Apr 24, 2012
Episode 75: Garden of Bones
Episode 75 for the week of April 22th, in which we review the fourth episode in the second season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. We create the name “Middlefinger” and Mimi tries to watch the last two scenes of Garden of Bones live for the first time, while the boys provide a narrative backdrop.
Note: No actual tables or sweatpants were harmed during the production of this podcast. R’hllor interfered with the audio quality.
In other news, Amin recently took part in another round table discussion on season 2 with John Jasmin from Tower of the Hand and others.
61 Comments, Comment or Ping
Kyle
Did I call him Richard Maddson? Oh man I just ruined any chance of Mimi convincing him to come on the podcast.
Apr 24th, 2012
Kyle
Here is Fabio’s review that I mention having read.
http://www.tvequals.com/2012/04/22/game-of-thrones-garden-of-bones-review/
Apr 25th, 2012
Careless
What’s happened to the audio quality? Was this episode recorded underwater? 🙁
Apr 24th, 2012
Amin
Perfect storm of technical difficulties: Hotel microphone and internet connection, my new microphone was still being shipped, and we had to use a backup base recorded file that had lower audio quality than usual.
Apr 24th, 2012
Amin
Hey, just to note I worked on the file a bit with some software suggested by a listener, it might sound a little bit
better now (though still not as good as usual)
Apr 24th, 2012
Rweoin
Another good solid episode, with alot of lmfao moments.
I hope you guys will invite more guests hosts in the future(Larry), to mix stuff up.
Apr 24th, 2012
Christina
I think that bald guy in the background is supposed to be Pyat Pree.
Apr 24th, 2012
Jeremy
I hope so. He certainly has the correct amount of creepy.
Apr 25th, 2012
Usurpationblitz
Good episode, but Mimi seemed a little off. She usually talks a bit more and her audio sounded a little bad. At first I thought she was just really drunk or something, but once she came back from the Shadow Baby stuff she sounded fine.
Speaking of Shadow Baby, I really liked the live reaction to it. If you’re looking for new content to put up on the Youtube page, it might be fun to watch a camera pointed at your for an entire episode and then edited down to 10 or 15 min to show some of the best stuff.
One last thing, I hope I get my question answered next week. *Tear*
Apr 24th, 2012
mimi
i was using hotel internet, so that could’ve been the issue. shame, because my mic is really good!
Apr 24th, 2012
mimi
ugh, just heard it. really awful. good thing i didn’t talk as much as usual.
Apr 24th, 2012
Exodus
The quality comes int he content not the sound. lol
Can’t wait to watch episode 4 and seem my first shadow baby :).
Apr 24th, 2012
Belwas
So Bronn has one of the best lines yet of the series and half the podcast hosts miss it? Jeez! 🙂
Apr 24th, 2012
kadayi
Good podcast, though the Ros hating got a little much after a while. Albeit the Ros/Joffery scene was a tad long, it served the purpose of emphasizing that Joffery is quite beyond the notion of mercy which made Tyrion threatening to reveal Lancels relationship with Cersei have an edge to it. As an aside, Lancel could easily pass as a Maggie Grace impersonator. The likeness is uncanny.
I’m wondering with the fact that they’ve kept the new mountain helmeted and in the Lannisters troop armour, whether he’s acting as a stand in until the original actor is freed up from his commitments with filming the Hobbit. Loved Harrenhal, and looking forward to seeing Arya play off Tywin in the coming episodes. I guess it’s fair to say that we aren’t likely to get Vargo Hoat, but in many ways I don’t see that as a major loss, though it will require some reworking of the Harrenhal storyline as the show progresses.
Was kind of surprised they bothered with the whole finger bones story. Upto now they’ve not mentioned it or shown Davos ungloved, and I’m unsure whether it would of made much sense to non readers to shove it in, or the Onion knight comment. Still the shadow baby scene was fantastic and chilling. As regards the comment about the bars, my guess is that Davos having been a smuggler was familiar with the coastline and the cave was a route he knew from before that was a good way to get ashore unseen.
Apr 24th, 2012
Ranjitb
How can we not get Vargo Hoat ?
I mean, Jamie NEEDS to lose his hand, that’s probably the central part of where his character is going.
I *suppose* you could have Roose Bolton flay his hand off or something – but then that makes the Lannister-Bolton alliance almost impossible, I mean not even Tywin is that pragmatic…or is he ?
Apr 24th, 2012
kadayi
My suspicion is that they’ll concoct a way to damage his hand rather than lop it off. From a production viewpoint missing limbs are pretty much a nightmare, especially if you’re filming on location as they will be. Your options are either dodgy looking prosthetics, or costly CGI masking. Having his fingers crushed or some such, is a much easier route to go down. I’d rather they take liberties with the story in that respect and have the money for other scenes tbh.
Apr 24th, 2012
Mike from Braavos
“the Ros hating got a little much after a while”
I couldn’t agree more. In fact, the only reason I came to the comment section was to make that point.
I love this podcast, but all the Ros hate is starting to wear me down. You guys are getting obsessed with her to the detriment of your podcast. We get it, you hate the character. I don’t like her either, but it seems like she gets FAR more time on your podcast than she does on the show.
Maybe you guys can start a weekly “We Hate Ros” podcast as a side project, and you can vent all your redundant frustration out there, and stop watering down the otherwise excellent quality of this podcast? Or maybe just rename the podcast it to “A Podcast of Ice and Fire and Ros.”
Apr 24th, 2012
Matt
I agree with you Mike about the Ros hate, she was not the focus of that scene. But I did like that Amin acknowledged that the argument that she takes away screentime from other characters is dubious at best and that he would just prefer to see a shorter episode rather than the extended cut of that scene.
Apr 24th, 2012
A Podcast of Ice and Fire
Hey everyone. Yeah, I think we went overboard with the Ros hate this episode: I know I was the worst culprit and at times we sounded like a broken record. Actually, I expected us to get burned far more than the constructive criticism we’ve gotten so far.
I think we needed an episode to get it out all there, in particular since much of our fanbase feels the same way. This was that episode. But rest assured, we don’t plan to do the same thing every episode. Though we may keep some Ros jokes, we’ll probably move Ros related rants to the aftershow section as you suggested, where people who wish to hear it can keep listening past the end music.
-Amin
Apr 24th, 2012
Leeor
I actually feel it wasn’t THAT bad, just a tad overdone.
there’s really so much to hate going around that Ros is the last thing you should be worried about. ROOSE BOLTON AT OXCROSS???????
and the mountain’s men about to torture Gendry for no reason whatsoever wonly to have him be rescued by Tywin almost makes you forget that Tywin’s grandson ordered him killed…
Apr 29th, 2012
Ranjitb
As a long time loyal listener (believe it or not, my first episode was Tyrion the Catcher Part 2) I have sat through many Night Outs, Circles of Spite, and Circles of Jerk; and while I don’t always agree with the hosts, I have loved that the podcast can take a half hour diversion in the middle of a discussion to talk about if Raticate can learn Hyperbeam.
With a growing fanbase and emphasis on the show, you guys might certainly feel a pressure to, or actually evolve towards being a “mainstream” podcast, but as Augustine pointed out, there are already enough of those out there.
I guess I’m just chiming in to say, you guys are great, and part of what makes it great is the unique flavor of the show, shocking lack of knowledge and all. So keep hatin’ and keep spitin’.
Apr 25th, 2012
mimi
apparently, raticate CAN learn hyper beam!
Apr 26th, 2012
Kadayi
No one saying don’t hate, but more don’t let is override everything else to the detriment of the podcast like it did this episode.
Apr 26th, 2012
Ser_Levi
Why the fuck is no one eating Lemon Cakes on the show?
Apr 24th, 2012
thenorthremembers
Great podcast again guys 🙂
Do you think the writer for this episode copied other ideas from movies or books previously? The rat torture from 1984 and the Ros scene reminded me of american psycho with the hookers and coat hanger :S
Love you guys
Apr 24th, 2012
LORD YELLOW SNOW
My wife and i have noticed how much fatter Ros is looking this season. that why she was not naked.
Apr 24th, 2012
kadayi
I’ve a vague idea that the actress might be pregnant. It looked like in one of the earlier episodes that she might of been hiding a baby bump (when she was showing a new girl around the brothel).
Apr 24th, 2012
Jeremy
Agreed. I poked around on the net to see if I could find anything about Esme Bianco’s being pregnant during filming, but came up empty.
Apr 25th, 2012
Jeremy
I liked the fact that not only did Harrenhal make it into the opening sequence, but there was no movement with the model. Very striking in its difference to the other opening locations.
Apr 24th, 2012
LORD YELLOW SNOW
it is a ruin. i liked how it did not move. I wonder if winterfell will do the same??
Apr 24th, 2012
kadayi
Yeah I thought that was good move as well.
Apr 24th, 2012
hodor
Great podcast, helps make work fly by.
Although I think that the only tent Loras is building with Renly is a pant’s tent.
Apr 24th, 2012
kadayi
*chortles*
Apr 24th, 2012
Lord Littlefinger
Ashley:
uh… what?
Arya was in the same position as Sansa. She ran away and escaped through the sewer.
Yeah. They’ve ruined Sandor and Littlefinger. Every week they fuck up Petyr a little more. Are there no fucking secrets in Westeros? And why the hell is he at Storms end before Renly dies? And why does Renly hate him?
Apr 24th, 2012
Lord Littlefinger
That torture was straight out of 1984.
I think they should have cast Shaquille O’Neal as the mountain
Apr 24th, 2012
Middlefinger
Havent had a chance to listen to it yet, but I feel obligated to point out that Middlefinger have posted up to several comments on episodes earlier. I have even posted in the shoutbox a few times. How dare you not know that? Shocking lack of knowlege!
Apr 24th, 2012
A Podcast of Ice and Fire
Hmm that is true, searching back in the comments here your first post was in December? Was your name inspired similarly, and if so how did you come up with the name before season 2? – I didn’t mind him in season 1, although the seeds of the change were there, I guess.
I try to give credit when I talk about something I’ve seen on the forums or elsewhere but I honestly didn’t remember seeing your name or comments. Your name either went into my subconscious or you were thinking on the same brain wave as the podcast. — Amin
Apr 24th, 2012
Middlefinger
The name was certainly inspirered by Littlefingers “middle finger”. I dont really remember how or when but I dont think a lot thought went into it. Probably just a random thought I found I found funny at the time, and possibly still do.
This episode clearly paved the way for the creation of “middlefinger” so I I’ll totally by that you came up with it without my help 😛 On the other hand I do think about the podcast a lot… Mabe some cross atlantic brain wave interference happened ;P
Apr 25th, 2012
Lord Littlefinger
has anyone ever seen the actor who plays Roose Bolton and Vladimir Putin in the same place at the same time?
Apr 24th, 2012
Ash
lol, that’s why he looked familiar!
Apr 24th, 2012
Jackiedeex
Loved hearing Mimi’s reaction to shadow baby!
I think I also have to try to separate Littlefinger/Middlefinger and I’ll have a lot less rage
Apr 24th, 2012
Dave
What’s with you guys bashing HBO and those who watches HBO outside of GoT? You guys make it like HBO audience can’t keep up with the show various complex characters, but before GOT, there was The Wire, The Sopranos, Deadwood and Treme. I think it’s more to do with the show runners, David Benioff and Dan Weiss not giving their audience more credit. From reading interviews, it’s D&D’s decision to give Ros a bigger role than just an exposition machine. I doubt it’s because the HBO executives poking them with sticks to push sex into the show. As much as I love GoT, it still has to get close to the quality and complexity of The Wire and this is coming from a big sci-fi and fantasy nerd. Hell, the first 14 episodes of the GoT have more nudity and sex scenes than the entire 5 seasons of The Wire combine.
Apr 24th, 2012
Dave
Regarding Littlefinger or should it be Middlefinger, LOL, do you guys think it’s the fault of the writers changing the character or the actor because from what I heard from other people that the he can’t deliver as LF or is it both? In my opinion, it’s more because of the writers. I have seen Aiden Gillen on The Wire and how great he can act. The writers changed the character from the books that it’s not LF, I mean would he spill out the secrets he knows to various people like that? That’s not the LF I know in the books.
Apr 24th, 2012
mimi
yeah, i don’t think it’s on the actor at all. i think the writers just wanted to go in a different direction with LF. aiden gillen absolutely looks the part, and his work on the wire gives testament to his acting abilities.
Apr 24th, 2012
Lord Littlefinger
I don’t understand, why they decided to take that “direction” though. What does it add? They turned him into Theon.
Apr 27th, 2012
Lex
Just for the record, Ros has not been naked this season. Not once, in her 3 or 4 scenes.
Apr 24th, 2012
Kyle
I didn’t think so. Mimi just wishes she was, that’s all.
Apr 24th, 2012
Lex
Also, glad I wasn’t the only one who thought the new Mountain had a cool voice. It actually reminded me of Christopher Lee, when he said “The cells are overflowing, my lord.” Freaky!
I just HATE that he’s wearing Lannister armour (complete with the stupid fucking helmet). That was when I flipped a table.
Apr 25th, 2012
Ash
didn’t even knowtice that, mainly because i was trying to figure out which guy was supposed to be the mountain in the group, as he just looked like a skinny guy standing on higher ground. but seriously, a bannerman can’t afford his own armour? what is he, a foot soldier?
Apr 25th, 2012
Ash
lol, that’s the most creative way i’ve spelt notice in a while.
…i really do know how to spell that word
Apr 25th, 2012
Lex
My guess is that Conan Stevens’ old Mountain armour didn’t fit the new guy… and they couldn’t afford / didn’t have time to make new armour to fit the new Mountain?
Otherwise, I can’t think of a single reason why they’d make the Mountain look like a regular old Lannister guard. To me, that’s way worse than the recasting itself.
Apr 25th, 2012
Katie
All I could think while staring at Margaery was that she stole Garrus’s armor from Mass Effect. Just saying.
Apr 25th, 2012
mimi
i love you.
Apr 25th, 2012
Middlefinger
bow chicka wow wow
Apr 26th, 2012
nemui
It is sort of ridiculously designed with that huge opening up top… *unless* a helmet is supposed to be attached. Nice catch, Katie.
Apr 26th, 2012
nemui
Did you guys see Jayne Westerling’s little saw used to amputate the wounded soldier’s leg? I found that hilarious – in a world full of battleaxes and longswords and blades of all sizes, she chooses to slowly and painfully saw through the guy’s bone…
Apr 26th, 2012
Jeremy
I suspect a saw is used to make a “clean” cut through the bone. Chopping at it with a blade would take the foot off, but the bone would probably splinter and be left all jagged. *shudder*
Apr 26th, 2012
nemui
Also, why the hell was Baelish logging Ned’s bones around? He was sent to Renly’s camp to broker some sort of deal, was he *expecting* to meet Catelyn there?
Maybe when he saw her, he sent someone to the nearest graveyard to dig up any moldy old skeleton…
Apr 26th, 2012
Jeremy
I think in the previous episode when Littlefinger was talking to Tyrion, Tyrion mentioned sending the Ned’s bones along.
Apr 26th, 2012
nemui
A bit more nitpicking: The scene where Clegane’s guy is spiking the severed head after the torture – I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to *hammer a head onto a spike*, unless the head is made of wood or something. If you smash a hammer on top of a severed head, it should crack open.
Couldn’t they have him just push the head onto the spike? The hammering just felt silly.
Apr 26th, 2012
hodor
Everyone knows you use a rubber mallet when you drive a head onto a spike.
Apr 30th, 2012
Reply to “Episode 75: Garden of Bones”