Appropriately enough, bad weather has forced Game of Thrones to continue filming in Seville for a week more than planned, but that doesn’t mean that preparations elsewhere have stopped. In fact, we bring you the latest on one of the major battle scenes of the whole show just as rehearsals begin, including the appearance of a certain Tarly.
If that doesn’t whet your appetite, we also offer an exclusive scoop on next season: We’ll get to see the strongholds of two Great Houses for the first time ever in the show. Which of them will they be? Keep reading. But be warned: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
We have been able to confirm that in the course of next season’s packed story, characters will travel to Highgarden and Casterly Rock both. The Tyrell home was and remains a suspect for the reported castle in the background of the soon-to-be-filmed ambush setpiece. However, Casterly Rock is a total surprise. What’s more, we can tell you the show will set at least two eventful scenes in or around these locations.
As for the much-awaited ambush battle at Malpartida, in Cáceres, we believed Las Breñas was its location, yet we just learnt the shoot is too short for that to be true. Nonetheless, this may be the largest action sequence in season seven, with a whopping 100 horses brought into the set and 500 extras who are not only required to be available for more than a month but will also undergo military training. This huge production must go somewhere. So where will it be? Confusingly, we must double back to the original report before the Las Breñas field was ever in the picture: A beautiful natural park declared a monument by Extremadura twenty years ago —That is, Los Barruecos. Specifically, production is focused around the northern lake, El Barrueco de Arriba.
El Periódico Extremadura reports preparations are well under way in the area and filming rehearsals began yesterday: At an improvised stable, cast and extras alike are being trained in horse riding and military protocol. If you want to take a closer look, James Faulkner has been gracious enough as to offer us one. As reported earlier today, Lord Randyll Tarly is making an appearance this coming season, during this ambush:
Popey….not just one of the chaps….he wears them too. #DaVincisDemons #downtonabbey #Sinderby pic.twitter.com/nKQ0qHMBTG
script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">— James Faulkner (@jamessfaulkner) November 9, 2016
Randyll on the razzle…..preparing to mount his zebra. #GameofThrones #downtonabbey #DaVincisDemons pic.twitter.com/xM9GTJPu00
— James Faulkner (@jamessfaulkner) November 9, 2016
Meanwhile, the crew was seen testing a smoke machine above the rocks and water of Los Barruecos, which is a must-need for any dramatic war atmosphere. Furthermore, at the show’s rented industrial depots, the crew has been putting the finishing touches on the furnishing props for the Malpartidian scenery. All of this is taking place behind a barrier of vehicles and guards, there to make sure no one can come snooping around. It should be noted that these tight security measures have been taken long before any shooting takes place. In fact, prep work and rehearsals will continue for more than a week: Cameras won’t start rolling at El Barrueco de Arriba until November 19th.
Before you jump into the comments to speculate about the Tarlys’ role in the field battle or about what unexpected action we’ll get to see at Highgarden and Casterly Rock, I believe a brief reminder on the closest Cáceres shoot is due, especially considering the confusing updates: Before filming at Las Breñas for a few days starting on the 17th, and at El Barrueco from the 19th to mid-December, Game of Thrones is scheduled for a three-days shoot at Trujillo Castle, from November 14th to the 16th.
So, hopefully by Monday we’ll have something new to report!
Hold the door!
Amazing that we’ll see CR and HG! Still convinced that the Castillo Almodovar del rio will serve as HG exterior rather than DS and Trujillo courtyard will perhaps be within walls of HG or indeed CR.
Can’t wait to see what these castles will look like!
That is a wonderful piece of spoiler news, and very much needed for me today! 🙂
If Casterly Rock will feature, do we know which director has been scouting it? I hope, hope, it’s Podeswa and episode 7, and it’s Cersei’s death scene. In fact, it would be wonderful if 7.7 is just like 6.10, in being a totally EPIC episode, packed to the gills with momentous happenings, and starting off with the dragonpit scene. We also need the big KL outdoor parade that was posted here many months ago.
Could a book reader say whether the Tyrell stronghold was supposed to be near a beautiful lake, by any chance?
Oooh Casterly Rock, I wonder who we’ll see there and for what. Correct me if i’m wrong but those leaks didn’t mention anything about it and if that’s true it’s good to finally have a complete surprise.
I think the Story will end with a final battle at Storm’s End. It will be where Daenerys “Storm”born will “end”. Hah, I dont know. It would be the last location we haven’t seen unless you count that shadow baby scene but I dont think that was Storm’s End in the show.
So I’m wondering will CR be the CGI castle we see near the ambush site?
Apollo,
Nope 😉
I see! Thanks! ?
The World of Ice and Fire states that Highgarden is on a hill overlooking the Mander (a river) and mentions rivers and lakes as being part of the landscape of the Reach.
Lord Tarly coming back makes me worry about Gilly… last night I had a dream about Randyll killing her and woke up and read he’s about to film. This show is insane.
Mel,
Oh they did mention it lol.
Casterly Rock………..just woooooow something unexpected.. …..
Thanks Luka…..
Alba Stark,
Thank you. That makes sense, given this beautiful lake for the location of a big ambush. Having a lake will also distinguish it from other castles/locations we have seen so far.
Mel,
Yay! I just knew we would see Casterly Rock! I think Cersei will pick up shop and try to rule from there at some point. This was part of The World of Ice and Fire:
“Casterly Rock has never been taken by storm or siege. No castle in the Seven Kingdoms is larger, richer, or better defended. Legends says that Visenya Targaryen, upon seeing it, thanked the gods that King Loren rode forth to face her brother Aegon on the Field of Fire, for if he had remained within the Rock, even dragonflame would not have daunted him.”
Great news!
Any word if the Casterly Rock action is pre or post-ambush?
Jenny,
Extremely excited to see CR but i don’t think the show can do it justice. It is by far the most impressive Castle in the land of Westeros (yes more impressive than Harrenhal). The picture in World of I&F book is absolutely amazing. I hope they are able to really capture how cool it is to make a castle out of a mountain.
Which of this location castles looks like Casterly Rock?
I think Cersei and/or Jaime are going home, for a brief visit.
aeris,
Well, that’s if they are using a location for Casterly Rock. If they are, it’s gotta be Trujillo or Almodóvar del Río, obviously. No idea which of them it could be. That said: They might not require an actual location. They might just use a CG castle for the exterior and interior sets in Ireland. Who knows!
aeris,
In case you’re not joking: That doesn’t sound “eventful” to me.
Think bigger! 😉
I wonder whom we will see at Casterly Rock in season 7.
Since most of the plot leak has been supported by filming news so far we can safely assume that we know what many of the characters are doing all season and nothing of it seems to line up with a visit at Casterly Rock.
We know that all the Lannisters are present for the dragonpit meeting in King’s Landing which takes place in episode 7. So unless they move to Casterly Rock in the last few minutes of the season finale it seems very unlikely that Cercei will leave King’s Landing at any point.
The only other characters who could somehow end up there are Euron or Brienne and Podrick for reasons unknown, but if they show the Rock, there will probably be at least one Lannister involved.
Arya Serious,
Maybe Cersei goes to Casterly Rock and sets up her seat there after she torches King’s Landing.
She is Storm born, she isn’t the storm. Euron “I am the storm” Greyjoy, however… watch this space. Book-wise, anyway.
wonderfull news overall. so glad this site exists. couldn’t imagine my life without it…. anyway i remember the crew often said there were at lesat 500 extras during 3 days of shooting the walk of shame every day. so thankfull to have the privilege to be an extra those days which easly became the best 3 days of my life so far….
In the Casterly Rock scenes(never thought of ever seeing it) at least one of the main Lannisters has to be present, or even all of them-that would be the ultimate high
Yeah that’s what I’m thinking too! We learned before that the red keep has sand in it’s ceilings for precaution with wildfire (from what I remember anyway) so the burned ceilings we saw in visions (and building not obliterated) could either mean dragon fire or someone trying to destroy red keep with wildfire and the sand in the ceiling putting out the wildfire (which is why there isn’t more damage seen to keep). 🙂
TheKingWhoCares,
Why is it unlikely Cersei leaves KL for Casterly Rock for a while in s7? She has to be doing something in those 6 episodes before the dragonpit. I don’t see her just strolling the Red Keep’s corridors or sitting on the IT for 6 episodes.
that’s what i’m thinking. it certanly feels like it. we’ll see….
Arya Serious,
yep it’s looking more likely it’s wildfire’s work than dragons’.
In her desperation Cersei blows RK up in hopes of destroying the Iron Throne so no one gets to seat on it after her and then she settles at CR.
The episodes will be very, very packed. 😉 Not like past seasons, where characters sat around, drinking, chatting, whatever. So, it’s quite possible that after the dragonpit scene, the characters split up. Some head up North by land, some by sea. Cersei may then set KL on fire and retreat to CR. Where Tyrion will follow her. Hopefully. 😀
aeris,
There was SOMEthing in a compilation I read about Casterly Rock…
Whether or not they would do such a thing I don’t know.
Clob,
Holy hell!!!
Casterly rock and high garden ?
I just know it’s going to be a feast for the eyes on the show. Also two major events happening at said two location ? The hype is real, and glad to have mr Tarly back, he was brilliant last season:)
Matthew The Dragon knight,
That’s what I’m looking forward to the most, in a way. Just to get to look at Casterly Rock, and also Highgarden to an extent.
Erica,
Why would the naval battle happen anywhere near land? And to introduce Casterly Rock just to have it in the background of that battle seems anticlimatic.
It’s cool to hear “we’re going” to Casterly Rock on the show when the books haven’t even done more than just talk about it, so far. Tyrion doesn’t know the Lannister cache is essentially dried up, does he? In trying to figure out why they’d shoot there… From what we’ve talked about it doesn’t sound like Cersei or Jaime go there. Cutting them off from what Tyrion may believe is their source of funds seems like a reason…
aeris,
Everything is anywhere near land;)
If you look at the map of Westeros, CR is at a small bay, similart to KL being at the Blackwater Bay. Not to forget the important harbour of Lannisport.
Who say it would be just in the background? Euron and Cersei (as a example) could meet up there. Captives could be kept there (as another example).
aeris,
I just don’t see her abandoning the Iron Throne. And if she did this early in the season what keeps Dany from taking over King’s Landing? We know that the city is still standing until the season finale since:
– The Dragonpit is part of King’s Landing and that’s where the big meeting with most of the characters (including all three Lannister siblings) takes place in the finale. Do you think that Cercei would leave King’s Landing at some point without being under direct attack from Dany, abandon her throne (and thereby her claim) and travel to Casterly Rock just to return to KL a few episodes later for a parlay with all the people she hates? Prior to the plot leak and the filming news I was sure she would burn KL to the ground and flee to Casterly Rock this season, but now that doesn’t seem likely anymore (unless the “Dragonpit scene” isn’t actually at King’s Landing but… let’s say at Harrenhal).
By the way, there are new (crackpot) “spoilers” of Jorah being completely covered by Greyscale and Sansa giving birth to Ramsay’s son in the last scene of season 7.
http://wikiofthrones.com/4887/game-thrones-continues-shooting-seville-exclusive-season-7-spoilers/
I don’t believe a single word of this. The timeline doesn’t even fit. The last time Ramsay raped Sansa was at the end of season 5 and there was not the smallest clue to a pregnancy in season 6. So if she gives birth in the season 7 finale, are we supposed to believe that season 6 & 7 took place over a period of 9 month only? 😀 So unless the child is from Littlefinger or someone else this can’t be true.
ok, I take back my last post. Casterly Rock may as well be for Cersei and Euron. Their base. Perhaps that’s where Yara (and Ellaria?) will be held captive. The naval battle happens nearby and given that Euron’s victorious (he’s after Yara after all so he doesn’t have to make an alliance with Cersei first), he uses that place as his base. Then Cersei hears of what happened, shows up there and they team up. Cersei would need an incentive to ally with him. She doesn’t know him or how beneficial he could be. And I just don’t see Euron randomly popping up at King’s Landing looking for a partner in crime. Cersei will seek him out.
Luka Nieto,
Thank you for your answer. Really excited if we will find out soon! 🙂
Amaaazing news. I. Knew it that the ambush would be a big battle the javi information was right but the place las brenas not. Los barruecos then. And emilia said we will have a epic battle. The Botb had 40 horses and 400 extras. This we have 100 horses and 500 extras.
Soooo good to hear thT we gonna Cr and hg.
aeris,
Say, are we both simulanously also redditing? 😀
Like the “seek him out” piece !
aeris,
aeris,
I guess I hadn’t considered Euron using CR since it’s not that far from the Iron Islands. It would be a safe place for him to set up camp on the mainland though. While it would be surprising for Cersei to award it to Euron in an agreement of alliance I suppose that’s a possibility as well.
Erica,
yeah lol
It really checks out when it comes to Cersei-Euron plot development. I was wondering about the logistics of it. How that alliance would come to be. Where they would meet. In season 6, Euron was dead set on chasing Yara and Theon, so why would he take a break from it to go far South? Why would he think he needed Cersei to execute his plan? He will have his ships and Cersei doesn’t have any fleet. No, Cersei will need him. He will prove himself with his victory against Dany’s allies and Cersei will be all ‘well hello there’.
That’s a really neat set up for the alliance between those two. And it’d be really meaningful if they meet and form it on Casterly Rock. It could also be juxtaposed with Dany forming an alliance with Jon on Dragonstone. Two Queens making history within the wall of their homes.
aeris,
>No, Cersei will need him. He will prove himself with his victory against Dany’s allies and Cersei will be all ‘well hello there’.
Yes, yes… I can see that!
I tbothered me a bit since quite a time that there is no talk about HOW Euron and Cersei are taking up with each other, it is just presented as a given. Even in you-know-whose-leaks… absolute nothing.
Even if we apply our logic and theorize – Euron/Cersei alliance is !technically! still unconfirmed in the show, the show itself need to do a confirmation scene for the viewer.
aeris,
In book numbers there should be roughly 50 ships of the royal fleet left at King’s Landing after Stannis sailed a bulk of it to Dragonstone. For the life of me I can’t recall any numbers being specifically mentioned on the show. Perhaps there was some discussion prior to the Battle of the Blackwater… Stannis and Davos expected ships at any rate when they attacked, only to be met with the chain and wildfire.
Please give us Willas or Garlan Tyrell!! It’s the only thing I ever wanted.
The Battle of Casterly Rock could be a great ending to the Lannister plotline in Season 7. Besides, judging from what we know so far, there isn’t any action in the mainland after episode 3 or 4 (ambush). So a battle of Casterly Rock featuring Jaime, Tyrion, Bronn and perhaps Euron could be momentous and act as one of the final setpieces of the season (alongside the wight mission).
Dramatically it works in a number of ways, too.
Casterly Rock being featured this season is certainly a surprise. It’s all the way on the west coast and I can’t imagine any battles being fought in its vicinity and in the show the mines are dry so what resources could it offer. At least Highgarden is in the Reach where we know some of the action will happen.
I think I’m the minority when I say I don’t really care about seeing Casterly Rock. Maybe it’s because I hate all things Lannister (except Tyrion) so I’ve never been impressed with or paid much attention to CS. I read the books only once so my memory is fuzzy but, other than the Lannisters going on and on about the magnificence of their home, did any scenes actually take place at CS? As for who will go there, I can only assume it will be Cersei or maybe
simba,
They don’t exist in the show .
IMO Casterly Rock will be Cersei’s last scene of the season. Whatever happens in the Dragonpit will end her rule in KL and then she will flee to CR just as Daario foreshadowed in 610.
Of course, Euron may show up in CR early in the season to pick some Lannister soldiers, ships, or whatever, but in such case he has to go to KL and forge the allience with Cersei first. Not impossible, if he goes cross Westeros incognito by land. However, the possibility that he hits one of Cersei’s enemies (Sand Snakes most probably) and then comes to KL victorious making Cersei to face the fact looks more probable IMO.
So, I imagine that the last three scenes of the finale will be Cersey arriving to CR, Jon and Dany sailing North (on the love boat), and the Wall going down with the NK preparing to cross it.
I think I have the cronology of the events:
Second Movement: Lannisters Twins offensive- Jaime and Bronn will lead their forces and crush the Reach- they will suceed basically because Cersei will be playing the innver rivalries- people like Daddy Tarly will join the Lannisters, seeking to gain power because Lady Olenna is old and the Tyrells are gone. When it will appear to them that they have managed to put Dorne and the Reach to their knees…
Third Movement: Dany the Conqueror appears and ambush them. It is a bloodbath. Tarly brother will die fighting his father´s war, daddy Tarly will be executed by Dany as a traitor to his liege , Lady Olenna.
Fourth Movement: Negotiations- Tyrion will convince Dany that now that she has the upper hand he can convince his brother to drop the fight. He meets with Jaime, but no dice. Then Tyrion advises Dany against attacking KL because of Wildfire and proposes to take Casterly Rock using the cisterns he knows well , thus making Cersei a foot for calling herself Queen.
Fith Movement :The real threat- The infamous Dragon pit meeting takes place. Dany is convinced by Jon. She leaves. Cersei sees it as an opportunity. She has basically just The Mountain and Qyburn backing her. Troops, wealth, lands all gone. Cersei is actually happy because the WW. Jaime then leaves
Sixth Movement- Winterfell is the new KL- Dany and Jon against the Undead. Maybe Qyburn sees the writting on the wall and the ” miscarriage” is no accident. I could see Qyburn either eliminating Cersei as a way of aligning himself with the “winner” side or maybe she indeed miscarries and he can bring Cersei to his dungeon and try to reanimate her
BunBunStark,
But the naval battle plus Cersei-Euron featuring Casterly Rock makes sense. We need a built-up to that alliance. Euron has no reason to go down to KL, he doesn’t need to ally with Cersei to carry out his mission, it’s Cersei who will profit from this coalition. But Cersei won’t just randomly think of him as a potential ally, she needs motivation. Euron’s victory against Yara will provide her with that.
Is it possible that the battle is actually a flashback to a battle in Robert’s Rebellion? Just a thought
Priscila,
I agree. I think you only missed one movement (the first):
Aemon,
I hope Tyrion’s not still on a warpath with his – now dead – father. Tyrion has a massive conflict of interest in fighting his beloved big brother and the first woman in his life, Cersei.
I’d give a strong side eye to his advice, if I was Dany.
Tyrion knows the CR sewer system because his first adult job was maintaining the CR drains.
Also, deep extensive tunnels attach to CR. Another secret approach.
I often think of how so many extras must give up jobs etc if they agree to a month of being on-call for filming. Chance of a lifetime, but still.
Pigeon,
OH I don’t know… I have four weeks of vacation saved up at my work and if filming is in the area I wouldn’t need to take every day off. I’d be able to make it work. Unfortunately I don’t live anywhere near filming. 🙁
Pigeon,
Indeed a chance of a lifetime, plus the unemployment rate in Spain is quite high. So bravo to Westeros, Essos, and even Sothoryos for providing jobs! 😉
Sorry good people of King’s Landing, but fingers crossed!
aeris,
Anyone else a little sad that Greywater Watch wasn’t one of the two strongholds?
Why yes…yes I am! I am going to be pretty ticked off if they don’t show us Howland Reed in the flesh before the show ends too! I don’t see why they would bring him in and have him still be alive and not show his face and reveal what he knows dammit!! Lol ?
The appearance of these two places is not unexpected… It’s basically the last season the show could introduce these two. Of course they would take the opportunity.
So excited about getting to see Casterly Rock!
I’m thinking that whatever happens there involves at least one Lannister.
I’m thinking of how Tyrion told Varys in S2 that Tywin put Tyrion in charge of the drains. He did it to demean Tyrion, but, oh, the irony if that proves to be CR’s downfall! 😀
I kind of like the Euron idea, too. CR is not that far from the Iron Islands. It (or rather the Lannister fleet in nearby Lannisport) was the first place the Greyjoys attacked in the Greyjoy rebellion.
The Lannister most naturally connected to Euron is Cersei but I have a hard time seeing her leaving KL (thus abandoning the IT) before the very end.
I haven’t read the leaks, so please don’t respond by telling me how it goes in them! 🙂
I don’t think “sand in the ceilings” was mentioned in the show, and in the books it’s in the Guildhall of the Alchemists, in the vaults where they prepare the wildfire. Halleyne tells Tyrion about it in ACOK.
I agree that Dany’s vision of the burnt, wintery throne room doesn’t look like wildfire damage, compared to what we saw with the sept in 610.
Euron allying with Cersei through Casterly Rock (instead of going all around half the continent to King’s Landing) is a theory I like very much. The way these two will get together has been a mystery to me since we first heard it would happen.
CR an HG! 🙂 Maybe we see HG in the firsts episode and I guess CR in the finale. For sure the Lannisters will be involved.
Amazing scoop guys!!
PS: The cast feeding fans with pizza
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMm6PpBDucw/
😀
Maybe Castely Rock castellan is a brand new character we haven’t seen. Another uncle perhaps or an aunt. A lord of lesser house is possible too.
Priscila,
Yes, I believe that Tyenne’s death, if it is going to happen, will have a certain effect on Bronn and push him towards becoming a real knight, instead of being just a sellsword serving anyone who pays.
H.Stark,
haha! Gotta love the cast for their sense of humour and feeding their fans!
H.Stark,
They’re such sweethearts 🙂
aeris,
innocence,
You’re mixing them up. The meeting is in King’s Landing. And that mention of Casterly Rock in the leaks is only about his intentions, his plans. The leaks don’t mention Casterly Rock actually appearing.
innocence,
From this website set pics, he doesn’t go to Casterly Rock but Kings Landing with Davos where they get Gendry and Gold Cloaks are involved. I Imagine he would speak to Jamie there.
Tyrion probably does speak about Casterly Rock in case Cersei retreats, since in a prior season he said his father made him in charge of the sewers.
Reading about Casterly Rock – what is going on with Edmure Tully? Could we possibly meet him there?
As far as I remember Jaime offered him to held him captive in CR in exchange for surrendering Riverrun. Did he get it there? I do not suppose he went back to Twins.
Awwwwwww
Luka Nieto,
Green Apple Fossoway,
In Ep 610, during the feast with the Lannisters, Walder Frey said to Jaime that Edmure was “back in his cell.” Next morning Jaime left for KL, and Walder was killed in the afternoon. Of course, it’s not impossible that Edmure was sent to CR about the same time, when Jaime left, but somehow I think that he remained in the Twins. Photos by PAP4U imply that Riverrun will be taken from the Freys at some point, so Edmure should come into play early and therefore it would be more convenient to free him from the Twins, IMO.
Works underway in the Atarazanas
https://twitter.com/35milimetross/status/796702339671400448
The photos didn’t show a Tully sigil over Riverrun or anything like that, right? So how do those photos imply such a thing?
IMO it would make much canon sense of Edmure Tully& family being in Casterly Rock!
In the books, Ed/Jaime talk goes down pretty much the same, Jaime threatening Edmure to send him his baby in a catapult. Edmure takes the offer from Jaime in both book and show.
In the books, he is clearly on his way to CR, in the show the last thing we hear about him is the tense talk between Jaime and Walder, where Walder says Edmure is “back in A cell” and making a snide remark about killing his son-in-law would give the Freys a bad name.
Jaime goes back to KL, the next thing we see of him is observing the borning ruins of the Sept.
The cell could be very well the “comfortable rooms” Edmure was promised at CR and Jaime´s treck took Ed and Roslin and MiniEd with them, bringing them to CR.
Because the other variant: Him back at the Frey´s dungeons would actually mean Jaime did betray his own promise and was basically going ” Hahaha Eff You Edmure, you are going to the Freys, I lied to you!”, which then would completely go against Jaime´s character development.
On a further notice, CR could also be where Yara being hold captive (and maybe Ellaria?) and Euron trying to lure Theon away from Dany at the Dragonpit parly, teasing him to try get his sister back, so he could also get hold of Theon.
crabber,
Yes, that was Storms End
Can someone please debunk those leaks because they’re just awful, awful storytelling. Casterly rock filming will hopefully debunk them but if not this season will be a huge dissapointment in contrast with season 6.
Erica,
Jaime made Edmure the offer of surrender and live out your life at CR and Edmure turned it down FLAT.
Jaime’s next offer was surrender or I don’t catapult your baby over the wall. Edmure accepted that offer. Jaime was under no obligation to fulfill the terms of the offer Edmure turned down. I have no idea why people think he would.
This was George’s nod to Vito Corleone* and the power and method of negotiation.
Just a reminder of that for those who didn’t see (WTF?) or don’t remember that part of The Godfather.
*Don Corleone had offered bandleader Les Halley $10,000 to release Fontane from a personal service contract that unfairly exploited Fontane’s rising fame. When Halley refused, Don Corleone returned the next day with Luca Brasi and within an hour Halley signed a release for only $1,000. As Brasi held a gun to Halley’s forehead, Don Corleone assured him that either his signature or his brains would be on the contract.
Just like the bandleader, Edmure should have taken Jaime’s first offer. And just like Don Corleone, Jaime wasn’t required to fulfill the terms of the first offer when it was the second that had been accepted.
It’s a Bond villain lair 3 times as tall as the Wall. What’s not to love? 🙂
Tywin of the Hill,
That sounds awesome. If it’s not a hollowed out volcano, staffed by flunkies in matching boiler suit type uniforms, with a submarine base at the bottom and helicopter/rocket launch pad at the top, I’m gonna be really disappointed! 😀
Priscila,
Lol..I’d pay money to see a ‘re-animated’ Cersei defeat Dany. And then Jamie could ‘slay her’ in the end. That would be much better than the crap storyline of the spoilers.
StandOzone,
It kinda makes me wonder if they will rise against Tyrells
Re: Mr. Faulkner’s photo of the zebra. Someone should tell him that its Westerosi name is zorse!
Green Apple Fossoway,
Erica,
HotPinkLipstick,
I like the idea of Edmure in CR. There’s some confusion as to his whereabouts in the show.
In the books he’s definitely on his way to CR, under strong escort, while Jaime goes to do other stuff (i.e. Jaime doesn’t escort Edmure personally). Also, there are popular book fan theories that
The impression I got from the show was that Edmure was back in his cell (at the Twins) [much gnashing of teeth by me for D&D once again “ruining” Jaime’s character arc], but thank you, Erica, for pointing out that Walder Frey may have said that Edmure is back in a cell (i.e. not necessarily at the Twins). I can’t check this particular fraction of a second in the Jaime/Walder Frey convo before I get my S6 DVD next week – then it might be one of the first things I look up, lol!
I hope it’s “a” instead of “his”, but the point is that if even a Jaime fan like me can get the impression that Edmure is back at the Twins, probably everybody else did, too. There are many Arya fans who want her to be a hero and free her uncle at the Twins. They wouldn’t have this fan speculation unless they were under the impression that Edmure was, indeed, at the Twins. 🙁 We’ll see.
HotPinkLipstick, I can see where you’re coming from, with the Vito Corleone thing. Stricktly speaking, if someone refuses your first offer, you’re under no obligation to stick to the terms of it… But it’s a bit cynical. The point of Jaime’s story, even in the show, is that he’s becoming less cynical. In the books he honours the terms of the first offer. Because he’s obsessed with honour (trying to regain at least a smidgeon of it himself, viewing others through the prism of honour etc.) Leading readers to question what exactly is “honour”?
Is it the be all and end all of all things, even if it leads into atrocities or standing by while atrocities are committed? Because, honour?
Exhibit A: Aerys II’s Kingsguard. Generally accepted as the greatest ever by people in Westeros at the time we’re observing. The honourablest of them all, Ser Barristan Selmy, serving a string of monarchs, most of them in conflict with each other; LC Gerold Hightower who told young Jaime not to judge the king and his actions, just stand to attention while Aerys burned people alive; Ser Jonothor Darry who told young Jaime they were to protect the royal family, but not from the king, while Aerys brutally raped Rhealla; the sainted Ser Arthur Dayne who apparently conspired against the king with the crown prince; Ser Oswell Whent with his dark humour, ditto; Ser Lewys Martell… Died at the Trident apparently fullfilling his oath, but he was Dornish and a great-uncle to Rheagar’s children; and Ser Jaime Lannister, 17, who committed the ultimate dishonourable act: killed the mad king to prevent him killing 500,000 innocents. Jaime had other motives, like not killing his father on the king’s orders (for no man is as acursed in the eyes of gods or men as a kinslayer) and just plain hating the old shit and what he did. Jaime killed the king that Robert, Ned, Jon Arryn and Tywin all wanted dead, and got vilified for it by them all (except daddy Tywin) for the rest of his life. Old gods and new, it’d be enough to turn anybody cynical!
Ah, I didn’t mean to write a long Jaime essay. Apologies. It’s just that I find him one of the most interesting characters in the books and even on the show while I await for his “character growth”.
My point about the sham that’s “honour” is that even in our modern world, people (mostly women) are shamed, tortured or even killed by their relatives for “besmirching” the family “honour”.
I don’t give a fuck for that kind of rigid “honour”. I prefer honesty and integrity.
Apologies, once again, for the overly long post. I doubt anybody will read it anyway 🙁 everybody will have moved to the newer thread. 🙂
Luka Nieto,
The photos of PAP4Y (the ones with ships) show the inner gate of Riverrun heavily burned from inside. Of course, there can be different ecplanations: an act of vandalism (hardly), a simple accident, or the inner gate of Riverrun will play a gate of some other castle, etc. However, the most legit assumption is that Edmure and/or Mallisers and Whents will be retaking Riverrun using destruction of the Freys and Jon’s alliance with the Vale and Littlefinger who is Lord Paramount of the Riverlands technivally. So, it would be easier, if Edmure were still at the Twins, when the shit hits the fan.
talvikorppi,
That said, I didn’t want to say that Jaime forgot his promise to bring Edmure and his Family to CR to promote them honourable captivity canditions. I am sure, Jaime gave orders both to the Freys and his own men in CR, but I imagine it took time for Roslyn to pack things and make other arrangements, so their departure to CR could have been delayed for several days, and then Walder’s death became a gamechanger.
Inga,
I just don’t see a place for yet another theater of war next season, and with literally no main character present much less so. Also, he haven’t heard anything about this. Nothing. I’d like it to happen, but I just can’t see it.
talvikorppi,
Oh, I agree that Aerys’ KG were generally a group of complete spineless twats who happened to be great fighters, Jaime being the exception. Not that Jaime wasn’t a great fighter, but he wasn’t a spineless twat.
I have no respect for a group of men who listen to a woman get raped and do nothing…for years. Jaime did nothing and it ate at him and disgusted him until he reached the point of drawing a line in the sand with Aerys and killed him, the most finest act.
StandOzone,
Yeah — I know thimble is equates to a kiss… still though it has worried me, and not for just larger symbolism the show has yet to reveal. She made a big deal in S5 about him making sure he took care of Little Sam, if something happened to her.
Well my God how many times has Cersei been tolled NEVER to meet them on the field.
Luka Nieto,
Probably both of us can illustrate an old rule that people see what they want to see and don’t see what they don’t want to. I see a power vacuum resulting a potential turmoil in the Riverlands; I see traces of intensive burning on the gate of the most important castle of that region; and I see that the so far minor role of a good-for-nothing Edmure was given to the top level actor. IMO, there should be some pay-off for all that especially taking into account that the Riverlands are of strategic importance both for the Lannisters and the Starks.
As for the main characters’ involvement, it may be indirect, but on the other hand who knows? During the period when the Riverrun gate was burnt, all the northern crew was present in Belfast. Yes, they filmed that high state scene for Ep1, but it’s practically confirmed that other scenes were filmed as well (Bran & Edd for instance). So, who knows what else did they filmed and who was in which scene? There were several characters last seen in the Riverlands. Let’s take Arya: she could have been attending the high stake northern scene, but she could have been filming something for the Riverlands plot. And we don’t need much time for the Riverlands plot, just 3-4 scenes: first, freeing Edmure; then some short set up with the Whents and Mallisters whose names were dropped in S6 establishing that they were pro-Tully and anti-Lannister; and finally a short action sequence on retaking the Riverrun. All in all some 20 minutes of the screen time. Not impossible.
So, IMO it’s worth to keep in mind that burnt gate instead of writing them off to an act of vandalism or whatever. But no offense: you may be right, I may be wrong, and it’s just a TV show, not war.
Inga,
Honestly, you’re convincing me. I still don’t think we’ll see a major setpiece in Riverrun, because I just can’t envision them wasting much of the limited budget or screentime in a place with no main characters, even if the place is important in the context of the story. Northern involvement in Riverrun would fix that —For example, Sansa and Arya could march Jon’s bannermen to Riverrun and help their uncle retake it. However, I can claim with some certainty that’s not gonna happen… And not just because of the leaks 😉
Nevertheless, now I’m thinking you may be right in your overall point. After (presumably) Arya frees Edmure, we could see a brief setpiece of Edmure taking back the castle, maybe as part of a montage of “things going bad for Cersei” in the mid-season. I’m imagining a sort of middle-ground between my initial position that we wouldn’t see Riverrun at all and your suggestion that we may see a major sequence set there. Remember how most battle scenes happened in the early seasons? We see the prepatations, the march to the castle… And then cut to the aftermath, saving a hell of a lot of money in actual battle scenes, yet still showing the plot point. What do you think? 🙂
PS. The Tully bannermen who rebel against the Freys and the Lannisters in season six are the Mallisters and Blackwoods, not the Whents. To excuse their failures to daddy, Black Walder and Lothar claim: “The Mallisters have risen against us. And the Blackwoods. The Brotherhood Without Banners is rallying the commoners against us, raiding our supply trains and camps.”
Luka Nieto,
I don’t see Riverrun as a major sequence either: 5 minutes at best, a surprise attack during which someone sets the gate on fire and forces the garrison to surrender, maybe a bit like Winterfel sequence after the BoB without a giant. We’ll see. And thank you for the correction: I don’t know why I have confused Whents for Blackwoods but I ment Blackwoods of course.