We're at some points now in the story of A Clash of Kings where my memory of what happened in the book fails me outright.
1) I don't remember at all if Amory Lorch is the second man Arya asked Jaqen to kill, but that was a fantastic sequence and reveal. "You don't tell a man when to do a thing. But at the very next cut to scene, it will be done with poison dart to the neck, and it will be awesome."
2) I don't remember the dragons being stolen or if that happened in the book or who stole them.
There's just no negotiating with The Spice King for a hot, young Khaleesi, is there? Man, is that guy obstinate. She couldn't even get him to let her through a door, much less get some ships from him to go back to Westeros.
Xaro is a broken record. Listen, we get it: You were born with nothing and now you're the richest man in Qarth. Anything else about you that's worth knowing?
The growing relationship between Tywin and Arya is captivating stuff, since it's a brand new invention of the show. We found out Jaime was dyslexic and there's no word for "dyslexia" in Westeros. Also, that Tywin is a nightmare of a home schooler... "but [Jaime] learned [how to read properly.]" I guess Tywin does miss his kids, even if one was a disappointment, another is a half-man who he blames for killing his wife by being born, and... we don't know how he feels about Cercei but he's probably disappointed by her too. At the very least, Tywin seems to miss having someone reasonably intelligent to talk to who also isn't an incompetent suck ass sworn to be loyal to his sword and coinpurse.
Arya stealing the letter about strategy against Robb Stark was one of those moments where I felt disappointed it meant the Tywin/Arya stuff would come to an end so soon, but nope, Jaquen took care of Amory Lorch, so cool, Arya can keep pouring wine in Tywin's cup.
The arrival of Littlefinger at Harrenhal was also brand new stuff by the show. Discussions of what to do regarding the Tyrells of Highgarden, the death of Renly, Tyrion's offer to Catelyn -- Arya has a future as a spy for all the intelligence she was gathering. Arya knows more than 99% of the people of Westeros about how The War of the Five Kings is going. The looks Littlefinger gave Arya when he realized who she was and then tried to sort out whether Tywin had any idea who she was -- and realizing he doesn't seem to, that Tywin Fucking Lannister doesn't know something as important as Arya Stark pouring wine right under his nose -- priceless stuff.
Theon is a piece of shit. He's such a swaggering idiot. I loved how calmly Bran spoke to him initially when Theon barged into his bedchamber and announced he'd taken Winterfell. It made everything worse for how Bran and Rickon begged and cried when Ser Rodrick Cassel was executed by Theon; executed as incompetently as possible.
Osha getting naked I think makes her the first member of The Order of the Phoenix in Harry Potter to go full frontal. I think. It's possible Gary Oldman has already in some movie when he was younger. Osha whoring herself out to Theon as a ruse to get Bran, Rickon, Hodor, and the dire wolves out was brilliant. And different from the book, as the show has excised a couple of characters, whom I don't miss.
Also new material is Game of Thrones showing this growing relationship between Robb and Lady Talisa Maegyr, who has to be lying about who she is. Catelyn directly reminded Robb and us that he is promised to whomever is the least ugly daughter of Lord Walder Frey, and that debt must be paid! No shit, Cat. No shit.
The people of King's Landing sure don't like Joffrey. Neither does Sansa, who was almost raped, were it not for the Hound. How quickly will YouTube turn the newest Tyrion Slapping Joffrey moment into a meme?
In the vast list of disgusting moments on Game of Thrones, the rioters in King's Landing tearing apart the Septa and holding up her severed arm (probably because they were eating her) is right up there, along with the Hound disembowling that one guy who wanted to rape Sansa.
Finally, Ygritte! And she's played by Gwen from the first season of Downton Abbey. Which means she's much more attractive than she's described in the book, with clear skin and very white teeth for a Wildling. What's the Wildling health plan Mance Rayder has going for his people? It must be pretty good. Grinding Jon while spooning added to Osha doing Theon - the Wildling women do have lots of skills.
But I don't remember the details of how Jon Snow and Ygritte met in the book either. As Ygritte might (eventually) say, "You know nothing, John Orquiola."
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This may have been the episode that departed the most from the source material, yet it may have been the episode so far this season. Heck, the best moment for me was Ser Rodrick telling Bran to hush, he was about to go see his father. Which wasn't in the books.
Really, REALLY loving the Arya/Tywin scenes. I had a different read on the Littlefinger scene tho, as I didn't get the impression that he ever quite placed Arya.
I don't miss the Reeds, and if the Reeds show up next season I'm actually going to be bummed out. Lousy ElfQuesters. But boy did I get psyched when Roose asked to let his bastard go reclaim Winterfell.
A lot of people are probably going to hate the stolen dragons bit, but I thought it was a much better reason to go to the House of the Undying then just "eh sure nothing better to do".
Originally posted by CxMorgadoThis may have been the episode that departed the most from the source material, yet it may have been the episode so far this season. Heck, the best moment for me was Ser Rodrick telling Bran to hush, he was about to go see his father. Which wasn't in the books.
Really, REALLY loving the Arya/Tywin scenes. I had a different read on the Littlefinger scene tho, as I didn't get the impression that he ever quite placed Arya.
I don't miss the Reeds, and if the Reeds show up next season I'm actually going to be bummed out. Lousy ElfQuesters. But boy did I get psyched when Roose asked to let his bastard go reclaim Winterfell.
A lot of people are probably going to hate the stolen dragons bit, but I thought it was a much better reason to go to the House of the Undying then just "eh sure nothing better to do".
I didn't get the impression that Littlefinger was 100% sure it was Arya, either. I haven't read the books, so I don't know if he figured out in them or not.
It's really hard to get into Dany's story arch and this was one of those times. I just find myself getting impatient like Milhouse lamenting that Poochie never makes it to the fireworks warehouse. But, I suppose the longer she bumbles around Qarth then the more murderizing everyone in Westeros will do of one another and make her job that much easier when she finally does cross the sea.
No, in the books Littlefinger does not cross Arya's path if I remember correct. Like Johnny O, my memory about book 2 gets a bit fuzzy. I am glad they are making some changes. Robb's love life was kinda of an out of nowhere thing, here its at least getting sometime. Boo on "You know nothing John Snow" not being used. Its her damn catchphrase.
The Dragons being kidnapped makes sense though even if it wasn't in the books. If people are pissed about the long walk to nowhere with Danny, just wait. Just wait.
The Wee Baby Sheamus.Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
Originally posted by thereminI realize it's not a movie, but didn't Daniel Radcliff show his Harry Potter in the play Equus on broadway?
That was pointed out to me on Twitter as well. Still, who'd have guessed two Harry Potter actors, including Harry himself, would go full monty?
There are plenty of episodes to come for Ygritte to say "You know nothing, Jon Snow."
I can't believe I forgot to mention Roose Bolton shouting out his "bastard at the Dreadfort". There's soon to be a meaner Ramsay on television than Gordon Ramsay.
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“@ZackRyder: @CMPunk She played me bro” I got your back.
Originally posted by lotjx The Dragons being kidnapped makes sense though even if it wasn't in the books. If people are pissed about the long walk to nowhere with Danny, just wait. Just wait.
My first thought was that it's WWE booking. She's sort of supposed to be a super baby face. Instead of just going to the house of the Undying and having things play out, she has been wronged now and has a reason to go to the house of the Undying and be seriously pissed off, show off her bad ass side.
The Tywin/Arya bits were awesome, and yes I do think Little FInger recognized her...and then starts talking about the Stark girls the moment she is ordered to leave the room.
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