Concerned American is 100% correct.

I think the Hound is an immensely sympathetic character, actually.  Unlike every other male character of noble birth on the show, his life genuinely is wretched.  He was blank; he didn't care about honor, love, sex, or food anymore.  The Lannisters could order him around because his existence was so hollow he didn't…

I think the Hound is an immensely sympathetic character, actually.  Unlike every other male character of noble birth on the show, his life genuinely is wretched.  He was blank; he didn't care about honor, love, sex, or food anymore.  The Lannisters could order him around because his existence was so hollow he didn't…

I watched it a couple of times to try and figure out why those screams are so unnerving, and I think it's the way they're overwhelmed by the whoosh of heat and fire across the water.

I watched it a couple of times to try and figure out why those screams are so unnerving, and I think it's the way they're overwhelmed by the whoosh of heat and fire across the water.

And this is exactly why I avoid all GoT spoilers like the plague.  One of the great joys of this series is the way it refuses to go the direction you expect.  People treat the show like it's Lord of the Rings but the plotting is more Breaking Bad.  It's not a show where a giant battle finale is some inevitability so…

And this is exactly why I avoid all GoT spoilers like the plague.  One of the great joys of this series is the way it refuses to go the direction you expect.  People treat the show like it's Lord of the Rings but the plotting is more Breaking Bad.  It's not a show where a giant battle finale is some inevitability so…

Can we talk about how legitimately disturbing that explosion was?  Davos, one of the few Good Guys on the entire show, apparently gets disintegrated, shortly after coming to the panicked realization that his son is as good as dead.  And then you have the reactions from the onlookers in King's Landing: Joffrey's…

Can we talk about how legitimately disturbing that explosion was?  Davos, one of the few Good Guys on the entire show, apparently gets disintegrated, shortly after coming to the panicked realization that his son is as good as dead.  And then you have the reactions from the onlookers in King's Landing: Joffrey's…

As for it being confusing… I dunno, agree to disagree.  I got the gist of what was happening.  "Explosion!"  "They're at the walls!" "Everyone freak out!" "Tyrion counterattacked!"  "Horses!"  I wasn't able to discern troop movements or anything like that, but again, that's sort of the point.  Confusion leading to…

As for it being confusing… I dunno, agree to disagree.  I got the gist of what was happening.  "Explosion!"  "They're at the walls!" "Everyone freak out!" "Tyrion counterattacked!"  "Horses!"  I wasn't able to discern troop movements or anything like that, but again, that's sort of the point.  Confusion leading to…

Who are the "primary characters," again?  Because here we have:
-Stannis
-Davos
-Cersei
-Joffrey
-Sansa
-Tyrion
-Shae
-Varys
-The Hound
-Bronn
-Lancel
-Tywin
-Loras

Who are the "primary characters," again?  Because here we have:
-Stannis
-Davos
-Cersei
-Joffrey
-Sansa
-Tyrion
-Shae
-Varys
-The Hound
-Bronn
-Lancel
-Tywin
-Loras

One of the most intense parts of the episode was Cersei slowly going stir-crazy waiting for news and passing the time by devising various verbal tortures for Sansa.

One of the most intense parts of the episode was Cersei slowly going stir-crazy waiting for news and passing the time by devising various verbal tortures for Sansa.

Meryn Trant is second on my Game of Thrones Kill List (after Joffrey, obviously).  He's just a huge dick in every possible regard.  I'm going to be very happy if/when HE gets speared through the head.

Meryn Trant is second on my Game of Thrones Kill List (after Joffrey, obviously).  He's just a huge dick in every possible regard.  I'm going to be very happy if/when HE gets speared through the head.

Coming from the perspective of someone who has conscientiously avoided spoilers and previews, the score on this episode is insane.  I don't know what you expected, and for that matter, I didn't know there was anything to expect, but, uh, personally I had to sit quietly in a dark room for a little bit after it was over…

Coming from the perspective of someone who has conscientiously avoided spoilers and previews, the score on this episode is insane.  I don't know what you expected, and for that matter, I didn't know there was anything to expect, but, uh, personally I had to sit quietly in a dark room for a little bit after it was over…

Honestly, is anyone really put off by this, or are people just deciding to be put off because they think other people will be put off?