Game of Thrones: episode 8 , the Pointy End

[alexandral]

Can I express enough how much I loved this episode???????? It was the best episode of the show for me, and by far. I guess for me this episode highlighted the main shortcomings of the previous episodes, namely: gratuitous sex, general underuse of direwolves ( for they are not an accessory, but one of the most essential elements of the story, and it was finally revealed why - they are amongst few things that can successfully fight the Wights), and unbalanced focus , where some characters can have some arbitrary scenes added and some other equally interesting characters are sometimes forgotten. I guess for me as a viewer it seems as if the GoT screen writers like to sit down and think 'Ok, LET'S IMPROVE THIS BOOK" or "this is MY favourite character, there should be more of him/her", but really "improving" something that is already good can be a tricky business.



We had:

- The finger-biting scene that made it into the show, against all odds

- Barristan Selmy being absolutely full of awesome. I am so glad this scene was done well, because it is really important to the future story. Did you see how all the guards stepped back when he drew his sword? This was the best scene in the episode.

- No whores in sight. Yesssssssssssssssssssssssss!

- Just enough Littlefinger to make his every scene and his every gesture and his every word into pure gold

- Varys talking to Ned. This was the second best scene

- And we finally saw Rickon (aka the forgotten boy) for the first time since the episode 1!!!

- Personally, I am also glad that Hodor scene made it into the show as well

Comments

[dekyria.livejournal.com]

It was a good episode!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I loved it!

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

they are amongst few things that can successfully demolish the Wights

I don't think they can demolish wights - only fire can do that. But they can (or at least Ghost can) sense the presence of the creatures and warn his human masters.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Because Ghost successfully attacked the Wight (I just re-read that part too), I take it that direwolves are not afraid/can attack the Wights. demolish may be a strong world, but they definitely can fight against them, where all the other animals are afraid (as was the case with the Wights from this ep where all the other dogs and horses were terrified).

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Right, they're not afraid, but they can't actually kill them, which is what I took from your post. Just as a man with a sword can't kill the wight either - they need fire (or dragonglass as we learn later). I think I just misread your comment which seemed like you were saying direwolves could actually kill the zombie undead wights. And so far, we don't know of anything that can kill the Others/White Walkers.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am not sure if they can kill the Wights, nit yet. Would Ghost be able to chew their heads off (he was definitely having a go at the Wight in the Old Bear's room)? Will they survive without a head? There is so much unclear about them yet, I wish that the new book can finally answer. But it seems that obsidian can kill them , am I not right? And some sources say that the dragons can burn them as a whole, of course.

PS: edit: the others is one of the most interesting aspects in the story for me, can't you tell. :D

I but yes, I wasn't clear enough and edited the post!

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

I think it's kind of hard to chew through someone's neck (Drogo notwithstanding :P) And IIRC, the wight wasn't actually moving about yet when Ghost chewed through his hand. We haven't seen them go into action sans head, but in principle, why wouldn't they be able to do that if their hands etc. can reattach?

(But I think you probably know this part of the story way better than I do, because I'm just not that interested in winter and its accompaniments. It's the Big Bad that's out there, but the reason I love the books/show is the human characters and their entirely human plots. The otherworldly creatures interest me only insofar as the characters I like have to deal with them.)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I like both the fantasy elements and the human story, I think the series do well in both, and among the fantasy elements I particular like the wintry ones (just because I am more of an ice girl by birth and snow/ice/cold fascinates me) . The dragons seems to be much more of a usual kind of lore that the wintry elements - you don't get them too often but they remind me of the Russian fairytales.

Yes, I also remembered that the Wight's hand kept moving after it was "disconnected" . But - I guess if there is a big enough pcak of direwolves, they can just eat the Wights to pieces. This seems like a possible thing.

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

What if everything keeps moving INSIDE the wolves? Hee! Who knows where it's all going? I'm planning to re-read the rest of the books (besides Game of Thrones) after the series is over, so hopefully I will be more interested in the supernatural stuff.

If you like wintry big bads, you might want to see if you can find Michael Scott Rohan's "Winter of the World" trilogy which is vaguely based on Finnish legends and involves the powers of winter trying to wipe out all living things. (It's out of print, but maybe you can find it in a used bookstore somewhere or a library - I read it when I was in high school and while it's not the level of Martin, I liked it quite a lot.)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think it will get digested eventually. :D I am sure Ghost had a mouthfull. :D

I have started a re-read too. I am still in The Game of Thrones (unfortunately I only have an electronic copy of this one as I lended my book to my work colleague). I am enjoying it immensely, all the little details fall into pllaces now.

Thank you for the rec! I will definitely check this one. I think the Winter is a scary thing anyways (I find the temperatures below 30c pretty scary) .

[liamtheruiner.livejournal.com]

yeah, selmy's scene was just right. i love that line about being able to cut through all five of them. even in the books, i wished he would have.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It was such a transformation too: so far Selmy has been just like an old uncle, spending his days in talking about the old days. And then: whoa! He drew that huge sword and I was absolutely speechless.

[lydzi.livejournal.com]

*still fangirling over Barristan Selmy* He was WONDERFUL! Gosh, such a perfect knight.

It's interesting to notice that it's the episode written by GRRM himself actually. And apart from Hodor's full frontal we didn't had any whores or Roz or w/e and the episode was still even more brilliant!

And we had Rickon <3. Forever thanking GRRM for that scene XD.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I was absolutely stunned , there was just something so powerful in the way the actor did that scene, alone against all the hecklers.

Yes, I have heard this. Which may be just proves it that I am the book fan . ;D I love the show, I am obsessed, but the majority of the addedthings: I can do without.

It was sooooooooooo cute! And soooooooo sad. I loved the scene too.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I forgot to mention. The Hodor scene was in the books, and it made me laugh both in the books and in the show.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

This episode was so good, and the Barristan scene was indeed epic. (Though due to the books I actually smiled when Cersei named Jaime the Lord Commander. A few unexpected turns and twists due that will come out of that proclamation Cersei m'dear.)

Like you I also adored that the direwolves and Rickon were present. I also adored the last scene with Sansa, her hair in the southern style and kneeling in front of Cersei and Joffrey. It really brought home Sansa's precarious situation and managed to visualize her whole "Courtesy is a lady's armor" thing. Also there was Sansa and the Hound!

Varys talking to Ned. This was the second best scene

Agreed, and I managed to shed different perspectives on Varys than what the show had shown before. He thinks of the realm, "because someone has to." (and I'm glad that there is at least one person who does to be honest. Baelish certainly doesn't.)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

yes, I smiled to myself too. I was also laughing when she names Lord Tywin as her hand - of course my dear, you want to keep it all in the family!

Sansa was pure awesome in this episode. You could just see how she knows inside that everything is wrong but keeps thinking "But my darling fiancee's mum can't be wrong!!!!!! Adults can't be wrong!" . I liked the Hound too, I haven't seen him too much, but the more I see , the more I like how the actor plays him. oh, that mocking voice! Awesome!

And the scene with Varys highlighted to me something I didn't notice even in the book : "Why did Ned do it?". He just could not bear children being hurt! ** sniff **

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

I liked the Hound too,

Yes, he is starting to appeal, and the whole exchange between Sansa and him made me all excited for season two. Now I really like the first book, but CoK and SoS are my favourites and so I'm longing to see them filmed.

"Why did Ned do it?". He just could not bear children being hurt! ** sniff **

Yes, I really liked that. And it also tied in nicely with the scene in the book where Ned thinks back on the war and how Elia and her children where killed. I've always assumed that the reason he wanted to show Cersei and the children mercy was because of his guilt for what happened to the Targaryen children.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Now I really like the first book, but CoK and SoS are my favourites and so I'm longing to see them filmed.

these are my favourites as well. A Feast for Crows - I feel that Martin started to off on a tangent there. I really hope that the new book will return to the main events.

Yes, you are right. I mean, ned was not stupid, he just felt what he felt.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

ned was not stupid, he just felt what he felt.

Maybe a bit stupid. ;D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hee!

Also - I am getting too obsessed with this, again!

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Not obsessed! But rather enjoying the fun of online fandom. ;)

In fact this reminds me of the great time that was had online while watching Rome. Every week there were new icons and discussions etc.

And though the show will end, the new book comes out in July! Yay!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Yes, the same for me. It has been ages since I felt so much fun.

This is the absolute icing on the cake. I still can not believe it - I will when I hold the book in my hands, lol.

Plus the ratings are really good, so I hope there will be more seasons of the show. I am almost 100% certain.

[shapinglight]

It was a very good episode, and lack of Ros didn't hurt it at all. I rather hope we won't see her again.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I do not have such hope. :D And wasn't Sam such a darling! When he beamed at the Lord Commander's prase????

[shapinglight]

I do not have such hope

:( You're probably right. I'm sick to death of that woman's boobs, have to say. But then I'm probably not the target audience.

And wasn't Sam such a darling!

He's adorable. Love him to pieces. Am very glad Jon Snow has a clever friend.

[seven-trees.livejournal.com]

This was probably my favorite episode so far. Can I just say how much I love Varys? I find myself completely riveted with every scene he's in.

And we finally got some Wight Walker action (ZOMBIES!!!!!). I don't know why, but when Sam said that the corpse didn't smell, I got the biggest shiver up my spine. Somehow the fact that they don't smell makes them even creepier to me.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I love Varys very much too. His duo with Littlefinger is the stuff I am watching this show for. :D

Hee! I was so spoiled, but I thought this could have been even creepier if they made their eyes blue like in the book. It was all "Oh, do you remember Jafer Flowers having blue eyes?"

[stoopid-silly.livejournal.com]

This episode was greaaaaat, ahhh!! I was so excited to see Rickon again, poor bb. The Barristan scene was badass and you can just tell GRRM KNOWS these characters - everything was just pitch perfect.

But honestly, I don't care at all about the direwolves. I mean they're cute... but it kind of gets old having them jump out and attack people/wights. Like for instance, I was glad Greywind wasn't in the scene with Bran and the wildlings.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The Rickon scene made me cry because of course - poor boy is right.

No direwolves! ** gasp ** Blasphemy! :D I think I just love dogs and the dogs in the show are so lovely! I missed Summer in the scene with Bran.

[stoopid-silly.livejournal.com]

I know so blasphemous!! I love dogs too, I just think it kind of kills the tension on the show if you know a direwolf is gonna pop out to save the day every time something bad happens!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

but they can be human companions! I don't know how far you are in the books (I am sure I have asked, but my brain does not hold info too well) but Sansa needs her direwolf right NOW.

Edit: and you can't have people biting other people's fingers off, right?

[stoopid-silly.livejournal.com]

I finished them and yeah I agree about that!! If the direwolves in the show were more... companiony sometimes and not ALWAYS just showing up when they need to attack someone, I think it'd work better maybe.

And yeah that scene was really funny, not gonna lie!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think this is what I miss. In the book, they are always there (just doing doggy things), but not so much in the show.

[roboticduck.livejournal.com]

Cersei politely firing Barristan, omg. I actually said aloud OHNOYOUDIDNT THAT IS SER BARRISTAN SELMY!!! (using full name is important).

Aww Rickon! It was like he almost aged another year since we last saw him, haha!

Off to comment on your other posts :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

that was an awesome moment! I did like Cersei in this episdoe, very much so!

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

I completely agree on how this *flawless* episode highlighted some of the issues the show has.

Barristan was indeed epic.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see more of Barristan Selmy. One sad thing - we are bound to recognise him immediately, right?

[heartshurt.livejournal.com]

I read this post on Monday, and had to wait the whooole week before I finally could watch the episode yesterday. It made me even more excited before I started watching it haha.

Anyway, this episode was full of epic. I forgot so much of what happens in the book, so a lot of it feels all new to me. I'm constantly on Wikipedia to read about what happens to Barristan Selmy for example. His scene was awesome.

When Rickon came into the scene, I was so confused. It took me a few seconds to realise who it was!
Loved the wolves in this episode. They make GoT just a little bit extra special to me ♥

Great episode anyway.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so so glad you liked this ep!

Weren't the direwoves so lovely? I have heard some discussions that Ghost is supposed to be mute and he is not in the show, but I think this is really nitpicking - it is not easy to find a mute dog ????????

I am so excited and so full of dread for the further episodes. I am also re-reading the book as I go , and noticing so many new things.