Game of Thrones!

[Totenkindly]

Almost time for S5e9!

here's the official synopsis.

“Stannis confronts a troubling decision. Jon returns to the Wall. Mace visits the Iron Bank. Arya encounters someone from her past. Dany reluctantly oversees a traditional celebration of athleticism.”

My official interpretation:

Stannis either burns his daughter alive to win the war or gets rid of the bitch witch -- I bet she'd kindle real nice.
Jon comes back to the wall and everyone goes to give him a pat on the back for his good work.
Mace gets to Braavos, which means...
...Arya runs into Ser Whassisname who she is gonna want to kill the shit out of because he's on her List.
Dany goes to the fighting pits and sees Jorah The Scaly and Grey killing shit and ... well, that gets resolved one way or the other.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Fuck Stannis.

 

[GarrotTheThief]

Fuck Stannis.

this...

 

[Swivelinglight]

I still support Stannis the Mannis

 

[Totenkindly]

Fuck Stannis.

this...

But she agreed to help!

I knew, as soon as he sent Davos away. In fact, I'm kind of surprised Davos didn't take her regardless; is he just super-loyal/trusting or a complete moron? (In any case, I think he'll have severe loyalty issues after this.)

Even freakin' Mommy Psycho Dearest couldn't go through with it; I would have really liked to see her jump on the pyre there at the end and die with her daughter, that would have been a little unexpected. But maybe she'll kill Stannis later, I suppose... if Davos doesn't turn on him.

Overall, the episode was pretty predictable. Every segment. Well, except maybe Dani's fiance getting knifed.

I will also say I'm hugely disappointed in all the Sand Snake / "Mission Impossible: Dorne" hype that occurred this season, as that plotline was just pretty much just The Worst Ever in terms of tension. However, I'll say that once they let the Snakes just interact as sisters rather than have to be badasses, well, that was pretty enjoyable.

But I feel like a lot of characterization in the last few episodes has been flip-flopping. Psycho mom is one moment is saying "kill our daughter!" and then she just kind of flips over and decides she wants to save her; it wasn't shot in a way that showed any dilemma. Same shit with Ellaria. For all season she's kind of crazy-stupid-psycho about butchering Myrcella, then she flips, accepts Doran's mercy, and then is more like her old self with Jaime and seems sane again. I'm just not happy with the writing/directing in that regard.

The saving grace of the episode really was watching Dani fly away on the dragon. Hell, yeah! It's about time!

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I still support Stannis the Mannis

I've been a Targaryen supporter for a while now, and this certainly didn't change after tonight.

 

[Totenkindly]

I've been a Targaryen supporter for a while now, and this certainly didn't change after tonight.

Stannis sucked lobster-butt the first time I saw him, and my opinion really hasn't improved. I'd rather have Reek be king.

I guess someone isn't getting a Father's Day card this year!

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

The highlights were the stuff in the North. The bit with Danerys was pretty good, too, although it paled in comparison to the book. The politics of Mereen there were more interesting and complex; they watered it down a lot. The addition of Tyrion and the discussion between Hizdahr and Danerys was pretty good.

Dorne was a waste, again. I didn't understand what the goal of that ridiculous game they were playing even was.

 

[Swivelinglight]

He did what needed to be done for the good of the realm

 

[Totenkindly]

The highlights were the stuff in the North. The bit with Danerys was pretty good, too, although it paled in comparison to the book. The politics of Mereen there were more interesting and complex; they watered it down a lot. The addition of Tyrion and the discussion between Hizdahr and Danerys was pretty good.

Dorne was a waste, again. I didn't understand what the goal of that ridiculous game they were playing even was.

They were just playing a version of slap. Haven't you ever played that? I was playing that in high school decades ago. The thing is that, the characters actually seemed more real in those scenes than they did pretending to be badasses.

Oh, funny tweet I saw:

tomorrow on the internet: Why Game of Thrones’ Depiction of Burning Innocent Children Alive is Problematic

Also about Thorne:

I like how they play Thorne. we all know he despises Jon and always has, but he composed himself heroically in the Wall battle last season, and he has been pretty good about following Jon's orders even when he really disagrees... and tonight they had that nice stare-down and yet Thorne let the wildings through even if he told Jon again it was a mistake. He's competent and has some semblance of honor even if he's a jerk.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

They were just playing a version of slap. Haven't you ever played that? I was playing that in high school decades ago. The thing is that, the characters actually seemed more real in those scenes than they did pretending to be badasses.

I have no idea what that was. I thought it was meant to be some kind of badass warrior thing, but it really didn't seem that hard. It's more of just an ordinary game?

Oh, funny tweet I saw:

tomorrow on the internet: Why Game of Thrones’ Depiction of Burning Innocent Children Alive is Problematic

ROFL.

 

[Totenkindly]

I have no idea what that was. I thought it was meant to be some kind of badass warrior thing, but it really didn't seem that hard. It's more of just an ordinary game?

Yeah, there's two versions I played: Slap and Knuckles. They're both similar.

With Slap, the slapper puts their hands out palm up. The person being slapped puts their hands face down on top. The slapper tries to slap either hand. If they miss, the two trade roles; if they slap successfully, then they get to keep slapping. If you jerk your hands away and they don't actually try to slap you, you have to put your hands back.

With Knuckles, you put your fists out (fingers down) so that they touch, and the one person tries to hit the other person's knuckles. Same outcomes as above. I've seen people bruise and bloody another person's knuckles playing that game.

Sometimes in the more cutthroat versions, if you jerk your hands away when the other person doesn't actually try to hit you, then they get a free hit.

 

[GarrotTheThief]

Yeah, there's two versions I played: Slap and Knuckles. They're both similar.

With Slap, the slapper puts their hands out palm up. The person being slapped puts their hands face down on top. The slapper tries to slap either hand. If they miss, the two trade roles; if they slap successfully, then they get to keep slapping. If you jerk your hands away and they don't actually try to slap you, you have to put your hands back.

With Knuckles, you put your fists out (fingers down) so that they touch, and the one person tries to hit the other person's knuckles. Same outcomes as above. I've seen people bruise and bloody another person's knuckles playing that game.

Sometimes in the more cutthroat versions, if you jerk your hands away when the other person doesn't actually try to hit you, then they get a free hit.

that game of slap was very fun to watch and sent a chuckle of delight out of me.

 

[ceecee]

I knew, as soon as he sent Davos away. In fact, I'm kind of surprised Davos didn't take her regardless; is he just super-loyal/trusting or a complete moron? (In any case, I think he'll have severe loyalty issues after this.)

Even freakin' Mommy Psycho Dearest couldn't go through with it; I would have really liked to see her jump on the pyre there at the end and die with her daughter, that would have been a little unexpected. But maybe she'll kill Stannis later, I suppose... if Davos doesn't turn on him.

Overall, the episode was pretty predictable. Every segment. Well, except maybe Dani's fiance getting knifed.

I will also say I'm hugely disappointed in all the Sand Snake / "Mission Impossible: Dorne" hype that occurred this season, as that plotline was just pretty much just The Worst Ever in terms of tension. However, I'll say that once they let the Snakes just interact as sisters rather than have to be badasses, well, that was pretty enjoyable.

But I feel like a lot of characterization in the last few episodes has been flip-flopping. Psycho mom is one moment is saying "kill our daughter!" and then she just kind of flips over and decides she wants to save her; it wasn't shot in a way that showed any dilemma. Same shit with Ellaria. For all season she's kind of crazy-stupid-psycho about butchering Myrcella, then she flips, accepts Doran's mercy, and then is more like her old self with Jaime and seems sane again. I'm just not happy with the writing/directing in that regard.

The saving grace of the episode really was watching Dani fly away on the dragon. Hell, yeah! It's about time!

I was also totally expecting this from Davos.

 

[Udog]

Let me just take a moment to say that Kerry Ingram did a wonderful job as Shireen. Her portrayal has been spot on since the beginning, bringing a warmth (heh) and genuineness that so few characters in Game of Thrones have. Her final scene was heartbreaking, and she acted the hell out of it.

Having said that, I agree with [MENTION=7]Jennifer[/MENTION] and was peeved at the flip-flopping characterization between Stannis and his wife Selyse. I might be able to be talked into Stannis changing his mind about sacrificing his daughter after becoming desperate, but Selyse has always hated Shireen for what she represented, and was flat out abusive towards her. Selyse is also the most fanatical of R'hllor's followers. It really seems like a case of breaking characterization to try and increase the drama (and probably set up a plot line for season 6), and it's the sort of thing that really takes me out of the story.

Also... OF COURSE Ramsay and his "20 good men" completely destroyed Stannis' camp without any casualties. I'll just resign myself to the show version of Ramsay being an Arnold Schwarzenegger caliber action hero. Hopefully he said things such as "You're Fired" and "If you can't stand the heat... get out of the kitchen" as he was lighting the food tents ablaze.

They were just playing a version of slap. Haven't you ever played that? I was playing that in high school decades ago. The thing is that, the characters actually seemed more real in those scenes than they did pretending to be badasses.

David Benioff has a funny story about getting extremely drunk and challenging Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo) to a game of slap. Apparently Momoa hits VERY hard, and David wouldn't give up. The next day or two later, his hands continued to swell up and his wife eventually forced him to go to the ER. This little addition was almost certainly David's idea.

 

[Totenkindly]

Let me just take a moment to say that Kerry Ingram did a wonderful job as Shireen. Her portrayal has been spot on since the beginning, bringing a warmth (heh)

*groan*

and genuineness that so few characters in Game of Thrones have. Her final scene was heartbreaking, and she acted the hell out of it.

Yes, she was delightful pretty much in any scene she was in.

Also... OF COURSE Ramsay and his "20 good men" completely destroyed Stannis' camp without any casualties. I'll just resign myself to the show version of Ramsay being an Arnold Schwarzenegger caliber action hero. Hopefully he said things such as "You're Fired" and "If you can't stand the heat... get out of the kitchen" as he was lighting the food tents ablaze.

Yeah, that was kind of.... meh.

In this case, maybe Ramsay seeing Shireen and kidnapping her for his Twisted Pleasure Palace might have been the LESSER of two evils for her. Could you believe that? Ramsay kidnapping Shireen and the audience breathes a sigh of relief?

David Benioff has a funny story about getting extremely drunk and challenging Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo) to a game of slap. Apparently Momoa hits VERY hard, and David wouldn't give up. The next day or two later, his hands continued to swell up and his wife eventually forced him to go to the ER. This little addition was almost certainly David's idea.

hahaha! Thanks for that tidbit. Maybe if he hadn't been so drunk and could feel it all, he might have quit earlier.


EDIT:
GOT’s Davos on Being Sent Away by Stannis -- Vulture

...Did you do anything to say good-bye to Kerry Ingram, the actress who played Shireen?

I had a little moment with Kerry. We exchanged gifts, as our characters did. I gave her a little silver stag, and she gave me a beautiful cushion with an embroidered stag on it, and it was completely by coincidence that we both had these little stag things that we gave to each other. I think in was in the last couple of days before production shut down for the season. So it was sad, because I really respect her, not only as a glorious young lady and a beautiful human being, but she's also fantastically professional and well prepared on set. She's got a wicked sense of humor as well. She's just lovely. So professionally, I'm really sad that I won't be working with her again. Those were some of my favorite scenes, what I did with her.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

*groan*



Yes, she was delightful pretty much in any scene she was in.



Yeah, that was kind of.... meh.

In this case, maybe Ramsay seeing Shireen and kidnapping her for his Twisted Pleasure Palace might have been the LESSER of two evils for her. Could you believe that? Ramsay kidnapping Shireen and the audience breathes a sigh of relief?



hahaha! Thanks for that tidbit. Maybe if he hadn't been so drunk and could feel it all, he might have quit earlier.


EDIT:
GOT’s Davos on Being Sent Away by Stannis -- Vulture

I expect this is why Stannis sent Davos away. He knew what he would have done. I suspect the thing about getting supplies was just a pretext, and he likely believed that Melisandre's BS was the only option he had.

Diplomacy and lateral thinking are the weapons of Davos, and Melisandre uses any means available — shadow babies and leeches and fire and magic. They both want the same thing, but Davos wants to do it honorably, and that's where the dramatic clash comes from. But because Stannis doesn't want to do what he's going to do, he sidelines Davos and sends him away, because he doesn't want to look in Davos's eyes when he does this. He wouldn't be able to go through with it. And yet, he wants to get on the throne. And he's convinced Davos wouldn't let him do it — Davos would sacrifice himself just to save Shireen. So he has to get him out of the way.

 

[Totenkindly]

And there was this too:
https://games.yahoo.com/news/game-thrones-just-delivered-huge-162109332.html
Apparently it's from Martin, not from the showrunners...

-----------------

Predictions for the finale?

- Dani releases her other dragons. The Targaryan is back. Whether or not she wipes out the Sons of the Harpy, she likely says, "Screw this crap" and leaves Mereen. (And then we have the problem of Jorah's impending full-body psoriasis...)

- Cersei confesses at least some of her wrongdoings and has her "walk of shame." Not sure how Uncle Kevan plays into getting rid of the Sparrows; in either case, Cersei is finished at court, and Tommen as well I'd bet. Kevan brokers a deal for the Tyrells to take over... the truce that Cersei rejected.

- Brienne tries to extract Sansa. Stannis storms Winterfell and kills Ramsay. Brienne sees Stannis and tries to kill him. Melisandre kills Brienne. I dunno. Who the heck knows? This is perhaps the most exciting part of the finale: I have no idea what will happen. (It's so Littlefingerian... just throw together a bunch of people who hate each other to see what happens, then pick up the pieces after...)

My baby Sansa will get away, though. Run, Sansa, Run! And Theon too... if he doesn't die for Sansa in some noble redemptive sacrifice sans peen. ("Poor Theon. He had already died, long ago, bit by bit, piece by piece... this was the last part that Ramsay hadn't been able to take from him." *pauses in reverence, then kicks his corpse*) I'd say Theon's crushing + death would result in a Greyjoy naval assault, except they don't care about Theon.

- Arya masquerades as a courtesan and/or "seduces" Meryn in some situation and a few minutes later crosses a name off her list. it will be bloody, and she will taunt him before he dies, so he knows who she is. Her Faceless Friend might or might not kick her out of the temple, since she hasn't been doing her assigned task(s).

- Jon... well... Jon.... Olly and his buddies aren't too happy with Jon. Thorne knows it, Jon knows it, we know it, we're all just waiting to see how it plays out. The wildings did seem contrite at least, coming under the wall.

- We get word that Robin was thrown by his horse into the sea and died. Alas. Poor little bird.

- Bran doesn't appear.

- Rickon doesn't appear. Stay hidden, Rickon! Hiding in a hole somewhere might leave you the last contestant on Game of Thrones!

 

[Qre:us]

AVOIDING READING THREAD!!! MY EYES!! THEY BURN AT THE RESISTANCE!!!

My stupid satellite went Valar Morghulis, yesterday, so I haven't watched it yet!

 

[Udog]

And there was this too:
https://games.yahoo.com/news/game-thrones-just-delivered-huge-162109332.html
Apparently it's from Martin, not from the showrunners...

Shireen getting burned is probably from Martin, but I'm not sure if Stannis will be the one to do it. In the books, Melisandre, Shireen, and Selyse are still at the Wall while Stannis and his army are trapped in the blizzard a few days away from Winterfell.

And no comments on the finale, as I think several stories will fit the books pretty closely, and a few others will be modified versions of what's in the books.