Game of Thrones

[Faraday]

Much better than last season's first episode. Felt decently paced and I'm glad they didn't jam in every storyline (dropped Arya, which is fine). Ending was nice - good to see Barristan again.

Have some problems with the opening (Sam just randomly being no where near the White Walkers is dumb?

Could have done without the Ros/Shae scene tbh. The Margaery stuff was quite good, though.

Not going to dwell on the changes. I thought Jon's speech in the show was also pretty good, redFF.

[Faraday]

Oh the "I'd heard you'd lost your nose" line re: Tyrion was funny. And I assumed the "Don't you like to leave anything to the imagination" a nod to the ott sex stuff.

[ZONEACE]

I loved the Ros/Shae scene. It was pretty heavy handed foreshadowing but it was nice to see Shae actually care about Sansa.

[Nexus]

I don't know why they're trying to make Margaery likeable.

[Nexus]

I don't remember her being particularly likeable in the books.

[tanstalas]

She always reminded me as kind of an afterthought in the books. Hey, anyone know if RW happens this season or not until 4?

[Tierce]

I don't remember her being particularly likeable in the books.

Spoiler: TV show, second/third season.

Of course not, we don't get Tyrell PoVs. But we do know that Margaery made sure to be loved by the smallfolk, and they are handling her behavior well--she has both that presence with the populace and the ambition that we saw last season ("I want to be THE Queen"). We mostly see her through Cersei's eyes, which will always be hateful toward the young queen, and through Sansa's, which are wary and paranoid for good reason. But Margaery has all the makings of a queen who is loved by the people, especially in comparison with Cersei, and she is far more skilled at the game of houses than Sansa could ever hope to be. A person like that knows how to exude charisma.

[Nexus]

I was also reading elsewhere that the whole point of the Tyrells' existence is to undermine the Lannisters, so by having Margaery be seen as kind and generous, whilst Joffrey is a little shit, it just continues to reinforce that point, I guess.

[Tierce]

What, you mean people can be rich and powerful without being "everyone is mine to TORMENT" to the people they rule over?
Imagine that~

[zoraster]

I don't know why they're trying to make Margaery likeable.

Spoiler: book spoilers

I always found Maergery likable. She actually tries to be nice to Sansa. In a way that helps House Tyrell, of course, but still.

[hasdgfas]

I was also reading elsewhere that the whole point of the Tyrells' existence is to undermine the Lannisters, so by having Margaery be seen as kind and generous, whilst Joffrey is a little shit, it just continues to reinforce that point, I guess.

Spoiler:

This was always Margaery's character. She was loved by the common people, which is part of what Cersei hated about her. I love actually seeing it on screen, because it's exactly what I pictured.

[Faraday]

Well, I thought it was obvious while Margaery may have been nice her motives were equally political. her and loras came across as "overly" sweet to the point of fake in the dinner - but it was awesome to see them one up Cersei and manipulate Joffrey.

[zoraster]

There may be many ways of ruling. Even if it's calculated, sweet and friendly and helpful is more likable than I RULE BY FEAR.

[Venmar]

This was my face the entirety of the ending of the recent episode:

Spoiler:

Selmy is a fucking badass.

Please don't fuck Jorah over though, kthxbye

[Seacore]

It would be really good if, when people posted their reactions and thoughts on episodes, they noted whether they had read the books or not.

I've read the books, and I thought the episode was quite adequate.

Spoiler: Mostly episode but some book spoilers

There was little that gave me fist pump emotions, although I was happy to see they pulled no punches in the Tywin v Tyrion conversation. I'm not a huge fan of the Ros character, and I don't love that they've made Shae seem to genuinely care about Sansa, but I did love that scene in which Ros told Shae to protect Sansa from Littlefinger.

Looking forward to seeing Arya again, although in the books this was slightly dead space for her.

Jon v Mance wasn't terrible, but it felt rushed (although I'll admit they probably needed it to be, I'm glad they kept the "We'll need to get you a new cloak" as at least a link to the much better book version of the meeting)

Qyburn's introduction was okay I guess, I mean there is no true need for him to be part of the Companions, I assume they'll ramp up who he is shortly. I can only imagine that Rob will leave Bolton there to man Harrenhal and then we'll be back on track with the books.

Loved the young queen v old queen scenes. They are exactly as I imagined too, with more edge now that we;ve seen that Margarey has ambition behind her charity.

Faraday, I laughed at the nose comment, although I'll admit missing the imagination comment. I thought the Bronn and Tyrion haggling conversation was quite funny and another tip of the hat to the audience with the "I don't even know what I pay you now", since the audience has no idea how rich people are in comparison to each other.

[zoraster]

Spoiler: Book spoiler question about show. Seriously, if you haven't read, don't click

Do you think Shae will still "betray" Tyrion with his father? By giving her more "meat" outside of her relationship with Tyrion I feel like it's less likely. So I think they either reinforce that Tyrion still love Shae some more or they'll find a different thing for Tyrion to be pissed about when he eventually, you know.

[Seacore]

Spoiler: Response to Zoraster

Yeah, I've thought about that too. Apart from the story when we met Shae, we haven't heard much about his first love, so my guess is they might cut it out completely, no Jaime confession and no search for her later. That still leaves the question open for what they do with Shae, it could be that she still turns against him but that, as an audience, we have more sympathy for her and we assume it's out of fear rather than profit. (I always assumed it was a mixture). I still hope Tyrion does kill her, but he probably won't. He'll probably just be told by Varys that she's fled and he doesn't know where she's gone. Hell, he might even say she's crossed the Narrow Sea and Tyrion looks for her instead of Tysha (or whatever her name was)

[Faraday]

We should prob take serious book spoilrs to the book thread <_< I hate spoiler tags ._.

[Timeater]

Drinking game: Every time Dany says something you say MUH DRAGUNSSSS and slam a shot

[redFF]

Spoiler: Book spoiler question about show. Seriously, if you haven't read, don't click

Do you think Shae will still "betray" Tyrion with his father? By giving her more "meat" outside of her relationship with Tyrion I feel like it's less likely. So I think they either reinforce that Tyrion still love Shae some more or they'll find a different thing for Tyrion to be pissed about when he eventually, you know.

thats way too big a change i think.

[Iecerint]

Just saw the episode. SO GOOD IMO.

All the Margaery parts were the best. I also really liked Joffrey's scenes (or rather, his role in the Margaery scenes). I don't know if the current Joffrey/Margaery dynamic happens in the books, but it's very cool.

[Venmar]

Joffrey was also like 100% less of an ass this episode, and was nearly likeable.

Season 3 Episode 1 Spoiler:

Spoiler:

During the dining scene between Margeary, Joffrey, Torell, and Cersei, I saw a lot of tension between Mag and Cersei. I don't know, but it felt like Cersei didn't like Marg in some fashion. You also see that Joffrey and Cersei argue a lot behind the scenes from their short exchange in the scene. From the shot, I actually felt sympathized for Cersei. She was surround by people she didn't like, most of whom don't like her back, and I think I might be building respect for her.

I also noticed there were no scenes of Arya or Jaime in this episode, two of my favorite characters ( right behind Tyrion, Bronn, and Jorah ). I wasn't disappointed because of this, because the episode was greatly, just surprised is all. Now that I think about it.. I like a lot of the Lannister characters such as Tywin, Tyrion, and Jaime. I await to see the Martell's but they might become my second favorite house after the Starks.

[Iecerint]

Spoiler:

Cersei REALLLLY hates Margaery in the books. In the show, it seems like Cersei's dislike of Margaery might partially be because she's jealous of Joffrey's respect (!!!) for her, but I don't know if we see any of that in the books.

All the Book 3 Lannister content is through Sansa's eyes or Tyrion's, so we don't get Cersei/Margaery scenes.

[ArcAngel9]

The new episode was totally cool, I loved it

[ZONEACE]

Not that anyone wasn't expecting it, but Season 4 is officially going to happen. HBO renewed GoT today.