Game of Thrones - Season 8 (spoilers)

[Jimmy Higgins]

Arya is going to assassinate (or attempt to assassinate) Dany. Leaving Jon as king.

There's no other reason for Arya to implausibly survive King's Landing other than so she can do this.

I think it is possible she didn't survive. They don't show her getting up from the ground... just her standing up. The horse just standing there seemed odd. However, surviving the fire (which burnt everyone to a char) could mean she has some Daenerys powers too. It is never explained how Daenerys actually has such an ability, I don't think. It'd be interesting if Arya is caught and "toasted" by the dragon, but when the flames are gone, she is left brushing some ash off her outfit.

But this might be grasping at straws for a decent plot twist... based on the recent past for GoT, she probably will just try to kill the Mother of Dragons.

The setup of her character is so badass that it will be incredibly clunky if she fails. But on the other hand, Jon is a bit too accidental as king in that scenario, so perhaps she gets caught in the attempt, and her killing is the final thing that drives Jon to seek the throne in his own right.

The number of story options is rapidly collapsing (which is why this series feels so much less entertaining than the previous ones), and the number of possible twists that can be played out without feeling like the writers are 'cheating' is diminishing even faster.

Anything is possible; But very few possibilities are left that don't require a painfully obvious break with the established canon.

Another Greyjoy (second cousin) shows up?

Ultimately, for Snow to take charge, it isn't enough to kill Dany. Her army is brutally devoted to her... and they had no issue killing civilians.

 

[bilby]

Arya is going to assassinate (or attempt to assassinate) Dany. Leaving Jon as king.

There's no other reason for Arya to implausibly survive King's Landing other than so she can do this.

I think it is possible she didn't survive. They don't show her getting up from the ground... just her standing up. The horse just standing there seemed odd. However, surviving the fire (which burnt everyone to a char) could mean she has some Daenerys powers too. It is never explained how Daenerys actually has such an ability, I don't think. It'd be interesting if Arya is caught and "toasted" by the dragon, but when the flames are gone, she is left brushing some ash off her outfit.

But this might be grasping at straws for a decent plot twist... based on the recent past for GoT, she probably will just try to kill the Mother of Dragons.

The setup of her character is so badass that it will be incredibly clunky if she fails. But on the other hand, Jon is a bit too accidental as king in that scenario, so perhaps she gets caught in the attempt, and her killing is the final thing that drives Jon to seek the throne in his own right.

The number of story options is rapidly collapsing (which is why this series feels so much less entertaining than the previous ones), and the number of possible twists that can be played out without feeling like the writers are 'cheating' is diminishing even faster.

Anything is possible; But very few possibilities are left that don't require a painfully obvious break with the established canon.

Another Greyjoy (second cousin) shows up?

Ultimately, for Snow to take charge, it isn't enough to kill Dany. Her army is brutally devoted to her... and they had no issue killing civilians.

The unsullied are clockwork soldiers. They don't have loyalty, they have an owner.

The rest of the army are going to be pretty pissed off that she decided to launch a strategic air strike against a city while they themselves were still standing in it, even if they are unmoved by the fate of the citizens and enemy forces who were trying to surrender at the time.

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

I think it is possible she didn't survive. They don't show her getting up from the ground... just her standing up. The horse just standing there seemed odd. However, surviving the fire (which burnt everyone to a char) could mean she has some Daenerys powers too. It is never explained how Daenerys actually has such an ability, I don't think. It'd be interesting if Arya is caught and "toasted" by the dragon, but when the flames are gone, she is left brushing some ash off her outfit.

But this might be grasping at straws for a decent plot twist... based on the recent past for GoT, she probably will just try to kill the Mother of Dragons.

Ummm...she hid behind a corner. Corners are impervious to fire when heroes hide behind them. No, really, she ducked around the corner and the fire sprayed around the corner but because the originating source was from the other side, it probably would not have spread all the way to the wall where she was. The shot in GoT showed the fire but in 2D you can't really see the depth of how it is not reaching the wall.

Plot twist: Arya needs to use a face disguise.

Another Greyjoy (second cousin) shows up?

Ultimately, for Snow to take charge, it isn't enough to kill Dany. Her army is brutally devoted to her... and they had no issue killing civilians.

There's also the dragon.

Plot twist: I believe Jon is immune to fire and this will somehow play a role in the outcome.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I think it is possible she didn't survive. They don't show her getting up from the ground... just her standing up. The horse just standing there seemed odd. However, surviving the fire (which burnt everyone to a char) could mean she has some Daenerys powers too. It is never explained how Daenerys actually has such an ability, I don't think. It'd be interesting if Arya is caught and "toasted" by the dragon, but when the flames are gone, she is left brushing some ash off her outfit.

But this might be grasping at straws for a decent plot twist... based on the recent past for GoT, she probably will just try to kill the Mother of Dragons.

Ummm...she hid behind a corner. Corners are impervious to fire when heroes hide behind them. No, really, she ducked around the corner and the fire sprayed around the corner but because the originating source was from the other side, it probably would not have spread all the way to the wall where she was. The shot in GoT showed the fire but in 2D you can't really see the depth of how it is not reaching the wall.

And it could be that simple.

Plot twist: Arya needs to use a face disguise.

That only works if she is Grey Worm.

Another Greyjoy (second cousin) shows up?

Ultimately, for Snow to take charge, it isn't enough to kill Dany. Her army is brutally devoted to her... and they had no issue killing civilians.

There's also the dragon.

Just give the dragon a snausage.

Plot twist: I believe Jon is immune to fire and this will somehow play a role in the outcome.

I heard the fire gene skips a generation.

 

[Patooka]

Okay, after watching the latest episode, this season lacks consistency and pacing.

RE: Pacing.

There is only six episodes this season, and one is entirely wasted on waiting for the white walkers to turn up? I understand "calm before the storm" and "building up suspense" as plot devices, but come the fuck on, an entire episode? And the last episode had more people dying than when the army of the fucking dead lead by a guy millennia years old with a pet fucking zombie dragon rocked up. I can almost hear the discussion in the production meeting - it went something along the lines of, "fuck we only have two episodes left, let's kill everybody! Oh and make Dany the embodiment of everything she has rallied against over the last seven seasons, no one is going to notice because here's a fucking dragon."

By the way, having episodes longer than the usual 45 minutes doesn't mean you get creative license to drag the shit out of the boring bits. True story, on Mondays I have the evening shift at work for the moment, so I can watch GoT at 11am. Watching The Long Night, when the Night King was marching up towards Bran and Theon, I had enough time to go to the toilet, make myself a cup of coffee, start a load of washing and not miss a single thing. The scene where Jaimie and Cersei died this week, all I was thinking was, "I could have started on the ironing". If you are going to have longer episodes, put more meaningful shit in them. That time could have been better spent fleshing out Dany's descent into madness, or Varys second guessing his loyalties, or Jaimie being captured by the unsullied. Slow motion scenes with over the top dramatic music is about as enjoyable to watch as lens flare special effects. Pacing needs to be consistent. When I make a jam sandwich, I don't put all the jam along the corners and crust, I spread it evenly.

RE: Consistency.

GoT S07e04 Bron "Holy shit I brought down a dragon with this new scorpion toy! We're in with a chance here if we build more of them!"
GoT S08e04 Euron "Fuck! I killed a dragon! It's a good thing we now have these scorpions on every ship and possible hardpoint on the wall around the city."
GoT S08e05 "TK421, you and your squad will man the scorpions. This is your chance to redeem yourself after that unforunate business at Endor"

Daenerys Targaryean: "I am being merciful. We are doing this so people will be free and not ruled by tyrants ever again"
*Twenty minutes later*
"Fucking dracarys you cunts! You all deserve to die! Anyone who disagrees with me is a fucking traitor and I'll burn their fucking arse as well!"

I suppose the upshot of this season is the Emilia Clarke is now acting in something more inconsistent and fanfic driven than Terminator: Genisys

 

[Tom Sawyer]

OK, that last one was just a really dumb episode. There is nothing in Dany's history to have her suddenly become the worst mass murderer in the show's history and that probably includes the fucking Night King. I guess they want to end up with Jon on the throne, so they're making her evil now because … the people who know how to write subtle and riveting character drama all left the show a little early?

Sure, they said that Targs sometimes go insane, but insanity generally has a progression before it becomes full blown genocide.

Seriously disappointed. There were some good parts to the episode, but those were massively overblown by the shit for brains ending.

 

[prideandfall]

the people who know how to write subtle and riveting character drama all left the show a little early?

the show never had those people, one of the co-runners of the show is the writer of the fucking x-men origins: wolverine movie FFS who only got a place in film and TV because his father is a high ranking goldman sachs executive and bought his way in.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

The writing and character development on this show has been frigging amazing. Even for most of this episode, it was great. It’s just that the whole Dany thing was a really dumb plot twist designed to give a stark contrast to make Jon look like the better king and not have him be a bad guy when he breaks his vows to Dany and stabs her.

That’s a fine direction to go and all, it was just dumb how they went about doing it.

 

[bilby]

They are trying to do too much, in too few episodes. And then exacerbating the problem by wasting a lot of time on building tension - which was already done adequately by seasons 1 thru 7.

 

[bilby]

The writing and character development on this show has been frigging amazing. Even for most of this episode, it was great. It’s just that the whole Dany thing was a really dumb plot twist designed to give a stark contrast to make Jon look like the better king and not have him be a bad guy when he breaks his vows to Dany and stabs her.

That’s a fine direction to go and all, it was just dumb how they went about doing it.

Technically, it would be a Snow contrast; Or as we now know, a Targaryen contrast.

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

Last year, 560 female babies were named Khaleesi, making it the 549th most popular name for girls in the US.

There were also 20 baby girls named Khalessi, 15 named Khaleesia, 10 named Khalesi, five named Khaleesie, and five named Khalessy.

People also name their daughters after her using her actual name, like the 163 female babies named Daenerys. There were also eight baby girls named Daenarys and seven named Danerys.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/what-moms-of-babies-named-khaleesi-think

2nd biggest troll ever.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

They are trying to do too much, in too few episodes. And then exacerbating the problem by wasting a lot of time on building tension - which was already done adequately by seasons 1 thru 7.

They did technically manage to mobilize the entire army down to Kings Landing in an episode. Arya and the Hound took about a season to not even make it from Kings Landing to Winterfell.

The main problem with final seasons usually is the slow work up to final resolutions. I think the pace is adequate, it is more how they aren't keeping with the story they told the previous day. The Scorpions were worth their weight in gold two episodes ago... and then all of a sudden, completely worthless. Infinite army of the dead, stopped by finite army of the living. Benevolent, but demanding of devotion Dany becomes Stalin.

And everything about Euron Greyjoy... the plot stuffer.

How is Dany going to get a Navy?
I don't know, how about the Greyjoys?
Why would the Greyjoys go to her?
We could invent an uncle or brother that comes from out of the blue after touring the world to take that throne.
Wouldn't that be contrived and convoluted?
I'm working on it right now.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Last year, 560 female babies were named Khaleesi, making it the 549th most popular name for girls in the US.

There were also 20 baby girls named Khalessi, 15 named Khaleesia, 10 named Khalesi, five named Khaleesie, and five named Khalessy.

People also name their daughters after her using her actual name, like the 163 female babies named Daenerys. There were also eight baby girls named Daenarys and seven named Danerys.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/what-moms-of-babies-named-khaleesi-think

2nd biggest troll ever.

Mommy... why did you name me after the most evil character ever in television?

Oh honey... Gul Dukat was worse.

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

Speaking of consistency, what's up with the Golden Company...20,000 men and 2000 horses? Did the Golden Company captain trade the 2000 horses for a single magical horse that ended up saving Arya?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Speaking of consistency, what's up with the Golden Company...20,000 men and 2000 horses? Did the Golden Company captain trade the 2000 horses for a single magical horse that ended up saving Arya?

This is why Cercei wanted elephants.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

The main problem with final seasons usually is the slow work up to final resolutions. I think the pace is adequate, it is more how they aren't keeping with the story they told the previous day. The Scorpions were worth their weight in gold two episodes ago... and then all of a sudden, completely worthless. Infinite army of the dead, stopped by finite army of the living. Benevolent, but demanding of devotion Dany becomes Stalin.

I actually kind of liked what they did with the army of the dead. Specifically, Arya being the one to kill the Night King. They were completely unstoppable. The Wall couldn't slow them down, dragons couldn't do anything, armies were useless, heroes did nothing, and then what finally killed him was his own arrogance. He'd won, but he took a minute to pause before his victory so he could mock a little girl and that gave her a half second opening to nail him with a cheap and simple trick. I found that to be a very well written scene.

But ya, the Scorpions were weird. She couldn't attack the fleet with her dragon because the Scorpions made that a suicidal idea, so then she ... attacked the fleet with her dragon and just had all the Scorpions miss. The city was dragon-proof because of all the Scorpions but then the Scorpions were suddenly totally useless. They went from being devastatingly effective to completely ineffective with no in-between. It's not like she came up with some sort of plan to feint at them and have them waste their ammo before attacking or anything, she just flew straight at them and relied on the people who'd just sniped Rhaegal from half a mile away to suddenly have Stormtrooper aim.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

The main problem with final seasons usually is the slow work up to final resolutions. I think the pace is adequate, it is more how they aren't keeping with the story they told the previous day. The Scorpions were worth their weight in gold two episodes ago... and then all of a sudden, completely worthless. Infinite army of the dead, stopped by finite army of the living. Benevolent, but demanding of devotion Dany becomes Stalin.

I actually kind of liked what they did with the army of the dead. Specifically, Arya being the one to kill the Night King. They were completely unstoppable. The Wall couldn't slow them down, dragons couldn't do anything, armies were useless, heroes did nothing, and then what finally killed him was his own arrogance. He'd won, but he took a minute to pause before his victory so he could mock a little girl and that gave her a half second opening to nail him with a cheap and simple trick. I found that to be a very well written scene.

That is fine... but seeing it took forever to get to that point, the entire castle should be dead by this point.

But ya, the Scorpions were weird. She couldn't attack the fleet with her dragon because the Scorpions made that a suicidal idea, so then she ... attacked the fleet with her dragon and just had all the Scorpions miss.

It felt like the Hulk scene in the Avengers, where Banner goes from not being able to control it... to completely being able to control it when 'it became dramatic enough'.

The city was dragon-proof because of all the Scorpions but then the Scorpions were suddenly totally useless. They went from being devastatingly effective to completely ineffective with no in-between. It's not like she came up with some sort of plan to feint at them and have them waste their ammo before attacking or anything, she just flew straight at them and relied on the people who'd just sniped Rhaegal from half a mile away to suddenly have Stormtrooper aim.

I was theorizing to myself that the three dragons made with the boinking and there were more dragons (younger) on the way to help even the score. There needed to be some twist to figure out a way to regain the advantage... but the writers apparently suffered amnesia themselves... and under plot just noted Dany wins because of dragons dragon.

 

[marc]

On the Scorpions..

Yes, they took out a dragon, when they struck in a surprise attack.

However, when expecting them, and ready to try and doge the shots, they are still a big threat, but not as much of one. Sort of like how a martial arts expert is easy to beat when you hit him with a club when he wasn't expecting an attack. When the expert is the one initiating the attack, that advantage isn't as great.

There is also a matter of how long they take to reload and turn. She still took a big, foolish risk in the assault, but I don't think there was any big change in the capabilities of the Scorpions.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

On the Scorpions..

Yes, they took out a dragon, when they struck in a surprise attack.

However, when expecting them, and ready to try and doge the shots, they are still a big threat, but not as much of one. Sort of like how a martial arts expert is easy to beat when you hit him with a club when he wasn't expecting an attack. When the expert is the one initiating the attack, that advantage isn't as great.

There is also a matter of how long they take to reload and turn. She still took a big, foolish risk in the assault, but I don't think there was any big change in the capabilities of the Scorpions.

And that would be fine if there had been some sort of mention of that or if she'd had Drogon engage in some sort of mild dodging as opposed to just flying straight at them and not being hit. He literally hovered next to a Scorpion on the wall while setting it on fire and all the other Scorpions next to it were nice enough not to fire at him so that he could then move on to burning those Scorpions as well. If they'd written a plot point and had a line or two of dialogue about how she was going to make them less effective, it would have been fine, but just having them go for super effective to super useless with no reason for the transition given, it's kind of lame. If viewers are forced to make up theoretical reasons which weren't actually part of the show, then those reasons weren't actually part of the show.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

On the Scorpions..

Yes, they took out a dragon, when they struck in a surprise attack.

However, when expecting them, and ready to try and doge the shots, they are still a big threat, but not as much of one. Sort of like how a martial arts expert is easy to beat when you hit him with a club when he wasn't expecting an attack. When the expert is the one initiating the attack, that advantage isn't as great.

There is also a matter of how long they take to reload and turn. She still took a big, foolish risk in the assault, but I don't think there was any big change in the capabilities of the Scorpions.

And that would be fine if there had been some sort of mention of that or if she'd had Drogon engage in some sort of mild dodging as opposed to just flying straight at them and not being hit. He literally hovered next to a Scorpion on the wall while setting it on fire and all the other Scorpions next to it were nice enough not to fire at him so that he could then move on to burning those Scorpions as well. If they'd written a plot point and had a line or two of dialogue about how she was going to make them less effective, it would have been fine, but just having them go for super effective to super useless with no reason for the transition given, it's kind of lame. If viewers are forced to make up theoretical reasons which weren't actually part of the show, then those reasons weren't actually part of the show.

The scorpions have weaknesses... which existed in the episode two weeks ago... such as the dragon can come from behind... which they allude to during the attack. But the ships from a distance, had a better angle of attack, but they too didn't do anything. Two episodes ago, multiple ships were targeting and firing. The last episode, it went to a, one person from a mob to attack at a time.