OFFICIAL Game of Thrones Thread

[HRoi]

I got the cold sweats when I read about the Red Wedding. then I put down the book and had to re-read it because I couldn't believe it happened.

GoT has a lot of distinguishing characteristics but this IMO is the biggest one - GRRM is perfectly willing to let you get completely invested in a white knight character only to abruptly and brutally kill him off - Ned Stark being the other primary example

 

[otc]



I got the cold sweats when I read about the Red Wedding. then I put down the book and had to re-read it because I couldn't believe it happened.

GoT has a lot of distinguishing characteristics but this IMO is the biggest one - GRRM is perfectly willing to let you get completely invested in a white knight character only to abruptly and brutally kill him off - Ned Stark being the other primary example

Yeah, I think I remember having to reread it too. I just couldn't believe all of that had happened...and it happens *really* fast in the book IIRC (especially with **** like festival tents that are rigged to collapse and be lit on fire to kill off the army escort). One minute they are alive and bedding Edmure with his attractive lady (which you rationalize as "well of course he wants the pretty daughter to be the one who produces the heir to the riverlands...don't want ugly lords and laidies") and then everybody is just dead.

Edit:
After the show I immediately started Googling the episode to see the reaction. I read a little bit of the public commentary on the HBO web and was laughing. I understand the connections people make with characters on shows but come on! grow up.

#BOYCOTTGameOfThrones

 

[in stitches]



I don't think the iron throne is won with an army. Ultimately, any army is just taking orders and you don't have to get an army of your own to be in a position where you influence the orders that are being given.

interesting point.

also, as said above, once the door was closed, it should have been obvious to everyone what was about to happen. or at least that something very bad was going to happen.

 

[lawyerdad]



The song at the wedding being played before the slaughter was a telltale sign I thought. It was a very eerie song and I was already suspecting something when Arya saw men marching into the gates, the door closing, etc. I think even without the explanation of the song, everything was put into motion very fluidly. Cat's expression was priceless all the way up to reaching at the sleeve to reveal the chainmail. Though I still had a little doubt because I thought she was reaching out as an act of kindness/emotions, but exactly the same moment when the chainmail was revealed my heart skipped a beat, OH ****!

At least this was my thought not having read spoilers/book at all.

Anyways, I could not sleep afterwards because of the intensity and unexpected end scene. Cat's dead expression and pale face sold me.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Having read through the comments now, I think the sewing on of the wolf head would have given me nightmares if done properly or gruesome enough.

Edit:
After the show I immediately started Googling the episode to see the reaction. I read a little bit of the public commentary on the HBO web and was laughing. I understand the connections people make with characters on shows but come on! grow up.

I don't think that someone who posts random expletives on the internet when his favored sports team is losing really gets to tell people to "grow up" because they feel invested in the characters in a well-told fictional drama . . .

 

[gettoasty]

Different expectations




But you you caught me!

I did have this expression after the scene though:
So, I was torn a bit

 

[lawyerdad]



Different expectations




But you you caught me!

I did have this expression after the scene though:
So, I was torn a bit

I have not watched the series, but my reaction when I read the books was probably similar to HRoi's . . .

 

[Piobaire]



I have not watched the series, but my reaction when I read the books was probably similar to HRoi's . . .

I have to admit to a certain level of frustration with the books, because as he kills off so many characters, I'm trying to figure out how this fictional world resolves back to a status quo.

 

[lawyerdad]



I have to admit to a certain level of frustration with the books, because as he kills off so many characters, I'm trying to figure out how this fictional world resolves back to a status quo.

You mean, like

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Hi Stitches!

?

 

[munchausen]



I have to admit to a certain level of frustration with the books, because as he kills off so many characters, I'm trying to figure out how this fictional world resolves back to a status quo.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

It doesn't. It will never be the same. But I think the last two books are going to be like a revenge tragedy, with Arya gutting Freys, Boltons and Lannisters left and right on the way to her own death. I suspect we end the story with the future of the Seven Kingdoms very much in doubt and most of the characters we know dead.

 

[lefty]

If they are following GRRM's advice (vs just trimming plot lines that are too convoluted and don't really amount to much), then I think a few major fan theories have been blown. With Robb's girl dead, there is zero chance of a "surprise, this is Robb's kid" coming along a few years down the road.
However, is there any solid text to support that Jeyne Westerling is pregnant? It was always just fan speculation right? Her mother kept feeding her moon tea to stop her from conceiving and the pregnancy rumor all comes from the fact that Jeyne is described differently when Jamie visits Riverrun (and thus they must be hiding away a pregnant Jeyne). That might just be sloppy editing or a difference in opinion between narrators on what constitutes wide hips.

I guess the Jaime Lannister line was changed to keep some hate off of him. Without the text references, it might seem like something Jaime arranged with Roose Bolton while at Harrenhall. He's on his redemption path now and the hate from the red wedding might make it hard for fans to accept it (especially after it was Cat who freed him and tasked him with the mission that he keeps working on).

The way she was killed gave some eerie subtext to Frey's comment about seeing what under a woman's clothes. I can't remember if she is pregnant in the books, but the fact that she is left alive gave the impression that she would come back into play later.

The Jaime line missed because he specifically told Bolton to give his regards to Robb in the previous episode. Had Bolton delivered the line it would have, well ... had a certain Boltonness to it. I don't think it would have hurt Jaime's redemption. Him going back for Brienne is all that was needed.

On needing an army to take the Iron Throne ... look at what Baelish has done more or less on his own.

******* Freys.

lefty

 

[lawyerdad]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

It doesn't. It will never be the same. But I think the last two books are going to be like a revenge tragedy, with Arya gutting Freys, Boltons and Lannisters left and right on the way to her own death. I suspect we end the story with the future of the Seven Kingdoms very much in doubt and most of the characters we know dead.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Interesting. That seems like a reasonable prediction. I think most of us fall prey, to some extent, to the assumption that there will be some sort of definitive resolution. You are certainly right that there is no reason that has to be the case.

 

[munchausen]



Part of me thinks this story ends with Baelish on the throne

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

with Sansa as his queen.

Martin might be just enough of a creep to do that.

 

[lefty]

He really needs to hear the word "no" occasionally.

lefty

 

[iamacyborg]



This is a lulz fest
https://twitter.com/RedWeddingTears

"I would very much like to meet George RR Martin in a dark ally... Why the hell do you kill off my favorite characters???" How could they possibly be anyone's favorite?
I don't think the iron throne is won with an army. Ultimately, any army is just taking orders and you don't have to get an army of your own to be in a position where you influence the orders that are being given.

The song literally give me the chills when I hear it. Non-readers (and people who don't experience aesthetic chills) may not get that, but many of them certainly recognized the melody and realized something was wrong.

Well, I just realised that certain types of music making my skin crawl isn't a particularly unusual event.

As far as the episode, hah, glorious. The reactions make it all the better.

 

[scurvyfreedman]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Interesting. That seems like a reasonable prediction. I think most of us fall prey, to some extent, to the assumption that there will be some sort of definitive resolution. You are certainly right that there is no reason that has to be the case.

Spoiler

there is always peace after war, or at least detente. Some cold wars simmer on for decades. But, eventually, once the Long Winter is upon everyone, they will recognize that either none or most will survive and they will band together to protect the First Men and the Andals and the Rhyonar. And, someone will be the leader, and he or she will be the Protector of the Realm and everyone else will swear fealty. Eventually, that person will keep the peace because the vast majority of the other Kingdoms will support him/her if there is an insurrection.

I have a feeling the Dance of the Dragons short story will be a foreshadowing of Dany versus Aegon and like that little girl greendreamer in the Arienne teaser says, many will die in their war to prove ultimate Targ. Only the Iron Islanders are likely not to join whomever is the best leader against the Others.