Stella

I'd love to know why that is? I don't go to FF.

Sansa is the most charged character in the story and it truly borders on the ridiculous IMO. She is continually misinterpreted and misunderstood as a character to the point that practically every discussion eventually includes a litany of her "faults". And I'm not saying she has never made a mistake or is perfect by any stretch. But it's almost like there is some fear about this character's story getting in the way of some other (apparently more preferred) character(s). And some general misunderstanding of GRRM's story in general I think.

Yes I agree completely and I don't think we can take everything Jon has been doing at face value, or as being honorable to a fault.

Do the facts match the reputation though? We know that Ned lied to Jon, Catelyn, his entire family and all the world to protect Jon. We know that Ned lied to Robert on his death bed. We know Jon lied to Ygritte and the Freefolk. These are just a few points that come to mind. Yes they are honorable people but they have both made difficult choices that aren't exactly "honorable to a fault".

I'm guessing it was time because it was post the dragon joy-ride. Jon is likely now bonded with Rhaegal. Bran probably knew this was important and needed to happen before the reveal.

Exactly.

And I'm thinking that Dany is now down to one dragon. She basically just gave one to Jon. If the Targ histories are accurate and dragon lore info states that once a dragon bonds with a rider it won't accept any other rider. Also it is interesting that in the Fire & Blood work that came out last year Queen Alysanne's dragon Silverwing wouldn't fly north of the Wall. So Dany has one dragon. And it's not getting enough food. And it doesn't like the North. I won't be surprised if she books it on Drogon before the fighting is over, maybe sooner. And all the bickering over all things Sansa won't have mattered.

I've seen so much discussion about the food issue and I believe the main reason is to remind the viewer that food issues exist. That they are real and serious. After that Town Hall meeting we learn that 18 goats and 11 sheep is not enough food for one meal for the dragons! So the show doubled down on the validity of Sansa's concern. The dragons can't get by on this enormous amount of food that would literally feed hundreds of people. And I would bet in the next episode Dany's irrational act of burning tons and tons of food in the Loot Train attack will come to light at the worst possible moment. So whether Sansa handled the situation with the proper courtesy is not the main issue. I won't be surprised if the dragons eat people in the next episode. They've done it before, Jorah talked about it last season, Dany said they can eat whatever they want...

I seriously think we have to go by what we see on the screen. If dragon fire was meant to be as you imagine then it would have been visually portrayed but is wasn't. We've repeatedly seen death by fire and it's always horrific, whether it's Dany and her dragons, Stannis and Melisandre, or wild fire etc. In interviews GRRM describes the dragons as nuclear weapons and I believe Season 8 is going to fully look at the threat from Ice and Fire. Not just Ice vs. Fire.

I don't think that is correct. Look at this picture - those guys are stumbling around as they burn to death. I agree that all these methods of execution are cruel but the show has well established that death by fire is the worst kind of death.

I didn't realize they went North of the Wall. That strains credulity IMO. But I guess I know nothing of the technical side such as dragon MPH nor the miles from Winterfell to the Wall. The entire escapade sounds super silly from reading the leaks but I really have to see the visuals and hear the dialogue to fully understand what's going on.

D & D really need to give us non-shippers something more to become invested in the Jon/Dany relationship and that spoiler if true, isn't very promising. The "eyes open" kiss sounds hilarious. TV Tropes:

"We need to end this war" is what I heard.

Interesting post and I agree with most of it @shireenbamfatheon but Jon actually said the North "will come to see you for what you really are". Subtle difference and not in a good way IMO.

What I don't get is why many people are so invested in the awesomeness of this possible child and essentially believe it's a done deal in the show? When in fact it is in no way certain. And even if she gets pregnant it is likely she would miscarry since that is in line with the book. Also, Jon & Dany are not just like any old random Aunt and nephew having a kid(!) they are very heavily genetically similar. Magic sperm and infertility issues aside. It's not a good thing! Targaryen restoration is such a weird obsession in the fandom. Like why would anyone think this is where GRRM is going with the story? There has got to be a better outcome than rewarding the family that practiced their belief in their blood purity through intense levels of incest and has WMD to enforce and hold their power. Just thinking about GRRM's worldview makes a Targaryen restoration seem ludicrous to me.

I actually agree. The series they are promoting - Euphoria & Watchmen - are both 10 episodes. That doesn't fit into GOT starting in April since they would both run into May. We already know BLL is in June. There is a mini-series - Catherine The Great - which is 4 episodes. That could slot in after True Detective and give us the 4/7 start for GOT. Or they could show movies, specials what have you for 4 weeks. I think the earlier date is looking realistic.

Certainly true. And I am pretty damn sure that if SanSan was happening in the books then they would have cast a "younger, hotter actor" who was more in line with the actual age of book Sandor. This could easily have been done. GRRM was involved with the casting, commented positively on the Stark girl castings, etc. He clearly would have told the D's that it was important to his story for the actor who plays Sandor be in his mid 20's to 30. (Just like the book character.) To me the fact that they cast Rory McCann, a man well into his 40's is clear proof that SanSan was never happening and never meant to happen. Sansa like many abused children rewrites memories, suppresses memories etc. as a means of coping with the abuse. It is disgusting that people want to romanticize this child abuse. Amen.

Yes. No one is going to OK with their parent and brother being burned alive. Even if they were awful. The show has been pretty clear in establishing burning deaths as the worst. I remember when Jon Snow put an arrow through Mance's heart to spare him the horrific death of fire. A what even was the point of the scene if it has no bearing on further developments? The entire loot train sequence was about 10 minutes long and then the next episode has another lengthy sequence that ends with Dany burning the Tarleys. Then further discourse between Tyrion and Varys where they discuss how to deal with Dany's behavior and actions. This is a huge amount of screen time spent that will have significance next season. And why have Archmaester Ebrose explicitly state they hadn't told Sam about the killing of his family? Because the reveal is coming when it will do the most damage. I would hardly expect John Bradley to give an interview that reveals an important plot point for next season so of course he blew off that question with a glib answer.

Really disappointed also. Do you know what the issues might be? I thought Daredevil could easily continue. The other shows I don't really care about, including Jessica Jones.

And with good reason. Imagine if Dany had bothered to use her head and keep the Tarley's alive as hostages. She possibly could have gotten Yara in an exchange. She's myopic.

I agree that there is some redundancy in the storylines but I do feel like the third season is quite good. I've watched 7 episodes now and by far the 6th was my favorite for the emotional punch it packed. I really appreciated the focus on Uhtred and Brida. It seems pretty clear that if the series continues Alfred is not going to be there which will bring some much needed new dynamics and relationships. (I mean maybe Alfred will live for further seasons but up to the end of episode 7 they are strongly suggesting he's too sick now to live much longer.) And that will be good for the story even though Alfred is a central character and the actor is excellent. And 7 episodes in I'm definitely in the Skade is horrible camp but it's not just that the actress is weak. I think it's more that the character is so ridiculous and the drama around her is somewhat undermining the season.

I thought the second episode was quite good. I found the conversation between Uhtred and Brida truly moving. I'm looking forward to more of them together. I'm not ready to call out Skade's actress yet. But I definitely see the concern. I think the character is little too predictable or something. I guess Uhtred has to get new love interests/sex partners every other season or something? I don't see the need for this not surprised at all.

Most Sansa fans and most ASOIF fans acknowledge that all characters in the series have flaws. Thinking otherwise is missing a fundamental premise of GRRM's beliefs. But in Season 7 Sansa never tried to undermine Jon. Bryan Cogman (defender of the ASIOAF lore for the show) (writer & director) talks at length in the video about Sansa and her relationship with Jon. Around the 7 minute point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyHHg-V6FVk&t=66s It's funny to me that you think "Stark honor and loyalty" is a blind spot making Stark fans unable to see any flaws or think Starks won't do something dark or do any game playing. I am firmly in the camp that believes the surviving Starks are playing the game, including Jon Snow. So sure, Sansa has some flaws and is very internal and she and Jon have some challenges. But she wants him home. Several times she is talking about how she misses him and can't wait for his return. She mentions how happy he will be to see Arya. Sansa also immediately was trying to give up her title of Lady of Winterfell to Bran upon his return. She specifically says "you are Lord of Winterfell now". She understands perfectly the Westerosi hierarchy. She does not encourage the fickle men who suggest they may have made the wrong choice with Jon as their king. She spends most of the season preparing Winterfell for Winter, as Jon would want. She is doing her due diligence with the food stores etc. She does want Jon to hear her. That is not a flaw IMO. She is the Lady of Winterfell. The North has a rather open forum of discussion. The setup of the great room is very much referencing the parliamentary style of early Britain. Jon sits on level equal with his people (no thrones) and he listens to his men/women. Sansa as Lady of Winterfell is a very important person in the North. Should they have had private convos beforehand? Yes. Jon should have told her his plans. But this is a small thing in context. They are learning to navigate their relationship. But Jon did leave the North to her when he departed. I think they left on good terms. They both certainly looked sad when Jon turned to look at her when he was leaving and they shared a wave goodbye gesture. Also: not really here on this forum. She has few advocates but I've seen way more revilers than defenders.

Elio Garcia: https://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/152580-grrm-speculation-that-aegon-the-conqueror-knew-about-the-others/&tab=comments#comment-8264583

Fascinating essay entitled "The Truth About Babylon Berlin" written by artist/writer Mark Vallen that goes into great depth and detail about the show, the arts and politics of the Weimar era. Extremely interesting but quite long so get a cup of tea! http://art-for-a-change.com/blog/2018/04/the-truth-about-babylon-berlin.html