I really liked that one, the end was a classic courtroom drama adapted to medieval Westeros. The final scenes also showed just why the show improves so much when Peter Dinklage is given the spotlight. His final monologue about being on trial for being a dwarf could have been a bit cheesy in a lesser actor's hands, but he made it incredible. Spoiler The final stare down between Tyrion and Tywin did a really good job of setting the scene for what is to come. Yeah, that scene between Oberyn and Varys was great. Gave an interesting insight into both characters and was completely original to the show. The scene with the King's Council was also great, I really liked the council meetings in the earlier seasons, so it's good to see the internal politics of King's Landing again. My only real gripe with the episode was the scene with Yara (Asha) coming to Theon's rescue. Maybe I just missed it, but I didn't really understand how they went from her soldiers surrounding an amourless Ramsay, to suddenly running to the boat. I thought the whole thing was a bit poorly pulled off and it came off as a little out of left field, because it'd been so long since Yara last appeared in the show.
Ramsay opened the kennels and let the dogs out. Even though they were pretty much matched soldier to soldier, letting a couple of dogs into the mix would ruin your day.
The Ironborn are supposed to be really good fighters, the fact no one even stabbed the shirtless maniac is a little disappointing. I mean, no one even landed a hit on him. That looked like a fair fight and somehow they just got smashed, before Ramsey let the dogs out. Also, hate the name change, I keep thinking "Who the fuck is Yara" its supposed to be Asha *pushes up nerd glasses*. I get they were down 2 men because they were holding back Reek, but come on. Also, Ramsey as a character (and the guy that plays him) is fucking great. That scene where he bathes Reek that he's going to play a part, as Theon Greyjoy is so fucking diabolical. My name is Reek, it rhymes with leek.
Yeah, that's exactly how I felt. Especially because in the books Ramsay is described as being a very enthusiastic fighter, but one that lacks skill. Personally, I like that because it matches the fact that he was a bastard who grew up in poverty away from his father, but is also a psychopath. Still though, the portrayal in the show of him as an incredibly gifted archer/fighter helps to amp up the intimidation/scary factor for his character. Also a question to other book readers: last week's episode had Tywin state that the Lannisters were out of gold. Has that happened in the books? I've read them all and can't remember it, but may have just forgotten.
You're right. Blades flying everywhere in tight space and not even a hangnail. Usually fighting is played out a little more believable on this show (especially when Bronn fights) but Theon saved that scene with how well he sold his fear and disorientation. The Colossus Of Rhodes- type statue going into the pirate city was an amazing steadycam shot. This show easily has the most quality effects on TV and they improve with each season.
I was disappointed with how the Yara/Ramsay scene played out. After I've been waiting in anticipation for the first half of the season it essentially led to nothing. Theon is still captured, Yara is alive, and Ramsay didn't even get a scratch. Other than that good episode. Tyrion giving the proverbial fuck you to all the nobility in king's landing was long overdo. I'm not quite buying into the way Shae turned on him, but we'll see how it plays out. While that particular scene is basically the same as it was in the books their relationship beforehand is very different. As I understand it they had substantial loans to the iron throne that hadn't been paid back, but were still filthy rich. Pretty sure the Lannisters going broke is unique to the tv show. Oh, and also - Spoiler Stannis/Davos were dead broke at this point in the books and hadn't received any funding from the iron banks yet. That was an interesting turn and should help make Stannis' bid for the throne more interesting over the next couple seasons.
RE: The Iron Bank Spoiler In the books, the Iron Bank did help Stannis before he took to the north. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to crush the Wildling invasion. If I remember correctly, the Iron Bank actually went to Stannis because they were pissed that the Lannisters wasn't paying them back. If I am remembering correctly, I think that would have been awesome to see play out on the show.
Spoiler Actually I think they showed up after he crushed the wildlings, when he was camped South of Winterfell.
I too was disappointed in the quick and failed attempt to save Theon but see in what Bolton has in store from him should be good. Was he refrying to Baelon's castle on the Iron Islands I wasn't quite clear on it? I want to say for dramatic purposes Tyrion will choose Jamie as his champion. Im not too sure who Tywin would choose in that case.
Crazy guy's dad wanted him to take Moat Cailin a couple episodes back so I imagine that's what he meant.
Whatever you do people, don't go back and watch the season 4 preview. It has all the spoilers now that you know what's going on. Also, Moat Caitlin isn't Balon Greyjoy's castle. It is another castle half sunken into the ground, between Winterfell, Dreadfort and the Riverlands basically. It's damn near impossible to take over, because if its swampy surroundings.
Isn't "Pike" the Greyjoy's castle? It's on the island. This is definitely a place we haven't seen yet. So the north is two wars now: Ironborn vs. House Bolton, and the Wildlings vs. The crows. Looking far into this, I cannot imagine what could stop Dani. An army of drunk rapists that try to kill each other? Her dragons also ain't babies no more. They're more Wyvern-ish now. That shriek it makes is a hellsound.
I'm aware of that, but that's not what Roose told Ramsay to get, he told him to get Moat Cailin, which was/is a castle. And Ramsay told Theon to take a "castle". Pike is an island.
I'll just say this (I suppose it is sort of a book spoiler, so just in case Spoiler I am really happy they're not focusing on the Ironborn like the books do. I found those chapters to be the most boring chapters in the books, and I just genuinely didn't give a good fuck about the Greyjoys or Asha (Yara?). Maybe in the books it is going someplace, but I dreaded those chapters more than the Chapters for Bran. I hope they don't squeeze it into season 4. I'm okay with that entire plotline laying on the cutting room floor.
Couldn't agree more with the spoiler. While I apparently am weird, I like the Brienne and Bran chapters, those chapters were fucking painful. Maybe it's because I couldn't give a fuck if they all died. That's not true, actually, I hope they all die, so I guess I have some skin in that game. They're definitely making the show a bit more fast moving to make it more watchable, which is fine. I'm really curious how they're going to treat the 'Feast' and 'Dance' storylines since they overlap so much.
I'd have to suspect Bran's story gets a little better as he travels north of the wall? Ive only finished book 2 and man it has been painful reading about his endless dreams of falling and chasing a three eyed raven. I mean being a warg has to lead to something sweet at some point. Anyway Ill soon be able to read the third book and get on with it.
So will The Mountain make an appearance tonight? Also is it just me or is the sense of justice in the GOT world a bit fucked? Davos smuggled food to Stannis and in return he cut the tips of his fingers off for smuggling, then gave him a promotion? What the hell kind of gratitude is that?
This was one of the best episodes of the season so far, I mean awesome all around. Dinkladge should win an emmy just for his look when he heard the story from Oberyn about Cersi. So many good moments I can't even count.