49 PM

I thought Jon being sent back to the Night's Watch, even if it maybe made no sense, was a very nice bittersweet ending for his character, and quite emotional actually.


I agree. It was very moving. I thought it made sense. Apart perhaps from Grey Worm, everyone else involved knows that The Night's Watch no longer has a role or purpose. So actually sending John to Castle Black is an act of mercy. They are setting him free to live out his life amongst the Free Folk north of the wall - the great burdens of responsibility and duty he has been forced against his wishes to carry for all his adult life, finally lifted from his shoulders. It's not his punishment - it's his reward.
Well, that's my take on it anyway  :)

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 22, 2019, 09:09:19 PM
Just remember I coined Bran the Schemer TM ... and I’ve got a deal going with the new Lord of Highgarden to share the marketing rights.

 ;)

(Puts on gruff Onion Knight voice) So you're Lord of Coining Fancy Titles now too, are you?  :D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on May 22, 2019, 09:10:05 PM
...The books as well as the TV series have gone to great lengths tearing down their audience's expectations. As much as I – grumpily – loved the scenes of Brienne honouring Jaime's deeds or Tyrion conferring with his fellows – it was all about each and everyone back on the old tracks. Which have led whereto exactly? Westeros and a good part of Essos plunged into bloody wars, social crisis, and general turmoil. For some reason I'm not convinced the solution to all the desaster and upheaval caused lies in "Let's just switch to a 'presidential system', uhm, 'elective monarchy', because it'll be fine…"  ::)
I actually felt belittled by the writers who thought it fit to brush aside Sam's proposal of a different solution, no matter how improbable it was - and thereby ridiculed fans who'd hoped for a more apt and witty conclusion to a series of world-shattering events...

Three parts of the books deal with the theme of a desire on the part of "common" folk for freedom from aristocratic oppression, and how that desire is repeatedly thwarted.

1. The Freefolk from north of the wall despise "kneelers" but want to get south of the wall to avoid death. Unfortunately, they trust the arch-kneeler Jon Snow to help them, and his betrayal leads to the near extinction of the Freefolk, and (in the book) the killing of Ygritte (who is a virtual personification of freedom) by Jon Snow.

3. In the books the Sparrows aren't simply a bunch of religious nutters, as they are depicted in the tv series. Instead they are poor people reacting to the destruction brought upon them in the wars between aristocrats. They want to fight back against being mere victims. Religion offers them an alternative organization of society. But they are crushed and annihilated by the much more cunning and vicious Cersei, who restores the old order in spectacular fashion.

3. Daenerys liberates the slave cities, intending a more equitable society there. But her dream, and that of the slaves, is thwarted by the resurgence of inequity and aristocracy. Daenerys seems to want to establish a more equitable Westeros. However, her dream collapses when she goes off her rocker and is betrayed and murdered by Jon Snow.

I think what Martin is trying to tell us is that there is no hope for a more fair and equitable world. So just do the best you can for yourself and your family. I think Benioff & Weis were giving a nod to this message and trolling for a cynical laugh with Sam Tarley's proposal of a democratically elected king and the reaction of the aristocratic oligarchs. I say cynical because they know we live in a modern world that at least gives lip service to ideals of democracy and a more equitable society, and yet here we are wrapping up 8 seasons of a hugely popular series appealing to people's nostalgia for an even more oppressive and inequitable world of slavery and serfdom. I think the writers saw the irony in that, and so do I.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: AKULA on May 22, 2019, 09:30:14 PM
(Puts on gruff Onion Knight voice) So you're Lord of Coining Fancy Titles now too, are you?  :D

 lol

That sounded exactly like Davos
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: mcfonz on May 22, 2019, 11:43:57 PM
Three parts of the books deal with the theme of a desire on the part of "common" folk for freedom from aristocratic oppression, and how that desire is repeatedly thwarted.

1. The Freefolk from north of the wall despise "kneelers" but want to get south of the wall to avoid death. Unfortunately, they trust the arch-kneeler Jon Snow to help them, and his betrayal leads to the near extinction of the Freefolk, and (in the book) the killing of Ygritte (who is a virtual personification of freedom) by Jon Snow.

3. In the books the Sparrows aren't simply a bunch of religious nutters, as they are depicted in the tv series. Instead they are poor people reacting to the destruction brought upon them in the wars between aristocrats. They want to fight back against being mere victims. Religion offers them an alternative organization of society. But they are crushed and annihilated by the much more cunning and vicious Cersei, who restores the old order in spectacular fashion.

3. Daenerys liberates the slave cities, intending a more equitable society there. But her dream, and that of the slaves, is thwarted by the resurgence of inequity and aristocracy. Daenerys seems to want to establish a more equitable Westeros. However, her dream collapses when she goes off her rocker and is betrayed and murdered by Jon Snow.

I think what Martin is trying to tell us is that there is no hope for a more fair and equitable world. So just do the best you can for yourself and your family. I think Benioff & Weis were giving a nod to this message and trolling for a cynical laugh with Sam Tarley's proposal of a democratically elected king and the reaction of the aristocratic oligarchs. I say cynical because they know we live in a modern world that at least gives lip service to ideals of democracy and a more equitable society, and yet here we are wrapping up 8 seasons of a hugely popular series appealing to people's nostalgia for an even more oppressive and inequitable world of slavery and serfdom. I think the writers saw the irony in that, and so do I.

And Martin wouldn't be original in this approach. But then I guess he wouldn't claim to be either.

The Iliad basically depicts the many different shades of heroism but makes them very human. There is the ideal of what a 'hero' is and quite often how the heroes are depicted falling short of what those ideals are.

An ideal world is just that. Ideal. Hasn't humanities struggle always been about trying to find that perfection but knowing that getting everyone pointing in the same direction is a nigh on impossible task therefore you do so with the full knowledge that the ideal will never be achieved. The question then is why try?

I actually thought that there were a lot of historical similarities to the last episode. The likes of the end of WW1 with everyone involved having enough of killing, war, and seeing vast swathes of their youth wiped out on ugly, chard battlefields.

Sam's concept was laughed down, much in the same way I would imagine any suggestion of it's type before the Magna Carta would have been. But that in itself suggest the idea existed before it was signed. Ideas start somewhere, often not being realised until much later. But essentially what he triggered was a sense of some form of council. It was a compromise. A league of nations almost.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 23, 2019, 09:12:16 AM
Something very simple just occurred to me, so I went back and checked....

Lots of people on t'internet have complained about how the Dothraki were wiped out at Winterfell and then magically reappear in numbers in later episodes.

I can't see any suggestion, in the Winterfell episode, that *all* the Dothraki charge. A big detachment certainly do. But the idea that they all do seems to be something people have read into the episode themselves.

We're explicitly told later that half their number survived. Which makes it even more likely only a detachment charge with flaming swords, right?

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Mad Doc Morris on May 23, 2019, 09:41:34 AM
@warrenpeace: A convincing argument, many thanks for that. :)
Cynism is certainly another key feature of GRRM's world-building. I can see that his inherently pessimistic perspective on human society has a lot in common with late medieval/early modern conceptions of spiralling history and mechanistic power politics, from Commynes to Machiavelli and Shakespeare. Like you pointed out, though, it's a comment on modern western society. So I'd perhaps expected a more complex 'solution' to the many issues raised than a few lucky survivors staging an impromptu restoration which results in their respective 'happy ending'.

This, of course, may well be simply due to my disappointment with the script-writers' ham-fisted presentation. I fully appreciate the general direction of the plot, its themes as well as its staging. Even if I don't agree with its argument, in fact, it's why I kept reading/watching in the first place. But during the last three seasons I lost all confidence in D&D's narrative execution beyond self-references, visual effects and cheap jokes. (If the repudiation of Sam's proposal was intentionally cynical, I'd rather assume that it was a poorly executed device by someone else.)
Because of that I do – irrationally, I know – hope that now there's an impulse for GRRM to provide an 'extended cut' of his vision by finishing these damn books. ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 23, 2019, 11:42:04 AM
I agree. It was very moving. I thought it made sense. Apart perhaps from Grey Worm, everyone else involved knows that The Night's Watch no longer has a role or purpose. So actually sending John to Castle Black is an act of mercy. They are setting him free to live out his life amongst the Free Folk north of the wall - the great burdens of responsibility and duty he has been forced against his wishes to carry for all his adult life, finally lifted from his shoulders. It's not his punishment - it's his reward.
Well, that's my take on it anyway  :)

A bit like Bilbo and Frodo....
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 23, 2019, 08:36:00 PM
Well there is a certain similarity between Frodo and John Snow... not just the hair...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 23, 2019, 09:50:47 PM
Yeah, and the goodbye scene at the port...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on May 23, 2019, 11:35:38 PM
Well if the writer's and/or director's don't know how to write/tell a story then what better to do than plagiarize others work. Just another reason why I was disappointed by the last season. Oh well....it's over and done with...

Now watching Chernobyl and that is a pretty good story telling show...plus I know how it ends!  ;D
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Antonio J Carrasco on May 24, 2019, 12:49:54 PM
Now watching Chernobyl and that is a pretty good story telling show...plus I know how it ends!  ;D

I watched the second episode yesterday. Its ending is poignant.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: cdm on May 25, 2019, 08:55:30 AM
I wandered in and out of the series. Instant recharge unlimited dragon breath reminded me of how hollywood some bits were.

Picking Bran as king can only lead to upcoming succession problems or I did I miss something obvious about him being able to continue the lineage. Shrug. I don't know, maybe that is the depressing part, it's a set up for further civil war for claimants to fight over and continue on, maybe for Mr Snow's lineage to show up again in the kingship stakes.

Overall I liked the series, but not enough to want to go back and watch again or even consider gaming parts of it.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 25, 2019, 09:41:59 AM
They tried to sell it as a positive. His inability to produce issue suits their new system of no more inherited monarchy, new incumbents of the Iron Slag Heap will be chosen by a council of nobles from now on. They figured this will mean no more mad, bad rulers. Well, I'm all for ditching hereditary monarchy, but getting rid of it never quite worked out that way in our world. Maybe they'll have better luck.


Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 25, 2019, 10:22:15 AM
Well if the writer's and/or director's don't know how to write/tell a story then what better to do than plagiarize others work. Just another reason why I was disappointed by the last season. Oh well....it's over and done with...

You know there are only four stories to tell: a love story between two people, a love story between three people, the struggle for power and the voyage (Borges). Or perhaps even two as Aristotle said: Comedy and Tragedy.

If you add in Joe Campbell's work then every story is cover - perhaps it was he that inspired Tryion.


So if there are only four, two or perhaps seven stories and in fact within that the characters are always the same archetypes, then... why both? Well because as Tyrion, and Campbell, and everyone tells us stories tell us who we are and where we came from and perhaps where we are going, and where we shouldn't go again

OK maybe there are 7 stories...

    Overcoming the Monster.
    Rags to Riches.
    The Quest.
    Voyage and Return.
    Rebirth.
    Comedy.
    Tragedy.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Cubs on May 25, 2019, 11:03:00 AM
And they're all a better love story than Twilight.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 25, 2019, 03:01:47 PM
And they're all a better love story than Twilight.

Thank goodness I haven't seen those... or read them.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Jemima Fawr on May 25, 2019, 05:55:30 PM
Thank goodness I haven't seen those... or read them.
Nor me, but from my daughter's explanation, it seems to be about a girl who has to choose between bestiality or necrophilia.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Jemima Fawr on May 25, 2019, 05:57:42 PM
They tried to sell it as a positive. His inability to produce issue suits their new system of no more inherited monarchy, new incumbents of the Iron Slag Heap will be chosen by a council of nobles from now on. They figured this will mean no more mad, bad rulers. Well, I'm all for ditching hereditary monarchy, but getting rid of it never quite worked out that way in our world. Maybe they'll have better luck.
Yes, I instantly thought "And that worked out SO well for the Holy Roman Empire..."
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 27, 2019, 02:43:17 PM
Has anyone else seen the HBO GoT production special : 'The Last Watch'. I've just seen a quarter into it  but found it very interesting and quite touching, as it becomes quiote apparent that it hasa been so much more than a job to cast and crew.  Especially the first read through of the last script gave a glimpse of how 'into it' the actors have been.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: thebinmann on May 27, 2019, 05:53:47 PM
Has anyone else seen the HBO GoT production special : 'The Last Watch'. I've just seen a quarter into it  but found it very interesting and quite touching, as it becomes quiote apparent that it hasa been so much more than a job to cast and crew.  Especially the first read through of the last script gave a glimpse of how 'into it' the actors have been.

This is why the petition seemed OTT
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 27, 2019, 06:20:14 PM
Yeah.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 27, 2019, 07:39:56 PM
Well I don't think even the most ardent petitioners have a problem with the cast and crew. It's the writers they are angry with.


Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 27, 2019, 08:52:57 PM
I can come up with a few other hypothesis abouth what these petitioners have a problem with in life, like a sense of priority, just to name one.

A few in the production crew named a few readons for the need to wrap the series up toot sweet. One was for them to stay sane.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Belligerentparrot on May 27, 2019, 10:27:01 PM
I can come up with a few other hypothesis abouth what these petitioners have a problem with in life, like a sense of priority, just to name one.

100% agree, though trying to explain my dislike for this kind of tedious internet "activism" (I bet some of them changed their profile pictures on facebook in protest too) will take us too far off topic I fear.

GRRM has some nice things to say on the finale on his Notablog. And also the rather chilling (to me) promise that, one thing he'll do differently when he finally finishes the books, is *also* tell the stories of characters who were cut out of the TV series (he then names a whole bunch, none of whom I remotely cared about as I slogged through the books  :) )
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on May 28, 2019, 09:20:52 AM
100% agree, though trying to explain my dislike for this kind of tedious internet "activism" (I bet some of them changed their profile pictures on facebook in protest too) will take us too far off topic I fear.

GRRM has some nice things to say on the finale on his Notablog. And also the rather chilling (to me) promise that, one thing he'll do differently when he finally finishes the books, is *also* tell the stories of characters who were cut out of the TV series (he then names a whole bunch, none of whom I remotely cared about as I slogged through the books  :) )

That promise will vouch for a messy end. I do however wonder what his plans for Catelyn Stark are.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Harry Faversham on May 28, 2019, 10:41:35 AM
I've just binged my way through the last season while dogsitting for the lad. It's had me enthralled from beginning to end. At least four exits of major characters was worthy of the end of a Hollywood blockbuster... great stuff!

:-*
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 28, 2019, 01:58:55 PM
I can come up with a few other hypothesis abouth what these petitioners have a problem with in life, like a sense of priority, just to name one.

A few in the production crew named a few readons for the need to wrap the series up toot sweet. One was for them to stay sane.
How about leave 'em be? I don't recall anyone having a go at the defenders of this Disney style wrap up. The petition is reasonable, but won't produce any results, though if it weren't for petitions, some shows wouln't have gotten an additional season or two.

A not particularly talented Kit Harrington's response, Kit Harington Doesn't Give a F*ck About Critics of Game of Thrones Season Eight (https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a27129141/kit-harington-game-of-thrones-critics-fans/).

The production crew are also in need of future work, so of course they'll need to play apologist...

Reactions to the behind the scenes ranging from appreciation to sobbing - how about getting a sense of priority! I've worked 13 hour shifts without getting a bite to eat or a bathroom break, 'cause there wasn't anyone to relieve me, and the restaurant business is known for employees experiencing mental breakdowns and suicides. In contrast, production crew are usually unionized and actors go back to their stocked trailers and those with big enough salaries, have people to deal with their whining. I like behind the scenes docs, but I get the impression this was a timed release to shut up the critics. 

'Game of Thrones' recap: The series just burned itself to the ground (https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/05/12/game-thrones-recap-season-8-episode-5-daenerys-arya-tyrion-jaime-cersei/1166469001/)
I used to think extreme Tolkien purists were pathetic prats, but turns out show fans are sans pareil at being overly sensitive, lashing out at critics' ages, possible mental conditions, gender, sexual orientation and professionalism.  :o The comments section on USA Today isn't the only place...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 28, 2019, 03:51:27 PM
Nor me, but from my daughter's explanation, it seems to be about a girl who has to choose between bestiality or necrophilia.
Why only two options? I thought it would be bestiality, necrophilia and addiction...

Based on the trailers, sparkly wolfman and sparkly bloodsucker had more chemistry between them than with the corpse they're fighting over! lol

Kristin Stewart is the equivalent of Keanu Reeves and not in a good sort of way...   
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 28, 2019, 04:07:14 PM
Yes, I instantly thought "And that worked out SO well for the Holy Roman Empire..."
In theory it should've worked, but in reality conflicts between religious and secular authorities, in addition other centrifugal factors, contributed to a messy situation. For over a millennium, the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation did exist as a Central European entity and even as late as 1805, there was demand for its existence from the smaller states - German Armies: War and German Society: 1648-1806 (https://www.amazon.com/German-Armies-Society-1648-1806-Warfare/dp/1857281063). Despite conflicts, compared to the "Byzantine Republic", the HRE was rather stable...

   
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 28, 2019, 04:33:56 PM
I agree. It was very moving. I thought it made sense. Apart perhaps from Grey Worm, everyone else involved knows that The Night's Watch no longer has a role or purpose. So actually sending John to Castle Black is an act of mercy. They are setting him free to live out his life amongst the Free Folk north of the wall - the great burdens of responsibility and duty he has been forced against his wishes to carry for all his adult life, finally lifted from his shoulders. It's not his punishment - it's his reward.
Well, that's my take on it anyway  :)
Pre-resurrected or post-resurrected Jon? Being resurrected probably dampened his verve, but still didn't explain the character's behavior in the last two seasons. In the books, Jon dreams of being a conqueror and had Ned been alive, he might've been given a fiefdom. Earlier seasons kind of showed this, but this season's Jon Snow wouldn't have marched down to Winterfell to confront Ramsey Bolton, as he'd be moping about Castle Black - I know the onscreen character was reluctant at first, due to weariness.

I might've missed it, but there was no reason for JS to bend the knee last season, especially as he'd gotten most of his requests, other than out of lust. lol This season, he was reduced to nothing more than a cuckold passing out washcloths, especially in getting owned twice by Wormtongue.

Getting exiled to beyond the wall was the showrunners not knowing what to do with the character. What happened to his lineage? Bran's speech seemed like it was supposed to be uttered by Jon.         
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 29, 2019, 03:16:10 AM
Season 8 in a nutshell: Game of Thrones Season 8 Pitch Meeting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhKOV3nImQ)

 lol lol lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Malebolgia on May 29, 2019, 08:58:33 AM
I can come up with a few other hypothesis abouth what these petitioners have a problem with in life, like a sense of priority, just to name one.

Well said, agree 100%
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Harry Faversham on May 29, 2019, 09:50:45 AM
Ha! Ha!
Just had a look at that petition thingy, very funny, and a bit sad. Got me thinking, I don't like that girlie buggering about in the Tardis and taking the piss out of the Daleks...
Time for a petition to Auntie?

>:(
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Derek H on May 29, 2019, 10:07:45 AM

And don't forget to sign the petition, if for nothing else than to voice your disgust at bad writing from a bunch of grossly overpaid Hollywood types!

https://www.change.org/p/hbo-remake-game-of-thrones-season-8-with-competent-writers?source_location=discover_feed

It probably won't happen but let the HBO Execs know that they can't keep screwing things up without consequences!

They'll surely be quaking in their boots with all that nerd rage.  Or perhaps not. 
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Silent Invader on May 29, 2019, 10:20:10 AM
3.8m same day viewers on Sky UK
13.0m live streaming viewers on HBO
Unknown numbers of viewers elsewhere and yet to watch......

Vs

1.6m signatories to the petition
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Cubs on May 29, 2019, 10:28:56 AM
Season 8 in a nutshell: Game of Thrones Season 8 Pitch Meeting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhKOV3nImQ)

 lol lol lol

Bwhahaha!
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Plynkes on May 29, 2019, 10:45:41 AM
"The Council of Surviving Characters..."  lol


Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 29, 2019, 11:31:56 AM

Getting exiled to beyond the wall was the showrunners not knowing what to do with the character.

In your opinion  :)
In my opinion, they were giving him a fitting if bittersweet end to his story. I don't believe they didn't know what they were doing or how to end the story, when they've had eight years to think about it.
I agree with many of your criticisms of some of the flaky decisions Weiss and Benioff. But for me, the ending of Jon Snow was deliberate choice and one that worked.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 29, 2019, 04:35:40 PM
3.8m same day viewers on Sky UK
13.0m live streaming viewers on HBO
Unknown numbers of viewers elsewhere and yet to watch......

Vs

1.6m signatories to the petition
Just like Brexit... lol

Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 29, 2019, 04:44:51 PM
Ha! Ha!
Just had a look at that petition thingy, very funny, and a bit sad. Got me thinking, I don't like that girlie buggering about in the Tardis and taking the piss out of the Daleks...
Time for a petition to Auntie?

>:(
A bit sad in what way? Unless there's a re-boot decades later, it's pointless ATM. 

On a related note: History of Star Trek Fan Campaigns (https://fanlore.org/wiki/History_of_Star_Trek_Fan_Campaigns)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Harry Faversham on May 29, 2019, 06:44:03 PM
A bit sad in what way?

Well, it's not actually real life is it...
you know the stuff that actually counts for a piss in the wind?

 ::)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on May 29, 2019, 07:29:03 PM
Well, it's not actually real life is it...
you know the stuff that actually counts for a piss in the wind?

 ::)

Like arguing over minutiae on an hobby site?
 
::)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: mcfonz on May 31, 2019, 03:13:30 PM
Just like Brexit... lol

Pretty sure we steer clear of politics on here. ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Elk101 on May 31, 2019, 05:06:28 PM
Pretty sure we steer clear of politics on here. ;)

Yes we do; and socio-political matters.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Harry Faversham on May 31, 2019, 06:36:41 PM
Like arguing over minutiae on an hobby site?
 
::)

It's not like it's a matter of life or death, arguing about toy sowjers, is much more important than that!!!

>:(
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on May 31, 2019, 06:48:23 PM
Has anyone else seen the HBO GoT production special : 'The Last Watch'. I've just seen a quarter into it  but found it very interesting and quite touching, as it becomes quiote apparent that it hasa been so much more than a job to cast and crew.  Especially the first read through of the last script gave a glimpse of how 'into it' the actors have been.

Watched it last night, Peder. I agree with you - it was quite affecting. Some of the characters (as in the extras and production crew) were amazing. I loved the ‘snow’ guy - hilarious. And complaining about the real snow because it meant he couldn’t spray his fake snow on top of it.
And the prosthetics lady (with the incredibly annoying voice!) but who had left her young child at home in England for 14 weeks  :o :o :o while she and her husband worked on the production in Northern Ireland...
Actually, the thing that I took most from it was how incredibly disorganised and seat of the pants a lot of it was. And how severely stressed and under pressure a lot of the senior production staff seemed to be for much of the time.
I’ve been involved in making films on and off down the years in various small ways, and there’s always an element of chaos, but there’s also normally a lot of great planning and organisation underpinning everything. That was clearly present in creating season 8 of GoT as well, but it felt like they were right at breaking point a lot of the time.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: beefcake on May 31, 2019, 10:38:33 PM
Well it's been a few weeks now and I'm happy with it. Still plot holes but I've come to terms with it lol. Suitable end for all characters IMO
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Condottiere on June 01, 2019, 04:34:20 AM
If Game of Thrones was an anime (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efD3nmwF-IM)...
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: warrenpeace on June 04, 2019, 05:48:05 PM
Is it now time to talk about how greatly improved and enriched our lives have been by the experience of watching the Game of Thrones tv series? ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Captain Blood on June 04, 2019, 06:56:09 PM
Well it’s certainly been a conversation point  ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: armchairgeneral on June 04, 2019, 06:58:23 PM
Not seen any GoT. Any good?
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 04, 2019, 11:07:06 PM
Not seen any GoT. Any good?

 lol
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 04, 2019, 11:13:54 PM
Is it now time to talk about how greatly improved and enriched our lives have been by the experience of watching the Game of Thrones tv series? ;)

I know your comment is lighthearted, but I truly think, at least for my own part, the book and tv series both have made me think a whole lot about how it mirrors "real" human history, as it is told.

I am just back from a trip to Capri where the myths about Emperor Tiberious, who spent his last imperial years on the island, are ripe with lurid and violent detail, provided by roman historians like Tacitus and Suetonius (many years post factum). Reading up on the stuff makes you realize that storytelling and history are two animals which are hard to separate.
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: mcfonz on June 05, 2019, 12:19:30 AM
Indeed - Martin even happily admits that much of his story writing has basis on real life events like the red wedding.

Tolkien was the same - his was more directly related to his expert knowledge of sagas and a desire to write a modern one.

There is an argument that says that the best stories, the most believable ones, are those that intertwine truth, real events with fiction to the degree that you're not sure which part is which. Seamless even.

Homer (if he were even one such being) did so with the Iliad. The Aeneid did the same. Shakespear. So on and so forth.

I have enjoyed the series, definitely better for it. I'd love to remember which forum it was on and who said it but someone was slating it after the first series stating that without Bean it would drop viewing ratings and be cancelled and see what they think now.

Some of the comments and the petition re season 8 have lacked a level of maturity though and remind me a bit of some of the Harry Potter backlash a few years ago... And all just a bit, I dunno, lame.

Like Capt Blood says though "interesting discussion"  ;D ;)
Title: Re: SPOILER ALERT! So am I the only one excited about a new round of GoT?
Post by: Hammers on June 05, 2019, 10:01:47 AM
Watched it last night, Peder. I agree with you - it was quite affecting. Some of the characters (as in the extras and production crew) were amazing. I loved the ‘snow’ guy - hilarious. And complaining about the real snow because it meant he couldn’t spray his fake snow on top of it.

He certainly was somewhere on the goofy spectrum.