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Game of Thrones Season 7 First Trailer Reveals!

The Game of Thrones season 7 trailer is here – here are some first impressions from Aziz on some of the most telling bits of information.

Dragonstone Gates Open

It appears to be a peaceful submission, the castle taken without a fight. Given her dragons, I’d surrender too.

Dany at Home

Daenerys sits on the high seat at Dragonstone. The men opening the door and guarding her on either side appear to be Dothraki.

Grey Worm is Ready!

Grey Worm is ready! Note his new silver Targaryen badge. It will help us find him amidst the chaos when his facemask is on.

Grey Worm Fights

Case in point re: his new insignia… We can tell this is Grey Worm because of it! This Lannister man he’s facing has no chance, we’re thinking.

Unsullied Storming In!

No Grey Worm here that we can see, but we wonder what Lannister site this is (note the sigils and “L”. It could be King’s Landing, or less likely, Casterly Rock.

Melisandre at Dragonstone!

Melisandre at Dragonstone! The previous shot makes it clear that it’s her. We can’t tell who that is coming up the long walkway, but if Davos is one of them…

Dany & Tyrion view the Painted Table

Dany & Tyrion view the Painted Table at Dragonstone.

The Painted Floor

Cersei and Jaime one-up Daenerys’ puny Painted Table with the Painted Floor. Ok, it’s a tapestry, but still, it’s huge, and awesome.

Jorah's Arm

Jorah appears to be held in prison, probably at Dragonstone. Clearly him due to the greyscale.

New Field of Fire!

Other shots seem to show that they are facing a Lannister army. It doesn’t look like Dany is on Drogon, but it is hard to tell. It looks like Jorah leading the charge in the bottom right… Dany may forgive him? Or at least allow him to fight. Or maybe that isn’t actually him.

Ellaria & Yara

Ellaria and Yara making out. Alrighty.

Ship Ablaze

Greyjoys fighting others in a boarding action while flames roar. What shield is that in the upper right? Another shot shows Theon on a flaming ship, so this could be the same scene, meaning that Theon is somewhere in this chaos.

Bridge at Pyke

Appears to be fighting across a rope bridge, which means it is probably Pyke. A battle at Pyke! Interesting…

Arya Heading North?

Looks like Arya is heading North, unless winter has hit the South (certainly possible!)

King in the North & Council

Jon is joined by Sansa and Davos at the high table. Littlefinger far to the left, Lyanna Mormont near the front behind a large man. Tormund can be seen as well, and probably the top of Brienne’s head in front of Sansa.

Jon Snow & Littlefinger in the Crypts!

Jon Snow slams Littlefinger into a wall while in the Crypts of Winterfell! (recall when Ned did this to him in King’s Landing?) Possibly he’s just been given some news about his real parents.

Jon & Tormund running

Jon, Tormund and others are running from something. They appear to be beyond The Wall.

Surrounded by foes and snow

Possibly related to Jon & Tormund running away, this group of 12-13 men in heavy snow appear to be surrounded and making a stand. Seems likely the foes around them are not among the living…

 

Filed Under: Blog, News Tagged With: arya stark, cersei lannister, daenerys targaryen, davos seaworth, dragonstone, game of thrones, grey worm, jaime lannister, jon snow, littlefinger, lyanna mormont, melisandre, petyr baelish, sansa stark, season 7 game of thrones, tormund giantsbane, tyrion lannister, unsullied

The Winds of Winter: The Battle of Ice Part 2 (mega spoilers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRKK76AgHHA

In this episode, Ashaya and Aziz are joined by guest Jeff Hartline (Wars and Politics of A Song of Ice and Fire) for this three part series on The Battle of Ice.

The Battle of Ice is coming, and Stannis is ready. He’s confident, he’s experienced, and even the ravens seem to be cheering him on. On the other hand, his army is snowbound and starving while the army the Lord of the Dreadfort has sent against him is fresh, well supplied and better equipped. While Stannis’ force was marching through Westeros’ largest forest during a seemingly endless blizzard, the Boltons, Freys and their allies sat comfortable in Winterfell’s hot spring-fed warmth while Wyman Manderly’s endless stores kept their bellies full.

It would be a mistake, however, to think that the battle hinges on such standard factors. Though better armor and fresher horses surely matter, there is much about the Battle of Ice that requires a somewhat unconventional thought process. A Song of Ice and Fire has seen many battles, but we haven’t seen anything like this.

In part 1 we analyzed the politics and power situation in the North, but even the genial and affable Renly knows that will only get us so far.

“The time for talk is done. Now we see who is stronger.”

and so we will. Now comes the time of troops & commanders, now comes morale & strategy, now comes blood and controlled chaos. Now comes the Battle of Ice.

Whatever doubts his lords might nurse, the common men seemed to have faith in their king. Stannis had smashed Mance Rayder’s wildlings at the Wall and cleaned Asha and her ironborn out of Deepwood Motte; he was Robert’s brother, victor in a famous sea battle off Fair Isle, the man who had held Storm’s End all through Robert’s Rebellion. And he bore a hero’s sword, the enchanted blade Lightbringer, whose glow lit up the night.”

 

“Half my army is made up of unbelievers,” Stannis had replied. “I will have no burnings. Pray harder.”

 

“The map is not the land, my father often said.”

 

“If I had me a nice goose quill and a pot o’ maester’s ink, I could write down that me member was long and thick as me arm, wouldn’t make it so.”

 

“Wolves, she thought, they howl like bloody wolves. The war cry of the north.”“

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Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: alysane mormont, artos flint, asha greyjoy, audio, benjicot branch, clayton suggs, davos seaworth, godry farring, house bolton, house frey, hugo wull, jeff, jon snow, littlefinger, melisandre, morgan liddle, pink letter, ramsay snow, roose bolton, stannis baratheon, the winds of winter, theon greyjoy, twow, video

The Winds of Winter: The Battle of Ice Part 1 (mega spoilers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syFM7936yMs

In this episode, Ashaya and Aziz are joined by guest Jeff Hartline (Wars and Politics of A Song of Ice and Fire) for this three part series on The Battle of Ice.

Part 1 is dedicated to unraveling the complex political situation in the North.  There are Houses with compelled loyalty secretly plotting revenge, while loyal armies face the winds of winter.  Each house of note is discussed, as well as the key players from each side.

In an epic series filled with surprises, plot twists and defiance of convention, there is little we can predict with certainty. One item on that short list is Winter. We knew it was coming…the Starks told us after all. We had glimpses of it throughout the earlier books, especially at and beyond the Wall, but also in dreams that often seemed prophetic. Sure enough, by the end of ADWD, there is a massive, long running storm.

Another certainty in ASOIAF is war. We have certainly not seen the last pitched battle. With those two items in mind…does it follow that we should expect pitched battles in winter?

The Battle of Ice is just that. A struggle in which resources are scarce, the cold is literally enough to kill, and time is on no one’s side. Winter has just begun after all, and we know what the next book is entitled. Before we can Dream of Spring we must brave The Winds of Winter.

Well, not we, them. The armies of two extremely formidable and determined men, Stannis Baratheon and Roose Bolton, facing off while a ridiculous winter storm rages.

This three part series goes beyond a single battle, however. Even our love of detail is not enough to make 3 episodes out of that. We’re dealing with a campaign for the North and it has major implications for the plot and for so many of our favorite characters. In part 1 we’ll explore the motivations and goals of the various players in the North, what they want, which side they’re on, who they want to kill, and how they’ll accomplish any of this without freezing.

We are five thousand strong as I write, our numbers swelling every day. And word has come to us that Roose Bolton moves toward Winterfell with all his power, there to wed his bastard to your half sister. He must not be allowed to restore the castle to its former strength. We march against him. Arnolf Karstark and Mors Umber will join us. I will save your sister if I can, and find a better match for her than Ramsay Snow. You and your brothers must hold the Wall until I can return.”

 

 

“He needs an end to this. The castle was too crowded to withstand a long siege, and too many of the lords here were of uncertain loyalty. Fat Wyman Manderly, Whoresbane Umber, the men of House Hornwood and House Tallhart, the Lockes and Flints and Ryswells, all of them were northmen, sworn to House Stark for generations beyond count. It was the girl who held them here, Lord Eddard’s blood, but the girl was just a mummer’s ploy, a lamb in a direwolf’s skin. So why not send the northmen forth to battle Stannis before the farce unraveled? Slaughter in the snow. And every man who falls is one less foe for the Dreadfort.”

 

 

“The Frey men wore the badge of the two towers, those from White Harbor displayed merman and trident. They shouldered through the storm in opposite directions and eyed each other warily as they passed, but no swords were drawn. Not here. It may be different out there in the woods.”

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Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: asha greyjoy, audio, davos seaworth, house frey, jeff, jon snow, littlefinger, petyr baelish, ramsay bolton, ramsay snow, roose bolton, stannis baratheon, the winds of winter, theon greyjoy, twow, video, winterfell, wyman manderly

TV Discussion: Game of Thrones S04E06 (spoiler free)

S04E06

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf35Nv7795I

Another week, another episode of History of Westeros!

Ashaya, Aziz and Sean discuss the exciting events of S04E06 of Game of Thrones.  As always, we illuminate the backstory and explain the subtleties, keeping you prepared for the next episode and beyond! The end of the episode contains our spoiler discussion, as well as our discussion of the preview.

Sean is an Unsullied TV viewer whose unspoiled perceptions are quite the contrast to HoW’s thorough Game of Thrones education, and this makes the review unique. Sean is an insightful reviewer who first joined us in our Red Wedding discussion episode, and has been our previous three Season 4 episodes: episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4 (spoiler free), episode 4 (spoilers), and episode 5.

Well, strictly speaking, I didn’t do the thieving. 

 

I wish I was the monster you think I am. I wish I had enough poison for the whole pack of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it.

 

The most noble child the gods ever put on this good earth.

Every scene (and there were a lot) of S04E06 is discussed, what we liked and didn’t like, noting interesting but non-spoiler comparisons to the books. As usual there is special attention paid to hidden detail and backstory.

Be sure to check out our forum, which is newly launched, and introduce yourself there, as well as discuss podcast and TV show episodes. Please rate and review us on iTunes as well if you have the chance!

The absence of desire leaves one free to pursue other things.

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Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: asha greyjoy, audio, braavos, cersei lannister, daenerys targaryen, davos seaworth, drogon, hizdahr zo loraq, iron bank, jaime lannister, littlefinger, mace tyrell, oberyn martell, petyr baelish, pycelle, ramsay snow, reek, salladhor saan, sansa stark, shae, stannis baratheon, theon greyjoy, tycho nestoris, tyrion lannister, tywin lannister, varys, video

TV Discussion: Game of Thrones S04E05 (spoiler free)

S04E05

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=846c0DlXdh8

Another week, another episode of History of Westeros!

Ashaya, Aziz and Sean discuss the exciting events of S04E05 of Game of Thrones.  As always, we illuminate the backstory and explain the subtleties, keeping you prepared for the next episode and beyond! The end of the episode contains our spoiler discussion, as well as our discussion of the preview.

Sean is an Unsullied TV viewer whose unspoiled perceptions are quite the contrast to HoW’s thorough Game of Thrones education, and this makes the review unique. Sean is an insightful reviewer who first joined us in our Red Wedding discussion episode, and has been our previous three Season 4 episodes: episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4 (spoiler free), and episode 4 (spoilers)

I heard you like ships

 

I’m a stupid little girl with stupid dreams who never learns.

 

The fifth is difficult. I named her after my sister, Elia.

Every scene (and there were a lot) of S04E05 is discussed, what we liked and didn’t like, noting interesting but non-spoiler comparisons to the books. As usual there is special attention paid to hidden detail and backstory.

Be sure to check out our forum, which is newly launched, and introduce yourself there, as well as discuss podcast and TV show episodes. Please rate and review us on iTunes as well if you have the chance!

Do you think I’m easily shocked?

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Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: arya stark, asha greyjoy, audio, bran stark, brienne of tarth, cersei lannister, daario naharis, daenerys targaryen, daniel portman, elia sand, ellaria sand, hodor, iron bank, jojen reed, jon snow, jorah mormont, karl, littlefinger, locke, lysa arryn, margaery tyrell, meera reed, nymeria sand, obara sand, oberyn martell, petyr baelish, podrick payne, ramsay bolton, ramsay snow, rast, robert arryn, sand snakes, sandor clegane, sansa stark, sarella sand, the hound, tommen baratheon, tyene sand, tywin lannister, video

TV Discussion: Game of Thrones S04E04 (spoiler free)

S04E04

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuRT6FNGAP0

Another week, another episode of History of Westeros! Actually, another two episodes of History of Westeros, as we have a separate spoiler filled episode this week due to how much we had to talk about! View part 2 here.

Ashaya, Aziz and Sean discuss the exciting events of S04E04 of Game of Thrones.  As always, we illuminate the backstory and explain the subtleties, keeping you prepared for the next episode and beyond!

Sean is an Unsullied TV viewer whose unspoiled perceptions are quite the contrast to HoW’s thorough Game of Thrones education, and this makes the review unique. Sean is an insightful reviewer who first joined us in our Red Wedding discussion episode, and has been our previous three Season 4 episodes: episode 1, episode 2, and episode 3.

I will answer injustice with justice.

 

That was me knocking your ass to the dirt with your own hand.

 

Goodbye Brienne.

Every scene (and there were a lot) of S04E04 is discussed, what we liked and didn’t like, noting interesting but non-spoiler comparisons to the books. As usual there is special attention paid to hidden detail and backstory.

Be sure to check out our forum, which is newly launched, and introduce yourself there, as well as discuss podcast and TV show episodes. Please rate and review us on iTunes as well if you have the chance!

If I have to take one more leisurely stroll through these gardens, I’ll fling myself from the cliffs.

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Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: alliser thorne, audio, barristan selmy, bran stark, brienne of tarth, bronn, burn gorman, cersei lannister, daenerys targaryen, ghost, grenn, grey worm, hodor, jaime lannister, janos slynt, jojen reed, jon snow, jorah mormont, karl tanner, littlefinger, locke, margaery tyrell, meera reed, meereen, missandei, night's king, olenna redwyne, olenna tyrell, others, petyr baelish, podrick payne, queen of thorns, rast, roose bolton, samwell tarly, sansa stark, ser pounce, tommen baratheon, tyrion lannister, video, white walker

The Winds of Winter: Mercy Preview Chapter (spoilers)

The Bloody Hand

The Bloody Hand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcKfC6F_Wdw

History of Westeros analyzes the fifth pre-release chapter from The Winds of Winter, widely regarded as the best of the bunch. George gives us something that is somehow dark, controversial and satisfying all at the same time. We peel off all the layers to find all the references and details you might have missed.

As I cannot be the hero, let me be the monster, and lesson them in fear in place of love.

The gods have given me a gift.

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The Winds of Winter excerpt on GRRM’s site.
So Spake Martin we mention that talks about Izembaro.

Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: alayne stone, arya stark, audio, bobono, braavos, bran stark, cersei lannister, faceless man, faceless men, harys swyft, iron bank, izembaro, jaqen h'ghar, keyholder, kindly man, king of the mummers, lady stork, littlefinger, lommy greenhands, mercedene, mercy, petyr baelish, phario forel, raff the sweetling, sansa stark, shae, syrio forel, titan of braavos, trigger warning rape, twow, tyrion lannister, tywin lannister, varys, video

Plots: The Riverlands Part 3 (spoilers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URtUiBAllLQ

We discuss themes of aftermath, devastation and chaos at the end of the War of the Five Kings. Mostly through the eyes of Brienne and Jaime, we see topics that include the siege of Riverrun, the Quiet Isle, Harrenhal, Sandor Clegane, the Blackfish, and many others set in the Riverlands.
Too many corpses, these days.

When morning broke the snow was ankle deep, and deeper in the godswood, where drifts had piled up under the trees.

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Bran Vras’ “Winterfell Behind Closed Doors (Winterfell Huis Clos)”

Filed Under: Episodes Tagged With: amerei frey, audio, bloody mummers, bonifer hasty, brienne of tarth, brotherhood without banners, brynden blackfish, darry, edmure tully, elder brother, emmon frey, gatehouse ami, genna lannister, gravedigger, harrenhal, house blackwood, house bracken, house frey, house mallister, house piper, house tully, house vance, jaime lannister, lady stoneheart, lancel lannister, littlefinger, nymeria, petyr baelish, qyburn, randyll tarly, red ronnet connington, riverrun, robb's will, sandor clegane, septon meribald, the quiet isle, video, wylis manderly

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  • Aziz vs. ADwD Epilogue (2016)
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Aziz & Ashaya’s Recommendations!

The Dunk & Egg Collection
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Other Short Stories in Westeros
The Rogue Prince (Prince Daemon)
The Princess & The Queen
The Book of Swords (Sons of the Dragon)

Maesters' Hotlist
The World of Ice & Fire (Kindle)
The Lands of Ice & Fire
ASOIAF Boxed Set
A Hymn for Spring (Tower of the Hand, includes an essay on Harrenhal by us!)

Art
ASOIAF 2020 Calendar
ASOIAF 2021 Calendar
The Art of A Song of Ice and Fire
The Art of A Song of Ice & Fire: Vol. 2

Games!
Risk: Game of Thrones Board Game
AGoT: The Board Game 2nd Edition
Monopoly: Game of Thrones
Crusader Kings II
4D Game of Thrones: Westeros Puzzle

Game of Thrones on TV
Seasons 1-7 Blu-Ray Box Set
Season 7 Blu-Ray
Season 6 Blu-Ray
Get Someone Started With S1
Start Your Free Trial of HBO with Prime Video Channels

Non-ASOIAF Books Recommended by GRRM & us!
The Last Wish - Book 1 of The Witcher
The Last Kingdom - Book 1
The Accursed Kings - Book 1
The Expanse - Book 1

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