# Game of Thrones 3.08 "Second Sons" 5/19/13 No book spoilers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 19, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757 "2013-05-19T20:31:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/41 "2013-05-20T12:37:12Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > So… does anyone else think that the three [usurpers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usurper) named by Stannis are actually going to check out in the next couple of episodes? Previously, Stannis and Melisandre got very close to Renly before creating the shadow baby. This time, they did a different ritual without getting that close to the targets. And as it is a different ritual, will the result be different? Also, they said that Gendry would be sacrified, but he didn’t die from three leeches, did he? ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/42 "2013-05-20T12:43:20Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Previously, Stannis and Melisandre got very close to Renly before creating the shadow baby. This time, they did a different ritual without getting that close to the targets. And as it is a different ritual, will the result be different? Also, they said that Gendry would be sacrified, but he didn’t die from three leeches, did he? Melisandre told Gendry it was Stannis’s fault she put the leeches on him, because he demanded a test. The implication is, if leeched blood works and the usurpers are taken out by the magic, it will be worth it to Stannis to slit Gendry’s throat to ensure he takes over Westeros and defeats the Terrors Mel is always on about. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/43 "2013-05-20T12:47:19Z")
I think she said it was Ser Davos’ (the Onion Knight) fault. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/44 "2013-05-20T13:41:03Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I actually thought that Tyrion was pretending to be more drunk than he was, just to avoid the “bedding ceremony.” I figured he’d walk into the newlywed suite, lock the door and display that he was sober. Me, too. This was a good episode. Better pacing, except when they suddenly cut to the snowy scene for Sam-- I’m just not caring about that story line at all. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/45 "2013-05-20T13:58:58Z")
> [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](#): > > Melisandre told Gendry it was Stannis’s fault she put the leeches on him, because he demanded a test. The implication is, if leeched blood works and the usurpers are taken out by the magic, it will be worth it to Stannis to slit Gendry’s throat to ensure he takes over Westeros and defeats the Terrors Mel is always on about. If leeches work that well killing him would be like slaying the golden goose. Just keep leeching him until you run out of enemies Stannis. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_Tightlips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@Joey\_Tightlips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_Tightlips)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/46 "2013-05-20T14:18:04Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > If leeches work that well killing him would be like slaying the golden goose. Just keep leeching him until you run out of enemies Stannis. I’m very curious to see where this is going. Will we be getting triplet shadow babies this time, or something new? And what will become of Gendry? I don’t see why they needed to tie him down just to have a few leeches put on. I’m sure if they had just asked if he’d be willing to give up some blood for the sake of being a saviour to the cause, I’m sure they could have come to some agreement. As it was said upthread, compared to what happens to everyone else in Westeros on a daily basis, a few leeches isn’t bad at all. I’m glad to see the Onion Knight out of jail one way or another. I thought the scene with him and Stannis was the best of the episode. Seems like he got off pretty easy overall, I hope the Red Witch doesn’t do something horrible to him for his doubts. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/47 "2013-05-20T14:21:47Z")
Do you really think that Gendry would have consented to having a leech placed on his penis? I really doubt it. (BTW, I assume the penis-leech was extra-special. Did anyone notice whose name was said when that one was burned up?) ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/48 "2013-05-20T14:34:22Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > … > Did anyone notice whose name was said when that one was burned up?) How do you tell them apart? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/49 "2013-05-20T14:43:29Z")
Well, it was the third leech she placed, and I think Joffrey’s name was the third one they called out, so if they went in the same order . . . Anyhow, I kind of thought we might see a shadow baby during the wedding scene. Imagine the commotion _that_ would have caused. But as I said, when Renly was killed, they made a point of being much closer. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/50 "2013-05-20T15:16:36Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Gendry’s tribulations were minor in the big scheme, and I felt he whined too much. Let’s put a leech on the end of your dong and rip it off several minutes later, and see how you react? I was surprised that Stannis and Davos just kind of stood there and didn’t even make a face or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/51 "2013-05-20T15:36:42Z")
In addition to the pain of having the leech ripped off his penis, Gendry had _no idea_ what Melisandre was going to do to him. It wasn’t as if they talked him through the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/52 "2013-05-20T16:25:28Z")
Good episode (but then I tend to like all of them, now…). My preferred part : the marriage scene (the “banquet”, not the “church” part) with every single guest more pissed of than the other 😃 (except for grandma Tyrell). ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/53 "2013-05-20T16:31:56Z")
As the seasons go on, I find myself liking the Lannisters more a more. They are smart, determined, and Jamie and Tyrion both inherited their father’s bad-assitude. Cersei is the female equivalent of a badass, but she does not have the intellect to make her badassery work out well for her. And Tywin is the best badass going. No weaknesses, except for perhaps a blind spot … willful, surely … where his offspring are concerned … and a certain inability to appreciate Tyrion’s character strengths. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/54 "2013-05-20T16:33:39Z")
…and would we all be chuckling and laughing if it was Joffrey getting the treatment that Theon has been getting? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/55 "2013-05-20T16:33:43Z")
I just loved Joffrey’s little extra fuck you of stealing the little stepladder. It weirdly makes his character more believable that he’s monstrously sadistic on the big things, but doesn’t leave out the little details. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/56 "2013-05-20T16:42:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I actually thought that Tyrion was pretending to be more drunk than he was, just to avoid the “bedding ceremony.” I figured he’d walk into the newlywed suite, lock the door and display that he was sober. I was expecting exactly the same thing. > [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > I think after last weeks 30 seconds per story arc, this weeks episode was better for focusing on a few rather than all. > . I agree completely. I’d like them to keep this format. > [@robby](#): > > Cersei, subtle as always… :rolleyes: She really isn’t as clever as she thinks she is. She should have stopped with the story she was telling Margaery about the other family, and let the implication sink in. Yep, but the viewers would have been confused/wouldn’t have understood the implications. So, they had to spell it for us. “If you call me “sister” again, I’ll have you strangled” was a bit over the top, though. > [@Joey\_Tightlips](#): > > I don’t see why they needed to tie him down just to have a few leeches put on. I’m sure if they had just asked if he’d be willing to give up some blood for the sake of being a saviour to the cause, I’m sure they could have come to some agreement. . I guess that it was again intended for the viewers, to add some suspense (and nakedness). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/57 "2013-05-20T16:59:28Z")
> [@Joey\_Tightlips](#): > > And what will become of Gendry? I don’t see why they needed to tie him down just to have a few leeches put on. I’m sure if they had just asked if he’d be willing to give up some blood for the sake of being a saviour to the cause, I’m sure they could have come to some agreement. As it was said upthread, compared to what happens to everyone else in Westeros on a daily basis, a few leeches isn’t bad at all. The conversation among Melisandre, Stannis and Davos made it clear that Gendry isn’t going to survive. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_Tightlips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@Joey\_Tightlips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_Tightlips)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/58 "2013-05-20T16:59:57Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Do you really think that Gendry would have consented to having a leech placed on his penis? I really doubt it. I was thinking the _location_ of the third leech was just for spite. Maybe not. But even so, if the reward were a lifetime as a prince (which, I assume, the nephew to the king would be), then they could leech whatever part of me they wanted. The mysterious part is whether it will have any lasting effects. She could have been leeching his soul for all we know. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/59 "2013-05-20T17:28:11Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > So… does anyone else think that the three [usurpers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usurper) named by Stannis are actually going to check out in the next couple of episodes? I hope not Balon, not yet. It wouldn’t have much impact to kill off a character we haven’t even seen in a season. It would lead to most casual viewers scratching their heads, thinking “who is that guy?” All the non-Theon Greyjoys are absent this season, no? Yara mentioned in name only, although the mention is almost certainly BS. > [@Shakester](#): > > Well, I did, and I’m 100% certain of it. > > But, just for you, I’ll go and check my downloaded copy of the episode… > > …yep, Stannis says “the usurper” before each name. I did not hear it because Stannis did not enunciate, not because your credibility is called into question :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757/60 "2013-05-20T18:13:51Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I did not hear it because Stannis did not enunciate, not because your credibility is called into question He uses the alternate pronunciation ender in “zurper” instead of with an s. Both are correct, and it was as clear of a line reading as anything else the actor’s said. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-3-08-second-sons-5-19-13-no-book-spoilers/658757.md?page=4)