Game of Thrones Chapter 39 Eddard

September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Eddard dreams an old dream of the day he was reunited with Lyanna. He rides with six friends, Martyn Cassel, Theo Wull,Brandon’s squire Ethan Glover, Ser Mark Ryswell, Howland Reed, and Lord William Dustin. Before them is the Tower of Joy, hard against the Red Mountains, and three knights of the Kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Oswell Whent, and the Lord Commander, Ser Gerold Hightower. Eddard tells them he looked for them on the Trident, at King’s Landing, and at Storm’s Endand thought perhaps they were with Ser Willem Darry on Dragonstone, but they say that they swore a vow and do not run. Just as he and his companions close to fight the Kingsguard, Eddard wakes up.

Vayon tells Eddard he has been unconscious for six days and seven nights and that Robert commanded to be called the moment he woke up. Eddard sends Vayon to fetch the king. Alyn, now captain of the guard with Jory dead, enters and tells him that Jaime has fled the city to join Lord Tywin at Casterly Rock. Jory’s body has been sent north to lay with his grandfather. His father, Martyn, is buried at the former site of the Tower of Joy with Ser Mark, Theo, Ethan, and Lord William; only Eddard and Howland survived the encounter with the Kingsguard, and Eddard pulled the tower down afterward to make funeral cairns for his companions and the three Kingsguard. Vayon comes back to tell him that Robert and Cersei have arrived.

Eddard takes responsibility for Catelyn’s seizure of Tyrion, saying it was done at his command. Robert is unhappy that eight men are dead, Eddard’s three companions, four Lannister guards at the scene, and Tregar, who died that very morning of the blow Eddard gave him. Cersei accuses Eddard of starting the fight after coming back from a brothel drunk, but Eddard counters that he was there to visit Barra, which does not please Robert or Cersei.  Eddard asks permission to bring Jaime to justice for killing three of his men. Cersei says that the seizure was unlawful and that it is Eddard who should be brought to justice. Robert wants none of it and orders Tyrion’s release and for Eddard to make peace with Jaime. Neither Eddard nor Cersei is happy. Cersei insults Robert, and he hits her, then has Ser Meryn escort her back to her chambers. When she is gone, he laments that he should not have hit her and wonders how he can fight an enemy he cannot hit. He thinks Rhaegarwon after all; he has Lyanna while Robert is stuck with Cersei. He tells Eddard that he is going hunting and that, like it or not, Eddard will remain his Hand.

by Mel

I love reading this chapter to hear about the heroes that have come before, larger than life. Eddard has taken 7 men to fight 3 at the Tower of Joy to save Lyanna. Ser Arthur Dayne has a sad look on his face, probably knowing what he must do even though he doesn’t want to. Eddard questions the men about the events that have just taken place.

“I looked for you on the Trident,” Ned said to them.

“We were not there,” Ser Gerold answered.

“I came down on Storm’s End to lift the siege,” Ned told them, “and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them.”
“Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him.”

This banter between him and the men confirmed that Arthur Dayne and the other Kingsguard were there to guard Lyanna from being taken away, and that nothing was going to sway them. ‘Now it ends’ Eddard says just as he hears Lyanna calling out.

“Eddard!” she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as blue as the eyes of death.

Why do I think that Lyanna died of childbirth at the Tower of Joy? First of all the very first sentence of this chapter says…

He dreamt an old dream, of three knights in white cloaks, and a tower long fallen, and Lyanna in her bed of blood.

I know I’ve seen it somewhere else in this book, I believe by Catelyn that talks about childbirth and her bed of blood. There is also talk of Lyanna’s favorite blue roses, that come out of the tower into the wind. I can picture Rhaegar giving her blue roses as she is nearing the birth of their child. And then of course the promise me Ned. I can see her pleading with him to take her baby back as her own, knowing that if Robert knew that he was Rhaegar’s child he would certaintly have him killed.

Eddard wakes up from his dream to find Poole there with him. He finds out that Jaime has run back to Casterly Rock, he’s been asleep for 6 days and the body of Jory was sent back to Winterfell to be buried by his grandfather. Eddard then thinks back again to the fact that he tore down the Tower of Joy and used the stones to build 8 cairns on the ridge. Which makes me think, how big is this tower that Ned can just tear it down, was it really a tower or just what Rhaegar called it? He also mentions that it was only him and Howland Reed that lived that day and I would really like to sit down and have a talk with Howland Reed. Five books later and we have never met him, I am sure he has a wealth of information to share.

Robert and Cersei then enter and I could just feel the tension! Cersei does what Cersei does best and attacks Ned. Nag, nag, nag!!!

“By what right do you dare lay hands on my blood?” Cersei demanded. “Who do you think you are?”

“My brother was not the cause of this quarrel,” Cersei told the king. “Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his wife attacked Tyrion on the kingsroad.”

The queen looked to her husband. “If any man had dared speak to a Targaryen as he has spoken to you—”

What a jape the gods have made of us two,” she said. “By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail.”

Robert turns purple again and slaps Cersei! Finally! SHUT.HER.UP! Not that I’m for any kind of abuse but seriously, she is pure evil!!! And…when Ned informs Robert that he was visiting the brothel to visit his child, Robert didn’t even care! He didn’t purple there.

Cersei leaves and Robert informs him that he is Hand no matter what and gives him back his silver clasp. He’ll talk to Ned more after he gets back from his hunt! Good times!

Book to HBO

What may be one of the most disenheartening decisions among readers, the “tower of joy” dream—a beautifully-written fever dream in which Eddard recalls he and six companions fighting three of Aerys’s Kingsguard at the end o the war—is not present or even hinted at. Eddard merely wakes up, sweaty and indisposed, with no clear sign as to whether he dreamed or not. The content of the scene is, otherwise, largely similar. In the novel Ned is awake and asks for a waiting Robert and Cersei to be sent in. In the show, Robert questions Ned’s purpose at the brothel, which leads Ned to reveal he was visiting his latest bastard.

 

 

 

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Game of Thrones, Chapter 38, Tyrion

August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Tyrion is in a cell being taunted and tormented by his gaoler, Mord. One end of his cell is open to the sky, and Mord says that he will jump to his death eventually. Tyrion thinks back to how he got into this predicament. It began during his audience with Lord Robert and Lady Lysa. Lysa accused him of murdering Jon, causing him to become very annoyed and very sarcastic. Robert almost had him killed before Catelyn reminded Lysa that Tyrion is her prisoner and not to be harmed. Ser Vardis took him to a cell instead, where he is routinely mistreated by Mord. He wonders whether Jaime and Cersei really did conspire to kill Jon,  and wonders why the attack on Bran was so clumsy, finding that odd.  He thinks that someone may be trying to start a feud between Stark and Lannister.  He decides that he will die if confined in the cell much longer and decides he must get out. He calls for Mord and promises him gold in exchange for aid. Mord is reluctant at first and starts beating him, but finally consents to take Tyrion’s message to Lysa that Tyrion is ready to confess his crimes.

That night, Ser Vardis comes for Tyrion and brings him before the Lady Lysa. All the powerful houses of the Vale are represented in the High Hall. The attendees include Ser Brynden, Lord Nestor, Ser Albar Royce, Ser Lyn Corbray, LordEon Hunter, Lady Anya Waynwood and her sons.  Others present bear sigils he does not recognize such as a broken lance,  a green viper,  a burning tower,  and a winged chalice.  Ser Rodrik, Ser Willis, Marillion, and Bronn are also there. As Tyrion enters, Bronn looks pointedly at him with hand on pommel. Tyrion steps forward and begins confessing his crimes, that he lays with whores, gambles, mocks, etc. Catelyn accuses him again of plotting to kill Bran, and he denies it. Lysa is about to send him back to his cell, but he demands a trial. Lysa says Lord Robert will hear his case, but Tyrion demands trial by combat. Lysa appoints Ser Vardis as her champion and Tyrion names Jaime, but Lysa will only allow him to choose someone who is present. Bronn stands up and volunteers.

by Mel

What an awesome concept! Sky Cells, you are free to go if you so wish, or if you go insane waiting and starving because Mord keeps throwing your food out of your sky cell! I actually have to say, if I had my choice between being be-headed, burnt alive or thrown out of the moon door, I would choose the moon door everytime. From what I hear you’ll probably already be dead by the time you hit the ground from a heart attack! Tyrion is not ready to die just yet and being the smart guy that he is, talks Mord into telling Lysa he’s ready to confess his crimes. He’s had plenty of time to think and has reasonably contemplated his brother and sister’s involvement in his imprisonment. Hmmm, could they have had Jon killed? Why would they botch up the attack on Bran, and plant HIS dagger on the killer? He realizes someone has set him up to take the fall, but who? Having read all the books, I know exactly who poisoned Jon and who sent the hit on Bran, setting up Tyrion. So in reading this again, I can read more into his doubts and thought process. By the time it has all been explained, they are much more pressing matters going on, and I was like, ‘Oh, that was why?’ and ‘They did that!’ It all makes sense now, but again, too late in the game for me to really care anymore. How was THAT for a teaser?

Tyrion has also had enough time to realize he has quite the big mouth for such a little body.

 “He slew the Hand of the King!”

“Oh, did I kill him too?” Tyrion had said, like a fool.

“It would seem I’ve been a busy little fellow,” he said with bitter sarcasm. “I wonder when I found the time to do all this slaying and murdering.”

So Tyrion is ready to confess his crimes and is front of Lysa, Cat and the child that is just not quite right!

“Where to begin? I am a vile little man, I confess it. My crimes and sins are beyond counting, my lords and ladies. I have lain with whores, not once but hundreds of times. I have wished my own lord father dead, and my sister, our gracious queen, as well.” Behind him, someone chuckled. “I have not always treated my servants with kindness. I have gambled. I have even cheated, I blush to admit. I have said many cruel and malicious things about the noble lords and ladies of the court.” That drew outright laughter. “Once I—”

Catelyn Stark took a step forward. “You are accused of sending a hired knife to slay my son Bran in his bed, and of conspiring to murder Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King.”

Tyrion gave a helpless shrug. “Those crimes I cannot confess, I fear. I know nothing of any murders.”

Lysa is pissed, Robert is screaming for her to make him fly! Tyrion losses his temper!

 “Is this how justice is done in the Vale?” Tyrion roared, so loudly that Ser Vardis froze for an instant. “Does honor stop at the Bloody Gate? You accuse me of crimes, I deny them, so you throw me into an open cell to freeze and starve.” He lifted his head, to give them all a good look at the bruises Mord had left on his face. “Where is the king’s justice? Is the Eyrie not part of the Seven Kingdoms? I stand accused, you say. Very well. I demand a trial! Let me speak, and let my truth or falsehood be judged openly, in the sight of gods and men.”

“You want a trial, my lord of Lannister. Very well, a trial you shall have. My son will listen to whatever you care to say, and you shall hear his judgment. Then you may leave … by one door or the other.”

“I thank you, my good lady, but I see no need to trouble Lord Robert,” Tyrion said politely. “The gods know the truth of my innocence. I will have their verdict, not the judgment of men. I demand trial by combat.”

Luckily for Tyrion, Ser Vardis doesn’t feel good about fighting the Imp, not being honorable and all but unfortunately they can not wait for Jaime to arrive. Do we have any volunteers to fight for the Imp?

“I’ll stand for the dwarf,” Bronn called out.

I KNEW Bronn was awesome! I just can’t wait to see what happens! Oh, I already know! One thing that kind of stuck out to me at the end of this chapter is what he says to Marillion, the singer.

“Singer,” Tyrion said, turning to Marillion, “when you make a ballad of this, be certain you tell them how Lady Arryn denied the dwarf the right to a champion, and sent him forth lame and bruised and hobbling to face her finest knight.”

I realize, in Westeros, that news is carried by either a raven or is made into a ballad by a singer. How else would anyone know of the stories of love and war in the days gone by. So that made me wonder. What if there were reporters and newspapers in Westeros? Would it look something like this…

Books to HBO

A terrific, well-written scene, using the opening and closing of this chapter as a basis. The middle section, flashing back to Tyrion’s introduction to Lysa and Robert Arryn (named Robin for the show), was used in the previous episode. Mord is more brutal and frightening in the book, kicking Tyrion with a steel-toed boot on occasion rather than with his leather truncheon. Most notably, Tyrion does not use the “magic” of writing to convince Mord—in the novel, some illiterate smallfolk see writing almost as magical, and Tyrion’s written promise to pay what gold he had to Mord secured his help because of it. As to the “confession”, it goes on rather longer than in the novel, and into quite a bit more detail—much of it very funny, though we admit the multiple slang terms for masturbation got a bit tired!—but it’s quite funny all in all. The only other really notable change is that knights representing the Lynderly knight who speaks up first, and an older gentleman who more-or-less has Lord Hunter’s role, are present, but the character representing Lyn Corbray is not indicated. It’s also noteworthy that there’s not much hint of the fact that some of the people at court are would-be suitors of Lysa’s. The other detail we may note is the very different conception of the Moon Door, which is now a gate set directly in the floor that can be opened (hydraulically? the sound effect for it, at least in the screener, is stangely steampunk)

 

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Game of Thrones, Chapter 37, Bran

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Bran takes his first ride out of Winterfell on his new horse, Dancer. With him are Robb, Theon, Summer, Grey Wind, Joseth,Maester Luwin, and four guards, including Quent and Wayn. On the way out of town, Theon calls out to Bessa and Kyra, two women he has lain with on more than one occasion. As they ride on into the wolfswood, Robb tells Bran about the death ofJory and Eddard’s injury. Theon thinks Robb should call the banners, but Robb is undecided as of yet. He has, however, fortified Moat Cailin after receiving a letter from Catelyn. Bran loses his enjoyment of the ride and wants to go back, but they need to find the direwolves first.

Robb and Bran slowly outdistance their guard. They hear the direwolves in the distance, and Robb goes off to bring them in. Soon after, Bran is set upon by four men, including Stiv and Wallen who deserted from the Night’s Watch, and two women,Hali and Osha. Bran identifies himself and threatens them. Hali wants to kill him, but Osha says he would be worth more toMance alive. Stiv says he is not going back to face the white walkers.1 As Stiv prepares to cut Bran off Dancer, Robb returns with Summer and Grey Wind. They charge, and soon everyone is dead except Osha and Stiv, who takes Bran hostage. Suddenly, Stiv is felled by an arrow from Theon as the guard arrives. Robb is furious at Theon for such a reckless act, and is even more enraged to learn that the guard did not get there sooner because Theon went off hunting turkey. They take Osha back to Winterfell for questioning.

by Mel

First of all, this post has spoilers here and there concerning the rest of the series. You may not want to keep reading if you don’t want to know certain things that are coming.

We are back at Winterfell and Bran finally gets to try out his new saddle. First thing I noticed on this re-read is Bran’s thoughts on Theon… Was it supposed to be foreshadowing of things to come that he  doesn’t neccessarily share Robb’s opinion of him?

Robb seemed to admire Theon and enjoy his company, but Bran had never warmed to his father’s ward.

Reading it the first time, I don’t even remember thinking too much of Theon either way. He was just another name that came along with the many Winterfell clan. I wouldn’t forget it now. Reek rhymes with Geek. Too much? Sorry, I will carry on then. Robb is  trusting to a fault, which leads to his ultimate demise. Later in the book when Catelyn argues with Robb about sending Theon back to Pyke, I remember having a sense of doom at the time. I didn’t, however, even imagine the repercussions of him going to visit his family. Having read ‘A Dance with Dragons’ I now find myself cheering for him again and reasoning with myself that it was the lack of love from his father and wanting to please him that led him to his unspeakable acts.

I had also forgotten that when Robb tells Bran about what happened to Jory in King’s Landing, that the name Lannister brings him a little bit of anxiety. I couldn’t wait for him to remember what had happened to him but by the time he actually does, his mom and dad have already figured it all out. Theon wants Robb to call the banners and Robb is hesitant in what to do. Again, Bran has the presence of mind to remind Robb that their mother and father listened to Maester Luwin’s council, even though Theon regards him as being “timid as an old woman”.

A sense of doom comes again when Robb leaves Bran to go find the direwolves. It is then that I realize just how completely helpless Bran is strapped to his horse. He is confronted by some very unwholesome characters that are running from beyond the wall. If anyone should know why they are running it should be Bran because he actually saw what was going on there in his dream with the three eyed crow. Which, by the way, we finally had confirmation of who the three eyed crow actually is. Brynden ‘Blackraven’ Rivers who was always known as having a thousand eyes and one. I actually read the Dunk and Egg books and found it very interesting when everyone said that Bloodraven knew everything that went on in all the Seven Kingdoms. Which makes me wonder, could he warg into the crow at that time and see what everyone was doing? It may have already been answered in the forums but I haven’t seen it clarified yet. Ok, back on track… so we have four wildings that are threatening Bran and the wilding Osha is quite excited to hear that Bran is Benjen Stark’s nephew…

 “You’re as stupid as you are ugly, Hali,” said the tall woman. “The boy’s worth nothing dead, but alive … gods be damned, think what Mance would give to have Benjen Stark’s own blood to hostage!”

“Mance be damned,” the big man cursed. “You want to go back there, Osha? More fool you.

Stiv is bound and determined to get as far south as possible, which, they should have just been on there way because direwolves to the rescue, and we have two torn up Wildings. Stiv is holding a knife to Bran and here comes Theon to the rescue…YAY…but then wait? That was incredibly stupid of him to shoot an arrow with him holding Bran. Robb is pissed and Theon is sullen.

“Jon always said you were an ass, Greyjoy,” Robb said loudly. “I ought to chain you up in the yard and let Bran take a few practice shots at you.”

“You should be thanking me for saving your brother’s life.”

Best thing I’ve heard come out of Robb’s mouth so far this whole book. They take Osha as a prisoner and head back to Winterfell to question her and Robb is quite relieved that he doesn’t have to chop off her head.

Book to HBO

There’s a few notable differences here. First and foremost, the complete lack of direwolves, in a scene where they play a fairly important (if gruesome) role in helping to save Bran. Robb is actually on horseback during the fight, as well. Furthermore, Maester Luwin and members of the Winterfell guard come across the carnage after it’s done, but it does not seem they are at all evident. The chapter actually starts in Winterfell, and introduces us to a common girl named Kyra that Theon is rather familiar with. The other notable change is that this scene has expanded Theon and Robb arguing over what to do, making it the reason Theon departs. In the novel, Theon and Robb leave Bran alone to go find the direwolves. Last but not least, the character of Osha is rather different—thanks to the much-younger, rather a lot prettier Natalia Tena—than in the novel.

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Game of Thrones Chapter 36 Daenerys

August 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Daenerys enters Vaes Dothrak with Drogo, Ser Jorah, Viserys, Aggo, and Rakharo at the head of the khalasar. Viserys, now universally mocked by the Dothraki after being forced to walk and ride in a cart, is getting very impatient to march onWesteros. Jorah tells Daenerys that Viserys should have remained in Pentos and that Dothraki see the world differently. Viserys sees Daenerys as the price for Drogo’s support, but Drogo sees her as a gift for which he will give a return gift in his own good time. Daenerys points out that Viserys will leave when he has his ten thousand, but Jorah retorts that Viserys is incompetent and could not prevail no matter the size of his army. Daenerys asks how the Dothraki would fare under a competent commander, and Jorah considers. Drogo has forty thousand warriors, as many as Rhaegar had at the Trident, however only a tenth of these were knights. Dothraki fighting from horseback with hit and run attacks would probably be able to defeat a western army in the field, but the Dothraki care little for siegecraft and would never be able to take a castle. AsIrri and Jhiqui help Daenerys off her silver, Cohollo comes over and says that Drogo will ascend the Mother to offer a sacrifice. Daenerys has Doreah invite Viserys to dinner so that she can present him with gifts, fine Dothraki clothing. Viserys arrives and scorns her gifts and threatens her, so she hits him, and he leaves. She curls up with one of her dragon eggs and goes to sleep, confident that the child in her womb will one day be a king.

Quotes…

 You do not demand a gift, not of a khal. You do not demand anything of a khal.”

“No one commands the dragon,” Viserys snarled. “I am your king! I should have sent you back her head!”

His fingers dug into her arm painfully and for an instant Dany felt like a child again, quailing in the face of his rage. She reached out with her other hand and grabbed the first thing she touched, the belt she’d hoped to give him, a heavy chain of ornate bronze medallions. She swung it with all her strength.

“Didn’t you learn anything that day in the grass? Leave me now, before I summon my khas to drag you out. And pray that Khal Drogo does not hear of this, or he will cut open your belly and feed you your own entrails.”

by Mel

In the beginning of the series, I feel sorry for Dany, but with each chapter that she is in, I can see her getting stronger and stronger. I love that she stood up to Viserys again, standing up for her people. Jorah warns him again that the Dothraki do things in their own time but Viserys just won’t listen. He is also so hateful towards his little nephew inside Dany’s belly, I sense some jealousy issues there.

I found it very interesting that as Dany is thinking of her son on a throne that she would rather have blood riders protecting him than knights. Really, they didn’t do much for her father or her brother. I like Jorah’s comment that Dothraki could not take a castle but could kick some serious ass in open battle.

I also find myself comparing Dany to Sansa. Sansa’s mind is full of dreams and fairytales, although she has seen a few times that her Prince Charming may just not all that charming. I like a quote I saw once…

Someone should sue Disney for making little girls think that Prince Charming actually exists.

How many of us have had the dissolution of fairy tales and happily ever after?

Dany has grown up in a different world and is smarter for it. I think that is why she is pleasantly surprised when she actually falls in love with Khal Drogo. She has been beat down by Viserys her whole entire life and knows that life is no bed of roses.

Love, love, love that Dany takes the belt to her brother. She’s evolving into the kick ass Dany that I love! As she sleeps with her dragon eggs, she thinks of her child on the throne.

Book to HBO

The single incident borrowed from this chapter is Dany placing the dragon’s egg in a lit brazier. This plays out very differently, however. In the novel, she has Jorah light the brazier and then leaves the egg there for hours, until the ashes are cold, whereas on the show Irri comes to take the heated egg from Daenerys, burning her own hands in the process to reveal that Daenerys is somehow safe against such heat. Daenerys scene with Viserys was a lot more dramatic in the HBO episode, she didn’t just slap him with a belt and threatens him herself instead of threatening Drogo against him.

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Game of Thrones, Chapter 35 Eddard

August 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Eddard prepares to leave the brothel, run by Chataya, with Lord Petyr, Jory, Heward, and Wyl. He found another bastard ofRobert’s at the brothel, a baby girl named Barra, who has fine dark hair. They begin the ride back to the Red Keep. Eddard thinks of Lyanna. She once told him that Robert would never keep to one bed, and when Eddard protested that Robert loved her, she responded that love could not change a man’s nature. Eddard asks Petyr what he knows of Robert’s bastards. Petyr does not know how many Robert has, but says there is one acknowledged bastard that he begot with a Florent on the night Stannis wed his wife. When the boy was born, Robert shipped him to Renly at Storm’s End. There are also rumors that he had twins with a serving girl at Casterly Rock three years ago when he attended Lord Tywin’s tourney and that Cersei had the babies killed and the mother sold into slavery.  Eddard asks Petyr why Lord Jon would take an interest in Robert’s bastards and why someone would kill him for it. Petyr finds the idea preposterous. Eddard suddenly thinks of Rhaegar and wonders if the prince ever visited brothels. He believes the prince did not. Suddenly, Eddard and Petyr are surrounded by twenty Lannister house guards led by Jaime. Jaime asks after Tyrion, and Eddard says he has been taken at his order to answer for his crimes. Jaime tells Petyr to leave, and Petyr promises to bring the City Watch. Jaime prepares to kill Eddard, but Eddard reminds Jaime that this would lead Catelyn to kill Tyrion. Jaime realizes this is so and tells the commander of his guards,Tregar, to make sure Eddard comes to no harm. He then orders Tregar to kill Eddard’s men and takes his leave. Eddard rushes to their aid and delivers a serious blow to Tregar, but he falls from his horse and breaks his leg. Jory, Heward, and Wyl are killed. The City Watch arrives some time later and brings him back to the Red Keep, where Grand Maester Pycelle prepares to treat his wounds.

by Mel

Even for a short chapter, we learn a lot of  information. Shall we discuss?

We get a lot of information just through Ned’s thoughts, for some reason the trip to the brothel has brought back some not so pleasant memories for Ned.

“Robert will never keep to one bed,” Lyanna had told him at Winterfell, on the night long ago when their father had promised her hand to the young Lord of Storm’s End. “I hear he has gotten a child on some girl in the Vale.” Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart. Lyanna had only smiled. “Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man’s nature.”

We know of Robert’s undying love for Lyanna but for the first time we get a glimpse of how Lyanna felt about her betrothed. She knew of his frequenting of brothels and of his bastard child at the Vale. Hmmm, didn’t we just meet a Mya Stone last chapter? Lyanna must have known that her marriage to Robert wasn’t going to be the happiest of ones if she was to endure a marriage of visits to brothels and embarrassment of bastard children.

 “I named her Barra,” she said as the child nursed. “She looks so like him, does she not, milord? She has his nose, and his hair …”

“She does.” Eddard Stark had touched the baby’s fine, dark hair. It flowed through his fingers like black silk. Robert’s firstborn had had the same fine hair, he seemed to recall.

Eddard meets the youngest, we think, of Robert’s bastard children and her mother who is still holding out that he will come back to her. He remembers that Robert’s first child that died had the same black hair as this baby. It has to be hard for someone honorable as Ned to know that Robert will more than likely forget both of them.

He thought of the promises he’d made Lyanna as she lay dying, and the price he’d paid to keep them.

Again, we get a glimpse into the promise that Ned made Lyanna and what it had cost him. We don’t exactly know what the promise was besides bringing her back to Winterfell when she died. I can’t really see him paying a price for this.

He wondered if Rhaegar had frequented brothels; somehow he thought not.

So far, the only opinion we have of Rhaegar, is a very negative one from Robert. Ned seems to think of him as an honorable man and would an honorable man really kidnap and rape a woman? I think not. If you would like to hear my Rhaegar and Lyanna theory come and discuss with me at my forum. *Warning, there will be spoilers so if you haven’t read the whole series you may want to wait*

 Riding through the rainy night, Ned saw Jon Snow’s face in front of him, so like a younger version of his own. If the gods frowned so on bastards, he thought dully, why did they fill men with such lusts? “Lord Baelish, what do you know of Robert’s bastards?”

“Well, he has more than you, for a start.”

“How many?”

Ned is thinking about Jon Snow and wonders why men are filled with such lusts. To me, he wonders, because he does not know and doesn’t understand it. So if this is the case, then is he really Jon Snow’s father? Again, check my forum.

We know of 6 bastards so far, the girl in the Vale (Mya Stone?) Gendry and the Barra in Kings Landing. We also find out about an Edric Storm at Storm’s End with Renly that was conceived on his brother’s wedding day, in his wedding bed. Littlefinger also tells Ned about twins in Casterly Rock that Cersei was said to have killed because Casterly Rock was a little too close to her families home. Ned still can’t figure out why Jon Arryn cared about all of this and why it would have gotten him killed for it. Have you figured out the big secret yet? Ned hasn’t, but he’s getting closer!

Jaime Lannister smiled. “Quite true. I’m looking for my brother. You remember my brother, don’t you, Lord Stark? He was with us at Winterfell. Fair-haired, mismatched eyes, sharp of tongue. A short man.”

“I remember him well,” Ned replied.

“It would seem he has met some trouble on the road. My lord father is quite vexed. You would not perchance have any notion of who might have wished my brother ill, would you?”

“Your brother has been taken at my command, to answer for his crimes,” Ned Stark said.

When he opened his eyes again, Lord Eddard Stark was alone with his dead.

Littlefinger and the City Watch found him there in the street, cradling Jory Cassel’s body in his arms.

As Cartman would say from South Park… OMG they killed Rory! Damn Jaime Lannister! I guess I’m not sure why Ned could not have tried to smooth it over with Jaime. I know he was protecting his wife, which I guess is what bugs me because I am still irritated with Catelyn for not being home with Bran and Rickon. He could have been like, “Dude, I know! My wife is CRAZY sometimes! Let me send a raven I’ll fix this whole damn mess!” No, that’s why George RR Martin is the author and I am not! LOL!

Books to HBO

The prostitute has been aged up, it seems (in the novel, Ned’s afraid to ask how old she is, because she’s so young), and she’s given a name (Mhaegen, though it’s never stated). As already noted, some substantial changes here, with Jory dying at the hands of Jaime, and Ned and Jaime going toe-to-toe. We also do not get the thoughts inside Ned’s head concerning Robert, Lyanna and Rhaegar, which dissapointed me. Without getting inside his head, I feel like we are missing a whole lot information.

 

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Game of Thrones, Chapter 34, Catelyn

August 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Catelyn and her party are being escorted by Ser Donnel Waynwood and a party from the Vale. Two more of Catelyn’s men,Lharys and Chiggen, died in a second clansmen attack, and Morrec died soon after when his wounds festered. When Ser Donnel approached, they drew up for a last stand before realizing who it was. The clans have been bold since Lord Jon died, and Lysa has pulled all her men into the Vale of Arryn, refusing to let them leave, even for the Hand’s tournament. Catelyn asks for Maester Colemon to tend to Ser Rodrik’s wounds, but he is commanded to stay at the Eyrie at all times and care for Lord Robert. They approach the Bloody Gate, and Ser Brynden Tully rides out to greet them. They pass through the gate and leave Ser Willis and Ser Rodrik, both wounded, before continuing on. Marillion and Bronn ask to continue on with her andTyrion and she allows it.

On the way, Catelyn tells Brynden all that has occurred. She thinks how her uncle was always a good listener, except when it came to her father, whom he quarreled with often. When Catelyn was eight, Lord Hoster called Brynden the black goat ofHouse Tully, and Brynden retorted he should be a black fish since the Tully symbol is a trout. He took a black fish for his personal emblem and has been known as the Blackfish ever since. They continued to fight until the day Lysa wed and Brynden left to take service with Lord Jon. Brynden is worried by Catelyn’s story. The nobles of the Vale are angry thatJaime Lannister has been named Warden of the East and many suspect Jon was murdered. Lord Robert is sickly and weak and many feel that Lord Nestor Royce, who ruled the Vale for fourteen years as High Steward while Lord Jon was serving as Hand, should rule until he comes of age, while others believe Lysa must marry again. She has already rejected a dozen suitors. Brynden also says that Lysa may not be helpful. She is changed by hard years, including two stillbirths and four miscarriages. They ride to the Gates of the Moon, where Lord Nestor greets them. He says that Lady Lysa has asked that Catelyn be sent up right away despite the fact that it is after dark. A young woman, Mya Stone, will take her to the top. Tyrion is escorted to a cell at the Gates.

Catelyn starts her climb, which takes her past three waycastles as the journey continues, Stone, Snow, and Sky. Mya talks as they go, telling Catelyn how she is in love with Ser Lyn Corbray’s squire, Mychel Redfort, and that they are to marry when he becomes a knight in a year or two. Catelyn thinks to herself that House Redfort is one of the oldest houses in the Vale, tracing their lineage back to the First Men, and that a son of this house would never marry a bastard.1 The path gets narrower and windier on up, and by the time Catelyn reaches the last waycastle, Sky, she is too nervous to continue and has herself hauled up from Sky to the Eyrie in a basket. She is greeted by Ser Vardis Egen and Maester Colemon, who take her to Lysa. Her sister is all smiles until everyone leaves, at which point she turns vicious. She is furious that Catelyn brought Tyrion to the Vale and dragged her into her quarrel with the Lannisters. She had never meant to fight them, only to hide in the Eyrie. Lord Robert comes in as she shouts, and he is very sickly. He gets scared, and Lysa breastfeeds him. She wonders what to do with Tyrion, and Robert asks if they can make him fly.

Quotes…

 “They were your quarrels first sister. It was you who sent me that curse letter.”

“To warn you, so you could stay away from them! I never meant to fight them!”

by Mel…

Begin Rant…I don’t even know where to begin here…the more I re-read this book, the more irritated I am with Catelyn. She should be home with her children, the little ones that she left  Robb in charge of. Instead she has lost men trying to get to the Vale and then as she’s watching her sister breastfeed her 7 year old she remembers Rickon. Not like, oh I miss Rickon but, hmmm I don’t breastfeed Rickon and he’s 3 and seems so much more mature!!! OK, first of all, ewwwwwww! Now that I got that out she’s up there on this high hill with 7 towers on it…nothing bad can happen there…her sister is a wee bit crazy, her nephew is just…not…right! She’s thinking, ‘hmmm, Tyrion really doesn’t act like he’s guilty….’

How frustrating this is for me, knowing what I do now, that Catelyn is dealing with this madness, when she should be at home with her children…End Rant

Also, what is her deal with bastards. Mya Stone, who was sweet enough to get her up the mountain, talking about her boyfriend and then once Catelyn finds out she is a bastard then she feels sorry for her and knows she will not marry who she loves. Also, next chapter we get a hint of who this bastard belongs to if you haven’t already figured it out.

Books to HBO…

Ser Vardis is younger, and he essentially replaces the Blackfish for this scene, with that role not being cast this season. No mention of the Bloody Gate, and the Eyrie is rather different in design. We do not see Catelyn’s tortuous climb up the side of the mountain with Mya Stone (another uncast character). Also Robert Arryn has had his name changed to Robin for the sake of clarity. Kate Dickie is a much more slender Lysa, as well. Beyond these physical details, however, the scene captures the hysterical Lysa’s fear and anger very, very well, as well as Robin’s completely spoiled, immature nature. However, it should be noted that in the book, Tyrion is not actually in this scene—Lysa and Catelyn speak privately.

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Game of Thrones Chapter 33 Eddard

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Varys has just told the small council that Ser Jorah has informed him Daenerys is pregnant. Robert wants to kill her andViserys now, but Eddard is protesting heatedly. He says there is no threat, as the Dothraki will never cross the sea, but Robert thinks his reign is in danger. Renly says they should have killed Viserys and Daenerys years ago, but Lord Jon always managed to convince Robert not to. Eddard points out how mercy can be useful, reminding Robert that Ser Barristan killed over a dozen men on the Trident yet when he was brought before Robert near death and Roose Bolton urged that his throat be cut, Robert pardoned him instead. Eddard argues well past the point of reason, calling Robert a coward and an ignoble king, but in the end is outvoted, with Renly, Petyr, Varys, and Pycelle voting for and only Barristan joining Eddard in voting against assassination. Renly suggests having Jorah do the deed, but Varys says that will not work, for the Dothraki would kill him, so he will refuse. Varys suggests using the tears of Lys, and Pycelle looks at him suspiciously. Eddard refuses to be party to the murder and resigns his position as Hand of the King. Robert tells him to go back to Winterfell or he will have Eddard’s head. As Eddard leaves, Pycelle brings up hiring the Faceless Men of Braavos, but Petyr complains they are too expensive. Eddard passes Ser Boros on his way out of the council chamber.

Back in his chambers, Eddard summons Vayon and has him prepare for the journey back to Winterfell. He decides he will leave first with his daughters and a few guardsmen and the rest of the household can follow behind. He contemplates going by ship to see Stannis, as he is convinced Stannis knows the secret that Jon died for. He has sent a letter to Dragonstone asking Stannis to return to his council seat but has received no reply. Eddard sends Vayon to look for a ship right before Tomard announces that Petyr is there to see him. Petyr tells Eddard that they have decided not to hire a Faceless Man and will just let it be known that a lordship awaits anyone who kills Daenerys. He then tells Eddard that if he will delay his departure briefly, he will take Eddard to the brothel he has been searching for.

Quotes…

Ned had heard enough. “You send hired knives to kill a fourteen-year-old girl and still quibble about honor?” He pushed back his chair and stood. “Do it yourself, Robert. The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. Look her in the eyes before you kill her. See her tears, hear her last words. You owe her that much at least.”

“Out,” he croaked, choking on his rage. “Out, damn you, I’m done with you. What are you waiting for? Go, run back to Winterfell. And make certain I never look on your face again, or I swear, I’ll have your head on a spike!”

by Mel

So, Robert is just CRAZY! His whole council is ridiculous with the exception of Ser Barristan( (I really like him) So the arguement goes like this….

“You talk of murdering a child.”  Robert doesn’t care.
“You will dishonor yourself forever if you do this.”  Robert doesn’t care.
“Mercy is never a mistake.  [Robert] sent his own master to tend Ser Barrista’s wounds.”  Robert blushes but still insists this is different, and the girl must die.
“Have the years so unmanned you that you tremble at the shadow of an unborn child?”  And here, finally, we get it:  Robert purpled.
“Do it yourself, Robert.  The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword.”  Robert can barely contain his fury that, yes, Ned means it.
“I had thought you a better man than this, Robert.  I thought we had made a nobler king.” Robert’s face was purple.

Then we have Littlefingers’ wise council…

“When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman, the best thing to do is close your eyes and get on with it,” he declared. “Waiting won’t make the maid any prettier. Kiss her and be done with it.”

So the king tells him to get out and go back to Winterfell! Threatens his head, so Ned makes the proper arrangements to get his daughters out of King’s Landing immediately….phew, now I’m starting to feel a LOT better, get the hell out of King’s Landing!

But first… he decides to go visit a brothel with Littlefinger! Oh Ned!!!

Books to HBO

The council scene plays out very similarly, although the lack of Barristan Selmy at the small council means that Eddard is left without anyone who supports his position whatsoever. Robert’s line about the realm being ruled by “fear and blood” is a new one, and we suspect not quite one that the novel’s Robert would ever think or say. Otherwise, the scene plays out quite similarly.

 

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Game of Thrones Chapter 32 Arya

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Arya is chasing an old black tomcat around the Red Keep. Syrio has had her chasing cats night and day, and she has caught every one in the castle save this one. She finally catches the cat when she is startled by the appearance of Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella accompanied by a septa  and two guards. They mistake her for a boy, and the septa orders one of the guards, Godwyn, to seize her. She darts away and manages to avoid them all, but ends up in an unfamiliar part of the castle. When her eyes adjust to the dark, she discovers she is in a storeroom containing the dragons that used to hang in the throne room. She proceeds down a dark hallway until she hears voices and sees two men coming up steps from below. One is a scarred man who seems strangely familiar and the other is a fat man with a forked yellow beard.  Yellowbeard tells Scarface that he must delay until the khal is ready to stir, which he will not do until his child is born.  Scarface says that Eddard already has the bastard and the book and will soon know the truth.  This combined with the attempt on his son and Catelyn’s seizure of Tyrion means that the Starks and Lannisters will soon be at each other’s throats and that the Tullys will probably be dragged in too. Furthermore, Lysa and Stannis have fled beyond Scarface’s reach and are gathering swords, while Loras is writing his father to bring his sister to court so that Robert can wed and bed her, and Petyr remains unpredictable as always. Yellowbeard suggests killing Eddard, but Scarface says that is untenable. Scarface says they must move now, but Yellowbeard says this is impossible. Scarface ends by asking for fifty more “little birds,” young boys who can read and write but have their tongues removed.  After that, they are out of hearing range, but Arya follows their torch to get out of the passage. She ends up at the mouth of a sewer far from the castle and has to walk back. The guards at the gate almost do not let her in. Finally, Tomard and Harwin march her in to see Eddard. She tries to tell him what she heard, but gets it all mixed up in her head, and he thinks she just saw a mummer’s troupe. Desmond interrupts their conversation to announceYoren, who has just arrived in King’s Landing. Yoren asks to speak to Eddard in private,  and Eddard has Desmond lead Arya away. On the way to her room, she asks Desmond if the guards will be able to protect Eddard. Desmond says yes, each northerner is worth ten southron swords.

Quotes…

“If one Hand can die, why not a second?” replied the man with the accent and the forked yellow beard. “You have danced the dance before, my friend.”

“I’m not a boy,” she spat at them. “I’m Arya Stark of Winterfell, and if you lay a hand on me my lord father will have both your heads on spikes. If you don’t believe me, fetch Jory Cassel or Vayon Poole from the Tower of the Hand.” She put her hands on her hips. “Now are you going to open the gate, or do you need a clout on the ear to help your hearing?”

by Mel…

Oh Ned! Why do you not listen to your daughter! Even if she is talking about monsters and wizards, her words made sense…

1. They said you had a book and a bastard and if one Hand could die, why not a second?

2. “There was a fat one with rings and a forked yellow beard, and another in mail and a steel cap, and the fat one said they had to delay but the other one told him he couldn’t keep juggling and the wolf and the lion were going to eat each other and it was a mummer’s farce.”

3. “The fat one said the princess was with child.”

The first time reading this I had no idea who the 2 men were and even watching the episode with this scene it was very dark, but after re-reading it I recognize Magister Illyrio and the fat man with the yellow forked beard and the other as Varys’ because he was talking about his little birds. But, what is their agenda? Is it all about selfish intents or is there actually a plan in motion. You could definately tell that they were talking about Khal Drogo not coming until the birth of his son, so it has everything to do with the Targaryens.

Arya’s descriptions of the monsters gives you an idea at just how big the dragon bones are, although, maybe I got that from HBO, I can’t recall exactly. And what about everyone mistaking Arya for a boy! That’s got to give her a HUGE complex!

Again, Arya is self-sufficient and kick ass, if only Ned would listen, OH Ned!!!

I love Syrio’s wisdom…

Your enemies will give you more than scratches.  A water dancer sees with all her senses.  All halls lead somewhere.  Where there is a way in, there is a way out.  Fear cuts deeper than swords.

And then the almost hypnotic poeticism of her mantra:

Quiet as a shadow.
Light as a feather. 
Quick as a snake.
Calm as still water.
Smooth as summer silk.
Swift as a dear.
Slippery as an eel.
Strong as a bear.
Fierce as a wolverine.
Still as a stone.

Also?  The last line of the chapter is awesome.  “Wizards die the same as other men, once you cut their heads off.”

Books to HBO

There was no scene where she ran from Myracella, Tommen and the Septa. The dragon skull is not black. We’re not sure why, because the dragonbone hilt of the dagger and the daggers Drogo and his bloodrider have are black. But it’s certainly big! The biggest change here is that in the novel, Arya has no idea who these two people are, and so the reader, too, isn’t easily able to identify them. In part, it’s because Varys is a master of disguise, and has disguised himself with a gaoler’s costume and stubble and a different way of speaking… but lagely, it’s just that Arya doesn’t know, and so we can’t easily decipher it. Even today, new readers still show up occasionally wondering. Eventually, Arya does get out of the cellars through a sewer tunnel, and bathes and washes her clothes in the Blackwater before making her way to the castle. I love the look on Eddard’s face when he asks her why she was in the dungeons and she answered, ‘Chasing Cats’ Also it was Rory who led her out and not Desmond.

 

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Game of Thrones Chapter 31 Tyrion

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Tyrion watches Chiggen butcher his horse and endures taunts from Bronn. The horse was a gift from Jaime for his twenty-third birthday. He walks off and thinks back on the events that got him into this predicament. When Catelyn called on the patrons of the inn to arrest Tyrion, Jyck drew his sword, but Tyrion quickly stopped him and realized that he had to surrender to Catelyn to have any chance of survival. Yoren stood aside as Catelyn took him into custody, as the Watch does not involve itself in the quarrels of the realm. Masha begged Catelyn not to kill him in her inn, and Catelyn said she would take him back to Winterfell. Tyrion told the assembled that Lord Tywin will pay handsomely for word of what happened, and he was confident of rescue. Ser Rodrik decreed that they would take Jyck and Morrec too. Catelyn asked for volunteers to guard him, and Ser Willis Wode, Kurleket, Lharys, Mohor, Bronn, and Chiggen stepped forward. Marillion also decided to come along so he could compose a song of the “splendid adventure.” They blindfolded Tyrion and began the journey. When they took off his blindfold at the end of the first day, he realized that they were not going to Winterfell, but were in fact taking the high roadto the Vale of Arryn.

Catelyn has set a relentless pace through the mountains, and they have lost three horses. Ser Rodrik counsels a slower pace, and Tyrion seconds that thought, adding that he may not survive such a rough pace. He once again denies trying to murderBran and tells Catelyn that Lord Petyr is a liar and brags to all and sundry that he took Catelyn’s maidenhead.  Before he can tell more, a group of mountain clansmen approach their position. Tyrion tells Catelyn to arm him and his men, which she does reluctantly. They successfully drive off the clansmen, who leave nine dead on the field. Their losses are only three, Jyck, Kurleket, and Mohor. Ser Rodrik is wounded. As the fight nears its end, Tyrion saves Catelyn’s life. Ser Willis counsels riding on, as the clansmen will certainly be back. Catelyn wants to stay and bury the dead, but she is soon dissuaded from that folly. She allows Tyrion to keep his weapons. As they set out again, Tyrion rides up to Catelyn and continues to tell her why he is innocent. Petyr claimed that Tyrion won the dagger betting against Jaime, but Tyrion never bets against his family.

Quotes…

“This is the high road,” he gasped, looking at Lady Stark with accusation. “The eastern road. You said we were riding for Winterfell!” Catelyn Stark favored him with the faintest of smiles. “Often and loudly,” she agreed. “No doubt your friends will ride that way when they come after us. I wish them good speed.”

“As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted,” Tyrion began, “there is a serious flaw in Littlefinger’s fable. Whatever you may believe of me, Lady Stark, I promise you this—I never bet against my family.”

by Mel

I had read this part of the book before the HBO episode came out, and I refused to believe that Tyrion would have had anything to do with the attack on Bran. Although, it was fun that when this episode came I played along with my husband that he was the bad guy! ‘Dang, I really liked him!’ he said. I love the fact that when he had a chance to escape or at least let Catelyn be killed that he saved her. Tyrion knows exactly what his brother and sister are capable of and I really think that he suspected them back at Winterfell. He also knows that his worth is not that important to his father but his father cannot let something like this happen to a Lannister. I really feel for the poor guy, at least he’s got a good sense of humor about it all!

Books to HBO

Tyrion does not take up an ax and fight hand-to-hand, probably a change to reflect the fact that Peter Dinklage probably isn’t going to be quite so convincing a fighting man as George has managed to make Tyrion to be (Tyrion’s no great shakes, mind).  Catelyn does not kill one of the clansmen. Some of the sellswords and men-at-arms who are named in the story go nameless here, and Bronn has lost the sellsword who was his companion.

 

 

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Game Of Thrones: Comic-Con Trailer (HBO)

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Blog, Game of Thrones, Game of Thrones Extras *Spoilers*
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