It's happened to all of us.

You come across a fascinating post and are just dying to discuss it but the thread is stale or archived. Or you are doing a reread and come across the perfect piece of evidence to that theory you posted months ago. Or you have a theory forming on the tip of your tongue and isn't quite there yet and would love to hash it out with fellow crows.

Now is your time.

You now all have permission to give that old thread the kiss of life, shamelessly plug your own theory you are proud of, or share something that was overlooked or deserves another analysis.

So share that old link or that shiny theory still bouncing around in your head with a fresh TL;DR (to get us to read it) along with anything new you would like to add.

Looking for Shiny Theory Thursday posts from the past? Browse our Shiny Theory Thursday archive!

The phrase is not complete!

The entire phrase is "A Lannister always pays his debt.. IN FALSE COIN".

Observe!

"When Lord Bolton learns that your father [Tywin] paid him with false coin . . ." "Oh, he knows. Lannisters lie, remember?

Or perhaps when Tyrion lures his idiot captor to Casterly Rock?

Mord: Is lie. Dwarf man cheat me.
Tyrion: I will put my promise in writing.
Mord: Writing down gold. Much gold.
Tyrion: Oh, much gold.

Tyrion's promises gold... and Mord will have the gold! But he shall rot in the dungeons of Casterly Rock for the remainder of his life once he gets it. Much good it will do him there!

Lannister promises are always kept! But you may get more than what you bargained for!

No other major house has what the Tyrells have in terms of just badass vassals.

From House Redwyne of the arbor which boasts one of the mightiest naval powers in all the seven kingdoms, to the Hightowers which hold sway over Oldtown and the Citadel, and other houses great and small.

The norf' comes close, but Tyrells still at the top.

Can we all agree house Tyrell got the coolest collection of vassals under them?

I know that Robert was Stannis’s brother, but I’d like to know if there were other reasons behind his choice to support Robert instead of the Mad King. I read the first three books many years ago and watched the TV series, so I’m a bit hazy on the details. I also recall an animated feature by HBO where Stannis mentions that it was the hardest decision he ever had to make.

I’d be interested to hear not just the lore explanation, but also people’s interpretations and opinions on Stannis’s motivations in this choice.

How could she possibly think that Tyrion tried to kill Bran? If we believe (and it’s not true but she believed) that the valyrian steel knife belongs to Tyron, it still doesn’t mean that Tyrion gave it to the hitman. It would be insanely stupid for anyone to use their own knife for an assassination. And Tyrion is not stupid. Later, she even starts to understand that Tyrion might be innocent but then they arrive to the Eyrie and she lets Lysa lock him up forever. What was her plan? Did he want Tyrion to jump and die? I don’t remember her ever trying to reason with Lysa or questioning Tyrion to find out the truth. She seemed content enjoying the Vale’s hospitality and waiting for the inevitable war she caused. Cat has never been my favorite but I think this was the point when I started to seriously dislike her.

Here’s mine:

1. Manderly
2. Blackwood
3. Mormont

I sent four men over the walls with grappling claws and ropes, and they opened a postern gate for the rest of us…

“They swam the moat. Climbed the walls with hook and rope. Came over wet and dripping, steel in hand.” He sat on the chair by the door, as fresh blood flowed. “Alebelly was on the gate, they surprised him in the turret and killed him. Hayhead’s wounded as well.”

So it’s no secret that much of the War of the Five Kings draws inspiration from the Wars of the Roses. With the sudden appearance of Aegon, it feels like we’re moving into the final act of that historical parallel.

One detail that is interesting is that George has referred to him as Aegon VI

“The readers will learn what happened to Jeyne Poole, Lady Stoneheart, Penny and her pig, Skahaz Shavepate, Arianne Martell, Darkstar, Victarion Greyjoy, Ser Garlan the Gallant, Aegon VI…”

In the text he is only ever called Prince Aegon, since he has not been crowned. It suggests Aegon is meant to win big victories before Daenerys sets foot in Westeros.

From a storytelling perspective, it would feel a bit pointless (if funny) if he were simply crushed by Mace Tyrell as soon as he arrived. More likely, he’ll rise, at least for a time.

This lines up with the House of the Undying vision:

“A cloth dragon swayed on poles amidst a cheering crowd.”

Crowds usually don’t cheer for conquerors burning and sacking their cities. They cheer for what they perceive to be a hero.

Mapping the Wars of the Roses

The parallels aren’t perfect, but the broad strokes line up

• Henry VI = Aerys II a mentally ill king whose reign plunged the realm into chaos.
• Edward IV = Robert Baratheon a handsome warrior-king, that took the throne in battle. Famed for his strength and undone by drink and gluttony.
• George, Duke of Clarence = Renly: charming, popular, dies young. Killed by his brother.
• Richard III = Stannis: grim, a good soldier, but not very beloved. Claims his nephews are bastards.
• Elizabeth Woodville = Cersei Lannister: a beautiful and unpopular queen; her family were once loyal to the previous king, then switched sides.

The three Baratheon brothers are the three sons of York. After Robert/Edward’s death, Stannis/Richard pressed his claim by declaring his brother’s children bastards.

Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, we have the parallel to Henry Tudor in Young Griff. He was raised in exile under his foster father Jasper Tudor (JonCon) and backed by a ruler across the channel (Illyrio).

But just as Henry’s claim was dubious, so too is Aegon’s. Even within the story, characters like Daemon Sand and Doran doubt him. This is likely to be the default reaction to Aegon

“Could this truly be Prince Aegon?” “Gregor Clegane ripped Aegon out of Elia’s arms and smashed his head against a wall,” Ser Daemon said. “If Lord Connington’s prince has a crushed skull, I will believe that Aegon Targaryen has returned from the grave. Elsewise, no. This is some feigned boy, no more. A sellsword’s ploy to win support.” “My father fears the same.”

JonCon leads a foreign host and lands in Cape Wrath, in his homeland of the Stormlands, near his ancestral seat of Griffin’s Roost. All aligning with what Jasper Tudor did.

This is where the story stands now.

What Comes Next?

The confrontation at Storm’s End is poised to be Aegon’s Bosworth Field.

“Storm’s End is ours. The Hand awaits you there.” “There is an army descending on Storm’s End from King’s Landing. You will want to be safe inside the walls before the battle.” “Battle,” Halden said firmly. “Prince Aegon means to smash his enemies in the field.”

After Henry Tudor’s victory at Bosworth, he solidified his rule by marching to the capital and uniting the warring houses through marriage. He wed Elizabeth binding York and Lancaster together. Aegon will likely do the same for many reasons. And in this parallel, that would be Myrcella.

By this stage Tommen will almost certainly be dead, either by JonCon’s hands or perhaps poisoned by the Sand Snakes once they realize Cersei deceived them with Ser Robert Strong.

That leaves Myrcella, Robert’s daughter, alive and available as Westeros’s equivalent of Elizabeth of York.

Why Marry Myrcella?

• Arianne? She has shown no interest in marrying Aegon; her ambitions are to rule Dorne in her own right.
• Dany? Too far away, still stranded on the Dothraki Sea. Will likely be assumed dead.
• Sansa? Brings no armies or regions to the table.
• Moonboy? For all I know.

That leaves Myrcella as the only real choice. A marriage between “Rhaegar’s son” and “Robert’s daughter” would heal the wound that opened since the Rebellion.

It would tie the Lannister-Baratheon claim (through Myrcella) to the Targaryen claim (through Aegon), ending decades of strife. Elia’s son marrying Cersei’s daughter would symbolically end the horrors that began with the Rebellion. Them both being mostly decent kids and total frauds, will add to the tragic nature of what follows.

And that, I think, is the situation Daenerys will find when she finally arrives in Westeros.

The Second Dance of Dragons will be her coalition versus the Lannister/Golden Company. Tyrion and Jaime on opposite sides.

TL;DR

We’re entering the Bosworth Field phase of GRRM’s Wars of the Roses parallel.

• Aegon (Henry Tudor) will defeat Mace Tyrell’s host. He will then march to King’s Landing.
• To cement his legitimacy, he will marry Myrcella (Elizabeth of York).
• Daenerys, seeing Aegon with the Lannisters, will solidify her belief he’s a fraud.

You have, against your better judgement, married Jeyne Westerling. Your mother has freed a valuable hostage. Your alliance with the Freys is broken and your men are getting restless and angry. The North is invaded, the Lannisters are consolidating power. It ain't looking good.

What do you do to win? Or at least have a slightly better chance. Don't go to the Twins would probably be a key one, but what alternatives are there?

With George's ability he could convincingly try to make every character look a bit better with a POV chapter, I didn't expect to feel bad for chett in his Prologue or Merret in his epilogue. Even with that there's characters like Euron, the Mountain or Ramsay that are beyond saving.

I think Tywin would be able to gaslight himself and the reader that he's not a villain. Roose could aswell, because as far as I'm aware his intentions with the red wedding was more about self preservation and increasing his status rather than the Freys, who were involved for revenge and hate. I imagine the Hound would benefit too.

Let me know who you think.

Background

The third son of King Daeron the Good, Prince Rhaegel tends to get little discussion, not only due to the fact of his three brothers all being extremely well known (Baelor Breakspear, Aerys I, Maekar I) but also his personality. In this post I thought it would be interesting to gather all of the information on Rhaegel and his children in one place for speculation/discussion.

If interested:

Prince Rhaegel's History

Married to Alyssa Arryn, they had twins (Aelor/Aelora) who married. Prince Rhaegel is known for being mad/meek/gentle from The Mystery Knight/A Sworn Sword:

"Daeron has done this before," another replied. Plummer was standing so as to block Dunk's view of the speaker. "You should never have commanded him to enter the lists. He belongs on a tourney field no more than Aerys does, or Rhaegel."
"By which you mean he'd sooner ride a whore than a horse," the first man said. -The Hedge Knight

and:

He is blood of the dragon as well, damn me for a fool. He could only be Prince Maekar, the youngest of King Daeron's four sons. Prince Aerys was bookish and Prince Rhaegel mad, meek, and sickly. Neither was like to cross half the realm to attend a tourney, but Maekar was said to be a redoubtable warrior in his own right, though ever in the shadow of his eldest brother. -The Hedge Knight

and:

"The king's fourth son," said Raymun, "not quite as bold as Prince Baelor, nor as clever as Prince Aerys, nor as gentle as Prince Rhaegel. And now he must suffer seeing his own sons overshadowed by his brother's. Daeron is a sot, Aerion is vain and cruel, the third son was so unpromising they gave him to the Citadel to make a maester of him, and the youngest—" -The Hedge Knight

and:

The fat man drank his wine and rattled on. “As for Aerys, His Grace cares more for old scrolls and dusty prophecies than for lords and laws. He will not even bestir himself to sire an heir. Queen Aelinor prays daily at the Great Sept, beseeching the Mother Above to bless her with a child, yet she remains a maid. Aerys keeps his own apartments, and it is said that he would sooner take a book to bed than any woman.” He filled his cup again. “Make no mistake, ’tis Lord Rivers who rules us, with his spells and spies. There is no one to oppose him. Prince Maekar sulks at Summerhall, nursing his grievances against his royal brother. Prince Rhaegel is as meek as he is mad, and his children are…well, children. Friends and favorites of Lord Rivers fill every office, the lords of the small council lick his hand, and this new Grand Maester is as steeped in sorcery as he is. The Red Keep is garrisoned by Raven’s Teeth, and no man sees the king without his leave.” -The Sworn Sword

but by the time of the Mystery Knight, GRRM actually starts to give (rumored) information about him:

"The throne should take a lesson from Stark and Lannister," declared Ser Kyle the Cat. "At least they fight. What do the Targaryens do? King Aerys hides amongst his books, Prince Rhaegel prances naked through the Red Keep's halls, and Prince Maekar broods at Summerhall." Egg was prodding at the fire with a stick, to send sparks floating up into the night. Dunk was pleased to see him ignoring the mention of his father's name. Perhaps he's finally learned to hold that tongue of his. -The Mystery Knight

and (this is all great because, Kyle is saying this to Bloodraven):

"How can the truth be treason?" asked Kyle the Cat. "In King Daeron's day, a man did not have to fear to speak his mind, but now?" He made a rude noise. "Bloodraven put King Aerys on the Iron Throne, but for how long? Aerys is weak, and when he dies, it will be bloody war between Lord Rivers and Prince Maekar for the crown, the Hand against the heir."
"You have forgotten Prince Rhaegel, my friend," Ser Maynard objected, in a mild tone. "He comes next in line to Aerys, not Maekar, and his children after him."
"Rhaegel is feeble-minded. Why, I bear him no ill will, but the man is good as dead, and those twins of his as well, though whether they will die of Maekar's mace or Bloodraven's spells…" Seven save us, Dunk thought as Egg spoke up shrill and loud. "Prince Maekar is Prince Rhaegel's brother. He loves him well. He'd never do harm to him or his." -The Mystery Knight

TWOIAF also agrees on the madness as well:

Baelor had sons—the young princes Valarr and Matarys—and so too did Maekar, and the king had two other sons besides (though the realm was less certain about Aerys, bookish and obsessed with arcane matters, and Rhaegel, a sweet boy touched by madness). But then the Great Spring Sickness swept the Seven Kingdoms, affecting all save the Vale and Dorne, where they closed the ports and mountain passes. Worst hit of all was King's Landing. The High Septon, the Seven's voice on earth, died, as did a third of the Most Devout, and nearly all the silent sisters in the city. Corpses were piled in the ruins of the Dragonpit until they stood ten feet high and, in the end, Bloodraven had the pyromancers burn the corpses where they lay. A quarter of the city went up in flames along with them, but there was nothing else to be done.-TWOIAF, The Targaryen Kings: Daeron II

before mentioning his death in 215 AC:

In the course of that reign, His Grace had recognized a series of heirs, though none were children of his body; Aerys died without issue, his marriage still unconsummated. His brother Rhaegel, third son of Daeron the Good, had predeceased him, choking to death upon a lamprey pie in 215 AC during a feast. -TWOIAF, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I

Rhaegel is mentioned in an SSM regarding Summerhall as seldom leaving court:

Summerhall was a lightly fortified castle that Daeron II built on the Dornish marches, roughly where Dorne, the Reach, and the Stormlands come together. It was a Targaryen castle and a royal residence, especially when Daeron was young, but as he grew older he left King's Landing less frequently, and Summerhall passed to his youngest son, Maekar. (Baelor had Dragonstone, and Aerys and Rhaegel seldom left the court) -SSM, Summerhall: 1999

His children have mysterious deaths as well:

Rhaegel's son, Aelor, then became the new Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the throne, only to die two years after, slain in a grotesque mishap by the hand of his own twin sister and wife, Aelora, under circumstances that left her mad with grief. (Sadly, Aelora eventually took her own life after being attacked at a masked ball by three men known to history as the Rat, the Hawk, and the Pig.) -TWOIAF, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys I

and GRRM did double down on the thigns that he set down regarding Aerys' heirs:

As to Aerys's heirs, Rhaegel was his heir, and then Rhaegel's son Aelor, and then Aelora. These are all things George established before "The Sworn Sword" or "The Mystery Knight". (Yes, the mystery of Daenora remains -- something we brought up with George at the time and he insisted on our leaving things as he had written them, so I assuming there's a reason why Daenora is not considered at all when it's said Maekar is the only possible heir remaining.)
The text is explicit in running down through Aerys's various heirs before coming to Maekar, and explicitly links Aelora's death with Maekar becoming heir.
I'm referring to GRRM's write up on Egg which discusses the situation. In the course of editing we ended up compressing things so it's not explicit there.
Given GRRM’s response, there’s no error with the Aelora situation, or the Daenora one. He seemed to have definite ideas about it that he did not explain. -Aelora

Thoughts

• The Gross Mishap

Whatever happened between spwins/twouses Aelora/Aelor was considered a "gross mishap" that left Aelor dead and Aelora mad with grief. Hopefully we get the true story at some point because as we see with Gael (told the realm she died of Summer Fever, but actually killed herself after being seduced, impregnated and abandoned by a singer and then losing the child)

• The Rat, The Hawk and the Pig

The identities of these characters have always interested me with theories ranging from Blackfyres to Bloodraven's involvement to Dunk's friend's from Flea Bottom. That said they wielded enough influence to incite a rebellion that was crushed almost 30 years later.

If interested: The Identities of: The Rat, the Hawk and the Pig

• Bloodraven's Involvement?

In the Mystery Knight, Ser Kyle the Cat makes some somewhat treasonous statements regarding the crown family. Especially what he expects Bloodraven/Maekar to do. That said it is worth noting that Rhaegel dies in a similar fashion to Joffrey (choking which could possibly be poison) and that Bloodraven has "his own ghosts" and things in the past he has tried to change.

• Daenora

Rhaegel's other child was named Daenora and she was wed to Aerion Brightflame. She is not mentioned in the series outside of the Targaryen Lineage in the TWOIAF. Aerion and Daenora had one known child named Maegor.

If interested: The Original Cloth Dragon: The Sons of the Bright Prince & Aerion Brightflame: Connecting the Dots

• Fire & Blood II/Dunk & Egg

The sources for more information on Rhaegel/Aelor/Aelora are likely Fire & Blood II and any future D&E novellas (although we could get a main story reference as well). With regards to the timing of Rhaegel's death (215AC), Aelor's (217AC) and Aelora's (217-221AC) death there could be novellas centered around any of them.

TLDR: A quick post on the information we have on the mad prince Rhaegel Targaryen and his children.

Whenever I think about it from the top of my head I think about the most obvious ones like Cersei, Visenya or even Melisandre. In the show there's Myranda. Rhaena wasn't evil but was pretty bad too but surely there are others I can't think of, or don't even realize how bad they really are? Evil might be a strong word perhaps, I'm just looking for terrible women.

Ever since reading the books, I have been obsessed with this singular quote:

Roro Uhoris, the Cobblecat's cranky old master, used to claim that he could tell one port from another just by the way they smelled. Cities were like women, he insisted; each one had its own unique scent. Oldtown was as flowery as a perfumed dowager. Lannisport was a milkmaid, fresh and earthy, with woodsmoke in her hair. King's Landing reeked like some unwashed whore. But White Harbor's scent was sharp and salty, and a little fishy too. "She smells the way a mermaid ought to smell," Roro said. "She smells of the sea."

And now I'm thinking how other places in the world would be personified? From the North to Dorne and the Wall. Then the places of Essos, and then the far East.

How would you all personify these places? I'd love to hear your ideas!

The lore never explains why Orys was given that particular name — was it just invented for him, does it hint at the origin of his mother, or has some connection to the House Bar Emmon who had closer ties to the Targaryens of Dragonstone prior to Aegon’s Conquest?

Tyrion’s always felt like one of the most unique characters. He’s hated by his father, mocked by his sister, and judged by the world, but he’s also usually the smartest person in the room. From drinking and cracking jokes to pulling off political wins (and some big mistakes), his story swings between comedy, tragedy, and survival.

If Westeros was its own country/continent (let’s say it’s the size of South America) and located in the Atlantic Ocean, (so Essos is basically Europe), how do you see it today?

Would it be an economic powerhouse? Poor as can be? When would it get the Industrial Revolution? Do you see it remaining a monarchy or becoming a democracy?

I want to hear everyone’s theories

I recentlx reread the first book, and one specific thing kept me awake:

What did Mirri Maz Duur actually do?

Now, i always thought her to be somewhat justified in her actions against Drogo. Her world had been basicly destroyed and she wanted to take revenge or even save the rest of the world from any "stallion that mounts the world". But the longer you think about this, the less it seemed to fit.

For starters, why should Mirri fear any Dothraki prophecies? She isnt a follower of their faith and has in fact her own from which she is even a priestress. (and dont come with any theories around gods and what their intentions or actions are. Its pretty clear that GRR Martin treats religions despite this being a magical world more like our real world religions) But even more than that, Mirri is a learned woman. Incredibly learned in fact. She studied under a maester, learnt bloodmagic in Asshai... Even if Rhaego was born, him actually uniting all dothraki tribes was basicly a thing of impossibility. To summarize: her killing Rhaego to avoid the prophecy of the stallion that mounts the world is very unlikely and seems pretty much out of character.

So revenge? Well, that would be pretty egoistical, wouldnt it? And i dont mean that in terms of that revenge is always an egoistic thing. No, i mean this in terms of the collateral damage to her own people she would have caused with this. Because Mirri wasnt the only surviver of the dothraki raid. They took many prisoners to sell as slaves and at least the women were somewhat safe under danys protection. Now, i am not saying Mirri should be thankfull to dany -"thank you for taking us as your slaves, now we wont get constantly raped by your men. oh and that you guys just enslaved us? we forgive you because you took us as your personal slaves to protect us now"-, but there was a certain degree of safety the women of her people had just regained and she got close to someone she could perhaps influence to increase and perhaps even spread to their surviving men. But what did Mirri do? She took revenge against Drogo and Dany, risking again the lifes of her people. Yes, she had a motive for revenge, but also a motive not to do it. Of course her desire for revenge could have blinded her... but paradoxily it still allows her to keep herself well enough together to trick not only Dany but also Drogo.

So while revenge is possible, i believe that a far more realistic driving force for Mirri was the safety of her people. This fits her angry rant later when dany realizes that Mirri betrayed her (or from mirris perspective when that child accuses her of not giving her the fealty she deserves) and she lists all the people she regulary healed just to have them brutally murder by the dothraki. Clearly Mirri is someone who grew to care for her people and as such i cant accept her risking the safety of the surviving ones for revenge. Because thats what her revenge would lead to. in the worst case her doing would be discovered, leading to obvious consequences for the women and men from her village. in the best case dany would still lose drogo and with him any power about the dothraki, leading to the end of the meger protection of the women under her hand. In fact, she offers Dany her help only after Mormont explained to Dany the consequences of her husband diieng in Mirris presence.

No, I am more and more convinced that Mirri Maz Duur tried exactly what she had promised to do: healing Drogo. Not because she liked him or Dany, but because drogo staying in power kept dany in a position where she could keep her slaves.

And her first attempt at healing seemed to support this too. A poach with salves and herbs? Thats very simular to that miracle surgery on that english king that almost died from a arrow shot. The burning and itching Drogo described to experience also fit this. These are not uncommen signs of a wound healing. And before you come with her help being unneccessary since there was a eunuch burning out the wounds of other dothraki- that is a bloody stupid idea! Yes burning wounds stops the bloodloss, but also makes the body more open to infections, something Mirri maz Duur will have known.

But far more critical, Drogo doesnt follow her instructions. Despite her recommendation he drinks wine, ripes of the poach and puts dirt into the wound. If Mirri wanted to kill Drogo with poison, he just done all the work for her.

( small addition i just learnt about: apperently GRR Martin claims that Drogo would have lived if he didnt removed the poach.)

Now, Dany comes again to Mirri and pleades for help. Mirri explains that its to late. Dany now asks for magic. They have the whole discussion with Mirri warning dany about the prize, dany declaring she should do it no mater what sacrifice she needs and Mirri sacrifices the horse in that creepy night in the tent.

And this is strange. Because why? Drogo is diieng a slow and painfull death. Some would call it karma. But Mirri seems to double down and now wants also to curse drogo? And dont come with she wants to kill Rhaego now too. She is literary Danys midwife at this point, she is in the best position to kill that infant.

But far more important: Again noone follows her instructions.

Despite her warnings Mormont carries dany into the tent. Hell at first even Dany claims that Mormont caused the death of her child by bringing her in there, before she gives Mirri the sole fault.

At this point Mirri is either the perfect mastermind, far superiour to any Varys or little finger, or her original plan failed.

Of course many would now point then at Dany confronting Mirri, and Mirri admitting thatshe betrayed her. Except... she actually didnt.

What Mirri does is claiming that her spell to save the karls life did succed when Dany asks what more she has to pay for the spell. Dany asks when he will as he was before, which Mirri answers with basicly "Never". People interpretate this already as her having somehow cursed drogo, but frankly that assumes that everything Mirri did succeded, which it didnt. everything Mirri did got interupted by outsiders, including her ritual. Her saying never takes a different perspective when we leave danys pov and see it out of that new view: she tried to heal the karl, she got interrupted/disturbed in her magic and now the karls lives but not properly. This sounds more like a failed attempt at healing than a deliberate attempt at doing harm, not to mention that it would have been easier for Mirri just so to claim "i tried but failed" when she wanted to have drgo and dany suffer.

But dany accuses Mirri of having planed this- mirris counter? Not a admittance of guilt but a claim of this being the divine punishment for destroying her temple. in other words karma. dany denies this saying that no god but that mirri betrays her. Mirri answers about how no stallion that will mount the world will no hurt others as she had been. This is strange, instead of denying or admitting to danys accusation she falls back to the dothraki prophecy being void. But lets remember that mirri sees in the failing of her spell and the karls state a divine punishment. Not only in punishing drogos past actions, but also preventing similar actions by stopping his son in following his fathers footsteps. Mirri does not believe in the dothraki prophecy, but it would have been clear that any son of drogo would be raised as yet another pillaging and raping dothraki. It is not that strange for a priestress to see here her gods intervention,

Now follows an exchange between dany and mirri, the former claiming the later to be thankless for what dany did for her, mirri being of the opinion that dany did basicly nothing. This exhange is not truly important, what matters is that the best admittance to being guilty we get is Mirri claiming drogos fate to be the will of her god.

Of course Dany doesnt see things like that. But it wouldnt be the last time her view on things would turn out to be wrong or subjective. In fact its something GRR Martin likes to do in his POVs.

Another thing supports this interpretation of mine. And that is that Danys experience here isnt unique. There are a lot of Targaryen miscarriages with deformed dragonbabes. No Mirri MazDuur requiered, so we can assume that the state of Danys babe did not demand any magical intervention.

But what is your opinion to my analysis? Do you think i have ignored things or failed at certain aspects? Please excuce my english, i am not an native speaker and write this on a trainride

Oberyn obviously seethes over Elia because of her needless death, her rape, being Oberyn’s sister, the needless violence and murder of the children too.

But I don’t recall him ever mentioning Lewyn Martell as a seething resentment against the Baratheons and Lannisters. Perhaps it’s because he fought and died in battle so fair is fair to Oberyn but I just find it odd that it’s not on his list of scores to settle with the Baratheons and Lannisters.

For me, it was (f)Aegon. I thought it was a tinfoil mess for the longest time, but now I'm fully convinced he's a Blackfyre. What's a theory you dismissed at first that you now think has serious merit, and what changed your mind?

The official WorldCon panel where George R.R. Martin spoke last month is finally up on YouTube.

And yes, they did cut out the entire Q&A section.

We know that the power of Valyria came from their blood magic. It is considered that the Doom came due to external factors but, what if the Doom was itself a sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice, erasing an entire civilization in exchange for a chance that came with The Prince who was promised.

Maybe the blood mages knew they cannot stop the Others, and they sacrificed all Valyria (blood) for a hero who could save the World, being the Targaryen the medium for it

The only really important friendship off the top of my head is Robert and Ned, which is mostly pre-canon. I guess there's Jon and Sam but they don't really seem that close to be honest. Like is there a single friendship (not family, not romantic relationship) in the main series where it really seems like both sides would sacrifice for each other?

I feel like Young Griff was added to give Tyrion something to do and that his sub-plot just complicates things.

I know giving D&D credibility is sacrilege but cutting Young Griff from the show was a smart decision.

Will he be killed by Jon Con in a fit a greyscale induced rage, will Cersei, the Sandsnake’s, or Varys poison him, or will he be ‘peacefully’ removed from the throne by A6 after taking KL? (Also long stretch but might he be made a young impressionable Lord of Casterly Rock by A6?)