The Briefing Room

General Category => Sports/Entertainment/MSM/Social Media => Topic started by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 17, 2016, 07:02:20 pm

Title: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 17, 2016, 07:02:20 pm
So....any other fans of the show or books here?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 17, 2016, 07:03:58 pm
Show only. 

Haven't gotten into the books, and given the wait-time between books - I probably will pass on those and just let the show tell the story for me.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 17, 2016, 08:18:56 pm
Heh -- can't blame you.  I was actually one of those who started the books way back in 1996.  Never expected it would take this long.  Absolutely love his writing, for the most party.  But it is a lot of fun getting to watch the show now without knowing what is going to happen.  There have been some pretty obvious changes from the books, but still, it is more or less an unknown from this point forward.  And if he ever finishes writing it, that'll just be a chance to enjoy the rest of the story all over again.

Good episode on Sunday.  Generally not a fan at all of the gratuitous sex/nudity scenes, but that was one that actually mattered.

I just hope some of those other storylines get into gear.  Arya has been treading water forever, and all that stuff in Dorne seems completely irrelevant to this point.  They hit a homerun with the casting of Oberyn, but since then...bleh.

I think we are being set-up for shocking mayhem.  That Littlefinger is going to march troops from the Vale to Winterfell is unnerving, and I think we are not done with whatever the Sandsnakes and Dorne intend to unleash in conjunction with the Sparrows in Kings Landing.  I did applaud twice this past Sunday and it was played out nicely.  Was expecting Jorah and Daario to come a-calling with Drogon to help Daenny - and had forgotten that she not called The Unburnt for nothing.  Way to go there.  Obviously the Dothraki do not practice keeping the Secretary of State away from a joint session of Blood riders to keep a succession of power going.  Good one for the new Queen of the Dothraki.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 17, 2016, 08:51:05 pm
Love the show, never read the books..
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 17, 2016, 08:59:34 pm
Yeah, great scene with Danaerys.

I'm a bit bothered by the continuity stuff in the north, though.  Winter was coming, and the bulk of Stannis' army perished in a horrific blizzard marching from the Wall to Winterfell.  But after that, when winter should be advancing, Sansa and her group merrily traipsed from the Winterfell to the Wall.  Now Jon is going to march back south with an army, and Littlefinger will be coming north with men of the Vale.  So is it global warming, or what?

The way the show seems to depict it - (or at least how I perceive it) - when the White Walkers are on the move and active - they bring Winter with them.

Recall that after Stannis lost a lot of men in the snow, Melissandre burned his daughter, and the next day the snows melted and Stannis marched South to his doom.  A major snow storm has not been depicted since.

Maybe that has something to do with Jon Snow, and maybe nothing at all.  We have not seen the White Walkers and the army of the dead since Hardhome.

We got a sneak of them in Bran's vision for this weekends show.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 17, 2016, 09:19:33 pm
That's an interesting point.  I've thought the same thing from the books, but didn't connect it with what is currently happening south of the Wall.  But I suppose I'd respond by saying there is no sign that the White Walkers have retreated at all.

Well, what if the winds and weather of Winter are a weapon the White Walkers use to conceal their movements and/or advancement?

We saw that happen when they were first spotted up on the cliffs moving towards Hardhome.  The blizzard came with them.

Also recall some time back when that baby from the shack was placed as an offering that there was no snow or ice falling when the Night King came and froze the infant.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 18, 2016, 03:29:22 pm
I agree with all that.  I think you're dead-on.  I just don't see that as an explanation for what happened to Stannis.

Hardhome is on a peninsula hundreds of miles northeast of Castle Black -- Winterfell is 5-600 miles southwest of Castle Black , so we may be talking nearly 1000 miles.  I can't see how the Others would have even known, or cared, about Stannis.  And as soon as the Others leave Hardhome, they're necessarily moving down that peninsula, and closer to the Castle Black, and therefore Winterfell.  So if the mere presence of the Others can actually affect weather nearly 1000 miles away, the weather should have kept getting worse after Hardhome and Stannis' battle.

And I suppose the other thing is that none of the characters have remarked on the weather at all, or seem remotely aware that we went from horrible blizzard to easy travelling weather.  If there was some unstated/unknown mystical explanation, you'd think they'd at least express some puzzlement over how the weather changed.  That's why it looks more like just a plot device to me.

But I suppose that's just nitpicking.

Well, Winter is coming.

The snowstorm that socked in the North (including at Winterfell) that resulted in Stannis' army getting stuck and left vulnerable happened at nearly the same time as the events at Hardhome.  Not saying that that blast of Winter was the result of the Others socking it to the entire North - but the Others do have the ability to herald snow and ice whenever they appear.  The implication is that when the Others are ready to move South - Winter comes with them.

My guess is that The Children of the Forest and The Others have some kind of symbiotic connection as to how seasons work in the fantasy world of Ice and Fire.  The Three-Eyed Raven may explain some of that to Bran.  Winters can last for 100s of years in this world, and perhaps the final outcome of the wars to come may result in a more 'annual' weather pattern?  The last time I ever saw the seasons used in a fantasy as a plot device was Ridley Scott's Legend.

As to the characters commenting on the weather - it seems they know about the long winters and think nothing of them other than to prepare for them.  I recall Tyrell discussing in a small council meeting that they did not have enough stores of grain to last half of a Winter if the Iron Bank called in their debts.

Melissandre seemed to believe that after burning Stannis' daughter that her god had performed a miracle for them in terms of ending the snows and melting them.  Who knows?  Maybe it's La Nina in the Shimmering  Sea or the Gulf Stream suddenly stops and starts?  Maybe Saruman is busy trying to bury the Fellowship…. er…. wrong franchise.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 18, 2016, 04:26:33 pm
Or maybe it's just me being anal, and not accepting that sometimes, you can get a freak heavy snowstorm early in the season, and then nothing else for awhile.

I suppose I should really consider that possibility too.....

It's more fun to imagine a plot reason for everything that occurs.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 23, 2016, 04:44:06 am
So, uh...wow.

That had to be one of the most I formatiin-filled episodes ever, from the origins of the Others, to Hodor, to the Blackfish having retaken Winterfell...things are very clearly picking up.

Nice to see Little finger put in his place a bit as well.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 23, 2016, 06:14:19 am
to the Blackfish having retaken Winterfell...

I do not recall that being said.  All I heard was that Blackfish gathered what was left of House Tully and retook Riverrun.  Winterfell is still in the hands of Ramsay Bolton. The Knights of the Vale are marching North - but we cannot be sure of where Littlefinger is sending them to do battle.

I would not be surprised that he sends the Knights of the Vale to attack Blackfish in the hopes that Sansa is there.

Recall that in season 1, Littlefinger said to the whores from the North that all he wanted to do was *eff* the whole world which was followed by Lord Varys saying Baelish was the most dangerous man in Westeros.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 23, 2016, 05:06:03 pm
I do not recall that being said.  All I heard was that Blackfish gathered what was left of House Tully and retook Riverrun.
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You're right -- I was thinking Riverrun but typed Winterfell.  GOT dyslexia, I suppose.  Still, retaking Riverrun is a huge deal.

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I would not be surprised that he sends the Knights of the Vale to attack Blackfish in the hopes that Sansa is there.

Well, he told Robert right in front of Bronze Yohn Royce that Sansa was in the North, and Robert said to march north to rescue her, so LF told Royce they were marching to Winterfell.  If LF subsequently changed his mind and ordered an attack on Riverrun instead, I can't see why Royce would do it -- the Arryns and Tullys were close, and that's not what Robert said.  Also, LF specifically said that the Vale knights were already at Moat Cailen, heading north.  He hadn't been rejected by Sansa at that point, so there's no reason to believe he's lying about that, and there would have been no reason to attack Riverrun at all.

I guess my point is that LF said, in two separate places in front of two different groups of people, that they were marching to Winterfell.  I see no reason why they'd change at this point.  I suspect LF will just keep the army going north anyway, figuring that his best chance with Sansa is to pull a Jorah, and stay loyal even after rejection.  Attacking Riverrun doesn't seem to do much for him.  He'd turn Sansa from someone who doesn't like him into an out and out enemy, he'd strain to perhaps the breaking point his authority over the Lords of the Vale, and there's a good chance he couldn't take Riverrun anyway.  The Blackfish is a legendary commander, and Riverrun is a very difficult fortress to besiege.

Also, geographically, It's pretty unlikely that Sansa -- even if she had chosen to make the journey herself -- would be able to get to Riverrun before the besieging Vale Lords anyway.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 23, 2016, 05:15:13 pm
Well, if I recall - Baelish did tell Cersei that he would attack Winterfell and that he would not rest until the Lion's banners flew over Winterfell.

I still think LF is fulfilling what he told his whores, to set the whole kingdom against itself and tear it down.

I also think Sansa sending Brienne to Riverrun was a big mistake.  The Men Without Banners are there also - and if the show picks up some of what is in the books, Brienne is going to meet a bad end at the hand of someone you would not expect.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 23, 2016, 05:56:33 pm
Well, if I recall - Baelish did tell Cersei that he would attack Winterfell and that he would not rest until the Lion's banners flew over Winterfell.

I still think LF is fulfilling what he told his whores, to set the whole kingdom against itself and tear it down.

But didn't he also say the reason he was fomenting chaos was because it gave a chance for others -- namely himself -- to rise?  I think the "chaos" part of his plan is pretty much over, and he's now trying to build a real power base.  Let's say he's on the up and up with Sansa -- at least now.  He's setting up an alliance -- Arryn-Tully-Stark.  I think one of the reasons he pointed out that Jon was only a unlegitimized half-brother is because he wants Sansa to hold Winterfell in her own name.  That gives him Robert in the Vale, Sansa in Winterfell (assuming he can win her back at some level), and the Blackfish at Riverrun, who likely will be besieged at some point by the Freys or Lannisters.  Presumably, the Freys still hold Edmure Tully, though what it going to happen when the Freys find out about Walda will be interesting.

Anyway, I think LF's plan is to use the Vale's forces to tip the scales in favor of both the Tullys and the Starks.  That, coupled with his influence over Robert, might (in his plan) give him the support of three Great Houses.  The Lannisters are discredited because of the bastardy, the Dornish hate the Lannister and likely dislike the Tyrells for supporting the Lannisters, and the Baratheons are virtually gone.  LF may think he is setting himself up to be chosen as the next King.  I'm guessing that's his master plan.

One potential wrinkle -- that has to keep him up late at night -- is if Sansa were to ever spill the beans about him murdering Lysa Arryn.  The whole thing would come crashing down at that point.

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I also think Sansa sending Brienne to Riverrun was a big mistake.  The Men Without Banners are there also - and if the show picks up some of what is in the books, Brienne is going to meet a bad end at the hand of someone you would not expect.

Good point.  Not sure ol' Stoneheart will come into play, but the Brotherhood without Banners running into her definitely seems a possibility, and sending her to the Riverlands then becomes a plot device for more conflict.

The show is really picking up.  I think the pacing is much better than last season, but I also think there's been a decline in the quality of dialogue.  They've been able to truncate GRRM's plots, but for the first time, can no longer rely on his prose.


How legit do you think the Umber alliance with Ramsay really is?  Osha and Shaggy are both dead, and Bolton does have Rickon.  But I'm still wondering how loyal the Umbers are.  They were supposedly reknown for their loyalty -- at least in the show -- and the repeated refusal of that Umber to swear an oath to Ramsay is interesting.

I'm guessing that last battle between Ramsay and Jon is going to find Ramsay with far fewer allies than he imagined.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 23, 2016, 06:15:44 pm
Presumably, the Freys still hold Edmure Tully, though what it going to happen when the Freys find out about Walda will be interesting.

Find out what about Walda Frey? Last time we saw him was his smirking over the carnage at the Red Wedding.

LF may think he is setting himself up to be chosen as the next King.  I'm guessing that's his master plan.

He has got to know that will never happen, anymore than Tywin Lannister could legitimately claim the throne, even though he ran it from behind the scenes. Baelish has no legitimate claim to the throne, unless he thinks he can subjugate the 7 kingdoms himself and claim himself king - which is not out of the realm of thinking in terms of his plans.   He did set this whole thing in motion by getting Lysa to poison her husband's wine and then write a letter to Caitlyn Stark that blamed the Lannisters for it - thus setting the stage for the war he wanted between the Starks and the Lannisters.  Chaos as you recalled him telling Varys, is a ladder.

One potential wrinkle -- that has to keep him up late at night -- is if Sansa were to ever spill the beans about him murdering Lysa Arryn.  The whole thing would come crashing down at that point.

Doubtful.  Sansa lied for him upon questioning by the Lords of the Vale.  She would be held complicit in his treason if she admitted that.

The show is really picking up.  I think the pacing is much better than last season, but I also think there's been a decline in the quality of dialogue. 

Oh I don't know.  Tyrion's discussion about 'conversations in elegant rooms' was pretty good prose IMO.

How legit do you think the Umber alliance with Ramsay really is?
 

That I do not know.  I'm still trying to figure out why they decided to back Ramsay at all in the first place.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 23, 2016, 06:46:58 pm
Find out what about Walda Frey? Last time we saw him was his smirking over the carnage at the Red Wedding.

Walda -- the Frey married to Roose that Ramsay murdered.  Not Walter.

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He has got to know that will never happen, anymore than Tywin Lannister could legitimately claim the throne, even though he ran it from behind the scenes. Baelish has no legitimate claim to the throne, unless he thinks he can subjugate the 7 kingdoms himself and claim himself king - which is not out of the realm of thinking in terms of his plans.   He did set this whole thing in motion by getting Lysa to poison her husband's wine and then write a letter to Caitlyn Stark that blamed the Lannisters for it - thus setting the stage for the war he wanted between the Starks and the Lannisters.  Chaos as you recalled him telling Varys, is a ladder.

Well...are there really any legitimate claimants in Westeros period?  As I recall from the books, if there is no legitimate heir, then the Great Lords are free to choose a new King.  Didn't Ned even propose that at some point?  I think they could choose whomever they'd want.   LF's plan may be to arrange things so that no member of any Great House will be acceptable to the rest, so he'd be a logical compromise choice.  Nobody is going to want a Lannister in charge, Edmure is goofy, Robert is sickly, and Sansa may be disqualified because she's a girl/and/or doesn't want to leave the North.  Dorne is out of it, there's no Baratheons, so....who?  Maybe Mace Tyrell, but they're also tainted somewhat by their support of the Lannisters, and Mace is a doofus. 

But if you have a crown that is massively in debt, and a very smart guy who is a wizard with money and has been on the Small Council...I think he may see himself as a plausible compromise candidate.  The guy who can "hold things together" without alienating other Houses and who can get the Crown out of debt isn't a bad choice.  And he is now technically the Lord of Harrenhal as well -- which is a major title that might make him a more acceptable contender.  Otherwise...where is his ladder going?  Being on the Small Council wasn't enough for him, and being Lord of Harrenhal isn't enough.  So if he's still scheming, what is left for him other than the Crown?  Sure, it's a tough play, but I think it's the only thing that makes sense as his ultimate goal.

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Doubtful.  Sansa lied for him upon questioning by the Lords of the Vale.  She would be held complicit in his treason if she admitted that.

Given the circumstances -- "he told me I was wanted for the death of Joffrey and that you'd turn me over to Cersei Lannister" -- her being merely a witness isn't something I think they'd hold against her.  After all, all the Lords of the Vale were manipulated by him to some extent, and so I think they'd have some pity on a teenage girl who had her family murdered, and who did eventually tell them the truth.  She didn't kill Lysa herself -- she just covered for LF because she was terrified.

After all, what would they do to her if she told them?  She's still Sansa Stark, and I doubt they'd try to punish her and go to war with the Starks.  In any case, she'd certainly get off more lightly than LF would, so if she had the cojones to rat him out, he'd be sunk.  I do think you're right in that "she wouldn't dare tell" is what LF is telling himself, but I also think he knows it isn't a certainty.

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Oh I don't know.  Tyrion's discussion about 'conversations in elegant rooms' was pretty good prose IMO.

That was pretty good.

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That I do not know.  I'm still trying to figure out why they decided to back Ramsay at all in the first place.

It makes sense for the Karstarks - they're complicit in the murder of Robb and other Northern Lords, so they're kind of stuck with the Boltons.  The Umber explanation was that Jon was a traitor who let the wildings in, so they need help to defeat the wildings and put in a better Lord Commander.  Just not sure I buy it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Luis Gonzalez on May 25, 2016, 11:19:06 pm
Watch the last episode carefully.

Especially the segment immidately before Sansa and Littlefinger meet, then listen to every word of their conversation.

My guess?

Sansa is carrying Ramsay Bolton's baby.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 26, 2016, 03:25:41 pm
Watch the last episode carefully.

Especially the segment immidately before Sansa and Littlefinger meet, then listen to every word of their conversation.

My guess?

Sansa is carrying Ramsay Bolton's baby.

That's an extremely interesting theory. @Luis Gonzalez

To play devil's advocate, that would be such a massive game-changer on a bunch of levels that it seems unlikely Sansa would raise it in such an ambiguous manner.  If there's good reason to reveal it, reveal it.  If not, don't.  And why risk revealing a fact that to Littlefinger, who may well try to use it to his advantage, but conceal it from Jon and everyone else?

I really like the idea, though.  If true, it should become apparent before too much longer.  Though with the timeline liberties they take, who knows....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Luis Gonzalez on May 26, 2016, 07:17:49 pm
That's an extremely interesting theory. @Luis Gonzalez

To play devil's advocate, that would be such a massive game-changer on a bunch of levels that it seems unlikely Sansa would raise it in such an ambiguous manner.  If there's good reason to reveal it, reveal it.  If not, don't.  And why risk revealing a fact that to Littlefinger, who may well try to use it to his advantage, but conceal it from Jon and everyone else?

I really like the idea, though.  If true, it should become apparent before too much longer.  Though with the timeline liberties they take, who knows....

Right before Sansa was told that her uncle was there, she was having trouble with the food. Most people would think that the Night watch's cuisine was unacceptable for royalty.

Then was she confronts Littlefinger with all the horrors that Ramsay put her through, from the rape to those things ladies don't speak of, she tells him that she can still feel the effects of her wedding night.

Here's the quote:

“I can still feel it. I don’t mean ‘in my tender heart it still pains me so’. I can still feel what he did in my body standing here right now.” 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 26, 2016, 07:39:03 pm
Right before Sansa was told that her uncle was there, she was having trouble with the food. Most people would think that the Night watch's cuisine was unacceptable for royalty.

Then was she confronts Littlefinger with all the horrors that Ramsay put her through, from the rape to those things ladies don't speak of, she tells him that she can still feel the effects of her wedding night.

Here's the quote:

“I can still feel it. I don’t mean ‘in my tender heart it still pains me so’. I can still feel what he did in my body standing here right now.” 

In the books, Jeyne Poole -- whose position Sansa took in the show -- was severely beaten and whipped, and had scars all over her back.  And you normally don't feel that you're pregnant immediately.

That being said, I think there's a good chance you're right.  There's a parallel between Ned raising Jon -- and suffering for it -- and Sansa raising a child fathered by Ramsay.   And her being pregnant and recognizing first hand what it means to be invested in an unplanned/unwanted child may explain why she seems to have a stronger bond with Jon now.  It would be an interesting twist.
Title: Game of Thrones Producers Apologize for Hodor
Post by: Machiavelli on May 27, 2016, 02:56:51 am
@Maj. Bill Martin

Game of Thrones Producers Apologize for Hodor

Jimmy Kimmel Live
YouTube
May 25, 2016

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The most recent episode of “Game of Thrones” was particularly upsetting for fans of the show. Even now people are still talking about the shocking turn of events at the end of the show - and producers DB Weiss and David Benioff took the extraordinary step of apologizing to their fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xpG74e_-94
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xpG74e_-94
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Producers Apologize for Hodor
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 27, 2016, 02:58:07 pm
@Maj. Bill Martin

Game of Thrones Producers Apologize for Hodor

Jimmy Kimmel Live
YouTube
May 25, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xpG74e_-94
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xpG74e_-94

That's hilarious because it is so true.  Had that happen multiple times to me this week.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 31, 2016, 05:09:36 pm
Thing are really happening fast.  Arya's two-season (boring) storyline in Braavos finally is coming to a climax.  We now know -- as many suspected -- that Benjen was Coldhands.  Then there is what seems to me to be Margaery's power play in KL.  By siding with the High Sparrow, she has carved out a power base independent of both her own family and the Lannisters, and gained a great measure of control over Tommen.  I imagine we'll be seeing the Clegane Bowl in a few episodes.

And, it looks like the whole Jaime/Brienne/Riverrrun storyline is going to come together.  As weird as it sounds, they might actually bring Lady Stoneheart into it, which I thought was something they'd scrapped.  I have no idea if it's going to be resolved the same as the book, though.

Fun as hell to be watching this, and having no clue how things are going to be resolved.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 31, 2016, 06:06:12 pm
And, it looks like the whole Jaime/Brienne/Riverrrun storyline is going to come together.  As weird as it sounds, they might actually bring Lady Stoneheart into it, which I thought was something they'd scrapped.  I have no idea if it's going to be resolved the same as the book, though.


Not so well for Brienne if they follow the books according to the fan base.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 31, 2016, 06:38:37 pm
Not so well for Brienne if they follow the books according to the fan base.

But they can't follow the books because Brienne actually did her job with respect to Sansa, and rescued her.  That didn't happen in the books before she had a run-in with the BwB.  I suppose it could morph to "save Arya", but that seems a bit of a stretch.  Certainly, it doesn't seem like the BwB/LS will be as upset with her as they were in the books.

It's really interesting because Jaime at Riverrrun is happening much later than it did in the books.  I'm not at all sure he's going to align himself against the Tullys at this point.  And it looks like he'll at least run into Brienne there, who will tell him about everything that's happening in the North.  The other angle is that he's now been freed from his vows as Lord Commander, and is in fact the Lord of Casterly Rock at this point.  So who the hell knows what that means?

From what I've heard, there's this season, and then 13 episodes next seasons.  So reviving a whole storyline of Riverrun surrendering to the Lannisters at this late point seems like it would be a sideshow.

Also, really curious about the Mountain, and what's going to happen in that duel.  If the Mountain wins, I think it will go berserk.  Perhaps even to the point of killing Tommen.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 31, 2016, 07:18:20 pm
But they can't follow the books because Brienne actually did her job with respect to Sansa, and rescued her.  That didn't happen in the books before she had a run-in with the BwB.  I suppose it could morph to "save Arya", but that seems a bit of a stretch.  Certainly, it doesn't seem like the BwB/LS will be as upset with her as they were in the books.

Since the show is 'based' on the books, and the Men Without Banners are IN Riverrun - I would not be surprised to see Lady Stoneheart there and/or have Brienne's fate meted out in similar manner by someone else assuming the punishment Lady Stoneheart delivers.  Especially given the joyful glee that takes place in this series with so many main characters  meeting bad ends.

It's really interesting because Jaime at Riverrrun is happening much later than it did in the books.  I'm not at all sure he's going to align himself against the Tullys at this point.  And it looks like he'll at least run into Brienne there, who will tell him about everything that's happening in the North. 

I do not think he is the same man that existed when he last saw Brienne.  He is hell-bent now on revenge himself and is closer to his sister's motivations than his own past careless arrogance.  Maybe Jaime is the one to use Oathkeeper and exact punishment on Brienne?  That too would not surprise me. 

Also, really curious about the Mountain, and what's going to happen in that duel.  If the Mountain wins, I think it will go berserk.  Perhaps even to the point of killing Tommen.

Well, given what that witch told Cersei when she was a teen, all three of her kids would be crowned with gold, and gold would be their shrouds.  AND, it was Cersei's actions themselves - that ultimately caused the death of her first two, and it would fit the pattern that the Mountain zombie, when she unleashes it - ends up ending Tommen as well. In fact if you look back on the show - the flash point to the entire unravelling of what existed when the show began and the thing that sets off all the events we have seen (excepting Daenerys) is Cersie and Jaime.  The thing he does for "love" - sets off the chain reaction of everything that followed.  So I think those two will ultimately be responsible for their own demise.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 31, 2016, 07:53:39 pm
Since the show is 'based' on the books, and the Men Without Banners are IN Riverrun - I would not be surprised to see Lady Stoneheart there and/or have Brienne's fate meted out in similar manner by someone else assuming the punishment Lady Stoneheart delivers.  Especially given the joyful glee that takes place in this series with so many main characters  meeting bad ends.

Right -- it may certainly happen that way.  But LS was pissed at Brienne for what happened to her daughters, and viewed Brienne as something of an oathbreaker/traitor for that.  But now, Brienne actually has saved Sansa.  So why would anyone come after her?  Heck, she's on orders from Sansa -- that should make her pretty popular down there.  She's just in a much, much different place than she was when she was captured by the BwB in the books.

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I do not think he is the same man that existed when he last saw Brienne.  He is hell-bent now on revenge himself and is closer to his sister's motivations than his own past careless arrogance.  Maybe Jaime is the one to use Oathkeeper and exact punishment on Brienne?  That too would not surprise me.

For what would Jaime be punishing Brienne?  He gave her Oathkeeper to find and protect Sansa Stark -- that's exactly what she did with it, which didn't happen in the books.  At least, not yet.  The only thing I could think of here is that if LS exists, and if Brienne is captured, then LS may order her to find Arya.  But I can't see the hostility towards Brienne given what she's managed to do with Sansa, and the fact that she is already acting under Sansa's orders in coming to Riverrun.  That would be ordering Brienne to disobey Sansa.

I wonder, though, what would happen if the BwB captured Jaime.  Would LS order him killed?  Would she say that his duty lies North to protect Sansa, or that he should find Arya?  That would take him out of the seeming dead end of a pointless battle over Riverrun.

Quote
Well, given what that witch told Cersei when she was a teen, all three of her kids would be crowned with gold, and gold would be their shrouds.  AND, it was Cersei's actions themselves - that ultimately caused the death of her first two, and it would fit the pattern that the Mountain zombie, when she unleashes it - ends up ending Tommen as well. In fact if you look back on the show - the flash point to the entire unravelling of what existed when the show began and the thing that sets off all the events we have seen (excepting Daenerys) is Cersie and Jaime.  The thing he does for "love" - sets off the chain reaction of everything that followed.  So I think those two will ultimately be responsible for their own demise.

Yeah, I agree.  I think a Mountain rampage would fit everything pretty well.  Only quibble is that I expect Sandor to actually win that fight....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 31, 2016, 09:29:08 pm
Right -- it may certainly happen that way.  But LS was pissed at Brienne for what happened to her daughters, and viewed Brienne as something of an oathbreaker/traitor for that.  But now, Brienne actually has saved Sansa.  So why would anyone come after her?  Heck, she's on orders from Sansa -- that should make her pretty popular down there.  She's just in a much, much different place than she was when she was captured by the BwB in the books.

Let's just say that I expect DB and Benni to keep the "death scene" as it is in the books - even if they engineer someone else to do it, and the single word shouted at that event while leaving us in the dark about her fate for a few episodes.  What about Ramsay at Winterfell?  Certainly he could capture her passing on through and set up that sequence without anyone raising an eyebrow.

For what would Jaime be punishing Brienne? 

Vengeance for Joffrey.  He still has no idea who was responsible for that, and she was implicated and disappeared when it happened. He's in revenge mode given his words to Cersei this episode.  Who knows how the loss of his daughter and now the stealing of Tommen from him is going to affect his judgment going forward?

Just speculation at this point on everything.  It's all we have until this series concludes.

And it's fun to see how close or how far away from the mark we are.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 31, 2016, 09:34:23 pm
No kidding.  I think I was arguing about this stuff back on a message board in '97....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 31, 2016, 09:45:33 pm
And it's fun to see how close or how far away from the mark we are.


I think we are 2 or 3 season towards the end.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on May 31, 2016, 10:26:06 pm

I think we are 2 or 3 season towards the end.

I had read that they plan on only 2 more seasons which will be stretched out over 3.

10 episodes next year, then 5 will be aired in 2018 and 5 to conclude the series in 2019.

I imagine the last 6 hours will be like a giant Hollywood blockbuster's final climactic act where everything comes down to the "war to come".
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 06, 2016, 02:42:13 am
Ian McShane AND The Hound!!

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 06, 2016, 04:19:43 pm
It was a bit slower of an episode, but still really good.  The Hound was an inevitability, I think.

But the King's Landing stuff actually got interesting.  Margaery confirmed suspicions that she is playing the High Septon -- and playing him very well, I think.  Getting the QOT out of town also was a good move, and I really enjoyed seeing QOT putting whiny, woe is me Cersei in her place.

Though it is starting to look that way, I hope Jon and Sansa don't neglect to go after the Manderlys.  Wyman Manderly was a great character, and that whole "the North Remembers" theme was pretty powerful.  Although right now, it doesn't look like the North remembers very much at all.  The always-loyal Glovers turned tail, and the Umbers (apparently) have betrayed the Starks as well.

The Arya scenes are going to be a disappointment either way.  The way the waif dug that knife into Arya repeatedly is just something she shouldn't be able to survive, so if she does, it is really going to strain credulity.  And if she does die, than that entire storyline in Braavos was a complete waste.

Riverrun could be interesting.  It looks like Brienne will tell the Blackfish that she rescued Sansa after Jaime gave her his sword, so there's at least an argument that he fulfilled part of the oath.  I suppose what might happen is that the Blackfish may be permitted by Jaime to take whatever loyalists exist, and head North to join Sansa.  Jaime might permit that, and it would be an interesting twist. Also, it seems that Jaime would have to promise Brienne something if she helps him, and given that her mission is to get help for Sansa.

Also like Theon and Asha trying to beat Euron to Danaerys.  I don't think Danaerys is going to be fond of the ironborn either way, but an alliance with Asha/Theon seems more credible than one with Euron.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on June 06, 2016, 05:45:03 pm

The Arya scenes are going to be a disappointment either way.  The way the waif dug that knife into Arya repeatedly is just something she shouldn't be able to survive, so if she does, it is really going to strain credulity.  And if she does die, than that entire storyline in Braavos was a complete waste.

Well Jaqen drank poison and died in front of Arya and ended up right in front of her shortly thereafter.  So there's something the Faceless men can do to cheat death it seems.  Perhaps that is something that comes into play for Arya somehow.  Maybe even Jaqen rescues her.  It was her compassion and sense of justice that appealed to Jaqen in the first place when he was stuck in that wagon cell.  Perhaps the fact that Arya was questioning the morality of killing people because a price was paid by someone causes some reflection.  Or, maybe this was just yet another test by Jaqen.

Up until the last assignment Jaqen gave Arya - the impression I got from Jaqen was that he seemed guided by the notion that there was a difference between justice and revenge. Something I assumed he was teaching Arya.  Dispensing death as a gift outside of the natural cause was a service the Faceless men provide.  That they will kill to whomever pays them a price is a revelation that changed my perception of what they were.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: flowers on June 06, 2016, 06:12:57 pm
I love GOT. Haven't been able to watch this year though...will read this area for sure....  @flowers
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 06, 2016, 08:21:12 pm
Well Jaqen drank poison and died in front of Arya and ended up right in front of her shortly thereafter.  So there's something the Faceless men can do to cheat death it seems.  Perhaps that is something that comes into play for Arya somehow.  Maybe even Jaqen rescues her.  It was her compassion and sense of justice that appealed to Jaqen in the first place when he was stuck in that wagon cell.  Perhaps the fact that Arya was questioning the morality of killing people because a price was paid by someone causes some reflection.  Or, maybe this was just yet another test by Jaqen.

I think it was a test, and that she "failed".  But I don't think the price for such failure is necessarily death.  Perhaps Jaqen couldn't deny the waif's right to kill Arya, but if Arya survives, he will help her and then send her on her way.

Still wondering if perhaps his affection for her is based on more than just that one chance encounter where she helped him escaped.  So maybe...is it still possible that he's Syrio Forel, her old fencing instructor, who was actually on a mission to kill someone in KL before all hell broke loose?  If so, that whole understanding he seemed to have about who she was when she was trying to become a Faceless Man would have a deeper background.  Maybe that's the source of his apparent affection for her?

Quote
Up until the last assignment Jaqen gave Arya - the impression I got from Jaqen was that he seemed guided by the notion that there was a difference between justice and revenge. Something I assumed he was teaching Arya.  Dispensing death as a gift outside of the natural cause was a service the Faceless men provide.  That they will kill to whomever pays them a price is a revelation that changed my perception of what they were.

I think the FM do see a difference between justice and revenge.  I just don't think that is determinative as to whether or not they will accept a contract.  We learned pretty early in the books that they will kill anyone if paid enough.  The Many Faced god will judge the person who took out the contract for their motives.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 06, 2016, 08:21:43 pm
I love GOT. Haven't been able to watch this year though...will read this area for sure....  @flowers

Do you have a pretty good sense of what is going on?  I'll be happy to fill you in if you don't.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: flowers on June 07, 2016, 04:28:58 pm
Do you have a pretty good sense of what is going on?  I'll be happy to fill you in if you don't.
Yes I have watched every season up till this one. I watched the first episode on HBO earlier this year.  I have read bits and pieces of what is going on this season. I think I found a site that tells all that has happened in each episode for this season, just haven't had the time to read them yet. Would love info for questions I have. Thanks  @Maj. Bill Martin
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: chae on June 07, 2016, 04:32:32 pm
I found a video, a bunch of scenes taken out of context that "proves" Ramsey Bolton is the kindest man in Westeros.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 08, 2016, 04:03:45 am
I found a video, a bunch of scenes taken out of context that "proves" Ramsey Bolton is the kindest man in Westeros.

Ramsey Bolton is the most despised sadist on the planet at the moment...let's hope he doesn't endorse Trump....

A couple of points....

*  Just who is this Ice King??  Did the Kingslayer really slay the Mad King??  Did they burn Aerys Targaryen after he was killed??

** Speaking of the icy dead....do you suppose Caitlyn Stark is out there someplace still??  After the Red Wedding they tossed her dead body into the river and it was never seen again...

*** Who ever thought that the Hound could be a hero??

**** Do you think The Mountain That Rides will survive another season??

***** Interesting that episode six showed the Mad King ordering "burn them all!" with the liquid dragon fire.  The first season underplayed the importance of dragon fire and just where it all came from.  Supposedly by the time of the Mad King, all the dragons had died out, but those three eggs came from someplace and Aerys had gallons of the stuff.  If you look at the scene of the dragon roaring you can see the two tubes, one on each side of the mouth, that the dragon excretes the liquid dragon fire from....

Its too bad this season is only ten episodes as we are well beyond the end of the last book and the next one still has no date.  We'll see where this all goes in the next three episodes...its bound to be epic no matter what!

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 08, 2016, 03:21:02 pm
*  Just who is this Ice King??

You could get arguments forever on that.  It may literally be the 13th Commander of the Night's Watch, who would be thousands of years old.  But it also may be someone of whom we've never heard.

Quote
Did the Kingslayer really slay the Mad King??

Yes, absolutely.

Quote
Did they burn Aerys Targaryen after he was killed??

I don't believe so.

Quote
** Speaking of the icy dead....do you suppose Caitlyn Stark is out there someplace still??  After the Red Wedding they tossed her dead body into the river and it was never seen again...

In the books, she is still out there as a revived, intelligent undead, last seen as sort of the spiritual head of the Brotherhood without Banners.  That whole storyline was supposedly scotched from the show, but there's nothing saying they couldn't revive it given that Sandor seems to be headed that way.  And since he's the last one in Westeros who had any contact with Arya, I suppose it might be possible that UnCatelyn could command him to go find/rescue her.

Quote
*** Who ever thought that the Hound could be a hero??

Well, way back in I think 1999, I posted a thread on an old ASOIAF message board about that very issue.  It came about because there were some folks who just had their hearts set in Sansa eventually hooking up with the Hound, and I thought the Hound was an utter scumbag.  But, I started a thread about what it would take for him to find redemption.  And since then, I know there has been a general consensus in the fan community that Sandor eventually would find some form of redemption.  Until maybe 3-4 years ago, you could still find shreds of that old board around, though it went inactive in about 2000 or so when it shifted over to another board, and then kept changing until it morphed into the Westeros board.

By the way, never ever go to that Westeros board and try to discuss politics.  It makes DU look like Reagan.

Quote
**** Do you think The Mountain That Rides will survive another season??

Nope, he's a damn goner by the end of this season, but I think he's going to take a lot of people with him.

Quote
***** Interesting that episode six showed the Mad King ordering "burn them all!" with the liquid dragon fire.  The first season underplayed the importance of dragon fire and just where it all came from.  Supposedly by the time of the Mad King, all the dragons had died out, but those three eggs came from someplace and Aerys had gallons of the stuff.  If you look at the scene of the dragon roaring you can see the two tubes, one on each side of the mouth, that the dragon excretes the liquid dragon fire from....

Well, if I understand you right, there are actually two different things going on in your post.  The first is that the fire to which Aerys was referring is the same stuff Tyrion used in the battle of the Blackwater against Stannis' fleet, and it is actually a chemical called "wildfire" produced by pyromancer chemists at King's Landing.  Aerys probably calls it "dragonfire" just out of vanity, but it wasn't really from dragons.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 10, 2016, 12:32:46 am
Thanks Maj. Bill for clearing my memory on Dragon fire...been a while since I broke out the books and the early story line(s) are fading fast...

Still an incredible story line and even if it ends in a couple more seasons, the final battles will make LOTRs look like Romper Room...

Cheers!

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 10, 2016, 02:50:09 pm
Thanks Maj. Bill for clearing my memory on Dragon fire...been a while since I broke out the books and the early story line(s) are fading fast...

Still an incredible story line and even if it ends in a couple more seasons, the final battles will make LOTRs look like Romper Room...

Cheers!

 :beer:

Yeah, it's a great story.  I really hope old George finishes up the books someday, but I have my doubts.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: TheMom on June 11, 2016, 02:48:18 pm
The Arya scenes are going to be a disappointment either way.  The way the waif dug that knife into Arya repeatedly is just something she shouldn't be able to survive, so if she does, it is really going to strain credulity.  And if she does die, than that entire storyline in Braavos was a complete waste.

My thoughts on this is it wasn't Arya, but Jaqen testing the waif.  Arya knew her life was in danger and would not have been so bold and unaware of her surroundings, plus she didn't have Needle with her.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 12, 2016, 04:17:24 am
My thoughts on this is it wasn't Arya, but Jaqen testing the waif.  Arya knew her life was in danger and would not have been so bold and unaware of her surroundings, plus she didn't have Needle with her.

You may be right about that.  And the way that "Arya" was stumbling around after being stabbed almost made it look like she wanted to be seen by as many people as possible.  That's...intriguing.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: TheMom on June 13, 2016, 02:01:08 am
My thoughts on this is it wasn't Arya, but Jaqen testing the waif.  Arya knew her life was in danger and would not have been so bold and unaware of her surroundings, plus she didn't have Needle with her.

They just blew my theory right out of the water.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 13, 2016, 02:49:39 am
"Spit it out! Ya wee $hit!!...Spit it out!!!"

 :silly:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 13, 2016, 12:39:38 pm
They just blew my theory right out of the water.

Yeah, they went with the disappointing "repeated stabs/knife twists to the gut overcome in a couple of days" route.

Arya's entire storyline in Essos now looks to have been a complete waste, as was the whole Blackfish revival.  The only possible point to the latter is if Brienne and Pod meet up with Sandor and the Brotherhood heading North, because they will have needed an excuse for Brienne to go south.

Big surprise with Tommen outlawing trial by combat.  Cersei would appeared to be completely screwed now except for Jaime's apparent desire to get back to KL and Cersei as quickly as possible. 

Holy Schniekes, just had a thought....

There's speculation out there that the secret Cersei was discussing with Qyburn has to do with the wildfire hidden under the city, and that perhaps Cersei will burn the city (or at least Baelor's Sept) down rather than submit to a trial.  So suppose Jaime comes back to "rescue" her, finds out what her plan in, and has to kill her to prevent her from doing what Aerys' tried to do?   That would be the "valonquar" prophecy coming true, because it would mean Cersei is strangled by her younger brother.   And right after giving that "I love my sister more than anything" speech to Edmure....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 13, 2016, 12:53:07 pm
Yeah, they went with the disappointing "repeated stabs/knife twists to the gut overcome in a couple of days" route.

Arya's entire storyline in Essos now looks to have been a complete waste, as was the whole Blackfish revival.  The only possible point to the latter is if Brienne and Pod meet up with Sandor and the Brotherhood heading North, because they will have needed an excuse for Brienne to go south.

Big surprise with Tommen outlawing trial by combat.  Cersei would appeared to be completely screwed now except for Jaime's apparent desire to get back to KL and Cersei as quickly as possible. 

Holy Schniekes, just had a thought....

There's speculation out there that the secret Cersei was discussing with Qyburn has to do with the wildfire hidden under the city, and that perhaps Cersei will burn the city (or at least Baelor's Sept) down rather than submit to a trial.  So suppose Jaime comes back to "rescue" her, finds out what her plan in, and has to kill her to prevent her from doing what Aerys' tried to do?   That would be the "valonquar" prophecy coming true, because it would mean Cersei is strangled by her younger brother.   And right after giving that "I love my sister more than anything" speech to Edmure....

And that means it is Jamie who fights the Mountain to the death...

Gonna be good....

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 13, 2016, 12:59:39 pm
And that means it is Jamie who fights the Mountain to the death...

Gonna be good....

 :beer:

Well, if that's the fight that happens, it's going to be Jaime's death, because there's no way that a one-handed Jaime with an ordinary sword has a hope in hell against the Mountain.  But to have the season end with him strangling his sister...that would be just amazing.

The thing that is so cool about the Jaime/wildfire/Cersei possibility is that whole conversation with Edmure. Edmure told him that every man must think he is decent at some level, and Jaime eventually comes up with loving Cersei.

 But the truth is that his greatest moment was killing Aerys because he was going to burn down the city, which he has chosen to keep a secret and therefore wouldn't reveal to Edmure. But I think that's the great, noble deed that lets him sleep at night.

 So for Cersei to do the exact same thing Aerys tried to do would render Jaime's entire life pointless -- destroying his greatest sacrifice and greatest good deed. It would be freaking perfect, and the ultimate mind-bleep for Jaime.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 14, 2016, 02:57:20 pm
Losing his hand was nowhere near the justice Jamie Lannister is due.  Perhaps the Hound might get the chance to take his revenge on his big brother...it was the Mountain that held Sandor's head in burning charcoal that left him looking like he does.  There was a quote in the books about the fate of the Clegane brothers....to the effect, "It is good that the Gods gave us seven hells, because one was surely not big enough for both of them...".

I'm still convinced we will eventually see an icy Caitlyn Stark, and and Ice King is the perfect yang to the ying of the last fire-mad Targaryan King....

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 15, 2016, 01:12:33 pm
I assume Varys was leaving for Dorne -- seems that absent that, there would be no reason to have a Dorne storyline in the show at all.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: TheMom on June 20, 2016, 02:21:08 pm
I had a feeling that the creep Bolton would get defeated.  But thought Sansa would kill him with a sword thru the heart, I was applauding when she released the dogs on him.

My daughter thinks that Cersei, like the Mad King, is going to try to burn Kings Landing to the ground with wildfire; which will put Jamie in a tough spot of saving KL, as he did before, by killing her or being loyal to her and damn the kingdom.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 20, 2016, 02:47:31 pm
I had a feeling that the creep Bolton would get defeated.  But thought Sansa would kill him with a sword thru the heart, I was applauding when she released the dogs on him.

My daughter thinks that Cersei, like the Mad King, is going to try to burn Kings Landing to the ground with wildfire; which will put Jamie in a tough spot of saving KL, as he did before, by killing her or being loyal to her and damn the kingdom.

yep...what other reason is there for bringing up wildfire this far into the series?  Sumpthin's gonna be cooking somewhere soon, besides being roasted alive by a dragon....

Sansa feeding Ramsey Bolton to his own dogs, after John Snow beat the living hell out of him, was sweet justice.  I can't think of a better end for that rotten, sadistic little SOB.  But burying Rickon Stark in the family tomb instead of burning him sets the stage for him to come back just like John did, or perhaps in some icy persona like a minion of the Ice King (or Caitlyn Stark who is still out there someplace...).

We'll have to see what the Season Finally brings along with any sneak peeks at where they are going next.  They clearly got way ahead of the books so anything could happen from here on out.  I've saved all the episodes this season and will binge-watch them again....

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Luis Gonzalez on June 20, 2016, 03:24:04 pm
Here's a thgeory.

Daenarys and the Imp are siblings.

The Mad King had "his way" with Tyrion's mother, hence Tyrion's surprising way with the captive dragons.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: TheMom on June 20, 2016, 08:32:54 pm
Here's a thgeory.

Daenarys and the Imp are siblings.

The Mad King had "his way" with Tyrion's mother, hence Tyrion's surprising way with the captive dragons.

Interesting theory.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Ghost Bear on June 20, 2016, 09:52:57 pm
Here's a thgeory.

Daenarys and the Imp are siblings.

The Mad King had "his way" with Tyrion's mother, hence Tyrion's surprising way with the captive dragons.

Yeah, that's the "Tyrion as Secret Targaryen" fan theory, one of many... (http://www.tor.com/2016/06/15/the-seven-asoiaf-theories-every-game-of-thrones-fan-should-know/)  (Warning: many spoilers at the link!)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Ghost Bear on June 20, 2016, 09:56:02 pm
The great takeaway from last night's episode: Always feed your dogs before leaving the castle for battle!   :doglick:


(And here I thought I'd never have a reason to use that particular emoticon/smiley!)   :silly:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 21, 2016, 01:13:09 pm
Good episode, but one thing that kind of frustrates me about these kind of battle scenes (LOTR had the same issues) is the artificiality of the way the troops move.  The Boltons forming this perfect circle of perfectly formed spears around Jon's forces was just so obviously scripted that it kind of took me out of the moment.  Eye-rolling time.  Also was kind of frustrating to see Jon acting so damn impulsively and irresponsibly in charging Ramsay's army by himself.  Again, just too scripted.  "I'll get revenge on the guy who just murdered my little brother by charging his entire army so that either 1) I get killed more or less instantly, or 2) I get captured, tortured, then killed.  That'll show him!"  Getting revenge by actually trying to win the battle?  Nah, can't have that....

More importantly, Sansa's apparent/unexplained decision to not tell Jon about her contact with the Vale is simply absurd.  Jon fought that battle when he did, against terrible odds, because he believed there was no other possible source of help.  Sansa knew that because she tried to convince him to wait, and that's the explanation she gave.  So why not tell Jon about her contact with LF before he lost 2/3 of his men in a slaughter?  She rode right up with LF at the climax of the battle, so she obviously knew something.

It was a good episode because the events were so long-awaited and monumental that it almost had to be good, but I think the way it actually unfolded was disappointing.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Leto on June 26, 2016, 03:35:10 pm
Looking forward to the season finale tonight.


So many questions so little time.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: flowers on June 26, 2016, 05:02:28 pm
Will be reading here tomorrow to see all your posts.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on June 26, 2016, 06:50:31 pm
Arya's entire storyline in Essos now looks to have been a complete waste, as was the whole Blackfish revival. 

Not sure about that.  There's something about Jaqen that tells me his involvement with Arya is a lot larger than we are assuming.  There's a thread about justice and revenge running in her storyline which I find interesting because earlier Ayra was just consumed with revenge, but over time she has developed a sense of justice and mercy that we saw displayed with her refusal to kill the actor and warn her about her understudy.   In comparison the Waif had no sense of justice whatsoever and no compassion either.  I think that plays into things and why Jaqen says to Ayra that "A girl has finally become nothing" to which she replied that she was Ayra Stark, upon which he nodded and let her go.  It was as if he was helping her find her true self, but hand her assassin skills in the process.

I mean, ask yourself , what was Jaqen doing in Westeros to begin with if his operation is out of Essos?  I have heard it suggested that Jaqen might have been her 'dance instructor' from the beginning.  That would be interesting but I am not sure how he would have escaped Meryn Trant if that was the case, except to say Jaqen can cheat death apparently.  It is an interesting theory, but as often happens, theories get blown out of the water as the show progresses.


The only possible point to the latter is if Brienne and Pod meet up with Sandor and the Brotherhood heading North, because they will have needed an excuse for Brienne to go south.

I think the conversation Brienne has with Jaime at the siege about honor and knighthood is going to play very huge later on.  Very huge if your theory about wildfire under Kings Landing and Cersei going full Targaryen plays out.

I do think it would be very fitting within the narrative of GOT to have Jaime strangle and kill his own sister.  I'm not sure her loss would leave him empty for long.   I think he has feelings for Brienne because she has shown him what true Knighthood honor looks like outside of his hidden secrecy of an incestuous life where everything that lit the conflicts in Westeros ignited. That conversation those two had at Riverrun may set the stage for what may come later.

I assume Varys was leaving for Dorne -- seems that absent that, there would be no reason to have a Dorne storyline in the show at all.

Not sure about that.  He said something about needing 'friends' in Westeros.  This of course was before Theon and Yara showed up at Mereen and before Danerys got a fleet of ships from the Masters.  But perhaps Varys has to pave the way for her coming to Westeros and he has to seed the playing field in terms of politics and benefits.  Of course he was also shaken up quite a bit about what the Red Priestess knew about him and what that voice spoke to him out of the fire.  I think he wanted to get out of there on a personal basis because of whatever she knows about his past, or also because Varys has no desire to face whatever the demon was that spoke to him again.

Good episode, but one thing that kind of frustrates me about these kind of battle scenes (LOTR had the same issues) is the artificiality of the way the troops move. 

Only to the educated historian and trained eye. The bulk of the audience has no such familiarity so it's just pure storytelling.  Plus a large amount of the troops are CGI.

The Boltons forming this perfect circle of perfectly formed spears around Jon's forces was just so obviously scripted that it kind of took me out of the moment.  Eye-rolling time. 

Not for me.  Wasn't that the same thing that Hannibal did to the Romans at Gaul?  Or was it what the Mongols did to areas they conquered?  It was interesting to see that strategy actually filmed and depicted.  Fits perfectly with the psychological terrorism Ramsay was so fond of.  He just did it on a massive scale.  Ruthless to say the least.

Also was kind of frustrating to see Jon acting so damn impulsively and irresponsibly in charging Ramsay's army by himself. 

Jon has the same exact problem that Ned Stark had: he was honorable to a fault that would lead him right to his own death.  He did not listen to Sansa warn him about Ramsay at all.  He did what Jon always does, and apparently he did not learn the lesson for that trait when he was killed at Castle Black by his own men. 

More importantly, Sansa's apparent/unexplained decision to not tell Jon about her contact with the Vale is simply absurd. 

Not so.  Sansa has learned to lie, even when it was in her best interest to tell the truth in order to get what she thinks she wants.  Littlefinger took that trait to a whole new level.  Jon was insisting they go to war with the army they had when Sansa knew it was not going to be enough against Ramsay.  Jon was clearly not going to listen to her, so she did what she has learned to do and set other things into motion at the same time her brother was acting.   

The aftermath and politics of what happens to Winterfell is going to be interesting.  There are technically no Starks left there and Jon is a bastard.  That would leave either Sansa to keep the Bolton name or Little finger may claim himself Warden of the North and attempt to convince Sansa to claim her marriage name to Tyrion and hoist Lannister Banners over Winterfell.  Perhaps like everywhere else, the established order may be turned on it's head and Sansa proclaims herself Wardeness.   Will be interesting to see what direction they go in.

I'm happy as to how that episode unfolded.  Especially the Dragon battle at Mereen.  I was on my feet clapping for that sequence.  Tyrion was great as always.  The pact with the Greyjoys was interesting too.  I sense another massive naval battle coming up sometime in the next season if Dany starts towards Westeros, but perhaps the dragons will make short work of that, one could hope.  I actually hope they hold off on her push West as she seeks to settle her reign in the East.  I'm fond of the idea of Dany heading West to save Westeros from the army of the dead rather than simply to conquer it outright.

I do think Cersei sets Kings Landing on fire, because I recall that vision Dany had back at the House of the Undying and the Red keep was burned out, empty and snow-filled.  We shall see.

The only small complaint I would make, and it's not really a complaint, just an observation - but it seems the pacing has dramatically picked up from where the other 5 seasons were and you can definitely sense that the producers are speeding the story along to get to the conclusion they have mapped out already.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on June 27, 2016, 03:09:37 am
Well that was an amazing finale to the season!  Lots of satisfying fruition to characters and story lines.

SPOILER ALERT follows, so don't read any further if you do not want to know how this episode or season played out.












You were warned.



Maj. Bill Martin was correct about Varys going to Dorne.  His quip about blood and vengeance was pretty dark.   I'm curious to know how he got back to Mereen to board Dany's ship heading West so fast????  Are there non-stop Concorde flights from Dorne to Essos??

It almost seems like Westeros is going from a patriarchy to a matriarchy with women rulers in Dorne, the Iron Islands, Kings Landing and Danerys supplanting the established order excepting Jon Snow/Stark/Targaryen.

Cersei pulling a Mad King and blowing a huge chunk of King's Landing to smithereens with Wildfire and eliminating every single enemy she had was not really surprising but still terrifying to watch.  It almost had a Dark Knight Joker feel to the orchestration of events that Batman would find himself embroiled in by the meticulous planning of death traps.  Candles burning down to pools of wildfire while the Faith Militant is led down the catacombs and wounded by children of that deranged Maester. 

I figured that Tommen would either kill himself or that the Mountain would do it over the last few episodes, so I was not surprised he throws himself off the tower and kills himself.  That his death almost garnered no reaction from Cersei was bothersome.  As if she expected it.  So now we have a truly evil queen sitting on the iron throne and now that her children are all dead and gone, I think whatever shred of humanity she had is gone with her kids and she may make the Mad King look tame in comparison.  I have a feeling she may give Ramsay Bolton a run for the most demented and hated figure on the show in the coming season.

I would still like to see Jamie kill her, because what she did nullifies the only reason he can look himself in a mirror.

The fans I am sure are happy to see their much vaunted theory of what happened in the tower of Joy with Ned's sister birthing Jon Snow coming to fruition.  He went from being dead at the beginning of the season to now being declared the King of the North.  I do dig that 10 year old queen of Bear Island.  She is one tough cookie.   I did think for a moment that Jon was going to kill the Red Woman and fulfill that prophecy of becoming the One Who Was Promised when Davos confronts her about sacrificing Shireen.  But maybe he kills her next season or something.

Arya's assassination of Walter Frey was satisfying yet frightening at the same time.  Feeding him his sons in a pie was a bit over the top.    Clearly she has the skills now of the Faceless Men but how dark and brutal she will become now, is one of those things that seems to rear it's head in her eyes as she watched Frey bleed out.

Poor Sam.  I hope he doesn't leave his girl and baby out in the foyer getting lost in the books.  I suspect there's going to be some conflict between himself and the other Maesters.  It's curious that no raven was sent from Castle Black to the Citadel to inform them of Aemon's passing.

The last shot of the show was pretty awesome.  I do wonder if the dragons can light upon one of the ships to rest or not, but it does seem that things are speeding up really fast now with Dany's army crossing the Narrow sea with that fleet of ships to conquer Westeros.  I am a bit bummed it's not because they need saving from the War to come.

I still think the Red Keep goes up in flames at some point next season because I have a feeling that vision Dany had at the House of the Undying was a vision not unlike what Bran is able to conjure of the future.  I rewatched that episode and Danerys does indeed enter the throne room alone and the place is burned-out ruins and desolate, buried in snow.

I am still bothered by Varys being on that ship next to Tyrion and Dany.  How the blazes did he get from Dorne at the beginning of the episode to being back in Slaver's Bay - er - Dragons Bay by the end of the episode?  I thought it took weeks to cross the sea?

Aside from that…. I dunno - continuity error…. I was pretty happy with how everything went.





Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 28, 2016, 05:58:03 pm
@INVAR

I agree with all that -- and incredible show, and I thought much better than Episode 9.  The music was great, better direction, etc..

I agree with your point aobut the matriarchy -- I was thinking the same thing -- but I'm also thinking a lot of those positions won't last.  I don't think Danaery's survives, for example.  That Mormont girls was excellent.  Her lines in the book were delivered by a different character, and I did prefer the way the books handled the Northern War.  But she was still great.

Cersei has just...lost it.  She not only wasn't sad at Tommen's death, she almost seemed pleased in that he had betrayed her.  So she just had his ashes scattered with everyone else's.  Not quite sure why anyone would recognize her right to rule, though.  She murdered the Queen, the Hand, Mace Tyrell, the High Septon, and essentially her own son.  I suppose nobody dared oppose her, but it won't/can't last because she has no power base.  Jaime is even the head of House Lannister, not her.  And yeah, I think Jaime is going to be the one who does her in.  How about a twist -- they both get trapped in the fire, and she asks Jaime to kill her as an act of mercy so she doesn't burn alive?  Lots of cool possibilities.

The Arya scene was great -- I didn't expect that.  The pies were another thing done by someone else in the books, and it was never stated expressly that they were actually Frey pies.  Just hints.   But if you read between the lines...it was really one of the best things in the last book.  Don't know who she is going to kill next...was Littlefinger on her list at any point?

Varys and the timing thing...there was a lot of it that episode.  All the northern lords managed to get summoned and trek to Winterfell, Jaime managed to make it all the way from the Twins to Kings Landing, Arya trekked along way as well....  So all that would have had to happen was Varys makes his appearance, takes a ship back, and then we're seeing them all right as the fleet leaves.

But to me, things almost seem to be going too well for Danaerys.  She's got the Tyrells, Martells, Unsullied, the greatest horde of Dothraki ever, and three dragons.  That's enough to defeat that entire Seven Kingdoms easily even at full strength.  So I'm thinking there is a proverbial turd in the punchbowl, and it's name is Euron Greyjoy.

The showrunners have cut a lot of characters from the books, but they introduced him late and kept him in.  Why?  He's got some weird powers, and is building a huge fleet.  My guess is that at some point, he intercepts her fleet, arranges for a storm to hit her (yeah, it may be possible), and/or manages to kill a dragon.  I just can't see that entire massive force making it to Westeros safely.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on June 28, 2016, 07:00:52 pm

But to me, things almost seem to be going too well for Danaerys.  She's got the Tyrells, Martells, Unsullied, the greatest horde of Dothraki ever, and three dragons.  That's enough to defeat that entire Seven Kingdoms easily even at full strength.  So I'm thinking there is a proverbial turd in the punchbowl, and it's name is Euron Greyjoy.

The showrunners have cut a lot of characters from the books, but they introduced him late and kept him in.  Why?  He's got some weird powers, and is building a huge fleet.  My guess is that at some point, he intercepts her fleet, arranges for a storm to hit her (yeah, it may be possible), and/or manages to kill a dragon.  I just can't see that entire massive force making it to Westeros safely.

I'm kindof fearing big naval battle as well and it remains to be seen if Yara is as good a naval commander as her uncle.  I do not know how much time has passed for the thousand ships Euron demanded built to be 'ready'. 

Things did not go well for most of the characters for awhile.  Dany has had a rough road up to where she now finds herself - but if anyone deserves to be Queen, she does.  As Tyrion told her, she is in the Great Game now - and the great game is terrifying.  I do not even think he knows how terrifying it will be, because aside from dealing with threats from Euron Greyjoy's fleet, and Cersei Lannister's Evil Queen - there is the army of the dead and the Knight King with Winter now officially having arrived.

Terrifying because I remember what the nanny at Winterfell was telling Bran when he woke up from his coma.  About the darkness and the things that came with it.  I think we only got a taste of what may follow with the Night King, and the war looks to be between the living and the dead, and only the North and Jon Targaryen Stark understands what is about to happen.

That said, If there are only in reality 10 episodes left spread over 2 seasons, that is a lot of story to cover to wrap it all up.  The big build up to the Great War with the undead would really need several episodes to flesh out properly.  Even if Dany makes it to Dorne without losing a single ship or dragon - there is the obstacle of Cersei and the Lannister army at Kings Landing long before what comes down from the North lays waste the South as it will the North.  The Night King has an army possibly ten times the size of that of the living.  Real short work might be made of most of the living and it is possible that the dragons and whatever Sam finds out at the Citadel is going to save any of them.

I still believe that when this all plays out - Dany will be queen, not as a conqueror, but a savior of the living. She will have earned the right to rule with devotion from all those who survive what is coming.  That itself turns the entire way that world operates upside down, which seems to be the prevailing theme.

But my hopes and suppositions are only my fantasies because I am not a writer on the show and do not have the blueprint RR Martin laid out for the producers.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Leto on June 28, 2016, 09:44:27 pm
Bran will be the key player defeating the Army of the dead.


He will also know about the relationship of Jon Snow and Dani.

Great Episode. Not the long wait for next season.


13 Episodes left.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-7-8-how-many-episodes-left-david-benioff-db-weiss-george-rr-martin-jon-snow-a7107461.html
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 29, 2016, 11:54:09 pm
I was glad to see that Aria learned a great deal during her time with the Faceless God.  She could not have slit a better throat than that old SOB Frey, and feeding him his sons in a pie was an outstanding touch.

Cersei managed to profane the Sept once and for all, topping the profanity committed on its steps when her eldest bastard had Ned Stark beheaded on the steps. 

Speaking of which, what ever became of Ser Illian??  I realize it is hard to top the Mountain, but where is the King's Justice??  (That's one hell of a sword he carried....).

Cersei's callous treatment of Tommen's remains speaks volumes about how black her soul really is. 

No idea where things go from here since we are so far out in front of the books...anything is possible next season....

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: TheMom on June 30, 2016, 03:40:32 pm
No idea where things go from here since we are so far out in front of the books...anything is possible next season....

My daughter & I always text our thoughts and comments after each episode.  This week one of her comments was 'now you have to suffer like the rest of us that have not read the books'.  Brat!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 30, 2016, 04:23:42 pm
Speaking of which, what ever became of Ser Illian??

Interesting story there....

The actor who played him got pancreatic cancer and was given only a few months to live, so they haven't showed him onscreen, thought technically he is still alive.

Amazingly, he actually survived the cancer, though I remember hearing there are some complications/residual effects from the surgery.  Anyway, I suppose it's possible that they bring him back for one of the last two seasons.  It would be kind of a nice touch.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on June 30, 2016, 04:25:07 pm
13 Episodes left.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-7-8-how-many-episodes-left-david-benioff-db-weiss-george-rr-martin-jon-snow-a7107461.html

They've said 13 hours, but whether that means 13 episodes is a bit different.  They may just make them longer, and have only 10 or so.  Probably split over two seasons, however it happens.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on June 30, 2016, 04:33:21 pm
They've said 13 hours, but whether that means 13 episodes is a bit different.  They may just make them longer, and have only 10 or so.  Probably split over two seasons, however it happens.

I recall reading somewhere that it would be six episodes next season and four the following.  I imagine the latter episodes would be well over an hour each - especially if there are monster efx battles between the living and the dead.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Chieftain on June 30, 2016, 08:46:25 pm
Interesting story there....

The actor who played him got pancreatic cancer and was given only a few months to live, so they haven't showed him onscreen, thought technically he is still alive.

Amazingly, he actually survived the cancer, though I remember hearing there are some complications/residual effects from the surgery.  Anyway, I suppose it's possible that they bring him back for one of the last two seasons.  It would be kind of a nice touch.
't

yah...Ser Illian had a very interesting back story...not impossible they could bring him back.

I'm also impressed with the young actress playing young Lady Mormont.  She's quite a handful and not at all  childish...

 :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on July 05, 2016, 11:55:47 pm
Lyanna Mormont was awesome.  She'll be fun moving forward if they keep her.

I like how she showed up at that battle with her troops as well.  Great casting.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on July 06, 2016, 12:03:04 am
Apparently JRR Martin took note that the fans really like the girl and tweeted "So you guys like Lady Mormont eh?"

Then he tweeted this:

https://mobile.twitter.com/GRRM/status/748879459823026176

Doe she get a sick thrill out of killing little girl characters he creates?

Kinda morbid.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on July 06, 2016, 01:33:03 pm
Apparently JRR Martin took note that the fans really like the girl and tweeted "So you guys like Lady Mormont eh?"

Then he tweeted this:

https://mobile.twitter.com/GRRM/status/748879459823026176

Doe she get a sick thrill out of killing little girl characters he creates?

Kinda morbid.

I think he's a bit hurt/miffed that the story is now the one on TV rather than the one in his books.  Or maybe he's just making the point that the story and books will be different in a lot of details.

As i said upthread, the Lyanna Mormont character seems to have taken the role (or at least the lines) of book character Wylla Manderly.  But Willa really doesn't seem to be at any risk of harm, though, and is not the head of her house.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Ghost Bear on July 18, 2016, 08:55:56 pm
Quote
HBO has confirmed that “Game of Thrones” Season 7 will consist of seven episodes, set to shoot later this summer. As Variety first reported, executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are eyeing two shortened seasons to end the hit fantasy show, with Season 8 expected to be somewhere between 6 or 8 episodes. Production will be based in Northern Ireland, with additional portions filmed in Spain and Iceland. Season 7 is slated to premiere in summer 2017, later than its usual April start date.

More at the link: http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-episodes-premiere-date-2017-1201816290/ (http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-episodes-premiere-date-2017-1201816290/)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on July 17, 2017, 04:25:42 am
Slow but steady opening to season 7.  The opening with Arya was satisfying.  Pieces on the board being moved to their places.

The one stand-out besides Daenerys making it to Dragonstone was the rapid fire editing of the daily drudgery of Sam at the Citadel.  The quick cuts between emptying and scrubbing chamber pots and ladling soup into pots made me gag and laugh at the same time.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: corbe on July 31, 2017, 05:22:14 pm
Hackers leak HBO episodes, 'Game of Thrones' script online: report

 By Morgan Chalfant - 07/31/17 12:47 PM EDT
 

Upcoming episodes of popular HBO shows and a purported script from “Game of Thrones” have reportedly been leaked online.

Entertainment Weekly reported Monday that hackers had breached HBO’s systems and leaked forthcoming episodes of the shows “Ballers” and “Room 104” and what appeared to be a script from hit program “Game of Thrones.”

HBO confirmed to the publication in a statement that it had been a victim of a “cyber incident” that compromised company data. The company did not immediately respond to a request from The Hill seeking comment.
The company is said to be working with law enforcement and private cybersecurity firms to investigate the matter. “Data protection is a top priority at HBO, and we take seriously our responsibility to protect the data we hold,” the company said in a statement published by Entertainment Weekly.

<..snip..>

http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/344616-hackers-leak-hbo-episodes-game-of-thrones-script-online-report (http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/344616-hackers-leak-hbo-episodes-game-of-thrones-script-online-report)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on August 07, 2017, 02:06:13 am
That was the most intense episode of GOT so far this season. Not saying a word.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on August 25, 2017, 02:30:06 am
The action has been great, but the plotholes and deux ex machine are really, really annoying.  A hallmark of GRRM's story was the realism and internal consistency.  The idea of Gendry running all the way back to the wall, a raven flying 1000 miles to King's Landing, and then a dragon flying all the way back, all in one afternoon, was ridiculous.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: INVAR on August 25, 2017, 02:42:03 am
The action has been great, but the plotholes and deux ex machine are really, really annoying.  A hallmark of GRRM's story was the realism and internal consistency.  The idea of Gendry running all the way back to the wall, a raven flying 1000 miles to King's Landing, and then a dragon flying all the way back, all in one afternoon, was ridiculous.

It's like the producers decided they wanted to be done with this project pronto and so they rushed this into giant set-pieces of battle and flung the slow and deliberate pace of the previous 5 seasons out the window.  Saw it coming when one moment Varys was in Dorne chatting with the Martells and Olenna and 5 minutes later he is standing on the deck of Dany's ship with Tyrion heading West from Mereen.

This season's been a mess.  Jumping from one major thing to another within a single episode and Gendry traversing large distances in the space of one night after trekking for days to get to the Arrowhead Mountain? The set pieces are cool, but this pacing and time compression crap is really, really taking away from the enjoyment of the show.  It all seems rushed and convoluted now - as if the moment the Producers decided to wrap it up they fired all the existing writers and decided to cram 3 seasons into one, just to be done with it.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on February 04, 2018, 04:36:15 am
Show only. 

Haven't gotten into the books, and given the wait-time between books - I probably will pass on those and just let the show tell the story for me.

@INVAR

I bought a whole set that contained all the books before I even finished watching Season 1. They are still in the original cellophane,and will remain there until after GoT ends it's run,and I have watched the re-runs at least once. Bought them from amazon. Didn't cost much.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 08, 2018, 04:11:30 pm
@INVAR

I bought a whole set that contained all the books before I even finished watching Season 1. They are still in the original cellophane,and will remain there until after GoT ends it's run,and I have watched the re-runs at least once. Bought them from amazon. Didn't cost much.

GRRM has confirmed that the next book won't be out in 2018.   
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on June 09, 2018, 02:03:46 pm
Well there is going to be a prequel...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: catfish1957 on June 09, 2018, 02:12:23 pm
I have never watched an episode, but am looking really forward to binging  once show is finished  (i.e Prime or Netflix).

Any idea of how many more years I have to wait?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on June 09, 2018, 02:52:20 pm
I have never watched an episode, but am looking really forward to binging  once show is finished  (i.e Prime or Netflix).

Any idea of how many more years I have to wait?

@catfish1957

This is the last season (Season 7),and half of it was shown earlier. The last half is supposed to be aired late in the year.

I normally watch it on Netflix,but if you are an Amazon Prime member you can watch it for free there,too.

Go ahead and start binging. By the time you are caught up with season 7,the last half will be playing and you will be ready to binge watch it for the second time.

Yeah,it's worth binge-watching twice in a row,and I am on record as being a sci-fi fan that HATES dragons and mystical crap. Suddenly I love it.

I hate to admit this because if I had known there were going to be dragons showing up I would have never started watching it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on July 16, 2018, 07:43:48 pm
 The last season won't be out until 2019.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on July 16, 2018, 11:42:09 pm
The last season won't be out until 2019.

@Maj. Bill Martin

Wrong! There will be no last season for the foreseeable future.

They are already working on the first prequel,that starts back in the time when the powerful families were nobodies thousands of years earlier that were working to gain power when there was nothing but chaos over all the land.

And then they begin working their way forward in time.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on July 20, 2018, 12:14:26 pm
@Maj. Bill Martin

Wrong! There will be no last season for the foreseeable future.

No, that's not true.  They've actually already finished filming the last season, and HBO has confirmed it is showing in 2019.  6 episodes, each about 80+ minutes, so they're more like movies.  Takes a lot of post-production:


When will Game of Thrones season 8 be released? Why is there a delay?

When will Game of Thrones season 8 be released?

Game of Thrones season eight won't be out until next year, sadly. HBO confirmed it would premiere in 2019 back in January this year.

Season eight filming has now wrapped and post-production is underway, with the release date expected in April 2019.  The new season may have the least amount of episodes but it's had the longest shooting schedule.

Most recently, the cast and crew were spotted at a wrap party in Northern Ireland, which means the end is near for filming and the post-production process will be getting underway.
 However, there has been a lot of activity around the King's Landing set which appears to have sustained some damage, hinting at a huge attack.  There have also been theories that the Night King will destroy King's Landing in the final season when the White Walkers attack.

Joe Dempsie - who is better known as Gendry - admitted he only recently finishing filming in late May/early June and revealed there was tight security on set now compared to when he first started working on the show.

Actor Liam Cunningham - who plays Davos Seaworth - recently spoke about when season eight would be out.

"At this time, we’re very, very close to finishing the entire thing, but you’re not gonna see it until next year sometime, and I don’t even think they have a release date yet cause they don’t have to. But I’m very close to getting rid of the beard. Thank God," he told The Independent.

Actress Emilia Clarke, who is better known as Daenerys Targaryen, recently said that the ending would not satisfy everyone.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Emilia said: “People will scream and people will say, ‘That’s exactly what I wanted’.”

However, she laughed: “And some people will go, ‘huh?’ - my mum probably.”

She also admitted that she'd already filmed her final scenes for the show, which could be significant.

On top of that, there have been hints that the Mother of Dragons could have been killed off in season eight which may be why she isn't in one pivotal scene.

However, one assistant director working on Game of Thrones dropped a massive hint from the set recently.

Jonathan Quinlan posted a note from the series' producers thanking the crew for working so hard on the show's longest ever battle scene.

The message included the line: "When tens of millions of people around the world watch this episode a year from now, they won’t know how hard you worked."So it looks like season eight is slated for an April 2019 release.



https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-8-returning-2019.html (https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-8-returning-2019.html)

Quote
They are already working on the first prequel,that starts back in the time when the powerful families were nobodies thousands of years earlier that were working to gain power when there was nothing but chaos over all the land.

And then they begin working their way forward in time.

Right -- but that is separate from completing this current series.  As for the books...I don't think he'll ever finish them.  Which sucks for those of us who started reading them back in the last century....

@sneakypete
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on July 20, 2018, 02:23:34 pm
No, that's not true.  They've actually already finished filming the last season, and HBO has confirmed it is showing in 2019.  6 episodes, each about 80+ minutes, so they're more like movies.  Takes a lot of post-production:




https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-8-returning-2019.html (https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-8-returning-2019.html)

Right -- but that is separate from completing this current series.  As for the books...I don't think he'll ever finish them.  Which sucks for those of us who started reading them back in the last century....

@sneakypete

I bought all the paperback books in a sealed set right after watching the first few episodes of Season 1,and won't break the seal until this series episodes ends.

Yeah,there will be all new characters (where the HELL are they going to find THAT many excellent actors again,all at one time?),but it will still be the same families and it will still be a "Game of Thrones".

I think I am going to miss Peter Dinklage,the Stark girls (ESPECIALLY Macie Williams),and Emilia Clarke the most. Emilia Clarke made me a fan of dragons for the first time in my life. Before GoT,anytime a dragon would pop on on a show I was watching,I'd change the channel.

And WHERE are the ever going to find  actors that portray villains better than  Iwan Rheon  and Jack Gleeson?  I have never seen better acting by anyone of any age,and other than Dinklage,these were all children when they started.

WE get the Kardashians for celebrities,and the British get THESE people? How the HELL is that fair?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: XenaLee on July 20, 2018, 02:32:14 pm
I bought all the paperback books in a sealed set right after watching the first few episodes of Season 1,and won't break the seal until this series episodes ends.

Yeah,there will be all new characters (where the HELL are they going to find THAT many excellent actors again,all at one time?),but it will still be the same families and it will still be a "Game of Thrones".

I think I am going to miss Peter Dinklage,the Stark girls (ESPECIALLY Macie Williams),and Emilia Clarke the most. Emilia Clarke made me a fan of dragons for the first time in my life. Before GoT,anytime a dragon would pop on on a show I was watching,I'd change the channel.

And WHERE are the ever going to find  actors that portray villains better than  Iwan Rheon  and Jack Gleeson?  I have never seen better acting by anyone of any age,and other than Dinklage,these were all children when they started.

WE get the Kardashians for celebrities,and the British get THESE people? How the HELL is that fair?

Where did you get that idea?   Nothing I have read leads to the conclusion that the same actors won't be in Season 8.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6824782/game-of-thrones-season-8-spoilers-plot-leaks-rumours/ (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6824782/game-of-thrones-season-8-spoilers-plot-leaks-rumours/)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on July 20, 2018, 02:43:20 pm
Where did you get that idea?   Nothing I have read leads to the conclusion that the same actors won't be in Season 8.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6824782/game-of-thrones-season-8-spoilers-plot-leaks-rumours/ (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6824782/game-of-thrones-season-8-spoilers-plot-leaks-rumours/)

@XenaLee

You are not paying attention. Season 8 is the last season in this series of Game of Thrones,but next year a new Game of Thrones series starts that begins with how these various families became so powerful and established their kingdoms thousands of years earlier.

Think,for all practical purposes,or Europeans climbing out of caves to build civilization,and how the various tribes fought and married into each other for gain.

Yeah,I am excited about this. I just don't know where they are going to find that many new actors who can perform at THAT level as series regulars.

I have no doubt there are going to be famous established actors take minor roles and then get killed off just for a chance to be a part of it,but they can't take the financial hit of being a series regular.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: XenaLee on July 20, 2018, 02:45:59 pm
@XenaLee

You are not paying attention. Season 8 is the last season in this series of Game of Thrones,but next year a new Game of Thrones series starts that begins with how these various families became so powerful and established their kingdoms thousands of years earlier.

Think,for all practical purposes,or Europeans climbing out of caves to build civilization,and how the various tribes fought and married into each other for gain.

Yeah,I am excited about this. I just don't know where they are going to find that many new actors who can perform at THAT level as series regulars.

I have no doubt there are going to be famous established actors take minor roles and then get killed off just for a chance to be a part of it,but they can't take the financial hit of being a series regular.

OH!  Ok.  Sorry, you're right.   I missed the part about the new show AFTER the upcoming Season 8.

And as for where they're going to find that many good actors, I'm sure there are plenty of them that have yet to be discovered and that will love to get their chance.  Hell, most of the actors in the current GOT were new to me when GOT first began.  Just think... we may find some we like even more!

Thanks.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on July 20, 2018, 03:56:07 pm

And as for where they're going to find that many good actors, I'm sure there are plenty of them that have yet to be discovered and that will love to get their chance.  Hell, most of the actors in the current GOT were new to me when GOT first began.  Just think... we may find some we like even more!

Thanks.

@XenaLee

Most of the best actors on that series were CHILDREN when they started. You can bet everything you own that none of them will have any trouble finding roles to play in movies and the theater for the rest of their lives.

For example,go back and re-watch the first couple of seasons and take note on how believable Macie Williams is in her role,and then consider she was maybe 10 years old at the time.

IMNSHO,Game of Thrones is the best damn thing that has ever been on television,and that includes series that only had to be good for 2 or 3 episodes.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: XenaLee on July 20, 2018, 04:06:34 pm
@XenaLee

Most of the best actors on that series were CHILDREN when they started. You can bet everything you own that none of them will have any trouble finding roles to play in movies and the theater for the rest of their lives.

For example,go back and re-watch the first couple of seasons and take note on how believable Macie Williams is in her role,and then consider she was maybe 10 years old at the time.

IMNSHO,Game of Thrones is the best damn thing that has ever been on television,and that includes series that only had to be good for 2 or 3 episodes.

I agree!    :beer:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Hoodat on April 12, 2019, 03:25:02 pm
GOT - FINAL SEASON

Character Poll:  Predict how each of these characters ends up - alive or dead


Character

For those who end up dead, predict whether they become a zombie of the White Walkers.

Also:

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 13, 2019, 02:12:13 pm
GOT - FINAL SEASON

Character Poll:  Predict how each of these characters ends up - alive or dead


Character
  • The Night King
  • Jon Snow
  • Sansa Stark
  • Arya Stark
  • Bran Stark
  • Nymeria
  • Ghost
  • Lyanna Mormont
  • Cersei Lannister
  • Jaime Lannister
  • Tyrion Lannister
  • Daenerys Targaryen
  • Drogon
  • Rhaegal
  • Viserion (undead)
  • Yara Greyjoy
  • Theon Greyjoy
  • Euron Greyjoy
  • Melisandre
  • Jorah Mormont
  • The Hound
  • The Mountain
  • Samwell Tarly
  • Gilly
  • Little Sam
  • Lord Varys
  • Brienne of Tarth
  • Davos Seaworth
  • Bronn of the Blackwater
  • Podrick Payne
  • Tormund
  • Grey Worm
  • Missandei
  • Gendry
  • Beric Dondarrion
  • Qyburn

For those who end up dead, predict whether they become a zombie of the White Walkers.

Also:

  • Is Cersei pregnant?  By whom?
  • Is Daenerys pregnant?  By whom?
  • If Cersei dies, who kills her?
  • If the Night King dies, who kills him?
  • Who is sitting on the Iron Throne at the end?

Damn...that's a lot of predictions.  I'm skipping who becomes wights except I think there's a chance that Jon becomes a new Night King.  I'd give 50-50 shot each to Jon and Jaime killing the Night King.

I feel confident of only a few.  I think Danaerys, Jaime and Cersei are all doomed.  Dragons all die.  I think Jon is probably doomed as well, though I think he has a better chance than Auntie Danaerys.  I also think Danaerys is likely pregnant with Jon's child, but will die before giving birth.  That includes non-pregnant Cersei's pretend child. Nymeria lives, Ghost dies.

Really hope Tyrion and Davos both make it.  I think they've got as good a shot as anyone except Lyanna Mormont, who is pretty much certain to survive.  I read something saying that she was supposed to be in only one episode, but she was so good that she ended up in five.  She kind of stole the show in some of her episodes.  Really tough for an 11 year old girl not to come off as annoying when interacting with adults, but she was brilliant.  I think Brienne makes it, probably Tormund as well.  Love to see them given the Dreadfort and made lords in the North.  Grey Worm dies, Missandei doesn't.  Theon and Euron die, Yara doesn't.  Bronn lives.

Pod lives, Sam, Gilly and Little Sam all live.  Bronn lives.  Beric, Qyburn, Sandor, the Mountain, and Varys all die.  Gendry lives.  Sansa and Arya live.  Bran is tough...I think he lives on as the Three-Eyed Raven.

As for who sits the Iron Throne at the end....damn. 

I've got two top candidates:

1)  Sansa, because she's got both southern and northern blood.  And because I think both she and Arya will survive, and both will need roles.  Arya is better suited to Lady of Winterfell living in the North, and Sansa to being Queen living in the South. 

2) Jon/Danaery's love child, with Davos as Regent and Tyrion as Hand.  I suppose that's probably my top choice.

Dark horses would be Jon and Gendry.

Biggest lock in the show is either Tyrion or Davos becoming either Hand, or possibly King.  Now way one of those two guys isn't very near the top at the end.






Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 13, 2019, 03:28:42 pm
@Maj. Bill Martin

Quote
Bran is tough...I think he lives on as the Three-Eyed Raven.

My one prediction is he becomes the Lord of the North and even has dominion over any remaining White Walkers.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 13, 2019, 05:26:12 pm
@Maj. Bill Martin

My one prediction is he becomes the Lord of the North and even has dominion over any remaining White Walkers.

I agree with the last part, but I don't think he ends up as the Lord of Winterfell.  I think that goes to one of the girls.

But Bron may end up doing into the far north -- North of the Wall -- and staying there as Lord of that part of the North.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 13, 2019, 06:21:46 pm
I agree with the last part, but I don't think he ends up as the Lord of Winterfell.  I think that goes to one of the girls.

But Bron may end up doing into the far north -- North of the Wall -- and staying there as Lord of that part of the North.

@Maj. Bill Martin

He sees all,and he knows all. Like Santa,he knows when you have been naughty or nice. Unlike Santa,he has minions to send out that will kill the naughty.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 13, 2019, 09:47:47 pm
@Maj. Bill Martin

He sees all,and he knows all. Like Santa,he knows when you have been naughty or nice. Unlike Santa,he has minions to send out that will kill the naughty.

Just finished rewatching seasons 6 and 7 to catch up.  Forgot how great the show really is, although the weirdness of people simply showing up in far away places versus the more intricately plotted timelines from prior seasons was a bit jarring.

Just found out that I'm referenced in a wikipedia ASOIAF footnote as being one of the first 4 fans ever for any online messageboard or forum for the books.

Big-time nerd points.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Hoodat on April 14, 2019, 02:49:45 am
My predictions:


CharacterAliveDead
The Night King    X
Jon Snow    X
Sansa Stark    X
Arya Stark    X
Bran Stark    X
Nymeria    X
Ghost    X
Lyanna Mormont    X
Cersei Lannister    X
Jaime Lannister    X
Tyrion Lannister    X
Daenerys Targaryen    X
Drogon    X
Rhaegal    X
Viserion    X
Yara Greyjoy    X
Theon Greyjoy    X
Euron Greyjoy    X
Melisandre    X
Jorah Mormont    X
The Hound    X
The Mountain    X
Samwell Tarly    X
Gilly    X
Little Sam    X
Lord Varys    X
Brienne of Tarth    X
Davos Seaworth    X
Bronn of the Blackwater    X
Podrick Payne    X
Tormund    X
Grey Worm    X
Missandei    X
Gendry    X
Beric Dondarrion    X
Qyburn    X
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 14, 2019, 01:59:28 pm
My predictions:


Davos Seaworth    X


You're killing Davos Seaworth?!?!?!?!?

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SrDSqODtEFM/hqdefault.jpg)

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 15, 2019, 02:19:48 pm
Good first episode.  Obviously a lot of set-up, but the Big Reveal that for which some of us have waited for 20+ years finally happened.  Putting an angry Sam in the middle of that was a great touch.

My predication is that the Night King really isn't all that interested in taking Winterfell.  I think there will be a diversionary attack there, while he heads to his real goal in the South.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 15, 2019, 08:12:32 pm
Good first episode.  Obviously a lot of set-up, but the Big Reveal that for which some of us have waited for 20+ years finally happened.  Putting an angry Sam in the middle of that was a great touch.



@Maj. Bill Martin

Maybe it is just me,but I like Angry Sam. IMO,he is WAAAAY too intelligent to have been kept in the background all this time. Let him blossom and become a tactical leader.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 16, 2019, 01:17:45 am
@Maj. Bill Martin

Maybe it is just me,but I like Angry Sam. IMO,he is WAAAAY too intelligent to have been kept in the background all this time. Let him blossom and because a tactical leader.

Sam is definitely bright, but I'm reminded a bit of the line spoken by Edward Longshanks in Braveheart at the prospect of sending his effeminate son to represent the Kingdom at a meeting:  "The mere sight of him is likely to induce our enemies to invade the entire kingdom!"  Dude doesn't really seem to have the "leadership" gene.

But it was really nice to see him shaking with anger, and basically encouraging Jon to overthrow Danaerys.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 16, 2019, 03:49:46 am
Sam is definitely bright, but I'm reminded a bit of the line spoken by Edward Longshanks in Braveheart at the prospect of sending his effeminate son to represent the Kingdom at a meeting:  "The mere sight of him is likely to induce our enemies to invade the entire kingdom!"  Dude doesn't really seem to have the "leadership" gene.

But it was really nice to see him shaking with anger, and basically encouraging Jon to overthrow Danaerys.

@Maj. Bill Martin

Strategists and tacticians are rarely,if ever,seen on the field of battle.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 16, 2019, 01:47:34 pm
@Maj. Bill Martin

Strategists and tacticians are rarely,if ever,seen on the field of battle.

Well, tacticians generally are.  You can't control medieval troops tactically unless you're there to control them.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 16, 2019, 06:42:20 pm
Well, tacticians generally are.  You can't control medieval troops tactically unless you're there to control them.

@Maj. Bill Martin

Well,I guess that depends on how you define "the field of battle". Historically,the tacticians were in a cluster around the nobility in the rear that controlled the movement of their army,and they were only "on the field of battle" when they were losing and being overran. They would decide what to do,and sent out messengers on foot or on horseback to relay their orders to the advancing troops.

Truth to tell,it still works that way. You never even see a Major or a Lt Col on a active battlefield unless something has gone horribly wrong. Actual fighting is for 0-3's and below.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Ghost Bear on April 16, 2019, 10:46:03 pm
Saw this today, it made me laugh:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmf-6TYjGuQ#)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 17, 2019, 04:15:10 pm
Heh -- that's pretty awesome.  I wonder how much they paid for the rights to use that song.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 23, 2019, 01:21:53 pm
Kind of underwhelmed by that second episode.  Had a very paint-by-numbers, fangirl sensibility to it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 23, 2019, 02:16:14 pm
Kind of underwhelmed by that second episode.  Had a very paint-by-numbers, fangirl sensibility to it.

@Maj. Bill Martin

I was underwhealmed by the first episode,and thought this one was better. Not great,mind you,but better. Then again,the character played by Massie Williams is one of my favorite characters. So is the huge redheaded guy that has the hots for the giant blonde woman. I pretty much like any episode either are in.

Hell,I am a HUGE fan of the opening,and start getting excited when I see the cities popping up and coming into place.

Even IF this entire last season were to suck,which would be a tragedy,GoT has still got to be THE best series ever created.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 23, 2019, 04:19:09 pm
@sneakypete

Oh no question.  I just go back as a book fan a very long way, so I'm inevitably going to grouse about episodes not drawn from the text.  GRRM's writing is masterful.  Show is still great, though.

And I also love Tormund and his "worst pickup line ever" soliloquy.  Guy actually thought that claiming he'd suckled at a giant's teat for months would make him more attractive to Brienne.  Just awesome.

And Maisie Williams is a very good actress...but seeing her naked creeped me out.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 24, 2019, 12:01:45 am
@sneakypete

Quote
Oh no question.  I just go back as a book fan a very long way, so I'm inevitably going to grouse about episodes not drawn from the text.  GRRM's writing is masterful.  Show is still great, though.

I bought the boxed set after watching the few few episodes,and it's still sealed in the original plastic. I think I will rewatch it all again before reading the books. I hate ruining a good thing for no good reason,and will always have the books to read.


Quote
And I also love Tormund and his "worst pickup line ever" soliloquy.  Guy actually thought that claiming he'd suckled at a giant's teat for months would make him more attractive to Brienne.  Just awesome.

And the funny part is I think it is working on her, They are definitely birds of a feather.  His job is to get her to realize it.

Quote
And Maisie Williams is a very good actress.

She was so good as a little kid it was a little bit freaky. So was Bran. Not to mention the blind kid that played the mad king. It has been said that people would recognize him on the street and throw things at him and call him names

Quote
..but seeing her naked creeped me out.


Well,I was horrified to think I was going to be freaked out,but it was just a little bit of ass,and some side boob. No big deal,and best of all,no rolling around and grunting on the robes. I would have had to cut the tv off if that had happened.

I was a little surprised to see she is a bubble-butt,though.  I had no idea she had any shape at all under the boys clothes she wears all the time.

It will be interesting to see if this sudden interest in sex will calm her down some,or make her into a mass murderer. We all know sex can go either way,and she kinda likes to kill people.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Hoodat on April 24, 2019, 02:05:34 am
And Maisie Williams is a very good actress...but seeing her naked creeped me out.

I think she was wearing some skin-tight flesh-colored outfit, considering the scars.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 24, 2019, 07:46:44 pm
I think she was wearing some skin-tight flesh-colored outfit, considering the scars.
I dunno..looked like very real skin to me.  Scars would have been just makeup.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 25, 2019, 12:44:02 am
I dunno..looked like very real skin to me.  Scars would have been just makeup.

@Hoodat @Maj. Bill Martin

FWIW,I saw her on a talk show a day or two after the episode,and she said  when the directors told her about the scene they wanted to shoot,they told her it was her choice how much she wanted to show. I think she made a VERY wise choice career wise by limiting it to a VERY brief glimpse of part of her butt,and a little side boob. She was announcing to the world that she is no longer a little girl,but not willing to show more than necessary for the role.

Also,I think she is 22 in real life now,so it's not like she is a child even if we all see her that way.

If she keeps her wits about her,she is going to have a VERY successful career as an actress. She's smart and she has the skills.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 26, 2019, 12:44:40 pm
@Hoodat @Maj. Bill Martin

FWIW,I saw her on a talk show a day or two after the episode,and she said  when the directors told her about the scene they wanted to shoot,they told her it was her choice how much she wanted to show. I think she made a VERY wise choice career wise by limiting it to a VERY brief glimpse of part of her butt,and a little side boob. She was announcing to the world that she is no longer a little girl,but not willing to show more than necessary for the role.

Also,I think she is 22 in real life now,so it's not like she is a child even if we all see her that way.

If she keeps her wits about her,she is going to have a VERY successful career as an actress. She's smart and she has the skills.

Right -- there's really no objective argument that it was improper -- it's just that so many of us remember her as a kid, she still looks young, so it seemed creepy to some of us.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 26, 2019, 02:28:23 pm
Right -- there's really no objective argument that it was improper -- it's just that so many of us remember her as a kid, she still looks young, so it seemed creepy to some of us.

@Maj. Bill Martin

I don't mind admitting I was truly horrified there for a moment when I thought she might get buck-nekked and roll around in the furs. Even reached for my remote to turn it off if it started to happen.

Stupid,given that I don't really know this woman,and that she IS a woman,but it was still a very real reaction. We watch these kids grow  up in our living rooms,and we come to think they are family and want to protect them.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 27, 2019, 01:18:34 pm
So what are the odds that the Night King raises thw dead in the Winterfell crypts?

And why, if the NK is just after Bran, don't they just send Bran to Bear Island?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 29, 2019, 01:02:38 pm
Wow.  Well, visually, that was just incredible.  Haven't seen anything that good even in movies.  Did think there were some kind of questionable plot issues, but just taken on its own merits, it was visually stunning, with great music. @sneakypete @Hoodat
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 29, 2019, 01:19:10 pm
So what are the odds that the Night King raises thw dead in the Winterfell crypts?

And why, if the NK is just after Bran, don't they just send Bran to Bear Island?

@Maj. Bill Martin

The NK is no longer after Bran and is not going to be raising the dead from anywhere. He was killed by Araya (the Massie Williams character) at episode end last night.

That tiny little queen with the attitude was also killed,while killing a giant that had turned. Hated to see someone as spunky as her die.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 29, 2019, 01:21:36 pm
@Maj. Bill Martin

The NK is no longer after Bran and is not going to be raising the dead from anywhere. He was killed by Araya (the Massie Williams character) at episode end last night.

That tiny little queen with the attitude was also killed,while killing a giant that had turned. Hated to see someone as spunky as her die.

@sneakypete

I wrote the post to which you were responding on Friday, before last night's episode.  Did guess the raising of the dead in the crypt correctly, though I think that was a fairly common prediction.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Gefn on April 29, 2019, 01:29:45 pm
I think I mentioned I don’t care for the show but then the only episode I saw was the infamous Red Wedding. I shut it off. Too grotesque
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 29, 2019, 02:39:56 pm
I think I mentioned I don’t care for the show but then the only episode I saw was the infamous Red Wedding. I shut it off. Too grotesque

Yeah, showing the pregnant woman being killed was probably the single most disturbing thing on the show.  Gladly, the people who did that all ended up getting killed in the end.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 29, 2019, 02:45:59 pm
@sneakypete

You mentioned above that you didn't want to spoil a good thing by reading the books first.  You should know that the show has actually passed up the books, and though the show will finish in a few weeks, there are still two more books to go.  So there really isn't anything to spoil.

Books are more dense than the show -- lots of plots/subplots that the show overlooked.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on April 29, 2019, 03:33:25 pm
I wonder how the rest of the kingdom is going to react to the mad queen since she lied about helping fight helping the NK.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 29, 2019, 06:34:11 pm
I wonder how the rest of the kingdom is going to react to the mad queen since she lied about helping fight helping the NK.

I really have zero idea what's going to happen from this point forward.  I don't think the writers are very...predictable at this point.

I do think we'll finally see the long-predicted "Cleganebowl", where Sandor Clegane and his monstrous and mostly-dead brother Gregor finally have it out.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on April 29, 2019, 06:36:55 pm
Here's a competent -- though somewhat tongue in cheek -- military critique of the defense plan for the Battle of Winterfell:

THE BATTLE OF WINTERFELL: A TACTICAL ANALYSIS

https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-winterfell-battle-tactical-analysis/ (https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-winterfell-battle-tactical-analysis/)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 29, 2019, 10:33:07 pm
I think I mentioned I don’t care for the show but then the only episode I saw was the infamous Red Wedding. I shut it off. Too grotesque

@Freya

Yeah,I can see where that would be a hard place to start.

BTW,WTH did you start viewing a show that has been on for years and not start at the beginning?

To ME,being able to view a series by starting in the middle and understand what is going on is a PRIME tip it is too stupid to watch.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 29, 2019, 10:36:38 pm
@sneakypete

You mentioned above that you didn't want to spoil a good thing by reading the books first.  You should know that the show has actually passed up the books, and though the show will finish in a few weeks, there are still two more books to go.  So there really isn't anything to spoil.

Books are more dense than the show -- lots of plots/subplots that the show overlooked.

@Maj. Bill Martin

Yes,I know,but to make sure I don't spoil it for me,I want to watch the entire tv series twice before I even open one of the books. That way I will enjoy the surprises in the books and will have gotten the maximum enjoyment from viewing the series.

BTW,does anyone know when the prequel is supposed to start airing,or any details about the era it will be in other than "a lot earlier"?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Gefn on April 30, 2019, 12:55:29 am
@Freya

Yeah,I can see where that would be a hard place to start.

BTW,WTH did you start viewing a show that has been on for years and not start at the beginning?

To ME,being able to view a series by starting in the middle and understand what is going on is a PRIME tip it is too stupid to watch.

I was at a neighbor’s house and they had that on. That’s how I saw that episode. Weird. @sneakypete
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on April 30, 2019, 02:17:31 am
I was at a neighbor’s house and they had that on. That’s how I saw that episode. Weird. @sneakypete

@Freya

No one has ever mistaken me for Miss  Manners,but isn't it considered to be rude to watch television when you have company over?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Gefn on April 30, 2019, 01:38:23 pm
@Freya

No one has ever mistaken me for Miss  Manners,but isn't it considered to be rude to watch television when you have company over?

It was my upstairs neighbors who had just moved in. They invited me over for coffee and cake, but they had the TV on. They are mid twenties maybe they didn’t know better, because the husband texted a bit too. If I’m entertaining all phones go into the shoebox. I left because
1. The show was too gory.
2. They are vegans and the carrot cake was not eatable.
(Which is the biggest problem? Cake!!!!)
@sneakypete

 8889whatkitty 8888spinning cat 888heartkitty
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 07, 2019, 04:46:18 pm
@sneakypete @kevindavis @Hoodat

What did you guys think of the last episode?  To me...it was kind of weak.  Lots of stuff felt rushed, or didn't make a lot of sense.  Saw this critique that pretty much matched my own feelings:

The 10 Biggest Problems With Last Night's 'Game Of Thrones' (Other Than That Starbucks Cup)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2019/05/06/the-10-biggest-problems-with-last-nights-game-of-thrones-other-than-that-starbucks-cup/#472ed8524b42 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2019/05/06/the-10-biggest-problems-with-last-nights-game-of-thrones-other-than-that-starbucks-cup/#472ed8524b42)

The Bronn scene made absolutely no sense at all, and the stuff about the dragons, Aegon, and the tactical stuff was dead-on as well.  This next episode is supposed to be another huge battle, so hopefully they'll get it right.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 07, 2019, 04:54:50 pm
@sneakypete @kevindavis @Hoodat

What did you guys think of the last episode?  To me...it was kind of weak.  Lots of stuff felt rushed, or didn't make a lot of sense.  Saw this critique that pretty much matched my own feelings:

The 10 Biggest Problems With Last Night's 'Game Of Thrones' (Other Than That Starbucks Cup)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2019/05/06/the-10-biggest-problems-with-last-nights-game-of-thrones-other-than-that-starbucks-cup/#472ed8524b42 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2019/05/06/the-10-biggest-problems-with-last-nights-game-of-thrones-other-than-that-starbucks-cup/#472ed8524b42)

The Bronn scene made absolutely no sense at all, and the stuff about the dragons, Aegon, and the tactical stuff was dead-on as well.  This next episode is supposed to be another huge battle, so hopefully they'll get it right.


To be honest I'm not surprised that the episode was weak. I think this week is more of a setup and next week is the last battle. I'm thinking that Jon will get the Throne
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 07, 2019, 05:19:43 pm

To be honest I'm not surprised that the episode was weak. I think this week is more of a setup and next week is the last battle. I'm thinking that Jon will get the Throne

I don't have a problem with setup episodes as long as the setup isn't stupid.  But a bunch of that stuff from Sunday just wasn't good even as setup.

Like Bronn....so here's a guy nobody knows, who just walks right into into private chambers in Winterfell castle with a big crossbow.  And nobody stops him?  No guards, nothing?  Just could just as easily have been an assassin out to kill Jon, Danaerys, or Sansa, and likely succeeded.

Then he makes a threat, demands payment in the future, and just...leaves.  He has absolutely no ability to force future payment, and if Jaime or Tyrion had gone after him and called for guards, he'd have been dead.  It was just about the dumbest move ever by a guy who generally has been about nothing but his own self-interest.  But the writers did it because Bronn was a loose end who needed to be tied up for the series to be complete, so they got him out of the way with something stupid.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 07, 2019, 05:23:28 pm
@sneakypete @kevindavis @Hoodat

Quote
What did you guys think of the last episode?  To me...it was kind of weak.  Lots of stuff felt rushed, or didn't make a lot of sense.  Saw this critique that pretty much matched my own feelings:

The part that made no sense to me at all was the head on attack of the ships by the dragons. Even an 8 year old playing war knows to NEVER attack the enemy from the front if you can attack them from the flank or the rear,and dragons can FLY! This means she could have flown in from the rear and set fire to the ships without getting big bolts fired at her and the dragons.

Or,just set them on fire from directly above them. No way in hell could they elevate to 90 degrees and fire at a moving target.

Also,there is no way in HELL those guys on the ships could have rewound,reloaded,and fired what is basically big-ass crossbows that fast. Hell,it would take a team of men with large levers to just cock the damn things.

And all this comes into play if you can bring yourselves to believe that a boat at sea with a big-ass crossbolt bolted to it's deck can actually fire big-ass arrows accurately enough to hit moving targets.  You would have a better shot at picking all 6 Power Ball numbers.

Yeah,I do realize this is fantasy.  If it weren't,there would be no dragons,but if you are going to take it that far,why not just zap the dragons with a raygun?

Crap like this really ruins it for me. I don't mind suspending logic to move the show along,but there are limits. If they needed to kill the dragons,they should have come up with a plan to poison them,or sometime similar.


Quote
The Bronn scene made absolutely no sense at all,


Bron is being set up as a religious icon in the future.

Quote
and the stuff about the dragons, Aegon, and the tactical stuff was dead-on as well.

We clearly disagree on this one. The whole big-ass crossbow bolted to a ships deck was a brain fart from day one.

 
Quote
This next episode is supposed to be another huge battle, so hopefully they'll get it right.

I hope so too. Otherwise it will spoil my enjoyment of the re-runs,that starts next week. Then I can read the books.

Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Hoodat on May 07, 2019, 08:38:52 pm
@sneakypete @kevindavis @Hoodat

What did you guys think of the last episode?  To me...it was kind of weak.  Lots of stuff felt rushed, or didn't make a lot of sense.  Saw this critique that pretty much matched my own feelings:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2019/05/06/the-10-biggest-problems-with-last-nights-game-of-thrones-other-than-that-starbucks-cup/#472ed8524b42 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2019/05/06/the-10-biggest-problems-with-last-nights-game-of-thrones-other-than-that-starbucks-cup/#472ed8524b42)

The Bronn scene made absolutely no sense at all, and the stuff about the dragons, Aegon, and the tactical stuff was dead-on as well.  This next episode is supposed to be another huge battle, so hopefully they'll get it right.

Good list.  The whole Kings Landing scene made no sense at all.  First of all, it doesn't even look like Kings Landing.  Second, they could have brought up the Golden Company from behind and trapped Daenerys and her Unsullied against the gate.  And how was her army able to travel so quickly from Winterfell to Kings Landing in so short a time?  The tactics as a whole have been awful.

And I share the author's disgust at Jaime and Brienne hooking up.  It made zero sense, especially for Jaime who had never once 'cheated' on Cersei.

I have been rather disappointed with all four episodes so far this final season.  Next week, we get to see a replay of the Ramsay Bolton-John Snow "Battle of the Bastards", except this one will be called the "Battle of the Bitches".

Prediction:  Cersei ends up getting killed by Euron Greyjoy.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 07, 2019, 09:34:02 pm
Good list.  The whole Kings Landing scene made no sense at all.  First of all, it doesn't even look like Kings Landing.  Second, they could have brought up the Golden Company from behind and trapped Daenerys and her Unsullied against the gate.  And how was her army able to travel so quickly from Winterfell to Kings Landing in so short a time?  The tactics as a whole have been awful.

And I share the author's disgust at Jaime and Brienne hooking up.  It made zero sense, especially for Jaime who had never once 'cheated' on Cersei.

I have been rather disappointed with all four episodes so far this final season.  Next week, we get to see a replay of the Ramsay Bolton-John Snow "Battle of the Bastards", except this one will be called the "Battle of the Bitches".

Prediction:  Cersei ends up getting killed by Euron Greyjoy.

So many different ways it could go.  I could see Arya actually trying to kill Danaerys.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 07, 2019, 09:43:08 pm
We clearly disagree on this one. The whole big-ass crossbow bolted to a ships deck was a brain fart from day one.

I think you read me wrong -- I agree completely with you.  There is some evidence that some light siege weapons were mounted on some ships in the middle ages, particularly by the Byzantines.  But for the reasons you gave, they weren't all that accurate or effective.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 08, 2019, 03:52:40 am
So many different ways it could go.  I could see Arya actually trying to kill Danaerys.

@Maj. Bill Martin

I can see her actually doing it while wearing a "face" so someone else gets blamed. She wants her sister in charge as Master of the Universe.

If the writers do this,they pretty much have to kill off John Snow.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 08, 2019, 11:54:20 am
@Maj. Bill Martin

I can see her actually doing it while wearing a "face" so someone else gets blamed. She wants her sister in charge as Master of the Universe.

If the writers do this,they pretty much have to kill off John Snow.

@sneakypete

Wouldn't she be okay with Jon being in charge?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 08, 2019, 02:37:36 pm
@sneakypete

Wouldn't she be okay with Jon being in charge?

@Maj. Bill Martin

Sure,but I ain't so sure about how happy Jon would be with her whacking his sweetie/sister.

Truth to tell,what would have made the most sense to me,especially given that the show is ending,would be to have Jon marry Dany,and let her rule her half of the civilized world,and he rule the north. One world,joint rulers,world peace.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 08, 2019, 05:55:57 pm
@sneakypete

@Maj. Bill Martin

Sure,but I ain't so sure about how happy Jon would be with her whacking his sweetie/sister.

Truth to tell,what would have made the most sense to me,especially given that the show is ending,would be to have Jon marry Dany,and let her rule her half of the civilized world,and he rule the north. One world,joint rulers,world peace.

When you say they each rule "half", do you mean that Jon rules Westeros, and she rules Essos?  Because I actually agree with that.  She is loved in Essos because she ended slavery there, and they basically worship her.  But nobody in Westeros gives two craps about that.  She should go back to where she is loved, because she just doesn't seem to fit in Westeros.

Of course, that would be one heck of a long distance relationship, and assuming Jon is okay with marrying his aunt....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 09, 2019, 12:26:53 am
@sneakypete

When you say they each rule "half", do you mean that Jon rules Westeros, and she rules Essos?  Because I actually agree with that.  She is loved in Essos because she ended slavery there, and they basically worship her.  But nobody in Westeros gives two craps about that.  She should go back to where she is loved, because she just doesn't seem to fit in Westeros.

Of course, that would be one heck of a long distance relationship, and assuming Jon is okay with marrying his aunt....

Well,they do have dragons to reduce the travel time,and who says either has to spend all their time sitting on a throne? They can each have their Hand handle the day to day stuff,and send a raven if something hot comes up.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 13, 2019, 02:30:28 am
What an episode..  Lesson of the day.. Don't p**s off anyone with a dragon.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Ghost Bear on May 13, 2019, 01:26:48 pm
My prediction: Gendry ends up as king.

And no matter what happens to Jon Snow (but he probably gets killed in a falling out with Daenerys), Arya kills Daenerys.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 13, 2019, 01:45:45 pm


And no matter what happens to Jon Snow (but he probably gets killed in a falling out with Daenerys), Arya kills Daenerys.

@Ghost Bear

I agree on that one. She is on a mission,and nobody ever accused her of being lacking in determination.

I think that in the end there is a good chance she will also either kill her sister,or her sister will have her killed. After all,her sister has turned into a nasty little bitch,and there will only be ONE "Queen of the Civilized World",and two sisters who could hold the title. Do the math.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 13, 2019, 01:51:08 pm
My prediction: Gendry ends up as king.

And no matter what happens to Jon Snow (but he probably gets killed in a falling out with Daenerys), Arya kills Daenerys.

I don't think there is going to be a King or Queen of the Seven Kingdoms when this is over.  King's Landing is destroyed, and there literally is no longer an Iron Throne.  I think it'll just go back to being seven Kingdoms rather than The Seven Kingdoms.

No idea what is going to happen with Danaerys.  Arya killed all the Freys, she killed the NK, so to have her kill Danaerys as well seems like...overkill?  (pun intended).  I could see nobody killing her, and her simply returning to Essos where she is loved rather than staying in Westeros where she essentially is hated.

Kind of curious what happens with Tyrion, though.  Truth is, nobody actually knows that Cersei is dead, and they should learn that Tyrion freed Jaime.  And, Jaime and Cersei very nearly did escape King's Landing.  So, I'm wondering if Danaerys could go full paranoid, believe that Cersei may have escaped and still be alive, and so seek to punish Tyrion.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 16, 2019, 02:31:59 pm
Damn has the writing on this show gone downhill....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 20, 2019, 02:41:20 pm
And...that's a wrap!

What did you guys think?  I thought it was a pretty good episode, and didn't mind where all the characters "ended up."  The two things that still make zero sense to me:

1)  It seems like Westeros lacks a concept of permanency.  After seeing the Dothraki and Unsullied both basically obliterated in the Battle of Winterfell, there were far more of them than there had any right to be at the Battle for Kings Landing, and even more of them than last night.  They apparently reproduce at a remarkable rate.  And then after King's Landing was basically destroyed in the last episode, it looked remarkably pristine in this one.   Jaime and Cersei buried under just a small pile of rocks, when we saw the entire building come crashing down on them last episode...that stuff made no sense.

2) The Dothraki and Unsullied, who quickly murdered anyone who had surrendered after the battle, inexplicably kept both Tyrion and Jon alive for weeks.  By any logic at all, they should have killed Jon immediately after he killed Danaerys.  The only thing that kept him alive was some bodacious plot armor.

Thoughts?

@kevindavis @sneakypete @Hoodat @Ghost Bear
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 20, 2019, 02:57:29 pm
And...that's a wrap!

What did you guys think?  I thought it was a pretty good episode, and didn't mind where all the characters "ended up."  The two things that still make zero sense to me:

1)  It seems like Westeros lacks a concept of permanency.  After seeing the Dothraki and Unsullied both basically obliterated in the Battle of Winterfell, there were far more of them than there had any right to be at the Battle for Kings Landing, and even more of them than last night.  They apparently reproduce at a remarkable rate.  And then after King's Landing was basically destroyed in the last episode, it looked remarkably pristine in this one.   Jaime and Cersei buried under just a small pile of rocks, when we saw the entire building come crashing down on them last episode...that stuff made no sense.

2) The Dothraki and Unsullied, who quickly murdered anyone who had surrendered after the battle, inexplicably kept both Tyrion and Jon alive for weeks.  By any logic at all, they should have killed Jon immediately after he killed Danaerys.  The only thing that kept him alive was some bodacious plot armor.

Thoughts?

@kevindavis @sneakypete @Hoodat @Ghost Bear


I thought it was OK. Truth be told, I had low expectations for the final episode.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Ghost Bear on May 20, 2019, 04:20:06 pm
Eh, it was OK. It didn't end like I was expecting, but there's nothing wrong with that. I read a comment elsewhere that it felt like the last 30 minutes of "The Return of the King" (the last movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy) and I kind of agree with that.

I guess my main feeling after watching it was, "Well, that's done. What's next?"  :shrug:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Wingnut on May 20, 2019, 05:43:57 pm
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60826442_2454349684584290_920291322642825216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_eui2=AeEidSFctnE9ghleNOSXSvcOttIrsYGjT2IouO_YFQetW9Kcm0VGNi-SnqDKh9srHKglmDUzTVyYYogFkhFrK8OLpiIhqE0_Pz4LCkSzh-T9fA&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=bdf356ef79736aacd06c8d103f577f4b&oe=5D51449E)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: mountaineer on May 20, 2019, 10:57:16 pm
Happy to say I never devoted a single second to watching this series, especially with such nice folks as this in the cast:
Quote
Kit Harington tells ‘Game of Thrones’ haters to ‘go f–k themselves’
By Rob Bailey-Millado
May 20, 2019 | 2:06pm

Kit Harington saw your criticism of the “Game of Thrones” finale coming — and he’s got a little message for you.

The actor who made Jon Snow an indelible piece of pop culture history admits to feeling “quite defiant” in the face of relentless fan backlash about the HBO hit’s final season.

“Whatever critic spends half an hour writing about this season and makes their judgement on it, in my head they can go f–k themselves,” he tells Esquire. “Because I know how much work was put into this.” ...

Benioff and Weiss are taking quite the digital drubbing over what diehard fans consider a lazy last effort. The backlash started brewing with complaints about the too-dark-to-see Battle of Winterfell and gained steam right up until “Coffeegate” — when a Starbucks-like coffee cup was accidentally left in a scene.

The digital dragging reached its boiling point when a promo image in which Jaime Lannister’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) severed right hand appeared to have miraculously grown back leaked online — and outraged viewers went in hard. ...
Full story (https://nypost.com/2019/05/20/kit-harington-tells-game-of-thrones-haters-to-go-f-k-themselves/?_ga=2.119084937.1297799490.1558392813-2.173281827.1297799490.1558392813-amp-FTvQHVNjcZa_vKyYkNmOmg)
 :shrug:
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 21, 2019, 12:16:19 am
My thoughts is this:




It seems that the producers didn't give a damn about the show this season (Watter bottle and the Starbucks cup)
It seems that the writers didn't give a damn about the show this season
It seems that the actors/actresses didn't give a damn about the show this season.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 02:49:17 am
And...that's a wrap!

What did you guys think?  I thought it was a pretty good episode, and didn't mind where all the characters "ended up."  The two things that still make zero sense to me:

Quote
1)  It seems like Westeros lacks a concept of permanency.  After seeing the Dothraki and Unsullied both basically obliterated in the Battle of Winterfell, there were far more of them than there had any right to be at the Battle for Kings Landing, and even more of them than last night. 

They apparently reproduce at a remarkable rate.


@Maj Bill Martin

Especially when you consider they have supposedly all been neutered so that all they wanted to do was fight and die.  Then again,it is a freaking tv show made for entertainment,not a documentary.

 
Quote
  And then after King's Landing was basically destroyed in the last episode, it looked remarkably pristine in this one.   Jaime and Cersei buried under just a small pile of rocks, when we saw the entire building come crashing down on them last episode...that stuff made no sense.

Well,there is often no rhyme nor reason for things like that. There just isn't any way to guess how deeply they would be buried unless maybe you were right there watching the rocks or blocks fall on them.

Quote
Quote
2) The Dothraki and Unsullied, who quickly murdered anyone who had surrendered after the battle, inexplicably kept both Tyrion and Jon alive for weeks.  By any logic at all, they should have killed Jon immediately after he killed Danaerys.  The only thing that kept him alive was some bodacious plot armor.

Thoughts?

Yeah,the Boss Lady with the white hair and the big-ass fire-breathing dragon who thinks she is his mama was in charge of that decision,and who is going to ignore her orders? I've never been real big on following orders,but you can bet your ass I would follow hers to the letter!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 02:56:50 am

I thought it was OK. Truth be told, I had low expectations for the final episode.

@kevindavis

Me too,but primarily because it WAS the ending,and no matter what they wrote,it would be a disappointment because the series was (temporarily) ending,and it would also be impossible to top some of the earlier episodes,like the wedding where so many favorites were murdered,for example.

BTW,I wrote "temporarily" for a couple of reason. One is a new season is going to start 2 years from now (according to the writers),but I honestly thing HBO is going to end up waving checks in their faces with some VERY big numbers,and it might start sooner. Face it,GoT made mega-bucks for HBO by drawing in people who eventually watched other things,also. No way are they going to give this up for a year if they can help it.

Also,another personal reason it is off the air "temporarily". I start watching Season 1,Episode 1 again this week.  I seem to pick up on stuff these days on the second viewing that I missed on the first go-around. Not that I am getting old,or anything,mind you. Still as sharp as a something.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 03:03:25 am
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60826442_2454349684584290_920291322642825216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_eui2=AeEidSFctnE9ghleNOSXSvcOttIrsYGjT2IouO_YFQetW9Kcm0VGNi-SnqDKh9srHKglmDUzTVyYYogFkhFrK8OLpiIhqE0_Pz4LCkSzh-T9fA&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=bdf356ef79736aacd06c8d103f577f4b&oe=5D51449E)

@The Ghost

Ok,you and I disagree on many,many things,but a Rocky Horror (one of my all-time favorite movies) version of GoT is something I would pay big bucks to stand in line and buy a ticket for.

Tim Curry may be fat and a little long in the tooth now,but given his guest appearances on shows like Criminal Minds,he ain't missing a beat when it comes to acting. I think not giving him an Oscar for Rocky Horror borders on being criminal. He was flat-out robbed,and he was robbed again if he didn't get a Tony or 2 for his serial killer role on Criminal Minds. Probably two of the best dramatic criminal episodes that have ever been aired on tv. If you haven't seen them,do a web search using Tim Curry and Criminal Minds as keywords,and prepare to be impressed. He scared the hell out of me by smiling.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 03:08:41 am
Happy to say I never devoted a single second to watching this series, especially with such nice folks as this in the cast:Full story (https://nypost.com/2019/05/20/kit-harington-tells-game-of-thrones-haters-to-go-f-k-themselves/?_ga=2.119084937.1297799490.1558392813-2.173281827.1297799490.1558392813-amp-FTvQHVNjcZa_vKyYkNmOmg)
 :shrug:

@mountaineer

Nobody's loss but your own. It's called "drama".

Quote
The backlash started brewing with complaints about the too-dark-to-see Battle of Winterfell

I'm with them on this. I was thinking "What the HELL were they thinking to stoop to this nickel and dime sub-special effects on a mult-million dollar show?" It really pissed me off. As for the other stuff,I don't like all of it and wish some had been done differently,but nobody ever asked me to be a special effects guy for GoT.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Wingnut on May 21, 2019, 03:11:29 am
@The Ghost

Ok,you and I disagree on many,many things,but a Rocky Horror (one of my all-time favorite movies) version of GoT is something I would pay big bucks to stand in line and buy a ticket for.

Tim Curry may be fat and a little long in the tooth now,but given his guest appearances on shows like Criminal Minds,he ain't missing a beat when it comes to acting. I think not giving him an Oscar for Rocky Horror borders on being criminal. He was flat-out robbed,and he was robbed again if he didn't get a Tony or 2 for his serial killer role on Criminal Minds. Probably two of the best dramatic criminal episodes that have ever been aired on tv. If you haven't seen them,do a web search using Tim Curry and Criminal Minds as keywords,and prepare to be impressed. He scared the hell out of me by smiling.

@sneakypete   You really need to light'n the f uck up.  It was a joke.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 03:14:04 am
My thoughts is this:




It seems that the producers didn't give a damn about the show this season (Watter bottle and the Starbucks cup)
It seems that the writers didn't give a damn about the show this season
It seems that the actors/actresses didn't give a damn about the show this season.
@kevindavis

I agree. I guess everybody involved was just tired after 8 years of it,knew it was the last season,and were all out thinking about and looking for new gigs.

Can't say that I blame them. Truth to tell,you just KNOW some  of them had to have turned down sweet deals to act in other movies or tv shows if they would leave GoT early,and were tempted because of the very real danger of being type cast.  Because of this,I'm not going to hold this season against them. Hard as this may be to believe,we all have lives to live away from the tv.

And here comes the hate mail in 1...,2,,,,3.....
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 03:15:52 am
@sneakypete   You really need to light'n the f uck up.  It was a joke.

@The Ghost

If you believe what you wrote,YOU are the one that needs to lighten up.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Wingnut on May 21, 2019, 03:20:31 am
@The Ghost

If you believe what you wrote,YOU are the one that needs to lighten up.

No Ass hole you need to get a grip.  I did not write any friking thing.  Go back and look.  It was a Meme.  A joke. 
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 04:08:01 am
No Ass hole you need to get a grip.  I did not write any friking thing.  Go back and look.  It was a Meme.  A joke.

@The Ghost

You posted it,Bozo. Which,for the purpose of conversation on a political web site,is the same as creating it.

Going senile?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: mountaineer on May 21, 2019, 01:41:56 pm
Nobody's loss but your own. It's called "drama".
Perhaps, but it's not a genre I like, and the older I get, the less interest in devoting myself to any TV series.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 21, 2019, 02:00:23 pm
Perhaps, but it's not a genre I like, and the older I get, the less interest in devoting myself to any TV series.


I have always been a fan of this type of Genre that is why I watched this show legally for at least four years..  I used to be a pirate.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 21, 2019, 02:14:11 pm
I got HBO just to watch this final season of Game of Thrones, but I started watching HBO's new Chernobyl miniseries, which started a few weeks ago and has two more episodes to go.

It is ridiculously good.  Gives a fantastic look inside not only the disaster itself, but the awfulness of the underlying Soviet system.  That acting, set design, makeup, etc. all is phenomenal.
The whole thing is just amazingly well done and one of the best things I've seen on TV.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: sneakypete on May 21, 2019, 10:48:52 pm
I got HBO just to watch this final season of Game of Thrones, but I started watching HBO's new Chernobyl miniseries, which started a few weeks ago and has two more episodes to go.

It is ridiculously good.  Gives a fantastic look inside not only the disaster itself, but the awfulness of the underlying Soviet system.  That acting, set design, makeup, etc. all is phenomenal.
The whole thing is just amazingly well done and one of the best things I've seen on TV.

@Maj. Bill Martin

Thanks for the reminder. I have been meaning to watch that series,and then forgot before I could bookmark it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 22, 2019, 12:15:49 am
I got HBO just to watch this final season of Game of Thrones, but I started watching HBO's new Chernobyl miniseries, which started a few weeks ago and has two more episodes to go.

It is ridiculously good.  Gives a fantastic look inside not only the disaster itself, but the awfulness of the underlying Soviet system.  That acting, set design, makeup, etc. all is phenomenal.
The whole thing is just amazingly well done and one of the best things I've seen on TV.
Thank you for the heads up. I thought it was an anti-Nuclear power miniseries.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 22, 2019, 01:31:42 pm
Thank you for the heads up. I thought it was an anti-Nuclear power miniseries.

Not really.  It is a stinging indictment of totalitarianism, though.

I'll be interested to see what you guys think about it.  It is somewhat unpleasant to watch at times because it was such a tragedy, and the folks who made the movie were as faithful to the actual events as they could possibly be.  They even do a podcast after each show where they talk about any changes they made from the actual story.  They obviously can't show everyone, so there are a couple of composite characters.  But the main characters are all real people, and they were really accurate in terms of the science, and what actually happened with the particular workers inside.  They got the names all right, the events...it's really stunning.

Some of the scenes in the third episode in particular are simply haunting.  I honestly think it's about as close to perfect television as you can get.  Only moments of levity so far have been provided by the coal miners.  Tough guys who really don't care what anyone else thinks or says.  They were accurately depicted as being one group in Soviet Russia and even the Party was leery of crossing because of the country's dependence on coal, and therefore the miners.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 25, 2019, 09:20:13 pm
Not really.  It is a stinging indictment of totalitarianism, though.

I'll be interested to see what you guys think about it.  It is somewhat unpleasant to watch at times because it was such a tragedy, and the folks who made the movie were as faithful to the actual events as they could possibly be.  They even do a podcast after each show where they talk about any changes they made from the actual story.  They obviously can't show everyone, so there are a couple of composite characters.  But the main characters are all real people, and they were really accurate in terms of the science, and what actually happened with the particular workers inside.  They got the names all right, the events...it's really stunning.

Some of the scenes in the third episode in particular are simply haunting.  I honestly think it's about as close to perfect television as you can get.  Only moments of levity so far have been provided by the coal miners.  Tough guys who really don't care what anyone else thinks or says.  They were accurately depicted as being one group in Soviet Russia and even the Party was leery of crossing because of the country's dependence on coal, and therefore the miners.


Well after watching the first two epsidoes of Chernoybl and now I'm watching the third episode. It is very good. I'm surprised HBO allowed this miniseries to be made. The Soviets screwed up big time.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: Maj. Bill Martin on May 26, 2019, 12:19:40 am

Well after watching the first two epsidoes of Chernoybl and now I'm watching the third episode. It is very good. I'm surprised HBO allowed this miniseries to be made. The Soviets screwed up big time.

The scenes of the sick firemen and techniciansinthat Moscow hospital were incredibly sad.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones Thread
Post by: kevindavis007 on May 26, 2019, 12:35:52 am
The scenes of the sick firemen and techniciansinthat Moscow hospital were incredibly sad.


It was.