So, I think the show is with me in shipping Arya/Gendry. And shipping the FUCK out of Brienne/Jaime. I want those two on a boat out of Westeros because I am increasingly coming to think that the whole game of thrones is beside the point (between DRAGONS! and WALKERS!), and the smart money is in getting the fuck out of King's Landing. Go south, go across the water, get out of there.

Also, Jesusfuck, Stannis.

And what a beautiful demonstration of the difference between Cersei and Tyron.

Robb would be so much better off if he decided to cut his losses, claim that two dead Lannisters somewhat makes up for a dead father, go home to rebuild Winterfell and sit out the Winter. Sunk cost fallacy seems to be driving his actions at this point.

I agree with you. His strategy decision-making has been really fucked since his decision to marry.

His strategy decision-making has been really fucked since his decision to marry.

It's been really different looking at this on the show vs the book, since in the book he's not a POV character so we either see his actions via Catelyn's POV, or hear about them third-hand when other characters talk about how the war is going.

Robb would be so much better off if he decided to cut his losses, claim that two dead Lannisters somewhat makes up for a dead father, go home to rebuild Winterfell and sit out the Winter. Sunk cost fallacy seems to be driving his actions at this point.

His main problem with doing that, which I think they've mentioned on the show but not enough to make it clear, is that Greyjoys hold the Neck - a choke point separating the North from the rest of Westeros. Even if he wanted to just call it a draw and go home, he can't. Not without a costly fight anywhere he turns.

Not that this explains his really poor decision making of late, but it makes just going home problematic.

I was about to restart Spartacus when I realised I didn't understand:

Gods of the Arena is the subsequent prequel, then you have Vengeance, which follows Blood and Sand (with the new Spartacus actor), then War of the Damned is the final season.

Are you saying I should watch Gods, then Vengeance, or Gods then Blood and Sand then Vengeance? (I've finished Gods, have Vengeance, wondering if I should wait and acquire Blood and Sand first--still don't know what the closing scene of Gods meant)

Good point, Sean. Though I get the feeling that the Greyjoys are wusses when it comes to actually keeping landlocked property, and for sure if you have troops/lords whose loyalty is wavering, getting them all pointed in the direction of home is a way to get everyone to cooperate better.

Are you saying I should watch Gods, then Vengeance, or Gods then Blood and Sand then Vengeance? (I've finished Gods, have Vengeance, wondering if I should wait and acquire Blood and Sand first--still don't know what the closing scene of Gods meant)

You should definitely watch Blood and Sand before Vengeance. Gods was set first chronologically, but it was actually filmed second after Blood and Sand to keep production running while Andy Whitfield underwent treatment for cancer.

But Robb didn't go to war seeking vengeance for Ned's death, he went to war because Ned's execution demonstrated Joffrey's unfitness for the throne. You know how Starks are.

And Joffrey isn't even Robert's biological son, therefore he shouldn't inherit the throne per noble Ned.