Game Of Thrones Season 3 - March 31st

[Phoenix Dark]

Man, the kids are growing so fast. That's Myrcella Baratheon (Joffery's sister, who was shipped to Dorne in S2) on the right, btw

[Flannel Boy]

Ship her the fuck back.

[Flannel Boy]

Bran kind of looks like Davy Jones.

[Barry Egan]

Ship her the fuck back.

we can't all be BeautifulPeople material bro.   

[ZephyrFate]

spoilers spoilers spoilers not for summer children

spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://i.imgur.com/D3Co1OW.jpg

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[Himu]

THEY DID IT


HOLY SHIT

STAJ;FAJDA;F

THEY DID IT


THEY DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ZephyrFate]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

By far the most disturbing image in the series.

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[Phoenix Dark]

Meh

[Groogrux]

What part is that from in the books?  I don't remember it.

[Phoenix Dark]

It's mentioned a couple times in ASOS but never shown outside of a certain vision.

Just realized it's a production still, thank god. It should look way better on Sunday.

[Himu]

It's only mentioned in passing.

[Himu]

GUYS.



THAT EPISODE.

Game of Thrones season finale was perfect. They completely redeemed themselves for messing up Arya's crappy arc in season 2 and now Arya actually has character development she should have had a year ago. I can't BELIEVE they showed the head sewing scene. Having it mentioned in passing in the books is  but actually seeing it! WOW! Also, REEK!!! This season finale is a Song of Ice and Fire book nerd's wet dream. SO HOT

ASOS

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NO LADY STONEHEART

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D&D have BALLS. Not even a HINT. Fucking RESPECT.

[Himu]

S3 > S1



Next season The best fantasy novel continues

Every single issue with S2 was fixed. D&D listening to our earnest pleas

[fistfulofmetal]

GreyRobb looks pretty great. Much better than the production stills.

Episode was pretty good.

But.

I actually wanted them to: book spoilers:

spoiler (click to show/hide)

show the Brothers finding Cat. Not revealing Lady Stoneheart but just them finding her floating in the river and maybe a shot of Thoros to hint

[close]

I know I know, but it would have made for a much more dramatic punch followed last week over the ending we currently have. Plus it would have flowed well following Dany's scene considering the context.

[Himu]

ASOS

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I wanted them to show Arya using her warg abilities. Do the other Stark children have warg powers in the show or is it just Bran? I think it's pretty important that Arya pulls Cat out of the river for the Brotherhood to even find. Plus, it shows the tv viewers what Nymeria has been up to.

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[ZephyrFate]

White Savior Dany was an embarrassing ending. Bleh. And the Stannis/Davos letter scene was the complete opposite of the books.

[fistfulofmetal]

White Savior Dany was an embarrassing ending. Bleh. And the Stannis/Davos letter scene was the complete opposite of the books.

did you just complain about something being accurate to the books then directly after complain about something being not accurate to the books? what the?

[Himu]

If I'm going to go all BOOK BITCH MODE I'm bitching at Gilly naming her kid. In the books Wildlings don't name their children for two years, so the child can earn their name rather than have some title attached to it for emotional value. It's one of the distinguishing things that helps separate Westerosi culture from the way the wildlings live their lives. Then they go and fuck it up.

/end rant

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i really don't care but it is kinda weird they changed something like that

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[Phoenix Dark]

White Savior Dany was an embarrassing ending. Bleh. And the Stannis/Davos letter scene was the complete opposite of the books.

did you just complain about something being accurate to the books then directly after complain about something being not accurate to the books? what the?

.

I can understand being upset about the crowd pretty much just being brown people, but overall the scene was fine.

I'll review later, I'll just say I'm very glad they didn't end on what I thought they'd end on.

[Human Snorenado]

White Savior Dany was an embarrassing ending. Bleh. And the Stannis/Davos letter scene was the complete opposite of the books.

Yeah, one of my friends mentioned something about that too.  He said he didn't really notice it while reading the books but seeing it on tv kind of threw it into stark contrast.

Overall I've gotta agree with Himu- this is the best season of the show to date, and there are honestly few things I'd change about what they did.

[Groogrux]

I'm weird, but I think they should have ended the season with the Red Wedding.

That being said, I did like Arya's character development, them sewing the wolf's head on Robb, and Reek.

[Human Snorenado]

Arya and the Hound

Murder Stark is Best Stark

Fuck- forgot until just now, but even Sansa was tolerable this episode

[Himu]

Sam's character development is the best by a long shot, I think. They perfectly nailed how Sam grows from the guy who pisses himself (literally) to the guy who sometimes pisses himself but comes out of the whole thing that much stronger.

I was actually starting to respect Sam, just like how I do with him when I read the books. I remember when I first read A Storm of Swords. I HATED Sam's chapters. He pissed his pants too much, he was a bitch. Then he slays an Other, and meets Bran, and his character just launches from there.

I thought the tv show would fuck up Sam's moment to shine just like they did with Arya last season because they didn't introduce the Dragonglass until mid-way but I think they properly conveyed how he goes from boy to a boy that's just a little more tough on the inside.

Wonderful acting.

[Phoenix Dark]

Still re-reading ASOS and I gotta say I'm baffled at the halfway point they chose

ASOS

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They wasted so much time with Theon that could have gone somewhere else. IMO this half should have featured the attack on the Wall and Ygritte's death. Then next season you start with them preparing for the bigger battle; the producers have mentioned that they believe the show will have a massive battle every other season, so with that in mind the Wall battle will be huge. I'm not sure how long they can stall Jon's story next season before getting to the battle. I really hope Stannis doesn't show up at the Wall in episode 9, for instance, because there's simply not enough material to stall like that. Ygritte should die in the S4 premier or within the first four eps, then have the huge battle in ep 5 or so? Jon's arc would end with him becoming Lord Commander.

The Purple Wedding seems like it should be ep 4 next season. HBO tends to send out DVD screeners that include four episodes, the last of which features a big moment to impress the reviewers; what better way than to kill Joffery in the fourth episode. The rest of the season would be Tyrion preparing for trial, the trial, Gregor v Red Viper, Tywin's death (ep9?), and the finale being Tyrion on a ship heading for Dany (trollolol)

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[ZephyrFate]

White Savior Dany was an embarrassing ending. Bleh. And the Stannis/Davos letter scene was the complete opposite of the books.

Not everything is about race; Jesus Christ, Zephyr.

Oh come the fuck on. Essos is one big mashup of "Oriental" stereotypes. You've read the books, don't be daft.

As for the adaptation, no, that was not how it was in the books re: Dany and "Mhysa." It certainly didn't involve goofy-ass crowdsurfing. Looked like a Pepsi commercial.

[Phoenix Dark]

Personally I thought that was one of the worst episodes of the show, which is pretty much the same thing I thought about last season's finale. It had a few nice moments but overall I'm just baffled at how listless and anti-climactic so much of it was. HBO tends to use finales for pure set up, but I feel like this episode could have featured a rather "big" event without losing much of anything from the other stories. I'm referring to

ASOS

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the initial widling skirmish attack on the Wall. It would have given the episode more of an emotional thrust with the death of Ygritte, and also set up for the bigger battle next season.

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I liked Davos' scenes but Stannis felt completely off, then that final scene...wow. "The war of the Five Kings doesn't matter anymore, let's go to the Wall."

Didn't like the Arya scene either. As I predicted last year, the butterfly effect reared its ugly head.

Definitely one of the worst written episodes too. Eh. Oh well, next season will feature some awesome stuff. Seems like they're making some pretty big changes to the Greyjoy stuff which will be interesting, but I wonder if viewers will give a shit about any of that.

[Human Snorenado]

book spoilers

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I wonder if they're gonna accelerate the stuff in the North, skip over some shit and maybe have a lot of Book 4/5 stuff happen next season?

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[Phoenix Dark]

ASOS/ADWD

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They pretty much have to, if Bran is going to appear for instance; maybe they'll reveal Coldhands in the season premier. How everything else plays out will depend on how fast they move Stannis. I feel like the big battle at the Wall could happen by the fourth episode, meaning Stannis will arrive then. I don't believe next season will feature the "Arya" wedding for instance, although I can imagine it'll be discussed. I could see the big Manderly "The North Remembers" reveal happening, because otherwise what will Davos do all season? Maybe he'll go to the Wall with Stannis briefly?

S5 will probably be the "Arya" wedding and the Winterfell battle. Also tonight's Rat King mention convinces me that they'll include the Frey pie thing, which should be fun.

I have a feeling they're going to stretch a lot of shit out. 1/3 of ASOS is left, and while it's pretty titanic stuff clearly they're adding filler (Yara lol). Joffery better die within the first four episodes, and the Wall attack better not be the ep9 big moment sigh...

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[CrystalGemini]

Blonde Jesus.

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With a rack.

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[cool breeze]

I'm weird, but I think they should have ended the season with the Red Wedding.

That being said, I did like Arya's character development, them sewing the wolf's head on Robb, and Reek.

Ending on the Red Wedding wouldn't let them revel in it for another year.  It's like how the penultimate episode of season 1 ends on Ned's execution and the finale shows his head on a spike.

[Diunx]

Not even gonna bother ranting about the butchering the showrunners have done with Stannis Baratheon since you guys seem to be blind to it, awful finale.

[Barry Egan]

Not even gonna bother ranting about the butchering the showrunners have done with Stannis Baratheon since you guys seem to be blind to it, awful finale.

and yet they have you on the hook season after season.  jokes on you bro.

[Diunx]

>Implaying I pay for HBO.

[Reb]

>implaying

[Himu]

Stannis is an unlikable dick. His characterization is fine. He later comes into his own due to dark humor but we haven't even gotten that far yet.

[Diunx]

His characterization is not fine he is nothing like his book version, every scene in Dragonstone was fucking awful.

[Human Snorenado]

His characterization is not fine he is nothing like his book version, every scene in Dragonstone was fucking awful.

I'm pretty sure you're the only person who gives a shit

The important thing to get about Stannis is that he's an intractable dick who does what he feels is just and right

Have to say they got that part right

Everything else is just FUD, and you're the only one who cares about it

[Phoenix Dark]

Ironically I re-read that Dragonstone chapter before seeing the finale. Stannis is one of my favorite characters (as is Davos) and I thought last night's scene was bad. Stannis has a lot of dramatic dialogue in ASOS which I figured would translate well on the show, but so far they have just made him a joke. And Melisandre's reaction to the letter was laughable IMO.

I like the show but it really doesn't trust viewers with subtlety or foreshadowing. Last night could have used some tension or drama, and I thought the letter reading would provide some. Instead its bow wrapped like "time to head to the Wall lol."

[Himu]

Yeah, that part was bad. It undercooks one of the best things Stannis has done in the series. The tv viewers can't handle subtlety, Phoenix Dark. They had to literally shout out that Ramsay is Bolton's son in order for viewers to connect HEY THAT CROSS THEON IS ON IS THE SAME SIGIL THAT BOLTON WEARS because they're idiots so of course the tv show does this. D&D knows their audience.

[Steve Contra]

The problem with Dany's scene was that the same scene happened when she freed the unsullied, except it was pulled off much better.  The Dany stuff from last week should have been moved to this week, and a few things that happened this week could have happened last week.  The episode had it's moments, but it was much too chaotic trying to fit every single storyline in.

[Phoenix Dark]

Elio hits the nail on the head again

But there were a deal of things that seemed rather thin in this episode. The jarringly obvious way in which they had Walder Frey lead Roose Bolton into an explanation of what “really happened” at Winterfell and with Theon Greyjoy shocked us because it seemed such a shoddy way to dispense with a mystery they had toyed with (against, in our view, wisdom) the entire season. And truth be told, we’re not the only ones, as Alan Sepinwall (a non-reader) called the time spent on it all into question. This seems to be a case of the writers once more taking time out of the dense plot threads that provide the story its momentum to service an actor they enjoy working with, much as they did with Richard Madden last season. But as we’ve said before, the actors are there to serve the story, not vice versa, and it is perhaps getting to be high time for Benioff and Weiss to start taking this seriously. As it is, the real turn for many was Theon’s transformation into “Reek”... and apparently a couple of punches to the face are sufficient to achieve that, which feels quite hollow in retrospect. I’m not calling for more extensive, brutal torture, but it might have served to leave us seeing Ramsay Snow sharpening knives and promising that by the end of the day, Theon will only answer to Reek. Imagined tortures are always worse than what can be depicted on the screen.

http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mhysa/Book_Spoilers/  (link not safe for book readers)


The basic gist is what Contra and others have said. Using finales to settle every single arc leads to stretched, unsatisfying television and also leads to filler. Based on non-reader friends, the "big" Ramsay Snow reveal was underwhelming and didn't redeem Theon's arc of being tortured for multiple episodes. There is no payoff or reason why he was on screen for more than half the episodes for a book he doesn't appear in....other than to provide filler material. Likewise, I feel like Bran's arc could have ended last episode, while Dany's ep9 stuff could be moved to the finale; that would at least give it a nice fight (the Daario/Jorah/Grey Worm battle), and end with Dany freeing the slaves. Instead she just shows up for the finale 3 minutes of the episode (an unfortunately common theme all season).

While I enjoyed the Small Council scene, I was quite surprised it didn't set anything up for next season. Obviously people realize a wedding is coming, but people knew that last season as well.

[Steve Contra]

The Stannis stuff continues to be boring.  He did almost nothing all season, and they ended with...he's going to the wall?  Maybe?  I mean did he even need to be in the show this season outside of maybe one or two episodes?  If they wanted the White Walker announcement to have some impact, why not have Tywin or Joffrey find out about it, books be damned.

[Phoenix Dark]

That's the thing though. They get the letter in the books too, everyone gets it. I thought it would be brought up during the Small Council meeting, and casually laughed off like last season. It would have made for a nice contrast to see the difference between Joffery, Tyrion, Tywin, and Stannis.

[Steve Contra]

I figured everyone got it, but Stannis' reaction is to change course and head towards the wall or something?  Does anyone else care?  The whole thing was handled poorly.  The main issues I have with the season were some pacing stuff, but Stannis and Theon were actual problems.  Too much time on both of them if they aren't going to do anything. 

[Himu]

The Stannis heading for the wall thing isn't supposed to be so blatant, for one. Now we know exactly what he's doing, which is the problem with all of this seasons issues: lack of sublety and overdoing  things (Theon) that will resolve themselves through the narrative.

In A Dance With Dragons, when you meet Reek, you haven't seen him for three books. You don't even know it's Theon until it dawns on you. We know everything that happens to Theon simply due to his current situation. He is absolutely scared of Ramsey to the point where he has forgotten who he even is or how long time has lapsed. The tv show, instead, resolves to show the entire ordeal. It could be said that they had no choice because actors come and go and if he leaves GoT he [alfie] could have other commitments later, but I don't believe that shit.

[Phoenix Dark]

Agreed. Take Theon out alone and there would have been room for some bigger stuff to happen. Stannis...meh. But it goes back to the comment about the story being twisted to serve the actors. Liam Cunningham (Davos) is an amazing actor for instance; seriously, everyone should see Hunger, and I loved him in The Little Princess (haven't seen it in years, might just be nostalgia talking). Likewise, Stephen Dillane (Stannis) is a very good actor. But I don't agree with creating filler material just to keep semi-big actors on screen. Cunningham is very passionate about the show but you can just tell the writers give him material (like the Flea Bottom monologue last night) just to see him act, rather than to serve the plot.

It must be an issue of contracts; you can't have an actor without giving him work I guess. But if that's the case, why do they keep casting relatively big actors?

Most fans think Davos is a boring character; I'm in the minority and really like him (and Stannis). I feel like their entire arc could have been resolved within 4 episodes at most instead of a constant stream of short scenes every episode. Or they could have made it more faithful by not wasting time with Theon...

[Steve Contra]

Davos is a good character wasted on a boring storyline.  I think everyone knows Stannis is going to DO SOME SHIT, but why not either put it off or advance the plot a little bit?  Theon didn't need to be in this season at all, but maybe there's a contractual issue or some shit.  Dunno.  But really all they needed to do was make this episode the big Dany one instead of breaking it into two episodes.  I mean who even remembers that Daario, Jorah and Grey Worm stormed the city in the last episode considering what came after?

[Phoenix Dark]

To be fair, from what I've heard/read Conan Stevens was an asshole on set and HBO decided not to bring him back. Even if they did ask him back it's unlikely he would have agreed considering he won a big role in The Hobbit.

He was rather upset with how the tourney fight in S1 was shot. Apparently they shot a big duel, like in the book, but edited it down to a small scene for the episode; he wanted the whole scene shown so he could add it to his actor reel, and was understandably upset at the scaled back footage.

It's a shame considering he looks exactly like The Mountain.

[chronovore]

>implaying

Pretty sure that was Shae's job description.

[chronovore]

...AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

[Human Snorenado]

YOU GOTTA HAVE A MONTAGE, BRO

[drew]

where's the last ep? i thought it was supposed to air this past sunday.

[Himu]

It aired a week ago.

[Phoenix Dark]

Martin's response to the racial criticisms hurled at the finale/"white savior" scene. It's from his blog comments so I won't post a link, as multiple comments contain spoilers.

Martin:

Most of these people have obviously not read the books.

If they had, they would know there is no racial component to slavery as practiced on Essos. It is based on slavery as it existed in the ancient world. The Romans and Greek were just as willing to enslave other Greeks and Romans as they were Celts, Goths, Germans, and Africans. It's on the page.

However, when you are filming scenes in Morocco, and you put out a call for extras, it's Moroccans who show up. Most of them are darker skinned than our European actors (though there is actually a lot of different races and ethnic groups represented in the country, including Arabs, Berbers, Africans, French, etc). It is not so different from shooting a scene in Belfast and putting out a call for extras, whereupon a lot of Irish show up.

We fly our actors from country to country and continent to continent, at considerable expense, but that's not a practical consideration when dealing with extras. So in any big crowd scene, the prevailing skin color is always going to echo that of whatever the location is that you're shooting in.

But just for the record, yes, Dany is white, just as she has been from the beginning, and she may or may not be a savior (the last scene in "Mhysa" is not the end of her journey by any means), but she frees slaves of all colors, races, creeds, and nationalities.

Personally I thought the scene was horrible, but my problem was more with how it was shot than the races involved per se. It just came off very cheesy.

[Rufus]

That's my general problem with the entire show. Didn't make it very far into season 2. But I generally cringe at acting a lot more than the average person seems to.

[AdmiralViscen]

Weren't the Targaryans originally from Essos to begin with before invading Westeros?

[Himu]

Yes.

[Phoenix Dark]

Weren't the Targaryans originally from Essos to begin with before invading Westeros?

Yes. Valyria was basically Greece/Rome, or Atlantis lol.

[Rufus]

Or Pompeii.

[drew]

It aired a week ago.

mhysa? that hardly seemed like a season ended to me...and i could have sworn i saw a promo for the next weeks ep