I guess I was wrong. Most likely, it was because this episode was just too crammed to put that storyline in it.
As for next season

Well it is down hill from here. I already disliked majority of the changes that D&D did to the show so I could not see them improving on Martin's weaker books. They are probably saving

Oh, go cry your eyes out over the books.

Though I agree it felt very rushed. They probably should have saved Bran for next season. Poor Jojen's death didn't have much impact, he's just another body in the bloodbath that has been the last few episodes. I imagine even Martin was horrified watching so many characters die in such a sport span. The Hound is definitely dead, but what a way to go out! Instead of being killed by his own stubborness he gets an awesome fight with Brienne and a more emotional death scene than Tywin Lannister!

Stannis and Dany on the other hand ... Stannis comes off more as a cockblock than a hero saving the day. Maybe he never earned that moment of glory though. I get why people like him, I think he's a very interesting character. Yet this is a guy who killed his own brother and regularly burns his people alive. In the books we see Stannis through Davos' eyes, his biggest admirer. From a non biased point of view he doesn't seem much different than Tywin. Dany chaining up her dragons will probably turn a good number of people against her. She could have at least given them bigger chains and a view.

Yeah it seems like he is driven by spite. He needs to get in the last word to his father before disappearing. That last word being some kind of patricide.

I did like a few of the other changes too. Show Jon is even cooler than book Jon now. "He's not my king" was a great add in. I also liked that we'll get to see Tyrion and Varys together. It was yadda yadda yadda'd in Dance.

I'm still very optimistic about D&D taking over the reigns of creativity.

*Non-book reader past Book 2*

I thought the episode was great. The creators kinda over-hyped it by calling it their best finale though.

>Stannis appearing beyond the Wall was surprising. I didn't know he was anywhere near it. At least his story is moving forward now. It really stalled this season it seemed.

>The episode addressed my question about the Mountain, haha. Although, him becoming "different" if the procedure succeeds (obviously will) is scary.

>Daenerys should know not to chain up her dragons!

>Brienne vs the Hound was intense. I thought for sure she was going to lose because, well, that's what the show has lead me to thinking.

>Bran's storyline just got way more interesting. Undead skeletal warriors?! Was that girl casting fireballs?! I'd really like to know more of what's going on here, but I feel like I'd be spoiled if any of you guys responded. Although if anyone can shed more light on this situation, I'd appreciate it.

>I have no issue with Tyrion killing Shae. I mean, yeah, she was incredibly hurt by Tyrion's actions towards her, but to go back to being a prostitute and for his father? Really? I lost any respect for her character. Now, Tywin's death felt a bit underwhelming, but it was still handled well. And I liked how Varys just looked back at King's Landing and was all "fuck this shit" and hopped on the ship, too, haha.

Without spoiling anything in the future; they're the Children of the Forest, who were the dominant species of Westoros before humans showed up. There was a great war between the two, but the emergence of the White Walkers caused them to join together and throw them back. I imagine they'll explain more about what they have been up to since then next season.

I haven't seen it yet but I knew they wouldn't include LS. They'd want to keep LS for next season as they had enough great material for Season 4 and they need all they can for Season 5. GOT the show is all about "moments" and they need more of them for Season 5.

Question about Mance: why didn't he lead his troops around the Wall? The Wall appears to end at the ocean - seems like it would be pretty easy to go around it, much like Stanis did.

I was discussing the same issue with a co-worker today. How the hell did Stannis, and thousands of soldiers go beyond the Wall in the first place if not by the sea? And instead of wasting time with the Night's Watch (Mance seems like he'd be okay with NOT killing them), why wouldn't Mance just go the same sea route?

I guess using the tunnel would be way more convenient, but ehh... seems weird.

This was the only scene during the finale that I didn't particularly like.

Stannis just needed to sail 3000 well equipped troops over the north plus he had been financed by the bank of Braavos and his pal Davos aquired the navigating services of pirates like Salladhor San. Mance would never have the resources to sail 100,000 of his men over and I doubt he has anyone that can sail those ships professionally

It's kind of annoying how even mainstream media is covering the lack of you know who. Us book-readers were so good at not spoiling the red wedding, Ned's head, Joffrey, Oberyn's exploding face, etc... And now this is the thing that drives people over the edge into don't-give-no-fucks mode? A sad day for nerds.

They have to include her next season beacuse of how much attention the lack of that scen is getting

According to her in a recent interview.... It's not happening.

Which brings me to the question... THEN WHY THE FUCK ARE BRIENNE AND PODRICK ON THE SHOW?

Its happening. She obviously isn't going to reveal it in an interview.

They've left it in for next season as Season 4 had enough going on. Season 5 needs all it can get.

Its happening. She obviously isn't going to reveal it in an interview.

They've left it in for next season as Season 4 had enough going on. Season 5 needs all it can get.

It would be weird seeing Daniel Portman(Podrick) being promoted to supporting credits in the opening intro.

So the new cast all look fine. People are getting worried that Arianne might be cut out entirely but I still don't see it. None of the major new characters were in there, they were all supporting people that will probably only get three episodes, like the Tyrells this year.

I suspect that Arianne, the Greyjoys and Tyrion's new companions will be announced closer to the start of the season.

I really like their latest casting announcement about Alexander Siddig. He was on the wishlist for years about him being cast as a Martell.

So it took some time but I've caught up on all four seasons of the show. Incredible series. I'm reading A Clash of Kings now but I almost want to stop at A Storm of Swords. As excellent as the books are (so far), watching things unfold without knowing them proved to be incredibly fun. Aside from Breaking Bad not sure when I was last invested in characters like this. Maybe early 24 or early Lost.

A few thoughts:

-I've seen countless horror films, The Walking Dead, the many deaths on this show, but nothing has been quite so gruesome and disgusting as Oberyn's death. I don't know what exactly it was but it was unsettling.

-For some reason, I went into the finale thinking Tyrion would die. Ever since Joffrey's death, the writing seemed to indicate the character was at an end. I especially figured after Oberyn had foolishly let The Mountain live that Tyrion's decision to put off his escape to finish his deeds would end up killing him. I'm excited to see where he and Varys end up in Season 5.

-Emilia Clarke is very attractive and there have been some great moments with that part but I'm growing slightly bored with where that story is going. I know it's going someplace big, but it feels like I've been watching the same thing since Season 2.

-I know The Hound couldn't be with Arya forever, but those scenes gutted me in the finale. I'd hate for that to be the last we see of him. Theirs were some of the most fun scenes in Season 4.

Lots more in my head but that's enough. Is it April yet?

Reading the books first adds a bit more depth to the watching experience but the element of surprise is generally gone. Season 5 will cover most if not all of Feast and Dance (which occur at the same time) and probably parts of Book 6 which is yet to be released. They are diverging more from the books which is a good thing for me as a book reader (but hated buy hardcore book fans). I like the surprises.

As for Dani's storyline - I think the show has made it more exciting than the books at this point.

Will I be safe to read through A Storm of Swords then? I do like reading it now after the fact, but I apprecite the shock value.

Yes because there are a few things that did not make it to the book. I'm assuming you read through Clash of Kings and where . The books do a better job with handling the Jaime/Brienne arc in SoS since it plays out differently in the book but with the same outcome

I agree. They really screwed Theon and Davos over so they can make more tv time for Queenbee