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[GodWood]

Calm down lad.

[twincast]

LPPrince wrote...

Also, they played The Rains of Castamere during the credits. THATS why its in the Season 2 soundtrack.

SUCH A TEASE. GODDAMN IT.

Well, that was obvious, no?

As cool as the song is, though, I'm pretty sure non-readers were left cold or confused by it. Despite all those Tywin scenes they haven't really established it, so it's fairly meaningless to them. Not to mention that they should have waited until the RW to play it in the credits. It doesn't really make sense as more than "the Lannister song" (*groan*) for this episode.

TJPags wrote...

Overall, I think I have to say the episode was pretty good . . . yet I'm left with a sense that something was missing - the terror, the panic, the confusion of battle - something.

Yeah, I loved it by the end, but despite all the good stuff the first half of the battle or so really felt lacking in some way(s). And somebody please go and get at least Stannis, Sandor and Lancel a helmet.

Brockololly wrote...

I loved it.

*snip*

I have no problem with the Mud Gate not living up to its name or even them not having established Tyrion having had the shacks outside razed and I can live with Stannis only attacking the Mud Gate and the relative lack of ships on both sides and I've gotten used to a lacking sense of scope (in terms of space and men), but it really, really, really misses the chain. Not the same without it.

And like I expected no principal noses got hurt significantly. Doesn't bother me TBH.

Brockololly wrote...

Other amusing tidbits:

*snip*

Yup.

Modifié par twincast, 28 mai 2012 - 11:22 .

[LPPrince]

GameofThrones.tv wrote...

Taking a full episode to focus on the Battle of the Blackwater was the best choice the producers could have made. In addition to allowing for a very cool battle, it gives room for the characters to breath, for us to see deeply into those fears that they usually suppress, but that come out in this moment of grave danger. Unlike many major battles in fantasy, we don’t see the “bad guys” crushing the vulnerable “good guys”, until the protagonists gather the courage to make a last stand and, with the aid of a few deus ex machina, win the day. There are courageous stands and last minute arrivals, sure, but we don’t really know who to root for. There are good men on both sides, like Davos and Tyrion. Stannis might seem like a better king than Joffrey, but his victory would also mean a sacked city and slaughter and rape. At the end, there isn’t a cry of joyous victory, but more a sigh of relief, as both sides can begin to pick up the pieces. Now we wait to see the aftermath next week and next season… and see what the rest of Westeros is up to.

Rating: 9.3 half-decapitations

Random thoughts and quotations:

- Tyrion: “You can’t F your way out of everything.”
Shae: “I have so far.”

- Bronn: “And all you want is to put one of us in the ground, with no women to keep us company.”
Sandor: “Oh, there’s women in the ground.”

- Tyrion: “Just because I pay you for your service doesn’t diminish our friendship.”
Bronn: “Enhances it really.”

-Sansa: “The worst ones always live.”

- Cersei: “He [Jaime] was to be heir to Casterly Rock, and I was sold to some stranger to be ridden like a horse.”
Sansa: “You were Robert’s queen!”
Cersei: “And you will be Joffrey’s. Enjoy.”

- Sandor: “F the Kingsguard. F the city. F the king.”

- Tyrion: “Those are brave men knocking at our door. Let’s go kill them!”

- Sandor: “The world is built by killers. So you’d better get used to looking at them.”

http://www.gameofthr...ckwater-review/

Modifié par LPPrince, 28 mai 2012 - 11:25 .

[Seagloom]

Ah, I was waiting for Brock's usual writeup. Sounds like they did a better job than with that battle than I would have expected. The wildfire explosion effect in that gif looks awesome. Maybe, just maybe I'll bring myself to finish season two later this summer if the finale also holds up. I'm curious to see what they do with Dany in the House of the Undying after reading about all the changes they made to her story. More so since that chapter of ACoK was trippy as hell.

LPPrince wrote...

Even I got loud, responding to the episode with my mom and stepdad.

The company's nice. Any of y'all watch the show with others, or are all of y'all alone when you do it?

That might have something to do with one's enjoyment of the series.

I hate watching TV or movies with most people because they can't shut up. if it's a popcorn program with wall to wall action and barely any plot to speak of, I'm okay with it. I had a great time watching three episodes of Young Justice: Invasion with my nephews last week, for example. We joked and commented a lot on what was going on, and it was fun.

When it's a show with as much dialogue and nuance as GoT can occasionally have, it annoys me. Yes, despite GoT falling far short of its novel counterparts in that regard , it still has enough depth to qualify. If I miss a line, expression, or detail and need to rewatch it later to gain context, it annoys me.

It can only hurt my experience in this case.

[LPPrince]

I guess it also depends on the people.

My mom and stepdad stay quiet. Completely silent, unless something big happens.

Most talking happens post-episode, when I elaborate on what's going on and tell them how it did something different from the books.

[Costin_Razvan]

They ****ed up the part about Tyrion's nose, the chain, the ship battles and the fact that Stannis didn't lead an invasion force and landed it with his ship. He had 20.000 Horsemen in the book and he marched them on land while the fleet sailed to Blackwater to get them across.

Still it was the best episode in the series so far.

[LPPrince]

I'm GLAD about Tyrion's nose not being chopped in half.

Also-

Wetpaint.com wrote...

A bit of light in the darkness: Bronn and Tyrion have a nice moment where they admit that they are totally bros, like for realsies. Their friendship isn't just about money. Screw who gets the throne; the one happy ending we want when this show is over is for Bronn and Tyrion to ride off into the sunset, setting up an excellent medieval buddy-comedy spin-off. Make it happen, HBO.

http://www.wetpaint....-blows-our-mind

[Seagloom]

I'm cool with them overlooking Tyrion's war wound. One of the things I dislike about the books is how many characters are hideously disfigured. Crevices in their faces, noses missing, ears missing, and so on. And the thing is, I rarely remember these details while reading until GRRM brings them up again.

For example, Brienne is one of my favorite characters, but I could never quite picture how she looked like without concentrating on an image in my mind's eye. To do that I have to pull away from reading. Most times I pictured her as this amorphous, tall, tomboyish figure that could easily be anyone.

It's probably why I imagine several characters as their TV counterparts now. Those images are more memorable to me.

Modifié par Seagloom, 28 mai 2012 - 12:04 .

[TullyAckland]

Despite the changes made, this was by far my favorite episode of Season 2. That's most likely due to the fact that George R.R. Martin wrote this one himself and he clearly understands what needs to be done to the script in order to bring the portrayal of the battle to TV's.

[LPPrince]

TullyAckland wrote...

Despite the changes made, this was by far my favorite episode of Season 2. That's most likely due to the fact that George R.R. Martin wrote this one himself and he clearly understands what needs to be done to the script in order to bring the portrayal of the battle to TV's.

Agreed. He knew he had to cut corners, but he cut the RIGHT corners.

[LPPrince]

Seagloom wrote...

I'm cool with them overlooking Tyrion's war wound. One of the things I dislike about the books is how many characters are hideously disfigured. Crevices in their faces, noses missing, ears missing, and so on. And the thing is, I rarely remember these details while reading until GRRM brings them up again.

For example, Brienne is one of my favorite characters, but I could never quite picture how she looked like without concentrating on an image in my mind's eye. To do that I have to pull away from reading. Most times I pictured her as this amorphous, tall, tomboyish figure that could easily be anyone.

It's probably why I imagine several characters as their TV counterparts now. Those images are more memorable to me.

Also agreed. And hey, I imagine the characters as their TV counterparts now when I re-read the books.

Good to have an image already formed.

[LPPrince]

The Hound to Bronn- "You're just like me. Only smaller.”

As far as kicking ass in the battle went, hell yes. As far as enjoying dem ****** goes, maybe not.

[RedArmyShogun]

LPPrince wrote...

Seagloom wrote...

I'm cool with them overlooking Tyrion's war wound. One of the things I dislike about the books is how many characters are hideously disfigured. Crevices in their faces, noses missing, ears missing, and so on. And the thing is, I rarely remember these details while reading until GRRM brings them up again.

For example, Brienne is one of my favorite characters, but I could never quite picture how she looked like without concentrating on an image in my mind's eye. To do that I have to pull away from reading. Most times I pictured her as this amorphous, tall, tomboyish figure that could easily be anyone.

It's probably why I imagine several characters as their TV counterparts now. Those images are more memorable to me.

Also agreed. And hey, I imagine the characters as their TV counterparts now when I re-read the books.

Good to have an image already formed.

I didn't. Its war, disfixurements are rather common. Even today a Many service men go hom with shrapnel wounds and missing limbs. Of course the Small Folk would never want to see how that holds true, and hollywood has its own rules on such things. Like how a masked character never has a mask on for long in most movies or shows. Of course I don't expect them to do it.  But a gold nose cap, or a small fae mask would have been neat and not really disfiguring.

However I would like to see

*slight Spoiler*

Jamie's Goldenhand. I found that very important to his character as events go on.

As to the TV and book characters only a handful of them to I draw a connection with, mainly the starks, rhe lannisters (Minus Tywin), and Varys. Also Littlefinger, most of the others I just don't think match my expectations or the apperance as listed in the book, then again I doubt the'ld buy purple contacts, or given a few people odd hair colors just for a TV show, Though I have to say, Stannis, I still can't picture the one from the show, and the one from the book being the same person. I mean Stannis reminds me of  Paton minus you make him more self rightous and take away his good qualitys. Maybe an older King John is more Apt also in the book he's bald. But over all the one on the TV show I draw a much more favorable view of.

On that Same Note, Davo's just seemed too old. I mean I didn't expect him to be young, say his 40's or early 50's. But the actor picked doesn't even look younger than 60, heck Stannis looks younger. Plus just the manner he speaks or least seems to speak in the book, I have no idea why but I always pictured he'ld be more of a spainard type fellow.

Mind you I don't think many of the choices are bad, in fact I think they picked a perfect choice for Brienne, and that overall they have great casting. No questions there. Its just that in some cases they seem to fit a TV show better than a book so to speak. But I think HBO is trying to do more of a...Middle Ages show, with a little magic. So some of those odd looking characters I think, they feel would detract from the product.

Modifié par Confess-A-Bear, 28 mai 2012 - 01:14 .

[LPPrince]

I don't seem to have a problem connecting the characters on the show with those in the books appearance wise when re-reading.

Though it will be jarring trying to picture Tyrion with a whole nose since its brought up time and time again in the books.

I prefer the Halfman have a whole nose, thanks.

[Costin_Razvan]

If George R.R. Martin didn't have to write to last 2 remaining books I'd demand he write every single episode of the series. He know how the **** to do it.

On that Same Note, Davo's just seemed too old. I mean I didn't expect him to be young, say his 40's or early 50's. But the actor picked doesn't even look younger than 60, heck Stannis looks younger 

The Actor's age is exactly 50 and Stannis's actor is 55.

I personally believe they did a great job with most of the actors. I don't think the actors for Catelyn, Lysa or Gregor Clegane are fit though.

I am quite pissed they preserved Tyrion's nose, It's an important thing in the bloody books and they ruin it?! FFS.

Modifié par Costin_Razvan, 28 mai 2012 - 01:40 .

[GodWood]

Ok watched it. Easily the best episode this season by far not really that hard a feat No bad GodWood!

~ The Wild Fire scene was impressive given the limited budget.

~ I really liked the Cersei and Sansa scenes and was so happy to finally see b*tch Cersei rather then that emotional "sympathetic Cersei" that's been strutting around all season.

~ The hound ... was lacking to be honest. The actor really fails to convey the anger of the Hound's character. Example being his "F*ck the King, f*ck Kingslanding, etc, etc" line. Also I thought he was meant to run away wimpering like a puppy, not just casually stroll away.

~ Pissed Tyrion didn't lose his nose.

~ The battle on the land failed to convey the scale of the battle. Yes I know, budget, but it's still worth mentioning.

~ And the "Rains of Castamere" was probably the highlight of the whole episode for me.

---------------------------------

As for actors and how they effect my image of the character when I read: The only actor I imagine when I read is Peter Dinklage and that's because years ago when I first read the books he was the only [non-LotR looking] dwarf I could think of. (You can imagine how happy I was when i heard they cast him as Tyrion)

Modifié par GodWood, 28 mai 2012 - 01:36 .

[LPPrince]

You HAD to be ecstatic. Thats crazy coincidental.

[GodWood]

I was giddy like a schoolgirl. What's even better is that he nails the role perfectly.

Which reminds me, it's a shame this season hasn't had that much Tyrion. I've always seen him as the main character of A Clash of Kings, much in the same way that I saw Eddard as the main character of A Game of Thrones.

Modifié par GodWood, 28 mai 2012 - 01:48 .

[LPPrince]

He'll always be the main character in your heart.

[TJPags]

chunkyman wrote...

Jesus Tapdancing Christ that was awesome! 

Having not read the books, all of those cool twists like the wildfire boat explosion and Tywin showing up were massive shocks to me. I'm usually able to predict what happens next in most shows , but this episode surprised me time and time again. Absolutely wonderful; my favorite episode by far.

See, that's exactly one of the reasons I so enjoy the books.  Reading twists like that are amazing.  I was floored by Ned's death the first time I read it . . . kept waiting for something, anything to happen . . . Sansa to jump in and get killed instead, Tommen or Myrcella to say no, a "fade to black then finding out they botched the excution" . . .something.  Anything.  Renly getting killed by the shadow, Tyrell's showing up in Renly's armor at Blackwater - and others I won't mention - twists like this which come from nowhere are what make this series of books excellent.

legion999 wrote...

GodWood wrote...

Shh about TRW!

legion999 wrote...
A general question but has the second series ended? If not what point of the story are they up to?

Nope, there's still 2-3 more episodes for this season.

Thank you.

LPPrince wrote...

Second season, I think you mean.

They have events from the books completely out of order, so while I would've at first said Season 2 was the Clash of Kings season, they are dipping into A Storm of Swords even now.

Oh crap I really need to start reading the books quicker before the show catches up. Thankyou as well.

There is actually only 1 episode left this season, then it's by-by until, I believe, April 2013.  Which seems like forever, I know, but imagine how us book readers feel. 


One final note - As to the Rains of Castamere.  I just don't see the reason it was featured so prominently in this episode.  I understand that perhaps they wanted to introduce it (for later reasons I won't mention) but now?  In this episode?  I hate to remind everyone, but the Lannisters were getting their collective butts kicked at Blackwater, wildfire notwithstanding.  Wasn't the Lannisters who saved the day, it was the Tyrell's with the remains of Renly's army (something that is not clear to viewers at this point, and I hope will be made clear).  So the concept of the song doesn't fit.

It seemed out of place, to me.  They could have made it more prominent in earlier episodes (I remember someone, perhaps Jaime? making mention of the Reynes at some point, but it was really kind of a throw-away line) because introducing it now seemed . ..off, to me.

[Brockololly]

Seagloom wrote...

Ah, I was waiting for Brock's usual writeup. Sounds like they did a better job than with that battle than I would have expected. The wildfire explosion effect in that gif looks awesome. Maybe, just maybe I'll bring myself to finish season two later this summer if the finale also holds up. I'm curious to see what they do with Dany in the House of the Undying after reading about all the changes they made to her story. More so since that chapter of ACoK was trippy as hell.

Season 2 hasn't been terrible by any stretch if you can distance yourself from the books. Otherwise, its easy to nitpick it to death, especially with some characters like Jon or Arya where certain changes have been made that don't even add up much in the sort of "Oh, they made changes due to budget or making it better for TV" department. Jon especially, where his book story is just leagues more interesting and exciting than how they've done it on the show.

I am wondering how they'll do the House of the Undying though, visually anyway. Will they go big on the weird imagery or make it a mor literal dungeon crawl with Dany just trying to get her dragons back? That would be disappointing but I'm expecting that. Bizarre, unexplained visions would be great .

Costin_Razvan wrote...
I am quite pissed they preserved Tyrion's nose, It's an important thing in the bloody books and they ruin it?! FFS.

I understand why they didn't chop it off though- logistically, I don't think you want one of your better actors weighed down with what would likely be extensive makeup or CG  going forward. Especially since TV Tyrion is already far more handsome than Book Tyrion. A big ol's gash across his face is sufficient I think.

TJPags wrote...
One final note - As to the Rains  of Castamere.  I just don't see the reason it was featured so   prominently in this episode.  I understand that perhaps they wanted to  introduce it (for later reasons I won't mention) but now?  In this  episode?  I hate to remind everyone, but the Lannisters were getting  their collective butts kicked at Blackwater, wildfire notwithstanding.   Wasn't the Lannisters who saved the day, it was the Tyrell's with the  remains of Renly's army (something that is not clear to viewers at this  point, and I hope will be made clear).  So the concept of the song  doesn't fit.

It seemed out of place, to me.  They could have made it more prominent in earlier episodes (I remember someone, perhaps  Jaime? making mention of the Reynes at some point, but it was really  kind of a throw-away line) because introducing it now seemed . ..off, to me.

Seemed odd, but I wish they explained what the song actually meant. Looking back, I 'd think they could have explained it in any one of the many chats they had between Arya and Tywin at Harrenhal. The song is basically about teenage Tywin wiping out an entire rebellious house and making a name for himself. So I understand why they put it at the end of the show after Tywin saves the day (along with the Tyrells). But if you don't necessarily know the song is about how you do not **** with Tywin Lannister, it probably didn't make as much sense.

Modifié par Brockololly, 28 mai 2012 - 04:16 .

[twincast]

LPPrince wrote...

TullyAckland wrote...

Despite the changes made, this was by far my favorite episode of Season 2. That's most likely due to the fact that George R.R. Martin wrote this one himself and he clearly understands what needs to be done to the script in order to bring the portrayal of the battle to TV's.

Agreed. He knew he had to cut corners, but he cut the RIGHT corners.

QFT

Confess-A-Bear wrote...

However I would like to see

*slight Spoiler*

Jamie's Goldenhand. I found that very important to his character as events go on.

QFFT

Brockololly wrote...

I am wondering how they'll do the House of the Undying though, visually anyway. Will they go big on the weird imagery or make it a mor literal dungeon crawl with Dany just trying to get her dragons back? That would be disappointing but I'm expecting that. Bizarre, unexplained visions would be great .

...

I understand why they didn't chop it off though- logistically, I don't think you want one of your better actors weighed down with what would likely be extensive makeup or CG  going forward. Especially since TV Tyrion is already far more handsome than Book Tyrion. A big ol's gash across his face is sufficient I think.

...

Seemed odd, but I wish they explained what the song actually meant. Looking back, I 'd think they could have explained it in any one of the many chats they had between Arya and Tywin at Harrenhal. The song is basically about teenageTywin wiping out an entire rebellious house and making a name for himself. So I understand why they put it at the end of the show after Tywin saves the day (along with the Tyrells). But if you don't necessarily know the song is about how you do not **** with Tywin Lannister, it probably didn't make as much sense.

Agreed on all accounts.

Modifié par twincast, 28 mai 2012 - 04:36 .

[Addai]

Confess-A-Bear wrote...
On that Same Note, Davo's just seemed too old. I mean I didn't expect him to be young, say his 40's or early 50's. But the actor picked doesn't even look younger than 60, heck Stannis looks younger. Plus just the manner he speaks or least seems to speak in the book, I have no idea why but I always pictured he'ld be more of a spainard type fellow.

Mind you I don't think many of the choices are bad, in fact I think they picked a perfect choice for Brienne, and that overall they have great casting. No questions there. Its just that in some cases they seem to fit a TV show better than a book so to speak. But I think HBO is trying to do more of a...Middle Ages show, with a little magic. So some of those odd looking characters I think, they feel would detract from the product.

Spaniard?    Davos seems right on to me.  Plain-spoken everyman type.

[TJPags]

Brockololly wrote...

TJPags wrote...
One final note - As to the Rains  of Castamere.  I just don't see the reason it was featured so   prominently in this episode.  I understand that perhaps they wanted to  introduce it (for later reasons I won't mention) but now?  In this  episode?  I hate to remind everyone, but the Lannisters were getting  their collective butts kicked at Blackwater, wildfire notwithstanding.   Wasn't the Lannisters who saved the day, it was the Tyrell's with the  remains of Renly's army (something that is not clear to viewers at this  point, and I hope will be made clear).  So the concept of the song  doesn't fit.

It seemed out of place, to me.  They could have made it more prominent in earlier episodes (I remember someone, perhaps  Jaime? making mention of the Reynes at some point, but it was really  kind of a throw-away line) because introducing it now seemed . ..off, to me.

Seemed odd, but I wish they explained what the song actually meant. Looking back, I 'd think they could have explained it in any one of the many chats they had between Arya and Tywin at Harrenhal. The song is basically about teenage Tywin wiping out an entire rebellious house and making a name for himself. So I understand why they put it at the end of the show after Tywin saves the day (along with the Tyrells). But if you don't necessarily know the song is about how you do not **** with Tywin Lannister, it probably didn't make as much sense.

Explains my biggest complaint about the show, right there.

These books are full of subtlety, which the series has lost.  Tyrion's nose?  Who cares - as with you and others, I completely understand why he didn't lose it.  Makes sense.  No chain?  Okay, fine, what they did was done well, and obviously the scene as written in the book - which needed the chain - would have broken the budget.  As shown, the chain was not needed, and it was still good (not AS good, but good).  So I get and can deal with these changes.

But the Rains of Castamere?  Yup - that's exactly what the song is about.  It's sung in the books for two reasons - to kiss Lannister butt, or as a cautionary tale.  In the show, however, has it really been explained, the story behind the song?  I don't think it has.  Like I said, I remember the story being mentioned, but in passing, without any explanation.  Hell, it was likely only recognizable to those who read the books.  It's inclusion here, in this episode, means so little.  Yes, it was cool and fun to hear it.

But as you say, it gives the impression Tywin rode in and saved the day.  Loras ripping off that helmet, just as Tywin walks in . . . well.  As you know, in the books, Garwen (sp?) Tyrell wears Renly's armor for that assault.  He rides in flying Renly's banners, with half of Renly's host.  It's made clear that many of Stannis's bannermen, who had previously supported Renly, deserted Stannis when the Lord they thought was dead showed up at the battle (as they thought).  The Tyrell's won that battle, saved that city.  Yes, they cut a deal with Tywin.  But Tywin did not ride in and save the day, as it seemed in that episode - the Tyrell's did.

Essentially, this gives the wrong impression.  And impressions, when it comes to these books, are huge.  The prominence of the Tyrell's in later books is based on their military power, which is demonstrated for the first time in this sequence.  That's lost.

Manden Moore attacking Tyrion - on orders, of course - also seemed to be lost in the episode.  That sequence showed the clear instability and pettiness of our boy Joffrey and his mom - again, an impression which is lost (of course, in some ways Joffrey's instability has been thrown at us blatantly again and again, but that blatant bludgeoning is clearly not the subtlety I mentioned).

I know this is an adaptation, not the books on screen.  But too many things seem thrown in because "oh, we need to show that" (the Rains of Castamere, to tie this back together) with little or no thought to subtlty, to build up, etc.  And things which are changed (Pyatt Pree stole Dany's dragons, for example) which seem obvious, or cool, but which seem to have little place in the overall subtlety of the overall story.

And that, basically, is why I'm losing faith with this series.  They're sticking to the overall plot (as far as we books readers know it to date, anyway) but losing what makes the series so worthwhile.

[Aeowyn]

TJPags wrote...

Brockololly wrote...

TJPags wrote...
One final note - As to the Rains  of Castamere.  I just don't see the reason it was featured so   prominently in this episode.  I understand that perhaps they wanted to  introduce it (for later reasons I won't mention) but now?  In this  episode?  I hate to remind everyone, but the Lannisters were getting  their collective butts kicked at Blackwater, wildfire notwithstanding.   Wasn't the Lannisters who saved the day, it was the Tyrell's with the  remains of Renly's army (something that is not clear to viewers at this  point, and I hope will be made clear).  So the concept of the song  doesn't fit.

It seemed out of place, to me.  They could have made it more prominent in earlier episodes (I remember someone, perhaps  Jaime? making mention of the Reynes at some point, but it was really  kind of a throw-away line) because introducing it now seemed . ..off, to me.

Seemed odd, but I wish they explained what the song actually meant. Looking back, I 'd think they could have explained it in any one of the many chats they had between Arya and Tywin at Harrenhal. The song is basically about teenage Tywin wiping out an entire rebellious house and making a name for himself. So I understand why they put it at the end of the show after Tywin saves the day (along with the Tyrells). But if you don't necessarily know the song is about how you do not **** with Tywin Lannister, it probably didn't make as much sense.

Explains my biggest complaint about the show, right there.

These books are full of subtlety, which the series has lost.  Tyrion's nose?  Who cares - as with you and others, I completely understand why he didn't lose it.  Makes sense.  No chain?  Okay, fine, what they did was done well, and obviously the scene as written in the book - which needed the chain - would have broken the budget.  As shown, the chain was not needed, and it was still good (not AS good, but good).  So I get and can deal with these changes.

But the Rains of Castamere?  Yup - that's exactly what the song is about.  It's sung in the books for two reasons - to kiss Lannister butt, or as a cautionary tale.  In the show, however, has it really been explained, the story behind the song?  I don't think it has.  Like I said, I remember the story being mentioned, but in passing, without any explanation.  Hell, it was likely only recognizable to those who read the books.  It's inclusion here, in this episode, means so little.  Yes, it was cool and fun to hear it.

But as you say, it gives the impression Tywin rode in and saved the day.  Loras ripping off that helmet, just as Tywin walks in . . . well.  As you know, in the books, Garwen (sp?) Tyrell wears Renly's armor for that assault.  He rides in flying Renly's banners, with half of Renly's host.  It's made clear that many of Stannis's bannermen, who had previously supported Renly, deserted Stannis when the Lord they thought was dead showed up at the battle (as they thought).  The Tyrell's won that battle, saved that city.  Yes, they cut a deal with Tywin.  But Tywin did not ride in and save the day, as it seemed in that episode - the Tyrell's did.

Essentially, this gives the wrong impression.  And impressions, when it comes to these books, are huge.  The prominence of the Tyrell's in later books is based on their military power, which is demonstrated for the first time in this sequence.  That's lost.

Manden Moore attacking Tyrion - on orders, of course - also seemed to be lost in the episode.  That sequence showed the clear instability and pettiness of our boy Joffrey and his mom - again, an impression which is lost (of course, in some ways Joffrey's instability has been thrown at us blatantly again and again, but that blatant bludgeoning is clearly not the subtlety I mentioned).

I know this is an adaptation, not the books on screen.  But too many things seem thrown in because "oh, we need to show that" (the Rains of Castamere, to tie this back together) with little or no thought to subtlty, to build up, etc.  And things which are changed (Pyatt Pree stole Dany's dragons, for example) which seem obvious, or cool, but which seem to have little place in the overall subtlety of the overall story.

And that, basically, is why I'm losing faith with this series.  They're sticking to the overall plot (as far as we books readers know it to date, anyway) but losing what makes the series so worthwhile.

This is the reason I really haven't been in a hurry to catch up on season 2 so far. I will probably watch Blackwater tonight since I loved the battle in the book, but I've skipped about three episodes already.