thebin
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May 3, 2013 15:20:30 GMT -5
Post by thebin on May 3, 2013 15:20:30 GMT -5
Yeah, you're right, that was just horrible tv. Let me guess, the fact that the episode recieved universal high praise from professional tv critics doesn't mean squat, right? www.ign.com/articles/2013/04/15/game-of-thrones-walk-of-punishment-review"Walk of Punishment," save for the parts in King's Landing, which seems to be the natural place where forward momentum takes a bit of a break these days, was an excellent episode that saw the return of Daenerys and dear, sweet, kindly old Craster. It also showed us that this season wasn't quite done introducing new characters as we kicked things off in Cat's old home of Riverrun (now in the opening), meeting her brother, Edmure, and her uncle, Brynden - aka "The Blackfish" - in the process. The opening bit featuring Edmure not being able to properly shoot a fire arrow onto his dead father's boat, and Blackfish swiping the bow away and doing it himself (not even looking back to see if the arrow hit its mark!) was a great way of setting up their relationship. And while I don't recall Uncle Edmure being such a lump in the books, I was happy with the portrayal of Blackfish, whose debut has been delayed for two seasons now. www.avclub.com/articles/walk-of-punishment-for-experts,95985/ It might seem odd to describe an episode that opens with the funeral of Cat’s father, Hoster Tully, as “breathless,” but even in that little scene, the show indicates its intent to make this a rollicking ride. Edmure picks up a bow to fire the flaming arrow into the midst of Hoster’s floating funeral pyre, but he can’t make the shot, as Hoster floats farther and farther away. Irritated, the Blackfish takes the bow from his nephew and completes the shot in one go, even though the little boat is almost around the bend in the river. It’s a handy way to introduce these dynamics: Edmure may mean well, but he isn’t always the smartest or most capable guy; the Blackfish isn’t always the man you want for the job, but he’s almost always the man you need. The Tullys have gotten rather short shrift in the series, compared to the elaborations we get on their family dynamics in the books, but the series is almost always good at finding a visual way to portray these complicated family relationships, and this is one of the better ones. www.sfx.co.uk/2013/04/16/game-of-thrones-3-03-walk-of-punishment-review/That brilliantly delivered ending aside, there was a feeling of gathering momentum in this episode that has been a little absent from previous weeks, making this the season highlight so far. From the impending war north of the Wall to Dany’s outrageous dragon-gambling gambit to secure herself an army, the showrunners obviously feel that all the new characters and situations have been bedded in enough now and we can get down to business.
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May 3, 2013 16:49:13 GMT -5
Post by AustinHoya03 on May 3, 2013 16:49:13 GMT -5
Let me guess, the fact that the episode recieved universal high praise from professional tv critics doesn't mean squat, right? Who are you, and what have you done with thebin, the Blue and Gray board's most epic contrarian? Look, I probably went a little overboard in my criticism of GoT. I do enjoy watching the series, but I think it has some rather obvious flaws and I obviously disagree with those who think it is the greatest television series ever. That doesn't mean it's not good TV or better than 98% of the other shows on television.
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SFHoya99
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May 3, 2013 20:59:38 GMT -5
Post by SFHoya99 on May 3, 2013 20:59:38 GMT -5
"Is it even made clear that Thoros of Myr's life-restoring Lord of Light is the same fire-based deity that gives Melisandre the ability to birth shadow assassins that murder Stannis's rivals?" Are you guys watching the same show I am? How could that have been more clear? I mean they are chanting the exact same stuff over and over. You'd have to be pretty obtuse not to realize they are the same religion. I like the fact that they don't forcefeed exposition to the audience. There is also NO CHANCE the showrunners are only including Theon because one of the least important actors from an immense cast is making them do so because he needs the work. That's just not how television works. I really feel like the book readers are not having remotely the same television experience the non-readers are having because they refuse to let the tv product speak for itself. Which is too bad because it is some of the best television in history. I think the best thing to do is enjoy the tv for what it is....then and only then go read the books and let the books speak for themselves too. It never seems to work the other way around. Just a giant +1 for all of thebin's comments here. I know a lot of non-book reading show watchers and NONE of them seem to have the issues that book readers seem to think they will. Primarily because book readers can't seem to let go of the characters from the books and expect them to be explained 100%, immediately, right now. You've got to let it go -- or at least acknowledge that it's okay if we don't know the Blackfish is Cat's uncle for one whole scene or that it's not a travesty that the Blackfish is more of a dick towards Edmure than he is in the book. The books are better than the show, IMO, and the show is hardly perfect, but it's been fantastic this year AND there's a lot of things that are BETTER in the show/on-screen than in the book. For example, this Jaime/Brienne plotline is better visually -- especially the bath scene. It's one thing to read it; it's another to see fantastic actors literally and figuratively naked, as Jaime is reborn in water. Or actually showing Karstark butchering the Lannisters. Or Robb cutting off Karstark's head in a scene that mirrored Theon killing Rodrik Cassell. That wildly overrides anything about leaving out freaking Willas Tyrell.
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jgalt
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May 3, 2013 22:53:28 GMT -5
Post by jgalt on May 3, 2013 22:53:28 GMT -5
I dont have a problem with them changing things to make for better TV. I know you have to do that. I just think they are making poor choices on what they are changing. Mostly because they are adding scenes which are unnecessary and cutting scenes that would enrich the plot. The Willas stuff I just find strange that they would change it. The way that whole aspect of the story has been done on TV has been very drawn out where in the book it was done in one very concise scene that was better written.
But whatever. Having read the books doesnt negatively impact my enjoyment of the show at all. Research has shown that people like movies better when they know what the twist is. I really like seeing how they depict the build up to major events and then observing how the people I watch with react to it.
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Boz
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May 14, 2013 16:56:49 GMT -5
Post by Boz on May 14, 2013 16:56:49 GMT -5
Interrupting the GOT discussion for a brief refresher course on The Venture Brothers, courtesy of Henchman 21: New season starts in a few weeks.
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hoyatables
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May 29, 2013 6:21:12 GMT -5
Post by hoyatables on May 29, 2013 6:21:12 GMT -5
So what does everyone think about the new season of Arrested Development? Come on!
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PhillyHoya
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May 29, 2013 8:20:45 GMT -5
Post by PhillyHoya on May 29, 2013 8:20:45 GMT -5
So what does everyone think about the new season of Arrested Development? Come on! Five episodes in. Very hit or miss.
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hoyatables
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May 29, 2013 20:46:59 GMT -5
Post by hoyatables on May 29, 2013 20:46:59 GMT -5
So what does everyone think about the new season of Arrested Development? Come on! Five episodes in. Very hit or miss. Stick with it -- it really picks up steam when you get to GOB and others in the second half.
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TC
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May 29, 2013 22:09:24 GMT -5
Post by TC on May 29, 2013 22:09:24 GMT -5
Episodes 1-3 were really rough. I'm up to 12 now and it's gotten better but it really started off terribly.
And then there's the whole Portia de Rossi face thing that distracted me throughout episode 3. Whoever did the makeup / hair for episode 3 needs to be blackballed from the industry.
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TBird41
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Jun 2, 2013 21:56:56 GMT -5
Post by TBird41 on Jun 2, 2013 21:56:56 GMT -5
Uhhhhhh....well, that was not a pleasant ending to that episode.
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Boz
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Jun 3, 2013 8:42:35 GMT -5
Post by Boz on Jun 3, 2013 8:42:35 GMT -5
Uhhhhhh....well, that was not a pleasant ending to that episode. I have been enjoying the reactions of friends who have not read the books. Obviously, those who have read the books have been waiting for the Red Wedding for some time now (like all season long). I think they depicted it pretty well, but I think they missed two opportunities: 1. They captured the viciousness pretty well with the (non-book) killing of Robb's child and wife. I think having her at the wedding was a good idea, for that purpose. But I think they missed an opportunity to show the Frey contempt of House Stark by leaving out the decapitation of Robb (followed by sewing Grey Wind's head onto Robb's body). I am certainly not one who usually calls out for more gratuitous gore, but in this case, I think it is an important piece of gore. 2. I can't really comment about the other thing they left out, at the end of the Red Wedding, without it being a spoiler. It has something to do with a naked body and a river.... Other than those two things, they did the scene really, really well.
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hoopsmccan
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Jun 3, 2013 9:05:01 GMT -5
Post by hoopsmccan on Jun 3, 2013 9:05:01 GMT -5
Uhhhhhh....well, that was not a pleasant ending to that episode. I have been enjoying the reactions of friends who have not read the books. Obviously, those who have read the books have been waiting for the Red Wedding for some time now (like all season long). I think they depicted it pretty well, but I think they missed two opportunities: 1. They captured the viciousness pretty well with the (non-book) killing of Robb's child and wife. I think having her at the wedding was a good idea, for that purpose. But I think they missed an opportunity to show the Frey contempt of House Stark by leaving out the decapitation of Robb (followed by sewing Grey Wind's head onto Robb's body). I am certainly not one who usually calls out for more gratuitous gore, but in this case, I think it is an important piece of gore. 2. I can't really comment about the other thing they left out, at the end of the Red Wedding, without it being a spoiler. It has something to do with a naked body and a river.... Other than those two things, they did the scene really, really well. Re: #1, I still expect that image to be used. I read the books a long time ago and that image of Robb has stuck with me and it would translate well to TV. I can't believe there is only one episode left...
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jgalt
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Jun 3, 2013 9:55:28 GMT -5
Post by jgalt on Jun 3, 2013 9:55:28 GMT -5
I can see #1 being something that is talked about by other characters once they are talking about what happened. Like Joffrey reveling in the story and wishing he had been there himself. As for #2, if I was directing it, I would open next season with that image. Or they may even have it in next weeks episode. And I am happy that Rikon is finally out of the picture! Took long enough. I was really surpised by this article from rolling stone: www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/game-of-thrones-recap-red-red-red-20130603 . I would be surprised if anyone stopped watching the show because of what happened, but maybe. I think that would be misguided. The Show has set this up much more as Starks vs. Lannisters but the who story is not like that at all. Because the Red Wedding takes place in the middle of book three the reader can just plow on and get resolution to many of their questions. But the viewer has to wait 9 months or so. Maybe next weeks episode will change the mind of the Rolling Stones reviewer...
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TBird41
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Jun 3, 2013 10:01:57 GMT -5
Post by TBird41 on Jun 3, 2013 10:01:57 GMT -5
At this point, I'm Team Mother of Dragons. I was probably leaning that way before last night too, though I liked the Starks. If she dies? Team White Walkers.
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Boz
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Jun 3, 2013 10:55:04 GMT -5
Post by Boz on Jun 3, 2013 10:55:04 GMT -5
My quibbles (and they're pretty much just that) about the Red Wedding are more long-term plot related.
As far as just pure presentation and direction goes, it's difficult to fault a single thing about the way the episode ended:
Throat. Slash. Black. Silence.
Pretty damned perfect, I have to admit.
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prhoya
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Jun 3, 2013 12:17:09 GMT -5
Post by prhoya on Jun 3, 2013 12:17:09 GMT -5
Uhhhhhh....well, that was not a pleasant ending to that episode. I have been enjoying the reactions of friends who have not read the books. Obviously, those who have read the books have been waiting for the Red Wedding for some time now (like all season long). I think they depicted it pretty well, but I think they missed two opportunities: 1. They captured the viciousness pretty well with the (non-book) killing of Robb's child and wife. I think having her at the wedding was a good idea, for that purpose. But I think they missed an opportunity to show the Frey contempt of House Stark by leaving out the decapitation of Robb (followed by sewing Grey Wind's head onto Robb's body). I am certainly not one who usually calls out for more gratuitous gore, but in this case, I think it is an important piece of gore. 2. I can't really comment about the other thing they left out, at the end of the Red Wedding, without it being a spoiler. It has something to do with a naked body and a river.... Other than those two things, they did the scene really, really well. I think they need to cover more than two things in the après Red Wedding. It's a lot of stuff to cram into 10 episodes, even more difficult if they add the non-book story lines (like Robb's wife at the Wedding). That said, my friends who have not read the books have loved the TV series so far.
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prhoya
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Jun 3, 2013 12:32:49 GMT -5
Post by prhoya on Jun 3, 2013 12:32:49 GMT -5
And I am happy that Rikon is finally out of the picture! Took long enough. I was really surpised by this article from rolling stone: www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/game-of-thrones-recap-red-red-red-20130603 . I would be surprised if anyone stopped watching the show because of what happened, but maybe. I think that would be misguided. The Show has set this up much more as Starks vs. Lannisters but the who story is not like that at all. Because the Red Wedding takes place in the middle of book three the reader can just plow on and get resolution to many of their questions. But the viewer has to wait 9 months or so. Maybe next weeks episode will change the mind of the Rolling Stones reviewer... Let's see next week. It was so intense that maybe it has the reverse effect and even more people watch the final episode of the season. As for Rikon, a Martin character is not out of the picture until he/she is dead... well, and not even then!
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TC
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Jun 3, 2013 12:55:33 GMT -5
Post by TC on Jun 3, 2013 12:55:33 GMT -5
Thanks for all the spoilers, I scrolled down after I thought "not a pleasant end to the episode" was George Michael punching Michael in the face.
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rosslynhoya
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Jun 3, 2013 18:26:32 GMT -5
Post by rosslynhoya on Jun 3, 2013 18:26:32 GMT -5
1. They captured the viciousness pretty well with the (non-book) killing of Robb's child and wife. I think having her at the wedding was a good idea, for that purpose. The writers missed an excellent opportunity to have Robb ask Lord Frey, "Would it have been less of an insult to your house to have left her behind at Riverrun?" but that would have required them to have more than a passing familiarity with the source material. Since the HBO series didn't play along with the Spicer/Westerling angle at all, I for one am quite glad "Talisa" is dead so that there are no loose ends and people wondering whether Robb really has an heir who will avenge him in Book 17 when it's released in 2045.
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CTHoya08
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Jun 4, 2013 10:39:18 GMT -5
Post by CTHoya08 on Jun 4, 2013 10:39:18 GMT -5
I can see #1 being something that is talked about by other characters once they are talking about what happened. Like Joffrey reveling in the story and wishing he had been there himself. As for #2, if I was directing it, I would open next season with that image. Or they may even have it in next weeks episode. I think you're right about #1. I think #2, or perhaps the scene that follows it (I forget exactly how it's done in the book, because I read it almost two years ago) will be the closing scene to this season.
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