Minsc

I doubt Robert cared the slightest about finding Stannis a marriage. Moreover, why would Robert even know about Selyse's appearance? I doubt he would have ever met her before Stannis's marriage. Finally, if Robert did arrange the marriage than surely we would have some paragraph from Stannis complaining how it was unfair that he had to marry who Robert picked while Renly didn't. Likely Jon Arryn recommended Stannis that he marry into a Reach house and Stannis possibly picked someone from the Florent because they hadn't been involved in the Siege of Storm's End.

Renly opens admit in the parlay that Stannis has a better claim than him and he is the one to bring up Stannis's letter. Renly isn't trying to hide anything in that conversation. Moreover, it is in Renly's best interests to delegitimize Joffrey seeing how Joffrey currently sits on the throne and has stronger base of support with Tywin's backing. None of Renly's lords are going to be okay with usurping Joffrey, but oppose it when it comes to Stannis.

Nah, charisma is probably more important in a feudal society than birth right and birth order. If one is an unlikable dick than individuals have no problem disposing you even if you are so-called rightful king by birth order. The History of the English Monarchy is full of examples of birth order and right not being important in determining who followed who as king and efforts to usurp unpopular kings.

My issue is the only difference between Loras and every other pick to command a vanguard is Loras's sexuality. Stannis pick for his vanguard was just as green and inexperienced as Loras. Tywin's pick, Garlan, for his vanguard at Blackwater was just as green and inexperienced as Loras. Robert and Robb when first leading their vanguard were was just as green and inexperienced as Loras. Seeing as Randyll Tarly is likely closer to Robert's and Ned's age than Tywin and Blackfish that he was likely just as green and inexperienced as Loras when he faced off against Robert. Gregor is the only vanguard commander that might have had any experience before taking his command of his vanguard and he isn't one known for brains. Not to mention, it isn't even known if he had fought in any major battles before the Green Fork. Simply, there is no logic for people to make a big deal about Loras getting the command of the vanguard and I have it especially interesting how people try to emphasis that Loras was Renly's boyfriend when making that criticism. Edit: However, I will apologize if it came off as I was intending to insult you personally rather my disagreement is with that whole criticism.

Most of that analyses is garbage. We have no idea if Renly's plans had any encircling movements as we don't actually see his strategy that he discussed with Tarly and Rowan. The whole of the Stormlands are a supply line for Renly. He literally only needs to send a messenger to a neighboring castle and he would be provided supplies. Seriously, neither Robb or Tywin had supply-lines while in enemy territory and had no problem with their armies going hungery. Loras being gay doesn't mean he can't fight or command men. If you are complaining about Loras being unqualified I will point out how Stannis appointed the equally inexperienced Morrigen to lead his vanguard at Blackwater. Don't forget Stannis's wonderful pick to lead his navy, so if anything Stannis has a worse reputation for picking his commanders. The sun being in one's eyes doesn't negate the disadvantage of being outnumbered 4 to 1. Stannis's incompetence was much more on display.

Just have it so he is in a whore house getting drunk

Not making him a rapist that watches kiddie blood sports doesn't make him sympathetic. Just like not having Rhaenyra sell Alicent and Haleana to a brothel to be raped wouldn't be making her more sympathetic. Neither story felt like that Mushroom wasn't just making shit up in the text.

I saying don't use Mushroom's obviously unreliable account for Aegon. He still be a shitty individual without making him a rapist and such which just makes him completely unsympathetic.

There is a difference between making someone foolish and making another a monster. Mushroom shouldn't be taken as the reliable source on what Aegon was doing when he wasn't even in the same city as him at the time.

So, I don't think having them balances out making Aegon a rapist that watches kiddie blood sports.

Does the show do anything to portray those actions as being horrible in eyes of the viewers?

Mushroom wasn't even in the same city as Aegon II when Viserys was dead. Why would he know where Aegon II was when they found him? What sources would Mushroom, a fool, have to know where Aegon really was? Well, Mushroom actually lived with Rhaenyra so he would actually know her better. Moreover, I doubt they are going to use Mushroom's takes on Rhaenyra. For example, I don't remember them showing Daemon teaching Rhaenyra how to sexually please men.

I don't see that as softening him anymore than them not making Rhaenyra fat being an example of them softening her.

Isn't the only person that suggest that about Aegon is Mushroom that easily least reliable source and who wasn't even in King's Landing at the time.

How has making Aegon a rapist that watches blood sports involving children softening him up?

Hey, Sandman was great...

Didn't Rhaenyra order it herself in the books? With Vaemond's relatives later being tortured by Viserys.

Did he? Viserys looked awful in the two episodes proceeding this when it would be to soon for Otto to have done anything.

I mean how Jon ended up doing nothing but scream at a dragon when Arya took out the Night King.

It doesn't help that GOT completely dropped the ball on the prophecy.

And fire is the champion of House Targaryen...

That seems to be a guiding philosophy for the Blacks. Rhaenyra shouldn't have to explain herself to anyone or follow any rule that she doesn't want. However, Alicent should deny the king (whose good will her family depends on) and deny the most prestigious marriage possible to her as otherwise Rhaenyra will feel bad. Aemond is rude for not waiting longer to attempt to claim Laena's dragon. Meanwhile, Daemon and Rhaenyra barely wait any time to marry after their spouse's deaths. Not to mention, the act on the beach.

Meanwhile, Cole is treated as being insane for suggesting the same to Rhaenyra. Despite offer neither requires them making it looks like she has been murdered to her father or murdering anyone.

It is the same reason that I find the Blackwood/Bracken feud to utterly suck. There is absolutely no nuance to it. All logic the Brackens should all be dead long before the start of the main series. They uniformally losers while also being jerks. While the Blackwoods are uniformly winners and loved by basically all. Seriously, the fact that the story has Missy Blackwood being so awesome that Naerys and Daeron II loved her despite her being their husband/father's public mistress is silly. Imagine if in Dunk and Egg that the Brute of Bracken had sided with Dunk at his Trial of Seven causing Egg to question his biases relating to houses that served the Blackfyres. Heck, have Egg marry a Bracken over a Blackwood so Bloodraven tries to crown Aemon and is sent to wall over it. Just something where the Brackens are in the right.

That has at least the balance in that there are plenty of Lannisters that are seen as highly competent. Tywin is an utterly awful human, but he is extremely competent in ruling the realm. Jaime is awful in his own way, but he is an extremely badass fighter that is shown as extremely witty. Tyrion is competent, witty, and generally sympathetic. Kevan is treated as a competent leader. Tommen and Myrcella are both highly sympathetic. Only Joffrey and Cersei are both evil and incompetent. Meanwhile, that counter balance of mixing competency and badness isn't there for the Greens. Rather the character closest to Tywin/Jaime in being both bad and highly competent is Daemon.