171 replies to this topic

[greywindsrage]

Tyrion at Blackwater
Jaime jumping into the Bear Pit
Quorin Halfhands mortal decision
Brienne at the Inn
Arya savin Jaquen
Sandor saving Sansa

[Grumpy Midget]

Definitely the Halfhand.  Everyone else listed went into their moment-of-heroism with at least a reasonable chance of survival.  Not Halfhand.

And 'Sansa saving Sansa'???  Since when is self-preservation heroic?

[Silver Spearwife]

First thing that came to mind, as has already been mentioned, was Jaime jumping unarmed and one-handed into a fucking pit with a bear to save Brienne. That was awesome.

I want to create a respectable list like everyone else has but I really can't think of anything that comes close to that.

Hm. Well, Pod saving Tyrion was pretty amazing.

[Lord_of_the_Nightfort]

how about theon leaping from the walls of winterfell with jeyne...
jaime opening aerys' throat before he could murder an entire city

[romantic]

Silver Spearwife, on 03 May 2012 - 09:44 PM, said:

First thing that came to mind, as has already been mentioned, was Jaime jumping unarmed and one-handed into a fucking pit with a bear to save Brienne. That was awesome.

I want to create a respectable list like everyone else has but I really can't think of anything that comes close to that.

Hm. Well, Pod saving Tyrion was pretty amazing.

IMO Jaime knew his men would kill the bear as they wouldn't let anything happen to him - so brave yes, heroic umm. I forgot about Pod - definately heroic and loyal. Pod is going to make a great companion for Brienne.

[kg1982]

I'm surprised Theon jumping off the walls of Winterfell with Jeyne wasn't mentioned earlier...  For me that was probably the epitome of heroism.  Also, no Sam slaying the Other?

[The King in the South]

No mention of Squire Dalbridge? gah

[Tumnas the Torpid]

romantic, on 03 May 2012 - 09:39 PM, said:

Tyrion was born a Lannister and was Joffrey's uncle which still carried some sway with Joffrey. I think he (Tyrion) was too arrogant to really consider himself in danger,. I think heroism is realizing, at some level, that you are putting your life on the line. As the story progresses, it gets to this stage, particularly after his marriage. If Joffrey married and carried out his threat to come and get Sansa whenever he wanted, we may or may not have seen some real heroism (or not) from Tyrion.

Shall I take this to mean that, in your opinion, Tyrion has displayed no heroism whatsoever in the series?

[Castel]

I don't know if it's the greatest in terms of net gain but Qhorin was definitely heroic. One of the few true heroes in my mind.

Tyrion rallying the men at the Blackwater is also up there, as is Jaime and his bear fighting adventure. Those are traditionally heroic as well.

But in terms of "gain", Jaime not only killing Aerys, but everyone involved in his crazy scheme is up there. And like a traditional hero, he was way to stupid to save them and make them confess in front of people to clear his name so yeah, heroic!

[Tumnas the Torpid]

Lord_of_the_Nightfort, on 03 May 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

jaime opening aerys' throat before he could murder an entire city

Castel, on 03 May 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

But in terms of "gain", Jaime not only killing Aerys, but everyone involved in his crazy scheme is up there. And like a traditional hero, he was way to stupid to save them and make them confess in front of people to clear his name so yeah, heroic!

That's what I'm talking about.  Jaime, in the Throne Room, with the gilded sword.  Most heroic act in A Song of Ice and Fire, bar none.

Of course, pushing Bran out of that window was probably the single most despicable act in the series.  Just like a Lannister to have his cake, and eat it, too.

Edited by Tumnas the Torpid, 03 May 2012 - 10:05 PM.

[fir3fox]

The King in the South, on 03 May 2012 - 09:54 PM, said:

No mention of Squire Dalbridge? gah

^This.  Without him, Qhorin wouldn't of had his moment.

“We are not far from the place the wildlings died,” said Qhorin. “From there, one man could hold a hundred. The right man.” He looked at Squire Dalbridge. The squire bowed his head. “Leave me as many arrows as you can spare, brothers.” He stroked his longbow. “And see my garron has an apple when you’re home. He’s earned it, poor beastie.”
He’s staying to die, Jon realized.

[romantic]

Tumnas the Torpid, on 03 May 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

Shall I take this to mean that, in your opinion, Tyrion has displayed no heroism whatsoever in the series?

No, not at all. I had forgotten about him riding out of the walls - that was heroic. I think he is very smart and wise but I also think he wears his family name like armour to protect himself from many unpleasant or life-threatening situations. He shows more bravery when he doesn't have his family name to protect him or the family motto ('A Lannister always pays his debts') to rely on.

Jaime killing Aerys wasn't that heroic. Aerys was on the losing side and he was probably going to be defeated soon anyways. Jaime slew an unarmed (I think?)  man. Killing him before he burned the Starks and to stop him hurting his wife would have been nobler, if not heroic.

Edited by romantic, 03 May 2012 - 10:14 PM.

[Castel]

romantic, on 03 May 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

No, not at all. I had forgotten about him riding out of the walls - that was heroic. I think he is very smart and wise but I also think he wears his family name like armour to protect himself from many unpleasant or life-threatening situations. He shows more bravery when he doesn't have his family name to protect him or the family motto ('A Lannister always pays his debts') to rely on.

Jaime killing Aerys wasn't that heroic. Aerys was only the losing side and he was probably going to be defeated soon anyways. Jaime slew an unarmed (I think?)  man. Killing him before he burned the Starks and to stop him hurting his wife would have been nobler, if not heroic.

It all depends on your definition I guess. In this case, I was going for most possible good. And killing Aerys before he burned the city was the most possible good. Killing him before he hurt Rhaella or the Starks may have been nobler, but in the end, his actions possibly saved a ton of lives. And don't be fooled by Aerys having no weapons. He had the one that mattered, his crown. It was what killed the Starks and hurt his queen, not some dagger in his hand.

Had forgotten completely about Dalbridge.

[Silver Spearwife]

Lord_of_the_Nightfort, on 03 May 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

how about theon leaping from the walls of winterfell with jeyne...

Oh, I forgot about that! That was very cool. I mean, he didn't have a lot of choice, but it took a lot of strength for him.

[Dragonstar]

• Syrio protecting Arya
  
• Halfhand
  
• Theon's protecting "Arya" - I think Theon's redemptive arc is only getting started
  
• Jaime saving Brienne
  
• Tyrion @ Blackwater
  

[bloodymime]

Ser Hippie, on 03 May 2012 - 09:32 PM, said:

Yoren/Night's Watch vs. Amory Lorch
Brienne at the inn in AFFC
Donal Noye at the gate
Gandalf vs. the Balrog

Good choice. You think jumping in a bearpit missing a hand is heroic how about being in that cold dark tunnel missing an entire arm while waiting for freaking GIANTS to finish pounding that gate to splinters.

Edited by bloodymime, 03 May 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[Tumnas the Torpid]

romantic, on 03 May 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

No, not at all. I had forgotten about him riding out of the walls - that was heroic. I think he is very smart and wise but I also think he wears his family name like armour to protect himself from many unpleasant or life-threatening situations. He shows more bravery when he doesn't have his family name to protect him or the family motto ('A Lannister always pays his debts') to rely on.

I'm of the opinion that, given his size, and his wit, Tyrion shows bravery most every time he opens his mouth.  I will stress that this is my opinion, however, and I certainly take your point about using the family name.

romantic, on 03 May 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

Jaime killing Aerys wasn't that heroic. Aerys was on the losing side and he was probably going to be defeated soon anyways. Jaime slew an unarmed (I think?)  man. Killing him before he burned the Starks and to stop him hurting his wife would have been nobler, if not heroic.

There is nothing more heroic, nor more noble, than one of these silver-spoon-fed shits (and I'm referring to almost every major character in the series, here) deciding to actually put his honor on the line for the sake of the smallfolk.  Thousands of them; a whole city full of people owe their lives to Jaime Lannister, who has had himself compared unfavorably with nightsoil for years as a result.  The very soul of nobility.

Edited by Tumnas the Torpid, 03 May 2012 - 10:32 PM.

[Evamitchelle]

In no particular order :

- Davos smuggling Edric Storm away to save his life (and pretty much everything else Davos ever did)
- Jaime jumping in the bear-pit with Brienne
- Brienne facing 7 men on her own at the Crossroads Inn trying to protect the children
- Sansa speaking up for Dontos
- Theon helping with Jeyne's escape
- Catelyn offering herself in exchange for Robb at the RW

[Castel]

Tumnas the Torpid, on 03 May 2012 - 10:28 PM, said:

I'm of the opinion that, given his size, and his wit, Tyrion shows bravery most every time he opens his mouth.  I will stress that this is my opinion, however, and I certainly take your point about using the family name.

There is nothing more heroic, nor more noble, than one of these silver-spoon-fed shits (and I'm referring to almost every major character in the series, here) deciding to actually put his honor on the line for the sake of the smallfolk.  Thousands of them; a whole city full of people owe their lives to Jaime Lannister, who has had himself compared unfavorably with nightsoil for years as a result.  The very soul of nobility.

To be fair though, Jaime has the traditional Lannister weakness. He expects everyone to love him for him and when they don't he clams up or makes a joke instead of telling them why they should like him. How many chances has he had to just say something nice or true? It still doesn't excuse the hypocrisy of the society who want someone to blame but can't blame the winners or the new king, but he does kinda bring himself a lot of grief.

[romantic]

Tumnas the Torpid, on 03 May 2012 - 10:28 PM, said:

There is nothing more heroic, nor more noble, than one of these silver-spoon-fed shits (and I'm referring to almost every major character in the series, here) deciding to actually put his honor on the line for the sake of the smallfolk.  Thousands of them; a whole city full of people owe their lives to Jaime Lannister, who has had himself compared unfavorably with nightsoil for years as a result.  The very soul of nobility.

Yes, considering how many nobles there are there is not much nobility. Jaime is certainly getting nobler as the series progresses.

Tyrion also didn't get any credit or gratitude for saving Kings Landing and he rightly deserved everyone's thanks.

And, off-thread a bit, IMO Dany is noble for trying to stamp out slavery and keep peace even though it would be easier to move on.

Edited by romantic, 03 May 2012 - 10:55 PM.