Why did the High Sparrow prevent everyone from leaving anyway?

Because he wasn't done with his trial.

And he was too stupid to realize something bad was going to happen.

The art of red herrings, guys. Sometimes what you guys think is a thing isn't a thing. That's the point.

Yeah, you're right. It's been a while since I read the books, and I wasn't sure how definitive Martin was, so I hedged in my language.

Good point!

Skimming a few reddit threads and someone made a good point. One of the people who knows that Littlefinger sold Ned Stark out is still alive and heading north...The Hound.

This tidbit about Dorne was more interesting than everything that's happened in Dorne on the show.

i can mostly agree with this with the exception of the am-i-not-the-most-beautiful-woman-in-the-world jail cell scene

That's a good point

Where is the internet outrage over Septa Unella likely getting raped multiple times by the Mountain? People were up in arms over the rapes of Sansa and Cersei previously. I guess it's OK because either it's not being portrayed on screen or because people dislike that character making it OK.

If she had simply tortured Unella to death, would the reaction be the same? Someone will have to explain to me how rape, as horrible as it is, is somehow worse than other forms of serious torture. "Oh look, they branded her, cut off her ears, beat her face until it was hamburger and then flayed her hands and feet. Oh wait, she might have been raped off camera too?!?!? That's taking things too far!!"

And yes, it is indeed "OK" when an awful person gets what is coming to them, and it serves the dual purpose of highlighting to/reminding the viewer what an awful, vindictive person Cersei is as well. Comparing this to Sansa is simply apples and oranges.

Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances.

Because he wasn't done humiliating the rich and the powerful, and didn't want anyone to leave before he got his chance. He had the faith militant, the crown's support, even the Tyrells bent and broken before him. What was there to fear?

Overconfidence.

Shame!

Do you guys and gals sometimes wish that we would get a countryman/everyman perspective sometimes on how things are going in their respective lands? We always see things from people in charge/wannabes in charge and have no idea how it affects those they rule.

How about Robb's future wife?

i think only Dorne and wherever it is that walder frey used to rule, are the only places that didn't show the common folk. all the other lands have had tidbits from the unwashed masses.

I didn't get the impression she was being raped. I thought Sir Frankenstein was simply torturing her.

We've seen some. Sams Wildling girl comes to find. Others here and there but then again that's not what this show is really about...

I totally got the vibe that she was going to be raped numerous times by the Mountain.

Especially when he started taking off his armor, which he seemingly never removes.

If you recall, the Mountain likes to do the raping so I think that's what he'll be doing to her, which is obviously a form of torture in itself. Or maybe the zombie Mountain isn't into that stuff anymore...

Regarding Sam's story, my prediction is that somehow Gilly will be the one that somehow discovers a way to the defeat the white walkers. Maybe she sneaks into the library and comes across the book that Sam needs or something that points him in the right direction.

Plus Cersei quietly and mockingly said "Shame, Shame, Shame" as she closed the peep door.

i thought the whole point of his removing his helm was that he is a zombie, and was going to eat her brains. while she was still alive.