Boudicea

There is some similarities. The example of Robb also always makes me think that Rhaegar left a will behind. Robb knew that he was about to engage himself into more battles, and he made certain to leave a will. I think Rhaegar would have done the same thing before leaving to fight at the Trident.

Arthur Dayne would have done his Kingsguard duty, that is why he fought Ned in the first place, and all of the Kingsguard members tells Ned before the fight that they are part of the Kingsguard, and they swore a vow. He would have tried to stick to his vows. He properly would have taken Jon across the narrow sea into exile and he would have made plans for him to take back the Iron throne. He might have arranged some alliance with Dorne. If some of the other houses had known that Rhaegar had a living son, that might have created more alliances within Westeros. Since Viserys and Dany were also taken across the narrow sea it would have made sense for them to try and keep the family together. No, this never happened. Aerys threatened it at one stage in the past, but it never actually happened in any official capacity. It would have been pretty dumb, even by Aerys's standards, to try and denounce Rhaegar as the crowned Prince. Then Rhaegar would never have fought for him, he would just have joined the rebels. And after Rhaegar's death Aegon was still alive, once again if Aerys denounced Rhaegar and by extension Aegon, there would have been no help and protection from Dorne. Instead we know that Aerys actually kept Elia and the children around so that Dorne could send out some help towards the Royal army. The succession is very rarely changed or tampered with, even if Aerys actually did denounce Rhaegar it would not held up after Aerys's death. All of those Blackfyre rebellions was the result of tampering with the order of succession. It is something that would not have been repeated. Jon never really wanted to go to the Wall. That statement seems very wrong but if you really read the first few chapters of AGOT closely, you would realize that Jon does not really want to go to the Wall. Jon obviously feels a bit bad for himself because he is the bastard, but he also feels some resentment, as bastards are often seen as a creation of lust, and therefore some people see them as being untrustworthy and not good enough. Jon is a permanent reminder that the very honourable Ned Stark broke his vows. Even Jaime reminded Catelyn of this fact in one of their discussions. Jon is always a stain on Ned's name. That is why he wants to joins the Nights Watch, he wants to prove to everyone that he is different, that he is willing to serve a higher purpose and that he will walk away from his home to make the situation better or easier for everyone. He also has the ambition and idea of rising high within the Nights Watch and becoming a more important person. He wants to prove himself to his family through a noble act and he also want to show his competence through rising in the Nights Watch. But in truth he does not really want to go, we see this through Bran's eyes. Before Bran's fall he thinks to himself that Jon has finally gotten what he has always wanted, he is finally allowed to leave Winterfell and join the Nights Watch. Since Jon has now gotten what he has always wanted, Bran does not understand why Jon actually now seems even more unhappy and moody than before. Jon also removes himself further from everyone after hearing the news that he is allowed to join the Night Watch. The point of all that information is that it shows, a lot of actions and events had to take place in order for Jon to get into the Nights Watch. Jon talked about joining the Nights Watch and offered to join the Nights Watch, because he thought Ned would stop him from joining, in truth he secretly hoped that Ned would stop him from joining the Nights Watch and give him some position within the household. That is why Jon is so mopey and moody after receiving the news, he always hoped that he wouldn't just be pushed aside or out of the way by Ned. He tells the others within his his small Nights Watch circle that they should accept Sam, because he is just another outcast, a member of society that no one else wanted. In truth Ned was really not actually very keen on Jon joining the Nights Watch, it took a lot of events to bring that about. Jon Arryn had to die, Ned and Catelyn had to receive the letter from Lysa, Maester Lywin and Catelyn had to convince Ned because of the dangerous situation and Ned had to become the hand of the King. Ned had to leave Winterfell quickly. All of these events conspired together so that Jon could get into the Nights Watch at this stage. If the story was written just one fraction differently then Jon would not have ended up in the Nights Watch. There is actually some very, very excellent fanfiction about what Jon's life might have been if Rhaegar had survived the battle at the Trident. Here is an example: http://archiveofourown.org/works/2854958/chapters/6399425 In this story Jon's character actually remains very similar, because he is still treated like a second class citizen or the outcast by some of the Royal Family and prominent people within Kings Landing. He thinks that people always blame him for the rebellion.

At the moment it actually just seems a bit too easy for Dany to take over Westeros. She has over a hundred thousand soldiers, hundreds of ships and alliances within Westeros. Cersei is not going to be a match for her. My guess is that Dany will be in opposition against the Starks at some point. When she gave her breaking the wheel speach the Starks were mentioned. When Tyrion made his silly joke about a Lannister, Martell and a Stark, Missandei asked him why he was making jokes about their enemies. The Starks were a big part part of Robert's rebellion, and they have just declared independence once again. The Knights of the Vale were also cheering and calling Jon the King in the North, so the Vale could be a part of the North now. It makes for a far more interesting nuanced type of storytelling to pit Dany against the Starks, then for her to just destroy Cersei. At the moment Dany has all of the advantages in her corner, but I suspect it will not be as easy as it seems to be at the moment. Dany is still a foreign invader and she is bringing in thousands of Dothraki, they are know rapers and pillagers. She might control them better than the previous Khals but it is almost impossible to control thousands of people perfectly. Dany has also aligned herself with Dorne and with the Iron Islands, those houses are not exactly the most popular within Westeros. Dany has been freeing slaves, but the people within Westeros are not slaves, they also gain something from their overlords at times. For example the Starks are known to feed their peasants in the Winter. Dany obviously has dragons, but how many people is she going burn or how many people will she be prepared to burn? Dany has good intentions, but she could easily look like a tyrant to the population within Westeros. And then there is always logistics to think about, Westeros has been ravished with the war of the five King, how is Dany going feed thousands of soldiers? The weather is also a major factor to consider, the Dothraki comes from a desert-like area, all of these people have never known winter or true cold. If the anyone tries to invade the North they will die, it is very difficult to survive in the North in the middle of winter. Thousands of soldiers running around in the dead of winter with the Knights King animating corpses also seems like a recipe for disaster. We also don't know what Bran's powers exactly entails, if he is able to warg into a dragon then things could be very interesting.

I do think a lot of characters will die. But I just have a feeling that they might keep Littlefinger and Cersei around to die next season. Both of them could die during the middle or early in season 7. I think Cersei will see Dany and Tyrion before she dies. In the show she will just remain in the ruins of Kings Landing, Dany and Tyrion will arrive to find an abandoned Red Keep. In the books I really think Cersei will flee to Casterly Rock, but as you said they don't have to include that in the show. It would almost be more tragic to have Cersei wandering around the ruins of the Red Keep after everyone has died. But I wouldn't mind if Cersei and Littlefinger were killed off in the finale.

I could foresee an interesting way for Littlefinger to die in episode 10. But honestly I don't think Littlefinger will die this season. Sansa would have to arrange a secret meeting with Littlefinger in the Godswood. She would arrange this meeting under the guise that she is planning something against Jon and that she wants Littlefinger to be a part of her plans. But it would all be a rouse. Littlefinger would go into the godswood where Sansa, Jon and Ghost are waiting for him. And then we will learn that Jon actually knows what happened in Kings Landing, and that he knew Littlefinger was the one who held a knife to Ned's throat and that he was also the one who betrayed Ned. Jon knew this information all along because once Jonos Slynt arrived at the Wall he bragged about it. Once Sansa reveals this information to Littlefinger they set Ghost on him. I think something like this could have worked if they were going to kill off Littlefinger this season. I have been thinking for a while now that Tyrion will actually be the one who kills Cersei. Or it seems very likely to me that it will happen in the books, I am not sure about the show, but I could see it happen in both mediums. After Tommen's death and the events at Kings Landing, Cersei would likely decide to take flight, she could go to Casterly Rock. GRRM has spoken about Casterly Rock and that we will see Casterly Rock in TWOW. Meanwhile Tyrion will perhaps advice Dany to attack Casterly Rock when she does invade Westeros. Tyrion knows Casterly Rock very well because of his work on the sewer system. He might know a way into the Castle which would reduce the risk of loss. While attacking Casterly Rock he would come across a mad Cersei, and he would strangle her to death. It works well, because it gives the idea that the prophecy was correct, but at the same time if you look at the reality of the true events you will realise that Cersei brought this upon herself because she was to consumed with the prophecy. It is only because of Cersei's own decisions that she finds herself in that moment, facing Tyrion. It is her own actions that makes the prophecy come true. If it happens in the show then Cersei will not leave Kings Landing, she will walk around there through the ruins half mad. Dany and Tyrion will arrive to find Kings Landing burned down with the half mad Cersei inside. What happens to Jaime is more tricky. At one stage it is said that Cersei and Jaime are a mirror image of each other and that they would leave the world as they were born, together. But I think that has passed, because once Jaime loses his hand and shaves his head they really start to look different from each other, we also know that Cersei gains weight and looks different. They started together but they have grown apart, starting with their physical appearances they really aren't twins anymore. Perhaps what could happen is that Jaime would be devastated after hearing about Tommen's death, and Cersei's part in that. He might also feel guilty about the wildfire explosion, because he really should have done something with that information. He should have organized search parties for that wildfire. Or perhaps he will just be broken about Cersei after she did exactly what Aerys threatened to do. Cersei would be dead to him. After receiving that shocking news, Kings Landing the Iron Throne and the Lannisters will practically be finished, so perhaps he would just decide to throw himself towards the mercy of the Starks. He might decide to go with Brienne back to Winterfell or he will go to Winterfell if Brienne dies along the way. The point is that Brienne plants the seed of going to the Starks. I think he might unconsciously know some interesting information regarding Rhaegar. If Jon learns about his true parentage then Jaime could actually tell him something about the Targaryens and Rhaegar. I think Bran might actually be the one who would advocate to keep Jaime alive. I am not sure how long Jaime would live, but I ve always had the idea that if he is alive or still around at the end, he might end up in the Nights Watch, if they still exist. There is some interesting opposite parallels between Jon and Jaime with their oaths to the Nights Watch and the Kingsguard. Jaime's cloak is also often described, there is the idea that he might turn his white cloak and it would become a black cloak. It is only when Jaime places himself at the mercy of the Starks that he would receive true redemption. Before the events in Kings Landing Jaime might be successful in his siege against Riverrun. But we will see Arya killing Freys at a second Red Wedding with a pack of wolves. So Jaime's small victory at Riverrun would turn out to be for nothing, especially after he hears the news about Kings Landing. He could give Riverrun back to the Starks. Another option is that Jaime is present at this second Red Wedding and he gets killed with the other Freys. It is a bit illogical to only blame Robb for everything. The other houses also trusted the Boltons. The Boltons betrayed the whole North and they are also responsible for killing their fellow Northmen. All of the houses might not be happy with the Starks, but they certainly wouldn't be comfortable with Ramsay either. Ramsay has already started to flay other Lords, he is unstable and he will do whatever he wants. He would never help any of the other houses during the winter or offer any support. So while some of them might not to happy about the Starks, their other choice currently is Ramsay. If Ramsay is your only other choice then there really isn't much choice at all. If Roose was in charge then it would be a different story, but Ramsay is just to uncontrollable.

It is more likely that Arya would team up with Jon than Sansa. That war council was a bit strange, because they dont really know each other well and they dont really known if they can trust each other. Hmm I might be very wrong, perhaps it is just wishful thinking on my part. But I thought Jon was acting like a good commander would act during that war council. I think it was Tyrion or someone who has mentioned how Tywin would keep quiet and just listen to what everyone had to say, and while listening to everyone he would make up his mind about the best strategy and inform everyone about his decision after the discussion was over. I think that is what Jon was doing, he waited and listened to everyone and after the main points was aired, he suggested that their strategy should be towards recruiting the smaller houses. This is one area that the show has never really touched upon with Jon. Jon really has a great understanding of Northern politics in the books. I hope we do get to see a glimpse of that this season, instead of just having Jon as the action hero. I have thought that there might be some divide between Jon and Sansa for the North somewhere down the road. But I did not think it would come from Sansa herself, I thought if it was going to happen it would rather be through the houses and the support that they are willing to lend to the cause. I dont think the North cares that much about bastards, in general they might be more concerned with strength. It would be quite illogical for Sansa to actually mistrust Jon. He did not suggest himself for the position as the leader of the North, he was reluctant. If Sansa wants to be in charge then Jon would not stand her way, she does not really have a reason to believe that he would try and steal her position. She is the one who suggested that he should be the leader. I think Sansa is very right to mistrust Littlefinger, it would perhaps be better if she just spoke to the Lords of the Vale directly. But she shouldn't be lying to Jon. If she told Jon about all of her dealings and experience with Littlefinger, then he would support her decisions in regards to Littlefinger. She is sitting right there, and giving her own input into the war council, therefore she doesn't really have a reason to think that Jon wouldn't listen to her opinions, he was doing it right there. Right now she has just weakened her position with Littlefinger. She is obviously going to have to ask for his help at some stage in the future, and then Littlefinger would be in a position of power because she would really need his help. No Benjen was in Winterfell during the rebellion. It was actually strange for him to take the black directly after the rebellion. Rickard Stark was killed their big brother and heir Brandon was killed, and their sister was killed. Ned was still alive, but at that stage Robb was an infant. In reality there was not that many options for the Stark line of succession. It would have made more sense for Benjen to marry into a Northern family, but Benjen still decided to go to the Nights Watch at a very young age. As have been stated above, it seems likely that Benjen might have known something about the relationship between Rhaegar and Lyanna, and he perhaps felt guilty for not telling anyone about it. Benjen and Lyanna was very close, they grew up together while Ned was in the Vale. Thus, it is also likely that Benjen has always known that Jon is not Ned's son. The whole situation between Lyanna and Rhaegar was incredibly stupid, and it clearly displays some incredibly bad judgment, from both parties. There really isn't any other way to describe it. But at the same time it is also incredibly romantic and tragic. I guess it is a situation that speaks to the fact that we are human and we make mistakes. Love is not logical, throughout the ages people have done some very stupid things in the name of love. It goes to the idea that if you are really in love, you lose your head, or your ability to think clearly. I do think this is also why this is the only reason any other excuse or explanation of what happened between Lyanna and Rhaegar does not really make sense. The only thing that really makes sense is that they fell in love, and made a huge error in judgment, because they are human and humans make mistakes and people can do illogical things in the name of love. It is exactly the illogical nature of the act that makes it so romantic. Enough with calling the Starks just dumb or stupid. The Starks have made some mistakes, but they are also being punished for their mistakes much more than many others. It is strange how people want to call them out for being dumb and failures when they are being punished or when they are suffering. We have seen almost every single person make some silly mistakes but not everyone has to wear the same amount of the brunt of their mistakes as the Starks. We see people like Joffrey and Cercei make dumb mistake after mistake, without much punishment. We see Dany not doing such a great job of ruling in Mereen, and yet she has just gained another army while her advisors are working on her mistakes. The Starks in general does not make any more mistakes than most of the players within the game, their punishment just seems to be harder.

Thanks for the better detail!

I think Jon will go South in season 7. If he goes South he would have to travel through the Neck, when he travels through the Neck he could meet-up with Howland Reed. I think the missing piece of the puzzle, or the piece that will prove Jon's parentage is Rhaegar's will. It is customary for someone to make a will before leaving for a big battle or a dangerous mission. Robb made a will before leaving for the Twins, and before he could implement his plans for taking back the North. It makes sense that Rhaegar would have left a will at the Tower of Joy, with either Lyanna or with the Kingsgaurd. This will could state that Rhaegar and Lyanna was married, and that Jon is a legitimate heir in the line of succession. This will could perhaps be in the possession of Howland Reed. In the books Howland Reed will also have some knowledge of Robb's will. Or this will is in Lyanna's tomb. If Ramsay receives Rickon as a gift he will have less of an incentive to attack the Nights Watch. He might also hear about the Wildlings, and perhaps that would make him think twice about attacking Castle Black. I honestly dont think there will really be anyone important on those crosses. The crosses are obviously just there to intimidate an approaching army. It tells the soldiers that if they caught or if they lose they will end up in a similar position. The crosses are there to instill fear. It seems like we will know the names of two of the people on the crosses, but I think it will be completely unimportant characters. Or barely known characters. I also think that Sansa will appear in 9 episodes this year, she was also in 9 episodes last year. Jon could potentially be in 10 episodes this season. It also depends on what happens in episode 8. Episode 8 will have the siege of Riverrun, it depends on if they will focus solely on that siege for one episode. I am not sure it will happen, I think it is more likely that the Battle of the Bastards will receive an episode where they only focus on the battle. I think the show could do better by leaving out Tyrion and Arya for an episode or two. Those two story lines have less happening then some of the others at this stage. But of course they will not leave Tyrion out. I am struggling to figure out what exactly Jon and Sansa will be doing. It has been stated more then once by Sophie Turner and Liam Cunningham that Sansa will have a big season this year and that she will have more authority. But now Kit Harington has also stated that Jon will have a big season this year, and that this season will be bigger then his season 5 arc. Having Sansa and Jon together creates somewhat of a clash with what has been said. Which of those those two will really be in command, for example? How will the their duties be allocated?

You kind of get the feeling that Rickon needs to do something, but he is just to young in the books. If Rickon is not going to do something, then something has to happen with Rickon. He is in somewhat of a similar position then Shireen, character wise. Many people also thought that Shireen would survive to continue the Baratheon line, but she was killed. If Rickon gets killed it would open up the succession in the North, so his death would not be about shock value. Keeping Rickon hanging around in the story as a spare is not exactly great storytelling either. It also does not seem like something GRRM would do, there needs to be some kind of role for Rickon other then being a spare Stark. I also think that Winterfell will be safe from the White Walkers, Winterfell and the Wall was build by Brandon the Builder. Just like the Wall is guarded with magic Winterfell could also be guarded by magic. But I dont think the final battle will be at Winterfell. The White Walkers needs to reach the South, otherwise what is the point of them being such a big threat? If they just stay in the North then they will be a Northern problem. I think there has been too much of an emphasis on Southerners who thinks that the Wall and the Nights Watch is a joke, or who thinks that the White Walkers did not exist. The White Walkers really needs to actually terrorize the South. In the House of the Undying Dany sees a vision of herself fighting a battle on the Trident, I think that is where the last stand will be, if there is a final big battle. As for Sansa surviving until the end, I am 50/50 on her surviving. In GRRM's original outline Sansa was not one the characters who survived until the end. Tyrion, Jon, Dany, Arya and Bran were named as characters who survived until the end. A lot of GRRM's story has changed from the original outline, but I am not so sure that the ordinal outline of the main characters have changed that much. It is much more difficult to predict who would survive after the battle or the White Walker threat. The only one who is likely guaranteed to survive is Bran. Everyone always thinks that Tyrion will survive but I am not 100% sure of that either, Tyrion killed his father and his lover, at some point I think those deaths will come back to him. I think all of the characters who has committed some of the greatest sins such as betraying guest rights or kinslaying, will punished, in some manner. Therefore I am not 100% sure that Tyrion will survive after the White Walkers. Arya could die there is theory about Arya finding her pack after death by warging into Nymeria. Jon could die during the battle of the White Walkers, and Dany as well. Or they could just as likely all survive, but they will be broken people. Sansa has one big mark against her surviving the series, and that is her purpose in the fight against the White Walkers. As the final act of the story approaches we are moving more towards the White Walkers and away from the political aspects of the story. All of the other Stark siblings have spent their time honing their skills in preparation for the fight against the White Walkers. It is difficult to see what Sansa will do, or what her purpose would be in the fight against the White Walkers. There likely would not be conflict between them directly, but succession is also dependent on support. These are some interesting times. The Northern Lords might be divided about the succession in the North. Some of them might support Sansa and some of them might support Jon. Jon needs the North to stand together to fight against the White Walkers. Sansa and Tyrion has no claim to the throne. The war between the Starks and the Lannisters are over, any remaining trace of that rivalry will die with Cercei. Tyrion is not exactly popular within Westeros, he is known as a kinslayer. Even if he does something good in the fight against the White Walkers it would not change those facts completely. If Westeros needs any unification it is much more likely that we will see a union between the Targaryens and the Baratheons, or a union between the North and the South which would be a Stark and Targaryen, or perhaps a Tyrell and a Stark. Or some union with Dorne. Having Sansa and Tyrion as rulers in the end makes no sense. The only way for them to become a Queen or a King would be to marry a King or a Queen, or through conquest which also seem highly unlikely. The closest thing that could apply is Sansa as the Queen in the North. Jon needs the North to stand together in order to be able to put up some defense against the White Walkers. The Nights Watch is done, the Wildlings will kill a lot of Nights Watch members, and when the Wall falls the Nights Watch will be completely wiped out. That is why Jon really needs the North, he needs what is left of the Northern army and needs to be able to command the the Northern army. The future of the North is filled with looming battles. The Boltons and their allies needs to be eliminated, there is also a White Walker threat and harsh winter conditions. These are really difficult and extraordinary times. Rickon can not be the King in the North or the Lord of Winterfell under these conditions, so he will need a regent. Or he could be killed. Sansa is next in the line of succession, she is the first and true born daughter of Ned Stark. Naturally she will have some support. But she has also spent the last few years in the South, she does not really understand the North. She does not understand true winter conditions and she has no battle experience. She was also married to a Lannister, and a Bolton in the show. Jon is a bastard, it is likely that many Northern Lords will not like his association with the Wildlings and he was in the Nights Watch. So he does have a lot against him. But he does understand winter, he has experience in being a leader and being a battle commander. In the books in makes even more sense. The North and the South have different politics and philosophies. He looks like Ned. He was taught about politics and battles alongside Robb. He has an excellent understanding of Northern politics, and Robb's will is floating around somewhere. I could see that there might be some Lords who would support Jon over Sansa. If Jon's parentage is somehow made public then Jon and Sansa might be pressured towards a political marriage. I think the show could or will go in a different direction with this. I could see Sansa becoming the ruler in the North, show Sansa is more assertive then book Sansa and she is already in the North. I dont think Sansa will become the Queen in the North or the Warden of the North in the books. Her trajectory or story so far has really nothing to do with being a ruler. She is learning from Littlefinger, he is not ruler or leader. He is someone who will work more from the shadows behind the ruler. Sansa is learning how to move these pieces from behind the leader, she is learning more about Southern style politics. Dany and Jon for example has arcs that are more geared towards being rulers, they are constantly learning from different advisers and mentors, and they are identified or placed in the position of a leader almost right from the start of the story. If Sansa where to become the Oueen in the North or the Warden of the North it would not earned through her experiences within the story. Ruling is very difficult, that seems to be a consistent theme within the story. We have seen others like Robb, Cercei, Jon and Dany becoming rulers and we have seen them struggling, and we have seen them wrestling with the most difficult or impactful decisions. Sansa does not have this experience, and she really hasn't made any big decisions or decisions that has a big impact on others. If Sansa does become the Queen in the North within the show then we would have to see some continuation of this theme about ruling, it has to be really difficult for her, or otherwise it would lack continuity with the other the characters.

Theon was a Ward of the Starks and he was treated as such, that is far different from being a prisoner. Ned was completely duty bound and if it came to it he would have done his duty and executed Theon. However, when you actually look at the political landscape it would have been much better for the North and the Crown if they just deposed Balon, and put Theon in his place. That would have given everyone a nice new alliance, and that is properly what would have happened if Balon rebelled again. Being mocked by a whore, really? That was exactly the problem with Theon, he was still acting like a teenager, why would any mature man worry about being mocked by a whore? Theon was treated as one would expect the heir of the Iron Islands to be treated, in other words he was treated according to his status. He had servants, he and Robb was constantly together, he received the same training and education as the heir of Winterfell. He would not have received that same education on Pyke. At diners and ceremonies he was treated according to his rank, whilst Jon Snow for example had to hang out with the common guards. Even Theon thinks to himself that Jon is jealous of him because he gets better treatment then Jon. Theon also reflected how his older brothers always to beat him, and that it was actually much better in Winterfell. The Starks are one of oldest and noblest houses in the realm many other houses would have been happy to send their children there as wards. I am not saying Theon should be forever grateful to Starks and see them as his family or something. But Theon wasn't a boy anymore when he left Robb to go back to the Iron Island but he certainly acted like a child and quite stupidly, he didn't really to earn anything he had the idea that the rest of the world owned him something.

Theon's situation is much more complicated then just being a hostage who was treated kindly at times. The system of wardship was very common. Noble houses who were prone to conflict often exchanged wards. Like Robert and Ned growing up together and building a bond like brothers, it was done in order to foster and build a better relationship between the houses for the future. Even if Balon Greyjon did rebel or act out against the agreement he had with the Crown, it is very highly unlikely and doubtful that Ned Stark of all people would actually have done anything to Theon. There would have been a few other options as well, they could have tried to crushed the rebellion again (the Ironborn just doesn't have the capacity to hold onto other lands), and they could just depose of Balon and replaced him with Theon. The idea of Theon being a ward was properly also to cultivate a relationship between Theon and Robb. Previously there was always problems with the Ironborn, if Theon and Robb had a relationship they could have cultivated a peace or a proper relationship between the North and the Iron Islands for the first time in history. In any event if Balon did actually rebel whilst his son was in the hands of his "enemies", it would obviously mean that he cared little for the life of his only heir, and there would not have been much of a point to actually kill Theon if his father simply did not care. When you look at the political landscape Theon was actually in a pretty good position. Basically the "hostage" situation is more complicated then many people give it credit for. Theon creates or worsens his so-called hostage situation is own mind, to excuse and justify his actions. You have to look between the lines to see how Theon was actually treated by the Starks. Basically he was treated just like any other normal ward would have been treated. He gets the same training and education as Robb, he really grows up next to Robb. He gets treated or is shown respect for his position as the heir to the Iron Islands. We see this through his reflections. He often reflects that Jon is jealous of him because he is treated with more respect then Jon. For example with feast he was seated on the dais where someone of stature would sit, whereas Jon has to be seated at the furthermost end of the hall with the lower ranking guards. When Catelyn discovers there is a conspiracy to kill Bran after the assassination attempt, she includes Theon into her trust. Theon also reflects that he and Sansa might have gotten married, if things went differently. So clearly if you look at how Theon was actually treated, then it would seem like he was treated just like any Ward would have been treated. Theon's problems mainly goes back to his level of maturity, and his ego. He is stuck is in a very patriarchal society, where men have a lot to proof and where he just did not grow up fast enough, he basically acts like a teenager when we meet him at first. His story is tragic one, because perhaps he might have learned a few lessons along the way it there was more time, but the war breaks out and the time for growing up end abruptly. Theon is a bit like a male Sansa at the start, only he was much older and properly should have known better. He listens to peer pressure and craves recognition, which is not dreadful in itself but his timing was bad. He also suffered from having a terrible father. In the end Theon learned, in the most brutal, possible way. This is a theme that is often touched upon, you might be suffering from being treated unfairly or by not being recognized but things can always go so much worse. Again if you compare Jon and Theon, Jon went to the Nights Watch with a big attitude and he saw himself as being better then the others around him. But unlike Theon he quickly learned that he had to earn respect, and that things isn't always a given because of your position, and even if you have your problems there are others who grew-up much worse then you did. Theon saw himself growing up as a victim of the Starks, he realized to late that Winterfell were the only place where he was ever treated like family, and he is the one who destroyed that forever. There is a theory that those 13 leaders or elders of the Others are the first 13 Lord Commanders of the Nights Watch, because the Nights King was the 13th Lord Commander of the Nights Watch, and all of them might be Starks. There is also a theory that the Nights Kings did not actually take an Other as his Queen, but a daughter of the Barrow King. There is a tale of a curse on the Barrowlands, the Barrow Kings where the first Kings of the North, and if anyone grew to be more powerful then them, then they would be weakened and turned into a corpse like being. Jon will most likely still get the Pink Letter. If Sansa and Theon escapes it is obvious that Ramsey would think that they might go to Jon. If he writes to Jon and tells him to return Sansa and Theon, and threatens to attack the Night's Watch, then Jon would not really have much of a choice but to ride out and meet Ramsay somewhere in the field. Castle Black can simply not be guarded from the South, if Ramsay attacks the Nights Watch from the South then they are all dead. If Jon rallies the Wildlings or the rest of the Nights Watch members see that the Wildlings are listening and following Jon, then it could make them very suspicious of Jon's motives. It would look to them as if Jon is the new King Beyond the Wall. Of course in actually fact the true Nights Watch vows says absolutely nothing about not taking part in the politics of the realm, it is more of an unspoken rule or agreement. I think Jon would have to decide to break his vows for the greater good of protecting the realms of men. I think the King Crow reference is a sneaky shout-out or recognition to Mormont's raven, who called Jon, King, a few times and who some people believe are being warged by Bloodraven. I am not convinced that Jon will actually die, I think he could just be gravely injured. But the situation with Stannis is interesting. When Melisandre's talked about her vision the previous week, she actually said a very interesting thing to Stannis. She told Stannis she is certain that he will win this battle because she saw herself walking on top of the battlements of Winterfell. The interesting thing is that she said herself, she did not actually say that she saw Stannis. So Stannis might be in a very dangerous position right now, perhaps Melisandre will still go back to the wall before the end of the season. Which ironically makes him the perfect ruler, but I do think that he would hate to be King.

I find it interesting that a lot of people are complaining about how slow the season sometimes are, but at the same time it seems like people are missing some plot points, or they simply misunderstand some plot points. - As far as the poison goes, I think the main idea is that Oberyn used poison, and his daughters has learned that from him. The poison he used against the Mountain also wasn't fast acting poison. There could be some sense in using a slow poison, perhaps you dont want your foe to die perhaps you might still need information or something. If you use slow poison then you could still decide if the person will die or not. But obviously this isn't even a major plot point, it is a minor detail, and seems a bit like nit picking. - Lancel did not suddenly "unburden" himself, he clearly told Cercei in episode one that he had confessed all of his crimes. The High Sparrow has known about Cercei's relationship with Lancel right from the start, he just waited until the right opportunity to use this information. For me it was pretty clear that the gift Littlefinger referred to was actually Olyvar. Olyvar presented himself as Loras's squire during the hearing, while he has clearly been working in Littlefinger's brothel. That information should help to make his testimony unreliable. - The houses in the North are in a difficult situation, it does make much more sense for them to wait a bit before choosing a side. If they sided with Stannis and he loses against the Bolton's then there would be hell to pay. What's left of the Northern houses cant really show open support for Stannis right now, and what reason would they really have to support Stannis in any case? He is just another Southern King to them at the moment. If Stannis had Jon, Bran or Rickon to install in Winterfell then they would have had a reason to support Stannis openly. But at the moment they might as well do nothing, they fear the Boltons and the Boltons does have a Stark and they themselves are a still a Northern family. If Stannis does actually win the battle of Winterfell, then it would be much easier for them to support Stannis. - I really say much about people meeting up at the same places occasionally, that is just something that happens in every single story, and there aren't that many different inns and roads to use. When it comes to a Game of Thrones you should sometimes wait before nitpicking to much, very often some scenes or situations might seem out of place or unnecessary at the time, but with time the answers or reasons for those scenes are also revealed. Littlefinger is a very good example here, we simply dont understand all of his plots, but as time goes on things are revealed. (Another lame example is Loras's birth mark being mentioned in episode one, that seemed like useless information at the time, but this useless information was used again in episode 6 when Olyvar testified against Loras). You just cant always expect an answer to everything in the one episode, that is why this show lends itself very well to being binge watched. Also to add to that, once you become a Maester you lose your name. The Citadel does not acknowledge family names, you only use your first name. This is because Maesters are suppose to completely neutral, they cant show alliance to any house. So strictly speaking people are not suppose to know who Maester Aemon actually is. Maester has literally been up at the wall for so long that people have actually forgotten about him.

I dont know if Littlefinger actually wants sit on the iron throne, perhaps that is his plan. But I think he would like to next Tywin.

Succession has always been more complicated then the basic principles of succession. If you have a big enough army or political power then you can just about do anything. In Westeros if you have dragons, like the early Targaryen's then you could get away with anything. But strictly speaking going by the basic principles of succession, this isn't actually complicated case. Jon would basically be the only male heir of the crowned prince, if he was legitimate. That is the basics, and that would put him in line before Dany, in any event Westeros is a patriarchal society the crown does not get passed on to women. If Robert's rebellion did not take place and Dany was the only surviving heir to the throne, then she would properly have been in the same position as Matilda where they would never really accept her as a Queen in her own right, and where her son Henry II, was eventually recognized as the king. But of course this whole situation isn't a normal case of succession, there are way to many other factors that have an influence on this situation. All of this is pretty much a moot point in any case, Jon simply doesn't care about titles, he has already refused to become the Lord of Winterfell. He is one of the few characters in a leadership position who isn't fighting for himself or for a crown. Even if he does learn the truth about his parentage, it will properly not change his position much, and this whole story would be very difficult to prove in any case. Agreed, at the end of the day it is all very much a moot point.

That is not really how succession works, succession is always about the firstborn son, the throne is passed on from the firstborn son to the firstborn son. You just have to look at history for a good example. Edward the Black Prince died about a year before his father Edward III. Thus he was never a king, but when his father Edward III died the throne did not go to one of his brothers, the throne still went to the son (Richard II) of the Black Prince. So Jon's claim would definitely be better then Dany's claim. But Jon is much more of a North man, he has too much Starkness to care about a throne in the South. I cant see him going around trying to raise an army to fight for his claim on the throne. Jon has much greater concerns he is about the person in the realm who cares about the coming fight with the white walkers.