But that's typical of on-screen battles. It's so we can see who the lead characters are, obviously.

"Build Me Up, Buttercup"

As a book reader, I knew how the fight would end, & still my heart was POUNDING, because of how expertly staged the scene was. And the death of The Red Viper, though basically the same as GRRM described it, was significantly worse on screen than I was expecting. Holy shit.

Yeah, Headey's reaction was perfect, as usual.

I was annoyed by how badly lip-synched it was, especially her second belch.

I noticed the eye contact thing, too, but I read it as more that she was hurt than that she was disgusted by him. Maybe that's just what I wanted her to be feeling, though. I wanted them to show her shed a tear after he left, so maybe it was more disdain.

Did you notice how Dany couldn't look him in the eye! She kept staring straight ahead, right over the top of his head. I have to say I wish they would have shown her upset by it after he left.

Good question. Seeing her re-birth would be cool, but I think meeting Brienne is the way to go.

No, I wondered, too. I don't think they actually…, but I believe we were meant to get at least a hint of that impression.

Re Robert Strong: The show also hasn't done much with ex-Maester Qyburn, either. So if they do decide to make this part of the show, they'll have to spend some time investing in both characters. Certainly won't happen THIS season, but maybe next?

Seriously, that was awful. Way worse than I was expecting, & I was expecting pretty bad.

It'll be the last scene of the last episode. I been saying that since practically the beginning of season 4.

It was really great, wasn't it? Not what I expected, but all the better for it.

STOP SAYING THAT!

I kept waiting for it to have a point. I mean, it took up a LOT of time, so it had to have a point, right? I mean, a point beyond, "It's all pointless & then you die." Cause we already knew that.

Or pin them down completely.
Or stay out of arm's reach.

Agreed. That fight was staged superbly. My heart was fucking POUNDING.

Super busy, so I'll just add one comment: The Red Viper's death was worse than I expected. Yeesh.

Except that once upon a time, X was actually good. Victoria Jackson was never funny, even before we knew what a kook she was.

Who plays the parts of the corpses in the morgues? Who plays the wounded in the hospitals? Who plays the doctors & nurses treating the injured? Who portrays the morticians & funeral directors? The utter absurdity of these claims is beyond baffling.