A Game of Thrones - TV Show Discussion Thread

[Dinner]

I am so buying one of these. "Manderley's Meat Pies - The North Remembers.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/sapo/works/9130866-manderlys-meat-pies-the-north-remembers?p=t-shirt&style=mens&body_color=forest&size=xxxl&print_location=front

[N35t0r]

Lol, I never really liked Stannis much (from the book, haven't seen the show).

[rah]

They probably had carry permits.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Well, that was cheerful.

Incidentally, Mereen really needs to sort out its door security at major sporting venues. We can all accept that the odd hip-flask of vodka is going to get smuggled in. That's only being realistic.

But javelins? Damn, that's slacking.

[pchang]

You've seen my broad shoulders. Besides, she's just a wisp of a thing.

[Dinner]

Strong arms, eh?

[pchang]

It was implied that Princess Perkytits prefers to be on top.

I can support her from that position too.

[Guynemer]

[Guynemer]

I stand behind Princess Perkytits!

It was implied that Princess Perkytits prefers to be on top.

[kittenOFchaos]

I stand behind Princess Perkytits!

I stand in front of Princess Perkytits!

[pchang]

I stand behind Princess Perkytits!

[DaShi]

Now who am I going to support?

[grumbler]

Oh, absolutely - yet, Stannis wasn't really an likable character from the very start. He is a self-righteous prig who only seems likable in comparison to the rest of the major characters. He's always been a Puritan, and he remains one. As he sees it, the choice is between his daughter's life and the life of everyone else. He's not likable, but he is, in a twisted way, admirable.

[rah]

I think the problem is that most of the book fans cut him slack because of what he is trying to accomplish.
This one is just too hard to ignore. And since it wasn't in the book, they think it drastically changes a character they liked into one they can't.

When he marches north of the wall he seems like the only person acting like the true king.

There are not that many characters that you can like, and this made sure that there is now one less.

[grumbler]

I don't see why everyone is thinking Stannis is out of character for sacrificing his daughter. The show lays out clearly that
(1) He is desperate (far more desperate than in the book, but the show doesn't have infinite time and characters to throw at the audience)
(2) He sincerely believes that only he can save the entire race of mankind from the Walkers
(3) He is the kind of guy that makes tough decisions that cost him dearly. He already stood by and watch Melissandre burn to death his brother-in-law for no greater crime or advantage than that his brother-in-law was loyal to his gods. He abetted Mel in killing his own brother. This is a guy who pays any price, because he is a rigid believer in his own cause (which is no more selfish than, say, John Brown's).

Yeah, it was hard to watch a character we have grown to like a lot die so horribly. That's what this show does. Stannis is no more or less evil now than when he slowed Mel to kill is bro-in-law and Renly. It is just more naked to us how amoral he really is. He clearly considers himself above such considerations as kinslaying. Welcome to Westeros. Or Planet Earth.