New Game of Thrones

[Alluveal]

Well, the Hound.... (spoilers--do not read if you don't want to know what happens to him and his "infection") But, yeah, there is still potential for a brother-against-brother match.

Hidden Information!

When Arya leaves the Hound, many presume he's dead. I think he becomes a member in the cleric order that takes him in. I think they save him. Sorry, my memory is utter crap about this. He is "reborn" so to say. But, this could still mean that he pops up to off his brother. That would be highly badass.

[Harlowe]

I'm in the process of re-reading the books because so much happens in them and so many characters are involved I know I missed some things, I'm on A Feast for Crows atm.

[Alluveal]

Oh hell yeah. That was an amazing episode. To hell with those giants! And their mammoths!

[Ddrak]

The shot at 39 minutes in that just panned around the castle forever was amazing (just after Jon Snow comes down)...

Dd

[Fallakin Kuvari]

That episode was downright amazing.

[Harlowe]

Damn, the episode from Sunday night was incredible. Holy crap.

[Minute]

Next week is the last episode of the season.

[Alluveal]

I know. WTF. 10 episodes seem so freakin' short.

[Harlowe]

I'm already in mourning. =/

[Alluveal]

It's like I want to keep episode 10 on my DVR for a few months. Just knowing it's there and I still need to watch it might comfort me.

[Minute]

I know. WTF. 10 episodes seem so freakin' short.

Did for me too, but I think it's because we only saw 1 story line. Most of the time we see at least 3, which leaves you guessing on each. Makes it seem like it takes a lot longer.

[Ddrak]

And holy swordfight batman!

[Fallakin Kuvari]

Also:

Hidden Information!

Holy Rock fight, Batman!

[Harlowe]

Wow, awesome finale! I'm now in mourning for it being over this season!

I don't care how much it strayed from the book this last episode, it was awesome and it's stayed true to the important story arcs. The show was engaging and feckin' brilliant this season, so whenever I see nit-picking whines about them not showing this or that, it just makes me groan. This shows has been the best thing on TV.

[Alluveal]

Great ending. My only issue? I desperately wanted to see Lady Stoneheart. I'm guessing they're leaving that for next season, or cutting it completely.

Arya and her coin. Finally!

[Harlowe]

I think Lady Stoneheart at the very end would have been a perfect ending.

[Ddrak]

Interesting take: Why no Lady Stoneheart was a good thing.

Dd

[Alluveal]

Yeah, Lady Stoneheart (though awesome for book fans) might have been too much for the newbs. I don't know. Bringing that actress in at the end would have probably been a waste. TPTB are being very tight-lipped over whether or not she will be there next season.

(I feel like they have to bring her in, especially with the way the Brotherhood W/o Banners was featured prominently last season and Brienne's quest.)

I don't think this is a spoiler, but will hide it anyway. It has to do with Arya/Jon Snow ....

Hidden Information!

Wondering if they will ever give them warging abilities. Arya, I guess, won't need them. She can just be badass w/o "cheating" her way through some future testing. But Jon? If they go where I HOPE they go in the next book, they're going to freakin' need that.

Bran's storyline is already into the last book. I have no idea what's going to happen there, unless we get Coldhands?

[Xican]

Dd's link echoes my own thoughts on Stoneheart. I think Martin shouldn't have brought her back at all - it really undermines the impact of arguably his most noteworthy scene.

When I was watching the many, many cuts from the books to the show I felt cheated, but having had a little more time to think about it, it really confirms a few things in my mind that I've thought about Martin for a while. He has no end game or any idea how to approach it. He built this wonderfully massive tale and he doesn't know how to pull it all together for an actual ending. Stoneheart and Coldhands were left out this season and it makes me think HBO is trying to trim the fat on Martin's universe, because without doing so, they'll never reach a conclusion. I've always been harsh with Martin. I view him as an amateur writer, who has hit on a single success and he hasn't shown any ability to actually deliver a closing on that success. I love the series, but I feel like he has never had any idea what he's doing. He just keeps building and adding more to an already overwhelming cast/world. His initial characters have strayed so far from where they started that I can't imagine he could reasonably bring some back into the fold for an actual finale.

At this point, I doubt Martin will live long enough to deliver on Books 6 and 7. I believe 7 was supposed to be the finale. I imagine what'll happen is he might finish 6, announce that his 'grand scheme' is really going to require 9 books to bring everything together and then he'll die before 7 ever happens. Now our hopes rest on HBO for a meaningful conclusion and I think that's probably for the best.

[Ddrak]

Unless he starts putting a book out every other year, HBO will have to finish it for him whether he's dead or not. They can't afford to shut up production just because they've run out of source material.

Dd