Over on Tower of the Hand, I’ve published the fourth part in my five-part series on the Westerosi monarchy. In this part, I compare and contrast how Stannis and Renly Baratheon think about the monarchy, and how their different political philosophies both explain their personalities and also have dramatic consequences for the Seven Kingdoms.
“It is all the king’s justice…north, south, east, or west, all we do is in Robert’s name.”
Synopsis: Eddard Stark sits in judgement on the Iron Throne in Robert’s absence and learns of Ser Gregor Clegane’s attack on three villages in the Riverlands. Unable to ride out himself, Eddard decrees a sentence of attainder and death on Clegane, and tasks Lord Beric Dondarrion to carry out the royal decree, rather than Ser Loras Tyrell.
Well, it had to happen: SEK of Lawyers, Guns and Money and I discuss the Red Wedding. Come soak up all the sadness, thoughts on the nature of tragedy, comparative Westerosi wedding, and so much more!
And a special bonus, here’s the discussion of Episode 7 that we didn’t do on schedule:
Enjoy!
“I’m no man’s toady.”
“Nor any man’s friend.”
Synopsis: Tyrion and Bronn, on their way on the High Road, encounter Shagga son of Dolf of the Stone Crows. Despite initial hostilities, Tyrion manages to convince the mountain clansmen to fight for him in exchange for superior arms and armor.
A revamp of Google+’s hangout function made it impossible for us to record our discussion of Episode 7, but Scott Eric Kaufman of Lawyers, Guns, and Money and I were able to rally for a discussion of Episode 8. In this episode, we discuss one of SEK’s students bursting into tears over learning about a sudden unfortunate event, the dynamics of Sansa and Tyrion’s marriage and what it says about the failure of all kinds of unions, how Daenerys is basically Walter White in this episode, and Stannis Baratheon as Agamemmnon on the beach at Aulis:
Check it out, then join the discussion here! “Thanks” to the delay on Episode 9, we should have Episode 7 up next week.
Also, SEK did a follow-up post about eye-lasers in the wedding party that you really should read.
“The collar is supposed to remind a maester of the realm he serves…a chain needs all sorts of metals, and a lands needs all sorts of people…the Night’s Watch needs all sorts too. Why else have rangers and stewards and builders?”
Synopsis: Jon Snow graduates into the Night’s Watch, but Sam is left behind. Jon speaks to Maester Aemon privately to change his mind, stressing Sam’s literacy and skill with animals.
“Enough, Ser Vardis!” Lady Lysa called down. “Finish him now, my baby is growing tired.”
Synopsis: after learning of Edmure’s military preparations for the coming Lannister assault on the Riverlands, Catelyn observes the judicial duel between Ser Vardis Egen and Bronn the sellsword. Bronn defeats the older knight and Tyrion Lannister is set free on the high road.
In this episode, Scott Eric Kaufman of Lawyers, Guns, and Money and I discuss religious faith again, personal loyalty vs. political loyalties, the meaning of Theon’s torture, the heavyweight boxing match that is Tywin vs. Olenna, and so much more!
And then, when we were done, we did a spoileriffic extra podcast talking about how the divergences from the books in this episode might or might not work out down the road:
Check it out!
In this episode, Scott Eric Kaufman of Lawyers, Guns, and Money and I discuss the relationship between nudity and truth, the question of loyalty and honor, the necessities of power, and Scott’s Grand Theory of Significant Asses.
Check it out!
EDIT: we did a follow-up on religion, as you can see below:
Sorry for the belated update. In this episode, Scott Eric Kaufman of Lawyers, Guns, and Money and I discuss Jaime and Theon’s experience of torture as destructive or revealing of character, how both the Night’s Watch and Brotherhood Without Banners react to defeat, the political machinations of Varys the eunuch, the Tyrells, and Littlefinger, and burnination via dragon.
Check it out!
