My blood is already starting to boil with those Asha previews.

I'm so disappointed in Varys right now. Yes, I was surprised to see Shae, but not shocked at her behavior. I don't know why I naively thought Varys would at least keep his mouth shut. I didn't expect him to speak on Tyrion's behalf, but this... For shame.

As for Tyrion's behavior, all I could think of was WWE wrestling, when a character goes from a hero to a heel. Nice twist. And lots of fun speculation about who Tyrion's champion will be, if he names one at all. I guess Bronn would be the right choice, especially after the conversation Bronn and Jaime had about the last trial by combat. Oh god, what if Jaime fights on behalf of the crown? Will he let himself be killed to see his brother go free, and to spite his father and Cersei? I'm sick at the possibility.

I'm going to put it out there that with this episode, I think Dink has a good shot at the Emmy again this year. I didn't say that the previous two years, so it means something.

I take it back. Angry Tyrion is better than drunk Tyrion.

I think Theon's acting was as amazing as Tyrion's. But the writer's dropped the ball with Yara. I can't believe she ran away without even killing Ramsay Snow to exact revenge for what he turned Theon into. It's just so wrong.

On rewatching, I noticed the bank's meeting room. The bankers are on thrones, while the would-be customer is seated on a plain concrete bench. I don't love the judgmental look Stannis gives Davos when they turn him down. You know in that moment that Davos' life depends on the outcome of that meeting. And it makes me truly dislike Stannis for the first time.

I'm mad at Varys for what he did at the trial, but I don't believe what I don't believe what he said to Oberyn in the Throne Room scene before the trial. Varys doesn't know or trust Oberyn, and has every reason to misdirect him about both his sexuality and his desire for the throne. I wonder if his words about the evils of desire were meant to be more biting, considering who they were directed towards. They didn't come off that way, but maybe I'm misinterpreting.

Watching Jaime and Margaery during the trial was so interesting. Margaery has trouble hiding her bewilderment at how completely Tyrion is being railroaded. And Jaime, I think he is seeing things clearly perhaps for the first time. Oberyn at least makes some attempt to get to the truth of the matter. His willingness to question Cersei speaks well of him. It's nice that he has not fallen for her attempt to sway him. And of course he just had to ask Shae for details.

The scene with Jaime and Tywin...ugh. His attempt to play his father is so painful to watch. He has no idea how to play this game. But it's funny that he tries the dynasty angle, just as Cersei did. It was awful to see Tywin call his bluff. "You'll father children named Lannister." Possibly the funniest line of the episode. And then after Jaime has offered everything to save his brother, Tyrion does everything he can to spoil Tywin's plans. But really, why didn't he demand a trial by combat from the outset?

I think Tyrion has a glimmer of hope that people will NOT see him as a monster or the "demon monkey". When he says IVE BEEN ON TRIAL as A dwarf his whole life, he has given up that hope and accepted the fact that even his heroic and just deeds mean nothing to anyone. He will always be despised. So now he will play thr e part that everyone already assumes he owns.

The Yara thing. Yes Ironborn don't run but at that point she already knew that her brother was "gone". Not worth dying over.

-- Edited by Rygar on Monday 12th of May 2014 09:16:31 AM

So ... what now with Yara? She's going to run away with her tail between her legs (very un-Ironbornlike) back the way she came? That's a long trip.

Atreyu wrote:

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So ... what now with Yara? She's going to run away with her tail between her legs (very un-Ironbornlike) back the way she came? That's a long trip.

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 Well, I'm with Ry, I think it's perfectly reasonable for her to see Theon as completely "lost" therefore giving her an opportunity to cut her losses (nothing to save here now). I'm not entirely sure it was obvious she was going to go all the way back home though. But she certainly has enough to consider.  Is the Dreadfort near any significant waters is my question? 

Shaes confession almost mirrors Tyrion. Shae was at her breaking point. She knows she's a whore but wanted to be more than that to Tyrion. She will always be seen as one. She attacks Tyrion as vehemently as he attacks his audience.

Stannis. Davos' arguments were kind of weak though All of Davos' arguments against Tywin could just as easily apply to Stannis.

Black as Snow wrote:

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Rygar wrote:

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The Yara thing. Yes Ironborn don't run but at that point she already knew that her brother was "gone". Not worth dying over.

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 Hmmm, I disagree.  He's worth avenging when the man responsible is standing right in front of you.  Her words about her kinsmen being skinned, her brother being maimed, and Ironborn being meaningless without action ring hollow when she turns and walks away because she doesn't get a fairy tale reunion with Theon. 

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 I'm gonna chim in and just mention that Yara is not presented as one of those Ironborn that just jump stupidly into a fight. She's not like her father or like Theon used to be, remember when she advised him to take his men and leave Winterfell because he couldn't keep it? She's cautious when she needs to be. Her main goal was not to punish Ramsay, her main goal was to take her brother home. Having failed that, why would she endanger herself and what remained of her men (who are not useless toys to her as are Ramsay's men to him), to try her luck with Ramsay, his men *and* his dogs? It would have been worth it if her brother would stay beside her, but not if she had to fight him as well. Her words rang hollow because her escaping scene was too rushed, and it took us out of the story. If that scene would have been better executed, the whole Dreadfort business would have been much more intense and meaningful.

My heart was pouding that whole courtroom scene...that was masterful...gotta watch again!

 I just posted without spoilers in OK spoilers thread   I loved Schopenhauer Varys, Basi so don´t think you´d like my post.

andrea wrote:

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 I just posted without spoilers in OK spoilers thread   I loved Schopenhauer Varys, Basi so don´t think you´d like my post.

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What part of Varys did you like?  His testimony or his Oberyn scene or both?  I was fine with the Oberyn scene, but his testimony pissed me off.  I understand he might not have felt free to refuse, but I'm deeply disappointed.  He needs to redeem himself in my eyes.

Cary Storm wrote:

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andrea wrote:

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 I just posted without spoilers in OK spoilers thread   I loved Schopenhauer Varys, Basi so don´t think you´d like my post.

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 Basically you said as well, "Stannis scene yay! Yara sucked."  Just so BaS isn't left out of the loop of your opinion. 

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 oh and forgot the scene with salladhor saan and davos, liked that one too.

Has anyone gone off the deep end about how GoT picked the most Jewish looking actor to run the Bank of Braavos?

Um he has certain characteristics typically and mostly derogatorily assigned to the Jewish faith.

Is that what's going on? I thought I was as politically correct as possible.

The ruthless bankers looked very much like stereotypical ruthless bankers. You'll have to explain better how they looked like antisemitic Nazi depictions of Jewish people, rather than simply saying that they looked like antisemitic Nazi depictions of Jewish people, because I've seen plenty of antisemitic depictions of Jewish people and they looked nothing like Mark Gatiss in that scene.

Rygar wrote:

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Yeah, no. She doesn't have to. Its pretty self evident in the depiction.

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 Yes, you both do. As far as I can see, it's only self-evident to someone who has a pretty prejudiced view to begin with.

Black as Snow wrote:

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Really? Because I have no idea who Mark Gatiss is, but I blanched a little at the casting choices. I don't think pointing that out is objectifying anyone. Based on everything we've seen and heard about Braavosi, it's the last thing I expected.

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 You keep making references without there being any solid explanation. I have absolutely no clue as to what you mean when you say a red-haired, blue eyed, very British looking man is an antisemitic depiction of a Jew. 

You've spent far too much time fighting injustice Cary. Use that determination where it is warranted. And you're insulting me but saying that I am prejudiced against any class of people. It is unfortunate that these stereotypes exist. Believe me it bothers me as well, but the fact is they do exist and will continue to exist as long as there are differences between two things.