Kit Harington spotted AGAIN; Filming begins at Garron Point

Kit Harington
Kit Harington, arriving in Belfast earlier this week

Kit Harington is still in Belfast. So says the Daily Mail, and they have several new photos to prove it.

The Worst-Kept Secret in Westeros™ continues, as the actor was spotted strolling on the street and having fun with fellow cast member Ben Crompton (Dolorous Edd) in Belfast today. The two actors were reportedly hanging around near Titanic Studios.

From all of the information we have gathered so far in the off-season, we can safely assume that filming for Game of Thrones season 6 began sometime this week in Northern Ireland.

Update: Comments from cast members at LFCC confirm that filming began this Monday July 20th, as expected.

Our sources have confirmed that the production has had a heavy presence at Garron Point in Co. Antrim since last Thursday. Many trailers and horse boxes have been sighted, and the production base seems to be set up at St. Killian’s College. This location has been previously used in the show as the grounds surrounding Runestone (Yohn Royce’s keep) in the season 5 premiere. We already know that Yohn Royce himself will return in the upcoming season. Add this to a fan getting a photograph – which has since been taken down – with Lino Facioli (Robin Arryn) in Belfast yesterday, and it looks increasingly likely that we will return to the Vale next season.

The photo in the above tweet shows the location in which filming is taking place, but unfortunately shows no detail. We will hopefully be getting more pictures in the coming days.

187 Comments

  1. No, he’s got his hood up. That makes him invisible, like when Sansa was able to wander around Winterfell through huge numbers of people without any of them noticing her.

    All of this said, the nature of the news media is such that they’ll continue to play the “both sides of the story” game so long as everybody associated with the show keeps saying that he’s dead.

  2. I think they should just say they are doing like GRRM for TWOW, they are going to start the next season a bit before the ending of the last one. So there’s a plausible reason why they might need Jon Snow still, it’s for scenes before the last one in S5E10. That’ll fool ’em all.

  3. Moonlight:
    When is someone going to leak who’s playing Euron already? I am very eager to know.

    Isn’t it obvious? Everyone involved is saying Jon Snow is dead dead and no new actors have been spotted to play Euron. Kit Harington=Euron CONFIRMED.

  4. I don’t think we’ll be seeing the Vale in s6; I just think Royce and Robin will be in tow when LF arrives up North. I know Sean C. questioned why he’d bring Robin along North with him yesterday but I think it’d be to ensure a match with him in the North or something along those lines to unite the North and the Vale under his Wardenship. I also think that LF going North will be the first we see him in s6 and that it’ll be around 603 or 604 (kindof like his surprise appearance in 403 in a way and also like s4 in that it would mean the big bads, the Boltons, dying quite early on in the season).

  5. Ehh Kind of sad to see he’s a smoker.

    Health aside, he’s still a pretty good actor though.

    Also, the new depicted name for this site is pretty much funny and accurate~

    I just hope news about Jon doesn’t stay the main subject throughout the whole year, as it seems to be right now. It’s often more respectful to give the production team a break and ease from having them putting the effort in concealing Kit all the time (if that’s what they’re doing, which also looks like it).

  6. I actually kinda miss the good old days before the general public had access to info such as if an actor is spotted at on set. Even though most of us know that Jon isn’t staying dead, it still kills the surprise a little bit. I sound like a crotchety old man at 32 hahaha.

  7. Kit H. smokes. 😮 I had no idea.

    I wish we could get some spoilers about some of the new storylines. Oldtown, Euron Greyjoy, Tyrion and Red Priests and what that might lead to, Arya’s blindness, anything re: COTFs, etc. And casting news. Who is gonna be the greatest swordsman ever?

  8. Moonlight,

    No kidding. I’m thrilled Kit is (probably) returning, but I need to know who’s playing the first storm and the last like a caffeine junkie needs another cup of coffee.

  9. I want an interactive map with pushpins for all the actors so we can see where they’ve been spotted at any given time. I don’t ask for much.

  10. I wonder if they chose relatively short men for most NW men, so Kit will look more leaderly?

  11. Name *,
    🙂
    Maybe D&D ships Dany and Jon and decided to make it happen by giving Euron’s part to Jon.

    With these many number of sightings, it almost looks a prank.Should they not make him go around wearing a blonde wig and false whiskers if they are really intent on keeping it secret?

  12. Greenjones:
    I also think that LF going North will be the first we see him in s6 and that it’ll be around 603 or 604 (kindof like his surprise appearance in 403 in a way and also like s4 in that it would mean the big bads, the Boltons, dying quite early on in the season).

    I don’t think the Boltons will be defeated anywhere near that quickly, or exclusively by the Valemen. It seems like the Northerners will have to get involved, and I doubt that will happen that quickly.

    Moonlight:
    Man, I cannot wait to see the look on Littlefinger’s face when he finds out that Sansa escaped.

    Well, strictly speaking, he had no idea that Ramsay is a crazy sadist, so he’s probably going to be glad she got away, since his idiotic original scheme would have led to Sansa getting gruesomely killed whenever he showed up to attack the Boltons.

  13. aabe,

    My friend is an extra on the Night’s Watch set in Belfast. He said the casting call was for men between 5’5 and 5’6 so I think you’re correct.

  14. I know it isn’t the first time WotW has been mentioned by huge media outlets, but the thought it’s been mentioned in places like Vanity Fair (again), Huffington Post, and US Weekly all within the last couple of days, well, it makes me smile. 🙂

    Congrats. to WotW!!!

  15. I hope Kit got some sort of raise. With people following him around and taking his picture all the time, it seems like he’ll have absolutely no privacy for the next 10 months.

  16. Assuming he’s there for the reason we think he is, it would probably be impossible to hide him and not have it leak. So maybe they’re having him be highly visible for.. What? I can’t even guess? Maybe we’ll see him for a while and he’ll disappear and they can say it was because they only needed him like they needed Charles Dance last season? And since everyone has seen him already no one will be looking for him later? It’s weird and I don’t know where the show (or books!) is going with Jon, but if this ends up being like Benedict Cumberbatch in Star Trek I’ll be pissed. It’s okay to just not comment. But blatant lying is just irritating

  17. Moonlight:
    Greenjones,

    Man, I cannot wait to see the look on Littlefinger’s face when he finds out that Sansa escaped.

    I can’t wait to see the looks on both their faces when she has him killed. LF dies at Sansa’s command (or less likely, her hands) at the end of S6 and TWOW. Everything is set up for this and it is only a matter of time before Sansa kills her savage giant.

  18. Sue, do you know if the table read has been this week? I mean, there’s a ridiculous amount of cast members in town from many different storylines. They can hardly all be filming.

  19. Chad Brick: I can’t wait to see the looks on both their faces when she has him killed. LF dies at Sansa’s command (or less likely, her hands) at the end of S6 and TWOW. Everything is set up for this and it is only a matter of time before Sansa kills her savage giant.

    She already killed the giant in ASOS.

  20. Sean C.,

    Probably right as always on both counts.

    I’m betting that by the time the Vale army makes it to WF, the Boltons may have already been defeated but by that point, LF’s plan to use Sansa to take the North will have been complicated by the fact that Rickon will have turned up alive, and its also possible a certain Big Reveal might be unearthed that turns the entire game board over.

    In any even if/when LF *does* make it to Winterfell, it will be time for a certain redhead to slay the Giant/Titan.

    For the record, I think it was silly to close the season with Jon’s ‘death’ and they should have showed his inevitable resurrection right then and there-maybe even the truth about his parentage last season as well. But Martin probably forbade them from doing either of those things until Season 6 to give him time to get TWOW out first and avoid being ‘spoiled’ with what everyone already knows.

  21. Maceless Fan,

    I kind of agree with you… Maybe TWOW can conceal who was spotted on set until after the cut?

    Kit appearing everywhere worries me a little

  22. Long time lurker here, so first off: Valar morghulis!

    So the Kit-Harington-sightings already have begun. I wonder if D&D really thought they could keep that even remotely secret. I guess their goal was to mainly keep the casual viewers in doubt just a little bit, but I can’t imagine even this is going to succeed with all the news coverage and social media attention the show has now. Maybe they should’ve pulled off the same move when Tyrion got pulled under water by the Stone Men – fade to black for a couple seconds, then enter Mel and show the resurrection and let viewers speculate about how he might be changed from that, which is the far more interesting question anyway.

    Greenjones,

    Why do so many here think that LF will defeat or even fight the Boltons? His plan was to let them and Stannis weaken each other, then mop up the leftovers. But the Boltons won pretty handily, I don’t see how they are weakened significantly, if at all.
    He’ll probably be in the North early next season, but will have to change plans after learning about the Boltons’ decisive victory. I guess his main narrative reason to be there is to pick up Sansa, so whatever GRRM has planned for the two of them can play out on the show, too, not necessarily to take down the Boltons.

    Maybe LF can rally the rest of the North behind Sansa or think of something else or just retread, but he won’t attack the Boltons with just the Vale army because that plan is doomed and LF’s too smart to not know that. If anything, Ramsay and some men could be chasing Sansa & whoever she’s with then and run right into LF’s arms, but I doubt that’s going to happen. If I had to guess, I’d say the WW take them out late in the season – bonus points if Ramsey makes that possible by destroying the NW in an ill-advised pursuit of Sansa.

  23. Conan Troutman,

    I wonder though, if Sansa and Theon might not just try to run to the Wall now. LF isn’t going to get there anytime soon for a rescue and Sansa might think that her ‘brother’ the LC is her best bet for safety right now. It would be one way to get an inevitable Stark reunion. Alternatively they might hear from Bran via weirwood.

    After all Stannis is no longer around to be the one who picks up Theon.

    For the record if/when LF DOES get North, I’ll be very interested to see if word gets back to him about what’s beyond the Wall-and his reaction to it.

  24. If one goes to the Daily Mail and looks at all the photos….well, the first thought I had was “we are being punked”. It almost looks set up in some of the photos with Edd. The almost smirking expressions on their faces. I think this is either to get people to shut up about it all or to keep people talking about it all. If the first, it isn’t going to happen, if the second…congratulations show runners.

    They can’t hide him, so they openly flaunt him. It is hard for me to believe that Kit Harington sneezes without their knowing about it. Good luck keeping that going for nine more months…. *whimpers*

  25. Conan Troutman,

    I think Sansa will reunite with Rickon at the Last Hearth and that the Boltons will be taken down by both the Umbers (and maybe a few other unnamed Northern lords) and by LF when he arrives. I don’t know exactly the logistics of how it’ll all play out but I imagine it won’t actually be too far from what ends up going down in TWOW (though of course Sansa will be with LF there).

    Remember what he spoke about with Cersei. What he told Sansa in the crypts in 504 wasn’t the entirety of his plan. He also wanted to have a reason for the Crown to approve of him going against the Boltons so he could have a third option handy. He doesn’t want Roose as the Warden of the North, he wants to be Warden himself.

  26. Dutch maester,

    Emilia *did* promise this season was going to be incredibly action packed with no downtime….and given the amount of material they have to cover no wonder.

    Personally I think they’ll have to go extra episodes in Season 7 to conclude it all.

  27. Dutch maester,

    Though they do shoot with two units concurrently even when only filming in NI, I don’t know if all of them are shooting their storylines every day. But the Belfast shoot is always oddly-organized, particularly the Paint Hall stuff since so many storylines have their interior scenes shot there.

  28. I’m guessing these sightings of Jon Snow are all well and good …

    But why is everybody ignoring the BIG news – my namesake Dolorous Edd is in Belfast (& hopefully on set) !!!

  29. Conan Troutman:
    Why do so many here think that LF will defeat or even fight the Boltons? His plan was to let them and Stannis weaken each other, then mop up the leftovers. But the Boltons won pretty handily, I don’t see how they are weakened significantly, if at all.
    He’ll probably be in the North early next season, but will have to change plans after learning about the Boltons’ decisive victory. I guess his main narrative reason to be there is to pick up Sansa, so whatever GRRM has planned for the two of them can play out on the show, too, not necessarily to take down the Boltons.

    Maybe LF can rally the rest of the North behind Sansa or think of something else or just retread, but he won’t attack the Boltons with just the Vale army because that plan is doomed and LF’s too smart to not know that. If anything, Ramsay and some men could be chasing Sansa & whoever she’s with then and run right into LF’s arms, but I doubt that’s going to happen. If I had to guess, I’d say the WW take them out late in the season – bonus points if Ramsey makes that possible by destroying the NW in an ill-advised pursuit of Sansa.

    The Boltons had, prior to the battle, something in the area of 5000 men (possibly notably less, since Stannis had 6000 had Littlefinger believed he had a clear numerical advantage). There’s no logical way the Vale army should not outnumber the Boltons majorly, even if the Boltons took no casualties at all (which wasn’t the case).

    Winnie:
    I wonder though, if Sansa and Theon might not just try to run to the Wall now.LF isn’t going to get there anytime soon for a rescue and Sansa might think that her ‘brother’ the LC is her best bet for safety right now.It would be one way to get an inevitable Stark reunion.Alternatively they might hear from Bran via weirwood.

    It would only be a reunion if Jon was around when she got there, and while none of us can know exactly how his resurrection will play out, I’m skeptical he’s going to be up and running immediately afterward. I tend to think he may be hanging out in Ghost for a while.

  30. They don’t want to hide Kit, they use him to make a big buzz about Season 6 in the next couple of months.

    D&D know what they are doing. They created one of the most popular shows in the history of television they know how PR works and how to draw attention.

    Season 6 will break all records.

  31. Luka Nieto,

    Let me rephrase-the number of storylines and plot threads they have to resolve.

    And you’re right Sean that Jon might be in Ghost for a while-but I don’t think D&D are going to let him remain there too long, because an entire season of Jon warging Ghost would be a surefire show killer.

  32. Winnie,

    They did make a point of two things: letting Theon know that Bran and Rickon went north, and letting Sansa know that Jon is Lord Commander. Those might have been a pair of small guns hung on the wall!

    If so, and given that this would be one of the only places Sansa could flee (she is a wanted woman in the South and it seems that the Northern houses are largely destroyed on the show), then we might get a Pink Letter situation.

  33. Winnie,

    It wouldn’t be a whole season, but my personal impression is that Sansa and Theon are going to get to the Wall quickly, find Jon is “dead”, and then make other plans, which will mean other Northerners and the impending arrival of the Valemen.

    At the same time, Mel’s vision of the fallen Bolton banners suggests she’ll be there for their defeat, so Jon may catch up to them eventually toward the end.

    Wimsey:
    If so, and given that this would be one of the only places Sansa could flee (she is a wanted woman in the South and it seems that the Northern houses are largely destroyed on the show), then we might get a Pink Letter situation.

    As far the South, the more practical consideration is that Sansa is currently running through the woods on foot in the North, and the Wall is much closer and more accessible than any of the southerly locations in the Vale where she has friends.

    Quite the reverse, concerning the Northern houses. According to Roose Bolton this past season, the other Northerners could easily defeat the Boltons if they all rose against them. Hence, why they want Sansa as a PR tool (…even though they never actually made use of her in that capacity).

  34. Winnie,

    They would have spent time developing Jon’s warging on the show if they were going to do that. They also would not have joked about Jon warging at Oxford last winter.

  35. Sean C.,

    Maybe but really how many near misses between Stark family reunions can they DO?!?

    Also I think the fact that it was *Sansa* down in the crypt hearing the old tales about Lyanna may have been a deliberate choice because she’s going to be one of the first to hear the Big Reveal.

  36. Wimsey:
    They would have spent time developing Jon’s warging on the show if they were going to do that.

    The show values shock over all else, so I don’t think that’s necessarily true. They want people wondering how Jon survives.

    Winnie:
    Also I think the fact that it was *Sansa* down in the crypt hearing the old tales about Lyanna may have been a deliberate choice because she’s going to be one of the first to hear the Big Reveal.

    I personally doubt it was anything more than the fact that she was in a good place to hear that exposition.

  37. Maceless Fan:
    I actually kinda miss the good old days before the general public had access to info such as if an actor is spotted at on set. Even though most of us know that Jon isn’t staying dead, it still kills the surprise a little bit. I sound like a crotchety old man at 32 hahaha.

    Yeah I’m now kinda envying my friends who don’t follow this stuff and just watch the show when it’s back. I remember how bummed I was when set photos leaked of Tyrion/Dany together and Arya/Meryn on set before S5. Maybe this stuff should come with spoiler labels now?

  38. I wonder how his smoking affects his HIIT which he surely uses to get those smoking hot abs and fantastic sword-fighting prowess.

  39. Winnie:
    Luka Nieto,

    Let me rephrase-the number of storylines and plot threads they have to resolve.

    And you’re right Sean that Jon might be in Ghost for a while-but I don’t think D&D are going to let him remain there too long, because an entire season of Jon warging Ghost would be a surefire show killer.

    I think they will avoid that completely, even if it is in the books.

  40. Sean C.,

    No, the show actually does a pretty good job foreshadowing stuff sometimes a season in advance. I’m sure there are examples of them throwing in a plot twist that wasn’t, but for all the major ones – Red Wedding, Joffrey – there had been build up. Whether audiences picked them up or not is another matter. I mean, I never noticed Tywin writing letters to the Freys and Boltons until after the RW and thinking about it more carefully.

  41. Wimsey,

    We’ll agree to disagree on that.

    Ravyn,

    The show tends to remove or avoid the foreshadowing in the books that is more explicit on the point — compare the two Red Weddings and they’ve removed the things that make it really clear that something bad is going to happen prior to the first crossbow bolt; likewise, removing the audience knowledge that Sansa’s escape is about to happen at the Purple Wedding. The knowledge that Jon can (potentially) transfer his mind into another entity is, to me, more in line with the sort of thing they wouldn’t want to show in advance (though, granted, they’re kind of backed into a corner with Melisandre, since they clearly felt they had to have Dondarrion).

  42. Almost every chapter in the books ends with cliffhanger, so I think that GRRM values shock over all else.

    He always creates mystery, and always creates new questions, without answer. Actually show gave more resolution and more answers to this story than GRRM.

  43. mau,

    GRRM definitely likes his lame cliffhangers (though it’s far from “almost every chapter”), but he also makes use of escalating dread and bad omens quite often. The differences between the two depictions of the Red Wedding is instructive in that regard.

  44. Pretty sure they won’t touch warging with Jon at all. That’s BRan’s bag and there have been no hints whatsoever Jon can do it. I don’t think he’s even had any wolf dreams in the show. To throw it at the audience now would come across as being quite half-baked and a cheap way out of Jon dying whereas they’ve already built the foundations for him being rezzed by Mel and it also probably played a part in SH being cut too to preserve the event’s integrity.

  45. mau,

    That is true. And I was never mad at GrrM for leaving Jon’s fate hanging because it felt like the right point to leave things. What bugged me at the end of ADWD was its leaving the Battle of Ice and the Battle of Fire up in the air. s5 resolved both of those lingering questions by giving us one and cutting the other. So I’m not one to complain about 510’s cliffhangers really.

  46. TheTouchOfFrost,

    There haven’t been any hints that Arya can do it either, but they just started the blindness plot, the whole point of which is to get her to see through skinchanging into animals; and she’s almost certainly going to end up with a huge wolfpack at her command in the future.
  47. I don’t know, I see a ton of foreshadowing in the show, especially on rewatch. We’re rewatching Season 3 right now, and I now feel like I should have seen the Red Wedding coming a mile away. At the time I did see *something* coming, just wasn’t sure what. I think the show uses foreshadowing AND escalating dread to good effect. That’s why I agree with those that think the show won’t touch upon the warging with Jon – too complicated, probably unecessary, and has had absolutely no build up.

  48. Sean C.:
    mau,

    GRRM definitely likes his lame cliffhangers (though it’s far from “almost every chapter”)

    I think that 70% of chapters ends on cliffhangers( small or bigg) . He even likes to end books on cliffhangers. The show did that only in Season 5 and I hope that was the last time.

    but he also makes use of escalating dread and bad omens quite often. The differences between the two depictions of the Red Wedding is instructive in that regard.

    I disagree. He only has more space and time, but there were many signs in the show that lord Frey will betray Robb.

  49. Sean C.,

    I’m not convinced that is what’s going to happen at all. I think the whole wolf dream thing is to show that all the Starks have the potential to warg and have that link with their wolves…and eachother to a certain extent but only Bran will fully realise the ability.
    Don’t think I’d be on board with Arya leading a wolfpack. Forgive me but it seems a bit too corny for me. Her blindness was a punishment and allows her to develop her other senses and give us a hint of her being able to minor-warg (possibly to create more of a link between her and cats which seems to be a theme). Don’t think it will play a bigger part than that.

  50. TheTouchOfFrost,

    GRRM has outright said that Nymeria’s pack is one of the major plot points he’s left hanging, and the symbolism around what Nymeria represents to Arya is simply undeniable. It’s “a time for wolves”, after all, as the Starks return to their old ways and roots.

    Moreover, we’ve already seen Arya use her abilities, and the first chapter of ADWD is a basic tutorial on what Jon will probably do.

  51. Sean C.,

    D&D cut YG and Arianne and their war, they cut LSH, they cut Victarion, they killed Stannis, Barristan, Mance,…

    I’m sure they will be able to finish this story without Nymeria’s pack.

  52. mau: She already killed the giant in ASOS.

    You actually think Sweet Robin’s doll was the giant? I sincerely doubt that in both book and show. Sansa has to kill someone. The book has the ‘Giant’ prophesy and the show has Tyrion’s ‘prophesy’ (“Sansa’s not a killer. Not yet, anyway”). That the woman kills someone…she kills them. The question–to me at least–is WHO she kills. My money has always been on LF (and I’m still 75% in that camp), but Ramsay could also be the one she off’s. Who knows! But, it’ll be exciting to watch no matter what happens. 🙂

  53. mau,

    They introduced Nymeria, and her importance to Arya. That requires resolution, if nothing else (and I expect the pack is very important to Arya’s future activities in the Second War for the Dawn).

  54. RosanaZugey: You actually think Sweet Robin’s doll was the giant?

    Well, yes. For me it was obvious, Robin even called that doll the giant.

    And all events from that prophecy happened in ASOS. I really don’t think GRRM will leave only Sansa for TWOW.

  55. Sean C.:
    They introduced Nymeria, and her importance to Arya.That requires resolution, if nothing else (and I expect the pack is very important to Arya’s future activities in the Second War for the Dawn).

    Maybe in the books, but in the show Arya didn’t mention Nymeria since Season 1 and there isn’t any evidence that she is even alive in the show.

    Warging looks very weird and almost cheesy in a visual medium, and I understand why they wanted only Bran to be a warg.

  56. TheTouchOfFrost,

    You might be right.

    And even if the show includes Arya’s wolf pack they could be working independently or be controlled by Bran.

    Heck even if they *do* Arya’s warging they might not want that for Jon as one warg too many and unnecessary since they have Mel on the scene. I think they might prefer to bring Jon back quickly so they can deal with the fallout of his resurrection, the Big Reveal, and the rise of AA being they only have 2 seasons left.

  57. Sean C.,

    It will be resolved but I don’t think it will be a major plot point. To be honest, I think one warging story is enough. Three and it becomes over-used. We shall see but I hope they keep the Stark kid’s paths unique. Out of all of them I think Rickon will be the most likely to develop warging. His moods seem incredibly closely linked to Shaggy’s and he seems to have developed the dreams at a younger age than his siblings.
    An older Rickon with the same wild temper and an even bigger Shaggy (who, as I remember was the largest of the direwolves anyway) could be quite the handful for friends and enemies alike. Especially if he’s been brought up by a Wilding in Skagos or the Last Hearth! I think Rickon will be the truest representation of the wild nature of the north of all the Starks.

  58. I get that Sansa would want to got to the Wall. But it’s what, a couple of hundred miles from Winterfell to the Wall? How could she possibly get there? Maybe Brienne does come the rescue after all, but if she’s on her own, the only way not to freeze to death would be to stumble south a few miles, where LF might already be waiting – if he wants to benefit from weakened Boltons, he probably wouldn’t want to wait too long with his attack.

    Greenjones,

    I think Sansa will reunite with Rickon at the Last Hearth and that the Boltons will be taken down by both the Umbers (and maybe a few other unnamed Northern lords) and by LF when he arrives.

    I can see that. But how would she get there? I could see her teaming up with Davos, who’s probably on the lookout for new surrogate kids (hopefully with a better success rate this time…) and then head off after Rickon together. But how would they know where he is? Did Bran tell Sam and did Sam tell Jon?

    Sean C.,

    The Boltons had, prior to the battle, something in the area of 5000 men (possibly notably less, since Stannis had 6000 had Littlefinger believed he had a clear numerical advantage). There’s no logical way the Vale army should not outnumber the Boltons majorly, even if the Boltons took no casualties at all (which wasn’t the case).

    Oh I’m sure that the Vale army isn’t smaller than those of Boltons. But Roose pointed out how difficult it is to take Winterfell. And he’s well prepared for any siege. Then there are the conditions, while the Vale soldiers should be better prepared than Stannis’ army, they’re still no Northmen. The only thing LF has going on for him (if he wants to take them on alone) is that he’ll have support and logistics covered up, unlike Stannis who thought he could just waltz in there with his ill-equipped army à la Stalingrad and emerge victorious because fate ‘n’ stuff.

    However, if he does plan to make an alliance with the Umbers/other northern Lords, and throw in some Jon/Wildlings combo for good measure, that might work.

    Wimsey,

    If so, and given that this would be one of the only places Sansa could flee (she is a wanted woman in the South and it seems that the Northern houses are largely destroyed on the show), then we might get a Pink Letter situation.

    But we don’t need Sansa actually being at the Wall for that. If Ramsey’s convinced she’s there to see Jon (and he should be, because he told her it himself!), that’s all the motivation it takes for him (assuming we won’t get an actual letter now because there’s no Jon to receive it, he’ll probably just march and that’s gonna be it).
    Hey, how would that be: Ramsey takes a big chunk of the Bolton army and marches to the wall, slaughters the NW mutineers (he has to be good for something, right?), only to find out that Sansa’s busy retaking Winterfell at the moment, while Roose is cursing his stupid son for taking his army.

  59. mau,

    Characters in the show, particularly the Starks, very rarely discuss people who aren’t part of their current storyline (Jon and Arya have barely mentioned each other, for instance). That goes back to the foreshadowing thing. It crops up only when the payoff is close at hand.

    Conan Troutman:
    I get that Sansa would want to got to the Wall. But it’s what, a couple of hundred miles from Winterfell to the Wall? How could she possibly get there? Maybe Brienne does come the rescue after all, but if she’s on her own, the only way not to freeze to death would be to stumble south a few miles, where LF might already be waiting – if he wants to benefit from weakened Boltons, he probably wouldn’t want to wait too long with his attack.

    Greenjones,
    I can see that. But how would she get there? I could see her teaming up with Davos, who’s probably on the lookout for new surrogate kids (hopefully with a better success rate this time…) and then head off after Rickon together. But how would they know where he is? Did Bran tell Sam and did Sam tell Jon?

    On the “how could she possibly get there?” front, well, she’ll get there because the writers want her to. Mel rode from Winterfell to Castle Black within a single episode. And, really, travel issues will apply to anywhere she goes.

    You’re correct that none of them have any idea where they might look. Bran didn’t say anything about where Rickon was. I don’t know how the writers are going to get around that. They may just go to Last Hearth for some other purpose (look for allies) and stumble across them (which would be kind of hilarious, in that it would make the knowledge that Rickon is alive totally meaningless), or there may be some other clue thrown in (Wex Pyke is hardly the most natural plot twist GRRM has given us, to be fair, as well).

  60. mau: Well, yes. For me it was obvious, Robin even called that doll the giant.

    And all events from that prophecy happened in ASOS. I really don’t think GRRM will leave only Sansa for TWOW.

    Of all the back and forth’s regarding that prophesy the ONLY thing that ever made me think it was about Sweet Robin’s doll is exactly what you said: all of the other prophesies happened in ASOS. But I still maintain that ‘killing’ Sweet Robin’s doll is such an insignificant event that it could not have been the fulfillment of that prophesy. I mean, why even have a prophesy about that? Who cares?

    Also, I’m thinking the fact that she put the giant’s head on Winterfell’s wall is significant. It didn’t occur to me to think of the significance of it, until the show, where she is actually in Winterfell watching the Boltons making a spectacle of hanging flayed bodies off the walls. If she kills someone (Ramsay or LF) and put their head on the wall, I will lose my shit! (In a good way). What a great way of tying book and show (in a way only book readers will capture).

  61. Dolorous Methuselah,

    *sigh* my comment was gobbled up before I could post. The shorter version: yep, I’m with you! Fist-pumped when I saw that (much to the bemusement of my fellow train commuters). I’ve long been in the “Jon always comes back” camp and I do appreciate pics of Kit for entirely superficial reasons (ahem), but they’re not surprising in themselves. But YES to Edd! Maybe he’ll become the unexpected hero of the story, like Neville Longbottom 😉

  62. TheTouchOfFrost,

    I agree. Rickon is gonna be a feral throwback to the Wild Wolves of the past and a good thing too. Even the Wildling influence could be useful given the recent influx.

    Arya is the assassin, Bran the mage, and Sansa a politician/great lady in the making…maybe even a Queen if my theory about why D&D are bringing her up North is correct.

  63. Sean C.,

    Well, Arya can’t discuss about Jon or Sansa with Tywin, the Hound, Jaqen H’ghar,…

    I don’t think that that has anything to do with foreshadowing.

  64. RosanaZugey:
    Of all the back and forth’s regarding that prophesy the ONLY thing that ever made me think it was about Sweet Robin’s doll is exactly what you said: all of the other prophesies happened in ASOS. But I still maintain that ‘killing’ Sweet Robin’s doll is such an insignificant event that it could not have been the fulfillment of that prophesy. I mean, why even have a prophesy about that? Who cares?

    I suppose you could argue that the doll-tearing incident is part of the larger event, culminating in the death of Lysa, which is certainly significant — though that’s a bit of a stretch, since that wouldn’t explain why the prophecy focused on such a trivial detail.

    mau:
    Well, Arya can’t discuss about Jon or Sansa with Tywin, the Hound, Jaqen H’ghar,…

    I don’t think that that has anything to do with foreshadowing.

    Why not with the Hound, after they became buddies? Or, for that matter, her most frequent traveling companions, Gendry and Hot Pie? Or the Brotherhood? There were opportunities. Heck, there are no constraints on what Bran can say, and he hasn’t mentioned his sisters at all. I don’t think Jon has mentioned either of them since the first season, and there’s no reason he couldn’t talk about them with Sam or whoever else.

  65. RosanaZugey,

    Agree. I think it’s a bit of misdirection: we’re meant to think that was the fulfilment of the prophecy, but in truth a larger event is to come.

    Edited because spelling. Need coffee.

  66. Sean C.: I suppose

    Why not with the Hound, after they became buddies?Or, for that matter, her most frequent traveling companions, Gendry and Hot Pie?Or the Brotherhood?

    She discussed with the Hound about Jon and Sansa. I remember now. And with the Brotherhood about Ned, with Gendry about Robb,…

    There you are…

  67. Well, this pic pretty much gains my full confidence that D&D aren’t killing off our most badass hero (and pretty much only hero besides Dany) of GoT.

    How much more obvious can it get! He is there smoking a cig chilling with his Nights Watch brother… Her has his hood up trying to hide his hair.

    Signed, Sealed, Delivered… LOL

    Also, its not liker D&D are going to sequester the poor guy!

  68. TheTouchOfFrost: Don’t think I’d be on board with Arya leading a wolfpack. Forgive me but it seems a bit too corny for me.

    How is it “corny”? At any rate, I don’t think that “corny” will be a criterion. The criterion will be the one that they always use but that (for the first time) we cannot answer: is it important to the story? B&W cut anything that doesn’t fuel the story, so if it’s just some “epic” moment, then it won’t be there. Assuming that Arya does some serious warging in Winter and assuming that it does contribute to the story, then the issue will be a sort of feasibility:importance ratio. If it’s not all that important, and if pulling it off on screen would be really tough, then it will get cut.

    At any rate, all of the primary protagonists undergo some major physical cathartic experience or another in these stories. Arya’s blindness could offer some parallels to Jon’s, Daeny’s and Sansa’s plights right now. But, again: not having read Winter, it’s tough to say.

    mau: He only has more space and time, but there were many signs in the show that lord Frey will betray Robb.

    It was one of those things that, in both cases, was obvious in hindsight.

  69. mau: She discussedwith the Hound about Jon and Sansa. I remember now. And with the Brotherhood about Ned, with Gendry about Robb,…

    I didn’t say they never talked about each other, I said they did so extremely rarely, and almost exclusively when it had some immediate plot relevance (the Robb mention being when they want to get to Robb; the Ned one in the context of establishing the limits of Thoros’ resurrection powers), so not mentioning Nymeria isn’t all that meaningful. It’s not something the writers prioritize.

  70. Ravyn,

    Yeah, I mean I linked that daily mail article with Kit in it… but the more intense this Kit watch is becoming, the more I am starting think its best that anything posted here regarding sightings and such on TWOW should be spoiler warned, like under the cut type thing.

  71. winnie,

    The north is going to get awfully wild awfully soon!

    Wimsey,

    Didn’t say it would be I said I think it would be corny. My reasons are that Arya hasn’t been developing her warging ability at all. Bran is way more accomplished than all his siblings and even he risks getting lost in the wolf a lot of the time. To have Arya suddenly reappear in the Riverlands and find Nymeria and a wolf pack and go on some sort of rampage ( how much damage can a pack of wolves…even one led by a direwolf really do to anyone with a fortification?) would be a complete switch to her storyline development which is why I think it would come of as corny as it would just be being done for a moment. Rickon will be the one leading a “wild” army. No reason why Nymeria and her pack can’t join his band as/if they head south.

  72. For all those having a discussion on who will get to Winterfell first and beat the boltons, What about Mel’s vision, she sees herself (not Stannis) walking the battlements of winterfell… how will this play into everything. shes been right about almost everything except WHO was the Chosen one..

  73. TheTouchOfFrost: My reasons are that Arya hasn’t been developing her warging ability at all. Bran is way more accomplished than all his siblings and even he risks getting lost in the wolf a lot of the time. To have Arya suddenly reappear in the Riverlands and find Nymeria and a wolf pack and go on some sort of rampage

    It won’t be “suddenly” if they start developing it earlier in the season and use it later in the season. They could not have Arya just doing arbitrary warging in the first five seasons: audiences don’t tolerate stuff that doesn’t contribute to that season’s story, after all. Assuming that Warg-Arya is important to the story and/or at least the plots of Winter, then it won’t be until later – she’s in Essos right now – so if they start developing her ability to see through Nymeria’s and cats’ eyes early in the season, then they can fire that proverbial gun later in the season. That will not be sudden at all.

    However, Nymeria cannot join Rickon: that would just be completely arbitrary. Moreover, they’d have no way to develop the possibility, as Rickon’s a background character. There won’t be any sort of “Battle of Five Armies” confluences here!

  74. iridium:
    RosanaZugey,

    Agree. I think it’s a bit of misdirection: we’re meant to think that was the fulfilment of the prophecy, but in truth a larger event is to come.

    I’m in total agreement with you. I think that prophesy portends to her killing someone (perhaps IN Winterfell, as Mau believes). It’s coming. In both book and show, I totally believe that event is coming. Hell, that event (and its not having happened yet) is the only thing that keeps me from thinking that Sansa is going to die any minute now. 😉 I reassure myself by thinking, ‘NOPE! She hasn’t killed anyone. She can’t die yet. Not until she off’s someone!’ 😉

    SIDE NOTE (since we’re talking about foreshadowing/prophesies/etc), what say you guys? So, I’m watching the scene where Sansa and LF are walking up to the Bloody Gates of the Vale. And in this scene he’s giving her a discourse about how a thousand armies can march against the Vale, but they won’t overcome it because they have to pass through that valley, and it’s easy for the Vale armies to kill invaders from that vantage point. So, that got me thinking. Now, I’m very much a believer in this idea that D&D aren’t wasting dialogue. Therefore, if its mentioned, then it is–or will become–relevant later on. So, here’s the question: HOW does that bit of information become relevant later on?

    See, initially, I thought that information was mentioned because there was going to be some sort of showdown between the Crown and the Vale, or even the Vale and the North (for Sansa). Now, I’m thinking it WILL act as a ‘safe’ spot, but not from the Crown/Boltons, but from the White Walkers. The Vale/Eyrie is arguably the safest place in Westeros. If the North falls (which looks likely as that is the first Kingdom the WW’s will have to attack if/when they get passed the Wall), then the safest place Sansa can think to take her family/people is The Vale. So, perhaps it acts as a ‘home-base’ for whatever remaining armies are left in the realm, as well as the ‘safe’ spot for Winter.

    Is any of that even remotely plausible, or am I going crazy? And if I am, what do you guys think is the relevance of that entire conversation (if any)?

  75. Wimsey:
    Sean C.,
    On a TV series, the gun must be fired that season.

    I think that depends on how obvious the gun is. The auger that Sansa found and tucked away had to be used this season to make sense, but all of the R + L = J hints did not go off this season.

  76. RosanaZugey: I’m in total agreement with you. I think that prophesy portends to her killing someone (perhaps IN Winterfell, as Mau believes). It’s coming. In both book and show, I totally believe that event is coming. Hell, that event (and its not having happened yet) is the only thing that keeps me from thinking that Sansa is going to die any minute now. I reassure myself by thinking, ‘NOPE! She hasn’t killed anyone. She can’t die yet. Not until she off’s someone!’

    SIDE NOTE (since we’re talking about foreshadowing/prophesies/etc), what say you guys? So, I’m watching the scene where Sansa and LF are walking up to the Bloody Gates of the Vale. And in this scene he’s giving her a discourse about how a thousand armies can march against the Vale, but they won’t overcome it because they have to pass through that valley, and it’s easy for the Vale armies to kill invaders from that vantage point. So, that got me thinking. Now, I’m very much a believer in this idea that D&D aren’t wasting dialogue. Therefore, if its mentioned, then it is–or will become–relevant later on. So, here’s the question: HOW does that bit of information become relevant later on?

    See, initially, I thought that information was mentioned because there was going to be some sort of showdown between the Crown and the Vale, or even the Vale and the North (for Sansa). Now, I’m thinking it WILL act as a ‘safe’ spot, but not from the Crown/Boltons, but from the White Walkers. The Vale/Eyrie is arguably the safest place in Westeros. If the North falls (which looks likely as that is the first Kingdom the WW’s will have to attack if/when they get passed the Wall), then the safest place Sansa can think to take her family/people is The Vale. So, perhaps it acts as a ‘home-base’ for whatever remaining armies are left in the realm, as well as the ‘safe’ spot for Winter.

    Is any of that even remotely plausible, or am I going crazy? And if I am, what do you guys think is the relevance of that entire conversation (if any)?

    That’s a fantastic theory but has one problem: everyone evacuated The Eeyrie because it’s impossible to get in or out in the winter due to the weather. In fact I have a fear of heights (only when there is genuine danger-not going up tall buildings with safety railings!) and reading the passages in the books about them going up and down really unnerved me!

  77. Deesensfan:
    For all those having a discussion on who will get to Winterfell first and beat the boltons, What about Mel’s vision, she sees herself (not Stannis) walking the battlements of winterfell… how will this play into everything. shes been right about almost everything except WHO was the Chosen one..

    Hey! I was just speculating to my friends about Mel’s visions regarding the Bolton banners on the ground just the other day. My *best guess* was that she and Davos take Jon back to Winterfell to recuperate after the Vale (or the Northern Lords) kill the Boltons and take back Winterfell. That’s my theory. *Shrugs*

  78. Chad Brick,

    That would be a shame, as Littlefinger is one of the best characters in ASOIAF and one of my favourites as a result. And seeing as I’ve never cared much about Sansa, it would be a shame to see him taken down or killed by her.

  79. Ashara Dayne: That’s a fantastic theory but has one problem: everyone evacuated The Eeyrie because it’s impossible to get in or out in the winter due to the weather. In fact I have a fear of heights (only when there is genuine danger-not going up tall buildings with safety railings!) and reading the passages in the books about them going up and down really unnerved me!

    Agh! You’re right! I forgot about that. *Thinks* But wait! I know they left the Eyrie in the books because of Winter coming, but that’s not why they left it in the show, was it? Didn’t LF just want Robin to tour his Kingdom, and that’s why they left? Is it possible that the ‘home-base’ theory is still plausible in the show (even if it’s not in the books), or is it just NOT going to happen and I need to stop beating a frozen horse? lol. (I know the saying is ‘dead’ horse, but I was trying to be ‘funny’ with the whole winter theme. I know…I know…I won’t quit my day job. ;)).

    And yeah, I’m with you. The Eyrie in the books is terrifying and I was surprised more people didn’t plunge to their deaths. In the show…the Eyrie doesn’t seem so hard to get too. Matter of fact, I don’t think we’ve ever even seen anyone make the ascent. One minute they’re going to the Eyrie, the next, they’re inside. Easy as pie, in the show-universe.

  80. RosanaZugey:
    SIDE NOTE (since we’re talking about foreshadowing/prophesies/etc), what say you guys? So, I’m watching the scene where Sansa and LF are walking up to the Bloody Gates of the Vale. And in this scene he’s giving her a discourse about how a thousand armies can march against the Vale, but they won’t overcome it because they have to pass through that valley, and it’s easy for the Vale armies to kill invaders from that vantage point. So, that got me thinking. Now, I’m very much a believer in this idea that D&D aren’t wasting dialogue. Therefore, if its mentioned, then it is–or will become–relevant later on. So, here’s the question: HOW does that bit of information become relevant later on?

    See, initially, I thought that information was mentioned because there was going to be some sort of showdown between the Crown and the Vale, or even the Vale and the North (for Sansa). Now, I’m thinking it WILL act as a ‘safe’ spot, but not from the Crown/Boltons, but from the White Walkers. The Vale/Eyrie is arguably the safest place in Westeros. If the North falls (which looks likely as that is the first Kingdom the WW’s will have to attack if/when they get passed the Wall), then the safest place Sansa can think to take her family/people is The Vale. So, perhaps it acts as a ‘home-base’ for whatever remaining armies are left in the realm, as well as the ‘safe’ spot for Winter.

    Is any of that even remotely plausible, or am I going crazy? And if I am, what do you guys think is the relevance of that entire conversation (if any)?

    It’s plausible, but I think unlikely — the safest place once the White Walkers invade is likely to be Winterfell itself. There’s all kinds of suggestion that Bran the Builder designed that place to be a fortress against invasion by supernatural forces, and the Starks’ power is so symbolically (and, depending on some theories, literally) connected to Winterfell that I don’t think they’ll be abandoning it in the midst of the war.

  81. Deesensfan:
    RosanaZugey,

    Hi! Yes, that is also what I was thinking… that Jon would possibly head there with Mel… but would he go to the Vale before going to Winterfell?

    I don’t think Jon ever leaves The North, tell you the truth. He’s too important to the battle with the WW’s to abandon them and go to the Eyrie (if that ever even happens). In my scenario, the Wall falls, Jon sees what’s coming and sends Sansa (and the rest of his family/and the “women and children” of the North, as far South as South goes, but Sansa gets the idea to go to the Vale/Eyrie because she already knows its a safe place and will provide some level of protection for HUMANITY; so they go there instead.

    I think the people who are NOT ‘fighting’ characters (i.e. Sansa, etc), will go somewhere ‘safe’, while the fighting characters (i.e. Jon, Daenerys, maybe Tyrion and Arya, the Wildlings, Unsullied, etc, etc.) stay in the North to fight the WWs and make Winterfell THEIR ‘home-base’.

  82. aabe,

    What does height have to do with being a leader?

    The real world is full of men and woman of all different shapes and heights.

    I’m glad Kit is short and it’s funny how Hollywood has this stupid assumption all warriors/leaders have to be huge tall muscle men.

    Sure you have to be in shape but intelligence, agility and conditioning have much more to do with survival in a combat environment then just height and strength.

    Even D&D have commented on how fast Kit is with a sword. I’d say Jon Snow’s quickness is a huge attribute to his survival.

    Jon Snow leads by example and with quiet action that speaks louder then any words.

  83. Ginevra: but all of the R + L = J hints did not go off this season.

    Those hints were nothing close to Chekhovian guns. GRRM has referred to Arya’s link to Nymeria as a Chekhovian Gun: that’s the sort of thing that qualifies. Chekhov’s entire point was that if you are going to make a big deal of something, then it has to be important later: and a couple of hints that Rhaegar & Lyanna might not have been as advertised do not qualify as a big deal! (Indeed, one of them might have been in our imaginations, anyway.)

    The augar is a much better example of a true Gun.

    Moreover, you can get good setup on the side. Sansa’s attempts to drag Theon out of Reek got the big gun firing at the end when it allows them both to escape. However, along the way, it slipped out that Theon didn’t kill Bran & Rickon. That in itself need not come to anything: after all, Sansa’s cajoling/pleading/bullying/commanding of Reek had to generate some conversation. This does not demand firing – in a way, it got fired already – but this might be a second bullet from that gun.

    Sean C.: There’s all kinds of suggestion that Bran the Builder designed that place to be a fortress against invasion by supernatural forces

    ?? What suggestions of this sort exist? Ned thinks that the White Walkers disappeared long ago, and at that point in history, some people questioned whether they ever existed. They never discuss the possibility that Winterfell would be some great defense against them. It is only mentioned that Winterfell is (or was before Ramsay sacked it) well setup so that a much smaller force could hold it’s walls against a much larger force. However, that was assuming conventional warfare: and hordes of wights that do not care about dying would completely change those assumptions.

    RosanaZugey: The Vale/Eyrie is arguably the safest place in Westeros.

    Unfortunately, that defense would be much less effective on wights. As they don’t care about dying, and as things like arrows are much less effective against wights than they are against humans, they would probably just pile on through. And, of course, the White Walkers seem capable of some pretty powerful magic of their own.

    At any rate, I will be surprised if some big war between the White Walkers and Westeros is the final outcome. Instead, it’s going to be something much more subtle. GRRM will have spent 5 books developing Jon, Daeny, Tyrion, Bran and Arya (who now account for over 70% of the narrative for surviving characters from Thrones). The final reckoning will stem from how those 5 (and possibly Sansa) have evolved in that time. What exactly it will be, I don’t know: but something involving those character’s ability to see more than just two sides and to be concerned with how multiple groups fare is going to be critical to the outcome. (Moreover, dealing with R’hllor, whatever it is, might wind up being just as important: whatever it is, it does not mean well for humans.)

  84. RosanaZugey,

    I miss read your comment, and yeah, I agree that Jon will not leave the North. I like your theory. Based on your theory, when (and if) Jon comes back to life, he will stay at the wall after he is reborn… and not leave considering he would be freed from his vows as a brother of the NW. I agree in a sense that he would stay knowing that the WWs would attack the wall first. But if battle ensues at the wall with the WW and lead to the fall of the wall, then what?
    Ahh I cant wait for season 6!

  85. Wimsey: Those hints were nothing close to Chekhovian guns.GRRM has referred to Arya’s link to Nymeria as a Chekhovian Gun: that’s the sort of thing that qualifies. Chekhov’s entire point was that if you are going to make a big deal of something, then it has to be important later: and a couple of hints that Rhaegar & Lyanna might not have been as advertised do not qualify as a big deal!(Indeed, one of them might have been in our imaginations, anyway.)

    Just to clarify, are you saying that the hints and discussions about Rhaegar and Lyanna may eventually mean nothing?

  86. Sean C.: It’s plausible, but I think unlikely — the safest place once the White Walkers invade is likely to be Winterfell itself.There’s all kinds of suggestion that Bran the Builder designed that place to be a fortress against invasion by supernatural forces, and the Starks’ power is so symbolically (and, depending on some theories, literally) connected to Winterfell that I don’t think they’ll be abandoning it in the midst of the war.

    True, true. I can’t counter this. As a plus, it would be incredibly epic to see those kinds of supernatural elements finally addressed/displayed in the show, especially with regards to Winterfell/The Starks/The North. The show has kind of shied away from dealing with them, which sucks, because it’s interesting (at least to me). I just never thought that Sansa would actually “be around” for the war with the WW’s. I always kind of figured she’d be tucked away somewhere safe and sound, comforting all the people, while everyone around her died (a redux to Magor’s Holdfast during the Battle of Blackwater).

  87. Wimsey:
    Unfortunately, that defense would be much less effective on wights.As they don’t care about dying, and as things like arrows are much less effective against wights than they are against humans, they would probably just pile on through.And, of course, the White Walkers seem capable of some pretty powerful magic of their own.

    At any rate, I will be surprised if some big war between the White Walkers and Westeros is the final outcome.Instead, it’s going to be something much more subtle.GRRM will have spent 5 books developing Jon, Daeny, Tyrion, Bran and Arya (who now account for over 70% of the narrative for surviving characters from Thrones).The final reckoning will stem from how those 5 (and possibly Sansa) have evolved in that time.What exactly it will be, I don’t know: but something involving those character’s ability to see more than just two sides and to be concerned with how multiple groups fare is going to be critical to the outcome.(Moreover, dealing with R’hllor, whatever it is, might wind up being just as important: whatever it is, it does not mean well for humans.)

    Yeah, those cats had better NOT be trying to shot some wights to death with arrows. lol. Has Jon Snow taught them nothing? 😉 Methinks that if you can get hundreds/thousands of wights in the enclosed space leading up to the Bloody Gate, you can set them all on fire, thereby taking out a significant number of them. I guess the point is that you can kill a whole army of enemies without having that many men on your side; or as LF put it, “One man can be worth ten-thousand.”

    lol. That WOULD be something GRRM does. Have this big set-up between the forces of “Ice and Fire” only for the whole thing to end in a signed peace-accord under a Weirwood tree. lol. Well…that would at least explain why they think they can end it in 7 seasons. 😉

  88. B and B should just pay for Sean Bean, Michelle Fairley, and Rory to all fly to Belfast for an all expense paid 2 week vacation. They will get photographed everywhere and instruct them to slyly smile when asked about GoT and say, “sorry we are not at liberty to discuss any details.”

    The fandom would explode with crackpotedness thus taking much attention away from your precious AA/PtwP/R+L=J
    Did I forget any acronyms?

  89. RosanaZugey: Methinks that if you can get hundreds/thousands of wights in the enclosed space leading up to the Bloody Gate, you can set them all on fire, thereby taking out a significant number of them.

    Unless the Vale is sitting on huge oil reserves (or unless they have some potent Red Church clergy), how would they set wights on fire? Frozen corpses wearing remnants of frozen, soden clothes would not quite be asbestos, but they would be one of the next best things!

    Now, burning oil might stop some: but if they had numbers as in Hardhome, then it would be little time before the frozen, water-logged corpses basically smothered the fires and the masses would continue on through.

    As for the final “agreement,” my bet is that it will be something where the characters themselves feel that it’s a bad deal, but the best of all possible deals. Hopefully we will have a better idea of what that might be after this season. (Or, of course, after we read Winter: but I’ve pretty much given up hope on doing that before the TV series ends.)

  90. Wimsey:
    ?? What suggestions of this sort exist?

    It’s a long-standing fan theory based on a lot of Winterfell’s design elements, its location, etc., and the overall symbolic and spiritual significance of Winterfell to the Starks, which is such a major theme of the story. TWOIAF added a lot more fuel to that fire recently. And in general, Bran the Builder built the Wall; it would hardly be surprising if he built his own house with an eye to the greatest enemy of his day.

    RosanaZugey:
    I just never thought that Sansa would actually “be around” for the war with the WW’s. I always kind of figured she’d be tucked away somewhere safe and sound, comforting all the people, while everyone around her died (a redux to Magor’s Holdfast during the Battle of Blackwater).

    Well, we don’t really know where Sansa will be at this point in the books. It’s a common suggestion she may end up using the Vale’s resources to help in the Long Night. But the show clearly wanted to get rid of the Vale as an actual narrative and consolidated it with the North, so I expect that’s where Sansa will be for the rest of the TV series.

  91. Deesensfan: Just to clarify, are you saying that the hints and discussions about Rhaegar and Lyanna may eventually mean nothing?

    The one hint that I remember will not: however we learn about them, it will have nothing to do with the crypt scene: I seriously doubt that Sansa or Littlefinger will be involved in anyway.

    What other hint did we have? Learning that Rhaegar was a Renaissance Man did not really tell us much on that front: a lot of “Great Men” were still pretty horrible where women are concerned. Was there something else that I’ve forgotten?

  92. Sean C.: It’s a long-standing fan theory based on a lot of Winterfell’s design elements, its location, etc., and the overall symbolic and spiritual significance of Winterfell to the Starks, which is such a major theme of the story.

    That’s not a theory, that’s just baseless conjecture. Anything close to it comes up in the narratives of only a couple of the characters (Bran’s and Catelyn’s, if I recall), and it is completely absent for two of the three primary protagonists and really mostly absent even for the third (Jon). So, something in the narrative of one of the 2nd tier protagonists is hardly enough to call it a major theme of a story!

    At any rate, this is a story about people, not things. What will be important in the end is how much Jon, Daeny, Tyrion, Arya, Bran and (maybe) Sansa have evolved over 5.5 books. The parallels in their character evolution (possibly with some small contributions from the lesser protagonists) will be the crux of the finale. Whatever conclusions they reach about dealing with White Walkers, R’hllor, TreeGods, and who knows what else will stem from their experiences that we have read. Any magical trickeries by someone who is not a character in the book is not going to create the sorts of “angel on the right shoulder arguing with the angel on the left shoulder” that drive GRRM’s stories. There will be no magic rings hurled into fires here!

  93. Wimsey: Unless the Vale is sitting on huge oil reserves (or unless they have some potent Red Church clergy), how would they set wights on fire?Frozen corpses wearing remnants of frozen, soden clothes would not quite be asbestos, but they would be one of the next best things!

    Now, burning oil might stop some: but if they had numbers as in Hardhome, then it would be little time before the frozen, water-logged corpses basically smothered the fires and the masses would continue on through.

    As for the final “agreement,” my bet is that it will be something where the characters themselves feel that it’s a bad deal, but the best of all possible deals.Hopefully we will have a better idea of what that might be after this season.(Or, of course, after we read Winter: but I’ve pretty much given up hope on doing that before the TV series ends.)

    Isn’t that where the dragons come in? They have to be involved in mass wight-burning at some stage or I’m gonna feel cheated!

    I’d love it if it turned out R’hllor is the evil other and the Others aren’t but I know it won’t be that simple.

    I want the faceless men to have a role in things too.

    That’s why I love this damn series. It really is unpredictable.

    I just can’t imagine anything that would blow my mind, though, and knowing how GRRM has said how he’s really bad at finishing stories kind of sets me up for a disappointing anti-climax.

    It’ll be something someone’s already predicted. But what? I’m glad we’ll know in the next few years.

    I actually think I would go mad if I had to wait for the books.

  94. RosanaZugey,

    Hell, that event (and its not having happened yet) is the only thing that keeps me from thinking that Sansa is going to die any minute now. I reassure myself by thinking, ‘NOPE! She hasn’t killed anyone. She can’t die yet. Not until she off’s someone!’

    She won’t die! I’m predicting (ok, hoping) she’ll become Queen of the North, with absolutely no mention of men or marriage. Poor girl has had quite enough of that, and it would be a good arc in terms of character, going from the maid who dreams of princes and weddings, to independent woman who has the confidence of live and rule alone (Queen Elizabeth anyone?).

    I see this coming about by Jon (in whatever vengeful zombie/glowing messiah form he becomes when resurrected) taking Winterfell with the Wildlings and Mel. He knows all of Winterfell’s strengths and weaknesses and will be able to penetrate its defences. In doing so, my ideal scenario would be Jon killing Roose (revenge for the Red Wedding), and either Sansa or Theon (possibly together) killing Ramsay. Perhaps Ramsay will hunt them, and he and his nasty dogs will be savaged by Nymeria and her pack when she recognises Sansa. That would be be satisfying. Especially if Sansa gets to issue to the command.

  95. Deesensfan:
    Ravyn,

    Yeah, I mean I linked that daily mail article with Kit in it… but the more intense this Kit watch is becoming, the more I am starting think its best that anything posted here regarding sightings and such on TWOW should be spoiler warned, like under the cut type thing.

    Yeah, I won’t even post any Kit stuff on my Facebook page, knowing that my friends are “casual” viewers, and not obsessing over ever detail. They would probably consider even hearing he’s on set right now a spoiler and its not fair to them. The reason I don’t mind for myself right now is that we still don;t know WHY he’s in Belfast: quick funeral shot? Flashback? Or a whole return to the show? If I think we’re getting close to that answer, I may start bowing out of these sites, too; or, at least, hope they’re prudent enough to start adding spoiler warnings.

    This article adds nothing new, but the headline Im sure pretty much sums up Kit’s life right now: http://www.vulture.com/2015/07/jon-snow-lives-kit-harington-spotted-in-belfast.html

  96. Wimsey: Unless the Vale is sitting on huge oil reserves (or unless they have some potent Red Church clergy), how would they set wights on fire?Frozen corpses wearing remnants of frozen, soden clothes would not quite be asbestos, but they would be one of the next best things!

    Now, burning oil might stop some: but if they had numbers as in Hardhome, then it would be little time before the frozen, water-logged corpses basically smothered the fires and the masses would continue on through.

    As for the final “agreement,” my bet is that it will be something where the characters themselves feel that it’s a bad deal, but the best of all possible deals.Hopefully we will have a better idea of what that might be after this season.(Or, of course, after we read Winter: but I’ve pretty much given up hope on doing that before the TV series ends.)

    Say whaaaaat?!? They’ve never needed anything elaborate to burn the wights. As far as we’ve seen (across 5 seasons), it just takes a lantern, or fire at the end of a branch to set these guys on fire. Throw a few dozen on them, and they’ll eventually set each other on fire due to their close proximity. Or, if we want to get really fantasy/hollywood, send in one of the dragons to burn them all.

    An individual called “Enchantment of Eternity” (or something like that) had a theory on Youtube saying he thought that this series would end the way Lord of the Rings ended, with all magic leaving the world. So, if there is a ‘deal’, it would mean all the WWs would go, if the dragons went as well. I can see that. It certainly fits the “bittersweet ending” they keep talking about (especially if it means the death of Daenerys/the Dragons, Jon Snow, Bran, Melissandre, the children of the forrest, etc) and it also encompasses the idea you’re getting at; it’s a bad deal, but its the best possible bad deal. But, as you say, we’ll just have to wait and see at this point.

  97. Sean C.:
    Well, we don’t really know where Sansa will be at this point in the books.It’s a common suggestion she may end up using the Vale’s resources to help in the Long Night.But the show clearly wanted to get rid of the Vale as an actual narrative and consolidated it with the North, so I expect that’s where Sansa will be for the rest of the TV series.

    That the show got rid of the Vale narrative (as it relates to Vale politics, Sweet Robin, and Harry the Heir) doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve gotten rid of The Vale as a location. It may yet still prove important. Especially for–as you point out–its resources. It’s been mentioned various times throughout the series that The Vale still has all of its armies and food supplies because it never entered the WO5Ks. Winterfell, according to Roose Bolton, only has six months worth of food supplies. They won’t make it through the Winter there. They need the Vale (and possibly The Reach) at some point, mainly for the food and resources they possess. I wouldn’t count out the importance of The Vale just yet.

  98. iridium:
    RosanaZugey,

    She won’t die! I’m predicting (ok, hoping) she’ll become Queen of the North, with absolutely no mention of men or marriage. Poor girl has had quite enough of that, and it would be a good arc in terms of character, going from the maid who dreams of princes and weddings, to independent woman who has the confidence of live and rule alone (Queen Elizabeth anyone?).

    I see this coming about by Jon (in whatever vengeful zombie/glowing messiah form he becomes when resurrected) taking Winterfell with the Wildlings and Mel. He knows all of Winterfell’s strengths and weaknesses and will be able to penetrate its defences. In doing so, my ideal scenario would be Jon killing Roose (revenge for the Red Wedding), and either Sansa or Theon (possibly together) killing Ramsay. Perhaps Ramsay will hunt them, and he and his nasty dogs will be savaged by Nymeria and her pack when she recognises Sansa. That would be be satisfying. Especially if Sansa gets to issue to the command.

    I’ve always thought it would be the greatest of ironies if she ended up ruling alone; especially having started off where she started off. I completely see that as a real “endgame” possibility though, even if the ‘shipper’ in me resists it with the fury of a thousand suns. 😉 I don’t want her to end up alone! I want her to rule with her husband and have lots of cute babies who like to read books and eat lemon cakes…and they’ll have red-hair and blue eyes and be cute as fuck! 😀 *Hearts floating above my head*

    *Comes back to reality* Anywho! I’m in agreement with those who say the wolves will start to matter again. It would be flipping EPIC if Sansa could give Nymeria some kill commands. I would go into convulsions! But since they’ve never mentioned Nymeria, I’m not sure how much of a role she’ll play in the show. In the books, I think she’ll play a HUGE role, especially in the Riverlands, but in the show, I’m not sure. They could be saving her for when she becomes relevant (as Sean C. was arguing earlier, I believe), but who knows? At this point, I just want the Wolves (the real ones, and the Starks) to start kicking ass and taking names. Winter is HERE, bitches! This is YOUR time! *Waves her Stark banner*

    As a side, who would you prefer to see kill Ramsay: Sansa or Theon?

  99. RosanaZugey,

    But since they’ve never mentioned Nymeria, I’m not sure how much of a role she’ll play in the show. In the books, I think she’ll play a HUGE role, especially in the Riverlands, but in the show, I’m not sure. They could be saving her for when she becomes relevant (as Sean C. was arguing earlier, I believe), but who knows? At this point, I just want the Wolves (the real ones, and the Starks) to start kicking ass and taking names. Winter is HERE, bitches! This is YOUR time! *Waves her Stark banner*

    YES. Cry ‘Havoc’ and let slip the dogs (wolves!) of war.

    Pure speculation because there’s absolutely no indication of this happening, but it would be cool if, in addition to finding Sansa, Nymeria became bonded to her. Sansa would thereby be reclaiming her inner Stark, and would essentially have Arya at her side. If Arya dies (which I fear is more on the cards than Sansa’s death to be honest), then it would make even more sense for this to happen. Might even be justice, since Lady died for something Nymeria and Arya did.

    I want her to rule with her husband and have lots of cute babies who like to read books and eat lemon cakes…and they’ll have red-hair and blue eyes and be cute as fuck!

    Aw! That does sound lovely – but with whom? Seriously, I can’t think of anyone worthy of her at the moment. I know there are many Jon/Sansa ‘shippers out there, and based on Sophie and Kit’s looks alone they would indeed have beautiful children. I have no problem with the ship itself, but I personally can’t get past the cousins business (assuming R+L=J), no matter how common it was in in the ASOIAF world and our own history. Besides, as much as I adore him and want him to end up being the Big Damn Hero, I don’t think Jon will get a happy ending.

    As a side, who would you prefer to see kill Ramsay: Sansa or Theon?

    Hmmm, hard to choose. I have more love and empathy for Sansa as a character, but on reflection I think Theon may need to do it as part of his redemption arc. It may be his final act.

  100. iridium:
    RosanaZugey,

    YES. Cry ‘Havoc’ and let slip the dogs (wolves!) of war.

    Pure speculation because there’s absolutely no indication of this happening, but it would be cool if, in addition to finding Sansa, Nymeria became bonded to her. Sansa would thereby be reclaiming her inner Stark, and would essentially have Arya at her side. If Arya dies (which I fear is more on the cards than Sansa’s death to be honest), then it would make even more sense for this to happen. Might even be justice, since Lady died for something Nymeria and Arya did.

    Aw! That does sound lovely – but with whom? Seriously, I can’t think of anyone worthy of her at the moment. I know there are many Jon/Sansa ‘shippers out there, and based on Sophie and Kit’s looks alone they would indeed have beautiful children. I have no problem with the ship itself, but I personally can’t get past the cousins business (assuming R+L=J), no matter how common it was in in the ASOIAF world and our own history. Besides, as much as I adore him and want him to end up being the Big Damn Hero, I don’t think Jon will get a happy ending.

    Hmmm, hard to choose. I have more love and empathy for Sansa as a character, but on reflection I think Theon may need to do it as part of his redemption arc. It may be his final act.

    “Lady died for something Nymeria and Arya did.” Phew!!! Grilllllll!!!! Don’t open that can of worms!! Oh wait…which site am I at? *Looks up* Nah, it should be cool. 😉 On a serious note, this concept of Sansa reclaiming her identity as a Stark has me intrigued lately. I’ve always considered Sansa to be…the ‘least’ Stark of them all. And no, I don’t mean that in terms of being weak or whatever, but rather, in terms of her not identifying as a Stark. I took Lady’s death as a clear sign that she would NOT gravitate towards that House or end up a ‘Stark’ by the end of the series. The show, however, has gone to great lengths–especially last season–to constantly bring up her ‘Stark-ness’ (i.e. “I am Sansa Stark of Winterfell”…said at least 3 times, as well as other things said). Why is it important that she be a ‘Stark’ now? What is the significance of her returning to her ‘House’ and taking great pains to identify herself as a Stark? Is this some sort of “character development” thing, or what?

    No, I don’t ship her with Jon. I’m with you, I don’t think his ending will be a good one. I ship her with her husband! But at the end of the day, I’m not so married to this whole ‘shipping’ business that I refuse to see any other alternative to her storyline/fate. My main priority in this entire saga is to see Sansa have a meaningful impact upon the story as a whole. That’s all I want. I want the woman to MATTER, and not in the context of someone else’s schemes.

    His final act, eh? Do you think Theon will die next season?

    Oy. I’m going to bed. Good night, all. It was a pleasure. *Tips hat* *Goes away*

  101. Winsey: I got it! The White Walkers push the humans all the way to King’s Landing. Tyrion rides up from the south on his dragon and organizes wildfire brigades a la Battle of Blackwater. Wildfire could burn lots and lots of wights, right? Not sure how they’d get rid of the White Walkers though. LOL

  102. iridium,

    Yes, just needed a moment there. 😉

    I’d hope that Sansa would either be a break in the cycle of characters constantly turning into manipulators or murderers (which won’t happen because reasons) OR that she somehow gets to the Wall, finds out Jon got aerated like a golf course, and loses her shit completely (finally), yelling something to the effect of “You’re all shtoopid bastards with shtoopid vows and a shtoopid sense of what’s important!”, before bludgeoning about a dozen or so with a braid. The Night’s King sees this, thinks “Cool beans! I like her” and tada Night’s Queen! Purely voluntary of course, as she’ll tell the humans to go eff themselves.

  103. RosanaZugey,

    Yep, I think Theon’s days are numbered. I’m just hoping he takes Ramsay down with him!

    Why is it important that she be a ‘Stark’ now?

    So she can be Queen in the North, of course! But before then, rediscovering her Starkiness is key to finding the will and the means to fight back. The ‘Stark’ aspect seems to be what is driving her now: her loyalty to her brothers, to the people of Winterfell and to the memory of her dead parents. She agreed to marry Ramsay with the intention of facilitating revenge and reclaiming Winterfell. And although that didn’t go according to plan, she’s learned that there are people who support her (“the North remembers”), that her younger brothers are alive and that her bastard brother is nearby and is (ok, was) in a position of relative power. The girl who thought she was alone with only LF as an ally now knows that she still has family. I think she wants to live for them, and for the people of the North in general.

    (as an aside: Sansa wasn’t one of my favourites in the books but I love her in the show. I’m not sure if that’s just Sophie’s portrayal or my rather lazy approach to reading the books? I think I was too wrapped up in the action and my love for Jon and Arya when I read them first time around, so I’m planning a re-read at some stage. You know, whenever I have a spare 3 months.)

    Greenjones,

    Wow, that place is gorgeous. The rock formations are particularly striking. Any thoughts on what that kind of scenery could represent in the GoT world?

    Pigeon,

    Now *that’s* a scenario I’m sure we can all get behind.

  104. mau: Well, yes. For me it was obvious, Robin even called that doll the giant.

    And all events from that prophecy happened in ASOS. I really don’t think GRRM will leave only Sansa for TWOW.

    It was meant to be obvious (for GRRM)…as a hint. Do you really think that prophecy covered the Red Wedding, the Purple Wedding, and the shredding of someone’s doll?

  105. This is probably an unpopular opinion but here goes: Rickon just leaves me cold. The idea of him as lord of Winterfell would have little emotional payoff to me at least. I’d like to know what’s happened to him but it’s Osha I’m looking forward to seeing again. Grrm will have his reasons for making one of the Starks essentially a stranger

  106. All it takes for Nymeria to arrive back on the show….. It’s news of a wolfpack causing serious problems. Wouldn’t that mean someone needs to send a hunting party out to check it out and deal with? What if they don’t return as expected? It never takes much to take down a wolfpack, normally. There is always that one survivor who just about lives to tell the tale. What’s the news now? It’s not just a pack but, instead, it becomes an Army of Wolves, lead by a giant wolf. (Don’t forget that bit.)
    How will this be interpreted? An army of wolves? It’s some Stark Loyals banded together under the Stark banner. In other words, it’ll be dismissed….. until it happens again, and in another location.
    When will anyone awaken to the fact it’s exactly what they’ve been told? When will they realise these are no ordinary wolves? Another report of a wolf pack in another area? When does it begin to dawn on someone that these are not random events?

    The best device is for the events NOT to be shown. Leave everyone guessing. Perhaps piecing together something. Book readers would get what’s happening. Show watchers ought to get it before too long.
    How do you then announce Nymeria on the show? The classic pose of a wolf (in silhouette) on a peak….. howling, followed by screams. Then you have Arya jump up out of bed, sweating. If people don’t get it at that moment…..
    There is no need to see the pack in operation, or to see its size. It’s called Suspense.

  107. Does it seem sense for Edd to be the one who’ll discover Jon’s body? Maybe Ghost wakes him. Then they drag Jon away while no one’s looking. Where to? The nearest camp where Edd’s likely to find Tormund.
    Edd’s lost his doubts over the Wildlings after the events at Hardhome, clearly. He knows what’s coming as well, from 1st hand experience. Also, the Wildlings are not his enemy, as he’d once thought. (They never were.)
    Perhaps we’ll see another Wildling warg recognise where ‘Jon’ has gone. Maybe it comes about when this warg tries to take over.

    It’s just an idea.

  108. Wimsey,

    No, that’s a theory, and it’s based on all of the features of the story that I identified. The Stark heritage and its importance is an important part of the stories of all the Stark characters; Bran is the one primarily concerned with the magical side of things now, but it has obvious connections to Jon too, given that he represents the merger of the lines of Bran the Builder and the Valyrian dragonlords.

    Demoting the Stark kid to “secondary” protagonists just because the way the first act was written didn’t enphasize them as much is dubious. Particularly in Bran’s case, when he was the first character created.

  109. Wimsey,

    Okay so you mean hints regarding R+L not being what Robert Baratheon describes it as being.
    Oberyn tells Tyrion in S4E01 that Rhaegar left his sister for another woman, and then a war started.
    But I cant think of anything else.

    ___
    Ravyn,

    I agree, I think ill be doing the same, right now him being spotted here and there doesn’t mean much..

  110. I can imagine Theon (T) sacrificing himself to save someone else. The most logical (to me) would be either Sansa (S), or possibly his sister, from Ramsay (R) as they both tried to save him from R.

    I have a horrible feeling that very early in S6 we will see R go hunting for T and S. We saw when T, R and Myranda were hunting Tansy(?) that T can’t run. If R gets very close T might think he can’t outrun the dogs but S possibly could without him and attract the dogs’ attention. As someone pointed out T has been living in the kennels so might have some link with them (they are pack animals after all).

    Brienne and Pod are close by, maybe T and S spot them but can’t get to them fast enough. T takes a snap decision, you betrayed the Starks who were like a family to you, one of them saved you from being Reek and brought Theon back. Redeem yourself by dying a heroic death saving the Stark who in effect saved you.

    That way team BriPod can wisk S to safety without actually being the ones to save her which, much as I like them, would be a bit cheesey and convenient.

    Obviously it could go 100% some other way entirely tho’, it’s just a theory.

    Also might link into the Ironborn stuff coming in S6 if Balon and T are both dead does that make Yara the only one in their branch of the family still alive? I know there are nuncles and stuff but it might tie in possibly?

    TLDR: Sansa saved Theon from his fate as Reek, Theon sacrifices himself to save her in return for that and to redeem what he did to her family.

  111. Jim Jimbo:
    Soooo he is taking a walk with the only NW member that didn`t shank him …..

    Kit remebers!

    The one who survived the quelling. “Edd, fetch me 25 blocks.”

  112. Baelish all but told Sansa about Jon’s true parents. My guess is

    she has it figured out already and kicks off a season long Search for Spock… I mean, Jon Snow. They put Jon’s body on ice, perhaps even inside the Wall. She and Davos go looking for Bran and Rickon among the Northern Lords, uniting them against the Boltons, while Mel and Brienne (under Sansa’s orders) head to the Riverlands to bring back Beric Dondarrian and Thoros of Myr to raise Jon. (After her disastrous act with Shireen, I doubt Mel even tries to raise Jon on her own.) But they get caught up in Dondarrion’s revenge against the Freys for the Red Wedding.
  113. GRRM is an A-hole. He submitted the final version of ADWD WEEKS after the PILOT EPISODE of GOT aired. He knew the show would surpass the books at the rate he writes. It’s now 4.5 years later and unless he’s trolling everyone and plans to release TWOW in April and ADOS in 2017, he has no idea when they will be finished. He’s basically giving the middle finger to the readers/watchers/HBO who have made him rich and relevant over the last 4 years (come on, before 2011 he was just another fantasy writer). He’s too busy writing dumb blog posts about his extensive travel every day and making appearances at baseball games and whatever other nonsense instead of just buckling down and finishing his cash cow. He cancelled ONE big conference and he thinks that’s sacrificing. 4.5 years to write ONE BOOK. Still not close to done.

  114. Ryan,

    I haven’t read the books, but I can see why you are frustrated.

    Someone has mentioned before that GRRM said that he is not good at finishing stories. Do you think that has something to do with it?

  115. Yes yes yes. There is Kit again. But where is Michelle???? Should not she also be spottted lurking about?

  116. I’m terrible. I keep checking for Rory McCaan sightings.

    Still waiting for the payoff from last year’s ComicCon panel “Raise your hand if your character is dead.”

    ::Rory ducks under the table::

  117. Ryan:
    GRRM is an A-hole.He submitted the final version of ADWD WEEKS after the PILOT EPISODE of GOT aired. He knew the show would surpass the books at the rate he writes.It’s now 4.5 years later and unless he’s trolling everyone and plans to release TWOW in April and ADOS in 2017, he has no idea when they will be finished.He’s basically giving the middle finger to the readers/watchers/HBO who have made him rich and relevant over the last 4 years (come on, before 2011 he was just another fantasy writer).He’s too busy writing dumb blog posts about his extensive travel every day and making appearances at baseball games and whatever other nonsense instead of just buckling down and finishing his cash cow. He cancelled ONE big conference and he thinks that’s sacrificing. 4.5 years to write ONE BOOK.Still not close to done.

    Don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel. 🙂

    I’ve been frustrated myself and impatient for the books to come out. But on reflection, my feeling is that it’s GRRM’s decision on what pace he wants to (and can effectively) write the books. He doesn’t owe me any particular time table. If he wants to enjoy the fruits of his success that’s his right.

    Now, I really really hope that he is around long enough to finish the books. But I would rather have an incomplete series that he feels comfortable putting out than an inferior product speeded up for the sake of finishing.

    Besides, we’ll have the complete show to enjoy in any event.

  118. Ryan,

    No one can write same story for 25 years with the same passion.

    He will never finish those books. When you accept that, you will feel better.

  119. Wow so jon snow really is gonna die…from coffin nails aka cancer sticks…damn thought dude was smarter than that

  120. Just saw a tweet by this website that Kit wasn’t there for the read-throughs… so does that mean he doesn’t have any lines to read through for season 6??
    Worries me a bit. LOL

  121. GeekFurious: Translation:“Wahhhhh! The world doesn’t revolve around my needs! Wahhhh!”

    Oh, is that what it is? Nice argument. I don’t care about the books either way. I don’t read them. I only watch the show. Doesn’t change the fact that he could have easily been done with them but chose not to. Everything I said was fact.

  122. Ryan,

    You’re being extremely disrespectful to the man who created the entire world of ASOIAF. How do you know he isn’t close to finishing TWOW? I’ve heard from a very reliable source that he a scheduled a big meeting in NYC with all of his publishers for early August. He will finish TWOW and it will be released before GOT season 6.

    Until he does, calm yourselves down and show some respect. It’s discgraceful the way so many of you criticize GRRM. He’s not our servant, the books are incredibly dense. Would you rather he churn out poorly-written, rushed books? He deserves more respect than this. Without him, ASOIAF wouldn’t even exist, so STFU if you have bitter, cruel things to say about GRRM. I doubt you can write such brilliant, amazing, dense books, and even if you could, it would probably take you longer than GRRM. Give him some credit for the amazing books he’s written, instead of attacking him. Show some respect. I’m willing to bet that the next book will be released within a year, based on what I’ve heard.

  123. Geralt of Rivia,

    The Watchers on the Wall (this website) tweeted back at someone saying the read-throughs occurred before Kit arrived…
    So it worries me a little that he didn’t need to be there for the read-throughs..

    Yes, his funeral scene… but does that mean that will be his only scene and that he didn’t need read-throughs because has no linessss 😐

  124. Deesensfan:
    Geralt of Rivia,

    The Watchers on the Wall (this website) tweeted back at someone saying the read-throughs occurred before Kit arrived…
    So it worries me a little that he didn’t need to be there for the read-throughs..

    Yes, his funeral scene… but does that mean that will be his only scene and that he didn’t need read-throughs because has no linessss

    Where’s this tweet? I just checked and can’t find it. Wouldn’t they put it on this site?

  125. Deesensfan,

    Well, we know Maisie is no longer in Belfast (she Instagrammed a picture of her painting her house in London yesterday), so read throughs are definitely over (unless they’re split read throughs with actors in specific geographies doing them together as opposed to the entire cast at one – very large – table). People saw Kit arriving, if they see him leaving shortly, that’ll probably mean it was just a funeral shot (though why that wasn’t just grabbed last season is puzzling).

  126. Rygar:
    Dolorous Methuselah,

    Define inferior product by GM.My definition is any book after A Game of Thrones.

    I actually enjoyed all of the books. I know a lot of people find A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons below the quality of the earlier books. And I did find some problems with A Feast for Crows (mostly in the choice of POV’s followed). But I really liked A Dance With Dragons.

    Some of Martin’s short stuff is not my cup of tea but so far I’ve found ASOI&F very good indeed.

  127. Deesensfan,

    Kit has been sighted several times in Belfast over the last couple weeks. Belfast is a very short flight from London (60-90 mins). He may well have been at the read-through, went back to London briefly and then back to Belfast.
    Or he skipped the table read. It’s not that big a deal actually. They’ve had major actors absent from table reads before.

  128. Deesensfan: Just saw a tweet by this website that Kit wasn’t there for the read-throughs… so does that mean he doesn’t have any lines to read through for season 6??
    Worries me a bit. LOL

    I dont know, from reading the tweets that was going around I got the idea that Kit was in Belfast last week as well, but he flew back to London over the weekend or something, and returned again on Tuesday. But who knows, it is difficult to say when we dont have actual photographic evidence.

  129. Chad Brick,

    I have been anxiously awaiting the day for the *Giant of Braavos* aka Littlefinger to be murdered by the ever so delicate Lady Stark! We are ALL READY!

  130. There was no date of arrival kit, but from the tweet he arrived July 20th (or July 19?). (For photos of the airport)

    As Alfie: four days

    sorry for my English

  131. Deesensfan,

    I think Arya has had them too but nowhere near as vivid. Jon may have. I’m not sure. No idea about Robb as we didn’t get inside his head but I imagine he did. Pretty certain Sansa hasn’t.

    Wimsey,

    I’m not convinced that with two books and two series left that switching Aryas’s story to being more about warging would be very sensible. Would also be recovering old ground we explored in the first season/book with Bran. Let her cut her own path. I sense that people want Arya and Nymeria to be reuntied so much that they put more weight than is credible into this theory.
    Personally, I think the most poetic use for Nymeria and her pack would be to chase and kill Ramsay if he finds himself in that part of the world. BE a nice bit of karma of him being hunted then having his flesh torn off for a change!

  132. Ryan,

    So you haven’t even read the books and yet are having a little tantrum and throwing insults at the author?! How does when he releases the books affect you at all?!
    You seem to have blindly hopped onto a team in this eternally dull book vs show debacle and are trying to reinforce your identity by aggressively distancing yourself from the other side.
    Let it go, fella. If you start worrying about minor things that have no bearing on your life at all you’re on a slippery slope.

  133. TheTouchOfFrost,

    Wimsey,

    I agree that they could pull off Arya warging in the show with her blindness as the trigger. It would be best if the concept is “reintroduced” via Bran, with Bloodraven talking about his own power, and the warging ability being part of the Stark blood activated by the return of magic to the world (not sure if this has been confirmed in the books?). The worst option would be a simple “previously on GoT”, which many viewers don’t see!

    Nymeria killing Ramsay is my favourite mode of death for him as well. I mentioned it in a post above: I can see it happening when he’s hunting Sansa and Theon. Maybe Arya wargs into her to do it?

  134. iridium,

    Honestly, don’t see Arya’s warging going further than being able to snatch glimpses of what it’s like through other animals eyes ( i.e. wolf dreams, the cat incident). Bran ran the risk of getting lost in his wolf and he had tutoring from Jojen and is a lot more accomplished than Arya could become in the time left. She may “see” it happening but don’t think she’ll be an active part.

    Deesensfan,

    Oh yeah. In the show, only the two youngest Starks have had the dreams.

  135. Deesensfan:
    TheTouchOfFrost,

    TheTouchOfFrost,

    I was referring to the show…in season 1 Rickon mentions a dream he has … But none of the other siblings in the SHOW mention any.

    When Ned was beheaded, Bran had a dream about seeing Ned in the tombs and had Hodor and Osha go with him to the tombs beneath Winterfell. Just as Osha was reassuring Bran that it was just a bad dream, Rickon came through calling for Shaggdog, telling Bran that he was looking for his father because he dreamed Ned was there. So Rickon has something of the same sight that Bran does.

  136. Well now that we are all done stalking Kit Harrington and forming the Brotherhood of the Hair’s Watch, lets consider some possibilities.

    Maybe he will only appear in a few scenes, so as we are all at this point pretty much Unsullied, I would guess that besides the biggest Sullied of them all , GRRM, the other two would be D&D. So clearly they know something we don’t (you think?!). So maybe the story in “The Winds Of Winter” will shift once again as it did in “A Feast For Crows” and we won’t get much happening in certain parts of Westeros and Kit Harrington might pull a disappearance act for Jon, just like Isaac did for Bran in Season Five.

    When Maester Aemon told Jon “to kill the boy and let the man be born”, I guess it wasn’t figuratively, but literally. Jon had to die to become who he is meant to be. My feeling is that Jon did die in indeed the version we all knew of Jon Snow up-to-now is gone for good. Whatever or whoever is coming back, if indeed, will be a new (and improved?!?!?!) version of Jon…

    I think we might get an ASOIF version of LOTR…and Gandalf The Grey turned Gandalf The White…”Flee you fools!” moment. And if he doesn’t appear for most of the season, of does so at the end or whatever, it will be a “I come back to you now at the turn of the tide!” type deal…

    If Melissandre ends fucking him back to life, or whatever version, it will be interesting to see how Berric Dondarrion’s musings of “coming back” aka “Everytime I come back there is less of me…” will apply to Jon and how much he is changed.

    I’m more concerned about Dany…because seeing all those Dothraki galloping towards her, must have, at least temporarily, brought some memory flashbacks of Viserys and what he was willing to let them do to her, in order to get an army…

    Who knows, Martin might yet pull a rabbit out of the hat, or alternatively, his ass, and regale us with the weighty tome of “The Winds Of Winter” sometime this year…but then again I still believe in Ted…so can you blame me for being hopeful?!

    Now can we please confirm that Mads Mikkelsen, now done eating brains with fava beans, accompanied by a nice chiante, IS Euron Greyjoy, since he is the only possible actor that can do justice to “One-Eye”????

  137. Dragonstone is a volcano and is full of volcanic glass (obsidian), which kills White Walkers. It also has a huge store of vitrified dragon’s eggs and maybe a few dragons as well, which might be brought to life by the whole island going up in a volcanic eruption (as had happened originally in Valyria). This is presumably why the original Targaryen trio fled to Dragonstone from Valyria in the first place. My guess is that the remaining Targaryens will somehow all return to Dragonstone (Daenerys, ?Jon ?Tyrian) with the remaining dragons and use this as a fortess to fight the White Walkers. (Fire v ice).
    It’s a pity that the TV series cut out most of the Targaryen back story, as it made so much more sense of the plot and linked it all together with the Stark’s story and the motivation for the Baratheon rebellion which had deposed the Mad King . (eg Love affair of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark possibly resulting in the birth of Jon Snow, and also the supposed rape of Tywin Lannister’s wife by the Mad King possibly resulting in Tyrion). And of course, what really happened to Prince Rhaegar’s eldest legitimate son? Did he escape the murders at King’s Landing?Was he spirited away abroad.? If so , is he still around to be the Third Targaryen who will ride the dragons? Bring back the Targaryens!
    Also, why have we never yet seen or visited Casterly Rock?
    Maybe all of these missed story opportunities will make up a new series of GoT in the future,

  138. nefertiti,

    those things will never result in anything really, only jon parantege (wich they did foreshadow this past season quite a lot) and what dragon eggs? those where only stories. (stannis found nothing, loras the same)
    they explained why the rebellion begun ( aerys was mad, in season 3 i belive, and rhaegar kidnapped lyanna and raped her, S5, and then they said that raeghar was a good person in S5 as well, so the audience can see something isnot quite right)

    we will most likely see Dragonstone again, mostly for the dragonsteel as you mention
    (maybe dany landing there. but there will be no explosion, no second valyria, no dragons coming to life)
    for aegon?…if he would have won the IT and ruled for 40 years afterward (and he was real) he would have been in the show. so he truly is fake (wich makes me sad because i was a firm belilever he was real) or he is real but soon dies or makes no inpact on the story( think another quentin. this possibility makes me angry at GRRM , for introducing another pointless story-line)
    as for all Targaryan meating or tyrion being aerys son that is just fan-fiction that will never happen.

    as i said in other posts: because this books come out every 7 years, if we are lucky, people start making theories, and then proceed to look for all kind of “clues” that “prove” they are right. so they bash the show for cutting “inportant” story-lines, that they themeselves don’t really know just how inportant they are, as they have not been resolved or answared in the books (or in some cases they outright don’t exist!)

    so i might add that you will be very dissapointed when WOW is published (if it is).
    just like most people were with AFFC and ADWD.

    and don’t hold your breath about another GOT series…some people may rage (linda and her cronies) but this series will live on as one of the most succsesfull show in history. (what other show you can talk with people from Spain, South Korea, UK, Romania(me!)…….and many, many more places) so if you expect that in winds you will have Aegon king, Euron doing something besides sacking a city, or jon riding a dragon. i’m sorry for you

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