To be clear, I wasn’t suggesting they cut any characters from the Stannis side of the story (though since I had just suggested they cut a whole raft from the Iron Islands side, I can certainly see where I led people to that conclusion). Stannis, Davos and Melisandre are pretty core to the plot.
But I do think that most of the scenes that take place at Dragonstone could be done away with in the TV series, especially the prologue to Kings. Most of the information we’re given there comes from the inner musings of Maester Cressen – so they’d have to re-work the whole deal for it to make sense in the new media anyway.
Rywill
1942
[spoilers]
It’s certainly possible, both within the fiction and thinking about Martin as a writer. But I don’t think it’s what happened. It’s been a while since I read the books, but IIRC at some point after Dragonstone is supposed to have fallen, people outside of King’s Landing are talking about it as if it’s totally fine. That set of bells in my head, because it’s the sort of clue Martin likes to drop in to let you know that all is not as it seems. Like how in the first book, Cat gets conflicting information about where Robert Arryn was supposed to be a ward, which turns out to be an important clue as to how Jon Arryn died.
Really good episode tonight, probably my favorite so far.
Yeah, this show is definitely rocking. Amazed at how much they can cram into each hour, and you’re still shocked how fast that hour passes by.
They did cram a lot, even despite adding a bunch of extra supposition, though I think the rest of the tourney is in the next episode (because they definitely have a sequence with the Cleganes going at it, and Loras as well).
But yeah, I just knew that it was going to end with the scene at the crossroads, and I found myself smiling all the way through it even though I knew exactly how it was going to go. Great fun. Also get to see a wee bit of Bronn (and Ghost!)
— Alan
And of course EW has some great commentary:
King Robert, having finished his Smuckers foursome, presides over the jousting tournament.
The Mountain jousts the former Hand of the King’s suspiciously promoted squire. The young knight takes a rather large splinter in his neck and unwittingly treats the crowd to a gory impression of the Bellagio fountains.
We learn there’s already been a “tavern riot, a brothel fire, three stabbings and a drunken horse race,” which sounds like a typical Saturday night on Austin’s Sixth Street.
“Distrusting me is the wisest thing you’ve done since you’ve climbed off your horse,” Littlefinger says, and … heeey, hold on. He’s saying you shouldn’t trust him. But Littlefinger is the one giving Ned the advice. So if you’re supposed to distrust Littlefinger, that means you shouldn’t trust him when he tells you not to trust him and therefore you should trust him! Wait…
— Alan
rowe33
1947
Was looking forward to the Mountain/Hound clash all week but was denied! Great episode though. Viserys is certainly becoming as unlikeable as ever while we get a glimpse of the three-eyed crow, Gendry, and some more excellent Littlefinger dialogue. Great stuff!
Blips
1948
The battle between Sam and the rest later in the episode was extremely amusing. The ending was bloody brilliant. Easily the best episode so far.
My wife and I called last night’s episode The Exposition Extravaganza!
Chuck
1950
Hodor! Hodor! He seemed a bit older than I imagined. This series has surpassed my expectations.
I rather enjoyed the bit with Jamie standing guard outside one of King Robert’s orgy sessions and bantering with (don’t call him Ser) Jory. Jamie is being perfectly dickish but Jory breaks down his guard reminding him of the battle they both fought in years ago. Jamie warms up to this unguarded moment only to put Jory back in his place emphatically.
I don’t recall a scene like that in the books but I think the exposition and the sense all around was perfect.
You can really tell that they know what they’re doing now, in terms of tracking the characters.
Was anyone unaware of who the knight with the “splinter” in his neck was when he fell?
Loved seeing Sam as well. It’s like meeting old friends for the first time…j
I thought they prefaced Hugh’s demise well enough. There was that bit where Littlefinger tells Ned that it was curious how (former Hand of the King) Jon Arryn’s squire, Hugh, was made a knight soon after Jon’s sudden illness and death. Then Jory finds “Ser Hugh” to be haughty and not eager to answer Ned’s summons. Finally, Hugh eats a lance. Oops.
Trey
1954
Not only all that, but he and Gregor were presented to King Robert immediately before their joust and named aloud, at which point Robert demanded they get on with it.
They did a great job casting Grenn, Pyp and Sam. I’m not sure I liked Sam being quite so bold when talking with Jon about women, though. It doesn’t quite jibe with his book character but I guess they wanted to ease up on his wimpiness somewhat.
We got force-fed a lot of Ros references (she’s a TV-only character).
Blips
1955
I wasn’t too fond of his introduction. He looked like a serial killer with that expression he was wearing and then he turned a 180 and started squealing.
They’re planning a spinoff: “Everyone loves Ros.”
I was half alseep while watching (so I’ll need to watch again!) but man what a fantastic episode. We got three-eyed crow dream (Meera and Jojen can’t be far off now), Hodor (Hodor, Hodor, Hodor), Sam (who is well cast/acted), Ghost (where has he been?!), Gendry (the seed is strong), Ser Gregor, Jory gets to speak, Arya Underfoot standing on one foot, Dany grows a backbone (and Ser Jorah seems to have the fastest horse ever), and we end with the Hand’s Tournament and the scene at the Inn at the Crossroads. How much more awesome can they pack into next week’s episode?
Things are picking up now!
I was happy to see The Mountain That Rides. My favorite scene this week was Littlefinger getting uncomfortably close to Sansa and telling her horrible stories that she shouldn’t repeat to anyone else. Oh, you magnificent creep. Stealing Sansa’s innocence already. He was enjoying it so much.
Hammet
1959
As much as I love The Hound of the novels, I think I’ll love the TV version of him even more. Last episode basically had him standing in the back looking around while Littlefinger told the tale of his happy childhood - and he was that perfect mix of brutish, pitiful anger and violence.
They did pack an incredible amount into that episode. I liked the look of the three eyed crow, Hodor hodoring it up, The Mountain that Rides, Tyrion’s return visit to Winterfell, and so much more.
