Television Game of Thrones (TV) • The watch has ended

I just hope they give an explanation of Bran's Three Eye Raven stuff. If they don't that's almost as bad as The Lost let down.
They’ve already done this though, haven’t they? He is basically Wikipedia... is there any more to it?
 
I just hope they give an explanation of Bran's Three Eye Raven stuff. If they don't that's almost as bad as The Lost let down.

I don't think there's any need for any further explanation beyond what they've already given? So I think you'll be dissapointed.
 
I find it quite humorous that the fanbois/masses who defended absolute shite writing for the past three full seasons (hell, even at times between S01 and S04 which relied on Martin’s material) are now spitting fire (excuse the pun) over Daenerys’ descent into madness as it’s not the conclusion they wanted. Discussion points about ‘pacing’, ‘payoffs’ etc. are just bluster, IMO. They just simply seem to be unhappy with the direction the writers took and are using annoying, overused terms like ‘arc’ to try justify their discontent.

Where were your reservations for the first seven seasons when Snow et al inconceivably escaped perilous situations time and time again, a trope so overused it diminished any semblance of tension or drama as you just knew the ‘hero’ would survive. The show wasn’t always like this. Your destiny in the world of Game of Thrones was always determined by how well you played the game. That whole premise went out the window many seasons ago yet the fanbois excused it every single time but now you’re up in arms over the plausibility of the storytelling? Give me a break.

Folk are moaning about Daenerys choosing to attack random crowds of civilians at the point at which the city had surrendered. The moment was not well done at all - it was not a natural turn of events. Her choosing to ignore the bells and take to the air again was perfectly fine. I thought she would go straight for the Red Keep, and was miffed and taken out of the story a bit when she just picked a random street and set it ablaze.

The ensuing panic, the violence as the soldiers took up arms again and sequences with Arya running through the streets were all fantastically well done. You got a real sense of what that would have been like. It was thrilling - but it came off the back of a moment/ decision which didn’t ring true.
 
Folk are moaning about Daenerys choosing to attack random crowds of civilians at the point at which the city had surrendered. The moment was not well done at all - it was not a natural turn of events. Her choosing to ignore the bells and take to the air again was perfectly fine. I thought she would go straight for the Red Keep, and was miffed and taken out of the story a bit when she just picked a random street and set it ablaze.

The ensuing panic, the violence as the soldiers took up arms again and sequences with Arya running through the streets were all fantastically well done. You got a real sense of what that would have been like. It was thrilling - but it came off the back of a moment/ decision which didn’t ring true.
GRRM wrote the unrealistic depiction of the Mad King wanting to burn everyone. The show's writers had that to fall back upon.
 
We need a quick poll here to guess who is going to sit on the Iron Throne.

You're a brave man inviting guesses or predictions the day of the finale when we know details are floating around the darker edges of the internet. :lol:
 
Yes lets send all our light calavry headfirst into an enemy we cannot see, with no scouts.

Give Dany the power to respawn her Unsullied and Dothraki despite it being pretty clear they were massacred almost to a man by the wights..

Whilst I understand some criticism, just a few things to note

the decision to send the dothraki looks like it wasnt one that was made beforehand. It was made by the Dothraki themselves once their weapons were lit, which was indicated by Jorah, who was with them, being left behind and trying to catch up. Thats how I read it.

Also the part about respawning, if you watch when Jorah returns, theres a bunch of Dothraki returning with him. Its not out of the question that a whole lot more returned across the line (and not the just the action shot where Jorah was). though I think having a wider shot of them returning would have cleared that up.

And a whole load of Unsullied were in the castle not just left outside for the Wights to destroy.
 
Agree with this 100%

It's no coincidence that the people on the internet who spend all their free time coming with theories about the books and TV show (mostly the books from what I can see) are going the most salty about the direction that D&D are taking.

When the favourite fan-fiction of these fanbois fails to materialise, they give the writers shit for not doing what they wanted: "How dare Arya do this, how dare John not do that, how dare Daenerys not be the saviour, etc? It must be shit writing because it's not the same as my writing own on Reddit."

"They should have..."
seems to be their favourite refrain.

Saw someone make this same point in The Sunday Times and I half agree.

Some fans seem to be complaining about the show making the "wrong" choices, as if there's a "right" choice other than whatever D&D decide to do. It's their show and their story. If you don't like their choices then that's too bad, feel free to stop watching. Or read the books. Or, write your own stories where the twists will all pan out exactly as you like. The writers here don't owe anyone any particular reveals, arcs or endings nor are there "correct" ones other than whatever they decide.

For example, people complaining that Jon should have killed the NK instead of Arya. In their head, maybe, but what happens in their head doesn't count for shit. It's that kind of criticism that crosses over into entitled fan nerdery because it's less to do with the quality of what they're given (though it may be couched in that way) and more to do with not being given what they want.

However, you can't get away from the fact that a lot (in fact the majority) of criticism is simply down to people thinking that what they've been given wasn't written or executed well enough. That's reflected in the fact that recent episodes have been heavily criticised not just by fans but also by professional critics with no skin in the game. Frankly I don't know how anyone could argue that there hasn't been straightforward bad writing not just in this season but across several seasons at this point.

Though when you see stupid online petitions getting over a million signatures it's more tempting (and fun) to focus on the whiney, entitled, man-child fanboys instead.
 
Contrary to how some people want to portray dissatisfied fans of the show, I have not had a preferred outcome that I've been looking forward to. I've just been disappointed with the clunky writing and strange pacing.
Cinematically, it has been excellent.

As a life-long horror fan, I expected the Night King ending, as it parallels the werewolf bloodline solution of old movies. It had to happen because that army was so overpowered, if it didn't have that Achilles heel, there would only be one possible outcome.

I think that they could have sacrificed a main character or two, in homage to the author's track record.

If I was to be upset at a character's arc, it would be Tyrion's. One of the best, unlikely heroes, with the best lines and delivery, has turned into a bumbling extra.

I've stuck with it and enjoyed the ride, but now I just want it to be over. I'm still anxious to see the last episode, just for closure.
Unfortunately, I think the opportunity for grand cinematography has been used up, so this will be an emotion/machination based episode. Nothing for the writers to hide behind, and their weakness will be laid bare.

It's been a great ride.
For those wondering how people can get so worked up about the drop in quality, and 'why keep watching?' you need to revisit some of the character interactions and shock scenes to remind yourselves of how good this used to be.

I'm going to have to watch it in the morning as I'm on nights tonight, so I'll have to avoid this thread from 2am onwards. Then I'll read 40 pages of wailing and lolz tomorrow night.
The car chase is supposed to be epic!
 
It's a sudden snap in terms of character change. But the writing has foreshadowed it since season 1 episode 1.

Daenerys' back-story makes it valid in a way that it wouldn't be for Arya.

There are times when a slow descent into madness makes sense. And times when a psychotic break does. There are a countless number of times in real-life when somebody with a predisposition to psychopathy - who has previously been able to function normally - has suddenly snapped and done something unconsionable.

As long as Daenerys was getting love and adoration and making progress towards her power grab, she was fine. Make her lose faith in those around her and her tethers to sanity have been foreshadowed to break for ages.

I never said I liked it. But it makes sense in the narrative and it follows the flow of the writing from the very start of the series. And there are real-life examples to back it up.
Foreshadowing and hinting isn't a replacement for good writing.

And yes. Sudden out of the blue and illogical things happen in real life. Most people don't find it entertaining to watch in a television series as we tend to want pieces of entertainment to represent the fascinating parts of reality not the out of the blue/random rubbish of reality. If breaking bad reflected a jarring turn of state some dude went through, it would make for really poor television. As did this twist with Dany.

Anyway it is what it is. People being this disappointed shows that they have totally screwed it up.
 
Bollocks to it I've not done it before but I'm gonna set my alarm for 1.30 I'm not taking the risk of reading spoilers which will be everywhere tomorrow
 
Can't watch the final episode until tomorrow evening and I'm pretty sure some twat at work will spoil it by talking about in my vicinity. Seriously considering taking leave off from work just for this.
 
Who would you list as your top 10 warriors/duelists in game of thrones? I would limit the contestants to their abilities in the present in the show, so Young Robert baratheon and Arthur Dayne fx don't count neither Rhaegar.

I think mine would be

1. Jaime Lannister(based on his reputation as the finest swordsman in the 7 kingdoms, killed 10 men in battle against Robb)
2. Khal Drogo (looked like an absolute beast)
3. Oberyn Martell(Took down the mountain with ease lost because of his cockiness)
4. Ser Barristan Selmy (Rated as one of the best ever warriors in the 7 kingdoms, only his age keeps him from being higher)
5. Sandor Clegane
6. Gregor Clegane
7. Brienne
8. Jon Snow
9. Ser Loras
10. Bronn

Technically Arya could be nr 1
 
Foreshadowing and hinting isn't a replacement for good writing.

And yes. Sudden out of the blue and illogical things happen in real life. Most people don't find it entertaining to watch in a television series as we tend to want pieces of entertainment to represent the fascinating parts of reality not the out of the blue/random rubbish of reality. If breaking bad reflected a jarring turn of state some dude went through, it would make for really poor television. As did this twist with Dany.

Anyway it is what it is. People being this disappointed shows that they have totally screwed it up.

Have you seen Michael Douglas in Falling Down? It’s very good. Although it sounds as though you might find it “too jarring”. What with him losing the plot over the course of a single afternoon.
 
Who would you list as your top 10 warriors/duelists in game of thrones? I would limit the contestants to their abilities in the present in the show, so Young Robert baratheon and Arthur Dayne fx don't count neither Rhaegar.

I think mine would be

1. Jaime Lannister(based on his reputation as the finest swordsman in the 7 kingdoms, killed 10 men in battle against Robb)
2. Khal Drogo (looked like an absolute beast)
3. Oberyn Martell(Took down the mountain with ease lost because of his cockiness)
4. Ser Barristan Selmy (Rated as one of the best ever warriors in the 7 kingdoms, only his age keeps him from being higher)
5. Sandor Clegane
6. Gregor Clegane
7. Brienne
8. Jon Snow
9. Ser Loras
10. Bronn

Technically Arya could be nr 1
Arthur Dayne's abilities were present in the show though, at the Tower of Joy. Fought 4 guys and made it look easy before being stabbed in the back.
 
Yeah I'm not sure compared the narrative of a single contained film is the right thing there.


Anyway, as has tried to be pointed out multiple times, but continually ignored by some people, the biggest problem guys on here seem to have is NOT what they think should happen, but HOW what happen was presented. That's fair. For example, I don't care who ends up on the throne tonight, I just want it to be entertaining and well written. Obviously some would be better than others, and it might end up laughable, but I'm not going into it with a favourite at all.
 
Have you seen Michael Douglas in Falling Down? It’s very good. Although it sounds as though you might find it “too jarring”. What with him losing the plot over the course of a single afternoon.
Maybe it was better done? If it was, I wouldn't mind checking out this film. But the particular manner in which they portrayed it was, IMO, poor. It's not even an anomaly as it's line with this season and good chunks of the last few.
 
Arthur Dayne's abilities were present in the show though, at the Tower of Joy. Fought 4 guys and made it look easy before being stabbed in the back.

I meant in the current timespan that the shows main story takes place in. Arthur Dayne is dead by the time the main story starts.
 
Yeah I'm not sure compared the narrative of a single contained film is the right thing there.


Anyway, as has tried to be pointed out multiple times, but continually ignored by some people, the biggest problem guys on here seem to have is NOT what they think should happen, but HOW what happen was presented. That's fair. For example, I don't care who ends up on the throne tonight, I just want it to be entertaining and well written. Obviously some would be better than others, and it might end up laughable, but I'm not going into it with a favourite at all.
Agreed
 
Who would you list as your top 10 warriors/duelists in game of thrones? I would limit the contestants to their abilities in the present in the show, so Young Robert baratheon and Arthur Dayne fx don't count neither Rhaegar.

I think mine would be

1. Jaime Lannister(based on his reputation as the finest swordsman in the 7 kingdoms, killed 10 men in battle against Robb)
2. Khal Drogo (looked like an absolute beast)
3. Oberyn Martell(Took down the mountain with ease lost because of his cockiness)
4. Ser Barristan Selmy (Rated as one of the best ever warriors in the 7 kingdoms, only his age keeps him from being higher)
5. Sandor Clegane
6. Gregor Clegane
7. Brienne
8. Jon Snow
9. Ser Loras
10. Bronn

Technically Arya could be nr 1
Your no.5 was defeated by your no.7
 
Your no.5 was defeated by your no.7

Because he was weakened by infection.

Arya makes a point an episode earlier that the Hound is walking 'a lot slower' than usual because of that, so the fact he was able to nearly beat Brienne under those conditions would suggest that at his best he would beat her.
 
Who would you list as your top 10 warriors/duelists in game of thrones? I would limit the contestants to their abilities in the present in the show, so Young Robert baratheon and Arthur Dayne fx don't count neither Rhaegar.

I think mine would be

1. Jaime Lannister(based on his reputation as the finest swordsman in the 7 kingdoms, killed 10 men in battle against Robb)
2. Khal Drogo (looked like an absolute beast)
3. Oberyn Martell(Took down the mountain with ease lost because of his cockiness)
4. Ser Barristan Selmy (Rated as one of the best ever warriors in the 7 kingdoms, only his age keeps him from being higher)
5. Sandor Clegane
6. Gregor Clegane
7. Brienne
8. Jon Snow
9. Ser Loras
10. Bronn

Technically Arya could be nr 1

Arthur Dayne was the greatest by some distance.

I saw an interview where GRRM answered some fan questions, and one was who he would choose as a champion in trial by combat - he mentioned Jaime if he had two hands but if it was anyone dead or alive, it would be Dayne.
 
Arthur Dayne was the greatest by some distance.

I saw an interview where GRRM answered some fan questions, and one was who he would choose as a champion in trial by combat - he mentioned Jaime if he had two hands but if it was anyone dead or alive, it would be Dayne.

Obviously, but he was dead by the time the main story starts, otherwise he would be nr 1 and Robert and Rhaegar would be in there as well.
 
Obviously, but he was dead by the time the main story starts, otherwise he would be nr 1 and Robert and Rhaegar would be in there as well.

Was Rob a swordsman? Thought he bummed his hammer. Rhaegar also lost to a hammer I'm assuming.
 
Your no.5 was defeated by your no.7

That's true. Could be argued that Sandor wasn't at full strength with all the wounds and beatings he'd taken over the years. I wouldn't have any problem with anyone putting Brienne above him since she bested Loras in a tourney and beated the hound.

She only beats Sandor in the show though. Never happened in the books
 
Was Rob a swordsman? Thought he bummed his hammer. Rhaegar also lost to a hammer I'm assuming.

True Robert used a hammer, but he was still a melee fighter.

The reason why I find it difficult to put Arya in there is because her main advantage is being an assasin with magical powers. However due to her being to spar pretty easily with Brienne, she could easily be in there. I guess I just hesitate to put her in there since she's a little girl
 
True Robert used a hammer, but he was still a melee fighter.

The reason why I find it difficult to put Arya in there is because her main advantage is being an assasin with magical powers. However due to her being to spar pretty easily with Brienne, she could easily be in there. I guess I just hesitate to put her in there since she's a little girl

I think Arya definately has a place in the top sword fighters - given her training from various types of greats from Syrio to Sandor.. and then a bit of learning of general strategy from Tywin and the stealth from Jaqen.

She's probably about 19 now which is a couple years older than when Jaime made Kings Guard under Aerys if I'm not mistaken.
 
I think Arya definately has a place in the top sword fighters - given her training from various types of greats from Syrio to Sandor.. and then a bit of learning of general strategy from Tywin and the stealth from Jaqen.

She's probably about 19 now which is a couple years older than when Jaime made Kings Guard under Aerys if I'm not mistaken.

In the show she looks neigh invincible by the end, but apart from her sneak kill on the NK we dont see her face off against a strong opponent apart from the girl assasin rival. Of course there is her training with Brienne. She probably up there but wouldnt know where to place her.
 
Looking back how cool was that Arthur Dayne scene? When he pulled out two swords I remember laughing. Until he started swinging those feckers around, that is.