Game Of Thrones Season 6 Discussion (Spoilers)

[137th Gebirg]

What the heck is R+L=J? Or is that a spoiler?

Very much a spoiler, though not yet proven. More of a fan theory right now, actually.

Spoiler

A common fan theory from the books is that Danny's eldest brother, Prince Rhaegar (the "R") did not, in fact, kidnap Ned's sister Lyanna (the "L"), as what was believed as part of igniting Robert's Rebellion. Following a tournament at Harrenhal prior to the war, Rhaegar (according to Robert Baratheon) carried her off and locked her away to be his personal plaything, raping her repeatedly. As a side note, Rhaegar's marriage to Elia of Dorne (the sister of the Martell brothers, who was killed by the Mountain with her children) was said to not be a happy one and he instead had eyes for Lyanna. As the theory goes, after Ned's battle at the Tower of Joy in Dorne, he discovers Lyanna close to death, with a newborn child - Jon. During the course of the books, there is an occasional flashback where Lyanna demands of Ned, "promise me...", but we don't know exactly what the promise is. Many think that Jon is the true-born and legitimate Targaryen heir to the Iron Throne. Ned promised to keep his true identity secret, at the risk of his own honor and relationship with Cat, else others would want to come and kidnap/kill Jon themselves. Turn him into the bastard son of Ned Stark, make up a story about a wild night with some random woman while on campaign during the war, and -poof- no more danger to Jon.

The biggest flaw in the theory is the fact that Jon burned himself when throwing the lantern at the white walker that tried to kill Mourmont at Castle Black and that he can't possibly be a true Targaryen. To explain that away, one only needs to look at Viserys' not-to-successful survival at having molten gold dumped on his head. He was a true-born Targaryen and he couldn't handle the heat. Methinks that Danny's special "condition" of being immune to fire is strictly originating from her entrance into Drogo's funeral pyre with the eggs and the birth of her dragons - marking the re-emergence of strong Old Valyrian magic back into this world.

Either that, or the old saying regarding Targaryen dementia, "every time a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin", may also apply to fire resistance ability as well.

 

[Venardhi]

Mind you that even Dany isn't 100% immune to fire apart from a few specific moments when she needed a kick in the pants to get her ass moving towards her destiny.

 

[137th Gebirg]

True - but with the divergence between the books & show, she seems to be having the "unburned" part of her lengthy title more solidly established.

 

[Venardhi]

It wasn't like she dove right in. Seemed to me she really only got her groove back after placing that first hand on the brazier and getting the nod from destiny to kick some ass.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

What the heck is R+L=J? Or is that a spoiler?

It's a speculation among the more observant book readers about the true identity of Jon Snow's parents. Some say it's not Eddard Stark and some unknown tavern whore. It's such a big theory that there's actually a wikipedia page on it (read if you want to be spoiled).

Wow, I'm surprised Wikipedia has an article on a fan theory. That seems completely antithesis to their nature.

 

[FPAlpha]

As I said two episodes ago, The Return of The Starks! I can't wait till Arya sails back to Westeros.

I wonder what Jon would do. With Ramsey's letter the Wildlings are sure to be on Jon's side, but I suspect this whole "raising an army" thing is going to be a deception. Jon knows the big threat is not in the South. He would want to find a solution that preserve Bolton's 5,000 men to face the Night King's whitewalkers up North. Frankly, I'm at a loss what solution Jon would come up with.

Even before the letter it would have been prudent to settle this matter.. Ramsay is unpredictable and behind Jon. When the White Walkers attack the wall in full force Jon can't have a wild card element in his back who might become a big problem and draw away ressources to be dealt with because otherwise they whole battle might be lost.

However Ramsay then goes and makes it personal.. in front of all commanders who understand these things. So Jon now has two major reasons to deal with Ramsay and at least equal odds if he gathers Stark loyalists (he even doesn't know that the Vale will join the fight and that's an additional professional army though no one knows what ultimate play Littlefinger has in mind so their help may be uncertain).

When all the chess pieces are in position i guess that Jon can command at least the numbers that Ramsay has. Should be one amazin and hopefully satisfying battle (and just maybe once GRRM won't kill off a beloved character for once? Pretty please?).

 

[Brolan]

I'm convinced the White Walkers will strike in such a way as to make allies out of the previous combatants. But either way it should be a wild ride.

I like the notion of "chess pieces on a board". We are seeing the beginning of GRRM's end game now.

 

[dahj]

Methinks that Danny's special "condition" of being immune to fire is strictly originating from her entrance into Drogo's funeral pyre with the eggs and the birth of her dragons - marking the re-emergence of strong Old Valyrian magic back into this world.

Actually, that bit was kinda confirmed by GRRM in a Q&A way back in '99:

Granny: Do Targaryens become immune to fire once they "bond" to their dragons?

George_RR_Martin: Granny, thanks for asking that. It gives me a chance to clear up a common misconception. TARGARYENS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO FIRE! The birth of Dany's dragons was unique, magical, wonderous, a miracle. She is called The Unburnt because she walked into the flames and lived. But her brother sure as hell wasn't immune to that molten gold.

Revanshe: So she won't be able to do it again?

George_RR_Martin: Probably not.

The show diverged from that last answer obviously, but since the interview is kinda old, maybe GRRM changed his mind on that point as well.

 

[Roshi]

When Tormund saw Brienne, you could hear "Dream Weaver" playing in the background...

 

[hux]

Did she already know she was fire proof or was she just being ballsy as fuck? I certainly didn't know.

Oh and... great tits.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

In the show Dany has been immune to fire several times. At the end of season 2, when she picked up the dragon eggs off the hot coals.

Right now Ramsay only controls people because they are rightly terrified of crossing him. If Jon could just assassinate Ramsay the North would follow him.

Let's also remember that Baelish is coming with the Eyrie army to back Jon. His goal is probably to have Jon's side win but make sure all male Starks die in the fray so he can swoop in.

 

[Brolan]

In the first episode she walks into a bath that one of the servants warns is too hot, but it doesn't seem to register with her at all. So this immunity to heat thing has been around since the beginning of the show.

 

[FPAlpha]

Did she already know she was fire proof or was she just being ballsy as fuck? I certainly didn't know.

Oh and... great tits.

I think she's convinced it's a permanent gift since she burned on Khal Drogo's funeral pyre and lived and she used that to her advantage.. as i said she's pretty good at manipulating people by using their own culture as a lynchpin.

In the first episode she walks into a bath that one of the servants warns is too hot, but it doesn't seem to register with her at all. So this immunity to heat thing has been around since the beginning of the show.

I think it's more a foreshadowing.. some people can withstand great heat or are used to it but Martin himself said it that magic really got going again when the Dragons were born which is why she was able to surive a full fire and Viserys was burnt to death by the molten gold.

Anyway it was yet again an awesome scene by Dany and the next episode looks ballsy as hell again judging from the preview

 

[Seven of Five]

Wow another excellent episode. I think that was the closest thing this show ever had to a feel-good episode!

The Stark meet up was very poignant, and I couldn't believe it happened after Sansa only left last episode. So many awesome characters in one group has great potential too.

In another bout of speed, Theon made it home to his sister, and pledged his support. It was certainly the first time I cared about his family's story at all, with another touching moment.

Baelish is back, and he seems to want to aid Jon, but being as he always plays the long game, his true intentions aren't apparent yet.

The High Sparrow have been a deathly boring adversary in King's Landing since their introduction, but now that seems to be heading towards something happening finally. It's about time.

Tyrion probably had the most dull development this week, which is a weird thing to say about his character. I feel he is biding his time until Denearys is back.

And speaking of her, she wins the episode with yet another amazing ending that gave me a tear in the eye, a bit like the flying on Drogo moment last year. I loved it! Burning all the arseholes and escaping fire again led to everyone bowing at her feet. This Dothraki support is esentinal for her future development. And again, within four episodes, rather than a whole season like I feared last week.

I'm really enjoying this season so far, I think they have taken the criticisms of season five to heart, and come back stronger.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

The High Sparrow have been a deathly boring adversary in King's Landing since their introduction, but now that seems to be heading towards something happening finally. It's about time.

I don't have a problem with the High Sparrow plotline simply because I could listen to Jonathan Pryce drone on for hours and not get bored.

 

[dahj]

King's Landing.. aside from the Iron Islands the weakest part of the episode though still building up to some good old revenge/civil war. Nice to see enemies uniting and for once Cersei be actually right and being a little diplomatic..

Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that "uniting".
There was a very strong vibe that the Lannisters are setting up the Tyrells.

There was the whole deal with the thing that the High Sparrow told Tommen that he seemed upset about, which I reckon to be

Spoiler: speculation

that the Tyrells killed Joffrey (which Loras may have confessed)

and then also the motif of Rains of Castamere was playing in the background of that scene.

I just hope that whatever happens doesn't disturb the upcoming trial of Cersei, if we're cheated out of Cleganebowl I'll write some angry letters to the HBO!

 

[FPAlpha]

Oh it's obvious that neither side trusts the other but their common enemy takes precdence now, settling old debts can come later (and Cersei might try to use this to get an upper hand over the Tyrells and once again fuck up ).

Had to read up on Cleganebowl thanks to Google and i would be pissed if that actually happened.. comicbook deaths, i.e. where you don't see the dead body, should remain there and not be used for shock moments because it's cheap and reeks of fan service (something that Martin is not used to do thank god). The few "dead" characters that actually returned were a rare occurence and had ramifications later on but i don't want to see the Hound return, his story is done and let's move on.

 

[dahj]

Oh it's obvious that neither side trusts the other but their common enemy takes precdence now, settling old debts can come later (and Cersei might try to use this to get an upper hand over the Tyrells and once again fuck up )..

I don't think Cersei sees the High Sparrow as a higher ranked enemy than the Tyrells, she feels pretty much safe in the trial by combat so the Faith isn't her immediate problem. She hated the Tyrells before, and if she did indeed find out that thing I spoiler tagged in the previous post I think stabbing them out is her first priority.
It is likely however that Olena has a counter back-stab as well so we'll see how this plays out.

but i don't want to see the Hound return, his story is done and let's move on.

I disagree, his whole arc was overcoming the shadow of his brother, he needs to lop his undead head off

 

[Cyrus]

I am really looking forward to the Bran & Knight's King scene in next week's episode. Seems like this could be a flashforward scene as opposed to the flashback scenes he has had so far.

 

[Mr Light]

Spoilers...