Game of Thrones [HBO & Sky Atlantic] **Spoilers** (Read Warning Post #1)

JaxxYChicK wrote: »

That was a surprise for me too! Sure, in the books Renly is quite flamboyant, and Ser Loras is a knight, who swore an oath never to marry, and both were close, but I never once thought they were lovers. Was that some nuance I missed or perhaps more likely added in to the script for diversity?

Either way, it somehow fits.

Its in the books but its very subtle.In the tv show not so much.

I've read the books a good few times now and that managed to go right over my head every time looks like another re-read...

The episode was a roller coaster ride.Just superb.It was an episode full of single combat.

Firstly two of the greatest jousters.I was watching it with my brother who hasn,t read the books.He asked what was cleganes name and I said "the mountain who rides".My brother then asked who he was fighting and when I said "the knight of flowers" he burst out laughing.Then we got to see the hound and gregor face off and it looked like the hound is the better fighter.Gregors trying to kill him but the hound is just trying to calm his brother down and manages to hold him off easily.

The battle of wits between littlefinger and varys was terrifying.These are the real players in the game of thrones - not robert or ned.It was interesting when one scored flesh wounds against the other.All their insults were irrelevant and ignored but when they discovered the other had information they were unaware of that wounded their pride and frightened them.I think they genuinely hate and respect each other.

The battle against the hill tribes was awesome as well.Quick, bloody and brutal.The only discordant note was when ser rodrik took a nasty wound and stopped catelyn from staunching it as he didn,t want to get his blood on her.It reminded me of that monthy python zulu sketch were the british soldiers are stoically being slaughtered but are horrified that the officers shaving kit isn,t ready.Lisa tully was wonderfully creepy and is obviously a few men-at-arms short of a castle.She had a chilling jangly off kilter energy.

The scene with greyjoy and ros felt a bit unnecessary and forced.I dont feel like we got to know Theon (except that in a battle of lovers he comes second to a dwarf)

The clash of wills between robert and ned was brillant with neds morals in "stark" contrast to everyone elses.

The battle between robert and cersi was poignant.We actually see that behibd the ruin of a man that robert is a masterful battle tactician.He sees the genuine threat that the Dothraki horde poses to his divided kingdom.Ned and Tywin lannister think because they have no heavy armour or siege equipment they can be easily dismissed.But robert knows that if the westerosi hide behind their castles they will be equally as doomed as if they meet the horde in open battle - "which only a fool would do".A catch 22.I think when robert said that he never loved cersei that he sealed his own faith in that moment.He may have won the battle to inflict the most pain on his spouse but he will lose that war.

Finally THAT swordfight between jamie and ned was superb and nuanced.It is the best swordfight since rob roy.In the books ned wouldn,t have lasted 10 seconds against the kingslayer but this is why you can sometimes do more with television.The ned from the books would not have been exactly renowned for slaying a dozen great knights but with sean beans rugged power you can do a lot.
I loved the way jamie effortlessly dispatched neds best swordfighter (who gets more character development than in the books).He then indicates for ned to surrender.But he has SEVERELY underestimated his opponent and finds ned a far swifter and stronger fighter than he imagined.Great expressive acting.Jamie goes from amused to surprised to worried.When the lannister guardsman intervenes (like he was ordered to) you can see jamies dismay.Forever known as a backstabber(again).His chastisement was hilarious.

Why cant it be next monday!!!!

It's been a long time since I read the books, but I must say:

I'm having some difficulty at times trying to remember who's who.

Obviously the main characters are clear, but for example that scene with the whore and that guy, when they're talking about Tyrion.
I totally forgot who they were...

There's another one, a bit more limited but with pictures from the characters to make it easier.

Made me recognize who the guy in red was in the dungeon

That's the one, sure made a lot of stuff clear.
But I don't yet understand the importance of those scenes involving Theon Greyjoy. Yeah, so he whores around, and... ?

But it's not completely right, Robert's 3 kids for example (Spoiler I think)

Bloody Nipples wrote: »

Loras Tyrell and Renly Baratheon. And Loras Tyrell looks like a total weed.

That came out of left field for me!

Me too....I thought the producers were taking liberties...but apparently the hints are there for all to see (Note: link contains spoilers)

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/mlarchives/faq/lorasrenly.html

Still, the guy playing Loras does not have the build of a knight and could not possibly wield a broadsword, nevermind wear plate armour

donfers wrote: »

gutted by the death of joffrey - he could have been a contender, hopefully he will return in ghost form or as a white walker with a conscirnce

what an episode that, all sorts going on

You mean Jory right? A lot of people might think that was a spoiler . Don't worry though Joffrey's alive and kicking although still a little gimp.

donfers wrote: »

duly edited, getting confused with names

on that note, the gay yonger brother renly said he was fourth in line to the throne, who is ahead of him? stannis and joffrey (have we seen these two yet?) and who else?

Joffrey is the Kings' eldest son. He was the douche attacked by Arya's direwolf. There's also a younger son, Tommen. Only scene I can remember him was the breakfast scene at Winterfell with Tyrion and the rest of the Lannisters.
Stannis you haven't seen yet, he's not in the first series at all. Hasn't even been cast yet.

So succession is Joffrey, Tommen, Stannis and then Renly. Although the King is still alive ya know! So I guess Renly should be saying he's 5th in line as the current King counts right???

donfers wrote: »

duly edited, getting confused with names

on that note, the gay yonger brother renly said he was fourth in line to the throne, who is ahead of him? stannis and joffrey (have we seen these two yet?) and who else?

Joffrey's younger brother Tommen I'd imagine .