The episode definitely had the feel of moving chess pieces around and was *far* too slow-moving compared to the previous season finale, but that's what this show seems to be at large points—moving all the various plots forward throughout the season and then bringing them to a climax of some sorts toward the end. How…

And we've seen before—if my memory serves me right—that at least *some* in the church are willing to do things that might be considered shady (nullifying Joffrey's betrothal to Sansa because of Ned) when pressed. Although how much of that was pressure from the crown wasn't said.

Seconded.

How is that thing even staying *on*? Ugh, I'll take the blue thing she wore tonight any day — even muddied. After all, she has more.

McLatin, Weasels Ripped My Flesh, mikosqz (for some reason the tagging thing didn't work) — I think that would be the (too?) obvious course of action, but seeing as how Dany has a history of not taking kindly to the slave trade, would be keeping in character. It would just distract her from her real mission, though…

I can agree with that point, but as a counterpoint, on a ship with such limited reserves, how would you balance the crew's need for interaction, recreation, etc., with energy conservation?

I *kind* of get why they threw those ideas in there — watching every crewmember run the simulation would get kind of boring after a while, but I agree the jeopardy angle, once it takes hold, is overblown and tired.

Do you think actually having the sword be mystical and/or evil would have made the episode more enjoyable?