Kit, Kit, Kit – what did Game of Thrones do to deserve you so? The Targaryen heir apparent (maybe?) himself, Kit Harington, spoke with Sky News and was as cryptic as ever regarding the story’s conclusion. Among other things that enveloped over the course of the interview were the differences in on-set life for a live action medium vs. studio life for an animation medium, as well as how Kit plans to watch the finale. Needless to say, we didn’t learn anything we didn’t already know about GOT, and we are feeling more thirsty than ever for more.
“I think I’m going to have a party…Oh, I don’t know yet… I don’t know if I want to watch it on my own quietly just myself, or whether I’ll have a party and watch it with lots of other people…I just can’t really decide that yet,” says Kit on the ending. As someone who hosts a viewing party at my apartment for every episode, I can say that it is truly satisfying to watch particularly epic episodes with groups of 9 or 10 crammed together on the couches/floor/chairs. Besides, the antics of watching with others never bothers me…OK fine, I am slightly particular about cell phone use – no one is to bring those ghastly lightboxes out of their pockets lest they wish to incur my wrath! – but I really don’t mind having everyone over, as long as they’re all enjoying themselves – but if those godsdamned chatterboxes so much as open their mouths for any utterances other than shock and awe during the course of the episode’s runtime I will burn cities to the ground! – but for real I’m very cool, calm, and collected when a new episode of Game of Thrones is airing. What I’m saying is…I get you, Kit.
The purpose of the interview, however was the promoting of Kit’s new film, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World: “I work with dragons a lot, it seems, all different types and sizes and shapes,” he says. “Which is wonderful… I mean, bizarre. I don’t know how that happened in my life…I hope it’s not the end of working with dragons.” What is Kit hinting at?! Is he going to pop up as Jon Snow in a super flashforward on the upcoming prequel? When the rumour mill begins churning online, let it say that it originated here with me, David of House Rosenblatt, King of the Andals and the… – Dammit!
Kit has had quite the range of experience, from appearing on the GOT set more than any other actor, to being a West End actor (both previously and currently), as well as his participation in animation, most recently of HTTYD2, and soon to be aforementioned 3. Of this he says: “It’s certainly a more comfortable experience being part of this than maybe being in Game Of Thrones…You’re in a nice warm booth, people are bringing you coffees and it’s a lot of fun. And also you’re in a room with just three or four other people, so you get to have a lot of fun without the pressure of hundreds of people looking at you.” But don’t worry, you worry warts, he’ll always have room in his heart for Jon Snow: “I think the great thing about playing an incredibly uncomic character for nine years, who’s brooding and takes himself too seriously, is that you can then take the mickey out of yourself for being too brooding and too serious.” At least Kit gets a laugh out of how uniformly brooding Jon Snow is. Glad it’s not just me!
Check out the full interview for some more sound bites!
Hodor!
“Lord, cast your light upon this man Hodor, your servant. Bring him back from death and darkness. His flame has been extinguished. Restore it. For the night is dark and full of terrors. Lord, cast your light upon this man. Hold the door open for him so that he may come back from death and darkness.”
I will be watching the finale the same way I do the other episodes. Live at 9pm on HBO NOW with headphones on and lights off. Processing the finale will be a whopper I’m sure.
Jack Bauer 24,
I will be watching with my partner on monday (when hbo airs it’s already monday around 3.00 or 4.00 here).
Can’t wait, only 81 days to go.
I don’t have any prerequisites or rituals to watch an episode the first time BUT I always read three of four episode recaps, then rewatch the episode 24-48 hours after the first airing.
I watch alone – prefer it that way. I did get into watching YouTube reaction videos a few seasons in though. A lot of those are pretty fun.
Wish it were possible to view the final episode or two in an IMAX theater! I’d travel for that.
Clob,
Here’s my protocol:
1. Watch episode with nobody around and all phones turned off. Comfort frightened lovebird if I yell at the TV screen and wake her up.
2. Come to watchersonthewall for flurry of immediate post-episode comments.
3. Read follow-up WoW staff expert analyses. Throw in my two cents in the Comments section. Edit or delete before clicking “Post Comment.”
4. Depending on when they’re available on-line:
(a) Read Laura Stone’s episode review on Heydontjudgeme.com.
(b) Watch Ozzy Man Review.
(c) Watch Burlington Bar reaction video.
5. Re-watch episode. Transcribe any memorable dialogue.
6. Rewind and re-rewatch on perpetual loop any iconic ASNAWP and Sandor scenes.
7. Wait for and watch “Inside the Episode” on HBO On Demand.
8. Make excuses for avoiding real world responsibilities.
9. Repeat 1-7 above.
I’ll be watching at 2am, probably alone as I doubt my husband will stay up to watch. Actually, scrap that, I will be watching on headphones while in bed beside my youngest, who is a Velcro baby and doesn’t seem to ever want to leave my side. Hopefully she won’t wake up at a key moment and spoil it 😬 I will have to rewatch at 9pm the next day with my husband.
Ten Bears,
That’s all very similar for me 🙂
Laura Stone’s reviews are awesome btw.
It’ll be on at 2am 15th April here (Britain) so I’ll probably be so excited I’ll watch it then on Sky or sky plus it and watch it early before work watch again at lunch and then watch with the other half after work. At which point he’ll ask ‘who’s that’ and ‘what happened to Sean Bean’😲he always does 😣
Those like yourself can then watch it as a celebration of Maisie’s birthday on the 15th!! 😀
Lol. This is pretty much my ritual exactly, minus the Laura Stone review.
Here in the UK it is shown at 9pm and straight after is Thronecast which is always a good watch.
Unfortunately I have no possibility to watch new episodes right in time, when they air.
I have to wait, that friends of mine say “It’s time to watch”.
The last seasons I watched the first time with these (about 10) friends and it was really fun. We met every week and watched the last episode and afterwards the new one.
After watching I’m always full and empty concurrently and completely taken back. And I have to drive home about 45 minutes (through the night, that is…)
Then I have to wait – weeks and months – until the dvd is to be released and another friend at least had watched it and sent it to me.
*yawn*
In the meantime I watch former GoT-episodes to think about everything and join WotW and very few comment-sites. But as soon as I have the dvd in hands my real autistic enjoyment begins: to watch as long as I like, the scenes I like best as often, as I like etc. pp. – no comments, no chearing, no slipslop, no sizzling crisp packets…
But when will that be?
October, November, December?
Random thought, I wonder if anyone ever calls him Kit Kat?
His “behind the scenes” bit with Toothless will always be funny to me.
I intend to do the same as usual…set the episode to record on my DVR, watch with my mom and brother (and maybe dad although he’s not as into it and doesn’t always finish watching–which I’ll never understand), re-watch on my TV, make notes and react in writing. I’d consider tweeting along a little bit and reacting in real time, but that could easily be too much of a distraction from something that commands 200% of your undivided attention and lacks commercial breaks. Before Season 7’s premiere I was ballet-dancing around the kitchen because I had too much energy…this time I imagine that could be the case each week. x-3
Lol, I refer to him as Kit- or Kitty-Kat sometimes. Hope ya don’t mind, Kit!
Clob,
Yeah. First time alone is the best option.
Anybody besides me waltz around the living room to the main title theme? (Usually on second or third viewing, because the first time I’m too intent on updates to the map.)
I picture him prancing at the sound of RuPaul’s “Kitty Girl”, his locks fiercely bouncing to the beat.
I predict that one of the big sellers for the 2019 winter holidays will be the “Game of Thrones: Complete Set”.
One hopes it can be paired with “The Winds of Winter”…
But a day after the US broadcast. Can I manage to stay off the net for those 24 hours??? 🙈
Cool to read about everyone’s ritual. I’ll be in London/Barcelona for the first two episodes so need to figure this out…. back in Seattle I’ll watch with friends at the studio on the big screen with the big monitors (play it loud!). Previous episode, followed by new episode. Then usually Wednesday I’ll head over to my moms to watch it with her.
Getting Stoked!!!
You might want to read Laura Stone’s reviews. They’re very witty, she posts as she watches (subject to later editing), conveys her emotional reactions, and as an unspoiled non-book reader is genuinely surprised by plot twists and turns. [There are occasional pop culture references that go over my head – maybe to video games, Harry Potter, or other fantasy shows – but those that connect are brilliant.] Plus, I think she’s an excellent writer.
Her reviews are still posted on heydontjudgeme.com. They’d be entertaining to read between now and April, if you’re so inclined.
No viewing parties in this house, since the episodes “air” (=become available online on HBO Nordic) at 4am Monday morning! A few seasons ago they weren’t available until 24 hrs after the first US screening! O_o. I had to seriously limit my interwebs useage during those 24 hrs!
I set my alarm at 3.45am, watch each episode straight through, digest it for a while, eat some early breakfast, rewatch the episode, maybe pausing/rewinding here and there, taking some notes, writing down first impressions.
Then I come here on WotW to see what everybody else thought and to share my own thoughts and ideas. Later on, I’ll look up other reviews and reactions online. Ozzyman is one of my favourites.
It’s great feeling part of this fan community – my IRL friends are casual viewers at best (some – the horror – don’t watch GoT at all! Why exactly are they my friends?!?) and don’t understand my “obsession” with this TV show (and the books), haha.
Ten Bears,
I never used to be this way. What happened to me!
Last year’s ritual was to
1) watch live on the bedroom tv. Pray that Maisie is in the credits this week. (a pretty nice TV but still some interruptions can happen)
2) Watch TV with my wife for an hour (sometimes 2 hours) while checking out WotW on my phone.
3) Second Watch using HBOgo on the bigger Family room TV when everyone is in bed with my studio headphones
4) Watch any behind the scenes video from HBO
5) Watch #TalktheThrones twitter video with Mallory Rubin and others. Always interesting. It used to be on HBOgo a few seasons ago.
6) Check out WotW again
7) Hopefully I don’t have to do anything Monday morning and sleep in for awhile and probably watch again in the morning from the bedroom TV before having go to work in the afternoon…. Oy..
I am hoping a trailer will fall during the superbowl or around then.
So would I. I was lucky enough to see the double showing of “Watchers on the Wall” and “The Children” in IMAX and it was awesome.
Dyanna,
Yup, and I stay away from here. If I couldn’t sky+ and had to watch at 9pm on the Monday I don’t know what I’d do 😣
Also, thanks for the link to the Kit interview. I like how he’s comparing the GoT and HTTYD dragons:
Kit Harington, now the dragon expert, haha!
Also, watching the video clip, I was quite distracted by all the stuff going on in the background. People in medievalish costumes raising tankards and going off with their axes and stuff, haha.
This really made me lol 😀
BTW, reading about fellow WotWers’ viewing habits, it seems quite a few of us are from the European time zones (GMT is still a European time zone, despite Brexit. It’s a geographical fact.), which I find nice. Our view is necessarily different, what with our history, but also a different view on the US and international television market. It’s all enriching the conversations here.
talvikorppi,
Lol we have 2 countdowns here in the UK, one more important to me than the other; I’ll let you guess which one.🤔
Carole H,
I guess running down the clock to GoT’s final season premiere is quite a happy thing. The other one, perhaps not so much..?
But enough of that, this is a GoT site, so we should stay on topic. I should stay on topic. I have other places online where to discuss other topics.
talvikorppi,
Lol okay then. Yes, it is a happy thing regarding the countdown. Let’s keep our opinions to us then, internet is already full of it and this is a GoT-only website.
Hodor!
My GoT pals come over to my apt for some sort of GoT themed dinner (such as balls of the unsullied over rice or chicken littlefingers), then we go up to their apt because they have a much larger tv screen. We all dance and sing along to the opening credits. However, there is a NO TALKING policy during the episode. After it is over, I go back to my place to re-watch. Then I go online and read/watch reactions. The day after I read Laura Stone’s, Vulture’s, Rolling Stone’s, and other recaps. My absolute favorites, though are Oz’s reviews and Axe Chucker’s best of Twitter collections. Then I watch it again on Monday night.
This year, I have taken all the Monday’s off of work for April 15th-May 20th. I just know I will be so wrung out!
Roberta Baratheon,
Yes! Axechucker’s twitter collections. Those are fun to read. :). Between those, Oz and most of the articles and discussions on this site- that is pretty much the extant of my online follow up. I am always pleasantly surprised with just how far reaching it is, tho. I should get out more. What a great fandom. As much fun as geeking out with friends and family is, the pockets of genuine cool on the internet, like this place, represent a very beautiful side of this global hive mind that technology has given us.
talvikorppi,
My last re-watch begins 7th Feb taking me straight through to April 15th and I cannot wait. 😭🐺❄👑👍
talvikorppi,
“Ozzyman is one of my favourites.”
———–
Yes! Although Ozzy Man’s reviews are done in rapid-fire fashion, with the first part a humorous summation of the plot points and the second part his explication of the episode’s unifying themes, he really takes his time composing, rehearsing, and re-recording segments if necessary.* His narration is perfectly timed with the clips he shows. (I think his YouTube channel has a video showing him producing a review.)
For anybody who’s not familiar with Ozzy Man, I recommend starting with his review of S5e8 “Hardhome.” I never get tired of rewatching that one.
* Unlike some video reviewers who just seem to turn on the camera and yak away, which is why I suspect HBO’s “After the Thrones” failed: Except for expert guest commentators Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion, the two hosts didn’t seem very knowledgeable about or well-prepared. I still wonder why they didn’t have Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion host the show. The two guys who hosted liberally relied on obscure basketball metaphors instead of analyzing and discussing the GoT episode itself. Don’t get me wrong: both of the hosts wrote excellent columns on “The Ringer” – or did, until ESPN bought them out. I guess their talents didn’t translate well to the visual medium.
Roberta Baratheon,
The dinner sounds awesome.
Tron79,
“5) Watch #TalktheThrones twitter video with Mallory Rubin and others. Always interesting. It used to be on HBOgo a few seasons ago.”
——–
• I was not aware Mallory Rubin did a twitter video. I’ll have to check that out.
• My favorite part of the multi-stage process is actually the five minutes before the GoT episode starts. I like the anticipation as I wait for the “Previously On” clips and theme song.
I remember freaking out two (?) years ago when I had gotten all settled in, and was enjoying the my five minute pre-show buzz – and then when 8:59 pm turned to 9:00 pm all of a sudden it appeared the TV had spontaneously changed the channel from HBO, or I had accidentally touched the remote control. There was a bucolic setting with unfamiliar, pleasant background music, and what looked like a hippie commune. I thought “WTF??? Is this the Hallmark Channel, or some biblical documentary on PBS?” I rushed over to check the channel on the TV itself, as a bunch of guys carrying logs appeared on the screen.
Then, of course, the next frame was one guy with a pronounced limp carrying a log all by himself…
Since then, I’ve added two new protocols: (i) Double- and triple-check the channel ten minutes beforehand, and (ii) Always beware the unannounced cold open.
Ten Bears,
Yeah, the two hosts Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan really didn’t have much to say imo. And they would wait to bring out Mallory and Jason until the end!!! I was always waiting to get past the other stuff for them to come out. On the newer twitter version, they were all out at the beginning. I find Mallory and Jason interesting, so I tune in to watch them.
I’d figure Kit would watch the finale with Rose and her family at Daddy’s castle, can’t ask for a more perfect venue.
Roberta Baratheon,
“Axe Chucker’s best of Twitter collection”
——-
I forgot to mention Axe Chucker’s “best of” tweets. I really like them, but even when I use the “Storify” option, for some reason halfway through the thread always freezes or the page reloads to the very beginning. (PS: Sam Coleman aka Young Hodor contributes lots of smart, funny tweets.)
Roberta Baratheon,
Wow! Your watching experience sounds seriously fun and awesome! Not really available to us on a European time zone, 4am,3am, 2am timeframe. Plus, it’s a “school night” for you as well, isn’t it?
Love your nibbles and party, though. Good on you!
Yes, our Axey’s Twitter collation is a highlight of the week. I feel ashamed I didn’t mention it above.
“I’m Rose Leslie and I’m from Lickleyhead Castle. My daddy is a fancy lord and I lived in a tower that touched the clouds.” 🏰
Yes, that scene and the rest with those people felt really odd and out of place with the rest of the series. That didn’t help me to stop feeling like Ian’s character and performance was less odd and out of place either. The location was great and he did fine of course but it always feels like I’m watching a different show when I see those scenes.
stupid edit timer… whatever, I don’t care 😛
Ten Bears,
Yeah,our DVR can automatically switch channels if we are recording two things. I could see myself feverishly panicked trying to kill my remote so I could stop recording whatever it was… Thinking back to the first watch of it, I think I was a little confused since nothing looked familiar, but I didn’t think it switched channels. I’m actually just about at “The Broken Man” episode on my every 5 day re-watch. I’m on S6 episode 6 on Monday, so I’ve got about 9 days to go. They cooked up some good looking food in that village while all was still happy.
Ten Bears,
Hm. I’ve never had any problem with Storify, but I rarely use it, just read away with the post. Not registered any accounts on Twitter, Storify etc etc. They want too much of my personal information. Not on.
Just today I tried to use an app to buy a bus ticket in our capital city. It ended when they wanted all kinds of personal information (Give us your full name. Where do you live? When were you born? Give us your mobile phone or bank account details…). Shit no.
I borrowed my dad’s smart card, paid the bus fare at the point.
I remember a time, before smart phones, 10 or 15 years ago, when you could get a public transport (tram, bus, metro) ticket by texting a number. They texted back with the ticket. No need for any personal information.
OK, none of this is GoT-related, so I apologise for going off on an off-topic rant.
Lest there be any misunderstanding, I’m a very strong advocate of public transport. Trams are the best. I always take trams whenever possible. I love trams. The screeching sound they make while cornering urban street corners. I lived in a place listening to that for nearly ten years, and I still love the sound. It spells “home” and “transport” way more than a bus. Or even my own suburban car.
That timer is your nemesis lol.
Oh, yes, I hope so!!!
That’s the reason, why I borrow the dvds (and copy them on pc). And I hope as well, that on the complete set we will find quite more specials than on the single dvds (as it was with LotR).
:o)
Gonna be in Rome for series finale (planned trip prior to premier date announcement). WHAT CAN I DO? I have HBOGo so likely watch with my sons on-line at 3AM. It’s also my birthday that day….;-)
I haven’t done a rewatch in so long I’m thoroughly enjoying it now. I’m on 207. I cannot wait for so many “reunions” in S8. Jaime/Bran is top of my list with Arya/Jon, Arya/Gendry, Arya/Hound, Sansa/Cersei, Sansa/Hound, Sansa/Tyrion, etc.
Carole H,
“It’ll be on at 2am 15th April here (Britain) so I’ll probably be so excited I’ll watch it then on Sky or sky plus it and watch it early before work watch again at lunch and then watch with the other half after work. At which point he’ll ask ‘who’s that’ and ‘what happened to Sean Bean’ he always does “
Just tell him, “What always happens to Sean Bean!”
Our ritual is simple. If I can gather up our fellow GoT fans, I arrange at least 2-3 episodes for us to watch together. I watch the others alone with the spouse. The rule is: watch the previous episode and then the current one. Afterwards, I jump online, spend hours here and a few more places, and finally totter off to bed too revved up to sleep. The rest of the week I’m online with GoT news, views, and booze. But for the FINAL episode, I’ll plan something unusual and special. Don’t know what yet but it will be unprecedented in our house.
The end of game of thrones is really starting to hit me. Just finished rewatch again lol I can’t wait to find out what happens but I’m also a bit sad about it ending. Hoping another book comes shortly after the end of series…one can hope at least. The 2 last episodes of season 7 are so amazing too me I can even imagine what next season going to be like. Really hope it’s not rushed
Jack Bauer 24,
Just finished rewatch again. Last two episodes were so good with reunions and what not I can’t imagine next season. It surreal seeing these characters come together finally
My post-viewing rituals seem to be quite similar to those mentioned here with maybe a few more youtube reviews until the next episode (Alt-Shift-X, InDeepGeek and NerdSoup, for example). However, living in Japan I will have to take a few Mondays off in order to see the episodes when they air (10am). Since the show passed the books, the times I could not see the show immediately I had to try to avoid all browsing, social media, etc in order not to get spoiled.
The reunion I’m most looking forward to is Jaime and Bran, the shameless Jaime fan that I am. Not that I will not enjoy Jon/Arya and others, but this one is just so pivotal to my favourite character.
Can you imagine it? Robo-Bran going “I saw you and your sister fucking. It was beautiful.” lol.
Seriously, though, Jaime can have no redemption unless he owns up to that particular horrible deed and is then absolved by the victim. We’ll see.
Yeah it’s my most anticipated as well. I’m also a Jaime fan and I’m really interested to see how they handle it and how everyone reacts to it. With the NK advancing i gotta think they’ll take any help they can get, but like you said, Jaime has to own up to it.
Ten Bears,
Tra, la, la, la…
Jack Bauer 24,
I’m not expecting Jaime to survive the series, but, please, please, let him die in the arms of the woman he loves (Brienne) at least. He jinxed it back in S5, that convo with Bronn in Dorne.
It’s kinda weird anticipating the final season, 99.7% sure knowing your favourite will die, haha. I just want him dying doing the right thing. Fighting the real war, protecting the weak and the innocent like a knight should do. He’s no chip off the old Tywin block, Tyrion is. Aunt Genna (books) had the right of it.
I’ve already been in mourning for Jaime for years, so the end won’t hit me too hard. I’ve also tried to prepare myself for the death of other favourites. Davos. Jon. Arya, even. Every time one of them does not die is a win!
Hm. Another reunion I’m really looking forward to is Sansa and Tyrion. The show chose to brush aside their marriage because of non-consummation and plot reasons, but I feel that that might come into play in the potential future books and also the final season of the show.
Sansa did not want to be forcefully married to a Lannister, the Imp to top it all, but as far as Lannisters go, Tyrion was the better one. He treated her well, didn’t marital rape her (as would’ve been his right according to Westerosi law) and tried to console her, be nice to her. All that might not go to waste in S8. Could the Sansa – Tyrion – Tyrion’s beloved brother Jaime connection be something that saves Jaime’s life, for instance?
Not to mention potential interesting Sansa/Tyrion dynamic for the end game. Tyrion might find his one-time meek wife a formidable political player in her own right, holding the North.
So, yes, another interesting dynamic and reunion to look forward to. I’d be very disappointed if D&D make nothing of it.
talvikorppi,
The love story between Ser Jaime and Lady Brienne is the best romance the show has done. I’m looking forward to its consummation before Jaime’s almost-inevitable gallant death.
talvikorppi,
I have more confidence in Jaime’s long-run prospects than you do! Much much much more! Call me rash…..but I am not mourning him quite yet.
I also look forward to the Tyrion/Sansa meeting. I think they have more in common now that they expect. Allies?
Jaime and Brienne have the best romance in the series. A truly great love story, I think. And the one saved for consummation at the climax of the story.
Jaime Brienne Tyrion Sansa – I am looking forward to seeing these four nonmagical characters and what the story holds for them. Like us, they only have their head, hearts, bodies to face the challenges. The magic characters have extra equipment (Jon, Daenerys, Arya and Bran) so seem less vulnerable.
Mango,
Very good point about the magic, I’ve never quite thought of it that way… And if the end is magic leaving the world…
What about Davos? He’s as unmagical as they come!
Ten Bears,
Oh, I know, I know. I’ve come to accept Jon and Dany, but they have nothing on Ser Jaime and Lady Brienne!
The show did quite well showing the book thing, Brienne thinking Kingslayer – Jaime – Ser Jaime, and Jaime thinking nice eyes (shame about the rest) – amazing blue eyes – amazing woman. Shame the show put it all on hold for plot (Cersei) reasons, but I’m looking forward to what S8 will give us.
Soz, Tormund. I’m sure you’re a nice guy and admire Brienne for what she is, which is endearing and admirable, but her heart is otherwise engaged.
_______
Davos: “Yeah. Nobody mind me. All I’ve ever done is live to a ripe old age.”
(S7e5)
talvikorppi,
Aha! If magic is leaving…….. (I am with you right there!!!)
Davos is wonderful but very non-magical.
I am very fond of Tormund. But I think that Gilly will likely represent the integration of the Wildings and therefore survive instead of our favorite male ginger. Tormund could also make it….????
As for his romance with Brienne……..I suspect (( no evidence!) that Tormund already has one or two wives waiting at the Gift among the wildings women. I cannot see such a nice guy being single after the number of wilding men that died at Hardhome after quite a few women were sent off in boats.
And Brienne is in love with someone else.
About Tormund/Brienne. I think Tormund neatly fits the role of a book character as Brienne’s admirer and potential boyfriend. She needs to have someone else “vying for her hand” to appreciate Jaime all the more.
This is book stuff, so I’ll put it in spoilers.
Anyway, they meet again after Brienne leaves King’s Landing on her Jaime-given quest to find Sansa. Long story short, Ser Hyle comes to respect Brienne’s prowess at arms, even defending her and giving credit where credit is due to his liege lord Randyll Tarly (who thinks Brienne deserves to get raped for her unwomanly ways).
Next we see Ser Hyle, he’s “left Lord Tarly’s service” (=sacked?) and follows Brienne & co on her quest. Now, his motives are suspect (would he keep Sansa safe or deliver her to Cersei to get a reward and/or his old job back?) but he certainly acknowledges Brienne’s prowess at arms.
He even proposes marriage to her. Mainly because Brienne is the heir to Tarth, so her consort might assume the position of a de facto lord. But he does appreciate her for who and what she is somewhat.
Needless to say, Brienne turns him down. Other reasons, but chief among them her new-found fancy for Ser Jaime. However, it’s an important turning point for Brienne to see that other men, not just Ser Jaime, appreciate and value her for her prowess at arms.
That’s where show!Tormund comes in. A boost to Brienne’s confidence as an unconventional woman. She craves recognition from her peers. Knights, warriors. Ser Jaime – strangely honest person that he is – was the first to give it. Show!Tormund and book!Ser Hyle Hunt just reaffirm Ser Jaime’s seal of approval.
Sorry for the long post but Jaime and Brienne just get me going! 😀
Mango,
Aww…Aaargh! Yes, I think we might lose our favourite ginger wildling. I love Tormund, and he’s the “face” of the Free Folk – the only named character from that side – but he’s a tier 2 character. Much beloved by fans, so his death will pack a gut punch.
RIP, Tormund. I have him on 99.9% certainty to die. Even .02% more than Jaime!
I like your idea of Gilly being the great conciliator. After all she’s endured, she’s not vengeangeful or bitter. She’s smart, values learning, has heaps of common sense. As the consort/wife of a potential lord (it all hinges on the Night’s Watch surviving – if that order is defunct, Sam’s off the hook, isn’t he?), she could have some real influence.
Gods, old and new, I hope she does!
I’d definitely consider doing so with the giant plush lobster I typically use for a dance partner. 😉
“YAS QUEE–er, KING IN THE NORTH!!”
But yeah, after each episode I’ll watch any behind-the-scenes and whatnot and just spend the rest of the week thinking it all over ’til the next…^3^
Roberta Baratheon,
Suggestion for one of your Season 8 dinners: Kentucky fried Shireen.
talvikorppi,
Wow, this post got me thinking about how Tormund has survived the battle of Castle Black, Hardome, the Battle of the Bastards, the wight hunt and the collapse of the wall.
My viewing ritual only started in season 7 because I didn’t get into the show until 2016 (binged seasons 1-6 in a few weeks over that summer).
Because I live in the UK the episodes air in the early hours of Monday morning, so I usually take Monday off (only have to take 4 off this year because of convenient Bank Holiday placements) and then I watch the episode when I wake up. I don’t see the point in staying up to watch it live when I can watch it on demand when I wake up. Then I watch Thronecast which is a great aftershow (I think it may be UK only). Then I read the WotW news articles and comments to see what people thought of the episode. Then I will watch some YouTube reviews/reactions (mainly Collider, Blindwave, What the Flick, IGN).
Then I only have 3 and a half work days left before a long weekend and another episode.
I’m really looking forward to April/May… Game of Thrones Season 8, Avengers Endgame, Godzilla: King of the Monsters
talvikorppi,
If Tormund weren’t going to survive as the “face of the free folk”, then wouldn’t he have met his demise at the Frozen Lake? Instead, he was saved from certain death by The Last Hero… I mean Sandor Ahai… I mean Sandor Clegane.
Misc: I thought the whole Tormund x Brienne thing was a goof that was prompted by fan reaction to a simple stage direction (Tormund making eyes at Brienne when she arrives at Castle Black). The writers then decided to riff on it a bit. Tormund would be a third wheel in the Jaime-Brienne story. No time for silly love triangles.
Well, I could see having a Thenn night dinner theme with Fried Crow, and have fried chicken and say “It tastes like chicken”… Of course that could double as a Sandor night too… but mentioning Shireen really gets to me more than you know. I would have to skip that dinner and perhaps not return to that group. Nothing on the show has made me sadder than Shireen. I just remembered what Arya said to Beric Dondarrion, “Could you bring back a man without a head, not 6 times, just once”. I would say to the Lord of Light, “Can you bring back a child who was consumed in your fire” Perhaps the best ending for me would be the Lord of Light bringing her back and Shireen would sit on the iron throne. What an ending! Others have discussed magic. Perhaps as a last bit of magic this could happen. As Arya would say, “I would like to see that”
I jumped behind the running train in 2015, after freinds had told me about GoT. Accidentally I saw a scene on private tv, it was the one, when Jamie was captured by Locke & co. and they cut off his hand etc. and I didn’t understand, why my friends were so sold on it. It was cruel and disgusting and I switched to another program.
But later – accidentally again and again on private tv – I saw the episode, when Daenerys “bought” the Unsullied, and I got mad about it.
It took a while to come clear with all the splatterthings, I’m not really fond of such, but meanwhile I somewhat can stand it.
A spring release date has also been teased for ‘Good Omens,’ which I am anticipating quite as eagerly as GoT S8! Postproduction not quite done, though, so the info is inexact. Poor Neil Gaiman, who is doing the showrunning himself, sounds exhausted per his tweets.
And ‘A Brightness Long Ago,’ the latest historical fantasy novel from a great favorite author of mine, Guy Gavriel Kay, drops in mid-April. I feel rather sorry for the guy having to do book tours just as GoT is airing. There’s a lot of fanbase crossover, for good reason. GGK is a master of political intrigue (plus a hint of the magical) im medieval/Renaissance settings. The new one is set in a city not unlike Venice.
Too soon.
Before S5, I had a fanfic in my mind. Shireen and Myrcella escape to Braavos and establish a school for clever girls. 🙁 (Book!Myrcella is very strong and clever, not a Disney princess in love with her designated boyfriend. Also, alive.)
Ten Bears,
Kristofer Hivju (Tormund) was so good at making eyes at Brienne that the fandom went mad. The writers ran with it, and must’ve realised he slots right into the Ser Hyle Hunt role as Brienne’s admirer/potential boyfriend.
From Book! or Show!Brienne’s point of view, it doesn’t matter who her admirer is, just that she has one. To boost her confidence as a woman, and as someone to contrast with Ser Jaime.
Love it!!!
Did everyone watch the Lena interview on Kimmel last night?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooyqP_RHmPQ
Thanks for the link. I saw her IG post about it last night, but didn’t get to watch. I’m at work right now so I can’t watch it just yet. Did she say anything about S8? I’m assuming not much lol.
Right. I can’t blame the showrunners for adding a little levity in response to the rabid fan reaction. “Give the people what they want”, once said or sang someone whose name I forget.
I just don’t want Tormund (assuming he survived the Wall collapse) to devolve into a lovestruck puppy and watch him cry on Jon’s shoulder or commiserate with fellow FriendZoned Ser Jorah when the Kingslayer strolls into Winterfell and commands all of Brienne’s attention. Tormund Giantsbane, fierce wildling warrior, reduced to a heartsick lump of jello by disappointed romantic expectations? No, that can’t happen.
I was, and am still hoping that the tall red-headed Alys Karstark was introduced as a match for Tormund, to cement a Free Folk-Northerner marriage alliance.* Tormund himself told Sandor gingers are beautiful: “kissed by fire.” I could easily foresee Tormund setting aside his Brienne crush for a marriage alliance that serves the greater good.
* P.S. Isn’t there something in the books about Jon (?) arranging a marriage between a Wildling and a Northerner? Though I may be confused, I thought I read somewhere that Book! Alys Karstark rode to Castle Black while Jon was Lord Commander, and Jon then paired her up with a Wildling.
Clob,
Wow – Kimmel was really aggressive with her, and barely let Lena get a word in edgewise. I don’t watch him with any regularity; is that typical?
talvikorppi,
Fellow unabashed Jaime fan here. But of course I must veer with you off topic. I mentioned above something that went into the moderation abyss- a beautiful element of tech being fandoms like this, communicating with each other effortlessly, all over the world. A flipside of tech? Gone are the days of just paying for a bus ticket and calling it good. Pretty soon it’ll be a wave of the hand- and instead of signing off on all that info, they’ll just transfer it automatically! I have been reading that the Scandinavian countries are way out in front on some of these systems.
Tron79,
You are conveying exactly how I feel on this one… Only scene I will never watch a second time. I have walked out on that scene while watching with friends- bathroom break! I was so hoping that the greyscale would have made her somehow impervious to fire- maybe some strange relation to dragons? Or maybe it would have caused some kind of gigantic backfire to Melisandre, and Shireen would have come down off that pyre walking proudly, killing everyone instantly around her with a glance. Anything but sweet innocent Shireen burning alive. But nope. They done did it. And I will never watch that scene again.
Here’s hoping things work out differently in TWOW
Stark Raven’ Rad,
Lol I’ll remember that 👍’unprecedented in our house’ now that sounds very intriguing 🤔
Following you off topic yet again. 🙂 This is really interesting to me. You are in Finland, yeah? I have been involved in some intriguing discussions here lately- I think in many ways reflective of the current social/political disturbances in the force. I’m not sure there has ever been a time in 20th/21st century world politics of where the role of the new kid on the block (the US) hasn’t been in some way weird or controversial, and it’s internal affairs also seemingly always at some point of upheaval and change. Sure, a decade of calm here or there… but lots of action and involvement on many levels, certainly for the last century and a half. Things have now been ratcheted up a notch, and in many ways, the campaign of the current administration here parallels the upheaval surrounding Brexit. Here we are, a very diverse nation of immigrants, arguing over diversity and immigration… And while the history and perspective is different, the source of debate in Europe is similar.
Also. It is often referred to here as the great northern migration. Scandinavians have made their way across the US, farming the northern latitudes of this country until they hit the northwest and settled in fishing and boatbuilding towns like mine. My great great grandfather was a second son who left the family farm in Norway (500 years still going strong- but little opportunity at the time, for the second son). He settled into a Norse community near Fargo, North Dakota. Two generations later, my grandparents met in that same community before moving further west with my mom, herself still 100% Norwegian blood. I am still very close to all the guys I grew up with (thank you technology). We are a good mix, but the core is of Scandinavian/Norther European ancestry- one of which is the son of a Finnish immigrant, who kept the sauna ritual alive by building one in his basement. Since high school, it has been a part of life for us and now several of my friends have followed suit, building suanas in their yards.
Anyway. This is super way off topic but I’m home today with my daughter who has the flu…. so I’ve some time to kill. She cannot wait to visit Norway! I think genetic memory is a very real thing.
Ok, ok. Back to the programming. We have the anticipation of the final season of all of our favorite show to geek out on.
Ten Bears,
I am sure there was an interview with NCW where he said that if you are following the story then you will see that Jaime will need to have a word with Tormund. He was laughing as he said it!
I do not think it will happen but it would be very funny if they worked an exchange in without humiliating either character. I would find it funny if it Tormund asks Jaime about his banging his sister and offered to give up on Brienne if that would help Jaime move on….
Roberta Baratheon,
Re: GoT-themed refreshments and meals for S8 –
I’ve asked a good friend, a gourmet cook and baker, who just started watching GoT, to take notes during Hot Pie’s scenes; recreate the recipes Hot Pie was describing or the dishes he was serving; and then prepare them for us for S8 episode viewings. I’m hoping I’ll have:
1. Kidney pie (whatever that is);
2. Wolf bread;
3. Whatever Arya stabbed and wolfed down in S7e2 (“the secret is browning the butter before making the dough”);
4. The cake (?) made with milled cherries he was describing at Harrenhal;
5. A pitcher of ale;
6. Whatever was in the bowl those two KL-bound guys were eating in S7e2 (the grotesque segue from Sam cutting into Jorah’s flesh);
7. The (brown bread?) Hot Pie made that convinced the innkeeper to buy Hot Pie from the BwoB.
Ten Bears,
That is awesome! Looking forward to hearing how this all turns out. Also, not that the actual recipes are there… but GRRM is very detailed when it comes to describing the spread at any given feast. There is bound to be a compilation somewhere online of the various dishes and sides he describes. “World building” to the gigawatts.
Ok so I just watched it. Interesting bit is Lena said they filmed until “the end of last year” and then specifically said “October”. I thought they wrapped up in August?
Sister Kisser,
There is one recipe – at least the ingredients…
(from S4e7 – my #1 favorite GoT episode):
Brienne: “…The kidney pie is wonderful.”
Hot Pie: “Thanks. I do my best. A good kidney pie is all about the ingredients. Flour, lard, water, eggs, milk. Easy enough. But the meat – peacetime or not – getting your hands on a good bottom round steak and calves’ kidneys is not easy. I mean, some people settle for plain old beef kidneys. Got no right to cook anything, them. Oh, and the gravy. Don’t get me started on the gravy. Very difficult to get right. See, a lot of people give up on the gravy. You cannot give up on the gravy! No gravy, no pie. Simple as that.”
Ten Bears,
Oh, yeah. I knew what you were referencing- I should have been more clear. I meant- in the books, I don’t think you will find the recipes. You will find much detail about the spread, though
Oh no, am I going to h-e-double-hockey-sticks for laughing?
It would be swell of the LoL to give her back…assuming the dead don’t end up taking over the world and there’s a somewhat hopeful future.
As I’ve said I love both Tormienne & Braime. My preference would be for Jaime to die in Brienne’s arms after fighting by her side (and them confessing feelings for each other at some point, maybe then)–followed by her filling in his pages. And perhaps warming up to Tormund (those great big world-conquering monster babies are kind of an irresistible idea.)
And that Hot Pie feast plan is awesome! Somebody better hurry up and invent television in Westeros because he needs a cooking show.
Firannion,
Yes, cant wait! That book was my first exposure to Gaiman and Pratchett and I never looked back. Great casting; I heard March some time. I even will get amazon prime so I can watch it!
It’s great for you Americans, us Europeans have to get up in the middle of the night or watch it the next evening (at risk of seeing spoilers). Last two seasons though the show has appeared on demand so can watch it first thing before I go to work.
For the final season I am actually on holiday in the USA for two episodes not sure how I will get around this, just hoping the place I am staying has HBO!
I really like Tormund but he seems to be an obvious candidate to die either in the Premiere or in the battle vs the AOTD. We all know Cersei, Jamie, Euron etc are near certainties but there are lots of secondary characters like Tormund, Jorah, Greyworm that I think are are not far behind.
The wrap up was in July but I think they had to go back and re-shoot a couple of scenes late last year. I believe Kit kept his hair long for this very reason.
Ahh I see. Thanks for the info. I remember Kit having to reshoot, but I didn’t realize is was that late in the year.