Sunday 15 March 2015

Yesterday finished the first book of A Song of Ice and Fire, A Game of Thrones, on my Kindle. Really good. Goes into more detail about characters. Interestingly enough, Stannis was the one who began the investigation into Robert's children and without the private scenes Renly comes across as much nastier. Also I am now thinking of the theory that Jon Snow is not Ned's son but his sister-son, and their father is Rhaegar Targaryen.

Monday 9 March 2015

On the 1st of March saw GOT S4 E9. The Wildlings finally attack the Wall. Reminded me of Blackwater. Penultimate episode that focused on an attack in one area, enabling us to focus more. Really exciting seeing all these characters fighting and the various deaths. It feels more like traditional fantasy, with Samwell getting back like he said. Good ending, as Jon Snow goes off to his death. Could you be like that out of depression at the death of Ygritte? I guessed her last words would be "You know nothing Jon Snow." But will Jon Snow kill the King beyond the War? Will the Night's Watch still be able to hold of the thousands about to attack?

On the 5th finished S4. Stannis is back! Loved hearing that theme as his soldiers ride out, defeating the Wildlings and capturing their King. Stannis really is awesome. Things may not be so bad for him, as he may be able to build a base in the North. Plenty of the Northerners hate the Boltons and would be ready to help him. Great duel between the Hound and Brienne. Sad watching the Hound die, even if he was trying to make himself unsympathetic so Arya would kill him. Was this her punishment to him, letting him die? Also the Hound's brother is dying. Qyburn saying he could save him while in this lab felt like something from a different show. It was sad seeing Daenerys being forced to lock her dragons up after seeing how dangerous they are becoming. We finally meet the Children of the Forest, able to blow Wights to ash. What does the old man mean by saying Bran will fly? Will he become a three-eyed raven?

Tyrion escapes, as I thought he would. Sad that he kills Shae, despite so loving her. And then kills his father. Tywin really can try for dignity, despite being in such a difficult position, on the toilet with the son he sentenced to death pointing a crossbow at him. His death does not bode well for the Lannisters. A child is king, his parents are despised, the mines are dry, Stannis is growing in power, and Dorne will not be happy at Prince Oberyn's death so hopes of that alliance don't look good. Now Tyrion and Varys, two of the most intelligent figures in this regime have left, things look even worse. They are not the only ones leaving. Arya finally uses her coin. Will she find the Faceless Men? She still has names...

Friday 6 March 2015

26th saw GOT S4 E5. Sansa gets to the Eyrie. Quite a reveal that Lyssa poisoned Jon Aryn, setting of the series. Littlefinger's manipulations have been happening for some time. Though even he seems surprised at the eagerness to marry. Quite creepy to have Bran control Hodor and kill Locke, unpleasant as they were. Poor Hodor. Sad that Bran was so close to his brother and had to leave without Jon seeing him. And Sansa has to listen to her aunt. Surprisingly amusing.

28th saw 3 eps. E6. The trial of Tyrion Lannister. Hardly surprising he gets so angry at the end. He has to sit through this farce and then Shae betrays him, spouting out a load of lies. Impressive speech, about how he wishes he had killed Joffrey and let Stannis kill the court, after how ungrateful they are. He claims he is on trial for being a dwarf. I could feel the Richard III connections. The world views him as a monster. So is he now going to become one? The Tyrells seem so unpleasant, leaving an innocent man to pay for Olenna's actions. Is questionable how much Tywin planned with Jaime, as he is quick to agree to their plan to spare Tyrion if he returns to Casterly Rock. Also it seems that Mycroft was started to play the game. Mark Gattis as a man from the Iron Bank. An oily but powerful character. Economics are quite important in politics.

South in Essos... I expect more goat-herds will be turning up to complain after Daenerys offers the payment. Now she realises ruling is not easy, having killed innocent Masters and knowing the war was not a simple good vs evil fight. She might have conquered but can she rule?

E7. Hardly surprising Tyrion has trouble finding a volunteer to fight the Mountain. Trial by combat is a problematic way of performing a trial. Though loved the talk about Jaime fighting and thinking of the look on Tywin's face if they got killed. Now Tyrion has another supporter. Oberyn Martell. It seems Cersei hated Tyrion since he was a baby, and even since then he has been thought of as a monster. Really emphasises his claim that for his whole life he's been on trial for being a dwarf.

Ending, with Lyssa getting pushed through the Moon-Door after Littlefinger told her he loved her sister, was hardly surprising. She was quite a weird woman. As for her son I find him quite creepy.

E8. Poor old Jorah, getting dismissed from Daenerys' service. How will Daenerys fare without him?

Again terrible luck for the Hound and Arya. Turning up just too late, as another of Arya's relatives dies. Her laugh was... weird. Is her sanity slipping?

Interesting story about the cousin who liked smashing beetles. Does this show how Tyrion views the world, like an idiot smashing beetles? Oberyn reminded me of Inigo Montoya, as he kept repeating the line while using bullfighting techniques. But it seems you can't always be dazzling and have to administer the killing blow when you have the chance. A single misstep from Oberyn and the most gruesome death of GOT so far, as the Mountain yells what he did to Oberyn's sister. At least the Mountain got badly hurt and Oberyn may have poisoned his blades. Also it seems the idea of an alliance with Dorne is in trouble now the ruler's brother has been killed by the Lannister's pyschopath. But what does this mean for Tyrion? What will Jaime do?