I think this one rings very true, actually. In the book, we see the scene at Baelor’s Sept through Arya’s eyes. So she doesn’t understand that Ned whispers something to Yoren. But there is a reason Yoren finds her in the crowd and rescues her. Arya doesn’t “get it” from her point of view – but we as an omniscient-eye viewer, do.
This was an “addition” to the book, but I’m pretty sure it was as GRRM always intended.
Yes - someone else got there first :) Sowwy.
I watched the episode with 3 non-readers. The entire room was simply silent through the entirety of the credits. I kind of wish I could have experienced how they were feeling. Of course, I remember how I felt reading it, but that was a long time ago. Anyway, it was good to see their reaction.
Reading the reactions of non-book readers right now makes me positively giddy at the thought of a potential third season.
XPav
2726
(double checks for spoiler thread)
How is the Red Wedding not going to get spoiled after this episode made everyone realize that this is not a traditional fantasy series.
I’m amazed (and glad!) that so many people seem to have made it to Season 1’s LUKE I AM YOUR FATHER unspoiled. I don’t honestly believe that could happen again for 2 more seasons, particularly if this first twist becomes a pop culture punchline and people start darkly hinting that They Haven’t Seen Nothin’ Yet.
In the other thread there was a comment of people not finishing the book because there were TOO BLEAK.
Imo, they are not as bleak. Bad stuff happens, but what i want to say, fans exaggerate a bit when they say George kills every main character and it’s all horrible. It’s a generalization i have read several times.
Ned dies, but it’s an exception, almost. It’s an exception that is needed as his death starts all the series, the wars and the struggle for the throne.
Robb dies, but he isn’t a main character. People confuses main character with “Starks”, but how many pov chapters had Robb? Zero. He was just a npc.
The main characters are Jon, Tyrion, Arya and Dany, and the four of them are alive and most of them progressing well (Dany is queen, Jon is Lord Commander, Arya is in ninja training, Tyrion is not as good but he will recover). After these four, we have Sansa, Bran, Jaime, Sam, Brienne, Catelyn as the second tier of protagonists. Now, these character have a better chance of dying but they are still more important for the books than Robb, Tywin, or Renly. Those people maybe were important int he world, but in the books, there are just NPCs, below the level of the second tier of characters.
Alan Sepinwall - Review this morning:
Also, the most exciting part of the war stuff in general was the aftermath of the first battle, when Tywin realized he had been tricked by Robb - who had a very good reason for letting the scout go free - and that the majority of the northern bannermen were causing trouble someplace else. Where Ned was, it turned out, best-suited as a follower, his son may just have the necessary fire and brains to be a fine leader.
:)
winteriscomingbitches indeed.
Things I loved in this episode:
- The scene with Jon and Aemon. Really well done
- Shae! The introduction, Bronn dashing off to get laid, the game they played later and Tyrion revealing his past.
- The execution
- Arya was wonderful again as well.
- Also the Twins in the opening credits were fantasticly animated
I do have to say, Jorah looked fucking badass in that armor. I just loved the aesthetics of the design and they fit him to him really well.
Is that just from the other thread, or somewhere else too? If it’s from another site, can you give us links? I’m dying to see more reactions.
Hammet
2734
Didja see when The Hound helped steady Ned after he got a stone in the face. That actor is effing huuge, Bean looked like a hobbit.
Loved the Aemon and Jon scene, well written and very well played.
That was fantastic, as was the linked “initial reaction” video by the same guy. It totally captures what I’m betting pretty much every non-reader invested in the show was feeling last night.
My friend here at work who is a non-reader came in this morning and couldn’t wait to discuss the show with me. She said her husband was stunned and more than a little pissed, but is now hooked more than ever. This is the same guy that didn’t think he’d like the show at the start because he “doesn’t get into that fantasy stuff”. They’re both totally addicted now and are bummed that there is only one episode left. I’ve loaned her the Game of Thrones book because she doesn’t want to wait to see what happens, and she said this morning that her husband, who apparently never reads novels, is talking about wanting to read it when she’s done.
I bet Amazon sells a shitton of the 4-book collections over the next month or so. It’s especially good timing with Father’s Day being next Sunday.
I have been reading at Television Without Pity, Oh No They Didn’t’s Game of Thrones tag (potential NSFW content), and Tumblr’s Game of Thrones tag (potential but unlikely NSFW content).
As for people saying that all the main character die, this hilarious shitstorm has brought to light that a lot of people apparently thought that Drogo was a main character. Not Dany, Drogo. WTF, readers and watchers, androcentric much?
Thanks!
The Drogo from the show is definitely more charismatic than in the book, but yes, to consider him more important than Dany is a bit weird.
Athryn
2739
Hahahaha, so much hate for Joffrey out there. I almost feel sorry for the actor. At least the character gets what’s coming to him, eventually.
Clay
2740
What did you think about Walder Frey? I always pictured him in my mind as being older and looking like Mr. Burns on the Simpsons. I thought the casting and acting was pretty great, though.
