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[KuwabaraTheMan]

It's not about the audience being able to "handle" it, they just realize there's a different scope they can reach with a TV show that can't possibly match the books. Some fans should realize that too.

There's no point in presenting everything with the same level of detail, it could easily be done but it would just dilute everything and make it weaker.

I was mostly just joking around with all of that. I think they could have handled the Thenns better, though. Having them mostly talking in a foreign language aside from already having the bald look would do a perfectly good job of capturing the Thenns status as being slightly different without either having to get into all of the finer details of their culture from the books or making them cartoonish cannibals.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

SPOILER THREAD SPOILER THREAD SPOILER THREAD SPOILER THREAD


My guesses on whats gonna be in episode 10:

Arya - gets to Braavos
Brienne - Given Oathkeeper by Jamie to go and find Sansa/Arya
Danerys - Decides to stay and rule, ect
Bran - reaches the cave?
Tyrion - Escapes from the Black Cell, Strangle and Shit
Jon - aftermath of the battle/elected lord commander
Sansa - Snow Winterfell/Only Cat
Stoneheart - Oh yeah

that is a LOT to swallow for one episode, so they probably won't, but they do like to get everyone in the last episode.

Pretty sure this is happening by episode 3 at the latest.

 

[KingHenrik30]

Pretty sure this is happening by episode 3 at the latest.

If they are going to give her her book 4 story line now then she'll have essentially nothing to do next season

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

I'm thinking Jon being elected Lord Commander will probably happen next season. I don't think there'll be enough time in episode 10 to do it justice. Or they could potentially restructure things and do it before the battle.

 

[Herr K]

Pretty sure this is happening by episode 3 at the latest.

I'm with you on that. There's no point in delaying that.

 

[Massa]

I was mostly just joking around with all of that. I think they could have handled the Thenns better, though. Having them mostly talking in a foreign language aside from already having the bald look would do a perfectly good job of capturing the Thenns status as being slightly different without either having to get into all of the finer details of their culture from the books or making them cartoonish cannibals.

Maybe they're just changing names to throw people off - they do want to keep book readers engaged as well, specially as more and more people read the books as the show goes on.

 

[Red Arremer]

Not sure, it's certainly the norm in TV to always list principal cast even if they aren't in the episode, but they don't here.

I think that's partly because the cast is just so big. Most shows don't have a regular cast that goes above like 10 people, including recurring guest stars.

If they are going to give her her book 4 story line now then she'll have essentially nothing to do next season

She wouldn't have anything to do this season either. Episode 4 is titled "Oathkeeper", too. What do you think?

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

If they are going to give her her book 4 story line now then she'll have essentially nothing to do next season

She can spend this season looking for Arya, end up with the BWB by the end of the season, and then do her arc with them in season 5. Jaime will probably leave KL soon after Joff's death to deal with Riverrun anyway.

 

[cdkee]

Interesting, but where and how did Qyburn find him and persuade him to come back to KL?

Qyburn doesn't bring him, Sandor would come back as champion of the Faith.

 

[bodyofanamerican]

SPOILER THREAD SPOILER THREAD SPOILER THREAD SPOILER THREAD


My guesses on whats gonna be in episode 10:

Arya - gets to Braavos
Brienne - Given Oathkeeper by Jamie to go and find Sansa/Arya
Danerys - Decides to stay and rule, Jorah exile
Bran - reaches the cave?
Tyrion - Escapes from the Black Cell, Strangle and Shit
Jon - aftermath of the battle/elected lord commander
Sansa - Snow Winterfell/Only Cat
Stoneheart - Oh yeah

that is a LOT to swallow for one episode, so they probably won't, but they do like to get everyone in the last episode.

Needs Stannis's cart before the horse speech too (thought I'm not hopeful).

 

[Cornballer]

So now the no spoilers thread is doing the same thing as this thread by placing a highlighted statement at the top of the page. I feel this diminishes the effect since both threads are doing pretty much the exact same thing, it doesn't do anything to distinguish the two threads immediately upon entering.

Agreed. Please post the warning in this thread if you remember, and don't do it in the other thread. Thank you. The [ highlight] [ /highlight] tags is good for making it stand out, too.

 

[Steelyuhas]

I think that's partly because the cast is just so big. Most shows don't have a regular cast that goes above like 10 people, including recurring guest stars.

Yeah that's definitely why they do it, I'm not sure what the regulations and rules are regarding that though as Dany M brought up

 

[Madness]

I'm thinking Jon being elected Lord Commander will probably happen next season. I don't think there'll be enough time in episode 10 to do it justice. Or they could potentially restructure things and do it before the battle.

Same. I think they're going to have Jon's story this season be him getting crap from Slynt and Allister, having no one really trust him, the vote for the new Lord Commander and the battle for the Wall where Stannis comes at the end, all this season.

I could see episode 9 being the big battle scene where Ygritte dies, and Stannis comes and episode 10 being him getting elected.

 

[DrForester]

Need a refresher. In the book, Jon was thrown into the ice cell the moment Thorne and Slynt arrived, right?

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Need a refresher. In the book, Jon's was thrown into the ice cell the moment Thorne and Slynt arrived, right?

Yeah, I think so.

 

[desh]

I'm going to sound like a dick, but how much coddling do we need to do? The threads don't even start the same anymore, and one has UNMARKED SPOILERS ALL BOOKS in caps plus warnings at the top of each page

My initial thought when this new thing of placing a highlighted statement at the top of each new page was the same: why are we coddling. But, I was like whatever, I don't care. Then when the other thread started doing it, well it just made it worse. Either leave both threads alone, or only one does it, butnot both.

 

[Steelyuhas]

Need a refresher. In the book, Jon's was thrown into the ice cell the moment Thorne and Slynt arrived, right?

Yes, but in the book Throne and Slynt don't arrive until after Mance's main waves of attack on the Wall.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Same. I think they're going to have Jon's story this season be him getting crap from Slynt and Allister, having no one really trust him, the vote for the new Lord Commander and the battle for the Wall where Stannis comes at the end, all this season.

I could see episode 9 being the big battle scene where Ygritte dies, and Stannis comes and episode 10 being him getting elected.

Yeah that could work with him getting elected in episode 10 if they start the whole voting process earlier in the season before the battle and the brothers are deadlocked, then electing Jon after he successfully defends the Wall.

 

[Red Arremer]

Yeah that's definitely why they do it, I'm not sure what the regulations and rules are regarding that though as Dany M brought up

Ah, okay. Well, I imagine a lot of shows just use the same opening sequence because changing the cast credits every other episode would be costly (especially with a cast that doesn't change all that much like in most shows), but it's not as bad as having to extend the opening sequence with every subsequent character.
That said, I don't believe the SAG would make a regulation of a regular cast member having to be in the credits of every episode even if they don't appear in an episode. Even if, perhaps there's exceptions for regular casts that are bigger than an X amount of people.

One thing worth noting about Arya's scene beyond her killings is that they spent quite a bit of time showing the destruction of Westeros by the war - not just the end shot, but also in the dialogue with Polliver, and with the extras raping the inn girl. There should be a lot more of that in Arya's arc this season hopefully.

Don't forget their way up to the tavern where they are surrounded by broken carts and corpses.

 

[Massa]

One thing worth noting about Arya's scene beyond her killings is that they spent quite a bit of time showing the destruction of Westeros by the war - not just the end shot, but also in the dialogue with Polliver, and with the extras raping the inn girl. There should be a lot more of that in Arya's arc this season hopefully.

 

[DrForester]

Yes, but in the book Throne and Slynt don't arrive until after Mance's main waves of attack on the Wall.

I wonder if he's going to be named lord commander before the battle then. I don't think it would matter much if Stannis offered to legitimize him before or after he becomes lord commander.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Kit Harrington's actually giving a good performance. There's a change.

Yeah! I thought so too! Totally surprising coming from him considering that he's always easily been the worst of the main actors..

Oh, also, really enjoying Oberyn and Ellaria. Especially Oberyn is really really well-cast.

I thought both of them were very well cast. I really liked both of their portrayals a lot. I could have done without the dumb "Goldilocks and the three whores" scene as their introduction though.

The new Daario actor is too likeable, imo. I feel like that was a purposeful decision, but it's just so odd to not hear "Daario Nahaaris" and see who is supposed to Daario Nahaaris and not cringe or want to roll my eyes and skip the scene.

Yeah, the new Daario sucks. Sure, he's more charming and likable - but that's exactly the opposite of what Daario is supposed to be and the exact opposite of what he was last season. New Daario is a totally different character. Last year's actor had the slimy douchebag with an extremely punchable thing down pat. ARGH RECASTS!!!!

Viper dragging his hand through the candle

Gosh, that was so cool! *swoon* I wonder if it was in the script? It looked improvised to me.

"Of course you named your sword"
"Lots of people name their swords"
"Lots of CUNTS"

lol that was great

 

[PhoenixDark]

I'm thinking Jon being elected Lord Commander will probably happen next season. I don't think there'll be enough time in episode 10 to do it justice. Or they could potentially restructure things and do it before the battle.

There should be plenty of time considering episode 9 is strictly the battle. Episode 10 will be the aftermath, including picking a new leader to replace Allister Thorne (who I think is taking the role of Noye). What other resolution can the show end on with Jon? He'll be elected LC, no doubt.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Yeah! I thought so too! Totally surprising coming from him considering that he's always easily been the worst of the main actors.

I really think it's not his acting skill that was the problem, but the writing. When he was given something to do he was often alright. I thought he was pretty good in the first episode in his scene with Benjen and Tyrion. The problem came when most of Jon's later scenes involved him getting yelled at and saying nothing back which usually resulted in him just standing there looking like a dumbass. That or he's being made fun of. In this episode he was still being yelled at, but at least he got to talk back, and say something decent.

There should be plenty of time considering episode 9 is strictly the battle. Episode 10 will be the aftermath, including picking a new leader to replace Allister Thorne (who I think is taking the role of Noye). What other resolution can the show end on with Jon? He'll be elected LC, no doubt.

I've changed my mind and think he'll be elected in episode 10 as long as they start the election stuff earlier in the season, which they almost surely will. I had previously been thinking they'd play it similar the book with all the election stuff post-battle, I just don't think there's enough time to do that, along with his interactions with Stannis justice if they followed that route.

 

[Trasher]

Anyone notice the potential symbolism and foreshadowing with the three flowers?

 

[Cornballer]

I wonder if they're going to show a cold open every episode this season or if the sword reforging was just for the premiere.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

I wonder if they're going to show a cold open every episode this season or if the sword reforging was just for the premiere.

I'm thinking just the premiere to match with the other season premieres. Well except for Season 2, but that was supposed to have a cold open.

 

[MiamiWesker]

Yes, but in the book Throne and Slynt don't arrive until after Mance's main waves of attack on the Wall.

Which is why I am scared that they will only have one battle. How will there be a skeleton crew for the first battle, thats one of the best parts of the book. The show needs more action not less.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

I'm thinking just the premiere to match with the other season premieres. Well except for Season 2, but that was supposed to have a cold open.

What was it supposed to be?

 

[greatgeek]

What was it supposed to be?

The Stannis bonfire scene would be my guess.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

What was it supposed to be?

The Dragonstone scenes, like the book. But they changed it because they wanted viewers to see some familiar characters before introducing new ones, or something like that.

 

[-Deimos]

Gosh, that was so cool! *swoon* I wonder if it was in the script? It looked improvised to me.

I cringed at how cheesy that was.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

The Stannis bonfire scene would be my guess.

The Dragonstone scenes, like the book. But they changed it because they wanted viewers to see some familiar characters before introducing new ones, or something like that.

Oh, I see. Thanks. Yeah, that would have been confusing.

 

[greatgeek]

Oh, I see. Thanks. Yeah, that would have been confusing.

Idk, I think the scene would have had more weight as the cold open for the season. With a bit of expository dialogue the show only people wouldn't have been confused

 

[Rodney McKay]

In the books that pub fight was when the Hound got badly (mortally?) wounded right? Or at least that was when Arya left him and you don't seem him for the rest of the books.

Or was that a different fight I'm thinking of when that happens?

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

In the books that pub fight was when the Hound got badly (mortally?) wounded right? Or at least that was when Arya left him and you don't seem him for the rest of the books.

Or was that a different fight I'm thinking of when that happens?

Yeah, it's the one where he was wounded. He was pretty drunk.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

Idk, I think the scene would have had more weight as the cold open for the season. With a bit of expository dialogue the show only people wouldn't have been confused

I disagree. I feel like the whole concept of the new religion and new characters would be better understood if fans were eased back into the show, instead of it being thrust right in their faces.

In the books that pub fight was when the Hound got badly (mortally?) wounded right? Or at least that was when Arya left him and you don't seem him for the rest of the books.

Or was that a different fight I'm thinking of when that happens?

Yes, he's severely wounded in the fight at the inn.

 

[agrajag]

Why did they recast Daario?? The first one was perfect.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Why did they recast Daario?? The first one was perfect.

Because HBO is dumb.

 

[Supermanisdead]

the new daario looks so off. why does he have such a thick dark beard when the last one was clean shaven. its like they arent even trying. also, it looks like his clothes are different.

 

[Speevy]

Does the physical appearance of the Dornish people match that of the books?

 

[Madness]

the new daario looks so off. why does he have such a thick dark beard when the last one was clean shaven. its like they arent even trying. also, it looks like his clothes are different.

He's actually more true to the books in a sense now (aside from beard not being blue), but I agree, probably one of the worst casting changes I've seen. I wonder what they were thinking when they cast the blonde model, clean shaven last year, only to change it up this year. Went from Daario looking like a Lannister to looking like a Stark.

Does the physical appearance of the Dornish people match that of the books?

I'd say it does. The books mentioned them having olive skin, dark hair, sun-kissed etc. So I always pictured them being very Mediterranean ie. Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, even Turkey etc.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

Oh god I just remembered we're probably getting the Sand Snakes next season. HYPE.

 

[CoolOff]

Where have I seen the actor Tyrion greeted from the Dornish party arriving? Lip-sync was way off on him...

Oh god I just remembered we're probably getting the Sand Snakes next season. HYPE.

There's gonna be a lot of new characters in that case if they go kingsmoot as well. Wonder what they'll do with Quentyn...

I think LC should be next season, but they might cram it in.

 

[Iksenpets]

She can spend this season looking for Arya, end up with the BWB by the end of the season, and then do her arc with them in season 5. Jaime will probably leave KL soon after Joff's death to deal with Riverrun anyway.

Jaime has to stay in town since he's apparently serving as Tyrion's counsel during the trial, and then helps Tyrion escape. He'll be in KL until next season. I still think Brienne will finish her Feast plot this season, and they'll let viewers think she's dead for most of season 5 until Jaime wraps up at Riverrun and she comes for him.

And I could see the Lord Commander election happening at the beginning of season 5. They could imply that weeks passed between the S4 finale and the start of S5 without anyone winning the vote and have Stannis all frustrated and threatening to appoint the cook.

 

[Rodney McKay]

Yeah, it's the one where he was wounded. He was pretty drunk.

Yes, he's severely wounded in the fight at the inn.

Glad I still remember things right!

In all honesty I was pleasantly surprised at the change. I read all the books between seasons 3 and 4 (couldn't stand the wait anymore, haha), so I actually kinda like when they make changes like this. Keeps things interesting for me, and now I'm excited to see how they end up badly hurting him before Arya leaves.

 

[Speevy]

Watching the episode, I think I'm sick of hearing The Rains of Castamere.

They've presented this song with instrumentals, voices, whistling, and even explained it. It's played after any Lannister succeeds in any way. The Stark/Baratheon theme doesn't bother me because it's not part of the culture.

Imagine traveling to the most patriotic home in America. I'm talking about a place where they think America is the greatest country ever gifted to the world. Now imagine the resident of that home singing the star-spangled banner when he goes to the grocery store.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

Jaime has to stay in town since he's apparently serving as Tyrion's counsel during the trial, and then helps Tyrion escape. He'll be in KL until next season. I still think Brienne will finish her Feast plot this season, and they'll let viewers think she's dead for most of season 5 until Jaime wraps up at Riverrun and she comes for him.

And I could see the Lord Commander election happening at the beginning of season 5. They could imply that weeks passed between the S4 finale and the start of S5 without anyone winning the vote and have Stannis all frustrated and threatening to appoint the cook.

Oh I totally blanked on Jaime helping Tyrion. Derp. That sounds right though. It'll be interesting to see reactions if they do include Brienne's hanging in the finale. They could even work in the Stoneheart reveal as she's being hanged.

I can't see them leaving out the Lord Commander arc this season. It's perfect material for the finale; they can build up tensions between different brothers of the NW with the ever looming threat of the wildling attack. By the time Stannis gets there in episode 9 (I'm assuming), there could have been enough scheming by Sam and co. to allow for Jon's selection.

 

[CoolOff]

Speaking of The Rains of Castamere, I was pondering if they might introduce a new song this season, like they did with The Bear and the Maiden Fair, and which one it could be.

Dornishman's wife?

 

[Madness]

I honestly think since Slynt and Thorne are already here, and the Wildlings have yet to attack, Jon's story will most likely be trying to prepare Castle Black for the upcoming war, whilst simultaneously taking shit from everyone for being a traitor. They'll also have the election issues looming large. Sam will be working behind the scenes for Jon to get him elected, but the battle, Ygritte's death, and Stannis arriving, will have Jon win and be elected as a way to end his story this season.