I kind of feel like they gave a lot of his personality traits to the Blackfish. Quite a few minor characters have been condensed/eliminated, or else I think it would get really confusing telling everyone apart.

If I remember correctly, it's a lot less literal in the books. I don't think they actually pass around trays of bread and salt, but it's more like once you've fed your guests, they're protected under the law. And they take that law very, very seriously.

In my opinion, reading the books doesn't ruin the show. I think it provides a much fuller backstory for everything that takes place on screen, which actually makes things even more dramatic when you see them play out on screen. It also makes tracking some of the minor characters a lot easier :)

@avclub-f16faf5d680d7b88e2e157c1c137c497:disqus I hate being the "in the books…" person, but I think the major difference between how this entire story line was handled on the show vs. the books was that the show placed Robb in the forefront, where as in the series, it is told through entirely through Cat's POV. I…

Based on some of the more passionate (insane?) newbie comments I've seen on other sites, people seem to be mostly pissed off about Robb's death. Hopefully, most of the non-book viewers have realized that a show that starts with five kings (and one khaleesi) vying for the throne is likely to have many of those would-be…

I've read all five books, and I often find myself looking up minor characters on Wikipedia. There are so many characters, and 50% of them are old white guys with beards. I don't know how the completely unspoiled people do it, I would be so confused!

Ehhh… I think Robb's death was set in stone from the minute the Frey's heard about Talisa/Jeyne, and likewise, the Queen of Thorns was plotting to kill Joffrey as soon as Sansa confirmed that he was a monster. There's a few theories about Balon's death floating around out there, but I'd say her leeches are…

http://www.rollingstone.com…

Well… yeah. Because books aren't a visual medium. Maybe we'll "see" it on our TV sets?

@Scurvyhead:disqus That's fantastic!

I'm a book reader too, just didn't want to spoil anything for you guys :)

Just wait. There are so many more characters.

He is the head of House Bolton, is a bannerman for the Starks, and was seen as one of Robb's key men in quite a few episodes.

Well played. Set myself up for that one.

They were served bread with salt. I guess it wasn't explained well in the show, but it's part of a custom where guests are given bread and salt to signify that they will be safe while under their host's roof (except, obviously, in this case).

Only Robb's and Sansa's are dead. We've seen the other three this season, and although Arya's ran off, it was never shown as dying.

Cersei spells it out to Ned in Kings Landing… they know how to play the game. I love the Starks, but you'd think after Ned's death, the rest of them would have learned that a commitment to honor won't get you anywhere in this world.

Don't you want to teach little Ned Stark to ride horses?

I was bracing myself for that all episode. I still can't tell if I'm relieved or pissed that they didn't do it.

I think Lady Stoneheart will be the last scene of this season. I can't think of anything else that would be a more "what the fuck was THAT?!" cliffhanger for the season.