I also just realized that there's potential for some thematic mirroring with Jon and Robb. Robb's military efforts suffered because he put his own personal happiness ahead of his duties and obligations by marrying Talisa. Now his Uncle Edmure is footing the bill for his failures.

Yea, I just came to say that. Kinda seems like they're setting up some horrible conflict of interest thing with Jon/Benjen/Ygritte for when the wildlings finally attack Castle Black.

It was actually Richard from Lost.

She's also a child with no meaningful military experience. She might be a good leader, but she's not exactly Alexander yet.

But Tywin isn't king, at least not in name and title. And therein lies the rub. Tywin is obviously the "real" power behind the throne, but he doesn't have the capacity to override the whims of his grandson if Joffrey should suddenly order his execution.

I'm pretty sure Melisandre knows Joffrey is a Lannister. Stannis knows it. And she seems to know everything. Gendry has Baratheon blood, which is presumably what she needs to make another shadow assassin thingy. I don't think it matters if the target of the assassination is/isn't a Baratheon.

I'm wondering if Tywin isn't treading on thin ice though. As we've seen from some of Joffrey's previous actions (like ordering Ned's execution), he isn't awed by his elders or their counsel. I'm not sure how well he'll respond to being put in his place.

I figured as much too. Typical misdirection from those tricky writers.

Theon's scene this week brings new meaning to the phrase "torture porn."

I don't know. Gendry's eyes kinda lit up when she started talking about power. The guy has been dirt his whole life and now he's got a chance to be somebody. I think that could be difficult to resist.

Daenerys = mother of dragons.

I'm probably pointing out the totally obvious here, but Melisandre's comments about Arya seemed to be a prophecy of all the people she will kill. Brown eyes. Blue eyes. Green eyes. Eyes that she will close forever. 

It probably counts for something. Joffrey went to great lengths to have all the Baratheon bastards murdered so none of them could interfere with his claim. I'm sure a bastard would have a stronger claim to the throne than someone who has no blood relation to the king.

Yea, but in TV terms Stannis is not sympathetic enough to be a hero or interesting enough to be a great villain. I think he's a lot more likely to lose his head than Gendry, regardless of whatever designs Melisandre might have for this situation. Also keep in mind that Melisandre told Gendry he would "Make kings rise…

Yea, but remember what Melisandre said to him. She told him that he will make kings rise and fall. That would seem like an odd thing to say to a sacrificial lamb.

Not that your overall point isn't correct, but I think it's actually been a couple episodes since Melisandre left Dragonstone. I think with so many plot lines and so little time, the show demands some willing suspension of disbelief when it comes to the travel time. You're right though. It seems like Kingslayer and…

In terms of actual Baratheon blood, I think the only known remaining heirs are Stannis, Shireen (his daughter), and Gendry. Stannis is thought to be the rightful heir, but that's partially because nobody really knows that Gendry exists. Once people realize that Robert has a living adult son, I imagine things will get…

Littlefinger is too clever to go out like that. He will meet his maker eventually, but he's a lot smarter than the Arryns and will probably make quick work of them.

The plot was a bit thin in this one. Mostly because the majority of things that happened are things that we already knew were probably going to happen (climbing the wall, the marriage re-arrangement, etc). Some of the storylines are averaging less than one scene per episode (Bran).

Yea, no one cares that you read a book. Congrats.