Beware! This post will contain confirmation of characters for Game of Thrones season six, spoiler-laden casting info, and a fascinating encounter with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau reported by a fan.
Game of Thrones is hunting for another character, and the description points toward the filming of a key scene next week.
We’ve gotten our hands on a casting breakdown detailing the role of a rugged pirate in his 30’s. He’s a tough sort with a violent temper. They require “a tall and rugged actor.” This actor has to be able to stand up in a crowd and make himself heard because he’s got a lot of forceful dialogue in one scene with leading cast members. They’re searching for a man with a “sharp mind and machismo.” This character shoots next week in Northern Ireland.
Spoilers and speculation beyond this point!
With this description of the actor and scene, I’m guessing the Kingsmoot (or an equivalent scene) is being filmed next week! We should always speculate on other possibilities, but how many scenes are there where a lot of pirates stand around arguing?
If this is the Kingsmoot, the ‘leading cast members’ referred to are most likely Yara and Euron Greyjoy. It makes the sense the show would need to cast disagreeable pirates. I know some will see this description and scream “Victarion!” but I tend to doubt that a one-off character like this appears to be would be a Greyjoy brother. I think he’s just one of the louder pirates taking on a similar role in the meeting- a voice of opposition or aggressive support to one of the candidates.
Character confirmations news:
We heard whispers of this a while back, but waited to share until we had more confirmation from sources.
Since the second huge casting list dropped into our laps, fans have been guessing which characters in the North were those “northern Lords” mentioned. These are the original descriptions:
Lord of Noble Northern House: (Casting age anywhere between 25-50) The lord is a savage warrior, and he rules a distinguished house in the very far North, and the role is said to be an impactful one. He’s described as a massive bear of a man with a beard and temper to match, and hatred that run deep, and he can be violent. The show’s looking for someone with a powerful physique who can tower over other cast members, a Northern English Accent and specifies he has to be at least 180 cm tall. The role will be on 2 episodes.
Lord of Northern Stronghold: The show’s looking for an actor in his late thirties or forties to play another lord, one that’s ruthless and calculating. The frightening lord rules a vassal household with a castle stronghold. He’ll be in 3 episodes this year, with 20 days of filming this summer and fall.
We can now confirm for our readers that, as many suspected, the savage bear-like Noble lord is Smalljon Umber. This is a change from the novels, since Smalljon Umber was killed at the Red Wedding in A Storm of Swords. Since we never met Smalljon on the show, however, that leaves Game of Thrones free to introduce his character, since the Greatjon disappeared after the first season (and a reported actor-scheduling difficulty for season 2).
The second Northern Lord is the new Lord Karstark. Robb Stark executed the previous Lord Karstark in season 3 for leading the killing of two young hostages. It’s not clear if this new Karstark is connected to the books’ current Karstarks or if the show has developed their own character. There are some shenanigans around the lordship of Karstark in the later novels, and Northern Stronghold lord doesn’t sound in description like a direct match to any one character. Unfortunately, we didn’t hear anything about a first name for this character so there’s something of a mystery there, but he is Lord Karstark.
From the rumor and speculation pile:
Yesterday, a friend of WotW reader Michael spotted Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the bookshop at Belfast International Airport, where he was kind enough to take a photo with her. They wound up chatting for a while, and he mentioned he was off to film additional scenes for GoT somewhere but wasn’t allowed to say where.
She ended up sitting next to him on her flight to Reykjavik, Iceland.
Since no Iceland filming was reported for this year, the story might be classed an unconfirmed rumor but the Iceland sightings have begun, with this tweet from a local:
I just met Nikolaj Coster aka Jaime Lannister from Game Of Thrones
— María Gústavsdóttir (@mariagustavs) August 30, 2015
If the fan report is completely accurate, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is filming Game of Thrones scenes in Iceland, that is a big surprise. In warmer weather, Iceland was largely used to film the Vale and Riverlands scenes such as the ones for Brienne and Pod, and Arya and the Hound’s travels. They’ve used the country for colder scenes and had intended to film portions of Hardhome with the actors there last year, but the limited daylight forced the show to transfer those scenes back to Northern Ireland.
Has Game of Thrones returned to Iceland? If so…is Jaime Lannister headed to the Riverlands?
Random sightings:
Conleth Hill has been spotted around Northern Ireland without his head shaved yet so it doesn’t seem like Varys has been needed yet.
And for those deeply invested in #HairWatch and Kit Harington (#Hairington), he was seen in London today.
About that newest LSH-commanding-an-army rumor…
It’s fake. All our top sources say no.
(Armies? Doesn’t that sound just a little too organized for a barely reanimated corpse? Honestly.)
The Stoneheart hype train will always roll on though.
That’s really interesting about the Kingsmoot. So Balon is already dead? And I’m assuming that the new Lord Karstark is allied with the Boltons.
UMBER!!!!
Edit: What a lot of spoilers. Hot damn!! Now THIS is ALL good news! 🙂
Edit 2: I swore left and right they wouldn’t do the Kingsmoot. If that is what they’re filming…I was wrong. Kudos to Sean C (I believe it was) and a couple of others who said they would do it.
….pation!
Wow!
Awesome to get some confirmation on the Northern lords!
And after all the theories and thought put into it they turn out to be the first two characters I thought of!! Go figure! XD
Iceland?
That would be interesting. Many of us thought it would be perfect for a Kingsmoot, but if that is being filmed in NI it must be something else. Jaime back in the Riverlands? Some of the beautiful country of Iceland could be used, but it seems odd to not just use NI for the Riverlands… Maybe it is a coincidence and NCW is on a personal visit? Hmmmm….
Maceless Fan,
I’m pretty sure Balon will bite it early this season, like E01 or E02. I always assumed they held of his death because it kicks of the Greyjoy storyline from book 4 and 5 and they weren’t ready to do it.
It’s just a little shame that the burning of the leeches doesn’t hold that much waight in the show due to that.
I wonder if this means that the GreatJon is dead? Will the Karstark be assisting the Boltons or is he slightly more reasonable than his father? Lord Karstonestark confirmed?
The North remembers!
I’m hoping Smalljon is tied into the reintroduction of Rickon & Osha.
Having another Karstark intrigues me though because last we saw in the show, that family was not on great terms with rallying behind the Starks.
The leaked scripts of season6 episode 1-2 were true OMG!!!
Mod note: no, they were not. They were confirmed as fake by the same very-best sources. Stop trying to make these “leaked summaries” happen by posting about them under different names. Thanks- Sue.
Lion of Night,
Smalljon is definitely tied to Rickon and Osha. And I’m thinking that Karstark is with the Boltons.
Wow Wow Wow !!!
I gave up to see something like the Kingsmoot but now, it seems like the Greyjoy Storyline will be completly filmed. Cant wait to see Crow’s Eye and maybe we will know more about the actor behind Euron.
The Lady Stoneheart rumors are obviously fake like every year 😀
It seems like Season 5 was to film most of the parts of book 5 and season 6 will cover most of book 4 any paralell, maybe we see some filler scenes that they gave the book 4 people enough time to close up to the storyline.. Cant wait and now we will know that D&D handle the story very well.
Any assembly of northern lords in S6, via conspiracy or overt rebellion, will bring much rejoicing to this bastard. Unfortunately, the showrunners used the episode title “The North Remembers” way too early in the series!
But we dont know who is playing Euron! 🙂
Amazing news WOTW!! 😀
Victarion and Aeron didn’t make the HBO Greyjoy family tree so whatever pirates they cast will not be either of them.
Iceland in September is definitely not “warmer weather”. It’s only about 12 degrees now, and temperatures and light will be falling fast in the next week or so. But if you were to tell me he somehow ends up north of the Wall, with Bronn (who’s been North of the Wall), and Tyrion….well then my mind would be blown!
batfan,
But will they show his death, I wonder? And will it be a faceless man who does it? And I don’t feel like Balon’s death later than Robb’s or Joffrey’s necessarily negates the power of the burned leeches. After all, it was never specifically stated when each one would die lol.
So glad we’re not recasting Greatjon! The King in the North monologue is still one of the best in show history!
Conleth Hill is wearing a bald-cap if I’m not mistaken, so he doesnt have to shave to play Varys.
How so? I don’t remember there being a time limit. Besides, are you saying that if Stannis had never burned those leeches, Robb and Joffrey would still be alive today?
voxu,
Some aspects of those “leaked scripts” turning out to be true in absolutely no way means that the leaks were real and not just fan supposition that managed to get some vague details correct.. Go back and look at all the previous seasons’ fake leaked scripts and they often get some bits fairly close to what really happens.
If Sue says they’re fake, they’re fake.
Maceless Fan,
The leeches where burned, so those 3 would die. They did.
Hodor’s Bastard,
I agree. And there needs to be more than just House Umber. The Karstarks will most likely be with the Boltons and the Umbers need allies to take them down. But yeah, I’m just happy that there’s a Northern force to oppose the Boltons in general.
So, so excited about the Iceland news. *cartwheels*
RpCola,
It’s far more likely that the Greatjon has been omitted entirely at this point, I would say, given that the Smalljon is the “Lord of a Northern Noble House”, and the description makes it seem pretty clear he’s the actual ruler, not a castellan or whatever; and given the show’s need to keep cast size to a minimum, I don’t see why they would need two lordly Umber characters.
My guess is that the writers initially thought about bringing back the Greatjon for this role, but either they changed their minds or things didn’t work out with the actor, so they’re bringing his son in instead, and we’ll learn that the Greatjon died (yes, Cogman said he was alive, but that isn’t 100% canon since it wasn’t in the show itself, and may have been because of the aforementioned idea of bringing him back for this story).
Regarding the new Lord Karstark, Roose last season certainly didn’t sound like the Boltons had any major allies amongst the Northern nobles at present. Maybe he’s meant to be an ambiguous figure that the Northern resistance has to sound out (sort of like Manderly when Davos was sent to him)?
Mihnea,
I know, I said the same thing. I think you meant to reply to batfan lol.
Agreed that they wanted to have Balon’s death kick off the Greyjoy storyline, which is the big thing in Season 6, it looks like, now that Stannis is out of the way. 🙂 I actually like that the leeches ended up not holding too much weight – it’s so typical that coincidence is often passed off as “magic”. It adds to the dubious nature of Mel’s abilities.
Also, Stark and anti-Stark Houses in the North should be good drama.
The Nikolai news is most intriguing.
I think Karstark will take Mandarly’s role. I think he’ll ally with the Starks in the end. (tough he may not, in the very beggining. But he’ll be convinced to fight the Boltons)
I’ll bet my life, that Rickon is with Smalljon.
Maceless Fan,
I’ve wondered about that as well.
Maybe they will show Pyke in disarray reacting to his “sudden death”… or could viewers learn of Balon’s death from Yara’s POV? Ravens from the Iron Islands? Or maybe Euron’s raiding party could inform her or the viewers….
Really? He was at Comic Con bald, which makes no sense if he’s wearing a cap. I always assumed he and Sophie were the only two who actually changed their epidermis for the show.
Darquemode,
Hmmm…I confess that I don’t know much about snowfall timing in Iceland. Would they still have the lovely green areas that were used for the Bloody Gate this time of year, or has snow started falling there already? Will Jaime go directly to a northern location (putting him closer to bumping into Brienne) or will winter be arriving in the Riverlands in earnest? Speculate away, Wallies!
Also, glad that D&D cut that Kingsmoot junk down.
Thanks-as always-Sue, for your responsible journalism!
He shaves his head- he’s been seen out in public many times during filming with a shaved head.
Example: this infamous drunkpic of Aidan, McElhatton and Conleth:
http://41.media.tumblr.com/727c3057a94c4b49ff45a1273914c384/tumblr_natk40ZXJo1qiacx3o1_1280.jpg
What? Has Jaime been sent to the wall? 🙁
It’s nice to get some confirmation about the Northern lords!
That NCW story is so funny. I can’t believe the same girl ended up sitting next to him on the plane :lol3:
We need to get some eyes in NI next week so we can finally find out who is playing Euron. Do we know if they are using Ballintoy Harbour again?
Darquemode,
Yeah, Yara will find out one way or another and like in the books, I’m sure that she’ll suspect foul play. Though I have to say, this whole scenario only makes me think even more that Yara will take Victarion’s place and she’ll go to Meereen to seek out Dany.
Christel,
They don’t film the Wall in Iceland. The Wall is in Northern Ireland. Right now it’s still pretty good weather in Iceland, so it would be Vale/Riverlands/somewhere else, but not a snowy Westeros location.
Sue the Fury,
…and responsible weather reporting! 😉
Sean C.,
Check this post from his twitter https://twitter.com/b_cogman/status/446329941031124992
“Keep Watching” – In Cogman we trust! Also he confirmed a few months ago that Maege wasn’t at the RW, so although she’s a small character it certainly seems like he’s got something planned when it comes to making these changes (Especially with no Hag’s Mire on show that we know of)
Ashara D,
Hmmm….
Do the Riverlands need to be as green being that Winter has finally come?
Maceless Fan,
In what sense would Yara really be taking Victarion’s place, though? I don’t really see much replacement potential there, even on a plot level, since Dany already has ships, and Yara doesn’t have a dragonhorn, the two most obvious plot tokens Victarion is bringing. And obviously the characters are nothing alike.
If it is not the land beyond the Wall, which it probably isn’t, then it’s going to be near Pjorrsardalur Valley, the Pjorsa River and Pingvellir National Park which is what you saw in season 4. As someone who is familiar with some of these sites and weather in Iceland, this time period right now and over the next 2-3 weeks is 10-15 degrees lower than when filming took place there in the summer of 2013. It’s not freezing cold though. But there is also a lot of rain during this time. So I’d expect it to be the Riverlands actually. Makes sense. It will be rainy, misty, mud filled, damp, and chilly. Not cold. But enough chill to allow for it to look it and to allow for the cold foggy mist to come from the actor/actress mouth when speaking.
I wish that they had cut it completely! The audience will have no problem understanding what Euron represents without it. I do worry that it will be considered unnecessary by the audience, however.
The one silver lining is that at least it probably will not make Yara look like a total buffoon as it did to Asha in the book: after all, that was part of last year’s story.
As for Jaime, that is interesting. Of course, as snow should be falling in a lot of places, this does not narrow the search much at all. More to the point, what will he do? I find it difficult to think that they will bother with the Crows stuff from the Riverlands. However, there might be Winter stuff involving the Riverlands that is relevant to the Winter story. Or it could be that Jaime will be pursuing Ellaria & SS and that they have gone either north or into mountains that will have snow this time of year.
And, of course, there no doubt are several other possibilities I am not considering: including, most probably, what they actually do!
RpCola,
That’s from a year and a half ago, and doesn’t contradict my point: if they couldn’t get the actor back, or for some other reason decided against the earlier idea, they brought his son in as a replacement. The description for the Smalljon seems pretty clear that he’s the lord.
By warmer, I mean not the frozen tundra layer of ice people tend to envision when people see the world Iceland. I know it’s not summertime there. But 12 degrees Celsius is, to me as a New Englander, a reasonable temperature- 53 degrees Farenheit. That’s not that cold. And Nikolaj is there right now.
But if you’re in Iceland, let me know if you hear anything. 😀
So, Jaime in the Riverlands
Agreed, although it would be a case of taking over a basic plotline: the contribution to the story would probably be a bit different. (In any case, I do not think that there will be an attempt to elevate another Greyjoy to a protagonist.)
But, again, this is where not knowing the story makes it even harder to predict what they might do.
Darquemode,
All right! I’m going too write how i imagine Balon’s death, in a rather poorly fashion, as i’m the farthest thing from a writer possible, so forgive me!
*Euron arrives to Pyke. Balon is still alive at this point. They have a conversation,(the place where he talked with theon in S2 should do for now)*
Balon:”why are you back”
Euron:”to help you brother, and our family”
Balon:”the only thing you ever cared for is reaving, and raiding”
Euron:”is that not what Ironborn are? Reaving and raping is what we do.”
Balon:”and starving, during winter”
*their drinking wine.*
Euron:” heh. So thats why you attacked the North” Balon:”Yes”
Euron:”The North is cold, and poor. If you want food, you should have taken the Reach”
Balon:”We could not hold the North, even with all their soldiers south. How do you sugest we beat the Tyrrels?”
Euron;”Remenber when i was litle? I used to dream, that i was flying.” Balon:”yes..”
Euron:”And one day, you told me to stop dreaming, that no matter what, we can’t fly”
*Balon drinks wine*
Balon:”Get to the point”
Euron:”But how did you know? Did you ever tried, to fly?”
*Balon starts choking*
Euron:”You where wrong, brother. No man knows, whatever he can fly or not, until he dares take the leap”
.
okay go easy on me 😛
This has a 1 in in a milion to happen. but speculation is always fun. 🙂
Sue, thanks for clarifying the rumor is fake. However, it’s not clear if the fake part is that LSH is leading an army (a preposterous idea from the get-go) or that LSH will appear, period. Which one is it?
And great to have Iceland back as a location.
Whatever Nikolaj is doing in Iceland, I suspect we’ll see Jamie return to his old bad ass Kingslayer fighting form. The show has made too much of him being practically an invalid and feeling useless. The logical arc is that somehow he gets into a situation, maybe with the SS, where Bronn isn’t able to back him up, that forces him to regain his old form.
Maybe we do. If they’re filming the scene next week, I doubt that the role has yet to be cast. So, Swearingen is Euron? Not exactly who I had in mind for that part, but I’m sure he’ll be appropriately menacing.
Mihnea,
Ha! XD
So will show watchers be “Taking the Leap” as well as “Taking the Black” from this point on? Hmmm.. .That sounds ominous.
If you’re introducing a notable new villain who is meant to be a dangerously charismatic usurper of the throne, it’s an elementary writing principle to actually show him doing that sort of thing. It also establishes how far Yara has fallen in her people’s esteem, and provides motivation for…whatever she ends up doing next.
Ravyn,
Jaime’s loss of his hand is the catalyst from him shedding his old self-definition and becoming a different sort of man. The point is that he can’t go back to being one of Westeros’ best fighters, as his AFFC chapters show at length; he’s still at best a mediocre swordsman, despite all his effort, and has to become something else.
They’re probably just using it as a story beat to re-introduce Yara and bring in this “pirate” fellow. We haven’t seen Yara since S4 and she needs a moment to get reacquainted with her, especially if she plays a big part in the upcoming episodes.
uh oh it’s quite telling that Kit’s been away from Belfast ever since they finished filming his funeral.
Sean C.,
Well Euron would still want Dany for his own and in that sense, Yara doesn’t need to be like Victarion. And we may very well see the dragon horn next season.
Redstar,
There’s not the slightest chance that it took the amount of time he was in Belfast to film a funeral.
R. Strong,
The LSH-commanding-an-army rumor is fake. I didn’t probe and ask if there would be any LSH at all, because it doesn’t really work that way and sometimes you have to tread lightly. (And sometimes I’d rather not know.)
Maceless Fan,
I like that idea! Nathalie Emmanuel did say that a lot of characters would be meeting each other this season.
I’ve also been wondering who if anyone will take Quentyn’s storyline
. Maybe someone in Yara’s crew?
Err I’m new here…can someone help me with the spoiler tags?? Sorry!
Sean C.,
Ah I see what you were saying, though it would be beneficial for certain underground rebellions if rumors were spread that the leaders of said rebellions were dead. Just give me Clive Mantle, ok!
You’re probably right though Maege, Galbart and GJon’s demise can totally be spun your way. Now the question remains what has Blackfish been up to?
Ravyn,
I expect the kingsmoot, to be Euron vs. Yara. Or a 3rd pirate, but only for comical value.
batfan,
Couldn’t they have simply changed Stannis’ dialogue? “The usurper Robb Stark. The usurper Joffrey Baratheon. The betrayer Tywin Lannister.”
Redstar,
Well he was there too long for it to be a simple funeral. That being said he definitely cut his hair. I’ve seen some of the recent pics and the hair is no longer down to the shoulders at all. But it’s not short either and he still has the Jon Snow facial hair going. It looks to me that it’s cut the length it was when he cut it after filming season 5, which allowed for 5-6 months for it to grow back for season 6. So maybe whatever he filmed was the entirety of his season 6 and he really won’t be a big part of it. Who knows.
Tywin of the Hill,
Balon dies. Does it matter if he does before Stannis?
Sue the Fury,
Pretty much everything about this picture is wonderful.
Redstar,
There are months of filming left. He already spent nearly 4 weeks in Belfast already, which is way more than the 2-3 days(at most) it would take to film his funeral pyre scene. He still has his long hair and beard too. If he turns up in Belfast again in the next few months, I think the speculation can flat out end as to whether he will be back as more than just a corpse.
Tywin of the Hill,
It doesn’t matter now. That happened in season 3. We’re coming up on season 6. They can’t exactly go back and change it.
Sean C.,
We don’t really know when he started filming, just because he was seen in Belfast a few times doesn’t mean he was filming during that time. He could very well have gone there a bit earlier. He wasn’t even in Belfast all the time given that he was spotted/photographed in London twice in the span of two weeks and also Spain. There were reports/pics of smoke coming out of Castle Black set, the tour guide mentioned the crew had just finished filming Jon’s funeral a week before (around the 14th) and ever since then he’s stayed away….
Mihnea,
Or perhaps a third Ironborn challenger could fall victim to either Euron or Yara?
A scene from the books like
BeautyBrienne,
I was talking about what they SHOULD HAVE DONE. I know it’s too late to do it now.
Apologies if this was covered up thread by Sue and I just missed it, but Irish Thrones also tweeted a pretty huge spoiler (if it’s true) regarding Jon’s parentage reveal in S6.
Darquemode,
Good point!
Imagine a braging 20 year old, declaring how he will bring glory to the Ironborn.
…..Then Euron just comes, and punches him.
Mihnea,
YES. It’s indispensable. How can Stannis trust the Red Witch to burn his daughter if he knows that her magic doesn’t work?
Redstar,
It is a fact that he was in Belfast at some point in 4 straight weeks, all of which the show had already begun filming. The actors aren’t going to be in Belfast unless they are filming scenes. Also, that tour guide’s info was proven false.
My guess is even if he is resurrected in s6, he won’t be seen much, and that it won’t happen until the end of the season, maybe even in a single shot. I think D&D want to avoid the travesty of True Detective S2 where they “killed” a character in ep2 only to reveal it was a fake out in the very next episode. That said, it is true that an actor can be kept on hold for a few days even if they’re actual filming only takes a day, or so. I’ve worked in production and that’s not at all uncommon. And Kit seems like he likes hanging around Belfast.
Unless people start spotting more cast and crew in Iceland, I’m assuming NCW could be simply on his way to Greenland. His wife has family there, after all. For instance, flight time from London to Nuuk via Reykjavik is just under 5 hours (Reykjavik to Nuuk is 2 hours 15 minutes, that’s how close they are!), flight time from Copenhagen to Nuuk alone is over 5 hours, London to Copenhagen just under 2 hours.
I hope GOT returns to Iceland, but have little hope for this season. This is also the reason I don’t think we’ll see Land of Always Winter, at least with any main cast, quite yet. I think that if they go back, it has to be early in the shooting schedule, July and August, to get the daylight they need.
rogbr,
Maybe he just likes the facial hair.
Tyrion Pimpslap,
If he turns up….what will people say if he doesn’t? What will be the excuse?
Tywin of the Hill,
I think he was preaty much conviced, when he looked in the fire with her, at the end of S2, or 3, i’m not sure. After that point he trusted her completly.
unlike the books, the leeches where never presented as something to test Stannis’s faith. Jofrey was dead, Robb was dead. And now Balon too
I guess the rugged pirate in his 30’s will be
The woman who ran into him reported he said he was going there to film GoT scenes. Though knowing Nikolaj’s humor (remember the duck?), he could’ve been trolling her, knowing she’d put it up on social media.
Indeed!
Or we see Euron’s men abduct him and later spot his tongueless grimace as he rows on the Silence! XD
Tywin of the Hill,
or
EDIT: can’t spoiler after i post
Ravyn,
I didn’t bother checking with a source whether Rhaegar and Lyanna are Jon’s parents because well…they are. And given that we already know they’re depicting the Tower of Joy this year, that was pretty obvious and not a new spoiler.
Oh, so much for me ! ^^
Thank you for the correction ! My mistake.
Darquemode,
I am totally expecting something like that!
Tyrion Pimpslap,
How so? Who or what has proven the tour guide’s info false? And was it all of it? There are photos of the smoke at CB. It’s safe to say what was being filmed. So at least that part is likely true.
Ravyn,
Exactly. There’s no way anyone can tell how long he was in Belfast, let alone how much time he spent on the set.
I was also thinking that Karstark may end up being a Stark supporter in the end or at least anti – Bolton and help the northern cause fighting against a common enemy, even if he isn’t a huge Stark fan.
Mihnea,
So what were they presented as?
He knew that the magic didn’t work and he burned his daughter anyway? After initially refusing to do so?
This is a plot hole, plain and simple.
My bad. They COMPLETELY misspelled Lyanna and I thought it was a new character.
Tywin of the Hill,
A desperate sitiuation. In that moment, i doubt Stannis was thinking about Balon Greyjoy
Mihnea,
But, but………..I want pie.
Tywin of the Hill,
How is it a plot hole?
Darkstar,
We will never have them.
Tywin of the Hill,
You don’t know what a plot hole is then.
Sue the Fury,
Thanks for clarifying!
No, it doesn’t negate it. It still means it came true. But the fact that it came true doesn’t mean much anymore to anyone. Stannis is dead, Melissandre sure has other things on her mind right now and Davos won’t care much either. The fullfillment of Mel’s prophecy was only important to Stannis’ decisions and he could only say “2 out of 3” came true, because Balon is to late now. It’s a minor thing, but it gave Stannis less reason to belive Mel.
No, Robb and Joffrey would still be dead as Mel didn’t kill them with the leeches, she only saw their death’s and tricked Stannis into beliveing it was her doing.
Yeah…how could they resist that? 🙂
Young Dragon,
I wanted to adress this, so we won’t go in cricles for houres.
I never, ever, consider a characters decisions, as ”plot-holes”. As i belive we humans always make irrational choices, or bad ones, from various reason, Robb throwing away half his army, because of love. Tyrion killing Tywin, because he wanted answers. In difficult situation, reason rarely prevails against emotions.
Looking back it’s easy to say: we should have done that, or i should have saw those signs, but in the heat of the moment those things are easy to miss.
And sometimes, we regret our decisions, like Stannis did in his final moments.
But these are not ”plot-holes”, but simple mistakes, wich is a part of human nature.
It is remarkable how many people do not know what a plot hole is! People should read more actual history: it is rife with these sorts of “plot holes”: and yet, by definition, there never has been and never will be a plot hole in history.
EDIT: or, as Mihnea put it…..
Mihnea,
You want to know what’s desperate? Starving in Storm’s End for a year, having to eat dogs, cats, rats and book soup. Did Stannis gave up then? Did he burned his daughter then?
Tywin of the Hill,
No, he did not have a duagther, or a fire witch.
EDIT: Read my comment above. if you disagree, very well, but i see no point in talking a thing we see in 2 very differant ways
Or R’hllor tricked her into thinking that these would happen only if she made some blood sacrifice. We really should not discount this R’hllor thing, whatever it is.
Wimsey,
I agree, Mellisandre could herself been tricked by what she saw in her flames.
voxu,
lol all news suggest that the scripts true man, i don’t care who say ”fake”, because it’s not fake 😀 you just don’t want to spread those scripts 😀
So Jaime in Riverlands…. Yeah doesn’t smell like LS coming at all right lol
Tywin of the Hill,
The two situations are totally different. For one, at Storm’s End, he had huge stockpiles of food that would have lasted him and his men for quite awhile. He didn’t starve for a year, only for a month or two. His men were completely loyal and he could trust them to do their duty. He also had walls to protect him and to give him shelter. In the North, he’s in the freezing cold with a flimsy army that could abandon him in at any moment. He’s trapped in enemy territory without food or appropriate means to find any, out in the open, where his enemy knows the terrain a lot better than he does. His situation in the North is a lot more desperate.
Interesting…. Interesting……..
So what’s confirmed now?
Flashbacks
Tower of Joy
Kingsmoot
Oldtown
Jamie in the Riverlands
Dead Freys
Tarlys
It’s like D&D were like shit maybe we should slow some of these story lines down to allow GRRM time to catch up with TWOW in Season 5, and now that there is virtually no chance of him finishing it, they’re like screw it, and they’ve course-corrected the show back on track… It certainly feels like it by including all these plots that we all thought they had thrown out!
Throner,
They will not show “Norther Resistance” for the sake of “Northern Resistance.” It will have to be tied to one of the lead character’s storylines. To this end, I think that it will probably be Sansa’s storyline on the show to lead Rickon’s restoration.
I am coming to think that it will be this way in the books, too. I had thought that GRRM was setting up another triangle: Rickon in Stannis’ camp (I had thought that the Pink Letter was wrong and that Ramsay had only defeated the besiegers of Winterfell, not Stannis himself), Sansa in Aegon’s camp, and Arya in Daeny’s camp. However, Stannis’ camp is gone, which means that is not going to happen. Also, B&W almost certainly have cut Aegon (this was the season to introduce him, and we’ve no evidence of it), which further undermines my conjecture.
In both cases, however, I suspect that it will be Bran leading them there: we will get Deus ex Dendro!
Young Dragon,
The biggest difference is what Mihnea noted: it was not an option. He did not have a Red Priestess who could work powerful magic with blood sacrifice. Thus, asking why Stannis did not resort to this at Storm’s End is more or less asking why Stannis did not use mustard gas on the besiegers.
Mihnea,
This phenomena is called “hindsight”
Thanks for sharing the news, Sue.
Reminded me of a question/concern I had. So, I’ve seen a bunch of tweets about Kristain Nairn doing concerts in Ireland, but I don’t think there’s been any mention of filming on his twitter.
We know that Bran is back with a new 3-eyed Raven, so I wonder at the potential absence of Hodor (Hodorpaste?- It’s more effective than Jojenpaste)
Mel can be a bit obtuse at times, even if R’hllor is playing games.
“I pray for a glimpse of Azor Ahai, and R’hllor shows me only Snow.”
It’s even capitalized in the book! 🙂
Ser Matt the Sullen,
Damn! i know that word, but totally forgot about it right now!
voxu,
Ah yes, those very authentic “screencaps” of a GoT employee’s facebook…except her name was spelled wrong. Stop trying to make fetch happen, dude.
What we have little understanding of is how R’hllor works. And in terms of “divine intervention,” well, it would be the classic idea of gods working through human agencies to have R’hllor have aided the deaths of all three. That is, small “chances” that led to the deaths might have happened because of this. We might never know, although the main characters might figure it out for us by the end if they unravel the “what/why” of R’hllor.
However, to suggest that Stannis has any reason to think that Mel’s magic doesn’t work is nonsense. Both in the books and on TV, we have ample evidence that the Red Priests have real power. History has shown that there are two kinds of generals: those who ignore new weapons because they are not in the text books, and those who grab on to them quickly. Notably, the “losers” and “winners” are non-randomly sorted into those two groups, too!
Actually, Jaime in some place for which Iceland makes a good backdrop. The Riverlands is only one possibility. What we can rule out is, say, any place involving a balmy deserts or tropical forests, or Jaime taking to the seas. And that’s about it.
Michael,
Pfft, Nikolaj Coster-Wladau is trolling again. Probably flew to Reykjavik so we can speculate it’s the Riverlands storyline and LSF is coming! I don’t trust him. #RememberTheDuck
Hodor’s Bastard,
LOL Mel didn’t read ADwD unfortunately.
Hodor’s Bastard,
I now wonder if this is why she missed the Battle of Ice.
But as for Mel being obtuse, well, she is making the ever-so-human mistake of interpreting facts in light of a particular assumptions, rather than assessing possiblities in light of facts. However, she really has been set up to fail: her interpretations come oh-so-close to fitting in all of the facts. In a lot of ways, seeing past a “wrong but likely” conjecture is much, much harder than seeing past a “wrong and unlikely” conjecture.
Sue the Fury,
How have I never seen that picture before?!?! Freaking fabulous.
Lol, you must be a very naive person. It is pretty clearly that not Mel burning was what killed Robb or Joffrey.
Wow there sure is alot of plot stuffed into the next season, i just hope it doesn´t water it down.
What is the puropse of having Oldtown in the storyline? Euron can attack KL instead.
Ain’t that the truth. There’s big bucks in risk analysis.
Seriously, after one of the last scenes in S4, when Mel sees Jon thru the flames, I honestly thought the showrunners would skip all of Mel’s internal struggles with AA and point directly to Jon. Why that poignant “Snow in flame” scene then in S4 if all she did was go back to her AA=Stannis assumption in S5? It was a bit disappointing for me. Mel, Selyse, and poor Shireen accompanied Stannis in the show for obvious sensational effect, like Talisa accompanying Robb to the RW in S3.
For what it’s worth, I agree with everyone being cautious about the Nikolaj in Iceland thing. It’s why in the rumors/spec pile. That guy is a troll. I mean I’d hope he wasn’t lying to the woman, but I’ll put it in the “Hmmmm this would be cool if it’s true” department but “Let’s keep looking for more confirmation” department also.
Winter hasn’t come. Actually it will probably come in the last episode of season 7. So we still have a long ride til there.
Also, that tweet by @mariagustavs spotting him in Iceland has been deleted. It’s looking a bit fishy.
Chai from Asshai,
Welcome to the Wall. 🙂
It looks like you figured out the spoiler code, but for future reference, instructions can be found in the blue/grey box right before the first comment on each article.
Kay,
That’s not unusual. People often delete their tweets after we share them. They’re not comfortable with the spotlight, I think. She posted that tweet before we posted this about Nikolaj going to Iceland, so there’s nothing fishy about it- how could she have guessed he’d be going there?
Blimey, it looks like Riverlands are coming at last. We already know of an outlaw band. Will we see a Jaime-Brienne reunion? Will we see Nymeria? Will we come across the few escapees from the RW? I don’t fret over who will play Euron. HBO has made sudden, unexpected announcements of Ian McShane and Max von Sydow; Nina Gold will come up with someone spectacular, or at least suitable. Personally, I’d like to see Yara become Lady of the Iron Islands and Euron steam off enraged and with sheer bloodyminded mayhem in mind. (IMO, Yara deserves a break.)
The other question is, if LS does not do it, who will lead the GNC and Northern army? Smalljon? Blackfish? Surely not Sansa. She can’t wield a corkscrew as a surprise weapon or battle her way out of a room, much less lead an army. Maybe re-animated Jon. Or Davos, for lack of a better outlet for his talents. Though his genius being water-based, better that he gathers up Stannis’s fleet and ends up defending against Euron and his pirates. Personally, I prefer LS to return, with all her mystery and miracle. But whoever leads the Stark forces, at least the North and Sansa and Re-Jon will have the magic of Bran (and Melisandre and/or Thoros?) on their side. And possibly one talented and well-trained assassin from Braavos.
But shouldn’t a single vision of Snow in Flame have been inadequate for Mel to suddenly drop all of her prior conclusions and beliefs? Mel has been backing the Stannis horse emphatically since Season 2. If just one vision made her chuck all of that, then it would appear completely arbitrary. I think that something much more drastic was needed to see her shaken from that conviction and have it seem real. After all, religious people in the real world are hardly known for quickly abandoning “truths” no matter how much contrary evidence there is!
Along these lines, I would not call any of this “sensational”: I would label it “dramatic.” The RW had much more dramatic effect seeing fetal Ned Stark knifed with Talisa. (It had the added bonus of catching book-readers off-guard, too: and, I suspect, it was a nod to the silly “Jeyne had wide hips! Therefore, she is alive and carrying Robb’s lost heir, because we’ve completely ignored that Rickon fits that plot device” idea.)
Similarly, there was huge dramatic effect in seeing Mel realize that the act that she thought would put Stannis over the top instead destroyed him. I think that the audience really needs to see something big that makes her realize: oh, crap, I had it wrong all along.
It has to be one of the main characters. Otherwise, it’s just gratuitous plot for the sake of plot, and the show has assiduously avoided that. None of those possibilities fit that bill, save Sansa: but I expect that she will be dealing with Northern Lords.
The show would be better off if they didn’t include all the nonsense plots from the iron islands and Dorne.
Young Dragon,
Wimsey,
Mihnea,
What I meant is that, in Storm’s End, he didn’t gave up. He was about to die of hunger (starving for a month or two is quite a big deal). Why could he trust the men to do their duty in Storm’s end and not in the North? They’re the same men and he’s the same person. No food? He’s got horses and Shireen’s books, doesn’t he?
He could have betrayed his brother (which he hated), give the castle to the Tyrells and be done with it. He could have swore fealty to the Mad King and be named Lord of Storm’s End. But he didn’t. He resisted, and he would have continued to resist to his last breath. He’d sooner die than show weakness. At least that’s what I thought.
Call it a plot hole or call it bad writing. The TV-Stannis was an awfully written character who’d kill his own daughter for the promise of a bit of sunshine.
But hey, that’s just my opinion.
Agreed. There’s no real point in introducing more pure villains or entirely unsympathetic characters.
Tywin of the Hill,
The promise of victory, and lets not forget, Stannis tought he was the chosen one, so for him the decision was not about ”sunshine”.
It was betwean sacrificing his duagther, and I emphasise on sacrifice, or dying, and in the proces dooming the world.
I did not enjoy what Stannis did, not in the slightly. But it does not mean he is badly-written.
Dornish Pastie,
I do think there will be a bit of conflict. But something to show some major character progressing.
My guess is Sansa will remind/convince him to do what is right. My guess.
Great info….but I would trade all these Northern Lords (and pirates) for one Manderly!
Darkstar,
Me too!
Tywin of the Hill,
He didn’t have the same men. Half of his army was made of sellswords, who are only loyal to gold. And he needed those horses to take Winterfell.
You just explained why Stannis burned his daughter quite well! Stannis would sooner die than accept defeat: and he would use whatever means he had available to avoid defeat. Stannis adhered to a general’s morality: it is wrong to not do anything in your power to win.
The irony of the situation is that the means to prevent defeat proved to be his defeat. Generals sacrifice people to the god of victory all the time: it’s called tactics. However, he wound up sacrificing the one person for whom he had any genuine feelings: and that broke him.
Im not actually happy with this news, i was really hopping the northern Lords were Wyman Manderly and Howland Reed. Umber is Ok for me, But karstark No.
And im really worried about we not know who will be playing euron yet. we are in september and Nothing. We know our oberyn at July…
and i really hope Jaime go to riverlands, we NEED, Freys, edmure, blacfish, and the rest in this season.
Sergio,
Well, I would guess that one of the two will be a composite with Manderly. Maybe both (kind of depends on whether the fearsome second guy turns out to be a “good guy” or not).
Not sure why you would expect either to be Howland Reed. Neither of the character descriptions sounds the least like how one would imagine Howland Reed would look or act.
If he ever appears on screen in books or series (no, I don’t buy that stupid High Septon theory), I’d tend to picture more in the way of a friendly wanderer.
Does the smalljon get big bucket Wull’s speach ?
For thirty years I’ve been making corpses out of men boy, I’m the man you want leading the Vanguard.
I cannot believe they haven’t found an actor for the supposed Euron with only a week to go before the start of filming for his scenes. We know Mads either turned Nina down or wasn’t even offered, since he’s doing Rogue One now, furthermore most actors the fans wanted for the role have been pilfered by other new series and films. Wonder if Nina and D&D were procrastinating concerning both Euron and Tarly and now they are furiously trying to fill the parts, which may not be a good sign at all.
I almost forgot, wouldn’t a pirate in his 30’s be awfully young for Euron, perhaps all the middle aged actors Nina wanted turned down the role or like I said above, were snatched up by other productions.
tyjon,
They’ve probably cast both of them. We just don’t know yet who they cast.
Also, I misread originally too, but the 30 year old pirate is not Euron- he’s an attendee at the Kingsmoot (or something like that).
Jordan,
yeah, Howland dont fit with the discription, but with the TOJ, i think he would appear Now and at the flashback,
Why? None of these are important characters in the grand scheme of things. We do not know what the story is to which Jaime has to contribute, but I would first assume that it will be something building off of Myrcella’s death.
tyjon,
Given how keen many actors are to be on Thrones right now, I doubt that they are getting a ton of refusals. It’s quite possible (even probable) that the roles are cast and we just do not know about the castings. Moreover, given the plethora of qualified actors out there, it’s not like they have to run down the street shouting “An actor! An actor! Hints about who Jon Snow’s mother really is for an Actor!” People here are (understandably) rooting for names (usually attached to actors who have played similar roles), but frequently these sorts of productions do very well with names that either we don’t know or that we do not associate with this type of part.
tyjon,
The casting call for a pirate in his thirties isn’t for Euron, it’s for another Iron Islander who will speak up at the kingsmoot. Euron has already been cast, the news just hasn’t been released yet. Considering they aren’t even releasing the names of the characters in the casting calls, I’d say they are being super careful about leaks this season.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
I suspect for Sam; he is sent there to learn more about the WW and Valyrian steel. Perhaps other things happen there as well..
Wimsey,
they are not small characters either. and they be out for 3 SEASONS is absurdly rid=diculous and bad written. And its a very interesting Plot they have.
Because it’s a major unresolved plot (as the writers of the show themselves have said).
Sergio,
Sean C.,
Jaime is the only major character involved in that: the rest are secondary or even tertiary characters. (Yes, Joe and Jane Public have much better things on which to spend their memory cells than lesser characters of TV shows.) And the plotline was done with the Red Wedding. “The occupation” is a separate plot from “the war,” after all, not an unresolved part of “the war.”
Now, if they can fit this in so that it helps two or more of the main characters tell part of the story, then, great. Otherwise, it is kicking a dead horse. Even if it works for only one major character, then I think it a questionable decision: at this point they should be working to amalgamate the plotlines including the major characters.
Completely agree that the character description has clearly set Karstark up for a conflict situation. ‘The frightening lord’, as well as being awesomely dramatic, lets you know straight away that this is not supposed to be an obvious hero or possibly even a very likeable person.
Wimsey,
Episode 310 clearly signaled that there was more story to be told in the Riverlands, the fallout of the Red Wedding; it’s taken them a while to get to it, but it appears to be occurring now, nonetheless. The Freys broke guest right, and will face the consequences of that; and characters like the Blackfish were left in play, with it being indicated that their survival would have consequences.
They could go with a “blood feud” angle between the Karstarks and the Starks if this plotline is going to focus on restoring Rickon. If this is Sansa’s storyline, and given that Sansa has now learned a thing or two about reality, it might lead to her figuring out and defusing Karstark duplicity. That would basically
And, who knows, maybe a Tree God will get into the action….
However, it’s all just riddles in the dark right now!
Wimsey,
The Dorne storyline didn’t involve any major character except for Jaime.
And they can’t just forget about the Freys.
So? Blackfish is a background character. If you brought him back, then many viewers would go: “oh, wait: I remember him; he was kind of cool!” They are not, however, sitting around wondering what happened to him. Ditto that for Edmure: at most, they might remember him from wondering where they had seen that actor before while watching Outlander! (And that’s assuming that they remember/find Thrones before Rome.)
Moreover, that is not “more” story, but a plot element that they could use for a different story down the road. Those are two very different things. After all, that part never ends: every “war” sets up an “occupation,” which in turn might set up another “war” or something else like that.
Now, they almost certainly will return to the Freys because, let’s face it: that is low hanging fruit. The audience certainly remembers it, and it could be a powerful piece of evolution for one of the main characters. But the rest of it is done business. Sure, it’s stuff that could be used in the future: but most of the audience will not sit around wondering about these characters if they don’t return to it anymore than they will sit around wondering what happens to Westeros (or Hogwarts or the Shire or Arrakis or wherever) after the series is completed.
Wimsey,
The show itself clearly signaled that there was more story to be told there, and that dangling plot elements would be revisited. They could have killed the Blackfish at the Red Wedding (indeed, many thought they would), but instead they had him escape and rather explicitly underlined that his escape was trouble. You don’t do stuff like that if it’s never going to be mentioned again. The same episode has Bran’s story, which indicates that there will be consequences for the Freys for what they did.
Rygar,
How is it just a few minutes after I look up that damn Jaqen H’ghar video you got stuck in my head, you appear???
Intersting stuff.
I’m thinking Greatjon will possibly have been killed at the Red Wedding or potentially killed (offscreen) at the start of this next season because the Umbers are resisting the Bolton’s decrees/whatever.
The pirate is interesting. I’d have no probelm in them having it as a reduced part for Victarion as would be a nice nod to the books and would make Euron’s claim and eventual win at the Kingsmoot more impressive as he’s beaten a strong claimant ( or two if you include YarAsha). We don’t really know what’s going to happen with Victarion in the books other than it looks like he’s not needed for the ships now so he could easily stay in mereen or come back to Westros (possibly with a dragon?!)
I’m thinking Iceland must be for Riverlands scenes as I think both Jaime and Brienne were biding their time last season in order to pick this story back up. Seems strange to go to Iceland to film snow scenes though when Northern scenes aren’t being filmed there and surely they’d have been harder hit by winter at this point?!
Dammit.
I knew something was off about that avatar going with that SN.
You’re a wicked li’l Sprite.
Wimsey,
Just because you don’t think certain characters need to be seen again, (although it look like you changed your mind on the Frey’s) doesn’t mean other people don’t. I don’t personally like the term “plot holes,” only because it’s been so overused, but I, and many other people, feel there are loose ends which need to be tied up from the Red Wedding.
Nymeria Warrior Queen,
That’s not Rygar.
Someone needs to quit trying to impersonate Rygar. They’re having trouble keeping their screennames and emails straight.
I miss my brother and haven’t seen him in a while. So I thought to smoke him out. It worked! Rygar, call your office.
Sue the Fury,
We miss him and his humor. That’s all. Don’t be too harsh on us.
LOL We crossed comments, Mr. Sprite.
Sue the Fury,
Hahaha…thanks. I realized that after I made my first post.
It’s just ‘Sprite being…’Sprite-ish (in other words, a lil shit…much like Rygar, except without all the penis). 🙂
Oh, and I say that with great affection!
TheTouchOfFrost,
Bryan Cogman confirmed that Greatjon wasn’t killed in the Red Wedding.
https://twitter.com/b_cogman/status/446300694090637312
I think that Greatjon is going to be the head of the anti-Bolton Northerners, and that
(after all, he’s only in 2 episodes).
Sean C.,
I agree. If Blackfish wasn’t killed offscreen at the RW, as most viewers assumed, and we were explicitly told that in the next episode, reason dictates that that’s not all a coincidence. D&D rarely lets details like that slip by unanswered. Heck, they’ve made so much of Hot Pie being a cook, I’m convinced he and his culinary skills has more of a part to play in this than just pointing Brienne and Pod thataway.
I was wondering if they were going to somehow use key elements of the otherwise discarded Alys Karstark (sp?) storyline in Sansa’s plot. She’s fleeing from a marriage to the Wall, etc. That would also by necessity involve the Karstarks. I like your idea much better, however.
Jordan,
Nair has been doing some interviews the past couple of weeks (with Huffington Post and Howard Stern, specifically, for his tour), and he hasn’t mentioned he isn’t on the show this season, as he did with S5, unless he’s been told not to this time.
But the show has shown an inclination to keep fan favorites around long after their book time has run out (Bronn, Brienne), and I would put Hodor in that category.
*raises an eyebrow* Are you hoping for Frey Pie?
I’ve seen a lot in the mainstream media this week about the idea that
but nothing here on WOTW. Any plans to discuss that?
Holly,
Hopefully not, because it is laughable.
I’m always hoping for any pie.
Holly,
It’s an old theory (at least a couple of years old) originally set forth, I believe, by BryndenBFish from the Wars and Politics of Ice and Fire blog. There some back and forth about it on the WotW twitter feed if you go a few days back. I think there was some issue about the mainstream media using the theory without citing the source for it.
Holly,
It’s a theory based on the fact that they’re the same age and because the actors look somewhat similar, which ignores, among other things, that Show!Meera doesn’t particularly accord with the physical description of Book!Meera, who is very short and described as typically crannogwoman in appearance (as well as the fact that Ned never thinks anything that suggests there’s a twin, and that there’s no reason why he would split the twins up if he considers it safe to take Jon with him). In short, it’s a silly theory. So I doubt it warrants an article.
Holly,
No we’re not going to post about it here for the reasons Nymeria and Sean have mentioned. Not a new theory, has no real basis to it, no reason to be discussing it here. It has no more weight to it (and considerably less than many, to be honest) than any other fan theory out there, so there’s no reason for a post about it. Mainstream media latched onto it out of summer boredom and I think we have more GoT news to discuss here than that.
Thank you Nymeria, I agree.
Oh, Wimsey, you brainy devil. I mentioned both Edmure and Blackfish a few weeks back, and you pooh-poohed me the same way. I’m gratified to see that there are others who feel that Blackfish leaving the RW festivities to “find a tree to piss on,” carried more weight than a man merely relieving himself, never to be seen again. I agree, and hope, that Blackfish comes back in a meaningful way. Who would be better to start the movement toward some dead Freys? Maybe Sansa, but she has her survival from the fall and escape to safety to worry about, before she can focus on any pie-baking.
I thought it was improbable, too, but have to admit that when I read it, the first thing that I thought of was Meera at Crasters Keep, when the main mutineer (sorry, I forget his name, the one that drank out of Joer Mormont’s skull) kept stroking her curls. What pretty curls, what pretty curls. Like Jon Snow’s pretty curls that have their own contract clause? Just a thought.
Eyes at Ballintoy Harbor! Eyes in NI everywhere next week! We need our Euron-casting sighting!!!! 😀
I’m starting to love how incredibly wrong you are getting, with this whole “that was last year’s story”-stuff. It’s simple: there’s x amount of story left and there’s x amount of time/episodes left. They have to fit all that in, in the most logical way possible. Chances are that quite a few characters might not get full stories during the season, so you’re theory wouldn’t apply.
And good lord, can you stop underplaying Yara’s function as a character, and Euron’s once your at it? They’re obviously going to have interactions with quite a few main characters. And this news actually seems to call the Euron-character a main actor. I mean how in the heck can you be so negative about them and want apparently want a (D&D-)storyline where Jaime chases Ellaria and Sandsnakes, which were the most disliked part of S5? It just baffles me.
Also, you bring up Ellaria, after we learn that NCW is going to Iceland. That sounds like a very wrong assumption. I’m liking the sent to the Wall-theory a lot better, because that journey puts him in direct collision course with a certain blond beauty.
Tywin of the Hill,
Doesn’t mean he wasn’t/won’t be killed off-screen afterwards. If he is to reappear it would be a strange choice to not just bring back Clive Mantle as the leader of the Umbers instead of casting someone new to be Smalljon. Makes the story messier.
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Thank you – this is one of the sillier theories out there and old. Just amazing that the media has glommed on to that one over others.
Ser Oromis Locke,
Well said
Cersei’s Brain,
As you know, it’s all about the clicks some places.
I have spent a couple hours scouring the internet and have gone through some 200 plus UK/Irish actors (that are somewhat to well known) for that role and not many are available. I have compiled a list of those not filming for the fall. The list includes actors with an age range from 30 to about 50. Any actor that was filming, announced or in pre-production was excluded.
Colin Firth
Robert Carlyle
Damian Lewis
Dexter Fletcher
Matthew Goode
Jamie Bell
Ralph Fiennes
Ioan Gruffudd
Matthew Macfadyen
Richard Armitage
Joseph Morgan
Sacha Baron Cohen
Stuart Townsend
Jeremy Philip Northam
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Colin O’Donoghue
Aidan Turner
Damian O’Hare
Eoin Macken
Kevin McKidd
Danny Dyer
Daniel Gillies
Personally I cannot believe any of the above would not submit a portfolio, were rejected by Nina, or turned down the part. It’s GoT after all,
and would be kudos to have in their repertoire besides being a juicy role.
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Oh! just read your post, so it’s suppose to be for some other pirate, can Sue confirm, it’s just a one episode part.
Yay! Looks like I called it on Jaime going to the Riverlands next season.
Also, I still gots to know who’s playing Euron! Surely someone will spot his actor somewhere during filming of the Kingsmoot next week… right?
*Swoons*
Back to the topic: If Jamie is going to the Riverlands next season, then I’m going to go on the record and predict that he’ll be there because 1) Cersei sends him to make sure the alliance with House Frey is still in place or 2) Cersei sends him North to kill Sansa, and he needs to cross the Riverlands to do it. If he’s going to “kill” Sansa, then that brings him back into contact with Brienne and could potentially result in him choosing Sansa over Cersei (Maggie the Frog fulfillment?). If he goes to the Freys, then that would be a great way to re-introduce that House. If he crosses paths with The Hound while going to the Frey’s, then its like a 2 for 1. 😉
Can I raise a question? … I love these spoilers. I live for them, and I come to WotW daily for them. However, I always hate seeing the # of episode that a new cast member is signed on for. I feel like the episode number might be a next level spoiler. I could be a minority in this, I fully acknowledge. And I also acknowledge the hypocrisy of an individual like myself fiending for spoilers but then objecting to an element of the spoilers. I totally see how that would be inconsistent, especially when the episode # is literally part of the very same casting call. All of that said, I was wondering if any one would agree with me about being very hyped about casting info but less hyped about learning the episode # that the new role was in? <3 all
And this is why I love the GoT fandom. I’d better go get my tinfoil hat and join the party 😀
As for Iceland, does this have to do with filming coldish scenes relating to the onset of winter?
So not surprised if the show is having Jaime, Brienne and Sansa converge on the RL but in a different way
Mihnea,
Don’t bet that which is most important, Ricky is with Lucy on Skagos. lol! Just kidding I hope you’re right for the show it would be badder than the most baddest of ass!
voxu,
Do you mind sharing where one can read one of these “leaked” scripts. While I know they are likely fake, morbid curiosity and a love of fan fic would lead me to enjoy reading them. Thanks.
For me, the only real spoiler is if we find out Kit isn’t shooting any episodes that Sapochnik’s directing. That would all but confirm he’s only there to shoot a funeral scene.
I don’t know how can anyone can call scripts like that “leaked”.They aren’t leaked from anyone,they are just predictions on what’t going to happen based on show,books and all news we know so far.There are plenty of those,only on IMDB boards I’ve seen several sets.Anyone can write something like that,it happens every year.Last year some people guessed some events while in other storylines it was the exact opposite.All these are just fan predictions,not “scripts” from the actual show.
They are still filming the first 2 episodes aren’t they? So Balon’s death will probbaly be in episode 1 and Kingsmoot in episode 2. I was kind of expecting that, the Kingsmoot would make a good place to introduce Euron like he was in the books and reintroduce Yara. I would like if the new pirate was Victarion who was there for just for the one episode but some random pirate seems more likely, expecially because Victarion does not quite match the description by being rather stupid.
I always assumed that the ironborn and Jaime in the Riverlands plots were just delayed and not removed. D&D said in an interview that plot elements make more sense in the long run and they have more time for these plots in season 6 now that the Stannis plot is gone and the Wall plot for the most part as well.
But Smalljon Umber will be in only 2 episodes. Maybe they will bring back Greatjon as well?
Next season we will see:
1. The North
2. Riverlands
3. The Wall
4. North of the Wall
5. KL
6. Meereen
7. Dothraki sea
8. Iron Islands
9. Dorne
10. Bravos
11. Oldtown
12. Horn Hill
13. ?
Is it too much?
I may be wrong but, weren’t the Riverlands scenes shot mainly in Northern Ireland? I don’t think there are many (if at all) broadleaves or hardwood forests in Iceland (like those from the scenes with the Brothers without Banners, or the ones with Arya and the Hound).
From what I’ve seen, the scenes shot in Iceland, are mostly used to represent the Vale, or the lands immediately south of the Wall (the Gift), or those shot in winter which represent the lands beyond the Wall.
Why would NCW go to Iceland to shoot scenes based in the Riverlands (if those scenes are indeed taking place in that area)?
mau,
There never are too many locations. Too many storylines? Sure. But many of those locations belong to the same storyline (Meereen & the Dothraki Sea; the Wall & North of the Wall; the North & the Riverlands; Oldtown & Hornhill (& the Iron Islands, if they sack Oldtown); and the stories in King’s Landing will probably be connected to many other locations (Dorne, the North/Riverlands, the Iron Islands, and hopefully at last “Meereen” —well, the Dany camp, anyway.) The only truly isolated storyline seems to be Arya’s in Braavos. And maybe that’s no longer the case by the end of season six, who knows.
But we will have 3 storylines. Dany, Tyrion and Jorah/Daario. They will merge eventually, but at the beginning of S6 we will have 3 separate storylines.
Maybe, but we will have 2 separted storylines an the start. Bran’s and Jon’s
Only North will have 2-3 storylines. Sansa, Boltons and Brienne. But Brienne can find sansa in E1, so that would be 2 storylines.
1. storyline with Freys
2. The Hound
No. Oldtown will have different characters.
I’m pretty happy. Season 6 is turning out just as I thought it would. Flashbacks to fill out the history, some storylines still dangling from AFFC/ADWD, and some entirely new material. That’s cool.
Iron Islands?
https://twitter.com/Curious_Places/status/638269766222880768
mau,
I really do not know what you are talking about, to be honest. Storylines aren’t defined by locations but by the characters and their stories. Sam will not be at Horn Hill and Oldtown simultaneously; his storyline —a single storyline— will go through Horn Hill and then Oldtown, or the other way around. One follows the other. They won’t appear at the same time. As for Dany, Tyrion and Jorah/Daario, their storylines are the same —Granted, we left them at separate locations, but their storylines still remain the same and people recognize all that bunch of characters as belonging to the Eastern/Dany storyline. The Hound and the Freys never had and never will have their own separate storylines, so again I’m not sure what you’re refering to. You’re right about North of the Wall, though —I was forgetting about Bran.
Luka Nieto,
I am talking that Dany, Tyrion and Jorah will have their own separate scenes in different locations. You can call that a storyline, you can call it a mini-storyline, a sub-storyline, whatever, but they will have 3 separate groups of scenes.
Just like Tyrion and Dany this season.
The Hound and Freys will appear in someone’s else storyline, but they can’t appear in the same storyline. Or maybe they can? I don’t know. With Jaime?
mau,
I see what you mean. Still, while too many proper storylines can be a problem (Game of Thrones is already stretching it, especially for casual viewers), people aren’t really confused by too many locations. For example: yes, it’s true that Daario and Jorah will have their own scenes, but they are looking for Dany, in order to take her back to Meereen, where Tyrion and the others are. It’s all a recognizable story cluster, all revolving around a samey looking area. The same goes for most of the others, except Arya, Bran and maybe a few others.
Yaga,
I’m happy, too. This is wonderful news. Clearly, plot lines from AFFC and ADWD were delayed until S6.
The Kingsmoot was one of my favorite scenes in all of ASOIAF. I’m not a big fan of the Greyjoys in general but that scene offered incredible insight into their unique way of life. I look forward to seeing what D&D will do with their adapted/equivalent version of it. It could be fascinating on screen.
Yay for Northern lords. I am most interested in how this alternate Karstark fits in.
I am cautiously optimistic about the “NCW in Iceland” speculation. If true, we will be circling back to some elements of his AFFC/ADWD story which I welcome.
Include me among those who want to see the Blackfish return.
Jaime in the Riverlands is a good thing, he can found Brienne and Sandor, and maybe the show equivalent of Lady Stoneheart (being Sansa herself or Lord Beric’s men alone).
But my question is how they can do that: following the show, the last time we saw him with the dead body of his niece/daughter, in a ship with Trystane. He left Trystane unarmed at KL and then go? How and why? Following the SS being in the Riverlands is also a big WTF. Sent by Cersei to kill Sansa it felt also weird…
We know there’s only one on that list that should be Euron. His name starts with an R, and ends with -mitage.
Smalljon died at the RW, though…
Lion of Night,
Ser Oromis Locke,
And he will bite the lips off of anyone who opposes him : D
Here’s another theory! Euron is a Targaryen because he is The Great Red Dragon.
I see a sea and I see smoke. Euron=AzorAhai confirmed! Nah, but I do see them VFX’ing a certain silence approaching.
Ahh… Brienne and the men in their life on a jolly threesome roadtrip through lands filled with bandits and broken or unbroken oaths. It could very well be that Septon Meribald+Sandor (ala him being incognito at the RW) cross paths with Jaime+Brienne in the Riverlands, but Sandor shows constraint, does not reveal himself and Jaime+Brienne don’t notice it’s him. That would be an awesome tense moment. You don’t really want to see those three have a threeway battle. Especially if Bronn’s there as well.
I only hope they don’t destroy the Kingsmoot visually on the show, one of the elements that caught my atention in the books was the location where it was being held and the all mythology behind it, I mean Nagga the sea dragon’s bones of course. It really defines the iron islanders
Im relatively new to this site and WiC, and Ive noticed WiC doesnt get that much love. Why is that? anyone can shed some light on this subject for me it would be appreciated.
Shawn,
Not in the Show
Joffrey’s Cunt,
I think they will hold it on Pyke. It will be pointless to throw money away, on the location, when you already have Pyke established..
And i don’t expect something huge from the kingsmoot. Just like Jon’s election as LC, something quick, so we can move on to more important things.
tyjon,
Ser Oromis Locke,
Laura,
Are we talking for Euron or for the rugged pirate?!
As much as I like Aiden Turner (still remember him from the original Being Human days). He’s a bit too young for Euron as are a lot of people on that list.
Can’t say any of them really jump out at me as him. Armitage, Gruffud and Carlyle would all be solid choices although I think Armitage lacks the menace that the other two could provide.
In your internet travels, I don’t suppose you happened upon what Rhys Ifans was doing? With Purefoy out of the running he’s growing on me for the role.
Would still love James Callis to get the role but no idea what he’s up to.
Gary Stretch would be good to buit I think him getting the call would be a bit of a …well, stretch!
Euron is not this “rugged pirate.” This is a minor character.
tyjon,
I appreciate the time you spent compiling that, but I think you may have missed ongoing television shows a lot of these actors will be filming. Just off the top of my head, Jamie Bell films TURN in the fall, Colin O’Donoghue and Robert Carlyle are currently filming Once Upon a Time, and Aidan Turner will start filming the next series of Poldark soon. It’s hard to tell from IMDB when actors are committed to film television shows, I think.
Mihnea,
Yeah I get what you mean, but they could still change the location of the bones to pyke, I just think visually it would be more powerful
Joffrey’s Cunt,
You would need clucky exposition dialogue to explain the history and meaning. And anyway the location, without Aeron means litle. In my opinion, the location does litle in that scene. Euron is the main factor there, him winning the Ironborn. He can do it in the throne room at Pyke, or the harbor, the impact would be the same.
RosanaZugey,
I`m a strong supporter of Jaime going to the north for some reason. Makes way more sense then shoehorning Brienne and/or Sansa back into they´re book 4 storylines.
Squirrel,
Agreed. and more likely to happen
Ser Matt the Sullen,
Cannot agree more!!!
This is a good site, by the way.
A part of me (a really big part) is going to be extremely upset if they now “go back” and try and put all of these characters in their AFFC plot. I was/am willing to swallow that they f-cked Sansa (literally), for the sake of moving her beyond this Vale stuff and in a position to actually do whatever she’s supposed to be doing in TWOW. If it turns out that they’re just going to put her back in the Vale storyline…*Que rage and endless rants*
As a side, the reason I think it’s plausible that Jamie is heading North (and passing through the Riverlands to get there) is because I can’t reconcile why Sansa/Brienne would be going South. Brienne isn’t going to leave Sansa in the North, and I’m not sure why Sansa would leave the North, especially since she knows her brothers are alive and will try and find them (I assume). Plus, I don’t think Rickon and the Northern Lords will be a story by themselves. Since they’re appearing, they “have” to tie into another character’s storyline, and right now the only main character in the North is Sansa.
Also, I believe it entirely plausible that Cersei (in a hot rage over Myrcella) sends Jamie off to do SOMETHING “right” by killing Sansa. He brought back a dead daughter…now bring back another dead daughter (since producing dead kids seems to be the only thing he’s good at). If he dies in the attempt, oh well. Don’t think Cersei would care anymore. And he’ll go, because he feels guilty and he wants to redeem himself. While in the Riverlands, he’ll meet whomever he needs to meet, and learn whatever lesson he needs to learn before eventually meeting up with Brienne and Sansa.
That’s how I see it, anyways.
I’ve heard this from some friends who are not the fanatical detail hounds we are: They love the show, but kinda want it to start wrapping up story lines. Almost to a person, what they mean is Dany sacking Westeros, but it points to the tricky balance the show has: juggling all the various characters, but also accelerating the plot so it feels like there is an impending end game, and not just a bunch of stories chasing their own tail.
Quite frankly, starting the endgame is probably what Season Six will end up doing. Season 5 was all about a transition in order to get to the endgame. You’re friends should know by now not to expect Dany to hit Westeros come episode 6×04, but if they’ve been paying attention, than they know she has had these ships in her harbor that are enough to take her army to Westeros. They should know that it’s coming sooner than later and they know that she has one obstacle left to deal with and that’s the Sons of the Harpy, because in terms of slavery, she’s been succesful to a certain degree.
What basically needs to happen is:
– Jorah/Daario find Dany+Drogon/Khalasar
– Tyrion+Varys deal with Meereen
– Dany+Group returns to Meereen and installs some form of government/sacks it.
– Dany+Group+Army leaves on ships procured by Daario in S4. End.
– Bonus Points: Burn every slave city on their way: Yunkai, Astapor, Volantis.
RosanaZugey,
I don’t think Cersei is in a position to send anyone anywhere at all, nor do I think that the twins are going to be particularly willing to do anything for each other ever again (and as I’ve been saying, if Jaime returns to KL and doesn’t have a very pointed reaction to what’s been going on in his absence, then that’s just… weird). Sent to kill Sansa? Seeing as Jaime sent someone out to *protect* her, I don’t think he’s just suddenly going to go back on that. More likely if Jaime goes North, it’s by his own choice, or because Kevan sends him (he’s alive and the Hand of the King right now, after all).
RpCola,
100% agree
I don’t know if it was you, or someone else, but that phrase, “Cersei’s not in a position to send anyone…” Means what exactly? How she ever NOT in a position to send her brother/lover to do something? She’s been sending him to do random things all their lives. (Btw, when you said “the twins” I keep thinking you meant House Frey at the Twins. Was TOTALLY confused for a good minute or two there. Lol).
Anywho, I honestly don’t think that what’s happening in KL will weigh as much as bringing a dead daughter home. Jamie can be as “wtf?” as he want to be, but considering he has a dead Myrcella in tow, his need to explain THAT should trump his reaction to the Kings Landing business. I’m also doubtful that Cersei wants him there, especially when he brings her home a dead daughter. She has already stated that Joffrey died under his watch. When he now brings her back Myrcella…forget about it. All bets are off. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if she sends him away just to put as much distance as she can between him and Tommen (before he somehow becomes responsible for his death as well).
That she sends him to kill Sansa doesn’t mean he actually will. Never crossed my mind that he would. But she has sent him once before to kill her, so its not impossible that she’d sent him again especially since she knows exactly where Sansa is (and she’ll have leverage now since I’m sure he’s going to be feeling guilty. In the past two season he has been indirectly responsible for their Father’s death and their daughter’s death. With that track record she can guilt him into anything).
Basically, my theory is not implausible. I mean, if you don’t buy it, that’s cool. But its not off the wall or anything like that.
I do, however, agree with you that he could choose to go North by himself. But even that has to be with the knowledge that Sansa is there, otherwise, why would he bother going North?
Sue the Fury,
Thought so. Just wondered why we suddenly jumped to talking about Euron casting?!
For this rugged pirate. Hmm if only there wasn’t an age restriction as Brian Blessed knows how to make himself known in a crowd!
Erm Gerard Butler I guess although he’s probably too bigger a name for the part. Paddy Considine as I’d love to see him in the show! It’s a tough one for a relatively small role! Maybe William Beck? Toby Kebbel? Kevin McKidd? That they’ve got to be tall too is a struggle. Think they’ve found out with the Northern Bearman casting how harda combination that is to get!
YES.
Coming back to KL with the bad news is one thing, coming back TO the news that your sister/lover who you have always been faithful to has publicly admitted to sleeping with her/his cousin and is awaiting trial for it…
If this isn’t the time for the break to happen on the show, I don’t see why it ever would, and Jaime would deserve to get his spineless ass kicked in the RL.
I’m kinda busy nowadays, but I have to say this:
Cool.
Mau,
I think you forgot the Tower of Joy. And probably the Quiet Isle.
As to casting, on Tyjon’s admirable list, there are a few A-list actors who are unlikely to want to do a short shift on GoT. Colin Firth and Ralph Fiennes (both Oscar winners), Damien Lewis (Emmy winner), and to some extent Matthew Goode. Many of the others would leap at it. I’d like to see Firth try it on–after all, in Kingsman he showed a willingness to be cast against type in a good-humoured action role. And Sasha Baron Cohen would milk the humour and enjoy the deviltry of Euron. But Richard Armitage would probably be best.
How has either Bronn’s or Brienne’s book time run out? Last I remember both were still alive in the books.
RosanaZugey,
OK, I see what you are saying with why she would *try* to tell Jaime to go North and kill Sansa since she knows where she is, but I just somehow don’t think, even if they tried to frame it that way, that’s what Jaime’s own personal motivation for going North would be. They already sent him out on a mission last season because he feels guilty, they’re going to send him on another one for the exact same reason? I don’t doubt he *will* feel guilty and heartbroken as he’s coming into King’s Landing with her body, but so much has changed there, I’m just saying that I don’t think the dynamic is going to be as simple as, “Go to ____ location for me and kill Sansa”/”OK… (slinks off)” He might go North armed with the information of where Sansa is, or some other information or directive entirely (remember: Kevan) but I actually think his time doing Cersei’s bidding is pretty well up (in spite of whatever he feels about Myrcella’s death). She’s just going to be too messed up right now for him to see past that.
Jaime returns to riverland? Does that means D&D finally recognize that the season 5 is a complete failure and try to start over? Nah, it is unlikely that there are so much sense left in them, and it is way too late anyway
marsyao,
There are three seasons left, so it’s not too late.
We were in Iceland on Saturday and also saw Nikolaj Coster-Waldau walking around the city.
Wimsey,
Edmure! Outlander! But of course! Thank you!
Young Dragon,
Permanent damage has been done in the season 5, so yes, it is too late
marsyao,
What damage would that be?
Hummmm. You might have a point in saying they’re not going to use the same bone twice (sending Jamie on a mission out of guilt). Then again, Sansa’s been been dealing with victimhood and having psycho fiance’s/husbands for 5 seasons now, ;), so I’m not sure being repetative is much of a concern for them. 😉
I agree that Jamie and Cersei have to have a definitive split from each other. But as the show has presented their relationship (up to this point), she’s still very much in control of him. His motivation to go get Myrcella wasn’t just for atonement for Tywin, but also to make Cersei happy. The man still loves her. And I don’t think him finding out that she slept with Lancel is going to dissipate that. Matter of fact, now that I think about it…maybe the show will never do a definitive split (especially if Jamie is the valaquor). How much more dramatic would it be if he killed the woman he’s still in love with? And even more so if he kills her to save the city (i.e. Aerys redux) or to save Sansa or Brienne? How ironic for the “Oathbreaker: A man without honor” to end up being the most honorable of all by sacrificing the woman he loves for the good of everyone else?
Anywho, I understand the crux of your argument though: that no matter what action Jamie takes, it should/will come from his own volition and not because he’s doing Cersei’s bidding. Hopefully that’s the case. I’d much prefer to see ALL of the characters (from Sansa to Theon to Jamie) make decisions because THEY want to and not because of someone else’s agenda. I’ll drink to that ideal. I’m just not sure that it’ll end up playing out that way.
Sorry on vaca and no time to read all the comments but in response to the article: I CAN’T EVEN!!!!! Nikolaj in Iceland?! More Greyjoys is always a win, and Umber and Karstark confirmed, holy shit what a day!!!
Did anyone else thought the Lord of Northern Stronghold would be a Whitehill?
Tywin of the Hill,
I read the books but I don’t know who that is.
Young Dragon,
Telltale game.
Isn’t that House from the Telltell Game Series?
He popped into my head as an interesting choice for Euron as well.
They might make a nod to it like they did with Margary. The Forrester girl in the brunch scene. You might see a Whitehill in the Bolton camp. 🙂
As for the NCW news:
Unless he is messing with that girl. The news is interesting. Jaime might be heading North to go after Sansa.
The split needs to happen soon between Jaime and Cersei. It could be when Cersei wants Jaime to go after Sansa. Jaime is unable to kill her. He just watched Myrcella, who is Sansa’s age, get murdered right in front of him. Maybe he won’t do it because he thinks enough is enough. He meets up with Brienne and do whatever in the Riverlands/Vale area. I don’t know. I could be incorrect.
I want to know who Euron Greyjoy. C’mon GOT release the name. We need this info now. I guess they are lockdown because of the leaks last year. That’s disappointing. 🙁
Yay for Umbers! 🙂
RosanaZugey,
The most telling indications to me that Jaime’s story was simply in a holding pattern that is about to resume is that when he returns to King’s Landing from Dorne on the show, the same things that predicated his “split” from Cersei in the book (plus Kevan still being alive the way he was at the beginning of Feast for Crows) are still present, but have now been magnified x100. We have Cersei showing she is a totally incompetent ruler with bonus aftermath footage, an infidelity with her cousin that has now gone hugely public, the presence of said cousin in the city (if that confrontation needs to be shown)… now add to it a giant undead monster on the Kingsguard. And yes, there’s also the additional fact that Jaime is returning with their daughter’s body and is bound to have a crapload of complicated feelings about it. Jaime/Cersei are DONE. Like in the books. The show has just been waiting.
I think what has been throwing so many people off is the assumption that they haven’t *waited*, but are changing Jaime’s story around *entirely* since they sent him to Dorne. I think this is an erroneous assumption. Look at the books at where Jaime left off – what is the last thing we see him doing? Following Brienne somewhere (maybe into a trap, maybe not). Now look at Brienne’s story on the show – she seems to be in a holding pattern as well. My suspicion is that what happens as a result of Jaime’s encounter with Brienne in the books is so significant in terms of overall story, that they had to push the outcome back to Season 6, and then had to rework both their plots in Season 5 so that everything would tie in together better narratively in one season. Someone mentioned previously that D&D have a strong understanding of narrative arc and momentum and I think that’s spot on. I think this is why they are sending Jaime back to the Riverlands this season (and probably Brienne), because they wanted to do that story and the outcome of that story in one shot, one season. As a result, they had to send both characters on a detour during Season 5.
That’s why I tend to disagree that they’re just moving Jaime and Brienne’s characters around at random, trying to figure out stuff for them to do, or giving them entirely different motivations (which is why I think any suggestion that Jaime stays Cersei’s lap dog for the rest of the series is laughable – it’s pretty significant that Jaime divorces himself from Cersei in the books, and he’s a big character there, AND Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is the second highest-billed actor on the show… they aren’t going to totally eff with his original character arc longterm, regardless of what people think). Mark my words: they were just biding their time with the Riverlands or Riverlands-like story (condensed though it may be) because what happens there is going to be really, really important. JMO and all, but I think this is the most probable likelihood.
Is this a new pic or an old one just re-tweeted????!!!!
On set with big Rory McCann. http://t.co/HEiFNdmE7y
(https://twitter.com/gurogeorge/status/638034579723522048?s=09)
Firannion,
He has that Ironborn look the show have gone for about him!
kit_hepburn,
I agree that the Jaime/Brienne reunion will probably be very important. I just don’t get why it HAS to happen in the riverlands? Wouldn’t it be more organic to bring Jaime into the north instead of pushing Brienne back into the riverlands?
Squirrel,
Wouldn’t it be more organic to bring Jaime into the north instead of pushing Brienne back into the riverlands?
Sure, a reunion doesn’t have to happen in the Riverlands. But even if he goes North, he has to pass through the Riverlands area, possibly the Twins where the Freys are (and since Walder and another Frey are back, this makes sense). Whether he stops there or continues North is anyone’s guess at this point I suppose.
But as for bringing Brienne south, I don’t see what the big deal is. The last we saw of her in the books she’s *also* in the Riverlands, so her time in the North on the show might be a detour the way Jaime in Dorne was. A lot of people assume Brienne ends up in the North in the overall story because she has Valyrian steel. I don’t make that assumption. Plus here, watch – I’ll get her out of the North:
Pod: “My lady, someone’s coming!”
Brienne: “Quick, hide in the bush.” *hides*
Bolton Men: “Blah blah blah, if anyone finds out that Sansa Stark escaped from her room and is god know where, blah blah blah…”
Pod: “Did you hear that my lady? Sansa has escaped.”
Brienne: “Seven hells, I’ve failed. Again. Where could she have gone?”
Pod: “She was with Littlefinger before the Boltons. Maybe she went back to joint him at the Eyrie.”
Brienne: “To the Vale!”
Oh look, I got Brienne heading south again in seven lines. 🙂 And in the books she actually does make an erroneous turn anyway, doesn’t she? There are plenty of other scenarios that could do it too I’m sure.
Does this mean that Jamies Dorne stoyline was just a filler?? Incredible how much the show sucks now
I think in episode 3 “Oathbreaker” Brienne will once again break her oath and Sansa will get killed. But, she will be resurrected as Lady Stoneheart in replace to Lady Catlyn.