5.01 - The Wars To Come

[Dan Jones]

In the Season 5 premiere, Varys discusses a conspiracy with Tyrion; Daenerys' rule faces a new threat; Jon finds himself between two kings; and Cersei and Jaime try to move on from Tywin's demise.

 

[svalbard]

I think we can now say with certainty that the show has completely departed from the books and is much the poorer for it to be honest.

 

[Dan Jones]

That arguably started a wee while back now; the novels are now probably more guides to character than anything else. I guess for TV they've decided that they simply can't fit in some of the storylines (Aemon Steelsong). But until the books are finished I suppose it's difficult to say how the departures will ultimately change the endings.

 

[REBerg]

Great start to the new season, at least from the perspective of one who hasn't yet read the books.

Tywin is really dead. I wasn't sure, given Tyrion's apparent lack of crossbow skills, even at pointblank range, that was the case. Speaking of dead. What is with the incredibly creepy eye stones? Is this something that was actually practiced in some culture or a product of Martin's fertile imagination?

Even better news: the dragons will be back! That is, assuming, Rhaegal and Viserion, will forgive Daenerys for locking them away in that dark, dank dungeon. It was really unfair to punish them for the snacking misdeeds of their delinquent sibling, Drogon. Of course, they'll forgive her. After all, she's their Mom; and she's going to need them for air support.

 

[Juliana]

I think we can now say with certainty that the show has completely departed from the books and is much the poorer for it to be honest.

Actually, I kind of prefer a complete departure than a more-or-less follow along. When it's more-or-less, the small things really, really bother me. When a show or movie makes a larger departure from the book source, I find I can forget the source material and just enjoy the show.

(sort of: "If you're going to change things, then really change things and make something original")

 

[Dan Jones]

Or, as Sinatra sang, "all, or nothing at all. Half a [fantasy adaptation], never appealed to me... So I'd rather have nothin' at all."

At least, I think GoT was what he was singing about.

Anyway, I thought it was a cool episode and is clearly setting up some heavy stuff for later on in the series. Hope Bran gets a substantial arc this series.

 

[svalbard]

Or, as Sinatra sang, "all, or nothing at all. Half a [fantasy adaptation], never appealed to me... So I'd rather have nothin' at all."

At least, I think GoT was what he was singing about.

Anyway, I thought it was a cool episode and is clearly setting up some heavy stuff for later on in the series. Hope Bran gets a substantial arc this series.

No Bran in this series.

It was a good round up of where everyone was at. The best lines as always went to both Varys and Tyrion who could very well be the double act of this season.

 

[Juliana]

The best lines as always went to both Varys and Tyrion

Think Varys and Tyrion will be the Hound and Arya of this season? That would be pretty cool. Bottles of wine instead of chicken and ponies.

 

[REBerg]

Is the Hound really dead? Don't remember seeing him actually expire after Ayra refused to administer the coup de grace--despite the fact that he was/is on her "kill" list.

 

[Dave]

I also wondered if both the Hound and Tywin were really dead. The Hound fell off a mountain and Tywin got shot in the neck. I'd have placed odds on Tywin surviving and the Hound dying. I haven't read the books - only the first - but my impression of this episode was that it was slow and not very exciting, given how riveting they have been so far. I would be happy to see more flashbacks but that one with Cersei didn't seem to serve much purpose. I would also like to see more Bran, so that would be disappointing if there is none. My other thought was that the beginning of a seven year long Winter seems like a poor choice of time to begin a major War, still, that's probably why I'm not a pretender to the Iron Throne.

 

[REBerg]

The eve of all-out warfare also seems like an inopportune time for the Lannisters to lose their commander-in-chief. If Jaime steps up to lead the Lannister Army, I say give the man a hand.

 

[Wo7f]

Tywin is really dead. I wasn't sure, given Tyrion's apparent lack of crossbow skills, even at pointblank range, that was the case. Speaking of dead. What is with the incredibly creepy eye stones? Is this something that was actually practiced in some culture or a product of Martin's fertile imagination?

I wasn't sure if he'd killed him either, one in the side and another in the shoulder it looked like to me. But I guess he's dead if they're having a funeral. Yes, I thought those eye stones were creepy as well.

I'm hoping Tyrion was able to read about dragon lore enough to help Daenerys win her favor back from the dragons. All of their family knowledge about raising them is probably lost to her, being that she was so young when they had to flee.
I'm also hoping to see more of Arya becoming a some type of assassin. And Bran, we have to see a little of Bran. Since they are not following the books, then perhaps it will be possible.

 

[Dan Jones]

I wasn't sure if he'd killed him either, one in the side and another in the shoulder it looked like to me. But I guess he's dead if they're having a funeral.

Maybe they'll do a Holy Grail skit where Tywin says; "but I'm not dead! I'm getting better!"

 

[REBerg]

Maybe they'll do a Holy Grail skit where Tywin says; "but I'm not dead! I'm getting better!"

Indeed! With Tywin gone (or nearly gone) and Lannisters are in dire straits. If they are to prevail in the wars to come, they need to beef up their bannermen with some combat-hardened veterans who have a never-say-die attitude and a willingness to continue to fight -- with or without appendages. The Lannisters need to, post-haste, put out a call for help to the Knights Who Say Ni!

 

[Dan Jones]

Or a giant knight called The Shrubbery Who Rides.

 

[REBerg]

Yes, I thought those eye stones were creepy as well.

Possible explanations: http://tinyurl.com/m24nbyf

Rooted in a culture or not, I still find the eyestones creepy. At the very least, they could find a Westeros artist with a bit more skill to paint the eyes.

I am accustomed to watching death scenes in which those present reverently close the eyes of the person who has died. It seems like a gesture of respect.

 

[Dave]

I didn't examine closely (or even pause the frame) so probably wrong, but it looked more like a Nazar than a fake eye. I didn't know that reason for using coins though. As you say, they may just have not paid enough for a decent artist. Money is tight with a Wedding and a War to pay for and there are a lot of guests to entertain at the funeral.

 

[Boaz]

REBerg, you've asked a few questions....

...the stones are not mentioned in the books as far as I remember. I thought it was an interesting touch to the show.

...do you really want to know if certain characters are dead? What do you want me to say? Yes, Of course, No, Maybe, Mayhaps, I'm not sure, I dunno, Your guess is as good as mine, only GRRM knows...