The Nights Watch: GAME OF THRONES SEASON 8 EPISODE 3. April 29 UK. Spoilers after 2 am.

[OneInAMillionYou]

Come gather brothers and sisters of The Nights Watch. The Battle of Winterfell will soon be upon us.

Valar morghulis

NunoGoncalves I think that article just backs up the views that a lot of the 'strategy' was based around good visuals, exciting action and necessary plot points (either in this episode or future ones) not what experienced military commanders would have chosen to do. Then again a lot of medieval battles were won by attrition and/or freaks of luck (armies getting turned around in fog and attacking the wrong people, snow storms, late arriving forces, forces not joining it at the last minute etc etc) so maybe it is not that unrealistic to have strategy fail and unexpected events win the day. The layout of the troops and use of the Dothraki were stupid though.

I said it was common to charge with cavalry, and:
"The Dothraki had success charging into adversaries like that in the past because they were charging into living humans who are subject to terror and fear, leading to easier deaths." (Quoting the expert)

Not so much that it was a good idea.

They are also right (the experts) that you don't tend to go for open battle if you're in a fortress.
And I agree with the issue about the position of the trench. And the method of lighting it wouldn't have worked well even without an icy wind.
Plus, why didn't they have burning fat to pour down the walls? I'd assume most medieval castles employed this in some way (although in normal times, scalding would be enough).

The crypts themselves weren't bad, as the outside dead really didn't manage to get in. Shame about those already in, of course.

I thought they were intending to light the trench with the dragons?

Still grumpy that the wights could burst through crypts when the wight the Hound was carrying couldn’t bust out of a wooden box.

The wight in the box was bound with irons, would assume the stone in the tombs was quite old and crumbly.

They were intending to light the trench with the dragons, Davos waved 2 torches as a signal but realised D/J couldn't see him, that's when Mellisandre stepped in.

Good point re being changed up, although I thought it was just a collar.

Cant take the credit DryHeave I saw someone else mention it way back in the thread, had wondered the same too.

Season 7 wights were infinitely more crap than season 8 wights.

In season 7 the Fellowship of the Wight Hunt managed to hold off the entire army of the dead using only an elevated rock and with the loss of only 5 redshirts until Dany arrived.

In season 8 Dany lost almost her entire army and a well fortified castle was overcome within minutes.

Those wights learn fast....

@ahagwearsapointybonnet I think Gendry's point is that he will end up as the only surviving person with a claim to the throne as a Baratheon bastard.
This will be the bitter sweet ending because after everything that has happened the throne will have gone full circle and back where we started.

The wheel remains unbroken.

Not sure if this has been mentioned already as I haven’t read through the thread fully.

I read a piece today saying that Jon was not just screaming at the dragon. He was shouting “go go go” so that Arya could get past it (guarding the entrance). You then see the gust of wind against the white walkers hair as she runs past and the jumps for the night king.

I’ve warched it back a few times and it does sound like that is what Jon is shouting.

2point you may have a point there.

I think I’m the only person on MN who finds Cleganebowl a bit of dull subplot.

I think the Jon aiding Arya theory is really interesting.

Started rewatching again last night (though didn't get through it all), and this time I caught what Edd said when Sam turned up late in the lineup at the start - he said "oh for fuck's sake" which didn't sound very pleased, but then the next bit was "you took your time" which suggests he did want Sam there. Also you see Sam kill at least 1 wight before he gets knocked down (maybe more later). So I still say Sam did pretty well considering!

(Had to tell DH very crossly to stop ironing during the first watching, as it kept going FSFFSSSFFFSSSSSS at crucial moments, so I missed a few bits! I might have been going FFS a bit too...).

Sam tried hard, despite not being a natural fighter and clearly being terrified.

I can't say I care about Cleganebowl interestingeither really. I've warmed to The Hound (husband loves him!) but The Mountain doesn't ignite any feeling in me, he's more of a prop than a character to me!

I think I’m the only person on MN who finds Cleganebowl a bit of dull subplot.

I absolutely loathe the idea. GRRM writes a lot about the destructiveness of he pursuit of vengeance in the books, and the Hound’s story is part of it.

I have always thought Cleganebowl is a bit like trying to cure someone of alcoholism by buying them a distillery.

Cleganebowl is pure fanservice.

I think I'm going to have to watch it again.

Does anyone else find it odd that, in a show so attentive to the finer details, tyrion and Jaime have gone from plot-point golden hair to almost black hair, completely unremarked upon?

Nah he's just grunting at the dragon in frustration

I've come to the conclusion that Jon is going to die by the end he's been brought back for a reason like Beric once that's achieved he will be a goner

I think I’m the only person on MN who finds Cleganebowl a bit of dull subplot

It might be because I've never read the books but I have no interest in it really. The whole story about their animosity toward each other was mentioned years ago now and then basically forgotten about, so it's not something that I really care about.

@ThisIsTheEndgame i've always assumed that was a physical representation of their move away from House Lannister?

I would love some Tyrion and Varys witty talk. I’ve missed that. Or even some more philosophical observations about power n’war, etc.

"I know a little of this man, Sandor Clegane. He was Prince Joffrey's sworn shield for many a year, and even here we would hear tell of his deeds, both good and ill. If even half of what we heard was true, this was a bitter, tormented soul, a sinner who mocked both gods and men. He served, but found no pride in service. He fought, but took no joy in victory. He drank, to drown his pain in a sea of wine. He did not love, nor was he loved himself. It was hate that drove him. Though he committed many sins, he never sought forgiveness. Where other men dream of love, or wealth, or glory, this man Sandor Clegane dreamed of slaying his own brother, a sin so terrible it makes me shudder just to speak of it. Yet that was the bread that nourished him, the fuel that kept his fires burning. Ignoble as it was, the hope of seeing his brother's blood upon his blade was all this sad and angry creature lived for . . . and even that was taken from him, when Prince Oberyn of Dorne stabbed Ser Gregor with a poisoned spear."

GRRM’s writing of the story of Sandor Clegane is so much more compelling than the version we see on screen.

ThisIs

Think I prefer Jaime clean shaven, too.

2.4monkeys I thought it was a sign of them moving away from being golden lions too. Plus they're not in the sun at KL anymore! Maybe they'll all shave off their beards once they leave the snow?

DH: Shall we watch a film?
Me: Shall we just watch GOT (latest ep) again?
DH: (sounding happy) Yeah, ok 😊

*I think I’m the only person on MN who finds Cleganebowl a bit of dull subplot.

I absolutely loathe the idea.*

Me too. I shall cringe if they do it.