Maybe instead of the Reeds following them out of Winterfell, they'll all go and seek out the Crannogmen instead of heading north.

That would make sense. Bran should know Howland Reed was a great friend of his father's, and Osha would be reluctant to go north, I would think.

Finally watched the ep and can catch up in this thread!

I think I need to reread the Harrenhall chapters in the book because I don't remember most of Arya's storyline, and I can't tell if it's because my memory is swiss cheese or because it's been changed for the show.

Yeah, her storyline has been changed somewhat. I don't really remember well myself. I'm pretty sure some of the changes in her storyline are primarily to give Charles Dance more screen time, which A-FREAKIN'-MEN, ya know? But because we get more Tywin, we lose the uber-creepiness of Harrenhal where misfortune seems to befall all who try to hold it.

But it's Daenerys' storyline that's undergone the heaviest changes so far.

I have to say, I really love the way Benioff and Weiss have handled the changes, starting with the fact that they were so faithful in S1, and went a long way to earn the readers' trust. This season has seen some major departures from Clash of Kings, but each one so far has seemed (to me) to be done in a way that signals to readers that they're going to cover the important stuff, and not stray too far.

And yet for a second there afterward I almost felt some pity for Theon

I keep thinking back to that shot a couple of episodes ago, of Theon burning the letter to Robb. He seemed so small in his tiny pool of slowly dying light, surrounded by such a vast gulf of pitch black, closing in closer and closer to devour him. It was so freakin' perfect.

I mean, boo hoo, his dad doesn't love him. Welcome to the life of everyone in Westeros not fathered by Ned Stark.

INORITE? I mean, raised by the one guy in all of Westeros who ever treated other people decently, and this is how you repay him?

Do you think Shae is also from Volantis, or another of the Free Cities? I'm not good with accents, but they sounded kind of similar to me (Shae and whatshername the healer). All these foreign women lurking around the edges of the conflict - coincidence? Conspiracy?

I believe she is, and it's expressly stated so in the books somewhere, or at least strongly hinted at. And your conspiracy question is a question that has occurred me SEVERAL TIMES during the books, too. Because isn't the woman who gets to be besties with Cersei in Book 4 also from Volantis?

sumi and -t, I've been missing the Reeds a bit too.

In the drinking game in S1, did Shae deny being from nobility too? I can't remember.

This season has seen some major departures from Clash of Kings, but each one so far has seemed (to me) to be done in a way that signals to readers that they're going to cover the important stuff, and not stray too far.

Yeah, none of the changes they've made so far would prevent any of the characters from arriving at the big important moments, just from slightly different angles.

Interesting theories re: characters from the Free Cities! I'll just point out that that list also includes Varys.

Sean - I think you're right! about the woman who becomes besties with Cersei.

Hmmm, its amazing how many different conspiracies there are or may be.

Myr, not Volantis - [link]

(Book spoilers behind link.)

Peter Dinklage on the cover of Rolling Stone.

Is anyone watching Veep? Can't decide if I like it or not.

I'm watching, and love it, but I've been a fan of Iannucci (and the rest of this writing team) for ages, since their British series The Thick of It. He basically does one thing - bumbling vulgar politicians - but he does it so very, very well.