Game of Thrones Season 5 (book spoilers)

[Ziggy Stardust]

6. Well, the whole Theon and Sansa changes ended up exactly as I feared. Theon saves Sansa, it ends on an ambiguous note, and Sansa's agency is mostly stripped away - he rescues her. Ugh. Again, good riddance to this season.

I don't think it's completely fair to say her agency was stripped away. After all, she WAS active this episode in trying to get away. Yes, Reek HELPED her escape, but it's not like Sansa was just sighing and fainting at all the hubbub or anything. The way their storylines were headed it was inevitable that Reek "becomes" Theon again and helps her, anyway, so I think they handled it well. Sansa broke out of her cell, lit the candle in the tower, and was trying to find a way out, then Theon helps her. I just don't think it's entirely fair to focus only on the part where Theon helps and say she was just a generic damsel in distress.

[Pelranius]

Looks like Trystane's a goner. Cersei will have him executed once the ship gets back to Kings Landing, which might disgust Jaime enough so that he goes wandering off into the Riverlands.

[Kingmaker]

Wasn't the whole point of Dorne to do something other than have Jamie wandering in the Riverlands?

[Pelranius]

Wasn't the whole point of Dorne to do something other than have Jamie wandering in the Riverlands?

It seemed to be, but I don't know why they couldn't do the Riverlands in the first place (surely it can't be too hard to have Edmere, Walder, Blackfish and the rest of the gang show up again?).

Definitely seems like Lady Stoneheart is cut for good *insert The Strain joke*.

[Guardsman Bass]

Given that they didn't show his death and Kit Harrington's been saying he won't be around for Season 6, I'm inclined to think that Brienne didn't kill Stannis. Instead, we'll get a storyline of them finding Sansa and Theon, making their way back to the Wall, and then doing . . . .something until Jon gets revived and the Others destroy the Wall. Maybe Stannis will take the black, since he has nothing else (and it would make him the 999th Commander of the Night's Watch once whoever replaces Jon is dead *cough* *cough* Ser Alliser Thorne).

It seemed to be, but I don't know why they couldn't do the Riverlands in the first place (surely it can't be too hard to have Edmere, Walder, Blackfish and the rest of the gang show up again?).

The costs would have been prohibitive. You'd also be stuck with the problem of what to do with Myrcella, since there's no other reason for the Dornish storyline to exist after they excised fAegon.

Looks like Trystane's a goner. Cersei will have him executed once the ship gets back to Kings Landing, which might disgust Jaime enough so that he goes wandering off into the Riverlands.

I don't think Jaime is leaving King's Landing when he gets back. Cersei is almost certainly going to send Gregorstein after Margaery and the Tyrells, killing them while accidentally killing Tommen in the process. When Jaime gets back, he'll mercy-kill her and then likely commit suicide just before Daenerys & Friends show up.

[Pelranius]

Given that they didn't show his death and Kit Harrington's been saying he won't be around for Season 6, I'm inclined to think that Brienne didn't kill Stannis. Instead, we'll get a storyline of them finding Sansa and Theon, making their way back to the Wall, and then doing . . . .something until Jon gets revived and the Others destroy the Wall. Maybe Stannis will take the black, since he has nothing else (and it would make him the 999th Commander of the Night's Watch once whoever replaces Jon is dead *cough* *cough* Ser Alliser Thorne).

Stannis taking the black does seem likely, but he's probably the only decent battle commander in the North now. Guess Jon will have to find someone else to help him with the second Dance of the Dragons if that happens in place of the Faegon plot.

It seemed to be, but I don't know why they couldn't do the Riverlands in the first place (surely it can't be too hard to have Edmere, Walder, Blackfish and the rest of the gang show up again?).

The costs would have been prohibitive. You'd also be stuck with the problem of what to do with Myrcella, since there's no other reason for the Dornish storyline to exist after they excised fAegon.

Hmm, I don't know if the Riverlands would be more substantively expensive to film (Bradley, Tobias Menzies and Clive Russell probably aren't that expensive, though they are pretty busy with The Strain, Outlander and Ripper Street).

As for Myrcella, maybe she and Trystane could have just showed up in KL's in Season Six with little explanation (though I would have rather had some adaption of the Queenmaker plot instead of that Ellaria and the Princess Xena cosplayers nonsense).

Looks like Trystane's a goner. Cersei will have him executed once the ship gets back to Kings Landing, which might disgust Jaime enough so that he goes wandering off into the Riverlands.

I don't think Jaime is leaving King's Landing when he gets back. Cersei is almost certainly going to send Gregorstein after Margaery and the Tyrells, killing them while accidentally killing Tommen in the process. When Jaime gets back, he'll mercy-kill her and then likely commit suicide just before Daenerys & Friends show up.

Well, they strangely cut the Valonqar part of Maggy's prophecy out. It would be nice for Jaime and Tyrion to met up one last time (though their show relationship has been inverted from the book one, if you take Jaime's words about cutting Tyrion in half in Season Five Episode Two at face value).

[Vympel]

Personally I'm pretty sure Stannis is dead. I can't imagine he would ever take the black.

[General Zod]

Is it just me or does it feel like they really didn't accomplish as much in this season as they did in the other seasons as far as story progress goes?

[General Zod]

And I didn't realize there were two separate threads for the show and the book. Whoops.

[Pelranius]

Personally I'm pretty sure Stannis is dead. I can't imagine he would ever take the black.

I just can't understand them cutting to black and not showing the actual coup de grace by Brienne. I think Stannis is likely dead, but the show hasn't been shy about showing major characters getting actually killed (unless you count Ned Stark).

If Stannis somehow isn't dead, I think we'll have to put up with him, Brienne, Podrick, Sansa and Theon running back to the Wall (or Last Hearth?) ahead of Ramsay's dogs, which sounds like wacky shenanigans but in execution, will probably turn into Porne: the Northern Edition.

[Guardsman Bass]

Personally I'm pretty sure Stannis is dead. I can't imagine he would ever take the black.

I could see him doing it, if he's alive. He's got nothing else - his family is dead, his army is half-deserted and half-destroyed, his claim is now completely defunct. He still has a sense of duty, though.

[Terralthra]

Now I'm imagining Stannis as Frederic from The Pirates of Penzance.

[Thanas]

I just can't understand them cutting to black and not showing the actual coup de grace by Brienne. I think Stannis is likely dead, but the show hasn't been shy about showing major characters getting actually killed (unless you count Ned Stark).

Because there was nothing to say about this. Remember this episode was directed by David Nutter. There was nothing gained in seeing Stannis blood squirt everywhere, he was allowed a graceful death with dignity.

Of course, he may just as well be not dead, but I don't see the story purpose in that.

[Simon_Jester]

The idea of having Stannis, with nothing to live for, take the black, would be interestingly compelling.

[Thanas]

I think his death fits his arc - the one who sacrifices integrity and compassion for the throne gets killed by the character with integrity and compassion. Even more, it shows nicely what happens if you delude yourself into being a false messiah despite knowing that you are not it. In his end, he rediscovers duty and surrenders to it.

[Ziggy Stardust]

For Stannis to be alive, it means Brienne either let him live (which would be a sudden and random change of character) or he somehow survives the injury (which, considering what we've seen of Brienne's strength, is also incredibly unlikely). What plausible in-universe reason is there for Brienne not to kill him there?

[Solauren]

Let's see:
Jon Snow: Kit could be trying to throw us all a curve-ball. Remember George Martin said when they approached him about the series, they had to figure out who Jon Snows' mother is. (Likely the fan theory about him in the books is true). OR he might not be back next season (like Bran has been offscreen),and come back in Season 7, or 'Jon Snow' is dead, and he'll take a new name.
My personal theory is Spoiler

Melissandra will revive him,and in the process discover he's not Ned Stark's son, he's Ned's nephew, and he's the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targareyon, and likely the Prince that was Promised.

Stannis: Likely dead. The only way I can see Brienne not killing him is if she thinks him suffering would be better, or something physically stopping her.

Sansa/Reik: Saw this comming. Sansa snapped Theon back to being himself while she was trying to escape. He offered her a 'let's sink or swim together' option, and hey, that's a double slap to Ramsey.

Arya: No surprises on her compared to books. She'll be fine long term.

Jamie/Mycella/Dorne: Jamie should be screaming 'turn the ship around', and their is likely a cure. The Sand Snakes now have leverage over Jamie and Prince Martel.

Cersei: Oh, she's going to show the High Septum the true meaning of Wrath when she gets the chance. i.e see a Trial by Combat in the near future.
The people of King's landing might get some revenge.

The High Septum: He has no idea what's really coming for them.

City of Mereen: The new rulers of the city sound like a sitcom. Good luck tracking your Queen down, DRAGONS FLY DUMB ASS

The Mother of Dragons: Nice point dropping the jewelry. Hope you can talk your way out of this.

[streetad]

What if, when GRRM asked the show people who Jon Snows mother is, the answer that got them the job was 'It doesn't matter, he's dead'?

[Ralin]

What plausible in-universe reason is there for Brienne not to kill him there?

Stannis's last line reminded Brienne that her duty is to protect the Stark children, not to take revenge?

Best I've heard anyway

[Vympel]

Because there was nothing to say about this. Remember this episode was directed by David Nutter. There was nothing gained in seeing Stannis blood squirt everywhere, he was allowed a graceful death with dignity.

Correct. Nutter was asked about it and said "it would've been gratuitous". I know that might sound odd to some re: GOT, but it makes sense given the gravitas of the character.

[Ralin]

Because there was nothing to say about this. Remember this episode was directed by David Nutter. There was nothing gained in seeing Stannis blood squirt everywhere, he was allowed a graceful death with dignity.

Correct. Nutter was asked about it and said "it would've been gratuitous". I know that might sound odd to some re: GOT, but it makes sense given the gravitas of the character.

Seems odd that they wouldn't show a few seconds of blood trickling across the ground from off screen, but I guess I can see it.

[Thanas]

Nutter, one of the best directors in the business, has always been about letting the audience infer things and not shoving them into the faces of the watchers.

[Mr Bean]

Nutter, one of the best directors in the business, has always been about letting the audience infer things and not shoving them into the faces of the watchers.

Which is a problem since A Song of Ice and Fire which GoT is based on is famous for misdirects for cutting away from characters just before they "die" only to show up again later. The after action discussion is 50% Is John Snow really dead and Is Stannis really dead, even if you don't show the kill you could show her cleaning the sword or sheathing it or just the sound effect.

[Thanas]

I don't see the problem - if no Stannis appears in the next season, he is dead, if not, more power to Stephen Dillane.

Though I kinda hope he is dead so that they might finally get around to season 2 of The Tunnel.

[Pelranius]

Nutter, one of the best directors in the business, has always been about letting the audience infer things and not shoving them into the faces of the watchers.

That makes a lot of sense, after looking back at his other work

*Goes off to find where he can find the Tunnel in the US, and curses FX for cancelling the Bridge*

What if, when GRRM asked the show people who Jon Snows mother is, the answer that got them the job was 'It doesn't matter, he's dead'?

Well, I think that D&D-GRRM conversation happened before 2011.