It's not as if Krum really has much of a choice at that point. Lynch sees it first and races for it. What is Krum going to do? Somehow manage to block Lynch again and again until the Snitch is lost again, with blood streaming all across his face and him barely seeing what he's doing? If the referee stops play and lets him get medical attention, Lynch can keep his eye on the Snitch all that time and make another dash for it as soon as the game restarts. Then it's back to blocking him, while praying that Bulgaria can score a second goal before Ireland scores its eighteenth - not exactly a likely event. Then as soon as that happens, he has until Ireland's next score to get to the Snitch ahead of Lynch.
Fairly unrealistic, all that, I think, and he has to make the decision in a matter of seconds.
I think blocking is exactly what a world-class athlete would try to do if he cared at all about winning. Obviously it's would be silly to debate the motivations of an imaginary athlete, but, to me anyway, intentionally losing for the sake of making the final score look close in a world championship just doesn't ring true.
Except that they're down 17-1. What are the odds that it'll be 17-2 before it's 18-1? Not good, I'd think. Especially considering the overheating tempers and the tendency of the Bulgarians to give penalties away.
I still can't imagine a team in a world championship just giving up because the odds aren't in their favor.
Although considering the info we're given beforehand about the two teams - Krum being the best player, but Ireland having an excellent team and divine Chasers - it's not as bad as it could have been.
I agree. I think it's the combination of the bet and Krum giving up on his team so quickly.
No, do tell, it's a fun topic.
Okay 

1- The makeup of the teams is silly. Real sports teams don't just fill their starting positions- they have a second squad against whom the starters practice so they can simulate game conditions. Also, the reserves keep their skills sharpened in case they are needed. This way, you don't have to grab Dean Thomas and say, "Hey, I know you haven't practiced, but you flew well for an hour five months ago, so how'd you like to play in an important match this Saturday with one or two practices under your belt?'
2- Do they have reserves or not? In one match (can't remember which book- maybe 3) the commentator refers to a player as "a reserve last year", but we never see or hear of any reserves, unless "reserves" are the people who almost made the team and get called on in a pinch without having practiced.
3- JKR can't seem to make up her mind if players have to try out or not.
Book one: Harry is placed on the Gryffindor without a tryout. He works out with Wood one time, and then joins the team which, apparently, chose its entire team except for the position of seeker. What were they going to do? Not have one? Even if all the players who try out are bad, you choose the least bad of all of them and then hope a better player comes along and beats him/her out.
Book two: no tryouts. The team is just... the team.
Book three: no tryouts.
Book four: No Quidditch (Which is silly because the entire 'season' only consists of six matches. They could have scheduled it around the whopping three Tri-wizard events that only involved a whopping four people (and only two quidditch players). And with Krum visiting, what better opportunity for 'international cooperation' than to have him visit a few practices, maybe guest referee, or just be there to watch the matches?
Book five: The only tryout is for Keeper, which is the only open position. Angelina says she wants "the team" there when they choose the new keeper.
Book six: McGonagall appoints Harry as captain, and informs him of all the players who have already signed up for tryouts. Katie Bell (I think) warns Harry to not "start" picking his favorites. The way she phrases it, coupled with McGonagall already compiling a tryout list implies that tryouts are standard procedure. Later, when Dean fills in for Katie, Seamus is a little bit angry. Have Dean and Seamus tried out every year, and this is the first time we're hearing about it? Or was Ron's tryout in OotP the first-ever tryout?
4- Keeper tryouts are silly Each person defends five shots and that's it? Baloney. You might do that to eliminate the worst players, but then you get two squads worth of hopefuls out there and see how they do in game situations.
5- Quidditch practices are a bit silly if you don't have a second squad against whom to practice. Sure, you can do passing drills, and the chasers can attack the goal, but that's about it. You don't get to practice as a true "team". And do you really want your beaters practicing hitting bludgers at your star chasers again and again? And if the seeker is just going to release the snitch and practice circling around waiting for it to appear while the chasers attack the goal (which we are told is what he does), why does he even need to be at the team practice? He can do that anytime he likes, and doesn't need anyone else there.
6 Why does it take almost the entire school year to play six freaking games?
Is that enough nitpicking? As I said, not a single thing I've mentioned really means anything in the big picture, but they all bug me.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
This message last edited by Camilla on 19/08/2010 at 09:25:10 AM
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Four Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
16/08/2010 09:28:48 AM
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Chapters 1-3: A different beginning
16/08/2010 09:30:26 AM
- 2067 Views
Early characters
16/08/2010 09:32:12 AM
- 2129 Views
Re: Early characters
16/08/2010 11:02:23 AM
- 2437 Views
Early plotting.
16/08/2010 09:32:52 AM
- 2133 Views
Re: Early plotting.
16/08/2010 11:02:09 AM
- 2231 Views
It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:38:14 AM
- 2238 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:47:16 AM
- 2233 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:16:16 PM
- 2461 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:36:30 PM
- 2132 Views
Re: Early plotting.
17/08/2010 01:15:43 AM
- 2109 Views
Any other comments/observations
16/08/2010 09:33:34 AM
- 2046 Views
Mob mentality and British euroscepticism.
16/08/2010 10:37:10 AM
- 2348 Views
people in groups and baffling violence. And the godawful recaps
16/08/2010 11:03:09 AM
- 2166 Views
Yeah, I agree about the recaps, they're pointless at this point. *NM*
16/08/2010 11:17:37 AM
- 1214 Views
Good news! HP really caught on after this book and so the last books don't have a recap! *NM*
16/08/2010 03:27:24 PM
- 1176 Views
Chapters 4-6 - The Weasleys
16/08/2010 09:33:57 AM
- 2115 Views
Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 08:22:33 AM
- 2148 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 11:07:43 AM
- 2223 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:18:30 PM
- 2190 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:24:41 PM
- 2181 Views
Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:44:19 PM
- 2285 Views
Re: Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:47:29 PM
- 2249 Views
Oh, I can think of a few more things that will prove relevant. But that's for tomorrow.
*NM*
17/08/2010 12:51:50 PM
- 1166 Views

And arguably another one of those fun names with a hidden meaning...
17/08/2010 07:47:43 PM
- 2111 Views
Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 08:23:53 AM
- 2319 Views
Re: Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 11:10:22 AM
- 2195 Views
The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:29:50 PM
- 2231 Views
Re: The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:38:09 PM
- 2112 Views
I thought that might be it. Yeah, different names in the Dutch translation then. *NM*
17/08/2010 12:40:45 PM
- 1113 Views
Any other comments/observations.
17/08/2010 08:24:20 AM
- 2182 Views
Chapters 7-9 - The Quidditch World Cup and Death Eaters
16/08/2010 09:34:26 AM
- 2030 Views
Characters: Ministers, Mothers, other important people.
18/08/2010 12:44:16 AM
- 2138 Views
Plotting
18/08/2010 12:44:48 AM
- 2162 Views
Other stuff.
18/08/2010 12:45:13 AM
- 2102 Views
Krum Catching the Snitch
18/08/2010 02:28:58 AM
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It makes a certain amount of sense, I think...
18/08/2010 01:23:46 PM
- 2116 Views
Re: It makes a certain amount of sense, I think...
19/08/2010 02:43:16 AM
- 2224 Views
A lot of pent-up anger there, I sense
*NM*
19/08/2010 09:24:51 AM
- 2049 Views

Clothes and other schools
18/08/2010 09:44:02 AM
- 2092 Views
There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:37:14 PM
- 2136 Views
Re: There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:45:58 PM
- 2077 Views
Chapters 10-12: Back to Hogwarts and the Tri-Wizard Tournament. *NM*
16/08/2010 09:34:48 AM
- 1103 Views
Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. *NM*
19/08/2010 11:21:29 AM
- 1140 Views
Re: Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
19/08/2010 05:23:11 PM
- 2137 Views
Any other comments, observations or revelations? *NM*
19/08/2010 11:23:48 AM
- 1124 Views
There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 04:23:16 PM
- 2233 Views
Re: There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 05:41:04 PM
- 2203 Views
Chapters 13-15: First lessons, and the arrival of the foreign guests *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:09 AM
- 1080 Views
Characters: The Trio, Neville, Moody, first impressions of Karkarov and Maxime *NM*
20/08/2010 11:49:04 AM
- 1108 Views
Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 12:59:41 PM
- 2212 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:10:03 PM
- 2319 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:20:22 PM
- 2284 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:33:04 PM
- 2093 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:36:50 PM
- 2074 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
20/08/2010 11:51:43 AM
- 1112 Views
Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:04:01 PM
- 2098 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:55:29 PM
- 2251 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 02:04:07 PM
- 2338 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
20/08/2010 11:52:05 AM
- 1004 Views
Yes. Five things, actually. Magic, Snape, idiocy, apparating while presumed guilty aaand evil films.
20/08/2010 01:05:06 PM
- 2090 Views
Trelawney, or how one can be a Seer and not even know it.
20/08/2010 01:46:09 PM
- 2133 Views
Chapters 16-18: The Tri-Wizard Tournament begins *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:31 AM
- 1143 Views
Characters: The Champions, Hagrid, Karkarov, and of course Rita Skeeter in person *NM*
21/08/2010 01:10:53 PM
- 1124 Views
Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 01:50:12 PM
- 2137 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:24:02 PM
- 2116 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:40:39 PM
- 2094 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:06:43 PM
- 2371 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:10:53 PM
- 2129 Views
Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:31:49 PM
- 2324 Views
Re: Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:41:44 PM
- 2173 Views
The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:20:18 PM
- 2071 Views

Re: The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:22:26 PM
- 2260 Views

Definitely true
23/08/2010 10:02:46 PM
- 2326 Views
Re: Definitely true
24/08/2010 06:20:53 PM
- 2384 Views
Plotting and writing.
21/08/2010 01:12:24 PM
- 2405 Views
plotting both for the book alone and the series as a whole
21/08/2010 01:39:10 PM
- 2135 Views
Other comments, small details you noticed,...? *NM*
21/08/2010 01:12:53 PM
- 1127 Views
House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 01:35:38 PM
- 2421 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:55:10 PM
- 2246 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:59:55 PM
- 2347 Views
I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:02:47 PM
- 2309 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:08:40 PM
- 2342 Views
I associate blancmange more with Britain than with anywhere else...
21/08/2010 05:26:17 PM
- 2178 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:12:54 PM
- 2059 Views
No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:24:50 PM
- 2036 Views
Re: No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:39:06 PM
- 2395 Views
Hermione really comes into her own in this book.
27/08/2010 11:30:38 PM
- 1969 Views
Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:36:20 PM
- 2128 Views
Re: Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:48:19 PM
- 2150 Views
Chapters 19-21: The first task and House-Elves at Hogwarts *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:53 AM
- 1120 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Moody, Dobby and Winky,...
23/08/2010 10:40:21 AM
- 2085 Views
The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:07:50 AM
- 2101 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:35:56 AM
- 2201 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:44:08 AM
- 2381 Views
Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:19:21 AM
- 2046 Views
Re: Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:56:37 AM
- 2178 Views
Plotting and writing: the first task and other events *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:20 AM
- 1140 Views
Good plotting in this section
23/08/2010 11:08:50 AM
- 2198 Views
Anything else you want to comment on? *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:39 AM
- 1103 Views
I love that there is a book called Men Who Love Dragons Too Much. *NM*
23/08/2010 11:09:15 AM
- 1038 Views
Chapters 22-24: The - rather eventful - Yule Ball *NM*
16/08/2010 09:36:30 AM
- 1026 Views
Characters: The Trio, Champions and their dates, Karkarov, Hagrid and Olympe,...
24/08/2010 11:09:33 AM
- 2274 Views
Ron and Hermione, mainly.
24/08/2010 11:47:49 AM
- 2362 Views
Makes sense.
24/08/2010 01:15:37 PM
- 2083 Views

Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 03:53:20 PM
- 2070 Views

Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 05:00:59 PM
- 2172 Views

Plotting and writing: a bit of a lull in the tension, perhaps, but there's still a lot going on. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:11:49 AM
- 1181 Views
Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 11:48:30 AM
- 2277 Views
Re: Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 02:18:04 PM
- 2103 Views
Whatever else you want to say about these three chapters. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:12:33 AM
- 1187 Views
Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 11:49:16 AM
- 2239 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 02:27:51 PM
- 2136 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 04:15:15 PM
- 2199 Views
Ron's lasso comment is brilliant. Absolute genius.
24/08/2010 02:23:37 PM
- 2138 Views
Lasso comment?
24/08/2010 04:20:35 PM
- 2140 Views
When discussing methods to separate girls from their gang.
24/08/2010 04:27:47 PM
- 2136 Views
Ah. Hehe. Yes.
24/08/2010 04:30:34 PM
- 2218 Views
It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:45:34 PM
- 2285 Views
Re: It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:48:50 PM
- 2172 Views
Holy crap.
25/08/2010 02:44:57 PM
- 2088 Views
Yeah, I don't know if the Google pictures are entirely representative...
25/08/2010 03:06:25 PM
- 2215 Views
Chapters 25-27: The second task and Padfoot's return
16/08/2010 09:36:55 AM
- 2118 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Fleur, Sirius,... *NM*
25/08/2010 11:18:49 AM
- 1062 Views
Snape, Percy, Hermione, Ron, Mrs Weasley and Sirius.
25/08/2010 05:31:18 PM
- 2059 Views
I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:41:43 PM
- 2302 Views
Re: I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:45:30 PM
- 2081 Views
Agreed. Snape is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read
25/08/2010 05:57:12 PM
- 2169 Views
Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 10:54:11 AM
- 2001 Views
Re: Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 11:21:59 AM
- 2128 Views
Plotting and writing: clues, red herrings and recapitulation *NM*
25/08/2010 11:19:47 AM
- 1124 Views
Merpeople and the second task.
25/08/2010 11:34:40 AM
- 2157 Views
And something else I never understood about the second task
25/08/2010 02:32:51 PM
- 2179 Views
That's a good point, yeah...
25/08/2010 03:07:30 PM
- 2067 Views
Maybe they should have had a magical big screen projection of what was going on in the lake lol
25/08/2010 03:57:48 PM
- 2119 Views
Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:23:30 PM
- 2112 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:40:39 PM
- 2190 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:42:52 PM
- 2085 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:09:20 AM
- 2078 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:17:36 AM
- 2231 Views
Marauder's Map.
05/09/2010 05:27:17 AM
- 2127 Views
Other comments. *NM*
25/08/2010 11:20:11 AM
- 1114 Views
Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:24:26 PM
- 2169 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:36:29 PM
- 2147 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:42:20 PM
- 2256 Views
Chapters 28-30: Moving towards the climax *NM*
16/08/2010 09:37:22 AM
- 1055 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Karkarov, the Crouch family,... *NM*
26/08/2010 12:15:59 PM
- 1149 Views
Madame Maxime, Crouch, Snape, Twins, Fudge and Neville
26/08/2010 02:48:04 PM
- 2129 Views
Plotting and writing: increasing signs of danger, and revelations about the past. *NM*
26/08/2010 12:16:50 PM
- 1118 Views
Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 02:50:29 PM
- 2132 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:38:53 PM
- 2368 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:51:32 PM
- 2172 Views
Chapters 31-33: The third task
16/08/2010 09:38:01 AM
- 2065 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Voldemort, Wormtail,,... *NM*
27/08/2010 01:32:11 PM
- 1149 Views
Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 03:50:03 PM
- 2030 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:09:48 PM
- 2026 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:23:14 PM
- 2086 Views
Plotting and writing: thrilling action, but also a fair bit of infodump/flashback. *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:13 PM
- 1119 Views
Stuff happens.
27/08/2010 03:50:33 PM
- 2071 Views
Riddle Family.
05/09/2010 05:39:29 AM
- 2082 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:39 PM
- 1105 Views
Chapters 34-37: The climax and the aftermath *NM*
16/08/2010 09:38:22 AM
- 1092 Views
Characters: Well, pretty much all of them, I guess. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:04:41 AM
- 1119 Views
Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, Ron and Hermione
28/08/2010 11:57:25 AM
- 2158 Views
Plotting and writing: tying up, explanations and setting up the future books. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:05:33 AM
- 1100 Views
Revelations and then some
28/08/2010 12:02:36 PM
- 2101 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
28/08/2010 11:06:03 AM
- 1137 Views
Two questions and one other thing.
28/08/2010 12:03:14 PM
- 2234 Views
The book as a whole: overall thoughts, comments and obversations
16/08/2010 09:39:24 AM
- 2124 Views
What do/did you think of Rowling's writing in this book?
16/08/2010 09:40:03 AM
- 2161 Views
I think she has more room to display her talent in this book.
28/08/2010 11:27:20 AM
- 2224 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
16/08/2010 09:41:01 AM
- 2268 Views
Is it possible / easy to make the post an Announcement while it's ongoing?
17/08/2010 03:08:31 PM
- 2117 Views
When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 11:09:07 AM
- 2436 Views
Re: When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 12:05:31 PM
- 2367 Views