I had forgotten (until I read a review) that Shireen had taught Gilly to read, as well as Davos. Hence the import of that scene with the girl and her scarred face. Davos and Gilly are bonded by that even though they don't know it.
With the big battle happening in the third episode, I'm wondering if we might get a lot of post Night King shenanigans. That it's not going to end all neatly with Wise And Just Daenerys on the Throne and Tyrion as her hand. Maybe more like "Hey, this Targaryen Empress is a bit of a fucknut, burn 'em all tyrant too!" Maybe Arya shows up in Jon Snow's face and stabs her in the chest.
Martin loves upending tropes and expectations and I don't think Happy Ending is where we're landing.
Also, what's the basis for the fan-theory that Bran is the Night King? I can follow the logic on Bran is Really the Original Bran The Builder through the power of doing the Time Warg again. But less sure of the logic on him being the Night King.
I think the show took too long between seasons for me to be really emotionally invested anymore. I'm still watching, but honestly the momentum is gone for me. I want to skip to the end and follow the spin-off Continuing Adventures of Sers Brienne and Arya.
Anyone else get a major Riders of Rohan arriving at Helms Deep vibe when the Night King's army appeared over the horizon?
what's the basis for the fan-theory that Bran is the Night King?
Oh, I thought the fan-theory was that Bran (or The Three-Eyed Raven Who Is Currently Played By Bran) *created* the Night King.
Anyone else get a major Riders of Rohan arriving at Helms Deep vibe
The Riders arrived from a hilltop flanking Helms Deep, not straight-on.
I'm kind of liking the fan theory that Jaime is the Knight Who Was Promised, for sheer redemption. I also really like Jaime and Tyrion together. I was never convinced Jaime hated Tyrion the way Cersei did.
I totally cried during Brienne's knighting, which was such a contrast to Tormund's storytelling.
Arya's sudden devirginizing was startling, but I totally get it, and they certainly foreshadowed it with enough awkward aggressive flirting.
I'm loving this so far. I have low expectations, though, and I know lots of folks are going to die, it's just a matter of which ones.
I think Dany is going to get a big helping of "yeah, not so much" from the world at large. She may have mostly earned her right to rule overseas, but most of Westeros doesn't know that, and her entitleness makes me like her less. At this point, you have to wonder why she even wants it. Why would anyone?
I was just really happy to have a Cersei-less episode. I'm so bored by her at this point, she's not even fun to hate anymore.
Arya's
I don't want to die a virgin
decision cracked me up, which was probably not the writer's intent.
Sam's list of great deeds was perfect. Sam is a badass, and no one should forget that.
Sansa's pointed "What of the North?" to Dany was my favorite moment in the show.
Unlike most of the women on the show, Arya's First Time was not only voluntary but affectionate.
To me, that means she's definitely going to die.
Lots of people are pointing out that The Crypts have gotten pointed out as a Safe Place so often that there is bound to be some major action happening there.
Another gun on the mantelpiece -- Arya's special weapon. Now I want her to go full Faceless Girl and just as the Winter King proclaims "No man can kill me" she gets to rip off the false face Mission Impossible style and say -- well, you know what she should be saying, right?
