#jaime/brienne or like jon snow/daenerys etc

[dykekakashi]

sorry but shipping canon things is so boring ......

#all the GOT stuff is like. jaime/cersei lol #jaime/brienne or like jon snow/daenerys etc #let me be clear idc about the inc*st writing just like i feel like shipping canon stuff is like. what's even the pt #it's already canon

[jackoshadows]

I feel like GRRM is stuck on Bran Stark. Bran being hard to write is why, despite being one of the central characters of the books, he only has half the POV chapters of Jon Snow. And why he is unable to finish The Winds of Winter and is doubtful of even finishing by 2025.

As a serial procrastinator, I can sympathize with a tendency to put off the hardest task with excuses, while eagerly completing the easiest first.

It's clear that GRRM loves writing Tyrion and Arya. He has an entire novel's worth of material in Braavos for Arya and I feel like the difficulty will be in editing it and cutting it down to fit into TWoW. Similarly Tyrion is most probably done as well, considering all the mentions of him writing Tyrion chapters in his notablog posts. So he's most likely done with the Tyrion and Arya POV chapters. They are the easiest characters for him to write.

Tyrion being done would mean that the Essos plot is largely dealt with as well considering Dany's POV would intersect with Tyrion's at some point and he can't fully finish Tyrion until Dany's is mostly done as well. In May 2012 he mentioned writing Dany's Essosi chapters.

WINDS OF WINTER. Yes, I’m working on that too. At the moment, I am writing about the Dothraki. More than that, I sayeth not, you know I don’t like to talk about this stuff.  - Daenerys POV (Essos)

In June 2020, he mentioned Barristan and more chapters in the North.

In between tapings, I return to Westeros. Of late I have been visiting with Cersei, Asha, Tyrion, Ser Barristan, and Areo Hotah. I will be dropping back into Braavos next week. - Cersei, Asha (North), Tyrion, Barristan (Essos)

He has also mentioned writing Victarion chapters.

We also know that the two battles - battle of fire in Essos and the battle of ice in the North - is already written and was simply moved from ADwD to TWoW.

With all this being intricately tied together into one giant plot - Stannis Vs Boltons at Winterfell, Theon and Asha with Stannis, the pink letter to Jon, Jeyne being send to the Wall, GRRM writing about how we will be getting 'Direwolves Vs Ramsay's hounds' etc. - means most of this is also done. GRRM has also mentioned writing Melisandre - the only POV at the Wall now that Jon Snow is dead - chapters. Which means the North/Wall is also mostly done.

“I think we’re gonna start out with a big smash with the two enormous  battles,” Martin says (Essos and North).  In addition, Martin says, “We have more deaths, and we have  more betrayals. We have more marriages.” Let the speculation begin. As  he’s noted before, Martin says the Dothraki are coming back into the  story (“in a big way”), and he says “a lot of stuff is happening at The  Wall.” - GRRM

August 2020:

My life is at home, on hold, and I am spending the days in Westeros with my pals Mel and Sam and Vic and Ty. And that girl with no name, over there in Braavos. -  The Wall/Mel, Sam, Victarion, Tyrion, Arya

So there's also Sam/Oldtown/Euron chapters - Sam is another character he loves writing. So that section of the story - possibly Euron's attack on Oldtown seen through Sam and Aeron POV chapters - has also got attention.

What about KL and the Riverlands?

November 2020:

Of late I have been spending a lot of time with theLannisters. Cersei and Tyrion in particular. I’ve also paid a visit to Dorne, and dropped in to Oldtown a time or three. In addition to turning out new chapters, I’ve been revising some old ones (some very old)… including, yes, some stuff I read at cons ages ago, or even posted online as samples. I tweak stuff constantly, and sometimes go beyond tweaking, moving things around, combining chapters, breaking chapters in two, reordering stuff. - Cersei (KL), Tyrion, Sam(Oldtown)

June 2022

WINDS, you say?   Yes, still working.   Finally finished a clutch of Cersei chapters that were giving me fits.   Now I am wrestling with Jaime and Brienne.   The work proceeds, though not as fast as many of you would like. - Cersei(KL) Jaime, Brienne (Riverrun, Lady Stoneheart)

So GRRM has recently (recent for us asoiaf fans lol!) finished Cersei, Jaime and Brienne chapters as well. So that's Essos, the North, the Wall, Oldtown, King's Landing and the Riverlands.

What's missing is Bran and Sansa in the Vale in terms of major POV characters. The Vale may just be an instance of being too isolated and unconnected from the rest of the plot until Littlefinger makes his move or GRRM may find writing LF's plotting a bit hard to tackle.

However, it's Bran that stands out for me in not being mentioned, considering this is the penultimate book and the threat from beyond the Wall has to be a big part of this book.

It has been my intention from the start to gradually bring up the amount of magic in each successive volume of A Song of Ice and Fire, and that will continue. - GRRM

“ And it is important that the individual books refer to the civil wars,  but the series title reminds us constantly that the real issue lies in  the North beyond the Wall. Stannis becomes one of the few characters   fully to understand that, which is why in spite of everything he is a   righteous man, and not just a version of Henry VII, Tiberius or Louis   XI.” - GRRM

From all his interviews here and there, I can think of 3 reasons why the Bran chapters are hard.

This is where a lot of the hard core high fantasy happens. And we know that there's a backstory with Hodor that involves some complex time travel shenanigans - not going to be easy to write for someone in his seventies. Even more complicated in terms of causal loops and temporal paradoxes if it's Bran's consciousness that's doing the time traveling.

Age. GRRM has admitted before that he finds Bran the hardest to write as a disabled little boy. Bran's grown up a couple of years and yet he's still a little boy - Arya's age in AGoT.

Isolation with few fun side characters. GRRM really loves that world building and writing for those tertiary characters surrounding his main character. Arya meeting fun new characters everywhere she goes, her arc in Braavos, Dany in Essos, Jon's colorful and fun side characters, Tyrion traveling through Essos. One reason for why the series blew up from a trilogy into this unfinished mess is because GRRM enjoying writing for the side characters more than the main characters. Brienne got 8 chapters traversing the Riverlands searching for Sansa while Bran languished with 3 chapters in ADwD. Thus far Bran's world is very isolated and disconnected and has the least side characters - Meera, Jojen, Summer, Bloodraven and Coldhands. Of these, only 3 speak.

I think therefore that having written everything that GRRM can of the characters he does enjoy writing and finishing off the political plot points, he has finally turned his attention to Bran Stark. This is hardest part, involves a lot of sticky notes and attention to detail and needs to cover a lot of ground, bringing the Others back into the story in a big way.

I wish him luck. It's not going to be easy to write plots and details that he thought of some 30 years ago but I hope that he gets to finish a decent chunk of Bran chapters so that TWoW can finally be published.

#GRRM #TWoW speculation #asoiaf #TWoW #The Winds of Winter #Bran Stark

[hilarychuff]

ok just for the heck of it some sansa/jonsa au casting ideas that are very much up for discussion bc i haven’t figured them out enough on my own to hoard privately to make into one of my au graphics or i just probably never will make it into an au graphic but think it’s a fun idea

just dumping A BUNCH of them under the break (like basically everyone except those i am hoarding for later/have more concrete ideas about that i might actually execute in some way) enjoy this peek into my google docs xoxoxox

13 going on 30 Jenna - sansa Matty - jon  Cat - margaery???? cersei???

Panic Heather - sansa (alayne) Lilly - robin Ray - jon Bishop - harry Natalie - myranda Dodge -

OR

Panic Heather - arya Ray - gendry? Bishop - gendry?   Natalie - sansa Dodge - jon Dodge’s sister - bran

Hocus pocus au max - jon Allison - sansa Dani - arya Thackery binx - aegon? (or brandon?) Emily binx - rhaenys? (or lyanna?) Winifred sanderson - cersei Mary sanderson - tyrion??? Lmao Sarah sanderson - jaime lmao

Big little lies Daenerys is Renata (or is Cersei Renata?? Would leave space for dany to be celeste) Margaery is Madeline Jeyne is Celeste?? Daenerys is Celeste?? Sansa is Jane?? Arya is bonnie??????

Timeless Sansa is the historian Jon is the military guy Ygritte is his dead ex Sam is the science guy Theon is the villain guy who later becomes the love interest

Dead to me Jen - arya (not cold but very firmly not warm, resting bitch face, might kill sansa but also might kill for sansa) Judy - sansa (bleeding heart, bad men, so much guilt, more than a little confessy when she’s wronged someone, potential to be kinda gay!) Ted - ???? Steve - harry hardyng? Littlefinger himself? Ramsay? Joffrey? Maybe joffrey works best? Ben - gendry (work if he’s joffrey’s “half-brother” or w/e)

Saved au Mary - sansa Cassandra - arya Roland - willas? Tyrion? Hilary Faye - Margaery? Cersei? Patrick - jon? Pastor skip - ned Mary-Louise Parker - catelyn Dean - loras? Theon? Mitch - renly? Robb? Tia - Veronica -

Don’t look under the bed Frances - sansa Darwin - bran after he falls/is pushed Albert - robb? Joann - jon with modifications so that he is a potential love interest at the end for sansa Larry - theon Zoe - margaery? Parents - ned and cat

Hunger games Katniss - jon tbh lmao Peeta - sansa Gale - ygritte? daenerys? Prim - arya? Or does it have to be bran/rickon since jon is a boy?? Maybe it’s not a boy/girl tribute thing maybe it’s just any two tributes Haymitch - tyrion? Dontos? Mance rayder? Wyman manderly? Thoughts to be thunk here with who would be in what district if we want to really get crazy Effie - varys lmfao???? Finnick - jaime lannister Johanna - daenerys? Ooooh but could be brienne if you leaned into it maybe President snow - mad king aerys? Beetee - tyrion? Rue - satin?

Grease Sandy - sansa Danny - jon Kenickie - tormund? Mance? Roger - sam Other greasers - pyp, grenn, etc Rizzo - ygritte Frenchy - gilly? Val? Idk ygritte for rizzo is really the only one that resonates i just love grease Fuck actually ygritte as the rizzo to sansa’s sandy is so good that this is worth giving some more thought The wall boys are such lil fucking nerds that they feel right for the delinquent greasers, too Although lbr jon is more of an alfalfa in the he-man woman haters’ club than he is a danny zucko Theon is more of a danny zucko but i don’t know if i want this for theonsa Anyway sansa’s whole family moved and robb is now doing athlete shit with whoever that athlete sandy briefly dates is (harry hardyng?) Is chacha val?????? Maybe arya falls in with the pink ladies first and then sansa gets sort of reluctantly dragged along Arya sings sandra dee at first and then when rizzo starts to join in she’s like wait only i get to make fun of sansa

Mama mia Meryl streep - sansa Pierce brosnan - jon Swedish guy - theon Colin firth - loras tyrell Christine baranski - margaery tyrell Other friend - jeyne poole LMFAO catelyn as cher i just cackled why is that so funny even though it doesn’t make sense

Harry Potter Sirius - jon James - Robb Lily - Jeyne westerling (except is she maybe more of a james figure politically) Petunia (but nice) - sansa Peter - theon Remus - samwell Tarly Vernon (but just dating) - Harry Hardyng Madame hooch - arya Weasleys - sam and gilly

New girl Jess - sansa Cece - margaery Nick - jon Schmidt - robb Winston - theon

10th kingdom Virginia - sansa The wolf - jon Jon larroquette - ned

Goodbye earl Maryanne - sansa Wanda - jeyne Earl - ramsay

Bring it on (for the gays) Torrance - sansa Torrance’s lil brother - arya Big red - margaery // cersei? The clovers - the sand snakes Missy - mya stone? // margaery? Cliff - gendry // willas/loras? Aaron - daenerys

Teenage bounty hunters Sterling - sansa Blair - arya Debbie - cat Dana - lysa Bowser - the hound?

Buffy the vampire slayer Buffy - arya Cordelia - sansa Willow - bran Xander - jon Angel - gendry Amy - jojen (or is jojen tara?) Dawn - rickon (robb is already away at college?)

#sansa stark #jonsa #sansa stark au #jonsa au #asoiaf au

[awaywiththefaeries120408]

If you’re a Jonsa shipper (like me), and feel like you’re in a minority, I’ve got some statistics to show you:

In 2014, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was the 6th most popular Game of Thrones pairing on Archive of Our Own

So this would have been roughly around season 3, before they reunited, before Sansa escaped Kings Landing. Also, it’s one of the top 5 Game of Thrones pairings. It’s contending not just with ships like Jon/Ygritte and Sansa/Sandor, but Tyrion/Shae, Robb/Talisa, Daenerys/Drogo as well as plenty of other canon and non canon pairings.

In 2016, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was ranked as the most popular Game of Thrones ship on Tumblr.

This is when season 6 came out and you can just read some of the countless metas reviewing Jon and Sansa during this season.

In 2017, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was ranked as the most popular Game of Thrones pairing on Archive of Our Own

Once again, let me make this clear. Not the most popular ship for Jon, or for Sansa, but for Game of Thrones overall. And I’m pretty sure this was the year the show tried to force Jonerys on us, and it beat a pairing which has seemed fairly dominant.

In 2018, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was ranked 61st on Tumblr's Top 100 Ships of 2018.

Think about how many different fandoms Tumblr houses. Not just GoT and ASOIAF (which have a lot of characters on their own), but all the cartoon and anime fandoms, celebrity and idol fandoms, tv and movie fandoms, book fandoms etc. And yes, 61st isn’t the greatest place, but it was competing against probably millions of pairings and it got a place on the list despite being non-canon and a seemingly minor pairing.

In 2018, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was was found to be the 2nd most popular ship for Jon in the Game of Thrones category in a survey of FanFiction.net, accounting for 36% of sampled fics.

If I had to guess, Jon’s most popular ship was probably Jon/Daenerys although I’m just going to lie to myself and say it was Jon/Ygritte. But let’s not forget that literally only one pairing beat Jonsa and one of the characters in the probable number 1 pairing has a cult following.

In 2019, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was ranked as the most popular ship for Sansa in the ASOIAF category in a survey of FanFiction.net, accounting for 29% of sampled fics.

So now, we have statistics for the books themselves showing that many would prefer Jon as Sansa’s suitor- and let’s not forget, they have yet to reunite so at this point nobody can really rely on how they act together. A pairing of two characters who have yet to share a conversation outranks all the potential pairings with characters Sansa has actually spoken to in the books.

In 2019, during the final season, Jonsa was the second most popular Game of Thrones ship on Tumblr.

I’m not sure what pairing beat them, but take note, it was a Game of Thrones pairing, not a Jon pairing. So whilst it could have been Jonerys, it could have also been Jaime/Brienne or Arya/Gendry or just a non canon or past pairing.

In 2020, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was the most popular ship for Jon in the ASOIAF category in a survey of FanFiction.net, accounting for 38% of sampled fics.

Not Ygritte, Daenerys, Val, Sam or Arya- Jon’s most popular ship is Sansa.

In 2020, Jon Snow/Sansa Stark was the most popular A Song of Ice and Fire ship on Archive of Our Own, accounting for 20% of sampled fics.

As of this year, this pairing which is yet to be confirmed and is contending with the likes of all the other pairings (Ned/Cat, Daenerys/Daario, Loras/Renly, Sam/Gilly, Oberyn/Ellaria etc.) is considered to be the most popular ASOIAF pairing. That’s an achievement.

#jon snow #sansa stark #asoiaf #anti daenerys #but only as a precaution #actually jonsa #statistics #game of thrones #jonsa

[bonemommyowo]

Tada! In honor of the fact that I’m almost done with the first ASOIAF book, I have made picrews of a bunch of characters (based on book descriptions! only). Most are from the first book but I added in some extras that I know about from the tv show and from reading spoiler excerpts. My favorite characters also have hearts on them!

The background colors all correspond with the house colors of each person (except for Varys and Bronn, who as of where I am in the books do not have noble house affiliations)

Green: Starks (Jon Snow, Ned, Catelyn, Sansa, Robb, Bran, Arya)

Yellow: Tyrells, not including Mace or Margaery and Loras’s brothers (Loras, Margaery, Olenna)

Blue: Daenerys Targaryen

Red: Lannisters (Cersei, Jaime, Tyrion, Tywin, also Joffery is supposed to look like a girl so that’s who that last person is; yes I’m counting him and his siblings as Lannisters but I didn’t feel like doing his siblings)

Black with white circle (I know it’s supposed to be yellow but literally everyone has the same house colors help): Baratheon (Robert, Renly, Stannis, plus Gendry and Shireen)

Miscellaneous: Brienne of Tarth, Petyr Baelish/Littlefinger, Varys, Bronn, Theon and Asha Greyjoy, Sandor Clegane/The Hound, Jorah Mormont, Samwell Tarly

Also, because I don’t think you can see the lil signature on each picture very well, I’m crediting the person who made it below! go check out their picrew and social media accounts they have tagged in it!

(I hope fanart of sorts counts as non commercial, my bad if it doesn’t, I’ll delete this)

#game of thrones #asoiaf #a song of ice and fire #jaime lannister #cersei lannister #tyrion lannister #house stark #ned stark #catelyn stark #bran stark #sansa stark #arya strak #jon snow #picrew #house lannister #joffrey baratheon #bronn of the blackwater #littlefinger #books #tv shows #brienne of tarth #varys #lord varys #loras tyrell #queen margaery #olenna tyrell #house tyrell #iron throne #daenerys targaryen #house targaryen

[blacksunscorpio]

Scorp you're a genius! So relatable and I love how you don't judge others or anyone who comes to you for help. Keep it up! I just had to ask since I see that you make pop culture references to make analogies with astrology. You've mentioned GoT a few times and im a huge fan! Can you do a quick post on Game of Thrones characters and their potential zodiac signs? I'd love to hear your input! Thank you so much!!

Game of Thrones Characters & Their Zodiac Signs

Aries

Khal Drogo- Impulsive. Warlike. Bloodthirsty. Alpha. Conqueror. Hardcore athlete [did you see him on that horse?] Extremely sexual. Forceful. When he first meets Daenerys, he forces himself on her. Afterward, however, he is the first to go to war if he feels the people around him have been disrespected.

Aerys Targaryen- Impulsive, sadistic. Boastful. imperial. He would be the Emperor [reversed] in Tarot, lol. Not as good with being a tactician as he ought to have been. Cruel. Rage problems. The need to be the first and the best. Fire and blood, anyone?

Taurus

Maergery Tyrell - Classy, wealthy, sexy, laid-back, frank but with an air of elegance. Highgardeners have a love for the finer things in life. A love of fine wines and foods. Beautiful clothing and aesthetics. RICH RICH. Get on their bad side and they will take their time finding a way to subvert your authority.

Robert Baratheon- Love of luxury, bullheaded, strong, takes no shit. Fixed in his opinions of others, highkey jealous. In his youth, he enjoyed the gifts of Venus: Charm, wealth coming from the noble house of Baratheon, widely considered handsome by almost all in the 7 kingdoms. 

Gemini

Tyrion Lannister- Silver-tongued. HIGHKEY intelligent. Social. Charming. Great sense of humor. A freak [in the sheets]. Chatty. Always finds his way out of a sticky situation. Finds a way to use his intel to bolster diplomacy between his family and the families who hate them.

Little Finger- Cunning, quick-witted, works behind the scenes, manipulative, a  snake, jack of all trades. Top dog in the social circles of the 7 Kingdoms. There wasn’t a person who didn’t know of him and his... reputation. He singlehandedly, through his Machiavellian tactics, caused the events of Game of Thrones to unfold. 

Cancer  

Cersei Lannister- Protective, moody, caring [to her kids], motherly, cantankerous, jealous. A savage. People don’t give Cancer’s the credit they deserve in terms of what they’re capable of. Cersei is a prime example of the type of person who can show unrivaled levels of devotion to the one’s they love. “No one matters but us.” She can be cruel because she lets her emotions rule her actions. When her safety is threatened, she makes sure no one else feels safe either. She loves with a ferocity only rivaled by...

Catelyn Stark- Another mother who would die [quite literally] for her children. Fierce, Protective. Doting. JEALOUS. Let’s not forget how she treated Jon all because she believed Ned’s lie about him being a bastard. Followed her son into battle. Damn near lost her hands fighting off Bran’s would-be assassin. 

Leo

Jaime Lannister- Proud. Handsome. Princely. Funny. We seem him go from underdeveloped Leo [arrogant, selfish, bully, prideful, snob, loyal to no one but himself] to developed [Kind, helpful, warm, honest]. Fought bears for his friends. Skilled and proud fighter even without the use of both his hands. Unfortunately, his loyalty caused him to stay loyal to his twin towards the end, but such is the nature of a Leo. They’re hard-pressed to abandon those they truly care for.

Brienne of Tarth- LOYAL. Proud. Devoted. A bit of a flare for drama especially brandishing her sword. Brienne is the definition of Leonine traits. Hard to miss. Devoted to those who show her kindness, i.e Renly, Catelyn, Jaime, Sansa, etc. Always at the front lines in war screaming “STAND YOUR GROUND”. Unrivaled levels of bravery and courage. Not to be fucked with. A true Queen.

Virgo

Samwell Tarley- Intelligent. Scholarly. Methodical. Always with his nose in a book. Unproblematic king. Caught the things everyone else missed, especially when he was an apprentice in Old Towne. Figured out how to cure Jorah Mormont’s affliction on his OWN without any formal training. Genius.

Lord Varys- Remember, Virgo is also ruled by Mercury who is the most cunning of the planetary rulers. Varys always had a spy to collect intel on everyone. A tactician. Never lost his temper. Always had the scoop but didn’t partake in gossip for gossip's sake. Not afraid to be critical or tell those “in charge” his opinion. We can see this specifically when he critiques Aerys, Daenerys, and Robert. 

Libra

Davos Seaworth- a skilled diplomat. Davos is always seen seeking balance and fairness in the situations he finds himself in. The minute you see this man in a scene you know he’s going to give a moving speech and get someone out fo a sticky situation. He convinced the Iron Bank to support Stannis. Convinced Daenerys to entertain Jon Snow when they traveled to Dragonstone. Always breaking up a fight. He is in full support of law and order, especially when he called for Melisandre’s head after discovering her part in Shireen’s death [RIP.]

Rhaegar Targaryen- Had a love of music. Harmony. Balance. He brought two families together [Stark and Targaryen]. He was also blessed by Venus in my opinion because he was said to be extremely handsome. A fabulous singer. A fighter yes, but a lover first. Very good with diplomacy but not the best with defending himself against his cousin sign, Taurus [Robert Baratheon].

Scorpio

Daenerys Targaryen- Many see her as an Aries but I have to respectfully disagree. Daenerys is a Scorpio in my opinion. Remember, Scorpio is honorary fire. She was literally “reborn from the ashes”. A Phoenix, Scorpio’s final form. She went from a silent and meek girl to a skilled and commanding Empress. Unlike Arians, she did not jump headfirst into battle. It took many arrows in her dragons, many slights to her ego, copious council from her advisors, dozens of her loved ones lost for her to go nuclear. Like her father, she hungered for power, a very Scorpionic trait. However she, unlike her father, listened to reason [Jorah, Tyrion, and Barristan Selmy]. She had a long fuse until she didn’t, and then that’s when she rained fire and blood on everyone in King’s Landing. She was skilled at retribution and was unapologetic with it *cough* the Tarleys *cough*.. Unlike Arians who pop off at the drop of a hat, she gave her enemies fair warning if/when they crossed her.

Arya Stark- You already know what it is with this one. Arya is pretty much death [Pluto], personified. Stealthy. A tactician. VENGEFUL. I think we all fist-pumped when she served Filch Walder Frey his sons in that pie. Never forgets a slight. Keeps a list of people who’ve wronged her [All Scorpios can probably relate]. You never see her coming. She is “no-one”. She is the assassin that slips through the back. She may seem calm at first but trust that she has been planning your downfall for a while. LOYAL. The definition of a Scorpio.

Melisandre- Dark. Mysterious. Unafraid of the occult. So much of her life is unknown and I’m sure that’s how she preferred it. Even her Lord of light was mysterious. Strong supernatural abilities and highkey psychic. Knew immediately how many “eyes” Arya would “close.” Had ties to the underworld which is demonstrated with her ability to resurrect the dead. Came through at the clutch in the last battle wielding fire [Mars] with her witchcraft. It’s no secret that Scorpios are some of the most skilled in sorcery.

Sagittarius

Missandei- Exotic. From Naath which is an island just above the mysterious continent of Sothoryos. A world traveler. Lucky enough to escape slavery [until the end]. Jupiter's influence is here in my opinion because she is so kind and friendly. Also a polyglot and gifted with the ability to speak 19 languages. Her fire is seen at the end of the series when she tells her best friend “Dracarys”-- meaning “fire” in High Valyrian. She isn’t afraid to call wrath down on others.

Olenna Tyrell- Loud, unapologetically blunt, zero-filter, feisty. Olenna to me is the definition of Sagittarius. Always speaks her mind. Clap back queen. Will call you out. Was also quite promiscuous in her younger years. Very charismatic and extremely likable despite her penchant for saying whatever was on her mind.

Capricorn

Tywin Lannister- I can’t see the patriarch of the most notorious family in Westeros being anything other than a Capricorn. Methodical. Structured. Business-minded. Karmic [A "Lannister always repays his debts"] Cold. Cruel. Unfeeling. Like Saturn, he is the father figure. Basically ran the 7 Kingdoms for Aerys, [which was probably why the latter was so salty towards him.] Always has a plan. The man you want in charge if we’re strictly talking about law and order. Vindictive [had the mountain kill Elia because Rhaegar rejected Cersei.] He’s the ultimate son-of-a-bitch.

Jon Snow- Brooding hero that he is, Bae Jon Snow is without a doubt a Capricorn in my eyes. Duty-bound. Serious. A leader in his own right. Could also be cold and unfeeling in terms of distributing karmic justice. Lest we forget the “fetch-me-a-block” situation with Janos Slynt. In addition, the moment he was resurrected he took vengeance against the black brothers who betrayed him. Saturn, Like Pluto, is all about karmic justice. The beating he put on Ramsey after The Battle of the Bastards was one thousand percent a karmic beating. A proper lover as well, according to Ygritte, Jon also knew how to handle himself in the bedroom, a trait very akin to Capricorns.

Aquarius

Bran Stark- I thought about making Bran a Pisces, but then I changed my mind. Remember Uranus rules sudden insights and hardcore psychic receptivity. It also rules sudden and unexpected catastrophes or surprises/ sudden breaks. Bran suffered a literal “tower” moment at the beginning of the series which resulted in his psychic powers developing. Once he became the three-eyed raven, he became very detached from the world.

Grey Worm- Aquarius is also androgynous. Grey Worm is a eunuch. He is always down to fight for a cause though, specifically his queen’s. Cares about others, specifically Missandei, and was seen towards the latter season speaking up for the Unsullied against the slavers. Fierce combatant but also very detached. His job is his job.

Pisces

Jaqen H’ghar- Much like Neptune, Pisces’ ruler Jaqen has a mysterious and illusive personality. He wears “many faces”. Skilled at illusion and very very intuitive. Has a soft side though which is clearly seen with how he treats Arya. Hardly ever flies off the handle. Calm. Cool. Collected.

Hodor- Sweet and gentle giant, Hodor is a Pisces to me. Affected by psychic trauma, it’s revealed why “Hodor” is the only thing he can say. Calm. A bit of a baby. Caring. Easily adaptable [think of all the terrain he carried Bran through]

Eddard Stark- I don't care what anyone says, Ned stark to me represents the most developed form of a Pisces. Like the Hanged-Man in Tarot that represents sacrifice and which Neptune Rules, he willingly sacrificed his reputation as honorable for his sister, Lyanna. He later sacrifices himself for his children when he died at Joffrey’s [little bitch] command. He is wise. Though appears cold, he is actually a well of feeling and caring. Unfortunately, he also suffered from the naivety of Neptunian influence which is why he wasn’t very skilled at the Game of Thrones, which calls for more tactical ruthlessness. Pisceans however also have the rage of Poseidon flowing through their veins [which people like to forget]. This was displayed when he pinned Petyr Baelish to the Wall in King’s Landing for daring to dishonor Cat by inviting her into a Brothel. RIP, King Stark.

#GoT #astro asks #Zodiac Signs #Aries #Taurus #Gemini #Cancer #Leo #Virgo #Libra #Scorpio #Sagittarius #Capricorn #Aquarius #Pisces #Game of Thrones #House Stark #House Tyrell #House Baratheon #jaqen h'ghar #Ned Stark #Arya Stark #Missandei #Melisandre #Hodor #Grey Worm #Varys #Khal Drogo #Fun ask #Feel free to add in comments

[yenslilac]

Daenerys Targaryen and Ophelia: An Essay

I wrote this a while back, just after Season 8 ended. After a few edits, I decided to share it with you! Disclaimer: I wrote this fueled with rage at 11 at night for two weeks straight. Don’t judge. 

Part 1: The Heroine Goes Absolutely Bats**t Crazy

Ophelia. Known throughout time as That Crazy Chick Who Drowned Herself. What a legacy. And Daenerys: She Who Toasted A City Like Marshmallows And Then Was Offed By Her Nephew/Lover. The sad thing is, these are my heroes. What a life. But the ‘Insane Heroine’ trope is prevalent in many forms of media – Dark Phoenix is another example. At first glance, Daenerys and Ophelia have very little in common; Daenerys is a powerful and assertive leader, and Ophelia is a background love interest. The one thing that unites them – they go crazy because of rejected love. While their descent into madness is slightly different; Ophelia is pitiful, Daenerys aggressive, both end up dying indirectly or directly as a result of their lover. Lovely. Let’s talk first about Ophelia – She is rebuffed Hamlet, the original pathetic sad boy, and at the death of her father, goes insane. After several performances of her insanity, she makes her way to a river where she falls (or throws?) herself into the water and drowns. This is witnessed by Gertrude, who then goes on to tell her brother Laertes of her death. It’s a pretty monologue, describing the flowers and plants growing along the riverbank, and how pretty and peaceful she looked as she sank under water and DIED. Remember this. Then my girl Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the First Men etc. etc. Oh boy. Ohhhhhh boy. What can I say except **************** ***** ** **********. Thank you for your time. But she like Ophelia, was scorned by her Boyfriend Who Felt It Was Just A Little Weird That She Was His Aunt. But like, your paternal grandparents and the rest of your great-whatever grandparents were siblings, and your maternal grandparents were cousins so… But I digress. Wait no, this is what it’s all about. I’m back! I un-digress! So, she goes ‘insane’ cause she can’t get laid (don’t we all?) and roasts a whole lot of people and becomes… Hitler for some reason… So, Boyfriend Who Felt It Was Just A Little Weird That She Was His Aunt And Really Wishes He Can Just Catch A Break For Once Is It Really Too Much Too Ask is egged on by Murder Sister™ and Smarty Pants McGee to kill her. Just like my friends! He makes out with her and stabs her (best of both worlds!) and she dies. Very prettily. Remember this. You know. YOU KNOW I’m going to rant about this.

Part 2: Heroic Man Kills The Crazy Lady Like The Feral Dog She Is (But Feels Sad About It) 

Trope as old as time… why is this still fine… surely there’s a better plot deviiiiiice. “Duty is the death of love…” Shut up. Shut up. No, it isn’t. There is a thing called multitasking. You should try it. But let’s recap. Woman goes crazy because of lover/hero of the story rebuffing her because he’s got issues of his own that he doesn’t care to share with her, and close friend/family member is killed. This is when the paths of the Hero diverge. Hamlet does not actually kill Ophelia himself, but his careless actions towards her eventually drive her to suicide. Jon, on the other hand, does kill Daenerys, (no, I’m not mad. I’m just disappointed) by a knife to the heart while snogging her. (I’d like to take the opportunity to say that this was ridiculous and yes, I will die mad about it.) What else is similar? Hamlet holds Ophelia’s (or in some adaptations tries to) dead body in his arms as she is about to be buried and Jon holds Daenerys as she dies. They cry and wish it didn’t have to be this way, but really guys, this is Your Fault.

The problem with this trope in particular (and I’m talking about a lot of other examples here, like Dark Phoenix and Wolverine) is that it renders the killer sympathetic. They didn’t want to do this, but it was for the good of humanity, it was a mercy, blah blah blah. Really? Did someone make you kill her? No, a sense of moral justice does not count. Hamlet abuses and humiliates Ophelia then claims he loved her so much that ‘forty thousand brothers could not…” Creepy. I have to say, creepy. And Jon Snow. “Was it right? It doesn’t feel right…” I’m glad you came to that conclusion. I really am. But I knew this from the moment you stuffed that butter knife into her spleen, so honestly you don’t have any business feeling sorry for yourself. If there’s one lesson that Game of Thrones and Shakespeare has taught me, it is:

(not an artist, don’t judge)

Part 3: Someone Died And The Director Said, “Cool But Like… Make It Fashion.”

Do you remember what I told you to remember? Did you? Cause I’m about to RANT.

Throughout time (like 500 years) men have been painting Ophelia’s drowning – the probable suicide of a tormented young woman – and made sure she looked hot while doing it. True, the description of her death is pretty and all, but depictions of her floating just below the surface, a dramatic and lovely pose and flowers strewn around her glamorise her death – something many other people have taken note on – and give her death something of a peaceful, serene departing note, rather than the death of a woman so deranged she did not appear to understand the gravity of her situation as she sank under water. Daenerys suffers a similar case of SDPS (Sexy Dead Person Syndrome). Let’s go through it step by step, shall we? While in an embrace with someone she loves and trusts, she is stabbed in the heart area (I guess?), and she dies. The End. My respect for white men flew off with Drogon. But I haven’t complained properly yet! Compared to other characters, like Myrcella, Joffrey and Catelyn Stark to name a few, her death was very clean. In these other examples, blood runs down their faces or spurts out of their neck in suitably graphic fashion but Daenerys’ case, two thin lines of blood trickle from her nose and mouth. Pretty, pretty. We get a brief shot of a pool of blood on the snow as Drogon picks her up, but blink and you’ll miss it. She looks shocked and confused as she dies, yet the next shot of her face shows her eyes are closed and an almost peaceful expression on her face. Not only this but we don’t actually get any proper Last Words, when she knows she is about to die. She makes no sound at all. She dies prettily and quietly. We also don’t see the knife at all until she is dead, removing any very graphic nature from the scene. A lot of the camera shots are of Jon’s face. This scene is not about Daenerys Targaryen’s death; This is about Jon Snow’s inner turmoil as he selflessly sacrifices the woman he loves to save the rest of the world. Hold up one second I gotta……

I mean, come on. Daenerys is barely mentioned after her death. She, a woman who freed hundreds, no, thousands of slaves and worked hard to reach her goals (albeit a little dragonfire-y) yet she dies without a whisper and is forgotten almost immediately. She becomes less of a central character and more of a catalyst for other men’s rise to power (see Bran the Broken). Wait, what about Sansa, you cry? Well, at this point, she was so out of character I’m striking her from the narrative. Bye bitch 😊 The same goes for most of the other women in the last season. They become plot devices with a little agency and that’s about it. Missandei? Unnecessarily killed to create the “Mad Queen”. Cersei? A compelling villain reduced to a ‘crying girl who wants to be comforted’. Arya? Kills the Night King and then, I dunno. Sansa? Suspicious of Daenerys because of reasons, betrays her brother/cousin because she doesn’t want Daenerys on the throne, then just ‘forgets’ about this whole thing to become Queen in the North. Brienne? Honourable knight left sobbing after her one (k)night stand left her. Another thing that many of these women have in common (the ones who survived to the final episode anyway) is that none of them have romantic endgames despite this being set up. Arya and Gendry have been close friends in Season 2 and 3, then <3  and everyone (i.e. me) thought that you know, they get together and stuff, because that’s what the writers seemed to be setting up. But nope. Arya’s all like ‘I wanna kill the queen’ (which she never does) and throws all that out the window. (But Gendry was totally on that ship at the end). Brienne and Jaime seemed to finally stop eye fricking and then got straight to the actual fricking but nooooo. “I lOvE CeRseI! WE’re bOTh tERrIble PeOple!” And of course, the crowning glory:

And the woman who actually does come out on top is Sansa, a largely unemotional, suspicious woman whose brother is now the king and made her a queen because she’s his sister. Riiiight. That’s totally not nepotism or anything. 

The End: But Boy, Am I Just Beginning

To conclude, the ending of Daenerys Targaryen was largely misogynistic as it painted a brutal and dishonourable murder as an act of mercy and gave the killer (sorry man, I feel like I’m throwing you under the bus here, but it must be said) a sympathetic angle as a heartbroken martyr sacrificing for the greater good. I had high expectations, I really did, but you just took it anD THREW IT IN THE DIRT. Good god. But it’s fine, I have fanfiction anyway.

Thank you for reading this, if you stuck around this far!

#daenerys targaryen #daenerys defense squad #daenerys death tw #ophelia #shakespeare #anti d and d #anti got

[agentrouka-blog]

Sweet Lady - a Sansa key phrase

The wonderful @esther-dot was so kind as to introduce me to the precious resource that is asearchoficeandfire.com and I have been down a rabbit hole ever since. Or more so than usual. (As far as quarantine with toddlers and work, both, allow me, anyway.) It's marvelous for letting you do unfocused word combinations, which really does wonders for finding text parallels and such. But that is a post for another day.

It did inspire me to search all my book files for an exact phrase, though. "Sweet Lady". It doesn't count all the other instances for sweet, lady, my sweet, sweet queen, sweet XYZ, sweetling or what have you. We already know that "sweet" can be a code for falseness. So I didn't want to confuse the issue. Only the exact phrase. "Sweet Lady". It's enlightening.

There are 23 instances in all 5 books, the TWOW sample chapters and all the other searchable publications. They appear as follows:

Sansa: 9 (3 x Joffrey, 1 x Ser Loras, 4 x  Dontos ("Florian"), 1 x Marillion)

Catelyn: 5 times (3 x Varys, 2 x Petyr Baelish)

Jonquil: 1 (Florian the Fool, "The Hedge Knight")

Lysa: 2 (1 x Morton Waynwood, 1 x Marillion)

Shae: 2 (1 x Varys, 1 x Symon Silver Tongue, ironic)

A mare: 1 (Jon, soothing a mare, about to betray the Watch)

Daenerys: 1 (Hizdahr, her "loyal" husband)

Asha: 1 (Quarl the maid, murky lover)

Lady Taena Merryweather: 1 (sneaked in, traitorous lover to Cersei - Everything there a big spotlight for Political!Jon and such, btw.)

To make it short, the phrase is a direct reference to Sansa. 9 direct references, 10 if you account for the fact that Sansa = Jonquil. (22 Jonquil mentions in all searchable publications, only 5 are not in Sansa's chapters: Jaime referencing the song or the puppetry in The Hedge Knight. Sansa is Jonquil. Case closed.) The rest of the usage concerns foils, mirrors or other characters deeply connected to her. It's a spotlight for Sansa.

In most instances, it is a marker for erroneous or "false" knights (Dontos, Florian, Loras, Waynwood), or "false" Ladies (Shae,Taena Merryweather, Alayne), immoral singers (Symon, Marillion), rape (Marillion), Rescue (Sansa/Alayne and Tanselle), political scheming (Cat, Varys, Littlefinger, Lady Merryweather and Cersei) and betrayal (ALL of them, save the true Florian and Jonquil). Also, curiously, the injury of hands. (Symon, Marillion, Catelyn, Jon, Tanselle the Jonquil puppeteer).

So now that we do know that when the phrase shows up, it's a marker for Sansa and that what surrounds it concerns Sansa, let's look at when it's used to see if we recognize anything or if it reminds us of anything. (This is where the rabbit hole comes in because there's a jumping off point for more references in almost every example.

 First Mention: Sansa I, AGOT

“Leave her alone,” Joffrey said. He stood over her, beautiful in blue wool and black leather, his golden curls shining in the sun like a crown. He gave her his hand, drew her to her feet. “What is it, sweet lady? Why are you afraid? No one will hurt you. Put away your swords, all of you. The wolf is her little pet (!), that’s all.” He looked at Sandor Clegane. “And you, dog, away with you, you’re scaring my betrothed.”

The Hound, ever faithful, bowed and slid away quietly through the press. Sansa struggled to steady herself. She felt like such a fool. She was a Stark of Winterfell, a noble lady, and someday she would be a queen. “It was not him, my sweet prince,” she tried to explain. “It was the other one.”

The two stranger knights exchanged a look. “Payne?” chuckled the young man in the green armor. The older man in white spoke to Sansa gently. “Ofttimes Ser Ilyn frightens me as well, sweet lady. He has a fearsome aspect.”

Payne, the mute. Who else is mute? Ghost. A fearsome wolf pet. Where have we heard the word "pet" before… Oh, Right. ASOS.

“The good woman at the brazier,” Mance Rayder went on, “is Dalla.” The pregnant woman smiled shyly. “Treat her like you would any queen, she is carrying my child.” He turned to the last two. “This beauty is her sister Val. Young Jarl beside her is her latest pet.”

“I am no man’s pet,” said Jarl, dark and fierce.

“And Val’s no man,” white-bearded Tormund snorted. “You ought to have noticed that by now, lad.”

Aaaand...

Jarl was with the Magnar; Mance had given them the joint command. Styr was none too pleased by that, Jon had noted early on. Mance Rayder had called the dark youth a “pet” of Val, who was sister to Dalla, his own queen, which made Jarl a sort of good brother once removed to the King-beyond-the-Wall.

 And isn't that some precious phrasing. A "good brother" once, removed.

Contrast Dany, ADWD:

“What, o’ the queen’s little pets?” Brown Ben’s eyes crinkled in amusement. The grizzled captain of the Second Sons was a creature of the free companies, a mongrel with the blood of a dozen different peoples flowing through his veins, but he had always been fond of the dragons, and them of him.

“Pets?” screeched Reznak. “Monsters, rather. Monsters that feed on children. We cannot —”

“Silence,” said Daenerys. “We will not speak of that.”

So the Sweet Lady will have a pet wolf, literally and figuratively. *wink*

But on to other "Sweet Lady" instances. Two involving Catelyn:

AGOT, Catelyn:

“How could you know all that?”

“The whisperings of little birds,” Varys said, smiling. “I know things, sweet lady. That is the nature of my service.” He shrugged. “You do have the dagger with you, yes?”

Catelyn pulled it out from beneath her cloak and threw it down on the table in front of him. “Here. Perhaps your little birds will whisper the name of the man it belongs to.”

AGOT, Eddard:

Littlefinger smiled. “Leave Lord Varys to me, sweet lady. If you will permit me a small obscenity—and where better for it than here—I hold the man’s balls in the palm of my hand.” He cupped his fingers, smiling. “Or would, if he were a man, or had any balls. You see, if the pie is opened, the birds begin to sing, and Varys would not like that. Were I you, I would worry more about the Lannisters and less about the eunuch.”

We know who the Little Bird is (Sansa), so here we know our Sweet Lady will spill important Secrets to the vast dismay of some people.

Now for some sweetness in AGOT. Jon's foils Loras and Joffrey lay it on thick:

To the other maidens he had given white roses, but the one he plucked for her was red. “Sweet lady,” he said, “no victory is half so beautiful as you.” Sansa took the flower timidly, struck dumb by his gallantry. His hair was a mass of lazy brown curls, his eyes like liquid gold. She inhaled the sweet fragrance of the rose and sat clutching it long after Ser Loras had ridden off.

Awww. So sweet, so fake.

 Instead Joffrey smiled and kissed her hand, handsome and gallant as any prince in the songs, and said, “Ser Loras has a keen eye for beauty, sweet lady.”

Actually, we know Jon IS a visual creature. (Natural landscapes, handsome Kingslayers, Radiant Sisters, lovely Val, etc etc etc.) But we digress.

The mare whickered softly as Jon Snow tightened the cinch. “Easy, sweet lady,” he said in a soft voice, quieting her with a touch. Wind whispered through the stable, a cold dead breath on his face, but Jon paid it no mind. He strapped his roll to the saddle, his scarred fingers stiff and clumsy. “Ghost,” he called softly, “to me.” And the wolf was there, eyes like embers.

Jon is probably the only one outside of Florian the actual puppet fool to use the phrase honestly. Jon of the fool references is Florian to Sansa's Jonquil. Brienne is the True Knight she prays for, the Galladon, but Jon is the Florian, the fool knight. Also, "The wolf was there." Jon and Ghost will be a calming, gentle, protective presence in Sansa's life. Also "mare" is an occasional marker for Sansa.

Now for something else:

ACOK, Tyrion:

Varys glanced at Shae. “My lord, must we trouble your sweet lady’s sleep with such grim and bloody talk?”

“A lady might be afraid,” said Shae, “but I’m not.”

(ASOS, Tyrion:)

“You shall rise again, I am sure. A man like you. My sweet lady Shae tells me you are newly wed. Would that you had sent for me earlier. I should have been honored to sing at your feast.”

“The last thing my wife needs is more songs,” said Tyrion. “As for Shae, we both know she is no lady, and I would thank you never to speak her name aloud.”

Which all seems to lead to:

(AFFC, Alayne)

Up here where the slope was steepest, the steps wound back and forth rather than plunging straight down. Sansa Stark went up the mountain, but Alayne Stone is coming down. It was a strange thought. Coming up, Mya had warned her to keep her eyes on the path ahead, she remembered. “Look up, not down,” she said … but that was not possible on the descent. I could close my eyes. The mule knows the way, he has no need of me. But that seemed more something Sansa would have done, that frightened girl. Alayne was an older woman, and bastard brave.

and...

“Unhand me. You forget yourself.”

“Mercy. I have been singing love songs for hours. My blood is stirred. And yours, I know … there’s no wench half so lusty as one bastard born. Are you wet for me?”

“I’m a maiden,” she protested.

“Truly? Oh, Alayne, Alayne, my fair maid, give me the gift of your innocence. You will thank the gods you did. I’ll have you singing louder than the Lady Lysa.”

Sansa jerked away from him, frightened. “If you don’t leave me, my au—my father will hang you. Lord Petyr.”

“Littlefinger?” He chuckled. “Lady Lysa loves me well, and I am Lord Robert’s favorite. If your father offends me, I will destroy him with a verse.” He put a hand on her breast, and squeezed. “Let’s get you out of these wet clothes. You wouldn’t want them ripped, I know. Come, sweet lady, heed your heart—”

Sansa heard the soft sound of steel on leather. “Singer,” a rough voice said, “best go, if you want to sing again.” The light was dim, but she saw a faint glimmer of a blade.

The singer saw it too. “Find your own wench—” The knife flashed, and he cried out. “You cut me!”

“I’ll do worse, if you don’t go.” And quick as that, Marillion was gone.

There's a lot in this. There is yet another averted rape attempt, complete with rescue by a knight. (Lothor Brune.) Then, we have the implication that Sansa's virtue will be compromised ("Truly?" - Potentially by something horrible like on the show. The TWOW "Mercy" sample chapter is one big red flag.) and then we have the foreshadowing of Sansa losing her "innocence" by becoming a bad singer, a liar like Lysa, as we know she will when she lies about her death, or by "singing" loudly of secrets. Songs have the power to preserve and destroy, we learn, and Sansa will have to learn to weild that power benevolently. The fact that she is saved here, tells us that she will be "saved" from moral failure, as well.

Randomly, Marillion's Trial in AFFC:

“If I had eyes I should weep.” The singer’s voice, so strong and sure by night, was cracked and whispery now. “I loved her so, I could not bear to see her in another’s arms, to know she shared his bed. I meant no harm to my sweet lady, I swear it. I barred the door so no one could disturb us whilst I declared my passion, but Lady Lysa was so cold … when she told that she was carrying Lord Petyr’s child, a … a madness seized me …”

It may mean something, or it may not. But Sansa has a lot of bastard foreshadowing. Other characters have "madness" foreshadowing. And a history of miscarriages.

For something darker:

ADWD, The Wayward Bride (Asha)

A shy smile, strong arms, clever fingers, and two sure swords. What more could any woman want? She would have married Qarl, and gladly, but she was Lord Balon’s daughter and he was common-born, the grandson of a thrall. Too lowborn for me to wed, but not too low for me to suck his cock. Drunk, smiling, she crawled beneath the furs and took him in her mouth. Qarl stirred in his sleep, and after a moment he began to stiffen. By the time she had him hard again, he was awake and she was wet. Asha draped the furs across her bare shoulders and mounted him, drawing him so deep inside her that she could not tell who had the cock and who the cunt. This time the two of them reached their peak together.

“My sweet lady,” he murmured after, in a voice still thick with sleep. “My sweet queen.”

No, Asha thought, I am no queen, nor shall I ever be. “Go back to sleep.” She kissed his cheek, padded across Galbart Glover’s bedchamber, and threw the shutters open. The moon was almost full, the night so clear that she could see the mountains, their peaks crowned with snow. Cold and bleak and inhospitable, but beautiful in the moonlight.

Their summits glimmered pale and jagged as a row of sharpened teeth. The foothills and the smaller peaks were lost in shadow.

 At first glance this could be sweet-ish, but the surrounding imagery is kind of sinister and I get reminded of two other things:

Lysa describing her rape of Petyr (Sansa, ASOS):

...and Petyr tried to kiss your mother, only she pushed him away. She laughed at him. He looked so wounded I thought my heart would burst, and afterward he drank until he passed out at the table. (…) That was the night I stole up to his bed to give him comfort. I bled, but it was the sweetest hurt. He told me he loved me then, but he called me Cat, just before he fell back to sleep. Even so, I stayed with him until the sky began to lighten.

And Cersei's wedding night with Robert, (Eddard, AGOT)

Her eyes burned, green fire in the dusk, like the lioness that was her sigil. “The night of our wedding feast, the first time we shared a bed, he called me by your sister’s name. He was on top of me, in me, stinking of wine, and he whispered Lyanna.”

We already had a moment of deeply screwed up consent for Jon during his first time with Ygritte. Suddenly, the scene when Dany asks Jon if he's drunk on the show in 8x04 after the victory feast and then pushes him for sex seems even more sinister. Lysa's rape of Petyr ended in pregnancy. I hope I am wrong about this!

Lastly, this is from The Hedge Knight. "Florian and Jonquil" are being destroyed, i.e. Sansa's very favorite song is getting viciously attacked, her romantic dreams put to the torch. If my horrible suspicion is true, Sansa will live some aspect of her Ramsey storyline, if not with Ramsey, then with someone else. This following Scene festuring Duncan the fake knight and Tanselle, the tall girl playing Jonquil's puppet, however, is very reminiscent of Jon's final encounter with Ramsey. No?

The puppeteer's stall had been knocked on its side. The fat Dornishwoman was on the ground weeping.

One man-at-arms was dangling the puppets of Florian and Jonquil from his hands as another set them afire with a torch. Three more men were opening chests, spilling more puppets on the ground and stamping on them. The dragon puppet was scattered all about them, a broken wing here, its head there, its tail in three pieces. And in the midst of it all stood Prince Aerion, resplendent in a red velvet doublet with long dagged sleeves, twisting Tanselle's arm in both hands. She was on her knees, pleading with him. Aerion ignored her. He forced open her hand and seized one of her fingers. Dunk stood there stupidly, not quite believing what he saw. Then he heard a crack, and Tanselle screamed.

One of Aerion's men tried to grab him, and went flying. Three long strides, then Dunk grabbed the prince's shoulder and wrenched him around hard. His sword and dagger were forgotten, along with everything the old man had ever taught him. His fist knocked Aerion off his feet, and the toe of his boot slammed into the prince's belly. When Aerion went for his knife, Dunk stepped on his wrist and then kicked him again, right in the mouth. He might have kicked him to death right then and there, but the princeling's men swarmed over him.

 So the wolf pet/lover will curbstomp her attacker in some way shape or form.

 Damn. To cheer us, let's look at some Dontos/Florian from ACOK, Sansa:

“I will,” she said. “Tell me who sent you.”

“No one, sweet lady. I swear it on my honor as a knight.”

“A knight?” Joffrey had decreed that he was to be a knight no longer, only a fool, lower even than Moon Boy. “I prayed to the gods for a knight to come save me,” she said. “I prayed and prayed. Why would they send me a drunken old fool?”

“I deserve that, though . . . I know it’s queer, but . . . all those years I was a knight, I was truly a fool, and now that I am a fool I think . . . I think I may find it in me to be a knight again, sweet lady. And all because of you . . . your grace, your courage. You saved me, not only from Joffrey, but from myself.” His voice dropped. “The singers say there was another fool once who was the greatest knight of all . . .”

“Florian,” Sansa whispered. A shiver went through her.

“Sweet lady, I would be your Florian,” Dontos said humbly, falling to his knees before her.

Slowly, Sansa lowered the knife. Her head seemed terribly light, as if she were floating. This is madness, to trust myself to this drunkard, but if I turn away will the chance ever come again? “How . . . how would you do it? Get me away?”

Ser Dontos raised his face to her. “Taking you from the castle, that will be the hardest. Once you’re out, there are ships that would take you home. I’d need to find the coin and make the arrangements, that’s all.”

“Could we go now?” she asked, hardly daring to hope.

“This very night? No, my lady, I fear not. First I must find a sure way to get you from the castle when the hour is ripe. It will not be easy, nor quick. They watch me as well.” He licked his lips nervously. “Will you put away your blade?”

Sansa slipped the knife beneath her cloak. “Rise, ser.”

“Thank you, sweet lady.” Ser Dontos lurched clumsily to his feet, and brushed earth and leaves from his knees. “Your lord father was as true a man as the realm has ever known, but I stood by and let them slay him. I said nothing, did nothing . . . and yet, when Joffrey would have slain me, you spoke up. Lady, I have never been a hero, no Ryam Redwyne or Barristan the Bold. I’ve won no tourneys, no renown in war . . . but I was a knight once, and you have helped me remember what that meant. My life is a poor thing, but it is yours.” Ser Dontos placed a hand on the gnarled bole of the heart tree. He was shaking, she saw. “I vow, with your father’s gods as witness, that I shall send you home.”

He swore. A solemn oath, before the gods. “Then . . . I will put myself in your hands, ser. But how will I know, when it is time to go? Will you send me another note?”

Ser Dontos glanced about anxiously. “The risk is too great. You must come here, to the godswood. As often as you can. This is the safest place. The only safe place. Nowhere else. Not in your chambers nor mine nor on the steps nor in the yard, even if it seems we are alone. The stones have ears in the Red Keep, and only here may we talk freely.”

“Only here,” Sansa said. “I’ll remember.”

“And if I should seem cruel or mocking or indifferent when men are watching, forgive me, child. I have a role to play, and you must do the same. One misstep and our heads will adorn the walls as did your father’s.”

She nodded. “I understand.”

“You will need to be brave and strong . . . and patient, patient above all.”

“I will be,” she promised, “but . . . please . . . make it as soon as you can. I’m afraid . . .”

“So am I,” Ser Dontos said, smiling wanly. “And now you must go, before you are missed.”

“You will not come with me?”

“Better if we are never seen together.”

Nodding, Sansa took a step . . . then spun back, nervous, and softly laid a kiss on his cheek, her eyes closed. “My Florian,” she whispered. “The gods heard my prayer.”

And just to add some sweet speculation…

Jon, ASOS:

If I could show her Winterfell … give her a flower from the glass gardens, feast her in the Great Hall, and show her the stone kings on their thrones. We could bathe in the hot pools, and love beneath the heart tree while the old gods watched over us.

I'm such a hopeful fool for these two.

#Jonsa #asoiaf #asoiaf speculation #jon snow #sansa stark

[chrkrose]

I LOVED “Rumor”, I can’t believe I never realized I need j/b to be the hot topic on Westeros. If you don’t mind me asking though, what exactly happened with them? I know the mystery about what really happened with them is part of the fun, but I’m so curious to know if you have something in mind. What was written on those letters? And thank you for your amazing fics! I love them all xx

I’m gonna use this ask to write it down my headcanon for the fic (thanks anon <333), and I’m on mobile so I can’t add a “read more”, so SPOILERS BELOW FOR MY LATEST J/B ONE SHOT, Rumor.

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[SPOILERS]

This is basically what went down with j/b in very broad strokes, because I don’t have all the details, just the general idea: they defeated Stoneheart and The Brotherhood Without Banners, saving Pod and Hyle. But because Brienne was very hurt, they went to the Quiet Island. Of course Jaime marries her so he can sleep on the same room with her and take care of her.

While Brienne is recovering, they find out Sansa is at the Vale, and both Podrick and Hyle head there to save her. Once Sansa is safe, Pod and Hyle return to the Quiet Island, with tales of what’s happening in the north (the dead rising and whatnot). By that time, Jaime knows that Tommen has died and he was dismissed from the Kingsguard, so Jaime has no reason to return to King’s Landing and him and Brienne are already pretty close. They decide to head North. Jaime sends the raven to Addam. Podrick and Hyle stay behind at the Quiet Island, with Brienne promising to return if they survive.

On the way North, Brienne and Jaime know about Daenerys reaching Westeros, defeating The Pretender and that Cersei ran away (to Casterly Rock). Jaime knows that once Dany finds out he is alive, he’s dead. So they decide they will remain hidden, not revealing who they are. They reach winterfell undercover, and stay that way while in the North.

When Addam arrives in Winterfell, Jaime and Brienne are there! But because nobody knows them, because Sansa doesn’t know how Brienne looks like and because Jaime is staying on the downlow as much as he can, she still doesn’t know they are there (he might have tinted his hair brown hahah).

At some point Sansa finds out, but keeps their secret.

j/b sleep together while they are in winterfell because KSHSKSHKS.

Dany gets wind of what’s happening with the dead, goes North to help. The great battle happens, Brienne and Jaime fight with their twin flaming swords and Jaime even uses his golden hand in battle because the legend of GoldenHand The Just needs to originate somewhere, and many die (including Dany, the dragons, Jon Snow, etc), but j/b survive.

Once the war is over, they leave North and come back to the Quiet Island, because it’s a place they know they are safe. I don’t care about what happens in Westeros when it comes to politic, but you know, whatever, maybe Bran is the king now.

Brienne wants to write her father, but it takes a while for news to reach The Quiet Island that Tarth is safe again and that her father is alive. J/b spend a few years living at the Quiet Island. Then Brienne gets pregnant, so she finally decides to write her father, but she doesn’t trust anyone to deliver her letter, and she’s also scared that her father might be mad, so Pod and Hyle decide to go, taking Oathkeeper as proof of what the letter is saying and how Jaime is indeed a good man.

Some time later, Brienne and Jaime go to Tarth and live there the rest of their lives. Their first child is a girl, they name her Joanna. They have another child, a boy, who they name Galladon.

For many years, Jaime has wanted to write to Tyrion, who is now Lord of Casterly Rock, to reconnect, but he thinks he will never be forgiven. Finally, when Jaime is old and Galladon is grown up, he decided to write to his brother, and Galladon goes to Casterly Rock to know his uncle and deliver his father’s letter.

Because Jaime is old, Tyrion sets to Tarth to visit him, and the brothers actually spend their last years of life trying to get back the time they lost. Galladon likes The Rock very much, going there as often as he can.

Once Brienne dies, Joanna is the new Evenstar. Jaime is also buried on Tarth, besides Brienne.

Galladon becomes the new Lord of Casterly Rock once Tyrion dies, because Tyrion never married and has no kids of his own.

Both Joanna and Galladon get married with other people, have sons and daughters and grand kids and grand grand kids.

Present Jaime has Galladon as his ancestor, and present Brienne has Joanna as her ancestor.

Westeros never truly knew what happened with Brienne and Jaime, but the consensus is that they ran away to live their love and their love story become theme of songs, books and everything else you imagine.

Nobody knows who GoldenHand The Just and The Blue Knight were, but they become legendary historic figures of their own.

ETA: there are a few hints of what went down with them through the fic: The fact that Lady Stoneheart and The Brothethood Without Banners vanished from the Riverlands after Jaime and Brienne disappeared; Selwyn’s remark about being tired of hearing tales of the long night and “flaming swords” (who else could have flaming swords than not j/b lmao); Selwyn saying that they have a lot to do “until it’s time” (meaning when Brienne and Jaime arrived with their baby); Galladon having Saphire blue eyes although the rest of him is all Jaime.

#j/b #j/b au #j/b fanfic #jaime x brienne #Jaime Lannister #Brienne of Tarth #j/b Rumor #yeah maybe this should have been a fic on its own #maybe ill write a few one shots based on this universe

[nightqueendany]

Original Final Season 7 - Episode 8: Protectors of the Realm

As with last episode, this episode takes place entirely in King’s Landing and entirely at Night because again, the Long Night is not just ONE night! 

Also, this episode has quite a bit of exposition but you will see why. Sorry not sorry.

In the Dragonpit

(which looks like the actual Dragonpit described in the books atop Rhaenys’ Hill [above], not just some repurposed gladiator arena *shakes head, rolls eyes*)

Team Stark/Targaryen prep for battle against the Night King, it’s decided the majority of non-fighters will be holed up in the Dragonpit as it’s the most strategically placed dwelling in the city other than the Red Keep. Bran will be in the pit as well.

Jon and Dany plan to be on the dragons protecting the Dragonpit (as they were supposed to be by the Godswood protecting Bran) - they can’t let the Night King/AOTD get to the Dragonpit, can’t let all those people die/turn and can’t let the Night King get to Bran - he’s the only one with the power to potentially defeat the Night King, **more on this in a bit**

While prepping in the Dragonpit (seeing the structure refortified, non-fighters of the city making their way in, passing out meals and blankets etc.), Dany can’t hold the truth from Jon any longer. She loves him and knows he wants to marry her but she can’t let him do so without knowing the truth - she’s infertile. Jon doesn’t believe it but if it’s true, it doesn’t matter to him, he loves her and knows what’s best for their people, all their people, is for them to join the Kingdoms once more through marriage in order to protect everyone.

They discuss logistics, who to tell of Jon’s parentage? He wants to tell his family but no one else matters

In the Red Keep

Team Stark/Targaryen periodically sends messengers to the Red Keep to inform Cersei of battle prep but the messengers keep coming back saying the Queen refused to see them 

In reality, Qyburn is intercepting all correspondences for Cersei, feeding her lies about what is happening in the city

Cersei and Euron (who’s finally back from Dragonstone) are insistent about the wildfire under the city being a “last resort” - Qyburn assures them he’s planned for this and that Team Stark/Targaryen will be none the wiser.

Euron attempts to persuade Cersei to take shelter on his ship during the battle, but Cersei refuses, her place is the Red Keep, she’s not going anywhere.  

On the Street of Steel

Gendry gives Arya the weapon that he made for her.

Soon after, Bran finds Arya, indicates her new weapon, and tells her she won’t need it. Arya is upset, she’s a warrior, she always has been, she should be outside fighting. Bran again reiterates that Arya must be a different kind of warrior for the fight against the dead, it’s what she’s trained for her whole life.

Arya, knowing she won’t be able to use the weapon Gendry made her, gives the weapon to Sansa who insists she be on the walls of the pit to defend it, with the rest of her people. Arya tells Sansa she won’t leave her side and Gendry and Theon say they will be at Sansa’s side too.

Plans for the Future

Once amongst a small group of their advisors and family, Jon and Dany announce that they will be married before the Battle for the Dawn. They have a few days, they don’t know what will happen during the battle to either of them, and they want the Seven Kingdoms united officially before then

Baelish and Varys obviously love this idea and they finally broach the topic of who they should name their heir, in the unfortunate event that they both die fighting the Night King. Jon, Dany, Melisandre and Bran look at Baelish and Varys suspiciously, but do nothing. They’ll think on it and tell everyone they will name an heir after the wedding, before the battle.

Because there are no weirwoods in King’s Landing and no septons either, Melisandre offers to officiate the ceremony. Dany finds this particularly appropriate as she was the one to bring Jon back from the dead.

Varys is clearly uncomfortable with this but says nothing

Okay, now that wedding stuff is settled, they need to plan for the upcoming fight against the dead...

Battle Plans

Jon speaks first and asks the one question on everyone’s minds, the only thing that matters really: How do you defeat the Night King?

Bran explains that when the Night King falls, the rest of the dead will fall with him. However, not all the dead were created by the Night King, so to make the battle easier, they have to go for the White Walkers - only three substances are known to kill White Walkers: Valyrian Steel, Dragonglass...and direwolf teeth.

Yes, Arya’s role in the battle finally has a purpose. Arya will warg Nymeria’s pack to find and take out all the Walkers so the living stand a chance against the dead - because even with all their armies pulled together, the dead still outnumber them.

Going back to the Night King, what does he want? How can he be destroyed?

Bran explains the NK was created by the COTF to defend themselves against the First Men. Sam and Missandei jump in, filling in gaps for Bran when they can. From what they can all tell from the symbols of the COTF, the histories in the different books they’ve read/skimmed through, and different visions of the past, the NK’s purpose was to destroy mankind for their wicked and violent ways, and the Children as well for making him. Only once the Men and Children put aside their differences and teamed up against the White Walkers did the dead retreat to the far North, aka The Pact.

So what went wrong, why is the NK back? Sandor Clegane chimes in. It’s simple. Man broke their promise. They went back to being at constant war. Violence is a disease. The Night King’s there to “cure” them. Beric asks Sandor who told him about violence being a disease. Sandor simply, sadly answers, “A friend.”

Missandei chimes in again. From what she was reading in one of the Targ history books she came across at Summerhall, it’s suggested that that’s why Aegon the Conqueror came to Westeros. He wanted to unite the realm to stop Winter from Coming. 

Sansa wonders why the Stark words, the Starks aren’t the enemy. No. They’re not. The Stark words were always a warning, passed down through generations of what would happen if Man broke their promise. The meaning was just forgotten.

Alright, so they know what the Night King’s purpose is. But Jon gets everyone back on track to the matter at hand: How. Do. We. Kill. Him? Arya looks at Bran hopefully but no, direwolf teeth, dragonglass, Valyrian Steel, dragon fire...none of it will work on its own. On its own? everyone asks. Bran has an idea, but as it’s never been done before, he’s not sure it will work. Bran believes he’s got to warg the Night King from the past to make him vulnerable in the present - as he did to Hodor.

Will this kill Bran? the Starks ask, concerned for their little brother. Bran doesn’t know, but if it does, it’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make for the good of mankind. Jon doesn’t want to accept this, there must be another way, Bran tells him there isn’t, Jon leaves the meeting upset.

Though Dany wants to go after Jon, she hesitates, stays behind with Bran, she has a question. If the Stark words were always a warning of the threat of the dead, do the Targaryen words, Fire and Blood, have meaning as well because Aegon I wanted to protect the realm against the dead? Bran says he doesn’t know but it’s possible. Missandei listens to this and it jogs her memory to something else she read about: What’s the meaning of three, what’s the meaning of The Dragon has three heads? Dany hasn’t heard of this either, she’s curious, but again, Bran has no idea.

The Protectors of the Realm

As everyone else continues prepping, Bran is searching the city’s memories, popping up just long enough to give instructions, inform people of gaps or weak spots in the walls of the city, secret entrances that need to be blocked back up, etc. While delving into the past, Bran comes across a memory he realizes is recent - Varys and Littlefinger sneaking into the city.

VisionBran follows them and sees them meet in secret with Qyburn. The three discuss plans for the future, a future Bran realizes won’t include Cersei, Daenerys, or Jon. Qyburn assures Littlefinger and Baelish that once the dead are defeated and it’s clear Jon and Dany are dead too, he will poison Cersei and the Mountain. When Baelish and Varys ask for clarification as to how Qyburn will ensure Jon’s and Dany’s deaths during the battle, he shows them his scorpion prototype that was first seen on Euron’s ship when he attacked Dragonstone. Bran comes to with a gasp.

Jon and Dany are quickly informed of Varys’ and Baelish’s treasonous plot.

Baelish and Varys proclaim everything they did, they did for the realm, always to protect the realm. This gives Jon an idea as to how the two shall be dealt with but until then, they are put in chains.

Outside, snow starts to fall much more heavily on King’s Landing. They’re running out of time...

A Royal Wedding

Davos swings a cloak around Jon’s shoulders and fastens it for him as Missandei places a simple crown of winter roses on Daenerys’ head.

Everyone gathers around in the middle of the Dragonpit where Melisandre and Jon are waiting.

Dany emerges, clutching Jorah’s arm - he’s giving her away.

At Mel’s instructions, Jon and Dany recite the words of the religion of R’hllor and jump over a ditchfire, emerging on the other side as one. Having no other cloak available, Jon removes his and places it around Dany’s shoulders. They are finally married.

“Celebrations” begin (it’s really just everyone eating around bonfires in the Dragonpit, laughing, visiting, telling stories, etc.)

At Tormund’s prompting and questioning, Jaime is inspired to Knight Brienne which everyone loves

Jon and Dany escape the festivities and retreat to the loft they’ve been staying in while in King’s Landing - it’s simple and modest and Jon apologizes that their first night as man and wife isn’t befitting of a queen, Dany shakes her head and tells him it’s perfect, they begin to kiss

Love Montage

Tyrion prompts Pod to start singing

Cue montage of all the GOT “couples” cuddling and/or having sex - Missandei/Grey Worm, Jon/Dany, Theon/Sansa, Gilly/Sam, Arya/Gendry, Jaime/Brienne, (obligatory shot of Euron in Cersei’s bed dead asleep and Cersei beside him with a glass of wine, ambivalent)

Everyone else during the montage is shown laughing, talking, and enjoying life - Jorah/Lyanna Mormont, Bran/Meera/Howland Reed, Davos/Tormund, (hilarious shot of Baelish and Varys in chains, scowling at each other).

Three Blasts

Pod’s song ends and Bran approaches Tyrion - they need to inform Cersei of Qyburn’s betrayal, she’s in danger too, Tyrion agrees

Once Jaime and Brienne surface (with Tyrion giving them both a questioning but pleased look), Tyrion and Bran make their plea to Jaime - Cersei is under attack too, should be informed of Qyburn’s treason as they have a temporary truce with her. Jaime is likely the only one Cersei will let near her and he reluctantly agrees to deliver the message.

A horn blasts three times to announce the arrival of the dead and Jaime gives Brienne one last kiss goodbye before heading to the Red Keep

As instructed by Jon, Baelish and Varys are escorted outside the city walls in chains and then their chains bound to structures in the ground to prevent them from fleeing. They want to protect the city? There they are. The city’s “first defense” against the dead, standing together, alone, outside its walls. The protectors of the realm.

Episode 8 Inside the Episode: Protectors of the Realm

1) Arya warging Nymeria’s pack and Direwolf teeth destroying White Walkers?

This one was a kind of no brainer. We were supposed to have direwolves in the 8x03 episode anyway and Arya needs to use her powers somehow in the fight against the dead, not just some dumb cheap-shot on the Night King. 

Also, I’ve always felt the direwolves could serve a bigger purpose in the fight against the dead. Bloodraven (likely) sent the direwolves to the Starks for a reason. Yes, to protect them, but what if the direwolves could do more? We’ve already seen Grey Wind fight in battles for Robb. What if the rest of the pack was meant to fight against the dead? 

(And yes, I know Nymeria’s pack is mostly regular wolves but if she’s stumbled across a few other direwolves and maybe had some hybrid pups of her own, their teeth could still kill White Walkers - in this story)

2) The Night King’s Purpose

I really loved the idea of everyone having a little piece of the puzzle - Sam, Bran. Missandei, even Sandor Clegane. They all put the pieces together to figure out the Night King’s motives, why he wants to destroy the world. 

Plus, the Night King’s purpose being to punish man for their violent ways, their sins, would make the story very biblical, which would make for some great parallels as well. 

In the show, the Night King just wants to destroy everything, but we’re never really told why. This just makes his purpose more specific and the lesson of the story more specific as well - PEACE. Prioritize peace, put aside differences, fight with each other, not against each other, etc.

3) “Winter is Coming”, “Fire and Blood”, “The Dragon Has Three Heads” - AKA Stuff actually means things??

LOL yes, stuff actually means things. People have been speculating for a while that the Stark words “Winter is coming” was a warning about the White Walkers and I’m still pissed this was never paid off in the show - like really, what was the point? So now it actually has a point.

And, as GRRM hinted at in an interview, yes, I’m making it canon (my canon), that Aegon the Conqueror came to Westeros to save the planet from the White Walkers. It makes total sense. With that in mind, like the Stark words, the Targ House words will have meaning, as will “The Dragon Has Three Heads” which is more repeated in the books than on the show, but who the fuck cares? This is my final season, so I’m writing it the way I want and what makes the most sense to me.

4) Littlefinger and Varys?

They were meant to die together, I’m convinced. The bitchy, problematic, asexual scheming dream couple we were promised. Sorry not sorry. Lol

5) Royal Wedding and subsequent gangbang?

K, it’s not a gangbang, just a montage of everyone having sex. Because weddings make people want to have sex, right? It’s basically the montage scene from the show, just, you know, better. You can imagine for yourselves which couples are actually shown getting down and which are only “cuddling” - except Jon and Dany. Jon and Dany definitely would be shown having sex as they’ve got to “consummate” their marriage :D

Also, had to sneak in Meera and Bran in there. No, they’re not having sex, just talking and visiting with Meera’s father. She and Bran should have ended up together. It is known bitches.

6) Not really a note but apologies some characters like Davos and Tormund haven’t had much attention this series. Well, Davos has a bit. But not Tormund. I’m sure he would have a very important part in the books up until when/if he dies. But he’s never served a very big role in the show since Jon invited the wildlings south of the Wall, so he’s just not had a big role in this series either. Imagine his story whatever you’d like, likewise with all other minor character’s whose stories haven’t been touched on much here. 

As always, comments are welcome.

Sorry this took so long to get out! Thanks to everyone who’s been keeping up with it!

Until next episode, which will possibly be posted next week but not sure. Still have some parts to finish. 

To Read Previous Episodes:

Original Final Season 7: Preface Post

Season 7 Episode 1: Family, Duty, Honor

Season 7 Episode 2: Greywater Watch

Season 7 Episode 3: The Last of the Dragons

Season 7 Episode 4: Dragonglass

Season 7 Episode 5: The Storm

Season 7 Episode 6: Summerhall

Season 7 Episode 7: A City Fit For A King 

Season 7 Episode 8: Protectors of the Realm (Current Episode)

Season 7 Episode 9: The Battle For The Dawn

Season 7 Episode 10: ?

#game of thrones #anti got #anti D&D #original final season 7 #daenerys targaryen #jon snow #jonerys #Theon Greyjoy #Sansa Stark #theonsa #missandei #grey worm #greysandei #bran stark #meera reed #howland reed #Lyanna Mormont #jorah mormont #Davos Seaworth #Tormund Giantsbane #Jaime Lannister #brienne of tarth #braime #Gendry Waters #Arya Stark #gendrya #Samwell Tarly #gilly #Cersei Lannister #Euron Greyjoy

[jackoshadows]

I noticed that someone said the quiet part aloud on the tags.

Oh, and also this post was tagged Jon Snow for some reason, probably because Sansa treating Jon like a bastard makes her a ‘soft girl’, I dunno 🙄

It’s basically this isn’t it? Sansa gives ‘soft girl/fairy tale’ vibes because she goes along with the patriarchal ideals of oppressing people who are different, who belong to a different class, who don’t fit into society’s idea of the right kind of gender, class, race, sexuality etc.  Arya is messy, spoiled and bratty because she gets along with the small folk, she fights back, she wants different things, she is unhappy with the status quo - hence she is not a ‘soft girl’ with fairy tale vibes.

Wanting to be treated fairly is like ‘modern person views’, has nothing to do with empathy, a basic sense of fairness or right and wrong. Nah, there’s not just enough of ‘fairy tale’ in helping the less fortunate and minorities wanting to be treated equally. It’s not like people have been fighting for rights since the start of civilization - it’s just a modern day phenomenon.

I wouldn’t have a problem if this person had just said, ‘I find Sansa more interesting because she’s a character that strongly believes in the patriarchal system of rules and laws of her world unlike her siblings and that makes her unique amongst the Starks’. Rather, what stood out for me is the way they describe Sansa as ‘soft and fairy tale like’ for being a bigot, but the Arya who plays with the babies of the kitchen cooks and picks flowers for her father will never be that.

This is why Sansa’s the fandom bicycle who gets shipped with every Tom, Dick and Harry in the series, why are her fanon crackships are more popular, why they take away from the ‘non soft’ girls like Arya and Daenerys to give to Sansa. This is why Jonsa is a thing - because Sansa has ‘soft girl/fairy tale’ vibes and they want that fairy tale romance and ending for her.

Why folks want or are looking for a fairy tale princess in a grimdark fantasy series where the author is deliberately deconstructing and subverting all these fairy tale tropes (Jaime/Brienne, Sansa/Sandor) is beyond me in the first place and secondly, I like how the post just ignores that this ‘soft girl’ with fairy tale energy mocked her little sister for being ‘ugly’, horse-faced and unsatisfactory.

[Note: I do acknowledge that this post at the least is different to the usual ‘Sansa is so realistic like a modern day 11 year old’ when excusing all her actions because she’s just a real world child and notes that Sansa is actually a character who believes in the rules of her world and hence a bigot. It’s just the equating of this bigot to being a ‘soft girl’ with ‘fairy tale’ energy that gets me 😂]

#Not tagging this one #Just thinking out aloud...

[jokerfan99]

One Song by manu-chann

Here's the Patreon fanart suggestion for the month of May, for one of my lovely patrons.

I'm a big fan of both the ASOIAF novels and the Game of Thrones tv show, so when a patron suggested an image related to it I was excited!

I have really mixed feelings about season 8. Some parts of it I liked a lot, while others I found baffling in a terrible way. But regardless of my opinions, a tribute to the ending of this long journey of a show seemed appropriate. I wanted to add a lot more characters to this (among them Missandei, Theon, Jorah, Varys... the list goes on and on) but I decided to stop myself, for the sake of my work schedule.

I hope you like it!

Can we agree that both Drogon and Ghost are good boys? They are the best of boys. And Dany deserved so much better as a character but don't get me started on that hahahaha sob

Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Drogon, Rhaegal, Viserion, Ghost, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Sandor Clegane, Brienne of Tarth, Brandon Stark, the Night King and Tormund belong to their respective owners. (George R.R. Martin, HBO, etc.) Artwork is mine. Idea by one of my lovely patrons, SlimPickensUK

Deviantart: https://www.deviantart.com/manu-chann

#game of thrones #danereys targaryen #jon snow #Tyrion Lannister #Cersei Lannister #sansa stark #a song of ice and fire #george r r martin

[narniangirl1994]

How to fix the finale

(By fixing the lead up to it)

If you want to stick with the whole Daenerys ultimately being a tyrant story line, have a bit more lead up to it. Show her making at least a few more morally gray decisions other than just brutalizing objectively horrible people (ie: slavers and rapists). I don't agree with the way it was done, but it's a big leap from killing evil men to burning children alive for no good reason. So show a bit more of the slippery slope that got her there in the first place..

BUT, instead of having Jon Snow kill her in the end... have it be Missandei. Hear me out. The finale (and whole show, let's be real) felt highly misogynistic and racist, showing brown/black people as violent, unthinking invaders led by a woman who needs to be taken down by the men around her. So instead of having Dany's tyranny stopped by a man who slid into her DMs a season ago, have it be a woman who has known and followed her all along.

Show Missandei supporting Dany at first as they free slaves and punish slave owners. But have her slowly start to notice Dany's harsh punishments for those who stand in her way, not just the evil men in Essos. Have her try to counsel Dany to show mercy to the common people, but Dany resisting much of the time.

Then after they get to Westeros and go to King's Landing to face Cersei, show Dany explicitly commanding the Unsullied to sack the city.. and show the Unsullied (especially Grey Worm) hesitate at this order, but many start to follow it after Dany commands them more harshly a second time. (Maybe even have a moment earlier in the show where an Unsullied tries to tell Dany he wants to leave, and Dany strongly insist he stay until her war is over).

Show Missandei witnessing all of this and finally realizing the woman she's been following all along is no different than the people Dany supposedly freed her from. Because she's not breaking these scared citizens' chains, and she stopped caring about the freedom of the Unsullied in her quest for power. Show how Missandei is ultimately the only one still trusted enough by power hungry Dany to get close enough to kill her. And have her do this before the whole place is burned down so not everyone dies.. Keep Drogon burning the Iron Throne though.

That solves the racist white savior Mhysa arc from earlier in the show by having a black woman ultimately free her people. It solves the misogyny of yet another (white) man killing the woman who she thought she could trust (and having the men presented as the only rational ones in the end). It also solves the xenophobic racism of having brown outsiders thoughtlessly commit genocide by having conscientious objectors amongst the Unsullied even though some proceeded because they thought they were following a just leader.

Make it clear that Dany's (beginnings of a) genocide are not the result of hereditary mental illness (because she literally was not "crazy", yet many fans and characters kept saying she was mad like her father). Have someone clearly point out this was the result of always being told this was her right, and never really being told the means matter as much as the ends.

If you want Bran to be king, show him using the history and perspective he has access to as the Three Eyed Raven to actually DO something. The one time I really saw what I'm talking about is when he mentioned designing his current wheelchair based on something someone else did a hundred years ago. So have more of that. Show him offering advice to people, showing compassion, making changes to peoples' everyday lives with this wisdom he has so that it actually makes sense when he is made king. I love the message of learning from the past to do better in the future.. but hate that aloof, uninvolved Bran is the vessel of this message.

Have people learn from those past mistakes and actually include more commoners, women, etc. on the board of advisors so it's not just a bunch of men (and Brienne) making all the decisions for everyone again.

Have Yara gain independence for the Iron Islands as well, during the meeting of leaders. Perhaps have shown her ships helping to stop Euron's fleet (to resolve that plot line), but then show her pulling her soldiers back when she sees the slaughter in King's Landing, since they aren't pillagers anymore. It would be a nice nod to Theon saving Bran's life, affirm her ability to be a good leader, and make her whole storyline actually have meaning.

Don't have Jon be a Targaryen. That was ultimately pointless in my opinion and takes away from the idea that someone can be a good leader even if they're 'just a bastard.' It's not his lineage that made him so good at leading, but his hard work, practicality, and compassion for the people.

And even if you have Brienne honor Jaime's memory in the King's Guard historical record, have her start her own page to show she is truly a knight now whose journey is just getting started (that doesn't just revolve around this one man).

That's how I would have done it differently. Other than of course, having more people of color and reducing the constant brutalization/assault of female characters throughout the series. Like I said, I didn't hate the messages/symbolism of some of these plot lines. (War is hell, learn from your history, power corrupts, etc.) But I did hate the way it was presented via a misogynistic, racist, and ultimately cliche story that didn't even make sense character/plot-wise.

#got spoilers #got season 8 #game of thrones #game of thrones meta #how it should have ended #daenerys targaryen #missandei #jon snow #bran stark #brienne of tarth #grey worm #kings landing #got meta #got review

[une-nuit-pour-se-souvenir]

So I've watched some national "series" for like a week (five episodes) and apparently I predicted most of the ending (someone spoiled it today in some trashy magazine). We're halfway into it (50 of 100 episodes), I'm going to watch it anyway (with doubled amusement in fact) because it's a narrative fulfilling ending.

I like being positively surprised as well, like I was during most of Breaking Bad and now Better Call Saul, because it is a good story and made sense. Sure there were moments where the narrative was weaker, but it was always narratively fulfilling and it was never shocking for the shock value alone. It was coherent and fitting. So while there was much it was unpredictable, I rather like it as well.

What I don't like, shit that doesn't make sense. Yes. This is rant #8122912266 as why I'll never get over the narrative abomination of Game of Thrones ending.

> Tyrion Lannister rewarded as "Kof7K" which he always wanted (Bran doesn't care to rule) after all the shit he did and this is passed by the narrative as punishment.

> Daenerys Targaryen, the medieval equivalent of incompetent Hitler with nukes, with a sympathetic death instead of being killed while spat on the face like she deserved.

> Brienne Tarth reduced to Jaime's eulogy woman. Asha Greyjoy, enough saying. That council, with a grand maester who is married and has a child, a master of coin who doesn't know what a loan is, a master of ships who is a former smuggler.

> Jon Snow punished for doing the right thing that nobody else had he courage to, ending up alone at the Wall. I am so offended, his above all.

> Sansa ending up alone after years of pining for true romance and (in the show) a gratuitous rape plot. Nothing against her being QitN, which I always wanted, instead of Qot7K).

Arya "the lone wolf dies but the pack survives" / "I can be your family" Stark abandoning her siblings and significant other, leaving Westeros for at least a decade.

What is this? Shit, its what it is. One thing is to dislike how things end, another is to be a narrative abomination.

Game of Thronrs wanted to subvert personal expectations. Well, I suppose they did. It manages to offend me more than Harry Potter putting on airs of being an anti-prejudice an pro-choices work and then having the Slytherins (all evil at 11 and the villain was just inevitable born that way). It's a pity that beating HP on the personal offended scale was the only thing subverted. I honestly thought HP's hypocrisy was impossible to beat and randomness (seven books for seven school years oh wait and no to mention, selling a story for kids where the main character drops out of school, the Hallows came out of nowhere, etc).

[postmodernmulticoloredcloak]

Burn them all

I apologize if any of the following spec is either obvious or stupid!! I don’t follow GoT meta/spec and I have basically been a very casual watcher until super recently.

With only two episodes still to go, I have realized that the final arc of the show is a redux of Robert’s Rebellion and the assassination of the Mad King - with two figures in the narrative spot of the Mad King, Daenerys and Cersei.

In 8x04 we are reminded of Robert multiple times - Daenerys mentions how he took the throne away from her family to Gendry, and then Tyrion and Varys, who now know the truth about Lyanna and Rhaegar, comment on the futility of Robert’s Rebellion, whom Robert started because of Lyanna being “kidnapped” when in fact that didn’t happen.

And, of course, the story brings Daenerys to a point where she has a choice to make: whether to burn King’s Landing.

Daenerys has a difficult legacy that she needs to dispel if she wants people to accept her as queen of Westeros. The memory of her father, the Mad King, is still alive and she needs to prove that she is not like her father.

But, of course, the ultimate “madness” that drove Jaime Lannister to kill him was that he ordered to have the entirety of King’s Landing burned. In fact, the Mad King was to ignite Wildfire placed all over King’s Landing to burn the city down when it became clear he had lost.

Basically, Daenerys is going to face the ultimate test to prove that she is not just another mad Targaryen, by choosing not to burn hundreds of thousands of innocents.

I expect that she is going to spiral into her own “madness”, hatred and revenge and desire for power, for a bit more, but eventually she’ll see the light and prove - to herself and to everyone else - that she is indeed different.

But, on the other side, there is Cersei, that at this point has also spiraled into madness. She already has burned a bunch of people in King’s Landing by using Wildfire, and she could potentially blow the city up with it, just like the Mad King wanted to do before Jaime stopped him.

So here’s my speculation. Warning, I never get these things right.

- it seems obvious that Jaime will find himself in a situation with similarities of sorts from the one he went through with the Mad King. While it makes more sense for him to be involved with the Cersei-as-the-Mad-King-2.0 side of the story, I wonder whether it’d possible that he’ll be involved in the Dany-as-the-Mad-King-2.0 side of the story. Jaime once tried to kill Dany to stop the war, but was prevented in doing that by Drogon. Now, Jaime basically killed the “last dragon” when he killed the last Targaryen king on the Iron Throne, and I wonder if that scene was foreshadowing for him to kill the literal “last dragon”, to prevent Drogon to burn the city. Of course, it could be someone else. But I’m intrigued by the scene where he attempts to kill Dany and Drogon gets in front of him as foreshadowing for him killing the dragon to protect the city. I’m counting this as a wild idea, not really speculation, but why not write it down...

- on the other hand, it is possible that the truth about why Jaime killed the Mad King will come up (only Brienne knows about it, correct?), possibly as a warning to Daenerys that burning King’s Landing is a very Mad King kind of thing to do, which is not the brand of sovereign she wants to be. And now another piece of speculation: this might be where Bran fits in this arc. We know that Bran experienced a flashback to the Mad King yelling “burn them all”, and the scene seemed to suggest that his madness could be in fact related to Bran’s interference as the three-eyed-raven and be a projection of the need to burn the dead, not the living. People have wondered what would Bran’s role in the story be now that the Night King is dead, and I’m wondering whether that scene where he sees the Mad King might come up as relevant now, possibly with some reveal about the guy and/or Jaime, possibly revealing something about his cryptic dialogue with him.

- Now, the “Rebellion” part of the parallel. If Cersei and Dany are both, in different ways (and, likely, final results), the Mad King, who are Robert and Ned? Now, my speculation here goes to the Stark sisters (one’s already been aligned with the Baratheon house, the other is the current Stark-in-charge-of-Winterfell). Now hear my idea out: Sansa goes to King’s Landing to make negotiations with Cersei (don’t get me wrong, I know Sansa wants Cersei dead too, but she looks at the big picture and what she can get out of the situation first: if Dany and Cersei fight, the winner wins all - Sansa cannot let that happen). At this point, we might get a situation where Dany wants to attack the city, and Jon needs to choose whether to obey to her, or not - because his sister(s) is/are in the city (Arya’s going there too but it might be a secret). Jon at some point will need to make a major choice (what to do with Jaime, what to do with the secret of his parentage etc, imo, foreshadowing for a big life-or-death choice he needs to make) and I like the idea of him having to pick between Dany and Sansa in the most dramatic way possible.

Of course, don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting a precise correspondence between key players during Robert’s Rebellion and key players now, especially considering that there are two Mad King 2.0s, one another Targaryen like him but equipped with a dragon, the other not a Targaryen but equipped with his Wildfire. Which leads us to the next point--

- Cersei. Remember how when Stannis attacked King’s Landing she was ready to kill Tommen and herself rather than be captured and worse? It would make sense for her to kill herself and her baby once she has no hope to win. But now she has the Wildfire at her own disposal just the Mad King, and it would make sense for her to want to bring literally everyone else with her, not so unlike the Night King who wanted all life to die. Now, there’s two episodes to go and it seems like very little time so I’m tempted to list “Cersei, realizing she’s losing, blows the entire place up so she dies bringing all his enemies with her. Gendry becomes king of the seven kingdoms because there’s literally no one else left to be king of anything. ser Davos somehow survives again to his great annoyance” as a possibility. In fact, it is a possibility. But it’s probably more likely that she’ll be stopped before she is able to enact the plan, just like the Mad King. Now, it’s possible that she’s killed by Jaime or someone else and her plan dies with her. But I’m also intrigued by Tyrion’s speech to Qyburn in 8x04, where Tyrion attempts to appeal to Qyburn’s common sense and he tells him that he doesn’t want the city to burn and hear people burning alive, and asks Qyburn to help him save the city and avoid carnage. Of course in 8x04 that falls flat and Tyrion goes to address Cersei personally, but maybe it’s foreshadowing for Qyburn eventually intervening to avoid the whole city to burn.

- On the other hand I really, really want a confrontation between Sansa and Cersei to happen (curiously, Sansa was there with her during the battle of the Blackwater so there might be a parallel there - c’mon the Wildfire will come up, it’s a song of ice and fire and the battle is at King’s Landing...). In the latest episode, Sansa reminded the Hound that she is not a “Little Bird” anymore. Back then, Cersei called her Little Dove. Time for her to prove to Cersei she’s not like that anymore. And that she learned from Cersei.

- I mentioned Bran before - if I’m not mistaken he had a vision of the future with dragons and Wildfire back in that intense episode when the previous Three-Eyed-Raven, Hodor, Summer etc died, right? It’s almost like there’s going to be a battle now with a dragon and a city packed with Wildfire right now... Oh, look. Some Wildfire is going to go off. And again, Bran and his powers are going to have some kind of significance, because the foreshadowing exists.

Okay, I think that if I kept musing about this stuff I could go on forever and this post is already long enough, so I’ll just add a couple short points:

- If indeed the circumstances of the Mad King’s assassination become relevant, I’m expecting Brienne and/or him to have some kind of dramatic moment when the conversation they had about it is recalled, and how back then his motivation wasn’t for Cersei, but the people.

- I swear if Jon also dies in the South and never reunites with Tormund, Sam, Ghost & co, I’m gonna personally murder the person responsible for it. *very awkward moment where everyone really digests the realization that the chances for Jon to come back to the North are... thin*

- I’m going to enjoy Euron’s death no matter who kills him.

Let me know your thoughts!!

@bluestar86 @tinkdw @idontdo-marigolds @daughter-of-the-rain-and-snow​

#game of thrones #got spec #got speculation

[tlbodine]

Every Single Last Thought I Have About Game of Thrones

My rambling obsession with Game of Thrones has cost me at least a dozen followers so far, and I promise it’s nearing an end now that the show is finished and the fervor is dying down. But I do have some Final Thoughts(tm), and I thought I would assemble them all here as best I can. In the interests of saving you all from a million future Game of Thrones posts, I will endeavor to put Every Single Thought I Have into one monstrously long GoT masterpost. You’re welcome, I guess? 

Rambles under a spoiler tag, as much for actual spoilers as for, uh, rambling. Buckle in. This post is a monster. 

In a contentiously-named Vice article called “Game of Thrones Was Doomed From the Start,” Peter Slattery makes a point that maybe we all needed to hear: Whatever our problems with the Game of Thrones TV show, they’re not wholly endemic to the show itself. The article is worth a read, but the tl;dr is this: GRRM created an astonishingly complex world with his book series, and the story has spun out to ever greater complexity as it approaches its supposed end. 

Anyone looking for a way to wrap it all up is going to have a tough time. Just ask GRRM himself, whose inability to finish the series in a timely fashion has basically become a meme at this point. 

Now, of course, D&D did not need to try to end the story in 6 episodes. They could easily have kept the series going on forever and HBO would have allowed it, because GoT is pretty much single-handedly keeping the network’s lights on at this point. Why the showrunners chose to turn down that opportunity is a matter of speculation. 

What I will say is this: There had always been an expectation that the show would be seven seasons. The internet has a short memory about these things, but back when this all started, the intent was clear enough: There would be 7 books in the series, and 7 episodes in the show, one for each book. At the time, four of GRRM’s books were out, with the fifth being released during this time period, and there had been an expectation (even then, a bit over-optimistic) that the books would finish before their respective seasons, or maybe just trail it by a year or so. 

The anticipation, in other words, was that A Song of Ice and Fire would roughly follow the trajectory of the Harry Potter films in their relationship with the books. 

That’s not what happened, obviously. 

But I do remember there being some grumblings of unease when we audience-folk started to realize the show might not wrap up tidily in those 7 planned seasons. And I definitely remember some grumbling about how Season 8 would take more than a year to come out (surely you all remember that impatience!) 

And facing that -- a restless audience, source material that stayed stubbornly unwritten, the increasingly complex logistics of an enormous cast including young actors who were picking up other roles -- I can understand the impulse to speed it along. If your options in finishing a story are to rush it a bit to force the plot points out, or else risk being caught plodding forward indefinitely...I can see the appeal of rushing. I won’t say it was the right creative choice, but it’s one I can understand and one I don’t think is indefensible. I’m not in love with what happened, but I can think of far worse ways for the show to have gone. 

Here’s more analysis on that which you may find interesting: https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/21/18633029/game-of-thrones-got-ending-season-8-george-rr-martin-apology

Scope Creep & Themes that Get Away From You 

So why is the ASOIAF universe so gosh-darn complex, and why are these books so hard to finish, and why is the show’s ending so hard to stick? 

It’s not just because GRRM is pantsing his way through the story (excuse me, tending his garden) but because ASOIAF is not actually a story so much as it’s a history. Part of what makes this world so compelling is that it is indeed its own world. And not just in the Tolkien sense of multiple cultures and complex histories and languages fleshing out the world. What’s made GRRM’s work the most interesting and compelling from the beginning is that it promises even more than that: Here is a richly textured world of geopolitical intrigue, populated by real people; each and every character has their own fears and hopes and aspirations and petty squabbles. 

ASOIAF tells a story about normal people and the way they get caught in the machinations of war, and it doesn’t take any shortcuts. And I think we need to take a moment here to appreciate how unique that actually is as a concept. 

In Lord of the Rings, we receive a richly detailed world with its own history and culture and grand war, but the war is also limited by the parameters of the story: It can all be ended if Frodo destroys the ring. 

GRRM did not give himself such a straightforward McGuffin for ending his story. 

And that, indeed, is part of the appeal of the ASOIAF series. A big part of what makes it all so compelling is that it’s a deconstruction of the fantasy genre and, really, a deconstruction of epics in general. 

Game of Thrones, the first book in the series, dares to ask: What happens when being the good guy is what gets you killed? 

Maybe GoT has been part of our cultural fabric for so long that this doesn’t seem all that shocking, but let’s just take a moment to appreciate here how utterly wild it is that this story begins by spending hundreds of pages (or many hours of film) with a protagonist, only to lop his head off -- and that, really, the rest of the series isn’t even about avenging that death. Oh, sure, vengeance for Ned Stark colors the motivation of some characters, especially in the beginning...but the story soon spirals way beyond that, because the Starks are just one piece in the epic machines of war. 

So by its very nature, ASOIAF is not just complex in terms of its sheer scope and number of characters and storylines, but also in terms of its themes. It’s a story that raises a number of difficult questions about the nature of good and evil, of the influence of power, the personal vs the political, and so forth. 

These are difficult questions, the type of questions at the very core of the human experience, questions that we’ve been grappling with for thousands of years, and GoT’s deconstructive nature means that it can’t take shortcuts to answering them. The answers simply cannot be as satisfying as “good triumphs over evil” or “evil wins” because the very nature of ASOIAF is complexity and the rejection of such simple platitudes. 

From that angle, I think the show did a brilliant job of wrapping things up. The plot had its share of inconsistencies (although not as many as people argue, more on that in a minute) but I think it stayed true to the spirit of what Game of Thrones had always been about. Season 8 raised some really important questions and touched on some extremely interesting themes, and I personally found it both thought-provoking and powerful. 

But, well, I will confess that my aesthetics have always leaned more toward intricacy, and that I do not have what many would call “good taste” about a great many things. I always prefer for things to be interesting rather than beautiful, and from my perspective, the home stretch of Game of Thrones was exceedingly interesting. 

How Did You Honestly Expect It Was Going To End? 

For all of the belly-aching on social media about the ending of Game of Thrones, I have both a rebuttal and a genuine question: What did you think was going to happen? 

A lot of people seemed to think that something like this would happen: 

(art by https://www.instagram.com/raymondwaskita/?hl=en and no, this isn’t saying the artist believes or endorses any of this, just saying I saw this image on Facebook accompanied by a lot of wistful sighing) 

I saw so many people who were all so very angry that Daenerys doesn’t walk away the winner of everything, that Cersei doesn’t get a more satisfying death, that Jon didn’t get to be the true king, that Jaime and Brienne don’t get a happily-ever-after, etc. etc. etc. And to all of those people I have just one question to ask you: What the fuck show have you been watching? 

Daenerys deserved better? 

Tell that to Ned Stark. Tell that to Robb and Catelyn and Shireen and Margaery and all the rest of the Tyrells. Just for starters. We could do this all day. 

Just because we had a few bad guys get some deliciously just endings does not mean that the Game of Thrones universe is fair or that anyone gets what they deserve. That’s just silly. 

But okay, fine then: Was it fucked up to tell a story where the breaker of chains and inspirational strong woman becomes the villain? 

I mean, sure, maybe. But doing so allowed us to ask some other really interesting questions (and, as previously noted, I always prefer when things are interesting). 

Is excessive force justified when it’s against evil men? Who gets to decide who is good and who is evil? How many losses are acceptable? Can you fight monsters without becoming a monster yourself? Should you be uncomfortable with how happy you are when “others” are slaughtered? Are you a little bit culpable too? 

Was Dany’s heel-face turn perfectly executed? No. But it was believable, and it was powerful, and I think the questions it asks are good questions that deserve to be talked about. 

Game of Thrones is all about subverting tropes, and Daenerys is the obvious Chosen One. She’s the one with the fantastic birth and the underdog story and the magical powers. She and Jon Snow are both the characters that every story tells us will be the heroes. So of course they don’t get what they “deserve.” 

If the first episode of Game of Thrones asks, “What happens if being good doesn’t save the hero?” then the last episode asks, “What happens if being the hero doesn’t make you good?” 

And that, to me, is interesting enough that it more than makes up for shortcomings in the road we traveled to get there. 

A lot of the criticism of the show -- take, for just one of many examples, this: https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a27527950/game-of-thrones-finale-character-endings/ -- seems to fundamentally misunderstand what the show actually is or what it was attempting. 

And like...I can understand being disappointed, but...like the scorpion & the frog...you knew what this show was when you picked it up. 

Here’s a Twitter thread I really liked about this point: https://twitter.com/leighalexander/status/1130750999684161537

So Am I Just Some D&D Apologist Who Loves Everything About This Show? 

I’m so glad you asked, hypothetical reader! 

No. No, I am not in love with every creative decision made by the GoT showrunners. There are plenty of things I disliked about the show and its creative choices. 

Re-framing Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s sex as rape, and then making the same mistake later when Jaime and Cersei have sex after Joffrey’s death. 

Giving Sansa to Ramsay Bolton. Not only do we get more unnecessary rape plots (and, honestly, wasn’t there enough rape in the source material?) but it just is so much less interesting than what was happening with Book!Sansa, who is my favorite character (and was my favorite long before it became cool to love Sansa). 

The entire three-eyed raven arc and “hold the door.” I mean, it was cool and tense, but I never got a really good idea of wtf the three-eyed raven’s powers actually do and what Bran inherited, and I kind of got the feeling that the showrunners didn’t understand it either and thus skirted around it. (Overall the show seemed uncomfortable with its more fantastic elements and knowing what to do with them). 

I thought Rickon was a wasted opportunity of a character. I wanted to see him do something cool. I admit that this is based entirely on my pet theory that the direwolves represent the souls of the Stark children, and I hoped Shaggydog’s vicious nature meant that Rickon was going to become a badass somehow. Alas. (I am also deeply sad that Arya and Nymeria don’t reunite to go fuck some shit up together)

Euron Greyjoy was a disaster. He is so much more interesting in the books, and so much weirder, and he’s just so pointless and annoying in the show by comparison. 

I didn’t like the “let’s go beyond the wall and oops there went my dragon” storyline very much, and honestly at no point did I ever really believe Jon and Dany’s relationship because it was rushed and the actors have zero chemistry. 

So no, I don’t think the showrunners made a perfect TV show. But I do think it’s deeply unfair to say that they are incompetent writers or that they can’t work without the original source material. 

My Criticism of the Criticisms 

The internet is full of idiotic opinions, and I could be here all day if I addressed all of them (I’ve already been working on this for two hours) but I will address a few of the complaints I’ve seen that have most rankled me. 

“Daenerys goes crazy because a boy rejected her” 

I think calling Daenerys the “mad queen” and writing off Targaryen madness as A Real Thing That Definitely Exists And Is Not At All A Metaphor For Power And Entitlement is silly and reductivist. Yes, generations of inbreeding have probably unsettled the Targaryens a bit. But Dany didn’t just go crazy. As I’ve said before: She was already prepared to sacrifice the lives of the commoners on King’s Landing. She knew that Cersei would use them as a human shield and Dany wasn’t going to let that stop her. She had endured so much on her journey to get to this point, and nothing was going to stand between her and the Iron Throne. I talk about this in great length in another post so I won’t get into it here, but just...don’t be stupid. 

“Cersei’s ending was stupid and pointless”

I’ve spent so much time dissecting Daenerys that I haven’t had a chance to talk about Cersei, which is a shame because I love her character a lot. I really loved her ending. All this time, the only thing she wanted was the security that power would bring her. Watching the look on her face when she realizes that Daenerys is going to destroy everything and that no political maneuvering can save her -- it was really powerful acting, and a major moment of change for her character. That she dies in Jaime’s arms, admitting at last that she is frightened, that she doesn’t want to die, that she doesn’t want her baby to die -- not only is it heartbreaking, but it’s honest. That is Cersei laid bare. She is who she has always been. That encapsulates her arc in a way that no other death really could have, and I personally found it a lot more satisfying than if Arya or whomever had just stabbed her in the back. 

“All of Jaime’s character development just went out the window”

I’ll give you some of this. I don’t know that the show has ever fully understood Jaime. Just as Cersei is so much more sympathetic in the show, Jaime is much more sympathetic in the books. But I don’t think that all his character development is for nothing. I think we still have his journey, no matter what. And in the end, I can understand why he chose to leave Brienne. He didn’t think he deserved that happiness, for one; Brienne was too good for him, not just as a person but as a knight, and he knew that. And what was his long-term plan, anyway? Daenerys certainly wasn’t overly fond of him. There’s a non-zero chance she might have executed him for killing her father once he’s outlived his usefulness. Cersei and his unborn child were in the path of danger. He had a chance to maybe go rescue them and save the family, somehow, as he’d so horribly failed to save any of his other children. It was a stupid choice, but Jaime is the dumbest Lannister, and his self-loathing go deep. Did we think that Brienne’s redemptive vagina was going to save him from himself? Come on. 

As for his last moments with Cersei...well. He was already mortally wounded by Euron. And I loved that the fight was so inglorious, so raw and dirty and stupid. They wrestle in the mud and it was perfect, as far as I’m concerned. So Jaime knows he won’t get out of this alive, and here’s Cersei, frightened and vulnerable. What else CAN he do but try to comfort them both? I thought it was a beautiful end for both of them and just because Jaime’s story ended up being tragic doesn’t invalidate his redemption arc. (I mean, for fuck sake, how many people go through rehab just to die of an overdose when they backslide?) 

“The scorpions are deadly weapons except then they’re useless”

Okay like. This is annoying to me. By the time we see Rhaegal, he has suffered a lot of damage courtesy of the white walkers. His wing has a big freaking hole in it. He’s not 100%, and he’s not being ridden by anyone, and the attack comes as an ambush. Drogon evades being shot down because he’s being steered by a rider and he’s not injured and exhausted. 

“D&D are incompetent writers who have no idea what they’re doing”

This one just makes me mad, and not just because of the fandom entitlement that I hate so much. (in this house, we stan for creators). Look. If they’re so incompetent, how did they manage to make a show that y’all loved for seven seasons previous to this? Also, like it or not, they know exactly what they’re doing. Like, they had such a clear idea of what they were doing that they managed to foresee the exact counter-arguments that fans would have and directly address them in the show. 

Like. Hot damn. I will admit: I was very nervous about this season in the first few episodes. Dany was making me uneasy. She was acting selfish and entitled, and her attitude toward the war was making me uncomfortable -- because she was still in the role of hero, and I wasn’t sure if we-the-audience were meant to just swallow this as being OK. And then Varys and Tyrion have a conversation about exactly that, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Because that made it clear that the show knew what it was doing. 

And then later? Jon and Tyrion have a so-accurate-its-painful discussion about Dany’s heel-face turn and her potential motives, and it so perfectly mirrored the discussions on Twitter the week prior that I almost wondered if they’d snuck off to film it last minute. 

The point is: Like it or not, D&D knew exactly what they were doing. And, remember, GRRM gave them an outline, and while we don’t know for sure what’s their invention and what’s his, I think we can safely say that the broad strokes of the ending were GRRM’s invention, not theirs.   https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-showrunners-know-how-687589

So love it or hate it, the ending of GoT cannot be blamed on incompetence. 

Okay Fine But the Pacing Was Still Really Bad 

Yep. I’ll grant you that. 

The ending blazes through plot points at breakneck speed. A lot of really important character development is left to performances; we’re forced to infer, as the audience, what a character is thinking or feeling at any given time. A lot of really important plot information is delivered by way of single dialogue lines. There’s a lot of “if you blink you’ll miss it” storytelling. 

It’s not ideal by any means. 

But it’s still pretty fucking good. The performances are good enough that, to me anyway, it’s pretty easy to intuit what’s going on internally. And the show still gave me things to think about, and made me feel things, and the impact may actually have been stronger by virtue of leaving so much to the imagination. By leaving a lot of questions unanswered, the show invites conversation and thought and speculation, and I think that’s valuable.

Would I Have Done It Differently? 

Here’s a fun relic from history -- check out GRRM’s original story pitch, back when he thought this would be a trilogy: https://www.insider.com/game-of-thrones-original-story-2017-8

Talk about scope creep. 

It’s fascinating, though. I know myself all too well that the book I set out to write and the book I end up with are never the same. There are some really interesting ideas in here, but I think the story we ended up with is a lot better. 

But as for the ending of the Game of Thrones. Was it perfect? Would I have handled it differently? 

Thematically, I think the resolution is mostly fine. Putting Bran on the throne is...well, it’s a choice. I have a little bit of a hard time with it just because it’s not really clear what Bran is, exactly. What are the scope of his powers? Is it a bit of a cop-out to put a supernatural king on the throne? 

But what I do like about it is the idea that it doesn’t actually really matter who we put on the throne. The story makes a difference -- we need something that makes for a good song, because maybe at the end of the day one of the messages is that we need to believe in all these tropes we’ve deconstructed because reality is hard, it’s painful and boring and often nonsensical, and maybe we need stories in order to survive. 

But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who we put in charge, because the people who are actually in charge are the council, and they will deal with everything the way they always had. After years of bloody rebellion, maybe the best thing really is the status quo. Maybe the solution to the game of thrones is to just stop fucking playing it. Put somebody on the damn throne and get back to running the country. I like that a lot. 

I also like the idea that change is important, and it’s possible, but it’s slow. That strikes a good balance of realism and optimism. No, we’re not bringing democracy to Westeros, but we’re establishing the roots of a Republic. No, a queen doesn’t sit the Iron Throne, but a queen does get to rule in the north, and the north gets its sovereignty. No, Jon Snow doesn’t get to be the hero, but he does get to go beyond the wall with the Freefolk, which honestly will probably make him happier than anything else (and while he doesn’t get to claim his birthright, he does know now why Ned did what he did, and gets some closure on the daddy issues front). 

All in all, it’s good. It’s not a happy ending, but we were never going to get a happy ending. And it’s not a particularly dramatic ending, because we weren’t going to get one of those either. 

THAT SAID. I will say there are a few things that really bothered me about the way the finale plays out. 

Drogon spontaneously melting down the throne for....some reason? Uh? I mean thematically it’s great but like....why though? 

It would have made more sense if the dragon roasted Jon, except Jon doesn’t burn because fire can’t burn a dragon, but the throne behind Jon melts down. It also would have made sense of Jon hopped on the dragon and melted down the throne himself, and maybe went and either killed Dany’s force or made them surrender/yield to him. 

I also have a hard time believing that the Unsullied who were just executing Lannisters would have locked Jon up instead of executing him immediately for treason. 

And wtf have they all been doing after Dany died? OK, fine, maybe the Unsullied don’t have any ambitions of their own, but you’re telling me the Dothraki were like “oh, ok, queen’s dead, guess we’ll just hang out and not do anything then?” 

None of that made any sense to me. 

Also wtf how are there still so many Dothraki and Unsullied left? Didn’t, like, a whole lot of them die fighting zombies? 

Ugh. 

Anyway. 

Perfect? No. Thought-provoking? Absolutely. Thematically on-point? Yeah, I’d say so. One of the best shows on television, still? Definitely. Are there valid criticisms? Yes. Are most of the criticisms valid? Not by a long shot. 

One final thought: 

We never do learn why the Night King doesn’t burn. Our pet theory in the house (courtesy of my husband) is that he is of Targaryen descent. He can ride the dragon, after all. What if that’s not just because he resurrects it with his powers, but because he is himself a dragon-rider? 

So with that as a possibility...Well. I’m just saying. 

We don’t know where Drogon took Daenerys after she dies. But wouldn’t it be interesting if she is somehow resurrected, and somehow gets to spend the next few centuries amassing an army of the undead to come back and take what’s rightfully hers, effectively re-starting the cycle and bringing winter back once again? 

(this is what happens when you give a fantasy series to a horror writer) 

#got spoilers #game of thrones #writing advice #rambles #thoughts #long post #analysis #this is going to get like five notes #and that will make me very sad #but here it is #here are all of my thoughts #everything that's been swirling in my brain for weeks #please enjoy