#bronn will never be lord of highgarden in the books

[kinslayer-sapphire]

House Hightower probably would take over Highgarden and become Lord Paramount of the Reach if Willas & Garlan doesn’t exist!

Meanwhile, Olenna in her grave:

[alwaysdaenerys]

The consequences of King Bran

I had this sudden thought about the end of Game of Thrones, in comparison to the theorized end to ASOIAF, in regards to King Bran. I’m not a huge fan of this ending, and yes this is obvious because of my username, I’m aware! But at least in the show, it was lackluster and not foreshadowed in the slightest. Things may be different in the books in any case, though this is not truly what I want to put on the table for others to discuss and analyze. 

I’ve read and talked about with other fans about how making Bran king at the end of the book series may be advantageous, because the realm is healing from the significant massacre of its citizens during the Long Night. And if this is the case, the showrunners and writers missed a huge opportunity to kill more people. I’m not necessarily saying more main characters—though this is another problem I have with the show—but actually more smallfolk, more un-named or lesser lords, etc. The fact that D&D decided that the War for the Dawn was only going to last one fucking night is preposterous for many reasons, but the main one is: the Others and their wights would have never tired because they don’t need food for water or rest, and could have totally swept through the weak and depleted Riverlands, Reach, Stormlands, Crownlands even, with ease.

And because the writers did not extend the Long Night, because they didn’t kill half the humans in Westeros like the Others had the means to do, there are so many contenders left for seats of power. There is a logical argument in saying that Bran may be a good leader because there is literally no one else to take on the mantel; I will concede to that. But there are SO MANY CHARACTERS LEFT AT THE END OF THE SHOW. Bran has no army to defend him from all these people who command thousands of noticeably-alive soldiers. Who, if they were in character in the last season, would have had more to say about this tiny kid who they just met today being king of the fucking world. 

And because he just hands the North its independence without asking anyone else if they’d like to petition the same thing, it will snowball out of control quite quickly.

Yara remains: the Iron Islands have a long history of coveting independence and now that their last liege, Daenerys, is no longer living, it won’t take them long to realize that they have no opposition on the high seas, or the battlefield. Who cares if land is not their strong suit? It will be against, you guessed it, an army of Tyrion and a wheelchair-bound Bran. Yara will raise her men, who, once again, are not walking dead, and they secede from the mainland for good. And Bran cannot do a thing because his faction has neither strength at sea nor land.

Dorne and its unnamed prince: another example of a region in Westeros that was continuously on the outs with the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. They were not truly “conquered” until the Daeron II married a Martell princess. The dragons were never able to hold Dorne on the battlefield so what makes anyone think that Bran Stark and his lack of dragons will? They’ll be the first to go, in my opinion, because at least Yara had a previous somewhat-working relationship with the Crown, whereas the unnamed Prince of Dorne has no obligations to a single person at that Great Council. 

Edmure and the Riverlands: this region, in the show and in the books, is always the most affected my war. If the Others would have made it past Winterfell, the Riverlands would be next. The smallfolk suffered during the War of the Five Kings and Edmure knew it and wanted to help. I always thought it was clever of GRRM that he chose Edmure Tully to be one of the only lords that actually cared about his people, because of his region’s proximity to the conflict. Yes, Ned Stark may have cared for his people as a whole, but we never see him do anything as protective as Edmure is by letting the smallfolk into his keep, for the poor of the North. And in the show, since the Others did not even glimpse Riverrun and its vassals, the Tullys have the army they do at the end of season 6. Edmure won’t like that he was insulted by the Queen in the North, and will take his next move from Yara.

The Stormlands are a toss-up for me: Gendry owes his legitimization to Queen Daenerys, not Bran. So either he will be overthrown and/or killed by the other Stormlords immediately upon entering his keep, or they will persuade him to secede as well. Arya jilted Gendry and if we are to believe she plans to never see him again, there’s a pretty good chance Gendry won’t care about the consequences of his actions because he has nothing to lose. It seemed pretty obvious that he didn’t want to do all this lord stuff without the love of his life, so it’s not much of a leap to assume he wouldn’t care about the trappings of royalty anymore. Storm’s End is nearly impregnable and Bran has no army to besiege the castle like Mace Tyrell did during Robert’s Rebellion. I have no doubt that with or without Gendry, the nobles or the Stormlands will not be appreciative of Bran or Tyrion. Maybe they haven’t flirted with independence quite as much as others have since Aegon the Conqueror, but it will feel monumentally better than watching all the other kingdoms secede and stay silent.

The Eyrie seems to the most realistic example here, as far as what the regions will be like after the defeat of the Others: the Knights of the Vale participated in the War for the Dawn, therefore the fighting force has been depleted. And I would argue that they have a very similar situation to the Stormlands; Rhaenys was only able to bring the Arryns into the fold by flying her dragon to the castle. Once again, without dragons, I don’t see how Bran is going to be as successful. Robin Arryn doesn’t know Bran; he was all in for Sansa. But since Sansa decided to leave him in the lurch to declare independence, I don’t think he and his advisors are going to stay besties with her. Sitting out the War of the Five Kings makes it even easier for me to theorize that they would be just fine on their own.

The state of the Reach is the most embarrassing thing that happened on Game of Thrones: the fact that we have to watch Bronn of the fucking Blackwater sit in the Queen of Thorns’ seat of power is a travesty. I always liked him on the show and in the books, but this, I cannot forgive. He is woefully ill-equipped to be lord of a keep, let alone Highgarden, and putting him on the small council as MASTER OF COIN when he can’t read or understand loans was beyond lazy. As far as the state of the Reach, they are pretty depleted from the sack of Highgarden, but even so, it seems painfully obvious that his lack of support from the other lords in the region will be his downfall. Maybe they weren’t 100% supportive of the Tyrells either, but there’s no way any of them will allow some up-jumped sellsword who’s best friends with Tyrion Lannister to lead them. Since Bronn has no army of his own, he’ll be dead soon enough and someone who was decidedly not killed during the Long Night, will take his place and give a middle finger to the Iron Throne, just like Olenna.

The Westerlands are the weakest of the remaining Six Kingdoms, I think: they don’t have much of an army after the Battle of King’s Landing. I think they’d be the only support of Bran after he is crowned, and that’s because Tyrion is the Hand. After Daenerys took Casterly Rock, most everyone bent the knee or died, so Tyrion doesn’t even have a suitable army to defend him, let alone the castle. I can’t imagine the soldiers remaining after all this would be enough to take on all the rebellions that are destined to occur after the secession of the North.

Lastly, the North: how will Bran react when his home region is starving and begging for aid? They have nothing to feed their people in the cold, white North. Yes, a lot of people died in the war, but there are plenty who didn’t participate and since it didn’t get past Winterfell, only those involved in the Battle—and the Umbers—were affected. Will the new king give it, even though they have no right to ask for it? Will he defy the laws of the realm for his sister? Because as far as I’m concerned, the North cannot sustain itself without the help of the other kingdoms. It’s not warm enough for farming, while the livestock trade was probably diminished when the Boltons were Wardens. Sansa would rather be in the Queen in the North than actually take care of her subjects; because by choosing independence, she has doomed everyone. Nothing changes for the smallfolk; it’s just another feudal overlord.  

In conclusion: if Bran becomes King, there would have to be an apocalypse for it to be successful. There definitely wasn’t on the show, therefore several events will cause his coronation to be all for naught before Tyrion’s ten years are up. As GRRM has stated, the Others are the focus of the story and who sits on the Iron Throne is a secondary plot to distract from the actual horror. I’m not usually someone to ask for more horror, but when it comes to the future of Westeros under King Bran, things are looking terribly bleak without more of it.

[the-king-andthe-lionheart]

Hey. I saw your reblog of a cool post talking about how Sansa won’t be winning the North by being “polite and singing songs and asking nicely“ and how violence and brutality are in the North, after all Robb didn’t get the Umbers approval by asking politely but by having Grey Wind eat Umber’s fingers. And i Love how in the tags you said the North would never choose Sansa. If it came down to it they would choose Arya. They most certainly would. No one ever complained that Robb wouldn’t exchange Jaime for Sansa. But they are furious to hear that ”Arya” (we know it’s Jeyne) has been wed to the demonic Ramsay Snow. The only reason Sansa was “chosen” (she wasn‘t) in the fake season of the show was because fucking Dumb&Dumber have a massive favoritism for her and Sophie Turner. Gosh it was so disgusting to see that filthy coronation (that looked just like Cersei signifying Sansa’s tranformation into Cersei 2.0) and fake Jon being forced to say she’s the best for the North. And what is all that dumb bullshit about how Northern Independence is the “best thing and necessary for the North”. Anyway in the books they definitely would not choose Sansa and certainly not if she were like her show version (who I am shamed to have ever liked. Now I loathe her with every part of me).

@whitedragonwolf4961

Sorry for the wait for my reply. :)

D&D had massive favoritism when it came to Sansa, or should I say, they had a very obvious bias towards the Lannister's, and Lannister adjacent characters. You can see it in how they whitewashed the whole family, even Cersei (D&D hardly ever whitewashed female characters, usually only male characters, as they would typically make female characters darker) and how heavily focused the show was on twincest and then making it so Jaime went back to her out of love (If Jaime does go back to the same place Cersei is IMO I don't think it will be about his love for her, but to stop her). Like just because Jaime and Cersei and Tywin were killed off, it doesn't mean they weren't D&D's favorites. Also let's not forget about the two Lannister adjacent characters: Sansa and Bronn. Two characters that were unfairly rewarded endgames that they didn't deserve. Sansa became Queen in the North through nepotism, did absolutely nothing during the war, except complain, didn't care that Rickon died, was going to execute Arya, and could have gotten Jon killed over telling his secret, and could have started a war between Dany and the North, yet she becomes queen? Then we have Bronn. Like sure he's helped Jaime and Tyrion out for a fee for several seasons, but he would have killed any one of them for the right price. He's a mercenary. Yet what does he get? A position on Bran's King's Council as Master of Coin, and is given Highgarden. He is now Lord of the richest and most fruitful kingdom in Westeros. Kind of seems a little convenient there. IMO Lannister favoritism.

I used to love Sansa on GOT as well. She was one of my favorite characters through seasons 1-4 (imagine my surprise when I realized how much D&D whitewashed her from the books, hence why I liked both her character and her arc in those seasons). I even quit the show for a couple of years after S5 because of what D&D did with Sansa's storyline. Like I was watching that episode with my mom and stepdad and I was a sobbing mess. I even used to believe in the whole Northern Independence BS and even believed Sansa should be Queen in the North (mainly because of how she suffered, which IMO I think that was the point. Instead of giving Sansa a proper leadership arc, they make her suffer horribly, so people think Sansa deserves a big reward for that suffering.) However, watching S7 really changed my perspective (mainly because she was legit trying to execute Arya) and I began looking at Sansa's actions in S6 and they just rubbed me the wrong way, like her behavior only made sense if she was trying to sabotage Jon, and actually hoped to come out of that battle as the only Stark left, looking like the hero (whether that was the intention or not, or if it was just bad writing we'll never know). Then I read the books after S7 and I realized just how much was different, especially the characters, and I further realized how many character arcs Sansa was given from other characters by D&D and how it made absolutely no sense to me that Sansa would be Queen in the North at the end of the books. But now I'm like you. S8 made me detest Sansa Stark. And I'm not the type of person to go around hating characters. My only other exception is Scott McCall from Teen Wolf.

Anyway, it's funny, I'm sure Stansa's look at me and think I've always been a Sansa hater (I'm not even a book!Sansa hater, I'm Sansa critical, as it's the Stans I detest) and that I never believed Sansa would become Queen and blah blah blah, but they are dead wrong. But I think this really points out how different the books and the show are and because of this, it's highly unlikely the endings will be the same in the books as the show, especially when it comes to characters like Sansa and Arya and Dany.

[targaryen-stronghold]

Dany deliberately targeting innocents in KL was horrible and OOC af, but I think what really irritated me was Tyrion's condemnation and shock. He's so shocked she didn't listen to his advice when the city surrendered. Like, DUDE, what counsel have you given her in the last 2 seasons that has ACTUALLY WORKED? Tyrion lost Dany her allies. He told her Cersei would keep her word. He told her the North would support her if she fought for them. (1/?)

(2/2) He told her to treat with Cersei, and Missandei was beheaded. Literally, Tyrion was one of the WORST things/people to happen to Daenerys (Besides Jon Snow and Sansa Snark). Literally what reason did Daenerys have to believe anything that came out of Tyrion's mouth? Everything he advised her to do ended badly for her. She was punished for listening to her advisors. And then harshly judged, side-eyed, gaslighted, and treated like she was crazy when she wasn't. Ugh.

You are absolutely right. Let’s start by saying that Dany killing innocents “because reasons” is total bullshit. This woman couldn’t even look at innocent people murdering each other for sport in the fighting pits of Meereen. It was tradition but she was 100% against it because innocent people died for so good reason at all. She accepted it because it was important to her people. She locked up her own dragons to prevent them from killing another child or harm anyone else. She used her dragons to fight her opponents because that’s what smart people do and dragons are her power, she doesn’t need to wield a sword. However, she only killed soldiers and people who opposed her because that’s what all monarchs do if they want to rule. 

There are shameless double-standards regarding Dany in this fandom because she’s a woman who commands the most powerful forces in the lore. She also embodies both female and male energy and traits - and this makes fragile men feel threatened and women with internalized misogyny feel uncomfortable. Other male characters did far worse than she in their quest for power and they aren’t treated as harshly as she is. Tywin literally slaughtered an entire House because they rebel against the Lannisters. Robb and his troops destroyed the Riverlands; the innocent people who lived there didn’t care about Ned Stark or the Northern Independence, they just want to live in peace - for them the Red Wedding was a blessing (actually by “avenging” the Red Wedding and killing every male Frey in GOT, Arya probably caused a fight among the other Houses to decide who would take control over the Riverlands. Of course this is glossed-over because the Starks are moral superior to every other character and can do no wrong). Jaime commanded the slaughter of everyone in Highgarden: including innocent men, women and children. Not only that but King Bran saw fit to name one of those murderers to take hold of Highgarden in the end: I bet the surviving farmers who were terrorized by Bronn and the Lannister soldiers feel really safe now. The Starks also fought to get back their home. It doesn’t matter if it was their ancestral home: it belonged to House Bolton by royal decree. They had to take it back by force and many Northern houses didn’t even support them. Afterwards, Sansa even wanted to strip Lord Umber (a child) and Lady Karstark (a teenager) of their ancestral homes because their parents fought against in Starks in the Battle of the Bastards. Fortunately for these kids, Jon opposed to this idea. 

When I saw “The Bells” I couldn’t believe my eyes. The stupidity of it. First, the ringing of bells doesn’t even mean surrender in the GOT/ASOIAF universe and that’s well established (ever since Season 2) but I guess Dumb and Dumber kind of forgot. Second, Dany had no reason whatsoever to target innocent people in the streets when Cersei was locked in the Red Keep. She only needed to fly to Red Keep and be done with it. She would eventually kill innocents in the process but at the very least it would have made sense. When I read the leaks, I thought it would go down like this. But instead, they made her burn down several streets before getting to Red Keep for no good reason at all.  Cersei doesn’t care about the people and Dany knows this. Some can justify it as revenge for Missandei’s death but that’s bollocks. Those people didn’t kill or cheer for Missandei’s death: they probably don’t even know about her. At its core, this was only a plot device to make Jon look heroic while murdering her in the next episode and for Tyrion not to look like a traitor.

And this, ladies and gents, is how you ruin a TV series.

As for Tyrion suddenly caring about the people of King’s Landing is yet another Dumb and Dumber bullshit. Tyrion doesn’t care about the people: he is selfish in both books and show and he craves power too, mostly because the wants his father’s approval. Tyrion even wanted all these people dead a few seasons ago and resented saving their lives when Stannis attacked the city. The same with Varys: he fed Aerys’ paranoia by constantly telling him about traitors and acting like a snitch but in the TV show they had him all remorseful about witnessing Aerys’ burning people he considered traitors.  He even sided with a King that commanded the sack of King’s Landing (leading to the murder and rape of innocents) and laughed at dead children (Elia’s children) as they were placed at his feet by Tywin. 

Was Tyrion really on Dany’s side? Because he clearly didn’t want his siblings hurt or killed. And he knew Cersei would never give up her power and Jaime would stay by her side. He persuaded Jon to do his dirty work (= killing Dany) to save his own skin because he knows he would probably be executed for treason, not because he cared about the people. 

What they made Dany do in GOT is wrong and off-character. But what House Stark, House Baratheon, House Arryn and House Lannister did in the sack of King’s Landing was far worse so people really should stop acting so self-righteous. Drogon turned those innocents into dust in a matter of seconds because dragonfire is hot as hell, but when those soldiers raped and murdered it wasn’t so quick and the women who were raped had to live with the trauma and probably with the offspring of that rape. Ned opposed to it and went to look for Lyanna, yes. But his soldiers and the other Northern houses didn’t follow him: they stayed in King’s Landing murdering and raping until they had enough. That’s fucking disgusting. It’s also fucking sickening painting Dany as the ultimate evil of the series when all of this happened.  

[gascon-en-exil]

Joining the Game Late: S8E6 “The Iron Throne”

Synopsis

Tyrion surveys the damage and finds his siblings, while Jon almost fights Grey Worm over executions. Arya and Jon are in the crowd as Daenerys gives her victory speech and Tyrion gets arrested for throwing away his pin. Tyrion goads Jon into growing a spine; he sort of does. Daenerys lives out her Season 2 vision and expounds upon her philosophy of conquest before Jon stabs her (not like that) and Drogon burns the symbolism...but not Jon for some reason. A tense trial at the Dragonpit, with Edmure still being a dumbass and a bid for democracy from Sam that goes over poorly. The man on trial nominates Bran as the new king which everyone accepts because he monologued a good thesis statement for the show, except Sansa who makes the North independent. For their crimes Tyrion is still Hand, and Jon is sent back to the Night’s Watch. Grey Worm, his antagonism ignored, sails to Naath, while Arya sails west off the map and Brienne finishes Jaime’s entry. The new small council features Sam dropping the book series title, Bronn arguing over the necessity of rebuilding brothels, and Davos completing a very old brick joke. Jon comes home to Tormund, and the two of them and Ghost lead the Free Folk north of the Wall as Sansa and Arya join them via cuts for a Stark ending.

Commentary

There are parts of this ending that I like. I like that the episode concludes with the Starks; uninterested as I generally have been in the family as primary PoV characters, it’s thematically appropriately to close out on the ongoing adventures of Jon, Sansa, and Arya. I like that Jon/Tormund is less of a joke than I was expecting, that Tormund features prominently in Jon’s final scenes and that the show sends them off as a sort of family unit along with Ghost and the remaining Free Folk. I like Brienne’s addition to Jaime’s entry in the book of the Kingsguard, highlighting his heroism while also remaining honest about his final decision...and delicately leaving out the incest, or her own fling with the man for that matter. It’s sterilized, and yet not wholly so, a fitting way to end the story of such a morally complicated figure whose very existence in the narrative seems to hinge on a deconstruction of the knight in shining armor archetype. I like the realization of Dany’s vision at the end of Season 2, a tacit understanding by the showrunners that they (and GRRM advising them) knew they were eventually going to get to that image of the Iron Throne in a ruined Red Keep covered in snow. I like that the show doesn’t belabor the “where are they now” aspect of the epilogue, that not everything is perfect and tidily wrapped up even if most of what isn’t is left unmentioned offscreen. It reminds me very much of most Fire Emblem endings, in the sense that a true happy ending remains elusive and there are always challenges left to face and tales remaining to be told. This isn’t Lord of the Rings, concluding when a fat and allegedly relatable guy named Samwell plops down a book (for the most part not written by him) bearing the title of the work in-universe as if to say that that’s the end of that and everything will sort itself out, nor is it Harry Potter with its treacly epilogue pairing everyone off into neat heterosexual marriages with 2.5 children and middle-class comfort. The story will continue, and you can place bets on how many decades of peace Westeros will have before there’s another continental war and a bunch of these characters get violently offed like the generation before them.

There are parts of this ending that I can abide. I’ve reconciled myself to the indignity of Bronn taking Highgarden by seeing in him a type of character like Thénardier from Les Misérables. Both of them are amoral, avaricious assholes despite occasional entertaining moments, and despite that their stories reward them not only with survival but with wealth and notoriety far beyond what they deserve purely as a demonstration that life is often unfair like that. Perhaps Bronn’s lordship of the setting equivalent of Paris was an explicit nod to that? I don’t mind the council at the Dragonpit laughing outright at Sam’s suggestion - transparent as it was coming from the author’s self-insert - of elective democracy, because much like FE the pseudo-medieval stasis this setting is locked into is not realistically equipped to handle such a revolutionary political shift, much less competently depict it in around half an hour of remaining screentime. I can bear the overt allusions to fascist regimes in Daenerys’s victory speech scene, because if you’re going to pivot her from liberator with worrying violent tendencies to tyrannical conqueror hard enough to make it reasonably justifiable that the show’s two most prominent remaining “good” guys would conspire to assassinate her with only that one scene to do it in you may as well go all out with the shorthand. Drogon not roasting Jon is stupid, but melting the Iron Throne is a great symbolic image: destroying all the ruin and strife it represents, coming full circle with the Targaryen reign over Westeros, and so forth.

And then there’s one part of this ending that’s really hard for me to swallow, particularly as Fire Emblem: Three Houses presents a variation of the same scene with much better execution. As this episode aired only about three months before the release of FE16 the similarities between Daenerys’s death and the final cutscene of Azure Moon can be nothing more than an interesting coincidence, but as you’d be hard-pressed to argue that Edelgard did not take some design cues from Daenerys - and to a lesser extent Dimitri from Jon - during the game’s development it’s a useful coincidence for contrast purposes. I mentioned a few posts ago that most of the uncomfortable elements present in Dany’s death are absent in Edelgard’s; she and Dimitri are not sexually involved at any point, and the game focuses instead on their familial bond even though (ironically) they are not biologically related. Dimitri also kills Edelgard in self-defense, after he reaches out his hand to her and she responds by throwing a dagger at him - which is considerably less awful than Jon leading Daenerys into a kiss just so he can stab her. Three Houses also benefits in that Dimitri is a far better realized character overall than Jon Snow, with a clearly defined arc in Azure Moon, meaningful convictions that place him at odds with Edelgard on both a personal and philosophical level, and even a stronger queer angle - also with a bear belonging to a historically marginalized culture/ethnicity, humorously enough. Jon by contrast feels at this stage mostly formless, with nothing strongly defining him (barring perhaps his affection for the Free Folk, which is what he returns to when everything is said and done) and in fact a repeatedly reference lack of desire to do things. Little wonder then that his decision to kill Daenerys comes more or less entirely because Tyrion told him she was the final boss and had to be taken care of.

Regarding Dany herself...if you’ve been following this liveblog the whole way through you know that I’ve been watching her character since the show began for signs that she’d wind up where she does. Yes, they are there, quite in abundance actually, and where the show stumbles comes of course from how terrible paced the story is by the time it reaches her breaking point. The audience has to make do with some of the most obvious fascist signposting imaginable and a single nonsensical speech to Jon (something else she has in common with Edelgard incidentally, who has many of these) revealing Daenerys to be the egomaniacal conqueror she always was with no subtlety whatsoever because the show has run out of time for subtlety. To this episode’s credit I do appreciate that Grey Worm continues to stick around as a foil and reflection of Daenerys. His rage over Missandei’s death sees him executing captured Lannister soldiers en masse, and he continues to demand justice for Tyrion’s betrayal even though after this point the writers stopped caring about him and shipped him off to Naath for an ending (where I am told there are plague-bearing butterflies? That doesn’t bode well.). In Grey Worm one can see a version of Daenerys’s own anger at all that she has suffered and lost, and how destructive that anger can be - only Grey Worm doesn’t have a dragon that can charbroil a city in minutes. Still, these are mere scraps of characterization to set up such a drastic shift in presentation for one of the show’s two biggest leads, and I can definitely understand why fans were angry about it and probably still are. Even as someone who was expecting this all along and was never personally invested in Daenerys the way I was with some other characters, her death - the centerpiece of this episode, and the lead-in to GoT’s epilogue - was easily the biggest sour note of its finale, less that it happened at all and more how, and probably the single event in the last two-ish seasons that more than any other really needs the book series to flesh it out and develop it into something worthwhile.

I think that’s a wrap. I’ve spent nearly four months on this liveblog and have written far more than I possibly imagined that I would. Maybe sometime in a year or so I’ll return to this series again and just watch it through without taking notes. Perhaps I’m in a minority for believing that GoT would even be worth a rewatch. Eh...if you’ve read all this at least you know why.

[vicleesi]

About GoT Episode 4:

First of all, I’m completely exhausted from turning a blind eye to the multiple flaws in the D & D scripts (and it was they who wrote this episode). The strength of Game of Thrones came right from the details thanks to the incredible world that George R. R. Martin created and D & D destroyed. So no, I will not spare you them.

- The beginning was good. I just do not understand why Jon made his speech without looking at the survivors of Winterfell.

- The party dinner was generally good. In these last seasons, Game of Thrones has managed to maintain a good quality in the interaction between characthers. Episode 2 was basically all that and it was good for me. The problem is when GoT starts off for the story  - which is already lost.

- Daenerys’s loneliness was well portrayed. Too bad the series prematurely killed Selmy Barristan, did not it?

- First failure of attention to detail that detracts from the series’ worldbuilding: Gendry Rivers, what? Is he from the Riverlands, by any chance? Bastard born and raised in King’s Landing is named after Waters. His name was Gendry Waters (actually it was just Gendry, since Robert never recognized him as his bastard son). Why change that, D & D? To be different?

- I wish Gendry good luck trying to persuade the Storm lords to bend over to a bastard who does not understand a thing about ruling a castle. But of course the series will not talk about that. At least they did not give Storm’s to Brienne or to Davos (by the way, when the Davos family will show up?)

- Leaving a bit out of order, but taking advantage of feudal politics, what’s going on in Dorne?” D & D mentioned a new Prince of Dorne who swore loyalty to Daenerys. Hi? What? When? Who? WHY??? D & D had the brilliant idea of ​​making the Martells exterminate each other and still reap the rewards of their genius. Dorne remains the worst arc in the series and quite possibly one of the worst book-media visual adaptations ever.

- They also mentioned Riverrun again. What happened to the Riverlands after the Freys all died? Where is Edmure Tully? Who controls Riverrun?

- Writers creating a whole scene by saying that Brienne is a virgin. Not necessary.

- There was not a crippled nephew of Daeron Targaryen. D & D creating Targaryens whenever they want, although there is a well-defined story in the books. (FIRE AND BLOOD)

- There was finally a scene between Sandor and Sansa. It only took 4 episodes to happen. Once again they put Sansa as the product of her suffering, justifying the idiot choices D & D made for her character. Nothing new, otherwise it was a totally forgettable dialogue (I already forgot).

- The Bronn Paradox: If Bronn is not serving Daenerys while the war is rolling, who guarantees that he will receive his castle in the end? Especially considering he was utterly disillusioned with the promises of the Lannisters to the point of being ready to kill his two best friends? In fact, did D & D forget that Jaime himself had offered Highgarden to the Bronn last season?

- Again, as for Gendry, I wish Bronn good luck in trying to establish his feudal dominion over the proud lords of Highgarden who did not even tolerate the right Tyrells, and the Tyrells were an old family and had already been entrenched in there for centuries. Of course, D & D do not care.

- The Paradox of the Wildlings: Why were they known as wildlings? Because they tried to conquer the Wall from time to time and were always looting the North in search of resources and riches. Because their land was a shit, where nothing grew and it was always winter, basically. Now the they finally made it through the Wall and gain access to the best lands, even more with the support of the Winterfell and Starks. What do they do? That’s right: they go back to their shit place because D & D have that same shit on their heads.

- What else is north of Winterfell and south of the Wall are lands with no one, thanks to the King of the Night.“ But the wildlings choose to go back to Castle Black and, by all means, beyond the Wall. Seven Hells.

- I will not even comment on Jon’s scene sending Ghost away.” If it was for him to appear that way, it was better for the wolf to have been m.i.a as before.

- Sam Tarly is a Night’s Watch man. Men of Night’s Watch should not have children. When will anyone say that? Did not Jon even mention it? What happened to Night’s Watch? Why is Sam still dressed in black? If he’s out, why did not he become Lord Tarly?

- The arc of Night’s Watch is going to be without conclusion anyway? Are they gone?

- The army of the living has lost only half its men? It was not what it looked like in episode 3. But okay, D & D create and describe armies whenever they think it’s valid - just like Night’s Watch, apparently.

- As they are doing this season, D & D cut important dialogue scenes because they do not know what to write. In the first episode they cut off Daenerys before she finished threatening Sansa. In the second episode they cut their scene together before Dany could answer the question “What about the North?”. At the end of it cut the scene Jon x Dany in the crypts. Now they cut the scene of Sansa and Arya discovering that Jon is not their brother. Why, man? What is the reason? I’m shocked that D & D did not cut Jon’s reaction to finding out that he’s a bastard of Rhaegar and Lyanna (yes, he’s a bastard, D & D, no matter how many fanfics they write).

- Arya in the first moment: we are a family! Arya in 2nd moment: left King’s Landing, goodbye Winterfell, until never again! and yes she left for good, she said she ain’t coming back!

That was the good part of the episode. Let’s go to the bad part!!

- So you want to tell me that Euron can hit three harpoons in a dragon in mid-flight?“

- So you want to tell me that Daenerys from the sky was unable to see the Greyjoy fleet hidden behind an islet?”

- So you want to tell me that Daenerys never considered the possibility that it was a bad idea to sail to Dragonstone as they knew Euron controlled the seas there?“

- So you want to tell me that Rhaegal was not killed by the zombie dragon brother in the apocalyptic Battle of the long night fighting for the fate of the men’s kingdom only to die in the next episode in a few seconds for Euron Greyjoy’s magical harpoons?

-So you want to tell me how easy it is to kill dragons like that?” It amazes me that Aegon conquered Westeros three hundred years ago.

- Daenerys should have flown directly to King’s Landing and fired at everything after the Rhaegal’s death. Fire and Blood!!

- Jaime returning to Cersei: hi? What the fuck? If it is to join her and not kill her right away, Jaime will be the greatest example of character assassination that D & D has committed since Stannis Baratheon.

- How did Team Dany know that Missandei had been captured? Euron made propaganda, sent in the email?

- Is Varys loyal to Jon Snow? REALLY? What does Varys know about Jon Snow? When did he meet Jon Snow? When did they share at least one scene together? They never talked. Varys never saw him rule. Where do the writers get these crazy ideas?

- Nonsense to be creating intrigue over the marriage between Jon and Daenerys. She will need to get married to have children and continue the dynasty. Who is she getting married to, Hot Pie?

- By the way, there have been marriages between uncles and nieces among the Starks. Brothers Jonnel and Edric Stark married their nieces Serena and Sansa Stark some 150 years ago to try to end a crisis of succession, since their father, Rickon, heir to Winterfell, had been killed in the conquest of Dorne. It would not surprise me if GRRM specifically placed these marriages in history just for this situation that was raised in the conversation between Tyrion and Varys. In fact, marriages between uncles and nieces were not exactly uncommon in our own history. In Brasil, Dom Pedro I was grandson of D. Maria I of Portugal, who was married to his uncle, D. Pedro III, precisely to avoid a dynastic crisis.

- Again the bullshit that Robert’s Rebellion was built on a lie. I imagine the Crazy King burning the Lord of Winterfell and his heir and begging for Ned and Robert’s head did not influence that at all.

- Dany is an emotional woman who’s going crazy. So we need a rational man to help her.

- Dany is an emotional woman who’s going crazy. So we need a rational man to help her!!

- Oh, excuse me if I repeated myself, but this nonsense does not go down. They disrespected Daenerys, disrespected her journey, disrespected even the “girl power” they tried to do last season (Dany, Olenna Tyrell, Cersei and the Martells). The mysoginism of these so-called D & D appearing once more to claim another innocent victim.

- Why did Cersei not kill Tyrion?

- Why did Cersei not kill Daenerys?

- Euron does not suspect anything after Tyrion reveals he knew Cersei was pregnant?“ Since Euron himelf knew only minutes ago?

- D & D really put an end to the apocalypse so we can have Cersei grinning in the last three episodes? Is this serious?

- Euron is Cersei’s puppy. Euron in the series is another completely character , they should have changed his name in the adaptation as they did with the Asha (Yara).

- No turning back with the Night King. D & D make us muggles.

- Finally: where’s the winter ??? It seems King’s Landing is in the tropics.

- Cancel this and the next two episodes. Let GoT finish in episode 3, at least so we would have something minimally satisfying. D & D continue to insult the viewer’s intelligence.

"At least the show’s songs never fails to please.”

*this analysis is not mine I translated from a brazilian friend

[starksinthenorth]

A Room with a Red Door

Pairing: Sansa/Dany Rating: T Part: 1/1

Read it on AO3.

Summary:

Sansa Stark’s first kiss with Daenerys Targaryen happens before Dany even knows her real name, and they make love long before they have a deep conversation. Somewhere along the line, they relax with each other, becoming just Dany and Sansa. And even though there are not many words between them, there is much and more in the way of feelings, emotions, and love.

Excerpt:

Four days into the queen’s diplomatic visit to claim the Eyrie’s loyalty, Daenerys presses her lips lightly to Alayne’s. The next night, Sansa kisses Daenerys first and wraps her arms around the small queen while they fall asleep together. So intrigued by her witty banter and stories is the queen that when she leaves the Gates of the Moon after just one week, she takes Alayne along as one of her handmaidens.

[ensifervm]

19 years later, in Westeros--

I still think it was very convenient for the showrunners to end the series with an open finale, rather than maybe put a sort of “ 19 years later “ in JK Rowling’s style. That’s because it is obvious that neither king Bran or queen Sansa will be able to maintain peace in Westeros, and even D&D know it. I mean, just imagine a “ 19 years later “ in GoT, with the show’s ending. I can picture a rebellion in the north against a queen that rose to power by manipulating and backstabbing the others, and never showed to care about her people. She only wanted north independance because she wanted to be queen of something, and Bran only gave it to her because she is her sister. Oh wait-- no, I’m sure he saw the future in that moment and pictured Sansa as the best queen the north could have had. Of course, because Bran always thinks about what’s best for the people, he clearly showed it in the series when he let Daenerys went mad and burning thousands of innocents without batting an eye, and then saying “why do you think I’m here? lol” when Tyrion asked him to become king. Anyway, putting the sarcasm aside, Sansa clearly does not know how to rule. Being a queen was a whim to her, and he satisfied it, but at what cost? Let’s talk about king Bran then. What do you think will happen when he will realise that to be king you cannot just sit on a chair, roll your eyes up and watching your kingdom with the eyes of ravens? When Bronn will show that he does not know what being a lord means, and Highgarden becomes the lair of a bunch of sellswords and cutthroats?  When Samwell Tarly, who does not even ended to forge his chain in the Citadel, will realize that books can’t tell you everything if you don’t have practice? There will be a war. Wars were fought in Westeros for less, so do you really think that in this imaginary “ 19 years later ”, peace and prosperity will reign upon that shitty continent? Let’s talk also about Jon Snow. The script of the last episode clearly said that he had nothing left to live, after killing Daenerys. Imagine him exiling himself behind the Wall, but he cannot stop thinking about what he did. He feels lonely, he feels wrong, he start thinking about what could have been if he just gave Daenerys a chance before just stabbing her because Tyrion said so. I think he would simply hang himself up a tree, and let Tormund find his body while Ghost sadly howls behind him. What about the Iron Islands and Dorne? What will happen when they realise that they should have independance too, just like the north? When they realise that Sansa is doing whatever she wants and can be called queen, while they need to take orders from a boy king? Oh, I think there will be so much trouble. 

So that’s what will happen after that finale imho, and I cannot see how this ending should be a good ending. After 8 season of GoT nothing changed from the start: Westeros is still ruled by egoistic and uncapable men or women, the Targaryen dinasty is destroyed, and only the family name changes. 19 years later to get back at the start. Good job, and thank you GoT for wasting 10 years of my life. 

[trippinon90smusic]

One last time... Predictions

(I don't and don't want to watch leaks so here we go with my angsty clownery)

Arya: me beautiful angel warrior queen. Maybe takes down Dany but will definitely go back to Gendry (she ain't no lady but she don't have to be) and names one of her children Sandor

Sansa: she's not done yet. Maybe she comes for Dany's wig after all but she will definitely rule the north like the badass she is (maybe remarries Tyrion??)

Bran: either the king or the most useless character in the whole story (which he does not deserve)

Jon: I think he has to kill Dany (fulfills the azor ahai prophecy metaphorically) but I don't know how his story will end bc him becoming king would not SoUbvErT eXpECtAiONs

Brienne: moves to Tarth with Jaime and Pod and leads a happy life (or has to see dead Jaime, gets oathkeeper and completes his page in the book of brothers) I swear to God if he's dead and she's pregnant I will sue

Pod: KNIGHT HIM I dare you, you cowards

Tyrion: plz let him live, rediscover his intelligence, not find his dead siblings and go back to Sansa

Jaime: OBVIOUSLY ALIVE AND WELL will go back to Brienne and they life a happy life on Tarth (or Tyrion will find his rotting corps under the rubble and oathkeeper is given to Brienne)🤡

Cersei: smashed

Daenerys: *sanity has left the chat* Girl they did you dirty. I think she will try to kill Sansa, Tyrion and Jon but she dies trying. Maybe reunites with Khal Drogo like in the vision

Drogon: not a clue

Davos: I love this man, he's the ultimate papa and he would make a great king but he will retire in Dorne (# Florida of Westeros) I think

Gendry: Lord Baratheon to you. Marries his beautiful wife Arya and they travel the world

Grey Worm: dies defending Dany but is at least reunited with Missandei

Bronn: will he really try to kill Tyrion? Or will he get Highgarden?? Or will he end like Qyburn??? Honestly I don't give a fuck

Sam: happy wife, happy life. The last shot will be him writing ASOIAF in the library of Winterfell

Yara, Meera, Tormund, Nymeria and Ghost: always in our hearts, never forgotten

Westeros: we're doing democracy now

Essos: we don't know her

Me: clowning my way downtown, crying hard, characters pass and I'm suing HBO for emotional abuse dumdudumdudumdududumdudumdudum

[danysghost-archive]

True Rulers

Blurb: What if the Seven Kingdoms, for once in their whole shit history, were ruled by a just woman and and honorable man?

Word Count: 1137

Warnings: none!

A/N: okay. so it’s short. it’s unbetad. but it’s a start. there’s an open tag list that i scrounged together. i really hope you enjoy this, it feels good to be writing again. :)

The unbroken silver direwolf seal stared up at everyone in the small council, reminding them all of a glaring question. Queen Arya had been gone for a month, once again sailing off to discover more land. So far, she’d come across very few scattered islands, but nothing that hadn’t already been charted or written down in an ancient tome. But this time she had gone west and was due back today. But returning with news was unexpected for them all.

King Gendry entered, looking slightly flushed from his hustle to not be late. As the men rose from the table to greet him, he cleared his throat and straightened his tunic. “Thank you, gentlemen. Uh, please,” he sputtered, gesturing for them all to sit. Even after a year of ruling, he still hadn’t gotten used to his position. He wasn’t sure he ever would. But the kingdoms were happy, and he always had Arya to confide in. “So? How are we today? Is anything about to collapse, or are there any big arrests to make?” His tone was humorous, but in the back of his mind, he knew anything was possible. It hadn’t been an easy time, learning how to deal with issues, political or economical.

Tyrion cleared his throat, glancing at the open book in front of him. “Your Grace, Highgarden is still in debt. Lord Bronn says he’ll send payment as soon as he can, but the issue remains.”

“I believe the words he used were ‘Calm down ya bastards, you’ll get your fuckin money’,” Davos grumbled. “Or something along those lines.” He had never liked Bronn, and it didn’t help that the lord didn’t have much respect for Gendry.

The King pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” He let out a small groan before looking to Tyrion. “How much can he pay off with his food production? Is it worth the exchange?”

Tyrion flipped forward in his book, trailing his fingers over a few different pages. “With the rate that he’s been producing these past few months… he could probably pay off nearly half. But if Samwell has heard correctly from the Citadel, we are moving into a dry season. He won’t be able to complete his payment for another… six months?” He raised his brow in Sam’s direction.

Grand Maester Sam nodded. “More or less.”

Gendry shook his head. “Wonderful. Well… I feel very comfortable saying I knew what needs to be done.” He sighed and looked down, catching sight of the rolled up parchment in the corner of his eye. “From Arya, I assume?” He pointed to the letter placed in front of Davos.

The Hand passed the letter to him. “Should be, Your Grace. She’s due back this afternoon.”

“Our deck hands will be waiting to help bring her ship in,” Quentyn Martell spoke smoothly. He was much like his Uncle Oberyn, which Tyrion had noted to him many times. “Will she be joining us for tomorrow’s meeting?”

Gendry let out a small chuckle as he cracked the seal and unrolled her letter. “I’ve never known Arya to sit out of anything just because she’s tired. As much as she might try to hide it, she does enjoy her role…” He trailed off as his eyes scanned the page in front of him. His eyebrows pulled together and he pressed his mouth into a tight line.

Jon noticed his changed expression. “Your Grace? Is everything alright?” Jon was dressed particularly odd for a Northman, in much lighter weight clothes than he had ever worn. He’d lost the furs and large cloaks he was known for. But he was Jon Stark, thanks to Gendry, and Arya was still family. He could tell something was off.

The king scratched his head in thought, slightly ruffling his slow-growing hair. “I think so. She… didn’t say much. That’s not like her.” Still, he shook his head. “She probably has a surprise!” he said in his most hopeful voice. He looked to Podrick at the other end of the table. “Ser, ready a few of your men. We will head down to the docks to greet the queen.” He rose, and the others followed suit. “Thank you very much, gentlemen. See you all tomorrow.” He and Podrick left the council room, the other lords slowly trailing out behind them.

Not long after, Gendry and his entourage were watching Arya’s ship, Nymeria, pull into the harbor. The bow had a large direwolf head carved into it, and the Stark direwolf sigil was painted on the mainsail. And the she-wolf herself, now Arya Baratheon, was dressed in her most casual attire - a long tunic top and pants laced up loosely on her hip. She had tall boots that were scuffed to hell, and her hair was half up and half down. The Dornish deck hands rushed to pull the ship flush with the dock and lower the ramp. Gendry ran to meet her, embracing her in a strong hug the second she stepped off. He spun her around with a hearty laugh.

“I’ve missed you, my Queen!” He buried his face in her hair, breathing in the salty air and old oak smell he loved about her. He placed her back on her feet, as gentle as ever, and cradled her face in his hands. “I swear, every time your return, you’re more beautiful than the last.”

Arya rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto her face. “I missed you, you bull.” She lifted herself onto the tips of her toes, softly capturing his lips in hers. She placed her hands on either side of his neck, holding him against her. When they eventually parted, she drew in a deep breath. “Did you get my letter?”

He nodded and briefly kissed her forehead, as they turned to head back to the Red Keep. “Yes, and your brother was just as confused as I was when I read it. You didn’t say much, except that you had news.” He gave her a suspicious look, hoping to meet her eyes. But she was staring up at the towers of the castle. He knew the memories she had of the place, the terror it had held for her family. She admitted to him that it was worth attempting to make new memories, though, especially since she would be with him. He had convinced his council to spend the money on remodeling the private rooms, at least, to give her a better sense of comfort in her own home. “Arya? You alright, love?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, as if in discomfort, but smiled up at her husband anyway. “Of course. Just happy to be back.” She let out a smooth breath, regaining her composure and cool, as they resumed their trek uphill.

tags: @aryaenastark @miladyaryastark @jessforthethrone @cuteshunnybunny @javiscera @danillion-procrastinates @anotherwaywarddreamer @blackbird337 @givemesususshi @bonesgadh @silvulen

[thedreamergirlofsummer]

The whole GoT petition fiasco...

I understand that people are upset about the quality of S8. It is a legitimate issue. Characters were poorly developed, some fan favourites arcs were completely destroyed and overall almost everyone is angry over the rushed pace of S8.

Yet remaking an entire Season on popular demand? That's juvenile. If they're doing that, they better start from S5 since it was from there the plots began deviating and falling apart. (As a Jonsa it doesn't benefit me)

Yes we the audience invested 9 years of our life into this show, we wanted the characters to meet a satisfying end. When we're presented with a poorly made end product it does negate our years of emotional attachment to the show.

But...

We were not the only ones that were involved. What about the people that actually worked on the show? What about those people who had to suffer a 55 night long shoot in terrible weather, n yet they gave it their all!

What about those people involved in storyboarding, set design, prosthetics and those people that pumped gas into KL that helped the burning look real? What about those actors that had to wear masks and set themselves on fire for a perfect shot? What about the special effects team that takes months to render and make all those fucking dragons? What about the extras that drenched themselves in blood?

What about them?

Michele Clapton, Deborah Riley, Miguel Sapochnik, Bryan Cogman and countless others, not just the major and minor actors, but everyone that worked on that show. What was their crime that they they should start over, that they should feel awful about things they never did wrong? Why should they have the years that they spent on the show, the talent and the hard work that I am fucking sure not even half the BNF and GA of GoT have, be negated and cast aside to make a remake to satisfy YOUR version of a perfect ending?

Don't like it? Fine you still have the books to look forward to, also you have fanfics. Deal with it.

Am I satisfied with GoT storyline? Heck no. Reasons?

Jaime's arc was decimated. Going to Cersei after sleeping with Brienne? "I don't care about innocents" Jaime vs "Would you stand by as thousands of innocents died, would you have kept your oath then" Jaime. Like FU seriously. Also being killed by fucking rocks!

Gendrya sunk...kinda.

Jonsa will probably never happen in one episode

Jon's POV was fucking blocked and he just dissolved into a puppet mouthing random sentences

Tyrion was fucking stupid

Dany's descent, although foreshadowed and was bound to happen was not culminated properly, since DnD kept trying to portray her as a hero by undercutting her cruelty with a kind act or a victory.

Jon/NK was not resolved for shock value

Bran became a tree god that creeped people (also left Meera S7 in the coldest way possible)

Never got a Euron/Theon fight that would have been a better conclusion to Theon's arc than being sacrificed in a terrible redemption arc that ignores his abuse

Cersei never getting her elephants and doing despicable things

No Cersei/Sansa face off, that would arguably have been the biggest beef between two beautifully developed characters in the history of Westeros. (It's better than the Sansa/Dany jealousy angle, not negating Northern Independence here, that beef is legitimate. But they played the jealousy angle quite a bit. As an anti Dany n Pro Jonsa I enjoyed it, yet I felt cheated out of a Cersei/Sansa confrontation. But you don't have to agree with me.)

Euron died like a fucking anticlimax. I expected some resistance!

Cersei's prophecy mentioned in one season having absolutely no impact on the manner of her dying, Valonqar theory negated. What was the point if the rocks were going to kill them anyway?

Missandei and Greyworm not getting a happy ending.

Missandei DYING IN CHAINS!!!

Missandei's death used as a bloody trigger that snaps Dany.

Greyworm regressing into a mindless Unsullied after Missandei's death, undoing his morality and character development.

Not one character... especially Jon who threatened to kill him, asked about Littlefinger.

Edmure Tully? Robin Arryn? *crickets chirp*

Bronn getting fucking Highgarden??? Cersei promises him the Riverlands, Highgarden is in the Reach and House Tarly becomes the Lord of the Reach because they're the second powerful House in the Reach for fucks sake.

Gendry Rivers?? Wtf.

Feel free to add to the list if you like. It's true that the writing in GoT needs much room for improvement, but that doesn't mean just because you have a list of problems with a Season you ignore the work that has been put on it for decades and scrap the talent of many people that made this show worth watching.

Somebody make a counter petition to take down that stupid petition.

[wargwhatisitgoodfor]

GRRM’S Much Ado About Mirrors - The Evenstar Necklace of Game of Thrones

NOTE: This is entirely speculation and doesn’t include any spoilers from any episodes. Also when I reference “missing scenes” in the tv series, I’m not implying that the cast and crew filmed them but instead that the show runners informed the actors that those scenes exist in the narrative and then discussed the impact that those scenes would have on the characters moving forward in the story. Since I am running short on time, I may write a second part to this meta after episode two airs.

I am a book reader who acknowledges that Jon Snow may be in love with Sansa Stark at the start of the story (I don’t want to write about that at this point, so please message me if anyone has written/knows of a meta that explains how that’s possible… I’ll reblog with that addition).  Even at this point in the tv series, his love for her from the beginning could be a part the plot, and, if so, then Jaime Lannister or Bronn (the latter may be more likely at this point) may unknowingly expose it when he meets with Sansa and returns the dragonfly necklace (i.e. the “Evenstar Necklace” of Game of Thrones) that Jon originally gave to her between episodes one and two of season one.

Background Information - Sansa’s Dragonfly Necklace is the Inverse of Arwen’s Evenstar Necklace from The Lord of the Rings:  

In writing the film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson took the minor plot point of Arwen giving a necklace to Frodo and turned it into a narrative device regarding Arwen and Aragorn’s love for one another that accomplished several items:

The necklace is a talisman as it provides both protection and comfort to Aragorn just as it originally does for Frodo.

It enabled them to reference their personal history without having to do a flashback.

It conveyed their love for one another as well as Arwen’s sacrifice to forgo an immortal life in order to be with Aragorn.

When the audience views Aragorn touching it/in silent contemplation with the necklace in plain view, the audience can imagine that he is thinking of Arwen without having to verbally express it.

The dragonfly necklace would be the “bastard/poor man’s” version of the Evenstar as Jon would have had to commission and pay for it with limited means unlike Arwen who would have received it as a princess from her family. Although it is the man giving it to the woman in Game of Thrones, it would still convey Jon’s love for Sansa as well as the sacrifice/vow that he made to her as his future queen.

If Jaime/Bronn DOES return this dragonfly necklace to Sansa, the audience should be able to view the tv show from the beginning and understand the impact this necklace has on Sansa:

It is a constant part of her wardrobe as Sansa journeys south and settles in King’s Landing even as she changes her clothing and hairstyles to reflect people who influence her and to assimilate more into the Southern culture. Thus, one can infer all of the positive emotions surrounding this piece of jewelry (e.g. she is proud of the necklace, it brings her joy, makes her feel mature, etc.)

The show runners may have intended it to be a talisman for Sansa/an extension of the vow of protection Jon may have made to her when he presented it to her because whenever she removes it from her wardrobe  her experiences are extremely negative: 

Sansa starts wearing the Lannister necklace that Joffrey gives her, which is shortly before Ned’s capture and execution.

Sansa does not have it on during the King’s Landing riot.

When Sansa is courted by Loras Tyrell/his family, she starts wearing another necklace to model herself after their family. This ends when she finds out that she will be marrying Tyrion and staying in King’s Landing instead of marrying into House Tyrell and leaving for Highgarden.  

For the purple wedding, the show creators have Dontos giving her a poisonous necklace instead of a hair net because a.) the necklace is more visible to the audience than a hair piece, and b.) to give her a reason for not wearing the dragonfly necklace to the wedding when Petyr Baelish kidnaps her.

How could the show pull off a “Jon x Sansa” plot twist without the general audience feeling cheated?

The show’s writers CREATED TWO NARRATIVE DEVICES THAT DO NOT EXIST IN THE BOOKS TO TELL THIS STORY DURING SEASON ONE:

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE is provided to indicate that Jon felt this way towards Sansa from the start (Jon gave Sansa the dragonfly necklace around the same time as he gives Arya her present).

THEON/ROS/TYRION SERVE AS A DOUBLE FOR THE DYNAMIC/FEELINGS AMONGST JON/SANSA/JOFFREY.

Part One: Physical Evidence - The Dragonfly Necklace

Just as Jorah presents Tyrion to Dany in season five and Euron brings Ellaria and Tyene to Cersei in season seven, Jaime will be finishing the “rule-of-three” by giving gifts to the last queen/Lady Sansa as a testament of good faith (if it’s Bronn it’ll be part of his ruse to be accepted and ingratiate himself while in Winterfell). Either man should at least give two specific gifts to Sansa:

NED’S DOLL

JON’S DRAGONFLY NECKLACE

Why these Two Gifts?

The doll should be fairly recognizable for the general audience, and they’ll understand the emotional impact that this has on Sansa. The GA may not remember the necklace, but the doll provides a reference point: a.) these are important to Sansa and are from her past. b.) Jaime/Bronn made an effort to bring them to her, and she will be grateful for their return.

This also provides a juxtaposition between how the original gift-givers viewed her at the time: Ned saw Sansa as a little girl, whereas Jon harbored romantic feelings towards her.

What Happens if Jaime or Bronn Does Return these Items?

It’s highly likely that Jon may place the necklace back on Sansa in a gathering of people. This provides an opportunity for the following:

It would be the POSITIVE MIRROR to the season one scene in which Joffrey manipulates Sansa into trusting him when he apologizes for his past actions, gives her the necklace, vows to never hurt her, and then kisses her.

Depending on how this is shot, it could parallel the impact that Ned’s death has on both the GA and on the other characters in the story in that they both realize that they were mistaken in their assumptions/expectations. The entire plot will be affected along with every single character if this scene takes place.  

Jon and Sansa may be able to acknowledge their feelings for each other at present and what happened between them before they left Winterfell (e.g. one that was fairly innocent on a physical level but that .

It provides a parallel between Jon and Sansa and his parents at the Tournament of Harrenhal, specifically the moment when Rhaegar placed the crown of thrones on Lyanna’s head and “all the smiles died”. To make this clear to the GA, we may be getting another flashback/weirwood tree vision of his parents.

Jon making a similarly inappropriate public display of affection as his father did and recognizing that he did so would enable Jon to accept his family’s past.

Part Two: JON/SANSA/JOFFREY in season one have THEON/ROS/TYRION as their DOUBLE

Growing up as outsiders in Winterfell, Jon and Theon are foils to one another just as Joffrey and Tyrion serve the same role within the Lannister family.  THE RESPECTIVE LOVE INTERESTS FOR JON AND THEON ARE SANSA AND ROS (THE PROSISTUTE FROM WINTERTOWN) WHO ALSO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF THE LANNISTER FAMILY THAT ARE DICTATED BY THEIR CULTURAL STATIONS IN LIFE (e.g. Sansa is betrothed to Joffrey, and Ros services Tyrion at a brothel). Both Jon and Theon don’t have the social standing and resources to compete with their respective rivals; however as foils, Jon and Theon would differ in how they would treat their romantic interests and in what they communicate to them about their personal feelings.  

Sansa and Ros not only share similar physical features (tall, beautiful redheads) but are strikingly observant, intelligent, and adaptable despite horrible experiences. Their respective stations in life not only dictate their parallel experiences with House Lannister but with other players in King’s Landing until Ros’s death in season three when Petyr sells her to Joffrey (i.e. Yes, Petyr sells both woman to psychopathic noble bastards who enjoy torturing and killing women her with crossbows).

(NOTE: In making these comparisons between the two Northern women, I am not condoning Sansa’s season five storyline in the slightest.)

What are the Missing Scenes between Sansa and Jon?

BASED ON THE SCENES BETWEEN THEON AND ROS, WE CAN DEDUCE THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST TWO PLANNED “MISSING SCENES” THAT WERE TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE BETWEEN JON AND SANSA:

FIRST SCENE - “PRACTICING KISSING”: AS THE POSITIVE MIRROR TO THEON AND ROS, WE CAN DEDUCE THAT SANSA AND JON’S FIRST SCENE DURING THE COURSE OF THE TV SERIES WOULD BE INITIATED BY SANSA AND WOULD INVOLVE AN INNOCENT ALBEIT PHYSICAL ENCOUNTER, MOST LIKELY TO ‘PRACTICE’ KISSING TO PREPARE HER FOR KISSING JOFFREY. THIS CORRELATES TO BOOK!CATELYN’S MEMORIES OF HER AND HER SISTER PRACTICING KISSING PETYR IN ORDER TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THEIR FUTURE HUSBANDS. DURING THE COURSE OF THIS ENCOUNTER, SANSA WOULD LIKELY REALIZE JON’S JEALOUSY TOWARDS JOFFREY JUST AS ROS COMES TO A REALIZATION ABOUT THEON’S FEELINGS TOWARDS HER. 

SECOND SCENE - GOODBYE AND A GIFT: JUST AS JON GIVES ARYA A GIFT THAT SHE IS THRILLED TO RECEIVE, JON SAYS GOODBYE TO SANSA AND GIVES HER A THOUGHTFUL, GENEROUS GIFT (again the positive mirror to Theon being unprepared to say goodbye to Ros, insulting her at first, but finally admitting his feelings towards her). IN ANOTHER REFERENCE TO THE BOOKS, JON MADE A VOW TO PROTECT THE REALM FOR SANSA, HIS FUTURE QUEEN, AS NED DENIED HIS REQUEST TO ACCOMPANY THEM TO KING’S LANDING AS SANSA’S SWORN SWORD.  AFTER ROBERT’S PROPOSAL OF A BETROTHAL BETWEEN SANSA AND JOFFREY, BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE KNIGHT’S WATCH WAS JON’S SECOND CHOICE.  THAT EXPLAINS JON’S FOCUS ON PROTECTING BOTH SANSA AND THE NORTH; IT WAS HIS FIRST AND LAST VOW, AND HE IS STILL DEVOTED TO IT. 

What is the show conveying about Sansa and Jon with the Dragonfly Necklace?

Again, it symbolizes their initial, budding romantic relationship before they both left their home.

As a ‘bastard’ of House Stark, he wasn’t able to give her a necklace with their house’s sigil on it; however JON INADVERTENTLY GIVES SANSA A DERIVATIVE OF HIS FATHER’S SIGIL.

While in captivity in King’s Landing, it provides proof that Sansa was subverting her captors as she silently but physically conveyed her steadfast loyalty to her family.  Just like Jon couldn’t give her a gift with the sigil of House Stark on it, Sansa wasn’t able to wear anything that could have been mistaken as disrespectul to those who were holding her hostage.

It provided a comfort to Sansa while she was a political prisoner and totally isolated from her family. If Jon indeed swore a vow of protection to her/the realm she would rule as queen, then Sansa was seemingly ‘protected’ whenever she wore it and will once again when it is returned to her.

More than likely, it will continue to be a plot device for both Sansa and Jon just as the Lannister necklace Tyrion gave to Ros influenced both of their narratives.

(I’ll hopefully publish part two later this week.)  

[chris-evans]

What are some of your favorite GoT theories that never happened because the writers decided to subvert expectations.

Arya riding Nymeria into battle with her giant, monstrous wolf pack (HOW DID WE NOT GET A PACK ATTACK. SERIOUSLY.) 

Bran warging a dragon is what I’ve always expected to happen in the books

Jaime killing Cersei and also being Azor Ahai

Sansa inheriting Casterly Rock via her marriage to Tyrion and his death 

Jon marrying both Dany and Arya/ House Targaryen continuing

Sansa marrying Aegon

Dany saving the world in the Long Night AFTER she had ACCIDENTALLY set of the wildfire in KL with her dragon fire

Dany burning the Iron Throne and heading to Essos to rebuild Valyria

Willas Tyrell being Lord of Highgarden. Basically anyone being Lord of Highgarden besides Bronn.

[klarolinedrabbles]

Got took a different direction from the books. GoT Gendry was the total sum of all of Robert's bastards from the books. He was the only Baratheon left alive in the end and he was the combination of Edric and Mya and Gendry from the books. In the end he was legitimized as a trueborn Baratheon in the show. That made him a claimant for the throne. Yes he was a secondary character still. And yeah I don't think him becoming the King would make any more sense than what they did with GoT Bran -

- my point however is that in the show that council made absolutely no sense. Especially since given the GoT narrative as it had unfolded in the show both Gendry and Jon had the best claim for the Throne. There was no way that there would not be factions that would go into civil war in their name even if they didn’t want the throne. They didn’t even bother to make then abdicate. Tyrion a traitor prisoner gave a bullshit speech and everywhere out of nowhere went along with it. I am calling-

- bullshit here. Especially since in the storyline both Jon and even Gendry had been given the Arthurian storylines of the lost heirs that were destined to be the legend Kings to rise. Even Gendry that was a second thought in the show was the hunted lost heir. The bastard that had the blood of Kings that a witch needed for her magic to work. The underdog that found his Lady in his travels. Having the helmet. Having his father’s strength. Having the parallels. The bones of the story were there-

- far more than GoT Bran’s. Same with Jon. And in the end nothing of that mattered? Not to mention that Sansa called independence but Yara didn’t? Yara that still wanted justice for Daenerys and the independence of the Ironborn was her goal too. How about Dorne that were always half in half out and more out? And with the North independent why would the South lords accept a Northern King? Because Tyrion said so? Because he had the best story no one knew or have heard before? -

- And how on earth would the Southern nobility accept the fortune of Highgarden to go to Bronn? How would they accept Bran as their King when the North that was all the rest Kingdoms combined exited the Kingdoms. And more so with Gendry with the Baratheon claim and Jon with the rightful Targaryen claim? Robert’s conquest was too recent in time so was the passion of his supporters. The Targaryens were an ancient dynasty with fanatics for followers. How will they stop the next civil war? -

- Not to mention that all they need is the next Littlefinger mastermind to work underground for the next election of the King. So when the time comes for a new King to be elected in a medieval feudal society what’s to stop the Lords to create new feuds? And how are the future ‘elected’ Kings going to be contained from not wanting to found their own dynasties with their heirs having claim to the Throne? What’s to stop them? Tyrion’s ghost lecturing them from the beyond? Come on now.

Not to mention that in GoT they basically spelled out that Sansa is all alone in the North and doesn’t want to be touched or marry after her traumatic experiences. Arya doesn’t want to have kids and make a family. Bran can’t have kids. Jon took a new oath that somehow forbids him to have kids and after his tragedy with Ygritte and Dany chances are that he will keep his vows now that he retook the Black. So what? After them the Stark line will end? Forever? That’s it. The pack won’t survive?

FUCKING PREAAAACH IT. Like I’m not saying either Jon or Gendry would’ve worked (although I think the case can be made for each tbh), nor that it was even what I wanted, but the council session in general just…didn’t make sense. 

Tyrion not going down with Jon when it was his fucking plan to kill Daenerys, I—

But yep, you’re not gonna tell me that whatever remains of the stormlands wouldn’t advocate for the last Baratheon to take the throne, again not that Gendry would want it, and make no mistake, he wouldn’t, but the people of his region sure af would. And how they didn’t make Jon and Gendry relinquish their claims—because they both had one—is quite frankly beyond me, lmao. 

OKAY BUT ALL THE TEA, LIKE HOW TF DID THEY SAY YEAH OK WE’LL TAKE BRAN STARK AS KING, EVEN THOUGH HE’S FROM A REGION THAT NO LONGER PERTAINS TO THE KINGDOM WHO’S RULER THEY’RE VOTING IN, WHERE IS THE LOGIC, LMFKJSNDKJSNA, LIKE I CAN’T. 

Yup, Yara’s been fighting for independence longer than literally any other character, and House Martell the longest in Westerosi history, them both staying silent is a joke, to say the least. Also like okay, fair point about a next gen littlefinger pulling the strings in the next vote, did D&D never learn how Pope’s used to be elected??? Through bribes and blackmail, like come on, fam. 

A side note, is that what Clapton said the point of the silver bodice part of Sansa’s coronation dress was, a cage??? I haven’t seen a quote on that. THEY LEFT THE FUTURE OF EVERY HOUSE EXCEPT THE TULLY’S UP IN THE SKY, WHO’S IN CHARGE OF THE WESTERLANDS (Tyrion, I’ll assume), WE LITERALLY DON’T KNOW. BRONN GETTING HIGHGARDEN, A SELL-SWORD GETTING ONE OF THE NINE REGIONS AND BEING MADE MASTER OF COIN WHEN THERE’S THAT FUCKING SCENE WHERE HE ASKS TYRION HOW LOANS WORK, LOANS. 

But Sam and Gilly ended up together, rejoice ya’ll. I just—bruh. Arya and Gendry ending up together would’ve settled the future of two great houses, we didn’t even need to see actual kids, just them ending up together would’ve sufficed and the implication could’ve been made. Yeah if I were Jon, I’d never love again, lmao. Literally who could blame the man. A mess, a literal mess that I will never get over. 

[got-dances-with-dragons]

It Looks Like GOT’s Ending Is Going to Be More “Bitter” Than “Sweet”

I should have known better. 

After all, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire killed off the best character (Ned Stark) in the first book. 

And now everything is pointing to GRRM having set up an ending for Game of Thrones that is far more bitter than sweet.

One thing after another in episode 804 pointed to the possible “bitter” aspects of the final ending.

Because there were many “endings” in this episode but none that were particularly happy

The Funeral Pyre

Of course, the episode started with a funeral pyre for the many who died in the Battle of Winterfell including Jorah Mormont, Lyanna Mormont, Beric Dondarrion, Theon Greyjoy and Dolorous Edd.

No happy endings for them. (Although they all went out as heroes, so perhaps that was a “bittersweet” ending for each of them.)

Gendry and Aria Part Ways

In what looked like good news, Gendry was made the Lord of Storm’s End by Daenerys who also recognized him as Robert Baratheon’s true son.

He thought that would mean he could finally be worthy of Aria, so he proposed to her. But despite the fact that Gendry and Aria clearly love each other, theirs does not look like it will be a happy ending (at least not with each other).

Aria lets Gendry know he’s wonderful, but she will never be a “lady” of a great house. That’s just not who she is.

So Arya remains true to herself and I suppose that is a good thing. Still, it was sad that Arya and Gendry’s story appears to have come to an end.

When Your “Friends” Want to Kill You

Then the one “friend” that Jamie and Tyrion shared (Bronn) turns up--but not in a good way. Bronn lets them both know he was hired by Cersei to kill them. And it is clear he would probably do it except for the fact that he is worried that Cersei will lose and he won’t be paid.

So Tyrion offered him Highgarden as a counter to Cersei’s offer of River Run and Bronn took the offer. 

I guess it’s a good day in the Game of Thrones universe when your “friend” doesn’t kill you--because you bribed him sufficiently not to do so. 

Jon and Daenerys: Falling Apart 

A few weeks ago, before Jon told Daenerys that he was Aegon Targaryen, I wrote a parody where Daenerys still expected Jon to bend the knee anyway. My parody Jon and Daenerys worked out their differences but it looks like “show Daenerys” has even more character flaws than my parody has.

It doesn’t seem promising that Daenerys is meant to actually win the Iron Throne. It is heartbreaking to see her start to be torn internally by jealousy and self-doubt.

And of course the “open secret” that Jon is Aegon is now fueling all sorts of doubts about Daenerys in the community surrounding her, including in some of her most loyal supporters, like Tyrion.

Brienne and Jamie: Coming Together to Fall Apart

Well, it finally happened. Brienne and Jamie came together as a couple at long last.

And then Jamie left her to go to his sister, despite Brienne poignantly begging him to stay.

Jamie tells Brienne that he is not a “good man.” And he leaves her.

It seems that there is little hope for romantic happy endings in the world of Game of Thrones.

Ghost Deserved a Better Goodbye

What was going on with the animals in the Game of Thrones universe in this episode wasn’t much better. Yes, Jon nobly gave Ghost to Tormund because “a direwolf has no place in the South.”

I can understand that Jon had Ghost’s best interests at heart but couldn’t he have just given him a hug goodbye? He hugged Tormund and Sam goodbye. But no hug for Ghost?!

That just didn’t sit right with me.

But then again, it could have been worse.

Much worse...

My Heart Broke When Rhaegal Died

Rhaegal didn’t deserve that unexpected death. He was flying happily with his brother when he was cruelly shot down and fell into the sea.

This seems to be another sign of foreboding, especially for Daenerys’ chances of ascending the Iron Throne. 

Missandei’s Death Pushed Everything Over the Edge

Cercei used Missandei as a pawn in the hope that Daenerys and Grey Worm would behave rashly if she had her killed.

Once again we see true love not finding a happy ending. Missandei and Grey Worm had overcome so much and were finally finding happiness with each other.

But this is the Game of Thrones world, of course it couldn’t last.

Missandei’s last word was “Dracarys"  or “dragonfire.”

It seems to have been an apt word, since all hell appears about to break loose. 

Brace yourselves for the show’s final ending.

Forget about true love winning the day.

Forget about the “good guys” always acting like the good guys.

Forget about the “good guys” winning.

The next couple of episodes are probably going to be a very upsetting last act for this show. 

It was foolish of me to have thought otherwise.

After all, this is a universe where early on Ned Stark was unjustly and cruelly killed.

Did I really think everything would end very differently?

Posted 05.06.19; updated 05.08.19

All gifs and screencaps based on GOT s8e4 on HBO GO, except for funeral pyre gif which was based on this VIDEO and 2nd and 3rd Ghost gifs, which were based on this VIDEO.

[stormcloudrising]

The Game of Thrones Series Finale was Truly Bad

I don’t even know what to say about this series finale. It was bad on so many levels.  There were enough plot holes to drive 100 trucks through.  I have never seen a show set up so many narrative threads only to not pay off a single one. What the hell type of writers does something like that?

Bran is king because of “stories.” STORIES! UGH!    Bronn, a minor character in the books who is not even still a part of the story is now Lord of Highgarden. Idiocy! If I go into how they wrecked Jon’s character all to set up Dany’s descent into darkness, I will scream and so I’ll leave that to others. 

They truly wrecked Martin’s masterpiece this season. I never thought that anything could be worse than season seven but D&D proved me wrong. I don’t blame the actors. They worked with what they were given and did amazing work all considering.

The special effects and production values were amazing as usual. The scene of Dany walking and Drogon opening his wings behind her was truly iconic.  It immediately reminded me of William Blake’s Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in the Sun and the biblical verse that inspired it.

And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.—Rev 12:3-4

They also pretty much shouted and showed in such a way that even the deaf could hear and the blind couldn’t miss that they had been comparing Dany to Hitler all along.

The Stark pack scattered to the four winds.  What happened to their pack mentality?  And does D&D truly expect us to believe that Martin will leave Sansa alone with no man in her life. How will the Stark name continue if not through her and who will it be with.  That’s been a major arc in both the books and show but it was just another plot point they left hanging.

On a positive note, Sansa’s weirwood goddess/queen dress for her coronation was fierce. I love the weirwood leaves on the sleeves and I can’t wait to see a full picture to catch all the other details. Sansa Stark, Queen of the North!  Long may she reign!

Let me stop now because I don’t want to waste any more energy on D&D’s wrecking ball. I’ll just have to wait for Martin to tell his story how it should be told.