My thoughts on the titles (where I have them and they're book spoilery - for all books):
Two Swords: The sword that Tywin gives Joffrey and the one that Jaime gives Brienne.
The lion and the rose: purple wedding (so to speak)
4.4 - Brienne?
4.6 - the wall, perhaps-something to do with Melisandre's king burning
4.7 - Littlefinger centric
4.8 - Trial of Combat!
4.9 - election, no?
4.10 - possibly a Bran-centric thing? That would definitely go to Dance with Dragons territory. And possibly Jon switching babies and sending Sam and Gilly to Old Town.
The Maesters - they provide a form of standardized education for the aritocrats (at least) and possibly for others. And they also stand for science vs. magic.
I think the title for
4.5
is my favorite. It certainly brings a smile to my face.
Also, I think of all the minor non-spoilery details from the books I miss the most is Lord Mormont's talking raven. Whether they thought it would play too comic, or if it was just budgetary reasons, I can respect why the producers decided to leave it out, but I still miss that bird.
sumi, I'm pretty sure the second part of your note on the
first title won't happen until 4.4, as that episode's title is the sword's name.
Sean, snow!
Well, yes. But then
am I forgetting a sword
?
sumi, there is a storm of swords to choose from!
I have forgotten what book anything happens in, and probably what order things happen in, and probably a lot of things that happen. I think I'm okay with that, for now.
sumi,
Ice (Ned's sword) was melted down and reforged into two Lannister swords. Joffrey got one (Widow's Wail), and Jaime got the other. He, lacking his sword hand, gives it (and a super-spiffy suit of armor and a horse) to Brienne and names it Oathkeeper (after her). So, same sword, different moment. Tyrion doesn't get a valyrian steel blade
because his father is an utter asshole to him at every opportunity.
Dorne! Dragons! Duncan the Tall!
