May Day 10

He did that as part of a command from his superior to do everything asked of him in order to maintain his cover. He needed the wildlings to believe he turned his cloak. He resisted as long as he could, and (in print form) was extremely conflicted and beat himself up pretty bad... but also really enjoyed the 'company' of a woman. I wouldn't be shocked for him to rigidly maintain his vow and not reproduce.

i would assume Jon confesses because he is honest to a fault. Even with Drogon, he was standing there waiting to accept the punishment

lake placid/high peaks

That was perhaps the happiest conclusion for Jon Snow. He seemed to be the happiest with Ygritte and beyond the wall (other than tweaking out about his honor). He didn't want to lead, he stated it multiple times. He would have been miserable as King or King in the North. As far as the Dothraki and Unsullied. They had numbers and were threatening war, which gives them say. Both groups are fierce warriors and the 7 Kingdoms was probably left with the dregs of fighting men.

I agree with this Most of the major plot points are fine.... but the build up and context has been hollow.

I guess its possible his sense of what his duty is changed while watching the attack on kings landing. I'm thinking he will probably sacrifice himself to eliminate dany and/or drogon, thus eliminating the targaryen line. I think it will almost certainly conclude with 7 kingdoms.

I have read the books... some of them more times than Id like to admit. I feel a strong attachment to the story, world, and characters.... I don't know.... I guess I'm at the place where I consider the screen and print versions separate. I have faith that (if he finishes) GRRM will better develop a lot of things that 'bother' me. I watch the show, and I'm like.... "OK, this is their version". While I have plenty of criticisms, I dont think anything is a 'story killer' or even close to that. It is still a great show, even post-book content. I am also used to watching adaptations of Stephen King's books. Im used to about a 1 out of 10 on the scale of quality adaptations.

I was on the Forum of Ice and Fire early in the week and was taken aback by the seemingly unanimous venom towards the show. I have been critical, and feel a definite downgrade the past 2 seasons... but there is still more good than bad. For example, I did not like Dany's character progression to be compelled to perform those actions in S8, E5... but regardless, the thing was visually spectacular.

Please, no more reviewable plays

Damphair wasnt a competitor. He was/is a prophet who doesn't want Euron to sit the Seastone Chair because he is not a holy man/doesnt worship the Drowned God (and his crew is filled with mute mongrels from all over the world). I like Damphair's character (although many see him as dull) Victarion, the other brother, who was the commander of the Iron Fleet, was the primary contender for the Seastone Chair. Asha/Yara was another competitor (while Reek/Theon is out there with technically the best mainland law claim). They skipped right over the Griff/Jon Connington and Young Griff/Aegon storyline, and I can see why (unless this proves to be some major shift in plot in the Winds of Winter). This was part of the cumbersome 'bulk' that was added in Dance With Dragons that is probably the reason we have an 8 year delay (so far) between books.

I agree with this 100% Yes, we all know the Targs have a history of some eccentric members. None so much mass murderers, but crazy, like drinking wildfire to see if they turn into a dragon. Dany did some harsh things, but as mentioned. Every leader in this story does harsh things, and there was a level of justice or survival connected to each act. Her advisors were drawn to her cause because she showed signs of being grounded and righteous, like Rhaegar. They weren't constantly parrying her impulses to burn people. In fact, she was getting counselled to act in a much more draconian fashion to deal with The Sons of The Harpy and she refused. She was actively protecting people, freeing slaves, and even chained her own 'family' up because a child was killed. Her story arc from S1, E1 to S8, E3 was a different arc than S8 E4 and 5 and it feels very disconnected. Something as significant story-wise as her turn should have been better nurtured over time. It would have enhanced the story a great deal if we had a clue that there was an internal conflict going on, and we were always hoping "good" Dany prevailed and had a nice ending for the character. The ringing of the Bells would have been a profound climax. I could even imagine a bottle episode dealing with Dany's internal conflict sometime over the past 2 seasons would have been amazing. Im not 'shocked' or upset the story went this way. Looking forward to GRRM painting the picture. However, Dany was very poorly developed with this.

Your 'feeling' (and mine) is correct IMO. I do think they have had appropriate talent. Maybe not full-depth like a Tampa or San Jose.... but this team, laden with high first round picks all over, should have been much, much better than their performance over the past 4 seasons. Its some kind of interpersonal cloud in that lockerroom. Not sure exactly what it is, or who is responsible (I have my suspicions)... but creating a culture about winning and playing for each other is paramount. There is almost no leadership, and when there is (Gionta/Okposo/OReilly/Gorges) it seems to get ignored. The team has tangibly quit the past 3 seasons.

If he can actuate a sense of leadership and accountability within that lockerroom, then he is worth it.

I have read the books and there is little to no indication at this point Any example people give at this point is acts of survival, justice, or holding her rule as nearly any other ruler in this story is required to do. It is like arguing that Jon is going mad because he beheaded Janos Slynt. There has been nothing to indicate she would start murdering children and women. She spent most of the last book with her dragons chained up because one allegedly burned a child. She was absolutely devastated with the news. People were counseling her to take some pretty brutal measures against the great masters of Meereen and she refuses every time. To the point that she is making a political marriage with a dufus (and probably a homosexual) in an attempt to politically bring peace to Meereen with no bloodshed.

In the NHL, coaches have a short shelf-life if results don't come. I don't think a case could be made that any of those coaches (save maybe Nolan) should have been retained past time where they were turfed. If anything, Housley was gifted too much time. It isn't the NFL where they need to build a staff, get specialized personnel to fit specific schemes, etc. Edmonton has gone through 6 coaches in the time since the Pegulas bought the Sabres I dont think this type of thing scares coaches away. Lou Lamoriello has fired a 1st place head coach within a month of the playoffs, yet Barry Trotz happily assumed the head coach role under him. The problem with the Pegulas' changes, were, most often they were half-measures. They needed to move on decisively from Ruff and Regier prior to the 2013 lockout. Move forward into the major rebuild overhaul with a tried and true organizational manager. Ownership bungled around through the process and the results speak for themselves.

Almost none of that has to do with a descent into madness. Most of those examples are her showing signs of being tough/just, which is a virtue every leader in this world must possess. Much of those taken out of context. She opened the fighting pits.... but only after closing them, and resisting for year(s), she needed to open them politically and to end bloodshed. And its clear she strongly disliked the custom.

I dont mind the fact that dany went all nuts there... but i think they blew the opportunity to show a real descent into that. This just seems like a random act of mass murder. This is/was the major happening of the series, and it was set up over 1.5 episodes. Could have been building that for multiple seasons, but leave the viewer hoping beyond hope her good side wins out and she doesnt break bad. (And i dont consider executing the tarlys or crucifying the yunkish masters "mad" acts). Im looking forward to see how grrm develops this.

I think there is a difference from making a sick kid's day and allowing him to experience 'a day in the life'. IMO, the Bills have done a great job honoring and bringing joy to pancho and his family. If and when he leaves this earth, maybe the Bills can decide to honor him with a large photo/mural in the concourse or something along those lines.

You hire a guy, and trust him to build the program however he thinks is best. Especially effective when you are new to sports, and have little to no knowledge or experience. Build the program from the top down. They did this for like 3 months with (an inexperienced) LaFontaine.... but apparently changed their minds. Lou Lamoriello, for example, has been available twice during the Pegulas' term. Frankly, I just don't think the Pegulas like the idea of them ceding control and influence to a strong figure.

I see this point made whenever people get critical of the Pegulas.... Stability and willingness to spend are great. So is the investment in the facilities and the city of Buffalo. The family is likable. I root for them. The value of having deep pocketed owners who are committed to the area and want to win isnt lost on me (but it makes the failures frustrating because there is so much potential). On the other hand, their handling of the on-ice Sabres has been nothing short of a complete failure. They have taken a once proud franchise and made it completely irrelevant on their watch. The wrong decision has been made at nearly every juncture. They have rejected bringing in experienced help at the top of the organization and it has been a dysfunctional and disjointed mess. I was against Botterill as GM, as I felt (and still feel), they didn't need to roll the dice on a 1st time GM. The Pegulas have needed help from day 1. That kind of goes for the Bills now too. Everyone is cautiously optimistic at this point, but this thing could just as easily fall through the floor if they start out like 2018. They have rejected experienced organizational managers and have bungled various decisions, with some embarrassing events (such as Whaley's "Im not privy" PC). I like McDermott and Beane. Hope they do well and they show signs of being legit... but they also show signs of being behind the current NFL trends at the same time. Time will tell. I think McDermott is a great motivator for NFL players. He will get the most out of them, but schematically, will they be able to score enough points in today's NFL? So in short, you can like the Pegulas, be thankful.... but also, at the same time, be frustrated at the results or lack thereof.

I thought it was awesome... but Dany's 2-episode character 180 wasnt well executed. She went well beyond any previous "Mad King" for small reason (considering she was being actively provoked throughout Meereen/Slavers Bay). Maybe if they had a councilor poisoning her mind for awhile it, always being right, and earning her trust would make more sense. Aerys was going to light up King's Landing, but only to spoil the prize from an inevitable sacking by Robert and Eddard (and maybe Tywin). Dany was just killing people street by street for the hell of it after the war was already won. I also thought Jaime's trip to King's Landing was an unnecessary waste to give Cersei a disappointing dignified end. Jaime/Brienne would have been better off dying gallantly at the Battle with the Night King in an embrace and maybe sharing a kiss. Hound versus Mountain was as good as can be, especially since it was pretty much a foregone conclusion. But great that the Hound thrust them both into the fire. Will Varys' letters amount to anything? Like I mentioned. I see this almost certainly turning into a Dany/Jon/Dragon all dying, with Sansa/Tyrion/Davos emerging as the 'voice' and declaring that the realm will be restored to 7 Kingdoms again. A possible soft ending of Dragon's eggs hatching across the sea.

Im expecting jon/dany to die, and sansa and tyrion restoring the 7 kingdoms again/abolishing the targaryen throne and legacy. North-Sansa Vale-Robin Stormlands-Gendry Riverlands-Bronn (with a cheesy line about tyrion always pats his debts) West-Tyrion Iron Islands-Yara/Asha Dorne-Dunno. Maybe they find Ellaria

I was worried that the ringing the bells thing was a lame and predictable "red wedding" trap set by tyrion. Was very glad it was just a straight up righteous hail mary to save the city and his siblings

I still think the iron throne/king will be abolished. 7 kingdoms will prevail

Was being sarcastic. All of kings landing was burnt. Amazing!