Game of Thrones Season 4 Discussion (TV Spoilers Only)

[TheHammer]

To come back to a bit of a tangent, Seeing Janos Slint now entrenched with the Nights Watch, I was curious as to how exactly he was both stripped of his title of Harenhal (later given to Baelish) and then compelled to take the Black by Tyrion in the first place. There didn't seem to be any "legal" justification for this presented in the show, merely Tyrion's own disgust for Slint's killing of bastard children. Was he in fact charged with a crime there or does the hand of the king have power to do that sort of thing, even against a lord of the court?

[Mr Bean]

To come back to a bit of a tangent, Seeing Janos Slint now entrenched with the Nights Watch, I was curious as to how exactly he was both stripped of his title of Harenhal (later given to Baelish) and then compelled to take the Black by Tyrion in the first place. There didn't seem to be any "legal" justification for this presented in the show, merely Tyrion's own disgust for Slint's killing of bastard children. Was he in fact charged with a crime there or does the hand of the king have power to do that sort of thing, even against a lord of the court?

In show and book he was banished for the same reason. He's a commoner not worth the title bestowed on him and the gold cloaks were a den of corruption. All in all he was a shit and if Tyrion had not banished him then Tywin would have had him killed for the real reason he was sent packing.

Helping Ned Stark lose his head.
The last thing.. the VERY last thing Tywin wanted was what Joffery did and Slint helped. He helped in not stopping it and he physically helped by personally pushing Ned's head into place and holding it their while Payne took off his head.

[Ralin]

To come back to a bit of a tangent, Seeing Janos Slint now entrenched with the Nights Watch, I was curious as to how exactly he was both stripped of his title of Harenhal (later given to Baelish) and then compelled to take the Black by Tyrion in the first place. There didn't seem to be any "legal" justification for this presented in the show, merely Tyrion's own disgust for Slint's killing of bastard children. Was he in fact charged with a crime there or does the hand of the king have power to do that sort of thing, even against a lord of the court?

1) Yes, because no one gives a fuck about Janos Slynt

2) In practice it was "Have the people with weapons who obey Tyrion's orders hustle Slynt off to a ship which leaves before anyone has the chance to object." Then Tyrion turns around and tells everyone that Janos Slynt totally chose to take the black and renounce Harrenhall, which he can do because Slynt is not there to disagree and also see 1.

And once he was at the Wall he really didn't have a whole lot of options. He doesn't have money or a ship, he has no friends where he is now and there was probably someone escorting him who told whichever Night's Watch officer he was handed off to that they should please kill him if he refuses to say the words, a favor which the Night's Watch has no reason not to perform for the Hand of the King if Slynt does not say the words and thereby make himself useful.

[TheHammer]

To come back to a bit of a tangent, Seeing Janos Slint now entrenched with the Nights Watch, I was curious as to how exactly he was both stripped of his title of Harenhal (later given to Baelish) and then compelled to take the Black by Tyrion in the first place. There didn't seem to be any "legal" justification for this presented in the show, merely Tyrion's own disgust for Slint's killing of bastard children. Was he in fact charged with a crime there or does the hand of the king have power to do that sort of thing, even against a lord of the court?

1) Yes, because no one gives a fuck about Janos Slynt

2) In practice it was "Have the people with weapons who obey Tyrion's orders hustle Slynt off to a ship which leaves before anyone has the chance to object." Then Tyrion turns around and tells everyone that Janos Slynt totally chose to take the black and renounce Harrenhall, which he can do because Slynt is not there to disagree and also see 1.

And once he was at the Wall he really didn't have a whole lot of options. He doesn't have money or a ship, he has no friends where he is now and there was probably someone escorting him who told whichever Night's Watch officer he was handed off to that they should please kill him if he refuses to say the words, a favor which the Night's Watch has no reason not to perform for the Hand of the King if Slynt does not say the words and thereby make himself useful.

That's a fair enough explanation I guess lol.

[Vympel]

I also recall in the books that Tywin was thoroughly disgusted at the notion of the son of a butcher (Slynt) being given Harrenhal - a seat of kings. Of course Petyr Baelish getting it and becoming Lord Paramount of the Trident is hardly much better, given his family's low position.

[Ralin]

I also recall in the books that Tywin was thoroughly disgusted at the notion of the son of a butcher (Slynt) being given Harrenhal - a seat of kings. Of course Petyr Baelish getting it and becoming Lord Paramount of the Trident is hardly much better, given his family's low position.

Littlefinger had proven himself smart and useful to a degree that Slynt never had. I don't think that Tywin's disgust at that should be taken to mean that he was completely opposed to upward mobility among the aristocracy.

[Elfdart]

Ah crap! No Game of Thrones tomorrow night!

[Elfdart]

As a consolation prize, Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen pass a doobie and comment on last week's episode:

[Vympel]

That's so random.

[TheHammer]

I've got to say I didn't really expect that ending. One of the few bigger moments I didn't inadvertently spoil lol.

[The Vortex Empire]

And that is why you don't waste time talking while fighting a giant man.

[Iroscato]

Yeah that ending was...abrupt. As soon as Oberyn got distracted by his mounting rage, I knew he was a dead man

[Kingmaker]

He'll probably be fine.

[Ralin]

Hit all the really important lines and notes. Felt like Oberyn should have had a bit more rage in his voice, which they'd played up Ser Gregor's arrival and built him up more in the preceding four seasons, but really I'm just stoked that the show finally had a good fight scene.

[Meest]

Liked majority of it, the fight was a bit of a letdown on the Mountain part, didn't look threatening just bumbling. Also his armour wasn't full blown plate or that intimidating and no shield, could have added some additional non lethal hits. Rest was great especially Sansa channeling some Arya quality acting. One other gripe is how lightly defended Mole town is, one person going to a well getting taken out by stealth was enough for them to charge in. Would think brothels would have more bodyguards and just more watchmen in general for a "town" compared to farming village.

[Vympel]

Liked majority of it, the fight was a bit of a letdown on the Mountain part, didn't look threatening just bumbling. Also his armour wasn't full blown plate or that intimidating and no shield, could have added some additional non lethal hits. Rest was great especially Sansa channeling some Arya quality acting. One other gripe is how lightly defended Mole town is, one person going to a well getting taken out by stealth was enough for them to charge in. Would think brothels would have more bodyguards and just more watchmen in general for a "town" compared to farming village.

The Mountain's armor is identical to what he wore in Season 1 (except for that semi-open-face helm) and Season 2 (except he had no pauldrons in Season 2), so I'm not surprised they didn't change it.

Anyway:-

Well. Dude's head exploded by a watermelon. And those screams. Poor Oberyn. Knew it was coming of course, but sad all the same. Friend I was watching it with (Unsullied) knew something was off, kept telling Oberyn to shut the fuck up and just kill him, thinking Gregor was going to pick the sword back up.

The scene of the Bolton army marching to Winterfell filled me with loathing. Fucking Boltons.

Arya's laugher was funny. I have to wonder why no one bat an eyelid at the Hound saying he was with Arya Stark. You'd think they'd swarm on them.

Would've preferred if Jorah left Meereen in his S1/S2 plate armor / or just the clothing. His leaving with the armor he had from Season 3 (with dragon motif on the pauldrons) seemed inappropriate.

Loved the look of Moat Caitlin - including the credits.

EDIT: Lord Royce is a boss.

[SCRawl]

Well. Dude's head exploded by a watermelon.

For me the moment was when he took that punch to the face. It sounded like a handful of Chiclets hitting the pavement.

Arya's laugher was funny. I have to wonder why no one bat an eyelid at the Hound saying he was with Arya Stark. You'd think they'd swarm on them.

At the very least, someone ought to have thought about the hundred silver Stags awaiting the one who could produce the Hound's body to Tywin. I know that they're isolated in the Vale, but geez, that kind of news tends to travel fast.

[tim31]

WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO THAT GUY'S HEAD?

[TheHammer]

At the very least, someone ought to have thought about the hundred silver Stags awaiting the one who could produce the Hound's body to Tywin. I know that they're isolated in the Vale, but geez, that kind of news tends to travel fast.

Well the episode also highlights that there is significant anti-Lannister sentiment in the Vale. That alone might slow the spread of word if the official sources of news refused to spread it. And certainly there is nothing to suggest that someone wont attempt to cash in on that bounty at some point.

[Elfdart]

Apparently George Martin watched a lot of pro wrestling. The guy gets killed because he was preening for the crowd? Lame. Inigo Montoya had the most dumbassed death since Ned Stark. Anyway, I guess ties go to the prosecution in trials by combat (I mean, The Mountain is dead, right?). Tyrion is fucked, barring a jailbreak.



Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You raped my sister, then killed her and her kids. Prepare to watch me die like a fucking retard!

What's the deal with Arya laughing? Did she know her aunt was crazy or is she turning into a deranged killer? I hope she, Sansa and The Hound take turns dangling the Pimp out the moon door next episode.

Too bad the Night Watch don't have that green napalm. Or Stannis and his newly bought mercenaries on speed-dial. Not only is Ygriite unlikely to kiss and make up with Jon Snow (no matter how well he eats pussy on his first try), but she doesn't look like she'll settle for shooting him in the leg this time either. She and thousands of other Wildlings. The Watch only has 100 men -led by an asshole.

Poor Grey Worm!

“Me too!” — the Internet

Amen! — Elfdart

Notes: Missandei is only 10 years old in the books, which is why books are garbage and you should never read them.

And now we come to the character with the bluest balls of all. I figured this was coming when Selmy turned up last season and they played the clip from the first season where he's spying for Varys. Jorah made the same mistake many spies do in fiction: he fell in love with the person he was spying on. Now he's unemployed unemployable. Unless he wants to join the Watch, that is. No one in their right mind would trust him. Maybe if someone busts Tyrion out of jail, he and Jorah can get together.

I notice that so far no one has mentioned Catelin Stark's uncle who went for a pee at the Red Wedding. Was he killed too or is he still out there?

[SCRawl]

I guess ties go to the prosecution in trials by combat (I mean, The Mountain is dead, right?). Tyrion is fucked, barring a jailbreak.

He's not dead yet. Anyway he's still breathing at the end of the fight, whereas Oberyn clearly isn't.

What's the deal with Arya laughing? Did she know her aunt was crazy or is she turning into a deranged killer?

I think she's laughing at the Hound. Everywhere he keeps trying to shop Arya around the prospective buyer keeps dying.

I notice that so far no one has mentioned Catelin Stark's uncle who went for a pee at the Red Wedding. Was he killed too or is he still out there?

Only his tobacconist knows for sure.

[Ralin]

The guy gets killed because he was preening for the crowd?

Not just preening. He wanted more than Ser Gregor dead; he wanted justice for his sister. And that meant getting Ser Rapes-A-Lot to confess and name the guy who did it. If he just wanted the guy dead there were better ways to go about making that happen. Remember, Oberyn had been smoldering over this for the better part of two decades. And really, who but Ser Gregor could have done something like that after taking a spear through the gut?

[TheHammer]

Apparently George Martin watched a lot of pro wrestling. The guy gets killed because he was preening for the crowd? Lame. Inigo Montoya had the most dumbassed death since Ned Stark. Anyway, I guess ties go to the prosecution in trials by combat (I mean, The Mountain is dead, right?). Tyrion is fucked, barring a jailbreak.

Unknown if the Mountain is dead. Do ties go to the prosecution? lol Considering the death sentence was already pronounced I'm guessing it doesn't matter if he is alive or not, but would not be surprised to find he's still alive. Obviously he was playing possum hoping Oberyn would get close enough to get his hands on him (which happened), so he might not have been as wounded as he made out, although he was almost certainly exhausted.

Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You raped my sister, then killed her and her kids. Prepare to watch me die like a fucking retard!

Oberyn was buzzed up on Wine, overcome by ever building rage, and not thinking in the clearest of thoughts. But it seems to me that there was a method to his madness. He wanted the mountain to admit that Tywin Lannister ordered him to kill his sister and her children. Thus exposing Tywin's lie that he had nothing to do with it, and justifying what was likely to be a spear through Tywin's heart.

What's the deal with Arya laughing? Did she know her aunt was crazy or is she turning into a deranged killer? I hope she, Sansa and The Hound take turns dangling the Pimp out the moon door next episode.

To be fair, I don't believe Ayra had ever even met her aunt. After all, Sansa had only just met her and didn't hesitate to cover up for the pimp in her murder (understandably so). And I think she was laughing at the Irony of it all. How each relative she goes to see, where she will be "safe", is killed one after another. And Sansa and the Pimp are becoming fast allies (and possibly more), along with the other lords of the Vale.

Too bad the Night Watch don't have that green napalm. Or Stannis and his newly bought mercenaries on speed-dial. Not only is Ygriite unlikely to kiss and make up with Jon Snow (no matter how well he eats pussy on his first try), but she doesn't look like she'll settle for shooting him in the leg this time either. She and thousands of other Wildlings. The Watch only has 100 men -led by an asshole.

Considering that Ser Davos left off last season urging Stannis to send support to the wall, and considering the Red Woman's support for the initiative (going so far as to say that was the "real war"), I fully expect Stannis to save the Night's watch bacon at some point.

And now we come to the character with the bluest balls of all. I figured this was coming when Selmy turned up last season and they played the clip from the first season where he's spying for Varys. Jorah made the same mistake many spies do in fiction: he fell in love with the person he was spying on. Now he's unemployed unemployable. Unless he wants to join the Watch, that is. No one in their right mind would trust him. Maybe if someone busts Tyrion out of jail, he and Jorah can get together.

I notice that so far no one has mentioned Catelin Stark's uncle who went for a pee at the Red Wedding. Was he killed too or is he still out there?

We've also not heard much about the Brotherhood without banners. Didn't Roose and Frey discuss the Blackfish escaping towards the begining of the season (or the end of season 3)? Even if not, I'm presuming everyone is still alive until I see a body. Hopefully we'll get a glimpse of what's going on with those groups before the season is out.

[Elfdart]

The actress who plays Brienne of Tarth was just hired for Star Wars 7.

[Thanas]

The Mountain fight scene utterly reinforced my argument that the guy could be beaten by a well-skilled fighter. If only Oberyn had not been so stupid....

I mean, the Mountain's opening attack was so mind-boggingly stupid....his whole fighting style was swinging and missing....Ugh. Barristan would have eaten him for breakfast.