Game of Thrones Round Table: Trial by Fire
Henry A. Otero
at
.
What Stannis did was incomprehensible. Are you still are furious as we are, Game of Thrones Fanatics?
Elsewhere, how thrilling was it to see Drogon swoop in to defend his mother?
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 9 was a game-changer as far as Dany's role in the larger story, as she again proved to everyone in Meereen (including Tyrion) that she was born to be queen.
Join TV Fanatics Jim Garner, Doug Wolfe, Lindsay MacDonald, Amanda Steinmetz and Hank Otero as we discuss this monumental installment in anticipation of the season finale this Sunday...
Share your thoughts on Stannis' decision to sacrifice his daughter. Is he fit to be king?
Jim: He's not fit to be a human being. I realize that our own human history is filled with human sacrifices, but as Tyrion said, "The world is full of violence, I don't need more of it in my leisure time.”
Doug: He is a weak man, grasping at any stupid and depraved idea. For what? To save his people as he claimed? To “fulfill his purpose”? No, to save his pride as ruler. You can see where this is going, right? There’s no better kindling for the God of Fire’s ultimate sacrifice - Stannis himself. He’s being led down the garden path, by Melisandre herself, the future queen of that sorry band. The sooner his bones lights up the night sky, the better.
Lindsay: Absolutely not, but that's nothing new. Can you imagine crazy-ass Melissandre sitting on the small counsel? Frankly, if I were a solider in his army, there's no way I'd follow a man who burned his daughter as a sacrifice to some fanatical religion. No way!
Amanda: Is this a trick question? There's NO way he's fit to be king. He's not fit to live. I still can't believe he's following Melissandre around and doing what she says. What he did was vile, plain and simple. Did you see the looks on the soldiers' faces? Even they knew he went too far. There's no coming back from this.
Hank: I completely agree with what everyone said and have never forgotten what Stannis did to his brother Renly. Killing Shireen is the latest atrocity in a long line of vicious acts by this so-called "King." I'm hoping Stannis meets his end during the battle of Winterfell, I've had enough of that self-absorbed character.
Jon's brothers were not too pleased about his return with the wildlings. Is there a mutiny brewing?
Jim: I think once the brother's that survived explain what they saw and what happened with the rest of the wildings, they will be less likely to revolt.
Doug: I was actually surprised that Alliser Thorne opened the gates to him. Of course, the memory of Jon’s action on the last brother to defy him probably factored into it. Jim’s right though: once the keep discovers the nature of his excursion, I think any thoughts of mutiny will disappear. Even more so once the white walkers show up at the gate.
Lindsay: Again, I have to disagree with the boys. The Night's Watch has heard countless tales of white walkers and zombie soldiers, and they've always reacted with scorn and derision. This confrontation was obviously on a grander scale, but I still feel a mutiny coming. And I think Olly is going to be at the heart of it.
Amanda: For the sake of drama, I'd say yes. However, if they have any brains whatsoever, they will cooperate.
Hank: I'm with Lindsay, there is absolutely some kind of revolt bubbling under the surface. Besides, there's been far too much focus on Olly and I have no doubt the kid's going to turn on Jon. I'm just wondering if the Night's King finds Jon, left for dead, and brings him back. Talk about drama right?
Did Jaime and Bronn get off too easily in Dorne? Are Prince Doran and Ellaria up to something?
Jim: I think Prince Doran is on the level, he doesn't want war and wants to make nice. He understood that Bronn and Jaime only came into Dorn based on Ellaria's sending a threat, which Jaime and Bronn interrupted. Ellaria on the other hand is still up to something.
Doug: It struck me as weird that Doran put up with Ellaria’s open defiance of him until now. I was glad to see him give her that ultimatum. There is no doubt she’s up to something - she’ll just have to follow Cersei’s example of backroom dealing to get her purpose accomplished. Doran on the other hand seems determined to accomplish his goals through diplomacy - and what better way than to make sure his son has power at Winterfell?
Lindsay: Agreed, Doran is on the up and up, but Ellaria? Probably not. I think it's a fantastically terrible idea to send Trystane to King's Landing though. He's for sure going to get killed there, and then Doran will have to go to war. Hmm, maybe that's Ellaria's plan?
Amanda: Doran seems like he wants to avoid confrontation, but Ellaria was throwing some serious shade at Jaime. Lindsay brings up an interesting point about Trystane going to King's Landing. If he dies there, war will be inevitable.
Hank: Something about the whole Dorne situation doesn't sit right with me. I'm not sure I trust Prince Doran, though Ellaria I definitely don't trust. I like Lindsay's point though, if Trystane is killed in King's Landing that would be the end of peace. Perhaps Doran really is a good guy at this point, and that will change next season.
Arya has learned to play the game well. Will she pose as a "fresh girl" at the brothel and kill Meryn Trant?
Jim: I'll be honest, I have no idea why Arya was so obsessed with Trant, its been so many years since she was around anyone from Kings Landing I have no stake in why she was staring at him so much.
Doug: I’m confused too. However, I’m certain she’ll be the “fresh girl” the next day, and that Trant will come out the worst for it.
Lindsay: She absolutely will, but I still absolutely don't care for Arya's story this year.
Amanda: Yes, she will... That's all I have to say because Arya's storyline has been a complete yawn.
Hank: I confess, I had to google Meryn Trant to recall he "supposedly" killed Syrio Forel (Arya's sword-fighting teacher) in Game of Thrones Season 1. Arya mentioned this again to the Hound last season. I definitely think she will pose as his next "fresh girl" and poison the fiend.
The attack at the Great Pit was well orchestrated. How did you feel watching Drogon save the day?
Jim: This is truly a game changer. If Dany can get control of her dragon(s) and can fly on the back of Drogon, then she will be a serious force to be reckoned with and inspired by.
Doug: I fully expected Drogon to show up - it was the only possible answer to the quandry in which Dany and her entourage found themselves. Still, it was an incredible relief when he did. What a great scene! The neat thing is: now everyone watching knows her for who she is. She is still the mother of dragons, and a force to be reckoned with! Now….it’s time to release the other two.
Lindsay: I was totally surprised by Drogon's appearance, but it was an amazing ending to the episode. And like Jim said, if Dany can get control of her dragons again, then uprisings might not be such an issue for her anymore. Nothing says "stay in your lane" like a fire breathing dragon.
Amanda: Like Doug, I figured Drogon would show up to save the day. While I enjoyed the whole sequence overall, I thought some of the special effects looked a little cheesy. Also, how are the others going to get out of there?!
Hank: I wasn't expecting Drogon's appearance, but in hindsight I can't imagine things going down any other way. I had the same expression on my face as Tyrion watching Dany fly off on Drogon's back. There's no question this is a game changer, and Tyrion will now be as devoted to Dany as Jorah. It was a truly phenomenal scene!
Check out the teaser for Sunday's Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 10 Finale titled “Mother's Mercy.”
