A Game of Thrones - TV Show Discussion Thread

[Dinner]

What specific changes bothered you?

The scene where Theon's sister attacks the Dreadfort. The Iron Islands are on the west coast of Westeros while the Dreadfort is on the east coast and well inland. That means she'd have to sail all the way around westeros (the equivalent of going from Denmark to say Greece) in order to get there and then the castle is still well inland. It was just a terrible scene.

I can put up with them making Stannis go to Braavos since Stannis eventually does (in book 5) get help from the Iron Bank so this is only a minor detail change.

[Imran Siddiqui]

SPOILERS, OERDIN... jeez, you loser, non-book readers read this thread.

[Felch]

Yeah that Dreadfort bit made no sense. It could have worked if they had moved Ramsay to Deepwood Motte for some reason. But you're right about the geography.

One thing that bugged me from a couple weeks ago (upon rewatching). Jon's duel with Karl. In my mind, a greatsword swung overhead against a dagger like that should be basically impossible to parry, owing to momentum and whatnot. Now figuring that Longclaw is Valyrian steel, shouldn't it be even more difficult, possibly even breaking the dagger? Like if a Valyrian steel greatsword can be effortlessly parried by some back alley cut throat with a long knife, then what ****ing good is it?

I recognize that they need to have some sense of tension for the fight scene to be exciting, but that could have been achieved some other, more plausible way. Like Karl could have lurked in the shadows and gotten the drop on Jon from behind. That would also be more fitting with his characterization.

[Felch]

SPOILERS, OERDIN... jeez, you loser, non-book readers read this thread.

Well Stanis got money from the Iron Bank in this episode, so I don't know what he's spoiling. Unless you're just teasing him.

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

Yeah that Dreadfort bit made no sense. It could have worked if they had moved Ramsay to Deepwood Motte for some reason. But you're right about the geography.

One thing that bugged me from a couple weeks ago (upon rewatching). Jon's duel with Karl. In my mind, a greatsword swung overhead against a dagger like that should be basically impossible to parry, owing to momentum and whatnot. Now figuring that Longclaw is Valyrian steel, shouldn't it be even more difficult, possibly even breaking the dagger? Like if a Valyrian steel greatsword can be effortlessly parried by some back alley cut throat with a long knife, then what ****ing good is it?

I recognize that they need to have some sense of tension for the fight scene to be exciting, but that could have been achieved some other, more plausible way. Like Karl could have lurked in the shadows and gotten the drop on Jon from behind. That would also be more fitting with his characterization.

Was the longsword wielder heavily armored? If he was wearing as little as a cuirass, my money would be on the knife guy, assuming competence on the part of the combatants. The knifer ought to be able to win with greater speed - or leave the fight at will versus a heavily-armored opponent.

Any parrying happening is a joke, of course.

[Sir Og]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1416262/Court-refuses-trial-by-combat.html

Court refuses trial by combat

A court has rejected a 60-year-old man's attempt to invoke the ancient right to trial by combat, rather than pay a £25 fine for a minor motoring offence.

Leon Humphreys remained adamant yesterday that his right to fight a champion nominated by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) was still valid under European human rights legislation. He said it would have been a "reasonable" way to settle the matter.

Magistrates sitting at Bury St Edmunds on Friday had disagreed and instead of accepting his offer to take on a clerk from Swansea with "samurai swords, Ghurka knives or heavy hammers", fined him £200 with £100 costs.

Humphreys, an unemployed mechanic, was taken to court after refusing to pay the original £25 fixed penalty for failing to notify the DVLA that his Suzuki motorcycle was off the road.

After entering a not guilty plea, he threw down his unconventional challenge. Humphreys, from Bury St Edmunds, said: "I was willing to fight a champion put up by the DVLA, but it would have been a fight to the death."

[Felch]

Was the longsword wielder heavily armored? If he was wearing as little as a cuirass, my money would be on the knife guy, assuming competence on the part of the combatants. The knifer ought to be able to win with greater speed - or leave the fight at will versus a heavily-armored opponent.

Any parrying happening is a joke, of course.

If the fight were choreographed that way it would have made more sense. But no, dagger guy just blocks a big ****ing quasi-magical greatsword like it was a wiffle ball bat.

[Lorizael]

I don't know what your problem is, Felch. He's clearly a Rogue and uses Dexterity to make attacks.

[Dinner]

SPOILERS, OERDIN... jeez, you loser, non-book readers read this thread.

They already had the scene with Stannis and the Iron bank, you loser. If it already aired it is fair game and we don't have to spoiler it. We've gone over this before with HC.

[OzzyKP]

Yea, I didn't see any spoilers in that bit, it all happened in Sundays episode

[Dinner]

If the fight were choreographed that way it would have made more sense. But no, dagger guy just blocks a big ****ing quasi-magical greatsword like it was a wiffle ball bat.

I don't think it was a great sword. Ned's sword was a great sword but Long Claw was more of a bastard sword.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well Stanis got money from the Iron Bank in this episode, so I don't know what he's spoiling. Unless you're just teasing him.

Ie, saying Stannis gets the money by the Iron Bank in Book 5 basically lets the cat out of the bag that he survives until Book 5 - considering Martin's calling card is killing off characters, saying someone is still alive be spoiler.

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

If the fight were choreographed that way it would have made more sense. But no, dagger guy just blocks a big ****ing quasi-magical greatsword like it was a wiffle ball bat.

My nerd OCD tendencies always ruin Highlander a little for me on the same grounds. The swordfights were bull****. Two unarmored guys good at what they're doing, and the one with the katanna wins against the broadsword every time, I don't care how strong the Kurgan was... It's how Connor actually won, only bull**** it wasn't an hour earlier.

And it's too bad, 'cause Highlander otherwise rocks pretty hard.

[Felch]

I don't know what your problem is, Felch. He's clearly a Rogue and uses Dexterity to make attacks.

So you're saying Jon should have invested in an Improved Sunder Weapon feat. Makes sense.

I don't think it was a great sword. Ned's sword was a great sword but Long Claw was more of a bastard sword.

Yeah, I looked it up and you're right. Still a bastard sword is a huge hunk of metal compared to Karl's dinky little piece of cutlery. And the strength of Valyrian steel should have counted for something too.

[Felch]

My nerd OCD tendencies always ruin Highlander a little for me on the same grounds. The swordfights were bull****. Two unarmored guys good at what they're doing, and the one with the katanna wins against the broadsword every time, I don't care how strong the Kurgan was... It's how Connor actually won, only bull**** it wasn't an hour earlier.

And it's too bad, 'cause Highlander otherwise rocks pretty hard.