Isaac Confirms; Sophie Talks; and GRRM Writes… something

Bran StarkGreetings all ye fair Lady and Gent Crows of the Great Wall of Internet Ice and Rock. A Man is elated that you are frequenting us even through the lonely off-season.

In the mood for more interviews? Good.

This round-up includes bits from Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Sophie Turner, and the Jolly Man himself…

First Up:
1436447694-29afda4749728b8e98356b60da8a2a18-1038x576In a bit of news we already assumed, Isaac Hempstead-Wright confirmed to the Irish Examiner that he will be reprising his role of Bran Stark in Season 6. In the interview, Isaac states,

“I can’t say a lot but I am back this season, and it’s going to get particularly interesting with Bran. He has some interesting visions.”

In the interview, Isaac also says that he has not watched Season 5 yet due to scheduling conflicts (exams) but plans on binge watching it in the near future.

When asked about the return of you know who, this was his response:

“I don’t know (if he will come back). He’s said he’s not.”

“I wish he would because I love Kit and because the character’s so cool. Who knows? We start filming series six at the end of this month (July) so we’ll see.”

Next Up: Sophie

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Sophie Turner

In an interview with Time, Sophie Turner touches on the escape from Winterfell and whether or not she and Theon survived the fall.

“It’s difficult to say. I haven’t even gotten the scripts to tell me whether or not they did. But it could just be another Hodor case. I could just turn into Bran and ride on someone’s back for awhile.”

If that is the case, Dark Horse will need to revise this.

In regards to fans questioning her character and defending Sansa, Sophie went on to say,

“I think people really, really respond to characters that are very strong willed and strong minded and have very strong opinions about things, and I think Sansa keeps everything so under wraps in order for her to survive. I think people often question her motives because she doesn’t do everything on the surface, and she doesn’t really show what she’s feeling. She kind of does her plotting within her head rather than outwardly doing.”

Check out the full interview for more, including her thoughts on if she can trust Littlefinger.

Last but not least:

George R.R. MartinGRRM took to his “Not a Blog” to discuss his absence at San Diego Comic Con.

“Staying home was the right decision. I just got back from Chicago and the Dead shows, and before that it was Europe, and it is hardly as if HBO needed me in San Diego to represent… not with so much of our cast on hand. I have so much work to do, I am way behind on everything, and I have a wedding to attend in Jersey in a few weeks, and worldcon after that… and if truth be told, San Diego has gotten overwhelming in recent years. There are always good times catching up with friends, and hanging with the cast, but it’s not as if I can walk the floor anymore and look for old comic books, the way I once did.”

Insert joke on George being invited to a wedding. “Way behind” doesn’t sound promising either for all of my Sullied counterparts. Let’s just hope this isn’t a true depiction:

A Man shall return later with some amusing site-related stuff. Until then, may there always be peace in your realm.

-Oz

Follow Oz on Twitter.

 

190 Comments

  1. “He has some interesting visions.”

    ToJ, another Jon’s related vision with young Ned, young Bob and his mom Lyanna (please D&D), Harrenhal was mentioned (maybe this too…KotLT), finale battle against the WW or White Walkers breaching the Wall.

    Bring it on!

  2. I hope (but doubt) that one of Bran’s visions show something about Old Valyria and its steel. Why can their steel kill WW? Did they specifically make those weapons for that purpose?

  3. In S4 and S5 we got return of Lysa Arryn, Robin A, Kevan, Lancel, Polliver, Rorge, Jaqen H’ghar and Myrcella.

    In S6 and S7 we need Rickon, Osha, Bran, Hodor, Meera, Blackfish, Edmure, Walder Frey, Yara, Balon, Greatjon, Gendry and maybe Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion.

    We already know that we’ll see Bran, Hodor, Meera, Walder Frey, Yara and maybe Balon next year.

    That leaves us with Rickon, Osha, Blackfish, Edmure, Greatjon and maybe Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion as loose ends. For now.

    I’m sure we will see Rickon, Osha, Blackfish and Edmure in S6 or S7, but Greatjon, Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion may not reappear again.

    Is that all? 2-3 “loose end characters” for complex story like this is not much. But maybe they will reappear all?

    PS I don’t think that we need to see Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion again. In this version of story they served their purpose, but they were played by great actors and it will be great to have them on screen in the next two seasons. I’m not sure that we need Greatjon either, but the rest of the characters I listed need to appear again, if D&D want to create a coherent story

  4. Isaac looks more and more like a young Rachel Maddow with each passing year…

    Not really related to the article, but all the actors (allegedly) not knowing anything about Jon makes me curious as to people’s opinions… do you guys think that Jon is going to be back right away in S6 Ep. 1? Or not until the very last episode of the season? Halfway through the season? S7 Ep. 1? The series finale?

    … or is he just actually dead? (LOL SIIIIIKE)

    My personal opinion is that “it” will happen in the S6 premiere, though they might at least keep us cliffhangin’ until the 40- or 50-minute mark…

    I still don’t know exactly what form “it” will take (which is maybe the more interesting debate at this point) but I feel like if they leave Jon dead for a whole season like some people are guessing, this might actually be the thing that compels a chunk of the “SO DONE WITH THIS SHOW” crowd to actually follow through. Even with such an amazing show, I don’t know if they can afford to keep Kit Harrington offscreen for ten episodes/an entire calendar year after all the R+L allusions they dropped throughout last season.

  5. Maceless Fan: I hope (but doubt) that one of Bran’s visions show something about Old Valyria and its steel. Why can their steel kill WW? Did they specifically make those weapons for that purpose?

    I’ve been re-reading ADWD and noticed an interesting tidbit in one of the Tyrion chapters…

    He talks about how the Valyrian culture at its peak stretched all the way to Dragonstone, and he wonders why they stopped there. Why not continue on to the resource-rich Westerosi mainland? If they settled Dragonstone they had to know that Westeros was right there, yet no Valyrian wanted anything to do with it until many years later during the conquest.

    Obviously GRRM’s writing is more eloquent than my attempt to summarize, but it actually struck me as both off-putting and poignant, despite the fact I hadn’t paid it any mind the first time I read ADWD. Tyrion (who “doesn’t believe in grumkins”) is inadvertently informing the reader that yes, Valyrians DID know all about the WW, and they were basically all like “f that noise”, even with dragons and magic steel in their arsenal…

  6. King of the Ashes,

    He confirmed that he will return. I think that it will be logical to see him in S6, but maybe it will be S7.

    And the actor who played Blackfish said that he is still alive in GoT.

  7. Harma Dogememe:

    Not really related to the article, but all the actors (allegedly) not knowing anything about Jon makes me curious as to people’s opinions… do you guys think that Jon is going to be back right away in S6 Ep. 1? Or not until the very last episode of the season? Halfway through the season? S7 Ep. 1? The series finale?

    My hypothesis is that whatever we see of Jon Snow in Season 6 (if we see him) was filmed during Season 5.

    Carice van Houten told MTV sometime ago that she had filmed a big scene with Jon and she was not referring to the seduction attempt of season 5. It was something else. She actually reacted as she had given up too much and tried to patch up her answer

    .

    But I think we will get several mentions and maybe

    a vision of him as a child?

    .

  8. Harma Dogememe,
    “It” is surely CLEGANE BOWL! As a spoiler but not book reader I was completely neutral on whether or not CB was a possibility, but your recent completely-scientific-and-in-no-way-random-made-up-stuff arguments have convinced me not only is it on, but it is the endgame itself and everything is leading towards it. GET HYPE!

    But in the meantime, if Jon is revived straight after his death a la Beric Dondarrion in S3, he should be almost, if not entirely, 100% Jon as we know him, presumably free from his NW vows to go and rally support for the fight against the white walkers. The fact that he is the only major character who is aware of their threat and trying to do something about it and we have potentially only 20 episodes to go, which isn’t enough time for anyone else to take that role, is the clincher for me on whether or not he comes back. Although it has to happen almost immediately after the events of S5, ep 10, we don’t necessarily have to see it right at the beginning of S6. His body could mysteriously ‘disappear’ and we don’t find out what happens for at least a few episodes.

    We have four other cliffhanger situations from the last episode to deal with: Sansa, Theon, Ramsay, Brienne and Pod; Myrcella, Jaime, Bronn and Trystane; Arya; and Dany and the Dothraki. They are almost certainly going to tease us by spreading out the immediate aftermath of these for the first few episodes at least. My immediate thought is that Jon’s fate is the one that could be held over for a while the most easily without arousing suspicion, although if he is up and about in the first 20 seconds of S6, ep 1 that wouldn’t surprise me either.

    EDIT: if he doesn’t reappear until the end of S6, that only leaves one series (even if it is an extended one) for him to get the resistance to the white walkers in a position for the final showdown(s). Someone else might take that role for him, but I don’t know who could and that seems to be what he’s there for, so unless the ending is very rushed, he needs to come back fairly early on and either get south himself to spread the word or have other people do so. Unless LF lends him his jetpack he needs to get a move on before we run out of story time. Whether we have 7 series or 8 we are still between two thirds and nearly three quarters of the way through. It’s peddle to the metal time! Go Snowy!

  9. mau: What was the point of his death then?

    – Because only dying can release him from his Night’s Watch vows.

    – Because a funeral pyre is a convenient way to get Jon into a bunch of flames, if that is indeed going to be the means of his rebirth

    and the proof of his Targaryen-ness.

    – Valar Morghulis

    having him stay dead for a couple extra episodes wouldn’t increase the impact for fans who’ve already waited 9 months between seasons. And although this sort of thing shouldn’t inform storytelling decisions, HBO is certainly aware of the contingent out there saying “well, I’ll watch the s6 premiere just to see if Jon is really dead, then I’m done forever if he is.”

    I think trying to catch people off-guard by having him come back in episode 3 or 4 would just come off as a cheesy fake-out. I feel like it’s either gotta be episode 1 or episode 9/10.

  10. Harma Dogememe:
    Isaac looks more and more like a young Rachel Maddow with each passing year…

    Not really related to the article, but all the actors (allegedly) not knowing anything about Jon makes me curious as to people’s opinions… do you guys think that Jon is going to be back right away in S6 Ep. 1? Or not until the very last episode of the season? Halfway through the season? S7 Ep. 1? The series finale?

    … or is he just actually dead? (LOL SIIIIIKE)

    My personal opinion is that “it” will happen in the S6 premiere, though they might at least keep us cliffhangin’ until the 40- or 50-minute mark…

    I still don’t know exactly what form “it” will take (which is maybe the more interesting debate at this point) but I feel like if they leave Jon dead for a whole season like some people are guessing, this might actually be the thing that compels a chunk of the “SO DONE WITH THIS SHOW” crowd to actually follow through. Even with such an amazing show, I don’t know if they can afford to keep Kit Harrington offscreen for ten episodes/an entire calendar year after all the R+L allusions they dropped throughout last season.

    Well for starters, I agree that keeping Jon “Kit Harington” Snow out of the show for a year would be detrimental to the story and the interest of some fans…. I myself would be bothered by it. I would still watch, but maybe not by appointment TV.

    I would love to see “IT” (if there is an IT) happen in Season 6, Episode 1, and personally I think that would be the smart thing to do. I am not writer by any means, and I am definitely not suggesting that I am smarter than D&D… this is just my personal opinion and I think that they would shatter the ratings and keep the story flowing…..

    JS would be revived in S6 episode 1, that’s how the episode would end… then they would develop his new arc with his new entourage, I am assuming Melisandre and Davos, maybe even Edd since he is actually the only NW that we know was behind Jon…. I have NO CLUE what would happen next… I think he leaves the wall with them and thus leading to the fall of the wall (yay), in a crazy episode 9, and this way the WW can head south

    This would be my prediction and hopes and dreams… or IT can happen any other way but as long as it does.

    I just hope that Jon “Kit Harrington” Snow isn’t missing all season.. based on what Kit said… that may be what happens 🙁

    EDIT: I also don’t see how waiting a bunch of episodes or even till S6 EP09 or 10 would work… his death has to be dealt with in some form in episode 1… burning the body, the NW does this to avoid wights… etc.

  11. That Conan video of “GRRM hard at work” on TWOW is hilarious. C’mon, we’re all thinking it.

  12. mau,

    The point would be 10 months of audience anticipation. Why make it 12 months, particularly when the plot dictates his body would have to be burned almost immediately after the stabbing?

  13. If he returns I hope it’s right away. There’s no reason to keep him away for an entire season specially if the show is only going to have 7 seasons (sniff…)

  14. Great news about Bran – can’t wait to see how his story plays out, and what role he will play in the end-game. Any thoughts? Speculation?

    About Jon – if he is not revived almost immediately, what will they do with his body? Won’t the Night’s Watch want to burn it immediately? Will Mel or maybe Tormund, or even Ghost steal it and stash it on ice before they can burn it?

    Also, didn’t Natalia Tena (Osha) say that she was coming back during her interview on HuffPo? She said she was looking forward to seeing Isaac again as she hadn’t seen him in two years …

  15. GhostCR: My hypothesis is that whatever we see of Jon Snow in Season 6 (if we see him) was filmed during Season 5.

    I don’t know if it’s true, but I read somewhere that there are either laws or Actor’s Guild rules or something that makes this impossible to do.

    Deesensfan: I would love to see “IT” (if there is an IT) happen in Season 6, Episode 1, and personally I think that would be the smart thing to do.

    We are definitely on the same wavelength here. I’ve been kind of amazed at how many people are not only predicting a season-long absence, but seem totally “whatevs” about the possibility! which I guess is why I wanted to bring up the question.

    Lulu’s Mum: completely-scientific-and-in-no-way-random-made-up-stuff arguments have convinced me

    lol glad I could help you aboard the HYPE TRAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIN!

  16. M:
    That Conan video of “GRRM hard at work” on TWOW is hilarious. C’mon, we’re all thinking it.

    “I just got back from Chicago and the Dead shows, and before that it was Europe, and… I am way behind on everything, and I have a wedding to attend in Jersey in a few weeks, and worldcon after that”

    Oh yeah. That books coming out in a few months.

  17. Harma Dogememe,

    LOL … I need me some Jon “Kit Harington” Snow in my life.. all time favorite character!

    Side note: I love Bran and his arc, so happy to have him back next season. The Children was one of my faves. Bran is going to be a key to the ending of this story.

  18. Harma Dogememe: – HBO is certainly aware of the contingent out there saying “well, I’ll watch the s6 premiere just to see if Jon is really dead, then I’m done forever if he is.

    yeah right…

  19. Lulu’s Mum: nly leaves one series (even if it is an extended one) for him to get the resistance to the white walkers in a position for the final showdown(s).

    You’re assuming the story ends the way you think it will, which it probably won’t. IF Jon returns to the story, it won’t be just to pick up his story where he left off. That would be utterly pointless. He’ll be different, and, possibly, our perception of the White Walkers will be, too.

  20. Harma Dogememe,

    The world book does make a nod at that:

    There’s a Valyrian legend that the “Doom of Man” will come from Westeros, so they chose not to colonise the continent. There’s some suggestion that they may have founded Oldtown (or possibly some proto-Valyrians as Oldtown’s most ancient buildings are different from traditional Valyrian design)..

  21. Harma Dogememe,
    There are no brakes on the hype traaaaaaaaiiiiiinnnn aaaaaaagggghhhh crashes into the Night’s King and accidentally kills him. Oh problem solved, maybe in a bizarre twist Cleganbowl is the one (thing) who was promised 😉

  22. Is Lord Walder(mort) definitely coming back then? I must have missed that one. Good news if he is. Hopefully he will be getting some serious comeuppance. I optimistically predict a King Harren-style dragon BBQ of the full Frey dynasty!

  23. Ravyn: “I just got back from Chicago and the Dead shows, and before that it was Europe, and… I am way behind on everything, and I have a wedding to attend in Jersey in a few weeks, and worldcon after that”

    Oh yeah. That books coming out in a few months.

    I still remember when there was that rumour flying about about TWOW being released in 2014 because some people had misinterpreted a jokey comment made by Robin Hobb, and the UK editor was pretty much like “It’s so cute that the fans are that deluded…for real, though, it’s almost certainly years away.” The funniest thing was how some fans managed to interpret “almost certainly years away” as “2014 release at the latest.” The force is strong with them…the force of denial, that is.

  24. Sword of the Morning:
    mau,

    The point would be 10 months of audience anticipation. Why make it 12 months, particularly when the plot dictates his body would have to be burned almost immediately after the stabbing?

    If the only point of his death is to bring him back one episode later, what they achieved? What will be different?

    I don’t know what will happen with his body, I don’t know who will find his body next morning, I don’t know what Tormund will do, but I know there is not enough time in one episode for all this.

  25. Benjen Stark Owes Me Money!,

    I spoke to David Benioff, and he said, “You’ll be back, you’ll be back.” But not in this season, not the one they’re doing now. Not for season five. But he’s got more to do in the books, and I hope he’ll be back at least for some kind of divine retribution, which has to be coming his way at some point.

    – David Bradley, sept 2014

  26. Deesensfan,

    Martin has always indulged the notion that nothing in Westeros is purely good/evil. For him to just throw in a purely evil WW seems out of place, a cliched bogeyman apocalyptic villain. I just think there’s more to their story than we know right now, and perhaps Bran is the gateway to learning more about them. Mostly, if Jon comes back, it won’t just be to pick up the story where it left off because his death/resurrection would be entirely pointless and for nothing but shock value. So I would predict it would tie in somehow with the WW.

  27. Ravyn,
    You’re right, I am assuming that the story ends with a showdown and some kind of result, whatever that is, which may well not be the case. GoT does nothing if not confound expectations 🙂

    I have no idea what’s actually going to happen, I’m just trying to stress that even if they go for an extended S7 or an 8th one we are still quite a bit past the halfway mark and there’s not much time left for new stuff. Unless the story ends very suddenly with an out of nowhere ending no-one could possibly foretell, which personally I would find unsatisfactory as there’s been so much slow build up, there’s not much time left for characters to get on and do stuff. If Jon is going to do anything much at all he (and everyone else) need to get their skates on and do it. Time for dawdling was in the earliest series, not the last few.

  28. Deesensfan,

    Martin himself has been quoted as saying a couple of internet sleuths have figured out the ending, so according to the man himself, its out there. You just have to know which one it is.

  29. “it turns out that people aren’t her biggest fans”

    Oh sophie……
    Well that particular trend in which people just hated sansa is changed a lot but still what a world we live in?

  30. Deesensfan:
    mau,
    what else do you want?

    I want to see does his death has some point, or that scene was written by GRRM and D&D just for the shock value.

    And realising from the vows is not enough for me. I want Jon to be a different person now. With some new knowledge, a new personality.

  31. Lulu’s Mum,

    If I’m not mistaken (just off the top of my head here) the episode in S3 (“The Bear And The Maiden”) where Melisandre finds out about Thoros’s resurrection skills is a show only scene, but it was written by GRRM. So that might be a clue as to what’s going to happen.

  32. mau: I want to see does his death has some point, or that scene was written by GRRM and D&D just for the shock value.

    And realising from the vows is not enough for me. I want Jon to be a different person now. With some new knowledge, a new personality.

    I respect your opinion. But for me the release from the vows would be reason enough. It’s the only way he would part himself from the Night’s Watch. Now, I think being dead for a time will necessarily have SOME impact on him personality wise. His freedom to put Winterfell right would go long way to assuaging his considerable angst. But I think revelations about his parentage, if any are forthcoming would have a bigger impact on his personality.

    Plus, I’m of the belief that the Wall almost HAS to fall (I realize this is not based any evidence but to me it seems like its necessary) and I’d think Jon would almost have to be away from the Wall when it does. So I can see him reviving and then leaving the Wall for one reason or another.

  33. I’d be pretty disappointed if they’re planning to do flashback scenes featuring young Robert, young Ned, young Brandon which it appears they are, and there was no Lyanna. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to remain faceless mystery forever. Now that being said, I admit, that’s something they may have chosen not to broadcast, and her casting info is just private. It’s entirely possible, maybe even probable. Same with Rhaegar.

    As for Kit, I think we may see him in episode 1 as a corpse, like we did Tywin, and then not again for the rest of the season until the last scene. I actually suspect highly the season 6 arc of Bran’s visions will tell the entire story. The young Robert, Ned, Brandon will be episode 1 and continue to progress in their life and story as the episodes go by culminating in the Tower of Joy in episode 10, followed directly by the closing scene of season 6 being Kit Harington returning to the cast…as whatever he’s going to be.

  34. Ravyn,

    Personally I reckon lots of viewers won’t remember that, as it was a minor character and practically instant. Regardless of what D&D think of LS, having someone far more memorable being revived after a fairly spectacular death would really plant the idea of death not being final in people’s minds, which I don’t think Beric’s resurrection did. We now know they wanted to do Jon’s death as a major cliffhanger which wouldn’t work if viewers went “Oh my God he’s dead! I can’t believe it! Nooooo! If only there was a red priest in the immediate vicinity……Oh wait, problem solved, he’s clearly not going to stay dead.” There was all the speculation on here about “for the Watch” and what would happen but the second Mel rocked up to CB unexpectedly I thought “there’s your answer”.

    It could of course all pan out very differently but I’d be surprised if it did. I think he is almost certainly coming back, it’s just the how and when that’s debatable. There are very few things in the show I’d even tentatively bet on but that is one of them. Not my life savings obviously, but certainly a pound or two 😀

    EDIT: It’s all Wimsey’s fault. His posts made me think about the structure of the story and if Jon dies and stays dead it doesn’t make much sense story-wise. Not impossible, but unlikely.

  35. Harma Dogememe: I’ve been re-reading ADWD and noticed an interesting tidbit in one of the Tyrion chapters…

    It’s funny you say that because that quote stood out to me when I re-read ADWD, as well. The Valyrians clearly knew about Westeros, and the fact that the prophecy of The Prince That Was Promised originated from Valyria only strengthens the argument. And on a somewhat side note, I would hope that we find out more details on the history of the first Faceless Man and his connection to the Doom. Though I would imagine that we would hear that info from The Kindly Man.

  36. Ravyn,

    You might be right, that Jon will somehow tie into the WW as they are not what they appear. Remember there’s the odd Arya chapter where she remembers when they were kids in the crypts, and Jon dressed his face in white flour and jumped out from the crypts pretending he was dead and come back to life seeking blood. Also in book 1, AGOT, when Tyrion is at the Wall with Jon there is a chapter of his where he noticed the way the sun is reflecting off the Wall turned “the bastard’s eyes an icy blue”. And Dany has that strange dream where she is having sex with someone “whose manhood is as cold as ice” I mean, these all seem like a pretty obvious foreshadow to me that his return will have something to do with the ice side and not the fire side as many have anticipated. What that means? No idea.

  37. steve,

    I dont know: I actually kinda dig if we never actually SEE Lyanna. She’s the Helen of Troy character, and what always ruins Helen of Troy is that the actress never lives up to our imagination (even if Diane Kruger is astoundingly beautiful).

  38. Harma Dogememe,

    Tyrion also made a comment about how “fire and blood” is what eventually led the Valyrians to their doom (no pun intended) and I took that as subtle foreshadowing for what awaits Daenerys in the next two books.

  39. Harma Dogememe: do you guys think that Jon is going to be back right away in S6 Ep. 1? Or not until the very last episode of the season? Halfway through the season? S7 Ep. 1? The series finale?

    For now, my belief is Jon will be back sometime in the second half of S7. 🙂 I may change my mind if additional information comes around.

    Lulu’s Mum: for him to get the resistance to the white walkers in a position for the final showdown(s). Someone else might take that role for him, but I don’t know who could and that seems to be what he’s there for,

    I think he’s there to be a dragon rider (Rhaegal) and fight for the Lord of Light. 🙂

  40. Kay,
    Fair enough, if a dragon is the solution they do move move around much faster than even “Jetpack” Baelish, so not so much of a rush for them to set off, although someone needs to let them out first.

    I just looked at how much heat would be needed to melt a rock across a doorway and apparently they start to crack, and thus loose their strength, at a fairly low temperature. The dragons are going to be bored in their dungeon and might give it a try even if don’t have the internet, or any handy science textbooks, to alert them to this. Hey they’re dragons, they are magical creatures, they might be able to read. Or if Stannis hadn’t sacrificed his daughter she could have taught them 😉

  41. mau,

    Of course, that probably will come with it…. but holding out the whole season or having his resurrection occur immediately is no different, he will be released from his vows, with a new outlook and a mission.

  42. Somebody needs to take a hint, GRRM had time for his European trip, and he just attended the final “Grateful Dead” concert in Chicago, but now he decides to stay home, because “it is hardly as if HBO needed me in San Diego to represent…”, well of course

  43. Kay,

    He will be back earlier. Second half of S7 it’s just too late, because it looks like S7 will be the last one. You can keep him from S6, but S7 when the real sh*t will hit the fan.

    As for dragons and Lord of Light. He could be dragon rider, but I think he will lead armies from the ground. It’s impossible to think that one of the dragon might not make it to the last battle and remember what Bloodraven told Bran you will never walk again,but you will fly.

    If R (Fire)+L (Ice) =J is true, Jon is the balance. He will be there to make pact or simply end this war. He’s not only Fire or Ice. That’s why I have a lot of problems with Mel resurrection theory. I guess anything is possible in this world, but I will be very dissapointed,if Jon is simply Fire and not both Fire and Ice.

  44. Geralt of Rivia:
    Kay,

    If R (Fire)+L (Ice) =J is true, Jon is the balance. He will be there to make pact or simply end this war. He’s not only Fire or Ice. That’s why I have a lot of problems with Mel resurrection theory. I guess anything is possible in this world, but I will be very dissapointed,if Jon is simply Fire and not both Fire and Ice.

    Why do you have problems with the Mel resurrection theory? I mean… how else would he come back if he is both fire and ice??

  45. geeg: I mean, these all seem like a pretty obvious foreshadow to me that his return will have something to do with the ice side and not the fire side as many have anticipated.

    Thanks for those book tidbits, especially from Book 1 (not a book reader myself). I agree it’s a foreshadow, especially if you add these hints to the show (Hardhome battle) and how the Night’s King and Jon Snow had a long, meaningful look. Is it possible that Jon’s body will be hidden somewhere and then stolen by the WWs and reanimated just like Karsi? (She too could have been a hint to the audience!). Anyway, even if Jon is a Wight, I think in the last group of episodes, he will come alive again, because he is part Targaryen. Imagine a wight suddenly “reanimating”, hopping on Rhaegal and then turning around and roasting the Night’s King!

    Off-topic: how exciting is all this Pluto news? Who know, perhaps there’s a Planetos somewhere out there too, with its skewed seasons, dragons and WWs.

  46. The visions he may have both excite and terrify me in equal measure. There are some things that should be left to the imagination or at least until they can be explored properly (still keeping those fingers crossed for a Robert’s Rebellion prequel!). Only flashback I really think there would be a need for is Ned and Lyanna. The rest of the ToJ stuff should be cut. Anything else can be explained through other means.

  47. Ravyn: “I just got back from Chicago and the Dead shows, and before that it was Europe, and… I am way behind on everything, and I have a wedding to attend in Jersey in a few weeks, and worldcon after that”

    Oh yeah. That books coming out in a few months.

    I think GRRM’s comments (which you quote above) pretty much puts end to any possibility that Winds of Winter will come out before Season 6.

    Now the question is, will WoW come out before GoT ends? And what is the possibility that aDoS will even be published? 25% 10% 5%?

    At least this show is going to end the story, one way or another.

  48. Kay,

    JS a wight for 10+ episodes? no thanks!

    he is ICE AND FIRE not ice alone.

    Josh L.,

    I feel bad for all the book readers that haven’t gotten book 6 and may never get book 7. I have all five books at home and that’s what holds me back from starting.

  49. Geralt of Rivia:
    Kay,

    If R (Fire)+L (Ice) =J is true, Jon is the balance. He will be there to make pact or simply end this war. He’s not only Fire or Ice. That’s why I have a lot of problems with Mel resurrection theory. I guess anything is possible in this world, but I will be very dissapointed,if Jon is simply Fire and not both Fire and Ice.

    For Jon to come back intact from the dead (and not a raving madman or someone with no memory) will require the magic of the Lord of Light and that of the Old Gods.

    Mel channeling the Lord of Light will bring him back while Jon’s mind will have survived by warging into Ghost (a power granted by the Old Gods).

  50. Conan,

    While Beric Dondarrion did lose a little bit of himself whenever Thoros resurrected him, he didn’t fully lose his mind. Why would Jon be different?

  51. It’s a relief to get the confirmation of Isaac returning as Bran! (Now, come on Art, don’t pretend you have “generic projects” you’re working on ;D)

    THE WOLVES WILL COME AGAIN.

  52. What if……..the ending were more apocalyptic in nature. Picture a small group of people looking out from a cliffs edge over ravaged lands/seas roiling – calling themselves the “new defenders of the world”….. something like that. I sort of do see it. Barely anyone survives..life as Essos and Westeros have known it are gone, this is a new world, a new day.

    I envision the young folk to be the survivors. Rickon, Arya, Trystane, possibly Sansa, possibly Bran. But the hero’s of the books/show will be Jon and Danys, possibly Jamie even. There are others, but mostly between now and then, people die very heroically or trying to do the right thing.

    I could live with that if Jon died at the end or close to the end helping to save the world from what was certain elimination. Same for Danys. A lot would have to happen starting pronto S6-01 to set that up, but it isn’t like people haven’t been dropping right and left from the beginning anyway.

    And this is all blowing smoke out my nether region too. No one really knows. But there has to be an end game. Cersie trashes and burns down the Red Keep/KL. Essos goes to Hades without proper leadership, the North get destroyed warring with each other…..and so forth. That leaves this huge arsed group of WW/Others that has to be taken care of by someone. What is the payoff that people keep writing about? Ned didn’t have a payoff, that’s for sure as many who have been killed didn’t have a payoff. Sometimes I feel like GRRM has just punked a planet! GOTTCHA no one wins.

  53. Ravyn:
    I dont know: I actually kinda dig if we never actually SEE Lyanna. She’s the Helen of Troy character, and what always ruins Helen of Troy is that the actress never lives up to our imagination (even if Diane Kruger is astoundingly beautiful).

    What with them seemingly casting Dayne (and apparently making it an extended fight scene), and really doubt they won’t show Lyanna.

  54. Sword of the Morning,

    Think it depends what is in their heart. Beric had a noble cause to help the people. SH was driven purely by revenge. I imagine Jon will remain a paragon of commitment to defending the realm of men..in spite of the way he died so I don’t think he’ll change massively from the process. Plus

    bear in mind Beric and Jon ( I assume) were resurrected very close to their death. Cat had been dead for a while and Thoros even said they shouldn’t bring her back but Beric sacrificed himself to do so.
  55. Conan, don’t give Martin any more ideas to not write! 🙂

    (All this scrutiny because of the show must be tough for Martin, though.)

    Lulu’s Mum:

    Hey they’re dragons, they are magical creatures, they might be able to read. Or if Stannis hadn’t sacrificed his daughter she could have taught them.

    Ack, don’t remind me of what could have been – Shireen Baratheon, dragonrider and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. (Sniff) 🙁

  56. Deesensfan,

    The books are right there. Just reach out and grab them. They are calling to you, “Come play with us. Come play with us.” Just kidding. 🙂

    Stay Unsullied if you want. It’s fine.

  57. mitch,

    I always thought the point of having Jon warg into Ghost at the point of death was a ‘save’ to keep him mentally or spiritually intact after his bodily resurrection, so he wouldn’t be a monster like Stoneheart or so haunted and Thanatos-driven as Beric.

  58. Flora Linden,
    Awww Shireeeeeeeen. I couldn’t bring myself to watch THAT scene and doubt I ever will, so as far as I’m concerned nothing happened. Davos realised something was up, snuck back and spirited her off somewhere safe in the night. She is alive and well and very happy somewhere only the bestest, most special people go, teaching others to read and perfectly safe, whatever happens to anyone else. La la la can’t hear you reality, you have no power over meeeeeee. Lulu’s Mum’s canon – envoked in emergency situations like this – is whatever I want it to be 😀

  59. Lulu’s Mum:
    Flora Linden,
    Awww Shireeeeeeeen. I couldn’t bring myself to watch THAT scene and doubt I ever will, so as far as I’m concerned nothing happened. Davos realised something was up, snuck back and spirited her off somewhere safe in the night. She is alive and well and very happy somewhere only the bestest, most special people go, teaching others to read and perfectly safe, whatever happens to anyone else. La la la can’t hear you reality, you have no power over meeeeeee. Lulu’s Mum’s canon is whatever I want it to be

    You fast forwarded? I did that on the Monday evening rewatch. I didn’t need to see that again. Count yourself lucky. I can’t undo it in my brain. They couldn’t keep one sweet baby girl Princess? I know it’s GOT but still. I am asking for one person not like a 1,000.

    I was hoping that Stannis would win and proudly bring her to court. Humble everybody because she has greyscale. Dare people to say something about his Princess. She would finally not be shamed and locked away in a tower. Also a realm wide literacy program would be implemented in her honor. It was a stupid thought to have in the GOT world.

  60. Angela:

    Also a realm wide literacy program would be implemented in her honor. It was a stupid thought to have in the GOT world.

    Kings and governments don’t want well-educated subjects. When people can read they start having thoughts and thinking for themselves and making their own decisions. Pretty soon the people will realize the rulers are full of it and they’ll be out of power. Nah, keep the subjects ignorant, hungry and uncivilized.

  61. Flora Linden: Kings and governments don’t want well-educated subjects. When people can read they start having thoughts and thinking for themselves and making their own decisions. Pretty soon the people will realize the rulers are full of it and they’ll be out of power. Nah, keep the subjects ignorant, hungry and uncivilized.

    Okay. No official literacy program. Shireen educates people on the down low.

  62. Valaquen,

    According to GRRM, a person who wargs into an animal will shortly be taken over by that animal and lose themselves. So it would depend on how long Jon was wargged into Ghost, if that happens. I am still holding out for 1. Mel brings him back as AA or 2. He survives being burned because of the R + L + J theory and being a Targ, like Danys did in 01-10.

  63. Angela,

    I was only teasing you. 🙂

    A realm-wide literacy program is nice, but I don’t know if the beautiful people would be too happy with it. The secret reading classes, like Shireen did with Davos and Gilly, might be the ultimate alternative.

  64. JCDavis,

    Think that GRRM or maybe D&D said that that was a one off event and that Targs aren’t completely invulnerable to fire. Who knows though!

  65. JCDavis:
    Valaquen,

    According to GRRM, a person who wargs into an animal will shortly be taken over by that animal and lose themselves.So it would depend on how long Jon was wargged into Ghost, if that happens.I am still holding out for 1.Mel brings him back as AA or 2.He survives being burned because of the R + L + J theory and being a Targ, like Danys did in 01-10.

    Maybe he wargs into Ghost until Mel gets his body? She’s already there so it wouldn’t take that long. She just needs to get this body and do a quick prayer. Like 10 minutes maximum. Ghost can give Jon 10 minutes. Since Ghost decides to never be around when Jon needs him, then I think he should do Jon a solid for once.

  66. Flora Linden:
    Angela,

    I was only teasing you.

    A realm-wide literacy program is nice, but I don’t know if the beautiful people would be too happy with it. The secret reading classes, like Shireen did with Davos and Gilly, might be the ultimate alternative.

    Okay. All good.

  67. Dolorous Methuselah: How long till someone starts a rumor that Kit Harrington can be seen in the background of that pic or in a reflection in the Coke bottle if you hold your head at the right angle and squint just so?

    5 minutes.

  68. Angela,

    Only we know Jon can be burned by fire…remember how he burnt his hand throwing a lamp onto a wight to save the Lord Commander? Contrast this with Dany, who was shown from the very beginning to be impervious to heat that would have burnt non-Targs (e.g., steaming hot bath in Season 1, her servant told her she would get burnt, didn’t faze her, e.g., Season ? her picking up eggs right out of a redhot brazier)

  69. Nell Tiger Free is in Belfast. Clearly to play a corpse.

    But what if… Qyburn resurrects her like The Mountain?! The HYPE would be impossible to contain.

  70. mitch,

    Hmm, I wonder what Jon’s “mission” that he’ll cling to will be. Liberating Winterfell? Fighting the White Walkers? I’m excited to see what happens.

  71. Dame Pasty,

    Plus Jon is speculated to only be half Targ. Dany is full-blown. Plus she only has a higher resistence and wouldn’t , for example, survive a shower of dragon/wild fire except in that one off occasion where the dragons were born.

  72. GhostCR: Carice van Houten told MTV sometime ago that she had filmed a big scene with Jon and she was not referring to the seduction attempt of season 5.r

    No. She never said that she had filmed a big scene with Jon, she said that a big scene was still to come for her character this season. And the burning of Shireen happened a few weeks later. It’s nothing about Jon.

  73. Young Dragon: Like Kit Harington and D&D, he probably missed it to avoid Jon Snow questions.

    I agree with that. And it’s quite funny that the actors who did Comic Con interviews recently pretended they haven’t read the scripts for season 6… And now Isaac pretends he hasn’t watch season 5! Lol. Nobody wants to answer questions about Jon, that’s OBVIOUS.

  74. I remember that in Season 1. Jon can burn. Mel grabs his body before the funeral pyre. She prays to the fire god and Jon wakes up.

  75. I do still think it would be great if the Wall wasn’t in Season 6 at all (possibly the last episode). Just rumours and reports about what has happened, and the impact on other characters and plots.

    I don’t mean ‘great’ as in that it’s what I really want to happen, since there are so many characters and actors that I already feel we have to wait too long to see. I mean that it would be an absolutely fantastic mindf*ck to all of us, and give room for other plot lines as we sweat it out. 🙂

  76. Deesensfan,

    Even better, I saw the interview (which was easily available on YouTube if you searched for Carice van Houten / MTV (now probably it has moved further down because she was at Comic Con and probably was interviewed again by MTV). I posted the link right after the season finale, but later on could not find my post. IDK if it was moved or deleted, but I refrained from posting it again just in case I was violating some kind of code.

  77. Pigeon:
    I do still think it would be great if the Wall wasn’t in Season 6 at all (possibly the last episode). Just rumours and reports about what has happened, and the impact on other characters and plots.

    I don’t mean ‘great’ as in that it’s what I really want to happen, since there are so many characters and actors that I already feel we have to wait too long to see. I mean that it would be an absolutely fantastic mindf*ck to all of us, and give room for other plot lines as we sweat it out.

    Not me. I’ve never gravitated much to cliff hangers, surprises and “mindf*cks” in my entertainment. Sure they can be fun at times but give me a good solid story anytime without totally weighing it down with an overabundance of these kinds of devices.

    In any event judging from the location thread a few threads down, looks like The Wall will be making an appearance.

  78. I could be wrong, but wasn’t there a tradition to bury Lord Commanders within the Wall, in an ice cell?

  79. TheTouchOfFrost,

    Hmmmm, I thought she was impervious to all fire/heat. I’ve heard other say (like yourself) that she can be burnt but I never understood the reasoning.

  80. Dame Pasty:
    TheTouchOfFrost,

    Hmmmm, I thought she was impervious to all fire/heat. I’ve heard other say (like yourself) that she can be burnt but I never understood the reasoning.

    The reasoning is that Martin said she is not immune to fire. Drogo’s funeral pyre was sorta a one-off event and he added she probably wouldn’t be able to do something like that again.

    I’ve dropped some book knowledge and am worse for it.

  81. Maceless Fan:
    I hope (but doubt) that one of Bran’s visions show something about Old Valyria and its steel. Why can their steel kill WW? Did they specifically make those weapons for that purpose?

    Because it was forged with dragonfire, surely?

  82. What if……..the ending were more apocalyptic in nature. Picture a small group of people looking out from a cliffs edge over ravaged lands/seas roiling – calling themselves the “new defenders of the world”….. something like that. I sort of do see it. Barely anyone survives..life as Essos and Westeros have known it are gone, this is a new world, a new day,

    Thats funny, as I was reading the posts and all the ideas, I was thinking along the same lines; that perhaps he is really dead, and that when all is said and done, the world as they know it is gone, and the next one starts. Hee, perhaps a GOT sequel?

    BTW surprised no one noticed this. Its from the Time interview and my reaction was WTF?

    I hope young girls aren’t watching Game of Thrones, but when you’re choosing roles, how much do you think about being a role model?

    Why shouldn’t young girls be watching GOT? Is watching tv the only venue for finding role models? And who’s models are they supposed to have? Good grief

    (oops edited)

  83. Dame Pasty,

    I guess you could rationalise that Targs have a higher tolerance to fire and heat because they’ve evolved (obviously a lot quicker that real world evolution!) alongside dragons for such a long time that they’ve got some sort of natural resistence to the type of injuries you can pick up whilst handling dragons! But full blown fire invulnerability would be a push too far I think. Ultimately, I think it was just something interesting to add and create some mystery around Dany and her purpose that folks can theorise over however they like.

    Oh the GRRM quote! It was an online Q&A so I can’t find the direct source I’m afraid!

    ” Granny: Do Targaryens become immune to fire once they “bond” to their dragons?

    George_RR_Martin: Granny, thanks for asking that. It gives me a chance to clear up a common misconception. TARGARYENS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO FIRE! The birth of Dany’s dragons was unique, magical, wonderous, a miracle. She is called The Unburnt because she walked into the flames and lived. But her brother sure as hell wasn’t immune to that molten gold.

    Revanshe: So she won’t be able to do it again?

    George_RR_Martin: Probably not.”

  84. ash,

    Guess it depends on what you mean by “young”. To be honest, I hope no girls, or boys for that matter, under the age of 18 or at least 16 are watching the show as the content is a bit much for people that age to fully comprehend.

  85. ash:
    Why shouldn’t young girls be watching GOT? Is watching tv the only venue for finding role models? And who’s models are they supposed to have?

    He would be referring to all the adult content; I should have thought that would be obvious. And nobody said it was the only place; that’s not even remotely implied in the statement.

    Greenjones,

    I’ll be kind of interested to see what her commuting schedule between Belfast and Montreal is like in the next two months. I know Rupert Vansittart said he was filming in July and December, and while he could, for instance, be filming just with Baelish or whoever, I expect Sansa will reconnect with the Littlefinger and the Valemen at some point next year.

  86. Spoiler sh*t below. Unsullied beware.

    Kit will live and be a BAMF. Hopefully we get some sort of flashback context from Bran. If you haven’t read the books the show has not laid enough foundation for unsullied to, I think, completely comprehend the hype of the back story and what it could mean. Accordingly, Bran’s flashbacks as to R’s SoIaF prophecy, R+K=J theory, etc. would clarify some things, lay foundation, but most importantly it would give the audience some emotional attachment to the characters of these important subplots. I don’t think it is enough for show-ony fans to care about JS to appreciate his parentage and the implications of that.

    Completely digressing here, but I’ve wondered if Dany may have to sacrifice herself to the WWs – i.e. “marry” or be bound by them in some way – to bring balance. Alternatively, if Jon is technically risen from the dead (as has been alluded to in the book and many in this section have pointed to the passages), maybe Dany joins forces with him through marriage to satisfy some sort of WW ancient prophecy, or what have you (marriage solves a lot of feud problems, unless you are a Frey). I only say this because she is constantly referred to as the “daughter of death,” “bride of death,” or as having sex with a cold-membered dude. LOL, idk I am just spitting BS to procrastinate studying right now.

  87. Cumsprite,

    We’re talking on a forum dedicated to a fantasy TV Show…we’re all at different points on the same spectrum! 😛

  88. TheTouchOfFrost,

    Thanks for that! Good quote. Okay, so that does settle it. Sooooo it IS possible for Jon to have his own miracle as well and possibly emerge unscathed from a funeral pyre.

  89. Angela,

    LOL!! THEY ARE TRUST ME!!!!!
    I want to read the books… but I am turned off for two reasons:
    1) Will he EVER finish the books?
    2) If Jon is DEAD dead…. theres no point 😛

  90. Angela,
    I think you mentioned being fairly new on here so you probably missed my full-on Shireen meltdown during the series – lucky you! She brought out my mothering instinct like no other ever has and once it looked like you-know-what might happen I was on gibbering idiot (even more so than usual) red alert. I didn’t watch episode 9 live, just waited to see how bad it was.

    Judging by the comments on here I dodged a bullet and have never been so glad to know what was coming in advance so I could avoid it. Others’ reaction alone got me right in the feels. Now I comfort myself that the worst possible thing that could happen already has so the emotional rock bottom won’t be reached again. Oh I’m such an optimistic fool, I expect my heart to be ripped out and stomped on again before the end but for the moment I pretend it won’t be 🙂

    EDIT: Just remembered, someone who’s been on Sesame Street for years is apparently leaving. I know the ideal candidate to replace them and the scariest thing she’ll have to face is a grumpy green muppet in a dustbin 😀

  91. Lulu’s Mum:
    Angela,
    I think you mentioned being fairly new on here so you probably missed my full-on Shireen meltdown during the series – lucky you! She brought out my mothering instinct like no other ever has and once it looked like you-know-what might happen I was on gibbering idiot (even more so than usual) red alert. I didn’t watch episode 9 live, just waited to see how bad it was.

    Judging by the comments on here I dodged a bullet and have never been so glad to know what was coming in advance so I could avoid it. Others’ reaction alone got me right in the feels. Now I comfort myself that the worst possible thing that could happen already has so the emotional rock bottom won’t be reached again. Oh I’m such an optimistic fool, I expect my heart to be ripped out and stomped on again before the end but for the moment I pretend it won’t be

    Yeah. There is no rock bottom to the GOT stuff. You tell yourself don’t get attached. It’s GOT. You think they are finished messing with our emotions, then Shireen happens. They built her up and did wonderful stuff with her. They even had a father daughter moment w/ Stannis. Then they pull the rug out.

    Cue me yelling at the screen. Saying “No, not her. They are not gonna do it. They are gonna burn her. Nope. Stannis loves her.” I’m a book reader. I should know better. Not after Robb and Oberyn. Shireen was so cute. I couldn’t help it. I am a person.

  92. I even tried to not like Stannis. I didn’t like him in the books that much. I caved into that too. Stephen’s performance made it happen.

  93. Angela,
    Not sure where you’re from, but here in the UK when they show programmes about potentially distressing topics like death or serious illness they often have a bit right at the end saying if you have been effected by the issues shown you can get help from…and then contact info for the relevant help lines, charities etc. They ought to have a GoT one 😉

  94. Dame Pasty,

    Dany’s one time magical event should stay that way (funeral pyre and stuff) . Besides Dany is only Fire. If my own theory is correct, Jon will need both Ice and Fire to be back.

  95. Dame Pasty,

    Nothing is impossible but my money is on Red Priest Mel rezzing him!

    Deesensfan,

    Hey , I didn’t say he didn’t! It’s others who are arguing for his fire-resistence. I’m just spectating! If I was to reason why though then I’d say it’s because he’s only probably half-Targ so the trait of some resistence to heat didn’t get passed on.

    TheBlackSwan,

    Perhaps she was only immune to high temperatures until the eggs hatched? We haven’t seen any examples of her resistence to heat in the books or show (to my knowledge) since the dragons were born.

    Dany does seem to have strange biology as the child she lost was reportedly deformed and looked dragon-like. Whether this was due to the bad voodoo going on around the time or her own physiology has never really been answered.

  96. TheBlackSwan,

    Oh Yeah! So wait… Based on what someone posted GRRM said about Dany… does that mean her in ability to burn was only before and up to the S1 EP10 scene?
    I though that when she was in the house of the undying and in S5 EP9, fire was touching her when the dragons were shooting it out
    May have been my imagination

  97. Sean C.,

    X-men will finish shooting mid-August. There still is a lot to shoot as per Bryan Singer. So, Sophie will either shoot later for GoT – Sep onwards or will have to fly back & forth between Belfast / Montreal. Im sure they have adjusted the dates accordingly.
    She also said in an interview last year that she was fully booked for 2015 and didnt have a single date. I think she will just shoot the Vale scenes in December – I mean, The WF scenes obv, the Vale will probably take WF & they will shoot that in December for winter / cold conditions. She shot in December last year too and was one of the last to finish filming [along with Kit].

  98. mau,

    At this point in the the book game Berric is d.e.d. dead. The way the TV has gone it is past that storyline as well unless they bring him in real quick-like just to give him his final seventh death.

  99. Angela,

    There’s a reason people say the perfect metaphor for Game of Thrones is Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown at the last second.

  100. Does anyone know anything about this rumor about a supposed meeting between GRRM and his publishers next month? There’s speculation its a Winds of Winter launch meeting.

  101. Maceless Fan:
    I hope (but doubt) that one of Bran’s visions show something about Old Valyria and its steel. Why can their steel kill WW? Did they specifically make those weapons for that purpose?

    GRRM has stated that dragonglass/valyrian steel destroys the magic that holds the white walkers (bodies) together; it is known that the Valyrians infused magic into their weapons, so it’s likely that the Valyrian steel’s magic simply breaks the magic spell.
    Maybe there is also some dragonglass in the steel as well, but it wouldn’t be necessary; it would likely make the steel weaker.

  102. Ravyn:
    Angela,

    There’s a reason people say the perfect metaphor for Game of Thrones is Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown at the last second.

    Yup. The perfect way to describe the show.

    They even do it to us book readers. Example: Oberyn. I wasn’t going to get pulled into that crap. Not after Robb. Nope. I knew his ending but Pedro lured me into liking the character again.

    Stupid great acting and writing. Stupid cool intro and an expansion of a minor book character. D&D did it again.

  103. First time posting here, but I’ve been enjoying reading all the comments for a while.

    In regards to Daenerys surviving the fire unburnt in season 1, I seem to recall reading that she survived that because Mirri Maz Duur served as a sacrifice in Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre. I couldn’t tell you exactly where I read it, but I’ve read it a few times and honestly I think it’s a good theory.

  104. At this point, that Jon comes back seeeeeeems not a question. Who and how and when he comes back is the question. But if anyone thinks he’s coming back as good old noble same Jon, they haven’t been paying attention. There’s a reason that everyone whose been resurrected has come back a little “less”, a little different. It’s not a natural heroic process. Jon might be product of R + L, but he also DIED and he’s being brought back.

    Kill the boy. That Jon is gone. Who knows what the man is like? I don’t think he’ll be EVIL, but dying is going to change him. It’s silly to just say it was to release him from his vows. That seems like an important aspect, but that can’t be the only reason why Jon was stabbed and killed. Could it be because it activates something? He understands the dead of the WW more?

    Also, the dead can’t pass the wall, correct? I wonder if Jon’s death or something related to it is what brings the Wall down.

  105. Nadia:

    Also, the dead can’t pass the wall, correct? I wonder if Jon’s death or something related to it is what brings the Wall down.

    This is a good point. I’m not sure what the mechanics of this are and how White Walkers and Wights are each affected. As I remember:

    There were wights that Jon put in the Ice Cells and IIRC they didn’t “do” anything – ie: reanimate. But then there was the one that attacked Lord Commander Mormont. I can’t remember how he got to Castle Black which I think is on the south side of the wall.
  106. Dolorous Methuselah,

    Yes, I’m now trying to remember book vs. show on this. But the fact that Jon Snow is dead but reanimated, that the WW are coming, and that in many people’s mind the Wall is absolutely going to come down….all those things seem connected to me. Even alive, Jon Snow might still be “dead.” He might understand more of the WWs? Or he might be the force that brings down the Wall himself, to bring about the final battle.

  107. Dolorous Methuselah: This is a good point.I’m not sure what the mechanics of this are and how White Walkers and Wights are each affected.As I remember:

    I think they brought the guy in. I think the WW can’t pass underneath on their own. The guy was also not reanimated yet. Like vampires they need to be invited. You allow them through the magic. You give them permission to come through. They can’t walk up and come through the gates. Magic spells can’t ward against you giving the go ahead to come inside. Human stupidity undoes most magic. Wizards can’t protect us against all the morons. They try but everyone has their limits.

  108. I am going by my knowledge of fantasy and horror. Idiots letting the monster in because they believe it is not real. Especially vampires where entrance is barred from homes in most adaptations. It is similar to the Wall magic.

  109. Angela: I think they brought the guy in. I think the WW can’t pass underneath on their own. The guy was also not reanimated yet. Like vampires they need to be invited. You allow them through the magic. You give them permission to come through. They can’t walk up and come through the gates.Magic spells can’t ward against you giving the go ahead to come inside. Human stupidity undoesmost magic. Wizards can’t protect us against all the morons. They try but everyone has their limits.

    Though, as I remember

    Coldhands

    also couldn’t come in and he could have easily have wrangled an invite.

  110. I have seen a ghost movie where a house was protected by magic. The ghost took the form of the person’s dead relative. The person thought it was a good spirit and broke the protection by letting the ghost in the house. The evil spirit then proceeded to kill that person.

  111. Dolorous Methuselah: Though, as I remember

    also couldn’t come in and he could have easily have wrangled an invite.

    Maybe I am wrong. I thought that was the difference. The NW brought in the dead bodies and thus negated the magic through invitation. The dead body was past the magic and reanimated behind the wall. I could be way off base.

  112. Dolorous Methuselah: Though, as I remember

    also couldn’t come in and he could have easily have wrangled an invite.

    Oh yeah

    Coldhands would have been invited by Sam or Bran

    Plot hole. I guess.

  113. Deesensfan: I though that when she was in the house of the undying and in S5 EP9, fire was touching her when the dragons were shooting it out
    May have been my imagination

    Not your imagination. I have watched that scene many, many times too. Baby dragons being all badass! 😀
    Daenerys’ heat tolerance discussions always brings forth a number of posters posting about what Martin said about his book character. On the other hand, if you have watched the show only and paid attention to ShowDaenerys scenes, she displays many cases of higher-than-normal heat tolerance. In the pilot, getting into very hot water for her bath (just after super creepy scene with Viserys) which shocked the maid; touching the hot stone eggs and not having her hands burnt, which surprised her Dothraki handmaidens; hatching her dragons; being in the direct path of flames in 2.10, which roasted Pyat Pree, but left her unharmed.
    In the show, Daenerys has consistently showed an abnormal heat tolerance. And this was carefully emphasized in Season 1. So perhaps what Martin said about his book character, doesn’t apply to the show character. Like Sansa didn’t get married to Ramsay in the books, she did in the show. 😉

  114. TheTouchOfFrost,

    If that’s true that Dany walking out of the funeral pyre was a one time thing, then its kinda lame. That was probably as pivotal a moment as has happened in this entire saga, and Martin now is saying that it doesn’t relate to anything except as a gimmick to get the dragons into the world and create a “mother of dragons”. Frankly, I don’t even know how he can say that since the show has shown two additional times that Dany can’t be burnt: In the House of the Undying and when she grabbed the dragon egg that she had set on the fire (the latter also a book scene, if I remember). You’d think by this point Martin would have it straight in his own head what her limits are.

  115. Pigeon,

    Don’t recall seeing Carice’s comments in that article before either….
    One more reason to be nervous. It does seem a bit different from what she said before though. Wonder if she was told to be careful.

  116. M:
    That Conan video of “GRRM hard at work” on TWOW is hilarious. C’mon, we’re all thinking it.

    I’m in the UK and (unless it is on one of the various obscure channels) we don’t get “Conan” and I’ve had mixed feelings about the interviews of his I have seen but I must agree I did find this funny.

  117. Ravyn,

    It IS clear in GRRM’s mind, and always has been. People just made over-simplistic assumptions.

    Regards the show, she has been burnt – see the burns on her hands on the spear she pulled out of Drogon at the end of this season (also in the book). Go check the screencaps above.

    Seriously though people, GRRM explained this years ago… Even before the show, the book readers got confused by the whole Targaryen thing, some claiming that clearly Viserys was an imposter of whatever because of his being killed by the “crown of gold”.

    Maybe she does have a higher tolerance to heat, maybe something that’s been reactivated by the dragons entering the world, but she’s not immune to fire. The birth of the dragons was a magical experience, which has never happened in that manner previously.

  118. They are just getting too used to messing with us – like that scene in Valyria, when Tyrion goes under water and the screen goes black. We sat there like dummies with our dropped jaws, awaiting the white letters of the credits, then the picture comes back as Tyrion is revived. Is that some kind of foreshadowing? or just more BS from the showrunners, rubbing their hands together, snickering evil snickers in thought of what they have in store for us down the line. Don’t worry, Jon always comes back. Aw, kiss all our heinies D&D, this ain’t funny.

  119. Everyone always talks about “Jon Targaryen” and his rebirth on a funeral pyre… First off, unless legitimized he would still be a bastard, not a Targaryen. Secondly, he burns his hand when grabbing the lantern to kill the wight in Mormont’s chamber. So unless GRRM contradicts himself (or D&D at this rate) I don’t see how a funeral pyre is good news for Jon, seeing as how the blood of the dragon doesn’t flinch at flames and scalding water. I apologize if I have come across too critical here, but the utter surety people have of Jon’s picture perfect comeback is just ludicrous.

  120. Am I the only one who thought that “the return of you know who” was going to be about Hodor?

  121. Nadia,

    Nadia,

    In the show, do they tell us about the magic around the wall? I don’t remember.

    Kay,

    Yes, that’s what I am saying… I agree! But I think that some posters here mentioned that she only had heat tolerance before her dragons were hatched… I think she had some incidents after as well.

  122. I’m glad I’m currently going through a ‘I really couldn’t give two fucking about ASoIaF/Game of Thrones’ phase.

    That’ll change, however, when the A Game of Thrones 2nd Edition LCG is released!

  123. Jean,

    Flying back and forth would be exhausting and if x-men finish filming before September then there would be enough time to film all of her season 6 scenes in Sep-Dec period also apparently she’s in Belfast now

  124. The Dear Hunter:
    Everyone always talks about “Jon Targaryen” and his rebirth on a funeral pyre… First off, unless legitimized he would still be a bastard, not a Targaryen. Secondly, he burns his hand when grabbing the lantern to kill the wight in Mormont’s chamber. So unless GRRM contradicts himself (or D&D at this rate) I don’t see how a funeral pyre is good news for Jon, seeing as how the blood of the dragon doesn’t flinch at flames and scalding water. I apologize if I have come across too critical here, but the utter surety people have of Jon’s picture perfect comeback is just ludicrous.

    The theory is that Rhaegar and Lyanna were married, different opinions about where and when and who knew/helped. So he wouldn’t be a bastard. The resistance to fire I don’t buy, Martin has said Dany’s immunity from the flames of Drogo’s pyre was magical and that Targs can burn.

  125. Ravyn:
    Does anyone know anything about this rumor about a supposed meeting between GRRM and his publishers next month? There’s speculation its a Winds of Winter launch meeting.

    You are always so on top of news, Ravyn! I’m Jon Snow and know nothing, but I truly hope this rumor is true.

  126. Ginevra: Ravyn:
    Does anyone know anything about this rumor about a supposed meeting between GRRM and his publishers next month? There’s speculation its a Winds of Winter launch meeting.

    I don’t think there’s anything to read into it. There’s a comment on one of his blog posts where he mentions he will meet with his editors / publishers / editors while in NY. A poster asks if WoW will be discussed. He answers: “Oh, I imagine so. It comes up from time to time, can’t think why.” That’s it.

  127. Ravyn,

    I think I see the source of that rumor, and it is GRRM himself on his Not a Blog:

    So I’m headed east the first week of August… for a wedding, yes, and no, that’s private, so you don’t get to hear any more about it… but I am going to see my editors and publishers and agents while I am in town, and do some other fun stuff… including a ball game.

    If this were a launch meeting, I’m not sure that George would’ve blogged about it. Then again, he might.

  128. As many of you already have written, Jon burns his hand on the lantern he grabs when killing the wight in GoT and in season one. If i recall correct, the wound he got from that never really heals, right? It’s like his tolerance level of fire is weaker than the average man. This doesn’t fit with his Targ side (even though all Targ’s aren’t immune to fire).

    I like the idea of that Dany is Fire and Jon is Ice. Maybe all these hints of Jons parentage is a red herring, Lyanna might still be in the picture but Rheagar is not?

    Like Ravyn and geeg discussed above there is a possibility that Jon have a connection to the WW and not at all with Fire. I also think that the WW agenda might not be what we think or even can imagine and that they are not evil in that classic sense we are used to (ok, this we almost know since GRRM have no pure good nor evil characters).

    What geeg wrote made me think…

    “…also in book 1, AGOT, when Tyrion is at the Wall with Jon there is a chapter of his where he noticed the way the sun is reflecting off the Wall turned “the bastard’s eyes an icy blue”. And Dany has that strange dream where she is having sex with someone “whose manhood is as cold as ice”

    I’m not very good at making points, as you see, but are you following what I’m trying to say? 🙂

  129. I believe Jon is going to return and take on Aegon the Conqueror traits, not intentionally, but because of his circumstances it will come out this way and he will resemble ATG. If you want to work with him, fine, he’ll be merciful as whatever is left of his old Jon Snow personality will allow this. But if not he’ll cut you down where you stand. And that’s because of the part of his new personality descended from his time in Ghost. It’s been well established in the books the longer you warg the less you become and the more traits you take on of what you warg. Ghost has been described more than once by not just Jon but also Bran and once even Arya as the most ferocious of the direwolves. His muteness makes him frightening because you don’t know what he’s thinking or where he is until it’s to late and he pounces on you and rips you to shreds.

    I do think it’s possible in the books Jon returns as a mute because of Ghost. They’re obviously not going to pay Kit Harington to not talk so that won’t be the case in the show. But in the books definitely. His introverted status as Jon Snow has already hinted at that possibility as some characters in the books are uneasy around Jon because they never know what he’s thinking.

    If this comes to be, it will be different in the show. I don’t think they will ever show Jon warging Ghost. He won’t be a mute either. BUT, he would return with some of the traits It outlined. More ferocious, angry, hard. Just it won’t be explained on the show because of his time in Ghost. It will be because of his time in death.

  130. In my opinion Jon is returning because of the ice side of things. Dany’s magical ending in season 1 and book 1 firmly supplanted her as the main fire POV character in this story in my opinion. Although Jon shares her blood, he also shares the blood of the first men and the old gods and ice. We don’t need a second main fire POV, nor do I think we’ll get it. We need a counter balance to the fire side and that means a main POV that we associate with ice. It’s already been Jon, his return will supplant it.

    Remember Dany sees a vision of a “blue eyed king who casts no shadow” in the one of her book visions. Melisandre has said more than once only followers of The Lord of Light can cast shadows. Those who reject The Lord of Light cast no shadow because they turn to the darkness and turn to the old gods. That means the “blue eyed king who casts no shadow” that Dany sees has rejected the Lord of Light and is following the old gods. I’d wager top dollar that is Jon.

  131. tom:
    Remember Dany sees a vision of a “blue eyed king who casts no shadow” in the one of her book visions. Melisandre has said more than once only followers of The Lord of Light can cast shadows. Those who reject The Lord of Light cast no shadow because they turn to the darkness and turn to the old gods. That means the “blue eyed king who casts no shadow” that Dany sees has rejected the Lord of Light and is following the old gods. I’d wager top dollar that is Jon.

    I haven’t read the books, so what about in the show… how would what you said apply?

  132. Jon’s hand got burned…so even if he is part Targ he’s not the flame proof type.

    Mel resurrecting him is the best bet…due to the set up they did with her meeting Thoros.

    They didn’t waste the shock value by doing it to LS first.

    They wont wait with Jon like was done with LS in the book…it has to be Episode 1 by Mel saying prayers over his funeral pyre just as they light it up. She cant resurrect him off-screen and we all wait 5-6 episodes.

    The NW will attempt to burn him due to their recent experience with the WW.

    Some people think it would be lame if they just resurrect him right away after killing him…but there is an off season in between. Also, it’s the most ‘believable’ that Mel prays over him right away as Thoros had done for Berric.

    Jon Snow is dead…that can be true. Mel can see AA or JT or something in a vision as she prays and he is reborn.

    I doubt it will be the first scene…there are several cliff hangers to tie up.

    Probably around the 45th minute Bran is back and having visions…ones of importance to Jon’s lineage…maybe a fire he sees cuts to Jon’s funeral scene fire that shows Mel praying and the episode ends with his re-birth.

    However it goes down, if they do it right it could be pretty kick ass.

  133. Ravyn,

    Deesensfan,

    Her being flame resistant until the event that caused the birth of the dragons is fine with me. Dragons are magical creatures so her being linked to them could be explained that way and makes the event of them coming to life even more unprecidented and mysterious.
    In the show, at teh House of the Undying I think it’s quite clear the fire is going past her and in the books the flames are nowhere near her.
    I think the best course of action is to not worry about minor things like this. They could be explained but does everything need to be explained?

  134. Dany just went through her dragon-puberty earlier than Jon since she knew what to expect from being raised by the dragon-loving Viserys. The TV show has done a TON of reworking Dany to appear more awesome on screen than she actually is in the books, like the few times on screen that she shows a “resistance” to fire that does not actually happen, at least not at the degree shown. Her bath is scalding hot but she is not warned of it, she climbs in, turns pink and then her handmaids come in/are around her to bathe her. Many Targ’s have been burned or killed by fire and heat way before Viserys and his crown of gold.

    Food symbolism in this story is immensely important. Dany, I feel, is gonna turn a little bad/evil/Targ Mad based on the fact that in one of her last chapters in ADWD she makes note of how dragons do not grow olives- meaning dragons are not sowers of peace. Dun, dun, duuunnn!

    Jon is the ice, no doubt, and half Targaryen. Anyone who has read/listened to the World of Ice and Fire history should think back to the notes so very well hidden that says the Greyjoys quite possibly have a sea dragon egg under or in Pyke. There were also ice dragons and there was talk in past history of a dragon that is held *within* the ice, not to mention the fact that magic definitely has a great deal to with the wall in the first place. This could mean Jon Snow while he is dead and waiting to be resurrected IS the dragon within the wall held in one of the ice cells, or it could be an actual ice dragon that is awakened and THAT is what brings down the wall. Tormund does tell Jon that the horn Mel burns with fake Mance was a fake. The shyte is all fake 🙂

    The only thing I know is that whats-his-face needs to get that next damned book out.

  135. Ashara Dayne,

    Ahhhhhh that could make things a good deal less complicated. I hold issue with Jon not really being a bastard though. I mean of all the plot twists in the books, I’m not sure I’d appreciate his 17 or so years as a bastard serving as a sort of life lesson. He really has grown into his role as a natural born child and I think the mysticism of Jon’s life reasonably ends with the question of who his parents were. I mean the guy turns down being legitimized by Stannis, in part out of a sense of duty to the NW but also because that’s not who he is. I’m not saying its improbable, just maybe not what I’d like to see haha.

  136. The Dear Hunter:
    Ashara Dayne,

    Ahhhhhh that could make things a good deal less complicated. I hold issue with Jon not really being a bastard though. I mean of all the plot twists in the books, I’m not sure I’d appreciate his 17 or so years as a bastard serving as a sort of life lesson. He really has grown into his role as a natural born child and I think the mysticism of Jon’s life reasonably ends with the question of who his parents were. I mean the guy turns down being legitimized by Stannis, in part out of a sense of duty to the NW but also because that’s not who he is. I’m not saying its improbable, just maybe not what I’d like to see haha.

    There is a monster thread on westeros.org about R+L=J and many blogs I could point you to, but it can be tiring and tedious reading them when there is so much. If you’re interested, Radio Westeros has a podcast (only 15 episodes so far) and one of them (ep5) discusses the theory. I don’t necessarily agree with all of it, but I listen to them in bed and fall asleep listening to them. In fact, I fell asleep tonight listening to it and then woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep, hence checked this and replying at 3.46 am!

  137. Ashara Dayne,

    I’ve spent quite a lot of time on those sorts of threads, although never checked those podcasts out. Thanks for the tip! I think I’m going to finish my current reread of the books before I check anymore theories though. Just to give myself one more chance to come up with some more on my own!

  138. Has anyone considered that maybe it’s Bran and not Melisandre that raises Jon? I’m really digging this Jon = ice theory.

  139. Does anyone think that the Nights Watch will claim the wildings killed Jon? Even though they seemed so proud of their dirty deed right after they did it, will they wake up and say ooops, maybe we shouldn’t have, let’s blame the wildings? Tormund would lose his mind; so would Wun Wun.

  140. Angela: Maybe he wargs into Ghost until Mel gets his body? She’s already there so it wouldn’t take that long. She just needs to get this body and do a quick prayer. Like 10 minutes maximum. Ghost can give Jon 10 minutes. Since Ghost decides to never be around when Jon needs him, then I think he should do Jon a solid for once.

    HA! This. Ghost certainly isn’t the most reliable friend, is he?

    And I love that Conan video of GRRM which is, unfortunately, probably pretty accurate….

  141. jessie_snow,

    We have no evidence that the tree gods have anything like those powers: the only powers we know that they have is “superwarging” and the ability to whisper general suggestions to people close to weirwood trees.

  142. Ashara Dayne: GRRM has stated that dragonglass/valyrian steel destroys the magic that holds the white walkers (bodies) together; it is known that the Valyrians infused magic into their weapons, so it’s likely that the Valyrian steel’s magic simply breaks the magic spell.
    Maybe there is also some dragonglass in the steel as well, but it wouldn’t be necessary; it would likely make the steel weaker.

    Interesting speculation…reminds me of the bit from S5 where at the entrance to the cave, the CoF says something like “the spell animating them [the wights] has no power here.” So if there is some kind of magic spell that holds the WW/wights together, who or what cast that spell, and why? Makes it sound like the Ice creatures (whether WW or wights) are servants of some kind of other power.

  143. Nadia,

    Nadia: That seems like an important aspect, but that can’t be the only reason why Jon was stabbed and killed. Could it be because it activates something? He understands the dead of the WW more?

    Also, the dead can’t pass the wall, correct? I wonder if Jon’s death or something related to it is what brings the Wall down.

    If you’re into “tinfoil hat” theories, there is a truly awesome one from Reddit about this and the true nature of the Others – I really hope it’s true because it’s a GREAT twist. https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/23p48r/the_true_nature_and_purpose_of_the_others_and_the/

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