Season 4, Episode 8 - 'The Mountain and the Viper', HAVE read the books.

The first of what should be 3 intense episodes to see out an explosive finish to Season 4.

Relevant links that might interest you, just to pass minutes on the internet;

Recent Pedro Pascal (Prince Oberyn) Reddit A.M.A.
Recent Hafþór Björnsson (Season 4's The Mountain) Reddit A.M.A.


Sky Atlantic, 9PM, Monday.

GerB40

What to say about this episode that everyone else isn't thinking? I'm sure anyone who has read the mountain vs the red viper fight has pictured how it would look on screen so there's high expectations. I doubt we'll be disappointed..
One scene that intrigues me is Littlefingers trial. With Marillion missing there's going to be more changes from the books which in my opinion is a good thing, I always thought he "took the blame" far too easily.
One thing I know for certain, these 3 episodes are going to be epic..

Duckworth_Luas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_LBgNYEPjY

Peregrine

I have extremely high expectations for this episode

And the two after.

krudler

I really hope its not short, should be an epic sequence

Stanlex

What time is it here when this airs in the US?

Peregrine

2am

bopper

Wow. That was only about 100 times more gruesome and intense than I thought it would be.

B0X

Holy ****, gruesome!

Witcher

Oberyn

Duckworth_Luas

F*ck you George RR Martin!

Nerdlingr

Fuuuuuuuck! Been waiting for that for a long time. Wanted the fight to go on a bit longer...less beetles more fighting!! Loved it though. What a way to go! Damn. Oberyn, what a character. They did it justice. Poor ol jorah got the heave ho as well...always loved his story in the books about he's a broken man, enslaved, branded, trying to get back to his queen. Liked littlefingers nod to twin 'some men die on their chamber pots' line. Am I the only one who doesn't like Arya's character? Hated her laugh when she got the news re Lysa. She annoys me a fair bit. Didn't like the fact they made it to th eyrie. Also thought they glossed over the whole moat cailin flailing as well. One lad on a stick. Thought that was more brutal in the book where Ramsay does the whole lot of them.
Sansa with the dark hair as well. Damn! Very lady Macbeth. Team sansa FTW!!!!
Amazing episode for me.

Liam O

For all my book reader smugness about knowing what was coming, that still shocked the absolute pants off me. I wasn't happy with the episode up until that but they executed it perfectly and Ellaria's reaction made it. I don't like how beat up the Mountain was though and it could have done with an extra minute or 2. It definitely hit me harder than in the books, purely because of the excellent acting from Pascal. Phenomenal and shows what the show can do when they don't waste time with Grey Worm's romantic adventures.

One thing that slightly bothered me was being dropped into it like that though, the buildup was lacking a bit and it felt a bit too casual because of that.

krudler

that was unreal, also I thought Sansa was the standout performance of the episode, she's gone from possibly the most irritating character in it to someone you want to root for, no longer the silly lovesick girl but is finally learning to play the game properly.

edit: wish the fight had gone on a bit longer, the finale was one of the most brutally violent things I've ever seen on tv too.

bopper

Iain Glen gave an amazing performance this episode, probably his best of the series.

Then on the other end of the spectrum you have Cassie, sorry I mean Gilly, who seems to stick with the same facial expression for every scene.

Fall_Guy

Awesome episode, the fight was done really well, but I can't get my head around how Oberyn's epic line to The Mountain when he's flat on his back was omitted! ("If you die before you say her name, ser, I will hunt you through all seven hells!")....Its the most Oberyn line you could get!

podgemonster

I had the same expression as Littlefinger when Alayne/Sansa strutted down the steps. Welcome to adulthood

PHWOOOOAR!!!

Thrilling, entailing episode. So many shivers felt. Loved the shot of winterfell as the Bolton charge snaked towards it.

I feel season 4 has edged to be the best season so far. That 2 week wait was torturous.

Also multiply the number of noble men in Kings Landing by the number of fair maidens in Mole's Town and you get the number of fúcks I give out the greyworm/missandei relationship.

December2012

Baelish's line about men dying on the chamberpot was great!

gandalf

Just got it there. Haven't watched the full episode but checked the ending out to see how shocked the missus is going to be tonight! I'd better make the dinner cause I think she is going to be very disturbed by that Gruesome with a CAPITAL G

Liam O

Emilia Clarke is hamming up scenes far too much. Another poor performance in this one. Her overacting is getting really tiresome.

Rosy Posy

I'm not normally a fan of the gore but I'm glad they didn't wimp out of the head popping- it was one of the images that really stayed with me from the book. Loved the expressions of the watchers- the Lannisters and Ellaria.

A few things confused me, maybe cause I'm pretty tired, but what dafuq was the point of the beetle crushing story? Just foreshadowing the inevitable viper being crushed by the mountain? Or something more?

Also were they implying that Sansa and Littlefinger got it on? Cause she was looking very knowing in the scene where she emerged with her hair dyed. I really hope not as IMO her coming through the whole journey with her maidenhead is quite a big part of her character and her story. I loved her outfit- she's taken on the attributes of the mockingbird.

The Grey Worm love story hacks me right off, seems totally pointless, especially when they sacrifice decent storylines from the book.

Was nice to see Ygritte showing Gilly and the baby (who I can't help but think of as monster rather than little Sam) mercy as an echo of what Jon Snow offered her.

RobbingBandit

Liam O wrote: »

Emilia Clarke is hamming up scenes far too much. Another poor performance in this one. Her overacting is getting really tiresome.

Where was she looking while speaking to jorah in the throne room, up in the air instead of at him or the camera, I hope they stay true to Jorah finding Tyrion in bar/inn next season, this is why I bitched about Brown Ben Plumm being omitted, he is so important to the next stages of both Tyrion and Jorah in the story.

Son0vagun

Anyone think that the scene with Ygritte and Gilly implied that Ygritte is with child?

RobbingBandit

Son0vagun wrote: »

Anyone think that the scene with Ygritte and Gilly implied that Ygritte is with child?

Would make sense, could also be the fact that Gilly and the monster are wildlings too.

celica00

Cant wait to watch it now!

krudler

There was a chunk of filler in that episode as well, the beetle story had a point but just went on too long,could have had more time in the final scene in place of it. Gilly with her stupid one expression I could care less about, same with Grey Worm and his romantic notions.

The pacing this season feels a bit weird for some reason,maybe watching it without the week long gaps will change that, they should have put the beetle scene earlier in the episode to build up the fight a bit more.

Soft Falling Rain

That ending has me shaking, christ.

By far the most disturbing and upsetting thing I have seen in the show.

I liked how they handled it. I'm glad that they made it plain as day that Oberyn was the better man, and that it was just emotional imbalance towards the situation that undone him.

So sad to see Pedro go anyway, I was desperately hoping for a swerve but I knew there wouldn't be one the second Oberyn started talking to The Mountain.

Conchir

Can't watch it yet... damn Leaving Cert!


Oh, and also:

Someone in the have not read thread wrote:

The that's this season's stand out episode over and done with....back to the tedium.

Oh, sweet summer child :P

krudler

Conchir wrote: »

Can't watch it yet... damn Leaving Cert!


Oh, and also:


Oh, sweet summer child :P

how it feels knowing what's coming, tedium my ass!

krudler

I watched the last 15 or so mins again, jesus those screams from Oberyn were something else. In the book did the Mountain squeeze his head or just punch a hole in it I can't remember.

Nerdlingr

krudler wrote: »

I watched the last 15 or so mins again, jesus those screams from Oberyn were something else. In the book did the Mountain squeeze his head or just punch a hole in it I can't remember.

Yeah that scream. Jaysus, pure agony. Loved the reactions of ellaria and tyrion as well. I thought in the book he kept on bashing his head instead of 'head popping' him but cant really remember. Amazing scene though, like others here I wish it had gone on longer.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Christ, that ending was more gruesome than I ever imagined it while reading the fight scene in the book. Absolutely brilliant though.

I'm glad Jorah is out on his own now - his character gets a chance to shine once Dany has sent him on his merry way. As already mentioned, his performance in this episode was the best to date, and it's only gonna get better now that he's on his lonesome.

And so glad they showed Sansa growing as a character - in the books once she leaves King's Landing her character becomes much more interesting, but I hadn't felt they quite captured that in the show until now.

krudler

Nerdlingr wrote: »

Yeah that scream. Jaysus, pure agony. Loved the reactions of ellaria and tyrion as well. I thought in the book he kept on bashing his head instead of 'head popping' him but cant really remember. Amazing scene though, like others here I wish it had gone on longer.

I did like how one punch from The Mountain knocked out his teeth, harks back to Bronn telling Tyrion why he wouldnt fight him given his brute strenght.Even Jaime looked impressed with Oberyn's moves and lets be honest aside from a few slip ups he was handing the Mountain his ass throughout that fight, it was really well done.

ArmaniJeanss

So they've basically taken Sansa's AFfC arc and torn it up. Which probably won't disappoint a lot of people though personally I really liked those chapters in the book.

So next season either
a) We get to see her on a non canon filler tour of the Vale with LF and SR, with lots of bumping into (or tragically just avoiding bumping into) various characters who may also be wandering the area ; Brienne, Catelyn, Jamie, Osha, Rickon, and The Hound. Sandor being the most likely candidate to meet up with her for an arc I'd have thought, if they want to keep his character relevant, which in itself would be a confirmation/small spoiler for those of us who think he is still has a part to play in the story.

or
b) we get to see major spoilers from TWoW.

Its going to be a big decision for book readers whether to continue watching or not.

OneOfThem Stumbled

What on earth was that manservant doing with Oberyn's blades prior to the fight? Hope he wasn't cleaning off the poison. :eek:

Liam O

OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »

What on earth was that manservant doing with Oberyn's blades prior to the fight? Hope he wasn't cleaning off the poison. :eek:

Adding poison most likely I'd say.

Mr.Prodston

Holy mother of god but Sansa was looking well, err I mean...drat the viper is dead :P

Arya's laugh was brilliant, I just love Maisie Williams too. It was a clever way of showing how broken Arya has become that she finds the death of her Aunt just before arriving hysterical. I'm curious about where they're taking the Stark sisters' stories as both have us in unsullied territory. How does Arya end up anywhere but being reunited with Sansa from that point? The twist in her story that Maisie mentioned may not be the gift of mercy at all.

The fight was a little short but wow that was so gruesome. Pedro Pascal was fantastic this season and we'll all be sorry to see him go, but what a way to go it was!

Poor Jorah, but Barristan was such a good guy in the way he handled it. Hopefully as he becomes more prominent next season he won't suffer from the very ham-fisted acting of Emilia Clarke. Maybe that's harsh but dafuq was she looking at?

Great shot of Winterfell too. I really enjoyed that episode and just 2 more to go.

TimeToShine

The fight scene was pretty much perfect. Could have done with Tyrion getting sick at the end but otherwise couldn't have been any better.

krudler

TimeToShine wrote: »

The fight scene was pretty much perfect. Could have done with Tyrion getting sick at the end but otherwise couldn't have been any better.

I knew there was something missing. and his "i'm feeling more innocent by the minute" line

Soft Falling Rain

Don't think I'll be rewatching that episode anytime soon. It left me absolutely sick, similar to the red wedding (and I only rewatched that for the first time last week).

What made Oberyn's death absolutely worse was Gregor's menacing "confession" while he was crushing Oberyn's head. I really hope they show the full extent of what Oberyn's poisoned blades do to the mountain.

The Master

Great fight scene
Episode dragged in parts but enjoyed it overall

Correct me if I'm wrong here but with 2 episodes left we still have to see amongst other things....

Battle at Castle Black
Ygritte dying
Stannis arriving
Tyrion's escape
Shae dying
Tywin dying
Lady Stoneheart
Arya and The Hound

Loads to get through in such a small space of time

Somehow I don't remember Oberyn's death being that gruesome in the books. I could barely watch that last bit. And I am a med student so not remotely squeamish :P

The rest of the episode bothered me a bit though, ever since the Night's King stuff a few episodes back I'm getting more and more concerned that divergences in plot lines from the books may actually be spoilers/heading towards the next book, and I had that feeling a few times this episode. I think this will be my last season until all the books are published

ibarelycare

Liam O wrote: »

Emilia Clarke is hamming up scenes far too much. Another poor performance in this one. Her overacting is getting really tiresome.

Completely agree, she's becoming the worst part of the show for me, while Alfie Allen is becoming one of the best, another great performance from him.


Feel like most here that the fight could have been longer, but it was awesome. I'm pretty ok with gruesome stuff most of the time but I had to look away during the eye gouging :eek: Oberyn was such a fantastic character, pity he was so short-lived, but at least he went out with a bang!

TimeToShine

The Master wrote: »

Great fight scene
Episode dragged in parts but enjoyed it overall

Correct me if I'm wrong here but with 2 episodes left we still have to see amongst other things....

Battle at Castle Black
Ygritte dying
Stannis arriving
Tyrion's escape
Shae dying
Tywin dying
Lady Stoneheart
Arya and The Hound

Loads to get through in such a small space of time

I think the next episode is all based at Castle Black so it should cover the first three.

The last episode should cover the rest, but I'm not too sure if

Jon will be announced as LC of the Nights Watch this season or if they'll wait till next year

Iwasfrozen

TimeToShine wrote: »

I think the next episode is all based at Castle Black so it should cover the first three.

The last episode should cover the rest, but I'm not too sure if

Jon will be announced as LC of the Nights Watch this season or if they'll wait till next year

Why are you putting that in spoilers? This is the thread for people who have read the books.

Peregrine

What's with the spoiler tags?

That end was probably the most gruesome scene in all of GoT. It felt so unexpected even though I knew it was coming! I don't think he crushed his eyes in the book though.

And Sansa

Conchir wrote: »

Can't watch it yet... damn Leaving Cert!

Seriously, what's more important?

ibarelycare

Nimrod 7 wrote: »

What's with the spoiler tags?

That end was probably the most gruesome scene in all of GoT. It felt so unexpected even though I knew it was coming! I don't think he crushed his eyes in the book though.

And Sansa


Seriously, what's more important?

He did, this is the passage from the book:

"Elia of Dorne," they all heard Ser Gregor say, when they were close enough to kiss. His deep voice boomed within the helm. "I killed her screaming whelp." He thrust his free hand into Oberyn's unprotected face, pushing steel fingers into his eyes. "Then I raped her." Clegane slammed his fist into the Dornishman's mouth, making splinters of his teeth. "Then I smashed her ****ing head in. Like this." As he drew back his huge fist, the blood on his gauntlet seemed to smoke in the cold dawn air. There was a sickening crunch. Ellaria Sand wailed in terror, and Tyrion's breakfast came boiling back up. He found himself on his knees retching bacon and sausage and applecakes, and that double helping of fried eggs cooked up with onions and fiery Dornish peppers.

Daith

http://instagram.com/p/mVN1fdvAzU/

Cough....

Washington Irving

That was glorious. The fight could have been a bit longer but what we got was brilliant. Absolutely did it justice.

Not sure about the changes, but the scenes at The Eyrie were great. Looking forward to more 'Alayne' less Sansa.

Thought Arya's laugh was a bit weird. Her scenes have been quite polarising for me. Killing of Rorge and Polliver were two of the highlights of the season, but some of the lines to the farmer and his daughter along with that laugh felt very jarring and out of place. I'd prefer a more stoic Arya.

Grey Worm and Missandei... why?

TimeToShine

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Why are you putting that in spoilers? This is the thread for people who have read the books.

I was just going with the flow!

Liam O

I've just decided I can live with this particular pointless arc if Natalie Emmanuel gets a few more nude scenes