Season 3 Episode 9: Have NOT read the books/BEWARE SPOILERS MOD NOTE POST #1

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Who actually planned the killings? Was it Frey and Bolton together or was it the Lannisters who got them on board? Do the Lannisters know that the Bolton's are handing over Jaime , I am not sure if they would have known that Bolton was willing to betray the Starks. So am wondering if the killings were a move by Bolton and Frey to prove loyalty to the King so as to ensure they are left alone.

The whole things reeks of Lainister. The past number of episodes people have been virtually screaming "why are the Lainisters not striking while Rob is distracted with the wedding business". Well there we have it. Looking back at the last episode too where the Boltons let Jamie go, how was it not obvious to us.

The way I see it, Tywin is a sneaky f*ck and with Frey being the only major Lord "yet to declare for anyone" (as Rob put it himself), beat Rob to the punch. Frey was more than happy to comply given Rob betrayed him. At that point I'd say the Boltons got the nod that the Starks are up sh*t creek without a paddle and are now basically sucking up to the new rulers of the kingdom by a) letting Jamie go and b) leading Rob right into Frey's trap.

Anyway, my jaw was wide open for a solid 10 minutes watching that last night. Don't think any show has ever shocked me so much. All the more impressive because GoT has a history of delivering shock twists. I think the brutality of the massacre made it all the more shocking.

I actually wonder is GoT getting a bit too heavy on the gore. It's always had it but lets just compare the season 1 shock, Ned's beheading. It was mostly off camera and we see the head rolling away. This season we saw a pregnant woman repeatedly stabbed in the stomach followed by her husband stabbed in the gut and two women have their throats slit (along with the throats of all the Stark men in the hall). The events were shocking enough I think without needing to go so graphic. I just think it's reached a point where they might want to reign it in a bit before it goes OTT and they risk losing viewers. My wife for instance loves GoT but increasingly this season has not enjoyed the gore and violence, which peaked last night to the point where she no longer has an interest in watching next weeks season finale.

Still though excellent episode. Lots more to it too than just those last 10 minutes. Bran's story finally went somewhere which was cool. Pity Jon didn't meet up with him. I assume he's gone to warn the other Crows. I enjoyed the 3 lads breaking into the slave city. They kicked ass I did find it quite funny when they returned all bloody, "the city is yours". Obviously no budget for a large scale battle

Next week I assume will focus on Kingslanding (the wedding & Jamies return) and the North (crows vs wildlings maybe? a return of the White Walkers? Samwell and the girls story seems like it has some wrapping up to do too). I'm not really expecting much of the fallout from this episode to be dealt with at all.

Once again, the game has changed massively, Gods only know where it will go from here. The stage is practically unrecognisable from that first episode barely 3 seasons ago.

Like many others I was shocked by that episode. Even if some book readers around me had prepared me for something big the viewing experience I had was pretty graphic. Even if Robb had dug his own grave I hadn’t expected such a downfall. It was ugly, quiet and discomforting. Talisa’s death was really horrible. The whole thing was so so downbeat.

Ned’s death was tragic, but it was an interesting way to explore the Stark family once the figurehead was gone. Now with Robb and Cat and the North’s side pretty much gone I’m not sure how I feel about big character deaths, especially seeing as the Starks are kind of the good guys.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Robb or Talisa but liked Catelyn enough. With all that being said the way I feel after that episode is exhausted. Whether they’re favourites or not is debatable – but I’ve watched these character from episode one (bar Talisa) so no matter what I’m gonna have some attachment to them. Sure they made bad decisions but that was what made them relatable – good people making dumbass decisions.

I’d like to think it’s a case of getting worse before it gets better but with GRRM I don’t even feel that that applies.

Given this is how I feel about these characters I’m not sure how far I want to go with the rest of the series or even if I want to read the books. Especially seeing as GRRM has a reputation for killing of fan favourites. I know that’s the point of the story – to be unpredictable but still that just felt so cold last night.

It’s all a bit raw (jeez…it’s only a show!) so maybe I’ll get over it.

I'm surprised there isn't more discussion of the other major development (imo) in this episode which is Bran's discovery of his new abilities to 1) control animals and 2) to control humans.
The latter is especially significant particularly if he can hone that skill.
If he could then it would be pretty badass 'cos if he arrived at King's Landing then Joffrey's Kingsguard wouldn't be able to protect him as Bran could just make then slice Joffrey into salami slices. :pac:

Also potentially Bran would win in a fight with Dany as he could just take control of her dragons and wipe out her army of the UnSullied.

Bacchus wrote: »

And when the soldier started stabbing Talisa.

Roose Bolton has come a long way from the streets of Dublin

was not expecting that great ep if you ask,shame there was no boobs tho

Where to start?

First up, 2013, not a good year for weddings!

I knew what was coming, so from a story point of view, it wasn't shocking. But from every other point of view that was about as gripping/disturbing/horrific a scene as you could expect to see - unless you are a fan of snuff movies...

Wow!

My stomach was in knots when I sat down to watch the show. The theme music didn't help. The start was fairly slow, almost deceptive, it looked to be another plot building, getting there, episode.

Moving bits around the maps, talk of war, more foul mouthed talk about women in general.

The whole Bran thing was interesting, in a something for the future type of way. Jon fighting the wildlings and fleeing, leaving his woman behind, was exciting enough for the casual viewer. It had the feel of a climactic end to a story that had been building all season. The young crow hadn't forgotten his vows, he was willing to leave ygritte for the sake of the Wall.

Dany's war was...well dull. It was exciting for the first bit, 3 men taking on ten. A joke about the gate being lightly guarded. Then 20 more soldiers arrive. Had all the makings of a trap. Then it was all over and we saw nothing. Considering her last fight, how exciting that was, this was almost pointless. What was with the big build up?

Then came the wedding. More talk. More setting of scene. More building to a future...Until that guard closed the hall door, the music started and what was to come was written in Cats eyes.

Its safe to say that it was gruesome. But I think it had to be. We, the audience, needed a clear picture of just how awful this betrayal was. How much it cost. How many people have been effected.

It could be the end of House Stark. It could be the end of "The North" as it is currently known.

In a single sweep the Lannisters have yet again proven that they are the major power in the land. That you may beat them in the smaller battles, but they always pay their debts/deaths. The Throne is theirs. All the Lords from the Tyrells, the Freys, to the Boltons, have fallen into place. Winterfell is no more.

Episode 9 has yet again lived up to the hype. Season 3, which has been criticised by many online, has shown its true intent.

Grim...


The show stealer though had to be Arya. Great scenes. From going toe to toe with the Hound, to watching her family been ripped away - again. Poor girl.

KerranJast wrote: »

Isn't it pretty obvious? Who's the most ruthless man in Westeros?

GRRM?

On one hand, that was absolutely amazing. On the other hand I am seriously pissed off that they killed off Robb He was one of my favourite characters! Also, poor Arya. She was so, so close.