Season 3: Episode 7 * Have READ the books/SPOILERS**

Lovely Bloke

This is the thread if you're read the books!!

EuropeanSon

Thought it was OK. Very little actual progression, but some excellent scenes (Tywin in the throne room, Jaime and Brienne, Danaerys' mocking reception of the Yunkai ambassador). Can't wait for RW, Robb and Tulisa really bore me. The Theon torture scenes are getting very twisted indeed, but are still fun.

Eimear811

The Rains of Castamere playing at the end was a nice touch....all paths lead to the RW!

EuropeanSon

Who do people reckon will fight Yunkai's champion? If indeed they do that scene.
Barristan seems possible. I think Grey Worm would be better though, it'd really bring him to centre stage as a character, we've only seen a little bit so far. Presumably, as an unsullied, he's a badass when it comes to fighting.

podgemonster

Much improved from last week, much more character development and some plot progression, plot-stretching somewhat too much for Bran and Theon. Some great boobs and arse scenes too.

Dany has a great segment this week, the imposing nature of the unsullied and her confidence as a leader batting away concerns from her 2 knights and dealing with the Yunkai so craftly. She is unnecessarily fighting for the freedom of slaves on her route to Westeros. Such contrast from Robb, Stan the man and King Joffery. Also the dragons going for the piece of meat almost had me taking off my headphones, they are vicious! Lovely CGI.

Arya conveys all the emotions i felt last week towards the BWB (still think it was off form). No doubt her words will result in Beric giving his lifeforce to Catelyn. I also enjoyed the shots of broken ships in Kings Landing and The Red Witches intriging chat with Gendry.

Interesting scene with Joff and his Grandad. Love how Tywin gets to halt the Kingsguard so far away from the Throne and the marches up the steps to show who is really in charge. A great as the scene was I thought it could be better with more subtle threats from Tywin.

Ramsay was better this week. I see where they are going with Orell (impecable dentistry for a wildling) and will likely that Jon will have to kill him before the season is out to hide his loyalty to the Crows but cloaked as an act of love for Ygritte. Jon and Ygritte scenes are getting a bit mushy now, we get it like!!

A major hint towards Tulisa being a spy this weeks sending letter to her mother in ancient volantis. Also her announcement of her pregnancy will have a major impact on the books if she lives during the RW. I still think Cateyln will run a blade across her throat. Robb even admits he can't plan his war tactics with her bare arsed, hinting she was a distraction from the start.

Finally Jaime steals the show again. Fantastic bear scene, great tension and played the Bolton men against each other showing Jaime to be much more like his brother when he can no longer use his strength. Was hoping for Brienne to bite Lockes ear off though or shoved into the bear pit. Surely no point of keep his character around.

Not as good as ep 5 but definetly a steady climb to the infamous Red Wedding. The credits score was chilling.

Witcher

EuropeanSon wrote: »

Who do people reckon will fight Yunkai's champion? If indeed they do that scene.
Barristan seems possible. I think Grey Worm would be better though, it'd really bring him to centre stage as a character, we've only seen a little bit so far. Presumably, as an unsullied, he's a badass when it comes to fighting.

Should definitely be Barristan, I think a lot of viewers just see him as some old guy. There should be an exhibition of his skill.

podgemonster

Blay wrote: »

Should definitely be Barristan, I think a lot of viewers just see him as some old guy. There should be an exhibition of his skill.

Absolutely! If i remember the Yunkai Champion was all decoration and flare. Barriston will side-step him and it'll be game over.

KonFusion

podgemonster wrote: »

Absolutely! If i remember the Yunkai Champion was all decoration and flare. Barriston will side-step him and it'll be game over.

I think Strong Bel.....never mind

Yeah Barriston would be the better choice. He needs some sort of badass fight to qualify his awesome-ness to those that haven't read the books.

I'd be up for Jorah doing it too though. I feel he isn't given enough credit for his martial prowess.

Mr Freeze

podgemonster wrote: »

A major hint towards Tulisa being a spy this weeks sending letter to her mother in ancient volantis. Also her announcement of her pregnancy will have a major impact on the books if she lives during the RW.

Yikes, it sure will, and Martin wrote this episode too.

Mr Freeze

KonFusion wrote: »

Yeah Barriston would be the better choice. He needs some sort of badass fight to qualify his awesome-ness to those that haven't read the books.
.

It will be great to see him fight, but also a pity to not see Strong Belwas take a massive dump during that scene.

Can't remember if that was after or before he dispatched the Yunkai Champion.

titan18

Mr Freeze wrote: »

Yikes, it sure will, and Martin wrote this episode too.

Either added to make the show RW more tragic, since it doesn't have much atm, or else they like messing things up more, and well, with the way they're going, killing Talisa, and either imprisoning or killing Blackfish would be a huge spoiler for the books.

Also, saw someone suggest that Talisa could be made UnCat, since well Cat is show furniture at this stage so who really cares about her.

Kinda meh episode, don't care for an Orell/Ygritte/Jon love triangle, Osha going all sentimental about some guy or the botched Bear fight (although was afraid they'd remove that completely). Really don't need to see more of Theon's torturing either, it's a given at this stage, just ignore him until ye decide to finally reveal Ramsay.

Dany's scene was good, as was Tywin and Joffreys.

On the plus side, only two episodes to go before people start dying

Retrovertigo

Good episode although even after reading the books I regret spoiling myself by looking at leaked screenshots beforehand.

From the trailer for next weeks episode it looks like the Storm Crows finally meet Dany, might be a stretch but possibly Daario as champion to prove his worth?

And we finally get Sam the Slayer, along with what is hinted at the appearance of Coldhands. Can't wait to see how he looks.

" Sam and Gilly meet an older gentleman."

No episode on May 26th though, so have to wait an extra week for the RW.

Mr Velo

Retrovertigo wrote: »

No episode on May 26th though, so have to wait an extra week for the RW.

Ah JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZ!! Holding off the RW for another week. Frustrating.

username123

I loved it!

I thought the Jamie/Brienne scene would have ended with them walking away and him saying "Are you still a maiden?" but they dont seem to have gone there. I think Locke must be intended to combine a few roles, not just Vargo Hoat because at this stage he should be missing an ear and about to leave us - and I dont think they would have gotten Noah Taylor for the part if thats all there was too it.

Thought the same re Orell - nice teeth alright! Mackenzie Crook has a great screen presence although I dont know how much Im buying the Orell/Jon/Ygritte love triangle.

Tywin Lannister - what a man. Need I say more?

Dany and the dragons, brilliant CGI. Thought the Yunkai slaver was fabulous looking - reminded me of Guy Liner from Lost - dying to see who plays Strong Belwas role for the fight - Ill be very disappointed if whoever does it doesnt take a dump after!

I just love the way Ser Jorah strides along touching his sword......

What the hell is going on with Theon Greyjoy! Twisted!!! It was always hinted at in the books that he was no longer a man - but its fairly in your face now. My hubby, who hasnt read the books, tells me he is bored with this story and it seems like its going nowhere.

I look forward to some screen gold with Arya and the Hound in upcoming episodes!

Pepe LeFrits

Weakest episode of the season by some way in my opinion, but it still had some great moments. The scene with Dany and the chap from Yunkai was ace, and I had a mini nerdgasm when Melisandre told Gendry about his parentage with a version of Robert Baratheon's motif playing in the background. Tywin, Bronn, Margaery "My Mother taught me" (HA HA HA) Tyrell, and Ygritte were also great fun in the episode.

Oh, and Oona Chaplin's bod. Oh mah gad.

Liamalone

podgemonster wrote: »

A major hint towards Tulisa being a spy this weeks sending letter to her mother in ancient volantis. Also her announcement of her pregnancy will have a major impact on the books if she lives during the RW. I still think Cateyln will run a blade across her throat. Robb even admits he can't plan his war tactics with her bare arsed, hinting she was a distraction from the start.

Never thought this, what makes You think this before tonight??

PopePalpatine

My personal highlights had to be Tywin pwning Joff and Jaime's scenes.

Pepe LeFrits

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Weakest episode of the season by some way in my opinion, but it still had some great moments. The scene with Dany and the chap from Yunkai was ace, and I had a mini nerdgasm when Melisandre told Gendry about his parentage with a version of Robert Baratheon's motif playing in the background. Tywin, Bronn, Margaery "My Mother taught me" (HA HA HA) Tyrell, and Ygritte were also great fun in the episode.

Oh, and Oona Chaplin's bod. Oh mah gad.

Yeah, while there may have been more progression this week the character building was poor and some of the stories seem to be lacking direction. Would Jeyne Westerling really have been that difficult to have brought in last season? The Talisa character could spoil the books hugely if this child thing is for real. Where did Jeyne end up again last time we seen her?

Still at Riverrun and released when the Blackfish fled?

The buildup to the RW is really uninspiring and Robb hasn't done anything all season, Catelyn is a nobody at this stage and not sure why the buildup to Tyrion's wedding is taking so long. The lack of Tyrells is really making a bit of a mess of that storyline.

The Bear scene was wonderfully done though I thought. Couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

Conchir

The windmill they passed looked to have yellow merlons on top - coincidence or maybe they've changed to that instead of Queenscrown?

Duckworth_Luas

Liamalone wrote: »

Never thought this, what makes You think this before tonight??

Summarised here, Roose Change!

titan18

Liam O wrote: »

Yeah, while there may have been more progression this week the character building was poor and some of the stories seem to be lacking direction. Would Jeyne Westerling really have been that difficult to have brought in last season? The Talisa character could spoil the books hugely if this child thing is for real. Where did Jeyne end up again last time we seen her?

Still at Riverrun and released when the Blackfish fled?

The buildup to the RW is really uninspiring and Robb hasn't done anything all season, Catelyn is a nobody at this stage and not sure why the buildup to Tyrion's wedding is taking so long. The lack of Tyrells is really making a bit of a mess of that storyline.

The Bear scene was wonderfully done though I thought. Couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

Theory on Jeyne is

She's carrying Robb's heir, albeit Robb didn't know that, since he made Jon his heir in the books. Description of hips by Catelyn and Jaime, suggests a different Jeyne was taken away by her family, and Blackfish knowing about the heir smuggled Jeyne out of Riverrun, after the siege, when he ran in order to see Robb's child back.

It's a damn good theory, that I was/am really hoping is true, since book Blackfish and Robb are awesome.

In the TV show, really hoping they all die at the RW and never to be seen or heard of again.

KJY

Don't know if anyone else has noticed, but I enjoy the episode so much more the second time. The first time I seem to be nervous in case they ruin something, where as the second time I can appreciate it more

flyingoutside

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

Summarised here, Roose Change!

Love the title of the video

Mickeroo

titan18 wrote: »

It's a damn good theory, that I was/am really hoping is true, since book Blackfish and Robb are awesome.

In the TV show, really hoping they all die at the RW and never to be seen or heard of again.

What's wrong with Blackfish in the show? I reckon they've done a great job with him, could do with more screen time if anything imo.

THought it was a decent enough episode myself, a few great scenes particularly Tywin subtley putting Joffrey in his place.

Where are they going with Gendry I wonder? Interesting that he knows of his lineage now.

Liamalone

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

Summarised here, Roose Change!

Makes a good theory but I hope not

Duckworth_Luas

Mickeroo wrote: »

Where are they going with Gendry I wonder? Interesting that he knows of his lineage now.

Melisandre's said to Gendry in episode 6, "You will make kings rise and fall!"

In the books we know Robb Stark is dead, Joffrey is dead and Greyjoy is dead. Perhaps it was coincidence but the Red Witch used Stannis' blood to cast a spell to achieve this.

In the TV show she's taking Gendry to Drangonstone where they'll use his blood. He'll then take over from Edric Storm.

Gbear

titan18 wrote: »

Theory on Jeyne is

She's carrying Robb's heir, albeit Robb didn't know that, since he made Jon his heir in the books. Description of hips by Catelyn and Jaime, suggests a different Jeyne was taken away by her family, and Blackfish knowing about the heir smuggled Jeyne out of Riverrun, after the siege, when he ran in order to see Robb's child back.

I really don't get that theory.

Didn't Jeyne leave Riverrun with her mother in toe? Why wouldn't her mother notice she was an imposter?

Thought it was by far the worst episode of the series. Thought they wiffed the bear scene - it just fell flat.

John Snow scenes were a bit pointless -

can't wait until he really gets into his stride - I love the JS chapters when he's the lord commander. I really hope they include Dolorous Edd, or at least give his lines to someone else.

I can't wait for the scene where Tywin actually has Joffrey put to bed like a naughty child - the scene this week wasn't that awesome but still satisfying.

The only bits I really liked was the Dany scene and Tormund's "Har!". It mostly just felt like a filler episode with 1 or 2 nice moments.

I thought they'd split up Osha and Bran this week, that's something that's really dragging on, another reasonably big omission from the last season, the Reeds having a big effect on the pace they can go at this season. I fear it will turn out similar with the lack of Freys and Tyrells. How long will it take to establish Mace as the head of the family after they have put so much into Margaery and Olenna?

On Jeyne

Yeah I like the theory that Robb has a son, as for the mother, she would have been in on the plot surely if she was protecting a future king or lord of the north that the Westerlings would be a big part of. It makes sense.

The hound and Arya's story is really going to be rushed through in the next ep too. I don't know why for such a successful and deep show they don't have more than 10 episode seasons. Maybe it's not the biggest moneyspinner for HBO without product placement and advertising. Sky's 15 minutes of adverts per episode is probably raking them in money but surely a show such as this could have 15-20 episodes a season, especially for these 2!

Mickeroo

Gbear wrote: »

John Snow scenes were a bit pointless -

can't wait until he really gets into his stride - I love the JS chapters when he's the lord commander. I really hope they include Dolorous Edd, or at least give his lines to someone else.

He's already in the show, I had no idea it was supposed to be him either until I saw his name in one of those facebook episode summary things.

titan18

Mickeroo wrote: »

What's wrong with Blackfish in the show? I reckon they've done a great job with him, could do with more screen time if anything imo.

THought it was a decent enough episode myself, a few great scenes particularly Tywin subtley putting Joffrey in his place.

Where are they going with Gendry I wonder? Interesting that he knows of his lineage now.

Blackfish in the show isn't anything like Blackfish in the books.

He seems to be some sort of cross between the Greatjon and Blackfish.

Stuff in the last episode about him forcing Edmure to marry Roslin, after Edmure said he wouldn't do and they couldn't make him. Blackfish threatens him if he doesn't. This is the same guy who refused to do what Hoster wanted in marrying someone. In the TV show, he's a loud mouthed idiot with no respect for his Lord/his nephew. In the book, even with the Edmure missing the boat at the funeral, he still had compassion for him. Even in todays episode, when he's talking about wet ****s, he apologises to Talisa, but not to Catelyn, which you'd imagine he would.

The portrayal of him is completely against the book, seems more, he was needed to be in it, and put some Greatjon traits into him, which wasn't needed.

Gbear

Liam O wrote: »

On Jeyne

Yeah I like the theory that Robb has a son, as for the mother, she would have been in on the plot surely if she was protecting a future king or lord of the north that the Westerlings would be a big part of. It makes sense.

Well she was said she was under instruction from Tywin from the get go and was giving Jeyne moon tea (which she pretended was fertility brew of some sort). So it would require her seriously playing the double agent and betting against Tywin Lannister - never a good idea.

johnnyskeleton

EuropeanSon wrote: »

Who do people reckon will fight Yunkai's champion? If indeed they do that scene.
Barristan seems possible. I think Grey Worm would be better though, it'd really bring him to centre stage as a character, we've only seen a little bit so far. Presumably, as an unsullied, he's a badass when it comes to fighting.

Isn't one of the things in the books that the unsullied are not particularly good one on one fighters as their strength lies in discipline, lack of fear and endurance rather than pure fighting abilities? It's one of the things I quite like about the books - there are no super armies and each has their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

titan18

Gbear wrote: »

Well she was said she was under instruction from Tywin from the get go and was giving Jeyne moon tea (which she pretended was fertility brew of some sort). So it would require her seriously playing the double agent and betting against Tywin Lannister - never a good idea.

Theory answer

If Jeyne was pregnant with Robb's heir, and her mother cared for her safety, then passing off someone else as Jeyne would be the smartest thing. No chance, Tywin would leave Jeyne and the heir live.


Also, from a writing pov, having one Jeyne pretending to be a commoner and then the other (Jeyne Poole) pretending to be highborn (Fake Arya) fits nicely

thehairyone

Agree with a few others, poorest episode so far.

Only stand out scene was Tywins again.

I thought Aryas escape was too easy and stank of lazy writing. I mean if it was that easy she could have ran away from the very beginning.

Thought the bear scene was a bit tame but i suppose the limits of the special effects have to be taken into account.

Also agree with a few others on the Talisa pregnancy, if she (and baby) survive the RW ill be pretty annoyed, as its a major spoiler for the book although im pretty certain that shes a spy.

However, thought the dragons looked great.

Gbear

titan18 wrote: »

Theory answer

If Jeyne was pregnant with Robb's heir, and her mother cared for her safety, then passing off someone else as Jeyne would be the smartest thing. No chance, Tywin would leave Jeyne and the heir live.


Also, from a writing pov, having one Jeyne pretending to be a commoner and then the other (Jeyne Poole) pretending to be highborn (Fake Arya) fits nicely

Ah right.

Still, it seems a bit strange to do a U-turn. She must've known she was putting her daughter in danger when she was sabotaging her getting pregnant.

I'm not sure what Jeyne having a baby does, except maybe give a tiny ray of hope for the scattered Starks. I kinda figured they'd pass on the rebuilding the noble stoic house of Stark and instead opt for simply avenging them and killing everyone who wronged them - in Littlefinger's case, painfully.

Enjoyed that, again the scenes with Jamie & Brienne steal the show. The scene with Tywin & Joffrey although so simple was brilliant, loved when Tywin walked up closer to him and Joffrey just squirmed.

Gbear

Deleted User wrote: »

Enjoyed that, again the scenes with Jamie & Brienne steal the show. The scene with Tywin & Joffrey although so simple was brilliant, loved when Tywin walked up closer to him and Joffrey just squirmed.

It's almost like they're teasing us with those scenes. Tywin has been in the capitol for months at this stage and this is the first real interaction we've seen.

Need MOAR!

I still don't buy Brienne as being ugly enough. It's probably mentioned in the books about her looks and I selectively ignored it but I always imagined her built like a tank and far more broad than she is in the show with long hair, never blonde and reasonably slim.

ibarelycare

I also thought that was a pretty weak episode. They tried to fit too many character arcs into it, so very little actually happened. The Tywin/Joffrey scene was great, but we're not seeing enough of Joff this season.

I really hope Talisa is killed at the RW, otherwise this is a huge spoiler. I reckon the letter she was writing wasn't actually to her mother, it was hinting at her betraying Robb somehow.

I don't like the way Robb and Cat are being portrayed, I liked them much more in the books, Cat is just so moany and bitter looking. Will it affect the impact of the RW to the non book readers?

The Theon scenes are very difficult to watch, I think Alfie Allen is doing an amazing job. I thought they spent way too long on his scene last night, as well as the Jon/Ygritte scenes (boring) and the Bran/Osha etc one (also boring). They could have skimmed a few minutes and put them to better use IMO.

Loved the use of Rains of Castamere at the end, my tummy did a little flip!

Sleepy

Tormunds "Yar" got a cheer from me to a surprised WTF from my wife who's just reading book one at the moment!

On Talissa being pregnant, does this mean that Martin is trying retrospectively to ensure the Stark name lives on? Presumably Bran can't have children, and since Jon is almost certainly a Targaryen, that leaves Rickon the utterly ignored as the only one capable of siring heirs with the Stark name.

Mr Freeze

These 2 episode threads are dangerous, I posted in the other one by mistake, thank f**k I didn't post a RW reference.

On Topic:
How did I miss Tormonds Yar!? FFS!

Sleepy

Reading the non-readers thread, you have to ask if the RW is going to have the same impact as in the books.

In the books, Robb is a likeable character, in the TV series, he's the soap opera character that's distracting from the interesting story lines... I think there'll at least be part of the audience that'll be delighted to see his throat slit.

Mr Freeze

I think it will have an impact, but not the same impact it had on us book readers, as we just so superior in every way to that shower

I know it will have an affect on my missus when it happens, and doublely so if they end the episode with Arya getting a whack with an axe, and if the audience is left not knowing if she is alive or dead.

Shazbot

Decent episode last night. Slow to progress the story but come good character development.

Some minor gripes with the interactions between Rob and Talisa. As someone else mentioned, it was almost like a soap opera. I really hope Talisa is killed by Cat at the RW but it doesn't seem likely. Hopefully Cat kills someone atleast, maybe one of the many Freys ( I can't see the addition of Jinglebell. Also, Aryas escape from the brotherhood was very lazy. How does a small girl manage to outrun grown men with a 5-10 second head start?

Danys scene with the Yunkai ambassador was very well done. I hope they do the one on one combat with Selmy to prove his worth.

The Theon scenes are getting a bit predictable and boring. Was there really a need for it in this episode? We know he's being tortured. It seemed like an excuse to get some more nudity into the episode. There could have been a development of Stannis and Davos, who we haven't seen in a while.

It looks we're getting Sam the Slayer in the next episode.

Jelle1880

I giggled like a little girl when Arya said who her god is.
And though it's different from the books, Jaime mentioning he can't go to Robb's wedding and that the Lannisters send their regards, ****ing hell talk about ramping up the expectations.

I didn't mind this episode, it's clear that they're using this one (and possibly the next one) to get the ball rolling for the last episode.

Btw, Ygritte was brilliant, 'If you tear my pretty silk dress I'll black your eye' and the 'Left foot, right foot,...'

catch--22

Anyone else put off a bit by Sansa's feelings towards having to marry Tyrion? From what I remember reading the books she was completely horrified by the whole thing while in the TV show she seems to be coming around to it very quickly.

Jelle1880

catch--22 wrote: »

Anyone else put off a bit by Sansa's feelings towards having to marry Tyrion? From what I remember reading the books she was completely horrified by the whole thing while in the TV show she seems to be coming around to it very quickly.

In the books he is absolutely horrible, but she also comes around fairly quick since he treats her well.

Sleepy

Well, not exactly. She submits to it but she never "comes to terms" with being married to Tyrion.

And, if I'm not mistaken, the lack of consummation of a marriage being grounds for annulment is as valid in Westeros as it would be in ours.

catch--22

Sleepy wrote: »

Well, not exactly. She submits to it but she never "comes to terms" with being married to Tyrion.

And, if I'm not mistaken, the lack of consummation of a marriage being grounds for annulment is as valid in Westeros as it would be in ours.

Yeah, and from what I remember their wedding was sheer horror for both of them. If this keeps up she might even have a smile on her face when he puts the cloak on her.

Jelle1880

Sleepy wrote: »

Well, not exactly. She submits to it but she never "comes to terms" with being married to Tyrion.

And, if I'm not mistaken, the lack of consummation of a marriage being grounds for annulment is as valid in Westeros as it would be in ours.

What I meant is that she doesn't hate him as she does the other Lannisters, the way he treats her on their first night also helps.
The way I see it in the books is that there is a grudging form of respect from her towards him.

stevenmu

Decent enough episode, it really set up some stuff for future episodes. They're really telegraphing the RW now though, I hope they don't even hint at it in the next episode or they might spoil it.

Not sure if I need to spoiler this or not, but just to be safe:

I can't remember if we ever found out in the books who was responsible for Joffrey being poisoned, but they've really made it look like it could have been Tywin.