I came across this review
of the episode which seems right on target to me. I agree with one of their complaints- the Dothraki ceremony was very redolent of traditional/stereotypical depictions of cultures labeled "savages". Other than that, it was a really good episode, but it was something that struck me.
regarding the "DNA", I don't really totally remember genetics myself, but would still think that at some point it would have come up in conversation that Joffrey takes after his mother, not his father.
edited 22nd May '11 7:55:57 PM by Jordan
Hodor![]()
Actually, it was remarked in the books that younger sister Lyssa was looking older than Catelyn, and that she had aged poorly in the last few years. For the rest, who is going to think it odd that children take after their mother? Red-heads, now that'd be an eye-brow raiser. Without it, well... Well, there was prodding going on. Littlefinger or Varys pushed either Jon Arryn or Stannis Baratheon into checking things out. The bastards, and the book of genealogy is verification to prove it, but not because people know that say, light-hair is a recessive trait compared to dark-hair, at least for the Baratheons/Lannister cross.
The final line of the episode was rather... I don't know... It gave me goosebumps. And based on the end of every episode thus far, I know that is supposed to be the point. I think I'm going to have to pick up the books... But I'm not sure I want to do so until the season is over (why spoil the last 2-4 episodes if I'm already this far into it?).
That said, it does concern me a bit about Jorah. From last week, we know that he's selling information about Daenerys and Viserys to Robert... But he says this week that he values loyalty above all else. Whatever his end-game... Based on what happened this episode, with what Dany allowed to happen to her brother, Jorah had just better hope that no one finds out about it...
As an interesting side note: I did notice after watching the Title Sequence (for the sixth time, since I can't not watch it), every actor/actress has a flag by their name designating what house their character belongs to... It's for little things like that, that I enjoy the show.
It is worth noting that Ser Jorah seems to be reporting not to the king, but to bald-eunuch-man-whose-name-I-think-starts-with-a-'V'. Maybe not the most incredible of distinctions, but with the wheels within wheels I can't be sure.
edited 22nd May '11 10:10:08 PM by OhnoaBear
"The marvel is not that the Bear posts well, but that the Bear posts at all."![]()
Is he? I just didn't think Jorah was reporting to Varys because the information came out as a recap to Ned. Which would mean that it could have initially came through any of the five in the room prior to Ned's arrival.
That and Robert found out about the wedding in episode 2 as well... Add the fact that the sequence to Ned about it made it seem that Jorah was doing it to gain favor and get his land/title back, I don't see why he wouldn't be reporting to Robert (through someone, obviously.. and that's where things could get sticky). Since Robert himself would be the only one to offer a pardon that superseded Ned's wishes.
edited 22nd May '11 10:25:15 PM by Swish
Varys is the Master of Whisperers, he does all that work for Robert. You think Robert is going to do anything resembling work?
Do remember though, Jorah didn't know Dany yet, and if he knew Viserys, well, that obviously wouldn't inspire loyalty.
I wonder if anybody is going to be scanning through screen caps to read that book though.
edited 22nd May '11 10:30:25 PM by blueharp
I thought his lien "killing things clears my head" about summed his character up for me
having just watched episode seven some serious stuff went down there
Ned Stark is so Wrong Genre Savvy it hurts me to watch him at times
Humour, where would we be without it? In Germany, probablyI'm curious. What's Tyrion's "confession" like in the book. I've read posts saying that it was funny in-text as well, but that the hilarious tv version surpassed it.
One other thought, not sure what others think. I felt that Ned was doing the right thing for the wrong reasons in using his authority to outlaw Gregor. While a lot of his motivation did seem to be about doing justice to the peasants, I would think repairing their village and that kind of thing would be a more direct way of doing that. The way Ned did it seems more like he was continuing the proxy war between the Lannisters and Starks and was basically breaking a promise to Robert.
HodorAm I the only one for whom HBO Go is taking a shitload of time to load? It's been buffering for half an hour now.
The Philosopher-King Paradox![]()
That is exactly what it felt like, and I think Littlefinger agrees with you. Outlawing The Mountain was an action that could, and probably should, wait for the King's determination.
edited 23rd May '11 11:22:41 AM by OhnoaBear
"The marvel is not that the Bear posts well, but that the Bear posts at all."Let's see, in the books, little lord Arryn wasn't there, and they fought in the Godswood, not by the Moon Door. Which is vertical in the books, not horizontal.
His confession is much shorter:
"Where to begin? I am a vile little man, I confess it. My crimes and sins are beyond counting, my lords and ladies. I have lain with whores, not once but hundreds of times. I have wished my own lord father dead, and my sister, our gracious queen, as well." Behind him, someone chuckled. "I have not always treated my servants with kindness. I have gambled. I have even cheated, I blush to admit. I have said many cruel and malicious things about the noble lords and ladies of the court." That drew outright laughter. "Once I-"
In regards to the hearing against Ser Gregor, in the book, Ned did send Robert a messenger, and Ned also spoke against Vengeance, focusing on Justice. That is why he send Lord Beric Dondarrion instead of Ser Loras.
Also, funniest part of the TV version is the ending.
"The marvel is not that the Bear posts well, but that the Bear posts at all."
I can only remember Renly and Robert, so I doubt it.
He does not appear in the first book.
And note, the guy Ned sends to Robert, and the guy Ned sends after Gregor are two different people.
And really, you think Gregor is going to kill him? The poor Mountain, so misjudged...wait til you get to see him in the second and third books! He's a gentle giant!
edited 23rd May '11 1:44:30 PM by blueharp

Well, Jon obviously did based on his dying words. Speaking of Who is supposed to be the older sister, Catelyn or Lyssa? 'Cause right now, Lyssa is looking a good ten years older, but that just might be her crazy shining through.
"The marvel is not that the Bear posts well, but that the Bear posts at all."