Some interesting reading to throw your way today, my friends.  First is Ned Vizzini's LA Times article "Game of Thrones": George RR Martin Fights the Genre Wars.  Partially a cloying praisesong for GRRM, and part an exercise in pop lit allusions, it deals with the idea of mainstream acceptance of fantasy lit, as well as genre conventions and moving against expectations.  Oh, and there are a whole bunch of marginally-relevant quotes scattered in there, as well.  I can't say I disagree with Vizzini's main points, but he does seem to tout GRRM as far more groundbreaking than I think might be deserved.  Anyway, something for your bathroom Kindle reading there.

Regarding that silly show that of course I have to watch, my comments will be presented to you in an easy-to-process, bulleted list format:

• I still like Arya, and the Tywin/Arya scenes have been pretty sweet.
• Where the hell are Strong Belwas, Barristan Selmy, and the rest of the actually interesting characters in Daenerys's plotline?  All of that shit just depresses me.
• Theon looks like a toucher.

Yep, that's about all I have to say on that subject.  But if you're interested in some discussion of sexposition--the pithy phrase that some academic came up with for the GOT series' habit of providing lengthy plot exposition while simultaneously having naked people frolic around on beds--then perhaps this article from the Daily Beast is for you.

Finally, shockingly enough, the reviews for the GOT licensed RPG are not looking good.  (On a side note, the word "abysmal" needs to appear more often in reviews.  You know, like when someone has an abysmal attitude toward their fans.)

That's all I have for today.  Y'all keep it real.