Game of Thrones (HBO) TV Show • Page 223

I didn't think they had made weapons yet either. But didn't we see them loading boxes onto their ship? I assumed that was dragon glass they had already mined.

 

It's been years since I last read the books, and maybe I shouldn't have phrased it as just his approach to twists because I think it's become his general approach to drama, but I remember thinking the build to Ned's execution was absolutely pitch perfectly written and executed, and then I liked the Red Wedding for its build up and brazenness, but since he's not crafted or dramatized as well when leading up to, say, Jon getting killed, which also suffers because there's no falling action. Ned's death and the Red Wedding work so well because we knew everyone involved, their motivations and arcs were clear, and the climaxes were the culmination of a clear thematic or character point that got resolved within the book. I don't think he's captured that same balance since. He's relying on cliffhangers and twists but not doing the heavy lifting to earn or resolve them. I can't think of a moment in the books that lands as hard as the high set pieces of the series (Ned, Red Wedding). He either resolves things way after the fact or the events fizzle out or come out of nowhere. It's deeply unsatisfying and can't build to or earn a catharsis.

 

Unless Gendry was forging weapons on the boat I don't thing a bunch of mined dragon glass will do much good. I'm sure it will be addressed at the start of next episode though.

 

The Red Wedding and Ned's death are the big two but I think Jon's death is up there for sure. I thought it was very very well done, which is why it was so disappointing that the showrunners botched it completely.

 

It almost looked like some guys were dragging a cage or something behind them. But yeah, I agree it felt like they rushed through something that seems really important.

 

I was hoping Thoros would be able to make some arrowheads or something. But yeah it would be pretty dumb to go take on The Night King and his army without dragon glass.

 

I don't think the Red Wedding was all that shocking/set up that well in the books. GRRM himself essentially spoils the entire thing in a POV chapter one or two chapters before it even happens. It's all spelled out what's about to happen before it's going to happen. And not in some coded/wink wink sorta way that you pick up on a second read. Thought the show handled it a lot better, at least in terms of how it really feels like a shocking turn.

 

Shoulda brought Meera with em.

 

Yeah I get the whole cage aspect, but I was more concerned with running away from an army of them who can all sprint at full speed. Dragging a cage behind them is going to slow them down even more when they try to run away... I know they'll figure out some way to get it all together, but I guess I just expected them to show more of a plan being developed rather than just jumping into it.

 

This interview with Joe Dempsie suggests/hints at some things re: Gendry's return and what's next - mainly that he probably won't be one to fall next episode at least: Gendry interview: Game of Thrones' Joe Dempsie talks season 7 return

 

Again, it bears repeating just how brilliant Gilly is with her revelation.

gilly: hey sam, jon snow is the rightful heir to the seven kingd--

sam: shut the hell up im trying to angst

 

You're right.

 

Ohhh these are both good.

 

this is now my favorite theory

 

Any chance we see Benjen again while they're North of the wall?

 

Perhaps he's the way remaining members of the supergroup get off that rock next week? Speculating.

 

yeah they're all gonna be on that rock with no way out facing certain doom and **someone** is going to swoop in and save the day. my guess would have been Dany but Benjen would be an awesome savior.

 

A Benjen/Jon reunion would be great. I always wondered if he knew about Jon's parentage.

 

I also just discovered that people digitally edit all of the sword fight scenes from the entire show into lightsaber duels on youtube. Slow day at work, I just watched ALL of them hahaha.

 

The Tower of Joy one is so good

 

There really is an easier way to persuade everyone that the threat north of the wall is real rather than trying to capture a wight

Maesters: Ok we need proof that there really is an army of the dead

Bran: you all looked so beautiful that night

 

In the trailer there's a guy escaping on a horse. None of them left the wall with a horse so I'd say it's all but guaranteed that Benjen shows up to save Johnny.

It's also interesting that casual watchers who don't know Jon's parentage still seem to have no idea at all. Was talking to my dad and a few other friends and all these clues that are so obvious to us seem to go right over their heads.

 

i can't imagine being a "casual" watcher of this show

 

My dad, stepdad, mom and stepmom all didn't get the whole R+L=J thing either unless I explained it to them. I guess the tower of joy and passed sequences weren't clear enough for them on it being Lyanna, Ned's sister, but more importantly who Rhaegar is, they all really had no clue.

 

Not as bad as a casual watcher on the wall though