Game of Thrones!

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Well, this was highly satisfying. Can't say I feel bad about what happened to that smirk of Ramsey's.

 

[Tater]

good episode is good.

 

[Forever]

That was really quick. Sad. But quick.

Predictions: It's all a plan!!
Cersei will get out of it.

White walkers will creep.

I predict Tommen will die maybe this episode maybe next season. The prophecy must come true.

 

[Evo]

Holy hell...

 

[senza tema]

Oh yes. Oh fuck yes.

LONG LIVE THE HOUSE OF STARK

 

[Tater]

my favorite moment from this episode was when jon snow ran into the battlefield and the horses were closing in on him in slow-mo. a close second was when the slave owning rulers tried to sell out their spokesperson and received their bad karma in spades.

i can't wait for dany to get her head further into politics.

sansa slays.

 

[Evo]

my favorite moment from this episode was when jon snow ran into the battlefield and the horses were closing in on him in slow-mo.

That was too much...

 

[Totenkindly]

It's just weird, I was really indifferent to much of the big centerpiece of the episode. It all seemed pretty predictable to me. I think I watched Braveheart too many times, probably, although the shieldwall was kind of new and cool from a technical POV.

The highlights for me involved smaller stuff:

- Yara and Dany banter. WOW. Yara, not surprising, but the fact Dany was responding and ... just what is going on there?! ha

- Killing the two masters who turned on their comrade.

- Davos finding the stag and pyre.

- Interplay with Jon and Ramsay, who were like flip sides of the same coin.

- The last bit between Sansa and Ramsay. That was shot pretty horrifically... but oh that cute little smirk by Sansa at the end. They've done a really nice job with her character arc from Season 1; we've seen her grow and change and understand the forces on her that have shaped her. Littlefinger better look out. Well, at least Ramsay died doing something he loved: Keeping his hounds happy.



Turns out Jon's plan got flipped on head and he was the one triggered into a charge and overcommitting. Then again, that's why he's a Stark.

Rickon, Rickon, Rickon. You were apparently only cannon fodder all this time. Didn't do anything before, didn't do anything now. If you could have learned to NOT run in a straight line, your chance of survival might have been a bit better. I guess that leaves us with three Starks: Jon, Sansa, and Bran.

 

[ceecee]

It's just weird, I was really indifferent to much of the big centerpiece of the episode. It all seemed pretty predictable to me. I think I watched Braveheart too many times, probably, although the shieldwall was kind of new and cool from a technical POV.

The highlights for me involved smaller stuff:

- Yara and Dany banter. WOW. Yara, not surprising, but the fact Dany was responding and ... just what is going on there?! ha

- Killing the two masters who turned on their comrade.

- Davos finding the stag and pyre.

- Interplay with Jon and Ramsay, who were like flip sides of the same coin.

- The last bit between Sansa and Ramsay. That was shot pretty horrifically... but oh that cute little smirk by Sansa at the end. They've done a really nice job with her character arc from Season 1; we've seen her grow and change and understand the forces on her that have shaped her. Littlefinger better look out. Well, at least Ramsay died doing something he loved: Keeping his hounds happy.



Turns out Jon's plan got flipped on head and he was the one triggered into a charge and overcommitting. Then again, that's why he's a Stark.

Rickon, Rickon, Rickon. You were apparently only cannon fodder all this time. Didn't do anything before, didn't do anything now. If you could have learned to NOT run in a straight line, your chance of survival might have been a bit better. I guess that leaves us with three Starks: Jon, Sansa, and Bran.

Ok after my initial excitement subsided, here's my observations...

Jon Snow is not a king. It's important to reiterate that.
Rickon. ZIG ZAG MOFO! This is running from danger 101.
Yara and Dany - I like it. It was kind of hot too. And I liked Tyroin's little nod of guidance.
Sansa - True heroes don't look back at explosions. You're doing it right.
Grey Worm. I kind of forgot what a fucking bad ass you are.
Davos - This is going to end badly.

 

[Qre:us]

Just saw the trailer for the last episode, and given a few scenes in Ep 9:

Ser Davoos discovering Shireen's toy stag and the site where she was burned, as the dawn awakes behind him. Like a symbolism for a rebirth. A new dawn, a new day....LIGHT.

I can't seem to let that haunting vision go. There was a reason for it. Add to that Melissandre's disposition and conversation with Jon in this past episode about the will of the Lord of the Light, and Jon's parting line, "What kind of god would ask for that?" (i.e., bringing him back despite his wishes)....And, then I see the trailer for the next/last episode, where Ser Davoos angrily confronts Melissandre about "what you did, tell him!"

I just get the feeling that Shireen's death is tied to Jon's resurrection. Shireen was taken on this crazy journey, following her dad's camp and men, up North, for a purpose. Which Melissandre kept referring to, "King's Blood". And Jon will now find out that she was sacrificed so he could be brought to life again. Which is going to do his head and heart in. Given how Jon is. The guilt.....the self-doubt about his own purpose. This whole 'game'.

That would mean that Melissandre doubts her powers to read/interpret the signs from the Lord of Light. What she initially thought were signs to sacrifice Shireen, so the rightful king (Stannis) can prevail/succeed/win that battle, was actually the Lord asking for Shireen's sacrifice for THE RIGHTFUL KING, which turns out to be Jon, not Stannis.

Would be a great plot twist, as Shireen's death has remained one of the most painful memories of this series for me, it seemed a hollow death. To finally have it tied to a bigger purpose (although still not justified by any of our standards of morality).

Which would mean that Jon 'won' his first battle after his rebirth on the same grounds where Shireen died, in order to enable his rebirth. To reclaim back the North. Full circle in the purpose aligning.

Jon is going to then throw a fit, about how everyone can fuck off, he is no promised king, nor does he want to be, if this is the way to achieve it....or something dramatic to that effect. And will be reminded that he MUST, else Shireen's death will be all for naught, blah blah....

But, this plot angle definitely is an interesting turn of events if it turns out to be true.

 

[Totenkindly]

[MENTION=5645]Qre:us[/MENTION]

Well... damn. That's really insightful.
I hope this is one of those cases where the audience isn't more insightful than the showrunners and they actually do something like that.

 

[ceecee]

Does anyone think Jon Snow is now immortal? I didn't think of it until I was watching. I can't be the only person who said - dude, you should be dead by now. Maybe that was part of being brought back to life. If so, he's going to be pissed. I also think that Shireen dying was so pointless and bad - had to mean something and it hasn't until now. But finding the little stag in the remnants of the fire is just too convenient.

 

[Evo]

Does anyone think Jon Snow is now immortal? I didn't think of it until I was watching. I can't be the only person who said - dude, you should be dead by now. Maybe that was part of being brought back to life. If so, he's going to be pissed. I also think that Shireen dying was so pointless and bad - had to mean something and it hasn't until now. But finding the little stag in the remnants of the fire is just too convenient.

:O

That would be great

 

[Qre:us]

^
[MENTION=4050]ceecee[/MENTION]
I don't think so....

Valar Morgulis. Valar Dohairis. All men must die. All men must serve. I know they're separate sayings but I believe they're intrinsically inter-related.

Jon did the first. Jon was doing the second but was aborted (lol!) prematurely. Hence, the rebirth/resurrection. In that, echoing the Night's Watch saying as well, "[I have served.]And now my Watch is ended..." The theme is that men serve, and it's not nearly as much as for any deliberate purpose dreamed up by their mortal ambitions, but serving the grander play, whatever that might be, unbeknownst to them. I don't think Jon has served his purpose (yet). Once he does, yes, he must die.

Plus, he bleeds. And the Brotherhood without Banner dude got a second chance at life, not a chance at immortality, I believe (but I can be remembering that incorrectly).

[MENTION=5645]Qre:us[/MENTION]

Well... damn. That's really insightful.
I hope this is one of those cases where the audience isn't more insightful than the showrunners and they actually do something like that.

Crossing my fingers but not holding my breath. I learned my lesson from the hopes I put into the Arya/Faceless Men S/L. SMDH.

Speaking of our favourite assassin with her newly acquired skills, who else has their spidey senses telling them, given the new trailer for Ep 10, that Miss Arya will be teleporting herself at lightening speed (like most characters' movements this season) from Braavos to Riverlands? And meeting up with her old friend, The Hound? At Frey Manor? Where the Lannister's new Lion is currently at (trailer). All the players from round 1. Attempting for a different outcome in Round 2. Hmmm....

Other random thoughts on seeing the game closing in to its end....

I believe the Freys and Tully houses are now the only ones in the North, still aligned with the Southern Lannister camp. Now that Bolton has fallen at the hands of the Starks. And the Eyrie now backs the Starks. Which means they need to be brought down. So that the closing and zeroing in of alliances to defeat the Great Other, is converging soon.

There's Dany and her crew, coming to take over King's Landing. Likely Varys has already gotten there at Westeros, ensuring that her landing allows her easy access to KL and defeating the Lannisters. Which likely means leveraging the Tyrells (he and Oleanna are <3 in a weird sort of way) and possibly the Martells. Dear god, I hope so. Otherwise the Dorne SL would be another pointless point. What with the females now head of Dorne, I hope it was so that when another female comes to town proclaiming herself the rebel leader, they'll easily back her (Dany), fueled by their anger at Lannisters and only wanting the spark to overthrow the current Throne.

And once done, Dany realizing that the last outstanding piece is now aligning the North. Leading to the fateful meeting between her and Jon. Finally. But before they can play their games to see who submits to the other, and potentially fucking one another during their games, they'll realize the more pressing and imminent threat of the Great Other. And with the two strong leaders who also finally happen to be the GOOD GUYS.....maybe, just maybe....they can come together to defeat the Whitewalkers and save the day.

In between: People die. Magic happens.

The end.

Lol, my very simplified version of how I see GoT coming to its inevitable end.

 

[ceecee]

^
[MENTION=4050]ceecee[/MENTION]
I don't think so....

Valar Morgulis. Valar Dohairis. All men must die. All men must serve. I know they're separate sayings but I believe they're intrinsically inter-related.

Jon did the first. Jon was doing the second but was aborted (lol!) prematurely. Hence, the rebirth/resurrection. In that, echoing the Night's Watch saying as well, "[I have served.]And now my Watch is ended..." The theme is that men serve, and it's not nearly as much as for any deliberate purpose dreamed up by their mortal ambitions, but serving the grander play, whatever that might be, unbeknownst to them. I don't think Jon has served his purpose (yet). Once he does, yes, he must die.

Plus, he bleeds. And the Brotherhood without Banner dude got a second chance at life, not a chance at immortality.

Crossing my fingers but not holding my breath. I learned my lesson from the hopes I put into the Arya/Faceless Men S/L. SMDH.

Haha ^^ Yeah I didn't think so either but since we're moving away from the books - anything is possible. I'm more inclined to agree with Valar Morgulis Valar Dohairis, even if they are separate, because everything has to come full circle in this show. But oooooh I thought those close range arrows Ramsey shot were pushing it just a little, even with a shield.

 

[93JC]

And once done, Dany realizing that the last outstanding piece is now aligning the North. Leading to the fateful meeting between her and Jon. Finally. But before they can play their games to see who submits to the other, and potentially fucking one another during their games, they'll realize the more pressing and imminent threat of the Great Other. And with the two strong leaders who also finally happen to be the GOOD GUYS.....maybe, just maybe....they can come together to defeat the Whitewalkers and save the day.

I bet a lot of acrimony between Jon and Daenerys will subside when they find out Jon's true ancestry. I bet Bran figures it out soon.

I've already told my friends this hypothesis; I called it when Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven warged to the past to see a young Ned Stark fight Ser Arthur Dayne. Jon Snow is a Stark, but he's not Ned Stark's son: he's Ned's sister Lyanna's son. Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen, the Targaryen crown prince and Daenarys's oldest brother, who abducted Lyanna (who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon) and started Robert's Rebellion. Ned made up the story he knocked up some barmaid to hide Jon's true ancestry because he knew Jon was the Targaryen heir after all of Rhaegar's other children were (supposedly) killed by Gregor Clegane, and despite their great friendship Robert would have had Jon killed as an infant to secure his claim to the Iron Throne.

 

[Yama]

Holy fucking hell. This is one of the best episode of the entire show, I think. There's nothing I can say that the rest of you haven't already said, so I'm just going to gasp in awe in that corner over there.

 

[Qre:us]

----
A great article about the complexity of Jaime and Brienne's relationship:
Jaime and Brienne’s Relationship Isn’t Sexual -- Vulture

A wonderful read. Good find! I love analyzing their relationship (it's my favourite in the show, and I'm a shameless fanwoman about it!)

My musings....

I agree with the article's analysis, and love the way they have presented and explained it. It's quite complex, their bond, and it did a wonderful job at explaining such a complex relationship.

The one thing I would disagree with is the assessment that Bronn reducing it to 'just fucking' is silly. I agree, it is silly, it was meant to give levity to the scene, but I think Bronn was a representation/reflection of the audience, at that moment. Albeit a crude one. I think anyone watching their relationship's evolution has wondered what is up with them. Their bond seems so deep. And because they happen to be different genders, and because we know that Brienne does have a bit of a crush on him (Cersei called her out on it, correctly), the doubts in the audience are real. Will they? Won't they? Do they? In this way, I think Bronn's role in that scene served something similar to the chorus in greek plays.

It was a great set-up for the following scene, when we see them truly interact, away from the eyes of the world, in the tent. And, as always, they're so naked and vulnerable with one another. And both are filled with affection and longing and relief, all at once; you could feel the emotions heavy in the tent. A great reminder for the audience that simplifying them in those terms as 'will they/won't they' (Bronn being the audience) doesn't even scratch the surface of these two individuals and their bond with one another.

In its simplest form, I would say they are soulmates. Not the kind where two are fated to be, and happen to meet each other. But the ones that are formed, through creation of the bond. Each serves to challenge, and elevate the other to a higher level of (self)awareness. Thus, simplifying them in sexual terms doesn't capture that depth, and feels 'cheap', perhaps. Because we're so used to the social construct of such relationships, where the height of romance is a culmination of the bond in the physical act.

It's almost an ironic turn-on-its-head of the ideal courtly love. Out of all the women on the show who pine for it (e.g., old Sansa), the one who scoffs at it, and considers herself too ugly and big, and without the disposition to have the patience for such 'silliness', ends up experiencing it. In its ideal and purest form. But I don't think she is aware that she is/has experienced this. Ah, Brienne. Which makes the relationship all that more wonderful to watch. The ideal kind of medieval romantic love, whose ideal lies in its chivalry and purity, i.e., sans the consummation; however, potent and sensual all the same. Yet, the characters do not fit the conventional mold of the players of knight and lady. Love it!

Jamie will fight men and bear to preserve her virtue and protect her, and through her eyes and acceptance and actions, he is delivered the very honour that a knight aims to achieve in his idealized form. And add to that the authenticity and genuineness of it, means that they also recognize each other and their flaws.

The show, I believe, fully acknowledges this aspect by having the characters refer to each other as....

Ser Jamie
Lady Brienne

Jamie treats her as a lady (disregard his beginning conduct!) without diminishing the essence of Brienne and her strength or asking for her submission. Brienne treats him as an honourable man without diminishing his flaws and uniqueness that makes, Jamie, Jamie (There is no other man like me. Only me). Equals.

I googled courtly love, and there's a very apt and wonderful quote in its wiki page:

"It is the pure love which binds together the hearts of two lovers with every feeling of delight. This kind consists in the contemplation of the mind and the affection of the heart; it goes as far as the kiss and the embrace and the modest contact with the nude lover, omitting the final solace, for that is not permitted for those who wish to love purely....."

- Andreas Capellanus in De amore libri tres (1184)

Ah, hey, look, although there has been no kiss, there has been a wonderful modest embrace of the naked 'lovers' (bath scene). Check, check, check. It's like reimagining courtly love through a feminist lens. heh.

However, I would not be adverse to them recognizing one another as more than simply platonic, and culminating in a physical act. Ha! /fanwomaning

I could go on, waxing poetic, but shall stop here for now.

 

[Qre:us]

I bet a lot of acrimony between Jon and Daenerys will subside when they find out Jon's true ancestry. I bet Bran figures it out soon.

I've already told my friends this hypothesis; I called it when Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven warged to the past to see a young Ned Stark fight Ser Arthur Dayne. Jon Snow is a Stark, but he's not Ned Stark's son: he's Ned's sister Lyanna's son. Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen, the Targaryen crown prince and Daenarys's oldest brother, who abducted Lyanna (who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon) and started Robert's Rebellion. Ned made up the story he knocked up some barmaid to hide Jon's true ancestry because he knew Jon was the Targaryen heir after all of Rhaegar's other children were (supposedly) killed by Gregor Clegane, and despite their great friendship Robert would have had Jon killed as an infant to secure his claim to the Iron Throne.

Yes, I'm familiar with this theory and agree with your assessment of how it will play out. Seems like the likeliest and logical possibility given the breadcrumbs scattered for us, so far. I am not a book reader so am not especially familiar with Rhaegar (he's hardly mentioned in the show). Lyanna, we at least met briefly as a little girl, and as a monument in the crypt under Winterfell.

IA, especially re: the point about Bran figuring it out very soon (likely next epi/season finale). Jon will very likely not figure it out this season though. Personally, I know this is a BIG REVEAL for the show, but I don't really care all that much about this secret. Yay, Jon finds out he's not a bastard and has a legit claim to the throne!!! And...?

I don't think it invalidates the possibility of Jon and Dany hooking up. Auntie and Nephew. Weird? Nah. Them Targs swing that way. And back in those days, with nobility only wanting to marry one another, there really were limited choices for mates. Sooner or later, everyone is related to another in some way.

I care less about who gets to sit on the Iron Throne ultimately and am more intrigued by the Whitewalkers SL.

Given that Bran is a seer, his role in the future great big battle will be that of the sage. He will hold the key of how to destroy the Night's King. I think Jon will be the one to deliver the final blow, with a special, magic sword, to the Night's King, in the grand finale. Piercing his heart once again, and turning him back to his human form, right before he takes his last breath (as all men must die).

As for the great magical sword in the end, maybe its Jon's own sword, maybe his own welded with other key magic swords (Brienne's, Samwell Tarly's house swords), and a crazy idea I had, was the dragons melting the iron throne down, and the metals also mixing with the other 3 magic sword, to give a mother of a great sword....heh.

Then, they can look into Home & Garden magazine and find a comfy, cushy chair to use for the new throne. Maybe one with some nice floral patterns. Might make the new ruler more pleasing for his/her masses and less of a tyrant than the previous ones.

 

[Qlip]

Jon should've died. Dude gets too many chances.