Gotcha, I kind of agree with that. KIND OF.

I knew exactly what to expect, and truthfully that scene is still with me. I'm still bothered by it... I'm also bothered by the fact that this is the exact moment when the books officially go off the rails. As chilling and memorable as this scene is, the books never approach the level they were at prior to the Red Wedding.



For Book readers: So I guess it is safe to say that Martin was OK with Robb's wife being out of the picture so she must not make another appearance in the books. Since they made a big point of the Blackfish leaving, is it safe to assume that means Martin knows the Blackfish has more story to tell in books 6 and 7?

I think I am just reading way too much into everything. Martin is a fuck.

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Oh Shit, I Totally Forgot That Happens!
COMMENTARY
By George R.R. Martin



As the author of the popular Song Of Ice And Fire series of fantasy novels, it has been a pleasure and a joy to watch Game Of Thrones, HBO’s riveting television adaptation of my work. Every week, the show delights viewers, myself included, with a series of stirring performances, deftly maneuvered feats of visual storytelling, and eye-popping special effects. It truly is a joy to watch my novels—my life’s work—come to life on the screen, rendered with tact, faithfulness, and considerable filmmaking skill.

That being said, HOLY FUCKING SHIT. I totally forgot that whole thing about the Red Wedding! Christ almighty, talk about a punch in the goddamned gut. I must have been sitting there for 20 minutes afterwards just completely numb with disbelief, like, “What the hell did I just watch?”

I mean, is it that brutal in my book? I honestly don’t remember.

The whole time it was happening, I was literally just staring at my television in shock thinking, “Son of a bitch, I forgot about that! Three of the story’s main characters are murdered in the most savage and horrific fashion imaginable!” My wife and I were sitting on the couch and we both just turned and looked at each other, like, “Whoa. That was intense.” I mean, I vaguely remember writing something like that, but that was years ago, you know? You forget these things.

And you don’t see it coming, either; that’s the thing. The previous episode capped off with the marriage of Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark, which seemed like it might be the real big event in a season that has largely been concerned with puzzle pieces falling into place. So with only two episodes left before the season’s conclusion, I was just looking forward to some more juicy exposition, no more, no less. But no! Catelyn Stark, Robb Stark, his wife Talisa and their unborn child—hell, even Robb’s wolf, Grey Wind—all slaughtered on the same night by the traitorous Walder Frey and his league of Lannister sympathizers! And at the end of a wedding no less! A goddamned wedding!

And here I was sitting on my couch like a child thinking about how sweet it was that Talisa wanted to name the baby after Ned Stark, and how emotional it would be in two minutes when Robb finally met up with Arya, who was right outside the whole time. I was looking forward to that scene for three whole episodes! I was 100 percent sure I had written it, too. I mean, who doesn’t want Arya to reunite with her family?

Then out of nowhere, boom! Catelyn Stark’s neck is sliced open with her firstborn son dead at her feet. And I suddenly remembered, “Oh, yeah! I did that.”

I think it was in Book Four. Or Book Three? One of those.

The worst part, though, was the moment right when I started to realize what I had written. It was after Lothar Frey went to the back of the room and closed those big doors and Catelyn Stark looked over at Roose Bolton and saw that he’s wearing chainmail under his nice clothes. That was the moment I thought, “Fuck, that’s right. I think I might kill off Robb Stark here.” And then I did! And boy, was it a hard to thing to watch, especially when I had also completely blanked on the fact his mom dies right after.

This fucking show, you know? One minute Robb Stark is solidifying his military power on his way to King’s Landing and the next he’s bleeding out on the floor. Just goes to show you can’t get too attached to any of my characters.

Hell, I’m still getting over the death of Ned Stark in Season One.

And even though it’s my responsibility as an author to protect the integrity of my novels at all costs, I have to admit that I personally wouldn’t have noticed if they’d completely changed the story at that point and the episode had ended happily. Hell, those books were written a long time ago; you can’t expect me to remember every last detail. Sure, I’m an executive producer on the show and they send me all the scripts on these things, but I never read them. Those things are full of spoilers.

At any rate, holy shit! I almost don’t want to see what I do next week. All I know is Tyrion better not get killed, because if he dies I’m done with this show, man. Done.

The Onion

i'm supposed to save watching this show till i go over to a friend's house but i had to at least watch the red wedding after reading all the reactions and everything. i love how the entertainment media has to go with the OMG attitude as if this is a fucking "twilight" series or something.

it is still a gutwrenching thing to watch and it's beautifully done. after watching it, i read it again in the book. it is definitely more obvious that something bad is going to happen in the book; but it was definitely done on purpose in the show to make it a surprise. both were effective.

i will give credit to someone who tweeted this quip: "george r.r. martin doesn't have a twitter account because he killed all 140 characters." that's a bit paraphrased; but still, funny.

Martin was on Conan last night. Nothing too earth shattering but thought I would post a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR36slEw7aU

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Kind of a meh finale.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Valar Morghulis.

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yeah...this episode was about as exciting as having your severed penis shipped in a box to your sister.

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@audioidkid

Agreed. In fact I think the show went a little overboard trying to hammer home just how fucked Robb was as soon as he entered the castle. Everything from Cat's POV screamed GTFO right up until the moment it was too late.

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I thought it handled things pretty well considering the amount of table setting that had to be done. That Tywin/Tyrion conversation was the absolute bees knees and I want the writers to find a way to keep Charles Dance on the show forever. That look he gave Joffrey right after essentially being called a coward made my fucking bowels churn how Joffrey didn't keel over and die right there is a mystery to me. And the Danny storyline.... [MILD SPOILERS] man I feel almost bad for the people who haven't read the books because now she basically just sits on her ass for two and a half books.

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Also I have no idea how the writers keep this show from becoming a campy mess because some of these characters are just so downright evil they may as well be wearing a top hat and cape and twirling their mustaches. I mean I think they are having fun with portraying just how batshit Joffrey is (not sure if I like that addition of him killing Roz though) because it's become almost comical at this point to witness all that seething, impotent rage. Jack Gleeson plays that character so well, like an 80s movie bully mixed with Patrick Bateman.

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I rewatched the Red Wedding episode in the morning and caught the new episode last night and again
this morning. I was satisfied with how the season ended. What the hell ever happened to Littlefinger?
I have to assume he will be back and not too happy about what happened to Cat. I thought Dinklage
stole the episode yet again with all of his scenes. like he was born to play that role it seems. Really
wishing I would have read the books.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Littlefinger is coming back don't worry.

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I assumed when he was given title to that land or whatever that is where he shipped out to for a while.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Agreed, thought the finale was fine given what happened last week. With people still probably in shock over last week nothing major was going to go down.
- I usually am neutral on Bran/Reed scenes but thought they were very strong this week. For non-book readers, the importance of the "guest right" tradition may not have been known. Bran's story helped enforce what an atrocity the Red Wedding was. Sure, the murders were awful but the violation of "guest right" will scar the Frey House forever.
- Tyrion and Tywin scenes are always the best whenever they occur and this week was no different. The chemistry between the two characters is outstanding.
- Now that Theon's name change to Reek has finally been established that's the last of his scenes for a while. The actor playing Ramsay is great but I'm done with those creepy scenes and would rather they focus on the Wall now.
- Dany's story can be fast forwarded for a while now too. Unless they rewrite her story the future scenes going to suck bigtime.
- The use of Gendry was a clever way of cutting out Edric Storm. Although a veer from the book I think the TV writers story was no harm no foul. Nothing was ruined and added some intrigue for the book readers wanting to know where they were going with Gendry.

Overall, the 1st part of book 3 was well done. They didn't focus on the Wall as much as I wanted too but I'm sure they'll get to it in Part 2.

I have no idea what they are going to do with Danny's storyline because it's basically stagnant up until the end of the latest book. Agreed on Bran's story and the Reek storyline being established and hopefully over with the torture. I hope that rowboat takes Gendry back to the Riverlands.

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Really hope Arya Stark offing that dude is a precursor to come of turning into a real badass. Always liked her character.

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Team Cutler.

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Nah man, only Lannisters are interested in incest. She just let him cop a feel and then shamed him about it later.

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Yeah, she let him finger her before telling him they were brother. N sista.

Weak episode, this whole theon plot is awful, kill him off n move along.

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No.

It's hard to tell if the guy playing Jon Snow can't act or he's just doing a really good Jon Snow.

We got the wolf head on Robb's body. I would have preferred it as the closing shot of episode 9 with the Robbwind thing seated in Walder Frey's chair with a crown on its head.

Lame reunion between Jamie and Cersei.

Charles Dance just owning every scene he is in.

I've re-watched the RW a few times just to see the look Roose gives Catelyn. Fucking great moment.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Man you just wait for that epic fuck sesh they are going to have next season! Then we'll see whose talking about a lame reunion.

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A bunch of people at work watch the show and didnt read the books. They were all pumped after seeing Dany surrounded by the freed slaves. "Hell yeah! I cant wait til she goes back and kicks the Lannister's asses!!!"



I did nothing to discourage them. I said yeah, you are gonna be shocked to see what happens next...

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Agree on Charles Dance, he just fucking owns every scene he is in. He and Peter Dinklage are the best actors on the show.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

And Charles Dance doesnt do anything and he's still the best

Just the looks he gives and the small mannerism. Joffrey should have been scared shitless after that scene but he was just too dumb to realize that Tywin is in power.

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Prepare to be not disappointed.

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One of the few things that wont leave you disappointed coming up

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