ChillinLikeSerIlyn

IMDB has Natalie Tena listed as appearing in this episode, but they are notorious for getting things wrong.

I think Lysa Arryn may beg to differ.

They are trying to draw the NW out of their castle by attacking the surrounding villages. They are under the assumption the Watch has greater numbers and they want to take some out in open battle before they siege the castle. I believe the eventual plan is to raid the castle and let Mance and all his troops through the gate.

I really don't see how Jaime is capable of having a battle with any half-decent warrior at this point, Obara would carve him up in seconds. I still think his path is bound to point back towards Brienne anyway. Trant is a possibility for sure, although I think they will leave him around King's Landing as a familiar face for the Kingsguard. My money is on Loras. Cersei will try to get rid of him, just as in the books, but just send him South rather than off to Dragonstone. Since he is not pleased to be betrothed to her in the first place, I would think that he would want to get out of there, not to mention the Tyrells and Martells dislike each other to begin with (although they haven't played that angle up too much on the show). Also, Lora/Obara would be the best battle of the options that I can think of.

In the books, The Mountain smashed the baby against a wall then raped/killed Elia, while Amory Lorch stabbed the daughter a bunch of times. However, by the time Oberyn comes around Vargo Hoat had already fed Lorch to his bear, so Tywin only had Gregor to pin it on if I recall correctly.

I have to imagine that the whole Alys Karstark plotline is going to be excised from the show, frankly I'd be surprised if we ever meet anyone with the name Karstark again. I think they had to make the Thenns cannibals to show some major differences between (some of) the Wildlings and the Westerosi. After all, are main Wildlings thus far are Ygritte and Tormund who are relatively relatable. They could always introduce another faction if they want to have the marriage alliance storyline.

Polliver stole Needle from her but Raff the Sweetling was the one who killed Lommy in the book. Polliver was at the Inn with The Tickler, and was killed by The Hound followed by Arya picking up Needle and brutally murdering The Tickler while saying his catchphrases. They sort of co-opted this scene with show-Polliver getting what he said parroted back to him.