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ahem. I think Jaime and Sansa are major POVS and equivalent to Dany, Bran and Tyrion. So far all prologues have been from a once-off POV. We may have seen the characters before in other chapters - e.g. Chett - but they haven't had a POV and they then end up dead: Will-Cressen-Chett-Pate-Varamyr I agree that the prologues include some sort of 'set up' as you say. Its hard to pin down exactly how they differ from other chapters and I think there are ordinary chapters that resemble the POV chapters. I think the Varamyr prologue is probably there to get some ideas in around Jon's fate. We aleady knew about skinchanging and could guess that Jon might survive that way but this chapter shows how that might feel to him.It also shows the possible miserable lonely fate of a nody hopping skinchanger whose original body is lost - so that will be in our minds even if we do see him in warg chapter. I have been assuming that his body will be thrown in an ice cell or something and be able to be revived by Melisandre, but this way we can't be sure of that happy result. I think the prologue to TWOW would be in a particular setting and raise issues or provide some information and then in the next chapters the story moves away from that setting. So yes, as seems a popular notion, it could follow up the Riverrun prisoner column, show Sybil Spicer up to something, then shift to one of the big battles for several chapters. But there are lots of other possibilities.

I think the issue is that I saw myself so much even in his flaws that she mentioned... and that's in fact this, that I just... never felt that strongly about anyone. And have to wonder whether this is because I've almost never met a female single so far and therefore rationally held myself back, or whether I stifled my emotions with my anxiety or whether I'm just straight up asexual (for which I have also plenty of evidence and the guy in the story was quite upfront about being asexual, but willing to try it anyway for her's sake). So it sounds to me like as long as I'm not able to feel for someone as strongly as to loose all inhibitions, I don't deserve to be loved back, huh... Because quite frankly, selfishness is something I am very hesitant about either. At worst I am self-centered when I feel bad... Hey, I'm well aware that this ideal me is still just me and still has my flaws under the surface. That's exactly why this story resonated as much with me because her descriptions of it matched with how even in my own fantasies I see myself awkward as hell when it comes to sex and find the idea of intimacy far more desirable than any of the mechanics, if that makes any sense. Well no, she was perfectly clear about it that he was crossing all of her boxes with the sole exception that after a month she still needed to guide him in bed and that that killed all attraction to him. She ended up saying that they are still friends and that she hopes he gets together with someone who likes it less rough for him to make the experience he needs.

Just a couple of quick points. @kissdbyfire Iran has already attacked Israeli diplomatic missions, which includes embassies in the past. Claiming that they should retaliate now is utter nonsense. This doesn’t mean that I think Israel should expand the engagement right now, as it risks creating a disastrous situation for all parties involved. @Werthead Just as there is tremendous mistrust/dislike of Iran in large parts of the Arab world, there is equally lots of dislike of Arabs amongst Iranians. In fact, within the diaspora, you will find some of the staunchest supporters of Israel.

Controversial take - I frankly hope none of the money goes to Fred Goldman. Dude is 83. He’s made tons of money..I won’t say exploiting his son’s death, but really close. Ron’s sister, maybe? But she too has monetized the whole thing as well. Whatever is left should go to the two kids. They lost their mom.

The ripe islands?

Flint’s Finger is kinda weird. While it would be hard to invade from the Marshlands as it make the North “impregnable,” it would be easy for a small military force to sneak into flints finger through the forest west of the Marshlands. Also, according to the maps, flints finger could host a pretty important Northern harbor (if not for trade then militarily) and it could be very well defended. A few watch towers along the flint cliffs overlooking the iron islands would help them keep track of Iron born raids and I think cape kraken has a bigger population than most part of the north except for the obvious as maesters seemed to take an interest in the region.

Here’s the thing, Aegon had only one child with Visenya and another with Rhaenys so I assumed the same thing would happen with Argella. If it was a girl then marry her off to Aenys or Maegor. If it’s a boy then we have another contender for the Iron Throne (probably) or someone who would help Aenys’ kids fight off Maegor. He/she would probably get a dragon egg and/or dragon. And this was before Aegon converted publicly when he was crowned as king so I don’t think the faith can do jackshit about it.

Damn dude. This is..surprising coming from you. Kinda feel like I’m reading the script to the end of your romantic comedy..or satire. Either way, I’m in! You’ve said this many times. May I suggest relaxing your standards? May seem self serving, cuz yeah, pretty sure I make a lot less than you. But I’m never going to meet you. Just saying, based on what you’ve said previously, you make more than a lot of people. Which means, ya know, in terms of median income you’re eliminating a lot of the pool. I get making sure the guy is self sufficient, but this requirement is eliminating a lot of the eligible population for a rather unnecessary concern in most cases. I really do suspect there’s a lot of good guys out there you’re missing out on. You can always ask for a pre-nup if it comes to that. Hell, prolly should regardless.

Ok good point lmao. Ok let’s go with the how the show went, Daenerys dead, Lannisters except Tyrion dead. The Westerlands are in civil war as no one will follow a dwarf, the Riverlands are about to erupt in civil war as the heir is a half-frey and theirs never been much unity. Gendry is probably occupied conquering the Stormlands and the only kingdoms unified are the Vale, the North (somewhat), and Dorne as they didn’t pull that stupid shit in this scenario as they did in the show. Let’s say Willas and Garlan are not dead and the Tarlys are also not dead. This is the perfect time for ambitious Reach lords to rise up, so

If they delay the digital streaming, it’ll probably cross 700 Mn which was always the high end of predictions for me.

I would say it ends a lot like Westworld S1 which also had a self contained storyline but hinted at much larger inter connected events which failed to live up in subsequent seasons

Why would you jump to framing Tyrion being a Targ as being all about Dany?

It would be pretty safe to assume he knew Aegon was married. They both fought in the alliance against Volantis during the century of blood. He’d be relatively foolish not to keep tabs on an erstwhile ally who has the only three dragons left in the world. After all he did “know” that Orys was a targ bastard. The third wife play might have been a Hail Mary but it would have a reasonable chance at working. It is a lot of land for a negligible price. Aegon offering his brother as an alternative was a pretty good value that still would have brought Aegon to the table. Argilac chose poorly.

It’s good to have an ideal you, and an ideal partner. However, you have to remember that an “ideal” is never achievable. Perfection does not exist. My ideal partner did not and would not vote for Donald Trump, doesn’t hunt or fish, and does not consider any sporting event to be the highlight of their year. Do you know how long it’s taken to find this?? After 30 years in the state of Georgia?? *Just* found one that I’m attracted to who isn’t currently married!! (My absolute requirements are a graduate degree and makes at least as much as I do, which narrows the field substantially.) It’s not unrealistic to have conversations about wants and needs. But those can’t be the only conversations you have, you have to be able to carry on a conversation about your day, also, and your thoughts about the books vs the TV show (or whatever your shared interests are). You know this. Perhaps this internet couple had other failings, perhaps she just decided she wanted to focus on something else, or he wanted to get married and she didn’t, or she couldn’t stand that he only liked white wine and not red wine. After all, I got dumped after a year and a half for being a “vegetarian and a cat lover” - two things I never hid, from the get-go, nor did I make a big deal of those things. Most people never notice that I’m a vegetarian and only if we are on a Zoom meeting at work do they see a cat butt crossing the camera. And “inexperienced in bed” is a terrible reason to dump someone. I’m sure that Wilt Chamberlain was very experienced in bed, but was he any good?? Probably not. Now, dumping someone for being selfish in bed is another story.

I don’t think you’re old enough to remember the future king of Jordan marrying a British staffer on the set of Lawrence of Arabia. eta: sorry, he was actually king at the time. I meant mother of the future and current king.

Thanks, @Werthead. And yeah, I've known that for a while - but it is still a remarkable change in things from when I grew up. For all the talk that people and nations don't change I think it is an interesting sign of how things can evolve. Like, say, the US telling Europe to fuck off and go away from NATO.

Sure, I dunno. Bibi almost certainly feels he has to do something. Biden should be on the horn convincing him if you have to, just blow up some buildings and hopefully that’ll be that.

Yeah I don't think I worded that the best, I still don't think (or at least hope) escalation to war is inevitable, but if Israel does what you're saying here it will be because that's the course of action they chose/were softly persuaded into - I don't think Biden can force them into backing down if they're set on escalation if this is the rhetoric we're seeing.

Whoops! I’ll confess, I don’t much like Ennis doing capes either. I get where you’re coming from there, thinking about John Oliver’s piece with Steamboat Willy.

I dunno, I’ll reserve judgment. If Israel engages in a largely symbolic response and the US slaps their hand that still might be an out for all parties involved.

The accompanying statement from US officials sounds like they've already resigned themselves to being unable to talk Israel out of it and have switched to mitigating the damage which really isn't promising https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/15/israel-will-respond-to-iran-missile-attack-idf-chief-of-staff I feel like the only message that could actually punch through would be saying you're on your own if you start a full blown shooting war, and backing off on your messaging already really doesn't inspire confidence that you'd hold to that bluff.

Ok let’s do this scenario. Each house in the reach is relocated to the north and only house Bolton is in the reach. Each castle is given a boy roose Bolton and a weirwood with the optional abacus attachment. they are also each left handed. who wins

Biden needs to publicly and significantly break with Bibi if the latter is going to pursue escalation. I’ve defended Biden’s tack up til now - and I think rightly so - but enough is enough.

Ye gods it's so fucking ugly. So funnily enough I drove a Tesla for a few days last week. My car was in the shop and we went for a rental. EVs were actually the cheapest rentals available. Later on the rental dude (Hertz) told us that they were abandoning EVs because the replacement parts were so delayed. Anyway, I actually rented a Bolt but they only had a Tesla Model 3 available. I didn't like it. Interior felt cheap and rickety. There was persistent noise leakage behind my ear like a hissing 8-track (hi, I'm old). I hated the fucking touchscreen being in charge of pretty much every car function except lights and shifting. I hated the stupid fucking flush door handles. Acceleration was nice, I'll give them that, and acceleration is important to me (I've rejected prospective cars I otherwise liked in the past because they were so anemic). At times I really wanted to rip into some curves, but I had groceries sliding around in the back. It took some adjustment to the fact that the car would pretty much brake if I let off the gas. The brake pedal was almost superfluous. So I continue to feel confident in our "not a Tesla" policy for Mrs Gabriel's next car. We're thinking a Hyundai or Kia at this point. Probably can't wait until the VW electric bus comes out (maybe I'll get one after I've driven my current car into the ground).

Seeing statements from both the Minister of Defense and the IDF Chief of Staff that they'll be retaliating so this is going to be wonderful.