HBO's A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones

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“Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail, never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some are given a chance to climb but they refuse. They cling to the realm, or the gods, or love—illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is.”

[MegaGearMax]

And the show ends, well almost, with Little Finger's evil speech about, well his part in many things and how it ends for some people. Roz is killed off by Joffrey. What was the purpose of any of her scenes on this show?

Sexposition, apparently. Sexposition is backstory during sex scenes (or the aftermath of them). She's the postergirl of the term. We get more info about Theon Greyjoy and the old guy on the High Council while they were with her. Heck, we even get some info on Littlefinger himself. He was talking while she was with another woman.

We learn about Joffery's murderous tendencies when Tyrion tries to get him laid on his birthday. I guess we revisit his appetite for death this episode.

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By the way the next episode is written by Martin and directed by one of the best Breaking Bad directors.

[Skullface]

By the way the next episode is written by Martin and directed by one of the best Breaking Bad directors.

I thought he always wrote episode 9?

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Not this time.

[MegaGearMax]

Bart the Bear. Enough said.

I loved that Daenerys scene.

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Episode 7

Well this was written by Martin. I think he's written the past 8th and 9th episodes, the finales pretty much, so this was his softest one. It was better than last week's, but still a bit of a letdown compared to the previous strong episodes. As someone whose read the books, I always feel bad for people only watching the show because it's just not as good experiencing the things in the episode the way HBO presented them. Let's get into those things.

My favorite part of the show was Tywinn emasculating Joffrey like he told Cersei he would. I know he's supposed to be one of the bad guys, but I love this man's style. He's got that panache to put people in their place, especially his powerful and less than modest family members. Joffrey didn't want to walk up to the Tower of The Hand, so Tywinn offered to carry him as he stood over him like a giant. We've seen Tyrion Imp Slap Joffrey to put him in line, Margarie manipulate him with her charms, but Tywinn squashed his mind without offending the little mad king. He's been working really hard, but on what? What a boss. That's a true lion.

Although, you have to wonder about what Joffrey asked about Dany and her dragons. Should they worry about her? She's in the East putting hits out like a mafia boss over any slave city. Great scene with her and the Yunkai. HBO is just using her best moments from the books at this point.

The climax of the episode was Jaime saving Brienne from the bear when he was on his way home to Cersei and his father. HBO really rushed this scene. There should have been some tension with the bear. All of it seemed pretty easy. Jaime should have dived in with a sword and tested out his left hand. Locke should have gotten something in return. It was cool, but they've done better. However, I'm loving Jaime 2.0. The scenes between Jaime and Brienne were a lot more awkward in the books. Here they seem to have really bonded and understand each other without saying much. Great duo. Should be interesting to see how Jaime 2.0 reacts to the Lannisters 1.0 if he ever makes it back.

The Hound kidnaps Arya. I hope HBO doesn't blow this in one or two episodes because I loved this arc. They sprinted past the scenes, actually skipped, between he and Sansa. Unlike Sansa, Arya doesn't need saving and she's a killer. The world is made by killers, as Hound told Sansa.

Melissandre told Gendry who is father is. Curious what she has in store for him. Can't be good.

Some cute and funny stuff between Jon and Ygritte. Wondering what Jon will actually do if they reach Castle Black. Easy to turn your back on the Wildlings, but not Ygritte.

We find out Robb's wife is pregnant. Not in the books and just me speculating, but based on the scene it all felt a bit suspicious as she was writing in a language Robb wouldn't understand. Well now Robb has an heir to the North.

There was more torture porn with Theon and the mystery guy and Theon was castrated. I'm wondering if there is a conclusion to this. I have an idea where this is going, but much later.

Some useless stuff with Bran, then Sansa, then Shae.

I actually enjoyed most of the episode, but only because I know where it's all headed. Next week looks really good based on the previews.

I don't know if Martin writing this episode confirms things in his own writing of the books, but this episode confirmed three things we were never sure of in the books.

1. Robb's wife is pregnant
2. Margarie is not a virgin
3. Theon was castrated

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Episode 8

Good episode.

Busy night at Kings Landing. Cersei openly tells Margarie that she wants her hanged after reminding her the meaning behind the song The Rains of Castamere. Tywinn was right, she's a lot less clever than she thinks she is. Cersei would be a terrible ruler. Tywinn isn't the nicest person, but he governs like a boss.

Tyrion marries Sansa and tries his best to assure her that she'll never be harmed by him. Wedding goes as awkward as possible thanks to Joffrey being Joffrey. Things liven up big time as a plastered and furious Tyrion threatens to castrate the king. Tywinn does his best to ensure the Lannister line stays strong by strong arming Tyrion to bed Sansa and making sure Joffrey doesn't have Tyrion hanged. I liked Tyrion's lines to Sansa about being married to him is a prison in itself and that she can bed him when she chooses so his "Watch" begins.

Great mini scene at the table with the Queen of Thorns pointing out the absurdity of what is to happen after Joffrey marries Margarie and Cersei marries Loras, the likes of which I can't even begin to put together.

Meanwhile, Dany herself is busy getting ready for a war. She decides to negotiate and purchase the Second Sons, a group of mercenaries hired by the other side. In classic Dany fashion, she offers them their lives and they plan to kill her later in the night. One of them gets a crush on her and decides to swear his allegiance instead. Dany's forces only grow stronger.

Mel and Gendry make it to Dragon Stone. She's has plans to care for the lamb before leading it to slaughter. Stannis frees Davos in return that he swear not to harm Mel. Davos agrees, but wants proof of Mel's power. This comes in the form of leeches sucking on Gendry's king's blood. That wasn't that bad unless Mel has worse plans for him. Each leech is used to put a death spell on every other king. Really enjoying Davos. He might be the closest thing to Ned Stark we ever get, with flare of pirates wit.

Arya tries to kill the Hound, but quickly realizes she's trapped in a little girl's body and looks tiny with the Hound carrying her in his horse. Turns out he's not that bad of a guy and they're actually headed to see her mother and brother. I really hope we get to see a lot of these two before they reach the wedding. Hound is awesome and he barely gets screen time.

Show ends with Sam killing a white walker, and I think he'd figured out how with that dragon glass knife. He looked like Sam the Slayer.

Next episode I think is two weeks away. Fitting, considering its the one many of us have have been dreaming of. It's either going to be amazing or extremely dissaapointing. I want to say more, but I have to stop myself.

[Tundra_Torque]

I really enjoyed last night's episode. I thought that it was one of the stronger ones of the season.

The Tyrion / Sansa marriage sequence was really well done. I liked how the show slowed down when Tyrion and Sansa were in the bedroom and allowed some introspection from Tyrion. It was a great character building scene.

I also really enjoyed Dany's scenes. I didn't remember Daario in the book Storm of Swords, but maybe I missed it. I liked how Daario was interpreted and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in the future.

I can't wait for the next episode. If it's anything like how it was written in the book, then it will be awesome!

[oICEMANo]

Did he leave his blade lying in the snow???

[MegaGearMax]

Holy crap....

That was insane.

[zodak74]

I've never read the books, so needless to say- this episode threw me for a loop.

[Is-rael]

Of course they change something's from the books, but that scene was pretty close. There was more talk about making sure his wolf was kept outside and I'm pretty sure his wife was not there. Bring on zombie Catelyn!!!

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Episode 9

So that happened. Now we can openly say Red Wedding on here.

Everyone whose read the books, that was the moment they wanted to see on television or wondered if HBO would ever do something like that after what happened with Ned. You could say Ned was just the beginning. Although, they didn't even finish. There's something else left and I bet the reactions will continue next week.

I was sort of excited the entire episode, but as it got closer I started hoping it wouldn't happen, especially after how nice the Frey girl turned out to be. Then the band started playing Tywinn's song and I started getting dark inside and it started. That was Catelyn and the actress's best moment on the show. Bad as it may sound, her suffering should have gone one one or two more minutes while she was pleading. Still brutal, as was Robb and his wolf dying. Robb's wife was neither pregnant or dead in the books, so that made it worse. Arya watching was a nice touch.

We also found out Roose Bolton joined the Lannisters, although we got a clue of this the way he let Jaime go and wanted Tywinn's gratitude.

So will Robb and Cat be missed? As Starks, sure. But Those two, along with Sansa are the ones I care for the least. Jon and Arya are my two favorite Starks ever. Bran third. Rickon is barely in the story. I can accept their deaths, wouldn't accept Jon, Arya, or Tyrion though.

Rest of the episode was pretty good as well. Love the interactions between Hound and Arya. I think they unintentionally bring out the best in each other.

Bran's powers continue to grow. He's more powerful than a Warg since he can actually control people. One thing I am confused about since it's not int he book either. Did he attack Jon with the bird or did the dying Warg Wildling? Nice moment with Rickon and Osha saying goodbye and going their own way. More Starks separated though. Hope to see Osha soon. We don't in the books.

Jon is exposed and at a point of no return with the Wildlings after what he did. Should be interesting to see what Ygritte does. His wolf Ghost is back finally.

Less interesting stuff was actually with Dany's story. They sacked Yunkai and everyone is okay. Her army becomes powerful I assume, but she's falling for Dario.

A lot more to do in next week's finale, but I'm going to spend quite some time enjoying the reactions to this episode all week.

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Correction, that was Bran's wolf helping Jon, which is even better.

The wildling died into the bird. Also even better.

[Eternia Burning]

"The Lannisters send their regards."

[GP Legend]

Still brutal, as was Robb and his wolf dying. Robb's wife was neither pregnant or dead in the books, so that made it worse.

I haven't read the books, so I looked that up. So, apparently her character doesn't actually exist in the books, it was someone else. Interesting.

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It's basically her, just a different name and a much more complicated backstory. She's pretty irrelevant in the books.

Those of you who didn't read the books, did you pick up on the The Rains of Castamere suddenly playing and knew something was wrong? HBO did a good job playing that and referencing it all season.

[Tundra_Torque]

The Red Wedding scene was fantastically well done. As soon as Edmure went away for the bedding, I knew that stuff was going to get real.

The acting in the scene was really very good. David Bradley, who played Walder Frey, was especially good. Yes, the character is supposed to be vile and without honor, but without that strong performance, the whole scene would not have been as emotional.

I know that a lot of people hate the Lannisters, but for me, the Freys are the worst. With the Lannisters, you know where you stand with them. They are cruel, but they are upfront about their goals. The Freys are far worse. They'll join any side with the upper hand and have no problem stabbing someone in the back along the way - both literally and figuratively.

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Freys and Boltons are the worst. Lannisters aren't all bad. Tyrion, Kevenn, and now Jaime are good people.

[Tundra_Torque]

Freys and Boltons are the worst. Lannisters aren't all bad. Tyrion, Kevenn, and now Jaime are good people.

I agree that the Lannisters aren't all bad.

Another great thing about the books is that your opinion can change about these characters as the series progresses. At the end of Dance With Dragons, I felt sympathy for both Jamie and Cersei Lannister.

[JakeofEternia]

It's basically her, just a different name and a much more complicated backstory. She's pretty irrelevant in the books.

Those of you who didn't read the books, did you pick up on the The Rains of Castamere suddenly playing and knew something was wrong? HBO did a good job playing that and referencing it all season.

I didn't read the books, but after Cersei mentioned the song to Sansa a few episodes ago and they played it then, that's when I caught on. Music plays such a beautiful and understated role in the series. When The Rains of Castamere started to play here I got that immediate sense of dread. The character of Robb and his wife really started to grow on me, so I was pretty heartbroken by this episode.

[Is-rael]

Nobody's mentioning Stanis burning the leeches and saying a name after each.

[MegaGearMax]

Nobody's mentioning Stanis burning the leeches and saying a name after each.

I think maybe those guys are getting cursed?

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Nobody's mentioning Stanis burning the leeches and saying a name after each.

I think maybe those guys are getting cursed?

[oICEMANo]

Well I think this hit my wife and I harder than Neds beheading cos it was so sudden! I did get a sense of dread and that things weren't quite kosher throughout the dinner though. (I didn't recognise the song but I knew it implied impending doom) All the Frey people in the hall during Robb's apology looked a little too sullen for my liking as well...
I think the silent credits was a great move too. Really hit the scene home.

Man I love this show!

[wolfsfang]

Freys and Boltons are the worst. Lannisters aren't all bad. Tyrion, Kevenn, and now Jaime are good people.

Jaime pushed a 10 year old boy out of a window.

NOTHING he can ever do will make him a good person. I don't care if he saved a billion kittens from a burning building he is nothing but pure and utter scum who deserves a slow and extremely painful death FAR more than any other single character in this entire show.

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The things he does for love.