Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss and directed by Dan Sackheim
Synopsis:
Spoiler
Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) strikes a deal. Jorah (Iain Glen) and Daario (Michiel Huisman) undertake a difficult task. Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Cersei (Lena Headey) try to improve their situation.
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN
I was already bored to tears with Dany even in previous seasons, and all of this waiting for Drogon ex machina isn't helping either. Frankly, I don't necessarily see why should we cheer if he roasts all the Dothraki leaders, it's not like they all wronged Dany. They live in the culture that she once embraced, and expect her to do the same. Ok, one dude whipped her, we all know he has it coming. But still, I'm tired of her basically wipping out all other leaders everywhere she ends up, often with poor cobsequences if we look at it. Yes, she needs an army. For once I'd rather see her obtaining one through...dunno, diplomacy? Coercion? Her own skills, IF any, and not ZOMG DRAGONS COME TO FUCK SHIT UP.
Anyway. Weird episode title, I'm intrigued.
-- Edited by Macha on Sunday 15th of May 2016 02:40:10 PM
It's true that Dany's dragon coming and saving her is getting repetetive. That said, if anyone is going to respond positively to all their leaders being burnt, it's the Dothraki. "The Dothraki follow strength above all".
Besides, Drogon is totally the Stallion Who Mounts the World.
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"Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life" - Terry Pratchett
How nice is it that the Tv show gave us another long awaited reunion? Jon and Sansa's hug was EVERYTHING!
And I was loling for real when Tormund was eyeing Brienne, that was hilarious. You fought a ? I fooked a !!!
I loved that we got the letter from Ramsay it worked so much better in this scene with Sansa helping Jon come to the decision, her agency and decisiveness is wonderful.
Dany's storyline got a very awesome jolt of energy, same as with Sansa, I liked that she was the one that fixed her situation and all Jorah and Daario had to do in the end was bar a door. So she has..what... 8 entire khalisars now? Holy shit, but now, what will she do with them?
Oh my Osha, she tried to do the very same trick she tried with Theon in season 2, big mistake, Ramsay is crazy but not stupid. I just wish we had some more of her, I love her.
So Kings landing is rearing up for a big showdown against the faith militant, I like it, seems the momentum is gathering up all around.
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN
The episode was great all in all. My only complaint is Osha. That was way too rushed. What's the point of returning her at all if she only gets one scene? It's annoying that characters are so expendable this season. The writers are trying to clean the slate and throw away anything that isn't essential, and it shows. If Osha had at least two or three more scenes before this one, it would have been miles better.
I like Dany not using Drogon, but I also hope that Drogon will get his big moment this season, too. Sansa and Jon went just as I expected, to the letter (pun intended) and it was well executed. King's Landing is building steam, which is great, and Meereen was somewhat interesting.
Also, this was the first episode of the season that offered more than one scene per character and didn't constantly switch between storylines. That was one of my little peeves from episodes 1-3.
The next episode looks even better. Kingsmoot, Bran and the Night's King, and Anya Bukstein's cameo as a Red Priestess (she's a fairly big actress here in Israel, so it's cool to see her make it to the show).
ETA: I also didn't like the Littlefinger scene. Something about it was off. Felt shoehorned.
-- Edited by jentario on Monday 16th of May 2016 05:15:57 AM
Gonna hang down my head in shame because I was dead wrong about Osha and - by extension - the Umbers. If there was some double play at work, surely it wouldn't have gone this way. Cheers to everyone who saw it for what it was.
I totally LOVED this episode. To me it seemed the best of the season so far. The scenes were perfectly timed, there was good humor and some fantastic acting going on - High Sparrow comes to mind, even though his scenes are a bit repetitive I can't get enough of him. Jaime on the other hand continues to suck, it's not his place being there in Cersei's shadow, it hurts his character and Nik's acting.
LOL @ Pycelle taking his time to slowly walk out of the room, classic D&D with a Family Guy vibe.
First time this season I enjoyed Tyrion. Good stuff, obviously it'll all go to hell. Missandei feels a bit out of place and just making faces at people, staaahp. Theon and Yara, I expected better or perhaps more emotional, but she's obviously guarded and hurt, so I understand why they went this route. Jon and Sansa were great together, everything and everyone at the Wall continues to shine. Tormund and Brienne were the cherry on top. Robin is such a doofus, I just love Littlefinger with him. But pleeease no Vale Ex Machina coming to save the day at Winterfell, Jon and Sansa deserve their moment. Speaking of...Cool stuff with Dany, happy to see she did it all by her own special snowflake self, sadly I don't think I'll ever warm up to Emilia's acting or the way they're directing Dany but sometimes - like in this episode - it works. Jorah and Daario also were particularly good together, who would've thought?
Can't think of anything because I really want to watch the episode again.
-- Edited by Macha on Monday 16th of May 2016 05:17:28 AM
I too thought if anyone could survive Ramsay it would be Osha, but oh well. Just another sacrifice for the Umber ploy. ;)
I agree with Macha, a very strong episode and far superior to the last one. See, its this kind of roller coastering that chaps my ass. In fact I agree with all of her points above, except Jaime. Being in KL in Cerseis shadow is not why he sucks. Jaime has not been interesting since Locke hacked his hand. And without Bronn there with him...he just fucking blows.
Septa Mordane reads AT you. Lol.
Tormund and Brienne. Lol
Davos' little quip to Mel "I thought that was Stannis" Lol
Jon and Sansa did not have one scene together in S1, that I know of. Not at the party in Winterfell, Jon was outside. Yet that scene when they meet was so beautiful and perfect. Best moment.
-- Edited by Rygar on Monday 16th of May 2016 08:04:30 AM
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"If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt." - Dean Martin
In fact I agree with all of her points above, except Jaime. Being in KL in Cerseis shadow is not why he sucks. Jaime has not been interesting since Locke hacked his hand. And without Bronn there with him...he just fucking blows.
I agree, Jaime has been reduced to a nodding yes-man to Cersei, his best work ended after him and Brienne split during season 4.
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN
Gotta admit that I expected Ramsay killing Osha some time in the future whether she was in a plot against him or not, because no way they give the Ramsay kill to a character that's been out of the series for a while and then BAM kill the worst character since Joff. But it still caught me by surprise.
I loved Petyr manipulating everyone LOL Getting Lord Royce was kiddie stuff. I liked it so. And I Aidan and his LF, I don't care what people say. WHATEVS.
Tormund was totally taken by Bri. Would have liked to see Bri's reaction if he hit on her. I mean more than the eyesex he pulled at the table over a drumstick.
And the Slavers and Freed Slaves were so me when it came to Tyrion "Who the hell are YOU to negotiate everything, in Meereen?!" Good thing the Imp had his speech prepped! GW and Missandei could have totally burnt him but thankfully they chose to support him. Loved though the negotiations. He's a smart cookie. Tywin didn't know what he had in him as a son and leader
Ending was pretty good. Dany doing her thing. Throwback Sunday really, but she stood her ground, didn't need back up. Wait actually she did a bit because they locked the gates of the temple. That must have been Jorah and Daario. Maybe they put oil too on the floor? just throwing that out there because of the way it spread... Unless it's magic
I am not a fan of Daario's jokes about the old people having sex. Really. Someone needs to slap him for the heartattack shtick Bitch already had Dany, now he's talking shit about riding the dragon! Such a jerk. I still like !
-- Edited by TormundsWoman on Monday 16th of May 2016 08:48:55 AM
Pycelle's little taunting shuffle, the septa reading "at" you, Tormund finding something more dangerous than a bear to try and fook, Daario/Jorah's shenanigans, Davos throwing shade at Mel (yeah, shade). You know what? All of these quick "witty" jokes reminded me a lot of the tone of the first 3 pooks, when the pooks were actually something you enjoyed read despite the length and complexity.
Something else i noticed, this episode was all about the women, they were taking the decisions that were moving the plot along, despite the men's hesitation. The only exception for that would be Tyrion, IIRC.
Something else i noticed, this episode was all about the women, they were taking the decisions that were moving the plot along, despite the men's hesitation. The only exception for that would be Tyrion, IIRC.
Well Osha kinda tried to get something done....welp...2 out of 3 aint bad.
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN
Cersei, Olenna, Margaery, Asha, if i'm not forgetting anyone. Though Asha and Margaery weren't taking new steps, just continuing with their course of action.
I loved a lot about this episode, and hated a couple of things. FINALLY two Starks manage to meet up instead of the usual near misses! All the feels! It was an incredible series of scenes. I thought Jon was too emo, but loved the chemistry and all of the things that went unspoken. After all Jon has been through, I don't care for the indecisive, wussy Jon. Pull yourself together, man! Sansa has finally become the woman we saw flashes of up until now. I love it, and I can't wait to see how the fall of Winterfell unravels. The one question I have is whether Jon knows that Rickon was sent to the Umbers. I would assume that Bran told Sam who told Jon, but who knows? That's an awfully important bit of information if Jon intends to gather his "father's allies.
Brienne and Tormund. So perfect! Please let this be a thing. Brienne and Davos and Mel I can't get enough! I hope they all travel south together...with Sansa and Jon. All we'd need is Arya and Gendry to make it utter perfection.
I know Macha loved it, but I hated the interplay between Jorah and Daario. The actor playing Daario plays him too straight. He has none of the bravado that the dialogue calls for. There's no mocking undercurrent; no swagger. It's like he's a nice guy cast to play a bad boy. It's not working for me. Put Mero in that role.
Horrible misstep by Tyrion to not get some level of buy in from Missandei and Grey Worm before his negotiations. He doesn't know them. He made them angry enough that he's lucky they didn't have him stung up. I didn't like it. Tyrion is no fool.
Fantastic move by Khaleesi. The last time she did that, half of her khalasar was gone by daybreak. I guess they won't run from the witch this time?
After all Jon has been through, I don't care for the indecisive, wussy Jon.
I don't care that Jon shows weakness but it seems logical, old Jon was incredibly impulsive ( I need to go the NW, I need to become a ranger, I need to find Uncle Benjen etc) and it got him killed. So it makes sense that he is not rushing into anything and threading more carefully, I can imagine dying and coming back is a hell of a PTSD.
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN
This is the thing when I watch at 2am then go straight off to work , everyone has said mostly my thoughts .😊
So I would only add . . Oh my God ! Another stabbing! Surely there's other ways to die in Westoros
I loved last night, except for Osha. I am still holding out for Umber fake out although that theory looks really dead now.
I love that Jon is showing deep effects of resurrection. I love that the women were strong this week. I love that Sansa finally showed some passion although she won't be the one wielding a sword.
Ramsey needs to go to hell asap. He is just in the way of the real fight and weakening our side, i.e. the side of the living.
I loved Dany getting all burny on all the Khals. Now the D are a matriarchy. Yeah.
I loved a lot about this episode, and hated a couple of things. FINALLY two Starks manage to meet up instead of the usual near misses! All the feels! It was an incredible series of scenes. I thought Jon was too emo, but loved the chemistry and all of the things that went unspoken. After all Jon has been through, I don't care for the indecisive, wussy Jon. Pull yourself together, man! Sansa has finally become the woman we saw flashes of up until now. I love it, and I can't wait to see how the fall of Winterfell unravels. The one question I have is whether Jon knows that Rickon was sent to the Umbers. I would assume that Bran told Sam who told Jon, but who knows? That's an awfully important bit of information if Jon intends to gather his "father's allies.
Brienne and Tormund. So perfect! Please let this be a thing. Brienne and Davos and Mel I can't get enough! I hope they all travel south together...with Sansa and Jon. All we'd need is Arya and Gendry to make it utter perfection.
I know Macha loved it, but I hated the interplay between Jorah and Daario. The actor playing Daario plays him too straight. He has none of the bravado that the dialogue calls for. There's no mocking undercurrent; no swagger. It's like he's a nice guy cast to play a bad boy. It's not working for me. Put Mero in that role.
Horrible misstep by Tyrion to not get some level of buy in from Missandei and Grey Worm before his negotiations. He doesn't know them. He made them angry enough that he's lucky they didn't have him stung up. I didn't like it. Tyrion is no fool.
Fantastic move by Khaleesi. The last time she did that, half of her khalasar was gone by daybreak. I guess they run from the witch this time?
I'm somewhere between loving and hating the Jorah and Daario interaction. I agree with you he plays it too straight. However, I do like they're working in some of Daario's...Daarioness. He may not play the sliminess of his character with Dany, but it comes out when he speak to another male about her, or any woman, for that matter. Of course, given my feelings about Jorah, I don't mind at all Daario is rubbing in the fact he's had Dany, and Jorah hasn't and never will. Yes, I'm letting some of my own feelings about much older men hitting on young women seep into it, but creepy, older man just needs to accept the fact Dany will never look at him the way he wants her to.
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I really need to stop saying, "how stupid can you be?" Some people are starting to take it as a personal challenge.
Huh, I just remembered. Remember all the ships Jon used to move the Wildlings from Hardhome? What happened to them? I know they were on loan from Stannis, but were they only rentals?
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN
After all Jon has been through, I don't care for the indecisive, wussy Jon.
I don't care that Jon shows weakness but it seems logical, old Jon was incredibly impulsive ( I need to go the NW, I need to become a ranger, I need to find Uncle Benjen etc) and it got him killed. So it makes sense that he is not rushing into anything and threading more carefully, I can imagine dying and coming back is a hell of a PTSD.
Yeah, you have a valid point. It just bugs me because he was finally turning into a man. He was finally confident and steady. And now he's back to being an emotional wreck. I don't like it, even if there's ample reason for it.
Something else i noticed, this episode was all about the women, they were taking the decisions that were moving the plot along, despite the men's hesitation. The only exception for that would be Tyrion, IIRC.
The episode's theme definitely was women using their own agency to achieve their goals. It didn't work out so well for Osha, but for everyone else it was a step in the right direction. I loved it.
Huh, I just remembered. Remember all the ships Jon used to move the Wildlings from Hardhome? What happened to them? I know they were on loan from Stannis, but were they only rentals?
Mercenary ships. I think we can assume they dispersed after learning of Stannis' death.
After all Jon has been through, I don't care for the indecisive, wussy Jon.
I don't care that Jon shows weakness but it seems logical, old Jon was incredibly impulsive ( I need to go the NW, I need to become a ranger, I need to find Uncle Benjen etc) and it got him killed. So it makes sense that he is not rushing into anything and threading more carefully, I can imagine dying and coming back is a hell of a PTSD.
Yeah, you have a valid point. It just bugs me because he was finally turning into a man. He was finally confident and steady. And now he's back to being an emotional wreck. I don't like it, even if there's ample reason for it.
I wouldn't worry about that... if he's ever going to be King, he's going to have to change back to his season 5 self
Its truly a great running joke they could do with Sallador. Everytime Davos calls in a favor Sallador gets screwed. First he asked for ships and they get blown up in Blackwater, then he uses Salla's ships again this time they get acosted by Wights. Haha
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN
Random thought that doesn't even belong in this thread. Is it just me, or is King's Landing analogous to the US democratic party election (for those of you paying any attention)? Cersei and her oligarchs versus High Sparrow and his peasant army locked in an epic battle over the very structure of governance in Westeros. Pretty sure the rascally old idealist will lose out, and rivers of blood will flow through the streets.
Fuck yeah BaS! I would normally say no to that idea but last ep's monologue about rich people wearing poor people's time on their back is spot on with the marxist view on the exploitation of labor by the capitalists over the proletariat. Aka poor people sell their time and their bodies in exchange for a wage with no relationship to the final product while capitalists sell those products for a profit.
I just don't agree with their putting that speech on the mouth of an insane ideologue but that's just me.
I'm starting to think Margaery will turn her back on her family in order to save Loras, and somehow this will clash with their plan of bringing in the army to save her. Also I don't know of Cersei has planned this or it could be something she'll just come up with when things turn to shit, but once the Tyrell army is in the city, if she really wants it she could just nuke the whole thing down and eliminate any Tyrell resistance. That is, if she finds a way to lock them inside the walls while she flees. I imagine Dany's vision of the throne room being a wreck means that's how she'll find it.
Dolan wrote:I just don't agree with their putting that speech on the mouth of an insane ideologue but that's just me.
Are you implying that other types of people spout that stuff? Actually, I think he made a much more compelling argument that you'll see elsewhere on tv. He may be a bit nuts, but at least he's not a hypocrite like most who echo his point of view. It'll be fascinating to see what he's willing to sacrifice to succeed, and whether he holds to his principles in the face of what's coming.
I love Macha's speculation that Cersei will burn it all down, mad king style. The question is whether Jamie will intervene in the same way as last time to stop it from happening. Would he kill Cersei to save the people of Winterfell? I don't think Cersei will go that route, but she may try to turn the tables on the Tyrells and lay responsibility for any disastrous outcome at their feet. If Kevan were out of the picture, there would be no one to refute her claim that the Tyrells tried to take over the city and take the throne by force.
I can't wait to see how this plays out. Plus Winterfell! This season has so much awesome.
I agree BaS, I like that he's not a hypocrite. Normally these kinds of characters are always super hypocritical or selfish, he's exactly what it appears, which makes him even more dangerous. As for how he'll go out, I suspect he's going to orchestrate his own death. He almost certainly wants to go out a martyr, and if that triggers a religious revolution and the overthrow of the Lannisters and Tyrells, even better from his perspective.
The situation in the capital really is delicious at the moment. Well-defined factions and characters going at each other, so many ways for it to go down.
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"Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life" - Terry Pratchett
Oooh Basi, I haven't thought of Cersei trying to frame the Tyrells in that way, nice one. She already plans to get rid of Kevan, me thinks and Jaime...hmm. I don't know what to make of him anymore. His "fuck anybody who isn't us" makes me doubt he'll lift a finger in defense of the Tyrells. The people of KL, maybe, but I doubt he'll be put in that position again. She could just send him on a stupid mission like Dorne just to get him out of the way.
Dolan wrote:I just don't agree with their putting that speech on the mouth of an insane ideologue but that's just me.
Are you implying that other types of people spout that stuff? Actually, I think he made a much more compelling argument that you'll see elsewhere on tv. He may be a bit nuts, but at least he's not a hypocrite like most who echo his point of view. It'll be fascinating to see what he's willing to sacrifice to succeed, and whether he holds to his principles in the face of what's coming.
I love Macha's speculation that Cersei will burn it all down, mad king style. The question is whether Jamie will intervene in the same way as last time to stop it from happening. Would he kill Cersei to save the people of Winterfell? I don't think Cersei will go that route, but she may try to turn the tables on the Tyrells and lay responsibility for any disastrous outcome at their feet. If Kevan were out of the picture, there would be no one to refute her claim that the Tyrells tried to take over the city and take the throne by force.
I can't wait to see how this plays out. Plus Winterfell! This season has so much awesome.
Agree on the first part! But that brings me #triggering memories of past internet arguments about it only coming from mad people.
About Cersei, it would be really interesting if they had her willing to burn it all then Jaime killing her to stop it in a Mad King 2.0 style.
Cersei burning King's Landing is season 7 material.
I think this season, she'll have a big coop and kill her entire opposition. First the High Sparrow and the Faith Militant, using the Tyrell army, later frame them for heresy against the Faith and execute them (that is Olena and Mace), Pycelle and Kevan are dead meat, and Jaime... she may have to send him away. What she'll do with the Tyrell army, I have no idea... perhaps send them to Dorne to hunt Sand Snakes before she kills the rest of the Tyrells.
Either way, I feel Cersei will have total control by the end of this season. And Tommen might live through season 6, too. His death should be the thing that truly breaks her and makes her burn King's Landing. So that'll be season 7.
I am wondering what the endgame for Meereen will be. So it kinda occurred to me that if Dany finally decides to sail out, Tyrion will probably leave with her. Since they don't want to leave a power vaccuum, I think they might make Missandei and Grey worm the rulers and keep a good portion of the unsullied.
Or everything goes to shit, Missandei and Grey worm die and Dany and Tyrion get outta dodge.
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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN