I haven't read all the books but I am not worried about the spoilers.
Book Spoiler Convo to follow:
Are we talking about the queen of the vale? Did she actually survive that fall? Sorry I know everyone else was keeping it vague but this is where I stopped reading.
Watching the death of one of my favorite characters in the Ep 9 battle felt just as bad as when I read it. I was REALLY hoping they would just change things completely and not kill the character off ha
Ygritte. But it was obvious in the books and the show that she was going to die; and the event helps build Jon's character and lets him go full badass later on.
I'm pretty hyped for the finale this season... can't believe some of you guys actually seek out spoilers!!! Anyhow, it sounds like the finale will have a longer than usual running time...
THE HYPE:
'If any "Game of Thrones" episode gets writing love at the 2014 Emmy Awards, it will be Sunday's Season 4 finale, "The Children." The Emmy ballot is officially complete, and the only episode HBO and those involved in the show sent in for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series is the one which will air on June 15.
That, more than any promo released for the finale, should hype fans for the scale of Season 4, episode 10. The loaded episode will run 66 minutes in length, and feature the payoffs of the Battle of Castle Black and Tyrion's trial, among others. If this is the episode that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss think is the best of a season with plenty of fantastic writing, that is a sure sign that it is.'
You guys are killing me with this spoiler tags! I'm nearly done with A Feast for Crows, soon I too will be able to use the tag.
I plowed through all the audio books a few years ago while working. The ones narrated by Roy Dotrice were awesome. Fun trivia he had a cameo on the show as the Pyromancer Hallyne.
It was definitely a "wrap-up" episode. After the bombastic episode 9, this was a much more sedate affair. At the same time, I actually rather liked it. There was a lot more opportunity for high-calibur acting in these slightly more somber episodes. The one scene between the Hound and Arya was priceless. A prime example of saying quite a bit with very little.
Sansa's storyline, as well as Brandon's storyline, have essentially caught up to the furthest parts of the novels. Going into the next season of the TV show, those who have read all the books will be just as much in the dark as those who have only seen the TV show. At least where those characters are concerned. Brienne and Podrick have also diverged from where they are in the books, there's no real way to know what's going to happen to them either. Really great Brienne-focused scene in this episode, by the way.
As far as most of the other characters are concerned, it's business as usual, and still plenty of story to tell.
So we aren't worrying about show spoilers right, we are going with the assumption that we are up to date with the show when we open this? Good. Carry on.
I thought as an ending episode it was great.... Are you complaining about who was killed, or the directing...? There was probably enough content to be dragged out over two episodes i guess.
Rory McCann's acting after the fight fucking killed me. that hurt to watch but in a good way. But yes that fight was fucking brutal.
I enjoyed it, it moved fast, but it had a lot of ground to cover. It leaves me wondering about how they will structure the next season, as Sansa and Brandon (as has been noted) are at the ends of their story.
There is still plenty of story left for Arya, on her way to Bravos, Jon Snow, as the aftermath of the king showing up plays out, and Tyrion, as he goes off to do what Tyrion does, I won't spoil it.
Okay no I am kind of wishing they would fucking hire Del Toro to direct some shit, especially fucking makeup.
Book/TV spoilers below.
Where is Coldhands? Why does Leaf just look like a kid in crap makeup? Why does Lord Brynden just look like a decrepit old man? Why is Qyburn so FUCKING obvious with turning Clegane into Ser Robert Strong? Why is Stone Heart just completely skipped? Why is Tysha completely skipped, kind of important part about Tyrion? They fucked up Tywins final words, they made him FIGHT Shae instead of outright kill her, also what the hell Jaime is OK with everything now? Damnit I know they change a ton of things for TV but, goddamn some of this shit is kind of integral to character development, bah.
Ah well the Brienne vs Hound fight was grueling and well done, book true or not, great acting.
Haven't read the books so I'm not sure why people don't like it. But this was definitely one of my favorite episodes out of season 4. There was just so much story in it. I mean come on the hound, tywin, dragons, stannis , man in tree and valar morghulis. Can't wait for next season!
Also my list of people to root for is quickly dwindling. might have to resort to ramsay
After the hype for this episode I was was steeling myself for a major shock, but it didn't really play out that way. A few more pieces off the board, but none that came as a particularly huge surprise.
Stannis suddenly appearing behind The Wall was far more unexpected. Judging by the map, that's quite a hike from where he's been sitting on his butt for the last two seasons.
Haven't read the books so I'm not sure why people don't like it
I'd say it dropped the ball on a few key scenes. The book was pretty epic and the episode could have been, but instead it jumped all over the place, jumbled up the order of things, omitted large elements and in general just sort of rushed through things far too quickly. It might not have been terrible, but it came no where close to its potential.
From the perspective of not reading the books: great episode, 10/10.
From the perspective of reading the books:
Where the FUCK was my Lady Stoneheart?! I literally screamed FUCK when the credits started rolling. They have been teasing it all season long. If she gets the Coldhands/Big Belly Guy treatment, I might have to bow out.
After the hype for this episode I was was steeling myself for a major shock, but it didn't really play out that way.
It's because they completely skipped over what would have been the major shock. That's the short un-spoilery version of what many of the book readers are fussed about (myself included).
artsstream: I accidentally read a spoiler this morning about what you reference. Not read the books, looking forward to it and how it plays out. Think I'm going to read the books from the start.
I cant be the only one having a hard time differentiating between the book and the show at this point, right?
All these seemingly minor changes to the show is just confusing as shit sometimes. Maybe the books are due for another read through.
Book spoiler below. Seriously guys.
Maybe they are saving Lady Stoneheart for when Brienne and Podrick meets her.
It did kinda suck that she wasnt in this episode though.
Where the FUCK was my Lady Stoneheart?! I literally screamed FUCK when the credits started rolling. They have been teasing it all season long. If she gets the Coldhands/Big Belly Guy treatment, I might have to bow out.
I wouldn't worry too much.
I'm thinking they'll probably use her as a big season 5 reveal. Either at the very beginning or very end of the first episode would be choice. It would be a fantastic reveal to draw people back into the series after the break. Killing Tywin was ample surprise for the finish of this season.
so I was just gonna ask about the coin and the end there..
for us peasants who only know common, anyone care to explain what happened there?:poly142:
I've only watched the show, but I know that one dude who helped Arya out before (and changed his face) gave her the coin and told her to say that to anyone free man from *bravos* (I think?), and they would take her there. I believe what she said means "All men must die" and his response was "all men must serve" or something like that. I'm sure a book reader will give a more thorough answer.
Coldhands is a character seemingly cut from the show. He's described as wearing the clothes of the nights watch, with a scarf to hide his face, with black cold hands.
While he's very clearly (un)dead, he saves Samwell (who he addresses as "Brother!") and co while they're north of the wall, and escorts them to the hidden gate under the wall where Sam meets Bran. He says to Samwell:
"The world believes the boy is dead ... Let his bones lie undisturbed. We want no seekers coming after us. Swear it, Samwell of the Night's Watch. Swear it for the life you owe me."
Picture that thing, saving Sam and Bran while fighting off wight after wight and hunting down traitorous members of the Nightswatch beyond the wall. You can read his wiki entry here (it's free of any spoilers if you're caught up with the show; the only reason Bran managed to catch all the way up to his point in the book 5 while everyone else is still in book 3 is because they rushed through his journey and left Coldhands out).
Pretty big spoiler and the event we were hoping for.
DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING THAT IS A GOOD SIZED PLOT POINT!!
Thanks for the links! I'm still annoyed, though.
"But what's funny is that it was never going to be in the season, yet it took off on the Internet like it was going to happen."
Of course it did -- this season is based on the book in which that event happened. It's not as if people are being wildly unreasonable by expecting a major plot point to actually happen when it did in the source material. I was even feeling a little better about it until I read that line.
Who knows, though, maybe they thought they needed to save it for next Mother's Day.
I think they generally cut things that haven't been revealed as important to the overall arch of the books so far.
We've already seen elements of these missing characters being infused into other characters. I imagine, without pulling a deus ex machina reveal on a new character, they'll be integrating characters and streamlining some elements of the story so we don't have to experiance what I feel like are the many lulls of the story where not much happens that keeps you interested.
What I'm surprised with the overall story as I know it from what I've seen and read, is how...
uninspired Daenery's character becomes as she is quagmired in Meereen. I'm not finished with book 5, but so far I feel what was a very relevent character, is just so uninteresting now.
good episode? yes
kind of episode to hype it in a theatre? I don't think so
like others have said, I too am running low on characters I like...
-Jon Snow
-Tyrion Lannister
-Arya Stark (won me over in the finale, and the tiny bit of the episode where she laughs at her aunts death)
-Grey Worm
-The Hound (if his brother can survive, so can he!)
-Margaery Tyrell/Missandei/Daenerys Targaryen (don't care much for their characters but they are the only eye candy left :P)
Stannis suddenly appearing behind The Wall was far more unexpected. Judging by the map, that's quite a hike from where he's been sitting on his butt for the last two seasons.
yea that felt a little out of place... did i miss the build up to them attacking? did they show any planning other then his general im the rightful king rants?
When Davos Seaworth was telling Stannis about what's going on in the north, Stannis basically said he didn't care. But when the Red woman looked into the fire, she basically said that Davos is right, your (Stannis's) war is elsewhere...in the North.
"But what's funny is that it was never going to be in the season, yet it took off on the Internet like it was going to happen."
Of course it did -- this season is based on the book in which that event happened. It's not as if people are being wildly unreasonable by expecting a major plot point to actually happen when it did in the source material. I was even feeling a little better about it until I read that line.
Who knows, though, maybe they thought they needed to save it for next Mother's Day.
That. They're finishing the third book, and it's the epilogue of it.
Also:
Literally every episode of this season mentioned Catelyn Stark, as if to tease book readers about her coming back. They even mentioned Beric Dondarrion, who hasn't been mentioned in how many seasons? Those links made sense though, my theory is Brienne & Pod will stumble upon her, since like they said, the books havent gone into much depth about LS, so there's not much story there, for now anyway.
If you're talking about Shae, it happened. They changed it ever so slightly though so that she made a move for a knife first. I guess they didn't want to tarnish his character too much on the show.
I see.
It's kinda disappointing to see them do that stuff. I also recall that in books Cathelyn (or however you write her name) started to laugh hysterically as she killed the hostage and someone said she's gone mad and told people to kill her.
That said Tyrion strangling Shae never made sense to me the way it was described in book. I mean I get it, dude's bitter and angry but until that point he didn't seem that deranged.
It's probably not hard to pull a crossbow trigger but I imagine it takes a seriously fucked up mind to be able to calmly grab someone, watch them struggle and keep choking them until they die right next to your face.
Replies
POTENTIAL MAJOR SPOILER FROM BOOKS
You will see my friend, you will see.
just read her wiki page. FUCKKKKKK
THE HYPE:
That, more than any promo released for the finale, should hype fans for the scale of Season 4, episode 10. The loaded episode will run 66 minutes in length, and feature the payoffs of the Battle of Castle Black and Tyrion's trial, among others. If this is the episode that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss think is the best of a season with plenty of fantastic writing, that is a sure sign that it is.'
I plowed through all the audio books a few years ago while working. The ones narrated by Roy Dotrice were awesome. Fun trivia he had a cameo on the show as the Pyromancer Hallyne.
But I was disappointed in the last episode.
It was definitely a "wrap-up" episode. After the bombastic episode 9, this was a much more sedate affair. At the same time, I actually rather liked it. There was a lot more opportunity for high-calibur acting in these slightly more somber episodes. The one scene between the Hound and Arya was priceless. A prime example of saying quite a bit with very little.
Sansa's storyline, as well as Brandon's storyline, have essentially caught up to the furthest parts of the novels. Going into the next season of the TV show, those who have read all the books will be just as much in the dark as those who have only seen the TV show. At least where those characters are concerned. Brienne and Podrick have also diverged from where they are in the books, there's no real way to know what's going to happen to them either. Really great Brienne-focused scene in this episode, by the way.
As far as most of the other characters are concerned, it's business as usual, and still plenty of story to tell.
I thought as an ending episode it was great.... Are you complaining about who was killed, or the directing...? There was probably enough content to be dragged out over two episodes i guess.
Rory McCann's acting after the fight fucking killed me. that hurt to watch but in a good way. But yes that fight was fucking brutal.
There is still plenty of story left for Arya, on her way to Bravos, Jon Snow, as the aftermath of the king showing up plays out, and Tyrion, as he goes off to do what Tyrion does, I won't spoil it.
Okay no I am kind of wishing they would fucking hire Del Toro to direct some shit, especially fucking makeup.
Book/TV spoilers below.
Ah well the Brienne vs Hound fight was grueling and well done, book true or not, great acting.
Also yay hugs!
Haven't read the books so I'm not sure why people don't like it. But this was definitely one of my favorite episodes out of season 4. There was just so much story in it. I mean come on the hound, tywin, dragons, stannis , man in tree and valar morghulis. Can't wait for next season!
Also my list of people to root for is quickly dwindling. might have to resort to ramsay
But i really liked
And that fight is awesome. I'm honestly scared when they started fighting. I like both of them.
From the perspective of reading the books:
All these seemingly minor changes to the show is just confusing as shit sometimes. Maybe the books are due for another read through.
Book spoiler below. Seriously guys.
It did kinda suck that she wasnt in this episode though.
“Valar morghulis”!
About time...
I wouldn't worry too much.
so I was just gonna ask about the coin and the end there..
for us peasants who only know common, anyone care to explain what happened there?:poly142:
While he's very clearly (un)dead, he saves Samwell (who he addresses as "Brother!") and co while they're north of the wall, and escorts them to the hidden gate under the wall where Sam meets Bran. He says to Samwell:
"The world believes the boy is dead ... Let his bones lie undisturbed. We want no seekers coming after us. Swear it, Samwell of the Night's Watch. Swear it for the life you owe me."
It's theorised that coldhands is
[ame="
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Picture that thing, saving Sam and Bran while fighting off wight after wight and hunting down traitorous members of the Nightswatch beyond the wall. You can read his wiki entry here (it's free of any spoilers if you're caught up with the show; the only reason Bran managed to catch all the way up to his point in the book 5 while everyone else is still in book 3 is because they rushed through his journey and left Coldhands out).
I always thought it was
thanks!!
so now we play the waiting game eh...
Pretty big spoiler and the event we were hoping for.
DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING THAT IS A GOOD SIZED PLOT POINT!!
http://instagram.com/p/nEeNM0PA3L/#
http://io9.com/game-of-thrones-director-explains-the-finales-missing-c-1591613805?utm_campaign=socialflow_io9_facebook&utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
Of course it did -- this season is based on the book in which that event happened. It's not as if people are being wildly unreasonable by expecting a major plot point to actually happen when it did in the source material. I was even feeling a little better about it until I read that line.
Who knows, though, maybe they thought they needed to save it for next Mother's Day.
We've already seen elements of these missing characters being infused into other characters. I imagine, without pulling a deus ex machina reveal on a new character, they'll be integrating characters and streamlining some elements of the story so we don't have to experiance what I feel like are the many lulls of the story where not much happens that keeps you interested.
What I'm surprised with the overall story as I know it from what I've seen and read, is how...
kind of episode to hype it in a theatre? I don't think so
like others have said, I too am running low on characters I like...
-Jon Snow
-Tyrion Lannister
-Arya Stark (won me over in the finale, and the tiny bit of the episode where she laughs at her aunts death)
-Grey Worm
-The Hound (if his brother can survive, so can he!)
-Margaery Tyrell/Missandei/Daenerys Targaryen (don't care much for their characters but they are the only eye candy left :P)
yea that felt a little out of place... did i miss the build up to them attacking? did they show any planning other then his general im the rightful king rants?
That. They're finishing the third book, and it's the epilogue of it.
Also:
Nobody mentioned it so I'm not sure whether they changed it, or if it didn't happen yet, or if it did happen but people didn't care much?
It's kinda disappointing to see them do that stuff. I also recall that in books Cathelyn (or however you write her name) started to laugh hysterically as she killed the hostage and someone said she's gone mad and told people to kill her.
That said Tyrion strangling Shae never made sense to me the way it was described in book. I mean I get it, dude's bitter and angry but until that point he didn't seem that deranged.
It's probably not hard to pull a crossbow trigger but I imagine it takes a seriously fucked up mind to be able to calmly grab someone, watch them struggle and keep choking them until they die right next to your face.