Yes, as you very eloquently stated everything (in quite a beautiful post), this episode was just full of the most wretched examples of humanity I could imagine.
Thank you.
Even Cersei didn't look quite as bad after this.
Speaking of the mighty who has fallen, I'm sure we'll see the culmination of her SL with the High Sparrows come to a head in the season's finale.
And yeah, it was really hard realizing she was still holding that stag. Davos was far more her father than that trash.
This. This little girl, with all that she has faced in life, a distant father, a resentful mother, who somehow still managed to hold on to goodness, and impart that wherever she went. Ser Davos, Gilly.....
This was her end.
And that stag, it was bittersweet, as it was meant to represent House Baratheon/her father, but it represented Ser Davos, the only father-figure who was honestly there for her, as a father should. Except, when she needed him the most.....
I hope Stannis dies painfully, I hope he dies horribly, and I hope that as he dies, he realizes that he was NOT the hero that he imagined himself to be, his destiny was NOT to be on the Iron Throne, and thus he murdered his own daughter who loved him and trusted him as part of his self-absorbed quest to be someone he was never supposed to be. He gave her away for nothing.
I feel your anger. I echo it. I'm pretty sure though, in the next episode, this 'sacrifice' will be validated, as the weather will turn in their favour or something, allowing Stannis & Co. an opening into claiming the North, which will vindicate the Evil Red Lady, because she can't exit the show, just yet. And if such a sacrifice failed to achieve what it set out to, the Red Woman would be booted out. So, I'm pretty sure the fanatics will see that the 'magic' worked, at least for the next little while. And so the Red Woman/Melissandra/The One Who Must Die In A Painful Fire will be around still, yet.
Likely Ser Davos will hear of the news, and his unflinching loyalty to Stannis will finally break, as will Stannis' wife's.
I really am quite cool with Houses Martell and Tyrell ruling Westeros, if I get to choose. They're civilized in Dorne and sensible in Highgarden, even if a bit too courtly at times.
In a series/world like GoT, how refreshing it is to find such needles in haystacks, as the exceptions, rather than the norm.
If GoT does not teach us that 'absolute power corrupts', I dunno what will.
I watch GoT on DVD months after it airs. I spoil myself thoroughly but it's still compelling. I knew exactly what would happen at the Red Wedding but it still managed to shock.
What a great show.
Very true. The mark of great entertainment, for me, is being able to reacquaint myself with it, many times over, without losing any of the emotions, and intrigue, that I experienced the first time during introduction.
****
Predictions for S5 finale:
- As this is GRRM's story, no decision made by a character will be ideal and flawless, so I expect the Wildlings to start a bit of ruckus within Castle Black, so others can point to Jon and say, "I told you so...." Until, they realize that bickering amongst themselves pales in comparison to the way bigger threat outside of the walls. dun dun dun.....
To add: thinking more on this, I have a feeling that Jon's little dude/the squire will get into it with one of the Wildlings, and potentially die, which will provoke Jon's latent guilt complex, of, "omg, did I do the right thing?"
- Cersei will get her 'just desserts' from the Sparrows. She will confess her 'sins'. Maybe: All her loved ones will watch, helpless. Her two children and Jaime (and future son-in-law). Maybe her children will finally find out their parentage. Uncle Daddy! Which will call into question Tommen's claim to the throne. "there's a false king on the throne!! the horror!!!"
Which also calls into question Margery as married to a 'king', etc, etc.... Basically setting it up such that the Iron Throne is perilously without an occupant/ruler, which allows the masses to revolt, led by the High Sparrows? Tension in King's Landing. As I'm sure Mace Tyrell will have no sympathy or 'in', to ask the Iron Bank for more support/backing, as I'm pretty sure his serenading is not doing much for the negotiations process. I.e., he will fail epically, putting even more pressure on the Iron Throne to pay the Iron Bank back, immediately, or....consequences.......
It may be that Dorne comes to offer its help. Remember that Lannisters' gold mines have been dry for a while.
The details are likely off, of how it will happen, but I predict that the Iron Throne will be in great danger of being secure in its leadership, and along with that, King's Landing. Which creates a weak spot for those who have their eyes set on it, to advance their attack, as this is the perfect opening. Chaos = opportunity (looking at you, Littlefinger!)
-Stannis/Bolton/Ramsey/Reek/Sansa/Brienne will come to a head. Concluding who has the 'power' in the North.
- Arya and Meryn Trant will collide. Awesomesauce.
- Dany will continue to ride her dragon, as Tyrion looks on in awe, and if not a bit turned on. And they'll be setting their sights towards Westeros. Sister, I'm home!!!
- Finally, The Mountain will rise!