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[polyh3dron]

Book readers needs to stop asking these types of questions, because even asking is a way of hinting at things to come. Just observe the discussion. If nobody is talking about it, then it didn't make an impression on the non-book readers.

But it was the last scene of the episode and was made to be some huge dramatic moment, when people who haven't read the books such as myself were kind of thrown off as to why it was such a huge deal. IMO it was a good question to ask.

 

[Frustrated_me]

I'm so happy this show is back! Yea baby!!

My favorite scenes were denarius (spelling lol) buying off those crazy soldiers, I was dying listening the guy shit all over her. Who was the little girl?

And the whole Joffrey scene, his new wife rivals even cersei in smarts

 

[kirblar]

But it was the last scene of the episode and was made to be some huge dramatic moment, when people who haven't read the books such as myself were kind of thrown off as to why it was such a huge deal. IMO it was a good question to ask.

I think it fell flat no matter what your previous exposure to the series.

 

[Klocker]

But it was the last scene of the episode and was made to be some huge dramatic moment, when people who haven't read the books such as myself were kind of thrown off as to why it was such a huge deal. IMO it was a good question to ask.

well considering they showed him in the review of the past episodes we knew he was involved somehow.


I always liked him and am glad to see someone with honor back on the show

 

[Xamdou]

What was the reason of Barristan's departure from Kings Landing?

Edit* Nvm, wow an honorable man beside's Ned Stark, it's great to see him as a Queen's guard!

 

[Fuzzy]

There's a Chrome extension that turns all comments to "herp, derp." It works well.

It's available for Firefox, Safari and Opera also. Everyone in this thread should install it if they want to watch YT videos and not be spoiled by comments.

http://www.tannr.com/herp-derp-youtube-comments/

Another alternative is to install YouTube Me Again and watch YT videos right in the GAF thread.

http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/60843

Here's what a YT video looks like on GAF when you click on it with the script installed. You can also make the video bigger, go full screen, increase the quality, etc.

 

[MR BLACKMAGIK]

Good episode. I can't wait for more. Those soldiers Daenerys is thinking of getting are fucking crazy, and with the ex-Gold Clock Commander as their captain that could be a pretty dangerous army.

 

[CrunchyB]

I hope this is not like last year where every 25 posts or so we had to beg for no more book spoiling nonsense

The worst were those "I know something you don't, hahaha" posts.

Those seriously pissed me off. And I've read the books!

 

[Magni]

Good episode. I can't wait for more. Those soldiers Daenerys is thinking of getting are fucking crazy, and with the ex-Gold Clock Commander as their captain that could be a pretty dangerous army.

Hilarious typo :lol

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the Gold Cloaks are the King Landing City Guard, while Ser Barristan was of the Kingsguard (White Cloaks).

 

[frontovik]

Excellent episode! The scenes featuring the Lannisters are great.

Spoiler

Tywin's rebuke was incredibly harsh I love how Joffrey was trying to remain polite before Margarey, and Bronn's confrontation with the King's Guard was amusing.

 

[turnbuckle]

But it was the last scene of the episode and was made to be some huge dramatic moment, when people who haven't read the books such as myself were kind of thrown off as to why it was such a huge deal. IMO it was a good question to ask.

people who watch the show but haven't read the books can help out if they remember. someone coming in and asking non readers what they felt about a scene is annoying and not far removed from getting into book discussion or comparisons. it's a good question asked by the wrong person imo. I'm about halfway through the third book myself atm but pausing while the season airs

 

[sangreal]

Ending did not fall flat for me at all. I instantly recognized him as Barriston. Was a big "oh shit!" Moment. Might've been thanks to the recap that featured him though

 

[ralexand]

Episodes air at 6 on Time Warner in Los Angeles. Who was the hot black chick in the slave army scene?

 

[Drensch]

I guess I was the only person who loved Barristan in season one. He was a total badass when he told Joffrey and Cersei to fuck off.

 

[Magnus]

well considering they showed him in the review of the past episodes we knew he was involved somehow.

Interesting thing - it would seem HBO Canada's recaps are different. Barristan's dismissal from Season 1 wasn't shown in our recap at all. Threw a lot of my friends off when he showed up at the end of the ep.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Happy to have the show back and see many of the characters once again. I think I vaguely remember the guy at the end of the episode. I was not expecting him to be the person ambushing Dany/Khalessi. A couple of scenes before we had Magaery being kind to a bunch of kids. A kind greeting for Khalessi in this foreign place with a two-faced guy trying to sell an army was a misdirection. If someone can tell me about the last episode her feathers guard was in, I'll check it out on HBOGO.

Edit:

Very, very happy to see Davis is alive and relatively well. Fuck Melisandre, if you get what I mean.

 

[StudioTan]

Pretty much expected for the first episode, not a lot of action but good dialogue and setting things up for the rest of the season.

Can someone explain who all the dead people were at Harrenhal? The last thing I remember is Tywin being holed up there with Arya et al.

Episodes air at 6 on Time Warner in Los Angeles. Who was the hot black chick in the slave army scene?

Nathalie Emmanuel

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

No Cornballer?

AVClub review for non-book readers

Alan Sepinwall's review (no book spoilers)

 

[sangreal]

I guess I was the only person who loved Barristan in season one. He was a total badass when he told Joffrey and Cersei to fuck off.

No, I was really hoping he would show up again. Next up, Arya's trainer (assuming he hasn't already)

 

[Sober]

Seemed so short even though it ran the full time. Glad for the show to be back. No mindblowing twists or anything but the setup is all there.

Any significance to the episode title, Valar Dorhaeris? It means "all men must serve" (since the S2 finale was Valar Morghulis, "all men must die"), as I didn't seem to get it from the events in this episode, unless it is talking about the final scene in Astapor.

 

[Phonomezer]

SO GOOD. Washed away the awful stench that was The Walking Dead's season finale.

 

[AuthenticM]

The episode was great. This whole show is just fucking great.

We better get some Arya next though !

 

[Nizz]

Very good season opener. Didn't expect a ton of action but good character development and it didn't disappoint. Margeary seemed very genuine in how she was concerned for the people of King's Landing. I thought she would have just been another power hungry woman but the way she comforted the children was a very nice gesture.

So good to see Tyrion, Bronn, Sir Barriston, hell just glad the show's back. I still can't stand seeing Joffrey's mug on the screen. One of the few actors who can make me grit my teeth when he's onscreen. Just so smug, perfect casting

Production values are amazing, as is the cinematography. It feels like I'm watching a movie and not a television show.

 

[Steelyuhas]

Content Roundup: Valar Dohaeris

Reviews and Recaps:
AV Club review
Sepinwall (Hitfix) review
IGN Review
Huffington Post Recap
WiC.net Analyzing Valar Dohaeris (non-book readers)
Grandland recap

HBO Content:
Inside the Episode: Valar Dohaeris
HBO's Season 3 viewers guide (I've linked to Houses, but check out the Map and Appendix sections as well)
Season 3 critics spot
Anatomy of a scene: Dany meets The Unsullied
"Dark Wings, Dark Words" Preview (Please Spoiler Tag any Preview Discussion)

I will update this post will more content tomorrow, as well as add it to the episodes section in the OP.

 

[Emwitus]

That hour went by so quickly

 

[squidyj]

To non-book readers; what did you think of that final scene and its reveal? I'm curious. I think it lacks a lot of punch for strictly viewers. Or did the character of Barristan Selmy resonate strongly enough with you back in Season 1?

As a non-book reader I thought it was pretty cool that obi-wan kenobi decided to show up.

 

[drizzle]

I apologize! The scene had a lot of flair and drama and was the episode closer. I had a lot of my friends message me and go "who is that guy?!" and they'd seen Season 1 and 2. I just wanted to see how the scene played out for you guys, that's all.

I'll head out!

If you were paying attention to the episode, the recap specially shows us the scene of him being laid off the kingsguard.

The moment I saw an old guy that was "a great knight", I knew it was him.

 

[AuthenticM]

They fucking need to add Robert Carlyle to the cast.

 

[Emwitus]

That targeryas girl makes every seen she's in beautiful...lol, well obviously the camera work is amazing in the show but wow. This looks better than 99% of movies out there. How can they afford this stuff?

 

[PhoenixDark]

Man, the kids are growing up fast. I almost didn't recognize Joffery's voice, and Bran sounds different in the preview. Plus Sansa is reaching giant status lol.

 

[Madness]

Damn, I liked the episode. It's amazing, how soon everyone forgets that there is a war going on. I thought the Margaery queen-wannabe would be some ruthless Marie Antoinette type character. But she seems like a princess Diana type almost. You could see Cersei angry at her because she is a good person unlike her.

I don't get it, how is Melisandre controlling Stannis?

Are we allowed to speculate here or no? I haven't read the books at all, and I want to speculate with non book readers. Do we have to spoiler tag stuff or no?

 

[drizzle]

I don't get it, how is Melisandre controlling Stannis?

How does any woman control any man?

That's how I think she's doing it anyway.

Are we allowed to speculate here or no? I haven't read the books at all, and I want to speculate with non book readers. Do we have to spoiler tag stuff or no?

By the OP's rules, yes. Spoiler tagging it would be your decision, I guess?:

- Regular TV thread rules apply:

• Once something airs in the US on the East Coast, it's fair game. Feel free to discuss anything that has aired without using spoiler tags.
• Anything that hasn't aired yet should be spoiler tagged including information from HBO previews, loglines, trailers, interviews, and a few other places.
• Speculation from people that haven't read the books is fine and encouraged.

 

[Madness]

How does any woman control any man?

That's how I think she's doing it anyway.



By the OP's rules:

Oh thanks. Do you think Lord Baelish has a crush on Sansa? It's obvious he sees her mother in her? And that under the guise of saving her from Joffrey, he'll get her to marry him? That girl even told Shea watch out for her from him.

I didn't remember the guy at the very end. He sort of came out of nowhere. I don't think Jorah, who obviously loves Daenarys, was too happy about her getting a much better protector and one who can actually help her get the iron throne, not just keep lying no?

As for the white walkers, if the Lord Commander and the Nights Watch knew they were back, and that they've been eating that guys sons, why did Ned Stark behead that guy in the first episode? I mean did the nights watch always know they were back?

Coming from the walking dead, I'm starting to hate the convenience factor in the show. I mean come on, throw the good guys a freaking bone here. They're getting screwed left and right. Winterfell is burned, bran and rickon are off to the wall but Jon is now with Mance Rayder, Robb and Catelyn come to Harrenhal just a few days after Arya left. It's like everything keeps going bad for the good guys. Imagine how choked Catelyn will be when she hears Winterfell is burned and her kids possibly dead.

And where is theon? I hope he redeems himself. His own men knocked him out to take him back to Pyke. When he gets there, I hope he realizes his father was a piece of shit and that Ned Stark was the better man. He'll run away and because the starks hate him and his own men, he'll be a mercenary or something and vow to try and find bran and rickon. Hopefully he comes across Arya and can redeem himself by taking care of her.

Also where the hell are all these Eastern cities coming from? I thought the Dothraki were the most powerful, but then you had Qarth and these Spartan type soldiers in the new city. Meaning why wouldn't Viserys have married his sister to one of these people who control a better army than some people on horses?

 

[Nose Master]

Weird that no one recognized the white cloak. I recognized him immediately and marked out, and I didn't even watch the recap.

 

[RC]

Weird that no one recognized the white cloak. I recognized him immediately and marked out, and I didn't even watch the recap.

If it wasn't for the recap, I'd have no clue who it was. Glad to have the show back all the same.

 

[smiggyRT]

Also where the hell are all these Eastern cities coming from? I thought the Dothraki were the most powerful, but then you had Qarth and these Spartan type soldiers in the new city. Meaning why wouldn't Viserys have married his sister to one of these people who control a better army than some people on horses?

I just assumed they went really, really far east. Like way further than the Dothraki would even bother going.

 

[Kozak]

Oh thanks. Do you think Lord Baelish has a crush on Sansa? It's obvious he sees her mother in her? And that under the guise of saving her from Joffrey, he'll get her to marry him? That girl even told Shea watch out for her from him.

Would make sense. Definitely seemed that way but he also does love Catelyn very much and could be using Sansa as leverage. Who better to wed than the man who "risked" his own life to save your daughters in such terrible times.

I didn't remember the guy at the very end. He sort of came out of nowhere. I don't think Jorah, who obviously loves Daenarys, was too happy about her getting a much better protector and one who can actually help her get the iron throne, not just keep lying no?

I thought more it was that Jorah isn't looked upon kindly by "men of honour" from Westeros. All he did was sell slaves and Ned Stark seemed fine to quickly call him a traitor to the realm.

I don't think Jorah is lying to Dany. I think he truly believes she will make a (strong) claim for the throne and its always good to be on the side that has three magical flying beasts that can melt stone.

As for the white walkers, if the Lord Commander and the Nights Watch knew they were back, and that they've been eating that guys sons, why did Ned Stark behead that guy in the first episode? I mean did the nights watch always know they were back?

Every time the Nights Watch and what they do is talked about by people not part of the Nights Watch, it is mocked. Nobody believes the rumours of mythical creatures that apparently reside north of the wall. Grumkins etc.


Favourite part of the episode was the meeting between Tyrion and Tywin. He cut Tyrion deep. Not much mention of Wildfire?

edit:

Also, I don't think Jon will end up warming up to what Mance is doing. Everyone person who considers themselves "honourable" in Westeros is quite stubborn, the Starks especially. I believe he will go all the way in his efforts to spy from within Mance's army for the Nights Watch. Only way I can imagine he'd be swayed is if his uncle Benjen has joined and convinces him of the cause.

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

Hm...I liked how they handled the end of the episode. I think it works better than it does in the book and cuts some of the needless fat.

 

[Hours Left]

I need more Margaery and Sansa in my life.

 

[Madness]

I meant, Jorah keeps saying over and over, you need to do this first, or do that. First it was needing a contingent of Khalasar, then some money for a ship to sail, now that they have a ship, he wants her to get another army etc.

It seems like he wants her to stay in the Eastern continent and to rule there only and marry her. I feel like he doesn't want to go back to Westeros and keeps making reasons for her to stay.

And I meant like, the higher ups in the Nights Watch know white walkers have returned. Yet weren't that afraid of them or what they represented. How can you fight something like that?

Tywin and Tyrion have such a bad relationship and it's sad because Tyrion is like the best lannister. He's got the smarts, the war knowledge, the cunning and intelligence. He's more a Lannister than Cersei and they treat him like shit. I hope Tywin sees it when Stannis regroups and attacks again or something.

In excited for this season, can't wait to see what happens. I hope the Starks and Robb destroy the Greyjoys for what happened at Winterfell.

 

[Loofy]

This posted yet?

History and Lore of Westeros from the Season 2 DVD. Im not sure if this is all of it.
http://www.youtube.com/user/aongho?feature=watch

 

[Servbot24]

I've pretty much completely forgotten what is going on in this show, but it's still very enjoyable which speaks well for its quality.

 

[televator]

Holly crap. I'm gonna like the scenes with Joffrey and the new queen. Seems there's some interesting character exploration at hand.

 

[GoddyofAus]

A very decent first episode. Best scene for me was Tywin and Tyrion. Lost a bit of respect for Tywin after his despisal of Tyrion about his mothers death came out into the open. Fuck this week we have to wait.

 

[Kadayi]

Not a bad return. Obviously a lot of set up for the season (everyone really just getting on their starting blocks), so not much in the way of momentum, but some good moments never the less. Tywin running Tyrion down was just plain evil really. Can't help but feel that Kit Harrington needs to raise his game in the acting stakes. He's beginning to become one of the shows weaker links with his constant gormless expression and wooden delivery. If I was Mance I'd of put him on the fire rather than shook his hand after that speech of his.

Fuck this week we have to wait

^ truth.

A double bill would of been preferable for sure, or at least a longer episode so we got some Arya & Brienne/Jamie action as well.

 

[Madness]

Yup, a two hour season opener and finale would really work for this show. There is a larger cast, more stories etc.

Walking dead has a smaller group, an almost similar budget and yet they churn out 16 episodes a season now, though it's mostly lower quality and filler now.

 

[Violet_0]

decent first episode

from the season 2 thread:

TV logic, no one in movies and television ever dies just because they were hit by the blast

I'm 100% sure that he's still alive.

they can't fool me, heh

 

[Tacitus_]

Also where the hell are all these Eastern cities coming from? I thought the Dothraki were the most powerful, but then you had Qarth and these Spartan type soldiers in the new city. Meaning why wouldn't Viserys have married his sister to one of these people who control a better army than some people on horses?

Per the official map from the HBO site:

It's a big place.

 

[hoos30]

Damn, I liked the episode. It's amazing, how soon everyone forgets that there is a war going on. I thought the Margaery queen-wannabe would be some ruthless Marie Antoinette type character. But she seems like a princess Diana type almost. You could see Cersei angry at her because she is a good person unlike her.

Margaery plays the game of thrones just like everyone else, she just uses different weapons.

 

[Cake Boss]

Whoever does the casting for the female actresses, keep up the good work, you deserve a raise.