There were actually points in time that I expressed concern to other book readers (backchannel, natch) that we were being conspicuous in our absence of in depth discussion about Robb and Catelyn, and the things they were going through. Frankly, I'm surprised that, in three years, nobody ever noticed there were a couple of characters the book readers rather studiously avoided discussing.

I'm a little disappointed that Sam just knew about the Black Gate. I'm wondering if that means no Coldhands.

The flyover shot of Yunkai was fantastic.

DOOD! Dario, Grey Worm, and Ser Jorah killing everybody was AWESOME!

Question for book readers. I'm somewhat spoiled for the rest of the 3rd book. So in appropriate, please whitefont responses to my question. I am wondering what the Red Wedding accomplishes in terms of the larger plot? I read the GRRM interview where he mentioned his writing of that scene. But I'm not sure from a plot perspective what he achieves?

But I'm not sure from a plot perspective what he achieves?

That's REALLY hard to explain, even in whitefont. And even if you're semi-spoiled, there's spoilers you may not know, and want to keep safe.

Suffice to say it does do something, plotwise.

I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know.

I can go back to the GOT-pedia and deal.

Okay. Let's put it this way -- The fact that Thoros of Myr exists, and is very near the Twins (specifically downriver), is important.

Plotwise, politically, it completely removes the Starks from positions of control, leaving the North open to every other possible major player. We've heard Tywin saying the whoever marries Sansa will have control of the North through her when Robb dies...which is why he made Tyrion marry her. No one even knows Bran and Rickon are still in the picture, and Arya is assumed lost/gone. And all that instability in the North is a huge problem when you heed Ned Stark's warning that serious strength in the North is the only thing keeping the South safe from Wildlings and White Walkers. Even worse when so much of the Night's Watch forces from Castle Black are gone from the battle at the Fist of the First Men and the mutiny at Craster's Keep. I may be missing things, the politics in this world are enormous and I'm tired, but that's a few pieces of the puzzle.

Political instability in the North is a way bigger continental problem that those in King's Landing would ever even consider. (and by continental I mean there's no indication that I've seen that the White Walkers exist beyond Westeros. If they start taking over the Ironborn's boats and sailing...well that'll be...interesting.)

Yes, there's a metric ton of political implications of this development, on top of everything else. But most importantly, I'd say it's that it lulls the Lannisters, and pretty much everybody in Westeros into a false sense of the war coming to an end. Pretty much everybody is spectacularly wrong about that.

Also? Because she has nowhere else to go now, Arya goes to Braavos.