HBO: Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire)

[Simple Torture]

It takes so much time during the week to consume all of the ancillary media related to GOT that I've basically given up; there are two podcasts and two recaps I listen to, and I just basically forget about the rest. Anyways, after thinking more about the episode and hearing others' perspective, here are three things that are on my mind. Most of these are just speculation (although the first contains some details from the books that haven't appeared--and maybe won't appear--in the show), but I've spoiler-tagged them if you don't want to read:

The first has to do with Jorah's greyscale:

Spoiler: show

A bunch of people have asked: where the hell is this plot going? It's possible to imagine Jorah heroically returning to Dany's side--disfigured but not dead--in Season 8, but one out-there theory is that Jorah will end up being Patient Zero for a greyscale outbreak in Westeros, mirroring the outbreak of bloody flux in Mereen in the books. I would love to see this idea play out, but I just don't think there's time left.

The second has to do with Euron's attack on Dany's fleet:

Spoiler: show

This didn't cross my mind while watching, but basically everyone is asking: how did Euron know where to go to intercept Dany's fleet, and how did he know exactly which ship Yara and the Sandsnakes would be on? I think there's an easy no-prize explanation: Euron is an expert navigator and probably had scoutships out to track the fleet down, plus Yara's flagship would be from the Iron Islands--he'd know what it looks like. However, people are throwing this one out: what if there's a traitor in Dany's coalition, and they somehow got this info to Euron? Since it'd probably have to be someone in the room when they were having their strategy session, my best guess is the Queen of Thorns, but I'm not sure I buy this idea 100% yet.

And, finally, how I think Jon's story is going to play out over the next few weeks:

Spoiler: show

Like many people, I think Jon is going to be eager to strike a bargain with Dany--he just knows the stakes are too high, and if he has to bend the knee to get her support in the North, he'll do it. This will be a tough sell when he goes back to Winterfell, as lots of the lords have already expressed that they won't trust a Targaryen. Of course, here's the kicker: I believe that before Jon returns to the North, Bran and Meera will get back to Winterfell, and after sending a raven from Castle Black they'll arrive at just the same time as.....IS THAT HOWLAND REED'S MUSIC I HEAR??? The lord of the Neck will be received by Sansa to be reunited with his daughter and to confirm the story that Bran has to tell: that Jon is not Ned Stark's son, but actually a Targaryen. The lords of the North and Vale rally around Sansa (or maybe even Bran?), and Jon either is shunned when he gets back to Winterfell or, more likely, doesn't even bother going back: he heads straight for Eastwatch by the Sea to inform Tormen of his alliance with Dany, and then shit hits the fan up there around Episode 7. Probably sounds too good to be true, but a guy can dream.

[Monkey_Driven]

It takes so much time during the week to consume all of the ancillary media related to GOT that I've basically given up; there are two podcasts and two recaps I listen to, and I just basically forget about the rest. Anyways, after thinking more about the episode and hearing others' perspective, here are three things that are on my mind. Most of these are just speculation (although the first contains some details from the books that haven't appeared--and maybe won't appear--in the show), but I've spoiler-tagged them if you don't want to read:

The first has to do with Jorah's greyscale:

Spoiler: show

A bunch of people have asked: where the hell is this plot going? It's possible to imagine Jorah heroically returning to Dany's side--disfigured but not dead--in Season 8, but one out-there theory is that Jorah will end up being Patient Zero for a greyscale outbreak in Westeros, mirroring the outbreak of bloody flux in Mereen in the books. I would love to see this idea play out, but I just don't think there's time left.

The second has to do with Euron's attack on Dany's fleet:

Spoiler: show

This didn't cross my mind while watching, but basically everyone is asking: how did Euron know where to go to intercept Dany's fleet, and how did he know exactly which ship Yara and the Sandsnakes would be on? I think there's an easy no-prize explanation: Euron is an expert navigator and probably had scoutships out to track the fleet down, plus Yara's flagship would be from the Iron Islands--he'd know what it looks like. However, people are throwing this one out: what if there's a traitor in Dany's coalition, and they somehow got this info to Euron? Since it'd probably have to be someone in the room when they were having their strategy session, my best guess is the Queen of Thorns, but I'm not sure I buy this idea 100% yet.

And, finally, how I think Jon's story is going to play out over the next few weeks:

Spoiler: show

Like many people, I think Jon is going to be eager to strike a bargain with Dany--he just knows the stakes are too high, and if he has to bend the knee to get her support in the North, he'll do it. This will be a tough sell when he goes back to Winterfell, as lots of the lords have already expressed that they won't trust a Targaryen. Of course, here's the kicker: I believe that before Jon returns to the North, Bran and Meera will get back to Winterfell, and after sending a raven from Castle Black they'll arrive at just the same time as.....IS THAT HOWLAND REED'S MUSIC I HEAR??? The lord of the Neck will be received by Sansa to be reunited with his daughter and to confirm the story that Bran has to tell: that Jon is not Ned Stark's son, but actually a Targaryen. The lords of the North and Vale rally around Sansa (or maybe even Bran?), and Jon either is shunned when he gets back to Winterfell or, more likely, doesn't even bother going back: he heads straight for Eastwatch by the Sea to inform Tormen of his alliance with Dany, and then shit hits the fan up there around Episode 7. Probably sounds too good to be true, but a guy can dream.

What podcasts/recaps do you consume?

[jwfocker]

The ringer has some great podcasts and blogs that touch on a lot of the above mentioned possibilities.

The grey scale stuff would be awesome but I just don't think the show has the time to get into it now.

Maybe Jon will do something in between bending the knee and being the king of the north. Like maybe relinquish his title but he won't bend the knee as a call back to his time with Mance Rayder.

Really looking forward to Bran and Aryiah getting back to Winterfell and facing off with Littlefinger.

[Anders]

Those of you contemplating whether or not Dany is insane, consider this:

She is a woman and is therefore, by definition, insane.

Good point.

[Anders]

It takes so much time during the week to consume all of the ancillary media related to GOT that I've basically given up; there are two podcasts and two recaps I listen to, and I just basically forget about the rest. Anyways, after thinking more about the episode and hearing others' perspective, here are three things that are on my mind. Most of these are just speculation (although the first contains some details from the books that haven't appeared--and maybe won't appear--in the show), but I've spoiler-tagged them if you don't want to read:

The first has to do with Jorah's greyscale:

Spoiler: show

A bunch of people have asked: where the hell is this plot going? It's possible to imagine Jorah heroically returning to Dany's side--disfigured but not dead--in Season 8, but one out-there theory is that Jorah will end up being Patient Zero for a greyscale outbreak in Westeros, mirroring the outbreak of bloody flux in Mereen in the books. I would love to see this idea play out, but I just don't think there's time left.

The second has to do with Euron's attack on Dany's fleet:

Spoiler: show

This didn't cross my mind while watching, but basically everyone is asking: how did Euron know where to go to intercept Dany's fleet, and how did he know exactly which ship Yara and the Sandsnakes would be on? I think there's an easy no-prize explanation: Euron is an expert navigator and probably had scoutships out to track the fleet down, plus Yara's flagship would be from the Iron Islands--he'd know what it looks like. However, people are throwing this one out: what if there's a traitor in Dany's coalition, and they somehow got this info to Euron? Since it'd probably have to be someone in the room when they were having their strategy session, my best guess is the Queen of Thorns, but I'm not sure I buy this idea 100% yet.

And, finally, how I think Jon's story is going to play out over the next few weeks:

Spoiler: show

Like many people, I think Jon is going to be eager to strike a bargain with Dany--he just knows the stakes are too high, and if he has to bend the knee to get her support in the North, he'll do it. This will be a tough sell when he goes back to Winterfell, as lots of the lords have already expressed that they won't trust a Targaryen. Of course, here's the kicker: I believe that before Jon returns to the North, Bran and Meera will get back to Winterfell, and after sending a raven from Castle Black they'll arrive at just the same time as.....IS THAT HOWLAND REED'S MUSIC I HEAR??? The lord of the Neck will be received by Sansa to be reunited with his daughter and to confirm the story that Bran has to tell: that Jon is not Ned Stark's son, but actually a Targaryen. The lords of the North and Vale rally around Sansa (or maybe even Bran?), and Jon either is shunned when he gets back to Winterfell or, more likely, doesn't even bother going back: he heads straight for Eastwatch by the Sea to inform Tormen of his alliance with Dany, and then shit hits the fan up there around Episode 7. Probably sounds too good to be true, but a guy can dream.

Spoiler: show

I think Jorah will survive, but not sure what he will do next. Helping Dany always seem to be on his mind.

How would a traitor even get the news out? Could be Theon though, never know with him. Or Tyrion.

I hope the white walkers attack sooner than that, when Jon is still down south. Look forward to him findung out he is a Targaryen, and the real crown prince.

[BurtReynolds]

I feel like Melisandre will come up with a plan that allows Jon to get help without kneeling to Dany. Or something like that.

[Anders]

I feel like Melisandre will come up with a plan that allows Jon to get help without kneeling to Dany. Or something like that.

Good point. She is probably a big supporter of Jon.

[E.H. Ruddock]

I feel like Melisandre will come up with a plan that allows Jon to get help without kneeling to Dany. Or something like that.

Good point. She is probably a big supporter of Jon.

I'm a big supporter of her

[stip]

It takes so much time during the week to consume all of the ancillary media related to GOT that I've basically given up; there are two podcasts and two recaps I listen to, and I just basically forget about the rest. Anyways, after thinking more about the episode and hearing others' perspective, here are three things that are on my mind. Most of these are just speculation (although the first contains some details from the books that haven't appeared--and maybe won't appear--in the show), but I've spoiler-tagged them if you don't want to read:

The first has to do with Jorah's greyscale:

Spoiler: show

A bunch of people have asked: where the hell is this plot going? It's possible to imagine Jorah heroically returning to Dany's side--disfigured but not dead--in Season 8, but one out-there theory is that Jorah will end up being Patient Zero for a greyscale outbreak in Westeros, mirroring the outbreak of bloody flux in Mereen in the books. I would love to see this idea play out, but I just don't think there's time left.

The second has to do with Euron's attack on Dany's fleet:

Spoiler: show

This didn't cross my mind while watching, but basically everyone is asking: how did Euron know where to go to intercept Dany's fleet, and how did he know exactly which ship Yara and the Sandsnakes would be on? I think there's an easy no-prize explanation: Euron is an expert navigator and probably had scoutships out to track the fleet down, plus Yara's flagship would be from the Iron Islands--he'd know what it looks like. However, people are throwing this one out: what if there's a traitor in Dany's coalition, and they somehow got this info to Euron? Since it'd probably have to be someone in the room when they were having their strategy session, my best guess is the Queen of Thorns, but I'm not sure I buy this idea 100% yet.

And, finally, how I think Jon's story is going to play out over the next few weeks:

Spoiler: show

Like many people, I think Jon is going to be eager to strike a bargain with Dany--he just knows the stakes are too high, and if he has to bend the knee to get her support in the North, he'll do it. This will be a tough sell when he goes back to Winterfell, as lots of the lords have already expressed that they won't trust a Targaryen. Of course, here's the kicker: I believe that before Jon returns to the North, Bran and Meera will get back to Winterfell, and after sending a raven from Castle Black they'll arrive at just the same time as.....IS THAT HOWLAND REED'S MUSIC I HEAR??? The lord of the Neck will be received by Sansa to be reunited with his daughter and to confirm the story that Bran has to tell: that Jon is not Ned Stark's son, but actually a Targaryen. The lords of the North and Vale rally around Sansa (or maybe even Bran?), and Jon either is shunned when he gets back to Winterfell or, more likely, doesn't even bother going back: he heads straight for Eastwatch by the Sea to inform Tormen of his alliance with Dany, and then shit hits the fan up there around Episode 7. Probably sounds too good to be true, but a guy can dream.

three makes sense to me. Good theory. The issue in 2 doesn't bother me in the slightest.

[Simple Torture]

What podcasts/recaps do you consume?

I listen to the Ringer's Binge Mode and Nerdette Recaps GoT w/ Peter Sagal.

They both have their pros and cons. The hosts of BM treat the TV show and the books like a hybrid text sometimes, which might grate on people, but they're as close as you're going to get to a scholarly approach to the series that's still fun. Nerdette is usually a good conversation that's usually restricted to the show only, and one thing I like about it is that the hosts don't approach GoT with the "greatest show of all time" attitude; they're just there to pick apart how it works and doesn't work. I read the AV Club's two recaps every week and that's it. Actually, I lied: I also read "Ask the Maester" on the Ringer, which is a nice companion to their podcast.

I've listened to the Game of Owns podcast before and while it's alright, most of the stuff they discussed just gets repeated on other podcasts, so it's dropped out of my rotation. I tried to do the Ringer's aftershow last week, but it wasn't as interesting as the podcast, so when the stream wouldn't work for me this week I was like "Aw, fuck it, whatever."

[jwfocker]

Ask the Maester is awesome. Provides a lot of great context to the story.

[Anders]

I feel like Melisandre will come up with a plan that allows Jon to get help without kneeling to Dany. Or something like that.

Good point. She is probably a big supporter of Jon.

I'm a big supporter of her

Not hard to figure out why:

[spike]

It takes so much time during the week to consume all of the ancillary media related to GOT that I've basically given up; there are two podcasts and two recaps I listen to, and I just basically forget about the rest. Anyways, after thinking more about the episode and hearing others' perspective, here are three things that are on my mind. Most of these are just speculation (although the first contains some details from the books that haven't appeared--and maybe won't appear--in the show), but I've spoiler-tagged them if you don't want to read:

The first has to do with Jorah's greyscale:

Spoiler: show

A bunch of people have asked: where the hell is this plot going? It's possible to imagine Jorah heroically returning to Dany's side--disfigured but not dead--in Season 8, but one out-there theory is that Jorah will end up being Patient Zero for a greyscale outbreak in Westeros, mirroring the outbreak of bloody flux in Mereen in the books. I would love to see this idea play out, but I just don't think there's time left.

The second has to do with Euron's attack on Dany's fleet:

Spoiler: show

This didn't cross my mind while watching, but basically everyone is asking: how did Euron know where to go to intercept Dany's fleet, and how did he know exactly which ship Yara and the Sandsnakes would be on? I think there's an easy no-prize explanation: Euron is an expert navigator and probably had scoutships out to track the fleet down, plus Yara's flagship would be from the Iron Islands--he'd know what it looks like. However, people are throwing this one out: what if there's a traitor in Dany's coalition, and they somehow got this info to Euron? Since it'd probably have to be someone in the room when they were having their strategy session, my best guess is the Queen of Thorns, but I'm not sure I buy this idea 100% yet.

And, finally, how I think Jon's story is going to play out over the next few weeks:

Spoiler: show

Like many people, I think Jon is going to be eager to strike a bargain with Dany--he just knows the stakes are too high, and if he has to bend the knee to get her support in the North, he'll do it. This will be a tough sell when he goes back to Winterfell, as lots of the lords have already expressed that they won't trust a Targaryen. Of course, here's the kicker: I believe that before Jon returns to the North, Bran and Meera will get back to Winterfell, and after sending a raven from Castle Black they'll arrive at just the same time as.....IS THAT HOWLAND REED'S MUSIC I HEAR??? The lord of the Neck will be received by Sansa to be reunited with his daughter and to confirm the story that Bran has to tell: that Jon is not Ned Stark's son, but actually a Targaryen. The lords of the North and Vale rally around Sansa (or maybe even Bran?), and Jon either is shunned when he gets back to Winterfell or, more likely, doesn't even bother going back: he heads straight for Eastwatch by the Sea to inform Tormen of his alliance with Dany, and then shit hits the fan up there around Episode 7. Probably sounds too good to be true, but a guy can dream.

Spoiler: show

I think Jorah will survive, but not sure what he will do next. Helping Dany always seem to be on his mind.

How would a traitor even get the news out? Could be Theon though, never know with him. Or Tyrion.

I hope the white walkers attack sooner than that, when Jon is still down south. Look forward to him findung out he is a Targaryen, and the real crown prince.

Spoiler: show

the traitor could be varis. after dany threatened to burn him alive, he may've decided right then and there that she's just another crazy targaryen and made arrangements to send one of his little birds to tip off euron as phase one of taking her down. he probably wants tyrion or jon snow on the throne anyway.

[Mecca]

I think he'll do it. He only cares about securing support to destroy the white walkers

On one hand I agree but on the other, with everything he's been through, I don't see him bending to anyone. Ever.

Also, it will be a absolute shit storm if he heads back to Winterfell and tells his bannerman and Sansa that they're all under the rule of Dany now. Littlefinger will have so much leverage.

I think Tyrion will have to stand in and negotiate a loose alliance.

from a narrative perspective it's another reason they'll do it. Jon is usually the only adult in the room

i think he'll do something more prudent like "help us fight the white walkers and i will bend the knee when we succeed"

[Anders]

I think he'll do it. He only cares about securing support to destroy the white walkers

On one hand I agree but on the other, with everything he's been through, I don't see him bending to anyone. Ever.

Also, it will be a absolute shit storm if he heads back to Winterfell and tells his bannerman and Sansa that they're all under the rule of Dany now. Littlefinger will have so much leverage.

I think Tyrion will have to stand in and negotiate a loose alliance.

from a narrative perspective it's another reason they'll do it. Jon is usually the only adult in the room

i think he'll do something more prudent like "help us fight the white walkers and i will bend the knee when we succeed"

That sounds a lot better. I hope he doesn't just go there and bend the knee.

[epilogue]

Why do people have such an issue with Jon bending the knee? I don't get it.

[E.H. Ruddock]

I just did a Facebook quiz that stated which GoT character I belong in a relationship with. I got Cersei.

[epilogue]

[E.H. Ruddock]

My ex was pretty much Cersei, minus the brother-humping part. Ugh.

[spike]

Why do people have such an issue with Jon bending the knee? I don't get it.

because those folks want jon on the iron throne