Teiman
5582
I don’t like when two characters have to stop to talk. It looks weird. It would make more sense for the characters to still be doing what they are doing or something. Don’t feel natural.
As for 100.000 wildlings… It looks more like a forest fire. Is easier to make the impression of 100.000 to spreading the campires a lot
This episode was just good TV, not much more. Other episodes had me in shock.
Well said, pretty much exactly how I felt. Not enough Ghost, and a pretty mediocre effort on the episode overall. The Scythe was the only special effect that I thought was worth the effort.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they leave Jon hanging until next season. Lots of other stuff to deal with in the finale.
DrDel
5584
What is “Stannis DEM”?
DEM stands for?
The Google does not help in this case. Keeps loading German sites.
I presume it’s Deus Ex Machina.
Deus Ex Machina Stannis’ appearance at the Wall isn’t a DEM strictly speaking, that’s just an exaggeration, but he’s a bit of a DEM at that point.
I must say, though, I’m a bit relieved looking around the web at “Unsullied” reactions - most don’t seem to be as down on the episode as some book readers have been (me included). Apart from being a bit disappointed that Tyrion’s fate is postponed, most people seem to have taken it in their stride and enjoyed it for what it was (good battle episode, moving things along at the Wall, with some character development for Sam and Jon - and giants, Mammoths and Scythe, etc.).
I guess this must be one of those occasions where having preconceptions from the book actually diminishes one’s enjoyment of the adaptation slightly.
DrDel
5588
Why is Stannis going to the Wall in the first place? Because the Red Head with tells him to?
I think she did but he also doesn’t really have anywhere else to go, what with the Lannisters dominating the south, and he hopes to recruit among the Night Watch. Which is where Jon Snow firmly tells him off, so he kind of smolders there and waits for a Red God provided miracle.
Well, there’s more to it. Davos suggested that if Stannis were to ride to the rescue of the Night’s Watch, he would prove himself to the minor houses to be The One True King – the guy that would put the needs of the Seven Kingdoms ahead of his own claim to the Iron Throne. Of course he ALSO wanted to recruit the Crows and install Jon as Warden of the North and a puppet.
It strikes me that if he rescues the kingdom before the wildlings cross the wall, would anyone care? That’s way up north.
The idea is to show that he’s the type of guy that will put you - the random noble or even peasant - as his loyal servant as Job One, as opposed to those lousy Lannisers/Greyjoys/Martells/Tullys/Starks/Tyrells who are tearing up the country trying to improve their position at the expense of literally everyone else. Stannis is the only guy who is actually working for the good of the Seven Kingdoms as a whole.
I presume he will make that last into a bumper sticker and hand it out at his campaign stops.
Edit - Tin Wisdom ninja’d me - we are in agreement.
Original post: I would say it is a bit broader than that - It is a truly noble thing that Stannis chooses to do - he rides (sails) to the North to save the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms - in other words, if you want to be the true king - act like it.
It is only once the Free Folk are defeated, and the Wall is secured, that Stannis begins looking to assemble Northern power.
Note that Melisandre is also pushing him to the North to fight the Last Battle against the others:
Zuwadza
5597
Yeah Stannis’ motivations for going north are reasonably complex in the book. Melisandre believes the Others are servants of the Great Other or whatever. Davos believes that if Stannis is going to rule the kingdom he should also be willing to defend it. There is also the fact that Stannis had essentially run out of allies in the south and probably believes that he can take the North back from Bolton, supplementing his army with northerners.
Also I think it’s a little unfair to call it Stannis Ex Machina since his voyage north is subtly hinted at and he creates just as many problems at the Wall as he solves!
DrDel
5598
Does Jon Snow die? If so who kills him?
In the show or in the book?
In the book
In the book it’s unclear whether Jon is dead so far, and most people think he isn’t. He is literally stabbed in the back by Bowen Marsh and other members of the Night’s Watch.
Put it behind spoiler tags since it’s extra spoilery.
Much appreciated, even though it’s the spoiler thread. :) Though he’s one of those characters I could take or leave just fine.
