Needle is more a fencing sword, than a bladed one. The steel is twisted to a point. You cannot slash with it, only stab. So, it's only advantage is being longer than a dagger. But if Arya misses on a fencing lunge, the Waif can just grab the sword, and it's over. The writers seem to want us to believe that only Arya had blind training. The only way Arya wins is if the Waif had no training for darkness.
As for Riverrun, Brienne just pleaded with Jamie to release the men from the castle and give her/them safe passage to the North to retake Winterfel. Jamie said, "Ok, try to talk Blackfish out and I give you my word." But she failed. I thought it was clear that Jamie then made Brienne's offer to Edmure, if he could get Riverrun to lay down their weapons. So, I'm thinking Edmure will head North with his men to help Sansa. Riverrun made sense to me.
There's been nothing to indicate that Arya's power level is above the Waif's. The Waif outranks her, and by that logic, should be more advanced in skills than Arya. The Waif more than likely underwent similar training to Arya. I don't see a scenario where a gutted Arya would have an advantage over the Waif. But they knew that and were willing to, even as Edmure was being threatened by the Freys. Riverrun is their home, and surrendering to the Lannisters means they'll be displaced by the Freys once again, only this time they have Edmure. They didn't gain much by retaking Riverrun from the Freys only to lose it again.
No, edmure surrenders because Jamie threatens to catapult his son into the castle. They laid down their weapons. The show writers are tired of the vast universe and want to consolidate. Things happening fast, characters Dying just to die, etc.
So disappointed. The reasoning for things is just stupid now. The motives, explanations, all boil down to because the writers wanted it at that moment.
Arya was blinded more for insubordination, not necessarily to enhance her training (which it ended up enhancing anyways). It's a huge presumption to assume the Waif was also blinded as long (or at all) as part of some standard training regimen. In the end, it's the only way the outcome makes sense... I would figure most casual viewers (i.e., not the scrutinizing nitpick era/book-readers) would get it. They knew they were going to get slaughtered. This prevented that.
Doubt they head for Winterfell after they piled all of their weapons into the Lannister's lap the way they did.
Two episodes left. Who do you think will die? I think Podrick and Brienne, unfortunately. Either Tommen or Cersei. With deep, deep regret, I think Ramsay heads to one of the seven heavens.
Wasn't the best, but still enjoyed it, glad that Arya is getting back, and now that Dany has returned that should speed up some - I am guessing the Dragons will take those ships down or the Ironborn will arrive at their backs. The Hound joining up was cool, and Edmure will go join Jon against Ramsey. Should be a great final 2 episodes. DD
The son he never met, and might never see, from a wife he only knew for 8 hours. That speech wasn't about a threat. It was about Jaime explaining how he doesn't care about Riverrun or anything like that, when Edmure asks him about decency. "You don't matter to me; your son doesn't matter to me, nothing matters to me." He already told Brienne he'd let the soldiers join her if he talked Blackfish into leaving with her. Jaime gets those gates down faster by giving Edmure the same proposition that Brienne gave him. It ties the two conversations together. Edmure gets released, Tullies don't die, Brienne gets her soldiers for Sansa, and Jaime gets a quick ending to the siege. Riverrun was all about Brienne's assignment to gather forces for Sansa. This is just an unexpected way of achieving it. Blackfish dies a stubborn death. And Jamie allows Edmure join Brienne/Sansa (or die), because he doesn't care anymore, and wants to do something for Brienne. Yes, the ending scene of Brienne and Jaime waving could be just that, and I could be wrong. But it is also a way to make it a surprise what Jaime's intentions are with regard to the Tully forces. Good point. But Jaime already promised Brienne he'd let the Tully soldiers leave with her if she could get the siege to end today. My idea is just a continuation of that. I could be wrong, and all Riverrun was was two Jaime conversations and Blackfish dying a stubborn death....and we never hear from Riverrun or the Tully forces again this season. If that's the case, then I'm with Duncan McDonuts and others..."What was the point of Riverrun." lulz. But my theory does fit all the conversations together in this episode, imo. And it's obvious Jaime cares about Brienne's honor and quests.
Anybody else have a Terminator flashback with the Waif tonight? Oh yeah, plus we didn't really see Blackfish's body did we?
the writing on this show is really bad, especially when they try and deviate from the source material bc of time constraints it's covered up by top level production values and acting the entire Arya plotline was inexplicably dumb; we were all thinking there had to be something more to it, but there wasn't
It was shallow - except that now Arya is a much better fighter and knows how to be an assassin which might come in handy. DD
There's been a huge online outcry of disappointment and disbelief in Arya's storyline. I don't think most people see this outcome as logical, other than for plot reasons. The Blackfish's army was ready for two years of siege. They were heavily fortified behind the walls and moat. They seemed pretty confident up until their POW lord walked up, one who has shown incompetence in combat skills. To lay down their arms for him over the Blackfish happened too quickly, but that's the way this season has gone.
Arya spent nearly two seasons "training", but really, doesn't seem like she improved any of her skillsets. She basically just ran around in circles, learning about the many faced god and then getting beat up by the waif. Am I to believe now that she'll go back to Westeros and all of sudden become a supreme assassin? Not plausible.
When did they seem confident once the huge Lannister Army arrived. The only one "confident" was a stubborn Blackfish who wanted to scoff in Jaime's face last episode. And it wasn't a trick like Blackfish said. Jaime didn't rush the gate. And when they laid down their weapons when ordered, that is exactly in line with the lack of commitment to the battle that Jaime predicted when he was listening to Brienne's proposal. "Alright. Blackfish won't listen. But his men might. Not everyone wants to die for someone else's home." Can you at least agree that an episode where Brienne's long journey to Riverrun as ordered by Sansa might have expectedly resulted in success as to rally the Tully Army, but in an unexpected way, due to unforeseen complexities of a siege.
I begin to like The 'Michael Myers' Waif . . . I did not want her to die but i knew she would The issue with Arya leaving is that what skills did she exactly gain blind fighting . .. better liar. I want know if she will be able to use the faceless magic Why did the Waif not killed her after killing the lady .. oh hell why not before . .. The Waif was pretty d*mn stupid about alot of things. Right. This was utterly ridiculous Here is my problem . . .. Edmure - You just surrendered to the most dishonorable house in all of Westeros Literally broke the oldest honor code in the land YOU DO NOT KILL YOUR DINNER GUEST Why in THE HELL would you think they would not just kill all your men after you surrendered??? Worked out well for Ramsey at Winterfeld Rocket River
That is alot of jumping to conclusion If that is the case. . . why let Brienne paddle away Why not send Edmure with her? Rocket River
