I mean, I'm not saying there isn't. Just stating that for 3 seasons now they've been hinting at this epic battle between different houses, and white walkers, and dragon bitch. So far, nothing. Just how I predicted this season would be, much like season 2. All these epic implications, big cliffhanger at end of season to make you come back for more.... no actual pay off... And, as I figured, this season looks like it's gonna have the same ending. Especially with only 2 episodes left. But, like I said, keep getting strung along by these messily 10 episode seasons, because like a crack addict, hbo owns your ass and knows you'll always be back for more...

Doves, you will be blown away by the next episode.

This post was edited by AnomanderRake on May 20 2013 05:25pm

There is going to be lots of crying at the red wedding. Heh.
Can already guess how the forum is going to look afterwords.

Next episode is in two weeks, they don't want to compete with memorial day weekend.

Episode will be named after this season's promo song, the lannister theme - The Rains of Castamere - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9JuFmw30gQ

This post was edited by Arsenic_Touch on May 20 2013 06:05pm

You seem to think I don't enjoy the show. I love the show. The only difference is that I know when I'm being strung along for $$$...

Hope you're right.

I'm not sure what payoff you're looking for. The payoffs are in the character development (or lack of), sudden and unexpected plot changes, heroes rising and falling, and the game being played. Hell I've read all the books and I've seen more of the white walkers in the show than in the books.

Honestly I don't get the feeling of being strung along for cash... I think they're doing a great job with what they've got. I really wish they had the budget to do 12-15 episodes a season. There is so much more story that can be told.

This post was edited by Hysteria on May 20 2013 05:56pm

Well maybe now he won't be blown away, since you basically just spoiled it.

This post was edited by AnomanderRake on May 20 2013 06:08pm

Every season ends with a cliffhanger that never appears to resolve itself in the following season?

It's HBO... Do you honestly think that they don't "have the budget" for the most watched show on television. Or, do you think it might have something to do with the author of the books only writing a new one ever 6 years...

Longevity brah.

They probably have the budget but the increase in episodes probably wouldn't yield enough profit to justify it. With that in mind, what I meant was I don't care what it would cost, I wish they had enough money to put everything from the books on the screen. And of course they're going to have cliffhangers to string you along. It builds suspense and makes you want to keep watching. A lot of shows I enjoy are like that. Those same cliffhangers are in the books.

I'm not really sure what you're getting at with the author taking 6 years. What does that have to do with HBOs budget and episode length? If they catch up with the books they already have the major plot points so they'll just surpass them.

Oh and maybe I also don't feel strung along bc I don't pay for it.

This post was edited by Hysteria on May 20 2013 07:33pm

I'll just give a bit of backstory here. House Reyne and House Tarbeck were the most influential bannermen of Tytos Lannister, Tywin's father. ~30 years before the books/show start these two houses rebelled against House Lannister, and Tywin took it upon him to teach them a lesson, just like how he taught Tyrion his lesson. House Reyne and Tarbeck were massacred and none stayed alive.

The lyrics of the song:

And who are you,
the proud lord said.
That I must bow so low?
Only a cat of a different coat,
that's all the truth I know.
In a coat of gold, a coat of red,
a lion still has claws.
And mine are long and sharp my lord,
as long and sharp as yours.
And so he spoke, and so he spoke,
that lord of Castamere.
But now the rains weep o'er his hall,
with noone there to hear.
Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall,
and not a soul to hear.

Lannister sigil is a golden lion on a red field. Reyne sigil is a red lion on a white field. Castamere was the seat of House Reyne.

@The Doves: This show has broken boundaries already by the multitudes of locations and the enormity of the cast. Remember that when you have qualms about the budget. I'd rather have more characters and better scenery/writing than to get to see a battle, since the battles tend to slurp money faster than anything. Blackwater (S2E9) was a huge moneysink, and not just because of the wildfire.