Yeah it's crazy how bad that episode was coming off one of the best.
a) Considering Stannis has had absolutely no success in creating a male heir, why in the world would he sacrifice his only child to gain the Iron Throne if the point of being King is to create a LEGACY. No children = no legacy. Dumb.
Yeah, but the choice he was facing down was everyone die or sacrifice her. They don't have enough supplies to get back to Castle Black and they were going to get massacred if they attacked Winterfell. Not saying I loved the scene, but it wasn't like they didn't build up to it and justify it in the plot.
b) Why even show Jon Snow that episode? They could have showed the same scene at the beginning of the next episode. Instead I'm waiting around for the next scene at the Wall that never came.
Keep us booklearners guessing. Also, I think Jon had to get back this episode so Davos can convince him to march south next episode. Jon's got to have reestablished his control of the wall to set the stage for what's coming next.
c) Agree with Wizard. I've had enough child rape/rape in general scenes for absolutely no reason at all plot wise. It would have actually made sense if Arya was brought in for him to rape her but she kills him instead.
I would bet anything that she will end up being the "fresh new girl" in Episode 10.
d) Jorah is not some slouch. He was getting his ass kicked over and over again.
None of those dudes were slouches, they were the best fighters in all of Mereen. That was like the gladiatorial Olympics.
e) Selyse is completely unemotional until some random point where she seems to realize that her daughter is about to die. She is supposed to be the cold, uber religious character.
I think she's going to take a more active role in the plot moving forward. Up to this point (in the books and the show) she's added no value whatsoever and shown no agency. I'm guessing she's not going to be quite as friendly with Mel anymore.
Side note: Did Jorah's greyscale hand touch Dany?
Sure looked like it. Not clear that it's spread all they way up to his hand yet though.
Overall, I liked the episode. Definitely disappointed with Stannis, but I think he's not going to be alive for much longer. As my above comments make clear, I think a lot of table setting was going on. I'm willing to wait another week to judge whether the payoff was worth it or not.
