[jett]

Ratings have been crazy steady. Has GoT reached a plateau?

[Zabka]

That reminds me... When they say Rodrik "has to pay the iron price," is that phrase being used the right way? I only recall it meaning to take by force, but I might be wrong. It definitely stuck out to me though.

I guess you could say spitting on Prince Theon bought him a beheading.

[gutshot]

Ratings have been crazy steady. Has GoT reached a plateau?

I think the initial viewer number will climb to a little over 4m by season's end. But we won't know for sure if it's reached a ceiling until next season's premiere. If the S3 premiere only gets around 4m viewers, then yes, I would say it has plateaued.

Of course, when the plateau is at the level of the second-most watched show on the network currently and the third-most of all-time, that's not a bad place to plateau.

[Cornballer]

Ratings have been crazy steady. Has GoT reached a plateau?

I'd assume we'll see a little bit of a bump towards the end of the season, like usual, but the penultimate episode of this season is on Memorial Day weekend, so those numbers might be lower than if it was on a non-holiday weekend. It'd be interesting to compare the cumulative weekly numbers (both first broadcast + reruns and the broadcast + reruns + HBO Go + on demand), but I don't know if anyone has those available for each episode.

I think the initial viewer number will climb to a little over 4m by season's end. But we won't know for sure if it's reached a ceiling until next season's premiere.

Good point.

[Big-E]

First episode in both seasons I have been disappointed with. There were a lot of good stuff in here but something just felt really off. I liked how Theon was portrayed up until this point but really hated him entering Bran's chamber. He sounded so fucking stupid explaining to Bran. Can't really put my finger on it. Killing Rodrick pisses me off as it put the nail in the coffin to the Reek betrayal but Cassel went out like a boss. The riot scene was another scene that felt really weird. Some of the extras were really fucking bad and the body getting ripped apart was almost comical. Tyrion saves it though. I think jett mentioned it earlier but making Robb's love interest be from Volantis makes no fucking sense to me at all. Jaquen killing right at the last minute was also a little stupid.

Still, the worst part is Qarth. Weakest parts in the book are Dany's parts at least up untill SOS where (SOS Spoilers Selmy and Belwas come into play. Where the fuck was Mormont in this episode?

[scosher]

First episode in both seasons I have been disappointed with. There were a lot of good stuff in here but something just felt really off. I liked how Theon was portrayed up until this point but really hated him entering Bran's chamber. He sounded so fucking stupid explaining to Bran. Can't really put my finger on it. Killing Rodrick pisses me off as it put the nail in the coffin to the Reek betrayal but Cassel went out like a boss. The riot scene was another scene that felt really weird. Some of the extras were really fucking bad and the body getting ripped apart was almost comical. Tyrion saves it though. I think jett mentioned it earlier but making Robb's love interest be from Volantis makes no fucking sense to me at all. Jaquen killing right at the last minute was also a little stupid. Still, the worst part is Qarth. Weakest parts in the book are Dany's parts at least up untill SOS where (SOS Spoilers Selmy and Belwas come into play. Where the fuck was Mormont in this episode?

Strange. Cause after rewatching, this may be my favorite episode in the entire series. Thought it did not miss a beat at all for the entire hour.

[Talon]

I thought the Theon and Bran exchange was pretty much how I expected. It's fitting that he's not taken seriously, and he has to explain himself over and over again.

And, of course, shit takes a turn for the worst.

A shame about Cassel though. The Reek scene would've been fantastic.

[frequency]

That's because he went from running a South-England accent in the first series to a kind of Welsh accent in the second. As a Welsh accent it's not too bad. It's just odd that they made that decision after a whole series of doing South-English.

Hmm... maybe. I remember it being not as bad in the first season. It's in this one that bothers me.

the body getting ripped apart was almost comical.

That was really bad. It was like a really low budget zombie scene. I'm usually pretty queasy at violence, but that part even made me laugh at how ridiculous it was.

Still, the worst part is Qarth. Weakest parts in the book are Dany's parts

I never liked her POV. In the books, it was just boring though. Here, it's getting to be intrusive and annoying. That screen time could be way better spent elsewhere. Although I am totally biased about it. I am not at all looking forward to this stupid stolen dragon arc.

[Anton Sugar]

Strange. Cause after rewatching, this may be my favorite episode in the entire series. Thought it did not miss a beat at all for the entire hour.

I think it was one of the weaker episodes, for the reasons mentioned. The last minute Jaquen killing was a little over the top (and how the hell is that going to not be explained/investigated?), the mob scene (the beginning and end to this were good, though, I liked them slowly heckling Joffrey), and snoozefest Qarth.

I don't know if it's the director or director of photography, but I feel like the action sequences have gotten worse, back to Season One levels.

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

I never liked her POV. In the books, it was just boring though. Here, it's getting to be intrusive and annoying. That screen time could be way better spent elsewhere. Although I am totally biased about it. I am not at all looking forward to this stupid stolen dragon arc.

She's also more annoying now that she's 100% less naked, but if they do the ACOK House of the Undying justice it will be worth it.

[snack]

Who took them fucking dragons?!

[Maleficence]

Were there any stupid sex scenes in the last episode? I want to watch it with my wife.

[Snake]

Were there any stupid sex scenes in the last episode? I want to watch it with my wife.

There are 20-30 seconds of nudity in the most recent episode. No sex shown.

[UraMallas]

Who took them fucking dragons?!

HODOR

[-Pyromaniac-]

Who took them fucking dragons?!

PIZZA HOUSE!!1

[LuchaShaq]

Were there any stupid sex scenes in the last episode? I want to watch it with my wife.

If a sex scene in a show means you and your wife can't watch it together I think you have much bigger issues than the content of a tv show.

[Steelyuhas]

[Storm of Swords] It'll be interesting to see how the show handles Robb beheading Karstark when they get there. I think they've casted Karstark for this season so I wonder if they move that up in the show?

I'm surprised we haven't seen him yet. ACOK Based on that and what he has left to do, I assume (hope) we'll see quite a bit of Robb in the last four episodes of this season.

I think Theon in the show at this point is far more sympathetic than he is in the books. Probably because in the books we know all of the characters' internal thoughts and Theon really comes across as a dick in the books as I recall, even more than the show. Plus the show really tried to emphasize his relationship with Robb which I don't think is played up as much in the books.

Agreed.

[SerArthurDayne]

They actually recast Karstark, so I always assumed he would have something meaty this season.

[Cornballer]

- WiC.net with Curtain Call: Ron Donachie

:(

Interesting sidenote: although the Cassel family is gone from the show, the Donachie family lives on as Daniel Portman, aka Podrik Payne, is Ron Donachie’s son.

[Steelyuhas]

They actually recast Karstark, so I always assumed he would have something meaty this season.

Yeah, same here.

No Umber this season is sadface as well. Guy is a badass.

[Helmholtz]

- :(

His beard? will be missed.

[UraMallas]

When is Podrick coming into the picture?

[Gen.Grievous]

When is Podrick coming into the picture?

Definitely in Blackwater (Episode 9) if they stick even remotely to the book which they probably will as GRRM has written that episode.

[cubanb]

If a sex scene in a show means you and your wife can't watch it together I think you have much bigger issues than the content of a tv show.

Haha, I was thinking the same thing

[Snake]

- WiC.net with Curtain Call: Ron Donachie :(

:')

I liked the actor if only for the fact that he seemed to be looking after the Stark kids' actors as they attended various events. Sort of a real life master-at-arms in that limited capacity.

And of course those sideburns!

[Jibbajabbawockky]

- WiC.net with Curtain Call: Ron Donachie :(

Ha- thats awesome that Pod is his son! Shame Pod has had one blink and you miss it scene thus far.

[apana]

- WiC.net with Curtain Call: Ron Donachie :(

"Gods help you Theon Grejoy. Now you are truly lost."

Such an epic moment, will miss him.

[Magnus]

A Curtain Call feature could actually be a weekly article for a show like this, eh? Hahahahha.

[Cornballer]

His beard? will be missed.

Yeah, I don't know how to classify that.

When is Podrick coming into the picture?

[ACoK]They have to give him at least a little bit of screen time before Blackwater, no? I figure we'll see him a couple of times before that all goes down.

A Curtain Call feature could actually be a weekly article for a show like this, eh? Hahahahha.

I'm probably a bit off with this rough count, but on the WiC.net S1 cast page, I see about 26 of the 90 named characters are either dead, missing, or off the show at this point. Pretty high mortality rate, though there are a bunch (Hugh of the Vale, Waymar Royce, etc...) that show up and almost immediately get killed. Oh, and I guess Jon Arryn appears as a corpse, so he probably shouldn't count. :P

[UraMallas]

Ha- thats awesome that Pod is his son! Shame Pod has had one blink and you miss it scene thus far.

When? I blinked, it would seem.

[ACoK]They have to give him at least a little bit of screen time before Blackwater, no? I figure we'll see him a couple of times before that all goes down.

[ACoK]That's what I figured as well. They can't just have him pop up out of nowhere for his Blackwater scene.

[Cornballer]

When? I blinked, it would seem.

He shows up in the scene where Tyrion sends Janos Slynt off to the Wall.

[UraMallas]

I'll have to rewatch it. How do we know it was Pod? Are there clues in the scene or is he just credited?

[Maleficence]

If a sex scene in a show means you and your wife can't watch it together I think you have much bigger issues than the content of a tv show.

Doesn't mean we can't, she's just not keen on explicit sexual content.

Plus some of the scenes are really cringe worthy.

[Fuzzy]

Yeah, I don't know how to classify that.

Braided mutton chops.

I'll have to rewatch it. How do we know it was Pod? Are there clues in the scene or is he just credited?

Because Tyrion calls him by his name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK5-lWx8rnw


EDIT: BTW was a gif ever made of Tyrion and Bronn toasting at the end of that clip?

[UraMallas]

I watched that episode twice and didn't notice it. I think because I was expecting Pod to be... shorter?

[Fuzzy]

I watched that episode twice and didn't notice it. I think because I was expecting Pod to be... shorter?

He's only 12 in the books but like all the other children he was aged up in the show.

[Speevy]

I'm curious about something.

How do ravens work in the Game of Thrones universe?

I know they're used to send messages to faraway places, but what is the logic behind it? Are these animals trained? Do they originate from the places where they're traveling? Are they different from the birds in our world?

[gutshot]

I'm curious about something. How do ravens work in the Game of Thrones universe? I know they're used to send messages to faraway places, but what is the logic behind it? Are these animals trained? Do they originate from the places where they're traveling? Are they different from the birds in our world?

I don't think GRRM ever goes into the details of the raven network, but my impression is that each raven is trained to travel back-and-forth between two castles. The maesters at each castle are in charge of training and maintaining their group of ravens and handling the sending of messages. No, they aren't any different than the birds in our world.

[WyndhamPrice]

Ravens are quite intelligent birds anyway, it always seemed feasible that they could be trained for those purposes.

[Cornballer]

Braided mutton chops.

That'll work.

EDIT: BTW was a gif ever made of Tyrion and Bronn toasting at the end of that clip?

I don't remember seeing one.

[PhoenixPause]

I'm curious about something. How do ravens work in the Game of Thrones universe? I know they're used to send messages to faraway places, but what is the logic behind it? Are these animals trained? Do they originate from the places where they're traveling? Are they different from the birds in our world?

The latest TWOW sample chapter provided the only full explanation for how the raven system works. I'm at work and can't look it up now though, will do so later

[gutshot]

The latest TWOW sample chapter provided the only full explanation for how the raven system works. I'm at work and can't look it up now though, will do so later

Ah yes. That is where I read about the "each raven can fly to only one castle" rule. Well, most anyway.

Here is the relevant passage (with character names removed so as to be spoiler-free):

"A maester's raven flies to one place, and one place only. Is that correct?" The maester mopped sweat from his brow with his sleeve. "N-not entirely, Your Grace. Most, yes. Some few can be taught to fly between two castles. Such birds are greatly prized. And once in a very great while, we find a raven who can learn the names of three or four or five castles, and fly to each upon command. Birds as clever as that come along only once in a hundred years."

[UraMallas]

That passage is most likely completely inconsequential but, damn it, I want that book so much now just because I read that little piece.

[Speevy]

Thanks. That makes sense.

[PhoenixPause]

spoiler: Hodor is the king being addressed in that passage

[Fuzzy]

spoiler: Hodor is the king being addressed in that passage

I don't believe you or else the question would have been:

"Hodor Hodor, Hodor Hodor Hodor. Hodor?"

[Speevy]

With a mighty toss, Hodor threw the false king Joffrey from his lofty tower into the ocean below.

"Hodor."

The End

[gutshot]

That passage is most likely completely inconsequential but, damn it, I want that book so much now just because I read that little piece.

You should read the whole chapter. It's gud.

(Spoilers galore for those who haven't finished all the books, obviously.)

The Winds of Winter Sample Chapter

[UraMallas]

Do not tempt me, sir. I don't plan on delving any deeper, Cornballer. I'll wash my hands of this.

[Cornballer]

You should read the whole chapter. It's gud.

Can you guys please use the A Song of Ice and Fire -- **Unmarked Spoilers For All Books including ADWD** thread if you're going to delve into this? Thank you.