Game of Throngs

[LaserGuy]

Question:

Being that this is probably my favorite TV show, should I now go read the books? Or would that ruin the enjoyment and surprise of the series?

When

Spoiler:

Stark got beheaded... I was blown away.. epic moment in TV to kill off the most likeable and best character.

I would hate to ruin moments like that for myself.

I might suggest reading the books only as far as the show has gone. It might help fill in some background details and expand some plot points without giving too much away. If you like the books a lot, keep reading; if you want to keep the show unspoiled, then just wait for a bit.

If you really like the show, though, I'd be very tempted to say that you should not read book 3 until after season 3. And avoid any discussions of the books during that period. A Storm of Swords is very, very intense.

[maybeagnostic]

Being that this is probably my favorite TV show, should I now go read the books? Or would that ruin the enjoyment and surprise of the series?

I've read the books and I love almost every single scene in the show. I do, however, know exactly what will happen next so I am not particularly excited for the next episode. I would definitely recommend reading the books because a) they are awesome, b) it helps to follow along with the show, and c) the show includes a lot of references and winks to people who have read the books.

Of course, you can only experience the full impact of each shocking moment once. Spoiler for end of the first season/book:

Spoiler:

I think Ned getting killed was a lot more shocking in the books than in the show but it is hard to judge since I obviously wasn't at all surprised in the show. Still, I had spent many hours looking at the world through his eyes, I was absolutely convinced he was the Good Guy in this fantasy epic (He was even an orphan*! Orphans never die!), and the paragraphs between Geoffrey's order and the beheading were almost unbelievable. The show didn't really have the chance to stretch out the shock and suspension as much.

* Kind of.

[pseudoidiot]

Ixtellor: I think moments like that are just as shocking, if not more so, in the books.

Going beyond the standard cries of "ALWAYS READ THE BOOKS FIRST", you should ask yourself if you would prefer to experience those moments from watching the show, or reading the book and then seeing it again on screen?

I don't feel like reading the books has ruined anything in the series for me. I think there's still a lot of entertainment value. They're doing cool things with the show and fleshing things out in interesting ways, so I think it's fun to be aware of the differences.

Although in my case, it's been a few years since I read the earlier books, so some things aren't quite as fresh as others. Although it helps that my wife recently read them, so that was almost like a refresher course.

[Dream]

My personal opinion from dipping into other people's copies of the first book, is that the prose is massively overwrought and meandering. I just can't face a seven or eight book saga of it. I'm a lot happier watching and enjoying the twists and turns on TV for the moment. It may reach a stage where the plot absolutely requires book length exposition, and the books become by far the better experience, but for now the series is handling its plots very well, and I'm happy. I'm happy to approach it as a series, and not overthink the book related excisions from plot or character.

[Adacore]

Of course, you can only experience the full impact of each shocking moment once. Spoiler for end of the first season/book:

Spoiler:

I think Ned getting killed was a lot more shocking in the books than in the show but it is hard to judge since I obviously wasn't at all surprised in the show. Still, I had spent many hours looking at the world through his eyes, I was absolutely convinced he was the Good Guy in this fantasy epic (He was even an orphan*! Orphans never die!), and the paragraphs between Geoffrey's order and the beheading were almost unbelievable. The show didn't really have the chance to stretch out the shock and suspension as much.

First season/book still:

Spoiler:

It was kinda the opposite for me. In the book I felt it was really obvious that Ned was going to die, but in the show it wasn't foreshadowed anywhere near as heavily (they stressed the 'adult direwolf killed by a stag with 6 direwolf pups, and the direwolf is totally the symbol of the Starks, and this is totally a metaphor, look at it!' bit way more in the book). So I was convinced fairly early on in the book that it was a novel about the Stark children growing up and making their way into the world and having epic adventures, and in order for them to really strike out on their own, their protector figure (Ned) had to die. I don't think I would've picked up on that at all from the show.

Also, Ned did some really stupid stuff towards the end of book/season 1 that seemed, given he's meant to be an intelligent man, to be things he'd only be doing if the author wanted to set him up for death.

Thus, the most shocking bit of the first book, for me, was Bran's fall from the tower, because I thought he'd died and was expecting him to be one of the main characters.

[CorruptUser]

Spoiler:

I'm developing an immunity to shock, as major characters suddenly die, minor characters turn out to be huge ones, and alliances constantly shift.

B5 Spoilers

Spoiler:

But what did catch me off guard was at the end of DwD both Jon and Mance die. Possibly. The 3 characters that seemed to have plot immunity were Dany, Tyrion, and Jon/Mance. It's called "A Song of Ice and Fire", Dany is the fire, and either Jon or Mance is the ice, you can't have the song without fire and ice! Or maybe Bran is supposed to be the ice?

Tyrion is the author's (and mine) favorite character, so he can't get killed just yet. Maybe at the end of the series they die, but not till the story is done. Also, Petyr and Varys both seem to have a lot more to add before they get killed off. At least one of the two has to stay around as the Chessmaster. Unless that obese merchant guy is the real Chessmaster?

Back to Tyrion's awesomitude, I love how GoT is the first major series (that I know of) where a dwarf is actually in a real part. Not the comic relief, not a token minority, not a poster child, but a real character. You know, a human, instead of an attraction.

It's something that always bothers me in movies and TV. Have a gay character? He's either a campy comic relief, a depraved bisexual villain, Super-minority*, or the guy who pauses the movie to remind everyone not to be homophobic.

*I really, really hate that archetype. You are recruiting a sports team, and you see someone kicking ass. But oh, it turns out that he's actually a girl! You can't let girls on the team! But the girl isn't just a little better than needed to make the cut, or better than most of your players, oh no, she has to be the best player on your team with no flaws or room for character development whatsoever outside of a love interest!

[maybeagnostic]

B5 Spoilers

Spoiler:

But what did catch me off guard was at the end of DwD both Jon and Mance die. Possibly. The 3 characters that seemed to have plot immunity were Dany, Tyrion, and Jon/Mance. It's called "A Song of Ice and Fire", Dany is the fire, and either Jon or Mance is the ice, you can't have the song without fire and ice! Or maybe Bran is supposed to be the ice?

Tyrion is the author's (and mine) favorite character, so he can't get killed just yet. Maybe at the end of the series they die, but not till the story is done. Also, Petyr and Varys both seem to have a lot more to add before they get killed off. At least one of the two has to stay around as the Chessmaster. Unless that obese merchant guy is the real Chessmaster?

Massive book 1 through 5 spoilers:

Spoiler:

Martin stopped killing important characters at the end of the third book. I actually like the fourth book but in terms of complexity and suspense it can't even remotely compare to the first three. In the fourth and the fifth books no one important died, a few characters that were supposedly dead were brought back, and all the 'Is this important character going to die?' uncertainty was wasted on ridiculous cliff hangers (Cersei, Brienne, Jaime, John).

The series really needs to take a step back, skip over a few years and let the kid characters grow up a bit.

[CorruptUser]

B5 Spoilers

Spoiler:

But what did catch me off guard was at the end of DwD both Jon and Mance die. Possibly. The 3 characters that seemed to have plot immunity were Dany, Tyrion, and Jon/Mance. It's called "A Song of Ice and Fire", Dany is the fire, and either Jon or Mance is the ice, you can't have the song without fire and ice! Or maybe Bran is supposed to be the ice?

Tyrion is the author's (and mine) favorite character, so he can't get killed just yet. Maybe at the end of the series they die, but not till the story is done. Also, Petyr and Varys both seem to have a lot more to add before they get killed off. At least one of the two has to stay around as the Chessmaster. Unless that obese merchant guy is the real Chessmaster?

Massive book 1 through 5 spoilers:

Spoiler:

Martin stopped killing important characters at the end of the third book. I actually like the fourth book but in terms of complexity and suspense it can't even remotely compare to the first three. In the fourth and the fifth books no one important died, a few characters that were supposedly dead were brought back, and all the 'Is this important character going to die?' uncertainty was wasted on ridiculous cliff hangers (Cersei, Brienne, Jaime, John).

The series really needs to take a step back, skip over a few years and let the kid characters grow up a bit.

B4/5 spoilers

Spoiler:

Yeah I noticed that characters no longer died as frequently. Rattleshirt did die though, as did Six-skins. And that "I'm going to tame a dragon!" idiot. And Aegon (was that book 4? I forget when). And Lysa Tully. She was a plot-critical character, kinda, even if she was a bit unlikable and won't be missed. She did get her woobie moment in the previous books, when it's revealed that her father forced her to get an abortion.

I think all the major 'villains' are either woobies or complete monsters. The Hound was tortured by his brother, Jamie lost his hand, Reek, Tyrion (not really that evil) has his wife-whore and lifetime of abuse, Petyr would be a woobie if he wasn't so competent, and so on.

If GRRM could somehow turn the Boltons into woobies, then I'd be impressed.

[maybeagnostic]

B4/5 spoilers

Spoiler:

Yeah I noticed that characters no longer died as frequently. Rattleshirt did die though, as did Six-skins. And that "I'm going to tame a dragon!" idiot. And Aegon (was that book 4? I forget when). And Lysa Tully. She was a plot-critical character, kinda, even if she was a bit unlikable and won't be missed. She did get her woobie moment in the previous books, when it's revealed that her father forced her to get an abortion.

I think all the major 'villains' are either woobies or complete monsters. The Hound was tortured by his brother, Jamie lost his hand, Reek, Tyrion (not really that evil) has his wife-whore and lifetime of abuse, Petyr would be a woobie if he wasn't so competent, and so on.

If GRRM could somehow turn the Boltons into woobies, then I'd be impressed.

Spoiler:

Lysa Tully might have been important to the world but she never had a POV. Maybe I should have said protagonists instead of important characters but here is what I mean- Renly, Ned, Joffrey, Rob, and Tywin died, Bran broke his spine, Jaime lost his hand. In the first three books no one was safe- reading the Battle of the Blackwater chapters, I had no idea if Tyrion will die in the river or whether Davos will starve on that rock.

The last two books have serious life-or-death cliffhangers for Cersei, Brienne, Arya, Jaime, John, Bran, and Daenerys but no one actually gets harmed. Sansa and the North (Theon and Asha) are the only story lines where something significant is lost. The North also happens to be the best (only actually good?) part of the fifth book. Yeah, okay, some named characters die in the fifth book but nothing compares to even Lysa Arryn's death, let alone the Red Wedding.

[CorruptUser]

B4/5 spoilers

Spoiler:

Lysa didn't have a POV, but neither did Varys or Petyr IRRC, and they have proven to be among the most important characters so far. Renly didn't have a POV either, I think.

Cersei gets harmed in B5. After her parade, she is mentally broken. She looks like she's done as a major player. Breinne is harmed; she's heavily scarred on her neck, if not dead.

Though a part of me was disappointed that Arya's cliffhanger ending was just a temporary blindness. She's pretty much moving into villain territory.

But like I said, Dany can't die just yet.

[Lucrece]

I prefer the pacing of the series, as much as they love to be assholes about each episode and end it on a cliffhanger. The good books are 1-3 anyways, with 4-5 receiving mixed feedback (who would've thought, an author that starts strong but then meanders). I like the cuts they made to make the story efficient thus far. If you dislike when a plot drags on, then the books might ruin the series for you.

And quite honestly? The delightful acting of the cast so far is a big selling point for me. They pop out the characters in a way the book can never do it for me. Maybe I'm just hung up on the visual and auditory. Varys in the TV series is just so ridiculously well done. I love Varys.

Also, hate Renly. God, he's a pansy, and Loras is a brat. Another set of gay characters I find better off left in obscurity. Cate's putdown was rewarding -- now she's one hell of a lady.

The Greyjoy casting is gooooood. Balon is voiced perfectly; and I know that people are bitching that Asha/Yara is"ugly", but that's just how I like her, without fuss and efficient. It makes the message of the world Martin has crafted so much stronger, where women like Margaery and Asha would be superbly suited to positions of leadership but are tragically stymied by a patriarchal culture.

[LaserGuy]

Episode 4...

Spoiler:

Holy shit they're making Joffrey out to be a crazy sociopath. Both of his scenes in this episode really made me cringe.

Other than that, I thought most of this episode was done very well. Very little filler (Robb's scene, maybe). I liked the final scene... very creepy and powerful.

Related book spoilers...

Spoiler:

I'm a little surprised that they had Littlefinger meet Catelyn. From a book point of view, this is a pretty big change and it will be interesting to what see comes of this. It's also interesting to have him feeding her Tyrion's terms for the exchange. I'm not sure what to think of this shift yet.

[ArgonV]

Latest episode related

Spoiler:

So... That shadow thing is Stannis' promised son?

[Lucrece]

shadow baby

Spoiler:

Yeah, in the book it was hinted that her fucking him was just manipulation to place a hit on Renly. Melisandre isn't some wanton witch. She's a fanatic, and her moves are guided by her faith and vision, but she's also shown as a calculating person like all red priests are. Keeping the workings of their magic secret is their best defense against those around them, so as to increase their perceived threatening image.

[Laserdan]

Spoiler:

Also, Ned did some really stupid stuff towards the end of book/season 1 that seemed, given he's meant to be an intelligent man, to be things he'd only be doing if the author wanted to set him up for death.

That is the reason there is this meme....

Spoiler:

http://io9.com/5807144/the-best-game-of-thrones-internet-meme-yet-stupid-ned-stark/gallery/3

Best one imho: Littlefinger tells you not to trust him?

...
...
...
TRUST LITTLEFINGER


On the side, he didn't do it because he's stupid, but because honor is literally the most important thing for him there is. Much more intelligent people in real life walked into their doom with open eyes and actually chose death over life (and not only their own) for their convictions. Not saying that this is right; he'd probably let the realm go down in flames if honor demands it. I actually think that he would not have accepted Jaime's kingslaying even if he knew the actual reasons Jaime had - which he calls his finest act, and rightfully so.

[Ixtellor]

Well I decided to hold off reading the books until the series is done. Reason... I won't be able to read the book and see anything but the characters on the TV show.

I am currently reading Dune for the first time and my mind won't allow me to visualize anything but whats in the movie. I find that to be very annoying and distracting while reading the books. "oh this is the scene where he puts his hand in the box... odd that he looks like a 20 something when it says here in the book that he is 15"
Book: They have no whites in their eyes. Me: Their eyes glow blue... damn you movie!

In conclusion for me: Always read the book first.

Can't wait to learn about the shadow baby.

[gmalivuk]

Of course, when I do read the book(s) first, I'm distracted by noticing everything they changed, which detracts somewhat from the movie/TV experience even if I think they made the best possible choices in adapting it. For example, speaking of shadow baby (episode 4 and book 2):

Spoiler:

The entire scene following Stannis telling Devos he needed a smuggler got me thinking about how that scene takes place later in the book, when they're laying siege to Storm's End, which I now have to conclude will probably be left out entirely, and also now Renly's death scene won't be nearly the same kind of mystery to the audience as it was in the book, and also why do they need to come into the cave at all when above them is just an open battlefield instead of a castle whose walls are imbued with spells that would prevent the shadow baby from getting through if born on the outside.

I don't object to any of this episode's changes from the book, and am often impressed in general with how well an adaptation fits everything together. It's just that I'm almost invariably distracted when watching it.

On Joffrey as a sociopath (episode 4, book 2 or 3):

Spoiler:

He was definitely at least as much of a sociopath in the books as in this episode, they just elected to show it differently, and with more tits as per HBO contractual obligation. I think it's later in the story that we hear about a younger Joffrey having sliced open a pregnant cat when he heard she had kittens inside her, with animal abuse used as a pretty standard illustration of a child character's latent sociopathy. So it's not so much "they're making Joffrey out to be a crazy sociopath" as it is "they're showing the audience that Joffrey is a crazy sociopath slightly differently from the books".

Related book spoilers...[regarding episode 4 differences]

Spoiler:

I'm a little surprised that they had Littlefinger meet Catelyn. From a book point of view, this is a pretty big change and it will be interesting to what see comes of this. It's also interesting to have him feeding her Tyrion's terms for the exchange. I'm not sure what to think of this shift yet.

Spoiler:

Yeah, they didn't meet at this point in the book, but I don't know that it'll really have any significant consequences in terms of further diversions.

[Ryom]

[Felstaff]

That last one cracked me up.

Watching episode 4 this e'en. Looking forward to it!

[Diadem]

That list was awesome. Though the Daenerys one made me a little bit sad. She is way too cool to be compared to Sarah Palin.
Also she's technically not from a far away land. She was born on Dragonstone (where Stannis currently lives).

[SecondTalon]

That list was awesome. Though the Daenerys one made me a little bit sad. She is way too cool to be compared to Sarah Palin.
Also she's technically not from a far away land. She was born on Dragonstone (where Stannis currently lives).

See, the thing that irks me about it is the... it's comparing to American politicians so it's going to be America-centric. And that's fine. It just really screams of someone on the East Coast making it and thinking of Alaska as being interchangeable with Antarctica or Nepal or some other distant, hard-to-reach area, relative to the "real" US.

Which, as a resident of what's lovingly called flyover country, annoys the fuck out of me.

[Yakk]

Hey: your state is easily reachable from the "real" US.

So long as you have a parachute.

[CorruptUser]

Well, Sarah Palin was born in Idaho before being exiled to Yeti-land. Yetis live in Alaska, right? You can't prove they don't.

Anyway, I love that list except for Obama. Showing bias, much? He'd best be compared to Robert Baratheon; initially popular among the peasants, put in place as an alternative to previous madman's administration, spent the treasury until kingdom was broke.

Although, Clinton would need a new comparison.

[SlyReaper]

Well, Sarah Palin was born in Idaho before being exiled to Yeti-land. Yetis live in Alaska, right? You can't prove they don't.

You're confusing Alaska with Tibet. Tibet has yetis, Alaska has hockeymoms.

[CorruptUser]

But I'm sure Tibet is visible from Palin's house.

Though that Hokeymam sounds like a vicious creature. Like a cross between a boar and a tube of lipstick.

[lucrezaborgia]

I'm just loving the cast more and more as the series goes on. Can't wait for tomorrow's episode!

[Dream]

Welp, my Throne hopeful carked it. Oh well.

I thought the scene with

Spoiler:

the Maid of Tarth and Catelyn was excruciating. They could have played it as the Maid being lost without a subject for her loyalty, and Catelyn rescuing her, but instead it was a reinforcement of the feudal system that most of the rest of the show seems determined to depict as a meritocracy.

I really like that the meritocracy aspect is given a lot of time. The Tywins and Tyrions do well, the Jamies and Joffreys don't. Seeing that undermined with blind pleges of lifelong servitude just because that's the way things are is a bit disappointing.

[lucrezaborgia]

[quote="Dream"]I thought the scene with

Spoiler:

the Maid of Tarth and Catelyn was excruciating. They could have played it as the Maid being lost without a subject for her loyalty, and Catelyn rescuing her, but instead it was a reinforcement of the feudal system that most of the rest of the show seems determined to depict as a meritocracy.

Spoiler:

Brienne isn't a Maid by any means and Catelyn DID rescue her by dragging her out of that tent and talking some sense into her later on. Catelyn didn't ask for her service personally and of course she is going to advocate for her son and sees in Brienne a powerful friend Catelyn fully recognizes that the pledges are about as useless as the paper they are written on but she's not going to turn down Brienne in her time of need

[Adam H]

Brienne isn't a Maid by any means

She's called the Maid of Tarth in the books (and the show? I forget).

I really like that the meritocracy aspect is given a lot of time. The Tywins and Tyrions do well, the Jamies and Joffreys don't. Seeing that undermined with blind pleges of lifelong servitude just because that's the way things are is a bit disappointing.

The setting is a horrible feudal system that sometimes happens to reward capability. Anytime there's chaos/anarchy, there will be elements of a meritocracy. I imagine it's only when things are overly-bureaucratic that idiots are rewarded for being idiotic.

Book spoilers (through book 5, we'll say)

Spoiler:

And heeheehee all the good rulers live happily ever after!

[LaserGuy]

Brienne isn't a Maid by any means

She's called the Maid of Tarth in the books (and the show? I forget).

Very minor Brienne spoiler, I guess. The show hasn't really discussed it in detail.

Spoiler:

It's a derogatory name that people give her (along with Brienne the Beauty) because of her... non-conformity to gender roles of the day, and because she's perceived to be pretty ugly (although, as others have noted, she's Hollywood ugly in the show) . Hence, people say she's a maid, because nobody would have sex with her. IIRC, we learn later in the series that it is technically accurate, but no less offensive.

[edit]As far as the most recent episode goes... I really like how they're doing the Arya plot. It's not exactly the same as in the books, but it covers the elements really well, and Maise is just rocking that roll. The scene with her and Tywin was great. Then again, pretty much everything Tywin touches turns to awesome in this show. One thing I wish was that (book 2-3 spoilers)...

Spoiler:

They'd made it a little more obvious that the death caused by Jaqen H'ghar was more supernatural. Like in the book how Weese's dog somehow decides to rip his throat out. It will be interesting to see who Arya ends up selecting for her second death choice, since the characters she decides to kill in the book have not been introduced. Also, it's a bit of a shame that the Tickler dies in this way, instead of the really dramatic way he dies in A Storm of Swords.

[Ended]

(book 2-3 spoilers)...

Spoiler:

Also, it's a bit of a shame that the Tickler dies in this way, instead of the really dramatic way he dies in A Storm of Swords.

Spoiler:

Totally agree. I felt like that was a pivotal moment for Arya in the books as well as one of the most memorable death scenes of a minor character. I wonder if they will have the same scene except with a different character being killed?

[pseudoidiot]

I'll never be able to look at Tonks the same way.

[Lucrece]

I didn't know Osha was Tonk until I read the comments on AV Club. Although all that trauma about naked childhood figures no longer happens since my childhood was shattered by seeing Xena/Lucy Lawless's tits in Spartacus.

[Dream]

I'll never be able to look at Tonks the same way.

Wait, who? I think I've lost a name somewhere along the way. WAIT! I googled it. Crisis averted.

Another triumph for Dinklage in the post-crowd-massacre scene. And I really wasn't expecting

Spoiler:

Theon to just take Winterfell. Didn't he only have a ship and a dozen men when he left the Isles? Methinks some plot development got lost in the translation to TV.

Spoiler:

And I'm betting Littlefinger recognised Arya. I suspect someone as court-savvy as him would only have registered even a flicker of any reaction under the most shocking of realisations. Such as that there's a Stark spying in the Lannister headquarters.

[pseudoidiot]

Wait, who? I think I've lost a name somewhere along the way.

The actress that plays Osha played Tonks in the Harry Potter movies.

And I really wasn't expecting

Spoiler:

Theon to just take Winterfell. Didn't he only have a ship and a dozen men when he left the Isles? Methinks some plot development got lost in the translation to TV.

In the previous episode

Spoiler:

Theon talks about how they'll stage a fake raid on some nearby town (I forget the name) and when Winterfell sends men to defend (we see this in the scene with Bran & Maester Luwin sending men to defend them) the town then Theon will move in and take Winterfell.

[Chen]

And I really wasn't expecting

Spoiler:

Theon to just take Winterfell. Didn't he only have a ship and a dozen men when he left the Isles? Methinks some plot development got lost in the translation to TV.

In the previous episode

Spoiler:

Theon talks about how they'll stage a fake raid on some nearby town (I forget the name) and when Winterfell sends men to defend (we see this in the scene with Bran & Maester Luwin sending men to defend them) the town then Theon will move in and take Winterfell.

Spoiler:

Did he actually say it on the show? It was implied when he was talking to his first mate but I don't think he out and said it. That said, my GF figured that was the plan without having read the books so there was definitely some foreshadowing of it on the show

[Diadem]

And I really wasn't expecting

Spoiler:

Theon to just take Winterfell. Didn't he only have a ship and a dozen men when he left the Isles? Methinks some plot development got lost in the translation to TV.

In the previous episode

Spoiler:

Theon talks about how they'll stage a fake raid on some nearby town (I forget the name) and when Winterfell sends men to defend (we see this in the scene with Bran & Maester Luwin sending men to defend them) the town then Theon will move in and take Winterfell.

Spoiler:

Yeah, remember, pretty much every able-bodied man in the north is off south fighting in the war. There's only a few token defence forces left. That is perfectly fine because Robb's army is still blocking the route to the North, and even if the Lannisters were to get around this, Southern armies generally don't do well in the North, and it's a very very long march. By the time they reach Winterfell Robb will have pillaged Lannisport and King's Landing both. But they weren't counting on raids from the Iron Islands.

Theon still couldn't have taken Winterfell, but he drew away the reserve forces by staging raids on other castles.

It's still a bit unrealistic, imho. Winterfell is still a major town. Nothing compared to King's Landing, but there should be hundreds of peasants and other townsfolk around. Enough to hold off a few dozen invaders.

[lucrezaborgia]

Spoiler:

Yeah, remember, pretty much every able-bodied man in the north is off south fighting in the war. There's only a few token defence forces left. That is perfectly fine because Robb's army is still blocking the route to the North, and even if the Lannisters were to get around this, Southern armies generally don't do well in the North, and it's a very very long march. By the time they reach Winterfell Robb will have pillaged Lannisport and King's Landing both. But they weren't counting on raids from the Iron Islands.

Theon still couldn't have taken Winterfell, but he drew away the reserve forces by staging raids on other castles.

It's still a bit unrealistic, imho. Winterfell is still a major town. Nothing compared to King's Landing, but there should be hundreds of peasants and other townsfolk around. Enough to hold off a few dozen invaders.

Spoiler:

Which is why they snuck in over the walls and used Bran to gain control. Theon grew up there so he would have excellent knowledge of the castle and defenses.

[Diadem]

Haven't watched the latest episode yet, so I'm going on my book-knowledge. (So the next bit contains possible spoilers for the next few episodes since I don't know how much is in this one).

Spoiler:

But doesn't Bran escape? I recall Theon sneaking over the Wall, and killing quite a few characters I liked in the process. But I also recall Bran escaping together with his little brother. Doesn't everybody end up thinking Bran is dead, while Bran thinks Winterfell is still in enemy hands even after it's liberated?

[LaserGuy]

Haven't watched the latest episode yet, so I'm going on my book-knowledge. (So the next bit contains possible spoilers for the next few episodes since I don't know how much is in this one).

Spoiler:

But doesn't Bran escape? I recall Theon sneaking over the Wall, and killing quite a few characters I liked in the process. But I also recall Bran escaping together with his little brother. Doesn't everybody end up thinking Bran is dead, while Bran thinks Winterfell is still in enemy hands even after it's liberated?

Bookish spoilers...

Spoiler:

It happens pretty much as you recall, but not immediately. I think Bran escapes a few days later or something.

Where's Reek/Ramsay? Other characters, such as Jojen and the Freys were also left out entirely, which might complicate things later a little bit.

Spoiler:

And I'm betting Littlefinger recognised Arya. I suspect someone as court-savvy as him would only have registered even a flicker of any reaction under the most shocking of realisations. Such as that there's a Stark spying in the Lannister headquarters.

Episode only stuff...

Spoiler:

Look at Littlefinger's body language during that scene, particularly after she spills the wine on his hand. He watches her walking away even while Tywin is talking to him, then immediately mentions the Stark girls. I would say that yes, he probably did recognize her (I can't remember if the two actually technically met on camera in the show--maybe during the tournament?--but I think it's fairly safe to assume that he would save seen her around).

I think you can imagine that how Littlefinger would find it very advantageous to be the only person who knows where Arya actually is, especially given that the Lannisters are interested in trading her and Sansa for Jamie, and he's sort of responsible for brokering that deal anyway.