But how did the direwolf pommel specifically contribute to the greater narrative? How did Needle being a particular style of blade contribute? Considering the raid on the Tower of Joy could potentially be one of the more pivotal moments in modern Westeros history, I just hoped they'd treat it with a little more…

No, he fought with the 2 swords still strapped to his belt after he stabs Dawn into the ground. If you watch again, you can see him draw both from his belt.

But that’s exactly the reason. It IS such a small thing, that WOULDN’T have taken that much extra effort from production to get right and DOES make a pretty big deal for the people that pay attention. It’d be like if Longclaw didn’t have the direwolf head, or Needle was just a normal sword instead of like an épée.…

“And now it begins,” said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was pale as milkglass, alive with light.

No, he fought with the 2 swords still strapped to his belt after he stabs Dawn into the ground. If you watch again, you can see him draw both from his belt. Nice nod with the sun on the pommel, but Dawn is described as white, milkglass, unique, so a bit of a letdown for it to look so...normal...

Yeah, you're right. I had that thought too. Being a master swordsman he would be prepared for different scenarios. I'm ok with that. I just think they botched Dawn pretty bad...

I think you’re mistaking “fan wish fulfillment” for “realizing foreshadowed events”?

I believe we know that he’s the Bloodraven in the books, but that “1000 years old” quote last night could mean there's divergence for the show there...

That was my biggest complaint as well! The fight scene itself was absolutely bad ass, no question. Getting Dawn right is such a small detail, probably wouldn’t have taken much more effort on the showrunners’ part, but would have meant the world to fans.

Why only 2 King’s Guard? Maybe Hightower is waiting inside? What the heck was up with Dawn? Arthur Dayne was definitely bad ass, not quite what I was imagining re: dual wield vs greatsword. Also, the tone of the conversation wasn’t what I was expecting. Young Ned sounded like a bit of a dick, where I read those words…

Nailed exactly how I felt about the Tower of Joy. Why only 2 King’s Guard? Maybe Hightower is waiting inside? What the heck was up with Dawn? Arthur Dayne was bad ass, but definitely not what I was imagining re: dual wield vs greatsword. Also, the tone of the conversation wasn’t what I was expecting. Young Ned sounded…

You don’t seem to understand or give credence to incremental science. It sounds like you’re saying everyone should be able to jump to the 100% correct explanation all of the time, or it’s not worth considering. Mendel was a step we had to take to make it to DNA. Assuming that there's a Planet 9 and discussing what it…

Gravity raises just as many questions as it answers, doesn't it? We observe evidence, we create a hypothesis to fit the observations, and we test it.

Right?

This thread made my morning.

Maybe that’s why the last 2 seasons are reported to be 7 and 6 episodes? Same, or slightly higher, budget split over fewer episodes?

What do you mean it's a 1:1 exchange? Thoros brings Beric back multiple times. They both seem to lose a little bit each time, but definitely not a 1:1 exchange...

it moved as fast as an old man being tossed from a bridge, and it hit as hard as Cersei’s zombie-knightmare Ser Robert Strong

I think the most likely source of any proof is going to be Lyanna’s tomb in the Winterfell crypt. There’s been too much written about the crypt, and her tomb specifically, for it to not factor in. Rhaegar’s harp seems to be the most speculated upon proof.

Interesting...maybe the schedule, or different type of audiences. Maybe I’m thinking about it too much from my own perspective, n=1, but I think I’m square in POI’s target audience while NCIS appeals more to my parents.