I called it, but don't really feel good about it. I was hoping for something more from that plotline.

I still think that she'll do something in a crucial moment, maybe even kill Ramsay.
Until then though she's been put back into being a passive victim, just waiting for someone else to create an opportunity so she can do something.
Disappointing.

 

Why not both?

She could try to break Margaery's marriage by saying that "Tommen Baratheon" didn't exist for start. Then Margaery becomes available for her fourth wedding.

A little light can be seen very far in darkness. And I assumed it was a message to the people in Winterfell who could pass it outside. But yeah, victim!Sansa is back with interest. I had really hoped for better with Theon, though.

Has it been explained why Melisandre doesn't just use Stannis' own blood for her magic? Seems like he would prefer that to hurting his daughter.

 

Because she's a witch who does as she pleases? I don't think she even believes in her religion. It's a mix of magic and lucky coincidences. She's a manipulator with magic. The daughter sacrifice could just be sticking to a pattern of royal children.

 

Melisandre is secretly a republican who's just trying ti kill as much royalty as possible.

 

Apparently Game of Thrones season 6 casting has begun.

Nothing shocking yet and by the description people can guess who these characters may be. What I'm waiting for is announcements of actors casted in more important roles that are completely unknown to the readers.

The whole filming of the next season will be quite amusing since for the first time every photo is a spoiler for everybody instead of confirmation of inclusion of this or that scene from the books.

 

She had her cousin make sure Robert's wineskin was full on every hunt in the hopes that eventually an accident would happen. Hardly a conspiracy worth bragging about. Ned's downfall was handed to her by Littlefinger's machinations, and had nothing to do with her own planning or decisions. Stannis fled because he had no definitive proof, and was acting directly against the king. A king who was a known psychopath.

You're giving her far too much credit, even now.

 

She had him fill the wineskin with triple fortified wine, much stronger than what Robert was used to, which is why he got drunker than he normally would on the same amount.

 

Maybe they will change it for the TV series, but her point of view chapter in A Dance of Dragons shows she definitely believes in her religion.

 

A few seasons ago he asks her for another "son" and she says that he isn't strong enough. That's why they bring in Gendry for the extra leeches. The plot line exclusion that bothers me is that Maester Aemon never says anything about Stannis' sword being "wrong" or about the other prophecies in this season before shuffling off. Very disappointing.

As for Sansa, she's not so much 'victim' Sansa at this point as she is someone who is still learning how to play the game. As a result, she makes some really dumb rookie mistakes based on how she thinks the universe ought to work rather than how it actually does. I'm not going to complain, as watching her suffer horribly has been one of the features of the show I enjoy the most, but I recognize that I'm an outlier there.

 

I don't think his sword actually glows in the show. Leads me to believe that the Lightbringer prophecies aren't all that significant in terms of where the show is headed.

 

You're not wrong. It's just disappointing to me given what it does to Stannis' storyline.

 

That was a solid episode. The Dany/Tyrion and Hardhome bits were pretty glorious.

Spoiler

I was surprised they revealed Valyrian steel's Other-slaying usefulness before the books did.

I mean sure, everyone suspected this was the case... but still.

 

I kept imagining this guy as Voldemort:

Spoiler

Dammit cxjenious.

 

Holy fucking tit balls. I think I need a change of pants now. Hardhome was absolutely incredible it is been something I have been waiting to happen for awhile in the books and finally getting to see it was glorious. Also the Tyrion and Dany interaction was also very interesting to watch.

 

Holy fuck everything about Hardhome was intense. Had me on the edge of my seat.

Spoiler

Anyone else getting the feeling that Olly is going to be the one who stabs Jon like at the end of ADWD? Like as soon as Jon gives the order to let the wildlings through he puts a dagger/sword through his back and all hell breaks loose?

Tyrion and Dany was great. I hope they talk more about the past and Tyrion keeps schooling her on how to be a ruler.

 

Well... For the first time this season, I shat bricks.

That Walker WTFing at Longclaw, highlight of the episode. Cersei, I facepalmed. Sansa, I can't be bothered to give half a shit anymore. Yawn. I maintain my opinion about Arya's decision to join the Faceless Men. Imagine if she met up with Sansa. Ramsay would be dickless already. I'll be happy to just have Jon, Tyrion and Daenerys for the rest of the season. "I'm going to break the wheel", hehe. Her most badass line since "Dracarys".

 

Was anyone else really underwhelmed by the Dany and Tyrion conversation? I loved the first part, where Tyrion was basically monologuing about Jorah, but when they were alone together it just became way too obvious how poor of an actress Emilia Clarke is. And her 'break the wheel' speech was just embarrassing and in no way responded to what Tyrion was actually saying.

 

I have to disagree with you. I know that this is largely subjective, but I really liked that scene. It's not a shouting match, they're both calm, collected, both sure of their own opinions...

Dany isn't a badass in the same way Arya is, or even Tyrion, who can actually get martial if needed. She doesn't have Stannis' hands on approach, but she's good at what she does.

Tyrion adheres to the existing system: the great houses rule Westeros and Tyrion hasn't tried to think outside that box. Dany doesn't have Tyrion's experience, but he doesn't have hers. They both made good points.

I thought it rather well acted.

 

I was rather disappointed with the 'break the wheel' speech. The other part of their conversation was rather well done I'd say. Nothing that had me go 'OMG! This is so cool'. But it was pretty good.

I liked the Sansa Theon interaction this episode, especially the more vicious side of Sansa.