GoT, Season 5, Episode 9.....Spoilers? Yup.

[Aegon_Targaryen]

So we start off with fires rising up at Stannis's camp. Which seemingly come out of nowhere. Apparently Ramsays little 20 man raid was quite successful. Melisandre looked on with disbelief and surprise. Apparently her visions missed out on this moment.

Jon makes it back to the wall with the surviving wildlings and nights watch. The Nights watch seem none too pleased, and are in awe of Wun Wun the giant. The kid that keeps bitching about the wilding issue is noticeably upset and gives Jon a nasty look, that Jon takes notice of.

Stannis sends Davos to the Wall to 'get more men and food'. Davos claims that a simple messenger could do this very same thing, and that the Hand of the king should stay by the Kings side. Stannis says that he still wishes him to go..... the real reason is found out later.......

Davos speaks with Shireen and gives her a gift before going. Stannis also has a conversation with his daughter,...that leads him to having her walked to a fire pit, and set ablaze by Melisandre. Stannis's wife decides she actually does like her daughter and tries to intervene. The troops stop her and we get to witness a sweet little girl die a horrible fiery death. Very disturbing moment here....Davos being sent was likely to keep him from interfering. This sacrifice was done to supposedly get the Lord of Light to help in the coming battle against the Boltons. Oh GoT,.....so silly.

Arya approaches her first target in Braavos. Whilst on the way to do the deed, she sees Lord Tyrell and Marty Trant or whatever his name his. Who just so happens to be on her list. She deviates from the mission to follow them and see what they are up to. They appear to be there to talk to the Iron Bank, and stay in a brothel. She is seen by the men, but they do not recognize her. She seemingly forms a plan to get to him, by using his 'taste' for 'young' girls.

.....and finally on to Mereen. The main fighting colosseum is now open, and Dany, Tyrion, Missandei, Daario, and Hizador are sitting and watching along with thousands of spectators. After the first fight, which ends in a beheading, a new group of fighters line up and they include Jorah.

After a long fought battle Jorah wins, and begins to approach the stand with Dany, who is noticeably impressed but confused by what to do. Jorah grabs a spear and throws it her way,...but not at her, but at one of the masked Harpy sons that was sneaking up behind her.

Daario turns to look behind them and notices that they are completely surrounded by hundreds of Harpy sons. The Harpy sons immediately start killing anyone in their way, including the unsullied. It becomes a massacre and it is clear that they are f'd. Dany during this, excepts Jorahs help with a smile on her face and they try to escape. Hizador is stabbed to death during this melee, making it clear that he didn't have anything to do with it.

Eventually they are overwhelmed, as hundreds more Harpy sons come into the colosseum. They are now surrounded with nowhere to go. Dany grabs Messandeis hand as she seems to accept her fate. Out of nowhere you hear a dragon roar.

Here comes ol' Drogon, and he's not too pleased that these masked fiends are trying to shank his mother. He immediately and literally begins to tear into the harpy sons, setting them on fire as well. He makes most of them run away, and some manage to throw spears and wound the Dragon.

Dany approaches and the dragon roars in her face, but then shows his affection and they reconnect. She quickly climbs onto Drogons back and off she flies away...as Tyrion and company look in awe....

Pretty good episode. I knew that Drogon was going to show up, but it was still f'n awesome to see. Interesting to see if they stay with the books with where she goes or not.

 

[torbee]

So we start off with fires rising up at Stannis's camp. Which seemingly come out of nowhere. Apparently Ramsays little 20 man raid was quite successful. Melisandre looked on with disbelief and surprise. Apparently her visions missed out on this moment.

Jon makes it back to the wall with the surviving wildlings and nights watch. The Nights watch seem none too pleased, and are in awe of Wun Wun the giant. The kid that keeps bitching about the wilding issue is noticeably upset and gives Jon a nasty look, that Jon takes notice of.

Stannis sends Davos to the Wall to 'get more men and food'. Davos claims that a simple messenger could do this very same thing, and that the Hand of the king should stay by the Kings side. Stannis says that he still wishes him to go..... the real reason is found out later.......

Stannis after Davos speaks with Shireen, also has a conversation with his daughter,...that leads him to having her walked to a fire pit, and set ablaze by Melisandre. Stannis's wife decides she actually does like her daughter and tries to intervene. The troops stop her and we get to witness a sweet little girl die a horrible fiery death. Very disturbing moment here....Davos being sent was likely to keep him from interfering. This sacrifice was done to supposedly get the Lord of Light to help in the coming battle against the Boltons. Oh GoT,.....so silly.

Arya approaches her first target in Braavos. Whilst on the way to do the deed, she sees Lord Tyrell and Marty Trant or whatever his name his. Who just so happens to be on her list. She deviates from the mission to follow them and see what they are up to. They appear to be there to talk to the Iron Bank, and stay in a brothel. She is seen by the men, but they do not recognize her. She seemingly forms a plan to get to him, by using his 'taste' for 'young' girls.

.....and finally on to Mereen. The main fighting colosseum is now open, and Dany, Tyrion, Missandei, Daario, and Hizador are sitting and watching along with thousands of spectators. After the first fight, which ends in a beheading, a new group of fighters line up and they include Jorah.

After a long fought battle Jorah wins, and begins to approach the stand with Dany, who is noticeably impressed but confused by what to do. Jorah grabs a spear and throws it her way,...but not at her, but at one of the masked Harpy sons that was sneaking up behind her.

Daario turns to look behind them and notices that they are completely surrounded by hundreds of Harpy sons. The Harpy sons immediately start killing anyone in their way, including the unsullied. It becomes a massacre and it is clear that they are f'd. Dany during this, excepts Jorahs help with a smile on her face and they try to escape. Hizador is stabbed to death during this melee, making it clear that he didn't have anything to do with it.

Eventually they are overwhelmed, as hundreds more Harpy sons come into the colosseum. They are now surrounded with nowhere to go. Dany grabs Messandeis hand as she seems to accept her fate. Out of nowhere you hear a dragon roar.

Here comes ol' Drogon, and he's not too pleased that these masked fiend are trying to shank his mother. He immediately and literally begins to tear into the harpy sons, setting them on fire as well. He makes most of them run away, and some manage to throw spears and wound the Dragon.

Dany approaches and the dragon roars in her face, but then shows his affection and they reconnect. She quickly climbs onto Drogons and off she flies away...as Tyrion and company look in awe....

Pretty good episode. I knew that Drogon was going to show up, but it was still f'n awesome to see. Interesting to see if they stay with the books with where she goes or not.

In the books, Hizador was the assassin, correct? And if I recall, many thought Dany was killed by her dragon. Interesting deviations.

And that Shireen scene, oh my. In the books, you still had some sympathy for Stannis. Not sure if he can gain any back from TV viewers after crisping his innocent daughter!

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

In the books, Hizador was the assassin, correct? And if I recall, many thought Dany was killed by her dragon. Interesting deviations.

And that Shireen scene, oh my. In the books, you still had some sympathy for Stannis. Not sure if he can gain any back from TV viewers after crisping his innocent daughter!

Watch this sacrifice not do anything to help in the battle either. It was a pretty terrifying scene. Her screams were hard to hear. Fake or not. It takes one nasty son of a b!tch to do something like that and stand there and witness it.

 

[paul.crewe]

I can't believe people actually thought this guy was black.

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

Also, Jaime speaks with Dornes Prince Doran. He is allowed to go back to Westeros and take Myrcella with him. Tristane will also go in order to take Oberyns place on the small council to the King.

Bronn is also allowed to go. This upsets Obeyrns ex-wife greatly, who is forced to deal with it and lend her support to Prince Doran, who warns her that he will kill her if she disobeys him again.

To me Prince Doran seemed shady, and I don't buy his meek approach. It's just not GoT like,and he most definitely has something going on plan wise.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

And that Shireen scene, oh my. In the books, you still had some sympathy for Stannis. Not sure if he can gain any back from TV viewers after crisping his innocent daughter!

Yeah. Stannis may have had a pole up his ass, but he had integrity. That's gone now. We still want him to smash the Boltons, but if they kill each other off, we won't care. Except, of course, for the loss of his army when the "real" war begins.

Can Davos possibly support Stannis any more?

Will Stannis partly redeem himself by rescuing Sansa?

How will Stannis find king's blood the next time he's in a jam? Jon, Gendry? Does Queen's blood count?

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

Yeah. Stannis may have had a pole up his ass, but he had integrity. That's gone now. We still want him to smash the Boltons, but if they kill each other off, we won't care. Except, of course, for the loss of his army when the "real" war begins.

Can Davos possibly support Stannis any more?

Will Stannis partly redeem himself by rescuing Sansa?

How will Stannis find king's blood the next time he's in a jam? Jon, Gendry? Does Queen's blood count?

Here's the kicker though. Who says that Shireens blood was kings blood? Stannis isn't the actual King, just because he says he is. Why didn't Stannis just let Melisandre make another shadow assassin? Take the Boltons out like that, easy, and done.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Here's the kicker though. Who says that Shireens blood was kings blood? Stannis isn't the actual King, just because he says he is. Why didn't Stannis just let Melisandre make another shadow assassin? Take the Boltons out like that, easy, and done.

I've wondered that, too. Perhaps he's been used up - just one phantom per kingly lover, or something. Maybe if she had been able to seduce Jon, that would have been the outcome. But since he turned her down and she presumably isn't ready to kill him, Shireen was next best.

I've also wondered about he king's blood thing. How close does the relationship have to be? If you don't consider Stannis to be the king, at least he was the king's brother, and they are of the same blood. But how diluted can the blood relationship get and still work?

 

[naturalmwa]

The whole king's blood thing is bizarre when you consider that family had only been royal for ~20 years or so. If that family really had special genes that were beloved by a god, shouldn't they have expressed themselves earlier?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

The whole king's blood thing is bizarre when you consider that family had only been royal for ~20 years or so. If that family really had special genes that were beloved by a god, shouldn't they have expressed themselves earlier?

It's magic. Like religion, it doesn't have to make sense. Although it may have to follow rules.

I could see the local gods honoring the blood of a king crowned under their aegis. But why would a foreign god respect a king crowned under another god's power?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

The problem with today's religious wars is that they aren't being fought between or among different gods but merely between those espousing different views of the same god. It would be so much more interesting if different gods were fighting for supremacy.

 

[naturalmwa]

It's magic. Like religion, it doesn't have to make sense. Although it may have to follow rules.

I could see the local gods honoring the blood of a king crowned under their aegis. But why would a foreign god respect a king crowned under another god's power?

What I find puzzling is that this Fire god seems to really exist and show his power, yet he isn't that popular. The old gods and the 7 never do anything (or are the 7 the old gods?). But the fire god brings people back to life and sends smoke babies to kill people. Even I would convert if I saw that.

 

[Pinehawk]

Love this show, but the ride on the dragon's back was a little bit hokey.
Made me think of this old movie:

 

[B1GDeal]

Am I the only one who thought the Red Witch caused the blaze to prompt Stannis to finally agree to torching his daughter???

Thought last night was great... 2 weeks in a row its been outstanding amd next week looks like it will be epic as well. Really strong finish to this season.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

What I find puzzling is that this Fire god seems to really exist and show his power, yet he isn't that popular. The old gods and the 7 never do anything (or are the 7 the old gods?). But the fire god brings people back to life and sends smoke babies to kill people. Even I would convert if I saw that.

Bran's abilities seem somehow connected to the old gods. I have yet to see any proof of the power of the 7.

If you live in a world where there are many real gods, I wouldn't think just seeing proof of their existence would be enough reason to convert. You'd want to sign up with the right god. Red may be powerful, but is he the right god? Even if he's the most powerful, if he's an asshole - which seems to be the case - you might prefer to align with a good god.

 

[naturalmwa]

I know from the previews this doesn't happen, but why aren't Tyrion and the rest all dead? There are still dozens of harpy people in the arena right? Did this scene go down like the books or is this new?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I know from the previews this doesn't happen, but why aren't Tyrion and the rest all dead? There are still dozens of harpy people in the arena right? Did this scene go down like the books or is this new?

I wondered the same thing about their survival.

My memory of the books is very degraded. I don't even remember Tyrion or Jorah being there. Were they in the books?

I do vaguely recall thinking that Dany's resources were wiped out. But presumably there are still plenty of Unsullied. Just not enough at that location at that time. What will they do with Dany gone? Take revenge? Disband? Become bandits? Rule the city?

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

I know from the previews this doesn't happen, but why aren't Tyrion and the rest all dead? There are still dozens of harpy people in the arena right? Did this scene go down like the books or is this new?

I'd say the rest of the unsullied likely made it into the arena right around when Dany left. Plus Drogon had taken down a large number of them, and the rest were capable of fighting of what was left.

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

I wondered the same thing about their survival.

My memory of the books is very degraded. I don't even remember Tyrion or Jorah being there. Were they in the books?

I do vaguely recall thinking that Dany's resources were wiped out. But presumably there are still plenty of Unsullied. Just not enough at that location at that time. What will they do with Dany gone? Take revenge? Disband? Become bandits? Rule the city?

Tyrion was in the fighting pits, but he was there after getting captured by the slave guys and was part of the show in the book. Dany has him saved however, not knowing who he is I believe, and he escapes with some others. I don't think his time in the pits though was during the dragon deal.

 

[BrentJDiekman]

Tyrion was in the fighting pits, but he was there after getting captured by the slave guys and was part of the show in the book. Dany has him saved however, not knowing who he is I believe, and he escapes with some others. I don't think his time in the pits though was during the dragon deal.

I thought I read somewhere that in the books Tyrion and Dany never met. Anyways, very nice summary and screen grabs thanks for doing it. While I'm at it, can someone give me the backstory on the Sparrow's right hand man, the guy with the etching on his forehead? I seem to have forgotten.

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

I thought I read somewhere that in the books Tyrion and Dany never met. Anyways, very nice summary and screen grabs thanks for doing it. While I'm at it, can someone give me the backstory on the Sparrow's right hand man, the guy with the etching on his forehead? I seem to have forgotten.

They never met in the way they did in the show. I don't believe Dany knew who he was when she freed him. He knew who she was obviously, but it probably wan't wise at the time to identify himself to her.

The sparrows right hand man, is a Lannister, and he was sleeping with Cersei. He's also her nephew, or maybe cousin? Not sure. Either way Cersei is a strange dime piece.

 

[Chuck C]

Lancel Lannister, he's Kevan Lannister's son and Cersi's first cousin. He's the one that kept feeding Robert Baratheon wine on the hunt where he got injured. He also was boning Cersi too.

It'll be interesting to see what interaction there will be between Lancel and his father who is returning to King's Landing.

 

[torbee]

Tyrion was in the fighting pits, but he was there after getting captured by the slave guys and was part of the show in the book. Dany has him saved however, not knowing who he is I believe, and he escapes with some others. I don't think his time in the pits though was during the dragon deal.

Weren't he and Jorah outside the gates, dealing with a dysentery outbreak, or something in the books? I remember their slave owner dying of the runny shits, and them escaping. I don't think they ever made it into the pits.

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

Weren't he and Jorah outside the gates, dealing with a dysentery outbreak, or something in the books? I remember their slave owner dying of the runny shits, and them escaping. I don't think they ever made it into the pits.

In the books Tyrion is trying to get people to Danys' cause. I think Jorah is doing the same with him. There is supposed to be a chic dwarf too And me, I'm supposed to be there somewhere. I guess they don't want me.

 

[UIAhawk]

In the books Tyrion is trying to get people to Danys' cause. I think Jorah is doing the same with him. There is supposed to be a chic dwarf too And me, I'm supposed to be there somewhere. I guess they don't want me.

Aegon is at Griffon's Roost. Looks like the show gave us a spoiler in not having Aegon. Probably won't be important in the books.

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

Aegon is at Griffon's Roost. Looks like the show gave us a spoiler in not having Aegon. Probably won't be important in the books.

That's what I was thinking too. He may be proven to be a fake in the books. Or maybe they are just straying that far off.

 

[BondHawk]

Does anyone think that perhaps Dany briefly warg'd Drogon and that's how he happened to show up at precisely the right moment? Or was she just closing her eyes in acceptance of her impending slaughter?

 

[torbee]

Does anyone think that perhaps Dany briefly warg'd Drogon and that's how he happened to show up at precisely the right moment? Or was she just closing her eyes in acceptance of her impending slaughter?

I got the feeling it was more like a mind-meld/ESP type of thing. But I definitely picked up on that.

 

[hawkifann]

I didn't consider the warg'd possibility, but I definitely thought she was trying to summon Drogon. Not only the closed eyes, but then the look of relief/surprise when he showed up.

 

[BondHawk]

I got the feeling it was more like a mind-meld/ESP type of thing. But I definitely picked up on that.

I guess her eyes didn't roll back in her head ala Bran, so maybe not. Having her be immune to fire and able to pilot dragons, PLUS being a warg, would probably make her character too unrealistic.

 

[Tenacious E]

Does anyone think that perhaps Dany briefly warg'd Drogon and that's how he happened to show up at precisely the right moment? Or was she just closing her eyes in acceptance of her impending slaughter?

I think in the books Drogon shows up because heis attracted to all of the violence. Pretty cool scene although I thought he would have laid waste to everyone in the stadium not named Dany. Bigger than an elephant, flies, breathes fire, big teeth, and a tail to whip people with. Kind of a poor performance by him.

I will say that Stannis scene was brutal. Her screams left a mark on me even though it was fake. Quite the little actress.

 

[BondHawk]

I think in the books Drogon shows up because heis attracted to all of the violence. Pretty cool scene although I thought he would have laid waste to everyone in the stadium not named Dany. Bigger than an elephant, flies, breathes fire, big teeth, and a tail to whip people with. Kind of a poor performance by him.

I will say that Stannis scene was brutal. Her screams left a mark on me even though it was fake. Quite the little actress.

Yeah, not sure why that had to go on for so long other than to torture the audience right along with her. Not like Melisandre couldn't have lit the fire and then...."SCENE!" That was like actually watching Ramsey flay someone alive instead of just seeing the aftermath hanging from the rafters.

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

Does anyone think that perhaps Dany briefly warg'd Drogon and that's how he happened to show up at precisely the right moment? Or was she just closing her eyes in acceptance of her impending slaughter?

She was accepting her fate. Drogon did likely sense she was in danger though. The shows producers explained that scene if you watched the 'post show'.

 

[lawsonhawk]

I know from the previews this doesn't happen, but why aren't Tyrion and the rest all dead? There are still dozens of harpy people in the arena right? Did this scene go down like the books or is this new?

That's what I thought. Particularly after they hurt the dragon and basically won the moment.

 

[Aegon_Targaryen]

That's what I thought. Particularly after they hurt the dragon and basically won the moment.

Plus, the other dragons are free in the books as well. They best hurry up and free them before the Sons focus their attack on them.

 

[lawsonhawk]

Plus, the other dragons are free in the books as well. They best hurry up and free them before the Sons focus their attack on them.

I didn't read the books, but per the show it seems like the other dragons are pissed at her.

 

[torbee]

I didn't read the books, but per the show it seems like the other dragons are pissed at her.

They aren't exactly pissed, they are more like surly adolescents. And they certainly don't want to be locked up anymore.

 

[BrentJDiekman]

Yeah, not sure why that had to go on for so long other than to torture the audience right along with her. Not like Melisandre couldn't have lit the fire and then...."SCENE!" That was like actually watching Ramsey flay someone alive instead of just seeing the aftermath hanging from the rafters.

That was maybe the most powerful moment I've seen in GOT thus far. That sweet little kid burned alive. It really got to me, I'm not afraid to admit. Stannis is going to have big problems when his right hand man gets back. It does serve to illustrate the point that some people will use any means for power. I was wondering during the episode, was her disease progressing? Seemed to take up more of her face. Perhaps Stannis was like, she'll die from this anyways, better to use it for my own good. Still, a horrid and powerful scene.

 

[theIowaHawk]

I don't think Stannis necessarily wants power, at least not in the classic sense, like Cersei. He is very, very...i'm struggling for the right word, duty-driven, maybe? Destintonious? The king is dead, he is next in line. It is his duty/obligation/destiny to be king, and he must do what he must to obtain that.

Does this matter much? Not really, but I think the show portrayed it well with his discussion with his daughter. He didn't want to sacrifice her, believes he has to, not to gain power, but to achieve his destiny.

What I mean is, had he just been Stannis McStannisburger, he would not be doing this. He would not be overthrowing the current King to gain power. He is doing this because it is his birthright (although not, you know, actually his birthright). He feels compelled to do so.

IMO, if it was just about power, he likely would follow Davos' advice. Retreat to Castle Black and regroup, take the North when he can. BUT, he buys into this whole destiny, and is driven by the witch, therefore he knows he can't back down, and that he can, in fact, still win.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Again imo, I think he is the best king candidate. Even making the ultimate sacrifice, his daughter, for the "good" of his people. That is, if the witch is gone.