Callista

I can't understand why some people think we (those of us who believed in Dany) should have seen the foreshadowing. Dany's character was complex and could have gone either way (good or bad). Just because she committed violent acts in the past didn't mean she would automatically choose evil in the end, because she also did a lot of good; and that's why we didn't see her acts of violence/vengeance as automatic foreshadowing . After all, a character like Arya was also violent and vengeful for much of her story, yet she chose redemption in the end. So why is it hard for some people to understand that we also believed Dany could choose a better path in the end?

No. If some of them were really aiming higher, they wouldn't be content with simply being King in the North; they would also want to be king of all the 7 kingdoms. And the more cunning among them would see Dany as a means to reach that goal. For example, in the first few seasons, we saw the Boltons--Northerners--usurp the Starks. Do you really think they would have been content to remain simply Wardens of the North for the rest of their lives? Especially if the political situation had continued to work in their favor? But, as I've been saying, the writers wanted to focus on the main characters and their goals/problems, so they didn't bother with other political realities anymore.

That's what I was saying--it's unrealistic for every single Northerner to want to be independent of the Iron Throne. Realistically, some of them might be aiming higher and thinking that if they ally themselves with Dany and help her get rid of Cersei, then they might be able to place themselves in positions of power in Dany's court, or even find a way to get rid of Dany afterward and place a Northerner on the throne. Why settle for being one independent kingdom when the North could rule the 7 kingdoms? But, like I said, the writers simplified everything by making the Northerners unified in wanting an independent kingdom and nothing more, so that they could focus on their main storyline.

If the story had been more politically realistic, as it was in the first few seasons, lots of nobles would have wanted to ally with Dany when (or even before) she got to Westeros: people with grudges against the Lannisters, people who would see that allying themselves with Dany could be a way of increasing/gaining their own power, etc. If I remember correctly, in the books Victarion Greyjoy and the Martells were already seeking her out even if she wasn't in Westeros yet. This is also why I found the Northerners' unified hostility so unrealistic--I believe at least some of them would have wanted to get on her good side so that they could benefit from allying with her after the war against the dead. The Boltons can't have been the only power-hungry family in the North. But of course, this scenario would probably have been too complicated for D&D to write, so they settled for an overly simplified storyline.

Sansa survived mostly because she had plot armor galore, period. Just like the three remaining Starks. Sansa could have died when she and Theon escaped from Winterfell; just as Arya could have died when she was stabbed several times by the Waif or when KL was crumbling; or Jon could have died if Drogon had acted in character and burned him, or Bran could have died simply because of the harsh conditions beyond the Wall. But they all survived because D&D and George always meant for them to survive. It's not really their smartness, toughness, etc, that saves them in the end, but ultra-thick plot armor. Margaery could have survived if D&D wanted her to, but since she would obviously outshine Sansa with her savviness and charm, and since she is not one of the holy circle of remaining Starks, she had to be killed off. She's not yet dead in the books, though, so I hope George gives her a better fate; after all, he did say that some secondary characters would have different fates in the books.

I hope the last book includes an epilogue/appendices (like those in LOTR) which give us some idea of what happens after Tyrion, Sansa, etc. come to power. And I hope things do start getting messed up again--as you mentioned, a civil war because the other kingdoms haven't been granted their independence; some people on the council getting corrupted; etc. That would be much more realistic. The show's ending just seems too neat, even Disney-like, for me, with its implication that things are going to be better from now on because the [supposedly] "good" characters are in charge.

Well, that's why Tormund (the red-haired wildling I was referring to) is perfect for him.

Yes, I love how Jon found another red-haired wildling to be happy with. 🙂

VIEWERS TO GRRM: Will we get a better-written story in the books? GRRM: Ask me again in ten years.

That only confirms that she is a member of the council, because the Lord Commander of the King's Guard automatically becomes a member of the council.

Yeah, it's like Bran was secretly thinking: "I deserve much more than that frozen wasteland called the North, with all its fickle lords! My sister can have it though." I was very happy that Brienne was indeed on the council, because the initial leaks only mentioned that men would be on it. Happy that Pod survived, but a bit underwhelming to see him become Bran's official wheelchair-pusher. Oh well, maybe he could always become the Master of Whisperers--he's literally in the best position to whisper into Bran's ear. I wasn't happy that Arya and Yara's first and only conversation was antagonistic. And I don't understand why, during Arya and Jon's farewell, Arya was written as being determined never to go North again, not even to visit Jon. Some explorers do get to come home from time to time, don't they?

Won't you consider watching His Dark Materials before unsubscribing? 🙂

D&D will probably explain it away by saying, "Drogon didn't burn Jon because he was actually grateful to Jon. By killing Dany, Jon freed Drogon forever from his controlling mother. Now Drogon has his manhood back and is free!"

Then Bran comes back and says to Tyrion: "You were so beautiful in your white wedding dress..."

Unfortunately D&D like those types of scenes too: transforming strong women into weepy clinging vines. Maybe their counterpart to "All men must die" is "All women must be broken" (except Arya, I guess, because she is No One).