The Sand Snakes talk: new interviews with Jessica Henwick and Keisha Castle-Hughes

Jessica Henwick for Hunger Magazine
Photo: Jack Buster/Hunger

One of Game of Thrones‘s newest stars, Jessica Henwick, appears in Hunger discussing her casting and the Sand Snakes, the Dornish daughters of Oberyn Martell who made their debut in last Sunday’s episode.

On people’s reactions to her casting, both good and bad:

The reactions have been mixed… For some people to love you, other people have to hate you. The fans of the show know exactly what they want. I’m sure that a lot of people are very upset that I don’t match up to the character [in the books]. I’ve had a really great response overall, but there are also some weird trolls on the internet. People love to try and rile you up; the worst is when they tag you on Twitter. You just have to ignore it. We’ll see. It’s hard to gauge what the public reaction will be until the episodes come out. My big episode is quite late in the series so I feel like I have another month to chill before things start to get crazy. I was expecting everyone to be constantly asking for spoilers but the first question I always get asked is “Do you die?” followed by “Do you get naked?” That’s what everyone wants to know!

On filming on location in Seville, Spain, with the stars of the show:

I felt bad for the main cast – a fair few were also filming in Seville on other locations – they couldn’t go out at night because they’d just get mobbed. They couldn’t walk down the street. There were constantly people waiting outside our hotel, at like four in the morning! We could just slide past because nobody knew who we were! I’m pretty sure someone thought I was an AD at one point because they came up to me multiple times to ask if I’d seen the actors come out of the hotel – I’d be like, “No, sorry! I don’t know where they are…” Nikolaj tried to go down to a Starbucks, that’s his fault, and got to the front of the queue and of course a hoard of women were jumping on him.

Henwick answers Hunger’s quick-fire stream of questions on video as well, covering her show favorites and quizzing her Game of Thrones knowledge.

GOT504_080714_HS__DSC9032Keisha Castle-Hughes talked to the New York Times after Obara’s big debut this week. The actress confirms that this was her first on-screen kill.

“I’ve been killed on screen before but I think that was the first time I’ve been the killer,” she says. Castle-Hughes feel that when Obara kills the captain with her spear, you get “a sense of exactly who this woman is from that moment alone.”

Keisha tells the Times how much she appreciates the dynamic established between the sisters. “It would be easy to have the focus on them being annoyed by each other or bitchy to each other, and that doesn’t happen. It was really nice to play with other women and not have this underlying tone of being at each other’s throats. It was just women working together.”

When it comes to the wisdom of seeking revenge when it worked out badly for Obara’s father Oberyn, she says, “They’re totally unswayed by that. It’s interesting, in terms of how much they know about what happened. I don’t know that they’re aware that he volunteered himself. All they know is that he didn’t come back alive, and blood has to be paid for that.”

script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">

Check out the complete interview at the New York Times.

Sue the Fury
Susan Miller, Editor in Chief of WatchersOnTheWall.com

113 Comments

  1. Jessica seems really cool – looking forward to seeing more from Lady Nym – she’s definitely the sand snake I’m most interested in.

  2. I’m convinced that each of the Sand Snakes is gonna have a personal scene to build them up more deeply.

    As Miss Henwick says in her videos, she confronts someone later down the season but not as in a fight, she implies.
    Her previous comments about Nym being the savvyest and sharpest political knife among her sisters should pay off and I feel like Doran may dispatch her to King’s Landing by episode 7 to take his seat on the Small Council.

    I’d like that. Nym is the SS that interest me the most and if they truly want to give them distinct personalities, dispatch them to various missions by the end of the season would be the best move to spend some “away from the other sisters time”.

  3. Their introduction was intentionally weak? That may be how it appeared. The thing is, if there’s going to be a long-game played by Doran, having a short-game played by Sand Snakes would give that away. The impression I got was they’re banding together in answer to Ellaria’s call. They must form a plan, and train, which we ought to see in other episodes. Then they make a charge for the line later, to execute their plan.

    They’re going to be in conflict with Doran whatever they try. Doran is the cool one with a mind full of plans. Ellaria’s red-blooded as will be Sand Snakes. That’s where I see this season going with Dorne. It’s setting up several things, which goes with Doran having patience to wait, wait. Coiling up, like a snake. Then it makes a strike when you’re least expecting it.

  4. Poor Jessica Henwick. Being asked if she gets naked by randoms. I would seriously get annoyed by that. Looks like she’s is able to successfully deal with trolls though

  5. Are we supposed to like the Sand Snakes? Because it seems that they are universally hated at the moment. Whatever…

    Jessica Henwick is lovely <3

  6. Ozymandias:
    Are we supposed to like the Sand Snakes? Because it seems that they are universally hated at the moment.

    I never saw so much hate for someone in GoT fandom.

  7. uh I don’t hate the Sand Snakes? Lots of people don’t. I think the writing for that scene was poor though.

  8. mau,

    Their accent is the same as Pedro’s. Hearing it from several more people at once shouldn’t be a problem, but I’m not surprised people are criticizing the Snakes for things they liked or were fine with when it came to Oberyn.

  9. Jessica is darling. Girl crush to the max.

    I also love that she said “Robb Stark” even before “Oberyn” when asked which character she would have resurrected. 🙂

  10. Sue the Fury,

    Because they have lady bits. That is all. #patriarchy

    I reserve judgement for them until the end of the season. That scene was poorly written and edited, and should not be reflected on the actresses themselves.

  11. Sue the Fury:
    mau,

    Their accent is the same as Pedro’s. Hearing it from several more people at once shouldn’t be a problem, but I’m not surprised people are criticizing the Snakes for things they liked or were fine with when it came to Oberyn.

    I know, but with Pedro it felt natural, because it is his natural accent, I think.

  12. mau: I know, but with Pedro it felt natural, because it is his natural accent, I think.

    It’s his father’s accent, actually. His accent is decidedly American. And so he attempted, intentionally, to sound like his father.

  13. It seems Keisha definitely understands Obara- given what we saw in episode 4 and I hope in the future as well, she will be excellent! Love that she is a reader and was actively looking to get cast!

    Curious what this big scene is with a main character coming later in the season for Nym.. could it be a scene with Jaime?

  14. mau: I know, but with Pedro it felt natural, because it is his natural accent, I think.

    It’s far from his natural accent. I think he said it was a twist on his father’s Chilean accent, but it didn’t sound like he was even exactly copying that- sort of like he was creating something based on it.

  15. Of all the missteps in that last episode…Bronn had just recently got done describing the Dornish as people who just like to fight and f**k, f**k and fight. Then we see the Sand Snakes standing around under a random tent doing nothing. Did they not want to repeat themselves after Oberyn’s introduction-via-brothel last year? Probably. But then why have Bronn say that? Why not have him tell us something else about the Dornish? If they simply had to introduce all three Snakes at once, they could’ve at least been drinking with friends in Planky Town or something. Why are they just standing under a tent in matching outfits and saying exposition to each other? And why do they kill a guy who brought them valuable information? Ugh.

    Even the way Ellaria said their names felt awkwardly forced. None if it was organic. It was a scene screaming “WE ARE INTRODUCING THESE CHARACTERS NOW!”

  16. I’m not bothered by the accents. Pedro used his father’s as his inspiration, the rest of the Dornish cast now have to use Pedro’s as a model. Pedro made a choice that worked very well, but now the others are stuck with it. Alexander Siddig mentioned it was the hardest thing for him about the role. I think they’re all doing well considering. I agree his was maybe more pleasant to the ear but I can hardly fault the sand snakes for that.
    I’m looking forward to next week and seeing more of what they can do. Last week’s scene felt a bit off so I’d like to see more before I judge.

  17. Most of my friends liked the SS and are intrigued by the Dorne storyline. I think people online are jumping on the hatewagon just because it’s the cool think to do.

  18. Sue the Fury,

    I love the casting. The scene was a bit clunky: it’s unclear why Obara is telling her “origin story” to her two sisters and her stepmother. The guy buried in sand is kind of pointless, but it was at least rad-looking. Still, it had a bit of Kill Bill to it:

    “Nah, there weren’t 88 of them. They just called themselves the Crazy 88.”

    “How come?”

    “I don’t know. I guess they thought it sounded cool.”

  19. Phyllis Ashley,

    Stating they people don’t like them because they are women is no excuse for poor writing and a bad introduction. Characters like Arya and Brienne are generally loved by the masses even Sansa who was somewhat disliked in the first few few books, people are starting to like. Hell I even started to like cersi when she got a POV.

    I disliked the Sand snakes when the first images appeared and didn’t like their intro however I am giving them the benefit of the doubt for at least a couple of more episodes.

  20. A Man Grown,

    I wasn’t talking about you, i agree that it’s not the best writing GoT have
    seen.
    I’m sensing a trend that the SS are the new GW&Missandei. The hatewatchers/book purist will boo every one of there scenes just because they believe that screentime should’ve gone for Greyjoys/Griffs/LSH’s….ect

  21. People need to relax. We’ve barely even seen the sand snakes. Need more time with them before rushing to judgements.

  22. I shall wait until each sand snake has showcased more of their character to pass judgement. Their introduction was a bit clunky, but the actresses understand their characters well, and I think it’ll bode well for their future appearances. I also get the feeling one will die by the end of the season, i’m thinking Obara.

  23. Phyllis Ashley:
    Sue the Fury,

    Because they have lady bits. That is all. #patriarchy

    I reserve judgement for them until the end of the season. That scene was poorly written and edited, and should not be reflected on the actresses themselves.

    It has nothing to do with their lady parts.

    They don’t have an on screen presence like Dany or Cersei does. The scenes came across extremely bland and almost comical.

    When Brienne swings a sword in the show, I believe she can hurt somebody with it. Of course I know in real life she couldn’t even hurt the actor who plays the hound. But for the show, she pulls it off well.

    When they used their weapons, it looked weak. They didn’t look like they could hurt a fly. And this is coming from somebody who loves the show and really thinks this is the first misstep on of the entire series.

    Women don’t do themselves any favors when they use the “woman card” as soon as somebody doesn’t like a female character.

  24. Nikolaj tried to go down to a Starbucks, that’s his fault, and got to the front of the queue and of course a hoard of women were jumping on him.

    I not surprised in the least…

  25. KrakenDaughter:
    Most of my friends liked the SS and are intrigued by the Dorne storyline. I think people online are jumping on the hatewagon just because it’s the cool think to do.

    Nah, some people just thought they were horrible.

    I’m on the GoT love boat…. And that scene made me cringe.

  26. The Sand Snakes scene in episode 4 was probably the worst written scene of the series 5 year run. I don’t think it’s fair to judge their entire arc based on that one scene as I’ve seen some do. Though, it needs to improve no doubt.

  27. A Man Grown:
    Of all the missteps in that last episode…Bronn had just recently got done describing the Dornish as people who just like to fight and f**k, f**k and fight. Then we see the Sand Snakes standing around under a random tent doing nothing. Did they not want to repeat themselves after Oberyn’s introduction-via-brothel last year? Probably. But then why have Bronn say that? Why not have him tell us something else about the Dornish? If they simply had to introduce all three Snakes at once, they could’ve at least been drinking with friends in Planky Town or something. Why are they just standing under a tent in matching outfits and saying exposition to each other? And why do they kill a guy who brought them valuable information? Ugh.

    Even the way Ellaria said their names felt awkwardly forced. None if it was organic. It was a scene screaming “WE ARE INTRODUCING THESE CHARACTERS NOW!”

    Because they are secretly plotting revenge on Oberyn without letting Doran know…? Makes sense to keep the conversation to only those that need to know it.

  28. People have talked about accents before and whether everyone from Dorne should sound the same, but if you are familiar with the multitude of British accents we have for such as small space you’ll know that characters who are supposed to be from the same place in the show sometimes sound completely different to each other. For example, Ned Stark and Jon Snnuuuh sound similar to each other but very different to the rest of the Starks (I saw an interview with Kit where he said Sean Bean declined to do received pronunciation so he (Kit) tried to copy Sean’s natural accent). As far as I remember Davos, Gendry and Karl Tanner are all supposed to be from the same part of King’s Landing but to the trained ear sound absolutely nothing like each other, so the programme is not always that strict about it. Errrr that’s it really, most of the time people sound like they belong together but certainly not always.

    EDIT (I always do this, post something and then add afterthoughts): to anyone familiar with European WWII history, do you have visions of a very different – albeit also extremely violent – SS whenever it gets shortened on here? “I don’t really like the SS” type comments make me think no, in retrospect not many people do! :O(

  29. mau: I never saw so much hate for someone in GoT fandom.

    Ros I think is higher on the hate list.

    What is sad to me is that there are many who will never change their minds about the Sand Snakes, no matter how good their later scenes are. Because of book-reader insecurity about how the Dorne plot was changed, they have ridiculous expectations for these characters. Expectations that three relatively minor characters have no hope of meeting.

  30. A Man Grown: Of all the missteps in that last episode…Bronn had just recently got done describing the Dornish as people who just like to fight and f**k, f**k and fight. Then we see the Sand Snakes standing around under a random tent doing nothing.

    While many agree the scene, albeit a very, very short one, was poorly put together (writing and/or editing), yours seems a bit of an off criticism, at least to me. The scene was all about whether they were going to join Ellaria to exact revenge, or in other words, fight.

  31. Lulu’s Mum,

    In the commentary for “Two Swords,” D&D talk about how they used to care about accents being tied to the region they were from…until Bryan Cogman mentioned that all four hobbits in LotR had very different accents despite living not too far away from each other and no one really cared, or made the observation of how unrealistic that was.

  32. Hodor Targaryen:
    Lulu’s Mum,

    In the commentary for “Two Swords,” D&D talk about how they used to care about accents being tied to the region they were from…until Bryan Cogman mentioned that all four hobbits in LotR had very different accents despite living not too far away from each other and no one really cared, or made the observation of how unrealistic that was.

    Aaah I see. I bought the dvds and promptly lent them to a friend before watching. I thought, being from the USA, they might not have realised how different some people sound. Or might not care, it’s not like they don’t have anything else to think about when producing the show ;O)

  33. Nymeria Warrior Queen,

    My point wasn’t that they should’ve been having sex or something, I just think Bronn’s “fight and f**k” dialogue was overly simplistic and redundant considering we already saw Oberyn doing both of those things last season. Instead maybe he could’ve brought up the fact that Myrcella is older than Tommen which would give her the better claim as Joffrey’s successor under Dornish law.

    Someone else pointed out they wanted to keep their discussion secret, okay. But the way they’re just waiting around under a tent reminded me of the way villains in MOST fantasy movies just sit around on their throne looking menacing and waiting for someone to come talk to them. GoT is usually better than that. Usually they show a character busy with either work or pleasure when someone comes in and interrupts for a conversation. That makes a lot of sense, because people don’t generally enjoy sitting or standing around doing nothing.

    Even just starting the scene with the Sand Snakes sitting in a circle shooting the shit before Ellaria rides up, instead of starting with Ellaria riding, could have been a notable improvement.

  34. Re the Sand Snakes:

    Unlike many, I didn’t find their introductory scene dreadful, nor did I find the acting wanting particularly. Sure, it was a tad exposition-heavy, but introducing 3 new characters all at the same time together with requisite back-story in short order is going to limit your options. As others have rightly noted, even fan-favorites like Sansa had to endure much fan-rejection due to the way their roles were introduced, yet turned out fine in the end.

    I’m content to wait and see as far as the SS go, and not rush to judgement based on one scene and a couple of minutes of screen-time.

  35. A Man Grown: why do they kill a guy who brought them valuable information? Ugh.

    For the same reason Littlefinger killed Dontos, dead men tell no tales.

    Like someone above said, people just love to jump on the Sand Snake hate wagon cos it’s the cool thing to do and they want to feel important.

  36. A Man Grown,

    Man, you are really stretching it here. Standing around is now suddenly a villain cliche? Bronn’s “fuck and fight” speech was too simplistic? Of course it is!

    Goodness, there are plenty of legit gripes you can have with that scene, but this is perhaps the nittiest of picks I’ve ever read.

  37. Hodor Targaryen,

    Well yes that’s a villain cliche, I’ve discussed it on other websites in reference to other movies, it just hasn’t come up here before. Thanos in Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the most obvious recent examples. I don’t see why it’s a crime to nitpick a scene I didn’t like on a site devoted to discussing the show I’m talking about, but whatever.

  38. I’m sensing a trend that the SS are the new GW&Missandei. The hatewatchers/book purist will boo every one of there scenes just because they believe that screentime should’ve gone for Greyjoys/Griffs/LSH’s….ect

    It’s tempting to interpret the lukewarm reaction to the Sand Snakes as evidence that cutting Greyjoys/Griffs was a wise decision, and that maybe the same should’ve been done w/ Dorne.

  39. A Man Grown: My point wasn’t that they should’ve been having sex or something, I just think Bronn’s “fight and f**k” dialogue was overly simplistic and redundant considering we already saw Oberyn doing both of those things last season.

    No worries, I didn’t take it that way, at all, and you may have a point about Bronn’s dialogue, although it didn’t bother me, as I saw it more of a reminder of the Dornish reputation…that it wasn’t exclusive to Oberyn. In terms of what I was trying to say, I was just noting the scene did cover the “fight” part of the “fuck and fight.”

    As far as them just standing around and it would have been better if they’d been doing something other than standing there when Ellaria rode up, I agree. From that one released photo (with Obara meditating and Nymeria and Tyene looking like they were arguing), it seems like there was more to that scene, but for some reason it was cut.

  40. The only problem I had with the Sand Snakes scene was that I felt Obara’s monologue kinda came out of nowhere, and I saw no reason why she would need to tell her sisters this.

    Aside from that, I didn’t have a problem with it. I thought the actresses were fine based on what I saw – had no problem with the accents.

    I actually don’t think as many people hate them as it may appear. Almost all of the unsullied reviews I’ve read/watched seemed to have no problem with them…

  41. bill,

    It was probably the worst written scene, but not the worst scene overal. That honour belong to longer scenes like Littlefinger´s brothel monoloque and Tyrion´s beetle monoloque. I wonder what all those scenes have common……

    Anyway i hate stupid bashing of actors for abysmal writing. Kit and Emilia are also often victim of this mentality. Everyone with IQ higher then GWB should easily recognize difference between a well written scene ruined by bad acting and a badly written scene that can not be saved by any amount of acting talent.

  42. Big Mac:
    I actually don’t think as many people hate them as it may appear. Almost all of the unsullied reviews I’ve read/watched seemed to have no problem with them…

    I don’t think people hate the show half as much as the fan websites would have people believe. Vocal minority.

  43. Bronn’s monologue was no problem. At this point, Jerome Flynn could recite recipes, and it would work.

  44. The Sand Snake scene felt a bit weird both because of its location and the whole captain under the bucket thing, Sand Snakes themselves were pretty good, especially Obara.

    The scene was cartoonish enough to make me think of Darkstar and that just made me smile.

  45. Sue the Fury,

    In fairness, Pedro Pascal had a ridiculous amount of charisma in that role. He could have used Dick Van Dyke’s Mary Poppins accent and it would have sounded awesome.

    It’ll be interesting to see how well it goes when other a bunch of characters are using it now. I don’t think this one scene was enough for a final judgement call from me, but I don’t think it did the already weak-ish material any favors.

  46. Nymeria Warrior Queen,

    Your second paragraph is good to know. It was probably the worst scene since Yara’s aborted rescue of Theon, which we found out also had large chunks cut from the original script.

  47. Sue the Fury:
    uh I don’t hate the Sand Snakes? Lots of people don’t. I think the writing for that scene was poor though.

    Noone “hates” the girls/actresses .

    But..
    At this point only Tyrstane being fAegon can redeem the Dornish storyline and justify it even being in the show.

    Whats worse?
    Sand snakes introduction or Yara´s short attempt on rescuing Theon?

  48. Yes that scene was awful but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and wait to pass judgement until the season is over.

  49. Anyone notice how they left out the fact Mance Ryder was a NightsWatch deserter from the show?

    Book Stannis would never ask Mance to serve him knowing he is a deserter while in the show noone gives it a tought.

    From that point Jon had evry right to kill Mance himself, for deserting .

  50. Delta1212:

    In fairness, Pedro Pascal had a ridiculous amount of charisma in that role. He could have used Dick Van Dyke’s Mary Poppins accent and it would have sounded awesome.

    It’ll be interesting to see how well it goes when other a bunch of characters are using it now. I don’t think this one scene was enough for a final judgement call from me, but I don’t think it did the already weak-ish material any favors.

    Mentioning Dick Van Dyke’s accent in MP merits a re-post. That accent was awful!

    I too am willing to give the Sand Snakes more screen time before making any judgements. As others have said, this particular scene was not well-done. I actually found Ellaria’s dialogue and accent to be more bothersome.

  51. Hoyti Von Totiy: But..
    At this point only Tyrstane being fAegon can redeem the Dornish storyline and justify it even being in the show.

    To quote GRRM regarding the Sand Snakes, “I hope you like them, because you’re also going to be seeing a lot of them in The Winds of Winter.” I’m going to make the guess that is one of the reasons they’re being introduced now.

    Hoyti Von Totiy: Anyone notice how they left out the fact Mance Ryder was a NightsWatch deserter from the show?

    Wasn’t that mentioned in the first episode of this season, in addition to being mentioned by Mance in season 3 (I think it was season 3)?

  52. A Man Grown,

    Agree. I’m OK with “Vengeful Ellaria” but not with that accent and dialogue. I am hoping for an improvement once Doran gets more screen time. Maybe Siddig’s presence will up everyone’s game.

  53. Nymeria Warrior Queen:

    Wasn’t that mentioned in the first episode of this season, in addition to being mentioned by Mance in season 3 (I think it was season 3)?

    I dont recall anyone in NW or Stannis camp pointing out Mance is a NW deserter.

    I mean if ForTheWatch is going to happen you do have to establish what is the penalty for desertion even if the deserter made himself a King. let alone if its “just” Neds bastard…

    That chance has now been missed with Mance.

  54. mariamb: I actually found Ellaria’s dialogue and accent to be more bothersome.

    agreed i feel like they’re destroying the character by making her a vengeful mess, not to mention wasting Indira Varma’s considerable talent.

    how they do their interaction with Doran i think will make or break the Sand Snakes, i’m hoping for a big make.

  55. Roose On The Loose: agreed i feel like they’re destroying the character by making her a vengeful mess,

    Her “character” doesen’t really exist in the books. One monologue and that’s it.

  56. Hoyti Von Totiy,

    It was mentioned multiple times that Mance was a former member of the Night’s Watch, including during his final scene, where he tells Stannis “this was my home once.”

  57. I’m with mariamb, hoping Alexander Siddig will take the whole situation up a notch in gravitas, drama, and tension 🙂

  58. Tyrion Pimpslap:
    Hoyti Von Totiy,

    It was mentioned multiple times that Mance was a former member of the Night’s Watch, including during his final scene, where he tells Stannis “this was my home once.”

    Yes .. but im talking about the fact everyone kinda forgot he is a DESERTER first and Wildling king second viewed from the southern side of the Wall.

  59. mau,

    fair point, i was more thinking about potential in the show other than “must kill allllll the lannisters”

  60. Jaime’s girl,

    Agree. Do we know when we will see Doran again? Episode 6? Of course, the Trystane-Myrcella love story is still coming…and that may not help.

  61. mariamb:
    Jaime’s girl,

    Agree. Do we know when we will see Doran again? Episode 6? Of course, the Trystane-Myrcella love story is still coming…and that may not help.

    I don’t really uderstand what is the problem with love stories in this show that some fans have?

    Robb & Talisa, Shae & Tyrion, Daario & Dany, Missandei & Grey Worm,….

    You only want death and rape?

  62. Anyone seen this:

    A bigger scene?
    She said “after season 4” by mistake i guess what she meant was after episode 4

    We know Mell went south with Stannis, but it seems like she is going to come back to the Wall by the end of the season.

    If Mel is back at the Wall, Stannis is dead.

  63. A Man Grown,

    I guess I don’t see it as a villain cliche? Thanos being the big “man behind the curtain” is very Palpatine, but I see zero similarities between Palpatine/Thanos scenes and the Sand Snakes scene… you seem to be saying that the mere action of standing and talking is cliche…when that constitutes most scenes on this show and in drama generally (would it have been less cliche if they were sitting and talking?) I just don’t get it. Of all the things to criticize with that scene, you criticize them standing and having dialogue…seems like an unfair criticism.

  64. mau,

    Really? Is it even appropriate to suggest that someone only wants to see death and rape? Yikes!

    I can’t answer for anyone else but I’m just not interested in the Myrcella -Trystane story, particularly with such little time left. Others may disagree. However, I am perfectly content to letting it all play out and see how it is handled.

  65. mau,

    First of all, Jaime’s rape of Cersei should not have been shot that way, since at least I did not read it that way in the book, and the actors did not interpret it that way in their script.

    There are plenty of happy or funny moments on the show, and I enjoy those perhaps even more so when there is death all around. Arya and the Hound in Season 4 had some hilarious ones. Tyrion, Bronn, always have great funny lines. I really enjoyed the new Winds of Winter chapter with Alayne, back to silly courtly love and charming boys at feasts (giant lemoncake aside).

    I’m not opposed to all the show romances, Robb and Talisa had some fine moments to showcase Richard Madden for example, but forgive me if I am a bit skeptical until proven otherwise on the Trystane and Myrcella stuff.. we’ll just have to wait and see.

  66. Jaime’s girl:
    mau,

    I’m not opposed to all the show romances, Robb and Talisa had some fine moments to showcase Richard Madden for example, but forgive me if I am a bit skeptical until proven otherwise on the Trystane and Myrcella stuff.. we’ll just have to wait and see.

    If my info is corect Trystane and Myrcella will be alone in only one scene in S5, before Jaime and Bronn come.

  67. mau,

    Ellaria is weaker character for wanting the war then SS. She is not Doran´s relative and she isnt one step from being heir to Dorne. She also have a lot of children and should be mature and responsible enough to not want to drag Dorne into war. She also should know better then to talk to Doran like that.

    Ellaria show character is a combination of Arianne (the main antagonist to Doran), Darkstar (wants to kill Myrcella), Obara and Sand Snakes (got Obara´s lines and SS confrontation with Doran, which should have been used for their introduction). It does not work at all, it only prevented a good introduction to SS and maybe even an inclusion of Arianne.

  68. Hodor Targaryen,

    You misunderstood me. I wasn’t criticizing them standing and having dialogue. The cliche I was talking about is the idea “what is the villain doing when no one is THERE for them to monologue at?” With Thanos you get the impression that prior to the scene where he talks, he was just sitting there on his throne all day doing nothing.

    I like the fact that on Game of Thrones the Iron Throne is usually empty. Why would a king want to just sit (or stand) around all day doing nothing? Yes, when they’re actually talking to someone, it’s fine. But the rest of their day ought to be spent, you know, writing letters, hanging out with friends, hunting, raising their kids, sex, whatever…if you get the impression that all a character does all day is wait for someone to show up so they can monologue at them, that’s the cliche I’m talking about.

  69. GaiusB:
    mau,

    Ellaria is weaker character for wanting the war then SS. She is not Doran´s relative and she isnt one step from being heir to Dorne. She also have a lot of children and should be mature and responsible enough to not want to drag Dorne into war. She also should know better then to talk to Doran like that.

    It doesen’t matter if she is a bastrad and if she isn’t Doran’s relative. Dorne is tolerant place and she was “wife” of the second most powerful man in Dorne.

    That allows her some influence.

    She should be mature and responsible enough to don’t want a war? But grown men start wars, not children. Everywhere and always.

    She is in post traumatic shock, after what happen to Oberyn. Ellaria is not mentally stable any more.

  70. The scene was awkward and stilted, and it felt as though one of them would turn to the camera at some point and talk to the audience. The Obara story felt unrelated and the goose – stepping in curly toed boots was odd. They could have done a much better introduction, it was more like a gathering for a family photo.

    I like Jessica Henwick and I think Nymeria will be the intelligence of the group.

    Pedro Pascal had a presence unlikely to be matched. ‘I Will Be Your Champion’ is easily one of the best scenes of the series. Provided the torch doesn’t set him on fire. 😉

    I think Doran is promising, and I’m guessing that when we see interactions between him and the SS is when the good stuff will present itself.

  71. I know a lot of people lament Arianne not appearing in the show. While I know for many she was their favorite Dornish character, she was actually my least favorite. While I did love the idea of a female legitimately being able to inherit, which is more about Dornish Law than it is the character, I found her to be a little too “attractive heiress who thinks her father is going to cut her out, so she proceeds to try and make problems for her father to get back at him.” With the richness of so many of the characters Martin created, she just seemed too typical, I suppose.

    I’d love to hear from anyone who is willing what it was about her character which made many love her so much.

  72. It seems that there are plenty of excellent editors, writers and film makers in the fanbase. Pity that D&D do not take advantage of this. In any case the scene was as normal as it could be. I didn’t see any monstrous inconsistencies. Ellaria is summoned to meet the Sand Snakes who have captured the captain of Jaimies ship. The sun is scorching and dangerous and Ellaria is not flying from Dorne, hence the tent. Ellaria arrives and the Sand Snakes inform her about Jaimies arrival. Ellaria having been disappointed by Dorans reactions so far ellabotates her own revenge-agenda and the Sand Snakes who obviously loved their father agree to follow. I don’t understand the problem with the accents which of course are artificial and non existent. I mean it is not as if there is an established Dorne accent. So much of a drama out of nothing

  73. A Man Grown,

    Oh okay I get what you’re saying now. Eh, it seemed clear to me that Ellaria had gathered them and they were waiting for her to come back with Doran’s response. I get what you are saying now though, sorry for my confusion.

  74. GaiusB,

    You know, I’m trying to imagine what other families would do in the Martell’s situation. To me it seems like going to war after a family member has been killed is a natural reaction in Westeros, no matter the circumstances of the death. I can see Tywin making an agressive action towards any family that made his look weak, no matter how “legal” the murder.

    So.let’s stop.pretending Ellaria is acting particularly immature when she wants Dorne to go to war against the Lannisters. Going to war to avenge the death of a family member, and showing the world you are not a House to be fucked with, is what a lot of people would do in Ellaria’s situation. It’s Doran who is remarkable in his restraint.

  75. Hodor Targaryen,

    Yeah it’s all good, I was mostly listing things that bothered me personally, if they didn’t bother most people that’s okay. Overall ep 4 made me worry more about Dave Hill than about the Sand Snakes.

    More on topic to the post, Jessica Henwick seems quite charming in that rapid-fire-questions video.

  76. Paraphrasing Groucho Marx,

    “Do you die? Do you get naked?…answer the second question first.”

  77. mau: I don’t really uderstand what is the problem with love stories in this show that some fans have?

    Robb & Talisa, Shae & Tyrion, Daario & Dany, Missandei & Grey Worm,….

    You only want death and rape?

    I think problem with all of those for many fans is that either the romances do not exist in the books (Robb&Talisa, Grey Worm&Missadei) or they are more sex than anything else in the books at least (Tyrion&Shae, Dany, Daario). And the characters in these romances are not liked very much and maybe they got too much screentime as well. At least those are the reasons I have heard and why I do not like any of the romances that much. I would like romance right now and this could be nice and cute and it has some basis in the books at least so book purist most likely won’t mind much. But if their romance will be given too much time or it will look cheesy to some people there will be complaints.

  78. Jessica/Nym was already my favorite sand snake, in the very brief scene. But that video made her seem pretty cool and fairly knowledgeable about the show. Nymeria, ftw.

  79. Like so many others who are enjoying the show… I’m reserving judgement on the SS until I have seen more of them.
    I trust the casting and the producers considering they have to streamline 2 ponderous books and keep the story moving.

    I will say there could have been a better way to introduce the three SS and give each of them their own personality, basically by having Ellaria pick up Nym from a library location, Tyene from a brothel, meeting up with Obara in a training yard. Then all 3 of them gathering outside Sunspear’s walls.

    (I know book-readers will find this solution cheesy but to the TV only audience they would place distinctions on “That’s the studious one, that’s the sexy one, that’s the warrior one, but they’re all dangerous)

    I’m a little perplexed by them gaining the information from the Pentoshi Captain about Jamie been in Dorne and then further torturing and killing him (could they not have just taken him straight to Doran to prove the Lannisters/Crown are breaking their pact?) but I’ll go with the flow til I see more.

  80. Here Be Dragons,

    Your idea of Ellaria picking her daughter from a brothel is funny and very HBO. If we can not have an introduction similar to books i would prefer your version. Atleast all SS would get their personality before their fight against Jaime/Bronn.

    I have no issue with SS, casting, locations, costumes, accents. Only with the introduction scene, which i found very weak. I really liked their book introduction, imagine how would Jon Snow fans feel if the writers let Janos Slynt trip over something and fall down from the Wall instead of the execution…..

  81. The Bastard, and
    Rudie,

    I was mostly being facetious, but OK. Not sure why THAT part of my comment is what got your attention… It is worth questioning, as Sue had said early on in this comment thread, why they are being criticized for exactly the same thing Oberyn was lauded for last season.

    The important part I hoped to convey is that everyone who is freaking out about these girls should hold off until end of season. We have no idea what the show runners or writers have in store for them. They may very well become beloved characters on the show (or not). I think most people are in agreement that the execution of this scene left something to be desired.

  82. That scene with the Sand Snakes and Ellaria was horrible. They should of just given us Arianne Martell instead of that nonesense.

  83. GaiusB,

    But I thought Nymeria Was Ellaria’s daughter???

    See? …even I get my Sand Snakes mixed up 😀

    It is very HBO but had they filmed those 3 scenes (and they wouldn’t have need more than 15secs each) they could have had each girl in the foreground of the shot and Ellaria appearing in the background and without saying a word, we get to see each one’s reactions to the silent call of “We must Gather”

  84. Hodor Targaryen,

    Thats a great reference. Also many of the characters are supposed to be well traveled, so it’s natural for them to have picked up language nuances. I’m one of those people watching GoT for the story, no ones accents bother me.

  85. LOL at Nym’s answer to “Who she would kiss?
    -Oberyn… I hope that’s not too weird?”

    On any other show it would…

  86. A Man Grown,

    To me it just sounded like someone who overdid the Spanish-like emphasis on the last “a”… and I kinda liked it as a play off of Oberyn’s near-Chilean accent from last season.

    I can’t wait to see how they develop the SSs.

  87. Al Swearengen,

    Keisha failed on so many levels.

    That speech. That spear throw. Way too much try-hardness. I felt like I was watching one of those cliche, low budget yearly action movie franchises.

  88. Yeah, Jessica Henwick is adorable, but calling all people who disliked them trolls is the real insult. I guess the entire Dorne story this season will be the first 2 Arianne chapters… boring. Will we get anything close to Doran’s line??? I was thinking they were just going to shift stuff to Trystane but maybe I was wrong…..

  89. Here Be Dragons,

    I’m a book reader and I don’t find the solution cheesy. It’s the idea of “show don’t tell” and that’s exactly what I TV show should do most of the time.

    Here Be Dragons: I’m a little perplexed by them gaining the information from the Pentoshi Captain about Jamie been in Dorne and then further torturing and killing him (could they not have just taken him straight to Doran to prove the Lannisters/Crown are breaking their pact?)

    Well, what pact? I don’t remember anything about the Lannisters not being allowed to visit Dorne. And even if it were a breaking of a pact of some kind, I really doubt Doran would start a war over it.

Comments are closed.