Game of Thrones, Season 4 (For book readers; Spoilers welcome)

It's become a little too difficult for book readers to discuss the show without giving stuff away and ruining it for the non-book readers, so I figured I'd start another thread so people have the option to discuss things we want to see, what's to come, etc. The starting point for this thread begins with The Laws of Gods and Men.

SPOILERS TO FOLLOW.




Holy shit, I can't wait to see Prince Oberyn and The Mountain throw down in the Trial by Combat.

 

That is exactly the aspect of the story that makes me agree with you that this is a good time for a thread for those of us who have read the books, those who are reading the books or those who don't care about spoilers.

Tywin said he would arrange for Oberyn to "meet" with the Mountain, so it's not like they haven't foreshadowed this fight on the show. Also, we've seen what looks like part of the fight in the trailers for this season. I'm hoping they take the result straight from the books, too.

 

I think they've got to take it from the books. As much as I love Oberyn as a character (and I think he's been perfectly cast) it's a great twist.

I feel like The Mountain has been a little underdeveloped in the show I wonder if non-book readers could even tell you who The Hound's brother was at this point. It's going to be bad ass when they throw down (we haven't had a great 1-on-1 duel in awhile). I'm curious to see how they handle the Dorne stuff, since they haven't introduced any of those characters, and some of that plot is sort of meh in the books. I wonder if they'll even bother with the Arys Oakheart-tries-to-help-Myrcella-escape stuff.

 

Yeah, the Mountain has not really been played up at all on the show. They've had some deviations from the book here recently, but they've all been kind of diversions that bring the storyline back to the overall plot eventually. Changing the result of this fight would be much bigger than any changes they've made so far.

 

Isn't the Mountain also one of the characters that they have changed the actor playing him?

 

Yes, the Mountain has been recast. The new guy looks like he came straight from the WWE.

As far as Dorne goes, I feel like it'll be brought into the show pretty closely to how its portrayed in the books. They've already mentioned quite a few aspects of it: Myrcella, the sand snakes and Doran Martell. After Oberyn's eventual fate it'll be hard not to travel to Dorne.

 

I just want to know how StaggerLee guessed the matchup. If I hadn't read the books, I wouldn't have guessed the Mountain in a million years.

EDIT: Probably from the episode title, you dumbass.

 

Four episodes left, and a lot of ground to cover even to get through A Storm of Swords.

I figure there's one episode that will be entirely devoted to the battle at the wall, the redhead's death, Stannis' arrival there and Jon Snow's ascension to Lord Commander (I figure that will be episode 9).

But you've also got:

Oberyn vs. The Mountain and Littlefinger pushes Lysa out the window (next week, I guess)

Tyrion kills Tywin and Shea and escapes (probably season finale, but maybe sooner)

The Hound is wounded and dies, Arya leaves for Braavos

Daenarys gets rid of Jorah Mormont

The BIG REVEAL with Catelyn Stark

In addition, I'm guessing they'll take the Ramsay/Reek/Iron Islanders stuff a little farther down the road with stuff out of Books 4 and/or 5, as well as maybe the Bran storyline.

And that doesn't even count all the non-book stuff they'll throw in with the White Walkers.

 

Based on episode titles, Lysa is taking her trip out the Moon Door this week. We'll get trial by combat in episode 8 and the battle at the Wall in episode 9. The last episode should have a lot of loose ends to tie up, as you mention, but it's called "The Children," which probably means Bran and the twins will journey to the headquarters of House Keebler.

 

It feels like too much to cover in four eps. I have to think some stuff gets pushed. My guess would be: Lady Stoneheart (unless it's the finale), Jon becomes Lord Commander (that definitely seems like next year stuff).

 

Last season aside, they tend to go supernatural for the end-of-season cliffhangers. I could definitely see Lady Stoneheart there.

 

I'm guessing episode 10 is half Tyrion's escape, including him shooting Tywin and ending with him on the way to Essos.

Lady Stoneheart as the final scene of the season seems incredibly likely to me.

Holy fuck am I looking forward to seeing Lysa go out the Moon Door this week.