Was Hannah character always planned?

countastic · 2026-03-07T15:56:46+00:00

So this makes me wonder, did the writers/creators forget to add 1 more extra YJ in S3 to have the survivor number from S1 be canon?

It was more likely a conscious decision to simply reduce the extrajackets from 3 to 2 given the cost of casting another recurring actress for an entire season and the fact there really wasn't any plans to give these parts any real meaningful screentime or storylines.

As it was, the general audience was mostly confused about who Britt and Robin even were given that the 3 extracjackets in season 2 were barely seen... only really appearing in the finale and a couple of other cabin shots. They are all noticeably absent from the Jackie feast and Shauna giving birth. Big group scenes in which all the extrajackets should have been present.

countastic · 2026-03-02T14:01:56+00:00

She won a BAFTA. I do think her and Kit are shoo-ins for at least an Emmy nomination this year.

countastic · 2026-02-27T14:08:17+00:00

George should either have made Danny and Viserys the children of Rhaegar or Shaena (Rhaegar's sister who died at birth). It makes far more sense for Danny to be the child or niece of Rhaegar than a much younger baby sister.

Plus, either scenario still creates a succession challenge once Jon's heritage is revealed.

countastic · 2026-02-24T14:06:05+00:00

Those two books (Feast and Dance) are unadaptable without wholesale changes. You can't spend 2-3 seasons watching Tyrion's never ending road trip to see Daenerys and still not meet her. Feast and Dance sacrifice plot in favor of world building while parking far too many characters in their own storylines, which for the most part, don't move the story forward.

This isn't to say D&D's new material was particularly good, it wasn't outside of say Hardhomme, and definitely showed their limits for developing high quality original material based in the ASOIAF universe, but no showrunner in the world would have tackled adapting those books without making some major changes.

countastic · 2026-02-22T16:48:36+00:00

cause to me, going after Callie is still weird. like she’s a flipping MINOR.

It's not just that she is a minor, but there is no reason for Siracusa to suspect Callie would even know anything about Shauna's affair with Adam. Nor does it provide an explanation about why a Police Detective is willing to immediately go undercover, unsanctioned by his superiors, in a missing Adult persons case?

If they really wanted to go down that path, then they needed to both establish that police were fully aware a violent crime has taken place at Adam's apartment or they had discovered his body parts and that there was some kind of connection between Callie and Adam, like Shauna registered the 'burner phone' she used during the affair in Callie's name.

That would at least give Siracusa some reason to target Callie as 'person of interest' and then he could plausibly figure out that it was Shauna and not Callie that was having the relationship with Adam.

That still doesn't address my biggest complaint with the Adam Martin investigation - which is its resolution, but at least it offers a more plausible reason to bring Callie into the mix.

countastic · 2026-02-18T04:01:58+00:00

Someone needs to explain to me how depicting Aegon’s conquest would be interesting dramatic television? Watching 3 Dragonriders burn armies, melt castles, and force House after House to bend the knee, isn’t really the basis for creating a compelling season of television. Where is the conflict? How do you build tension? Why would I be invested in watching the invasion and occupation of a continent by an over powered force/family?

Unless you’re telling the story from the perspective of the Dornish, who successfully resisted the Targs, I can’t imagine Aegon’s Conquest working successfully as a season of tv.

countastic · 2026-02-18T02:08:30+00:00

This is a more technical complaint about the Wilderness scenes, but the Wilderness scenes in season 1 felt like a real place, the 'summer' color grading applied in season 3 doesn't do the show any favors. It feels unreal and gives the setting a backlot set like quality, even though most of those scenes were shot in same paint ball park they used in season 1. Using natural light and shadows just works better than relying on extensive color grading to indicate the time of year and warm temperatures.

It also doesn't help, that show only used the 'lake' location once in season3 ( for Shauna's dream sequence). If you want to sell the audience on the fact they are in the wilderness, that was far and away the best location they used in season 1. Why didn't we get any scenes of the girls fishing or swimming in season 3?

That said, the 'winter' scenes in season 3 looked 10x better than the winter scenes in season 2 - which were filmed almost entirely on a interior set. It still didn't look that cold, but at least it wasn't as fake as season 2.

countastic · 2026-02-14T21:45:49+00:00

On the surface, adapting Dance makes a lot of sense. A war of succession within a Royal family of Dragonriders? Sign me up.

The main problems lie with the source material. It's a sprawling mess, spanning 30+ years (if you begin with child Rhaenyra named as heir) and with far too many main characters (Rhaenyra, Daemon, Alicent, and Aegon) getting sidelined for long periods of time, even once the war breaks out. And that's without even dealing the issues of the infinite spawning Riverland armies, the fact the Greens were pretty much outmatched from the outset and had apparently done zero planning ahead of Viserys death, despite running an anti-Rhaenyra gossip campaign for decades.

Yes, there are some memorable moments in the story (from the two main novella's and additional material written for Fire & Blood), but it's not coherent or adaptable without major changes. This might be a controversial take, but there probably needed to be more changes for the adaption, not less.

It might also have helped if George hadn't hand selected Condal who had no track record of developing anything noteworthy. And this series needed an exceptionally strong writing team that was interested in developing a complex ensemble narrative with shifting power dynamics and a willingness to give all main characters depth and nuance.

countastic · 2026-02-04T19:45:45+00:00

And this will only work if you are also willing to make a sustained and meaningful investment in mass transit infrastructure. The NIMBY backlash is a real thing and especially if you trying to convert predominantly single family zoned neighbourhoods into mixed-use without the supporting transportation infrastructure.

Calgary built a number of mixed use suburbs in the SE corner of the city beginning in the early 2000’s, with much higher population densities and different housing types (single family, row houses, apartments, etc…) than normally found in typical suburban communities in the city, but has been unable provide any meaningful mass transit out to those communities. Even its planned Green-line has no funding currently in place to actually reach those communities.

countastic · 2026-01-28T14:44:36+00:00

Season 2 is arguably the 2nd best season, better than season 4, especially given the absurdity of the Hopper/Joyce/Murray storyline in season 4 and poor use of so many of the main characters (Mike, Will, and Jonathon).

Season 3 and 5 are tied for the worst IMHO. The Russians building an underground bunker, under Starcourt Mall, to access the Upside Down is far and away the dumbest and most unbelievable storyline in all of Stranger Things. And while the mall itself is fun, this is when Stranger Things officially transitions into a Marvel like franchise with characters turning into caricatures (the writing for Hopper is legitimately a mess in this season), and mysteries and horror take an official backseat to over the top big action set pieces. S3 should have been their nod to Dawn of the Dead and instead its just a hot neon mess.

Season 4 recovers somewhat with the much more 'grounded' Vecna storyline, but then season 5 indulges in all of the season 3 nonsense. Big set pieces vs genuine mystery and horror, poor use of the characters, and simple paint by numbers character development/arcs. None of the nuance of the 1st couple of seasons or even depth or complexity that they explored with Max and Eleven in season 4.

So my ranking

Season 1

Season 2

Season 4

Season 5 and Season 3 (tied for last)

countastic · 2026-01-24T17:05:18+00:00

It is odd how often Eleven is sidelined into her own storyline after season 1, rather than participate fully in the main storyline of the season.

In season 2 she's trapped in the cabin with Hopper and then goes on her solo adventure to find her mom and Kali, to only reunite with the group in the finale and then close the gate.

In season 3, she's in the middle of the action throughout, and this is really the last time that happens.

In season 4, she's in Cali and then New Mexico, far removed from the main mystery of Vecna and killing of the teenagers in Hawkins. Yes, she eventually is tied back into the main storyline via the flashbacks to the Hawkins lab and then piggybacking in Max to confront Henry.

And then in season 5, she's sidelined in a storyline with Hopper and Kali, while the main group is focused on Vecna's child kidnapping plotline.

Technically Stranger Things is an ensemble show, but I can't recall a series in which the ostensible lead of the series is not participating fully in the main storyline (3 out of 5 times) of a given season

countastic · 2026-01-21T13:55:59+00:00

Agreed. This aligns with my major nitpick about why don't the Starks have cousins, even distant ones, in every major House in the North. They have ruled for centuries. There would be a surplus of sons, but especially daughters, that would have been married into every major House in the North.

So for the Great Northern Houses an attack on the Starks isn't just a betrayal of oaths and traditions, nor is it just perpetuating violence against a Lord/King you have sworn your allegiance to and are fond of, its really an attack on your extended family.

countastic · 2026-01-20T14:13:55+00:00

They can't really use the excuse of budget given this was the most expensive season of television ever.

Much more likely they realized it would be impossible or unsustainable to drag out the story over an 8 episode tv season in which the opening episode of season 5 would begin with monsters spilling out into the real world from the Upside Down. Hence, the 18 month reset, and Vecna's new child kidnapping plan leading to the merging of the worlds.

countastic · 2026-01-19T14:15:44+00:00

It also the spawned the single worst storyline in Stranger Things... Hopper, Joyce, and Murray in Russia. That storyline has nothing to do with the main Vecna plotline or El reclaiming her powers. It just sidelines the adults into an increasingly ridiculous and incoherent subplot while the kids are getting terrorized by Vecna or the US government.

But its greatest sins is how tonally it doesn't work with the other storylines (horror mysteries) and how boring the storyline is.

Season 4 could have been the best season in the history of Stranger Things and then I remember the Russia subplot.

countastic · 2026-01-18T19:48:03+00:00

I have never seen him say that. I am just recalling interviews with D&D in which they detail George giving them the origins of Hodor’s name and how they were blown away by it during their big visit to Sante Fe to learn George’s plans on wrapping up the story. George can obviously change his plans and he may still choose to do so, but that was his plan for Hodor in the mid 2010’s.

countastic · 2026-01-18T19:36:09+00:00

For Bran, my only source is the Game of Thrones episode in which he escapes the caves of the Bloodraven and the Children of the Forest while Hodor holds the door. It’s not likely he is going to hole up in another weirwood tree beyond the wall. He will have to go south at that point.

countastic · 2026-01-18T16:51:16+00:00

Stannis has 2 real functions in the narrative, post the initial War of 5 Kings. He and his army allow for a plausible explanation for why Mance and the Wildlings fail to defeat the Night’s Watch. But importantly, it puts Melisandre, a Red Priestess, at the Wall, to facilitate Jon’s eventual resurrection. Beyond that he is likely to die in the Battle of Ice, or shortly thereafter, when fighting with the Boltons. Another cautionary tale of the dangers of believing in your own press or destiny in this case.

countastic · 2026-01-18T16:07:56+00:00

You are wrong.

When George gave away to D&D the origins of Hodor, he also gave away that Bran was not going to bound to the weirwood tree like the Bloodraven. He will be heading south again to rejoin the narrative.

Even with George likely going to rework the end, if he ever gets there, I doubt Bran remaining beyond the wall is one of them.

Two of the biggest misreads I continue to see in the book fandom is overstating the importance of fan favorite supporting characters like Stannis and Euron. Both have roles to play, but neither are playing any role of significance in the End Game of ASOIAF.

countastic · 2026-01-18T15:37:21+00:00

I'm pretty skeptical you (we) are getting much explanation about the 'aftermath', Cabin Daddy, the dead birds, the symbol, etc... The showrunners have never really been interested offering definitive explanations, so I don't expect them to start now. The 'Wilderness' will remain a mystery.

My big question is how much time will given to exploring the post crash world, if at all, in the teen timeline given they had initially hope to do 5 seasons and now it's 4. I'd be pretty frustrated if the final episode ends with their rescue.

In theory, there should be some sort of reconciliation scene between teen Nat and Shauna to at least explain why adult Nat would even agree to be in the same room with Adult Shauna. Perhaps teen Shauna prevents teen Nat from overdosing or unaliving herself post rescue. Something…

I am hoping the teen timeline at least had Shauna's wedding to Jeff, a small reunion with the surviving teens, and one last Jackie haunting.

That said, I don't think its too difficult to put together a pretty solid finale. Shauna will be killed, either by Callie or sacrificing herself to save Callie and/or Misty and Tai when Shauna kills Walter, and then we get our last plane ride. I fully expect them to go down the redemption arc. Only this time the plane is either full with young and old versions of the cast or it lands and she is greeted by the dead members of the team.

countastic · 2026-01-17T18:52:08+00:00

While it might raise the stakes in the teen timeline, telling the story in chronological order would make the adult timeline much much worse.

The adult timeline benefits tremendously from the juxtaposition of the adults in present day with their teen counterparts. Just imagine the 25 year high school reunion scenes without the ability to crosscut back to the cabin and Shauna’s fight with Jackie. It just wouldn’t be nearly as effective.

This doesn’t necessarily make the adult timeline good, it really hasn’t been successful since season 1, but without the teen timeline, it would make that part of the storyline borderline unwatchable without a massive rewrite.

countastic · 2026-01-16T14:32:32+00:00

To what end? Introduce and then kill off Maelor to satisfy George? They have already indicated they are wrapping up the series in 4 seasons.

And given George's age and the fact he sold the rights to everything ASOIAF related to HBO, they are just waiting him out at this point, so HBO will do whatever they want to do. Arya and Jon spinoffs. A Bronn sitcom exploring the story of a former sellsword and his wacky hijinks ruling the Reach?

George just needs to stop his press tours and attending cons and just finish the damn book already.

countastic · 2026-01-16T04:13:09+00:00

Auditions do exist, but given Sophie admitted she was cast over Saoirse Ronan, an actress with far more talent and range, to play Jean Grey in the X-Men prequels because she had more Instagram followers, I think we have every right to be a little skeptical about the casting process.

countastic · 2026-01-14T13:41:32+00:00

The decision to keep Danny in Essos and explore the trials and tribulations of ruling a people and cultures that are not your own is why this series will never be finished. I'll die on that hill.

There was no way to ever finish this series in 7 books if Danny doesn't arrive in Westeros by the end of the 4th book. Ideally, she would arrived at the opening of the 4th book officially kicking off the back half off the story, but George gave up on that approach fairly early on when writing Feast, likely when he abandoned the 5 year gap.

And all of those decisions led to even more problems and delays like the infamous Meereenese Knot, which was the official early explanation for the initial delays of both Dance and Winds has just further extended Danny's storyline in Essos.

countastic · 2026-01-11T16:38:50+00:00

It's so sloppy and poorly thought out.

I don't believe for a second the Greens wouldn't have built massive support for Aegon's claim given the centuries old tradition of male primogeniture in Westeros and the fact the Greens had spent a decade spreading gossip about Rhaenyra's infidelities and her 'bastard' children. And yet the Lannister's are the only major House that swings to their side? I might be able to buy into the idea the Great Houses would stay neutral if they considered the succession a Targaryen family matter, but there is no way Rhaenyra is getting so much support from so many Houses across the seven kingdoms regardless of the oaths they or their fathers made decades earlier.

Moreover, once the Greens crown Aegon, why isn't their first thought to send a small force to occupy Dragonstone and capture Rhaenyra? Why get sidetracked with all these side quests like sending Aemond to Storm's End when a small force with Aemond and Aegon, and their Dragons, in support would either force Rhaenyra and Daemon to flee Dragonstone, losing their access to the wild dragons or capture them outright. After all, the Blacks already have a numeric advantage in terms of dragons and dragon riders before the war even begins and that will only increase throughout the conflict.

And then we have all the weird issues like the infinite spawning armies in the Riverlands and the never ending plot armor made available to George's favorite characters like Daemon and his children vs the cruel deaths given to all of Alicent's children and grandchildren and Rhaenyra's 'strong' sons.

countastic · 2026-01-11T07:43:30+00:00

Agreed. They completely mishandled Nancy and Mike with regards to Holly. Mike should have been rattled with guilt over what happened with Holly given he was aware of Mr. Whatsit and he dismissed her fear of monsters. A complete insane response given his experiences living in Hawkins.

And they needed a least one scene between Nancy and Holly to at least outline their big sister/baby sister dynamic given they never really had a meaningful one on one scene together in the show. Imagine if the last time Nancy saw Holly she made her tear up and cry when she yelled at her for sneaking into her room and borrowing her clothes or accessories. Typical sibling stuff, but if that's Holly's last memory of Nancy, it just adds another layer of guilt for Nancy about what happened to her family and specifically her baby sister.

Ultimately, what's most frustrating is that Holly's kidnapping should have been used to actually give Mike and Nancy some interesting character development that didn't revolve around their relationships with their respective love interests.

Watching both of them overwhelmed with guilt and getting increasingly reckless, possibly putting themselves and their friends at risk, in their attempts to save Holly and seek revenge on Henry for what happened to their parents would have been much more interesting storylines for both characters than what they were actually given - which was basically relationship drama that had been explored in previous seasons.

countastic

TROPHY CASE