OT: A Song of Ice and Fire Series (spoilers inside)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

LOL!

The relief of people saying Tyrion wasn't going go on a long boat ride turns to ash .

I think people would rather Griff and Young Griff be included if there was no Penny .

Well, we know that Tyrion will make it to Mereen before this season ends. So, we're still waaaay ahead of the books on this one. I don't mind a bit of a journey, so long as it's not too long and it's interesting.

Penny and games of cyvasse are not interesting. Some of the other stuff that happened with Tyrion and Mormont was kind of interesting. It's all a balance.

[ISiddiqui]

5 episodes until he potentially gets there .

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

5 episodes until he potentially gets there .

Given all the other plot lines they are juggling, sounds pretty reasonable. The scene in Old Valryia and with Drogon and the Stonemen were all great scenes. Visually stunning, moving, interesting.

I think Andy Greenwald at Grantland summed up just how great that whole scene was:

Jorah and Tyrion’s slow boat to Valyria, the penultimate sequence in the gripping “Kill the Boy,” was a glorious piece of imaginative storytelling. It stirred my soul; it stole my breath. The ruins of an ancient, globe-straddling civilization rising up out of the placid waters reminded me of the glory years of Lost or a particularly trippy episode of Cosmos. Jeremy Podeswa, making his Thrones debut, kept his camera low, the better to gape at the collapsing coliseums and disintegrating castles of the empire that once ruled the known universe.

“For thousands of years they were the best in the world at almost everything,” Tyrion said of the Valryians — a powerful people who rode dragons for sport and birthed a dynasty that’s currently languishing in a Meereenese pyramid. “And then … and then they weren’t.” Nature had reclaimed nearly all that the Valyrians had built with a cruelly efficient beauty. The verse Tyrion quoted lingered on notions of futility (“The Doom consumed it all alike” is basically the Seven Kingdoms version of “Ozymandias”), and I found myself thinking of cemetery groundskeepers and how their job is to beat back the encroachment of life on carefully manicured monuments to death.

Of course, one can’t expect to have awe without some shock. (This is Game of Thrones, after all, not a Terrence Malick film.)...

Give me some more scenes like that over the next 5 episodes, and we're all good.

I love a good journey, so long as it's interesting and meaningful in some way to the story and/or characters. So far, Tyrion's journey on the show has done that. Unfortunately, much (not all) of Tyrion's journey in the book was neither interesting, nor meaningful. A lot of what happened (not all) in the book, wavered between boring to downright painful to read, and not in the good "Red Wedding" type of painful.

[ISiddiqui]

I personally really enjoyed Tyrion's boat journey in the book, up to the point he was captured by Ser Jorah (well the capture was fun, but afterwards was meh). The gradual revealing of Griff and Young Griff actually being Jon Connington and Aegon, the journey through the Stone Men part of Valyria, the moment that Connington was like screw finding Dany and goes to the Golden Company and they accept... what did he offer, is it related to Blackfyre? Awesome stuff.

[ISiddiqui]

Ugh, show. Seriously... I mean yes marrying Sansa to Ramsey would have led to something like this... but this is why I hated the Sansa going to Winterfell plot.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh, and of course Tyrion and Jorah get captured by slavers... is Penny long behind?

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Ugh, show. Seriously... I mean yes marrying Sansa to Ramsey would have led to something like this... but this is why I hated the Sansa going to Winterfell plot.

Like I said in the other thread, so glad they didn't do what Ramsay did with Jeyne.

[Grover]

I also feel like they're using Sansa's rape as a catapult to a Theon redemption arc. I don't like that.

The entire thing made me feel very uncomfortable.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Oh, and of course Tyrion and Jorah get captured by slavers... is Penny long behind?

I doubt it. No Penny and no Tyrion tumbling around like a fool.

Hopefully, it will just be taking them to Mereen and the fighting pits.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Grover

Like I said in the other thread, so glad they didn't do what Ramsay did with Jeyne.

But even then though (say you do a turn away with Jeyne as well - btw, didn't they show Jeyne as "fake Arya" earlier in the show [or was it just the books]? Whatever happened to that?), at the least it doesn't fuck up a character arc.

It seems the show has used rape to mess up at least two character arcs - Jaime's redemption and Sansa's cunning.

Originally Posted by Grover

I also feel like they're using Sansa's rape as a catapult to a Theon redemption arc. I don't like that.

They are indeed. Sansa is, at least in the show, once again just a pawn.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Yeah, I keep waiting for Sansa to start DOING something, because they've been leading up to it for a while...and they keep dropping the ball.

[sabotai]

The fighting pits scene (was it rewritten to basically be "pre-season"?) was comically bad. I guess they were running low on the CG budget or something and couldn't do an actual arena.

[ISiddiqui]

It does seem though that at least one of the 3 cliffhangers from Dance with Dragons will be resolved by the show this season - The Battle of Winterfell. I bet they'll show us the actual victor.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by sabotai

The fighting pits scene (was it rewritten to basically be "pre-season"?) was comically bad. I guess they were running low on the CG budget or something and couldn't do an actual arena.

It was like when Maximus had to start in a shitty backwater ring before getting to the Colisseum.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Wasn't that the point though? Hizdahr even mentioned that it was tradition to visit the lower fighting pits to pay respects while they walked up.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by bronconick

It was like when Maximus had to start in a shitty backwater ring before getting to the Colisseum.

However I was entertained.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

It does seem though that at least one of the 3 cliffhangers from Dance with Dragons will be resolved by the show this season - The Battle of Winterfell. I bet they'll show us the actual victor.

Please be Stannis.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Grover

Please be Stannis.

Word.

Though I wonder if it even could be possible that Ramsey wins, story wise. In the books, after all, Sansa is no where near the North. Jon has been stabbed (though we all expect he comes back). Theon is with Stannis. Asha/Yaya is with Stannis. If Ramsey wins, the entire North (below the Wall that is) is just a super boring story line with no POV characters.

[sabotai]

It would be one way to eliminate a bunch of POV characters as he tries to head towards the end of the series.

[Alan T]

The boltons winning and really horrible things happening is probably one of the things that I would least want to have happen. So based on past history every single plot turn causing me anguish, I am just holding my breath waiting for stannis to lose and Ramsey find some way to take super uncomfortableness to a new level.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Alan T

The boltons winning and really horrible things happening is probably one of the things that I would least want to have happen. So based on past history every single plot turn causing me anguish, I am just holding my breath waiting for stannis to lose and Ramsey find some way to take super uncomfortableness to a new level.

I'm not convinced that Stannis will win. However, Dany has to be part of the winner's circle eventually.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by sabotai

The fighting pits scene (was it rewritten to basically be "pre-season"?) was comically bad. I guess they were running low on the CG budget or something and couldn't do an actual arena.

Yeah, that wasn't the actual scene from the books. That was a low-level, cheap little side of the road pit. As noted above, it was explained.

[Honolulu_Blue]

As much as I loved finally seeing Dany and Tyrion meet face-to-face, I feel like it was the first thing that I really would have liked to have read first before seeing.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by sabotai

It would be one way to eliminate a bunch of POV characters as he tries to head towards the end of the series.

Not necessarily. The only POV characters in Stannis's camp at the moment is Theon/Reek and Asha. Remember that Davos is out in Skagos trying to find Rickon to bring back to Wyman Manderly.

[ISiddiqui]

Thinking about this... the show could totally do the Bastard's Letter as a cliffhanger for the season. Episode 9 be the Battle of Winterfell, leave it as inconclusive, and then in Episode 10, Jon returns to Castle Black, gets the letter and decides to march on Winterfell, leading to the Mutiny of Castle Black (though it won't be nearly as powerful as you won't have a crying Donal Noye saying "For the Watch" as he does it).

[Coffee Warlord]

I'm still betting episode 10 will be titled "For the Watch"

[ISiddiqui]

Huh, I guess I could have looked for episode titles to find out what was going to happen...

Ep 8 is "Hardholme" - ie, where Jon is going to meet with Rattleshirt.

Ep 9 is "The Dance of Dragons" - so I guess the big scene is going to be focused on the Grand Fighting Pit and not the Battle of Winterfell - but usually Ep 9 of a season has one major focus. Maybe they'll split the focus?

[Grover]

Where was Cersei left off in the books?

The last I remember is her being marched naked through the streets.

Interesting that they were able to skip the entire Kettleblacks plotline through the use of Lancel.

[ISiddiqui]

Cersei basically realizes that while she felt she could do the walk head held high, that this completely takes away her power. She understands that she becomes a laughing stock to the people and therefore her ability to lead is compromised. Kevan starts basically running things, along with Grand Maester Pycelle.

At the end of Dance it appears that Cersei has to be forced into leading again, but now her confidence is shot and she has no respect from anyone.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Cersei basically realizes that while she felt she could do the walk head held high, that this completely takes away her power. She understands that she becomes a laughing stock to the people and therefore her ability to lead is compromised. Kevan starts basically running things, along with Grand Maester Pycelle.

At the end of Dance it appears that Cersei has to be forced into leading again, but now her confidence is shot and she has no respect from anyone.

Ah, yes.

I'm assuming they really won't need to use Kevan, now that they have Tommen of ruling age.

[ISiddiqui]

Crud... that takes away my favorite chapter of Dance

(though maybe Kevan comes back to help Tommen and express outrage at the Faith Militant?)

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Crud... that takes away my favorite chapter of Dance

(though maybe Kevan comes back to help Tommen and express outrage at the Faith Militant?)

One is hoping.

As an aside, I love Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow.

He comes across as both completely reasonable and terrifying at the same time.

[Coffee Warlord]

I don't think we'll see a Kevan with no Varys around.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

I don't think we'll see a Kevan with no Varys around.

Maybe Varys will decide to head back to King's Landing since he lost Tyrion and hang around in disguise like Lando at Jabba's Palace.

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Cersei basically realizes that while she felt she could do the walk head held high, that this completely takes away her power. She understands that she becomes a laughing stock to the people and therefore her ability to lead is compromised. Kevan starts basically running things, along with Grand Maester Pycelle.

At the end of Dance it appears that Cersei has to be forced into leading again, but now her confidence is shot and she has no respect from anyone.

Interesting take. I remember walking away from the end thinking that Cersei is going to go absolutely apeshit and lay waste to the place. I see a similar fate as the Mad King ending in her future.

Also, and this thought came to me out of the blue, but does anyone else think that Varys may be apart of The Many Face dudes? His ability to float in and out of trouble is well documented, although not he's not really disappearing like Jaqar (or whatever his name is). And he relies on his contacts, which is the exact opposite of them as well. Bah, nevermind

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Maybe Varys will decide to head back to King's Landing since he lost Tyrion and hang around in disguise like Lando at Jabba's Palace.

I'm still waiting for the Pycelle scene that justifies the one showing him faking the extent of his infirmities.

Had another thought while posting in the GoT thread - is Jorah now in line to release Dany's dragons or somehow help save her at the fighting pits? I mean, he'll likely be in the same dungeons, and now with his greyscale he's got added motivation to make a huge sacrifice sometime soon.

[NobodyHere]

Did Jorah get greyscale in the book?

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Did Jorah get greyscale in the book?

No, Jon Connington was the one with greyscale. In the books, Jorah took Tyrion after his (Tyrion's) encounter with the stone men.

[Vince, Pt. II]

And if you're unfamiliar with the books, Jon Connington is obviously not in the show.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Had another thought while posting in the GoT thread - is Jorah now in line to release Dany's dragons or somehow help save her at the fighting pits? I mean, he'll likely be in the same dungeons, and now with his greyscale he's got added motivation to make a huge sacrifice sometime soon.

Jorah may take on Barristan Selmy's role. After Drogon rescues Dany at the fighting pits, Jorah may declare himself Hand of the Queen and lead the defense of Meereen - then again, we haven't seen any evidence that the Wise Masters of Yunkai are buying an army to retake Meereen.

[ISiddiqui]

The casting news for Season 6 seems to indicate that Euron is finally coming to the show... (hopefully they also cast Victarion).

Season 6 Game of Thrones Casting News Brings a Long-Buried Plot Back from the Dead | Vanity Fair

It also appears that the Tarlys may be showing up. Sam to Oldtown was bound to happen at some point, I figure.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Jorah may take on Barristan Selmy's role. After Drogon rescues Dany at the fighting pits, Jorah may declare himself Hand of the Queen and lead the defense of Meereen - then again, we haven't seen any evidence that the Wise Masters of Yunkai are buying an army to retake Meereen.

I always thought Tyrion would be that one, with Jorah now filling the Quentyn Martell role, but maybe he'll also take on Sir Belwas' and save her from an assassination attempt before the real one at the pit.

[sabotai]

If they cast for Euron, I guess that would answer the Euron = Daario theory (unless they explain his different appearance with magic and Daario soon makes an exit from Meereen.)

[flere-imsaho]

Here's my predictions:

1. Jon dies in Episode 8 and we don't see him for the rest of the season. He gets revived (or something) by an all-powerful Bran in Season 6, however, and something something Rickon.

2. Episode 9 has Jorah (who looks pretty desperate) fulfilling Quentyn's BBQ role and ending with Dany and Drogon flying off. We either don't see her again this season (which really fucks show-watchers off) or we do, but it's at the end of Episode 10 when she's found by the blood riders.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I never even thought of Jorah as Quentyn, but that's brilliant.

[Coffee Warlord]

Hardhome, Dance of Dragons, and Mother's Mercy are the last 3 episode names.

I was REALLY expecting 9 or 10 to be For the Watch. I'm guessing 9 is when Dany flies off, 10...not sure now.

[ISiddiqui]

Can we make Daaario as Quentyn?

I'd actually prefer if Jorah stuck around. Dany, Jorah, Tyrion, and perhaps Varys would actually make an interesting dynamic rather than the usual boring Dany storyline.

[Vince, Pt. II]

10 has to be Arya, right?

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Hardhome, Dance of Dragons, and Mother's Mercy are the last 3 episode names.

I was REALLY expecting 9 or 10 to be For the Watch. I'm guessing 9 is when Dany flies off, 10...not sure now.

Not saying this is going to happen, but... in the Appendix of A Feast for Crows:

LADY STONEHEART, a hooded woman, sometimes called MOTHER MERCY, THE SILENT SISTER, and THE HANGWOMAN

[Vince, Pt. II]

As a storyline that I and my roommate have been very sad to have seen left off, that would be an awesome cliffhanger.