story. Some that seem important now will come to an end soon and some that seem unimportant or tangential will begin to assume a more important place. It's the evolution of the greater narrative. For example, Ned Stark was the single most important story in the first season, but the only purpose of that story was to set the war in motion. I bet there are a lot of folks who wondered why there were so many scenes with Tyrion in a stable, Tyrion on the Wall, Tyrion eating dinner during the first few episodes and not more time spent with Ned and his family.
"let down". The series is about each character first and foremost, and how they are intertwined through a very elaborate story. Its a giant chess match.
It's also a TV show with 20-30 main characters who are all being paid. They have to have scenes written for them to justify them being cast, and each storyline needs to be fresh in the minds of the viewers, which is vastly different than the books.
Simply put, its an extremely hard and complex story to tell on screen and they are doing as good a job as possible.
the people who've read the books feel the need to contribute to these threads and "educate" the rest of us? isn't there a separate thread where you can discuss the hidden importance of various story arcs?
really tiresome at this point. I know you didn't spoil anything but I just don't get the need to flex your GoT muscles. we get it, you read the books and we didn't. thanks.
I haven't spoiled anything. Never did, never will.
By now you have 3+ seasons of a brilliantly told story with bits and pieces of war, be-headings, murders, etc. People want a red wedding scene in every episode which isn't the point of the show. Since there have only been 2 episodes in between both major scenes a lot of people I talk to aren't satisfied with anything else, that's the point i'm trying to make.
I've taken part in every non-spoiler thread to date, no need to get up in arms because I disagree with people's opinions. So many good scenes lastnight that are getting over-shadowed by the "lack of action."
"People want a red wedding scene in every episode"
the reaction is part and parcel of being a good show. People want more. Last night when the credits hit my first thought was, "come on, that's it?". It's not because I don't like the show - it's because there's so much happening and I just want to watch another 3-4 hours immediately.
There's probably 10 interesting things happening across the show and you only get a few minutes on any of them in a given episode.
For me, the Danyras plots are getting a little stale, despite them looking very cool. It's obvious it's going somewhere big, but it's kind of repetitive and disconnected. But it's still good - it's just time that isn't being spent on some things that some people might find more immediately compelling. Also, for somebody with like 10 names, you'd think more of them would be easier to spell.
Same with Stannis and the 3 straight months he's spent in his conference room. I mean, if you're the one true king, you might have to talk to more than 2 people to get some movement towards your coronation.
These aren't really complaints - just minor observations on a show that I think is absolutely awesome.
I do find it pretty amazing that they're able to make a show with such a massive scope and have so much success with it. I don't know if there's been another TV show/movie with this kind of scale. I'd watch a new episode every week for the next 10 years if they could make them.
Its a generalization. My point is that its such a vast show, and they have to have scenes of all the paid actors, that getting it as focused as you'd normally get in a show like True Detective with only 3 or 4 main characters, is impossible.
They also have to stick to a timeline, which is hard as well since the series isn't finished being written (they know the gist, but not the intricate details GRRM uses).
I guess I just don't agree with being "underwhelmed" unless your expecting a big even each episode.
Tywin, and Oberyn scenes were awesome. As was Tyrion basically kicking out the only person in the world who genuinely cares for him (Podrick), and the Daario killing scene.
it didn't match the previous episode in terms of energy but it was basically a bridge episode that is going to set up the rest of the season.
Littlefinger is one of the best characters on the show. I think the Littlefinger/Varys rivalry is one of the coolest plots in this entire story. Both guys are always 2 steps ahead. Cool introduction to him for this season.
I'll miss young Podrick. He always had Tyrion's back. I hope we see him in the future.
You seem a bit tense to take my post so personally. I was responding to another poster, but NOTHING that I posted in my response came from reading the books. It can all be extrapolated from what we've seen so far in the series by anyone with a brain, unless of course you think that Benioff and Weiss are playing a cruel joke on the viewers by cutting away from King's Landing just for fun.
Strong Belwas has been cut from the show. Believe the showrunners confirmed that last year, after he failed to show up with Barristan.
And speaking of Barristan, I really hope they add a scene or a bit of dialogue in a future episode that hammers home how great of a knight he was and still is. Think they really missed an opportunity to show that when Joffrey was reading through the White Book that lists the accomplishments of all the Kingsguard (and mocking Jaime in the process). The old man is called "the Bold" for good reason.
that sex or rape? It seemed to start as rape with the multiple "no's" being shouted, and then turned to sex similar to the Tommy/Janet Gavin scenes from Rescue Me, but I couldn't tell how Cersei interpreted it.
that sex or rape? It seemed to start as rape with the multiple "no's" being shouted, and then turned to sex similar to the Tommy/Janet Gavin scenes from Rescue Me, but I couldn't tell how Cersei interpreted it.
It seemed pretty rapey to me, but she was kissing him back also.
but Cersei was kissing him while also saying no, so...in any case, that scene erased any momentum or good will Jamie was building with the audience.
Also think Sam is starting to bog down the story at the Wall, and I really like Sam. They wasted a solid 8 minutes last night with his whining and moving Gilly to the Moletown whorehouse, which is a really, really odd place to hide a woman when you don't want her to have sex. 8 minutes may not sound like much but it's nearly 20% of a 53 minute show.
Littlefinger was sent by Tywin last season to the Vale to marry/get Lysa Arryn in line. No mention of LF since he left, no idea if he actually went or married Lysa.
After last night's episode, I went back and watched S4e2. My guess at a minimum is Littlefinger + Dontos + Queen of Thorns. Something about the necklace that Sansa got from Dontos that Littlefinger smashed on the boat must've contained poison that someone else knew about (Queen of Thorns). If you go back and watch S4e2 and observe the interactions of the Queen of Ts and Sansa when they first sit down the Q of Ts makes mention of her hair and necklace and caresses her hair as well. Plus she was closest to the king & queen's table, especially when Joffrey puts his cup down nearest her when Joff is mocking Tyrion.
Love this show. TV only questions:
- any guesses what Bran saw in S4e2, where they're headed, and why?
- what of House Tully? Lord Edmure and the Blackfish? Just before the Red Wedding the Blackfish went out to take a piss and Edmure went off to bed his hot Frey bride.
- same for the Greyjoys. what are the Ironborn up to? who holds what's left of Winterfell?
- donde estan los caminantes blancos? why haven't they overtaken Mance Rayder?
Edmure is a hostage. We haven't seen the Ironborn for a minute but Tywin (I think, may have been Stanis) mentioned that they were still in "open rebellion".
but besides what is going on in King's Landing, the show is really dragging this season. All of these little plots about the people coming at the Lannisters is getting tedious. How much do I need to watch about Stannis and Daerys and the Wildings and Arya and the Hound. In particular, the Daerys stuff is really annoying, I get it, she goes from town to town building an army, (I have not read the books), so I ask myself when the heck is she going to actually use the army. She has been marching for two and a half seasons already. Let's go. The stuff in King's Landing, though, is first rate.
RE: I love the show and have watched every episode
but besides what is going on in King's Landing, the show is really dragging this season. All of these little plots about the people coming at the Lannisters is getting tedious. How much do I need to watch about Stannis and Daerys and the Wildings and Arya and the Hound. In particular, the Daerys stuff is really annoying, I get it, she goes from town to town building an army, (I have not read the books), so I ask myself when the heck is she going to actually use the army. She has been marching for two and a half seasons already. Let's go. The stuff in King's Landing, though, is first rate.
if you look at a map of the fictional universe, Danaerys is still pretty far from where she intends to go, I think. Meereen was the third major slave city that she conquered near Slaver's Bay, so if she's done she could theoretically start heading west over water, but she'd need a ton of ships to do that. if she wants to continue traveling over land, it looks like a pretty long trip.
the point is, they can't just teleport her and her army to westeros, nor can they ignore her storyline. I agree that the conquering slave cities thing is a little stale, but I think things will heat up soon.
I have a question for the book readers, in the books
The Hound & Arya storyline. They are both great characters and their relationship is so incredibly odd. They don't really like eachother but they need eachother and have developed a mutual respect. The Hound is such a great character that I could watch an entire episode simply about him.
I don't mind the Danaerys stuff as much as others, but it is not as compelling as the rest of the show. I do like Jorah, Greyworm & her other Captains or w/e you want to call them though, so I enjoy that. I do find myself asking how Jorah knows everything about every single new culture they encounter. It's a lot of information that he is always passing on to his Khaleesi.
RE: I have a question for the book readers, in the books
There's a lot of background about those individuals and also about their houses. House Stark goes back thousands of years and the book talks about some of the most important ones.
House Targaryen is also explained pretty fully - from Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons through the Mad King and some characters in between (Baelor the Blessed, Maegor the Cruel, etc.).
House Lannister is also interesting, in particular Tywin's back story. It talks about how House Lannister was founded by a guy named Lann the Clever a long time ago.
There's also a lot about Robert's rebellion, how the alliance came together, specific battles that were fought, etc.
but man are Stannis scenes annoying. I'm also confused about his stance - didn't the Red Witch acknowledge in last year's season finale that the Whitewalkers are coming and that the Iron Throne wasn't even important anymore? That "the true war lies to the north"? Now all of a sudden he's interested in the throne again?
keep in mind that this is a 7 book series of probably 7,000+ pages. The show condenses and accelerates the story as much as possible, but some parts are going to drag.
If they had the ability financially, 13 episode seasons would definitely be better, but that's not an option apparently.
I fully expect things to pick up, and once certain arcs play out, it will improve the perception of the earlier episodes. It happens in each season, in fact.
There's a ton of information on the backstory in the book...
But a lot of it is vague or veiled - never explicitly stated as "X did Y and caused Z". This leads to a lot of fan theories and speculation as to whether or not the way GRRM described a tree in the book may have some deeper meaning.
You do get a much better appreciation for the players in the game and why things are the way they are (and what will likely happen next) with reading the book, but they are doing a pretty good job keeping it together in the series.
RE: There's a ton of information on the backstory in the book...
But a lot of it is vague or veiled - never explicitly stated as "X did Y and caused Z". This leads to a lot of fan theories and speculation as to whether or not the way GRRM described a tree in the book may have some deeper meaning.
You do get a much better appreciation for the players in the game and why things are the way they are (and what will likely happen next) with reading the book, but they are doing a pretty good job keeping it together in the series.
I love that about the books. Adds a tertiary element of still not knowing definitively what happened in the past and what drives the actions of certain characters. GRRM has mastered that aspect of writing.
but man are Stannis scenes annoying. I'm also confused about his stance - didn't the Red Witch acknowledge in last year's season finale that the Whitewalkers are coming and that the Iron Throne wasn't even important anymore? That "the true war lies to the north"? Now all of a sudden he's interested in the throne again?
great point, she definitely said that at the end of last season. however, that was before Joffrey died, which Stannis apparently perceives as another opportunity to assert his claim. i would expect Melissandre to try to dissuade him from focusing on King's Landing given her realization from last season, but we'll see.
after being involved in slave trade (a big no-no). He has spent years in Essos before Game of Thrones begins. this accounts for some of his knowledge.
I know his story, so I do understand why they have him explain the different cultures and such. But it's like no matter where they go he knows every single meaning of every single gesture made. I'm nit-picking & it doesn't bother me THAT much, but I find it hard to believe one guy could know so much about the many, many different cultures across the land.
culture-wise. He's had to adapt and learn how to survive. He knows everything about Westeros due to his history there and is extremely intelligent, IMO. Not far fetched to have a guy like him pick up on things so easily even in other "countries".
great point, she definitely said that at the end of last season. however, that was before Joffrey died, which Stannis apparently perceives as another opportunity to assert his claim. i would expect Melissandre to try to dissuade him from focusing on King's Landing given her realization from last season, but we'll see.
I interpreted her saying that as the reason Stannis needed to take The Iron Throne. So I don't think she was trying to dissuade him from the current war, but motivate him to win the war so he could win the bigger war with the Whitewalkers beyond the wall. I could be wrong, obviously, but that is how I took it.
I urge you to check out the GoT map thread. It puts the show into perspective without spoiling anything.
I agree. Looking at the maps was a great help in understanding the locations of the numerous plots in the show in relation to one another. It also definitely gave me a deeper appreciation for the Khaleesi storyline.
solidifies what i said above about Danaerys - she's still very far from Westeros at this point - both by land and by sea - so unless she's hopping on the back of one of her dragons and flying there, I don't think she'll be invading King's Landing any time soon.
Everything in Game of Thrones has historical analogs
Drowned God = Norse Gods (Odin, Loki etc)
Old Gods = animism
New Gods (the 7) = paganism
The Lord of Light = Christianity
Lannisters = House Lancaster in England's War of the Roses (vs the Starks aka House of York)
The Martells/Dorne = Moorish Spain
The Night's Watch = Holy Orders, like the Templars, Teutonic Order etc
Greyjoys = Vikings
Free Cities (Braavos, Myr, Penthos etc) = Italian City States
Dothraki = An amalagation of all horseback steppe tribes (Mongols, Turks, Huns etc)
Old Valyria = Rome, hence the superior technology (Valyrian Steel) which can no longer be duplicated - those that survived 'the doom of Valyria' (probably volcano a la Pompeii) were a few steps ahead of the rest (the Targaryeans, the city of Volantis)
great point, she definitely said that at the end of last season. however, that was before Joffrey died, which Stannis apparently perceives as another opportunity to assert his claim. i would expect Melissandre to try to dissuade him from focusing on King's Landing given her realization from last season, but we'll see.
I interpreted her saying that as the reason Stannis needed to take The Iron Throne. So I don't think she was trying to dissuade him from the current war, but motivate him to win the war so he could win the bigger war with the Whitewalkers beyond the wall. I could be wrong, obviously, but that is how I took it.
I disagree. According to some recap sites, the exact quote from that scene was, "This war of the five kings means nothing... The true war lies to the north. Death marches on the wall: only you can stop him."
I disagree. According to some recap sites, the exact quote from that scene was, "This war of the five kings means nothing... The true war lies to the north. Death marches on the wall: only you can stop him."
But look at that last line. She is essentially saying "Only Stannis can stop them." How is he going to stop them in the role he is in now? He can't even gather an army to help him fight the war of the 5 kings. I believe she meant, and Stannis feels, that he needs to take the Iron Throne first in order to gain enough power to stop the Whitewalkers et al beyond the wall. Only a King can unify the kingdoms to fight the war beyond the wall.
That is how I interpret those statements and the fact that he is still concentrating on taking the Iron throne rather than the enemy beyond the wall, further cements me in my opinion.
Again, it's just my opinion, but I wanted to explain my thinking. When she said it I didn't think that she meant for him to stop trying to take the Iron Throne, I thought she was stating the importance of him overtaking the Iron Throne. Essentially saying that he needs to become King in order to save the kingdoms from the death that marches on the wall.
But look at that last line. She is essentially saying "Only Stannis can stop them." How is he going to stop them in the role he is in now? He can't even gather an army to help him fight the war of the 5 kings. I believe she meant, and Stannis feels, that he needs to take the Iron Throne first in order to gain enough power to stop the Whitewalkers et al beyond the wall. Only a King can unify the kingdoms to fight the war beyond the wall.
That is how I interpret those statements and the fact that he is still concentrating on taking the Iron throne rather than the enemy beyond the wall, further cements me in my opinion.
Again, it's just my opinion, but I wanted to explain my thinking. When she said it I didn't think that she meant for him to stop trying to take the Iron Throne, I thought she was stating the importance of him overtaking the Iron Throne. Essentially saying that he needs to become King in order to save the kingdoms from the death that marches on the wall.
You're probably right. It helps that the writing has been top-notch so far - I doubt they (or George RR Martin) would drop the ball on something so significant.
It's also a TV show with 20-30 main characters who are all being paid. They have to have scenes written for them to justify them being cast, and each storyline needs to be fresh in the minds of the viewers, which is vastly different than the books.
Simply put, its an extremely hard and complex story to tell on screen and they are doing as good a job as possible.
really tiresome at this point. I know you didn't spoil anything but I just don't get the need to flex your GoT muscles. we get it, you read the books and we didn't. thanks.
By now you have 3+ seasons of a brilliantly told story with bits and pieces of war, be-headings, murders, etc. People want a red wedding scene in every episode which isn't the point of the show. Since there have only been 2 episodes in between both major scenes a lot of people I talk to aren't satisfied with anything else, that's the point i'm trying to make.
I've taken part in every non-spoiler thread to date, no need to get up in arms because I disagree with people's opinions. So many good scenes lastnight that are getting over-shadowed by the "lack of action."
Who said anything about a lack of action?
There's probably 10 interesting things happening across the show and you only get a few minutes on any of them in a given episode.
For me, the Danyras plots are getting a little stale, despite them looking very cool. It's obvious it's going somewhere big, but it's kind of repetitive and disconnected. But it's still good - it's just time that isn't being spent on some things that some people might find more immediately compelling. Also, for somebody with like 10 names, you'd think more of them would be easier to spell.
Same with Stannis and the 3 straight months he's spent in his conference room. I mean, if you're the one true king, you might have to talk to more than 2 people to get some movement towards your coronation.
These aren't really complaints - just minor observations on a show that I think is absolutely awesome.
I do find it pretty amazing that they're able to make a show with such a massive scope and have so much success with it. I don't know if there's been another TV show/movie with this kind of scale. I'd watch a new episode every week for the next 10 years if they could make them.
Still nothing I'd rather do for that one hour each week.
Who said anything about a lack of action?
Its a generalization. My point is that its such a vast show, and they have to have scenes of all the paid actors, that getting it as focused as you'd normally get in a show like True Detective with only 3 or 4 main characters, is impossible.
They also have to stick to a timeline, which is hard as well since the series isn't finished being written (they know the gist, but not the intricate details GRRM uses).
I guess I just don't agree with being "underwhelmed" unless your expecting a big even each episode.
Also:
Littlefinger is one of the best characters on the show. I think the Littlefinger/Varys rivalry is one of the coolest plots in this entire story. Both guys are always 2 steps ahead. Cool introduction to him for this season.
I'll miss young Podrick. He always had Tyrion's back. I hope we see him in the future.
Was he being sent to the Vale to marry Lysa Arryn?
Still trying to figure out how he orchestrated with Dontos. Must be working in cahoots with someone else on land...
And speaking of Barristan, I really hope they add a scene or a bit of dialogue in a future episode that hammers home how great of a knight he was and still is. Think they really missed an opportunity to show that when Joffrey was reading through the White Book that lists the accomplishments of all the Kingsguard (and mocking Jaime in the process). The old man is called "the Bold" for good reason.
Jaime didnt grieve over his own son's passing?
Jaime didnt grieve over his own son's passing?
Throughout the entire show, Jamie has never expressed any care for any of his sons. Not once. Only Cersei.
It seemed pretty rapey to me, but she was kissing him back also.
Also think Sam is starting to bog down the story at the Wall, and I really like Sam. They wasted a solid 8 minutes last night with his whining and moving Gilly to the Moletown whorehouse, which is a really, really odd place to hide a woman when you don't want her to have sex. 8 minutes may not sound like much but it's nearly 20% of a 53 minute show.
It moved.
- Cam
After last night's episode, I went back and watched S4e2. My guess at a minimum is Littlefinger + Dontos + Queen of Thorns. Something about the necklace that Sansa got from Dontos that Littlefinger smashed on the boat must've contained poison that someone else knew about (Queen of Thorns). If you go back and watch S4e2 and observe the interactions of the Queen of Ts and Sansa when they first sit down the Q of Ts makes mention of her hair and necklace and caresses her hair as well. Plus she was closest to the king & queen's table, especially when Joffrey puts his cup down nearest her when Joff is mocking Tyrion.
Love this show. TV only questions:
- any guesses what Bran saw in S4e2, where they're headed, and why?
- what of House Tully? Lord Edmure and the Blackfish? Just before the Red Wedding the Blackfish went out to take a piss and Edmure went off to bed his hot Frey bride.
- same for the Greyjoys. what are the Ironborn up to? who holds what's left of Winterfell?
- donde estan los caminantes blancos? why haven't they overtaken Mance Rayder?
if you look at a map of the fictional universe, Danaerys is still pretty far from where she intends to go, I think. Meereen was the third major slave city that she conquered near Slaver's Bay, so if she's done she could theoretically start heading west over water, but she'd need a ton of ships to do that. if she wants to continue traveling over land, it looks like a pretty long trip.
the point is, they can't just teleport her and her army to westeros, nor can they ignore her storyline. I agree that the conquering slave cities thing is a little stale, but I think things will heat up soon.
I don't mind the Danaerys stuff as much as others, but it is not as compelling as the rest of the show. I do like Jorah, Greyworm & her other Captains or w/e you want to call them though, so I enjoy that. I do find myself asking how Jorah knows everything about every single new culture they encounter. It's a lot of information that he is always passing on to his Khaleesi.
I'm only 25% through book 4 but they touch on it from time to time but don't go into great detail. An anecdote pops up from time to time
House Targaryen is also explained pretty fully - from Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons through the Mad King and some characters in between (Baelor the Blessed, Maegor the Cruel, etc.).
House Lannister is also interesting, in particular Tywin's back story. It talks about how House Lannister was founded by a guy named Lann the Clever a long time ago.
There's also a lot about Robert's rebellion, how the alliance came together, specific battles that were fought, etc.
If they had the ability financially, 13 episode seasons would definitely be better, but that's not an option apparently.
I fully expect things to pick up, and once certain arcs play out, it will improve the perception of the earlier episodes. It happens in each season, in fact.
You do get a much better appreciation for the players in the game and why things are the way they are (and what will likely happen next) with reading the book, but they are doing a pretty good job keeping it together in the series.
You do get a much better appreciation for the players in the game and why things are the way they are (and what will likely happen next) with reading the book, but they are doing a pretty good job keeping it together in the series.
I love that about the books. Adds a tertiary element of still not knowing definitively what happened in the past and what drives the actions of certain characters. GRRM has mastered that aspect of writing.
great point, she definitely said that at the end of last season. however, that was before Joffrey died, which Stannis apparently perceives as another opportunity to assert his claim. i would expect Melissandre to try to dissuade him from focusing on King's Landing given her realization from last season, but we'll see.
I know his story, so I do understand why they have him explain the different cultures and such. But it's like no matter where they go he knows every single meaning of every single gesture made. I'm nit-picking & it doesn't bother me THAT much, but I find it hard to believe one guy could know so much about the many, many different cultures across the land.
I interpreted her saying that as the reason Stannis needed to take The Iron Throne. So I don't think she was trying to dissuade him from the current war, but motivate him to win the war so he could win the bigger war with the Whitewalkers beyond the wall. I could be wrong, obviously, but that is how I took it.
I agree. Looking at the maps was a great help in understanding the locations of the numerous plots in the show in relation to one another. It also definitely gave me a deeper appreciation for the Khaleesi storyline.
Drowned God = Norse Gods (Odin, Loki etc)
Old Gods = animism
New Gods (the 7) = paganism
The Lord of Light = Christianity
Lannisters = House Lancaster in England's War of the Roses (vs the Starks aka House of York)
The Martells/Dorne = Moorish Spain
The Night's Watch = Holy Orders, like the Templars, Teutonic Order etc
Greyjoys = Vikings
Free Cities (Braavos, Myr, Penthos etc) = Italian City States
Dothraki = An amalagation of all horseback steppe tribes (Mongols, Turks, Huns etc)
Old Valyria = Rome, hence the superior technology (Valyrian Steel) which can no longer be duplicated - those that survived 'the doom of Valyria' (probably volcano a la Pompeii) were a few steps ahead of the rest (the Targaryeans, the city of Volantis)
Slaver's Bay (all the cities Dany is conquering) - Look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_slave_trade
Also most of the story line comes from historical events - assassinations, betrayals etc.
Quote:
great point, she definitely said that at the end of last season. however, that was before Joffrey died, which Stannis apparently perceives as another opportunity to assert his claim. i would expect Melissandre to try to dissuade him from focusing on King's Landing given her realization from last season, but we'll see.
I interpreted her saying that as the reason Stannis needed to take The Iron Throne. So I don't think she was trying to dissuade him from the current war, but motivate him to win the war so he could win the bigger war with the Whitewalkers beyond the wall. I could be wrong, obviously, but that is how I took it.
I disagree. According to some recap sites, the exact quote from that scene was, "This war of the five kings means nothing... The true war lies to the north. Death marches on the wall: only you can stop him."
But look at that last line. She is essentially saying "Only Stannis can stop them." How is he going to stop them in the role he is in now? He can't even gather an army to help him fight the war of the 5 kings. I believe she meant, and Stannis feels, that he needs to take the Iron Throne first in order to gain enough power to stop the Whitewalkers et al beyond the wall. Only a King can unify the kingdoms to fight the war beyond the wall.
That is how I interpret those statements and the fact that he is still concentrating on taking the Iron throne rather than the enemy beyond the wall, further cements me in my opinion.
Again, it's just my opinion, but I wanted to explain my thinking. When she said it I didn't think that she meant for him to stop trying to take the Iron Throne, I thought she was stating the importance of him overtaking the Iron Throne. Essentially saying that he needs to become King in order to save the kingdoms from the death that marches on the wall.
That is how I interpret those statements and the fact that he is still concentrating on taking the Iron throne rather than the enemy beyond the wall, further cements me in my opinion.
Again, it's just my opinion, but I wanted to explain my thinking. When she said it I didn't think that she meant for him to stop trying to take the Iron Throne, I thought she was stating the importance of him overtaking the Iron Throne. Essentially saying that he needs to become King in order to save the kingdoms from the death that marches on the wall.
You're probably right. It helps that the writing has been top-notch so far - I doubt they (or George RR Martin) would drop the ball on something so significant.