Game of Thrones begins....

[Martinus]

Danny and Therion is probably better than anything on GoT so far. Sure, it may be amusing to watch Tywin, Olenna, Littlefinger and others trade barbs, but these two are probably the only ones who are both very smart, decent and honest.

[Norgy]

Amazing episode.

[Josephus]

Every season has one big budget episode, I guess last night's was it.

Not sure if any of that was in the book...or did I sleep through it? [spoiler]I thought all the losses in the book were put down to stormy weather, right?[/spoiler]

[crazy canuck]

Good episode.  @Josephus, you are right.  This is another story line deviating from the books.

The theory of many for why the show killed off Barristan is not now valid.  He and the Imp could have both advised the Queen.

[Norgy]

White walkers are even worse than Scott Walker. 

[Solmyr]

Based on the episode 9 preview, I'm guessing [spoiler]they are adapting Ser Davos's storyline so he will now save Shireen from burning rather than Edric Storm like in the books.[/spoiler]

[crazy canuck]

Based on the episode 9 preview, I'm guessing [spoiler]they are adapting Ser Davos's storyline so he will now save Shireen from burning rather than Edric Storm like in the books.[/spoiler]

I think you are correct.[spoiler]Davos has become the character in the show representing everyone in the books who believes it is wrong to sacrifice people with royal blood to the Lord of Light[/spoiler]

[Eddie Teach]

Based on the episode 9 preview, I'm guessing [spoiler]they are adapting Ser Davos's storyline so he will now save Shireen from burning rather than Edric Storm like in the books.[/spoiler]

I think you are correct.[spoiler]Davos has become the character in the show representing everyone in the books who believes it is wrong to sacrifice people with royal blood to the Lord of Light[/spoiler]

[spoiler]He meant Davos saved Edric in the books, not that Edric saved Shireen. [/spoiler]

[crazy canuck]

Based on the episode 9 preview, I'm guessing [spoiler]they are adapting Ser Davos's storyline so he will now save Shireen from burning rather than Edric Storm like in the books.[/spoiler]

I think you are correct.[spoiler]Davos has become the character in the show representing everyone in the books who believes it is wrong to sacrifice people with royal blood to the Lord of Light[/spoiler]

[spoiler]He meant Davos saved Edric in the books, not that Edric saved Shireen. [/spoiler]

Yes, [spoiler]Davos is going to be the one who saves whoever is going to be burned.  I would have liked to see the show develop that part of the story line better before they get to a decision Stannis needs to make about his own daughter.  But I think Davos will ultimately be the one who has to save her from her own father.[/spoiler]

[The Larch]

Speculation for the end of the season tying up with the books:

[spoiler]Is it me or is it shaping up to Olly, the young boy at the Watch, being the one who will stab Jon when he returns for allying with the Wildlings?[/spoiler]

[Josquius]

Wasn't expecting Hardholme to be over and done so fast. But it was cool.

Interesting to hear Rickon mentioned. I was just getting to thinking that they were pretending they had never introduced him.

Re : Killing off Baristan.
I guess it adds a bit more drama with Tyrion. With Baristan still there he could have vouched for Tyrion a bit-I think they've crossed paths on neutral terms before.

[Solmyr]

Speculation for the end of the season tying up with the books:

[spoiler]Is it me or is it shaping up to Olly, the young boy at the Watch, being the one who will stab Jon when he returns for allying with the Wildlings?[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Almost certainly, the way they point the camera at him and have him talk about his dead parents constantly.[/spoiler]

[The Larch]

Speculation for the end of the season tying up with the books:

[spoiler]Is it me or is it shaping up to Olly, the young boy at the Watch, being the one who will stab Jon when he returns for allying with the Wildlings?[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Almost certainly, the way they point the camera at him and have him talk about his dead parents constantly.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]That and Sam talking about having to take difficult decissions that will be better in the long run. In his head he's defending Jon, but in Olly's head he's watering the seeds of dissent.[/spoiler]

[Admiral Yi]

[spoiler]There's also a chance he doesn't get offed.[/spoiler]

[Habbaku]

[spoiler]There's also a chance he doesn't get offed.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]I think it's almost certain that the last scene is his stabbing and a fade-to-black to keep it uncertain as to whether he's dead or not.[/spoiler]