Castellan

I was thinking about how Joffrey accepts the name widow's wail for his sword and shortly after Cersei is wailing - but then found Joffrey had earlier commented on the wailing of women. After Bran was crippled at Winterfell, Tyrion told Joffrey he should visit him to offer his comfort. Joffrey sulkily asks what good his comfort would do Bran. "None," Tyrion said. "Yet it is expected of you. Your absence has been noted." "The Stark boy is nothing to me," Joffrey said. "I cannot abide the wailing of women." Tyrion Lannister reached up and slapped his nephew hard across the face. The boy's cheek began to redden. Later, Joffrey thinks he will act on his father’s idea, that Bran is better off dead, and sends an assassin. Can't help thinking that hatred for Tyrion's forcing him to be polite made him seize on his father's crass remarks. At his wedding, Joffrey gleefully accepts the name Widow’s Wail for his sword. And not long afterwards he is dead, his mother, a widow, is wailing, and the now twice widowed Margaery is sobbing in her grandmothers arms. As he did, the boy's eyes met Tyrion's. He has Jaime's eyes. Only he had never seen Jaime look so scared. The boy's only thirteen. Joffrey was making a dry clacking noise, trying to speak. His eyes bulged white with terror, and he lifted a hand . . . reaching for his uncle, or pointing . . . Is he begging my forgiveness, or does he think I can save him? "Noooo," Cersei wailed, "Father help him, someone help him, my son, my son . . ." a bit of comeuppance, I suppose. I suppose its been pointed out before but I've only just noticed it.

I have the impression GRRM wants to put some of every sub genre in his book and so assassins had to be in because I pass these long rows of Assassins Creed and other series in the bookshop. Although I think if he wanted a dark storyline for Arya that was a good idea.

hard to argue with that, and Balon is just unpleasant and boring. The unnamed or minor Ironmen do seem like a lot of extras dragged on stage at the last minute, to wassail and cheer and fight.

yes my big disappointment was the moonsingers who found Braavos. My mind had for some reason pictured romantic troubador travelling musicians or something like that. .

I like Asha too and Theon is a great character to include I like his latest cackling presence on Stannis' wall but when I came to the Iron Isles I realised that this series was not going to reach a climax and denoument anytime soon and instead I had to read all this STUFF quasi viking anthropology STUFF not to mention Conan the barbarian STUFF and the pirate genre STUFF - all mashed up - had to learn all about Kingsmoots blah blah blah learn all these new names... I guess you can see I really resented the extra work. Since he got kidnapped on Euron's crazy ship and Ragnorak seems about to happen, I have found Aeron a bit interesting. I have to say just his name, his loincloth and the bit of seaweed he trailed about was enough to put me off him initially. Victarion seems like a joke character who has wandered in to the books.

I would abolish any mention of the Iron Men so as to save a lot of yawns and get the series finished.

D&E or similar style stories. Don't like F&E at all.

at least with Walder, the sons couldn't get much individual attention, just the general tyranny. They turn out quite different, sink or swim on their own. Poor Merrett.

ugh how could I forget them

I'll add Roose and Ramsay. Very very strange. Roose enables Ramsay's behaviour.

Brienne seems to have a good chance to survive. I think rare exceptions to a rule aren't as threatening as a proposal for a general change, so one woman in the KG is possible. Even a woman heading it. After all, if you can beat them all at sword play, which seems likely (Jaime is amazed at her ability) you are going to start become a semi legendary figure for sure, Also, she could have a special role made for her, for example, a special guard for a member of the royal family, or someone who is sent on missions. I liked the idea of her getting pregnant by jaime leaving us wondering at the end if the series if she is going to raise the greatest warrior in history, but lately I have been thinking that Jaime is going to pay a nasty price for his relationship with his sister by not having a carnal one with anyone else. Actually, although its plausible Brienne survives, I also tend to think both she and Jaime are headed to be undead along the lines of Beric, and Jaime definitely finally dead after that.

Now that I have read a bit about this theory that seemed to come out of thin air I can see it has some legs. This character's defining thing is his cloak. A yellow cloak would be a fancy item - surely only the well off have clothes in difficult to dye colours, and its also impractical as a garment because it would show the dirt, which it is doing. But its plausible as a cloak in house colours. If its his own cloak, Lem isn't a former average man at arms. Its old and filthy and he clings to it, doesn't get a new one in a raid that might be warmer and in better nick. So given the emphasis on the cloak its natural to ponder what house it would come from, I suppose. Making him have enjoyed a drinking session with Robert does suggest he might have managed to make the transition to the new regime more easily than some, and then to end up in the Riverlands. The interest in Richard Lonmouth being alive would be things he might know and people he might recognise, I suppose, and the sides he might take. He might know Lyanna was pregnant, but at present he seems far far away from meeting Jon and having a spark of inspiration on that subject. Otherwise, it could be just a small flavour in the stew of ASOIF: look where this guy ended up!

I'm not saying its proven, but among the nut jobby theories around this is one that appeals to me and seems quite plausible. 1. Don't see why he wouldn't know of it. He would surely know the term 'chimera' since its quite a commonly used term for something that turns out to be mythical (as pursuing a chimera) and educated types who study at Northwestern would presumably know it in that sense and the modern scientific term based on it. The term genetic chimera has been in use since 1944 according to wikipedia. The first article describing a chimeric human was published in 1953. I don't think the character of Tyrion needed to have this at its core when he was writing, it seems like an extra layer than could have been woven in during drafting. 2. Why do some people seem to think that the many such details he has built into the series are going to be revealed, incontrovertibly, not only to every final dumb ass reader, but to characters IN THE STORY??? Why would they need to be? For example, if Jon somehow ended up on the Iron Throne it might happen by a process which didn't involve him ever knowing he wasn't his father's son. There could be characters who speculate on it either openly or by allusion. Readers who have inferred his parentage from the story could feel the quiet satisfaction of seeing the appropriateness of his sitting the Throne. Granted, it is a bit different because revealing that someone is a lost prince is more a tradition in story telling than revealing someone has rather icky origins that don't impact on his standing that much, so it would be most likely that the issue of Jon''s parentage would emerge openly the books, ie a classic reveal. If Tyrion became a dragon rider, it could emerge in a round about, never finally proven way, because Tyrion himself has stated the necessity of Targ blood. Tyrion himself might come to believe he is Aerys's child, which would free him of kinslaying. 3. Partly, its just a classical reference which in my view describes Tyrion rather well = roar of a lion, nasty stinging tail of a dragon, and ludicrous head of a goat - his playing he goat side. But as a little garnish its in keeping with a series that starts with intrigue surrounding a book of blood lines that suggest the royal progeny are bastards. The Targs are based on a lot of imagination about magical genetics: violet eyes, prophetic dreams, heat tolerance and hatching dragons. It doesn't seem out of place in this mix.

Popular and with a good basis.

I am being lazy and not going back to reread right now, but is it true that the betrayals must happen in the future? My impression is that the things Dany sees and hears in the House of the Undying are coming somewhat haphazardly, with a mixture of malice and commitment to genuine advice, and events from her past, the past in general, and the future. For example, she has been told not to go into any room except the last, so the image of William Darry in one room seems designed to tempt her in. I realise the 'three' prophecies come together and seem like genuine information, but when they say 'three betrayals you will know" does 'will' have to mean 'in the future' or could it mean something more like 'in total' 'in your life' which would mean some could have already happened. I agree that Jorah's betrayal does not seem very significant in the larger scheme, because she was not killed, also it does not fit clearly into blood, gold or love. In contrast, Mirri's is important, it ends one possible future for Dany, and steers her towards others. Also, its clearly for 'blood' - meaning for Mirri's kin or people, and the blood that they have shed. Nevertheless, its good to point out it could mean in the future.

Thanks!

ahem what website is that?

I have been reading Ashley Gardner's Leonidas the Gladiator novels. There are only a few so far. The interest for me is the sympathetic main characters, a freed gladiator and an educated woman slave, who do some detecting. Also the detail of Rome, he spends a lot of time roaming the streets and visits rich and poor. The author establishes their role by simply having a mysterious benefactor free Leonidas and give him some basic accommodation and the woman as an assistant and let him work out what he'd supposed to do. So that saved a lot of realistic plotting I suppose. I liked this author's Captain Lacey's regency mysteries series, they have a similar tone and main character. The author writes under 3 names and has written over a 100 books, she must really churn them out. The Captain Lacey were a slow burner that surprised her, I think.

I read Anne Perry books as they were being published, so its a long time, although I think I also reread them. Anyway, I decided to shell out the money to get some on my kindle, and I went for the first three William Monk books, because I couldn't remember them as well as those with Inspector Pitt and his wife. With the little discussion about her past on my mind, I couldn't help noticing the possible connections I could see between her life and these books. I read a couple of interviews with her and some obituaries and the first thing I noticed is that William Monk is someone whose past has been erased, due to amnesia, but has to struggle on not knowing basic things about himself. His complete loneliness and the erasure of all connections seemed like a parallel to her situation of serving a term of imprisonment, then being released and going to another country (USA) as a young woman with a new name and taking a series of entry level jobs, the gradually finding a niche writing, in the UK. This sort of space around the main character corresponds with the way she was later absolutely shattered when the film was released because she got no forewarning - because I suppose she had remade herself in a rather fragile way in that she would have been shattered to live with the shame and public knowledge of who she was. She apparently explained to her editor that she had not formed a relationship - ie love relationship in her life because she knew once it got to a certain point she'd have to tell the person about her crime and could not bear to or to discover their reaction. Also, William Monk has many thoughts along the lines of 'what kind of person am I?' when trying to carry on in the vacuum of amnesia. He is ashamed to see that his subordinates fear him, that he is not generally liked although not hated, more seen as harsh and eccentric. I presume contemplating having committed such a crime, and looking back at what must have been the crazy emotions involved, would make you ask the same kinds of questions about yourself. I don't usually look for these kinds of parallels they just jumped out at me after I had read just the first couple of chapters.

I don't think Tyrion being a dragon rider is too tacky for George. I mean the whole book is too tacky if you get sensitive about that kind of thing. A whole load load of schlock! Tyrion's Odyssey and talents and wisecracking inner conflicts are not diminished. As I said, I think he is mostly Tywin's son genetically, but with a Targ bloodline as in chimerism. Further, I don't think there would necessarily be any 'reveal' at all. I think this about a great many of the questions discussed on this site. As has been said before, GRRM probably didn't count in the books coming so slow, and being discussed so obsessively by fans. I think he'd plan them so that some readers would get it, not always on first read, and some wouldn't. After all the Lannisters already have an official drop or two of Targ blood. By the way, Tyrion as a child dreamed of riding dragons if my memory is correct he didn't have prophetic dreams like Targs afflicted with foresight. I think that is what is referred to as dragon dreams but I might be wrong. But it is still is a hint. I'd say Jaime isn't as obsessed with Tywin's approval or disapproval because despite the massive betrayal of Jaime joining the KG and becoming Aerys's hostage, Tywin has never wavered in loyalty to him, until Jaime rejects Tywin's suggestion of how he can leave the KG. Then he is hurt rather than angry. Jaime also thinks at some point that as soon as he held a sword (toy I presume) in his hand at age 4 he knew what he wanted to do. Jaime is not dumb but he is not a thinker, more a dreamer and romantic and athlete. It seems like he basked in Tywin's approval as a child whereas Cersei was aware that her's depended on being the picture of a pretty little lady - he was not someone she could take troubles or concerns to or just be a naughty child to. As for poor Tyrion, he has always known Tywin can't bear a Lannister being a dwarf and blames him for his mother's death. Of course he has issues!. Anyway, interesting post. Of course I personally I think the hints re jaime and cersei being Targs are red herrings to draw attention away from Tyrion. And while Cersei may have enjoyed the burning of the Hand's Tower, let's not forgot the very much on page scenes of Tyrion discovering the old wildfire, and using it to wipe out a whole force of men, similar to what Aerys planned to do to KL. Although it also shows a Lannister trickster side.

He'd definitely do something - rebel, commit murder.. my point is Joanna doesn't want this, because he might not win. I would think that might be the leverage that made her submit, and/or keep quiet about being forced. This was at a time when as far as we know no-one else powerful was plotting a rebellion. Also, she might be afraid that he would think she didn't resist hard enough or that he might regard her as less than perfect now, and reject her on some level. He is rather an extremist himself, after all. Being caught between Aerys and Tywin - not a comfortable place to be!

As I have said above, I personally don't think he would necessarily seek them out, but he might end up there, because they seem well placed to find him. What happens then I don't know. Although Lady S may be creepy, Brynden is also determined to maintain war against the Lannisters, and could join them.

mismatched eyes can result from chimerism, in fact is the first example they mention in wikipedia Heterochromia iridum Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Heterochromia_iridum Most cases of heterochromia are hereditary, or caused by genetic factors such as chimerism, and are entirely benign and unconnected to any pathology, ... Also, one brown eye and one another colour can just mean the brown one is actually a sign of damage e.g. during birth and not be genetic. I read that somewhere and cannot be bothered finding it again. As I keep saying like a scratchy antique record every time this topic comes up, Tyrion is a chimera, he is twins who have merged. He has the bloodline of Aerys which will make him attractive to dragons, and most everything else from Tywin. Its suitable George would have an ancient mythical beast in his book, griffins get a mention... A chimera had a lions front end especially head, a serpents tail, and are sometimes also depicted with a goats head sticking up in the middle of the back. I like the goat's head touch as Tyrion is always acting the goat, and goats were also as symbol of horniness. Tyrion is the only child of Tywin and Joanna for which the timing would permit Aerys to be the father. I would think that if raped or pressured by Aerys (because she knows Tywin would respond by going to war against the King and getting himself killed) Joanne would make sure she had sex with hubbie soon after so he wouldn't doubt it was his. And twinning runs in the family. Didn't work out so well this time. It's emphasised Tyrion is not only a dwarf but quite a misshapen one, as if that's not all that's at work. https://www.aboutgeneticcounselors.org/Resources-to-Help-You/Post/chimerism-explained-how-one-person-can-unknowingly-have-two-sets-of-dna

diagnosis? seelng whether a Mother of Dragons who has survived a funeral pyre and hatched dragon eggs feels different? taking her temperature to check if she is a Targ? Getting a better connection to 'read' her in some way? Two fingers laod flat does sound sort of diagnostic rather than social touching. (Some people/peoples do touch when they talk you know!)

put Trump et al in it and make it reality TV