DRW50

Lisa is looking very Roger Moore-era Bond girl here. I think it's too low-cut but I like the color. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2627898/Lisa-Vanderpump-sizzles-plunging-purple-gown-opening-P-U-M-P-Lounge-Housewives-pals-Carlton-Joyce-dazzle-too.html

Great work. Love all the history mentioned here. I'm so happy you devoted a full chapter to this.

Bill wrote some Soap Opera Weekly columns for a year or so in the early 90's. If you ever want me to post any here, let me know.

I can see why they deleted this scene, as we already knew this about Pycelle, and as much as I enjoy Julian Glover, a little of this character goes a very long way, but I still like the scene. It's nice to see Tywin in another setting and is a good glimpse at some of the jostling after Tywin took over King's Landing.

I'm sure most people would say the first. I have only seen a little of that era.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/13/amc-releases-first-look-photo-of-the-walking-dead-season-five/264021/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Tvbythenumbers+%28TVbytheNumbers%29

Overall, Eden. When she had good material (which was rare), Liza.

I know. But for all her emotions and pride, she's a smart woman. On some level I think she would have known he was saying these things to make her go, to protect her, even if that wouldn't have hurt any less. If he'd said something similar (in her mind at least) when she wasn't around, I think it would have pushed her more over the edge into wanting to hurt him.

You can't please everyone, and I agree that if she'd been completely hard then some people would have been upset. This is one of those moments that was going to anger a lot of fans no matter what. I do think in this case, when they knew what the character was and they chose to change her, they should have considered changing how this moment was played as well. Not because of needing to stick to the books, just because of consistency with the character. I can believe that it's woman scorned + being pressured by the Lannisters, I just thought it was somewhat poorly done onscreen. I think they want us to be angry on Tyrion's behalf, so they don't want to make her too sympathetic. I get that, but if it were me, I would have added a scene, like perhaps at the start of the season, or the end of last season, a drunk Tyrion telling Bronn that he never should have gotten involved with Shae or that he never should have fooled himself into a life with a whore, and she overhears. Then when he sends her away, she won't even consider that it was for her own good, she will just remember what he said to Bronn and assume she is excess baggage.

Larry Sabato talks about whether there will be a wave. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/2014-midterm-gop-wave-106598.html?hp=pm_1#.U3KFzoFdXOs Meanwhile, Tom Cotton, the goofy-looking guy who has been hyped to no end by the press and the GOP as a future star, released an internal poll showing him tied with Mark Pryor. You don't do that unless you're desperate, so I don't get this move. He could still easily win, given the year, but this is a black eye, IMO.

I think the media is gaga over the idea of a big contest between two "dynasties." I'm not sure I can see Jeb pulling the trigger, but I guess it depends on the 2016 lineup. I'm starting to wonder if Hillary will either.

I think one of the problems with a book to show transition with Shae is that they changed the character for most of her run but then didn't change the character when time came for a reveal of betrayal. Even the actress had a problem with some of this betrayal, because she did not believe that Shae would betray Sansa. If the character had been portrayed as cold and hard and just out for survival, then her betraying both Sansa and Tyrion would make more sense. I think most of the changes they made to Shae worked, and I could say that even her turning against Tyrion made some sense, if she felt like Tyrion had used her and discarded her. It's just that a smart woman (and Shae seemed smart) being so blinded is a little OOC for me. I wish they'd emphasized more that the Lannisters had given her little choice in the matter. Instead they were going for a mixture of things and I don't believe it fully worked. I think some changes from book to show do work. I was very fond of Talisa and I think she was a good addition to Robb's story and downfall. I think the stuff with Bran made some sense and helped up the emotional stakes. The Shae stuff...I don't think it entirely came off. And I don't think it's necessarily just book purists who feel that way.

Alfie Allen interview. There's a bit of a spoiler for future events. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Game-Thrones-Alfie-Allen-Theon-1081659.aspx

astheworldstillturns is uploading episodes again, starting at the start of 1987. munecojim, oakdalian, and others have already uploaded a number of videos of that era, but there are some they hadn't, as far as I know. I'll just link to those.

The actress who plays Shae talks about how she fought to have Shae not include Sansa in her testimony (I agree with her on that). http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_4_sibel_kekilli_didnt_want_shae_to_betray_sansa-2014-05

Luke's hair must have been an all time low at this point. He looks like Walder Frey.

Thanks! Well, that won't be up long...