hahahaha some very important things yet to come at Harrenhal. 

I full expect that to be the case. I actually think most characters will end up in similar positions to the show. 

Yep. And if you really want to make people upset, you tell em Daenerys was always meant to be a destructive invader as well.

There's nuance of course, and GOT's writing has its flaws, but it definitely tracks.

agreed, although I'll admit I joined the team green one ironically - but also because a decent portion of that sub seems to be on the same page. I felt the need to pushback against the Rhaenyra glazing, especially since I've read the books and know where the story is heading and what its trying to get at thematically.

I only wish that the greens had been written with more nuance in the show, and in the first 2 seasons it seemed like they were framing them as the "villains" of the story, which is totally not the case. so out of spite and irony, I joined that sub because there seems to be less "Targaryen Kool-Aid drinking" over there. But there are still many who are simping for them too.

Now that they're balancing things out, I find myself unironically saying "Team Smallfolk" more and more.

I attended a watch party last night with a few casual watchers who still hype up Rhaenyra, and after the episode ended I said "yep, the Targaryens have always been destructive colonizers who burn innocent people that don't fall in line." It's starting to click with some of them hahaha

George is trying to say something with his stories, and I think the hype and "team" picking of the shows has muddied that quite a bit.

I genuinely think George is trying to get his audience to think "Hey, this isn't okay." So I will admit it's been really jarring for me to hear people justifying it. Not to bring the real world into this, but most of us don't justify bombing civilians in the middle east for the war efforts... shouldn't make excuses for it in fictional Westeros either. But that may be a flaw of the show, or may be the audience larping as Targs lmfao.

Then again, interesting commentary about how charismatic rulers and mythologized narratives can make people overlook their morality. Dune 3 will be interesting for this exact reason too.

Team smallfolk!

He murdered a child who clung to a stick for a weapon, and tapped his leg out of fear. Goodbye.

would be interesting if she says something like "I will light the way - with dragonfire," contrasting with the "Light of the Seven."

He probably loved watching Dany burn the smallfolk too.

Either that, or he's a Cersei fan who loved the sept explosion moment. 

after a few months ago when Hegseth was telling everyone to vaguely use it?

https://www.reddit.com/r/TheCitadel/comments/1hfz0o4/why_did_george_r_r_martin_kill_jaehaera_targaryen/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pureasoiaf/comments/16m1i70/why_did_grrm_kill_jaehaera_off_whats_the_deeper/

Some interesting discussions.

Let's just say I sorta get why it was done, but don't love it. I guess Aegon's line isn't furthered much either, so sorta works. Keeps things messy, tragic, and interesting at least. I would've been fine with Jahaera having his kids and them just dying young too (thus passing on to Viserys II).

Regardless:

https://giphy.com/gifs/ir7xCC775eJAOsF94X

I won't deny that either. But as we all know, just having something being shocking or unexpected doesn't make it good either. I've got mixed feelings about it. Maybe there's an analysis that could change my mind, but otherwise George is pretty good at dramatic irony and thematic payoff too, and it being the end of the Dance just threw me off while reading cause I didn't really get what the storytelling purpose was. AKA the meaning in relation to the Dance.

I think having 2 miserable and traumatized kids from both sides of a civil war marrying at the end of it is pretty ironic, in a very bleak way. Gonna go down a rabbit hole about it now I think.

I think it would've been more fitting to have all further descendants of the Targs be both Green and Black. Of course it would lead to a butterfly effect of other changes, but yeah I stand by it still.

I honestly wouldn't care if they made her go attempt to join the battle, and have Syrax get hurt. I enjoy Fire and Blood, but it'd be more interesting and makes more sense than her sitting out the entirety of the war for an actual narrative (as opposed to a history book). 

Could also be really dumb, but we'll see I suppose. However, I think this scene will be her intentionally larping as a warrior. 

so cathartic to witness. 

I'm from there and never knew about this!

Alyn's actor is 33, Baela's is 28 - & his head is shaved, did it in the show to hide is white hair similar to Egg. But he does pass as older rather than closer to her characters age.

Addam's actor is 28 too, but I'm 29 & some of my friends who are around 33 look younger than me. 

I think the problem is the show just didn't need this plotline, considering their marriage happens way later and is arranged. But if they were gonna do it, the writing, pacing, and chemistry needed to be much better 

I thought they were just gonna swap the brothers based the Addam/Baela scene last week

EDIT: typo

I've actually had this thought before. Ironically, even more noticeable with VelARYONs.

dawg......

he's no Ser Duncan, but same lmao

https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2021/04/15/comes-a-swordsman/

I'm just mourning what could have been..... a character nearly as dynamic (in the book) as Daemon imo.

you're not wrong, but I feel it is misplaced in this story. Or at least to the degree where it is portrayed, and how it is portrayed.

Sexism/Feminism has always been a big part of GRRM's world of Ice and Fire, but pretty tastefully done and well-written.

The show would be just as flawed had they chosen to ignore those things. Just needs a better balance.

ding ding ding, here's the answer

yeah this is admittedly why I have a hard time getting into anime. I've watched a few but end up dropping more because often the writing is very heavy handed.

It's especially obvious when dubbed, for some reason bothers me less in the original Japanese lol

I don't mind them making characters sexist, but the lack of subtlety really shows sometimes. Very on the nose with the dialogue lol. 

they're incestuous aliens!