I had mixed feelings about the Battle of the Blackwater.  I do think that having this episode focus solely on the battle was the right thing to do.  It's the climax of A Clash of Kings.  However, I also understand the compromises that had to be made in order to translate this for the screen.  Budget has been a significant consideration for the series, and this was no doubt the most expensive episode of the series to produce.

The show definitely changed some significant things:  no catapults shown or mentioned.  No chain across the Blackwater.  No barges to make a bridge from one bank to the other. 

There were definitely some liberties taken with Stannis.  In the book Stannis was across the Blackwater from Kings Landing, waiting with the bulk of the forces.  Ser Davos was on one ship, and two of his sons each commanded a ship.  The change of Stannis leading the assault on the walls was not in the book.  And the show put Davos and Matthos on one ship, and the other son never came to light.

But I think some key things made it in.  Notably, the Hound's story.  I think that Rory McCann has done great work as the Hound.  And Sansa has come into her own in a big way.  Oh, and what about Tyrion?  Peter Dinklage has been doing an amazing job bringing this character to the screen.  And when he was wounded in the battle?  It was fantastic to see Podrick come to his aid.

Oh, and the wildfire explosion?  That was a lot more spectacular than I had imagined it!

I know.  Distribution has been such a mess for the past year+ that it's wishful thinking.  But if they make the AT-ST hijackers an exclusive (Target, please!), then it could be a more feasible possibility.

I was really underwhelmed by these TDKR figures.  But it's really par for the course with this license, since they paved the way for ridiculous renditions of their main character in the name of selling more figures / making more money.  The only Batman that looks anywhere near appropriate is the Caped Crusader version.  And I haven't seen a Bane or Catwoman in that line that would draw you in.  PLUS there's not even any cardback art to let a collector or casual fan know what else is available in the line.

FAIL.

I've seen a little bit of this line so far.  It seems to be bumping the Avengers line a little bit further back in the toy aisle.  Which seems odd, since there's been such an immensely positive response to Avengers at the box office.

Check out this Rolling Stone article.  They've detailed some of the more significant ways that the second season of the HBO show has diverged from the second novel in the series, A Clash of Kings.

It looks like the Iron Man 3.75" figure line is back and kicking!  I found figures in the new packaging today that were first shown at NY Comic Con:







Notable movie figures?  A new electronic version of War Machine, Iron Man mk VI with removable chestplate & a carry-forward of the Mark V suit.  Most of the rest are concept armor designs.

Space X had their saturday launch from the Kennedy Space Center cancelled due to weather.  It's been rescheduled for tomorrow.  And IIRC, this may be the first commercial space launch to go to the International Space Station.