This content is a detailed chapter-by-chapter review and analysis of "A Dance with Dragons," the fifth book in George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. It delves into the strengths and weaknesses of each point-of-view character's arc, highlighting plot developments, character growth, and thematic elements.
Mind Map
انقر للتوسيع
انقر لاستعراض خريطة الذهن التفاعلية الكاملة
I just want to say before this video
starts, thank you for everybody that's
watched these or watched even any of the
parts of this, but this is a full
review. It has every part, my full
coverage on Advanced Dragons starting
from chapter 1 all the way to the end of
the book, my review, my ranking of the
POVs. I hope you guys all enjoy. Um,
this was a long project. It took me a
long time to get this fully done, and I
hope you guys all enjoy it. So, I'll see
you guys maybe in another retrospective
or maybe not. Maybe we won't do it. I
know the series wasn't viewed the best,
but again, enjoy the video, guys.
>> When you play the Game of Thrones, you
>> subscribe and like
>> or you die.
There is no middle ground.
>> A dance of dragons came out on July
12th, 2011, about 6 years after the
release of A Feast for Crows and 11
years past A Storm of Swords. So, in a
lot of regards, we had not seen
characters like Daenerys, Jon Snow,
Tyrion, Davos, Bran, a lot of our major
characters that we had come to love for
11 years. And when you put that into
context, think about it like this. Us
Waiting for Winds of Winter right now is
a comparative length of time of reading
those certain characters, right? So,
again, it's a bit different because
Feast for Crows came in that time. So,
we still had a Song of Empire content,
but your favorite character more than
likely probably was not in the last
book. So, you hadn't actually seen your
best characters, your favorite
characters in a very long time at this
point when this book was coming out. So,
let's also think about it from this
point of view. And so, I want you guys
to think about this if you are a Song of
Ice and Fire fan. within a couple months
of each other during the first season of
A Game of Thrones as it would premiere
on April 17th, 2011 and would broadcast
the entire first season getting to the
release of A Dance with Dragons. So, A
Dance with Dragons in a lot of ways was
on a high, right? Because people were
reinvigorated to get back into their
favorite characters, but also Game of
Thrones its popularity. Now, it it
wouldn't reach its popularity in the
first season, but it would garner a lot
of that interest back. The first season
is by loved by many people. It's one of
the best seasons of the show, and so it
really would have drawn all those fans
that were still waiting for the series
right back into this series. And so, A
Dance with Dragons had a lot of hype
around it in my opinion. Now, was I
someone that was reading this book in
2011? No. I was 11 years old, so I would
not have been reading this when it came
out. But I want to think about it from
this point of view of Danny, Tyrion,
John are back. Three main characters are
back. Game of Thrones season 1 has just
come out along with the rest of the
series that's going to be coming out as
well. It was wellreceived the first
season in this regard. Everything was
looking really up. And so we get into a
Danced Dragons and that leads us to does
this book pay that off, right? Is this a
good book? Is this a bad book? What is
this book? And when we get into this
retrospective, I'm going to talk about
it in a lot of ways. This book has a lot
of ups. It has a lot of downs, right?
It's almost the polar opposite of A
Feast for Crows in its structure. A
Feast for Crows has a lot more more
minor characters. It has a lot more of
the plot lines in the background that
were happening almost offscreen or
building up to offscreen and a Storm of
Swords and then they kind of explode in
A Feast for Crows. There's a lot of
reactionary things that happen because
of things that happen in Storm of
Swords. A dance with dragons is almost
no different. But think about the
comparison between A Dance of Dragons
and Winds of Winter. The beginning of
this story and A Dance with Dragons is
going to be a lot about reminding the
audience what happened, right? It's been
11 years since we've touched a lot of
these plots. But that'll get us into the
first chapter of the book with Vamir.
Now, I will say right away, I think of
the five openings of the main books,
this is my least favorite. It is a lot
of And why I say that is because in my
opinion, it does the least in terms of
the entire world. Like when you look at
Pate, Pate is a really interesting POV
into our first look at Oldtown. He is
going to connect to a bunch of different
plot lines, whether that be Ario,
whether that be Sam, whether that
connects to future stuff with like
Marwin and things like that. He also
gives us kind of a fresh perspective,
the common person and how the corruption
of this world works, which I find very
interesting. And also going on that
really awesome idea of the heart and
conflict. This is not that. This is very
much a POV that is focused solely on
really one uh plot line in this book.
You could argue too, but I would say
it's it's really just for Bran. And this
is a very interesting way to start out a
book. If you look at all of the main
POVs that people do not like, Bran is by
far the least entertaining POV I think
for most people. And so starting out a
POV with or starting out the book with a
POV that is directly correlating with Bran
Bran
is interesting. And so to me, I don't
like it too much because it's just
straight up it's it's Warging, right?
How does Wargging work in this world
from somebody that's other than Bran? We
haven't seen Wargan too much in this
world when it comes to how does it work?
What is its powers? What are the rules
to it? And so a lot of this is setting
up Bran. It really think makes us think
about Bran quite a lot and how we think
about the character because when you
think about what you shouldn't be doing,
right, as your animal, it really relates
to Bran because we've seen Bran take the
mind of another human in Hodor. That's a
big no no. We're going to see Bran
eating a man's flesh through a wolf.
Kind of a no no once again. So there's a
lot of nos that we're seeing through
Bran. So this chapter makes us in a lot
of ways recontextualize the way we think
about a character like Bran. But let me
talk about a little bit of brief summary
of what happens in the chapter. So we're
introduced into this character of Vamir
who is a skin changer like Bran but just
a very powerful one. And he is fleeing
the battle of the wall. This is taken up
directly after um Stannis had come
through and won the battle for the wall.
And we see the rest of the wildlings
that had survived and how they were
falling back. Some were going to the
east and some were just dying off.
Right? These are a people that you're
struggling to find food, struggling to
find warmth. And it's a lot about this
desperation Vimir trying to live on. And
it's seeing that again the others are
still a huge threat north of the wall
and really establishing why the
wildlings came south to kind of begin
with. And again, personally, it's just a
it's almost a reminder chapter for the
John plot line, but it's a big plot.
It's a big POV to set up Bran, and it
does it pretty well. Like I I won't say
like this chapter does well for what
it's trying to do. I just don't like
what it's really trying to do that much.
I think there's a lot of other POVs that
would have been more interesting to
start this book with other than Vamir.
And so, to me personally, I was not a
big fan to the way this book starts.
Now, I will say another thing I want to
mention here because when I looked at A
Feast for Crows, I think George R.
Martin took a step back and realized
some of the issues people had with A
Feast for Crows. Because one of the
things I talked about with A Feast for
Crows that's so different than this book
is going to be is A Feast for Crows,
George R. Martin takes a lot of leaps.
He kind of frontloads a lot of the newer
plots, right? the Greyjoy plot and the
Martell plot are almost completely
frontloaded into the first half of the
book. And so when you look at that book,
the way it starts, it's, you know, you
have Pate, you have, I think it's Aeron
is second, and then Ario. You have
three, you know, newer POVs. POVs people
are just not going to care as much about
until you get to Cersei, who is chapter
4. This book does not do that. This book
jumps right into the characters that
people were wanting to read. And it
starts in probably the best way. I think
everyone wanted to see what Tyrion was
going to be up to after that stuff that
happens in Storm of Swords. How is he
going to be affected as a character?
What is his plot going to be looking
like as the story goes forward? And so
we get to Tyrion 1 as the second chapter
of the book. And I think Preston Jacobs
sums up this chapter perfectly. In a lot
of ways, it is just a catch-up chapter
trying to remind us what happened in the
last book and now catching that up to
how is that affecting Tyrion? Now, we've
see Tyrion as this character that's he's
defeated in a lot of ways. He's gone
straight to alcoholism. He is
questioning if he even wants to be alive
at this point of the story. It's a
really interesting psychological dive
into what Tyrion is going to experience
in this chapter. And Tyrion is a
character that I think is a tale of two stories.
stories.
I think I really like him in the first
half of the book and the second half of
the book he's not so good. I like Tyrion
when he's interacting with characters
that are interesting to the story that
can either outwit Tyrion or make Tyrion
use his wits or have some bigger
relevance to the plot. And so seeing
Tyrion try to figure out what Yo
Mopatis' motivations are is quite
interesting because we as the readers
also don't know what Yo's motivations
are. Again, remember the last time we
really see Yo is in the first book with Arya.
Arya.
And so we've heard about Ayio here and
there, right? We know that Barristan was
sent to Dany through the help of Yo, but
we don't know what game is playing at
this point, right? Because the plan
doesn't really go well, right? The
Dothraki are supposed to come over with
the Targaryenss and start a war, right?
But that is kind of up for suspicion
here in this chapter. It's already
brought up like why is Yo helping Dany
and it just isn't for profits and Tyrion
kind of notices that. So, I like the
back and forth between the two
characters, but again, this chapter is
pretty dark. It's a lot of Tyrion
dealing with his trauma, drinking
himself nearly to death, and being as
pessimistic and awful as possible.
Whether that's interacting with T uh
Yo's servants, whether that's
interacting with Yo as well, whether
that's Tyrion interacting with himself,
the way he kind of beats him up or
things like that. All of this makes
perfect sense into the psychology of
Tyrion. And I know a lot of people have
a issue with the way Tyrion is in this
book, but it's completely natural. It's
the way Tyrion should be as a character.
And so that old Tyrion, which again was
still Tyrion, right? Tyrion is still
Tyrion. It's just because of the events
that have happened, he has leaned into
that darker side of Tyrion that's always
been there. Alt Shift, Alt Shift X makes
a really good video on the real Tyrion
Lannister. And one of the things he
really talks about that is he looks back
at a lot of the moments of especially A
Clash of Kings and some of the things
that Tyrion did that were quite awful.
Whereas us the audience were rooting for
Tyrion but they are quite awful things.
He leans into more of those things
especially in this book.
Again I I noted here that I think a lot
of people dread Tyrion in some of his
earlier chapters because it is a lot of
a recap. I personally really do enjoy
Tyrion 1 and two and even again I like
Tyrion really from here all to the young
griff stuff and so I don't have a really
a big problem with Tyrion at this part
of the um book. I also do like again him
playing the game of thrones with yo and
also I also like the reveal at the end
of Tyrion going to Danny which again was
obvious like I feel like anyone real
reading Tyrion or even let's go back in
time let's say after Storm of Swords
there was you know YouTube wasn't really
a big thing then but if there was I
think if people would have been making
prediction videos it would have been
obvious that Tyrion was going to help
Dany that would have been an obvious
prediction so this isn't like this huge
big reveal but it is something that
George needed to establish, right? Give
Tyrion that focus, right? The big
focuses of this book for Tyrion are
going to be getting to Dany and two, his
character, right? Is he going to lean
further further into that darker side of
Tyrion or will he find some sort of
atonement? Will he find some sort of uh
higher purpose to bring him out of that
state? And that's really what Tyrion 1
is all about. Again,
that gets us into the third chapter of
the book, Danny One. So, again, Danny 1
is another one of these chapters that
it's really a lot of a catch-up. But I
will say this just really goes to prove
that George does listen to feedback. He
does understand what things people don't
like in previous books and is willing to
adjust accordingly. Because think about
it, the first four chapters of this book
are Vamir, which again, it's the first
chapter of the book. you knew it was
going to be a different POV, right? So,
you give him a pass there. But then 2,
three, and four are Tyrion, Danny, and
John. The three POVs everybody wanted to
see. And so, I think that is not a
coincidence. George understood what he
wanted to do. And I want to get this out
of the way right away because very
similar to Tyrion, is that Dany has a
stigma, especially for this book, that
she's just pretty meh in this book. And
I can see where that is coming from. But
personally, I do like Dany in this book.
I I think she goes on a different
journey and puts her and George puts her
in a very uncomfortable situation.
Whereas Dany her whole life after book
one has kind of been this conqueror,
this person that is trying to gain
power, then to go to Westeros. And we
have this big reveal in book three that
she's not going to do that, right? She's
going to try and rule. And so she's
going to struggle with that. She's never
ruled anything before. Even back in, you
know, book one or book two or these
things, she's not exactly ruling over a
place, right? The Dothraki, yes, she has
some sway over Drogo, but she's not the
person in charge of everyone, right?
That is still Drogo. Here, it is her.
She is the one making the decision. She
is the one that if the society fails,
it's on her. And so, she's dealing with
a lot of different things. And so George
sets this up all perfectly in this first
chapter because we have to see what is
Danny's goal of this book. What is
George going to do in this book for the
character? And so we have first we have
the sons of the harpy creating issues
for Dany. And this is very interesting
right away because in the past Dany has
gone against other forces, right, in
battles and sieges, but she's never
fought a war of of a shadow war more or
less of people being killed in the
streets. How do you find these people?
What motivates people to give you
information to track them down and kill
them or imprison them? Danny has never
had to deal with that. And that's gonna
be something that's very relevant to
this book for her as a character. But
again, we see that an unsullied man has
been killed. It is interesting because
we see that Dean's rule is far from
secure and establishes right away the
central theme of her arc. How to rule
something that she has not really done
before, right? How is she going to deal
with different personalities like
Resnack and the Shave Page? How is she
going to deal with a culture that's very
different from her own? We have seen her
integrate into other cultures like the
Dothraki, but she's struggling with the
ways of the Marines. The Marines are
slaver people that was built upon their
roots or the the past, you know, hundred
years or so. How do you change an in an
entire society's culture in a blink of
an eye? How do you how do you do that,
right? Because if you even think about,
again, I'm American, so I like to
reference United States history quite a
lot. How do you go from a point of
slavery to everyone being free? How does
that work? How do you get groups of
people that have been against each other
for a long time to reconcile and
integrate into that culture? And we're
still seeing some of those divides even
now. But going into the story, think
about that. It's very difficult because
you have some people who might have had
a better life in slavery. Even though
slavery isn't evil, they themselves
benefited from slavery. Which is an
interesting dilemma for Danny to
overcome because Danny realizes, and us,
the audience, agree with Danny, that
slavery is bad. But what do you do when
someone tells you they would rather be
enslaved? It's an interesting dilemma
that Dany is going to have to go through
in this book. But what this chapter does
is set her up for the future. How is
Dany going to deal with personalities
like Varys and Littlefinger, things that
Robert had to do? This is really a lot
of that prelude to what Dany will have
to deal with in Westeros. And it's a lot
of kind of that training. It's it's a
building book for Dany. But we see her
sitting the throne giving advice to
multiple people or on issues like the
yung kai and the fighting pits and
eventually ends with Dy's worst fear,
her dragons killing a child. Again, this
is great because it plays exactly on
what Dany is going to have to overcome.
Outside of all the politics going on,
her trying to rule, she also has to deal
with her dragons. Her dragons are
getting bigger. They're growing more
fearless and violent. What does she do
with that? And we're not going to figure
out what she does instantly. Yeah,
that's going to come in the next
chapter. But it poses an interesting
question for Dany. Is she still in
control of them? Obviously not because
they've killed a child at this point.
Something that Danny's not really had to
worry about up to this point. She has to
now realize how dangerous they are. And
that is a really awesome way to build a
Danny's chapter. I think Danny's first
chapter is obviously better than Tyrion.
Her chapter is not as much a catch-up
chapter. It still is, but it kind of
gets right to the point. It really
focuses on exactly what her POV is going
to be about. Whether you like that or
you don't like what her POV is about in
this book, I like that George is direct
with this character and we understand
right away. There's no dillydallying
about what her POV is about. All right,
so getting into John one. John one I
think is very similar in a lot of ways
to Danny one. It's really about
exploring again what happened in the
past. So where are we at this point of
the story? But also, it's about just
establishing where this character of Jon
is going to be. Right? This chatter
follows Jon dealing with Stannis and the
issues of trying to please a king who
saved them while also trying to stay
neutral. Because again, if you're in the
Night's Watch at this point, you're in a
very precarious position. You don't want
to be seen as helping Stannis because of
Tywin and the Lannisters rule. That's
not a good look for you. You want to be
able to get as much aid from them as
possible. You're in a very sorry state.
So you have to deal with how do you
manage those different personalities. We
also see again a lot of this chapter
also focuses on Stannis. This is almost
a almost a like POV into Stannis as a
whole because we see that Stannis is
struggling to gain support in the north.
He has sent Davos to treat with White
Harbor. But again, if we go back to
Feast with Feast for Crows, we know that
that doesn't seem to have gone well or
at least something happened to where
Davos is presumed dead. So that is a
play that Stannis is trying to do. But
we also see that Stannis is not
garnering much support from the northern
houses as a whole as the Mormonts have
now recently turned him down and White
Harbor has gone silent. But Stannis also
talks on the fate of Mans and how he
will be burned which also Jon is not a
big fan of either. Jon has kind of come
to respect Mans quite a lot and burning
is not a good way to go. It's probably
one of the worst ways possible to go
out. It's not a painless death. It's you
are in pain for quite a while and then
die. And so Jon kind of sees this as a
stupid because you can use Mance in a
lot of ways to control the wildlings
more if he's alive than if he's dead.
And that's something that we even see
that I think even Mel realizes as well.
But at this point, that's not the case.
But Stannis wants to reinforce the
castles on the wall with his own men.
Again, Stannis is seeing this as the
Night's Watch has all these castles, but
none of them are manned. So, Stannis
thinks, "Okay, let's man these castles.
Let's get the wall to be strengthened."
But that runs into a problem because
these castles are not Stannis's to do
so, right? These are the Knights Watches
castles. They stay neutral. That is not
allowed. And John says that, right? He
refuses this, only allowing that his
officers be in charge. Stannis wants to
give him men. Fine, but he will have the
men that will be over them. And this
frustrates Stannis, right? Stannis in a
in a lot of ways. This is a frustrating
time, right? The North is not rallying
to him like he would have hoped. He is
not getting as much as he would require
from Jon as he would like after he
believes he saved them, which he did.
But he's again a very precarious
position for Jon. And this is going to
encompass a lot of the early part of the
story for Jon. How does he deal with
people like Stannis and Mel? But Mel
follows him and warns him of foes behind
his back and daggers in the dark and
quotes a line from Egret. He knows
nothing. Again, it's a great open
because in a lot of ways this chapter is
just a refresher for the Jon plot line
and the Stannis poem which will be heavy
focuses of this book, but it also kind
of is foroding for the future, right? We
already have this foreshadowing of Jon's
death. We see that Jon is someone that
is struggling to play politics to be a
leader and also getting this very
cryptic line of Mel knowing Egret's
famous line. All very interesting and
also kind of peels back some of that
wound that Jon still has for Egret.
Again, it's been quite recently she
died. So again, just something that
would be something that would get under
Jon's skin a little bit. But that gets
us into Bran one, chapter five.
Something I want to point out, Bran is a
character that I think we give a lot of
criticism towards. He's probably one of
the worst POVs of the entire story in my
opinion. But I will say his at least his
first two chapters in this book are
pretty good. I have them ranked pretty
nicely. I'm kind of doing it differently
this time than I did for Feast for Crows
where I'm ranking them as I read them.
So it's a little bit more fresher in my
mind on how I want to rank things
instead of ranking them all at the end
based on my summaries and what I can
remember from them. So try to make it a
little bit more fresh. But I really
enjoy this first chapter for Bran
because it adds a bit of tension to
their story because I feel like a lot of
the problem with Bran's chapters are
there's not a lot of conflict or there's
not a lot of tension. It just kind of
feels like we're wandering around. This
chapter is not that. This chapter is
focused. We need to get here, but how do
we get to the cave? We are struggling,
right? And again, it picks up on the
ideas of who is the three-eyed crow? Who
is Cold Hands? That's a lot of this
chapter's focus. When you look at my
video talking about who Cold Hands is, a
lot of that information comes from this
chapter specifically. A lot of this
chapter's focus is on who he is and he
is not of the living. But again, this
chapter is filled with intrigue and
mystery. This chapter almost directly
correlates with the Vamir open to the
story. And again, that's one of the
reasons why I don't like the Vamir one
because I feel like it's almost a
connection to one part of the story and
really none of the others. But it's
really apparent here because we see Bran
continuously going into Summer, taking
more and more time out of his body as
he's just being lugged around and not
much is happening while they wait for
Cold Hands to come back with food and
things like that. And we also get this
disturbing description of how Bran is
going into Hodor who does not like the
process. Again, it makes you question
Bran and it's a lot of foreshadowing to
maybe things that will come to the
future. But it's very weird that Bran is
going into Hodor's skin a lot. And
George even takes the time to describe
very similar to Vamir's first chapter,
how Hodor is very uncomfortable with
this process. And Bran is basically
overpowering Hodor's will and taking
over his body and mind. That is very
scary to think about. And if Bran grows
more powerful, what is that going to
have on the effects of the story? What
will he do with that? Again, people have
kind of thought up because of the show,
was Bran someone that went into other
people's minds. Was Blood Raven doing
this in the past? Was he going into
Aerys's mind? That's why he went insane.
Maybe he was trying to give him
warnings, but instead it was something
that drove him mad. That's all very
interesting to think about when you look
at the future of the book series, things
that we could look at going back to the
past and how that could possibly be
affecting the world. At this time, we
also see that Summer interacts and takes
over the pack that we saw in the
prologue of Wolves. So again, just Bran
asserting his will and dominance, which
is again very interesting to see as
well. But we see Bran and Summer's body
actually eating the Knights Watchmen.
And this is very key because in a lot of
ways Bran is once again doing something
he shouldn't be doing. He is eating man
flesh in his wolf's um body. That is not
good. That is cannibalism more or less
because eventually we also see that cold
hands comes back to the group saying he
slaughtered a pig which is highly
doubtful. Think about the way Vamir is
described as there's no food around in
the first chapter. We even our group
here they're not finding much food to
eat and you think about it and you go
wait a second there was just some people
that were killed. the wolves were eating
them and now all of a sudden it seems
that cold hands has found some food. So
it's very much led to led for us the
audience believe that yeah they probably
went to some cannibalism here. So Bran
again eating other humans not good and
so there's a lot of intrigue a lot of
things we can look to speculate on the
rest of the story but again really good
uh open chapter for or opening chapter
for Bran that I really do enjoy. That
gets us to number six or chapter six,
Tyrion 2. So, Tyrion 2 is definitely not
as good as Tyrion 1. I think there's
much more interesting stuff between the
two characters of Tyrion and Yo, whereas
this one, it's a lot more of a travel
chapter. It's more about giving us the
histories of Essos or where they are
specifically in Essos. It's more to
establish where Tyrion is going to be
going in the future. Again, it is
explained at this chapter that Tyrion
will travel with a man named Griff to
deliver him to Dany. Already, this kind
of seems fishy because Yria notes that
the Golden Company have broken a
contract. And we get a famous line here
that it doesn't matter what the dragon
is, red or black, as long as they can go
home and it's a dragon. That is a very
interesting line that does not seem to
add up with the history of the Golden
Company. And that already is going to
get the wheels kind of turning for us
the readers as to hm what is yo actually
up to because we're going to get more of
this in the third Tyrion chapter. But
that's very fascinating because we also
get more into Yo's backstory as well
here. But again, we get to in some
interesting lore about Essos and the
political climate. But the more
interesting points is about Yo and
Varys's past, how the two operated, how
they interacted. It really paints the
picture of why Varys has become the
person that he is. But we also get his
ex-lover in which Yrio still has her
hand. And could this be a Blackfire?
That would prove a lot of that would
make a lot of reasoning as to why young
Griff a would be a Blackfire and why
loves him so much. That's a really
interesting point. And this again Tyrion
connects with about his past in Taiisha.
Again, the two can connect on their
really flawed pass when it comes to
love. And that gets me to, I think,
probably my weakest chapter of the first
like 200 pages of the story. And I've
talked about this a lot. I'm not a
Quentyn guy. I just do not like this
character. I don't really feel like he
provides much to the story. I think if
he's a lot like Sam to me for a feast
for crows where I think if we just skip
Quentyn's journey and have him be
brought up when he meets Danny through
like Danny's POV that would be
completely acceptable. I I just don't
feel like this is needed. But let's talk
about what the first Quentyn chapter
does and maybe what things I just don't
really particularly like about this
storyline. This chapter is a main focus
on Quentin, who he is as a character.
And again, he has been keeping his
identity hidden and is on a mission to
reach Dany and marry her. Again, all of
this is self-explanatory. We already
knew this from the already chapters in
Feast for Crows. So, really, it's just
rebringing that to the table. As I know,
there are people that didn't like a lot
of the more minor plots like the Dornish
plot. And so, George wants to refresh
the reader onto what is going on here.
But to me, it's just like nothing
particularly interesting happens in this
chapter outside of okay, our crew with
Quentyn realize they're going to have to
become part of a cell sword company to
get to Dany because there's not really a
good way in which they can get to her
cuz Slaver's Bay at the moment is a very
dangerous place to travel to. We get
some interesting things here and there
that uh during their passage some of
their companions have already died. One
of them being a a maester which was very
detrimental to them. But they are again
struggling to find passage to marine
because of the war breaking out. They
are stuck in ver in Volantis for the
time being. Again they attempt to get
passage from a smuggler. But this seems
like a very bad idea as it seems like
they're being fooled and it's unlikely
to actually end well. But either way on
their way back from the docks they
encounter some windb blown looking for
recruits and the party realize this is
their only option to get to Dany. Again,
personally, I don't really care about
Quentyn. I don't find his character that
interesting. He's just another failed
love interest for Danny really. And I
think he his death, if he is dead, I
believe he is dead. Other people do not.
His death will have more meaning on
other characters like Aron, like Duran,
and some of the moves that they go
forward with. So, I feel like D or
Quentyn is not exactly his own
character. He's more a character for
other characters like Daenerys, like
Barristan, and like the other Dornish
I've talked about. And so this character
just comes off as flat. Like this this
chapter by far of all the chapters we've
gotten so far is the least impactful.
Like this chapter didn't need to be
here, right? Like what is the difference
between getting Quentyn with Danny later
on in the story and Quentyn just goes
yeah I you know I tricked the wind blown
and I ended up traveling to you and then
getting the big reveal that you know
Viseris was supposed to marry Arion but
now he is going to marry her. That's
going to be how they're going to do the
deal and all of that. I think that works
the exact same except it gets rid of
some of this fluff andor filler that I
think Quentyn has in this book. But that
gets us to John two. Now John 2 is very
interesting because it's a flip of Sam
one in a feast for crows. And I
mentioned this a lot when we did that
chapter in the last book. It's an
interesting take of how to do this
because something that that chapter
really does well for Sam one and Peace
for Crows is it shows like why is Jon
making these decisions? It makes us just
like Sam questioning Jon. And so even in
that book, one of the big things that it
builds up for the story already is Jon
is someone that is really isolating
himself from his friends. He's not
making people like him andor respect him
as much as they probably could. And it's
leading people to question him because
his communication skills are not the
best. And so I love the way George flips
this. So in this chapter, we can
actually see a lot of what Jon is doing
and we understand his motivations.
Albeit we think I think that he could do
things a little bit better and explain
things better. The whole chapter is
really the focus of Jon killing the boy
and becoming the man. He is trying to
make some moves that he believes are not
going to make him wellliked but are what
needs to be done for the greater good.
Again, we see Jon commanding Gilly to
take Mance's child and Sam is forced to
go south Aean. And again, it's a hard
chapter to look at because we know all
this stuff is going to happen and what
it ends up leading to, right? Like we
know because Aean goes south that ends
up getting him killed. So in a lot of
ways Jon is responsible for Aean dying
even though Aean kind of dies more of
natural causes than anything. It's
interesting to realize this stuff with
hindsight of looking at what Jon's
decisions are going to lead to. And we
can understand Jon's rationale
perfectly. We understand that this baby
is going to die if Gilly does not take
him. We know that they need more
maesters. Sam needs to become a maester.
That's for the greater good to find more
about the others. We know that Aean
needs to go south or else he might get
burned. And that's something Maester
Aean does not deserve. And so we
understand all of Jon's decisions, but
still it's hard to read because these
are hard things and he's isolating all
the people that we care about a lot and
are John's staunchest supporters. But at
this we get some of my favorite parts of
this. the rest of the chapter. Again,
the second half focuses on some of the
forts remanded and repaired as best as
possible. But this leads to a great
payoff and it's really awesome for me
because I'm just now reading I'm getting
to that section in the Game of Thrones
reread where Janice Slint is coming into
prominence. He's betrayed Ned. He's just
gotten Harrenhal on Tuesday in the video
we did with Sans of 5. He is finally
getting his comeuppance. And so Jon
basically gives him an order and he
refuses it. And watching Jon figure out
how to deal with Slint and executing
Slint is fantastic because we see Jon
once again, he is not a bully anymore.
Slint is pleading, saying he's a coward,
and Jon still kills him. And one of the
best scenes that they executed from
season 5, from the book to season 5
anyway, is this scene. And we see again
Stannis's nod of approval at the end of
the chapter. It's kind of that nice
little cherry on top. And by far, it is
my favorite chapter of the first nine.
It's just a big moment for Jon's
character and for the story as a whole.
Something we've been waiting on for a
long time. So, Tyrion 3 again, chapter
nine gets us to meeting young Griff and
getting to that party and getting away
from Yo. And so, in this chapter, he
meets Halden and Duck. We get some nice
little nods to the Blackfire theory
again as Yio is gifting many things to
young Riff and makes us think about wait
how come Dany and Viseris did not seem
like they got any of these things. Only
Dany seemed to get a lot of these gifts
and that was because she was married or
marrying Cal Drogo in the first book.
But the three travel to the ship having
conversations about the shrouded lord,
which is also very interesting given
some theories about this could be
Tyrion's uncle, which is also very
interesting. And how Duck was kned by
Griff, because this is very interesting
as well. We now know that Griff must be
a knight and there's not many knights in
Essos. So all of that's very fascinating
because it's going to get the gears
turning for Tyrion. But all this is very
interesting. But the best part is him
meeting young Griff and eventually Griff
because Tyrion sees a lot of his father
Tywin in John Conington which is
interesting given that John Conington
wishes he had been more like Tywin. He
could have ended Robert's rebellion. And
so a lot of this is very interesting. It
gets us into I think the best part of
Tyrion in this book. And I think the
first three Tyrion chapters are all
solid. I don't think any of them are
spectacular, but they are good enough to
get the job done and really get us to I
think really the peak part of Tyrion in
this book. So, moving on, we get Davos
1. And this is again, it's a prelude.
It's really a prelude to the amazing
chapters we're going to get going
forward with Davos uh in this story. But
again, it's a reflection chapter. It's
really what it is. It's reflecting and
piecing together what happened between a
storm of swords during the timeline of
Feast for Crows and here. And so we see
that because of storms they have
shattered Salidor son's fleet and Davos
has been left stranded in Sisterton.
Davos has been captured as he was trying
to smuggle his way to White Harbor but
is caught. Again, this is going to
directly reflect what happens to Ned in
Robert's Rebellion. Something I talked
about in a past video as well. But this
is interesting, right? Because how is
this going to work with the with the
lord here with Lord Burrell? how is he
going to deal with this situation?
Right? But Lord Bell and Davos have a
conversation about what to do with him
and we get some interesting information
about the history of the sisters. Again,
as I talked about earlier about the
Roberts Rebellion stuff, it's a direct
comparison to what's happening here.
Stannis, albeit maybe isn't in the best
position at the time. Who's to say he
doesn't actually end up gathering the
North. If he was to defeat the Boltons,
that'd be a huge win. Rallying the North
behind him. Who knows what could happen?
Tywin is dead, right? That's something
that Davos finds out in this chapter.
Tommen at this point is on the throne
with really bad counselors. We see how
all that plays out in Peace for Crows.
And so, yeah, there's something that
Lord Brell really has to think about.
But we also not only get the Roberts
Rebellion stuff, we also get the kind of
the history of the Sisterton and the
Sisters as a whole as how the veil of
the North would constantly fought over
it until it was eventually brought into
Aegon's kingdom. But overall, this
chapter is a great chapter to build on
for Davos. George is really just showing
us what happened with Stannis in this
book, building up this plotline and
giving us a taste of what is to come in
the north with Davos. So, that gets us
to John 3. And I want to point this out,
right? We are only 11 chapters in and
we've gotten three Tyrion chapters and
three Jon chapters. Half of the first
part of this like little section is just
Jon and Tyrion. If that doesn't show you
that George took the advice of readers
in the past, of his fans and his readers
about the criticisms of A Feast for
Crows, this should tell you everything,
right? If we even think about the next
chapter, right? Out of the first 12
chapters, eight of them are John, Danny,
and Tyrion. I just want to point that
out as we go further in here. John 3.
Again, I I really praise what George is
able to do with his character because
this is just a really great chapter. I
love everything that it has relating to
John. Again, his plotline in this book
is really established by these first
three chapters, but the chapters open
with Mance Raider's execution or what we
believe is Mance Raider's execution. And
this is a really big moment, right?
Mance Raider has been built up as a
really big character at this point of
the story. And so, hindsight, we know
that this is a Mance Raider. But given
what we know at this point of the story,
this is a big moment. Like this is
really Jon's I wouldn't say his villain
of his arc because that's the others,
but it's been like his anti-hero of his
story. And so really big characters
going out and we see Mel performing this
ritual. But we again see the way Jon and
Stan and Stannis handle things quite
differently. Jon is not willing to let
this man be burned to death and commands
him to be shot with some arrows to again
just allow that to end quickly. Now this
is not actually Mance Raider. So it is
quite different. We are but it is quite
interesting. But something else we're
left to ponder here is that Mance Raider
starts saying that he was not the king
and that he wasn't all these things.
That leads you to think about this is
like is this just one desperate plea for
Mance Raider to get out of this? But no,
we know this is really the Lord of Bones
yelling this cuz he doesn't want to get
burned. That's very interesting. What
also does this tell us? It tells us that
Mel doesn't really believe that King's
blood is needed because it's the Lord of
Bones. It's not the king. And so, we've
kind of already realized this by the
time we get to Winds of Winter, but it's
not really King's blood that does it.
It's blood in general. It's blood magic
that's powerful. That's what gives power
in this world. We also see more of why
Jon is killed as he continues to try and
struggle with ruling and dealing with
people because at this point Bowen Marsh
does really respect Jon, but Bowen
suggests he block the gates. But Jon
disagrees, doesn't really express why.
Like he just says, "Oh, it'll leave us
blind." But he doesn't really expand
upon that. It just feels like a
one-sided conversation where Bow and
March is, you know, giving all these
reasons as to maybe why this could be
beneficial and just Jon just going,
"Nah, that's kind of how it feels." And
like we as the readers understand why
Jon doesn't want the gates to be blocked
because we're in his head. So we're
thinking, we're looking at his thoughts
and going, "Yeah, I understand that
rationale, but he's not saying those
things to Bow and Marsh." And so when
you have a building conflict, right,
where Bow and Marsh is going to have a
lot of these moments and a lot of people
in the watch will have this these
moments with Jon where they're giving
him some sort of idea that Jon doesn't
like, but Jon doesn't really give them
anything back. He just says no. And so
that's an interesting point. But we also
see that the Wildlings are basically
given a choice. You either bend the knee
and get some food and shelter or you're
basically told to leave. they can go
back up north with no clothing or well
with the clothing that they have but no
food really basically a death sentence
and so many do bend the knee to Stannis
and all of that and get food and things
like that but it doesn't really go the
way I think Stannis was kind of hoping
it would and so at this point right this
is why Bone March is like we need to
close the gates right because the
wildlings are going to come back if we
seal the gates it'll be much easier to
defend we don't have the men to defend
defend against another assault like what
happened with Mance. And that's a very
interesting point, right? Like if you
think about it, like if you think about
Bone and Marsh's rationale, we know the
others are out there. We know the
Wildlings are out there and they're
going to be coming south. We know all of
this. What is the point of having
scouts? Like what? Like what's the
point? Like the last time that they went
on a really big scouting party in book
two didn't go well. a lot of the watch's
strength died because of Mormont's
decision. Now, it was important to
understand what was going on, but at the
same time, it was also detrimental. So,
again, you can see both of the rationale
of both Mormont and Jon Snow, which is
what makes this chapter so interesting.
But not only that, we also see this
chapter having some internal conflict
about the Wildlings and the Night's
Watch relationship, right? How is Jon
going to circumvent that? but also how
is when he looks at his night watchmen
and how they react to the wildlings, a
lot of them are not too pleased. A lot
of them are not happy to have all of
these wildlings south of the wall. It
makes them feel uneasy. And if you're a
nights watchman, think about this. For
thousands of years, you've had these
issues with the nights watch and the
wildlings, right? And so, a lot of these
people don't have those experiences with
good wildlings, right? Or people that
are just normal people trying to make
their way to safety. They don't have
those relationships. A lot of people
have lost friends to these wildlings or
maybe even if you are living in the
north, family members. All of that is
very relevant to this whole argument
that's going to go on with Jon and the
other um Knights Watchmen. But we also
see Jon struggling with being a leader.
He has regret over Gilly, Aean, and Sam
as he hears of the storms that occurred
in Sam 2. Again, if you guys don't
remember, there was a big storm that
happens that ends up basically having
them struggling in around Skagos. It's a
really filler, one of the worst chapters
of A Feast for Crows, but that is what
Jon is kind of referring to at this
moment. But he also knows he can't be
friends with his men anymore and goes a
step further. So yeah, we see Jon
basically going to the dining area and
his friends want them to sit with him.
And Jon is about to, but then he thinks
this like he thinks about how Ned always
told him he can't be friends with his
men, right? you can't do that because
you may have to send them to die or
basically be sitting over them if they
commit a crime. And so John goes a step
further. He has all of his staunchest
allies, people that we have known from
book one, and sends them away, either
Shadow Tower or Eastwatch. And it's
another misstep from Jon because what
does this do? It isolates his staunchest
supporters, people that would be able to
understand him more and sends them other
places. And all in all, again, it's a
great chapter that really is a
culmination of John's entire arc in this
book and foreshadows much to come. And
that'll get us into chapter 12 or Danny
2. Again, I think it's another really
good chapter because just how I talked
about with the last two chapters for
Jon, this is a really good one. It's a
direct continuation of the issues built
up in the first Dany chapter. We see
more deaths have occurred with her
unsullied being slain by the Sons of the
Harpy. Again, one of which is actually a
brother to Missande. Doesn't really
happen in the show, but again, this is a
very big event. Missande is much younger
than she is in the show, and so this
really impacts her. But we see how Dany
deals with the Sons of the Harpy, and
what length she will go to get
information, right? She goes as far as
having these witnesses that who knows if
they're innocent or actually guilty, but
possibly tortured by the Sha Pay because
she's that desperate for information.
Again, you see those glimpses of things
that George can play on in Winds of
Winter where it's like Dany and her
desperation sometimes can make bad
decisions even if she thinks it's for
the greater good. But other things that
I find are very interesting in this
entire situation is how Dany again is
not really asserting herself. She's
playing more of a passive role, which is
much more different for her as a
character than we've seen in the past.
But Danny then has to be the one to
confront or com or comfort Missande and
struggles with how can she protect her
people, right? How is she going to
protect all these people that are
calling her mother, right? There's this
really cute line where Missande calls
Dany basically her protector and her
mother. And Danny struggles with that.
She feels guilty because she has the
weight of all these people's lives, but
yet people are still dying. But this
also makes her think about her real
children, the children that she has
always said as being her dragons. the
dragons have been imprisoned and how
they have failed to capture Drogon.
Dany is feeling an overwhelming sense of
loss of control. She feels like she
can't handle this this whole situation.
And again, what do we always talk about?
It seems like when Dany is at her lowest
point, her weakest point, she's either
having dragon dreams or being visited by
Quaith. And this is by far the most
interesting part of the chapter because
we always use this section of this
chapter to foreshadow things to come
with Dy's plotline. But we see Quaith
appear and it comes at a very
interesting point as Dany is in many
ways losing her way. Quaith tries to
remind her to be a dragon and remember
who she is, but also to warn her of
people to come like Tyrion, like
Victarion, like all these other people,
like young Griff possibly. But she also
has once again to deal with the growing
issue of the reopening of the fighting
pits. Again, Hisdar has brought some of
these pit fighters. And what's very
interesting is the pit fighters want the
pits to be reopened. This is where they
get glory. They feel like they have some
worth in this world. and Danny doesn't
know what to say to them, right? It's
the same idea that we talked about in
Danny 1 where slavery is definitely a
bad thing, but what do you do when
there's certain people that are enslaved
that had better lives because they had
better masters when they were enslaved
than they do now? Now they're, you know,
looking for bread and not being able to
live a normal life. How do you deal with
that? And that's the issues that Danny
is trying to come to is like, how does
she deny the people of the fighting pits
if that's what they want? That is a very
compelling issue to play with with the
character of Dany.
But lastly, again, like we talked about,
whenever she's at her weakest, she goes
to her dragons. She goes to see them.
She has to think of what to do. They are
no longer children, but in her words,
they are monsters. She has to recount as
she recounts how she had to deal with
the farmer after in Dany one, she had to
attempt to buy his silence as Drogon has
had killed his child. Again, Danny is
locking up her dragons, right? She
believes they're too wild. She can't
control them anymore. She's losing her
way, right? She she very similar to me
with like a character like Rob, who as
the story goes on at times seems to
become very disconnected with his wolf,
Grey Wind. And that's something that's
very detrimental, right? Because he's
kind of going away from his stark
instincts and going away from who he is.
That's something that Dany struggles
with in this chapter and why I think
it's a really good chapter for Dany
because it plays on her identity, her
growth in this character, a lot of her
struggles and things she's dealing with.
It's all going to culminate into the end
of this book that this chapter is
pivotal to understanding that we get to
chapter 13, which is Bran 2. Now, Bran 2
is a really, really awesome chapter as
well, right? Like what I talk about with
Bran is he's really good at the
beginning of this book. We see again
picking up from where we left off. Bran
and our group has been traveling and
this is the most desperate they've
probably ever been. The cold is getting
to them. Many of them haven't eaten in
days and they're struggling to reach the
cave. You can see it. It's in sight.
They're finally there, but it's this
tough uphill battle. Um, and I mean that
literally. It's going uphill. It's hard
to walk. And even some of them can't
even walk anymore. Even Jojan himself
cannot walk any longer and is had having
to be helped by his sister. Even to the
point where they really are kind of left
behind as cold hands notes the others
are approaching and even the wolves are
close by. They must hurry. So him,
Hodor, and Bran hurry to the entrance.
But before they can get there, they are
st they are run upon by the others. It
seems a trap. The others come from the
ground pulling Hodor to the ground but
also having Bran fall from his basket.
It's a really intense scene in which our
characters seem like they're about to
die at many points. But it all leads to
once again the question of Bran waring
into Hodor and again we see that ethical
issue as Hodor doesn't like it but Bran
sees it as he must do it or they are
going to die. Bran using Hodor's body
allows them to survive again helping
Meera and the others. But at this point,
they are saved by the children of the
forest, something that's been
foreshadowed really since the first two
chapters of Bran's uh story in a Game of
Thrones. But either way, they are led
through this really weird area where it
seems like there's these deep white uh
roots that they think are snakes at the
beginning. They come across skulls of
things like ravens and such, but at this
point they find Blood Raven. And this is
a really interesting point because Bran
at this point asks if he will walk
again, but Blood Raven says no, he will
fly, which gets Bran to the point of
crying. He's gone on this insane
adventure, abandoning, you know, the
North, his family, and coming to this
point just so that he could not be a
[ __ ] anymore. which has haunted Bran
from the beginning of the story and is
one of the biggest reasons why he came
to seek out the three-eyed crow at this
point that's kind of been crushed. This
seems as a lot of manipulation by Blood
Raven to get Bran here so that who knows
what could happen if Bran is basically
becoming a vessel for the old gods. Who
knows? But it comes off as very strange
and a chapter that will start Bran's arc
as becoming probably the three-eyed crow
or at least some sort of vessel for
them. It puts a lot of tension and
unease and a huge twist for Bran's story
and is by far one of his best chapters
of his entire POV throughout all four
books that he is in. And again, it's a
definitely standout chapter of the
opening story. I will say I actually
made a little bit of an oopsie that I
don't think anyone pointed out in the
first video, so I'm glad people didn't
notice. Um, but I actually forgot to do
Theon one in the first part. I was going
through my notes and I was looking
through. I'm like, "Wait a minute. I
don't seem to have the number of
chapters that it says I'm supposed to
have." And so I went back and I actually
missed Theon one or week one. It's
supposed to be right in between uh the
Bran 2 chapter that we ended the last uh
part on and the Danny 2 chapter. So, I'm
going to start with that chapter even
though we are a little bit out of order
once again, but we'll get back on track
given that we're starting with Theon 1.
This is going to be a really interesting
chapter because you have to remember we
haven't seen Theon for two books, right?
The last we see of him is at the end of
a clash of kings. And so there's nothing
no information about Theon in book
three. There's no information about
Theon in book four. There's alluding to
that he's dead or he's just not anywhere
to be seen. And so when you come back to
this character, and again, we don't know
it's Theon, right? It's just Reek. Who
is this character of Reek? And maybe if
you were in a maybe if you were a very
detailed reader and you remembered, you
would have remembered that Reek was a
character that we learned a little bit
earlier on in book two andor book three.
So you might be thinking already, okay,
this is related to Ramsay. So okay,
well, who is this character then? And we
see that this character is is basically
a husk of himself. He's starving to
death. He's desperate looking for a rat.
He's living in complete fear. And we as
the character with big Walder and little
Walder find this character and realize
that this is Theon Greyjoy, a character
that has lost fingers. His hair is
turning gray. He looks visibly aged.
Even though it hasn't been that long, he
looks like an old man at this time as
he's malnourished.
It's a horrifying thought. And this
chapter really is not like a big plot
chapter in terms of what actually
happens, but it's a huge revelation
because us the audience, you know,
especially looking at the last book
where it kind of really develops into
that Greyjoy plotline, it kind of has in
the back of your mind what happened to
Theon. Well, this is what happened. And
so, as a reader, you're going to be very
conflicted in this book about how you
feel about Theon. Theon is a character
that I think a lot of people do not like
in the first two books. And when you
come back to him here, you're sitting
here going, I can't help but feel bad
for him. Nobody should have to endure
what Theon, you know, dealt with. Maybe
Theon deserves to be killed for his
actions, betraying the Starks, whatnot.
But at the same time, does he deserve to
be tortured and all of these things?
It's an interesting little way that
George plays with it. It's something I
think it's very interesting with Cersei
as well, where he takes a character we
really don't like and puts them through
the ringer to gain them sympathy and we
can understand that character. It makes
us question our feelings on a particular
plotline or character. And so Theon
during this time really what mainly the
focus is is he is going to have to do
this mission of helping freeing up the
north from the Ironborn at Moalin. We'll
get into that at the end of this video
as his next chapter is kind of towards
the end of this retrospective or this
second part of the retrospective, but I
did want to come back and make sure we
did do that because it's a vital part of
this chapter. It's it's vital a part of
this book and it's one of the best plot
lines and so I I apologize for missing
that in the last video if any of you
guys did wonder that. So that gets us
back on track. So we're back on with
chapter 15. And Tyrion 4 to me is of the
first four chapters we get of Tyrion,
it's the best one of the first four. And
something else I want to point out as
we're going into this chapter, you got
to remember we're only 15 chapters in
that would point to the idea that over a
quarter of the chapters so far have been
Tyrion chapters. Again, it's George
taking what people had on complaints
about Feast for Crows and giving them it
here, right? giving us the main
characters frontloading them quite a lot
in this book. But in this chapter, we
are introduced into some very
interesting characters, notably Septa
Lamore and Young Griffith. We still see
how Tyrion is a very pessimistic and
broken person, but he's being given more
of a role trying to actively figure out
what's going on here. And so, we have
some of that darker side of Tyrion, but
we also have a little bit of that clever
side of Tyrion, how he's going to be
able to manipulate things and how he's
going to be able to manipulate people.
He kind of realizes something is just
not right here. Young Griff is getting a
better education and attention than most
Lords in Westeros. Why is that? What is
so important about young Griff if he's
just some sort of cell swords kid? Just
doesn't seem to add up. And so Tyrion
goes through this chapter trying to
figure that out. And we see that his
mind starts to work when he plays a game
of Savas with Halden the Half Maester.
And he basically puts on the line that
if he wins, he wants a secret. Well, we
know Tyrion eventually wins. And we find
out and he finds out a secret that we
don't know yet. But there's a very
cryptic ending to foreshadow what Tyrion
has just found out. As at the end, they
see a great to a great turtle of the
Rine signifying the crowning of a king.
Now, us the audience don't know what
Tyrion's talking about here. At this
point in the story, it's very difficult
to conclude as us an audience member
that this is young griff or some sort of Targaryen.
Targaryen.
And so Tyrion realizes that and so he
won't get the payoff of that till the
next chapter. But this is a really good
chapter just to kind of give Tyrion
something to kind of work with, right? I
think one of the biggest complaints of
the first three chapters for Tyrion is
it's a lot of contemplation in those
first three chapters for Tyrion. And
yes, there are really really interesting
parts between Tyrion and Yrio,
but it's not like as focused, right?
There's not a lot of focus to Tyrion in
those first three chapters. This gives
him something interesting to develop,
right? Us, the audience, want to know
who are all these people on board. We
want to know why this cryptic ending and
that is going to help reshift Tyrion
into what is he going to do with this
character of Young Griff? Is he going to
help him? Is he how does he feel about
this? So, that kind of really helps the
character of Tyrion. I think to me it
doesn't feel the same as like Tyrion and
Brienne because Brienne goes on to have
one of the strongest arcs arcs of a
feast for crows whereas Tyrion he kind
of has like the first half of the book
being pretty middle of the pack to then
some really good chapters and then he
really falls off a cliff but it kind of
feels like that where there's finally
some like real focus for the character
of Tyrion in this chapter specifically.
So that gets us into chapter 16 Davos 2.
So Davos 2 is a weird one, right?
Because Davos has four chapters in this
book. And the first chapter is him and
Sister Tenn. It's really a nice catch up
of what goes on after Storm of Swords.
Nice reintroduction to the character
building the world out in terms of how
Ned once came here during the Robert's
Rebellion era. All that's really
awesome. And then you have chapter three
and four also being fantastic chapters
dealing with Wyon Manderly and the
Manderlys as a whole. This chapter is
kind of that middle ground. It's Davos
kind of contemplating his options. He's
arriving at White Harbor, but what does
he do, right? He's kind of arriving as
someone that nobody knows. He's not with
an envoy. He's not showing up as like
this rich hand of the king. He's kind of
showing up as a smuggler. But really,
what this chapter is trying to do is
build the atmosphere and analyze White Harbor. Kind of showing what's been
Harbor. Kind of showing what's been going on here because we haven't been
going on here because we haven't been here, right? The closest we kind of have
here, right? The closest we kind of have been here in reality on screen is in
been here in reality on screen is in book one, Catelyn comes with the
book one, Catelyn comes with the Manderlys to Mo Kalin, but we don't see
Manderlys to Mo Kalin, but we don't see White Harbor. We learn a little bit
White Harbor. We learn a little bit about the Manderlys from that chapter,
about the Manderlys from that chapter, but it's not really enough in my
but it's not really enough in my opinion. So, in this chapter, we kind of
opinion. So, in this chapter, we kind of figure out what's going on here. The
figure out what's going on here. The Freys have shown up to White Harbor. It
Freys have shown up to White Harbor. It seems like the two are forming an
seems like the two are forming an alliance, but there's also some tragic
alliance, but there's also some tragic things going on there. Like, where is
things going on there. Like, where is Wyman's son? Is he he's a cap? It's
Wyman's son? Is he he's a cap? It's presumed he's a captive of of the
presumed he's a captive of of the phrase. Well, okay, then how is Wyman
phrase. Well, okay, then how is Wyman going to support Stannis? And so, it's
going to support Stannis? And so, it's Davos kind of rationalizing through all
Davos kind of rationalizing through all of these things. And it's Davos having
of these things. And it's Davos having to use his smuggling skills, learning
to use his smuggling skills, learning about the situation as he goes to ins
about the situation as he goes to ins and things like that. But by the end of
and things like that. But by the end of the chapter, he realizes either way, he
the chapter, he realizes either way, he has to present himself to the gates and
has to present himself to the gates and needs to speak to Wyman. Again, it's a
needs to speak to Wyman. Again, it's a good chapter. It builds up the plotline
good chapter. It builds up the plotline going forward and it really helps those
going forward and it really helps those next two chapters that Davos is going to
next two chapters that Davos is going to have truly be great chapters,
have truly be great chapters, but the fallout is, you know, not a lot
but the fallout is, you know, not a lot really happens in this chapter. It's
really happens in this chapter. It's just kind of a, you know, a basic block
just kind of a, you know, a basic block chapter where you're building up things
chapter where you're building up things to come. There's not too much to really
to come. There's not too much to really talk about in this one. And so, it's a
talk about in this one. And so, it's a good one, but it's not great really in
good one, but it's not great really in any way. Number 17 is going to be Danny
any way. Number 17 is going to be Danny 3. Danny 3 is a chapter that I really
3. Danny 3 is a chapter that I really think is good as well. I think Danny is
think is good as well. I think Danny is a weird character in this book because
a weird character in this book because especially early on where I am in my
especially early on where I am in my reread. So about 400 pages in, she's
reread. So about 400 pages in, she's definitely like a middle of the pack.
definitely like a middle of the pack. Like she doesn't have any chapters so
Like she doesn't have any chapters so far that are like your best of the book
far that are like your best of the book or any chapters that I think are like
or any chapters that I think are like terrible or the worst of the book. She's
terrible or the worst of the book. She's just kind of there in the middle. She's
just kind of there in the middle. She's just there. And so in this chapter, it's
just there. And so in this chapter, it's really focusing on if Dany will go back
really focusing on if Dany will go back to Westeros, will she go to that place
to Westeros, will she go to that place that she believes is home as she
that she believes is home as she receives Zar Exaro or Zaro, I'm not sure
receives Zar Exaro or Zaro, I'm not sure how you say his name, from Quarth, one
how you say his name, from Quarth, one of the 13 from book two. So a nice call
of the 13 from book two. So a nice call back to her arc in book two. But he
back to her arc in book two. But he comes offering 13 ships to take her home
comes offering 13 ships to take her home to Westeros and leave Slavers Bay
to Westeros and leave Slavers Bay behind. And for Danny, to me, this
behind. And for Danny, to me, this doesn't really make sense because 13
doesn't really make sense because 13 chips is not enough for Danny to go
chips is not enough for Danny to go home. You got to remember she has a ton
home. You got to remember she has a ton of unsullied. Uh any there are people
of unsullied. Uh any there are people that are still with her like Kisar that
that are still with her like Kisar that she has very small at this point, but
she has very small at this point, but still any people that want to come with
still any people that want to come with her to Westeros, it's a struggle, right?
her to Westeros, it's a struggle, right? That's not enough ships. So, it kind of
That's not enough ships. So, it kind of is interesting
is interesting in terms of does Danny just take his
in terms of does Danny just take his ships? What does she do with them? And
ships? What does she do with them? And it's great for building the wars to come
it's great for building the wars to come as the Junish are already marching on a
as the Junish are already marching on a on Astapore and will continue towards
on Astapore and will continue towards her. And something this that I think is
her. And something this that I think is very interesting and I one of the
very interesting and I one of the reasons I don't really understand
reasons I don't really understand Quentyn's plotline in this book is
Quentyn's plotline in this book is information like that we get here in
information like that we get here in like a couple sentences or a paragraph.
like a couple sentences or a paragraph. We learn about what's also going on in
We learn about what's also going on in Essos or around Slavers Bay. And so we
Essos or around Slavers Bay. And so we don't need things like Quentin. I'm
don't need things like Quentin. I'm going to talk about that when we get to
going to talk about that when we get to Quentyn 2, but I think that's important
Quentyn 2, but I think that's important because this chapter really focuses the
because this chapter really focuses the landscape of what is going on in the
landscape of what is going on in the world at this time or at least in the in
world at this time or at least in the in Essos I would I'll say specifically. But
Essos I would I'll say specifically. But we see that Dany really has no leverage.
we see that Dany really has no leverage. She's struggling to get any of this
She's struggling to get any of this economy going as she wants to trade with
economy going as she wants to trade with Karth, but again she has nothing to
Karth, but again she has nothing to trade and Exaro tells her that. But all
trade and Exaro tells her that. But all in all, Dany must decide what to do.
in all, Dany must decide what to do. Stay and attempt to rule with a people
Stay and attempt to rule with a people that dislike her or leave for home where
that dislike her or leave for home where she is presumably wanted but leaving her
she is presumably wanted but leaving her people to be enslaved. It's a really
people to be enslaved. It's a really interesting predicament that Danny's in.
interesting predicament that Danny's in. It's the one she's going to battle
It's the one she's going to battle pretty much this entire first half of
pretty much this entire first half of the book because staying is something
the book because staying is something that she personally doesn't want. It
that she personally doesn't want. It doesn't have much of a benefit to her.
doesn't have much of a benefit to her. She's not well loved here. But on the
She's not well loved here. But on the flip side of it, if she leaves, she
flip side of it, if she leaves, she abandons her people. She abandons the
abandons her people. She abandons the people around her. So she's kind of
people around her. So she's kind of split in half. Whereas personally, what
split in half. Whereas personally, what was motivating her, she wants to go
was motivating her, she wants to go reclaim the Iron Throne. She wants to go
reclaim the Iron Throne. She wants to go back to where her presumive home is. But
back to where her presumive home is. But her moral conscience and what is holding
her moral conscience and what is holding her back is the people she's slaved, the
her back is the people she's slaved, the people that she believes she's a mother
people that she believes she's a mother to. And so this chapter is really good
to. And so this chapter is really good because it paints that right there front
because it paints that right there front and center. you know, we're not shying
and center. you know, we're not shying away from it. It gives Dany an ultimatum
away from it. It gives Dany an ultimatum as to what she's going to do. But I also
as to what she's going to do. But I also find something that is interesting that
find something that is interesting that George uses. George uses Viseris to
George uses. George uses Viseris to impact Daenerys's thoughts all
impact Daenerys's thoughts all throughout this chapter in terms of
throughout this chapter in terms of going home, in terms of what she should
going home, in terms of what she should be doing that is to her own personal
be doing that is to her own personal benefit, how she thinks about him and
benefit, how she thinks about him and how she acts. All is very present in the
how she acts. All is very present in the Shadow. And I like that George does that
Shadow. And I like that George does that call back because Viseris was such an
call back because Viseris was such an integral part of her story and why she
integral part of her story and why she became a Kesi, why she became the mother
became a Kesi, why she became the mother of dragons. All of that is vital to
of dragons. All of that is vital to understanding. But in the end, she
understanding. But in the end, she decides to stay to the anger of of Aaro
decides to stay to the anger of of Aaro who leaves a bloody glove declaring war
who leaves a bloody glove declaring war again. Dany has once again made more
again. Dany has once again made more enemies. She now has enemies on all
enemies. She now has enemies on all sides of her. things that will collapse
sides of her. things that will collapse in on itself as the book continues to go
in on itself as the book continues to go on and is something that still has yet
on and is something that still has yet to be resolved in Winds of Winter.
to be resolved in Winds of Winter. Again, I noted that this chapter was not
Again, I noted that this chapter was not as good as I think her second chapter,
as good as I think her second chapter, but was still very enjoyable. Had its
but was still very enjoyable. Had its own kind of contained story, and I
own kind of contained story, and I really did enjoy it. And that gets us
really did enjoy it. And that gets us into chapter 18, which will be John 4.
into chapter 18, which will be John 4. Again, this is another good chapter for
Again, this is another good chapter for John as it's his last with Stannis. It's
John as it's his last with Stannis. It's kind of the breaking of the early Jon
kind of the breaking of the early Jon chapters where Jon has been a character
chapters where Jon has been a character that's kind of been divided and things
that's kind of been divided and things taking up the time and his POVs, you
taking up the time and his POVs, you know, with the Stannis stuff, with kind
know, with the Stannis stuff, with kind of other things going on with the Wild
of other things going on with the Wild Link plot, with, you know, the Sam Gilly
Link plot, with, you know, the Sam Gilly Aean plot of sending them uh south.
Aean plot of sending them uh south. There's been a lot of things that have
There's been a lot of things that have kind of struggled to focus Jon on like
kind of struggled to focus Jon on like one thing at this time. And so here he's
one thing at this time. And so here he's kind of trying to do a lot here because
kind of trying to do a lot here because the chapter opens with the issues of
the chapter opens with the issues of food, right? John goes down to see their
food, right? John goes down to see their stores, see what their reserves are
stores, see what their reserves are looking like for winter, and it's not
looking like for winter, and it's not good, right? Bow and Marsh even states
good, right? Bow and Marsh even states this. We don't have enough food for all
this. We don't have enough food for all of Stannis's men, all of these
of Stannis's men, all of these wildlings. We just don't have the food.
wildlings. We just don't have the food. And Jon is basically forced to make a
And Jon is basically forced to make a choice to start rationing the food.
choice to start rationing the food. another thing that's going to lead to
another thing that's going to lead to why people don't respect him and or or
why people don't respect him and or or why people dislike him and are willing
why people dislike him and are willing to kill him. But on the other side of
to kill him. But on the other side of that, you also have Jon who's not
that, you also have Jon who's not listening to Marsh. They don't have
listening to Marsh. They don't have enough food with the wildlings and
enough food with the wildlings and Stannis here. And the problem Jon faces
Stannis here. And the problem Jon faces throughout all of this book is he's not
throughout all of this book is he's not willing to tell the people why they are
willing to tell the people why they are doing things, right? He just does them
doing things, right? He just does them and expects people to just go along with
and expects people to just go along with it. One of the things if you want to
it. One of the things if you want to look at if Jon is a Targaryen that one
look at if Jon is a Targaryen that one of his ancestors did really well is
of his ancestors did really well is Jiharis would be someone that would sit
Jiharis would be someone that would sit down with people, hear their grievances
down with people, hear their grievances and explain why he thought maybe that
and explain why he thought maybe that was not the right course of action. John
was not the right course of action. John consistently in this book does not do
consistently in this book does not do that. And this chapter puts it on full
that. And this chapter puts it on full display. He doesn't listen to Bow and
display. He doesn't listen to Bow and Marsh. And when he does, he kind of just
Marsh. And when he does, he kind of just says a bland answer and then just
says a bland answer and then just leaves. Like he says, "Yeah, we'll
leaves. Like he says, "Yeah, we'll ration the food." But he doesn't give a
ration the food." But he doesn't give a how do we fix the solution? Rationing
how do we fix the solution? Rationing the food will help the situation, but
the food will help the situation, but it's not a solve. We're still going to
it's not a solve. We're still going to have the same end result. We don't have
have the same end result. We don't have enough food. And whether John doesn't
enough food. And whether John doesn't have a solution to that yet at all
have a solution to that yet at all already, fine. But you still have to
already, fine. But you still have to explain what's going on.
explain what's going on. That's where people will lose trust in
That's where people will lose trust in you. And that's exactly what we're going
you. And that's exactly what we're going to see in this book. But the second part
to see in this book. But the second part of this chapter is almost completely on
of this chapter is almost completely on Stannis. It's about what Stannis is
Stannis. It's about what Stannis is going to be doing in the north. Stannis
going to be doing in the north. Stannis is someone that realizes he cannot stay
is someone that realizes he cannot stay at the wall forever. The longer he does,
at the wall forever. The longer he does, the more he'll be forgotten about and
the more he'll be forgotten about and all of that. And so he decides, okay,
all of that. And so he decides, okay, maybe I should march to the dread for
maybe I should march to the dread for it. A lot of people have been suggesting
it. A lot of people have been suggesting that. Arnoff Kstark being one of those.
that. Arnoff Kstark being one of those. Again, we know this is actually a trap,
Again, we know this is actually a trap, but us as the readers don't know that at
but us as the readers don't know that at this point, but that is what is going
this point, but that is what is going on. And we again see that a lot of our
on. And we again see that a lot of our counselors agree to this, right? Many of
counselors agree to this, right? Many of them, all of them are not from the
them, all of them are not from the north. They don't really know what it
north. They don't really know what it the north is like and it's a dumb plan.
the north is like and it's a dumb plan. Think about how long the march is to the
Think about how long the march is to the dread for. They're at the very top of
dread for. They're at the very top of the north at the wall. It would take a
the north at the wall. It would take a long time to get there. They'd be
long time to get there. They'd be extremely lucky if they went if they
extremely lucky if they went if they even got there without being noticed.
even got there without being noticed. And to dread the dread for is a very
And to dread the dread for is a very strong castle. How were they supposing
strong castle. How were they supposing they were going to get in even if it is
they were going to get in even if it is lightly garrisoned? But also moving that
lightly garrisoned? But also moving that far south puts you right in the
far south puts you right in the crossfires of not only Ramsay's army at
crossfires of not only Ramsay's army at the time that's this far down south and
the time that's this far down south and also Roose's army coming up from Moalin.
also Roose's army coming up from Moalin. And you could be thinking okay well they
And you could be thinking okay well they hope the Ironborn are going to be able
hope the Ironborn are going to be able to hold Moalin. But Stannis is smart
to hold Moalin. But Stannis is smart enough to realize Moin's going to be
enough to realize Moin's going to be attacked from the north and the south.
attacked from the north and the south. It's going to fall very quickly. And so
It's going to fall very quickly. And so in that regard this is a terrible plan.
in that regard this is a terrible plan. And so Jon disagrees being the only one
And so Jon disagrees being the only one really able to step up and tell him
really able to step up and tell him this. It won't work. And instead he
this. It won't work. And instead he makes a trade. He wants to keep the
makes a trade. He wants to keep the wildlings and tell Stannis of different
wildlings and tell Stannis of different men that he can get in the mountain
men that he can get in the mountain clans. And so more or less we have a
clans. And so more or less we have a whole new plot. Stannis is going to head
whole new plot. Stannis is going to head to Deepwood Mott after getting the
to Deepwood Mott after getting the Mountain Clans. And that is where
Mountain Clans. And that is where Stannis will go. And this is the end of
Stannis will go. And this is the end of the Stannis and Jon plot. The two will
the Stannis and Jon plot. The two will not see each other in this book. They
not see each other in this book. They may see each other in the next book, but
may see each other in the next book, but this is kind of the end of the Stannis
this is kind of the end of the Stannis plot for Jon. Now, this kind of has an
plot for Jon. Now, this kind of has an interesting question, and I want to talk
interesting question, and I want to talk about this more when we get to it, but
about this more when we get to it, but you as a reader then might be thinking,
you as a reader then might be thinking, okay, where are we then going to get our
okay, where are we then going to get our Stannis POV? Davos is in White Harbor.
Stannis POV? Davos is in White Harbor. Mel is going to be staying here, and Mel
Mel is going to be staying here, and Mel wasn't even a POV at this time anyway.
wasn't even a POV at this time anyway. There's no one that's a POV that's going
There's no one that's a POV that's going to be with Stannis. So, are we going to
to be with Stannis. So, are we going to hear about these events? Are we going to
hear about these events? Are we going to see them through Theon's eyes, but it's
see them through Theon's eyes, but it's going to be from the Ramsay camp? We're
going to be from the Ramsay camp? We're going to definitely see that, but what
going to definitely see that, but what is going to happen there? And so, you
is going to happen there? And so, you also, I think, as a reader, you don't
also, I think, as a reader, you don't really realize, wait, who could be at
really realize, wait, who could be at Deepwood M? Asha. And so, when you get
Deepwood M? Asha. And so, when you get to that chapter, it all feels like it
to that chapter, it all feels like it flows perfectly well. And some people
flows perfectly well. And some people might be saying, oh, well, that's
might be saying, oh, well, that's convenient. You lose one POV and you
convenient. You lose one POV and you pick up another one for SAS's camp. But
pick up another one for SAS's camp. But I'm going to explain when we get there
I'm going to explain when we get there why it's not a plot convenience and it
why it's not a plot convenience and it makes perfect sense. Whereas something
makes perfect sense. Whereas something else we're going to talk about with
else we're going to talk about with Quentin is a plot convenience and I have
Quentin is a plot convenience and I have a lot of problems with that plotline.
a lot of problems with that plotline. But I wanted to bring that up here
But I wanted to bring that up here because it is important to understand.
because it is important to understand. But again, I think of another really
But again, I think of another really good chapter for Jon. I think Jon so far
good chapter for Jon. I think Jon so far is definitely been one of the stronger
is definitely been one of the stronger POVs of the book. And that'll get us
POVs of the book. And that'll get us back to Tyrion. And this is what I'm
back to Tyrion. And this is what I'm talking about, right? Like Tyrion is a
talking about, right? Like Tyrion is a dominant POV this early in the story. We
dominant POV this early in the story. We only talk about three POVs after
only talk about three POVs after Tyrion's and we're already back to him
Tyrion's and we're already back to him with Tyrion five. But Tyrion 5 is
with Tyrion five. But Tyrion 5 is definitely one of my favorite chapters,
definitely one of my favorite chapters, especially of the early part of this
especially of the early part of this book as again it's Tyrion just in his
book as again it's Tyrion just in his element, right? This is one of my
element, right? This is one of my favorite chapters from Tyrion this early
favorite chapters from Tyrion this early in the book as they're continuing their
in the book as they're continuing their journey getting past the sorrows. But
journey getting past the sorrows. But more importantly, we get the reveal of
more importantly, we get the reveal of who is in the party. Well, some of them
who is in the party. Well, some of them anyway. that young Griff is Aegon
anyway. that young Griff is Aegon Targaryen, the child of Rhaegar and
Targaryen, the child of Rhaegar and Elia, who was supposedly killed at the
Elia, who was supposedly killed at the end of Raj's rebellion. Now, we still
end of Raj's rebellion. Now, we still don't know if this is actually true, but
don't know if this is actually true, but either way, this is a massive shakeup to
either way, this is a massive shakeup to the entire story. And and that's
the entire story. And and that's regardless of if he even is a Targaryen.
regardless of if he even is a Targaryen. Him being perceived as a Targaryen is
Him being perceived as a Targaryen is huge. if he's a Blackfire,
huge. if he's a Blackfire, that has huge implications on the story.
that has huge implications on the story. And so this chapter takes this Tyrion
And so this chapter takes this Tyrion storyline that's kind of been somewhat
storyline that's kind of been somewhat muddied and really struggling to get
muddied and really struggling to get going and it just has an explosion and
going and it just has an explosion and you're sitting here going, "Whoa." But
you're sitting here going, "Whoa." But then not only that, but we also get this
then not only that, but we also get this is John Conington, one of the hands of
is John Conington, one of the hands of the king that had been exiled to Essos
the king that had been exiled to Essos after his loss at the Battle of the
after his loss at the Battle of the Bells. a lot of interesting characters
Bells. a lot of interesting characters are just revealed at this part of the
are just revealed at this part of the book for Tyrion 5. And when you look
book for Tyrion 5. And when you look back on it and you realize what is to
back on it and you realize what is to come next, you understand why this had
come next, you understand why this had to happen so quickly, why we got so many
to happen so quickly, why we got so many Tyrion chapters. And I think you can
Tyrion chapters. And I think you can make the argument that maybe Tyrion 1
make the argument that maybe Tyrion 1 and Tyrion 2 could have been combined
and Tyrion 2 could have been combined into one chapter. Maybe would have
into one chapter. Maybe would have helped the flow of this book not having
helped the flow of this book not having five Tyrion chapters within the first
five Tyrion chapters within the first 19. But you understand going forward why
19. But you understand going forward why there was so many because we need that
there was so many because we need that John Con plot to get rolling. We talk
John Con plot to get rolling. We talk about Winds of Winter how there's just
about Winds of Winter how there's just so many different plots and so much
so many different plots and so much stuff that George needs to get through.
stuff that George needs to get through. Well, think about if this plot had taken
Well, think about if this plot had taken even longer right now. I would also
even longer right now. I would also argue that the way you could have fixed
argue that the way you could have fixed this is you would have given Tyrion less
this is you would have given Tyrion less chapters going forward and given more to
chapters going forward and given more to John Con. But you know that we'll get to
John Con. But you know that we'll get to that as we go later on with Tyrion's
that as we go later on with Tyrion's arc. But right after we get this huge
arc. But right after we get this huge reveal, Tyrion also reveals himself to
reveal, Tyrion also reveals himself to the party. So, no longer is Tyrion
the party. So, no longer is Tyrion really playing the role of being this
really playing the role of being this bastard type. He is now revealed that he
bastard type. He is now revealed that he is Tyrion Lannister. At this though,
is Tyrion Lannister. At this though, they are attacked by stone men. And this
they are attacked by stone men. And this scene just plays out very horrifyingly.
scene just plays out very horrifyingly. Like these stone men could get you
Like these stone men could get you infected just by touching your skin. us,
infected just by touching your skin. us, the audience, have no idea what is going
the audience, have no idea what is going to happen here. Could this get Young
to happen here. Could this get Young Griff killed or John Conington killed or
Griff killed or John Conington killed or any of our companions killed
any of our companions killed and we end up seeing Tyrion actually
and we end up seeing Tyrion actually pushing young Griff out of the way so
pushing young Griff out of the way so that he can get this stone man off of
that he can get this stone man off of him. It shows that Tyrion does have some
him. It shows that Tyrion does have some semblance of a good morality. Now, was
semblance of a good morality. Now, was this done because Tyrion was trying to
this done because Tyrion was trying to get in good with Young Riff? Possibly.
get in good with Young Riff? Possibly. But I would go away from that idea given
But I would go away from that idea given the fact that Tyrion kind of acts just
the fact that Tyrion kind of acts just out of instinct. He does the same thing
out of instinct. He does the same thing with Catelyn Stark. It seems almost the
with Catelyn Stark. It seems almost the same, right? Tyrion has no real reason
same, right? Tyrion has no real reason to help, either Young Griff or Catelyn,
to help, either Young Griff or Catelyn, but he does so. He acts. And the chapter
but he does so. He acts. And the chapter ends with Tyrion falling and drowning.
ends with Tyrion falling and drowning. And the chapter ends with a really
And the chapter ends with a really interesting moment because it's like
interesting moment because it's like it's kind of alluding that Tyrion is
it's kind of alluding that Tyrion is going to die, but I think us, the
going to die, but I think us, the audience, we know he's not going to die.
audience, we know he's not going to die. Tyrion is not going to die by drowning
Tyrion is not going to die by drowning in a river. It's just not going to
in a river. It's just not going to happen. But the implications here are
happen. But the implications here are much more dire. Tyrion's being dragged
much more dire. Tyrion's being dragged down. Is Tyrion going to get infected
down. Is Tyrion going to get infected with Grayscale?
with Grayscale? Could it happen? What could happen
Could it happen? What could happen because of this dire moment? Tyrion
because of this dire moment? Tyrion going completely into this river filled
going completely into this river filled with the stone men possibly infected and
with the stone men possibly infected and or cursed. There's a lot there.
or cursed. There's a lot there. And so the shatter does a great job in
And so the shatter does a great job in terms of building the tension in terms
terms of building the tension in terms of having a huge plot twist that changes
of having a huge plot twist that changes up the entire story and to me is by far
up the entire story and to me is by far Tyrion's best chapter. I think probably
Tyrion's best chapter. I think probably in this book. I when I wrote it down, I
in this book. I when I wrote it down, I said best so far of my notes and of
said best so far of my notes and of these first two parts, but honestly
these first two parts, but honestly reflecting on Tyrion in this book, this
reflecting on Tyrion in this book, this is probably his best chapter within the
is probably his best chapter within the entire book. And that will get us into
entire book. And that will get us into Davos 3. Now, Davos 3, what can I say
Davos 3. Now, Davos 3, what can I say about this? It's not Davos's best
about this? It's not Davos's best chapter of the book, but it's a good one
chapter of the book, but it's a good one because this chapter, I think, of a lot
because this chapter, I think, of a lot of the chapters that are in this book,
of the chapters that are in this book, it does the best to immerse you. It
it does the best to immerse you. It almost puts you in the story, right?
almost puts you in the story, right? Because we as the audience like the
Because we as the audience like the Starks. We know what happened at the Red
Starks. We know what happened at the Red Wedding. We are kind of like the
Wedding. We are kind of like the overlooker of the world. We know all the
overlooker of the world. We know all the information.
information. But when you go into this chapter and
But when you go into this chapter and you see Davos has become more or less a
you see Davos has become more or less a prisoner. It's a luxury prisoner. Like
prisoner. It's a luxury prisoner. Like he's getting a nice cell. It's very
he's getting a nice cell. It's very similar like Sansa in book one after
similar like Sansa in book one after Ned's coup. Like she has her own
Ned's coup. Like she has her own apartments and all that, but she's not
apartments and all that, but she's not really able to go anywhere, right?
really able to go anywhere, right? That's kind of where Davos is right now.
That's kind of where Davos is right now. And so he's awaiting audience with the
And so he's awaiting audience with the Manderlys. And we see him interact with
Manderlys. And we see him interact with Wyman's court and specifically the
Wyman's court and specifically the phrase. And what is great here is
phrase. And what is great here is George makes us feel like we are in this
George makes us feel like we are in this meeting. We the audience are playing the
meeting. We the audience are playing the role of Wila Manderly because Wila
role of Wila Manderly because Wila Manderly is the one that's like no we
Manderly is the one that's like no we shouldn't be, you know, going with these
shouldn't be, you know, going with these phrase. This is wrong. The phrase suck.
phrase. This is wrong. The phrase suck. They killed Rob our king. We should help
They killed Rob our king. We should help Stannis. That's us as the audience,
Stannis. That's us as the audience, right? We know that. Like that's what
right? We know that. Like that's what they should be doing. And we're sitting
they should be doing. And we're sitting here going, why don't they do this? Why
here going, why don't they do this? Why is why mannerly believing the phrase?
is why mannerly believing the phrase? But George has already given us all
But George has already given us all those answers. He gave those answers to
those answers. He gave those answers to us in the last chapter, which is why
us in the last chapter, which is why this chapter flows so well. We already
this chapter flows so well. We already know all the information. We know that
know all the information. We know that Davos is doomed. There's still that hope
Davos is doomed. There's still that hope in us. There's still that Wa Manderly,
in us. There's still that Wa Manderly, that feeling of just we can't do
that feeling of just we can't do anything. The story is going to continue
anything. The story is going to continue with or without us. And that's what the
with or without us. And that's what the beauty of this chapter. It puts us in
beauty of this chapter. It puts us in the minds of these characters. But we
the minds of these characters. But we see how the phrase manipulate this game.
see how the phrase manipulate this game. They say the Starks win the wrong and
They say the Starks win the wrong and Wyman seems to agree with their
Wyman seems to agree with their reasoning as Rob broke this vow to marry
reasoning as Rob broke this vow to marry a Frey girl. He also turns into this
a Frey girl. He also turns into this wolf and starts attacking them during
wolf and starts attacking them during the wedding and so do the Stark men,
the wedding and so do the Stark men, painting the Starks as the bad guys. the
painting the Starks as the bad guys. the arrogance of the phrase in this moment.
arrogance of the phrase in this moment. But in reality, when you think about it,
But in reality, when you think about it, there was I mean, nobody was there, so
there was I mean, nobody was there, so nobody exactly knows what happens.
nobody exactly knows what happens. Again, the phrase can kind of spread
Again, the phrase can kind of spread this lie, but we all know this is
this lie, but we all know this is [ __ ] at the same time, but it all
[ __ ] at the same time, but it all sets up perfectly to the reveal we're
sets up perfectly to the reveal we're going to get in the next chapter because
going to get in the next chapter because all this makes sense. Wyman is stuck in
all this makes sense. Wyman is stuck in this situation where his son is a
this situation where his son is a hostage. The phrase have men here in
hostage. The phrase have men here in White Harbor to make sure that he is
White Harbor to make sure that he is loyal. He has to play this game, right?
loyal. He has to play this game, right? He can't straight out say that, "Oh
He can't straight out say that, "Oh yeah, I'm going to back Davos." The
yeah, I'm going to back Davos." The phrase suck. He has to play this game.
phrase suck. He has to play this game. And so we come to the end of this
And so we come to the end of this chapter and Davos loses the argument and
chapter and Davos loses the argument and is sentenced to death, which again lines
is sentenced to death, which again lines up exactly with what we know happens in
up exactly with what we know happens in Feast for Crows. In Feast for Crows, in
Feast for Crows. In Feast for Crows, in one of Cersei's middle chapters, we
one of Cersei's middle chapters, we learn that yes, Davos is killed at White
learn that yes, Davos is killed at White Harbor. And that's what prompts the
Harbor. And that's what prompts the phrase to release Wyman's son.
phrase to release Wyman's son. Now, with this being said, though, we're
Now, with this being said, though, we're left with the conclusion of what is to
left with the conclusion of what is to happen with Davos. We don't see him die
happen with Davos. We don't see him die on screen in this chapter. He's just
on screen in this chapter. He's just being arrested. But it seems pretty
being arrested. But it seems pretty bleak, right? Like, what can Manley
bleak, right? Like, what can Manley really do? He seems publicly to be
really do? He seems publicly to be backing the phrase. He has a knife to
backing the phrase. He has a knife to his back. There's not a lot he can
his back. There's not a lot he can really do. And it continues to make
really do. And it continues to make Davos one of my favorite POVs of this
Davos one of my favorite POVs of this book. And that concludes it. Again, that
book. And that concludes it. Again, that is one of the best chapters of this
is one of the best chapters of this early part of the book. I think I had it
early part of the book. I think I had it in my top five if I'm not mistaken. As
in my top five if I'm not mistaken. As of right now, it's not in my top five,
of right now, it's not in my top five, but it's number six, but it is one of
but it's number six, but it is one of the best of this book by far. We talked
the best of this book by far. We talked about firstly Theon one or week one in
about firstly Theon one or week one in this retrospective, but now we're with
this retrospective, but now we're with Theon 2. And again, this is a really
Theon 2. And again, this is a really good chapter for Theon. It kind of
good chapter for Theon. It kind of builds, it takes everything that was
builds, it takes everything that was great about the first chapter and just
great about the first chapter and just heightens it. It makes it more plot
heightens it. It makes it more plot relevant. It gives us more time to
relevant. It gives us more time to expand Theon's logic and how he is as a
expand Theon's logic and how he is as a person. How is his mental health at this
person. How is his mental health at this time? Very awful at this time. We see
time? Very awful at this time. We see that Theon is being cleaned up for his
that Theon is being cleaned up for his role to play his past self with the goal
role to play his past self with the goal of taking Mo Kalin still occupy the
of taking Mo Kalin still occupy the Ironborn. Now, what does this setup
Ironborn. Now, what does this setup already do? It puts us in the mind of
already do? It puts us in the mind of Reek trying to play his former self. So,
Reek trying to play his former self. So, it's again him having that split
it's again him having that split personality of of his younger self of
personality of of his younger self of reflecting on his actions, things that
reflecting on his actions, things that he did, the mistakes he may have made or
he did, the mistakes he may have made or the people that he used to care about.
the people that he used to care about. But it also takes that part of it. It
But it also takes that part of it. It takes the Stark side of him and it also
takes the Stark side of him and it also puts that in direct conflict with his
puts that in direct conflict with his Ironborn side as well as he also is
Ironborn side as well as he also is having to play the role of being the
having to play the role of being the prince of the Ironborn. taking control
prince of the Ironborn. taking control of them and making them surrender,
of them and making them surrender, offering them generous terms. It's a
offering them generous terms. It's a really great chapter because it takes
really great chapter because it takes all these things that are pivotal to
all these things that are pivotal to this character this moment and puts it
this character this moment and puts it right there. But the beauty comes from,
right there. But the beauty comes from, I think, the psychological torture that
I think, the psychological torture that Theon has gone through. Even in this
Theon has gone through. Even in this situation where Theon could try and run,
situation where Theon could try and run, he could get himself killed, let the
he could get himself killed, let the Ironborn kill him, do any of these
Ironborn kill him, do any of these things to escape what he's going
things to escape what he's going through. He's still scared. He is
through. He's still scared. He is someone that I think most people are
someone that I think most people are scared of what comes after death right
scared of what comes after death right is there some sort of afterlife is there
is there some sort of afterlife is there nothing that's what theon could be
nothing that's what theon could be feeling that you know even though all
feeling that you know even though all these torture all this torture is
these torture all this torture is horrible you know that is also another
horrible you know that is also another thing is the fear of the unknown and
thing is the fear of the unknown and theon subconsciously wants to die but at
theon subconsciously wants to die but at the same time he doesn't do it and so
the same time he doesn't do it and so you have a lot of things that are very
you have a lot of things that are very compelling for the character of Theon
compelling for the character of Theon that that kind of gets Theon to
that that kind of gets Theon to remembering ing, you know, the last time
remembering ing, you know, the last time coming here with Rob and the choices
coming here with Rob and the choices that he made. Again, he recounts
that he made. Again, he recounts basically the Catelyn chapter of coming
basically the Catelyn chapter of coming to Mo Kalin of where all they were
to Mo Kalin of where all they were situated in these towers and all the
situated in these towers and all the 20,000 men going south. But at the same
20,000 men going south. But at the same time, we see a bit of Theon come back as
time, we see a bit of Theon come back as he takes control and Mo Kalin and
he takes control and Mo Kalin and convinces them to leave the castle.
convinces them to leave the castle. Unfortunately for those men, they are
Unfortunately for those men, they are killed, but Theon gets a reward. And
killed, but Theon gets a reward. And this again shows the power dynamic of
this again shows the power dynamic of how low Theon is. Even when faced with
how low Theon is. Even when faced with as being able to get a reward, all Theon
as being able to get a reward, all Theon asks for is wine.
asks for is wine. And what does Theon get promoted to? Not
And what does Theon get promoted to? Not to a normal human, but to a dog. We see
to a normal human, but to a dog. We see the mental games Ramsay is playing,
the mental games Ramsay is playing, keeping Theon as this pet that is
keeping Theon as this pet that is completely damaged. But we end the
completely damaged. But we end the chapter meeting Roose Bolton and the
chapter meeting Roose Bolton and the phrase. But he also realizes that the
phrase. But he also realizes that the Arya that they have brought with them is
Arya that they have brought with them is not actually Arya, which us the audience
not actually Arya, which us the audience already knew. This isn't really like
already knew. This isn't really like this big twist for of us, the reader.
this big twist for of us, the reader. But it's a really cool twist for Theon
But it's a really cool twist for Theon because we're going to put again
because we're going to put again something that connects Theon to his
something that connects Theon to his past. We're going to connect him with
past. We're going to connect him with Jane Pool, someone that he would have
Jane Pool, someone that he would have known. And so that's interesting. But it
known. And so that's interesting. But it also unravels that well, we already knew
also unravels that well, we already knew that the Boltons were planning to marry
that the Boltons were planning to marry a fake Arya. Mechanism 2, chapter 22,
a fake Arya. Mechanism 2, chapter 22, John 5. And chapter 5, just like I
John 5. And chapter 5, just like I talked about chapter 4, it's kind of the
talked about chapter 4, it's kind of the end of John's early book arc. It's a
end of John's early book arc. It's a chapter mainly used to refocus Jon's
chapter mainly used to refocus Jon's plot. At this time, we're going to see
plot. At this time, we're going to see Jon as he try as he tries to recruit
Jon as he try as he tries to recruit wildlings into the watch. Um, not
wildlings into the watch. Um, not exactly into the watch. It's more like
exactly into the watch. It's more like defending the wall. they don't have to
defending the wall. they don't have to say the vows or wear a black cloak or
say the vows or wear a black cloak or any of those things, but he's trying to
any of those things, but he's trying to get the wildlings to help him and help
get the wildlings to help him and help the watch, but he's also trying to give
the watch, but he's also trying to give them food and all these things. So, we
them food and all these things. So, we see Jon traveling to Molestown. And
see Jon traveling to Molestown. And again, what is the focus of Jon's story
again, what is the focus of Jon's story going to be going forward? It's going to
going to be going forward? It's going to be integrating the wildlings into the
be integrating the wildlings into the watch. But what he does is he doesn't do
watch. But what he does is he doesn't do anything. He doesn't explain to the
anything. He doesn't explain to the people why this is an is a necessity.
people why this is an is a necessity. Us, the viewers are inside John's head.
Us, the viewers are inside John's head. We know why this is a necessity and
We know why this is a necessity and needs to happen, but others do not. And
needs to happen, but others do not. And again, this is a not a very long chapter
again, this is a not a very long chapter for John. It doesn't have a lot in here
for John. It doesn't have a lot in here that really needs to be discussed, but I
that really needs to be discussed, but I find the chapter good for exploring why
find the chapter good for exploring why Jon is killed. Again, it's not really
Jon is killed. Again, it's not really explaining or expanding on his reasoning
explaining or expanding on his reasoning to Marsh or the Watch into why they are
to Marsh or the Watch into why they are allowing the wildlings to help. Think
allowing the wildlings to help. Think about what Jon is asking. John is asking
about what Jon is asking. John is asking for not only wildlings to be part of the
for not only wildlings to be part of the wall, but women.
wall, but women. Well, there's a big reason as to why the
Well, there's a big reason as to why the watch doesn't allow women and why that
watch doesn't allow women and why that you're not allowed to take a wive or
you're not allowed to take a wive or anything like that because it's going to
anything like that because it's going to shift your loyalties. And so, it puts
shift your loyalties. And so, it puts that to the test. Should there be these
that to the test. Should there be these wildling women on the wall trying to
wildling women on the wall trying to defend it? Should there be wildlings and
defend it? Should there be wildlings and knights watchmen together who who knows?
knights watchmen together who who knows? they can't really trust each other. And
they can't really trust each other. And an army that can't trust one another
an army that can't trust one another isn't really an army. So, you're putting
isn't really an army. So, you're putting two groups of people together and you're
two groups of people together and you're just mashing them together. You're not
just mashing them together. You're not trying to let each side understand why
trying to let each side understand why this is necessary. You're just kind of
this is necessary. You're just kind of mashing two brick walls together and
mashing two brick walls together and hoping they mix. It's just not the best
hoping they mix. It's just not the best way of going about things. But again,
way of going about things. But again, really what I think George wanted to do
really what I think George wanted to do with this chapter is again integrating
with this chapter is again integrating starting that process of integrating the
starting that process of integrating the Wildlings into the wall, but also
Wildlings into the wall, but also showing Jon's lack of communication to
showing Jon's lack of communication to be crucial to his arc. Now, this gets us
be crucial to his arc. Now, this gets us to a very conflicting chapter for me.
to a very conflicting chapter for me. Uh, Tyrion 6. It's a really, really
Uh, Tyrion 6. It's a really, really weird one because the first half I love.
weird one because the first half I love. I love the first half of Furion waking
I love the first half of Furion waking up from being saved by Griff and all
up from being saved by Griff and all that comes with that, but I really enjoy
that comes with that, but I really enjoy what we get between young Griff and
what we get between young Griff and Tyrion because it's Tyrion being at his
Tyrion because it's Tyrion being at his best, you know, manipulating people,
best, you know, manipulating people, talking to people, and getting them to
talking to people, and getting them to do what he wants them to do. And so, we
do what he wants them to do. And so, we see young Griff and Tyrion playing Sas.
see young Griff and Tyrion playing Sas. And Tyrion gives Young Griff some very
And Tyrion gives Young Griff some very interesting lessons and things that are
interesting lessons and things that are going to be crucial going forward with
going to be crucial going forward with the story. He tells young Griff that he
the story. He tells young Griff that he should go to Westeros again. Going to
should go to Westeros again. Going to Westeros is very beneficial. The realm
Westeros is very beneficial. The realm is not united at the time. Cersei is
is not united at the time. Cersei is basically in control. We see how that
basically in control. We see how that worked out in Feast for Crow. So we know
worked out in Feast for Crow. So we know Tyrion is right. The North is an open
Tyrion is right. The North is an open rebellion. The Driberlands are all
rebellion. The Driberlands are all screwed up at this time. The Westerlands
screwed up at this time. The Westerlands power has been completely weakened
power has been completely weakened during this time period. The Dornish are
during this time period. The Dornish are ripe for rebellion. We know that to also
ripe for rebellion. We know that to also be true. So Tyrion says, "Take this
be true. So Tyrion says, "Take this Golden Company army and go Westeros."
Golden Company army and go Westeros." And we also see another rationale that
And we also see another rationale that Tyrion uses to justify this. If he goes
Tyrion uses to justify this. If he goes to Dany, he's going to look like a
to Dany, he's going to look like a beggar. He's going to be looking like
beggar. He's going to be looking like someone that is asking for her hand.
someone that is asking for her hand. They're not going to meet on equal
They're not going to meet on equal terms. It's going to be kind of like the
terms. It's going to be kind of like the way Quentyn goes about asking for Dany.
way Quentyn goes about asking for Dany. And so we see a lot of this play out.
And so we see a lot of this play out. But what we end up seeing is that Tyrion
But what we end up seeing is that Tyrion during the Savas game was also lying to
during the Savas game was also lying to him, trying to get young Griff to do
him, trying to get young Griff to do things like keeping his dragon away from
things like keeping his dragon away from his king so that he can beat him in this
his king so that he can beat him in this game. That's what ends up happening. We
game. That's what ends up happening. We see that Tyrion's point is driven home.
see that Tyrion's point is driven home. Trust no one. Because that's how Tyrion
Trust no one. Because that's how Tyrion thinks. He doesn't trust anyone. He is a
thinks. He doesn't trust anyone. He is a very pessimistic person. And I don't
very pessimistic person. And I don't really think that's the outlook you
really think that's the outlook you should have in the world. I think you
should have in the world. I think you can trust certain people. You just need
can trust certain people. You just need to be understanding of who you can trust
to be understanding of who you can trust and who you cannot trust. And so Tyrion
and who you cannot trust. And so Tyrion gets the better of Young Griff. And
gets the better of Young Griff. And Young Griff has a bit of that Targaryen
Young Griff has a bit of that Targaryen fieryness to him. Something that people
fieryness to him. Something that people have speculated on in the future of how
have speculated on in the future of how Young Griff is going to be. Young Griff
Young Griff is going to be. Young Griff basically rage quits. He knocks the
basically rage quits. He knocks the board and the pieces to the side. He
board and the pieces to the side. He forces Tyrion to clean them up. Very
forces Tyrion to clean them up. Very similar to the way Joffrey has like
similar to the way Joffrey has like Tyrion pick up his goblet during the
Tyrion pick up his goblet during the purple wedding. And all of this is very
purple wedding. And all of this is very interesting because it paints a lot of
interesting because it paints a lot of what we could see between the characters
what we could see between the characters of young Griff and Tyrion going forward.
of young Griff and Tyrion going forward. But the second half is where you get a
But the second half is where you get a little eh not so good in this chapter
little eh not so good in this chapter because it takes place in a town where
because it takes place in a town where they are to get some information on the
they are to get some information on the political climate going on with the war
political climate going on with the war in Meereen. But more importantly, we see
in Meereen. But more importantly, we see Tyrion's dark side as he pays for sex
Tyrion's dark side as he pays for sex and even asks for the woman to kill him
and even asks for the woman to kill him as he is suicidal. And there's some
as he is suicidal. And there's some really dark things that going go on here
really dark things that going go on here in terms of really bad alcoholism, in
in terms of really bad alcoholism, in terms of Tyrion, you know, raping this
terms of Tyrion, you know, raping this girl, in terms of just Tyrion being a
girl, in terms of just Tyrion being a awful human being. And eventually, why I
awful human being. And eventually, why I say this is a mixed bag chapter, not
say this is a mixed bag chapter, not only for those bad things that we see
only for those bad things that we see from Tyrion,
from Tyrion, but he is eventually captured by Jorah,
but he is eventually captured by Jorah, starting probably the worst plot line of
starting probably the worst plot line of the book. I think it's like this
the book. I think it's like this plotline plus Quentyn's plotline are
plotline plus Quentyn's plotline are probably the worst two of this book. I
probably the worst two of this book. I personally cannot think of a single
personally cannot think of a single chapter I like of Tyrion's after this
chapter I like of Tyrion's after this moment. And so it is that point. And
moment. And so it is that point. And another thing I find that's
another thing I find that's kind of a big problem I think George has
kind of a big problem I think George has in this book specifically,
in this book specifically, it just seems like a really big plot
it just seems like a really big plot convenience. like really out of every
convenience. like really out of every single brothel that Tyrion could go to,
single brothel that Tyrion could go to, he ends up going to the one with Jorah
he ends up going to the one with Jorah in it. And it's not one of those things
in it. And it's not one of those things where you can point to, oh well, in book
where you can point to, oh well, in book one, the same thing happens with Tyrion
one, the same thing happens with Tyrion and Catelyn. It's like, no, because both
and Catelyn. It's like, no, because both were heading towards the crossroad in
were heading towards the crossroad in and so it made sense. It's a logical hub
and so it made sense. It's a logical hub of where things would happen and where
of where things would happen and where you would go either to the west, the
you would go either to the west, the east, the north, or the south. This, it
east, the north, or the south. This, it just feels very random. it feels like
just feels very random. it feels like very convenient. And again, that's not
very convenient. And again, that's not bad to have every once in a while.
bad to have every once in a while. That's not to say conveniences are a bad
That's not to say conveniences are a bad thing, but it's when you have a lot of
thing, but it's when you have a lot of them, that's when you start to like look
them, that's when you start to like look at these and go, I don't know if that
at these and go, I don't know if that was the best point here. And the really
was the best point here. And the really I think the difficult part George has
I think the difficult part George has here is George had to come to an idea
here is George had to come to an idea where how does Tyrion now get away from
where how does Tyrion now get away from the young griff group to go to Daenerys?
the young griff group to go to Daenerys? That's the issue.
That's the issue. And I think how would you have willingly
And I think how would you have willingly gotten Tyrion away from them? That could
gotten Tyrion away from them? That could have been something difficult. Now what
have been something difficult. Now what you could have explored and this could
you could have explored and this could be something interesting that would have
be something interesting that would have I think worked a lot better is if we
I think worked a lot better is if we would have seen Tyrion actually
would have seen Tyrion actually willingly leave Young, willingly leave
willingly leave Young, willingly leave our party and try to search for Tisha.
our party and try to search for Tisha. One of the big things we see throughout
One of the big things we see throughout this entire plotline is Tyrion looking
this entire plotline is Tyrion looking for her. Where do [ __ ] go? And he's
for her. Where do [ __ ] go? And he's not going to be able to really bind that
not going to be able to really bind that with Dany and Young Griff. So you could
with Dany and Young Griff. So you could have his personal motivations kind of
have his personal motivations kind of getting through in terms of finding love
getting through in terms of finding love again. So that would have been something
again. So that would have been something where maybe he breaks off from their
where maybe he breaks off from their party and then maybe while he's out at
party and then maybe while he's out at these docks, maybe we have like a this
these docks, maybe we have like a this chapter, the second half of this chapter
chapter, the second half of this chapter is just him kind of wandering around in
is just him kind of wandering around in the city and eventually he's spotted.
the city and eventually he's spotted. That way it feels much more natural uh
That way it feels much more natural uh in terms of like people would have known
in terms of like people would have known that there was a dwarf going around and
that there was a dwarf going around and then maybe Jorah would have heard this
then maybe Jorah would have heard this and found him. It just doesn't feel as
and found him. It just doesn't feel as natural in terms of just Jorah being in
natural in terms of just Jorah being in the same brothless Tyrion at the same
the same brothless Tyrion at the same time, a complete coincidence. It just
time, a complete coincidence. It just doesn't really feel right to me. But I
doesn't really feel right to me. But I get why George did it. I just think it
get why George did it. I just think it could have been executed a bit better in
could have been executed a bit better in my opinion. That gets us into chapter
my opinion. That gets us into chapter 24, Danny 4. Again, another chapter that
24, Danny 4. Again, another chapter that has kind of its strengths and its
has kind of its strengths and its weaknesses. On one hand, I really like
weaknesses. On one hand, I really like the opening of this chapter with the
the opening of this chapter with the green grace and Danny. It oozes
green grace and Danny. It oozes suspicion. Something is not really right
suspicion. Something is not really right here. The green grace once again is
here. The green grace once again is talking down to Dany, kind of putting
talking down to Dany, kind of putting him her in her place, kind of knowing
him her in her place, kind of knowing information that it seems very
information that it seems very suspicious that she already knows before
suspicious that she already knows before Daenerys even tells her. But not only
Daenerys even tells her. But not only that, but we also have reflections of
that, but we also have reflections of the past. Dany trusting older women or
the past. Dany trusting older women or women, very similar to me. It's very
women, very similar to me. It's very apparent given that I just got done
apparent given that I just got done doing my review of the Miriam Mazdor
doing my review of the Miriam Mazdor chapter where she meets Dany. It almost
chapter where she meets Dany. It almost feels so similar here. But one of the
feels so similar here. But one of the things that comes out of this
things that comes out of this conversation is that the green grace
conversation is that the green grace suggests the only way to fix this
suggests the only way to fix this situation is for her to marry someone
situation is for her to marry someone with old Gishcari blood. Someone that
with old Gishcari blood. Someone that the Marines people can get behind. That
the Marines people can get behind. That leads to the Hisdar plot. Before we get
leads to the Hisdar plot. Before we get there, I want to talk about another
there, I want to talk about another interesting moral question that is
interesting moral question that is brought up here. The green grace kind of
brought up here. The green grace kind of brings up they have hostages.
brings up they have hostages. Why don't they kill them? Like why
Why don't they kill them? Like why doesn't Danny kill the hostages when
doesn't Danny kill the hostages when there are people dying? Free men are
there are people dying? Free men are dying. Her people are dying, but she's
dying. Her people are dying, but she's not using these hostages. And it's a
not using these hostages. And it's a part of again Danny is someone that is
part of again Danny is someone that is not a bad person. She tries to be a good
not a bad person. She tries to be a good person and she likes a lot of these
person and she likes a lot of these people, a lot of these young children
people, a lot of these young children that she's being given as hostages.
that she's being given as hostages. She's starting to enjoy them. And that's
She's starting to enjoy them. And that's the issue because it comes back to this
the issue because it comes back to this idea that Ned talks about that John and
idea that Ned talks about that John and Rob try to kind of go with or go through
Rob try to kind of go with or go through with. Don't be friends of people that
with. Don't be friends of people that are your subordinates. You may have to
are your subordinates. You may have to kill them one day or send them off to be
kill them one day or send them off to be killed. Especially in the case of Theon.
killed. Especially in the case of Theon. Ned never got close to Theon because Ned
Ned never got close to Theon because Ned knew he might one day have to kill
knew he might one day have to kill Theon. That's something that Dany
Theon. That's something that Dany doesn't do. And that's some advice that
doesn't do. And that's some advice that she probably sorely needs. I like all
she probably sorely needs. I like all that. But on the flip side, I find the
that. But on the flip side, I find the romance side of this chapter, which is
romance side of this chapter, which is the back half, to just be kind of
the back half, to just be kind of boring, kind of repetitive. It's just
boring, kind of repetitive. It's just Danny has so many love interests over
Danny has so many love interests over the entirety of the series. She also is
the entirety of the series. She also is someone that consistently thinks about
someone that consistently thinks about Dar Daario early on in this book. It
Dar Daario early on in this book. It just gets so repetitive. It's Dany
just gets so repetitive. It's Dany setting up the terms of a marriage with
setting up the terms of a marriage with Hizdar. If he can keep the peace and no
Hizdar. If he can keep the peace and no killings happen for 90 days, she will
killings happen for 90 days, she will marry him, albeit she doesn't really
marry him, albeit she doesn't really like him that much and even kisses him
like him that much and even kisses him to see if there's any type of, you know,
to see if there's any type of, you know, thing there. There isn't really. And so
thing there. There isn't really. And so Danny just sees it kind of as a win-win
Danny just sees it kind of as a win-win type scenario. If he can give the peace
type scenario. If he can give the peace for 90 days, well, at least she saved
for 90 days, well, at least she saved her people and it shows that there can
her people and it shows that there can be some stability. But on the other side
be some stability. But on the other side of it, if again he doesn't, it just kind
of it, if again he doesn't, it just kind of force stalls stuff like the marriage
of force stalls stuff like the marriage for now. And then we get to see Daario
for now. And then we get to see Daario and Daario comes back and Danny's real
and Daario comes back and Danny's real excited. She's getting all dressed up
excited. She's getting all dressed up and then he just knows she can't be with
and then he just knows she can't be with him. You know, he's a cell sword. And so
him. You know, he's a cell sword. And so part of this angers her, but it also
part of this angers her, but it also angers her because Daario tries to give
angers her because Daario tries to give her advice, telling her to be a dragon,
her advice, telling her to be a dragon, telling her to strike at her enemies,
telling her to strike at her enemies, killing the masters. And that's not who
killing the masters. And that's not who Dany is at this point. Danny is someone
Dany is at this point. Danny is someone that's not morally bad. She tries to be
that's not morally bad. She tries to be a good person and so she struggles with
a good person and so she struggles with that. It's something that the mer plot
that. It's something that the mer plot is pushing her further and further to
is pushing her further and further to the edge of how does she again get these
the edge of how does she again get these people to respect her, get these people
people to respect her, get these people to stop killing each other and bring
to stop killing each other and bring order to to Meereen? How does she do
order to to Meereen? How does she do that? And that's something she struggles
that? And that's something she struggles with a lot. So I there are bits and
with a lot. So I there are bits and pieces of this chapter I really love.
pieces of this chapter I really love. There's bits and pieces of the chapter I
There's bits and pieces of the chapter I really dislike. And that's kind of where
really dislike. And that's kind of where I am with Danny at times in this book.
I am with Danny at times in this book. But again, I don't think it's a bad
But again, I don't think it's a bad chapter at all. But I do think out of
chapter at all. But I do think out of the Danny chapter so far, probably her
the Danny chapter so far, probably her weakest. But just as I say that, this is
weakest. But just as I say that, this is probably my least favorite Dany chapter.
probably my least favorite Dany chapter. George once again seems to interspice
George once again seems to interspice his chapters perfectly. And I want to
his chapters perfectly. And I want to just kind of look at the next three
just kind of look at the next three chapters as they are the last three
chapters as they are the last three we're going to be doing in this
we're going to be doing in this retrospective for this part. We have a
retrospective for this part. We have a Danny chapter that's not so good,
Danny chapter that's not so good, followed by a John Con chapter, his
followed by a John Con chapter, his first one, one of the best chapters of
first one, one of the best chapters of the book, very highly rated for me and
the book, very highly rated for me and is my favorite of the first 27.
is my favorite of the first 27. We then get a Quentyn chapter, one of
We then get a Quentyn chapter, one of the worst chapters of the book, the
the worst chapters of the book, the second worst for me at this point. And
second worst for me at this point. And then we're followed up by another banger
then we're followed up by another banger in an Asha chapter. It really does show
in an Asha chapter. It really does show that I feel like George knows kind of
that I feel like George knows kind of his weaker chapters and he follows them
his weaker chapters and he follows them up with great chapters to kind of hide
up with great chapters to kind of hide them a little bit in his book. And so I
them a little bit in his book. And so I really love that because that's been a
really love that because that's been a consistent thing that I've seen in both
consistent thing that I've seen in both Feast for Crows and A Dance of Dragons
Feast for Crows and A Dance of Dragons in this book. So John Con 1 is a chapter
in this book. So John Con 1 is a chapter that I remember when I first started
that I remember when I first started reading this book, did not know we were
reading this book, did not know we were going to get this POV. I did not know
going to get this POV. I did not know that we were going to have this, but
that we were going to have this, but looking back it makes sense, right? You
looking back it makes sense, right? You can't really just introduce the Young
can't really just introduce the Young Griff plotline and then Tyrion leaves
Griff plotline and then Tyrion leaves and then just have no plot point here or
and then just have no plot point here or no POV here. And so John Conington is
no POV here. And so John Conington is the perfect POV because he reminds you
the perfect POV because he reminds you so much of Ned. He is someone that
so much of Ned. He is someone that reflects on the decisions he's made in
reflects on the decisions he's made in the past. He is someone that's a very
the past. He is someone that's a very complex character that has strengths and
complex character that has strengths and weaknesses. And we get a look into the
weaknesses. And we get a look into the history of the Battle of the Bells. But
history of the Battle of the Bells. But we see that John Khan is someone that is
we see that John Khan is someone that is highly untrusting of some of the people
highly untrusting of some of the people below him as again Tyrion has been lost.
below him as again Tyrion has been lost. something that would have been a very
something that would have been a very valuable piece being that he is Tyrion
valuable piece being that he is Tyrion Lannister and he was lost. But we see
Lannister and he was lost. But we see John Khan and Co heading to the Golden
John Khan and Co heading to the Golden Company's camp. We get to learn on their
Company's camp. We get to learn on their history and customs, which is always fun
history and customs, which is always fun to reread given the uh context of the
to reread given the uh context of the Duncan Egg novellas and what goes on
Duncan Egg novellas and what goes on there. It's just a really awesome
there. It's just a really awesome chapter that provides a lot of worldb
chapter that provides a lot of worldb building to the lore of the Blackfire
building to the lore of the Blackfire Rebellions and Bitter Steel and the
Rebellions and Bitter Steel and the Golden Company as a whole, how they
Golden Company as a whole, how they operate. Really fantastic chapter that I
operate. Really fantastic chapter that I love. We see the military leadership and
love. We see the military leadership and how it's changed uh from I believe it's
how it's changed uh from I believe it's Blackheart to now Harry um Strickland.
Blackheart to now Harry um Strickland. And I really love that because this is
And I really love that because this is kind of the reveal of Young Griff where
kind of the reveal of Young Griff where young Griff comes out looking like a
young Griff comes out looking like a prince. He's not just this, you know,
prince. He's not just this, you know, knight's squire or cells sword squire.
knight's squire or cells sword squire. He's now looking more like a Targaryen.
He's now looking more like a Targaryen. He's wearing rubies, fine clothing. And
He's wearing rubies, fine clothing. And we see Young Griff kind of reveal
we see Young Griff kind of reveal himself to the Golden Company. Now, what
himself to the Golden Company. Now, what I find is interesting here is that the
I find is interesting here is that the Golden Company are quite frustrated with
Golden Company are quite frustrated with the situation going on. There's been all
the situation going on. There's been all these different type of plans. First it
these different type of plans. First it was Viseris, then it was Daenerys was
was Viseris, then it was Daenerys was supposed to be they were supposed to
supposed to be they were supposed to back Daenerys, but then all those plans
back Daenerys, but then all those plans went ary. Now we're here with Young
went ary. Now we're here with Young Griff. And Young Griff steps up. He
Griff. And Young Griff steps up. He takes this chance, this thing that we
takes this chance, this thing that we haven't seen him do. And he really
haven't seen him do. And he really basically takes Tyrion's advice and uses
basically takes Tyrion's advice and uses it. He tells them, "Screw Daenerys.
it. He tells them, "Screw Daenerys. Screw trying to get to Meereine cuz
Screw trying to get to Meereine cuz that's insanely difficult. We've seen
that's insanely difficult. We've seen that with Quentyn's chapter.
that with Quentyn's chapter. Let's go to Wester. It's ripe for
Let's go to Wester. It's ripe for conquest." And at this, the Golden
conquest." And at this, the Golden Company realize they have a new leader.
Company realize they have a new leader. They realize is to be their king and to
They realize is to be their king and to lead them back home. Again, this is by
lead them back home. Again, this is by far my favorite chapter of the first 27.
far my favorite chapter of the first 27. I am a big sucker for the Blackfire lore
I am a big sucker for the Blackfire lore at this time. I love Young Griff. He's
at this time. I love Young Griff. He's one of my favorite characters going into
one of my favorite characters going into the next book. I'll give you guys a bit
the next book. I'll give you guys a bit of a spoiler for my other series going
of a spoiler for my other series going on right now. My hundred top 100
on right now. My hundred top 100 characters of A Song of Fire. Young
characters of A Song of Fire. Young Griff is unfortunately not on that list
Griff is unfortunately not on that list just because we haven't gotten a lot
just because we haven't gotten a lot with the character, but I'm really
with the character, but I'm really looking forward to getting more of this
looking forward to getting more of this character personally. Um, but yeah, it's
character personally. Um, but yeah, it's just this awesome chapter. It feels a
just this awesome chapter. It feels a lot like for instance Rob Stark's King
lot like for instance Rob Stark's King of the North chapter where it's like Rob
of the North chapter where it's like Rob coming into his own. Now, it's very
coming into his own. Now, it's very different because Rob in that is not
different because Rob in that is not really declaring himself as king. That's
really declaring himself as king. That's his bannerman. But here it's Young Griff
his bannerman. But here it's Young Griff proving his worth and them kind of
proving his worth and them kind of making the him their king. It's one of
making the him their king. It's one of those things. It feels very similar. And
those things. It feels very similar. And so I love everything this chapter does
so I love everything this chapter does and it's very vital that it's placed
and it's very vital that it's placed here because then we get Quentin 2. And
here because then we get Quentin 2. And I'm going to have a fairly big rant here
I'm going to have a fairly big rant here about Quentyn's character so far. And
about Quentyn's character so far. And that gets us to Quentyn 2. So Quentyn 2
that gets us to Quentyn 2. So Quentyn 2 is a chapter that it's slightly better
is a chapter that it's slightly better than the first one, which isn't saying
than the first one, which isn't saying much. If you guys remember, my rant for
much. If you guys remember, my rant for Quentyn one was a chapter that was
Quentyn one was a chapter that was unneeded. Didn't make really much sense
unneeded. Didn't make really much sense for this plot line to even exist. That
for this plot line to even exist. That didn't change in this chapter. Again,
didn't change in this chapter. Again, the only reason this chapter is more
the only reason this chapter is more interesting is because we get more of
interesting is because we get more of like the tattered prince and we also get
like the tattered prince and we also get like some battle stuff with Astapore.
like some battle stuff with Astapore. But what do we really get out of this
But what do we really get out of this chapter? It's a somewhat long chapter.
chapter? It's a somewhat long chapter. It's a chapter in which we learn that
It's a chapter in which we learn that Astapor has fallen and some of the stuff
Astapor has fallen and some of the stuff that we already learned with Daenerys's
that we already learned with Daenerys's chapter in terms of Yunkai and Astapor,
chapter in terms of Yunkai and Astapor, it just doesn't matter. I mean, nothing
it just doesn't matter. I mean, nothing in this chapter really adds anything to
in this chapter really adds anything to the story. And this is why I think one
the story. And this is why I think one of my biggest complaints with the early
of my biggest complaints with the early start of this book, very similar to Sam
start of this book, very similar to Sam in Feast for Crows,
in Feast for Crows, Quentyn
Quentyn didn't need to be introduced in terms of
didn't need to be introduced in terms of a POV if he wanted to until he meets
a POV if he wanted to until he meets Daenerys.
Daenerys. He just doesn't because once then he
He just doesn't because once then he actually gets to Marine, then you can
actually gets to Marine, then you can kind of explore his character. The only
kind of explore his character. The only thing that I can see as to why George
thing that I can see as to why George put this character and gave him more
put this character and gave him more POVs is because he dies at the end. And
POVs is because he dies at the end. And so you want him to be more of a
so you want him to be more of a character we like so it hits harder and
character we like so it hits harder and give him more time to develop. But the
give him more time to develop. But the problem becomes I find the character to
problem becomes I find the character to be every time he's a chapter he slows
be every time he's a chapter he slows down the pace. It comes down all the way
down the pace. It comes down all the way down to a crawl. And this chapter just
down to a crawl. And this chapter just does not and this character doesn't
does not and this character doesn't really have much going for him. Like
really have much going for him. Like there's not much in terms of defining an
there's not much in terms of defining an actual character. like the best we've
actual character. like the best we've got is he feels like he maybe is not
got is he feels like he maybe is not worthy of Daenerys. He's not the most
worthy of Daenerys. He's not the most attractive guy. Um and maybe some stuff
attractive guy. Um and maybe some stuff in terms of like honor, right? Breaking
in terms of like honor, right? Breaking oaths. Like that's something that could
oaths. Like that's something that could be interesting to explore in this
be interesting to explore in this chapter. It's one of the only things I
chapter. It's one of the only things I find interesting in this chapter. But
find interesting in this chapter. But like
like why is this character here? He's not
why is this character here? He's not interesting.
interesting. There's no reason to have this this
There's no reason to have this this character. It's very similar in my
character. It's very similar in my opinion to like Tyrion later on where
opinion to like Tyrion later on where it's like we just don't need like nine
it's like we just don't need like nine chapters or whatever it is of just
chapters or whatever it is of just Tyrion being a slave and all of that. It
Tyrion being a slave and all of that. It just you don't need it. And so I'm not
just you don't need it. And so I'm not going to really explain the tire too
going to really explain the tire too much, but more or less what we get is we
much, but more or less what we get is we see Quentyn with the windb blown, how
see Quentyn with the windb blown, how they've taken part in this battle um
they've taken part in this battle um with Astapore and it was kind of a
with Astapore and it was kind of a slaughter. It wasn't really even a
slaughter. It wasn't really even a fight. All of this we kind of already
fight. All of this we kind of already know from Danny's POVs later on anyway.
know from Danny's POVs later on anyway. So like doesn't matter. This information
So like doesn't matter. This information doesn't really matter to me. Um we also
doesn't really matter to me. Um we also then see that the group is trying to get
then see that the group is trying to get out of the windblown company.
out of the windblown company. Whatever. I mean it introduces some
Whatever. I mean it introduces some interesting conflicts of having to break
interesting conflicts of having to break oaths and vows which are more sacred um
oaths and vows which are more sacred um especially to higher people in Westeros
especially to higher people in Westeros which is kind of interesting but they
which is kind of interesting but they don't dwell on it very long and also
don't dwell on it very long and also they give them a copout they give our
they give them a copout they give our main like three Dornish a or George
main like three Dornish a or George gives our main three Dornish like a
gives our main three Dornish like a point where they have to make a decision
point where they have to make a decision you know if you go back to book one Aean
you know if you go back to book one Aean with John it comes to every point in
with John it comes to every point in someone's life where they have to make a
someone's life where they have to make a huge decision. Here is that decision you
huge decision. Here is that decision you would think. But then the story gives
would think. But then the story gives them a copout. The story goes, "Oh yeah,
them a copout. The story goes, "Oh yeah, the Tattered Prince goes, yeah, you guys
the Tattered Prince goes, yeah, you guys are going to basically start scouting
are going to basically start scouting and then we want you to basically go
and then we want you to basically go over to either the Second Sons or the
over to either the Second Sons or the Stormcloaks
Stormcloaks and then more or less be an inn with
and then more or less be an inn with Daenerys."
Daenerys." And you're sitting here and you're
And you're sitting here and you're going,
going, "How convenient can we get?" like, oh
"How convenient can we get?" like, oh wow, the main conflict of our characters
wow, the main conflict of our characters story is instantly solved, not because
story is instantly solved, not because of anything they did, but because the
of anything they did, but because the Tattered Prince wants them to do it. And
Tattered Prince wants them to do it. And I can understand the Tattered Prince's
I can understand the Tattered Prince's logic. It's not impossible, right? It's
logic. It's not impossible, right? It's not like not plausible plausible at all.
not like not plausible plausible at all. I understand his rationale,
I understand his rationale, but at the same time, for it to be out
but at the same time, for it to be out of like this group, I think I think it's
of like this group, I think I think it's like a thousand or 2,000 men, Quentyn
like a thousand or 2,000 men, Quentyn and the Dornish as new recruits are sent
and the Dornish as new recruits are sent to do this mission. Qu kind of
to do this mission. Qu kind of questionable. I know it's because they
questionable. I know it's because they speak the common tongue, but like, okay.
speak the common tongue, but like, okay. Um, it just seems too convenient. That's
Um, it just seems too convenient. That's what I've been talking about. There's
what I've been talking about. There's been a couple conveniences here and
been a couple conveniences here and there throughout this first part of the
there throughout this first part of the story, and this is the worst one because
story, and this is the worst one because it makes you kind of stretch what I
it makes you kind of stretch what I would believe the tattered prince would
would believe the tattered prince would do. It makes me question why did we even
do. It makes me question why did we even have this whole chapter setup of, oh,
have this whole chapter setup of, oh, you know, will we break our vows? Is
you know, will we break our vows? Is that dishonorable? When are we going to
that dishonorable? When are we going to break away from this? Could be a huge
break away from this? Could be a huge danger to our lives. And then the
danger to our lives. And then the chapter just resolves the conflict for
chapter just resolves the conflict for them. They didn't do anything to earn
them. They didn't do anything to earn it.
it. And so I don't like this chapter. I
And so I don't like this chapter. I don't like Quentyn as a character. The
don't like Quentyn as a character. The story is very bland for the character.
story is very bland for the character. Um I don't know what else to say. This
Um I don't know what else to say. This just isn't a very good chapter and it's
just isn't a very good chapter and it's down there with Quentyn one. At least
down there with Quentyn one. At least this one has a bit more stakes to it.
this one has a bit more stakes to it. There's more interesting concepts
There's more interesting concepts brought up. It just doesn't go anywhere.
brought up. It just doesn't go anywhere. And so I just did all of that ranting,
And so I just did all of that ranting, right? And what does George come back
right? And what does George come back and give us? He gives us Asha one, a
and give us? He gives us Asha one, a chapter that I have as my number four
chapter that I have as my number four ranked chapter of the first 27 chapters.
ranked chapter of the first 27 chapters. And it's a just a fantastic chapter. We
And it's a just a fantastic chapter. We get brought back into the character of
get brought back into the character of Asha. And it's really awesome because
Asha. And it's really awesome because you you think about Feast for Crows.
you you think about Feast for Crows. Asha kind of just disappears off the
Asha kind of just disappears off the face of the earth. You know, after the
face of the earth. You know, after the King's Mood, we get I think it's one
King's Mood, we get I think it's one more Varion chapter after the King's
more Varion chapter after the King's Mood and that's it, right? we don't get
Mood and that's it, right? we don't get a lot of what happens after and so you
a lot of what happens after and so you almost forget about Asha and what it's
almost forget about Asha and what it's great is because this is what an actual
great is because this is what an actual plotline looks like because where I just
plotline looks like because where I just talked about there was a convenience
talked about there was a convenience with the Quentyn stuff you might be
with the Quentyn stuff you might be thinking oh well it's very convenient
thinking oh well it's very convenient that Asha becomes the new POV for
that Asha becomes the new POV for Stannis but it's not convenient at all
Stannis but it's not convenient at all Asha makes logical sense would go to
Asha makes logical sense would go to Deepwood M she's nowhere that's safe
Deepwood M she's nowhere that's safe that she can stay in the Iron Islands so
that she can stay in the Iron Islands so what does she do? She could go to
what does she do? She could go to Deepwood M. She could maybe flee and go
Deepwood M. She could maybe flee and go into kind of like an exile type
into kind of like an exile type situation, go become a merchant or a
situation, go become a merchant or a pirate, but she goes to Deepwood M. And
pirate, but she goes to Deepwood M. And that makes I think a lot of sense for
that makes I think a lot of sense for her. It's something that she's taken
her. It's something that she's taken over. She can maybe kind of feel some
over. She can maybe kind of feel some sort of safety there for now. That all
sort of safety there for now. That all makes sense. Stannis would take Deepwood
makes sense. Stannis would take Deepwood M because a it's closer to the wall and
M because a it's closer to the wall and two, it gains him leverage to say he's
two, it gains him leverage to say he's the one taking out the Ironborn as well.
the one taking out the Ironborn as well. It's it's close to where he is. So it
It's it's close to where he is. So it all adds up into why this occurs in
all adds up into why this occurs in terms of storytelling. And so let's look
terms of storytelling. And so let's look at the actual chapter,
at the actual chapter, the content that we get here and how
the content that we get here and how good it is as well. So, the only thing I
good it is as well. So, the only thing I will say that kind of brings this PO
will say that kind of brings this PO down for me is that we get a very
down for me is that we get a very extended sex scene with Carl the maid
extended sex scene with Carl the maid and Asha to the point where I'm just
and Asha to the point where I'm just like,
like, I get that that Asha had sex, but do we
I get that that Asha had sex, but do we really need almost like two pages worth
really need almost like two pages worth of this? like it feels like you're
of this? like it feels like you're reading like a I don't know what you
reading like a I don't know what you would call like a sex novel or like I
would call like a sex novel or like I don't know what you would call it, but
don't know what you would call it, but it's basically how it plays out in the
it's basically how it plays out in the the two pages it's on more or less. And
the two pages it's on more or less. And so I understand why it's necessary for
so I understand why it's necessary for George to show that Asha is having sex.
George to show that Asha is having sex. You can just do it in a better way. Just
You can just do it in a better way. Just like be like, "Oh yeah, they started
like be like, "Oh yeah, they started doing it and then that's it. Cut it off
doing it and then that's it. Cut it off right there. We don't need to hear the
right there. We don't need to hear the whole thing."
whole thing." But the point of what George is trying
But the point of what George is trying to do with it is showing that Asha feels
to do with it is showing that Asha feels all the pressures of the world are are
all the pressures of the world are are slowly drag are slowly boxing her in.
slowly drag are slowly boxing her in. She sees her life will be ending soon as
She sees her life will be ending soon as either the Northmen will come for her or
either the Northmen will come for her or if she leaves the Ironborn coming for
if she leaves the Ironborn coming for her and Euron. She sees her life is
her and Euron. She sees her life is coming to a close. And so just for these
coming to a close. And so just for these few, you know, minutes or whatever long
few, you know, minutes or whatever long they're having sex, she's taken out of
they're having sex, she's taken out of that. she's able to, you know, have a
that. she's able to, you know, have a life and enjoy things going on. And so,
life and enjoy things going on. And so, it's a point of that. It's trying to
it's a point of that. It's trying to take away some of that stress on Asha.
take away some of that stress on Asha. Outside of that, this chapter is pretty
Outside of that, this chapter is pretty perfect. We see Asha trying to figure
perfect. We see Asha trying to figure out what to do as she has fled the king
out what to do as she has fled the king the king's move for Deepwood M. Should
the king's move for Deepwood M. Should she flee or fight? And we see Stannis
she flee or fight? And we see Stannis along with the Northmen attack her in
along with the Northmen attack her in the middle of the night as they try to
the middle of the night as they try to sneak into the castle to the open the
sneak into the castle to the open the gates. But Asha has faced with the
gates. But Asha has faced with the decision. She can either flee back to
decision. She can either flee back to her boats or try to fight them at
her boats or try to fight them at Deepwood Mott. And her rationale is
Deepwood Mott. And her rationale is pretty sound. When she tried to take
pretty sound. When she tried to take Deepwood Mott, it the castle didn't help
Deepwood Mott, it the castle didn't help them. It wasn't that defensible. She was
them. It wasn't that defensible. She was able to take it pretty easily. And so
able to take it pretty easily. And so she comes to the same conclusion. She
she comes to the same conclusion. She must flee to her boats. The only issue
must flee to her boats. The only issue is the Northmen know these forests
is the Northmen know these forests better than she does. And in the night
better than she does. And in the night they are caught up once again by Stannis
they are caught up once again by Stannis and the Northmen and Asha fights for a
and the Northmen and Asha fights for a while being able to kill many men along
while being able to kill many men along with some of her companions. But
with some of her companions. But eventually she is caught and she sees as
eventually she is caught and she sees as the as the banner of Stannis comes upon
the as the banner of Stannis comes upon them and leaving Asha to an interesting
them and leaving Asha to an interesting fate. Is Asha going to die or be
fate. Is Asha going to die or be captured? I think for any reader, they
captured? I think for any reader, they know she's going to be captured because
know she's going to be captured because we need a POV for Stannis, but it makes
we need a POV for Stannis, but it makes sense as to why she would just be
sense as to why she would just be captured as Asha is a very valuable
captured as Asha is a very valuable hostage. And that ends Asha one for a
hostage. And that ends Asha one for a Dance with Dragons, the 28th chapter of
Dance with Dragons, the 28th chapter of of Dance with Dragons being Tyrion 7.
of Dance with Dragons being Tyrion 7. And so before we get into this specific
And so before we get into this specific chapter, I want to talk about Tyrion
chapter, I want to talk about Tyrion specifically in terms of the rest of the
specifically in terms of the rest of the book. Tyrion still has a lot of chapters
book. Tyrion still has a lot of chapters left even in this only like 14 15
left even in this only like 14 15 chapter part of the book that we're
chapter part of the book that we're going to be covering which is more the
going to be covering which is more the middle to then a little after the
middle to then a little after the middle. He has three chapters in here
middle. He has three chapters in here and I don't think any of his chapters
and I don't think any of his chapters are particularly good after he leaves
are particularly good after he leaves the young griff section of his story. So
the young griff section of his story. So the first half of his story I thought he
the first half of his story I thought he was enjoyable. Um I think he was really
was enjoyable. Um I think he was really good in some chapters just kind of okay
good in some chapters just kind of okay in others. pretty much every chapter,
in others. pretty much every chapter, the rest of the book for me with Tyrion,
the rest of the book for me with Tyrion, I don't have a lot of positives to say
I don't have a lot of positives to say about the character. I don't enjoy
about the character. I don't enjoy really much of what's going on in his
really much of what's going on in his chapters or even who he's with. And
chapters or even who he's with. And that's I think part of the problem to me
that's I think part of the problem to me is Tyrion's journey is basically now the
is Tyrion's journey is basically now the same as Quentyn's. It's I have to get to
same as Quentyn's. It's I have to get to Daenerys. How do we get to Daenerys and
Daenerys. How do we get to Daenerys and all of that? Now for Tyrion, I will say
all of that? Now for Tyrion, I will say he's a more interesting character than
he's a more interesting character than Quentin. So that helps his case quite a
Quentin. So that helps his case quite a lot because I still have Tyrion's
lot because I still have Tyrion's chapters so far above Quentyn's. But if
chapters so far above Quentyn's. But if you even look at this chapter, so Tyrion
you even look at this chapter, so Tyrion 7 is our first chapter post the young
7 is our first chapter post the young griff storyline and it is not a good
griff storyline and it is not a good one. I think Tyrion 7 is probably one of
one. I think Tyrion 7 is probably one of the worst chapters of this book because
the worst chapters of this book because all that happens is it's Tyrion and
all that happens is it's Tyrion and Jorah and the two are not very
Jorah and the two are not very interesting to read with each other
interesting to read with each other because Jorah does not really talk to
because Jorah does not really talk to Tyrion at all. Just kind of like lugs
Tyrion at all. Just kind of like lugs him around, wants him to shut up a bunch
him around, wants him to shut up a bunch and this isn't the Jorah of the show. I
and this isn't the Jorah of the show. I think that needs to be made very
think that needs to be made very apparent. Ian Glenn, who played the
apparent. Ian Glenn, who played the character of Jorah in the show, was much
character of Jorah in the show, was much more likable. Um, Jorah in the books, in
more likable. Um, Jorah in the books, in my opinion, is not the most likable
my opinion, is not the most likable character given what he does and how
character given what he does and how kind of weird he is towards Daenerys and
kind of weird he is towards Daenerys and kind of the things that he does in that
kind of the things that he does in that does in specifically, I would say, book
does in specifically, I would say, book three. He's not the most likable
three. He's not the most likable character. And so you pair him up with
character. And so you pair him up with Tyrion where Tyrion is kind of on this
Tyrion where Tyrion is kind of on this journey of self-discovery and what comes
journey of self-discovery and what comes after King's Landing and his family and
after King's Landing and his family and being in exile. And you so you pair the
being in exile. And you so you pair the two up together and they're not the most
two up together and they're not the most interesting duo whatsoever because
interesting duo whatsoever because Tyrion has nobody really to play off of,
Tyrion has nobody really to play off of, right? It's him almost talking to a
right? It's him almost talking to a brick wall. So that part of the chapter
brick wall. So that part of the chapter is not very interesting. And so then the
is not very interesting. And so then the other part of the chapter is it's trying
other part of the chapter is it's trying to figure out how do we get some sort of
to figure out how do we get some sort of passage for Tyrion to get to Daenerys.
passage for Tyrion to get to Daenerys. It's the same idea as of Quentyn, right?
It's the same idea as of Quentyn, right? It's basically just taking what that
It's basically just taking what that chapter was and just recycling it here
chapter was and just recycling it here with Tyrion. And so Tyrion and Jorah end
with Tyrion. And so Tyrion and Jorah end up going to see the widow of the
up going to see the widow of the waterfront after they spend the night in
waterfront after they spend the night in an inn. And basically at first it's like
an inn. And basically at first it's like she doesn't seem like she's going to
she doesn't seem like she's going to give them passage and she's questioning
give them passage and she's questioning Jorah's motives to go to see Daenerys
Jorah's motives to go to see Daenerys and all this stuff. and she kind of
and all this stuff. and she kind of basically turns them down until Penny
basically turns them down until Penny attacks Tyrion and then she's like,
attacks Tyrion and then she's like, "Okay, well, you guys can, you know, go
"Okay, well, you guys can, you know, go there." As the boat is suspected not to
there." As the boat is suspected not to reach its destination. It's just a
reach its destination. It's just a really weird awkward way of them getting
really weird awkward way of them getting transportation. The Penny attack, I
transportation. The Penny attack, I guess, is the most interesting part of
guess, is the most interesting part of this chapter because it is adding
this chapter because it is adding another level to the purple wedding,
another level to the purple wedding, being that Penny was one of the people
being that Penny was one of the people in the actual joust that that started
in the actual joust that that started almost the whole conflict that
almost the whole conflict that Littlefinger bought so that it would
Littlefinger bought so that it would pretty much put Tyrion and Joffrey at
pretty much put Tyrion and Joffrey at odds during the wedding to frame him.
odds during the wedding to frame him. It's interesting that that layer comes
It's interesting that that layer comes about in this book, but I don't, you
about in this book, but I don't, you know, this and this is specifically
know, this and this is specifically going to look at the next couple
going to look at the next couple chapters. I don't particularly enjoy the
chapters. I don't particularly enjoy the characters of Penny and Tyrion together.
characters of Penny and Tyrion together. Again, it's putting Tyrion with a bunch
Again, it's putting Tyrion with a bunch of people that are not really that
of people that are not really that witty. They're not really playing off of
witty. They're not really playing off of Tyrion's best parts, and that's, you
Tyrion's best parts, and that's, you know, his political mind and things like
know, his political mind and things like that. It's putting him in this other
that. It's putting him in this other element that I just don't really find
element that I just don't really find that enjoyable. And so, the chapter kind
that enjoyable. And so, the chapter kind of ends with them getting passage. But,
of ends with them getting passage. But, as of right now, I have this as a bottom
as of right now, I have this as a bottom three chapter of the book. So far, even
three chapter of the book. So far, even with the chatters we're going to do in
with the chatters we're going to do in today's video, and even as I'm a little
today's video, and even as I'm a little bit further in my retrospective in terms
bit further in my retrospective in terms of actually reading chapters, I just
of actually reading chapters, I just didn't want to make it as long in this
didn't want to make it as long in this video. But even going further, this is
video. But even going further, this is still in my opinion the worst chap the
still in my opinion the worst chap the worst chapter outside of Quentyn
worst chapter outside of Quentyn chapters. So yeah, I'm not a big fan of
chapters. So yeah, I'm not a big fan of Tyrion 7. So let's kind of move on to
Tyrion 7. So let's kind of move on to maybe some better chapters. Now getting
maybe some better chapters. Now getting into chapter 29, we have John 6. Now,
into chapter 29, we have John 6. Now, unfortunately, once again, I don't
unfortunately, once again, I don't really think this is the strongest
really think this is the strongest chapter for John. I just think it's a,
chapter for John. I just think it's a, you know, fine middle of the book kind
you know, fine middle of the book kind of chapter. It's not anything crazy. You
of chapter. It's not anything crazy. You know, we're still post Stannis being at
know, we're still post Stannis being at the wall. So, a lot of the, I would say,
the wall. So, a lot of the, I would say, more interesting parts of the wall,
more interesting parts of the wall, which Jon has been a very consistent and
which Jon has been a very consistent and good POV so far of this book and will
good POV so far of this book and will continue to be one. This is definitely
continue to be one. This is definitely just another building block chapter. It
just another building block chapter. It doesn't really have like any real
doesn't really have like any real massive reveals. It doesn't really
massive reveals. It doesn't really forward the plot a ton. It's just kind
forward the plot a ton. It's just kind of one of those middle chapters. So,
of one of those middle chapters. So, this chapter with Jon and John 6 is
this chapter with Jon and John 6 is focused on about two or three things
focused on about two or three things really. So, the first thing that you
really. So, the first thing that you have happening in the chapter is Jon is
have happening in the chapter is Jon is sending out three rangings. One with
sending out three rangings. One with Alister Thorne included in it. And this
Alister Thorne included in it. And this could be seen as a very good play by
could be seen as a very good play by Jon, even though this is isn't what it
Jon, even though this is isn't what it is meant to do, is that you're ridding
is meant to do, is that you're ridding yourself of a big threat to your power.
yourself of a big threat to your power. Alistister Thorne being basically Jon's
Alistister Thorne being basically Jon's biggest rival outside of maybe Janos
biggest rival outside of maybe Janos Slint who is already dead in this book.
Slint who is already dead in this book. And so you can see it from that point of
And so you can see it from that point of view. It's actually a good political
view. It's actually a good political move to do so because it's kind of a
move to do so because it's kind of a win-win situation. On one hand, if he
win-win situation. On one hand, if he does die, well, oh well. You know, he's
does die, well, oh well. You know, he's somebody that was not very he was
somebody that was not very he was somebody that was not a big fan of you
somebody that was not a big fan of you and would have been probably plotting
and would have been probably plotting your demise. But if he does come back,
your demise. But if he does come back, well, all the all the better, right? He
well, all the all the better, right? He comes back with successful ranging
comes back with successful ranging finding out whatever information and
finding out whatever information and Alistister Thorne is a good warrior. And
Alistister Thorne is a good warrior. And in that sense, it makes a lot of sense
in that sense, it makes a lot of sense for Jon to send Alistister Thorne. But
for Jon to send Alistister Thorne. But that's that's not really what Jon was
that's that's not really what Jon was intending. But Thorne has to go
intending. But Thorne has to go regardless. He realizes, you know, he
regardless. He realizes, you know, he can't deny this order. If he denies an
can't deny this order. If he denies an order, he's going to end up like Slint.
order, he's going to end up like Slint. The next part of this chapter kind of
The next part of this chapter kind of follows Jon doing some training as he
follows Jon doing some training as he first starts with sparring with three
first starts with sparring with three new recruits. It's him just beating up
new recruits. It's him just beating up on them. uh kind of reminds me of Jon's
on them. uh kind of reminds me of Jon's first chapter at the wall in a game of
first chapter at the wall in a game of thrones where he's just vastly better
thrones where he's just vastly better than everybody, you know, here in these
than everybody, you know, here in these recruits specifically and kind of plays
recruits specifically and kind of plays out the same except Jon is doing a
out the same except Jon is doing a threeon-one and basically takes him out
threeon-one and basically takes him out pretty easily. But then you have
pretty easily. But then you have Rattleshirt, who we know is Mance, but
Rattleshirt, who we know is Mance, but is pretending to be Rattleshirt. He has
is pretending to be Rattleshirt. He has not been revealed yet, but he will very
not been revealed yet, but he will very soon. Rattleshirt or Mance actually
soon. Rattleshirt or Mance actually challenges Jon to a fight. Now, the
challenges Jon to a fight. Now, the fight is interesting because Jon doesn't
fight is interesting because Jon doesn't actually fight with Longclaw here. So,
actually fight with Longclaw here. So, it's quite a different fight if these
it's quite a different fight if these two would be fighting to the death if
two would be fighting to the death if they'd actually met in the field because
they'd actually met in the field because Jon would have Longclaw. And I do think
Jon would have Longclaw. And I do think that makes the difference because Mance
that makes the difference because Mance does end up getting the better of Jon.
does end up getting the better of Jon. And the fight itself is kind of
And the fight itself is kind of interesting because some people kind of
interesting because some people kind of speculate that this is Arthur Dayne. I
speculate that this is Arthur Dayne. I don't think so, but I think it is
don't think so, but I think it is interesting. I think that's what really
interesting. I think that's what really sparks this debate is kind of this fight
sparks this debate is kind of this fight and then also some of the songs that
and then also some of the songs that Mance seems to sing, but yeah, I mean
Mance seems to sing, but yeah, I mean it's it's a fight. It doesn't really
it's it's a fight. It doesn't really have much consequence to it. It's not
have much consequence to it. It's not really that important in my opinion, but
really that important in my opinion, but it is some action and passes the time in
it is some action and passes the time in this chapter a little bit. Um, after
this chapter a little bit. Um, after this point, Jon gets a letter saying
this point, Jon gets a letter saying Arya will marry Ramsay and he thinks on
Arya will marry Ramsay and he thinks on kind of their time together when they
kind of their time together when they were, you know, young in book one and
were, you know, young in book one and that leads him to taking a walk. He see
that leads him to taking a walk. He see he's, you know, he's dealing with a lot
he's, you know, he's dealing with a lot of issues right now. He's dealing with
of issues right now. He's dealing with what does he do about Arya, somebody
what does he do about Arya, somebody that he deeply cares about, marrying
that he deeply cares about, marrying this Ramsay person that doesn't have a
this Ramsay person that doesn't have a good reputation. Then you also have
good reputation. Then you also have issues with the Wildlings and the Nights
issues with the Wildlings and the Nights Watch and other issues going on. And he
Watch and other issues going on. And he just seems overwhelmed. And it even
just seems overwhelmed. And it even seems to get to him because he seems
seems to get to him because he seems like he spots Egret. He almost he sees
like he spots Egret. He almost he sees this woman in front of him and it looks
this woman in front of him and it looks like Egret, but it's actually Mel. And
like Egret, but it's actually Mel. And it's Mel kind of I would assume doing
it's Mel kind of I would assume doing tricks on Jon's mind to basically show
tricks on Jon's mind to basically show that she has power, right?
that she has power, right? Mel is very clearly trying to get on
Mel is very clearly trying to get on Jon's good side, but she tells him a
Jon's good side, but she tells him a couple things. The first thing she tells
couple things. The first thing she tells him is that she has seen three of the
him is that she has seen three of the men coming back is as well as Arya on a
men coming back is as well as Arya on a dying horse fleeing her marriage. Now,
dying horse fleeing her marriage. Now, not much truly happens here because it's
not much truly happens here because it's really just George setting the table for
really just George setting the table for things to come later, right? So, for
things to come later, right? So, for instance, in the Mel chapter we're going
instance, in the Mel chapter we're going to get, those things are going to be
to get, those things are going to be important to understanding Jon's
important to understanding Jon's plotline and going forward because it
plotline and going forward because it has to be established. Jon is not going
has to be established. Jon is not going to automatically just trust Melisandre
to automatically just trust Melisandre because she spouts some visions. He's
because she spouts some visions. He's going to need proof that her magic
going to need proof that her magic actually works and and her visions. Kind
actually works and and her visions. Kind of the same idea with like Stannis. And
of the same idea with like Stannis. And so, those things will happen a little
so, those things will happen a little bit later. It's really, this chapter
bit later. It's really, this chapter really is just setting up Jon and Mel's
really is just setting up Jon and Mel's relationship going forward and what
relationship going forward and what they're going to be kind of doing and
they're going to be kind of doing and how, you know, Mel will use Mance and
how, you know, Mel will use Mance and all that stuff. It's very much a setup
all that stuff. It's very much a setup chapter. Um, doesn't have a terrible
chapter. Um, doesn't have a terrible amount of substance to it to be honest.
amount of substance to it to be honest. It's just kind of a mid chapter for Jon.
It's just kind of a mid chapter for Jon. But saying that, right, it's not a bad
But saying that, right, it's not a bad chapter of this book, right? I like this
chapter of this book, right? I like this chapter significantly more than say like
chapter significantly more than say like Tyrion or Quentyn chapters. just for the
Tyrion or Quentyn chapters. just for the Jon story line. It's probably one of the
Jon story line. It's probably one of the weaker ones of the first kind of six for
weaker ones of the first kind of six for him. You might be thinking and we're
him. You might be thinking and we're starting this video, we've had two
starting this video, we've had two chapters that I'm not too thrilled with.
chapters that I'm not too thrilled with. Um especially the first one. The second
Um especially the first one. The second one's fine, but you know, not any
one's fine, but you know, not any bangers, but then George comes back
bangers, but then George comes back swinging. And I've always said this
swinging. And I've always said this throughout my Beast for Crows
throughout my Beast for Crows retrospective and this retrospective.
retrospective and this retrospective. George has to know what what his weakest
George has to know what what his weakest chapters are going to be or at least
chapters are going to be or at least perceives which ones are not going to be
perceives which ones are not going to be received as well. Because think about
received as well. Because think about those two chapters, right? One of the
those two chapters, right? One of the worst chapters in the story and it comes
worst chapters in the story and it comes between an Asha chapter which I think is
between an Asha chapter which I think is one of the best of the early section of
one of the best of the early section of the story and then it comes between the
the story and then it comes between the best chapter in my opinion of the book.
best chapter in my opinion of the book. Now there is also a John chapter in
Now there is also a John chapter in there but I think these two chapters
there but I think these two chapters going to hide those because we get at
going to hide those because we get at number 30 Davos 4. And I've talked about
number 30 Davos 4. And I've talked about this. I even just made a video talking
this. I even just made a video talking about this chapter a little bit because
about this chapter a little bit because for me at least early on in this
for me at least early on in this retrospective, you know, we're going to
retrospective, you know, we're going to be by the end of this video about 40 41
be by the end of this video about 40 41 chapters into the book of the possible
chapters into the book of the possible 73. And this is my favorite chapter of
73. And this is my favorite chapter of the book, I'm pretty sure. But we'll see
the book, I'm pretty sure. But we'll see if that changes by the time I get done
if that changes by the time I get done with this series. But Davos 4 is the
with this series. But Davos 4 is the North remembers chapter. And I love this
North remembers chapter. And I love this chapter so much because it parallels
chapter so much because it parallels actually Ned's last chapter in a Game of
actually Ned's last chapter in a Game of Thrones. If you guys remember with Ned's
Thrones. If you guys remember with Ned's last chapter in Game of Thrones, it's
last chapter in Game of Thrones, it's kind of all about, you know, him
kind of all about, you know, him thinking about his life and the choices
thinking about his life and the choices that he's made to, you know, getting
that he's made to, you know, getting here and the possibility of him dying
here and the possibility of him dying soon or whatever, right? Now, it's a
soon or whatever, right? Now, it's a little different in terms of the ending,
little different in terms of the ending, right? Because Ned, his whole plotline
right? Because Ned, his whole plotline is about will he give up his honor and
is about will he give up his honor and all these things to protect his family.
all these things to protect his family. Davos's isn't like that because Davos is
Davos's isn't like that because Davos is in a better situation than Ned is, but
in a better situation than Ned is, but you still see those same things kind of
you still see those same things kind of playing out with Davos's chapter, right?
playing out with Davos's chapter, right? The beginning of this chapter opens with
The beginning of this chapter opens with kind of his situation, right? His
kind of his situation, right? His connection with the guards and learning
connection with the guards and learning the history of of the Manderlys and also
the history of of the Manderlys and also this jail cell that he is in the wolf's
this jail cell that he is in the wolf's den which has a very lengthy history and
den which has a very lengthy history and is insanely awesome to like learn about
is insanely awesome to like learn about in this chapter. And we even get a
in this chapter. And we even get a little bit more about how Davos seems to
little bit more about how Davos seems to be treating being treated well. Right?
be treating being treated well. Right? If you think about Davos 3, why Manderly
If you think about Davos 3, why Manderly publicly wanted Davos's head, right? So
publicly wanted Davos's head, right? So why is Davos being able to have simple
why is Davos being able to have simple requests being filled out? You know,
requests being filled out? You know, things for parchment to be able to
things for parchment to be able to write, to be able to read. Um he's
write, to be able to read. Um he's getting a lot of luxuries that he wasn't
getting a lot of luxuries that he wasn't even getting when he say he was a
even getting when he say he was a prisoner of stannises in a storm of
prisoner of stannises in a storm of swords. Davos is treated quite well. And
swords. Davos is treated quite well. And so there's a little bit of this unease
so there's a little bit of this unease building in you, the reader and Davos.
building in you, the reader and Davos. Why has he lived this long? Why is he
Why has he lived this long? Why is he being treated kind of okay? It's a
being treated kind of okay? It's a little weird until all of a sudden
little weird until all of a sudden during the night, Robbit Glover comes to
during the night, Robbit Glover comes to Davos in the middle of the night asking
Davos in the middle of the night asking for him to follow him. And obviously
for him to follow him. And obviously Davos is going to be very wary of this,
Davos is going to be very wary of this, right? Is this the time when Davos dies?
right? Is this the time when Davos dies? What is truly happening here? And as the
What is truly happening here? And as the tension kind of builds,
tension kind of builds, Davos is introduced once again to Wyman
Davos is introduced once again to Wyman Manderly. And you have this whole huge
Manderly. And you have this whole huge reveal that ends up actually changing
reveal that ends up actually changing the northern politics completely because
the northern politics completely because we learn here that Manderly is playing
we learn here that Manderly is playing the phrase for fools, right? He's act
the phrase for fools, right? He's act he's trying to act but he can't because
he's trying to act but he can't because his son is being held captive.
his son is being held captive. And so Wyan Manderly is playing almost
And so Wyan Manderly is playing almost 3D chess, right? He's trying to make
3D chess, right? He's trying to make some moves to get the phrase out of
some moves to get the phrase out of power and the Bolton's out of power, but
power and the Bolton's out of power, but he needs some certain things from Davos.
he needs some certain things from Davos. And we learn about Wex, a character that
And we learn about Wex, a character that mysteriously kind of disappears in a
mysteriously kind of disappears in a Clash of Kings with Theon, but we never
Clash of Kings with Theon, but we never see him again, right? Theon doesn't
see him again, right? Theon doesn't really think of Wex, none of those
really think of Wex, none of those things. But Wex pops out here as Wyan
things. But Wex pops out here as Wyan Manderly and Robert Glover have found
Manderly and Robert Glover have found him. And they reveal that Bran and
him. And they reveal that Bran and Rickon seem to be alive. And
Rickon seem to be alive. And specifically, they know where Rickon is.
specifically, they know where Rickon is. He's in Skagos. And that leads Davos to
He's in Skagos. And that leads Davos to then go to Skagos.
then go to Skagos. It's so great because this chapter is so
It's so great because this chapter is so perfect for the reader because not only
perfect for the reader because not only is it a huge reveal to Davos, but it's
is it a huge reveal to Davos, but it's we're kind of in this dark period where
we're kind of in this dark period where the Starks have been scattered, right?
the Starks have been scattered, right? And none of them are really trying to
And none of them are really trying to get power, right? If you think about
get power, right? If you think about Arya, she's learning. Sans is in a
Arya, she's learning. Sans is in a learning position. All of our Stark
learning position. All of our Stark characters are kind of growing at this
characters are kind of growing at this point. None of them are looking to
point. None of them are looking to reclaim the north. It's only Stannis.
reclaim the north. It's only Stannis. And so when you have the Manorly have
And so when you have the Manorly have this idea that yeah, we'll back this
this idea that yeah, we'll back this we'll back Stannis if you get you know
we'll back Stannis if you get you know Rick on it introduces another element
Rick on it introduces another element into this chapter that's interesting.
into this chapter that's interesting. And the one thing I also find that's
And the one thing I also find that's interesting about the set of chapters
interesting about the set of chapters we're doing in this you know set in this
we're doing in this you know set in this retrospective and this part of the
retrospective and this part of the video. There's a lot of different plot
video. There's a lot of different plot lines that just end. Right? That's one
lines that just end. Right? That's one thing I find very weird about Dance
thing I find very weird about Dance Dragons is there's a lot of plot lines
Dragons is there's a lot of plot lines that even like halfway into the book,
that even like halfway into the book, they just end. Like for instance, this
they just end. Like for instance, this is our last Davos chapter until Winds of
is our last Davos chapter until Winds of Winter. Whenever we get Winds of Winter,
Winter. Whenever we get Winds of Winter, it will pick up after this chapter.
it will pick up after this chapter. There is no chapter in this book after
There is no chapter in this book after this. And you know, others that I'm
this. And you know, others that I'm going to talk about in this video, you
going to talk about in this video, you know, for instance, Mel only has one
know, for instance, Mel only has one chapter. She does not appear until
chapter. She does not appear until probably winds of winter. If you think
probably winds of winter. If you think about Arya Hoda, he has a chapter in
about Arya Hoda, he has a chapter in this book and we won't see him again
this book and we won't see him again until Winds of Winter. Bran, he only has
until Winds of Winter. Bran, he only has three chapters in this book, but this
three chapters in this book, but this will be the last chapter that he has
will be the last chapter that he has until Winds of Winters. You see a lot of
until Winds of Winters. You see a lot of the plots kind of ending quite early on
the plots kind of ending quite early on in this on in this book, which I find
in this on in this book, which I find really fascinating and I wonder why
really fascinating and I wonder why George did it that way. Now, part of it
George did it that way. Now, part of it is the timing of events. Maybe you want
is the timing of events. Maybe you want a passage of time to occur before we go
a passage of time to occur before we go back to Davos, right, of him sailing to
back to Davos, right, of him sailing to Skagos and then maybe in the next book
Skagos and then maybe in the next book we pick up on him actually being in
we pick up on him actually being in Skagos. Who knows? Number 31, we have
Skagos. Who knows? Number 31, we have Danny 5. So again, what I've talked
Danny 5. So again, what I've talked about with Daenerys pretty much
about with Daenerys pretty much throughout the early portion of this
throughout the early portion of this book is she's just a POV that's pretty
book is she's just a POV that's pretty okay, right? She's not good, but she's
okay, right? She's not good, but she's she's not terribly bad, but she's not
she's not terribly bad, but she's not really good either. She's kind of stuck
really good either. She's kind of stuck somewhere in the middle where none of
somewhere in the middle where none of her chapters really feel bad, but none
her chapters really feel bad, but none of them are like the best chapters of
of them are like the best chapters of the book, right? So like even if you
the book, right? So like even if you look at my ratings, which I'll talk
look at my ratings, which I'll talk about by the end of this book, a lot of
about by the end of this book, a lot of Daenerys's chapters are just in the
Daenerys's chapters are just in the middle. So that's kind of how I feel
middle. So that's kind of how I feel about this chapter as well because Danny
about this chapter as well because Danny in Danny 5 really feels the trap is
in Danny 5 really feels the trap is tightening on Meereen. They are being
tightening on Meereen. They are being blockaded but have no navy to combat it.
blockaded but have no navy to combat it. And Daenerys refuses to use her dragons.
And Daenerys refuses to use her dragons. She's completely lost control of
She's completely lost control of dragons. Brown Ben Plum is someone that
dragons. Brown Ben Plum is someone that keeps pushing for that. When Daenerys
keeps pushing for that. When Daenerys doesn't listen to him, those have
doesn't listen to him, those have repercussions that we'll see the
repercussions that we'll see the repercussions in the following chapters
repercussions in the following chapters because Daenerys is not using her true
because Daenerys is not using her true power, the dragons. When she gets her
power, the dragons. When she gets her army and she starts, you know, becoming
army and she starts, you know, becoming a conqueror, it's because of her
a conqueror, it's because of her dragons, right? Her dragons allow her to
dragons, right? Her dragons allow her to get the unsto, but now she has no
get the unsto, but now she has no control of them and that is really
control of them and that is really screwing her up because that's her
screwing her up because that's her advantage.
advantage. But outside of that going on, we also
But outside of that going on, we also see a lot of suspicious activity going
see a lot of suspicious activity going on. Dany has had his follow just to see
on. Dany has had his follow just to see what he's up to. And we know from the
what he's up to. And we know from the reports that he has visited all the the
reports that he has visited all the the families at the pyramids and the
families at the pyramids and the killings have stopped. So, how is it
killings have stopped. So, how is it that Hisdar is able to basically quench
that Hisdar is able to basically quench any of these killings going on where
any of these killings going on where Daenerys can't? Because it makes it feel
Daenerys can't? Because it makes it feel like Hizdar has to have some connection
like Hizdar has to have some connection to the sons of the harpy or at least
to the sons of the harpy or at least know of the people that are in charge of
know of the people that are in charge of them. And so if that is the case, Hisdar
them. And so if that is the case, Hisdar comes off as very suspicious. Is Hizdar
comes off as very suspicious. Is Hizdar part of the Sons of the Harpy like many
part of the Sons of the Harpy like many of the characters in Daenerys's council
of the characters in Daenerys's council believes, or is he actually just a
believes, or is he actually just a puppet figure for the Sons of the Harpy?
puppet figure for the Sons of the Harpy? Like they're using him to get what they
Like they're using him to get what they want. So, for instance, if you are
want. So, for instance, if you are somebody that is in the Sons of the
somebody that is in the Sons of the Harpy, if you're the Green Grace, let's
Harpy, if you're the Green Grace, let's say she's the head of the Sons of the
say she's the head of the Sons of the Harpy, which is what I believe,
Harpy, which is what I believe, you're going to want his daughter to
you're going to want his daughter to become king because you want some sort
become king because you want some sort of representation of the customs and the
of representation of the customs and the things that the Marines people, you
things that the Marines people, you know, want, right? Dany is very
know, want, right? Dany is very progressive. She doesn't listen to the
progressive. She doesn't listen to the cultures a lot a lot of the times of
cultures a lot a lot of the times of Marine. And so, you're putting Hizdar on
Marine. And so, you're putting Hizdar on the throne. And so, the only way to do
the throne. And so, the only way to do that is to stop the killings, right? So
that is to stop the killings, right? So once those killings start, you can now
once those killings start, you can now have that influence throughout through
have that influence throughout through Hizdar. And then after that point, if
Hizdar. And then after that point, if Daenerys was to say die, well, Hisdar
Daenerys was to say die, well, Hisdar has already been declared as the king.
has already been declared as the king. And so you can rule through him. And so
And so you can rule through him. And so that that even comes down to later later
that that even comes down to later later on when we see the poison, you know,
on when we see the poison, you know, Locust, those probably were meant to
Locust, those probably were meant to kill Daenerys. And if that was the case,
kill Daenerys. And if that was the case, his Dar would have become the king.
his Dar would have become the king. There's a lot of that going on right
There's a lot of that going on right now. There's a lot of like suspicious
now. There's a lot of like suspicious politics going on building up for the
politics going on building up for the kind of the last stretch of the book.
kind of the last stretch of the book. But we also find out about what is going
But we also find out about what is going on at Astapore, right? And we saw with
on at Astapore, right? And we saw with the last chapter of Quentyn what was
the last chapter of Quentyn what was going on there. But one of the reasons I
going on there. But one of the reasons I don't think that chapter is even
don't think that chapter is even necessary is because Daenerys hears all
necessary is because Daenerys hears all of it in the next coming chapters. And
of it in the next coming chapters. And so it feels like that was kind of a
so it feels like that was kind of a waste of time. It didn't really
waste of time. It didn't really establish anything. And even when you
establish anything. And even when you think about that Quentyn is given to get
think about that Quentyn is given to get to Daenerys, that's also kind of
to Daenerys, that's also kind of basically described to Daenerys by
basically described to Daenerys by Daario. It's just not very needed. But
Daario. It's just not very needed. But here she finds out what is going on. on
here she finds out what is going on. on how there's a bunch of refugees coming
how there's a bunch of refugees coming to Marine that Astapore was basically
to Marine that Astapore was basically sacked and many people died and were
sacked and many people died and were killed and just the horrors of of the
killed and just the horrors of of the Astapori of the sack of Astapore. These
Astapori of the sack of Astapore. These refugees who Daenerys feels very bad for
refugees who Daenerys feels very bad for of course these are her people
of course these are her people they are carrying a disease and that is
they are carrying a disease and that is the first issue that Dany has to deal
the first issue that Dany has to deal with. It'll become more apparent in the
with. It'll become more apparent in the next chapter but what is Daenerys
next chapter but what is Daenerys supposed to do? She's helpless. She
supposed to do? She's helpless. She can't face the Yung Kai in open battle
can't face the Yung Kai in open battle because if she does so, she has to rely
because if she does so, she has to rely on the brazen beasts to keep the city.
on the brazen beasts to keep the city. And who's to say they don't just close
And who's to say they don't just close the gates and start ruling over Marine?
the gates and start ruling over Marine? She can't trust them. And so, it's
She can't trust them. And so, it's Daenerys being backed into a corner. She
Daenerys being backed into a corner. She can't break the blockade without her
can't break the blockade without her dragons. She can't meet the Yai who are
dragons. She can't meet the Yai who are coming to Meereen
coming to Meereen in open battle. And she also can't even
in open battle. And she also can't even help these refugees at all. She doesn't
help these refugees at all. She doesn't have enough food to even support
have enough food to even support Meereen. If you open your gates to these
Meereen. If you open your gates to these refugees, that's that whole disease is
refugees, that's that whole disease is just going to carry throughout the city
just going to carry throughout the city and then bam, you're going to be not
and then bam, you're going to be not only are you going to be starving
only are you going to be starving because you don't have enough food, but
because you don't have enough food, but you're also going to have people that
you're also going to have people that are going to be sick and ill. And that's
are going to be sick and ill. And that's when the people turn against you. And so
when the people turn against you. And so Daenerys is kind of forced into an
Daenerys is kind of forced into an action. She doesn't want to marry
action. She doesn't want to marry Hisdar, but it seems like the only
Hisdar, but it seems like the only action she can do. She sets aside her
action she can do. She sets aside her own personal wants and does what she
own personal wants and does what she thinks is best for the city. because if
thinks is best for the city. because if Hizdnar is able to bring is able to give
Hizdnar is able to bring is able to give her peace, then that's something that
her peace, then that's something that she has to do to try and save her
she has to do to try and save her people. So, I really like this chapter
people. So, I really like this chapter from Daenerys, even though I don't think
from Daenerys, even though I don't think it's like anything crazy, I think it
it's like anything crazy, I think it really puts to the test how Daenerys is
really puts to the test how Daenerys is failing in her rulership and how she is
failing in her rulership and how she is as a person. She wants to help people,
as a person. She wants to help people, but she doesn't really know how to do
but she doesn't really know how to do that. She doesn't know how to rule. And
that. She doesn't know how to rule. And so, she see thinks that the way that she
so, she see thinks that the way that she can rule will be with getting Hizdar,
can rule will be with getting Hizdar, right? Appeasing people to then bring
right? Appeasing people to then bring everyone together. And that gets us to
everyone together. And that gets us to number 32, Mel. So, this chapter to me
number 32, Mel. So, this chapter to me is probably the biggest shock to me. I
is probably the biggest shock to me. I remember reading A Dance Dragons for the
remember reading A Dance Dragons for the first time and seeing this chapter. And
first time and seeing this chapter. And this chapter really is weird to me
this chapter really is weird to me because you never would have thought
because you never would have thought George would have given Mill a chapter
George would have given Mill a chapter because she's kind of like a mysterious
because she's kind of like a mysterious type of character who has a lot of
type of character who has a lot of information that we the audience don't
information that we the audience don't know. So, like for instance, it would be
know. So, like for instance, it would be weird if we ever got like a Varys or
weird if we ever got like a Varys or Littlefinger chapter because you would
Littlefinger chapter because you would have basically all their plans in their
have basically all their plans in their head. And so how would you even do that?
head. And so how would you even do that? And so George kind of navigates that
And so George kind of navigates that with Mel and some a chapter that I could
with Mel and some a chapter that I could have seen going very wrong for him
have seen going very wrong for him actually goes quite right. I I think
actually goes quite right. I I think this is a chapter that has a lot of
this is a chapter that has a lot of different functions for George. One
different functions for George. One George I think wanted to explore the
George I think wanted to explore the magic of Ror and the red god more. But
magic of Ror and the red god more. But how is he going to do that? There's not
how is he going to do that? There's not a lot of characters that are able to get
a lot of characters that are able to get kind of close to that and un and finding
kind of close to that and un and finding more out about the red god. And we see a
more out about the red god. And we see a little bit of it happen in two different
little bit of it happen in two different storylines in this book. One with kind
storylines in this book. One with kind of Tyrion and Victarion with Mquaro and
of Tyrion and Victarion with Mquaro and then also here with Mel. And this
then also here with Mel. And this chapter also serves another function
chapter also serves another function because if you think about it right, the
because if you think about it right, the wall right now has two POVs, right? It
wall right now has two POVs, right? It has Jon and Mel. But the thing is by the
has Jon and Mel. But the thing is by the end of this book, Jon is going to die.
end of this book, Jon is going to die. And so if you're George and you are
And so if you're George and you are going to have Jon come back, and even if
going to have Jon come back, and even if you aren't, you have to have some other
you aren't, you have to have some other POV take over the wall, right? as their
POV take over the wall, right? as their as our eyes into what's occurring there.
as our eyes into what's occurring there. And so it actually makes a lot of sense
And so it actually makes a lot of sense that he makes Mel a POV here because
that he makes Mel a POV here because he's going to need her to basically
he's going to need her to basically carry the wall plot until Jon gets back.
carry the wall plot until Jon gets back. But again, I really do like this
But again, I really do like this chapter. It shows us how difficult Mel's
chapter. It shows us how difficult Mel's magic is to her and how it's giving her
magic is to her and how it's giving her pain and being harmful to do sometimes,
pain and being harmful to do sometimes, but she makes it look easy. Something
but she makes it look easy. Something that we've thought about the entire
that we've thought about the entire series, like how does Mel's magic work?
series, like how does Mel's magic work? It seems very, you know, easy for her to
It seems very, you know, easy for her to do, but it's not. And a lot of her stuff
do, but it's not. And a lot of her stuff is sometimes it's interpretation with
is sometimes it's interpretation with her visions and other stuff it's just
her visions and other stuff it's just tricks. So we see kind of what Mel is
tricks. So we see kind of what Mel is doing and how she's able to play this
doing and how she's able to play this role of this powerful but yet scary
role of this powerful but yet scary sorcerer or priestess that Mel is. We
sorcerer or priestess that Mel is. We see her looking for visions as she seems
see her looking for visions as she seems to see hard maybe dragons and I the eye
to see hard maybe dragons and I the eye is rangers again Alice Karstark who she
is rangers again Alice Karstark who she believes is Arya and she sees Jon's
believes is Arya and she sees Jon's danger. And that's the biggest thing
danger. And that's the biggest thing here, right? Is that Jon is basically
here, right? Is that Jon is basically being surrounded by death. It seems to
being surrounded by death. It seems to be coming for him, but Jon won't listen
be coming for him, but Jon won't listen to Mel. And that is supposed to be our
to Mel. And that is supposed to be our warning to his death. Kind of like all
warning to his death. Kind of like all the the subtle ways George say
the the subtle ways George say foreshadowed the Red Wedding. We see her
foreshadowed the Red Wedding. We see her even doing a kindness for Davos, keeping
even doing a kindness for Davos, keeping his son actually close to her so that he
his son actually close to her so that he wouldn't have to go off to march in war
wouldn't have to go off to march in war and this horrible thing that Stannis is
and this horrible thing that Stannis is dealing with right now that we'll see in
dealing with right now that we'll see in the next Asha chapter, probably in the
the next Asha chapter, probably in the next part of the series. Uh, with, you
next part of the series. Uh, with, you know, them and this blizzard and this
know, them and this blizzard and this storm and people dying because of the
storm and people dying because of the cold or from starvation, all these
cold or from starvation, all these different things. She has saved him from
different things. She has saved him from that even though Davos's son probably
that even though Davos's son probably won't thank her for it. But it's also
won't thank her for it. But it's also going to be a big reveal is that
going to be a big reveal is that Rattleshirt is not actually Rattleshirt.
Rattleshirt is not actually Rattleshirt. He's actually Mans Raider. Now, we don't
He's actually Mans Raider. Now, we don't get that till the very end of the
get that till the very end of the chapter. But it's important because she
chapter. But it's important because she basically calls for Rattleshirt to
basically calls for Rattleshirt to basically discuss some things about Arya
basically discuss some things about Arya and she hears the horn and it's once
and she hears the horn and it's once again like she sees in the visions and
again like she sees in the visions and like what she saw and like what she told
like what she saw and like what she told Jon that these three eyeless you know
Jon that these three eyeless you know rangers come back to them right on and
rangers come back to them right on and their heads basically on spikes. And so
their heads basically on spikes. And so it's Mel now having an inn with Jon
it's Mel now having an inn with Jon because her visions now are true. You
because her visions now are true. You have if you're Jon you can't question
have if you're Jon you can't question it, right? She's predicted something
it, right? She's predicted something that is pretty unpredictable. And so Jon
that is pretty unpredictable. And so Jon is now forced to listen to Mel. And the
is now forced to listen to Mel. And the two go to talk in her corners when it's
two go to talk in her corners when it's revealed. Mel basically again trying to
revealed. Mel basically again trying to gain Jon's trust because she's like,
gain Jon's trust because she's like, "Hey, let me send Rattleshirt to go
"Hey, let me send Rattleshirt to go help, you know, Arya because my visions
help, you know, Arya because my visions are real. You now believe that, Jon."
are real. You now believe that, Jon." And Jon, you know, of course, he's not
And Jon, you know, of course, he's not going to trust Rattleshirt. And that's
going to trust Rattleshirt. And that's when the man's reveal happens. And this
when the man's reveal happens. And this is a huge reveal because it kind of
is a huge reveal because it kind of proves something else. If Mel believes
proves something else. If Mel believes right, that it's King's blood that
right, that it's King's blood that matters, right? Why does she burn
matters, right? Why does she burn Rattleshirt instead of man's? Mance is a
Rattleshirt instead of man's? Mance is a king. Rattleshirt is not. And so I think
king. Rattleshirt is not. And so I think that's very fascinating. It tells us
that's very fascinating. It tells us more that it's not doesn't have doesn't
more that it's not doesn't have doesn't really have anything to do with King's
really have anything to do with King's blood. It has something to do with
blood. It has something to do with actually blood, you know, blood
actually blood, you know, blood sacrifices and those types of things.
sacrifices and those types of things. But it also makes us question if this is
But it also makes us question if this is the case, why does Mel believe Stannis
the case, why does Mel believe Stannis is Zorah? She knows Lightbringer is not
is Zorah? She knows Lightbringer is not the true Lightbringer. It doesn't
the true Lightbringer. It doesn't produce heat like Aean said. And she
produce heat like Aean said. And she also does these trickery things to
also does these trickery things to basically fool people. Why does she
basically fool people. Why does she believe in in Stannis? Right? That's the
believe in in Stannis? Right? That's the one thing I think is fascinating about
one thing I think is fascinating about this chapter. But basically, the end of
this chapter. But basically, the end of it is just she gains Jon's trust to send
it is just she gains Jon's trust to send Mance and some spear wives to go save
Mance and some spear wives to go save Arion.
Arion. But I think the thing that's even more
But I think the thing that's even more interesting is when you see that Mance
interesting is when you see that Mance actually does arrive for Arya's wedding,
actually does arrive for Arya's wedding, it kind of disproves the vision that Mel
it kind of disproves the vision that Mel believes she's having because Arya, why
believes she's having because Arya, why would she be fleeing on a horse if she's
would she be fleeing on a horse if she's already at this wedding and already
already at this wedding and already Mance is there and all of those things.
Mance is there and all of those things. It kind of makes that not that vision
It kind of makes that not that vision not be true. But Mel doesn't know that.
not be true. But Mel doesn't know that. Again, it's hard to interpret these
Again, it's hard to interpret these things. We know it's actually end up
things. We know it's actually end up being Alice Karstark. But that'll get us
being Alice Karstark. But that'll get us to chapter 33. And that gets us to Theon
to chapter 33. And that gets us to Theon 3. So Theon 3 to me is weird because of
3. So Theon 3 to me is weird because of all the POVs, Theon is the one that I
all the POVs, Theon is the one that I think every single chapter, he just gets
think every single chapter, he just gets better. Each chapter that goes by
better. Each chapter that goes by improves and is more interesting than
improves and is more interesting than the last. And Theon 3 is no different.
the last. And Theon 3 is no different. As we see Ramsay and his boys coming
As we see Ramsay and his boys coming back to Barrow Town, who went out
back to Barrow Town, who went out searching for the missing bra that were
searching for the missing bra that were with Wyman and it seems very suspicious,
with Wyman and it seems very suspicious, right? Of course, the phrase are the
right? Of course, the phrase are the ones that go missing and Wyron Manderly
ones that go missing and Wyron Manderly would have a lot of issues with the
would have a lot of issues with the phrase, but Theon is scared because
phrase, but Theon is scared because Ramsay didn't find the phrase, and that
Ramsay didn't find the phrase, and that would mean he failed his hunt. He would
would mean he failed his hunt. He would want to hurt someone. And Theon knows
want to hurt someone. And Theon knows more than likely that will be him. Now,
more than likely that will be him. Now, Theon Theon does realize that Ramsay has
Theon Theon does realize that Ramsay has to be a little bit more discreet because
to be a little bit more discreet because they are in Barrow Town. He can't be
they are in Barrow Town. He can't be flaunting his cruelty and things like
flaunting his cruelty and things like that. But still, Theon is a bit on edge
that. But still, Theon is a bit on edge and scared. We even see that Ramsay
and scared. We even see that Ramsay killed a man just for calling him a
killed a man just for calling him a snow. It shows you how insecure Ramsay
snow. It shows you how insecure Ramsay is and petty and how cruel he is. But
is and petty and how cruel he is. But that leads us to a feast that is held as
that leads us to a feast that is held as Theon doesn't get any of the perks of
Theon doesn't get any of the perks of being at this feast. He's chained to a
being at this feast. He's chained to a wall to watch basically and getting any
wall to watch basically and getting any types of maybe scraps like a dog or
types of maybe scraps like a dog or maybe even less than a dog. Theon must
maybe even less than a dog. Theon must watch all of the festivities, but this
watch all of the festivities, but this is all interrupted when Roose Bolton
is all interrupted when Roose Bolton comes into the hall. And Roose and
comes into the hall. And Roose and Ramsay, I think their discussion is
Ramsay, I think their discussion is fascinating
fascinating because it's really Roose telling Ramsay
because it's really Roose telling Ramsay how fragile their rule over the North
how fragile their rule over the North truly is. Most of the North hates them.
truly is. Most of the North hates them. Again, they betrayed Rob Stark, the king
Again, they betrayed Rob Stark, the king that they all seemed to like. And not
that they all seemed to like. And not only that, but Ramsay's actual character
only that, but Ramsay's actual character is not very liked either. He's already
is not very liked either. He's already been shown to be a horrible person.
been shown to be a horrible person. There's all been all these rumors about
There's all been all these rumors about him. And the way he holds himself is
him. And the way he holds himself is also not great. And the way Ramsay is
also not great. And the way Ramsay is kind of using only fear, right? He's not
kind of using only fear, right? He's not understanding how you balance those
understanding how you balance those things. And Ruse is basically putting
things. And Ruse is basically putting Ramsay into his place this whole time.
Ramsay into his place this whole time. And I find it so interesting because up
And I find it so interesting because up to this point, we've kind of only seen
to this point, we've kind of only seen Ramsay being f being fully free to do
Ramsay being f being fully free to do whatever he wants, right? That's kind of
whatever he wants, right? That's kind of what Theon worries so much about. But
what Theon worries so much about. But here's somebody else that checks
here's somebody else that checks Ramsay's power. And it's something that
Ramsay's power. And it's something that could maybe lead to Ramsay killing Roose
could maybe lead to Ramsay killing Roose or Roose killing Ramsay. It's very
or Roose killing Ramsay. It's very interesting to think who is going to win
interesting to think who is going to win out because it's kind of gone back and
out because it's kind of gone back and forth. But they also speak about how
forth. But they also speak about how Stannis is also coming coming to try and
Stannis is also coming coming to try and get rid of their claim because of what
get rid of their claim because of what they've done. And Stannis is gaining
they've done. And Stannis is gaining support, not losing it. At this time,
support, not losing it. At this time, Stannis looks really good. He seems to
Stannis looks really good. He seems to have about 5,000 men with more men
have about 5,000 men with more men supposed to meet him basically when they
supposed to meet him basically when they go to Winterfell. So, so Roose's
go to Winterfell. So, so Roose's position is not looking great, but then
position is not looking great, but then something else shockingly happens.
something else shockingly happens. Theon, who's just been allowed to watch
Theon, who's just been allowed to watch this whole conversation,
this whole conversation, is actually wanted for. Now, Ramsay
is actually wanted for. Now, Ramsay basically threatens Theon to not say
basically threatens Theon to not say anything and all those things and
anything and all those things and basically be a spy. And Roose knows
basically be a spy. And Roose knows those things. Roose is not stupid. Roose
those things. Roose is not stupid. Roose seems to be nice to Theon, which is
seems to be nice to Theon, which is quite weird, right? He talks to Theon as
quite weird, right? He talks to Theon as if he actually cares, if he wants new
if he actually cares, if he wants new clothes or things like that, and he kind
clothes or things like that, and he kind of apologizes for Ramsay's behavior. It
of apologizes for Ramsay's behavior. It doesn't seem right. This isn't the
doesn't seem right. This isn't the character of Roose Bolton that we know.
character of Roose Bolton that we know. And Theon himself kind of thinks already
And Theon himself kind of thinks already that this is a trap. Roose is using him
that this is a trap. Roose is using him for something, but he just doesn't know
for something, but he just doesn't know what that is yet. And Theon's 100%
what that is yet. And Theon's 100% right. Roose is trying to get Theon to
right. Roose is trying to get Theon to play a role to play Theon again to give
play a role to play Theon again to give away Arya at Ramsay's wedding because
away Arya at Ramsay's wedding because that's going to give Arya a lot of
that's going to give Arya a lot of legitimacy. If Theon, somebody that knew
legitimacy. If Theon, somebody that knew her really well, is able is saying
her really well, is able is saying publicly or basically being shown as
publicly or basically being shown as publicly accepting that this is Arya
publicly accepting that this is Arya Stark, it gives the Boltons a lot of
Stark, it gives the Boltons a lot of legitimacy. And that's the game that
legitimacy. And that's the game that Roose is playing. But Roose even goes
Roose is playing. But Roose even goes further talking about the backstory of
further talking about the backstory of not only the first Reek, but also Ramsay
not only the first Reek, but also Ramsay himself. And so we get some of the great
himself. And so we get some of the great conversation between it's mainly Roose
conversation between it's mainly Roose talking to Theon, but you know that some
talking to Theon, but you know that some of that back and forth is very
of that back and forth is very fascinating. And when you get to the
fascinating. And when you get to the final part of this where Barbar Dustin,
final part of this where Barbar Dustin, you know, sees Theon because they're
you know, sees Theon because they're basically going to, you know, see her,
basically going to, you know, see her, she is like shocked at him, right? He
she is like shocked at him, right? He seems to be gone half mad and he doesn't
seems to be gone half mad and he doesn't look like Theon at all, right? People
look like Theon at all, right? People that used to know Theon wouldn't even
that used to know Theon wouldn't even think that this is Theon. Think about
think that this is Theon. Think about Theon one or I guess, you know, Reek
Theon one or I guess, you know, Reek one, but I'm just going to call it
one, but I'm just going to call it Theon. They don't even recognize him in
Theon. They don't even recognize him in that chapter. And that's kind of what we
that chapter. And that's kind of what we see. It's it's Theon being groomed into
see. It's it's Theon being groomed into a role to give away Arya to Ramsay and
a role to give away Arya to Ramsay and that psychological damage that's been
that psychological damage that's been placed there by Ramsay upon Theon.
placed there by Ramsay upon Theon. Really great chapter and again I think
Really great chapter and again I think he only improves through pretty much
he only improves through pretty much each and every chapter. And that gets us
each and every chapter. And that gets us into chapter 34. Chapter 34, which is
into chapter 34. Chapter 34, which is Tyrion 8 to me, is a chapter where not
Tyrion 8 to me, is a chapter where not much happens. It that's that's basically
much happens. It that's that's basically the way I'll sum it up. It's like a
the way I'll sum it up. It's like a repeat of like Tyrion with Young Griff
repeat of like Tyrion with Young Griff where they're on the boat pretty much
where they're on the boat pretty much the entire chapter. But at least in that
the entire chapter. But at least in that chatter, right, you had interesting
chatter, right, you had interesting things going on. Tyrion trying to figure
things going on. Tyrion trying to figure out who all these people are and their
out who all these people are and their interesting backstories and some of the
interesting backstories and some of the conversation with those characters.
conversation with those characters. Well, here that's just not the case.
Well, here that's just not the case. There's really a very few amount of
There's really a very few amount of people that even speak the common speech
people that even speak the common speech on this boat that they're on. And of
on this boat that they're on. And of those people, none of them are truly
those people, none of them are truly interesting outside of Mororrow. And so
interesting outside of Mororrow. And so this chapter follows basically two or
this chapter follows basically two or three things. One, Tyrion's relationship
three things. One, Tyrion's relationship with Penny, right? in trying to, you
with Penny, right? in trying to, you know, be friendly with her and make her
know, be friendly with her and make her feel better cuz they basically took
feel better cuz they basically took Penny along with them on this little
Penny along with them on this little boat trip. And that really to me, I
boat trip. And that really to me, I don't really like Penny and Terry's
don't really like Penny and Terry's Penny and Tyrion's dynamic in this book.
Penny and Tyrion's dynamic in this book. It's just to me a lot of fluff. Um
It's just to me a lot of fluff. Um there's not a ton of substance there.
there's not a ton of substance there. It's, you know, one of those things
It's, you know, one of those things where it's like, oh, Tyrion tries to
where it's like, oh, Tyrion tries to speak to Penny. Penny runs away. They
speak to Penny. Penny runs away. They speak again a little bit later and they
speak again a little bit later and they become kind of friends and it's like,
become kind of friends and it's like, eh, I just don't really care that much
eh, I just don't really care that much about it. Now, the interesting part of
about it. Now, the interesting part of this chapter is the Mcquaro stuff. I'm
this chapter is the Mcquaro stuff. I'm learning more about, you know, the about
learning more about, you know, the about Ror and, you know, the visions that he's
Ror and, you know, the visions that he's seeing. And he even has this very
seeing. And he even has this very cryptic line that seems to be about
cryptic line that seems to be about Euron, which I do find quite
Euron, which I do find quite fascinating. And again, I think of
fascinating. And again, I think of really the next two chapters, this one
really the next two chapters, this one and his next one, the only interesting
and his next one, the only interesting part about the chapter is the Mcquaro
part about the chapter is the Mcquaro stuff. And even that Muaro is going to
stuff. And even that Muaro is going to go to Victarion's plot. There's just not
go to Victarion's plot. There's just not a lot going on for Tyrion. Um,
a lot going on for Tyrion. Um, unfortunately, I I don't find much
unfortunately, I I don't find much interesting with the character. I I
interesting with the character. I I think his chapters are just not needed.
think his chapters are just not needed. Like I almost think that you could have
Like I almost think that you could have just gone from after Tyrion 6, you just
just gone from after Tyrion 6, you just basically quickly retell this stuff
basically quickly retell this stuff because again like I've kind of reviewed
because again like I've kind of reviewed for these chapters with Tyrion. There's
for these chapters with Tyrion. There's not much really to say. Um they get on a
not much really to say. Um they get on a boat, they stay on the boat for a while.
boat, they stay on the boat for a while. Tyrion talks to Aquaro and Penny and
Tyrion talks to Aquaro and Penny and that's it. Like that that that's it. It
that's it. Like that that that's it. It seems like why didn't we just pick up
seems like why didn't we just pick up with like maybe Tyrion already in
with like maybe Tyrion already in slavery or whatever? Like we just don't
slavery or whatever? Like we just don't need this chapter and the next chapter.
need this chapter and the next chapter. Like we don't we almost didn't even need
Like we don't we almost didn't even need three of Tyrion's chapters. Like the
three of Tyrion's chapters. Like the three chapters between the young Griff
three chapters between the young Griff stuff and then also becoming
stuff and then also becoming a slave or being sold into slavery.
a slave or being sold into slavery. That stuff like in between just doesn't
That stuff like in between just doesn't do anything. It doesn't really
do anything. It doesn't really particularly matter. But that'll get us
particularly matter. But that'll get us into chapter 35. So again, like I talked
into chapter 35. So again, like I talked about Tyrion's chapter, which again is
about Tyrion's chapter, which again is not a very good one in my opinion. It's
not a very good one in my opinion. It's very much look it's very much in the
very much look it's very much in the bottom like five chapters so far of the
bottom like five chapters so far of the book. It's placed between a really good
book. It's placed between a really good Theon chapter and placed between a
Theon chapter and placed between a really good Bran chapter. Again, I just
really good Bran chapter. Again, I just think George knows those things when he
think George knows those things when he has weaker and really good chapters. So
has weaker and really good chapters. So this is the end of Bran's actual journey
this is the end of Bran's actual journey within the story that we have right now
within the story that we have right now until Winds of Winter comes out. This is
until Winds of Winter comes out. This is the last chapter we have of Bran and it
the last chapter we have of Bran and it basically follows the and it basically
basically follows the and it basically fulfills in my opinion all of Bran's arc
fulfills in my opinion all of Bran's arc up to now, right? It's him finally
up to now, right? It's him finally awakening his powers and becoming
awakening his powers and becoming somewhat of e the three-eyed crow's
somewhat of e the three-eyed crow's apprentice or possibly maybe the
apprentice or possibly maybe the three-eyed crow in the in the future or
three-eyed crow in the in the future or whatever you want to say, right? But I
whatever you want to say, right? But I never thought I'd ever say this in a
never thought I'd ever say this in a book, but Bran is significantly better
book, but Bran is significantly better than Tyrion. This chapter is
than Tyrion. This chapter is fascinating, right? As Tyrion is, you
fascinating, right? As Tyrion is, you know, warging into Hodor and forcing his
know, warging into Hodor and forcing his will upon Hodor, he's in summer and he's
will upon Hodor, he's in summer and he's exploring these caves and the deep
exploring these caves and the deep places of the children of the forest and
places of the children of the forest and learning a bit more about them. But at
learning a bit more about them. But at the same time, even though they've
the same time, even though they've escaped, you know, the perils of their
escaped, you know, the perils of their journey, Jojan seems to becoming sadder
journey, Jojan seems to becoming sadder and sadder. It seems like he knows
and sadder. It seems like he knows something about his fate is to come. And
something about his fate is to come. And I've kind of talked about a lot of the
I've kind of talked about a lot of the hints. So, I've done multiple Jojan
hints. So, I've done multiple Jojan paste videos. I think the best one I've
paste videos. I think the best one I've probably done was last year when we did
probably done was last year when we did the 25 wins of winter theories um or
the 25 wins of winter theories um or some of the more popular theories. I
some of the more popular theories. I think it's pretty set in stone that
think it's pretty set in stone that Jojan became Jojan paste. This blood
Jojan became Jojan paste. This blood paste that Bran is forced to consume
paste that Bran is forced to consume more or less. And I really do think it's
more or less. And I really do think it's more like a blood sacrifice with the
more like a blood sacrifice with the power and the blood of Jojan awakens
power and the blood of Jojan awakens Bran's basically his third eye more or
Bran's basically his third eye more or less and becomes, you know, of someone
less and becomes, you know, of someone be able to see. As Bran drinks this
be able to see. As Bran drinks this blood paste, it begins to show him
blood paste, it begins to show him visions and he sees a bunch of things
visions and he sees a bunch of things through the godswood and the tree that
through the godswood and the tree that we talk about. I even referenced this in
we talk about. I even referenced this in my reread of Game of Thrones with
my reread of Game of Thrones with Callen's first chapter where she thinks
Callen's first chapter where she thinks that the basically the tree the heart
that the basically the tree the heart tree is basically following her. It's
tree is basically following her. It's its eyes seem to be watching her. That
its eyes seem to be watching her. That seems apparent here with Bran because
seems apparent here with Bran because Bran sees a number of things. He sees a
Bran sees a number of things. He sees a vision of Ned. It seems like right after
vision of Ned. It seems like right after Robert's rebellion um talking about how
Robert's rebellion um talking about how you know Jon and Ned hope Jon and Robin
you know Jon and Ned hope Jon and Robin helping them to grow up as like brothers
helping them to grow up as like brothers and things like that. We also see again
and things like that. We also see again we don't know confirmed uh who these
we don't know confirmed uh who these people are but in the vision it seems
people are but in the vision it seems like we see Lyanna and Benjen playing um
like we see Lyanna and Benjen playing um at the pool. We see some other stuff,
at the pool. We see some other stuff, right? There's there's some other stuff
right? There's there's some other stuff um like a pregnant woman coming out of
um like a pregnant woman coming out of the pool past Starks, which I think is
the pool past Starks, which I think is really interesting. But it goes to show
really interesting. But it goes to show that Brain is connected to a place of
that Brain is connected to a place of home of, you know, his interest and his
home of, you know, his interest and his emotion. And Blood Raven sees that right
emotion. And Blood Raven sees that right away because he himself is drawn to his
away because he himself is drawn to his past. And he gives one of the most
past. And he gives one of the most famous lines of this book and, you know,
famous lines of this book and, you know, trying to speculate on, you know, him as
trying to speculate on, you know, him as a character during the first Blackfire
a character during the first Blackfire Rebellion. He talks about how he had a
Rebellion. He talks about how he had a brother he loved, a brother he hated,
brother he loved, a brother he hated, and a woman he desired. Two of these are
and a woman he desired. Two of these are quite obvious as it's Shier Seaar and
quite obvious as it's Shier Seaar and Aigor in terms of the brother he hated
Aigor in terms of the brother he hated and the woman he desired. But the
and the woman he desired. But the brother he loved is left up to
brother he loved is left up to interpretation. I personally really
interpretation. I personally really subscribe to the theory that that is
subscribe to the theory that that is actually Damon Blackfire. That's the
actually Damon Blackfire. That's the person he loved, but this could also be
person he loved, but this could also be Daron, of course. But to me, I think
Daron, of course. But to me, I think it'd be really cool if it was actually
it'd be really cool if it was actually Dam and Blackfire. But at this point,
Dam and Blackfire. But at this point, the story kind of ends for Bran. He
the story kind of ends for Bran. He doesn't get another chapter in this
doesn't get another chapter in this book, which I think is a shame. Uh I
book, which I think is a shame. Uh I know why though. I think George is going
know why though. I think George is going for this kind of similar to Arya and
for this kind of similar to Arya and Sansa route of the character just needs
Sansa route of the character just needs to have a lot of time offscreen to be
to have a lot of time offscreen to be developing and learning. And so that
developing and learning. And so that when we come back to the character in
when we come back to the character in Winds of Winter, he's probably going to
Winds of Winter, he's probably going to be a very changed character. Not to say
be a very changed character. Not to say he's going to be like a robot like he
he's going to be like a robot like he was in the show, but he might not be as
was in the show, but he might not be as maybe human or might not be as much of
maybe human or might not be as much of Bran as he used to be because of these
Bran as he used to be because of these visions and all these things he's seeing
visions and all these things he's seeing and the knowledge that he may now know.
and the knowledge that he may now know. But that gets us to chapter 36, John 7.
But that gets us to chapter 36, John 7. And I I do want to say, you know, Bran,
And I I do want to say, you know, Bran, this is probably his best book. Even
this is probably his best book. Even though this is probably even though this
though this is probably even though this is the book that he's in with the least
is the book that he's in with the least amount of chapters, I think he's really
amount of chapters, I think he's really good in this book. And I wish we got a
good in this book. And I wish we got a little bit more of him. I wish we got
little bit more of him. I wish we got like one or two more chapters, but we'll
like one or two more chapters, but we'll have to wait until winds of winter. So,
have to wait until winds of winter. So, getting into John's 7. Again, this is
getting into John's 7. Again, this is just another one of those chapters that
just another one of those chapters that it's just in the middle of John's arc.
it's just in the middle of John's arc. It's building things to come for later
It's building things to come for later on. Not much really happens. It's Jon
on. Not much really happens. It's Jon going ranging with some new recruits who
going ranging with some new recruits who are going to say their vows at the for
are going to say their vows at the for the old with the old gods. It's the same
the old with the old gods. It's the same thing that Jon and Sam do in book one,
thing that Jon and Sam do in book one, but it seems a bit more risky now,
but it seems a bit more risky now, right? You just have this wildling
right? You just have this wildling attack on the wall. The others are
attack on the wall. The others are becoming more and more prominent. It
becoming more and more prominent. It seems a very dangerous mission to say
seems a very dangerous mission to say some vows. But John rightly so says, you
some vows. But John rightly so says, you know, these men are swearing their lives
know, these men are swearing their lives to the wall. I will go with them, right?
to the wall. I will go with them, right? It's a very important thing for them to
It's a very important thing for them to see me there. And I think that's a
see me there. And I think that's a really good moment from John. But
really good moment from John. But outside of that, like there'sn't much
outside of that, like there'sn't much happening, right? You have one thing
happening, right? You have one thing where Jon is trying to reopen some of
where Jon is trying to reopen some of the castles, and he's going to have one
the castles, and he's going to have one where it's basically all females. That's
where it's basically all females. That's going to be all the spear wives and
going to be all the spear wives and things. That's going to be led by Iron
things. That's going to be led by Iron EMTT and Dolores Ed, which to me is
EMTT and Dolores Ed, which to me is another kind of mistake. I know why he's
another kind of mistake. I know why he's doing it because he needs men he can
doing it because he needs men he can trust to overlook the new castles and
trust to overlook the new castles and especially with a castle full of women,
especially with a castle full of women, but at the same time, he's taking, in my
but at the same time, he's taking, in my opinion, two of his last like real loyal
opinion, two of his last like real loyal supporters and doing away with them,
supporters and doing away with them, right? so that he is slowly and slowly
right? so that he is slowly and slowly isolating himself even more. But upon
isolating himself even more. But upon arrival, they find a group of wildlings
arrival, they find a group of wildlings and a giant and they actually go end up
and a giant and they actually go end up surrounding them just in case, you know,
surrounding them just in case, you know, they're going to have to attack them.
they're going to have to attack them. But we have this weird moment of peace.
But we have this weird moment of peace. You know, these wildlings and this
You know, these wildlings and this giant, they're basically dying. They
giant, they're basically dying. They have no food left. They have no hope of
have no food left. They have no hope of getting, you know, south of the wall.
getting, you know, south of the wall. They won't be able to make it to hard.
They won't be able to make it to hard. They're dying. And so John after hearing
They're dying. And so John after hearing these vows decides that he should help
these vows decides that he should help these wildlings as well. They are men.
these wildlings as well. They are men. They they are human. They should defend
They they are human. They should defend them as well. And and they basically are
them as well. And and they basically are deciding to let them come with them
deciding to let them come with them through the wall. But not only does he
through the wall. But not only does he allow wildlings through the wall, he
allow wildlings through the wall, he also brings two of the bodies of the
also brings two of the bodies of the wildlings with them. He wants to study
wildlings with them. He wants to study them to see if, you know, if the others
them to see if, you know, if the others are able to come back or not and what
are able to come back or not and what that means. But the problem I once again
that means. But the problem I once again have with Jon, and this has been a
have with Jon, and this has been a prominent theme throughout the entire
prominent theme throughout the entire story for Jon, is he just doesn't
story for Jon, is he just doesn't communicate things well. And don't get
communicate things well. And don't get me wrong, he is the Lord Commander. He
me wrong, he is the Lord Commander. He doesn't have to tell everybody
doesn't have to tell everybody everything.
everything. But when you're bringing two dead bodies
But when you're bringing two dead bodies south of the from from north of the wall
south of the from from north of the wall to the south,
to the south, it's a little weird. Like, and he
it's a little weird. Like, and he doesn't really explain that to the
doesn't really explain that to the people. Maybe he explains that to like
people. Maybe he explains that to like Bow and Marsh or whatever. But if you're
Bow and Marsh or whatever. But if you're an average Nights Watchman and you're
an average Nights Watchman and you're seeing this and you're going, "Huh,
seeing this and you're going, "Huh, where we brought back some wildlings and
where we brought back some wildlings and a giant people that we've been against
a giant people that we've been against and fought against forever and you're
and fought against forever and you're bringing back two dead bodies." It's
bringing back two dead bodies." It's just a weird look for Jon and he doesn't
just a weird look for Jon and he doesn't help himself. And that's what I just uh
help himself. And that's what I just uh it's so frustrating to read Jon
it's so frustrating to read Jon sometimes because he does not express
sometimes because he does not express why he does things. And so you're
why he does things. And so you're leaving it up to, you know, rumors and
leaving it up to, you know, rumors and what people think Jon may be thinking.
what people think Jon may be thinking. And that's what a lot, I think, leads to
And that's what a lot, I think, leads to his death. But that is not exactly the
his death. But that is not exactly the end of it either. As he as he hears news
end of it either. As he as he hears news of Stannis's conquest, as his army is
of Stannis's conquest, as his army is growing, but he wonders if Winterfell is
growing, but he wonders if Winterfell is a trap for Stannis, which it is, right?
a trap for Stannis, which it is, right? We know that that is the case. It is a
We know that that is the case. It is a trap because the Boltons are going to
trap because the Boltons are going to get to go to a defensible position.
get to go to a defensible position. They're going to have more food and
They're going to have more food and ration than Stannis. stand. So we have
ration than Stannis. stand. So we have to siege them and be outside of the
to siege them and be outside of the wall. And we also know and we also know
wall. And we also know and we also know that he is going to be betrayed by the
that he is going to be betrayed by the carstark coming here as well. So yes,
carstark coming here as well. So yes, Jon is quite right. And also Arya isn't
Jon is quite right. And also Arya isn't the real Arya, but that doesn't matter
the real Arya, but that doesn't matter to Stannis. He doesn't know that
to Stannis. He doesn't know that information. And the mountain clans that
information. And the mountain clans that he has with him, they are going to want
he has with him, they are going to want to save Arya. And that's going to force
to save Arya. And that's going to force Stannis's hand. He has to go to
Stannis's hand. He has to go to Winterfell. He can't just allow this
Winterfell. He can't just allow this marriage and all this stuff to actually
marriage and all this stuff to actually happen. That gets us to chapter 37,
happen. That gets us to chapter 37, Danny 6. I really like the opening of
Danny 6. I really like the opening of this chapter, but I don't like the end.
this chapter, but I don't like the end. And so, we'll talk about it. There's
And so, we'll talk about it. There's there's two parts of this chapter. And
there's two parts of this chapter. And it's weird to me because it's the main
it's weird to me because it's the main two like I think conflicting forces of
two like I think conflicting forces of of why I like and don't like Daenerys in
of why I like and don't like Daenerys in this book because part of it is the side
this book because part of it is the side of her trying to rule, right? It's her
of her trying to rule, right? It's her trying to save people, but she doesn't
trying to save people, but she doesn't know how to do that. And so it's her
know how to do that. And so it's her inspecting, you know, the refugees and
inspecting, you know, the refugees and the horror that this war has created.
the horror that this war has created. You know, people are left dying outside
You know, people are left dying outside of Marine. These Ato refugees, they're,
of Marine. These Ato refugees, they're, you know, going without food and
you know, going without food and supplies and people are too afraid to
supplies and people are too afraid to even, you know, go near them and so
even, you know, go near them and so they're just left to die. Really, it
they're just left to die. Really, it reminds me a lot of one of the Daenerys
reminds me a lot of one of the Daenerys chapters in a Game of Thrones. I believe
chapters in a Game of Thrones. I believe it's Daenerys 7 if I'm not mistaken
it's Daenerys 7 if I'm not mistaken where she's basically seeing all these
where she's basically seeing all these people being, you know, sexually abused
people being, you know, sexually abused and and killed by the Dothraki. And
and and killed by the Dothraki. And that's kind of the same idea here. It's
that's kind of the same idea here. It's just it's not it's not because of people
just it's not it's not because of people actually harming them. It's because this
actually harming them. It's because this shortage of food. It's because of, you
shortage of food. It's because of, you know, this disease that has been created
know, this disease that has been created because of war. And it's George really
because of war. And it's George really hammering into us that war, this is what
hammering into us that war, this is what it does to people. And it's Daenerys
it does to people. And it's Daenerys trying to do her best, right? It's her
trying to do her best, right? It's her trying to give these people comfort,
trying to give these people comfort, whether it's just, you know, blessing
whether it's just, you know, blessing them or trying to clean them or, you
them or trying to clean them or, you know, care for them, trying to show that
know, care for them, trying to show that she cares because that's the only thing
she cares because that's the only thing that she can do for them, right? Her men
that she can do for them, right? Her men are too afraid to to bring them food and
are too afraid to to bring them food and all of those things. So, she all she can
all of those things. So, she all she can really do is try to give them attention,
really do is try to give them attention, right? She's helpless to their please uh
right? She's helpless to their please uh for help. She can do really nothing. And
for help. She can do really nothing. And so, that's the part of the chapter I
so, that's the part of the chapter I really do enjoy. I love putting Daenerys
really do enjoy. I love putting Daenerys in the Daenerys in these situations
in the Daenerys in these situations where she doesn't know what she can do.
where she doesn't know what she can do. She feels hopeless. She feels back into
She feels hopeless. She feels back into a corner. That's going to lead to some
a corner. That's going to lead to some interesting, you know, conflicts. The
interesting, you know, conflicts. The part of the chapter I'm not a huge fan
part of the chapter I'm not a huge fan of is the part where it's Daenerys
of is the part where it's Daenerys discussing like marriage traditions with
discussing like marriage traditions with Hizdar and they're at dinner kind of
Hizdar and they're at dinner kind of talking about some of those things. I
talking about some of those things. I don't really like that part of her story
don't really like that part of her story much. I I don't really like Daenerys's
much. I I don't really like Daenerys's kind of romance arcs in this with
kind of romance arcs in this with whether that's with Quentyn, whether
whether that's with Quentyn, whether it's with Daario, whether it's with his
it's with Daario, whether it's with his Dar, just not my favorite thing for
Dar, just not my favorite thing for Daenerys. Um, and that really comes up,
Daenerys. Um, and that really comes up, you know, after this as well because not
you know, after this as well because not only do we get kind of the marriage
only do we get kind of the marriage stuff going on, but after the marriage
stuff going on, but after the marriage stuff, Daario arrives telling her of how
stuff, Daario arrives telling her of how things are going, right? Y Kai is
things are going, right? Y Kai is marching on Meereen. But not only that,
marching on Meereen. But not only that, to Daenerys's heartbreak, Brown Brown
to Daenerys's heartbreak, Brown Brown Ben Plum with the second sons have
Ben Plum with the second sons have actually switched sides. And it's so
actually switched sides. And it's so heartbreaking because Daenerys really
heartbreaking because Daenerys really liked him. And that becomes very
liked him. And that becomes very apparent. She thinks about him during
apparent. She thinks about him during like their council meetings that she
like their council meetings that she really does enjoy him. And to see him
really does enjoy him. And to see him flip on her and it seems to be because
flip on her and it seems to be because she's not using her dragons. Her case is
she's not using her dragons. Her case is looking worse and worse. She not she's
looking worse and worse. She not she's not leaning into being a Targaryen. And
not leaning into being a Targaryen. And so I like that Daenerys I like I really
so I like that Daenerys I like I really like that Daenerys is facing
like that Daenerys is facing consequences for some of the things that
consequences for some of the things that she's done and for not listening to
she's done and for not listening to council. But the chapter ends with her
council. But the chapter ends with her basically having sex with Daario, which
basically having sex with Daario, which is always not my favorite stuff. But
is always not my favorite stuff. But yeah, I think a solid chapter overall.
yeah, I think a solid chapter overall. But for me, like Danny 6 is the most I
But for me, like Danny 6 is the most I don't know how would I say this, the
don't know how would I say this, the most chapter of this book. It has its
most chapter of this book. It has its good things and it also has its bad
good things and it also has its bad things unfortunately. But that'll get us
things unfortunately. But that'll get us into number 38 which is thankfully
into number 38 which is thankfully another Theon chapter. So Theon 4 to me
another Theon chapter. So Theon 4 to me is a very controversial chapter to me.
is a very controversial chapter to me. I'm not even sure how this chapter is
I'm not even sure how this chapter is viewed by most of the A Song of Fire
viewed by most of the A Song of Fire community because it's definitely one of
community because it's definitely one of the darkest chapters in A Song of Fire.
the darkest chapters in A Song of Fire. This chapter is is Jane Pool and
This chapter is is Jane Pool and Ramsay's wedding. So, you already know
Ramsay's wedding. So, you already know where this chapter is kind of going, but
where this chapter is kind of going, but I won't lie. This is definitely one of
I won't lie. This is definitely one of my favorite chapters. And it's weird to
my favorite chapters. And it's weird to me that I say that because of the such a
me that I say that because of the such a controversial ending to the chapter and
controversial ending to the chapter and how horrifying that is. But at the same
how horrifying that is. But at the same time, I'm a big Maester conspiracy fan
time, I'm a big Maester conspiracy fan and I love Barbarie Dustin's speech on
and I love Barbarie Dustin's speech on the maesters and I'm like, I'm right
the maesters and I'm like, I'm right there with you, sis. I agree. Those
there with you, sis. I agree. Those maesters are sus as hell. But let let
maesters are sus as hell. But let let me, you know, chronologically break down
me, you know, chronologically break down this chapter a little bit for you guys.
this chapter a little bit for you guys. Just a lot of things that come to mind
Just a lot of things that come to mind about this chapter that I really do
about this chapter that I really do enjoy. So the first thing I enjoy about
enjoy. So the first thing I enjoy about this is establishing that relation that
this is establishing that relation that relationship between Jane Pool and
relationship between Jane Pool and Theon. You know, her basically pleading
Theon. You know, her basically pleading Theon for help and all these things and
Theon for help and all these things and Theon who is trying to help her by
Theon who is trying to help her by telling her to be Arya, right? Don't let
telling her to be Arya, right? Don't let him don't give him a reason to hurt you.
him don't give him a reason to hurt you. It's right. It's literally Theon who's
It's right. It's literally Theon who's been abused by this person for a long
been abused by this person for a long time now. It's really shows to us kind
time now. It's really shows to us kind of how that abuse has worked and
of how that abuse has worked and psychologically broken Theon, but it's
psychologically broken Theon, but it's also an a very haunting chapter as well.
also an a very haunting chapter as well. This is Theon's first chapter back in
This is Theon's first chapter back in Winterfell. And so, it's a very dark
Winterfell. And so, it's a very dark chapter in terms of what it represents
chapter in terms of what it represents to Theon. So Theon not only has to go
to Theon. So Theon not only has to go back into kind of playing the role of
back into kind of playing the role of Theon, which is already very
Theon, which is already very uncomfortable for him, he has to give
uncomfortable for him, he has to give away Jane Pool. It's basically him
away Jane Pool. It's basically him giving her away to be abused and
giving her away to be abused and tortured the way Theon has been. And
tortured the way Theon has been. And it's just him struggling through that,
it's just him struggling through that, struggling through this mentally,
struggling through this mentally, struggling through it physically as he
struggling through it physically as he tries to make sure he walks straight and
tries to make sure he walks straight and doesn't fall or any of those things
doesn't fall or any of those things because of, you know, his toes being
because of, you know, his toes being taken or whatnot. It's an incredibly
taken or whatnot. It's an incredibly dark chapter, but even more so after the
dark chapter, but even more so after the wedding happens, because it happens, you
wedding happens, because it happens, you know, outside, Theon hears his name,
know, outside, Theon hears his name, seems to be calling for him, trying to
seems to be calling for him, trying to awaken him as being Theon and breaking
awaken him as being Theon and breaking him out of this Greek persona. It seems
him out of this Greek persona. It seems to be in my opinion Bran speaking to him
to be in my opinion Bran speaking to him from the godswood which is very
from the godswood which is very interesting telling us that maybe you
interesting telling us that maybe you know what Brendan Rivers tells Bran that
know what Brendan Rivers tells Bran that he can't change the past maybe not true
he can't change the past maybe not true Bran may be more powerful than Brendan
Bran may be more powerful than Brendan Rivers ever was because he definitely
Rivers ever was because he definitely seems to reach out to Theon or maybe
seems to reach out to Theon or maybe Theon's imagining it but either way it's
Theon's imagining it but either way it's Theon slowly breaking out of this Reek
Theon slowly breaking out of this Reek that that he's been trained to play as
that that he's been trained to play as but we get the feast. And this is where
but we get the feast. And this is where I think the chapter really gets
I think the chapter really gets interesting because on one hand you have
interesting because on one hand you have the Frey pie theory that is prevalent
the Frey pie theory that is prevalent here or why Manly is very excited about
here or why Manly is very excited about these pies and having a lot of servings
these pies and having a lot of servings of pie. And so I really enjoy that part
of pie. And so I really enjoy that part of it. It seems like that Frey pie is
of it. It seems like that Frey pie is happening, but I really enjoy the
happening, but I really enjoy the conversation that Barbarie has with
conversation that Barbarie has with Theon where she's telling him a lot
Theon where she's telling him a lot about her past and her relationship with
about her past and her relationship with Brandon Stark and the reason Ricard
Brandon Stark and the reason Ricard Stark even went south and trying to get
Stark even went south and trying to get these alliances with the South. It's
these alliances with the South. It's really interesting to see the way we
really interesting to see the way we this character was made through those
this character was made through those things and some of the things happening
things and some of the things happening before Robert's rebellion. It's very
before Robert's rebellion. It's very interesting to see those things and I
interesting to see those things and I love all of that. I love the maester
love all of that. I love the maester stuff. And then we get to probably one
stuff. And then we get to probably one of the most horrifying things of this
of the most horrifying things of this chapter. As soon as we read that Theon
chapter. As soon as we read that Theon is called by Ramsay, you can tell where
is called by Ramsay, you can tell where this is going right away because Theon
this is going right away because Theon is forced to, let's just say, get Arya
is forced to, let's just say, get Arya ready for her husband on their bedding
ready for her husband on their bedding ceremony. Let's just put it that way.
ceremony. Let's just put it that way. And it's incredibly difficult to read.
And it's incredibly difficult to read. It's incredibly difficult. Theon having
It's incredibly difficult. Theon having to get Jane ready for Ramsay. It's just
to get Jane ready for Ramsay. It's just psychological torture. It's telling
psychological torture. It's telling Theon that you can't do anything. Theon
Theon that you can't do anything. Theon even has a knife. He could try to attack
even has a knife. He could try to attack Ramsay, but he doesn't. It's just that
Ramsay, but he doesn't. It's just that breaking. It's slowly Theon being broken
breaking. It's slowly Theon being broken down. It's slowly Theon realizing he
down. It's slowly Theon realizing he needs to become Theon again. And so, I
needs to become Theon again. And so, I really like the chapter. I think it's
really like the chapter. I think it's incredibly dark. I know it's a
incredibly dark. I know it's a controversial chapter of this series,
controversial chapter of this series, but I do really like the chapter overall
but I do really like the chapter overall for what it does for the story. And that
for what it does for the story. And that gets us to number 39, Arya. Aryo Hod.
gets us to number 39, Arya. Aryo Hod. And I I mentioned this earlier on in the
And I I mentioned this earlier on in the video, but this is the one and only
video, but this is the one and only Dornish chapter we get. There's no Aron
Dornish chapter we get. There's no Aron chapters in this book. And so this is
chapters in this book. And so this is kind of our update chapter, right? Just
kind of our update chapter, right? Just to kind of tell us what's going on in
to kind of tell us what's going on in Dorne to get us ready for Winds of
Dorne to get us ready for Winds of Winter. And so we see Arya Hoda at the
Winter. And so we see Arya Hoda at the first half of this chapter is all about
first half of this chapter is all about this kind of feast that's taking place
this kind of feast that's taking place where Balon Swan has finally arrived to
where Balon Swan has finally arrived to Sunspear. And now what's going to
Sunspear. And now what's going to happen, right? Balon Swan was sent to
happen, right? Balon Swan was sent to get back Myrrcella. But where is
get back Myrrcella. But where is Myrrcella? And how is Duran going to
Myrrcella? And how is Duran going to spin this tale of what occurred or with
spin this tale of what occurred or with Aron's coup that was trying to put
Aron's coup that was trying to put Myrcella on the throne? What is going to
Myrcella on the throne? What is going to happen there? What is Doran Duran going
happen there? What is Doran Duran going to tell Balon Swan in terms of Aeros
to tell Balon Swan in terms of Aeros Oakart's death and Marcela's kind of
Oakart's death and Marcela's kind of missing ear? What is he going to tell
missing ear? What is he going to tell him? And so the whole thing plays out as
him? And so the whole thing plays out as kind of just a performance from Durant.
kind of just a performance from Durant. Even allegedly Gregor's head has been
Even allegedly Gregor's head has been delivered, which is which is complete
delivered, which is which is complete and utter BS, right? That's just not
and utter BS, right? That's just not Gregor's head. And the first half this
Gregor's head. And the first half this is just full of tension. I really like
is just full of tension. I really like that part of this chapter. It's full of
that part of this chapter. It's full of tension. The Dornish, even when there's
tension. The Dornish, even when there's like a toast for Tommen, the Dor half
like a toast for Tommen, the Dor half the Dornish seem to not even toast at
the Dornish seem to not even toast at all. It shows how Dorne is on the brink
all. It shows how Dorne is on the brink of war. But the second half talks about
of war. But the second half talks about the real Dornish plan and what Duran has
the real Dornish plan and what Duran has planned. He is going to basically get
planned. He is going to basically get Balon Swan to go after Dark Stars. My
Balon Swan to go after Dark Stars. My Marcela will be fed kind of a lie about
Marcela will be fed kind of a lie about what truly happened. And Duran is going
what truly happened. And Duran is going to set out getting the Sand Snakes in
to set out getting the Sand Snakes in positions of power or influence or
positions of power or influence or trying to basically make them spies.
trying to basically make them spies. He's going to send Obara to assist with
He's going to send Obara to assist with Dark Star's capture because he's
Dark Star's capture because he's somebody that knows what would have
somebody that knows what would have happened and you know you want him dead
happened and you know you want him dead more or less. He wants Nimriia to take
more or less. He wants Nimriia to take Oberin's seat on the council and Tyenne
Oberin's seat on the council and Tyenne needs to get close to the high septin.
needs to get close to the high septin. He wants the sand snakes in a position
He wants the sand snakes in a position to bite if needed be like a snake. And
to bite if needed be like a snake. And he also reveals the plot that was set
he also reveals the plot that was set before him that what was really supposed
before him that what was really supposed to happen was when Tristain and
to happen was when Tristain and Myrrcella were going to be on their way
Myrrcella were going to be on their way back to King's Landing, they were going
back to King's Landing, they were going to based
to based a group of basically mercenaries that
a group of basically mercenaries that was going to be shouting basically half
was going to be shouting basically half man or the imp that were going to more
man or the imp that were going to more or less make Duran not think it was
or less make Duran not think it was Cersei that did it as they were going to
Cersei that did it as they were going to have Tristane killed blaming Tyrion. And
have Tristane killed blaming Tyrion. And so you see how Duran is very smart. He's
so you see how Duran is very smart. He's understanding what the circumstances are
understanding what the circumstances are and he's changing the field. And so I
and he's changing the field. And so I really like that part of it. Now the
really like that part of it. Now the other part part of this chapter I really
other part part of this chapter I really like as well is actually sand. How she
like as well is actually sand. How she doesn't want any of this war and
doesn't want any of this war and violence to happen anymore. She doesn't
violence to happen anymore. She doesn't want killing. She doesn't want all these
want killing. She doesn't want all these things. She's very smart. But yeah, it's
things. She's very smart. But yeah, it's a very but this chapter is a very good
a very but this chapter is a very good chapter of setting up the Dornish plot
chapter of setting up the Dornish plot to go forward. But I think my only
to go forward. But I think my only problem with this chapter is just Ariota
problem with this chapter is just Ariota is not a very interesting POV. Um, since
is not a very interesting POV. Um, since we're in his head, I mean, he just kind
we're in his head, I mean, he just kind of stands there and watches everything.
of stands there and watches everything. He doesn't really have too much of an
He doesn't really have too much of an actual personality. He's very much a
actual personality. He's very much a passive POV character, which isn't
passive POV character, which isn't necessarily a bad thing all the time,
necessarily a bad thing all the time, but it's when you have a character that
but it's when you have a character that doesn't have much enjoyment value. Like
doesn't have much enjoyment value. Like he doesn't have like for instance, say
he doesn't have like for instance, say like Tyrion in the first three books
like Tyrion in the first three books where, you know, in being inside of his
where, you know, in being inside of his head, he thinks very interesting
head, he thinks very interesting thoughts and he's very interesting
thoughts and he's very interesting character. Ariota is kind of one note
character. Ariota is kind of one note but still a great chapter. Uh and
but still a great chapter. Uh and that'll move us into 40th chapter John
that'll move us into 40th chapter John 8. Now John 8 is not exactly a long
8. Now John 8 is not exactly a long chapter. It's actually quite short, but
chapter. It's actually quite short, but in my opinion, it is a pivotal chapter
in my opinion, it is a pivotal chapter into the second half of John's story
into the second half of John's story because on one hand, he's making a huge
because on one hand, he's making a huge risk of sending Val to Tormund to try
risk of sending Val to Tormund to try and get him to basically treat with him
and get him to basically treat with him and to basically create a piece in which
and to basically create a piece in which the wildlings can come south of the
the wildlings can come south of the wall. This is a massive move, right?
wall. This is a massive move, right? Because the wildlings that came through
Because the wildlings that came through the wall before, not the ones like in
the wall before, not the ones like in the last chapter I talked about with
the last chapter I talked about with John, uh that little small party that
John, uh that little small party that came through. The last time the
came through. The last time the wildlings were allowed to come south was
wildlings were allowed to come south was because Stannis allowed that to happen
because Stannis allowed that to happen and all of those things. This is
and all of those things. This is completely different, right? This is
completely different, right? This is having thousands of wildlings come
having thousands of wildlings come through the wall willingly um by Jon. It
through the wall willingly um by Jon. It is very threatening because if you think
is very threatening because if you think about the wildlings and the nights watch
about the wildlings and the nights watch have been enemies for years, right? And
have been enemies for years, right? And you're going to now allow them to go
you're going to now allow them to go through the wall, your only defense
through the wall, your only defense against the wildlings. Well, what if the
against the wildlings. Well, what if the wildlings turn on you, right? What if
wildlings turn on you, right? What if they remember all these people that that
they remember all these people that that they have lost because of the nights
they have lost because of the nights watch? What stops them from rallying up
watch? What stops them from rallying up and killing all of them, right? They
and killing all of them, right? They don't have enough men to, you know, man
don't have enough men to, you know, man the walls. And the counter to that is
the walls. And the counter to that is obviously, well, the others threat,
obviously, well, the others threat, right? It's at least they're human. You
right? It's at least they're human. You can negotiate with them. And so it's one
can negotiate with them. And so it's one of these weird things because Jon is
of these weird things because Jon is getting rid of Val, who is Stannis's
getting rid of Val, who is Stannis's prize. Stannis would not want her to be
prize. Stannis would not want her to be released. And it's also you're doing
released. And it's also you're doing something that is heavily against the
something that is heavily against the Nights Watch. And again, Shawn doesn't
Nights Watch. And again, Shawn doesn't take any type of counsel. He doesn't
take any type of counsel. He doesn't listen to anybody. He just acts. He does
listen to anybody. He just acts. He does this thing with Val without getting any
this thing with Val without getting any counsel from anybody else, seeing what
counsel from anybody else, seeing what they think about this. And so it comes
they think about this. And so it comes off as Jon going against the Night's
off as Jon going against the Night's Watch and doing things just recklessly.
Watch and doing things just recklessly. And that's the big part of this because
And that's the big part of this because the second half of the chapter is going
the second half of the chapter is going to be people voicing their complaints,
to be people voicing their complaints, right? Led by kind of Bow and Marsh
right? Led by kind of Bow and Marsh because Jon has been doing some things
because Jon has been doing some things that are quite weird because from their
that are quite weird because from their point of view who Jon is not really
point of view who Jon is not really having any council with anybody. He's
having any council with anybody. He's just making decisions on his own. People
just making decisions on his own. People don't understand what he's doing. He
don't understand what he's doing. He just doesn't explain it. And so the
just doesn't explain it. And so the reason he dies is really built upon this
reason he dies is really built upon this chapter in my opinion because not only
chapter in my opinion because not only is he going to be, you know, pissing off
is he going to be, you know, pissing off Stannis and his men, he's also going to
Stannis and his men, he's also going to be pissing off the Nights Watch as well.
be pissing off the Nights Watch as well. And so he has no backing really on any
And so he has no backing really on any of the decisions he's making. He just
of the decisions he's making. He just does them. And so Bowen Marsh and the
does them. And so Bowen Marsh and the others talk about how Leathers has been
others talk about how Leathers has been made a master of arms, but he's a
made a master of arms, but he's a wildling. and how Satine is has become
wildling. and how Satine is has become basically what Jon used to be for Gor
basically what Jon used to be for Gor Mormont and that's meant to be, you
Mormont and that's meant to be, you know, grooming him for rule. Well,
know, grooming him for rule. Well, that's not how that's supposed to work.
that's not how that's supposed to work. Satine is very lowborn, right? He is
Satine is very lowborn, right? He is someone that has a very troubled past.
someone that has a very troubled past. Why is he being groomed for rule, right?
Why is he being groomed for rule, right? It's this hierarchy and they just don't
It's this hierarchy and they just don't understand Jon's motivations. They don't
understand Jon's motivations. They don't understand why Jon is doing things and
understand why Jon is doing things and Jon doesn't bother explaining it to
Jon doesn't bother explaining it to them. But then they also argue about
them. But then they also argue about sending Val and to negotiate with
sending Val and to negotiate with Tormund at all, as well as these dead
Tormund at all, as well as these dead bodies Jon has brought back and said
bodies Jon has brought back and said nothing about. And Jon, I think in my
nothing about. And Jon, I think in my opinion, is completely wrong in the way
opinion, is completely wrong in the way he handles this conversation. What these
he handles this conversation. What these people want, they're not being
people want, they're not being antagonistic to Jon. They're questioning
antagonistic to Jon. They're questioning him. They want to know why he's doing
him. They want to know why he's doing the things he does because he doesn't
the things he does because he doesn't ask anybody for counsel. He acts alone.
ask anybody for counsel. He acts alone. And yes, you can do those things, right?
And yes, you can do those things, right? that a king or a lord commander has that
that a king or a lord commander has that power, but what does it do? It isolates
power, but what does it do? It isolates the people around you, especially when
the people around you, especially when it's controversial things, right? Think
it's controversial things, right? Think about Aegon the 5th. He's a king that is
about Aegon the 5th. He's a king that is definitely a good person at heart, but a
definitely a good person at heart, but a lot of the things that he does goes
lot of the things that he does goes against his council. It goes against the
against his council. It goes against the people that are the wealthy and the
people that are the wealthy and the highborn and it puts a massive target on
highborn and it puts a massive target on Aegon's back to where he's not able to
Aegon's back to where he's not able to ever really keep these things enforced
ever really keep these things enforced because because he just does things that
because because he just does things that a lot of people don't like. He doesn't
a lot of people don't like. He doesn't make people understand why these things
make people understand why these things need to happen. And it's a bit
need to happen. And it's a bit different. I think Aon the fifth is way
different. I think Aon the fifth is way more justified than Jon is here. But Jon
more justified than Jon is here. But Jon should be telling them a lot more. He
should be telling them a lot more. He just basically yells at them and just
just basically yells at them and just kind of like shuts the conversation
kind of like shuts the conversation down. There's no real discussion on
down. There's no real discussion on ideology or thoughts in a meaningful
ideology or thoughts in a meaningful way. It's John being very youthful and
way. It's John being very youthful and very egotistical. Right? I am somebody
very egotistical. Right? I am somebody when I was younger, I re I relate to
when I was younger, I re I relate to John a lot in this. I was somebody that
John a lot in this. I was somebody that didn't know exactly how to converse with
didn't know exactly how to converse with people when they have different
people when they have different conflicting views than your own. How do
conflicting views than your own. How do you deal with those kind of
you deal with those kind of conversations?
conversations? And John kind of reminds me of myself. I
And John kind of reminds me of myself. I wasn't able to do those things. And you
wasn't able to do those things. And you know, I've I've learned, I think, a lot
know, I've I've learned, I think, a lot from that. And so for an example, I
from that. And so for an example, I don't believe in, you know, certain
don't believe in, you know, certain things like smoking because maybe
things like smoking because maybe health, you know, or whatever, but I
health, you know, or whatever, but I still have friends that maybe do do
still have friends that maybe do do those things, but I it's not like I hate
those things, but I it's not like I hate them or anything like that. Like that's
them or anything like that. Like that's what they want to do with their life and
what they want to do with their life and that's what they want to do. So who am I
that's what they want to do. So who am I to judge them for those things? That's
to judge them for those things? That's kind of how I view like Jon right now.
kind of how I view like Jon right now. He's not doing that though. John is
He's not doing that though. John is somebody that is very much doing my way
somebody that is very much doing my way or the highway type philosophy and he's
or the highway type philosophy and he's not even explaining why he got onto his
not even explaining why he got onto his highway of thought. And so I think John
highway of thought. And so I think John is not the greatest Lord Commander
is not the greatest Lord Commander because he doesn't know how to explain
because he doesn't know how to explain things. He's not very good at
things. He's not very good at communication. But I I really brought a
communication. But I I really brought a lot of attention to this chapter and I
lot of attention to this chapter and I went on a little bit more of a tangent
went on a little bit more of a tangent with this one because this is a pivotal
with this one because this is a pivotal chapter. It is a chapter that condemns
chapter. It is a chapter that condemns Jon's fate because it's one setting up
Jon's fate because it's one setting up the plotline for Tormund to come south
the plotline for Tormund to come south to the wall and all the wildlings. The
to the wall and all the wildlings. The thing that basically nails it in the
thing that basically nails it in the coffin that Jon is going to be killed.
coffin that Jon is going to be killed. He's isolating the people that gave him
He's isolating the people that gave him power. So, something I talked about on
power. So, something I talked about on Tuesday's video with Catelyn in her
Tuesday's video with Catelyn in her first chapter of the Clash of Kings, she
first chapter of the Clash of Kings, she kind of gives Rob the same advice that
kind of gives Rob the same advice that like Jon's doing right now. Even if the
like Jon's doing right now. Even if the people around you don't like what you're
people around you don't like what you're doing, you're still the king. They can't
doing, you're still the king. They can't unmake you. And something that Rob
unmake you. And something that Rob responds with, which is very wise, is
responds with, which is very wise, is that the same people that make you a
that the same people that make you a king can unmake you a king. That's same
king can unmake you a king. That's same thing that applies here to John. So, I
thing that applies here to John. So, I really like the the the writing that
really like the the the writing that George does for this chapter because it
George does for this chapter because it needs to work. This is the flip chapter,
needs to work. This is the flip chapter, but the 41st chapter is unfortunately
but the 41st chapter is unfortunately Tyrion's. We're going to end on kind of
Tyrion's. We're going to end on kind of a eh note, but we see that we pick up
a eh note, but we see that we pick up with Tyrion and Penny back still on this
with Tyrion and Penny back still on this ship and they're doing this joust thing.
ship and they're doing this joust thing. I guess it shows again Tyrion has put
I guess it shows again Tyrion has put his pride aside and things like that.
his pride aside and things like that. He's I guess growing as a character. Um
He's I guess growing as a character. Um even though it's still kind of eh, but
even though it's still kind of eh, but we see that they've lost the wind,
we see that they've lost the wind, right? That it's actually being very
right? That it's actually being very difficult to move their ship and things
difficult to move their ship and things like that. and they think that they've
like that. and they think that they've won the day as they realize, you know,
won the day as they realize, you know, the wind is picking up, but instead it's
the wind is picking up, but instead it's a storm. And and Makoro gives a very
a storm. And and Makoro gives a very cryptic line like this is why the ship
cryptic line like this is why the ship will not reach its destination is
will not reach its destination is because of this storm. And so it really
because of this storm. And so it really is interesting because Moro is like the
is interesting because Moro is like the only thing interesting really in my
only thing interesting really in my opinion of the three chapters that we've
opinion of the three chapters that we've talked about in today's video. And so he
talked about in today's video. And so he kind of already knows what his fate
kind of already knows what his fate seems like it's going to be. One of the
seems like it's going to be. One of the things that Melisandre always sees first
things that Melisandre always sees first in her visions that she's basically
in her visions that she's basically trained herself to do is to look for
trained herself to do is to look for things that threaten herself. And so
things that threaten herself. And so it's interesting because I think Mcquaro
it's interesting because I think Mcquaro already realizes what his fate is to be
already realizes what his fate is to be with Victarion. But either way, they
with Victarion. But either way, they have this storm and in the middle of the
have this storm and in the middle of the storm, Penny and Tyrion kiss, but it's
storm, Penny and Tyrion kiss, but it's not like a romantic kiss or that's what
not like a romantic kiss or that's what they both say anyway.
they both say anyway. It's like, okay,
It's like, okay, you know, I don't really buy this
you know, I don't really buy this relationship that much and I don't
relationship that much and I don't really care about it that much, but
really care about it that much, but okay. But eventually, their boat is
okay. But eventually, their boat is basically destroyed. Um, it's damaged
basically destroyed. Um, it's damaged beyond repairs. They are basically
beyond repairs. They are basically sitting ducks until they either starve
sitting ducks until they either starve out or die, more or less. And so for 19
out or die, more or less. And so for 19 days, they wait. And during this time,
days, they wait. And during this time, actually during the storm, I should say,
actually during the storm, I should say, some of the men were basically thrown
some of the men were basically thrown overboard. Mcquaro being one of those
overboard. Mcquaro being one of those people. They are presumed dead by Tyrion
people. They are presumed dead by Tyrion and us, the audience. But that is not
and us, the audience. But that is not the case as we'll know a little later
the case as we'll know a little later on. But they eventually see a boat and
on. But they eventually see a boat and this seems like a good thing, right?
this seems like a good thing, right? They can maybe be picked up from being
They can maybe be picked up from being stranded, but Jorah sourly notes it is a
stranded, but Jorah sourly notes it is a slave ship. So yeah, I I think we end
slave ship. So yeah, I I think we end part three in kind of a more of a
part three in kind of a more of a whimper um than a big moment like we did
whimper um than a big moment like we did with I'd say part two,
with I'd say part two, but that's just the case. Uh Tyrion and
but that's just the case. Uh Tyrion and Tyrion is kind of down there with like
Tyrion is kind of down there with like Quentyn right now for me where anytime I
Quentyn right now for me where anytime I see a Quentyn or a Tyrion chapter, I
see a Quentyn or a Tyrion chapter, I know it's not really going to be a good
know it's not really going to be a good one. Um and that's just the case, right?
one. Um and that's just the case, right? It's unfortunate, but that's the
It's unfortunate, but that's the problems of A Dance with Dragons. Dance
problems of A Dance with Dragons. Dance Dragons has super huge highs like the
Dragons has super huge highs like the Davos chapter or the Theon chapters or
Davos chapter or the Theon chapters or some of Jon and Daenerys's chapters, but
some of Jon and Daenerys's chapters, but then you have the really big lows and
then you have the really big lows and that's kind of this chapter, the
that's kind of this chapter, the Tyrion's arc, Quentyn's arc, you know,
Tyrion's arc, Quentyn's arc, you know, stuff like that. But still, in this part
stuff like that. But still, in this part of the retrospective, this is where I
of the retrospective, this is where I think dance really starts to hit its
think dance really starts to hit its peaks. Now, we did see some really great
peaks. Now, we did see some really great chapters early on in Dance, don't get me
chapters early on in Dance, don't get me wrong, but a lot of the POVs were kind
wrong, but a lot of the POVs were kind of building towards things and we were
of building towards things and we were still kind of getting the ball rolling.
still kind of getting the ball rolling. This is where we're entering kind of the
This is where we're entering kind of the back, I would say, two-fifths of the
back, I would say, two-fifths of the book. There are some really good
book. There are some really good chapters where we start seeing more
chapters where we start seeing more chapters from characters in Feast for
chapters from characters in Feast for Crows, getting their some of getting
Crows, getting their some of getting some of their revelations and
some of their revelations and resolutions. Uh, specifically one we're
resolutions. Uh, specifically one we're going to talk about in this uh, video
going to talk about in this uh, video which I find very interesting and I'm
which I find very interesting and I'm really glad we got more of is Arya. I
really glad we got more of is Arya. I think Arya has her best chapters in this
think Arya has her best chapters in this book, not even in Feast for Crows, which
book, not even in Feast for Crows, which is kind of insane. But yeah, let's not
is kind of insane. But yeah, let's not waste any time. If you did want to
waste any time. If you did want to listen to these on Spotify, I do usually
listen to these on Spotify, I do usually put my longer videos on Spotify. So
put my longer videos on Spotify. So check that out if you want to listen to
check that out if you want to listen to these kind of on the road, not on the
these kind of on the road, not on the YouTube platform. I will have that in
YouTube platform. I will have that in the description as well. So look for
the description as well. So look for that. But let's start off right away
that. But let's start off right away with chapter 42, Theon 5. And what can I
with chapter 42, Theon 5. And what can I say about Theon? I feel like I say this
say about Theon? I feel like I say this every time a Theon chapter is brought
every time a Theon chapter is brought up. I did I think that almost any
up. I did I think that almost any chapter by Theon could be somebody's
chapter by Theon could be somebody's favorite Theon chapter of the book
favorite Theon chapter of the book because they're all that good. Now,
because they're all that good. Now, personally, I like the Theon chapters
personally, I like the Theon chapters almost as they go because each one
almost as they go because each one builds upon the last, and you have just
builds upon the last, and you have just more tension and more of Theon or Reek
more tension and more of Theon or Reek trying to find the version of himself
trying to find the version of himself that is Theon and trying to become a
that is Theon and trying to become a better person and man and overcoming the
better person and man and overcoming the psychological damage and physical damage
psychological damage and physical damage done to him. I just think like this
done to him. I just think like this chapter, the next chapter, the chapter
chapter, the next chapter, the chapter after are just fantastic. And so, what
after are just fantastic. And so, what do we get in Theon 5? It's Theon after
do we get in Theon 5? It's Theon after the kind of the dreaded wedding chapter
the kind of the dreaded wedding chapter between Ramsay and Jane Pool or fake
between Ramsay and Jane Pool or fake Arya. And we see that Roose is kind of
Arya. And we see that Roose is kind of declaring the snows have come to wipe
declaring the snows have come to wipe away Stannis. And this is before we
away Stannis. And this is before we actually get Asha's uh first like
actually get Asha's uh first like chapter with Stannis's march to
chapter with Stannis's march to Winterfell. So, this is kind of a re
Winterfell. So, this is kind of a re revelation to us as a as an audience to
revelation to us as a as an audience to kind of prelude what we're going to see
kind of prelude what we're going to see with Asha in the next chapter. But it's
with Asha in the next chapter. But it's interesting because you see that there's
interesting because you see that there's this sense of security, right, that it
this sense of security, right, that it seems like Roose's camp has. But slowly
seems like Roose's camp has. But slowly as this chapter goes on, that seems to
as this chapter goes on, that seems to kind of slowly dissipate to where even
kind of slowly dissipate to where even they, the side that, you know, is on the
they, the side that, you know, is on the defensive. They're in Winterfell. The
defensive. They're in Winterfell. The atmosphere is filled with tension. Theon
atmosphere is filled with tension. Theon himself gets approached by some
himself gets approached by some interesting figures in this chapter. One
interesting figures in this chapter. One of them, one of them being one of
of them, one of them being one of Mance's spear wives, wanting to know how
Mance's spear wives, wanting to know how he got into Winterfell so easily, which
he got into Winterfell so easily, which we know will have repercussions later on
we know will have repercussions later on in the book. But for now, Theon kind of
in the book. But for now, Theon kind of shrugs it off. Theon himself prefers to
shrugs it off. Theon himself prefers to kind of wander the castles. He's kind of
kind of wander the castles. He's kind of this ghost in Winterfell. He's this
this ghost in Winterfell. He's this person reminiscing about his youth and
person reminiscing about his youth and all of the decisions he's made that's
all of the decisions he's made that's now led to Winterfell being in the state
now led to Winterfell being in the state that it's in right now. And so it's so
that it's in right now. And so it's so great because not only are we forwarding
great because not only are we forwarding the plot and the northern plot, which is
the plot and the northern plot, which is by far the best plot of the book, it's
by far the best plot of the book, it's forwarding Theon's growth, reminding him
forwarding Theon's growth, reminding him who he needs to be. And we get a lot of
who he needs to be. And we get a lot of him thinking about, you know, his
him thinking about, you know, his psychological damage with Ramsay because
psychological damage with Ramsay because it's brought to the front with how he
it's brought to the front with how he thinks about Jane, right? Jane is going
thinks about Jane, right? Jane is going through the same things very similar to
through the same things very similar to what Theon was going through and he
what Theon was going through and he sympathizes with her. He even thinks
sympathizes with her. He even thinks about how he had planned or at least
about how he had planned or at least thought of trying to escape. And that's
thought of trying to escape. And that's interesting as well because he's
interesting as well because he's actually going to do that by the end of
actually going to do that by the end of this book. But it shows that Theon
this book. But it shows that Theon slowly through each chapter is becoming
slowly through each chapter is becoming more and more part of maybe this new
more and more part of maybe this new version of himself. I won't say the old
version of himself. I won't say the old version because the old version of Theon
version because the old version of Theon this isn't that, right? He's becoming a
this isn't that, right? He's becoming a better version of himself and trying to
better version of himself and trying to atone for some of the things that he
atone for some of the things that he did. He even pleads with the old gods.
did. He even pleads with the old gods. something that you something that Theon
something that you something that Theon in his younger years never would have
in his younger years never would have done. I just did Theon one a Clash of
done. I just did Theon one a Clash of Kings Theon's first POV in the entire
Kings Theon's first POV in the entire story. And even when he talks to his
story. And even when he talks to his uncle Aeron, he isn't somebody that
uncle Aeron, he isn't somebody that prays to any gods, not even the drown
prays to any gods, not even the drown god either of the Ironborn. And so when
god either of the Ironborn. And so when you get to this point of the story and
you get to this point of the story and you see that he's been so broken that
you see that he's been so broken that he's turning to the old gods of the
he's turning to the old gods of the Starks, it has a really interesting
Starks, it has a really interesting revelation because when we get to the
revelation because when we get to the Barbrey Dustin part of this chapter, you
Barbrey Dustin part of this chapter, you kind of understand why he almost goes to
kind of understand why he almost goes to the old gods. And you also would think
the old gods. And you also would think that the drown gods have never done
that the drown gods have never done anything for Theon. If anything, him
anything for Theon. If anything, him being an Ironborn has only worked
being an Ironborn has only worked against him and the decisions that he's
against him and the decisions that he's had to make to try and you be try and
had to make to try and you be try and prove himself to his father. And so we,
prove himself to his father. And so we, as we see Theon kind of wandering his
as we see Theon kind of wandering his way back, he is actually run into by
way back, he is actually run into by Lady Dustin, who also asks something of
Lady Dustin, who also asks something of him, reminding him of his past. Whereas
him, reminding him of his past. Whereas the Spearwise had asked how he'd taken
the Spearwise had asked how he'd taken Winterfell. Lady Dustin only wants to
Winterfell. Lady Dustin only wants to look at the crypts, which is interesting
look at the crypts, which is interesting considering the past, right? Theon never
considering the past, right? Theon never thought to look to the crypts for
thought to look to the crypts for Brandon Rickon, but that's where they
Brandon Rickon, but that's where they were the whole time. And there's even
were the whole time. And there's even these subtle nods that we see swords
these subtle nods that we see swords missing, especially Brandon's. And it's
missing, especially Brandon's. And it's interesting because you take a pairing
interesting because you take a pairing of Lady Dustin and Theon and they're
of Lady Dustin and Theon and they're quite similar characters in a lot of
quite similar characters in a lot of ways. Both of them kind of even stating
ways. Both of them kind of even stating to each other that they both wanted to
to each other that they both wanted to be Starks, right? And that's that great
be Starks, right? And that's that great revelation where you understand Theon
revelation where you understand Theon where he's very similar to John. I
where he's very similar to John. I talked about this in his first chapter
talked about this in his first chapter as well is that Theon and John share a
as well is that Theon and John share a lot of similarities even though they
lot of similarities even though they have very different personality traits.
have very different personality traits. And so when you have all this happening
And so when you have all this happening and especially in the crypts with this
and especially in the crypts with this eerie vibe hanging over them and you
eerie vibe hanging over them and you even get Lady Dustin's background and
even get Lady Dustin's background and her bitterly talking about, you know,
her bitterly talking about, you know, her past, I just love everything that we
her past, I just love everything that we get in this chapter. It's one of my
get in this chapter. It's one of my favorites of the book. I It's not going
favorites of the book. I It's not going to be, you know, like my favorite or
to be, you know, like my favorite or anything. There's going to be better
anything. There's going to be better chapters in this book overall. I do have
chapters in this book overall. I do have this chapter within like my top 20 of
this chapter within like my top 20 of the book. I've already ranked all of the
the book. I've already ranked all of the chapters and I've kind of gotten through
chapters and I've kind of gotten through most of my notes already, but I do think
most of my notes already, but I do think really strong chapter from Theon. And
really strong chapter from Theon. And again, I pretty much say this for every
again, I pretty much say this for every Theon chapter. I could definitely
Theon chapter. I could definitely understand if this is your favorite
understand if this is your favorite chapter, but number 43. And I got to
chapter, but number 43. And I got to say, George was cooking when he started,
say, George was cooking when he started, you know, giving us these chapters like
you know, giving us these chapters like chapter 42, which is Theon 5, 43 being
chapter 42, which is Theon 5, 43 being Asha 2, and even when we get to John um
Asha 2, and even when we get to John um 9, which is chapter 45, and even chapter
9, which is chapter 45, and even chapter 46, which is Arya 1. A really good
46, which is Arya 1. A really good string of chapters, but Arya 2 is our
string of chapters, but Arya 2 is our first chapter with her, with Stannis.
first chapter with her, with Stannis. And so, we see how this long journey is
And so, we see how this long journey is going to be from going from Deepwood M
going to be from going from Deepwood M to Winterfell. It's not really even that
to Winterfell. It's not really even that long. It's only a 15 days journey is
long. It's only a 15 days journey is what they say when they leave, but we
what they say when they leave, but we know that's not going to go well, right?
know that's not going to go well, right? We hear it from Russ's POV that the
We hear it from Russ's POV that the snows are going to start. So, this is
snows are going to start. So, this is kind of going a little bit in the past
kind of going a little bit in the past and then catching up to where we're
and then catching up to where we're going to be at with Theon's uh plotline
going to be at with Theon's uh plotline for the most part. But the way I
for the most part. But the way I described this chapter in my notes was
described this chapter in my notes was it kind of feels like if you guys have
it kind of feels like if you guys have ever played the Oregon Trail like game
ever played the Oregon Trail like game that you can play on the web browser or
that you can play on the web browser or even know anything about the Oregon
even know anything about the Oregon Trail, it feels like that but gone very
Trail, it feels like that but gone very wrong. Right? The temperature is going
wrong. Right? The temperature is going against you. Men are dying. Your horses
against you. Men are dying. Your horses are dying. Everything is going wrong.
are dying. Everything is going wrong. And the start of the journey starts, you
And the start of the journey starts, you know, pretty fine. It has Asha being
know, pretty fine. It has Asha being chained in a baggage train with Al with
chained in a baggage train with Al with Alisan Mormont to give her company,
Alisan Mormont to give her company, which not great company. You can
which not great company. You can understand why the two wouldn't like
understand why the two wouldn't like each other. Um Bear Island being kind of
each other. Um Bear Island being kind of an island nation on the west side of the
an island nation on the west side of the north. The Ironborn would probably raid
north. The Ironborn would probably raid them. You can see that there be
them. You can see that there be definitely divides between the two
definitely divides between the two households. But we also see that she
households. But we also see that she finds kind of a good companion, Justin
finds kind of a good companion, Justin Massie, or at least somebody that's easy
Massie, or at least somebody that's easy to talk to and entertaining to, even
to talk to and entertaining to, even though Justin Massie probably isn't
though Justin Massie probably isn't talking to her for the right reasons
talking to her for the right reasons given her claim and all those things,
given her claim and all those things, but she kind of just endures it. And I
but she kind of just endures it. And I personally love Asha. I like her
personally love Asha. I like her personality. I love her POVs. It really
personality. I love her POVs. It really helps that you put one of my favorite
helps that you put one of my favorite POVs going into the next book in
POVs going into the next book in probably my favorite storyline of this
probably my favorite storyline of this book. It just creates this beautiful
book. It just creates this beautiful storyline that goes horribly wrong for
storyline that goes horribly wrong for Stannis because as the journey starts to
Stannis because as the journey starts to turn, the northern storms begin and
turn, the northern storms begin and these men of the south, they are
these men of the south, they are definitely not prepared for it. Asha
definitely not prepared for it. Asha herself is even brought before Stannis,
herself is even brought before Stannis, but she messes up talking to Stannis as
but she messes up talking to Stannis as she mentions Robert because she's like,
she mentions Robert because she's like, "Well, we could turn foes into friends."
"Well, we could turn foes into friends." And that whole idea which which Robert
And that whole idea which which Robert was great at, Stannis has never been
was great at, Stannis has never been good at it. Basically ends her meeting
good at it. Basically ends her meeting with Stannis and it doesn't go
with Stannis and it doesn't go particularly well. But they continue for
particularly well. But they continue for 30 days. Stannis not allowing them to
30 days. Stannis not allowing them to stop until they reach a Coffter's
stop until they reach a Coffter's village. Asha realizes the march has
village. Asha realizes the march has basically destroyed them. They've lost
basically destroyed them. They've lost all of their mounts. Basically, they're
all of their mounts. Basically, they're running low on food. Again, if you're
running low on food. Again, if you're thinking you're going to have a 15-day
thinking you're going to have a 15-day march and then it ends up being 30 days
march and then it ends up being 30 days and you can't really forage all that
and you can't really forage all that much to get extra food to resupply
much to get extra food to resupply yourselves, it's not going to go
yourselves, it's not going to go particularly well. Morale is low,
particularly well. Morale is low, supplies are low, and they themselves
supplies are low, and they themselves seem to basically be getting thinned and
seem to basically be getting thinned and aged. Asha notes that Sannis looks like
aged. Asha notes that Sannis looks like a hollow version of himself as he seems
a hollow version of himself as he seems thinner and age like I talked about. But
thinner and age like I talked about. But overall, the quality of this Asha
overall, the quality of this Asha chapter is just fantastic. And I I
chapter is just fantastic. And I I talked about this and this is kind of my
talked about this and this is kind of my frustration with Dance is if all of the
frustration with Dance is if all of the plot lines in the book had the same
plot lines in the book had the same quality that the northern plot does,
quality that the northern plot does, this would probably be the best book of
this would probably be the best book of the entire series. But unfortunately,
the entire series. But unfortunately, you have to balance the North plot line
you have to balance the North plot line with things like the Essos plot lines.
with things like the Essos plot lines. And that's kind of where I feel like
And that's kind of where I feel like this book stuck in the mud. But that'll
this book stuck in the mud. But that'll get us to chapter 44. And mentioning
get us to chapter 44. And mentioning Essos, we have Danny 7, chapter number
Essos, we have Danny 7, chapter number 44. Now, this is a weird chapter to me
44. Now, this is a weird chapter to me because I don't particularly rate it
because I don't particularly rate it that high in terms of Danny's chapters,
that high in terms of Danny's chapters, but I did note I'm happy that this
but I did note I'm happy that this particular chapter was a Dany chapter
particular chapter was a Dany chapter because this chapter, the thing that
because this chapter, the thing that it's the most known for, the thing that
it's the most known for, the thing that has the most amount of like you're going
has the most amount of like you're going to remember it is going to be this is
to remember it is going to be this is when Quentyn and Daenerys meet. Now, I
when Quentyn and Daenerys meet. Now, I love that this interaction comes from
love that this interaction comes from Daenerys. Personally, I hate Quentyn. I
Daenerys. Personally, I hate Quentyn. I think he is just a bad POV. I would go
think he is just a bad POV. I would go as far as saying he's probably the worst
as far as saying he's probably the worst POV of the entire series given that he
POV of the entire series given that he has multiple chapters and they're all
has multiple chapters and they're all pretty bad in my opinion outside of
pretty bad in my opinion outside of maybe his last one. I think his last
maybe his last one. I think his last chapter where you know he dies in. Yes,
chapter where you know he dies in. Yes, he he does basically die in that
he he does basically die in that chapter. This is only one of note in my
chapter. This is only one of note in my opinion. But before we get to the
opinion. But before we get to the Quentyn stuff, we do see some stuff
Quentyn stuff, we do see some stuff other stuff before then. We see her a
other stuff before then. We see her a bed with Daario as she is having doubts
bed with Daario as she is having doubts about her wedding as she's kind of
about her wedding as she's kind of feeling boxed in as they are besieged
feeling boxed in as they are besieged and Daario tells her to marry him even
and Daario tells her to marry him even though he knows she cannot. Out of all
though he knows she cannot. Out of all the stuff we get with Daario and
the stuff we get with Daario and Daenerys in this book, I do like this
Daenerys in this book, I do like this interaction between the two because it
interaction between the two because it does show Daenerys not being able to get
does show Daenerys not being able to get the things that she wants as a queen,
the things that she wants as a queen, having to put her people first, and some
having to put her people first, and some of the more interesting parts of
of the more interesting parts of Daenerys's actual plotline. And we don't
Daenerys's actual plotline. And we don't get a ton of that in this because it's
get a ton of that in this because it's almost completely filled with just the
almost completely filled with just the romantic interests of Daenerys. And
romantic interests of Daenerys. And unfortunately, I don't really like a lot
unfortunately, I don't really like a lot of the romance stuff, whether it's with
of the romance stuff, whether it's with his Dar, whether it's with Daario,
his Dar, whether it's with Daario, whether it's with Quentin, whether it's
whether it's with Quentin, whether it's with, you know, whoever. I find that to
with, you know, whoever. I find that to be the weaker stuff in Daenerys's
be the weaker stuff in Daenerys's plotline in this book. But I will say um
plotline in this book. But I will say um when we do get to when Daario introduced
when we do get to when Daario introduced the recruits or and aka uh Quentyn's
the recruits or and aka uh Quentyn's party to Dany,
party to Dany, I find this interaction to be so funny
I find this interaction to be so funny because it's Daenerys like looking at
because it's Daenerys like looking at this prince of Dorne and just going hm
this prince of Dorne and just going hm not attractive. She compares him to a
not attractive. She compares him to a frog because that's what he's kind of
frog because that's what he's kind of named. And she recalls a story, right,
named. And she recalls a story, right, where the frog will turn into a great
where the frog will turn into a great prince or, you know, it's kind of this
prince or, you know, it's kind of this twist on basically our own story where
twist on basically our own story where where the frog would turn into a
where the frog would turn into a princess and all that stuff. And yeah,
princess and all that stuff. And yeah, she's basically saying, Quentyn, you're
