(BOOK SPOILERS) Game of Thrones Series Discussion for Book Readers

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by Witch King of Angmar

Barristan is

[Show spoiler]dead

.

That's disappointing.

If Dany leaves Mereen at the end of this season, I'll officially be jealous of fans of the show. They don't know the struggle.

[Kevinicus]

It seems like they're starting to push Lyanna and Rhaegar back into the story with the "previously on" bit, the Sansa/Littlefinger scene, and then the Dany/Selmy scene. Not to mention some Jon scenes. Things are progressing through the books very fast now, and a ton has been cut or has changed. I'm wondering just how far things are going to go this season.

[Moe Szyslak]

Originally Posted by Kevinicus

It seems like they're starting to push Lyanna and Rhaegar back into the story with the "previously on" bit, the Sansa/Littlefinger scene, and then the Dany/Selmy scene. Not to mention some Jon scenes. Things are progressing through the books very fast now, and a ton has been cut or has changed. I'm wondering just how far things are going to go this season.

I forget the exact quote, but Stannis mentioned something about not believing that Ned would "father a bastard with a tavern wench" or something like that.

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

That's disappointing.

If Dany leaves Mereen at the end of this season, I'll officially be jealous of fans of the show. They don't know the struggle.

I really hope she does and I think that she will. They seem to be making Daznak's Pit a bigger event rather than doing the battle of Mereen, so I think they will have her leave for Westeros in the finale.

[kernel_thai]

Originally Posted by Moe Szyslak

I forget the exact quote, but Stannis mentioned something about not believing that Ned would "father a bastard with a tavern wench" or something like that.

Somthing like That wasnt his way.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Kevinicus

It seems like they're starting to push Lyanna and Rhaegar back into the story with the "previously on" bit, the Sansa/Littlefinger scene, and then the Dany/Selmy scene. Not to mention some Jon scenes. Things are progressing through the books very fast now, and a ton has been cut or has changed. I'm wondering just how far things are going to go this season.

Originally Posted by Moe Szyslak

I forget the exact quote, but Stannis mentioned something about not believing that Ned would "father a bastard with a tavern wench" or something like that.

Originally Posted by kernel_thai

Somthing like That wasnt his way.

Yeah, that was the most notable thing about the episode to me, as it was -- aside from coming a lot later in the narrative -- pretty much exactly the way GRRM laid things out in the book. He threw the Rhaegar/Lyanna story at us in the crypts (albeit with Ned and Robert), and hit us over the head several times with people observing that fathering a bastard was very un-Ned-like.

[Moe Szyslak]

Any thoughts on who that Asian-looking priestess that give Tyrion a hard look in Volantis might be?

I hope Sam gets to travel to Oldtown. The exploration and reveals regarding maester culture was a highlight from book 4.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Moe Szyslak

Any thoughts on who that Asian-looking priestess that give Tyrion a hard look in Volantis might be?

You mean character-wise? I've no idea. Actress-wise, she was Rila Fukashima, from The Wolverine and Arrow.

I hope Sam gets to travel to Oldtown. The exploration and reveals regarding maester culture was a highlight from book 4.

I'm with you there, but given the way Benioff & Weis appear to be leaving out plot threads that don't seem to have any immediate connection to the main thrust of the story arc, I'm not holding my breath.

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

I really hope she does and I think that she will. They seem to be making Daznak's Pit a bigger event rather than doing the battle of Mereen, so I think they will have her leave for Westeros in the finale.

Agreed. And I'm still waiting for Young Griff and Jon Connington...

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

Agreed. And I'm still waiting for Young Griff and Jon Connington...

They are cut, which IMO is good.

[mysticwaterfall]

So I have to say contrary to last week Littlefinger seemed more in control and Sansas new role is growing on me a bit. Makes me interested to see what happens with her next week.

Loved the Stannis/Shireen bit.

The only thing I didn't like really was the faith militant formation. In the books, I think Ceresi comes off much more incompetent and the High Sparrow much more conniving.I'm sure the plan will still backfire on Ceresi in the end, but I don't see it being as fulfilling. Could be wrong though.

[max041104]

Originally Posted by mysticwaterfall

So I have to say contrary to last week Littlefinger seemed more in control and Sansas new role is growing on me a bit. Makes me interested to see what happens with her next week.

Loved the Stannis/Shireen bit.

The only thing I didn't like really was the faith militant formation. In the books, I think Ceresi comes off much more incompetent and the High Sparrow much more conniving.I'm sure the plan will still backfire on Ceresi in the end, but I don't see it being as fulfilling. Could be wrong though.

[dwk]

Titles for episodes 8 and 9
Season 5, Episode 8: Hardhome
Season 5, Episode 9: The Dance of Dragons

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

They are cut, which IMO is good.

I guess we can rule them out of any important events in future books then.

[Cook]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

I guess we can rule them out of any important events in future books then.

Not necessarily. D&D have said that while they are heading to the same ending as the books or very similar ending as the books, the journey will be very different in places, and character that live in the books will die in the show and vice versa. And in some cases they took a character's actions and gave them to an already introduced character in the show or some other character to keep the cast size manageable.

So Young Griff and Jon Connington could still be part of important things in the books.

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by Cook

Not necessarily. D&D have said that while they are heading to the same ending as the books or very similar ending as the books, the journey will be very different in places, and character that live in the books will die in the show and vice versa. And in some cases they took a character's actions and gave them to an already introduced character in the show or some other character to keep the cast size manageable.

So Young Griff and Jon Connington could still be part of important things in the books.

I see what you're saying. Still, there's a popular theory floating around that includes Young Griff being a crucial component to the story. I guess we'll find out when Dany finally makes it to Westeros.

[BluProofie]

There are still rumors that Trystane Martell will take the place of Young Griff and this will be revealed in episode 9, but who knows?

[Edinburghoscar]

Originally Posted by dwk

Titles for episodes 8 and 9
Season 5, Episode 8: Hardhome
Season 5, Episode 9: The Dance of Dragons

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

I feared Jorah taking on this part of the Jon Connington story, and it seems I was right to do so.

Damn.

[heebiejeebie]

I was pleasantly surprised that we got to see Valeria and get a little mention of its history.