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Game of Thrones - Season 2 - George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire - Sundays on HBO
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Great episode overall I thought. Probably my favorite of the season so far. I thought they did a great job with the whole Theon/Winterfell part. Using Rodrik for the beheading role was probably for the best since the audience would feel something for his character. I'm so glad that the beheading was as difficult for Theon as it was in the book. Made it so emotional with the young Starks watching.
The one thing I'm a bit disappointed with is the direction the show is taking in regards to Jon's storyline. I guess I was hoping for a little more mentoring from Halfhand. I feel like his character isn't getting the just portrayal that it deserves. Still four episodes left though, so I can't quite make a full judgment yet anyways.
They seemed to cover a very large chunk of the book in this episode. A lot of the bigger events as well. I'm happy they found some sort of way to make Dany's storyline somewhat interesting. Her chapters were pretty damn boring for the most part, so a little spice shouldn't hurt anything. I'm super curious as to (ACOK)
The one thing I'm a bit disappointed with is the direction the show is taking in regards to Jon's storyline. I guess I was hoping for a little more mentoring from Halfhand. I feel like his character isn't getting the just portrayal that it deserves. Still four episodes left though, so I can't quite make a full judgment yet anyways.
They seemed to cover a very large chunk of the book in this episode. A lot of the bigger events as well. I'm happy they found some sort of way to make Dany's storyline somewhat interesting. Her chapters were pretty damn boring for the most part, so a little spice shouldn't hurt anything. I'm super curious as to (ACOK)
see how they handle the Tower of the Undying and Dany's visions through all the doors. Or maybe they will just skip that and make it all about rescuing her dragons? I hope Drogon still gets to burn Pyat Pree. That whole chapter was really hard for me to follow. I'm still not sure what exactly happened in that friggin place.
petethepanda
Member
The show is so inconsistent with new stuff. Tywin in the Arry thread is great and scenes like the one with Littlefinger are awesome, but on the other hand I can't stand the shockingly pedestrian way the Robb and Whatshername thread seems to be playing out. Really makes me wonder how later seasons will be, when assumedly there will be even more heavily altered or completely new material.
Speaking of which, the end of the episode felt weird. Had me thinking "well that's what you get for leaving them out of your sight." They should have made a note of how heavily they were being guarded or something.
And hey, they had an opportunity for a Scene Of Doin' It and showed restraint! That was surprising.
Speaking of which, the end of the episode felt weird. Had me thinking "well that's what you get for leaving them out of your sight." They should have made a note of how heavily they were being guarded or something.
And hey, they had an opportunity for a Scene Of Doin' It and showed restraint! That was surprising.
Really, really good episode. One of my favorites so far for sure. Just so many great scenes. Question though:
.
If I had any negative comments, it would probably be that aside from the makeup, the hound isn't anywhere close to what I pictured him being. He's not nearly as fierce or scary... the show kind of makes him out to be an okay dude. In the book he was more of a wild beast with something of a good nature deep down. It's a shame because he's one of my favorite characters in the book series. Also not really digging most of the Dany scenes so far, but then again they're similar to what the book had so I can't really complain.
that's not how Osha/bran/rickon escaped in the book, is it? I can't really remember. And did Dany's people get butchered like that? This all seems new to me. The building at the end was the house of the undying, no? I don't remember the dragons ever getting taken like that.
Yeah he's pretty much 1:1 with book Theon in my eyes. Very good stuff. The beheading scene was fucking brutal.
And thank god for that. You can have some nudity without having it devolve into a near-porno.
If I had any negative comments, it would probably be that aside from the makeup, the hound isn't anywhere close to what I pictured him being. He's not nearly as fierce or scary... the show kind of makes him out to be an okay dude. In the book he was more of a wild beast with something of a good nature deep down. It's a shame because he's one of my favorite characters in the book series. Also not really digging most of the Dany scenes so far, but then again they're similar to what the book had so I can't really complain.
They did, by showing a whole bunch of Dothraki dead.
petethepanda
Member
I mean beforehand. We haven't seen that Xaro's guards are big badasses or something so showing a bunch of them dead didn't really make it feel like the dragons were being well guarded.
Edit: I didn't think those were Dothraki, the armor looked Qarthy. Aside from her bloodriders isn't it all sick and old folks with her?
blainethemono
Member
seemed like they were all Dothraki, there were arakhs laying beside most of the bodies
John Harker
Definitely doesn't make things up as he goes along.
Man they are good at this. A lot of the new stuff is better than it is in the book. This really is some great entertainment.
(ACOK)
Bran and them escaped by hiding in the crypt under Winterfell for days. They actually didn't leave Winterfell until after it was set on fire as well.
And no, the dragons were never stolen in the book.
And no, the dragons were never stolen in the book.
[ACoK]
I thought they did leave then back-tracked and hid in the crypts so that the dogs would follow their scent for a while.
The totally ruined the Ygritte intro.
You miss the whole part
.
Most of the emotional impact of that part is ruined because they needed to condense it and have more action. It totally dumbs it down. Also
Terrible change all around.
You miss the whole part
where qhorin knows he isn't going to kill her, but leaves it up to him to see what kind of man he is
Most of the emotional impact of that part is ruined because they needed to condense it and have more action. It totally dumbs it down. Also
how is she going to vouch for Jon when she is tied up?
Terrible change all around.
petethepanda
Member
Lorch whipping the door open and immediately falling over dead was hilarious.
This was easily the best s2 ep so far. Hopefully it's the beginning of an awesome streak like the back half of s1.
I'm glad they're nutting up and taking bigger liberties with the material, 1:1ish is not the way to adapt this, but I really do worry that they'll fail to be "as good as" the material from the books.
This was easily the best s2 ep so far. Hopefully it's the beginning of an awesome streak like the back half of s1.
I'm glad they're nutting up and taking bigger liberties with the material, 1:1ish is not the way to adapt this, but I really do worry that they'll fail to be "as good as" the material from the books.
I like the stolen dragons. I know it's probably just (ACOK)
but it didn't put me off at all.
All the other little changes are easy enough to live with as well. It wasn't the best episode (it's hard to beat a shadow baby coming out of Mel's hoo-hah) but it was good.
(Ygritte is pretty much just as I imagined her, if not a little too good looking)
a little extra motivation for her to visit the hall of the undying
All the other little changes are easy enough to live with as well. It wasn't the best episode (it's hard to beat a shadow baby coming out of Mel's hoo-hah) but it was good.
(Ygritte is pretty much just as I imagined her, if not a little too good looking)
petethepanda
Member
I hope they step up the action coreography (and photography and editing) at some point. Obviously this isn't a series that's focused on action so it's not that big of a deal, but still, the rare moments are always so clunky. Only action scene in the series that actually felt cool was Drogo fucking up whatshisface, imo.
On a related note, I can't frigging wait for Neil Marshall's episode.
Edit: I mean fight coreography specifically, though general "action" also feels muddled much of the time, especially tonight. The Lannisters fleeing from the rioting smallfolk felt jumbled and chaotic but not in the "that's how you're supposed to feel" sense, it just felt poorly constructed.
On a related note, I can't frigging wait for Neil Marshall's episode.
Edit: I mean fight coreography specifically, though general "action" also feels muddled much of the time, especially tonight. The Lannisters fleeing from the rioting smallfolk felt jumbled and chaotic but not in the "that's how you're supposed to feel" sense, it just felt poorly constructed.
Yeah, I forgot to mention that haha.
I'm worrying about the same thing, but maybe they will still find a way to keep it similar.
This. is. wonderful. I can't stop laughing.
krameriffic
Member
Sometimes, I'm OK with the awkwardness of the fighting. It feels more realistic than heavily choreographed fighting because men in full plate mail swinging bigass swords are clumsy, half-blind and slow. It's the stylistic difference between the animations from Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2. Yeah, technically DA2 looks cooler, faster and less clumsy, but that's not how wielding that kind of weaponry actually works.
PhoenixDark
Banned
I thought the episode was good, but there were more than a few questionable writing decisions imo - some of which are book related, some of which aren't. The abrupt Winterfell sacking was rather puzzling to me, first off. I had thought Theon would have a few men start sieging Torrhen Square while he walked into Winterfell easily. The episode throws you immediately into the situation with no set up, and it felt rather odd/rushed. Still, overall I thought it was a good scene. And the beheading, damn. I'm fine with the change, it worked well.
The beyond-the-Wall scenes were good, I just felt odd about the Ygritte changes. Sure the ambush was awesome, I like the actress, the Halfhand is great etc. But [ACOK]
The scene that really bothered me was the Arya one with Hagar/Loche. It felt completely unnecessary and trivializes the nature of her relationship with Hagar. And how unrealistic is it that a commanding officer would have to chase a servant through camp and not a single soldier would stop her? Once again, weird writing decisions.
And of course Dany...eh? It certainly makes sense that someone would attempt to steal her dragons, so I can't really complain about that; in fact I always wondered why that didn't happen as I read ACOK. I'm super bummed about Irri dying, come the fuck on. And also, I'm tired of Xaro's story. We get it, it doesn't need to be repeated in every episode.
Solid ep. I loved the King's Landing stuff, even the Shae appearance.
The beyond-the-Wall scenes were good, I just felt odd about the Ygritte changes. Sure the ambush was awesome, I like the actress, the Halfhand is great etc. But [ACOK]
What's the point in having Jon run off with Ygritte? Also from a writing perspective, it makes no sense that the Halfhand would simply leave Jon alone with her and not even watch from afar, or note how long the whole thing took. And another thing...the whole "Jon sleeping with his head on a rock in below zero temperatures" thing was just weird, but that's kind of nitpicky. So I'm guessing Jon will be captured by Wildlings, they'll throw him in a cell with the Halfhand, and he'll demand Jon kill him in order to infiltrate them. I guess I'm cool with that.
The scene that really bothered me was the Arya one with Hagar/Loche. It felt completely unnecessary and trivializes the nature of her relationship with Hagar. And how unrealistic is it that a commanding officer would have to chase a servant through camp and not a single soldier would stop her? Once again, weird writing decisions.
And of course Dany...eh? It certainly makes sense that someone would attempt to steal her dragons, so I can't really complain about that; in fact I always wondered why that didn't happen as I read ACOK. I'm super bummed about Irri dying, come the fuck on. And also, I'm tired of Xaro's story. We get it, it doesn't need to be repeated in every episode.
Solid ep. I loved the King's Landing stuff, even the Shae appearance.
PhoenixDark
Banned
We're getting into butterfly effect territory now. From the Tickler change last ep to some of the major stuff tonight, I'm starting to wonder where this is going.
thestopsign
Member
Ygritte was mighty fine lookin in my opinion.
The grinding scene was pretty hawt
Woo-Fu
Banned
1st. It would have been entirely normal for Littlefinger to not notice it was Arya. After all, she is a servant and servants are typically beneath notice. Well at least until they spill wine all over you. At that point the jig was up, he looks directly at her, he knows who she is. That look on his face wasn't "who is that", it was, "Does Tywin know who she is, does he know I know who she is? is he testing me? How do I further my ambitions with this knowlege?"
2nd. As for why he wouldn't tell Tywin? The reasons are nigh endless. This is the Game of Thrones, people, why on earth do you think Littlefinger is betting on the Lannisters? He is the keeper of the coin, he knows the state of the treasury, he has visited damned near every army in the land and knows who has what. He doesn't need a crystal ball to know that hatred of the Lannisters might be the one thing that can pull everybody else together.
On top of that he loves Catelyn, and still has delusions of working something out there. Turning over her daughter to the head of the family that is their worst enemy? BIG TURN OFF.
Lastly, just because he doesn't do anything in that scene doesn't mean he is doing nothing after that. Presumably he didn't walk to Harrenhall by himself. He has a pack of henchmen, even if most of them are prostitutes. He could be setting up a plan to spirit her out of that pile as we speak.
This episode was pretty good. Bran and Tyrion were a little off but Theon was hitting them out of the park.
Oh, and the medic from wherever is hiding her real identity. Yes, she is a healer, no she doesn't want her family name tied to Rob's cause, at least not just yet. That is my guess. Now that Catelyn's antennae are quivering I'm sure we'll get the real story.
2nd. As for why he wouldn't tell Tywin? The reasons are nigh endless. This is the Game of Thrones, people, why on earth do you think Littlefinger is betting on the Lannisters? He is the keeper of the coin, he knows the state of the treasury, he has visited damned near every army in the land and knows who has what. He doesn't need a crystal ball to know that hatred of the Lannisters might be the one thing that can pull everybody else together.
On top of that he loves Catelyn, and still has delusions of working something out there. Turning over her daughter to the head of the family that is their worst enemy? BIG TURN OFF.
Lastly, just because he doesn't do anything in that scene doesn't mean he is doing nothing after that. Presumably he didn't walk to Harrenhall by himself. He has a pack of henchmen, even if most of them are prostitutes. He could be setting up a plan to spirit her out of that pile as we speak.
This episode was pretty good. Bran and Tyrion were a little off but Theon was hitting them out of the park.
Oh, and the medic from wherever is hiding her real identity. Yes, she is a healer, no she doesn't want her family name tied to Rob's cause, at least not just yet. That is my guess. Now that Catelyn's antennae are quivering I'm sure we'll get the real story.
timetokill
Banned
Very worried about how they're handling Jon right now. The difference in his stuff is pretty dramatic as far as how his character is built. Now I'm wondering if they're even going to get to the "do what you have to do" part or just avoid it entirely.
Also, Bran was great in this episode. Always is.
And man was it awesome seeing Joffrey get tossed around, shit thrown at him, another slap from Tyrion. Hilarious!
Also, Littlefinger definitely recognized her, you fools
Lastly, (Robb + chick stuff) :
Also, Bran was great in this episode. Always is.
And man was it awesome seeing Joffrey get tossed around, shit thrown at him, another slap from Tyrion. Hilarious!
Also, Littlefinger definitely recognized her, you fools
Lastly, (Robb + chick stuff) :
Isn't Jeyne a blonde, or am I remembering that wrong? Are they just replacing her entirely?
Tim the Wiz
Banned
He's pretty much decent when Joffrey isn't commanding him to do stupid shit. For someone terrorized by a psychopathic sibling since birth, of course.
Steelyuhas
Member
Wow, damn good episode. Went by so quickly. As usual, needz more Robb, but I'll live.
ACOK
Series
ACOK
They send the wolves into the forest though if I recall correctly, as that's how Bran finds out that the coast is clear at the end of the book.
Series
Replacing basically, there are several rumors about "Talisa's" real identity, but even if she shares the name, it's obviously a significantly different character than in the books.
Fantastic episode but shitty adaptation of the books, they are changing so much around. [series spoiler]
Also I love Isaac Hempstead Wright and his acting but his crying was not believable, must have only gotten to do a few takes. Otherwise he was a little badass in that scene where he was in bed. Alfie Allen (Theon) has given the best performance this season, that was a powerful scene. Emilia Clarke also does a great job this episode.
Did they kill Irri? Please tell me they did not kill Irri. They killed Rodrik Cassel in a strange way but I guess it is one of those changes that doesn't really matter now that I think about it.
Don't be ridiculous, just because he's fat doesn't mean he has to use the elevator.
NathanMcMahon
Banned
I don't think he did.
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
the directing was piss poor this week.
really, really awful stuff.
really, really awful stuff.
PhoenixDark
Banned
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
I stand by "piss-poor". Watch Ygritte's intro scene again. There's no momentum. It's a few back back and forths a ridiculous lens-flare shot carelessly thrown in the middle. Then the (amazing scene in the books) mob-scene lacked any real sense of intensity.
It was total b-grade material. I stopped watching there for now, I'll watch the rest tomorrow. It doesn't help that I just finished watching the amazing Beatles-montage in Mad Men this week.
I liked Ygritte she was cool, didn't really care for her in the books but she won me over.
Arya scenes were good as always, didn't mind the changes this time around.
I don't think Littlefinger recognized her felt to me like just another one of those who cares about or notices the smallfolk and peasants scenes.
Interesting that they went so far with the Sansa scene really awkward stuff there.
Dany is a lot more annoying than last season. Too much of a beggar.
oh and where the fuck is Varys? One of the best actors this season and how many episodes in a row has it been without him?
and I said damn after that exchange between Arya and Twyin..
"What killed your father?"
"Loyalty"
One of Twyins generals just died in front of him due to an obvious assassination I don't think he is going to just ignore that. Where the hell are they going with this?
Arya scenes were good as always, didn't mind the changes this time around.
I don't think Littlefinger recognized her felt to me like just another one of those who cares about or notices the smallfolk and peasants scenes.
Interesting that they went so far with the Sansa scene really awkward stuff there.
Dany is a lot more annoying than last season. Too much of a beggar.
oh and where the fuck is Varys? One of the best actors this season and how many episodes in a row has it been without him?
and I said damn after that exchange between Arya and Twyin..
"What killed your father?"
"Loyalty"
One of Twyins generals just died in front of him due to an obvious assassination I don't think he is going to just ignore that. Where the hell are they going with this?
Mockingbird
Member
I don't it cause it's different. Would feel differently if I've never read the books. It's hard to accept it as a fan of the books. It's not that it's bad, but I really wanted Meera and Jojen!
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