Game of Thrones on HBO

[Grover]

Okay episode for 45 minutes, but the final scene with the Hound and Arya at the end was phenomenal. They've got a fantastic dynamic together and Arya's scene with Polliver was brilliant.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I thought the episode was pretty brilliant. Very smoothly integrated some things from the book that I didn't think would translate well (The Book of Brothers particularly), and highlighted some of the great character interaction they have had for the length of the show. Bronn and Tyrion, Arya and the Hound, etc.

[DaddyTorgo]

Did I see right this morning that it crashed HBOGO last night due to the demand?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Awesome episode. I'm glad it's back.

The Red Viper was fantastic. The guy nailed it. His scene with Tyrion was top notch.

It's amazing just how much they are able to pack into an hour of TV. They touched on so many different characters, plot arcs, nuances... A very impressive feat of storytelling.

Can't think of any really weak scenes. They have changed the Thenns from the book, but they've sort of become an amalgam of some different northern tribes. The cannibal angle - which some in the north do partake - just makes them more menacing, as does the facial scaring.

Arya and the Hound was the highlight. During the first few episodes or perhaps even season, I wasn't too sure about the guy playing the Hound. He totally owns it now and has for a bit. His size, demeanor, everything. Just spot on.

That whole scene and the end there was one of those chill-enducing scenes where the show just so perfectly captured the essence of the scene in the book. The others, that I can distinctly remember, were the first training scene with Arya and Syrio Florel and Dany freeing the Unsullied and killed the slavers.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Sexposition 12 minutes in? I see we're still watching HBO.

My wife always seems to walk in during the sex scenes. (Which I guess in some episodes isn't that random a chance ) Ever since the Littlefinger fingering scene she thinks the show is all smut and that is why I watch.

[Vince, Pt. II]

The only thing I'm not thrilled with is the casting change for Daario. Apparently the actor frpm last season got a good bit of interest following his portrayal of Daario, and he's got scheduling issues now. I don't like the new guy nearly as much as the old guy.

[Grover]

OLLY MOSS SHOP — SET 3

Want.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I had one "nerd moment" I had during this episode was when Joffery was flipping through the "Book of Brothers." It really looked like Joffery was flipping the book from front to back. The Kingsguard are listed chronologically, with the knight's first entry made when he joins.

Joffery first mentioned Ser Arthur Dayne, Sword of the Morning, who served on Aerys' Kingsguard, who was the Mad King, or the king prior to Robert. He served along side Jaime.

Joffery then mentioned Ser Duncan The Tall, who served as King Aegon V's captain of the Kingsguard. (Ser Duncan and Aegon are the main character's to Martin's "Dunk & Egg" novellas.) I believe he was two kings before Aerys.

Maybe Joffery was just randomly flipping back and forth to confuse people like the little prick he is!

[flere-imsaho]

I'm actually not sure how literate Joffrey is, tbh.

[MrBug708]

You guys buy the hint about Jon Snows parents?

[NobodyHere]

What hint was that? I must've missed it.

[DaddyTorgo]

'Game of Thrones' Premiere Nets HBO Highest Ratings Since 2007
Season Four opener was highest-ranked HBO show since 'Sopranos' last episode


Read more: 'Game of Thrones' Nets HBO Highest Ratings Since 'Sopranos' Last Episode | Music News | Rolling Stone
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[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

What hint was that? I must've missed it.

Oberyon was talking about how Rheagar was with another woman

[Neon_Chaos]

Red. Viper.

Hell yes. It's going to be an awesome ride.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Oberyon was talking about how Rheagar was with another woman

Everyone knows Rhaegar was with Lyanna. He didn't seem to drop any further hints than that.

http://ilanawexler.tumblr.com/post/8...thrones-s04e01 (Btw, did anyone else think they were giving props to The Wire with the "Every man's got to have a code" line?)

[Grover]

I have to say, I loved the touch of the statue of Joffrey.

[Coffee Warlord]

What the fuck's a Lommy?

[Coffee Warlord]

And, while we're at it...Rains of Castamere meets metal.

The Rains of Castamere Meets Metal - YouTube

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Everyone knows Rhaegar was with Lyanna. He didn't seem to drop any further hints than that.

WOW! (Btw, did anyone else think they were giving props to The Wire with the "Every man's got to have a code" line?)

I'm not sure, but I think this is the first time that someone from the show acknowledged that Rhaegar eloped with Lyanna. "He left her for another woman."

From how it has been framed since Season 1, I remember all the stories point to it being a kidnapping.

[DaddyTorgo]

That's true. Definitely brought up the whole...other side of the story.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

And, while we're at it...Rains of Castamere meets metal.

The Rains of Castamere Meets Metal - YouTube

If I was a professional baseball player, this would be the music that they'd play when I was walking up to the batter's box.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

From how it has been framed since Season 1, I remember all the stories point to it being a kidnapping.

That is definitely how Robert saw it.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

I'm not sure, but I think this is the first time that someone from the show acknowledged that Rhaegar eloped with Lyanna. "He left her for another woman."

From how it has been framed since Season 1, I remember all the stories point to it being a kidnapping.

Fair enough, but I still don't see how it's further evidence towards Rhaegar+Lyanna being Jon's parents. (And that's not a book spoiler - nothing's been stated in the books; it's just a theory some readers have.)

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Fair enough, but I still don't see how it's further evidence towards...

Might be nice if you spoilered it anyways. Unless you want to lay out all the "evidence."

Ah hell, here ya go

Past Events: Jon Snow's Parents ~ Tower of the Hand

For me though it boils down to

Spoiler

1. There's textual evidence that Rhaegar wasn't the monster that his father was. There's even textual evidence that he loved Lyanna (see all the various quotes in the link above).
2. Rhaegar was obsessed with prophecies. He believed that young Aegon ("Griff") was the "Prince who was Promised" and said "His is the song of Ice and Fire." But Rhaegar also believed in the part of the prophecy that said "the dragon has 3 heads" meaning that he needed another kid (Rhaenys, Aegon, ?). Perhaps something he read led him to believe that this had to be a Stark kid (uniting Fire & Ice in that way), or perhaps (did I maybe read this somewhere) Elia was unable to have anymore kids.
3. We hear conflicting reports from various people about who Jon's mother is. Ned doesn't seem like the kind of guy to lie with some random tavern-girl somewhere - and even if he did how did he end up with the baby? She followed him around until she gave birth? I don't think so - if so we'd definitely know more about her for certain.
4. There's 3(!!!!) members of the Kingsguard at the Tower of Joy. That's almost 50% of their strength. Why? They weren't with Aerys in KL or with Rhaegar on the Trident (both dead by now), but were instead down guarding the king's mistress. There's no Targaryen at the Tower of Joy. So why are 2 knights that we're told are two of the greatest in history (Hightower, Dayne) at the Tower of Joy.
5. Ned promises Lyanna something as she's lying in a bed of blood. As she "gives up her grip on life." Who would have killed her? The Kingsguard? No way, not any of those 3. The other thing that could result in that much blood (and her death) - childbirth.
6. Ned returns home with a kid.
7. The real clincher comes with a vision Dany has in the House of the Undying. "A blue flower grew from a chink in a wall of ice, and filled the air with sweetness."
This quote strongly implies that Lyanna's blue roses have something to do with the Wall (the 'wall of ice') This makes perfect sense because Jon, the product of Lyanna and her blue roses, is on the Wall.

[stevew]

2 season renewal.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by stevew

2 season renewal.

Never much doubt about that. Interesting that it's two though - that will give us a good idea at some point about how many years they plan on continuing it (whether they extend that one year after next year, or whether they give it 1-2 more years in two years time)

[NobodyHere]

Maybe they just want to cover the next two books at the same time?

[DaddyTorgo]

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

If I was a professional baseball player, this would be the music that they'd play when I was walking up to the batter's box.

I prefer the version by The National and I just texted my brother yesterday that it would be great Closer entrance music.

[Coffee Warlord]

The National - The Rains of Castamere (Metal Version) - YouTube

Yeah, this would absolutely rock as closer music.

[Groundhog]

It seems like years and years since I read the books so maybe my memory is just failing me, but it seemed like there were a lot of conversations in Episode 1 that I don't remember taking place in the books. Really enjoyed the episode, I forgot how much I missed GoT.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

It seems like years and years since I read the books so maybe my memory is just failing me, but it seemed like there were a lot of conversations in Episode 1 that I don't remember taking place in the books. Really enjoyed the episode, I forgot how much I missed GoT.

They write a lot of new stuff for the show.

[PilotMan]

I still find it somewhat alarming just how much gets cut out, fast forwarded, and generally condensed. I'm not under any ideas that it shouldn't be, on the contrary the TV producers do a great job of bringing it all together, but it's just so much!

[Neon_Chaos]

[Peregrine]

[Groundhog]

I have to say, that scene was kick ass.

[Coffee Warlord]

Lesson of the day. When the hound asks for a chicken, give the man a chicken.

The Jaquen music playing as Arya does her thing was just perfect, too.

[NobodyHere]

Oh why does HBO require cable TV subscription for HBO Go!

[DaddyTorgo]

Byebye Joff!

[NobodyHere]

This came to mind when watching Cersei cry:

[DaddyTorgo]

Haha well played

[sabotai]

Sir Loras: Neither will you

Burn!

[NobodyHere]

Loved that line too.

A question for the book readers:

Spoiler

Did they mention anything about Joffrey being the one who sent the assassin to kill Bran? I mean in the books Tyrion surmised this when Joffrey received his Valyrian steel sword right?

[Kodos]

Beautiful.

[RainMaker]

Loved the ending. Question without spoiling, but can someone provide more background on Ramses and his family? I know his Dad is the one that killed Rob Stark but don't really know why they were enemies with the Starks or what the deal is with them. Maybe I just missed something.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Loved the ending. Question without spoiling, but can someone provide more background on Ramses and his family? I know his Dad is the one that killed Rob Stark but don't really know why they were enemies with the Starks or what the deal is with them. Maybe I just missed something.

The Boltons are based out of the Dreadfort and are known for the Flayed Man sigil. A history of torture runs through the family. They were always loyal to the Starks and the North up until the Red Wedding.

I'm sure someone else can provide more information.

[Grover]

Outstanding, just read that the trio signing Rains of Castamere, the ones Joff threw the coins at, was actually Icelandic band Sigur Ros.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Grover

The Boltons are based out of the Dreadfort and are known for the Flayed Man sigil. A history of torture runs through the family. They were always loyal to the Starks and the North up until the Red Wedding.

I'm sure someone else can provide more information.

I feel like the books did a better job of playing up Roose Bolton's creepy and aloof nature than the TV show did, but that's not to say it wasn't there in the show.

As for tonight's episode...meh. I feel like the wedding could have been done so much better. I'm all for anything that will get Bronn more screen time, but I don't really appreciate that particular divergence from the books (re: Jaime's sparring partner).

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

I feel like the books did a better job of playing up Roose Bolton's creepy and aloof nature than the TV show did, but that's not to say it wasn't there in the show.

I agree with this. In a way, I feel like the television version of Roose is too close to Tywin in terms of personality. Condescending, but always calmly in control. I think the actor does a very good job with the character, but there's something missing from him. I was particularly pleased with the way he handled the entire Ramsay/Reek scene early on tonight, and his performance in the Red Wedding.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Grover

I agree with this. In a way, I feel like the television version of Roose is too close to Tywin in terms of personality. Condescending, but always calmly in control. I think the actor does a very good job with the character, but there's something missing from him. I was particularly pleased with the way he handled the entire Ramsay/Reek scene early on tonight, and his performance in the Red Wedding.

Yes! Since the Red Wedding he's been fantastic, but before then he was largely unremarkable, and that's unfortunate. In the books, he's remarkably creepy in every scene he's in.