The Kingsmoot Dilemma: Could It Happen Like This? (AFFC+ADWD Spoilers)

[Ser Frasier of House Crane]

I tried to post this yesterday, but it didn't seem to take. Anyway, let's try again:

I've been thinking an awful lot about the Kingsmoot plotline from AFFC and how and if it will be adapted into the series. There's a lot of bandying about that they might be cutting one or all of the Greyjoy uncles, and perhaps even expunging the plotline entirely. I submit a third possibility.

Because Yara went off on her unsuccessful jaunt to rescue Theon in the show, could they potentially have Balon die while she's still en route to or from the Dreadfort, and when she returns, Euron has been crowned? For all of the complaints lodged toward D&D for potentially ruining Dorne's image with their female progenitor laws, it would be interesting to see Yara being more forceful in retaking the throne in a warrior-driven culture. And it would actually mirror the Greyiron/Badbrother kingsmoot mentioned from ages past.

It's just a theory, but considering how much they've built up Yara, I can see this happening, and certain elements of Arianne might be married into Yara (her seeking her rightful place as heir, etc.). This would mean that Euron would still remain in the plotline.

[Grayven]

First she's going to have to kill everyone who went with her to the Dreadfort, because if stories about how that went down leak out amongst the Ironborn, she won't be able to rule a rowboat.

[zaphodbrx]

Can't really rule the iron islands after running away from dogs..

[Arkash]

She didnt run away from dogs, she decided it wasnt worth risking her and her men's lives anymore for the wreck that is not her brother anymore.

Though this could have been done and said better.

And I dont think this will prevent D&D from writing her as a strong woman when (if) she comes back to the Iron Islands (thankfully so cause Gemma Whelan can definitly pull it off, I loved her delivery of the letter, it was awesome !)

[Big Daddy]

I like the idea that the story is told from Asha/Yara's pov. Balon is WAY overdue to die, and it doesn't have to happen on screen.

Just do their "previously on..." recap by including the scene with Stannis' 3 leeches. When the episode gets to Asha/Yara, have her arrive home and see her uncle's ship anchored and she knows something's wrong. She comes into the castle and they tell her Balon is dead (we get to see his body as she does) and they are preparing for a Kingsmoot. They really don't need Victarion for this, and even Damphair can be a background character that takes up no room. The arc is really about Asha vs Euron anyway. In the books Damphair is probably already dead and Victarion is nothing more than Euron's disgruntled goon.

Streamlining this doesn't have to be the end of the world at all.

[Kasakka]

I approve the idea that when Asha returns from her failed operation she founds out that Euron sits on the Seastone chair. This could save HBO some precious minutes to spend on Dorne or the Wall.

[Arkash]

In the books Damphair is probably already dead

I pretty much doubt that and think he's up to something quite massive in Winds.

If he's ever needed, he'll be cast later.

[Big Daddy]

I pretty much doubt that and think he's up to something quite massive in Winds.

Ugh, you could be right. His povs are such a dull affair to me that I really hope he dies soon. Didn't GRRM have a Damphair POV for TWOW he offered to read, and the audience chose to he another one? Can't say I blame them of course, but it might be indicative of Damphair doing SOMETHING of interest early in the book.

Maybe he's making plans to try to smuggle Theon back to the Iron Islands. Not that plans don't often turn to crap in character's hands in these books, but I could see him trying, which causes some other unforeseen events.

[toffeejay]

Yeah GRRM keeps saying its one of the best chapters he's wrote but can't blame people for not wanting to here it!

I can't see him wanting anything to do with Theon. But then in the Theon 1 from ACOK he kept bigging up Asha as Balon's heir then in his own POV was criticizing Balon for thinking she'd ever rule?

[Arkash]

Aeron's story arc in Winds is most likely tied up to Euron. Either we learn some of the Crow's Eyes darkest secrets, either we learn of his long-game real plan, either Aeron is up to something magical / wtf-esque to overthrown him... like trying to tame a Kraken... that'd be badass... and is damn crackpot I know, but still... imagine the Damphair surfing the waves on a motherfookin' Kraken to throw Euron off !!!!

[Hath4]

Martin has been talking up the aeron story in winds so let's hope it's really good. I do think aeron not Vic will destroy Euron.

[Ruin]

In TWOW, Euron will launch an attack on Oldtown, reinforced by the Warlocks of Qarth and the Shadowbinders of Asshai. He'll be aboard the Silence with Aeron, laugh in his face, and renounce the Drowned God. Aeron raises his hands and summons Urri reborn as a Kraken. Urri drowns the Silence, destroys the Citadel/Oldtown, and Aeron goes out like an All-Star.

Oh, this is so bad, but a part of me still wants to read/see this, lol.

[The Onion Sleight]

Aeron's story arc in Winds is most likely tied up to Euron. Either we learn some of the Crow's Eyes darkest secrets, either we learn of his long-game real plan, either Aeron is up to something magical / wtf-esque to overthrown him... like trying to tame a Kraken... that'd be badass... and is damn crackpot I know, but still... imagine the Damphair surfing the waves on a motherfookin' Kraken to throw Euron off !!!!

Eh, that's actually what I imagine will happen (and nothing less!). I don't think it's such crackpot; GRRM promised, we'll see some real krakens at some point in the story, IIRC; we know there exists a magical horn at Claw Isle to wake sea monsters and summon krakens; Arianne already hears in TWOW tales about krakens pulling under crippled galleys... Aeron could be the only one to stop Euron, so, I'd say it's not unrealistic to consider this theory.

In TWOW, Euron will launch an attack on Oldtown, reinforced by the Warlocks of Qarth and the Shadowbinders of Asshai. He'll be aboard the Silence with Aeron, laugh in his face, and renounce the Drowned God. Aeron raises his hands and summons Urri reborn as a Kraken. Urri drowns the Silence, destroys the Citadel/Oldtown, and Aeron goes out like an All-Star.

Oh, this is so bad, but a part of me still wants to read/see this, lol.

THIS ^ :bowdown: is exactly what will happen! :bowdown:

Okay, maybe not all... some definitely something like that, IMO.

[The Reckoner]

I wouldn't mind if Gemma's Yara became the series' Victarion. Can you drop me a link with GRRM saying we'd see a real kraken?

[The Onion Sleight]

I wouldn't mind if Gemma's Yara became the series' Victarion. Can you drop me a link with GRRM saying we'd see a real kraken?

He calls it here at least possible: http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Interview_in_Barcelona/

I'm absolutely sure, Yara won't travel to Meereen and try to marry Dany in season 5, to become the show's Vic. It doesn't make much sense, Dany already has 93 ships and Yara will end with Stannis and then Theon at the middle/end of the season.

I wanted to write a longer text in the "Yara in Season 5" thread about my view on her storyline next year, but it's 3 a.m. here where I am, so this has to wait till later...

[The Reckoner]

Thank you. Nice avatar.

[The Onion Sleight]

Thank you. Nice avatar.

Thank you =) I've decided today to change my Team Dragonstone avatar to Euron/Vic/Aeron, till such time as GoT finally announces news about the casting of at least one of them.

[Janicia]

If the show wanted to have somebody in Victarion's role but not in Yara's for season 5, they should have skipped Yara's season 3 and 4 appearances and just introduced Victarion for season 5. It would be completely stupid to do what they did with Yara in seasons 3 and 4 just to dump her into Victarion's role for season 5. And Yara is nothing like Victarion, it wouldn't make much sense to slot that character into that role. And Dany already has ships so she doesn't need the Ironborn fleet anyway.

I agree with the OP that Yara will probably arrive home in early season 5 to discover that Balon is dead and Euron has taken over, and then Yara will unsuccessfully try to contest Euron by calling a kingsmoot. Good point that Yara trying to take control of the Iron Islands (with Balon's blessing) offers some consolation to people aggrieved by a lack of Arienne, though Yara is unsuccessful. Yara is clearly the better, saner option.

[Sword of the Morgan]

I think they should pursue this entire storyline as they do in the books, and I even think a good first scene in Season 5 episode 1 would be the Damphair being alerted to Balon's death. The Kingsmoot and everything around it is a great glimpse into a place we haven't seen much of in the show to this point, and I think it's important material that they'll also need to be able to split AFFC and ADWD into two combined seasons.

[Ser Frasier of House Crane]

The more I think about it, the more I think that Vic's going to be cut and his qualities merged with Yara and the Damphair, who I believe will be cast in order to give Yara some sort of alliance on the isles. The question then becomes how she'll react when she sees Theon again whilst under captivity.