Game of Thrones 3.1 - "Valar Dohaeris" - Rate and discuss

Discussion in 'Science Fiction & Fantasy' started by Out Of My Vulcan Mind, Mar 31, 2013.

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Grading

  1. Excellent

    34.8%
  2. Above average

    54.3%
  3. Average

    8.7%
  4. Below average

    2.2%
  5. Poor

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. SiddFinch1

    SiddFinch1 Captain Captain

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    THe crrepy girl was a nice touch as was the early quyburn sighting. I like the way the show implements the book with changes as needed
     
  2. Kelthaz

    Kelthaz Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    It was a very well done introduction episode, but some parts fell flat and there wasn't much to work with. I went with average.
     
  3. Out Of My Vulcan Mind

    Out Of My Vulcan Mind Vice Admiral Admiral

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    A very strong start to the season. The opening with Sam was a bit weak (and unclear in terms of how much time had gone by), but everything else was nicely done. The Dany scenes were especially good. TV Missandei is gorgeous!
     
  4. Brendan Moody

    Brendan Moody Vice Admiral Admiral

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    A solid episode, somewhat hampered by an over-reliance on the barely-interesting Margaery, a pointless Robb/Catelyn/Talisa scene, and a weak introduction for Mance Rayder, but with great performances by Charles Dance, Lena Headey, and Jack Gleeson, and a strong ending, albeit one that may not resonate for all viewers in the way it does for book readers.

    Who had "twelve minutes" in the "first nudity" pool?
     
  5. yousirname

    yousirname Commander Red Shirt

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    About average. I'd read a spoiler-free review that mentioned the absence of a central character, was pleased it wasn't Tyrion but annoyed that it turned out to be Arya.
     
  6. Brendan Moody

    Brendan Moody Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I was surprised when someone pointed out that four plotlines were totally absent: Jaime/Brienne, Arya, Theon, and Bran. I didn't even notice, but thinking about it I feel like the episode was more coherent for having comparatively few stories. They could have gone further, and dropped Robb, Catelyn, and Talisa, without hurting the episode at all.
     
  7. Mage

    Mage Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I felt a bit underwhelmed really. I haven't read the books yet, but my girlfriend has and is really into the show aswell. She was also somewhat underwhelmed. In any case, somehow, I couldn't feel myself caring for the characters at all in this episode. Not sure why, perhaps my own mood was off when I watched, but somehow it all felt very 'meh' to me.
     
  8. 137th Gebirg

    137th Gebirg Admiral Premium Member

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    I didn't notice much either, although it was a curious choice of an episode title, considering they didn't include the Arya storyline at all.
     
  9. Ayelbourne

    Ayelbourne Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    The episode is named "Valar Dohaeris" because the previous episode was named "Valar Morghulis". That's all there is to it.
    Doesn't have anything to do with Arya.
     
  10. 137th Gebirg

    137th Gebirg Admiral Premium Member

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    Oh, but it does. Those were the words that Jaqen H'ghar taught Arya. The words are on the coin he gave her to get across he Narrow Sea and her pass to get into the House of Black and White. On he contrary, it has everything to do with Arya.
     
  11. yousirname

    yousirname Commander Red Shirt

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    ^Well he obviously means the phrase has nothing to do with Arya when considered as a choice for the episode title. As evidenced by her absence from the episode.

    And I mention this only because the title led me to expect Arya to be involved.

    It's like a milder version of the small disappointment you felt when gradually realising a character you liked wasn't going to be a POV character in one of the books.
     
  12. Hyperspace05

    Hyperspace05 Commodore Commodore

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    True - But the title of *this episode* has nothing to do with Arya's journey at this point in the book. (start of ASOS). She does not learn this phrase until later, if I remember right. (trying to be vague here)
     
  13. Hyperspace05

    Hyperspace05 Commodore Commodore

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    Some cool F/X shots from the episode: (click for HQ images)

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
  14. 137th Gebirg

    137th Gebirg Admiral Premium Member

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    She was actually given the coin and taught the phrase by Jaqen at the end of last season's finale after he got them out of Harrenhal (the phrase is engraved on the coin of a faceless man). He wanted her to come back to Braavos with him but she refused, saying she had to get back to her family. That's when he changed his face and walked away.
     
  15. Brendan Moody

    Brendan Moody Vice Admiral Admiral

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    She learns "Valar Morghulis" at the end of the episode of the same name (and at the end of A Clash of Kings), yes, but "Valar Doeharis," the title of this episode, hasn't been used in the TV show yet and doesn't come into play until a later point in the book.
     
  16. Forbin

    Forbin Admiral Admiral

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    What do those phrases mean?
     
  17. Out Of My Vulcan Mind

    Out Of My Vulcan Mind Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Valar Morghulis means "all men must die" and Valar Dohaeris means "all men must serve."
     
  18. Forbin

    Forbin Admiral Admiral

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    I said out, dammit!
    Tanks. :)
     
  19. Ayelbourne

    Ayelbourne Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    In the story, yes. But we're talking about the title of an episode. It's just a little easteregg for bookreaders, because at this point in the show, they are the only ones who know that "Valar Dohaeris" is the traditional reply to "Valar Morghulis".
     
  20. Forbin

    Forbin Admiral Admiral

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    Wasn't Valar Morghulis a 70s porn actress?


    No?


    :D