Game of Thrones - spoilers inside

[pulpdriver]

So what did everyone think of the first episode of season six?

I thought it was pretty underwhelming although I suppose most of the first episodes for each season have been with GoT. Mostly just used to get character bearings, tie up any loose threads and begin new arcs. Always feel like vignettes.

I must say though, I was never a fan of the Dorne chapters in the first place but if D & D were never going to include Arianne and take this direction with Doran, I would have preferred they just jettison it completely: terrible decisions IMO. It might end up surprising me and become a genuinely compelling story arc but at this stage I can't stand the Sand Snakes or Ellaria, have no interest in spending time in Dorne with their irrational plans and just see this ending up in a mess that serves as a convenient way to bring Daenerys into Westeros.

Did like that Melisandre moment.

 

[captainrich]

So what did everyone think of the first episode of season six?

I thought it was pretty underwhelming although I suppose most of the first episodes for each season have been with GoT. Mostly just used to get character bearings, tie up any loose threads and begin new arcs. Always feel like vignettes.

I must say though, I was never a fan of the Dorne chapters in the first place but if D & D were never going to include Arianne and take this direction with Doran, I would have preferred they just jettison it completely: terrible decisions IMO. It might end up surprising me and become a genuinely compelling story arc but at this stage I can't stand the Sand Snakes or Ellaria, have no interest in spending time in Dorne with their irrational plans and just see this ending up in a mess that serves as a convenient way to bring Daenerys into Westeros.

Did like that Melisandre moment.

Is Arianne a pretty central character in the books?

Do like what went on in Dorne, Sandsnakes more likely to wage war on the Lannisters now, more than likely that they will lose but at least something happens, was a bit underwhelming last year given how much of a pussy the Prince of Dorne was compared to Oberyn. Would have liked to have seen his protector get into some fights and show some skill, bit disapointing he died that meekly

 

[Toffee Lion]

Considering how good Oberyn was, it's a shame to see such a poor storyline from the Dornish - I was surprised to see Doran get betrayed, will be interesting to at least see what comes of it and possibly redeems last season's mess.

For an episode 1 though, it went as expected - you're not going to get any big flashy scenes, mostly tie ups from the last episode from the previous season and making the foundation for this season.

My favourite part of the episode though was seeing Brienne save Sansa & Theon and Sansa accepting her pledge.

Also to note Melisandre at the end, Thoros was able to resurrect Beric after he had lost faith in the lord of light...

After seeing Stannis die and now Jon, it seems Melisandre is lacking her faith and possibly this could empower her to attempt to bring Jon back with the lord showing her not to lose faith by resurrecting Jon. (Which we all know is going to happen).

 

[pulpdriver]

Is Arianne a pretty central character in the books?

Do like what went on in Dorne, Sandsnakes more likely to wage war on the Lannisters now, more than likely that they will lose but at least something happens, was a bit underwhelming last year given how much of a pussy the Prince of Dorne was compared to Oberyn. Would have liked to have seen his protector get into some fights and show some skill, bit disapointing he died that meekly

She's not central but she's ambitious and at least had motivations that are more complex than blunt revenge: we already have enough characters motivated by that.

Doran was completely gimped by the series. Here's a quote from Doran that summarises the book version very well.
“I am not blind, nor deaf. I know that you all believe me weak, frightened, feeble. Your father knew me better. Oberyn was ever the viper. Deadly, dangerous, unpredictable. No man dared tread on him. I was the grass. Pleasant, complaisant, sweet-smelling, swaying with every breeze. Who fears to walk upon the grass? But it is the grass that hides the viper from his enemies and shelters him until he strikes. Your father and I worked more closely than you know … but now he is gone. The question is, can I trust his daughters to serve me in his place?"
Whatever machinations he had in place were not used by D & D. Gonna have to wait for the books (lol) to see what happens there.

 

[captainrich]

She's not central but she's ambitious and at least had motivations that are more complex than blunt revenge: we already have enough characters motivated by that.

Doran was completely gimped by the series. Here's a quote from Doran that summarises the book version very well.
“I am not blind, nor deaf. I know that you all believe me weak, frightened, feeble. Your father knew me better. Oberyn was ever the viper. Deadly, dangerous, unpredictable. No man dared tread on him. I was the grass. Pleasant, complaisant, sweet-smelling, swaying with every breeze. Who fears to walk upon the grass? But it is the grass that hides the viper from his enemies and shelters him until he strikes. Your father and I worked more closely than you know … but now he is gone. The question is, can I trust his daughters to serve me in his place?"
Whatever machinations he had in place were not used by D & D. Gonna have to wait for the books (lol) to see what happens there.

i did think that surely he had some sort of plan in place to get revenge in his own way

also it was weird how quikcly sand snakes reached the boat at the capital, all done a bit weird

 

[captainrich]

Considering how good Oberyn was, it's a shame to see such a poor storyline from the Dornish - I was surprised to see Doran get betrayed, will be interesting to at least see what comes of it and possibly redeems last season's mess.

For an episode 1 though, it went as expected - you're not going to get any big flashy scenes, mostly tie ups from the last episode from the previous season and making the foundation for this season.

My favourite part of the episode though was seeing Brienne save Sansa & Theon and Sansa accepting her pledge.

Also to note Melisandre at the end, Thoros was able to resurrect Beric after he had lost faith in the lord of light...

After seeing Stannis die and now Jon, it seems Melisandre is lacking her faith and possibly this could empower her to attempt to bring Jon back with the lord showing her not to lose faith by resurrecting Jon. (Which we all know is going to happen).

apparently there is a break the internet moment planned for the 3rd or 4th episode, will be funny if this just means johns body being burnt and no hope of him coming back, would make sense if they screw with us once more

 

[pulpdriver]

i did think that surely he had some sort of plan in place to get revenge in his own way

also it was weird how quikcly sand snakes reached the boat at the capital, all done a bit weird

He was the guy building political alliances and working behind the scenes whilst Oberyn was much less subtle. He has also had a son who went to Mereen to try and seduce Dany but I don't think he exists in the series.

Yeah, that was stupid. They just teleported onto the boat.

 

[pulpdriver]

apparently there is a break the internet moment planned for the 3rd or 4th episode, will be funny if this just means johns body being burnt and no hope of him coming back, would make sense if they screw with us once more

If we have to wait for four episodes for Jon to get resurrected I'm gonna get frustrated. Not sure Davos can hold out in that room for that long either. Hoping it happens at the end of the next episode.

 

[captainrich]

He was the guy building political alliances and working behind the scenes whilst Oberyn was much less subtle. He has also had a son who went to Mereen to try and seduce Dany but I don't think he exists in the series.

Yeah, that was stupid. They just teleported onto the boat.

sandsnakes are hot, id give them that

 

[Toffee Lion]

Well, good news and bad news...

The good news, there is absolutely no way Jon doesn't get ressurected.

In the trailer we see the Wildlings vs the Boltons, now think, who would the Wildings want to fight for?

Even Davos said it in Episode 1, when he sent Edd to get some help from people who would help protect Jon (Wildlings).

The bad news is that I believe he'll get revived at the end of Episode 4.

 

[captainrich]

If we have to wait for four episodes for Jon to get resurrected I'm gonna get frustrated. Not sure Davos can hold out in that room for that long either. Hoping it happens at the end of the next episode.

nah mate they wont show any of

Well, good news and bad news...

The good news, there is absolutely no way Jon doesn't get ressurected.

In the trailer we see the Wildlings vs the Boltons, now think, who would the Wildings want to fight for?

Even Davos said it in Episode 1, when he sent Edd to get some help from people who would help protect Jon (Wildlings).

The bad news is that I believe he'll get revived at the end of Episode 4.

wildlings could very well just fight for Sansa because shes jons sister and they owe him....or the more logical explanantion they go and take over castleblack to get Jons body and the Boltons attack castle black because they think Sansa is being hidden there.

I just think Martin and the D&D would much rather screw with us big time than do something which is now quite predictable

 

[SizeMatters]

started well IMO with the Snow story line looking to be crucial to the series. Towards the end of the episode though I was just 'meh'. Not sure what they are doing to the Dorne story line... looks like they will be after the lannisters as well after seemingly being neutral in the whole power struggle. Tyrion and Varys are a good combo but didn't really offer much more insight into anything in Meereen with dany. I think the episode was needed to kinda go over everything from season 5 and tie off some loose ends but IMO was fairly poor episode overall.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Wasn't really expecting much more from the first episode. It was always going to be a drawing of breath dealing with the fallout from the events of s05e10.

The Dorne stuff for me is really clumsily written and acted. Oberyn was cool but the Sand Snakes are a part of the show I only just tolerate. It just shits me when they go on about Oberyn being murdered - he lost a combat trial FFS. As for their sudden appearance, I don't think it's beyond the realm of reality that they simply took another boat or rode horses. There's no firm timeline from when Jaime gets back with Myrcella until the assassinations - even if it were a day either of there explanations could pass.

Liked the Monty Python bits from the new Khal and the top 5 best bits in life - was a combination of The Spanish Inquisition and the "What have the Romans ever done for us" bit from Life of Brian.

 

[pulpdriver]

Wasn't really expecting much more from the first episode. It was always going to be a drawing of breath dealing with the fallout from the events of s05e10.

The Dorne stuff for me is really clumsily written and acted. Oberyn was cool but the Sand Snakes are a part of the show I only just tolerate. It just shits me when they go on about Oberyn being murdered - he lost a combat trial FFS. As for their sudden appearance, I don't think it's beyond the realm of reality that they simply took another boat or rode horses. There's no firm timeline from when Jaime gets back with Myrcella until the assassinations - even if it were a day either of there explanations could pass.

Liked the Monty Python bits from the new Khal and the top 5 best bits in life - was a combination of The Spanish Inquisition and the "What have the Romans ever done for us" bit from Life of Brian.

Except there is. There is a whole scene in the previous season devoted to how quick and potent that poison is. Myrcella died minutes after leaving that dock based on its impact on Bronn. Why Jamie didn't turn the boat around, consult Doran and have the Sandwhore and Snakes beheaded is another plot hole.

 

[captainrich]

Except there is. There is a whole scene in the previous season devoted to how quick and potent that poison is. Myrcella died minutes after leaving that dock based on its impact on Bronn. Why Jamie didn't turn the boat around, consult Doran and have the Sandwhore and Snakes beheaded is another plot hole.

and why didnt he do something to Tristan in his fit of rage, would have made more sense if he had been butchered by the Lannisters already

 

[pulpdriver]

and why didnt he do something to Tristan in his fit of rage, would have made more sense if he had been butchered by the Lannisters already

Lannisters prior to this point have had no need to start anything with Dorne. They're not powerful but they've just fought a war, they don't need another, hence giving Dorne a seat on the small council. Peace with them is more valuable.

From Dorne's perspective currently waging war on the Lannister makes zero sense. Even with a desire for revenge for their Prince who died in a completely legal and consented manner, they have no allies; they have a small army and the leader with all the diplomatic relations from Dorne's most noble House, that apparently all of Dorne resents for some reason, has just been taken out of the picture. The whole plan is just nonsensical.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Except there is. There is a whole scene in the previous season devoted to how quick and potent that poison is. Myrcella died minutes after leaving that dock based on its impact on Bronn. Why Jamie didn't turn the boat around, consult Doran and have the Sandwhore and Snakes beheaded is another plot hole.

I meant the time from when Jaime returns to Kings Landing until Tristane is done in. As for the other, I can't say - possibly he feared being take down after his initial foary into Dorne was a bit clumsy. Perhaps he wanted to honour Cersei's request to bring their daughter home and deal with that fallout later (not knowing Doran was for it as well)

 

[pulpdriver]

I meant the time from when Jaime returns to Kings Landing until Tristane is done in. As for the other, I can't say - possibly he feared being take down after his initial foary into Dorne was a bit clumsy. Perhaps he wanted to honour Cersei's request to bring their daughter home and deal with that fallout later (not knowing Doran was for it as well)

Maybe. I just find everything about the Dorne arc clumsy and the more I think about it the more it irritates me.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Liked the Monty Python bits from the new Khal and the top 5 best bits in life - was a combination of The Spanish Inquisition and the "What have the Romans ever done for us" bit from Life of Brian.

Felt like a very big wink at Conan the Barbarian.

 

[pulpdriver]

Felt like a very big wink at Conan the Barbarian.

Well picked.

 

[KissKiss]

Is Arianne a pretty central character in the books?

Do like what went on in Dorne, Sandsnakes more likely to wage war on the Lannisters now, more than likely that they will lose but at least something happens, was a bit underwhelming last year given how much of a pussy the Prince of Dorne was compared to Oberyn. Would have liked to have seen his protector get into some fights and show some skill, bit disapointing he died that meekly

I think from memory Arianne is due to have a bigger part in the next book (and series I guess). There are other story lines and things that have been cut or changed that affect the whole Dorne storyline so not sure how they will go for here. I think there was a secret plan from the Prince to marry her off for alliance that doesnt look to be happening

 

[Toffee Lion]

If we have to wait for four episodes for Jon to get resurrected I'm gonna get frustrated. Not sure Davos can hold out in that room for that long either. Hoping it happens at the end of the next episode.

 

[captainrich]

...come on mate..

 

[captainrich]

v good ep

 

[Hollow Knight]

***Spoiler warning***

I found the Ramsay Bolton stuff way more interesting than the Jon Snow stuff in this episode. This guy is starting to make Joffrey look like a mere pussycat.