Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
#126
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
I have to agree with you and started to type a similarly-themed post a couple of times. The cave drawing thing was pretty awful, in particular. Perhaps described in a book it will be fine, but the way the show handled it, a combination of really bad set design and ham-fisted writing, was just awful.
The laughable Dany/Dothraki tactics was another. As pointed out, why in the hell did Dany just not enfilade the Lannister lines? That aside, she created a huge breach in their line and while some of the Dothraki were wise enough to pour into the breach, most of them kept charging headlong into a wall of shields and spears. I guess they should have watched Braveheart before the battle.
My personal favorite was the final image of the episode. Jamie was tackled off of his horse from the shore of either a lake or a very calm inlet. Which means, at most, he would have landed ten feet into the water. Yet the camera shows him sinking down into the murky depths of what should have probably only been 4-5 feet of water tops in just about anything but a quarry pond.
It's Game of Thrones. I am sucked in and I freely admit it, but some of the writing, in this season in particular, has been pretty bad.
The laughable Dany/Dothraki tactics was another. As pointed out, why in the hell did Dany just not enfilade the Lannister lines? That aside, she created a huge breach in their line and while some of the Dothraki were wise enough to pour into the breach, most of them kept charging headlong into a wall of shields and spears. I guess they should have watched Braveheart before the battle.
My personal favorite was the final image of the episode. Jamie was tackled off of his horse from the shore of either a lake or a very calm inlet. Which means, at most, he would have landed ten feet into the water. Yet the camera shows him sinking down into the murky depths of what should have probably only been 4-5 feet of water tops in just about anything but a quarry pond.
It's Game of Thrones. I am sucked in and I freely admit it, but some of the writing, in this season in particular, has been pretty bad.
#127
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
I think the reason she only brought Drogon is that he is the only one she can ride. I think the other two will need their own rider. Though I'm sure CGI cost also played a part. That's the main reason why we haven't seen Ghost in forever. I can't believe they cut him from the Battle of the Bastards due to CGI cost. They said they could either have a giant or Ghost.
#128
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard had a cameo as a member of the Lannister army. They may not be great in battle but they do a good job of recruiting celebrities.
http://sports.nbcsports.com/2017/08/...f:nbcnews:text
http://sports.nbcsports.com/2017/08/...f:nbcnews:text
#129
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
^ Nice.
#130
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Why would the Dothraki horde charge in? because the Dothraki arent tacticians. Why wouldn't Dany bring all three dragons? because she can only ride one? or the larger picture CGI costs. Either way there are two examples. How is it that Jaime gets knocked off his horse while charging, into water that is that deep? I take that scene as a "oh shit really hit the fan, its over" and not him actually sinking in 100+ feet of water. How is it that being under a few feet of water protects him and Bron from dragonfire? maybe cuz Drogon aimed above the water. Though, Im sure they felt the heat. Either way its a fantasy show. lol
#131
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Add to that, Jaime was wearing armor. A full grown man wearing armor does not simply get launched off of the side of his horse by another man jumping into him. Worse yet, I have a sneaking suspicion that the person that saved him was actually Tyrion. Hopefully they come up with a slightly reasonable explanation as to how he could have launched several hundred pounds of big brother and armor off of his horse and into the lake.
#132
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
I'm glad they made the dragons somewhat vulnerable, so it atleast makes Dany think about her next move. My whole worry about the show for the past few seasons is that she would be like the Golden State Warriors just mowing through the playoffs. Cersei atleast found someone who can cover the three dragons (Durant, Curry and Thompson)!
#133
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#134
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Add to that, Jaime was wearing armor. A full grown man wearing armor does not simply get launched off of the side of his horse by another man jumping into him. Worse yet, I have a sneaking suspicion that the person that saved him was actually Tyrion. Hopefully they come up with a slightly reasonable explanation as to how he could have launched several hundred pounds of big brother and armor off of his horse and into the lake.
Don't think it was Tyrion -- he would have bounced right off. It was either Bronn or Dickon.
#137
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
This is why GRRM doesn't give a shit if the show spoils the end result. He knows people will still read the books (if he ever shits them out) because the detail and writing will be much, much better.
#138
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
#139
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
You know how when a book ends they start wrapping things up? That's what's happening here. There is so much left to do that they have to start bringing these characters together. And I for one am loving it.
#140
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Thank you! I just got a new receiver and I told my wife "either this has an amazing video processor or this episode was shot differently". I even noticed on the wide shots at the beginning with Jon and Davos talking to Dany's advisor.
#141
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
I'm sure the reason she only brought one dragon is because they have to be ridden to be controlled that specifically/carefully.
I'm really hoping we get to see Dany, Tyrion and Jon all riding dragons by the end of the show.
I'm really hoping we get to see Dany, Tyrion and Jon all riding dragons by the end of the show.
#142
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Kind of hard to argue with the pictures at WSB's linked article though. It was LeBronn.
#143
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
I didn't read that link saying it was Bronn, but it was someone on a white horse. And shortly before that event, Bronn was on the ground and saw a white horse (they made a point of showing us that). And every picture of Dickon I can find has him on a brown horse (although he was on foot the last time we saw him, saving Jamie).
We know Jamie can't die this way, but I hope they at least make him a prisoner, because there's no way he can escape.
We know Jamie can't die this way, but I hope they at least make him a prisoner, because there's no way he can escape.
#144
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
I'm still enjoying the hell out of the show, but it's a shell of what it once was, mainly due to the writers/show-runners pandering to the audience and no more GRRM material to draw from. The show has gone Walking Dead-level dumb with its resistance to killing off major characters (a hallmark of earlier seasons) and its complete ignoring of a geography (that they even highlight in opening credits). Between the hurried pace, the lame and out-of-character one-liners and quips (which is all Davos seems to be used for this season...despite taking shelter at a place where he witnessed Stannis's daughter being burned alive...where the hell did the gravitas go??), the geography fails, the shitty acting, and the overall smallness of this season, I'm enjoying it a lot less than prior year installments.
But having said all that, it's still the most entertaining show on TV (perhaps ever).
Last edited by TimeandTide; 08-07-17 at 11:45 AM.
#145
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Yup. I seem to recall Oleanna saying something to the effect of "Cersei will be the death of you" to Jaime. I am pretty sure that prophecy will come true in one way or another, and in a more direct fashion that simply fighting on her behalf.
#146
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Agreed.
I'm still enjoying the hell out of the show, but it's a shell of what it once was, mainly due to the writers/show-runners pandering to the audience and no more GRRM material to draw from. The show has gone Walking Dead-level dumb with its resistance to killing off major characters (a hallmark of earlier seasons) and its complete ignoring of a geography (that they even highlight in opening credits). Between the hurried pace, the lame and out-of-character one-liners and quips (which is all Davos seems to be used for this season...despite taking shelter at a place where he witnessed Stannis's daughter being burned alive...where the hell did the gravitas go??), the geography fails, the shitty acting, and the overall smallness of this season, I'm enjoying it a lot less than prior year installments.
But having said all that, it's still the most entertaining show on TV (perhaps ever).
I'm still enjoying the hell out of the show, but it's a shell of what it once was, mainly due to the writers/show-runners pandering to the audience and no more GRRM material to draw from. The show has gone Walking Dead-level dumb with its resistance to killing off major characters (a hallmark of earlier seasons) and its complete ignoring of a geography (that they even highlight in opening credits). Between the hurried pace, the lame and out-of-character one-liners and quips (which is all Davos seems to be used for this season...despite taking shelter at a place where he witnessed Stannis's daughter being burned alive...where the hell did the gravitas go??), the geography fails, the shitty acting, and the overall smallness of this season, I'm enjoying it a lot less than prior year installments.
But having said all that, it's still the most entertaining show on TV (perhaps ever).
The ignoring geography is the most annoying part to me, but OTOH it is also fantastic to see the storylines come together. Contrary to what you seem to think, that part isn't pandering, it's storytelling. That's what you do when you write a complex story, you have different lines and towards the end of the overall story, those lines start to intertwine. If they didn't, what's the point? If Arya died somewhere out on the road, John got killed fighting the Night King at the wall, Cersei rules Kings Landing, and Dany and her dragons do something, Sansa lives her days as Lady Stark, maybe marries Littlefinger. Is that what you want?
#147
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Also, I get that part of the joy of this season is witnessing all of these storylines and characters come together. I loved the reunion of Sansa and Arya, and even Theon's appearance on the beach was a moving, exceptional scene. But Bronn only survives in that scene because the audience loves Bronn. Ditto with Jamie, The Hound, Arya, Sansa, Podrick, Brienne, Sam, Jon, Tyrion, Davos, Melissandre (sp?)...they've become so beloved that they're as invincible now as the leads in Walking Dead, which totally eliminates the suspense from prior seasons. And no, it's not just killing characters to provoke next-day water cooler talk...it's reinforcing the idea that in this violent, turbulent world filled with assassins and intrigue, that no one is safe. Total fan service at the expense of the brutal "realism" this show was built on.
#148
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Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
I asked before : Why do you guys think Littlefinger gave Bran his would-be assassin's priceless dagger?
I forget : Did he give it to him before or after that "Chaos is a Ladder" line? Before, right?
I forget : Did he give it to him before or after that "Chaos is a Ladder" line? Before, right?
#149
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Game of Thrones (S7E04) -- "The Spoils of War" -- 8/6/17
Jesus Christ with the geography/traveling complaints. They just aren't showing the traveling. Weeks are passing. The show has ALWAYS been that way. I think it took Robert a month to get to Winterfell from King's Landing in the 1st season. They didn't show the whole journey.
As for characters like Bronn - he's already been around for a long time and survived lots of things that could have killed him. Just because he survived this particular battle too, now it's bad?
As for characters like Bronn - he's already been around for a long time and survived lots of things that could have killed him. Just because he survived this particular battle too, now it's bad?
#150
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