Given the quality of the dragon riding FX, they may not have blown all, but clearly most of their budget last week.

My biggest fear is that Oliver is going to have some inconceivably huge impact on the finale. My God, that would be terrible.

I'm just going to go full contrarian here: the writing this season has been weak. It seems to me that, at this point, GRRM has lost the story.

The Reek/Theon arc is way past the point of being narratively compelling.
A lot of season 5 feels like weak story telling. I do feel like cracks are starting to emerge in one of TV's best shows.

I'm not sure I agree with the designation of "fanatical" for the High Sparrow in a world where the supernatural very much exists.
The High Sparrow's unwavering faith is perhaps the most rational worldview in a land where frozen zombies, dragons, resurrection of the dead, and smoke monsters exist

"The Goldcloaks have basically offered to do it twice, but Tommen won't give the order: doesn't want to be murdering a bunch of priests"
See, I'm just a little confused by the ham-fisted way that season 5 has added religion to the mix. I have no idea what the theology of these sects are or how their gods relate to one…

"The best form of government is benevolent dictatorship tempered by an occasional assassination."

It was almost worth it for the chance to see Jimmy turning the screws with his final lines to Chuck, telling him he left a bag of ice and groceries and lantern oil.

When the Sweating Preacher shut the gate, he didn't even give it much effort and not only did it slam shut, it actually did so with such force that it bounced open.
I gotta hand to Alexandria: their gate-oiling game is strong.

You do realize that English exists outside of the United States, right?

That was a "Um, every life is precious, dude" kind of look.

Battered wife's legal skills are sharp. If you ever need an attorney in the zombie apocalypse, she's your gal.

The zombies? They're as menacing and dangerous as the plot needs them to be at any given moment.

Still can't believe he wouldn't put one between that shithead's eyes without hesitation.

It would be so disappointing to bring him back like this, only to kill him off or some shit like that. Just make him a regular already.

If this is the official "wet blanket" thread, I'm going to add a little cautious criticism of Kate MacKinnon here.

Recently on Netflix, I watched some SNL "Best Of" episodes from around 2005. You're not wrong.

Their grasp on domestic policy stuff was a mess all season… as was their take on foreign policy… and their estimation of public opinion… and their understanding of inner government functioning…

Yeah, Claire's apparent popularity is one of the most tone deaf contrivances this show has ever attempted.

"All his dreams are dashed and he's back to being the pathetic bastard sleeping on a fold-out crammed between file boxes in the water heater room of a nail salon."