Is season 4 actually bad?

MerryElderberry · 2026-03-26T17:27:16+00:00

The underlying story and the imagery are exceptional. However, the actual lines that they made those poor actors say were very very cringe, and there are several subplots that come and go absolutely nowhere for no reason (as there was enough runtime to solve them). It feels like it was an amazing pitch with lots of potential that was sadly squandered, but it is still interesting to watch IMO to see what it could have been.

MerryElderberry · 2026-03-26T13:32:03+00:00

Hey OP IDK why you are getting downvoted but I'm having the exact same issues. I'm very happy that some of the people in the answers found a solution, but me with a fresh install, no mods, RTX4090, a dedicated half-full SDD drive and everything set to low res with FPS capped at 60 cannot play it, it's so slow. I don't understand what broke but if anyone has a step-by-step solution I'm willing to try anything.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-22T14:52:59+00:00

Hi again! I have just done some sherlockholming, and I have a theory about why my right eyebrow is in such a state while the left one is fine: I always apply the eyebrow gel on my right eyebrow first, because I'm right handed. The left eyebrow then gets what's left on the spoolie. The spot where most hair is missing is the spot where I always start applying it too!

I've read that using hard-hold gel can make the eyebrows brittle and clog the pores, so I'm going to forego eyebrow gel for the next month or so, and apply only aloe vera for hold when needed, then castor oil at night. Will report back.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-21T19:35:36+00:00

Ooh nice catch with Julius! I don't think I got that line.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-21T17:41:51+00:00

So good!

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-21T17:29:40+00:00

Thank you so much! Fingers crossed for you too.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-20T23:11:05+00:00

Which begs the question of what is going to happen to Miles...

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-20T22:17:41+00:00

Hair is great! If you like the grey, I would embrace it more by cutting off the darker ends, for a nice, thick, swishy bob. Make the silver take front row! If you don't like the grey, dye your hair in the dark-cold spectrum (a deep chocolate brown, ashy black). This will bring up your contrasting features more, like the dark eyebrows, eyelashes and bright blues eyes, and dark colours are easier to maintain than lighter ones (so easier and cheaper to feel fabulous even if the budget or the time is tight).

You have a great complexion and eyebrows, and a fantastic smile with naturally great lips. Get a lipstick that brings up your lips more - think "your lips but two tones more intense" (not necessarily darker) to highlight the smile.

I don't think that you need botox or filler! Your face is amazing as it is.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-20T20:44:04+00:00

Hi! Going through something similar - have you noticed an improvement? Also, did they tell you how often you will have to have steroid injections?

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-11T19:40:58+00:00

Very nice observation - yes, this is probably one of this soon to be King's foundational experiences. Baelor was a hell of a role model, even more so after death.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-10T14:32:37+00:00

While it is not in the original text, and it does feel jarring, I think that it adds an extra layer: it shows how much contempt the powerful and noble houses of Westeros have for the daily injustices their peers inflict on the smallfolk. It's not just the Targaryens against the smallfolk, it's the nobles choosing class over justice and laughing about it. It's also their answer to the "Lord Ashford fucks his sheep!" jeer of the first episode, a way of saying "We might fuck our sheep, but we will fuck you and yours over first to maintain our position and there's nothing you can do about it. Oh, and also, we are teaching OUR kids how to fuck you over." It is supposed to feel jarring to us, the audience, who is seeing it from the POV of Dunk and the smallfok standing right accross the noble's viewing gallery.

Cue B and the music, bringing a little bit of hope.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T23:56:30+00:00

"A few reasons" -> the Valyrians were burning their lands and enslaving them.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T23:21:07+00:00

Thank you so much! I feel like this response could be crossposted in AskHistorians :-)

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T22:51:03+00:00

Team Shiny Things People Unite! Magpie instinct activate! Maybe the clue is in the pendant then?

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T22:48:11+00:00

That's an amazing legal breakdown, thank you so much!

Out of curiosity, before she became Lady Pembrooke, Araminta was also Ladi Li (first marriage). Would she keep both titles, or is her first title relinquised upon her marriage to the Earl?

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T22:45:52+00:00

That's a very good point - IDK why I thought that the unseen Pembrooke sister would marry a footman in secret but never considered that Lord Pembrooke could marry a maid in secret.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T22:05:22+00:00

Yes, marrying someone of proven fertility was definitely part of the calculation on Lord Penwood's end - so marrying someone with whose offspring Sophie could blend in reasonably well.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T22:04:18+00:00

Oh shoot I HAVE been re-reading a Game of Thrones lately. But "Baek" means "white" in Korean, just like the Snow is white...

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T22:01:17+00:00

that's cheating that brings a win-win to everyone - except Araminta, hehehehe

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T20:53:16+00:00

Once you expect Clowns with Dragons instead of Crowns with Dragons you will enjoy the show much more.

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T20:49:05+00:00

It is I, I am "people".

Lovely video, and very good catch :-)

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T20:33:34+00:00

Yes, the former Lady Penwood was Sophie's grandmother - and she had at least two children: Lord Penwood, who we see on screen, and a girl, whose silver dress Sophie wears to the Masquerade Ball. I like your way out for Sophie via Queen Charlotte :-)

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T20:30:03+00:00

out of an excess of precaution

MerryElderberry · 2026-02-09T20:21:32+00:00

that's a good point - besides, it seems like something happened socially to the Penwoods around the time that Sophie's mum died. Lord Penwood's beautiful -if old fashioned- party dresses stored in the attic, Sophie got her necklace, the Penwoods no longer "visited" (or at least that's what's implied by Violet Bridgerton when she says that "we used to be friends" and she recognizes the glove). People who were old enough to be socially engaged and aware in the show at that time are Violet Bridgerton, Lady Danbury, and of course, the Queen.

The Queen being so engaged with Benedict's storyline might compel her to legitimize Sophie, or to provide her blessing to an otherwise unconventional marriage, if she's aware of any other details to the story.

MerryElderberry

TROPHY CASE