“You must choose. Doran’s way and peace…or my way and war!”-Ellaria Sand
From the HBO Game of Thrones Official Synopsis: “The Faith Militant grow increasingly aggressive. Jaime and Bronn head south. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes vow vengeance”
Sons of the Harpy is written by assistant turned staff writer Dave Hill and directed by High Sparrow’s Mark Mylod. The Sand Snakes make their long-awaited appearance as things are heating up in Dorne. Add Jaime and Bronn to the mix and there’s bound to be some explosive action this week!
Check out the official photos here.
Geoffery: I though Mark Mylod did a cracking job last episode and the titular Sons of the Harpy look incredible in those golden masks. I can’t wait to see more of Jonathan Pryce’s High Sparrow in action and as for those Sand Snakes…colour me excited!
Yay, catfight 😉
SandSnakes have been a dissapointment so far.
Its like watching an episode of Xena … just doesn`t feel like HBO quality it feels misplaced.
Arya, Dorne and Mereen plotlines feel like dead in the water.
#FILLER
#CUTITOUT
Can’t wait for this one. Also, cannot wait for the spoiling will be over after this one!
I kind of want Sansa and Walda Bolton to bond as friends out of necessity, or at least have a sympathetic scene together. Sansa assures Walda she doesn’t blame her for what her father and husband have done to the Starks and then asks her what Ramsay is really like. Walda gets panicky and doesn’t want to answer or say anything against him. She starts praising him, but Sansa can see she is lying and, promising not to get her into any trouble, urges her to tell the truth. Eventually, Walda admits, “He’s a monster”, juxtaposing Sansa talking to Margaery and Olenna about Joffrey in season 3.
All ready for Dorne, people! House Martell needs its vengeance.
Also, very exited about Jamie there. This is one trip they’ve set up nicely and in natural progression through multiple talks with Cersei about his failings as a father and his desire to do something about it. Bronn should be a good wingman too.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT DORNE!
#DorneRocks
#HouseMartellBitches
Loved Xena. So there!
Hoyti Von Totiy,
What a nonsensical comment
Schrödinger’s Cat,
OMG YES!
To quote Cumsprite, “No, Hoyti stays, you nihilistic dandiprat!” 🙂
No Arya in this episode? I guess I wont be watching then. Hopefully she is back next week so I don’t have to skip two episodes in a row
@ Tormund’s Woman – I preferred Gabrielle 🙂
I’d have been happy if they’d cut the Dorne subplots from the show but now it’s in I’m going to assume it’s important in the long term and the ending, so I hope they make it good ( and it’s been promising enough so far ). And Jessica Henwick is great eye candy whatever happens…
I do wonder if they will (possible future show spoiler?)
#wheresAimee???
Yes this is what im thinking while reading these pirate-unsullied comments about Dorne.
Finally !
The real season rythm will come back at last, and the excitation of dissecting episode previews and “Previouslys” when they pop up ! =D
Ugh. Ellaria needs to gather herself and probe Doran’s mind a bit more, or else she may end up in a tower cell.
Fire & Blood
I wonder who the two helmetted folk are. I’d guess at Loras having a spar with someone, considering he’s being alluded to by Cersei and the background looks King’s Landing-y but really, fucked if I know.
My opinion on the Sand Snakes from this episode, with no description of the scene or scenes:
This whole scenario suits Reek/Theon, not Walda. He’s the closest to Ramsey, knows him best. And he’s the one Sansa needs to forgive for his role in the downfall of the Starks. It seems more likely Reek/Theon will say “He’s a monster” about Ramsey to Sansa.
I don’t think Walda has a clue about what Ramsey’s really like. She might even think Ramsey is an angel, because he’s nice and polite to her and she never witnesses/experiences any of his tortures.
(Walda may be clueless about what Roose is really like, also.)
I’m sort of confused. Didn’t you make one of those spoilery, leaked episode comments 30 minutes earlier on this same page?
DOUBLE DAGGERS!
Yeah. Plus Walda is Roose’s wife, not Ramsay’s. It would be very Roose-like for him to keep Walda as far away from Ramsay’s activities as possible.
Whilst I loved Schrödinger’s Cat’s idea because it gives the Freys a little more presence in the story again, ultimately it’s the Sansa/Theon interactions I want to see getting the most screen time this season. Theon was in three episodes last season 🙁
Schrödinger’s Cat,
A Walda/Sansa scene where Walda tells Sansa he’s a monster: that would be perfect, wouldn’t it?!
I loved Xena, too!
U misunderstand… i meant i won´t have to read those comments about how great SS look like.
When people see SS and how “SciFi channel” their vibe is everyone will trash them and this will be a happy place for me.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Agreed
Would love that but I don’t want Sansa mentioning the Red Wedding. She needs to keep her courtesy amour clean & trust no one except Theon.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Fair enough. I’m gonna try go into it as objectively as I can and see if there’s any aspect of them I can enjoy, in spite of what people have said.
But I dunno, maybe I’m still under-estimating the severity of the misstep.
That’s probably what will happen. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes talk plenty about vengeance, but they’re not very calculating. Doran sees the big picture, and he may turn out to be the most vicious of them all.
I don’t watch no leaks but the Snakes do look pretty silly in that picture. Brienne would beat all three of them in a fight in about four seconds.
I dunno about “long-awaited”… long dreaded? I am very afraid…
But still, I am not spoiled for the actual episodes… so I TRY to reserve judgement… I WANT to like them, because I want to like everything GoT…
Well certain posters here are not going to let that get in the way of a troll post or several 😉
A Man Grown,
If the Sand Snakes were straightforward swordswomen, Brienne wouldn’t have a problem with them. But a spear, a whip, double daggers. . .maybe with a little poison on them? I’m not so sure. Brienne doesn’t have much experience fighting against those kind of weapons.
The sh**ty thing is I am travelling and I just realized my HBO account does not work abroad… Temptations to become a Saladhor Saan….. Can I resist the urge for 10 long days???
A Man Grown,
Brienne would suffocate in her armor.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
There is no sci fi channel in my country, so i dont understand this comment. But sci fi and fantasy is related alright?
Flora Linden,
Yes, that comment is especially silly considering, I don’t know, Oberyn vs The Mountain. Some of these SS complaints are really ridiculous.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
How can you say that when the Sand Snakes have yet to appear? Unless of course you are a pirate …… in which case you can fuck off ….. HBO spend millions to bring us this fantastic story so either pay for it or get the fuck out of town…..
Oh my! Some of the negative comments about a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tiny scene of the Sand Snakes are really quite funny! 🙂 It definitely shows the mindset of some Sullied viewers.
In other news, apparently overall ratings continue to grow from the premiere.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Isnt weird when HBO presents itself as a half softcore half pirate den.
GaiusB,
Dave & Dan get a lot of undeserved criticism. They’ve done an amazing job at what was otherwise an impossible epic to adapt. By right it should have been impossible to create the world George has written for the screen. They did it, effortlessly as well, though it seems that way but more than likely has been an enormous project for them to undertake. I’m a big fan of Benioff as a writer. The 25th Hour is my jam. Troy was not all that bad at all either. Writing wise it was very neat and well paced. I trust them. Cogman written episodes are still my favourite nonetheless.
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Their intro in the books introduced them as three individual characters. Each of them had own personality and own plans. It also introduced Doran, their relationship with him, whole inter family dynamic. It was cleverly written and it had an emotional impact. Its not comparable to their show introduction at all.
GaiusB,
Totally agree with you. That chapter in wich they are introduced is so beautifully constructed that I think they could have adapted it in some way,
I have not seen the whole leaked ep, just that one scene with them (I could not control myself ;)) and I agree that, even though it’s a good scene, it fails as an INTRODUCTION scene.
The Dude,
If you’re only watching for one character just stop watching all together .
RandomSand,
That’s a good point. They may have included an extended intro in the episode that will air this Sunday.
GaiusB,
To be fair, the only people I remember from the Dornish plotline were Doran and Arianne (can anyone name Arianne’s co-conspirators…even GRRM?!). I had to go back to check what the Sand Snakes were like when I heard they had been cast. In the books so far they’re quite cartoonish. Hoping the show sorts that out but , unfortunately, I’m not confident.
Flora Linden,
You forget show Brienne just can’t lose a fight. They even had to gimp Jaime and the Hound to make it so!
So just because Im only really interested in Arya’s scenes and storylines means I shouldn’t watch the show? I actually don’t watch the show whenever Arya isn’t featured. I still haven’t seen the season 5 premier and don’t plan on watching it. If there was a edit of just Aryas storyline then I would just watch that, but I have to sit through conversations between characters I don’t really care about whilst I wait for Arya to show up
Not seen episode 4, just this trailer on a large HD tv screen where it’s much easier to see detail. But if you pause it (at about 0.35) with the two people fighting,
EDIT: thought I’d better spoiler mark it, just in case
Tyrion Pimpslap,
I’M SO SILLY! SILLY BILLY! WHEE
GaiusB,
Lulu’s Mum,
“… who doesn’t wrap his Tool!” LOL You are a kickass mom, Lulu’s Mom! Nice to see you posting 🙂 Maybe you can take a look at Sansa’s pic in the Vaults of WF, and tell me what is at the end of that necklace! My eyes are failing me. So does my imagination apparently ;P
Arya havin’ a larf?,
Tormund’s Woman,
Why thank you! :O) Kick ass is absolutely the last thing I am but don’t tell anyone shhhh! I’ll go have a look at the picture and see what it’s telling me. Unfortunately my imagination is rather over active so I’ll try to keep it to fairly sensible suggestions. Back in a sec…..
EDIT: Oooh it’s something metalic, about the same length as the feather she’s holding, that tapers towards the end. A bit like a key but without the bit that sticks out and opens the lock if you know what I mean? I looked at it in photoshop and could upload a lighter, zoomed version of the picture if someone tells me how/where etc
TheTouchOfFrost,
Exactly. That Jaime and the Hound had disadvantages going in shows Brienne isn’t that good – she lacked real-world experience, despite her “academic” training and strength. Only the disadvantages gave her an edge. With the Sand Snakes it would be the same situation; her inexperience with Dorne weaponry proves she’s not that good, and wouldn’t have an edge unless the Snakes had some disadvantage going in that made them less effective.
Of course, the same could be true of the Snakes. For all their “academic” training and skills they learned from Oberyn, they have little real-world battle experience themselves. I think Bronn and Jaime may be their first actual test in combat.
I don’t understand the attention/focus/hype they get in promo stuff (like the preview, pictures, episode description); Cersei, the HS, Tommen, Marg, Stannis, Shireen, Jon, Mel, LF, Sansa, Jaime, Bronn, Dany, Barristan, Greyworm, aso. all appear much more than them.
All the “hype” just ’cause they’re new, while the others are not?!
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Oh, i dont fear that they will have same personalities, i just did not liked that introduction scene, because it could be done much better with similar amount of screentime. Their book introduction is one of my favorite chapters and the reason why i instantly liked Dorne storyline.
RandomSand,
I will read to you SCi FI scedule off my TV now:
Today
20:10 – Independence Daysaster
22:00 – Asteroid vs Earth
23:50 – Raised by Wolves
Tomorrrow
06:00- Adventures of Sidney Fox
10:00 – Xena the warrior princess
15:00 – Bermudic Octopus (lol)
19:00- Stargate SG-1
Or you can look for youself:
http://mojtv.hr/kanal/tv-program/119/scifi-channel/sutra.aspx
Has anyone recognised the intro voice? Is it Hizdahr zo Loraq?
But what if i told you i have an HBO subsciption for ~8 years now?
And imagine if i told you that yes i have watched the leaked episodes …
#?
Lulu’s Mum,
Genius! It could be the key to some WF hidden door that takes her outside of the castle! It would be a perfect way to run if shit hits the fan for Sansa in that storyline.
Careful now, one’s reaction to the urge is the litmus test for righteousness. Do you want to be publically shamed as a sinner? Or do you want to belong to the holy order of the Faith Militant?
Hoyti Stays!
Flora Linden,
That’s one of my issues with show Brienne. She’s been presented as a great warrior but she really is just pretty average. Heck, she would have died at the hands of Biter if it wasn’t for Gendry! I’d prefer a scrappier more naive Brienne. Much more likeable and sympathetic. Also annoying that they’ve undeplayed Jaime’s abilty so much. The guy was very probably the best fighter in Westeros and that fact was crucial to his character in that he was cock but backed it up (as Kid Rock would say) but losing his hand was a massive loss. Just hope leftie Jaime manages to hold his own against the SS as rather not see his fighting reputation further diminished!
On the fight debate, I think the three Sand Snakes would beat Brienne as 3 on 1 is hard for any but the most skilled fighters to overcome. Add in that she is green and the potential unfamiliarity with the weapons and she’s be lucky to drop one of them before dying. Could quite easily see some of the elite fighters in the universe having no problem with them though. Jaime ( pre-chop), Selmy, the Hound and the Mountain wouldn’t have much trouble with all three of them. Arthur Dayne could destroy all 8, Ellaria, Hotah and Darkstar with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right. ;P
GaiusB,
Yes, I know it’s not in the ep that leaked, but maybe they decided to add it last minute, afterall I don’t think they would post a picture of a scene that was cut. And if I recall correctly, on ep 1 or 2, during the small council scenes, there were differences between the previously sent screeners and the version that aired aswell, so I think it’s a possibility.
Rygritte,
The easy answer would be to look up some people who I can watch with without sinning. Except my hosts are – 7 protect us- amongst the most unholy sinners you can find when it comes to pirating. And here i thought I was going to show them the righteous way of having HD television through my HBO go….
TheTouchOfFrost,
I think Jaime-Bronn vs. the Snakes will be fun, better than expected. Hopefully Jaime will pick up some of Bronn’s dirty tricks. We’ll find out soon!
In top form, the Clegane brothers could pretty much destroy anybody.
I’ll take your word about Arthur Dayne. 🙂
Yeah, I’m in the camp that the sandsnakes are very B-movie/SciFi channel cheesy. Definitely should have cut them. I’ve also been prejudiced towards Dorne since AFFC, though, because I find the whole storyline dull and tangental and I don’t like any of the characters involved. But I will say that I usually have hope that D&D can adapt those dull storylines and unlikeable characters into more interesting and dynamic storylines (as I think they did with the wildlings in S3/S4), but I think they failed in doing this with Dorne IMO, so far.
If he’s still subscribed to HBO then he’s still paying for it. And I’m sure he watches them as they air on Sundays, anyway.
Jeez. I’m finding from this whole pirate situation that people who haven’t watched them are much more angry about the whole situation and telling those who have that they’ve “ruined everything for themselves” or that they’re being unfair to HBO. Personally, I don’t feel like I’ve ruined anything, nor do I feel any less excited for the episodes to air. I made the mistake of reading reviews, screenplay leaks and updates beforehand so there was nothing coming in the first four that I wasn’t already expecting, anyway. And as I’m subscribed to HBO, they’re not losing any money from me or viewership ratings.
Flora Linden,
I just hope he gets to club someone with the golden hand!
They’re certainly up there but both rely on strength more than skill! Barristan too, even in his later years.
I’ll stop there or I’ll start book-gushing about Daemon Targaryen, The Dragonknight, Tygett Lannister, etc, etc!
Yeah, it is. He’s talking about the fighting pits again.
Me – totally sullied / My boyfriend – totally unsullied.
Episode 4 went like this:
Scene 1
Him: Is this scene in the books?
Me: Nope.
Scene 2
Him: Is this scene in the books?
Me: Nope.
Scene 3
Him: Is this scene in the books?
Me: No, not even remotely. Nope
Scene 4…..
By the end, I have come to realize that I’m actually reduced to watching fan fiction, here. It’s entertaining and all, but still fan fiction. I am not saying they should keep to the books exactly, but when you have an entire episode in which there is not a single scene to be recognized as it was written, it’s kinda disappointing.
JTargs,
thanx!
JTargs
Yes, exactly.
Alexa
So, you wanted Tyrion to ride a pig? Jaime to voiceover his thoughts about Cersei as he wandered around the Riverlands? D&D have managed to do in a few scenes and a few lines of dialogue what GRRM takes a few hundred pages to do with Tyrion’s endless Essos wanderings and Jaime’s Riverlands thoughts.
It’s not “fanfiction” if it’s a licensed and approved adaptation.
Proud member in good standing of the Faith Militant AND Brothers/Sisters without Leakage!!
I have waited this long….
HotPinkLipstick
What you said to Alexa? Agreed and then some. I love the idea that many things won’t be making it into the episodes this season. There were ending POV’s that went on and on for what? Just get to the point and get on to what you are planning already. (trying not to put anything too specific here) Tyrion and Jorah going straight out and on to Meereen is taking a chunk of bad stuff out of the show and utilizing the time better. Same for Jamie wandering about RiverRun growing a conscience. He can do that in Dorne.
(though seeing Tryion on a pig??? That could be okay….right? Nah!!)
Alexa,
http://grrm.livejournal.com/414772.html?thread=20508980#t20508980
This is so true. To use a pro wrestling reference they have made Brienne into the John Cena of the show where every time she gets into a fight they have her hammer everyone she comes across. In various circumstances they have already have Brienne pretty handily defeat Loras, Jaime, Hound and numerous soldiers/guards. If Stannis runs into her I will really fear for him especially with those shots from the trailer of Selyse screaming at something taking place in the snow and a separate shot of Brienne also in the snow.
Greenjones,
I knew as soon as Alexa posted her comment, you would come here to post this reaction xD
Lord of the Waters,
It really is a worry. She’s taking the shine off and disposing of characters vastly more interesting than she is. Stannis going out to Brienne would be criminal and exceptionally corny which I thought this show was better than.
Alexa,
Soon enough it’ll be Georgie delivering the fan fiction in his novel adaption of HBO’s show. As long as the changes make sense within the show universe- and they do most of the time- and are entertaining to watch- and they are most of the time- I say bring it on.
Dutch maester,
I bookmarked it for that very purpose. 😉
I mean no offense by this comment, so please don’t take this the wrong way. But whenever I read that, I laugh, because it sounds like an ad slogan for Tena, Depends, or some form of adult diapers.
Again, I mean no offense. 🙂
I’ll show myself out now. . .
Me, too! The show cut or your-sistered most of my favorite bits from the books. :`(
Rygritte,
They took away a ton of Jaime’s better lines as well as his performance at the Whispering Woods and the fight with Brienne was much less epic on the show.
Because of the way the show has changed from the books and with less emphasis on the KG then we’ll miss classics like;
Jaime: Ser, you’ve been remiss in teaching our new brothers their duties.
Meryn: What duties?
Jaime: Keeping the king alive. How many monarchs have you lost since I left the city? Two, is it?
“I am the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, you arrogant pup. Your commander, so long as you wear that white cloak. Now sheathe your bloody sword, or I’ll take it from you and shove it up some place even Renly never found.”
“I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne, the sword of the morning, who could have slain all five of you with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right”
Ah well, hope new ones are made on the road trip with Bronn.
HotPinkLipstick,
No, I just wanted ONE (ANY – one) scene that was in the books. Because they are really good. I apologize for liking the books. We should all bow down to GOT and forget there was ever an ASOIAF and never speak a word of it again…. whatever.
Alexa,
Books aside, was it a good episode? To me, that’s much more important.
Millions of people around the world have no legal way to watch current HBO content, and many “pirates” do pay at some other point. Who are you to judge?
To the extent I have ever pirated anything, I donate fair value to to the Wkiimedia Foundation. It is never about money. It is about lack of access due to archaic business models and contracts, and the associated geoblocking.
Up until S5E2, when Jaime set off for Dorne. Sansa tripled down on the illogical plot content in E3…but let’s save this subject for Sunday night when we are all on equal footing and free to discuss all available content.
Oh Jesus, not this nonsense again.
With Season 1 Sansa it would have been a hairbrush.
On closer inspection I am relieved that it is not as first appeared possible, a dildo.
Alexa,
Don’t drag me into this!
I don’t think it’s fan fiction ( but some of the stuff with Brienne does sail pretty close to it at the moment) but I do think a lot of it isn’t being adapted effectively so far this season. Again, I feel the parts that have followed the books more closely ( KL, The Wall, Braavos for example) are much more solid . Where they’ve strayed away more…well, we’ll see.
I can’t wait until “For the Realm!”
I don’t get the Sand Snakes hate, but I do wonder if part of it comes from favorite characters being cut out of the show. SS got put in, instead of LH, the Ironborn, Adriene, name of endless others. I suspect they will not be as bad as everyone thinks (after a moment or two of watching them, how can you know?) and think they should be given a chance. D&D have made a few mistakes, granted, but somehow I don’t think this is one of them
Alexa, you can tell your boyfriend that the character, the places and basic story are in the books, and that since the books no longer exist past a certain point, for the story to continue the show needs to explore other avenues (which may be following Martin’s ending) I am uncomfortable with certain changes but am willing to watch the entire series before making a judgement of what should have happened. And if I want the book’s story I can always read them.
RE sci/fi channel, I remember when my DH and I were so excited when we heard the Sci Fi channel was starting. After a few years it began to sink into mediocrity, a shadow of its former self. Pity (and final straw for me was when they changed the name of the channel to Syfy. Really?
I love the idea of Sansa and Walda bonding but yeah, if that ‘he’s a monster’ is still in, it will come from Theon, I suspect.
Having an HBO subscription does not entitle you to discuss leaked material here, dipshit.
JTargs,
I don’t care about anyone ruining it for themselves. I care about them ruining it for ME by discussing the episodes here. Sue has been very clear on about a hundred occasions that this is forbidden, and yet at least three people have violated this rule in this comment thread alone.
Words often have more than one meaning. “Fan fiction” can mean “unlicensed” but it is also often used by fan communities as an insult that means “licensed but drivel than reads like crummy fan fiction”.
This type of linguistic change is normal in just about any language. When Arya called the Waif a cunt she certainly didn’t mean “vagina”.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
What will really be great, is not having to listening to pirate turds, who disregard the sites rule of not posting about those episodes until they air.
It’s not like you don’t know what you’re doing, you just don’t give a fuck. You’re awful.