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Post by Rey Kahuka on Jul 17, 2017 12:58:39 GMT
Didn't love Arya's revenge on the Freys, it felt rushed and unearned. But they've been cutting corners for two seasons now and it gives us something to look forward to if/when Martin ever finishes the books. Ed Sheeran making a cameo was random. It also seemed like they tried to make Euron crazier/creepier because they don't have Ramsey anymore and they need that 'love to hate' wildcard character running around out there. (Also is it just me or did it feel like Euron wandered on set with wardrobe from some dystopian futuristic film?)
I think it was for the audience's sake, but I actually wish Sansa would hold her cards closer to the chest. She knows what Littlefinger is up to, but she's never going to get the upper hand by verbally bitch slapping him. Play along and turn the tables when he least expects it-- at least he'll respect you as he bleeds out. If you're going to tell him you know he's an asshole, just tell Brienne he tried to rape you or something and have her behead him. Wipe your hands and move on. Otherwise play the game his way and don't tip your hand.
I also thought it was odd that she chastised Jon for his treatment of his allies and compared him to Ned and Robb. Hey Sansa, Robb had Rickard Karstark beheaded, which is why the family didn't support the Starks anymore. Jon showing mercy is the most politically savvy thing to do in that situation. He's standing here with an army of wildlings and northerners, I think he knows how to work a room.
Overall it was awesome, we caught up with just about everyone-- even a brief appearance by Jorah. Man am I glad this show is back!
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Post by sdm3 on Jul 17, 2017 13:01:17 GMT
Didn't much care for it outside of the Hound's scenes, the Euron scene, and the tremendous Dragonstone sequence. They essentially just repeated the same beats from the season 6 finale. Hated the Ed Sheeran cameo. I'm sure it'll get really good really fast though.
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Post by sdm3 on Jul 17, 2017 13:05:42 GMT
Didn't love Arya's revenge on the Freys, it felt rushed and unearned. I thought that during the scene in the season 6 finale, and this one was essentially a beat for beat remake. Cool scene and all but why make it the cold open when we literally saw the big payoff to that storyline in the previous episode?
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Post by klawrencio79 on Jul 17, 2017 13:12:10 GMT
Didn't love Arya's revenge on the Freys, it felt rushed and unearned. I thought that during the scene in the season 6 finale, and this one was essentially a beat for beat remake. Cool scene and all but why make it the cold open when we literally saw the big payoff to that storyline in the previous episode? At first blush, I liked it because it showed the depth of her willingness to go after literally everyone involved, not just the head of the snake. She's almost like Cersei in that regard; unrelenting in her hatred for those she perceives as enemies (some are, but some aren't). But pushing it further, it makes for interesting contrast against what Jon Snow says later in the episode where he says he refuses to punish the families for the acts of their fathers whereas Arya just killed every one of them, not just the ones who physically committed the murders. You wonder how that will play out in their inevitable reunion.
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Post by sdm3 on Jul 17, 2017 13:16:19 GMT
I thought that during the scene in the season 6 finale, and this one was essentially a beat for beat remake. Cool scene and all but why make it the cold open when we literally saw the big payoff to that storyline in the previous episode? At first blush, I liked it because it showed the depth of her willingness to go after literally everyone involved, not just the head of the snake. She's almost like Cersei in that regard; unrelenting in her hatred for those she perceives as enemies (some are, but some aren't). But pushing it further, it makes for interesting contrast against what Jon Snow says later in the episode where he says he refuses to punish the families for the acts of their fathers whereas Arya just killed every one of them, not just the ones who physically committed the murders. You wonder how that will play out in their inevitable reunion. That's a good point. I get the feeling it'll be a somewhat of a bitter reunion when she meets up with Jon and Sansa. She's not the girl Eddard raised at all, anymore. Edit: although, weren't all of them guilty? It wasn't just the Starks killed, but all of their armies massacred. That's a lot of guilty Freys. And she didn't kill the women and servers.
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Post by klawrencio79 on Jul 17, 2017 13:21:20 GMT
At first blush, I liked it because it showed the depth of her willingness to go after literally everyone involved, not just the head of the snake. She's almost like Cersei in that regard; unrelenting in her hatred for those she perceives as enemies (some are, but some aren't). But pushing it further, it makes for interesting contrast against what Jon Snow says later in the episode where he says he refuses to punish the families for the acts of their fathers whereas Arya just killed every one of them, not just the ones who physically committed the murders. You wonder how that will play out in their inevitable reunion. That's a good point. I get the feeling it'll be a somewhat of a bitter reunion when she meets up with Jon and Sansa. She's not the girl Eddard raised at all, anymore. Edit: although, weren't all of them guilty? It wasn't just the Starks killed, but all of their armies massacred. That's a lot of guilty Freys. And she didn't kill the women and servers. That's true, she didn't. As to all of them being guilty, I guess that leads to a philosophical discussion as to what it means to be "guilty." Are you guilty of following orders which, if ignore, would get you killed?
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Jul 17, 2017 13:59:23 GMT
Arya's been on a dark path for a long time. I don't expect her to survive the war. People get excited over her badassery and overlook the tragedy of her arc. She was a fun loving kid who dreamed of being an adventurer; now she's a soulless killer bent on revenge. She exists for no other reason in her own mind other than to kill. The things that happened to Sansa may have been more brutal but Arya's story is no less sad. Sansa may well become Cersei by the end of everything, yet Arya has already changed into something else; Jaqen at best, the Hound at worst. There may be some measure of redemption out there for Arya and the Hound, but they'll never be whole people again.
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Post by DSDSquared on Jul 17, 2017 14:16:07 GMT
I feel like the Hound is being redeemed. Arya, on the other hand, is beyond redemption. In a way, her and Sansa have changed a lot since season one and they both are very similar now. Sansa has become more of a master of the political side and knows how screwed up the world is. Arya is now more of a master killer and also knows how screwed up the world is. I am very anxious for them to meet up again. I was slightly disappointed when I saw Arya on her way to King's Landing.
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Jul 17, 2017 14:54:37 GMT
I think the Hound has crossed over into anti-hero territory. He just needed to see things from another perspective. He may not be 'good' as we see it, but at least he feels guilty about being terrible in the past. That understanding is a big step toward personal redemption. I don't know if Arya has a clue how awful she's become. There is a parallel between the Stark girls for sure. Both seem to enjoy revenge and violence in ways Jon never has. All of these characters are reflections of the world around them. Jon has had the best mentors despite his harsh time at the Wall and beyond. Sansa has been counselled/held captive by some of the worst Westeros has to offer and Arya has spent most of her time with killers.
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Post by Carl LaFong on Jul 17, 2017 15:36:17 GMT
I hope Cersei wins the day when this whole thing is finished. Probably because she's the best actor or actress on the show.
I'd hate to see Dany on the throne - her character is so dull.
They should just make Arya Stark a full-blown psycho - she's half way there already! Let her get power hungry and turn on Bran and Sansa.
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Post by marsexplorer on Jul 17, 2017 17:20:32 GMT
Didn't love Arya's revenge on the Freys, it felt rushed and unearned. I thought that during the scene in the season 6 finale, and this one was essentially a beat for beat remake. Cool scene and all but why make it the cold open when we literally saw the big payoff to that storyline in the previous episode? I watched the opener at 11pm CST on HBONOW and they had a segment afterward where the writers addressed that. They said they decided to open with the scene at House Frey to best set the tone for the season. Now with Arya off to Kings Landing it it step 2 for the revenge of House Stark. Remember, Arya is now an assassin thanks to her time at House of Black and White. I too was somewhat disappointed Arya is first seeking revenge against Cersi, I preferred she that went to join Jon and Sansa for the defense of the North. I also thought it was good to see that Jorah is still alive, although his arm did look quite nasty. Wonder what the rest of him looks like. Great opener. No complaints from me.
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Post by klawrencio79 on Jul 17, 2017 17:22:48 GMT
I hope Cersei wins the day when this whole thing is finished. Probably because she's the best actor or actress on the show. Cersei has the distinct advantage of being the most ruthless person in the entire show. She won't let anything stand between her and what she wants, whereas the other character do have their limits, as we've seen throughout.
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Post by marsexplorer on Jul 17, 2017 17:28:43 GMT
Another thought. How did Jorah become to be imprisoned in the Citadel.
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Post by marsexplorer on Jul 17, 2017 17:31:18 GMT
I hope Cersei wins the day when this whole thing is finished. Probably because she's the best actor or actress on the show. Cersei has the distinct advantage of being the most ruthless person in the entire show. She won't let anything stand between her and what she wants, whereas the other character do have their limits, as we've seen throughout. In Sansa's conversation with Jon she said she had learned a lot from Cersei. I am curious to see where that goes.
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Post by bluerisk on Jul 17, 2017 17:50:29 GMT
Where did Euron get his fleet from---- barren islands, sparsely populated, decades of economic demise after the failed rebellion, depleted resources and manpower due to the campaign against the Bolton, the best ships and men gone with Yara and Theon.
Where?
This is too much deus ex machina for me.
Arya's scene was ok - the only plausible way to get as many Freys killed as possible.
Cercei and Jaime was good. Jaime is getting smart and smarter.
Euron - absolutely meh...I hate this guy. In the books he brought at least powerful artefacts with him, he had really travelled the 14 seas and learned a lot...but this guy: zero charisma.
Sam - I like him very much, but this shitfest (in the truest sense of the worst) lived up to its name. What a waste. And how should find Jorah the Andal a cure in a locked cell?! Sam?
Bran and Meera was ok
Jon and Sansa was good, and I side with Jon: they need any men, forgiveness can turn people, meaning: the Karstarks and Umbers might become the most dedicated allies of Jon in battle.
The Hound was ok.
Dany...well, the dragons have become quite big and the castle look good...but Dany is rather meh.
Overall 7/10
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Post by mangekyoalleluia on Jul 17, 2017 17:55:01 GMT
Interesting start, time to see Dany wrecking sh!t with her dragons.
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Post by marsexplorer on Jul 17, 2017 17:55:15 GMT
Euron - absolutely meh...I hate this guy. In the books he brought at least powerful artefacts with him, he had really travelled the 14 seas and learned a lot...but this guy: zero charisma. I agree completely.
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Ghost
Sophomore
IMDb member since August 2005.
@ghost
Posts: 131
Likes: 33
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Post by Ghost on Jul 17, 2017 19:22:01 GMT
The premiere was good. Could have done with less Sam and the poop/soup segment. Surprised this forum is still being used. What's up fellas?
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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Jul 17, 2017 20:24:04 GMT
Very good episode. Ep 1 is usually a table setter.
For me, this show is becoming the Sandor Clegaine Hour. One of the the best characters in any show. Ever.
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Post by marsexplorer on Jul 17, 2017 20:54:24 GMT
For me, this show is becoming the Sandor Clegaine Hour. One of the the best characters in any show. Ever. He is. He is dark, brooding, mysterious, violent, with a underlying kindness. It seems we will find out exactly what made The Hound who he is and what he was before. Side note: With him now accepting the spiritual a bit by seeing the mountain of Fireglass at the spot the Whitewalkers plan to invade to intrigues me.
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