Maximum Taco

I don't think so. You don't show up in another person's territory with a gigantic army. It would be like showing up to someone else's house with a loaded and drawn gun. If the Boltons knew that Littlefinger was in Northern lands with his entire army, without them asking for his aid, they would definitely suspect he was up to something against them. The second scenario is possible but it would take way too long. For starters it's doubtful that the Night's Watch would have a raven to go specifically to Runestone (unless Ser Waymar had brought one all the way back in season 1 to send messages home), more likely they would need to send a message to the Eyrie, who would pass on the message (because they would have ravens to go to all of their sworn houses), and then a rider could be dispatched.

Personally I keep going back to the annoyance of how it's even possible. I guess Littlefinger told Sansa that he was at Moat Cailin, but ravens are trained to go to specific inhabited places. You have a raven for the Eyrie and it knows the way to the Eyrie and back to it's origin (I'm assuming they are Night's Watch ravens who would return to Castle Black.) You can't whisper to it "Find Petyr Baelish raven!" and expect it to go to him wherever he is. It's also doubtful they'd have one that knew it's way to a ruin like Moat Cailin, cause you'd never know if someone is there, it's a temporary encampment not a permanent residence. It would be like sending a letter in this day and age to an intersection and not an address. Also how can she be sure he's still at Moat Cailin? She told him she didn't want his help and to take off. How can she be sure that the Bolton's haven't retaken Moat Cailin? It's fortified against the south, but not impossible or even difficult to take from the North.

I also think we're past the point of major sympathetic character deaths. We have very little time left and anyone still living feels like they have a part to play in the story's endgame. We might lose antagonists, and "grey" characters but our obvious major sympathetic characters (Tyrion, Dany, Jon, Arya, Sansa, Bran) are likely safe, at least until the ending where anyone can die again. Maybe George has one more surprise death for us but I don't think so. So far the only major sympathetic characters to die are Ned and Cat, and they had to die to kick start or keep the story moving. For anyone mentioning Robb, I like Robb, but he was never a major character, he didn't have a POV.

Agreed. Who killed Joffrey? It wasn't Arya, or Robb, or Cat. All of whom would've been karmically appropriate. Sansa played a part to be sure, but I don't think anyone who knew what happened would say that he was killed by her. Who killed Roose Bolton (although it hasn't happened in the books yet)? It wasn't a Stark. Who killed Janos Slynt? It wasn't Arya or Sansa, the girls who saw him hold down Ned as Ser Ilyn came for his head. It was Jon, who killed him for disobeying a direct order. I suppose Brienne did kill Stannis, which was very appropriate, but that almost certainly isn't happening in the books. Sometime people get what's coming to them, but the person who's giving is not always karmically or narratively appropriate This is karmic justice. People get what's coming to them, somehow, without regard to who is doing the deed. What was discussed was karmic revenge. For instance if Bran was the one to chop off Jaime's hand that would be karmic revenge (you maim me, I maim you). The only real karmic revenge that's been dished out is Lady Stoneheart's brand (you kill my son, I kill yours) and ShowBrienne (you kill my king, I kill your king)

This was dumb, I hope the second part is better. Riley is upset because her friends didn't want to stay with her in the hole? She's right that friends don't abandon you, but friends also don't hold you back. And that's all she's doing. "Stay here with me, and do what I want!" If Lucas wants to go out and explore and go out for football she should be supporting him. I mean she believed he could go bull riding but now she doesn't think he can handle walking around a school or going out for a team? I do like Marley (Marlee?) a lot though. Cory needs somebody calling him on his increasingly poor teaching.

I feel the same way about other people though. Why did Ned trust Littlefinger when explicitly told not to? I think a lot of us would've done things much differently. Why did Robb feel the need to keep his true purpose from Edmure Tully? If I was him I'd be forthcoming to my subordinates. Sometimes Game of Thrones feels like a horror movie. "Don't do that! Why the hell are you going in there!? Get out of the fucking castle you dumbass!"

That doesn't really prove anything though, at least not in the books. In the Dance of the Dragons (not the book but the civil war between Aegon and Rhaenyra Targaryen) 4 "dragonseeds" become dragon riders. All are bastards and some not even proven to have any Targaryen ancestors, just rumoured to because the Targaryens are noted sluts that fuck anything that moves on Dragonstone, so any kid with white hair (and many others besides) is just assumed to be a Targaryen bastard. In the books Dany's dragons even take a liking to Brown Ben Plumm, which he attributes to him having "a drop of dragonblood" in him; he claims one of his ancestors was a Princess of House Targaryen. If Jon manages to tame a dragon it could just be that he had an ancestor who had an ancestor that was a Targaryen, or Jon's mother could be a whore who's own mother was a whore who fucked a Targaryen prince.

To be fair she hasn't unsheathed it yet. I suppose she did when she was fighting Ramsay Bolton's men, but I doubt Sansa thought to pay attention then. Any sword can be lavished in gold and rubies in the hilt. You wouldn't know it was Valyrian steel unless you saw the blade. I do agree that the Lion imagery should probably draw some looks though, it's very obviously a Lannister blade. That's how the Hound figures out that Brienne has been cozying up to Jaime.

Don't forget his army of "Cabin in the Woods" style killer unicorns. I was really hoping for that. Way to let me down Game of Thrones.

In a form I suppose, the Ironborn have the process of having one "rock wife" and as many "salt wives" as they want (and can take by paying the iron price.) While a salt wife is not officially a whore, or slave, they practically are (they only way in which they differ from slaves is they cannot be bought or sold with gold, only taken by the iron price), and are looked down upon in Ironborn society, and while their sons are free men and can inherit lands from their fathers, they come after all "rock" children. It wasn't the true polygamy practiced by the Targaryens though, usually their all wives were equal and all children were equal. True, which is what I said in the first place. Ned cut a deal to protect Arya and Sansa and to take the black. It was a good deal, had it been honoured. It simply wasn't worth the risk to lose the trial. But if he hadn't been offered the deal I'm sure he would've proceeded to trial, and I can't be sure he wouldn't have requested Trial by Combat if he got railroaded the way Tyrion did in his second trial. I think Joff would've definitely given him Trial by Combat, it's an almost holy right and denying Ned that would've alienated the smallfolk, and the Faith from the crown. Trial by Combat has always been an option for everyone and anyone. All he would need to do is demand it loudly and publicly at his execution, and they would've been forced to give it. Also in A Clash of Kings, trial by combat is Joff's favourite way of deciding things. He'd relish the chance to sic his dog on Ned (or his champion). In any case they certainly would've given Ned a trial if he didn't confess, they wouldn't have the gall to execute a high lord without some kind of indication of guilt. It would've been a kangaroo court, like the one Tyrion got, but it would've been a trial. His admission (or conviction) was what they were after, they needed it to quell the rumours that Joff and his siblings were bastards. If they executed Ned, without a trial, while he was adamantly calling out their bastardy, that would lay credence to Stannis' claims. If he's a confessed or convicted traitor, that detracts from the claims.

And he would've had a great chance facing a regular trial presided over by Joffrey and Cersei? And no chance is a little harsh, even in chains he's still the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. And he's also the son-in-law to the Lord Paramount of the Trident and he's spent a considerable amount of time in the Vale. I'm sure he could find someone to fight for him. Heck Tyrion was in the same position twice and found someone to fight for him, and all he needed to promise was gold, and a chance at revenge. Also remember that when Ned is in the Black Cells, the Mountain is raiding the Riverlands, Jaime has been captured by Robb. and Barristan had just been dismissed by Joffrey. Even if they summoned the Mountain back, they would have to give Ned the same opportunity to request his chosen champion come to King's Landing.

He wasn't on trial because he confessed. But he would've gotten a trial if he hadn't confessed.

They do have to volunteer as well. But if the High Sparrow asked Jaime, Jaime could accept the request but then just yield the fight immediately. Handing Cersei the win. He has no reason to fight, but he does have a reason to just give up. It hands Cersei the win. Ned didn't go the trial by combat route cause it wasn't worth the risk. If he confessed and surrendered he was promised that he'd get to take the black and that Arya and Sansa would be safe, and returned to Robb, the new Lord of Winterfell. He didn't want to take the risk of losing the trial and then also dooming his daughters.

He was a threat to the crown, but not because they thought anybody would name him King. Gendry isn't fit for the crown, it's pretty obvious. He has no idea how to wage war, or balance a budget, or quell a rebellion, or please the populace. He's a smith. Nobody is going to name an illiterate smith or a whore's child or a mule minder in the Vale, the King/Queen. He was a threat to the crown because his very existence (and Barra's, and Mya Stone's, and Edric Storm's) makes a pattern that Robert has the dominant genes, and raises questions about Joff, Myrcella and Tommen's legitimacy, questions that were already being raised by Ned Stark and Stannis. It's harder for them to dismiss them all as suspicious throne seekers, when there's living proof that can be pointed out. There's a very big difference between bastards like Gendry and Mya and those like Jon and Edric Storm. Jon was brought up in a noble household, just like Robb and Bran and Rickon he was taught how a High Lord runs his house. That's why Stannis has no problem promising him the North and the name of Jon Stark, cause he can do the job. Ditto for Edric, he was brought up at Storm's End as the recognized child of the King, and likely received the same education that any legitimate child of Storm's End would receive. Gendry is a street-rat smith, he knows how to smith.

I don't think Tyrion or Bran fit those archetypes. Unless the wide speculation that our Bran is in fact a time traveller and is also Bran the Builder is true. I don't see how Tyrion is a father though. The (still living) Fathers of the main group of characters are Davos, Jaime and arguably Sam. There are no Smiths, the only smith we know who is still living is Gendry. Also, The Seven have barely factored into the main story in a real way, it's not like R'hllor who sends visions and resurrects the dead, or the Old Gods who definitely have real power. The Seven don't seem like the same kind of religion, it's more like a modern religion, rules to live by, gods to give comfort, but no real supernatural or divine impact on the world. To introduce this kind of development so late seems a little sloppy.

It was never actually banned. Maegor I (the Cruel) was the last Targaryen to actively practice polygamy. Not sure if World Book stuff counts as spoilers, so just in case spoilers.

Trial by combat isn't necessarily to the death. Jaime would just accept the position as the Sparrow's champion, and then throw the fight before Mountainstein did any serious damage (no doubt Cersei would also tell Mountainstein to not kill Jaime), Jaime might even yield the fight before a blow is dealt. When you pick a champion you need them to have a stake in the fight.

Pens are coming up CLUTCH, Bonino in game 1, Sheary in game 2. Sharks just don't have the clincher when they need it. But as everyone always says, you aren't in trouble until you lose at home. San Jose can easily have this tied by the time they head back to Pittsburgh for Game 5. But the Pens are 2 wins away from the Cup! And that puts me 2 wins away from winning my bracket!! Let's Go Pens!!!

Oh wait, is it the Euron/Aeron Greyjoy chapter? Oh god I heard that was just awful. Like now he's just trying way too hard to be awful now. I heard about that, but didn't know it was that new. I really hope we don't have to suffer through that development on the show. I kind of actually like the show's Euron.

I think it's the second Arianne chapter, he posted it on his website on May 10th. I can see why Umbelina would hate it, not much happens, aside from one reveal at the end which most people knew was coming. It's very much a "Travelogue of Westeros" chapter.

Bran is the safest as far as I'm concerned. He seems to be on the path to becoming something of an immortal.

Hey if she marries Harry and bears him a child she also has a link to the Eyrie (obviously contingent on Sweetrobin's death.) It would be very weird if she were to wed Harry, get pregnant and then have Harry die in order to be available to wed Jon, but it's possible, hell it's wartime. Sansa could end up being a controlling factor in all 3 Northern kingdoms. Queen in the North indeed.

I agree, I'm pretty sure Sansa is going to survive the series. It seems that her storyline has been smushed into Arya's intended storyline. How much so will be revealed in the future, but Sansa is not on the path originally intended for her, that much is very clear.

Oh I'm sure we, as the readers/viewers will learn Jon's parentage with very little (if any) doubt as to it's validity. I'm a little skeptical as to whether Jon will. I keep coming back to GRRM's claim of a bittersweet ending, something about Jon being close to the throne (perhaps as Lord Commander of a King/Queensguard) but never knowing he should sit it is poignant to me. Anyway I was questioning the ability to prove it in universe to the realm, and therefore give him a legitimate claim to the throne, which I don't see as possible.

No. Jon had it made for Arya, where would he get Valyrian steel? Also the method for forging Valyrian steel has been lost, that's why there's so few Valyrian steel weapons. The only way to make a new Valyrian steel weapon now is to melt down and reforge an old weapon (Like Ice was used to make Widow's Wail and Oathkeeper.)