A Game of Thrones - TV Show Discussion Thread

[MikeH]

There's a clear difference between them. Robb always looked glum with a vaguely bored air, whereas Snow always looked glum with a vaguely sad air.

And their wolves looked different.

[MikeH]

(this is books) I am wondering how Ned managed to be successful until he came down to be the Hand. He was even successful in Robert's rebellion.

??

JM

Being naive at politics doesn't mean he can't be a ruthless, cunning and effective commander. Plus the enemy in the rebellion were commanded by a total nutjob.

His rise and fall basically mirrors Robb's. Tremendous victories in battle but felled as soon as he was required to get involved in more subtle politics.

[Ecthy]

He was Lord of Winterfell for 15 years for Aegon's sake!

[MikeH]

For as long as his friend Robert was king, as soon as Robert was gone he was ****ed.

[Ecthy]

For as long as his friend Robert was king, as soon as Robert was gone he was ****ed.

There's absolutely no hint his reign in the north depended on Robert in any way.

[Felch]

I think it's clear that Ned Stark's leadership style was appropriate for the North, but not King's Landing. He wasn't incompetent, it's just that being Lord of Winterfell requires a different skill set (and mind set) than being Hand of the King.

[MikeH]

There's absolutely no hint his reign in the north depended on Robert in any way.

Robert dying and the whole country splintering apart certainly indicates that his rule was key to stability for all regions.

[MikeH]

But I also think Felch is right that his rule in the north was appropriate/effective enough in a regime with a strong king.

[Ecthy]

Robert dying and the whole country splintering apart certainly indicates that his rule was key to stability for all regions.

He may have been the key to stability between the regions, certainly not in the regions. Name one region that saw any internal trouble after Robert died.

In fact, after Robert died the North mobilized and stood like one man to save Ned Stark, althought they were too late. Only when the North was empty of Stark bannermen did the Bastard of Bolton take control.

[MikeH]

But it's the instability between the regions that's created the instability at the head of each region. So the inter region stability was key.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I doubt one can say that Robert was a strong king. However, Ned was a good ruler for the North, but not for the internal politics that goes on in King's Landing. There wasn't as much backbiting and fighting for influence up North - it was more a situation of everyone knew who was in charge. I assume that it how it was during most of the Targaryen reign in King's Landing as well - when an usurper takes the throne, obviously no one really knows where they stand.

[Ecthy]

But it's the instability between the regions that's created the instability at the head of each region. So the inter region stability was key.

I really think that "regions" and "instability" were mutually constituted anew in the process of "the king's death". Also, identities before interests!

[Dinner]

It really makes you wonder what happened to Robert but I guess Renly was right that just because someone is a good warrior or battle commander that doesn't mean they'll make a good king.

[Ecthy]

It really makes you wonder what happened to Robert but I guess Renly was right that just because someone is a good warrior or battle commander that doesn't mean they'll make a good king.

Are you sure?

Spoiler:

OT: It'd be so much fun if in the end of the day Martin decides that Jon is really the son of Ashara Dayne, not you-know-who...

[DaShi]

It really makes you wonder what happened to Robert but I guess Renly was right that just because someone is a good warrior or battle commander that doesn't mean they'll make a good king.

My understanding is that Robert was more of viking-like leader than the type of king required in Westeros. He gained a on of weight as king and spent most of his free time hunting and whoring. Still, he's probably the best king Westeros ever had.