Thats What Ygritte Said

Weekly Game of Thrones Musings by Sam Ryu

Season finales on Game of Thrones have primarily served two narrative purposes: to tie loose ends of
the current season and to tease the upcoming events of the next season. S1E10 examined how
each major character was responding to Ned Starks execution, while Joffreys reign of terror began
and Daenerys gave birth to her three dragons. S2E10 put a cap on individual characters journeys,
while showing us the threat of the coming White Walkers. S3E10 was the aftermath of the Red
Wedding and it introduced the new power structure that would result from it. Season 4s finale feels
different. Yes, it checks in with most of this seasons major players and gives them some kind of
closure, but the big difference is that we dont know where this is all going. The finale felt less like
an hour long trailer for the next season, and more like a really elaborate narrative reset. We had a
rough idea where each story was going in previous finales, but with this one anything is possible.
There were no high-profile beheadings, or grand battles, or brutal massacres, but the status quo of
power shifted just as dramatically. The most powerful house in Westeros began to crumble when
the man holding it all together was killed in a privy. The most influential players in this world are
either dead (Joffrey, Tywin), neutralized (Mance Rayder), or preoccupied (Stannis, Daenerys). This
is the chaos that Littlefinger spoke of. This is the perfect time for fringe players like the Tyrells, the
Martells, Varys, Sansa, Littlefinger, Roose Bolton, and maybe even Balon Greyjoy to make their
power plays. We know that Winter Is Comingbut what else?

Season 4, Episode 10 The Children

If anything, this episode taught us that this entire show (and not just the episode) is about the
children. When we eventually get to Season 7 or 8 of this show (which is the longest its creators say
it will go), well be talking about the childrenArya, Sansa, Bran, Daenerys, Margaery, Tyrion
(given they survive... which is not a given)and not the patriarchsthe Tywins, the Neds, or the
Walder Freysof this world. In the spirit of the episode that had the longest runtime (66 mins)
but felt the shortest, lets do a merry-go-round the map.
June 22, 2014
Map courtesy of Where Have
All The Wildlings Gone?
Jon, Mance, and Stannis
- In S4E6 we saw Davos
convincing the Iron Bank
of Braavos to support
Stanniss claim to the
throne (When Tywin is gone,
who do you back?) and it
looks like they went
straight north to the Wall
from there. Stannis seemed
to be the only leader to take
the threat beyond the wall
seriously (S3E10) and he
puts his money where his
mouth is, choosing duty
over his claim to the throne
for now. Stannis takes Jon
Snow seriously because, if
you remember, Ned died
trying to protect Stanniss
birthright as Roberts
rightful heir. And while he
has the personality of a
lobster, Stannis is a great
military leader (as shown in
the episode) and maybe the
best possible kingnot the
one Westeros deserves, but
the one it needs right now.
Qyburn and the Mountain - Are they really going to turn this into a Dr. Frankenstein situation?
You should know, the process may change him. Somewhat. Will it weaken him? Oh, no. Very well then.
Daenerys - Remember what Daenerys said while pulling a fast one on slaveowner Kraznys in
S3E4? A dragon is not a slave. Oh wait... (How to Train Chain Your Dragon.) Hopefully she gets better
things to do in Meereen before she marches west for the Iron Throne. Also, some fun trivia:
Daeneryss three dragons were named after the three closest men in her lifeall dead, obviously.
Drogon (black/red, the biggest) is named after Khal Drogo. Viserion (cream/gold) is named after
her older brother Viserys (remember his golden crown?). and Rhaegal (green/bronze) is named
after her eldest brother Rhaegar (killed by Robert Baratheon before the show started).
June 22, 2014
Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven - Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Yes, we are! Finally. And
the most exciting thing we learnThree-Eyed Raven to Bran: Youll never walk again. But you will fly.
WHAT? Does this mean that Bran will help Daenerys conquer Westeros by using his warg power
to control one of her dragons? Shell need two other riders, so why not Bran? Maybe Tyrion can
take the third dragon? Also, the magic-bomb-throwing, derelict-elf-looking girl is one of the
Children of the Forest. Weve heard very little backstory in previous seasons, but they are basically
the magical natives of Westeros, here before the First Men and the Andals came over from Essos.
Brienne vs. the Hound - Arya and Briennes delightful Women With Swords Summit was
interrupted by a visceral fight (seriously, the sound editing) that I can only describe as Mike Tyson
vs. Evander Holyfield meets Pacific Rim played out by the Westerosi versions of mythological
Greek titans. Arya leaves the Hound for dead, forgoing her chance to cross another name off her
hit list. Shes learned, mostly from the Hound, that the world sucks and wont let her neatly cross
names off a check list. And robbing someone of their humanity is worse than taking their life.
Lannister Family Feud - Tyrion strangles Shae with the same necklace he gave her in S3E7. Varys
comes through as he hinted in S2E10. (He also likes shipping people in cratesremember that
dude he was about to torture in S3E4?) Tywin is rattled for the first time by Cersei, just in time
before his death. Cersei is in charge, who will the new Hand be? How long has Shae been working
for Tywin? (Remember the story Tyrion told Bronn and Shae in S1E9 about his first wife, Tysha?)
Arya - Arya is going to Braavos (see map)not north to the Wall, as some of you misinterpreted
from the scene. The coin that she got from Jaqen Hgar (face-changing assassin) in S2E10 isnt
some valuable currency that can get Arya whatever she wants, but more like an Illuminati calling
card. When Jaqen offered to take Arya and teach her to be an assassin, she declined because she
wanted to find her family. So he gave her the coin and told her to remember to words Valar
Morghulisif she ever needed to find him, all she would need to do is give the coin and say those
words to any Braavosi person. Valar Morghulis means all men must die in Valyrian.
Conspiracy Theory of the Week: Varys has been planning to
and will join Team Daenerys in the coming seasons. Remember
Illyrio (pictured), Magister of Pentos, who brokered Daeneryss
marriage to Khal Drogo in S1E1? Well Pentos (see map) is
where Varys and Tyrion seem to be heading (or they could be
going to Lys, where Varys is originally fromsee map). Not
only that but in S1E5, Arya overheard Varys and Illyrio secretly
scheming in the underground passages of Kings Landing. This
might just be Varys doing his due diligence as Master of Whisperers, but maybe the reason he
planted Ser Jorah as a spy wasnt to extract information, but to keep a watchful eye on Daenerys.
Final Note: Its been a rewarding experience writing for all of you this season. If you enjoyed the
weekly newsletter, please help me make it better by doing a quick survey. Takes less than 2 minutes.
***If you want to join the weekly newsletter mailing list, send an email to samryu9@gmail.com
June 22, 2014