Starks (contains book I and II spoilers)

[Pinn]

*****Warning: spoiler alert. Please do not read if you have not completed books I and II*****

First of all, my apologies to the mods and the readers for posting this in the wrong forum.

Enjoying the books immensly and just starting book three. Martin is not one to pull any punches when it comes to the plight of any of his protagonists. Perhaps unrealistically so as a dramatic device to propel his narrative?

After succeeding in whittling down what's left of the Stark household, including Winterfell itself, and spreading misfortune to virtually every family member, he has added another Lannister pov.

Two parts of the plot I have had difficulty with--the treachery of Greyjoy and Arya leaving the men she helped liberate at Harrenhal, killing a northman in the process--have now been joined by a third...Catelyn releasing Jaime in the hope that her daughters will be returned to her.

Jaime. The one possible assurance that her daughters might not be harmed.

When he gets back to Kings Landing maybe he will toss Sansa out a window too.

　

O weep ye will, my dear by Atholl

Weep ye for your finest jewel

Weep ye for your John 'wa battl'd

By the Garry's bloody pool....

--George Weir, Battle of Killiecrankie, 1689

[House Balstroko]

Arya left the

*****Warning: spoiler alert. Please do not read if you have not completed books I and II*****

First of all, my apologies to the mods and the readers for posting this in the wrong forum.

Enjoying the books immensly and just starting book three. Martin is not one to pull any punches when it comes to the plight of any of his protagonists. Perhaps unrealistically so as a dramatic device to propel his narrative?

After succeeding in whittling down what's left of the Stark household, including Winterfell itself, and spreading misfortune to virtually every family member, he has added another Lannister pov.

Two parts of the plot I have had difficulty with--the treachery of Greyjoy and Arya leaving the men she helped liberate at Harrenhal, killing a northman in the process--have now been joined by a third...Catelyn releasing Jaime in the hope that her daughters will be returned to her.

Jaime. The one possible assurance that her daughters might not be harmed.

When he gets back to Kings Landing maybe he will toss Sansa out a window too.

　

O weep ye will, my dear by Atholl

Weep ye for your finest jewel

Weep ye for your John 'wa battl'd

By the Garry's bloody pool....

--George Weir, Battle of Killiecrankie, 1689

Arya left the northmen because she realised they would not help her the way she originally intended and the quality hadn't drastically improved.

Theon's treachery is mainly at proving his loyalty to the Greyjon's by showing that he holds no allegiance to the Stark and the so called murder of Bran and Rickon woulkd certify him as an ironman (meaning though in spirit since his father thought he became too soft). It could also be argued that it was retaliation for the crushing of the Greyjoy rebellion and the deaths of his 2 brothers.

Catelyn thought that holding Jaime wouldn't do much as there had been a stalemate in the exchange of captives for well over a year. Furthermore the fact that she learned of the supposed deaths of her 2 youngest children meant that she was desperate toa n even greater degree than before. She thought that Sansa was all that was left.

[Drowsey Dragon]

*****Warning: spoiler alert. Please do not read if you have not completed books I and II*****

First of all, my apologies to the mods and the readers for posting this in the wrong forum.

Enjoying the books immensly and just starting book three. Martin is not one to pull any punches when it comes to the plight of any of his protagonists. Perhaps unrealistically so as a dramatic device to propel his narrative?

After succeeding in whittling down what's left of the Stark household, including Winterfell itself, and spreading misfortune to virtually every family member, he has added another Lannister pov.

Two parts of the plot I have had difficulty with--the treachery of Greyjoy and Arya leaving the men she helped liberate at Harrenhal, killing a northman in the process--have now been joined by a third...Catelyn releasing Jaime in the hope that her daughters will be returned to her.

Jaime. The one possible assurance that her daughters might not be harmed.

When he gets back to Kings Landing maybe he will toss Sansa out a window too.

　

O weep ye will, my dear by Atholl

Weep ye for your finest jewel

Weep ye for your John 'wa battl'd

By the Garry's bloody pool....

--George Weir, Battle of Killiecrankie, 1689

She made her decision to free Jaime in large part to the word of the Imp. He was the kings hand and she sensed he would be true to his word and free her daughters. She does not know they only have Sansa either. She does not put her faith blindly in the kingslayer.

Even though it can be crushing to witness Theons betrayal, it should not be surprising (Even though I was!) He was part of another house who was crushed by the Starks, is the son of another king, and was a hostage at Winterfell. He was treated well by the Starks and was like a brother to Robb, but his ties to his house and family were stronger. Theon did what he did I think in part to win glory in the eyes of his father and try to assert his position as heir to the throne. This motivated him far more than trying to hurt the Starks, but events soon spun out of his control. He was very shortsighted.

[Colibri]

I can't say that the whole thing with Theon was that much of a surprise to me, I was sure something like that would occur after read the fist line of his POV. And I'm sure many people say that they like him after that, but I honestly can't make myself hate him. I guess it's because i can understand that feeling of want for acceptance towards the people that matter to you.

The Jaime thing didn't surprise me either. In truth, I'm actually surprised it took Catelyn so long to agree in trading him for her daughters. Pity for her that she didn't know that Arya fled and they only had Sansa. But even if she knew I believe she still do it, cause I always thought Sansa was something of a favorite for her. But after the false news of Bran's and Rickon's death, surprise it woulld be if she didn't accept the trade. She's kind of desperate if you didn't realize it.

[Wight Walker]

I honestly wasn't surprised Theon did something like that either. I actually really like his character and hope he comes back and plays a significant role.

[teemo]

The thing with Theon didn't really surprise me (well, maybe a little), but it was amusing to see how much of a Stark he really was and would get all embarrassed about it or freak out or whatever. He was trying SO hard to prove that the Starks didn't soften him, but they really did....silly Theon!

[Planetary]

She made her decision to free Jaime in large part to the word of the Imp. He was the kings hand and she sensed he would be true to his word and free her daughters. She does not know they only have Sansa either. She does not put her faith blindly in the kingslayer.

As others have said, this is hard to believe, mostly because she spends the majority of the first two books thinking Tyrion was the one who pushed Bran off the tower and hired an assassin to finish the job.

For us, the reader, Tyrion becomes sympathetic, hilarious and even heroic as we follow his PoV and occasionally get to see him from other PoVs. But Catelyn Stark gets none of that...she's up in Riverrun or in various places, hundreds of leagues away. In fact, if Tyrion has become as hated in King's Landing as we're led to believe, wouldn't some of those stories and rumors make their way north?

Yes, here's a dude who tried to kill your son twice, who's been blamed for starving out an entire city and who is a dastardly Lannister...but let's take a big gamble on his word and honor.

[Blangadanger]

As others have said, this is hard to believe, mostly because she spends the majority of the first two books thinking Tyrion was the one who pushed Bran off the tower and hired an assassin to finish the job.

For us, the reader, Tyrion becomes sympathetic, hilarious and even heroic as we follow his PoV and occasionally get to see him from other PoVs. But Catelyn Stark gets none of that...she's up in Riverrun or in various places, hundreds of leagues away. In fact, if Tyrion has become as hated in King's Landing as we're led to believe, wouldn't some of those stories and rumors make their way north?

Yes, here's a dude who tried to kill your son twice, who's been blamed for starving out an entire city and who is a dastardly Lannister...but let's take a big gamble on his word and honor.

Well, I don't believe she firmly believed that Tyrion was the attempted murderer of Bran by the end of the second book. She witnessed his cunning and willingness to save her life in the Vale. Also a big part of Tyrion's guilt relied on Lysa's words, which Cat realized were probably not the best to trust, considering how manic she seemed at the trial and how utterly unresponsive she was after the war started (really, sister, not one letter?). After speaking to Jaime, who as cruel as he is, has no qualms about being honest, I think she made up her mind that Tyrion really was a noble person after all. Jaime essentially admits that he is the bad guy in this situation; Tyrion knew nothing about it. If all the stuff about him are untrue, then what's left? The hope that Tyrion, the one who holds her daughters, is the same man who saved her life in the Vale and loves Jaime dearly.