Well despite knowing what was coming, that was not quite what I was expecting. Top class tv for the most part, but the preview made out the episode to be a faced paced actiony episode, it actually turned out to be rather slower paced and dramatic. I really have a problem marking the episode, most of it was excellent, but there was one serious misstep, and that was the lack of showing any battles. In fact in the sea of praise around the net for this episode, this is about the only real criticism I've heard. Some people have argued that as the show will struggle with battles because of its budget. I don't buy that at all. Firstly I've seen lower budgeted shows do far more grand stuff, like in the Borgia's and the Tudors. Also in this ep many of the shots seem epic, such as the Twins, the scenery around the Drothraki camp and the actual aftermath of the battle that we see. I actually don't mind them not showing the battle Tyrion was in, (in the book he fights, but as far as I remember still gets knocked down early on) because as it turns out it was inconsequential, it was a diversion. What should have happened though is that after Tywin told Tyrion that they had only faced 2000 men and the other 18,000 were with Robb, it should have then cut to the actual attack on Jaime's camp. What's more as a battle scene it probably wouldn't have cost much to film, because it's in a forest, obscuring a lot. Just focus on Jaime as he cuts down men, before he's captured. It would have made it much more dramatic, and would have been a good opportunity to see the Kingslayer unleashed as it were.
What we got in the show was almost verbatim from the book, where we see things from Cat's perspective, waiting for Robb to return. But that's the book, this is a tv series, they need to show, not tell. In a book, someone describing a battle to someone else who was not there, pretty much can convey the same information, as if said character is there and the battle is described directly. Obviously in a show that doesn't work as well. To be fair to the episode they had a lot to fit in, including of course the execution of Ned, which presumably tptb realised would dominate the episode. But still for future seasons, they need to up their game. Westeros dissolves into the War of the Five Kings, and there are at least a couple of major battles in the books that cannot be glossed over. While character and their interactions with each other are the most important things is the book, I hope HBO realise this is an epic series of books they are adapting, with epic wars, and strange otherworldly creatures. They obviously can't go all LOTR scale, but they still need to show some of it to be effective. I'm certainly not ready to declare the series ruined forever, far from it most of the episode was brilliant, but I hope that fan sites such as Winter is Coming address tptb over these concerns and that they answer and reassure us in the coming months. Hopefully, know that they have also buil many of the sets, they will have more money to spare for season 2. I also want to see what episode 10 will bring, that may, as the season finale may prove to be more epic and answer any fears. I also hold out for maybe some sort of flashback for Jaime in the next ep, so it shows him fighting the Starks at his camp.
Long rant, but the majority of the episode was fantastic still imo. Loved the Dothraki stuff, strongest moments from that setting yet, and the ominous sounds from the tent and Jorah Mormont being badass were all good. Peter Vaughan nailed it as Vaughn, as did David Bradley as Walder Frey. The ending scene was beyond fantastic and totally lived up to the hype. So still brilliant, it's just at this point I'm expecting best ever.
Partially I blame the previews, because while it was all dramatic and cool it completely mis sold what type of episode it was going to be. They screwed up again for the episode 10, spoiling a dramatic and surprising episode, though I suppose they needed a hook to make sure no one jumped ship after Ned's demise.
What we got in the show was almost verbatim from the book, where we see things from Cat's perspective, waiting for Robb to return. But that's the book, this is a tv series, they need to show, not tell. In a book, someone describing a battle to someone else who was not there, pretty much can convey the same information, as if said character is there and the battle is described directly. Obviously in a show that doesn't work as well. To be fair to the episode they had a lot to fit in, including of course the execution of Ned, which presumably tptb realised would dominate the episode. But still for future seasons, they need to up their game. Westeros dissolves into the War of the Five Kings, and there are at least a couple of major battles in the books that cannot be glossed over. While character and their interactions with each other are the most important things is the book, I hope HBO realise this is an epic series of books they are adapting, with epic wars, and strange otherworldly creatures. They obviously can't go all LOTR scale, but they still need to show some of it to be effective. I'm certainly not ready to declare the series ruined forever, far from it most of the episode was brilliant, but I hope that fan sites such as Winter is Coming address tptb over these concerns and that they answer and reassure us in the coming months. Hopefully, know that they have also buil many of the sets, they will have more money to spare for season 2. I also want to see what episode 10 will bring, that may, as the season finale may prove to be more epic and answer any fears. I also hold out for maybe some sort of flashback for Jaime in the next ep, so it shows him fighting the Starks at his camp.
Long rant, but the majority of the episode was fantastic still imo. Loved the Dothraki stuff, strongest moments from that setting yet, and the ominous sounds from the tent and Jorah Mormont being badass were all good. Peter Vaughan nailed it as Vaughn, as did David Bradley as Walder Frey. The ending scene was beyond fantastic and totally lived up to the hype. So still brilliant, it's just at this point I'm expecting best ever.
Partially I blame the previews, because while it was all dramatic and cool it completely mis sold what type of episode it was going to be. They screwed up again for the episode 10, spoiling a dramatic and surprising episode, though I suppose they needed a hook to make sure no one jumped ship after Ned's demise.
) but then often gloss over any consequences. That does not happen here, every characters death has an impact, everything is important. The books and of course now the show will explore the consequences of his death and the impact it has on those who knew him.
well I guess I'll have to find out during a long hiatus by reading all remaning books. 
) and knew Ned wasn't going to make it but I was sure it would happen in the last episode of the season. So I had my surprise despite spoilers 
and as long as the battles aren't important in terms of what happens to the characters (being killed or injured) I can live without them.
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