ddiaz28, that is the correct theory.  Admittedly when I first came to the theory I had one of the initials a bit wrong, it just popped into my head between reading Ned's "promise me" dream and going back and looking for some descriptions of characters and Catelyn describing who Jon and Arya most looked like.   Shortly there after I amended it to the correct initial. 

I did a running "blog" over on Westeros.org of my first read through up to A Feast for Crows.  I think on page 6 of the thread is where I first mention that theory.  I'd post a link, but I believe this system filters posts with links. If you are interested at all just do a Google search for "A first time reader's take on the books" and it should be the second listing.

I didn't even think of a Caeser spin off, but that would be a good idea.  I read a while back, maybe a year or two ago, that the creators wanted to do something totally fictional next, where they had no historical constraints at all.  Though I think it looks like Stars is using  DiVinci as kind of a replacement for Spartacus now.

There were clues on the show as to who is holding Theon.  Although, I doubt I would have caught them if I didn't already know from the books.   I think the big X that Theon was strapped to, bares a striking resemblance to a family's sigil that they have shown this season.  Of course it also made me think of an old X-Men comic where Wolverine was strapped to a big X as well.

I found Catelyn's story about Jon's sickness as a baby interesting.  It wasn't in the books, but I recall when reading the books, I always found it interesting when Catelyn would think about or talk about Jon Snow.  She came across as much more of a B towards him there.  I had a theory about Jon back in the first book that actually many other readers also had as welll, and if it is in fact true it creates a bit of irony to the Catelyn/Jon dynamic.   I don't want to mention the theory because I don't think there has been any way you could come up with from the show alone.

During the "games" scenes, I kept waiting for either Spartacus or Naevia to use Crixus' old line, "Shall I begin, now?" but it never happened.   I guess it may not have been originally Crixus' line, as I recall the Shadow used it too. 

creekwoodkid, the biggest bad ass is all subjective but I would say it is not Jora,  Jaime or Brienne (the huge chick) Jaime and Brienne are closely matched and may be just one tier down from the top in my mind and Jaime is very close.

Candidates that I can think of off the top of my head that are still alive at this point in the series would be:

Barristan Selmy (the ex head of the King's guard though he is getting a bit older)

The Mouintain that Rides, Gregor Clegane  - the Hound's brother and largest known dude around though his temper and intelligence hamper him

The Hound, Sandor Clegane - not as big as his brother but more intelligent

Oberyn Martell, not in the show yet but its possible he shows up this season but probably next season

Mance Rayder -  I could see him as one of the finalists

Jaqen Hagar - a mystery but definitely dangerous

Melisandre - she's got the magic stuff going for her

Bronn - is a survivor for sure

I may be missing some and that list doesn't include the ones who are bad ass in other ways like plotting and intelligence which would be another list all together.

Monkeyfoot, I think the actress that plays Arya is just "growing" a bit quicker right now.   I think all the adolecents in the show are a little older than thier book counterparts.   Dany is only around 13 or 14 when the book starts and there is no way the show would or should portray some of her scenes with that age in mind.   I think Joffery was only supposed to be a year or two younger than Jon and Rob (who were about 14 when the books started)

I'd guess in the show Arya is supposed to be at least one year younger, but more likely two years younger than Joffery

I was thinking about half way through that they are not going to be able to fit everybody in this episode to catch everybody up and sure enough Bran, Arya, Jamie, and Theon weren't shown.  Looks like we will at least see Bran in ep 2.

I will say the girl they cast as Ygritte is much more attractive than described in the book.   I'm still wishing that Dominic West had taken the role of Mance Rayder, he could have been brilliant in the role.   Ciaran Hinds is ok but seems a little too serious and dour, and while Mance is a serious character, he he does have that roguish side to him.    I didn't expect to see Val due to them not casting the character until there will be more than a scene or two for the character.

As far as Daenerys, how do you guys expect her to buy 8000 Unsullied, when she could barely get one ship?   I know how it plays out in the books, but its something for you show-only peeps to think of.

As far as Tyrion and Tywin's convo went, I don't recall how much of their past has been revealed in the books or show at this point, as it all kind of blurs in my mind what happened when and where.  So to aviod any spoilers, I'll just say Tywin is a dick and I'm pretty sure Tyrion knew already exactly what his father thought of him even then, though maybe not to such a degree. 

Davos is rather awesome.  He knew speaking out against Melisandre to Stannis could go bad, but he spoke the truth as he saw it., regardless of consequence.   I guess you could say he is kind of like Ned Stark in some things as honor is concerned.  Allthough he was a smuggler, so he isn't bound by honor as tightly as Ned was.

I liked Daniel Tosh's back handed comment about Jim Carrey passing on a Dumb and Dumber sequel to make this turd. 

I haven't seen last nights ep of OUAT, but there is a popular theory I've seen that Bae could have spent some time in Neverland as Peter Pan, which would account for his age being younger.

I also am a big fan of the Elder Scrolls games but have zero interest in an online version.  I like the single player experience too much.