HBO's Game of Thrones

[Flystripper]

Regarding Jon Snow's parentage, I've been wondering if he's actually not Ned's kid, but rather the offspring of Rhaegar and Lyanna. He's said to look very much like Ned, more so than the other Stark boys, but perhaps Lyanna being his mother could explain that? I've started reading the books again but am not far along so my theory probably has other problems. But if this were true it would allow Dany and Jon to get married and restore Targaryen rule over the 7 kingdoms, with Tyrion acting as hand or something. Too happy an ending for Martin, I assume.

This is a great theory and makes a ton of sense, especially with what we know about Ned's character. He was not the type of man to betray his wife with an affair, but is the type of man to lie to his wife to protect the honor of his sister and safety of her offspring. The books don't shed any light on this theory yet, but I like it.

[SandYFan]

Still awaiting the results of the paternity test in Winterfell.

I just mean Ned was always sort of shifty when it came to Jon. I wouldn't be shocked if it was someone else's son, and Ned raised Jon out of his sense of nobility and duty.

[SandYFan]

The motivation behind the Hound-Brienne fight also seemed very thin. Perhaps that was also intended, to portray the ease with which misunderstanding can lead to bloodshed in this world, but I didn't find it satisfying.

I actually found the motivations to be very real. The Hound sniffs out the Lannister gold immediately, and as far as he's concerned, the Lannisters want Arya so they can prevent the North from rising again (not to mention the bounty). And for Brienne, who knows what the Hound is doing to Arya? He could very easily be mistreating her in more ways than one, and so in her eyes, Arya clearly needs rescuing.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I actually found the motivations to be very real. The Hound sniffs out the Lannister gold immediately, and as far as he's concerned, the Lannisters want Arya so they can prevent the North from rising again (not to mention the bounty). And for Brienne, who knows what the Hound is doing to Arya? He could very easily be mistreating her in more ways than one, and so in her eyes, Arya clearly needs rescuing.

Yeah, that made perfect sense to me. That was an awesome fight scene, btw.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I've always suspected it was a Targaryen as well.

This is one of the very popular theories about Jon Snow's mother.

[Paperback Writer]

Regarding Jon Snow's parentage, I've been wondering if he's actually not Ned's kid, but rather the offspring of Rhaegar and Lyanna. He's said to look very much like Ned, more so than the other Stark boys, but perhaps Lyanna being his mother could explain that? I've started reading the books again but am not far along so my theory probably has other problems. But if this were true it would allow Dany and Jon to get married and restore Targaryen rule over the 7 kingdoms, with Tyrion acting as hand or something. Too happy an ending for Martin, I assume.

I subscribe to this theory as well. Wonder how Jon Snow will be able to leave the Black Watch since he's vowed to never marry and have kids. Maybe there is a "Get out of Jail Free" card for marrying your aunt and becomming "King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm".

[MarkGrace]

I actually found the motivations to be very real. The Hound sniffs out the Lannister gold immediately, and as far as he's concerned, the Lannisters want Arya so they can prevent the North from rising again (not to mention the bounty). And for Brienne, who knows what the Hound is doing to Arya? He could very easily be mistreating her in more ways than one, and so in her eyes, Arya clearly needs rescuing.

The throw down between Brienne and the Hound was awesome.

[SCcoug]

I subscribe to this theory as well. Wonder how Jon Snow will be able to leave the Black Watch since he's vowed to never marry and have kids. Maybe there is a "Get out of Jail Free" card for marrying your aunt and becomming "King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm".

I'm not sure even Sam Tarley expert in bird law crow law could find a loop hole for that as the vows specifically forbid marriage, having children, holding lands or wearing crowns.

[SCcoug]

I actually found the motivations to be very real. The Hound sniffs out the Lannister gold immediately, and as far as he's concerned, the Lannisters want Arya so they can prevent the North from rising again (not to mention the bounty). And for Brienne, who knows what the Hound is doing to Arya? He could very easily be mistreating her in more ways than one, and so in her eyes, Arya clearly needs rescuing.

I liked the scene overall and Arya and the Hound's farewell was the highlight of the episode. Her attempt to get Arya to come with here was pretty weak though. Why did she leave out why she brought Jamie back to King's Landing (to exchange for the girls) or why didn't she pull out the wolf bread Hot Pie gave them? Add to that as the Hound points out she has no plan after she "rescues" the Stark girls. As the Hound said they have no family and their home is currently occupied by a psychopath in Ramsey Bolton. In addition to being decked out in Lannister gear she is being squired by Poddrick Payne whose relative of some sort was the executioner who beheaded Ned and I believe is on Arya's hit list. I will miss the Hound and Arya's interaction.

In other musings...

Tyrion was incredibly lucky he didn't run into a guard and Tywin was taking a dump so he could get the drop on him. I know he hates his dad but why would he risk escape to go walking back to the tower of the Hand? Now that the brain of house Lannister is dead I think Cersei is going to continually shoot herself in the foot next season (although I guess she'll have a Frankenmountain) effectively sealing the fate of the legacy of Tywin Lannister. Happy father's day Tywin!

I like the characters of Mance and Torrmund. I thought Jon's scenes with them were pretty good. Between the wildlings, Nights Watch and Stannis's crew the wall is starting to get crowded (not to mention the Boltons moving in to Winterfell). Seems like the center of gravity of the story has shifted from King's Landing to the wall/North.

I agree with the posters above that the skeleton attack was the weakest part of the episode. Jojen getting stabbed by draugr arm was almost laugh out loud ridiculous. Here you go Jojen have a magic grenade so you don't come back as a zombie!

Dany chaining up the dragons was pretty good. It doesn't seem like she is going to leave Meereen any time soon.

Overall a pretty good episode I don't know that this would be the one I submit for best writing though. Can't wait for next year!

[SandYFan]

I think Cersei is going to continually shoot herself in the foot..."

Thing is, she doesn't even need to shoot herself in the foot. The Lannister gold is gone, the Tyrells are going to be mad when she cancels the wedding of Marjorie and Tommen, and Stannis is coming for her. If she doesn't change her current stands on a few issues, King's Landing will be starving, under siege and without allies very soon.

[Maximus]

In other musings...

Tyrion was incredibly lucky he didn't run into a guard and Tywin was taking a dump so he could get the drop on him. I know he hates his dad but why would he risk escape to go walking back to the tower of the Hand? Now that the brain of house Lannister is dead I think Cersei is going to continually shoot herself in the foot next season (although I guess she'll have a Frankenmountain) effectively sealing the fate of the legacy of Tywin Lannister. Happy father's day Tywin!

Do you want to hear the additional light the books share on this? Or rather, how that scene played out in the books.

[Commando]

Is it 100% established that Jon is Ned's son?

No. However, when Robert and Ned were reminiscing on their extra-marital tail, Ned seems to revere his secret mistress and doesn't want to drag her name in the mud. It was also pretty widely discussed that Catlyn Stark resented Jon for being who he was. I think a big reveal that not only is he not Catlyn's son but is someone else's child completely would be a bit of a cheap device to transport a character. We already have the elaborate setup that was presented- I don't see why they would have that go to waste for a cheap gotcha.


*edit* Having said that, I do like Woot's theory.

[Commando]

I agree with the posters above that the skeleton attack was the weakest part of the episode. Jojen getting stabbed by draugr arm was almost laugh out loud ridiculous. Here you go Jojen have a magic grenade so you don't come back as a zombie!

I didn't hate the setting or the characters, but please, writers, give us a better reason for Jojen to die; because the 3 eyed crow (who admits he'd been watching the journeyers this whole time) and his magical children took their sweet ass time throwing their magical fire bombs? And all they had to do was run to the cave. That's it. "Hey guys this last 40 yards is sketchy. I saw a vision of a reanimated skeleton coming out of the snow beneath me and stabbing me while I was sitting on my ass watching you guys sword fight his buddies. Let's book it!"

[Commando]

Dany chaining up the dragons was pretty good. It doesn't seem like she is going to leave Meereen any time soon.

I probably need to watch the episode again, but what's the deal with dragon #3? It went rogue and killed a toddler? They can't find it so they've locked down the 2 remaining for the time being? The 3-Eyed Crow told Bran he was never going to walk again but he would fly. I don't think they'll be able to train those dragons, who have proven to be loose cannons and uncontrollable even for Dany, to kill white walkers, but I imagine Bran, who has done things never before done by a Warg, can get in a dragon's head and kick some ass.

[SCcoug]

No. However, when Robert and Ned were reminiscing on their extra-marital tail, Ned seems to revere his secret mistress and doesn't want to drag her name in the mud. It was also pretty widely discussed that Catlyn Stark resented Jon for being who he was. I think a big reveal that not only is he not Ned's son but is someone else's child completely would be a bit of a cheap device to transport a character. We already have the elaborate setup that was presented- I don't see why they would have that go to waste for a cheap gotcha.

If i remember right Ned was visible uncomfortable and evasive talking about it with Robert. If the theory from above that he is Ned's sister and Rhaegar's son is correct you have to remember that Robert would have killed him as he would be a threat to his rule. It makes sense that Ned didn't want to tell Jon about his mother until after he joined the Night's Watch (and thus would be beyond Robert's reach and no longer a threat). Outside of Ned is there anyone else who would know? Maybe Melisandre will see it the fires or Bran will have a dream/vision about it.