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Off Topic Thread 4.0

Zzippy

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The usual rules apply. Non-rugby talk here. Consider this a social place, but like a pub, things like religion and politics can be divisive, so don't say things here you wouldn't say to someone's face in the pub. Sober

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thomond2006

Buer wrote: »

GOT has been on a downward trajectory for some time now. I don't think it has been near as good since season 5 with a couple of notable exceptions. The intrigue, the manipulation and the shock factor are all completely gone. It had an incredibly high level to maintain which was always going to be near impossible but it has now fallen to simplification and convenience. It feels like the makers are tired and happy to wrap it up with money in the bank. Deus ex machina has been the star of the show this season

Very true, I can't see the final two episodes producing moments anywhere close to the perfection of this. Season 6 is up there with the earlier seasons for it alone. The desperation of Margeary, the coolness of Cersei, the slow realisation of the High Sparrow that he had been tricked, the demise of Pycelle and possibly the most appropriate/fitting score to a scene I've ever heard. A phenomenal 10 minutes of television.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS-gbqbVd8c Unfortunately the links don't work under spoilers!

I did enjoy the latest episode but Christ the pacing is really spoiling things. The 'slow build' of earlier seasons has been thrown out the window. I'm happy enough to see the whole thing end in two weeks.

Buer

GOT has been on a downward trajectory for some time now. I don't think it has been near as good since season 5 with a couple of notable exceptions. The intrigue, the manipulation and the shock factor are all completely gone. It had an incredibly high level to maintain which was always going to be near impossible but it has now fallen to simplification and convenience. It feels like the makers are tired and happy to wrap it up with money in the bank. Deus ex machina has been the star of the show this season

Bazzo

The show has been gradually getting worse the further they've departed from the source material - the books. The writers are nowhere near as good as Martin is and they know it, it's why they insisted on wrapping up in the 8th season with less episodes - at least this way they'll get to actually finish the show.

The result is even worse though. Now the writing is crap AND it's ridiculously rushed piling crap on crap and trying to shoehorn everything in as they run out of time. This episode was mental, jumping all over the place and spanning what would have been months and months in the space of a few mins.

Clegg

They did a remarkable job of assassinating Brienne's character this episode.

Yeah she's in love with Jaime and doesn't want him to leave for Kings Landing. But crying and begging him to stay? That's never been her way. She's a proud woman and knight. You don't turn her into a a milksop ffs.

CatFromHue

I didn't think the FAI could amaze me about anything anymore, but the Treasurer did an interview today giving out about the media and politicians :eek:

Unbelievable!

awec

No discussion of spoilers.

In this thread, you can discuss up to the currently aired episode, so long as you use spoiler tags. Don't discuss anything beyond the current episode. Don't even hint at, insinuate or even joke about spoilers from the last 2 episodes.

That's been the way it's worked until now, we don't want anyone having it accidentally ruined for them in this thread.

Podge_irl

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

If those leaked spoilers are correct even the biggest fanboys will be gutted. It's been an awful season.

I feel a bit bad for reading them, but my heart isn't in it anymore.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Everything bar the visuals has misfired this season, the critics have been slow to round on the show but I can see the final season being absolutely panned unless something dramatic happens the next two weeks.

Alas, I think the current writers of the show's version of dramatic is very different from what you or I think of as dramatic.

OMFG, a dothraki army appeared from nowhere but Cersei suddenly had a horde of actual lions but Jon turned into an actual wolf and Euron had 3 fleets appear from nowhere.

Otherwise it would be too predictable.

I despise that narrative storytelling in general is going in the direction of "always be unexpected" instead.

Diabhal Beag

If those leaked spoilers are correct even the biggest fanboys will be gutted. It's been an awful season.

[Deleted User]

For the first time ever I've gone and searched out the leaks for the next two episodes. The payoff isn't there anymore.

Dave_The_Sheep

Deleted User wrote: »

20 minutes into the first episode of season 8 I was pretty concerned about the pacing, writing and overall narrative cohesion. It's gotten worse since then to the point that I'm barely invested in the story anymore and amen't really in any rush to see the last two episodes.

This. I'm not even sure if I'm going to bother watching them. They're absolutely shat the bed this season, and that's saying something given how last season was.

[Deleted User]

20 minutes into the first episode of season 8 I was pretty concerned about the pacing, writing and overall narrative cohesion. It's gotten worse since then to the point that I'm barely invested in the story anymore and amen't really in any rush to see the last two episodes.

That's a staggering departure from the enthusiasm I had before season 8 even if large parts of season 7 seemed a bit nonsensical and pointless.

Everything bar the visuals has misfired this season, the critics have been slow to round on the show but I can see the final season being absolutely panned unless something dramatic happens the next two weeks.

bilston

awec wrote: »

I have defended the show in the past when there have been questionable decisions, but that episode totally jumped the shark for me. Things happening out of nowhere, that don't fit the story at all.

The invisible fleet indeed.

Cersei letting all her enemies live and killing a nobody (who was inexplicably captured in the first place).

D+D have ballsed this up.

They are definitely rushing through things and I agree that is a problem. There should have been a 9th series, or more than 6 episodes to the final series

awec

I have defended the show in the past when there have been questionable decisions, but that episode totally jumped the shark for me. Things happening out of nowhere, that don't fit the story at all.

The invisible fleet indeed.

Cersei letting all her enemies live and killing a nobody (who was inexplicably captured in the first place).

D+D have ballsed this up.

Podge_irl

bilston wrote: »

Why?
My issue with Ep 4 is that a whole series of stuff happened in it! It seems obvious to me that GoT needed a 9th series. It looks like Daenaerys is becoming the Mad Queen (or Mad Wannabe Queen), that should have been done over a longer period of time. I still enjoyed it though, but to be fair I'm easily pleased

The magical, mystery fleets are getting fairly irritating. The writing just comes across as pretty lazy - they seem to have identified a couple of key scenes they want and to hell with proper story-telling and progression to get there.

DGRulz

I think by the end of this episode I've crossed over to the other side.

You would have thought with the massively increased budget this season, they'd have hired someone to consult and choreograph battle. What's the point of having dragons if a) you're not going to scout b) you don't fly higher when being attacked and c) you don't see massive ships from a few miles out in the air. I was willing to forgive certain battle tactics in the last episode because it was less two army's fighting and more one army try ok by to survive as long as possible. The show has always had shocking moments but in earlier seasons, they had a point and pushed the story on. We seem to just be getting shock for the sake of it now. I'll still watch it till the end and probably enjoy it to a point but it's kinda disappointing it's ending like this.

[Deleted User]

bilston wrote: »

Why?
My issue with Ep 4 is that a whole series of stuff happened in it! It seems obvious to me that GoT needed a 9th series. It looks like Daenaerys is becoming the Mad Queen (or Mad Wannabe Queen), that should have been done over a longer period of time. I still enjoyed it though, but to be fair I'm easily pleased

Why? Because it's absolutely ****e these days imo.

bilston

Interested Observer wrote: »

Game of Thrones, it's such a pity.

Why?

My issue with Ep 4 is that a whole series of stuff happened in it! It seems obvious to me that GoT needed a 9th series. It looks like Daenaerys is becoming the Mad Queen (or Mad Wannabe Queen), that should have been done over a longer period of time. I still enjoyed it though, but to be fair I'm easily pleased

awec

Interested Observer wrote: »

Game of Thrones, it's such a pity.

Yea I'm frustrated.

[Deleted User]

Game of Thrones, it's such a pity.

mfceiling

The bike itself was only 120 quid from adverts (like new to be fair and was about 300 odd new). Didn't want to spend a fortune getting started. Probably will tip into aldi and pick up a pair of shorts. Cheers.

[Deleted User]

I primarily use my bike for commuting but I basically never leave it out in public if I'm going to be away from it for any length of time. As above, locks only delay someone stealing it, they don't prevent it.

Podge_irl

On the lock - ultimately no lock in the world is good enough. Always try to park besides a better bike with a worse lock!

CatFromHue

get a good set of lights and never cycle up the inside of a left turning truck or bus.

cycle shorts well make your backside more comfortable, the two things mentioned above will save your life.

sullivlo

mfceiling wrote: »

So I'm a cyclist now.

I bought a hybrid bike last week and went for a spin round town today. It's a great way to get about the city. I spent a fair bit on the lock and a good helmet.
I'm not going to go all lycra on it but I'm wondering would cycling shorts be an option?

Welcome to the dark side.

Don’t wear underwear under the Lycra. And wear an extra pair of shorts over them if you’re self conscious. Aldi have cycling underwear coming. Don’t know what it’s like comfort wise but their normal shorts are grand!

Enjoy the bike.

b.gud

mfceiling wrote: »

So I'm a cyclist now.

I bought a hybrid bike last week and went for a spin round town today. It's a great way to get about the city. I spent a fair bit on the lock and a good helmet.
I'm not going to go all lycra on it but I'm wondering would cycling shorts be an option?

Aldi have a cycling event this week so you can pick some up there for cheap. I'm getting a bike myself in the next few weeks so will be picking up a few bits

Squidgy Black

mfceiling wrote: »

So I'm a cyclist now.

I bought a hybrid bike last week and went for a spin round town today. It's a great way to get about the city. I spent a fair bit on the lock and a good helmet.
I'm not going to go all lycra on it but I'm wondering would cycling shorts be an option?

If you're doing fairly long spins (20km+) then your arse will thank you for cycling shorts. The padding + less chafing will be a life saver. Throw a pair of normal shorts over them if you don't want the Lance Armstrong look.

mfceiling

So I'm a cyclist now.

I bought a hybrid bike last week and went for a spin round town today. It's a great way to get about the city. I spent a fair bit on the lock and a good helmet.
I'm not going to go all lycra on it but I'm wondering would cycling shorts be an option?

Neil3030

What do other female athletes think about this? I only seem to hear men (Joe Rogan etc) complaining about the unfair advantage afforded to intersex and trans athletes.

Erik Shun

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Supposedly they have evidence that the suppression of testosterone in intersex athletes resulted in no reduction in performance, but it’s confidential given the nature of those tests which is fair enough

This is the thing that I find abhorrent...the tests are confidential... but.. Caster's whole medical history and biological makeup is up for the world to gawk at.
I can't imagine this would happen if Caster was a good old white girl from upstate New York...the South Africans don't carry any weight in the IAAF or within the IOC and this is a huge factor in all this imo