Just started listening.

Listening to the episode right now, just a quite pseudocomment for now - about the "Gilly's baby being named Sam" thing and sons named after their fathers, we have the Greatjon and the Smalljon. Only ones that come to mind, though (well, besides Walder Frey and Bastard Walder).

It's conceivable that Jon took a circuitous route to Castle Black in an attempt to lose his pursuers which Sam and Bran obviously didn't have to worry about. He also probably wasn't directing his horse very well after being stuck with 3 arrows.

Holy crap. I never realized what Brienne and Jaime's early arrival would do to the "Desperately Seeking Sansa" storyline. I got that it was a change that he was back so soon, but I hadn't considered the ripple effect it might have. Timing of the Purple Wedding is gonna be tricky. I see it as maybe being an episode 4-5 event, because if it was going to be in 2, I think we'd have seen them being far more prepared for it towards the end of this season. The first two episodes will probably be slow "getting reacquainted with everybody" episodes like they were this year, then have wedding prep, or maybe the ceremony at the end of the 3rd, and stick the feast in 4? That then gives us 5, 6, 7, 8 to build up to the trial fight in 9, or is that too much lead in time? I guess I'll have to read that half of the book again to recall all the other storyline bits they'll stick in there. It's funny how thinking about this suddenly feels like there isn't enough material to fill another season.

Thanks everybody for the cast, especially Ashley for losing sleep to be with us.
I was hoping to get a brief bit about Ashley's thoughts about Episode 09 if she is willing.
Congrats again on the award! and nomination!

After a very long hiatus away from everything Song of Ice and Fire related I'm back and all caught up, I pretty much agree with the podcast crew's assessment of season 3 as a whole, but I think I may be ever so slightly more forgiving towards it than they have been. Anyway, thanks for the podcast as always and I'm looking forward to you guys getting back to the re-read!

Yes, you were right to bring this up in the episode, and I can see why people are angry at this change, as they might have written themselves into a corner here. They will really have to juggle the timing of events, location of characters, etc., at the beginning of season 4, and it just seems like there's not much they can do to fix it somewhat.
And I agree, they won't have enough to fill 10 episodes as the second half of Storm of Swords goes, especially considering what they've already changed. If they're going to almost write the Dornishmen out of the story, too, then they'll have even less important plot events to cover. Joffrey's wedding, Tyrion's trial, Tywin's murder, Lysa Arryn's murder, Lady Stoneheart, and what else? That's not enough for 10 episodes, I think. (That might just be my memory being terrible when it comes to the post-Red Wedding part of the book, but I can't remember any other significant events right now...)
It feels awkward to have Jaime around for Joffrey's wedding, I'm kind of afraid of how those scenes will be changed now. Not to mention, just who will help Sansa escape instead of Dontos? Doesn't really seem like they will bring him back, Ros is now dead, can't see Shae in that role either (though I might be wrong about her, who knows).

It probably isn't important but there is a show watcher only forum (reddit) : http://www.reddit.com/r/HBOGameofThrones/


They can be pretty mean to people who comment who are book readers due to the very heavy moderation but if you want to see what people are saying who have no idea what will happen in the books then- this is the place to go.

A thought on the Sansa stuff. So Jaime passes out, fever comes back, is incapacitated for half of the first episode adn all of the second. Wedding's in the second. problem mostly solved?

Maybe he'll just have to leave to take a piss at the appropriate moment.

That appears to be how they write themselves out of these awkward situations! I assume that Loras will see her and accuse her of Renly's death and she will be locked up until Sansa leaves so she can't do anything about it? Assuming they had come at this point in the books there wasn't much they could do anyway - it was after Sansa flees and is accused of regicide that it becomes important for Jaime and Brienne to want to protect her from the other people who are looking for her.

Or perhaps Joffrey dying will be the final shot on the season... And then season 5 begins with Sansa on a ship with Littlefinger and the Lannisters mourning and burying Joffrey.

Great episode - had to laugh when Kyle said: "Welcome y'all".

Great discussions - I agree that Jaime already there can bring trouble - but on the other hand maybe hat will plant a little doubt in him that Tyrion had something to do with it - and letting PD and NCW act together can never be a fault...

Congrats again for the award/nomination

Very true

"The halflings leaf has clouded his mind."



Personally, I liked the Asha/Yara scene. They were careful last season to illustrate that she really does care for Theon. Asha/Yara offered him a very clear out at Winterfell and he didn't take it, but I don't think that precludes her from putting her foot down when her only living brother is being tortured, and her family taunted with the gruesome evidence. In an episode (and a season) that kept touching on what family means to different characters, the contrast between Asha/Yara and Balon worked very well.

I don't know what they're going to do about the Kingsmoot, but I like Asha/Yara and the actress enough to follow the show on this one. (Plus I despise the rest of the Greyjoys, so... I don't actually care.)

I actually really liked Balon's reaction. He didn't seem high, to me. He seemed scared. He was revealed as the pathetic, cowardly man he really is. He was almost too happy to take Theon's emasculation as an excuse NOT to have rescue him or seek vengeance. He came across as a total pussy, and Yara had to step up and do the right thing. A fantastic scene, in my opinion, which actually has me hoping for some non-canon Asha/Ramsay storyline next year, as long as nothing is altered too drastically. I was surprised Ashley found it "painful".

I'd just like to thank Amin, Ashley, and Kyle for their dedication and devotion to the podcast and it's fans.

Amin is the ultimate salesman and with all of the Kingsgrave podcasts he has created quite a multimedia empire. His knowledge and theories are unrivaled and it's great to hear his passion and love for the books on the podcast. His drive is what has kept this podcast still going and growing stronger each week.

Kyle is the "face" of the podcast with his videos and special appearances on AfterBuzz and his push to have the podcast nominated for several awards. He brings a dirty, frat boy sense of humor which is awesome. Plus the dude brings some cool behind the scenes knowledge to the show on how and why TV is different than the books.

Ashley routinely gives up valuable sleep so she can be on the show and her contribution and snarky humour is invaluable. She sets a really good balance between book devotion and TV appreciation.

Great job again guys for an insightful and funny as hell HBO season review! I agree with some others though...I think you should skip ACOK and ASOS and dive into chapter re-reads of Feast and Dance. I think after watching those novels on the TV the past few years it would be nice to get into the later books with Dorne and Meeren.

This is pretty much my exact thoughts on this.

Sad that Mimi did not give us her feelings about the season as a whole....I hope we'll be getting them the next time she's around.

Who's Mimi? I kind of remember the name but it's been a long time...

I've enjoyed all these S3 reviews, thanks team.

The made up word 'Mhysa' sounds kind of close to 'Messiah'. Don't let it go to your head, Daenerys Stormborn, titles titles.

"Dornish mustard"!

In defence of Ramsay's long signature, maybe he wanted to convey both his name and his house connection. I don't see how he could have been more succinct, unless he ditched the 'natural born' euphemism and wrote 'bastard' -- but we know that book Ramsay dislikes being called that.

I tend to think of Jon in connection with the idea that the wildlings are people too, and that the Nights Watch oath doesn't actually say anything against them. But in S3E10 it was Sam who pointed out the distinction between 'realm' and 'realms'. Did he ever get into that debate in the books, as far as any of you remember?