Ganrich

The past season or two has screwed up a few characters. Stannis would definitely sacrifice Shireen under certain circumstances, but it would have to be much more dire. Like if the wall was falling, and the Others were about to cross. One of the better strategic commanders in Westeros wouldn't do it to defeat the Boltons. Littlefinger had access to a Stark that was once married to Tyrion. Tyrion never bed her, and her innocence could have been proven. This would destroy any claim the lannisters had on Winterfell. Little finger is too smart to hand Sansa over to Ramsay Bolton. Especially given Ramsay's reputation. TV show Little finger just gave the Lannisters claim on Winterfell because now Sands can't prove who did the deed with her. She would be locked into marriage with Tyrion. It's stupid. There are a few more, but those two irk me the most.

GRRM stated flat out that Benjen is not Coldhands because we have seen a ADWD manuscript page with Martin's and his editor's notes where that question was asked: Leaf also stated that Coldhands was killed "a long time ago" and for a Child it seems odd that it would be a ranger who died fairly recently, given their lifespan. Not that I trust that resounding "No" here any more than I trust Leaf's words. Plus, why else would the show pull out Benjen after 6 years (with the same actor to boot)? Questions, questions... I almost didn't recognize Brutus though. For a moment I thought they swapped him for Faramir. Yup. I've seen those arguments, and don't disagree. I do, however, find them somewhat flimsy. I don't trust Martin to be honest (or any author when questioned about things of that nature), and the "long ago" statement is vague. However, they are the only hope I hold for something more interesting. I always liked the Benjen is the hooded man in Winterfell theory. Seemed cooler to me.

Shots fired. Him as President will at least be entertaining. As an American, I will have front row seats to the **** show. He will likely chill once elected, though.

Benjen showed up. That's something. That is a revelation I hope is a bit different in the books, but that is mostly because it is one of the easier explanations for Benjen. It seems too easy. I expected the episode to be a bit humdrum for setup for any upcoming mayhem.

No, I don't believe it was out. It isn't easy to change during development, but it's been done. It's hard to say because we don't have a definitive date for this project's beginning afaik. I know Star Citizen has done it (they've also been converting their version of CryEngine to entirely 64bit), but that's a huge difference in resources for Obsidian compared to Cloud Imperium. Well Star Citizen is a Behemoth, for a smaller scale studio, changing engine in middle of developement is very expensive idea. Duke Nukem Forever and Final Fantasy XV are good enough examples for anyone to think really hard, if engine switch is a viable option for them. I agree, I even said the differences in resources for SC and Tyranny are huge.

No, I don't believe it was out. It isn't easy to change during development, but it's been done. It's hard to say because we don't have a definitive date for this project's beginning afaik. I know Star Citizen has done it (they've also been converting their version of CryEngine to entirely 64bit), but that's a huge difference in resources for Obsidian compared to Cloud Imperium.

I don't think he would try to command the Eagles so much as ask a favor. Gandalf was looked on fondly by most of Middle-Earth. I think the only people that spoke ill of him, or were irritated by him, were the human rulers (one was under a spell, and the other just a Steward). The Eagles would likely see the benefits to transporting the ring post haste, and they are a part of the world just like every other race. The Elves respected him greatly, and I would assume the Eagles as well.

I agree, but I was saying that the Children themselves maintained the balance between fire and ice. We have 3 magic related beings in the world: White Walkers, Dragons, and the Children. I was saying that perhaps the Children we're what kept the other 2 in check. Magically speaking, and as they diminished that the war between fire and ice became inevitable. I dunno. It's crackpot with zero evidence. Just what I've thought about a time or two when thinking on it, or discussing it.

There is a theory that Gandalf was headed to the eagles when they got stopped by Sauron and forced to pass through Moria. Gandalf died, and no one else said "Hey!! Let's go to the eagles!" Because they were being persued by Orcs, and the Elves were closer. The eagles' home is located on the other side of the mountains. Still the Elves should've sent them to the eagles. Anyway... History is indeed faulty in Westerosi records. Sam discovers this, and tries to tell Jon, but Jon tells him to shut up when Sam was going to drop interesting information on the topic. The TV show's creation of the White Walkers is something I'm not too fond of. I always assumed the displacement of the Children was a culprit, but them creating the Walkers is too easy. I was hoping more of the act of displacing the Children screwed the climate up as a byproduct. The Children then assisted the Northerners at creating the wall and taught them the Walkers' weakness to Obsidian and possibly Dragon fire and Alchemist fire. However, there is no truly good or truly evil entities in the world, and I guess that's a way to show the evil ways of the Children. I just assumed sacrifices to the Weirwood trees would be enough. Eh, whatever. Hodor - I want to read the details in the novel before I poo poo it too much. I can only assume Bran's link locked young Hodor's mind into the state of old Hodor. However, there could be more.

The more sanity the merrier.

Hardholme happens in the books. Jon (or any other pov character for that matter) just isn't there. I don't know how the person who wrote this article can say the show made it up whole sale. The books still have a lot of characters alive that aren't around in the show, but the plot it still moving in similar directions. I don't want to get into all the changes, and what I think is going to happen because it is a giant can of worms and people who haven't read the books have some surprises in store if the show gets them to read them. In short, I don't agree with this article with the exception that I agree Martin is a slow writer. Hardhome in the books had few details and it was strongly hinted no one survived. So that it happened is not new. That Jon was there and killed a WW was made up and worked really well for a TV show. Martin has used the WW sparingly as a literary tactic to build up dread. That works better on page than on screen I think. A difference of presentation. The point the article made that I found interesting is "Has the plot gotten away from Martin". He is planning on two more books. Can he wrap up the story he's created in that time? I remember a while back, after ASoS came out he said he envisioned this story as a two act play with five years separating the two. The first three books were the first act. And they certainly did feel that way. The middle book was supposed to be the intermission that covered a longer period of time and moved the pieces around. The final two were the second act. But the middle book got too large, was split in two and now the original plan seems to have been changed. Now moving into what should be the road to the conclusion and the story is getting bigger. New characters, new plot lines, more details to be fleshed out before they can be wrapped up. The show is moving into an "end game" and the books don't seem to be. The books may have gotten away from Martin. I believe tWoW will be a lot of moving characters together again. I think Danny will set sail for Westeros, Dorne and Aegon will join forces, the north situation(s) will resolve, I think Littlefinger will be outplayed by Sansa in the Eyrie, and all the other odds and ends will play out by the end of the book. Such as Bran, Lady Stoneheart/Jaime/Brienne, Tyrion, Arya, etc. Getting everyone settled in Westeros (or at least in route to Westeros) for the finale is half the battle, and we have seen movements in this regard with Aegon and Dorne, Danny heading back through her history, Kings Landing vs the Church is coming to a head, the deals with Stannis and the Night's Watch and the Iron Bank, and so on. I never understood the 5 year lapse Martin was going for personally. It seemed unnecessary. Obviously those plans aren't on the table anymore, and haven't been in a while. He seems to have cleared his other writing projects from the board finally, and he has cut back his public appearances as well. That gives me hope that tWoW is going to release within a year, but I am wise enough to not get my hopes too high with Martin meeting that deadline.

Hardholme happens in the books. Jon (or any other pov character for that matter) just isn't there. I don't know how the person who wrote this article can say the show made it up whole sale. The books still have a lot of characters alive that aren't around in the show, but the plot it still moving in similar directions. I don't want to get into all the changes, and what I think is going to happen because it is a giant can of worms and people who haven't read the books have some surprises in store if the show gets them to read them. In short, I don't agree with this article with the exception that I agree Martin is a slow writer.

Who is that, if you don't mind me asking?

Yeah, Screaming Trees are a periodic listen for me, but I don't really think they are grunge either. Hence not mentioning them. Bands outside grunge that I still listen to from that era are The Butthole Surfers, Kyuss, Screaming Trees, Monster Magnet, The Melvins, and there are probably one or two I'm forgetting. I agree about Superunknown being one of the best rock albums of all time, but I didn't want to get a debate rolling by being too hyperbolic, or taken as such. It's much easier to say it is definitively the best Grunge album, and/or the best rock album of the 90s.

So, I've been on a Soundgarden kick this week. It's weird. I grew up in the era, and was that kid at school, but I grew out of the music for the most part. I loved every band from the grunge scene, but Soundgarden is the only one that I can really go back to consistently. I can occasionally listen to Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and a few others. Nirvana is something I grew out of completely, but I can listen to appreciate the drums and listen to Unplugged every now and again. Alice in Chains is probably second to Soundgardeb, but it is far too dark to consistently listen to. At least for me. Anyway, of all the bands in the scene only Soundgarden had songs that were completely different genres while retaining their sound. They could do straight punk rock, sludge, grunge, a more classic rock style, etc. they just did it all. They also wrote what is probably the best all around album of the 90s, and almost definitively the best Grunge album. That is Superunknown. It has 5 songs that had consistent radio play, and that is out of 15. The remaining 10 songs are amazing too. To sum it up: If you start Superunknown and you skip a track then you are doing it wrong. You just listen to the album. Writing an album (not a writing a couple singles with trash as a filler) is almost a dead art these days. https://youtu.be/EU4L6THYAbM https://youtu.be/Arsl19igduU https://youtu.be/03Q65eMp_58 Just a couple of B-sides off Superunknown, and they are all gold.

Hodor was a prostitute. #confirmed Bran took advantage of that fact.

@Bokishi AMDs polaris is supposed to be bringing cards equal to the 380 and 390 to the $200-$400 price point. That's in American dollars from my understanding. Don't expect gains in performance over their current cards, but a cheaper option. Vega (the cards slated for next year) will boost performance. Just throwing that info out there. Good luck in your purchase.

Definitely a political marriage. However, perhaps the Cosby situation is more a wife with a life of luxury. I personally find the idea of a marriage for politics or money awful. It also doesn't make the women in the situation appear any less weak. Their lives in complete shadow of their husbands. Talk about the patriarchy.

As Ganrich pointed out, it is a different case with the wives. Both seem to be willing to endure some pretty tough circumstances. However there seems to be evidence that Cosby's wife was not only aware of assault, but may have helped cover it up (and enabled it to continue.) That's a huge distinction as well. I won't argue against this point at all. Her helping to cover it up (if true) is despicable. If she was just aware of it and just allowed him to carry on... Then she has my sympathy. She is still weak, and needs to realize someone like that isn't worth having in your life. I will say that the Clinton's are incredible at making bad stuff go away. They had, and still have, much more power than Cosby ever had. They also are favorably regarded in the media, and I wouldn't be surprised if some women were paid off to not come forward. Heck, people around the Clintons tend to down right get ****ed. So maybe some were disappeared. I'm not saying that happened, but it's possible. It is more likely that Juanita was trying to get her 15 minutes of fame and going for the jugular. However, we may never know everything.

Bruce, look this name up that Guard Dog keeps posting. Sorry, your argument is invalid. It's ok. We can't all be right all of the time. Also, I am not talking about "your" perspective, but that of the wives of the two Bill's in question. Both women have a husband that cheated in their marriage. Also, most women find me the antithesis of sexist (thanks for the concern), and although I don't talk much about this sort of tabloid garbage amongst my friends and family I am sure the wouldn't be so dense as to avoid seeing the parallels in these two scenarios. I think the vast majority of women probably dislike infedelity in relationships. I would argue that if women knew that you condoned it in one case but not in another (even with more egregiously deplorable examples) that you were potentially sexist, and most definitely hypocritical.

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but much of Nvidia's DX12 woes are hardware related. It isn't something they can do with software on any real level. If they haven't made room for Async Compute in their architecture then they won't ever excel with the feature in DX12. Async Compute being one of the major things that has put AMD in front in the Ashes of the Singularity benches. However, I am unsure what features the 10xx cards have. So I could be wrong, but my understanding (which is limited to be sure) was it could take a few years for Nvidia to change their architecture to accommodate it.

There is a pretty big line between adultery and assault. You are looking at the act of the man and not the wife's action or their point of view. Man accused of deviance by a horde of women, wife sticks by mans side, and you say "well the deviance of one is worse by letter of the law." Ok, sure, but the parallel is still there between the wives (the two people I was pointing out). They are both wlling to put up with suspect behavior from their husbands. Which is either a weakness of character or a strength of character depending on how you look at it. I view it as weakness, but perhaps both wives are privvy to information that we are not. I find both acts deplorable, and Cosby's is worse by the view of most of the "western world". The level of criminality in their acts through law and/or as viewed by society is irrelevant. What is relevant is how their infidelity is viewed by their wives. Which is an eerily similar situation. The Cosby's have been married since 1964. So, every example of his guilt is also a betrayal of their marriage. Just like with Bill Clinton. However, both wives sticking around is equally stupid to me. It reeks of dependence, but maybe both are in a marriage of convenience over one of love. It could also be that both marriages are more business arrangements. That is something I would possibly believe with the Clintons, but don't know enough to make that assumption of the Cosby's.

I always expected another D&D movie. Not surprised to see we may have one on our hands.

Bruce, your presidential hopeful also stayed with her husband after he was caught being sexually deviant by a truck load of women. Seems ironic to point out Cosby in one forum and root Clinton in an adjacent one.