Show To Diverge (even further) From Books. No content spoilers in the OP, but who knows...

[JoanDrake]

Some character merging i was kind of surprised by was the extent they merged Jeyne Poole's Winterfell story arc with Sansa her story arc.

Call me naive, but i wasn't expecting the wedding and the subsequent bedding to actually take place. Perhaps i didn't expect that, cause in the books Sansa remains a maid. I guess they did decide to go light on it, since Theon 'only' had to watch what happened to Sansa. This HBO adaptation makes you feel bad for Sansa, far more so then for the Sansa in the books.

To the point where it's almost painful to watch, I hope her present husband doesn't end up King in the end. The writers here like to pull nasty surprises almost as much as Martin, OTOH they did kill Joffre off fairly quickly so I guess even they have their limits

Having the book and show is very instructive in regard to how to write to a tv vs a book audience.

 

[Koopa]

All the way back from season 1, i do feel that HBO at times intentionally goes graphic without actual need for it, just to keep the audience attention.
Some graphic scenes are necessary and to me add to the story, but others just seem redundant.

 

[Reivax26]

I am wondering if the big twist from ADwD is even going to happen in the show.

 

[Koopa]

I've been thinking about Dorne in the last episode. Now in the tv series we have no arianne, no quentin, no fAegon and no golden company. This lets me to believe that:

A) Varys and Ilyrio Mopatis Targaryen support has been brought to a minimum in comparison to the books. In which Dany and viserius were basically an afterthought to their plans. The storyline for Varys has suffered from it imo.
B) With Jaime, Bronn and the Sand Snakes on the move and HBO converging storylines from characters not in the series with those that are. Doran next move/great plan may actually be Arianne's plan. That is proclaim Myrcella queen. Cause unless the authors know more about Doran's plans, of which we are as of yet unaware ( all we really know from the books is him trying to get the Targs back) and with no arianne and fAegon a foot. Any progression in Dorne seemed rather stumped, unless they go down that route. And they do have to progress that storyline or all that footage would have been wasted if nothing comes out from it.

Kinda funny how they reduced Dorne so far to patches of sand and a garden.

Also the High Sparrow is playing his role well. Dude and the Faith give me the creeps.

 

[svalbard]

Jonathon Pryce is inspired casting for the High Sparrow. He is playing the role to perfection.

I also think you maybe on the right track with your thoughts on Doran and his future plans. I do hope we get to see Areo Hoteth in action using that weapon his.

 

[Reivax26]

I get the feeling Areo is going to behead Obara Sand for her cooking up the trouble with the Lannisters. Doran wants the Lannisters and everyone in King's Landing to be hit unsuspecting when he lays the hammer down on them. If she screwed that up, she will lose her head.