HBO's Game of Thrones

[Paperback Writer]

I didn't really buy this episode. There was some cool camerawork, especially that long 360 tracking shot, but it only emphasized the poor choreography (also a problem last episode). And with 100k wildlings against a few hundred, I just couldn't figure out why any of the individual fights were supposed to matter. What's the wildling strategy here? Begin the battle after dark, send in just enough guys to breach the gate, and then... stop? Who's in charge over there? Couldn't they have taken a nap that afternoon? Just fend off a few more wildlings and the rest will be too tuckered out from standing around!

It also didn't work for me to dedicate the whole episode to the wall. GoT is great as multi-threaded intrigue, but makes a quite poor action movie. I assume this was done for budgetary reasons, since not paying the rest of the actors and crew allowed them to spend more on the battle. Of all the plotlines, I just haven't been grabbed by the wildling invasion, so it seemed an odd thing to dedicate a whole episode to. Ygritte's death seemed pretty cheesy too -- she lived just long enough to get the catch phrase out once more.

Still no sign of the white walkers. I kept hoping to hear a 3rd horn blow. Are we sure they're not just waiting for a bus somewhere?

Many of these problems are indeed counterbalanced by the stress of Samwell or Jon dying. It's amazing what happens when a battle includes actual peril -- every tv and movie writer take note.

That episode reminded me a lot of the battle of blackwater bay where something similar was done - devoting an entire eposide to a single battle. I think it was done at the same point in the season as well - season 2 episode 9. I don't think the Wilding battle at the wall was done as well as the battle of blackwater bay although they do gain points for integrating giants and mammoths.

[SandYFan]

That episode reminded me a lot of the battle of blackwater bay where something similar was done - devoting an entire eposide to a single battle. I think it was done at the same point in the season as well - season 2 episode 9. I don't think the Wilding battle at the wall was done as well as the battle of blackwater bay although they do gain points for integrating giants and mammoths.

The reason Blackwater was better is that everyone at King's Landing is infinitely more interesting than anyone at the Wall. That episode featured Joffrey, Cersei, the Hound, Tyrion, Podrick, Tywin and more. Sunday's episode was Jon, Sam, Gilly, Ygritte, and Tormund. Meh.

[MarkGrace]

The reason Blackwater was better is that everyone at King's Landing is infinitely more interesting than anyone at the Wall. That episode featured Joffrey, Cersei, the Hound, Tyrion, Podrick, Tywin and more. Sunday's episode was Jon, Sam, Gilly, Ygritte, and Tormund. Meh.

And giants and woolly mammoths. Double meh.

[SandYFan]

And giants and woolly mammoths. Double meh.

Visually interesting for sure. But considering they had zero long-lasting effect on anything, meh.

[ewth8tr]

I didn't really buy this episode. There was some cool camerawork, especially that long 360 tracking shot, but it only emphasized the poor choreography (also a problem last episode). And with 100k wildlings against a few hundred, I just couldn't figure out why any of the individual fights were supposed to matter. What's the wildling strategy here? Begin the battle after dark, send in just enough guys to breach the gate, and then... stop? Who's in charge over there? Couldn't they have taken a nap that afternoon? Just fend off a few more wildlings and the rest will be too tuckered out from standing around!

The wildlings fighting inside Castle Black were those that had previously climbed the wall and were attacking from the south. All of those outside of the wall still were waiting for the giants to breech the gate.

[Paperback Writer]

And giants and woolly mammoths. Double meh.

Be patient - unicorns will make an appearence on an upcoming episode. Hope Lebowski doesn't ban me for this spoiler.

[woot]

The wildlings fighting inside Castle Black were those that had previously climbed the wall and were attacking from the south. All of those outside of the wall still were waiting for the giants to breech the gate.

Indeed. My question was why, once the gate was breached, they didn't, you know, go through it. It also seemed odd that they chose to twiddle their thumbs rather than help the giants, but that's a lesser issue.

[Commando]

Indeed. My question was why, once the gate was breached, they didn't, you know, go through it. It also seemed odd that they chose to twiddle their thumbs rather than help the giants, but that's a lesser issue.

I'm unclear as to what happened after the Giant charged the gate. Maybe I should rewatch it, but yes we see some dead watchmen. Where is the Giant?

[woot]

I'm unclear as to what happened after the Giant charged the gate. Maybe I should rewatch it, but yes we see some dead watchmen. Where is the Giant?

The giant was also dead in the pile, so it seems that everyone present died in the fight. They were given credit for holding the gate, which they sort of did since the giant was the only one (out of 100k ffs) who tried to get through it, but really it seems they failed, since the gate was torn open during the melee.

[MartyFunkhouser]

The giant was also dead in the pile, so it seems that everyone present died in the fight. They were given credit for holding the gate, which they sort of did since the giant was the only one (out of 100k ffs) who tried to get through it, but really it seems they failed, since the gate was torn open during the melee.

The outer gate was only breached by the one giant. Rather than crash through the outer gate, the giant lifted it up. After the giant went through it, the gate closed behind him. That is why no one else went through the outer gate.

[Commando]

The outer gate was only breached by the one giant. Rather than crash through the outer gate, the giant lifted it up. After the giant went through it, the gate closed behind him. That is why no one else went through the outer gate.

I guess his complaint is that hordes didn't flood through the gates under the giants' legs while he was struggling to lift it.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Be patient - unicorns will make an appearence on an upcoming episode. Hope Lebowski doesn't ban me for this spoiler.

I think my favorite part of the books is when Ned Stark rides a unicorn into King's Landing, revealing that he is still alive, to discuss the trial of Tyrion with Tywin. I also hope Lebowski doesn't ban me for this spoiler.

[Commando]

:rockon2:

[MartyFunkhouser]

:rockon2:

Someone really likes unicorns.

[Commando]

Get caught up on your dvrs, everyone.

Spoiler for "Where to begin??:

OK that episode was awesome and epic. First item of business-- Jon Snow meeting with Stannis? Awesome. I'm liking Jon Snow's plot arc better and better all the time. Second-- Tyrion aided in escape by Lord Varys? Swish! If that wasn't awesome enough, going all Bushwick Bill on Shea and Twin before skipping town in a milk crate? Now that's gangsta. Third-- we are treated to a season-closing shot of Danaerys closing the door on her dragoons thrashing against their chains and brandishing their teeth. Swish! One thing I didn't swish on at all was Aryn NOT mercy killing the Hound after he got treated to a thrashing at the hands of "the big bitch." Now that's cold. She just might make it, after all.