History Is A Wheel: GOT 8x05

This is an interesting theory. If it is true, then maybe it’s one of the first times Littlefinger realized the power his words can have over other people’s actions. Maybe at first he felt guilty, but then the power started to feel good, leading him down the path to the man we meet in AGOT.

Do you think it’s possible that Littlefinger tricked Brandon into thinking Lyanna was kidnapped by Rhaegar? All four were in the same area around the same time and it’s definitely within his MO. Not to mention that he just came off a brutal beating from Catelyn’s betrothed and we know what he’d do to get his competition out of the way.

I’m going to preface this with saying that I don’t think we have direct textual evidence disproving this theory. I’m skeptical on Watsonian grounds - first and foremost, it requires Littlefinger to know of Lyanna’s disappearance well before Brandon himself learned of it. While he was recovering from a serious wound half the width of the continent away.

I also dislike this theory from a Doylist standpoint.

First, in terms of LIttlefinger’s backstory, he’s the little guy everyone underestimated, only realising too late that he was their biggest problem. That sort of thing requires time and buildup on the villain’s part; I can’t help but feel that it takes some of the punch out of Littlefinger successfully orchestrating the start of the War of Five Kings if this is his second successful attempt at kicking off a war.

Second, I don’t think it adds anything, really. It doesn’t tell us anything new about Littlefinger (we already knew he’s manipulative), it doesn’t tell us anything new about Brandon (we already knew he was rash). The idea that Brandon learned about Lyanna’s disappearance and believed it was abduction works as a story no matter the source the original news came from.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.

On this day in history, 9th of September 1513, The Battle of Flodden / James IV is killed

Honoring his agreement with King Louis XII of France to divert English troops who were required in France to fight for Henry VIII, King James IV of Scotland crossed into England, with the battle of Flodden (Hill) taking place at Branxton, Northumberland on September 9th 1513. The Scots numbered about 30,000 men supported by artillery, including approximately 5000 French troops, sent to Scotland to assist. Though they were outnumbered, the English were better equipped and by nightfall had won a major victory. Anywhere from 10,000 - 12,000 Scots, including King James IV, were killed. Shortly after the battle Queen Margaret Tudor was made regent to her and James’ infant son who was crowned James V on 21 September 1513. [x]

“Game of thrones tells its audience that women with broken pasts can only turn mad”

Okay but we have Sansa who lost her family, was held as a prisoner, was raped by a man she didn’t want to marry, used as a ploy by so many characters for her name. And now look at her, she works with her people, she never asked for anyone to hail her queen, she doesn’t take what isn’t hers, she doesn’t demand loyalty. She earns it. She is strong and is fierce and has become a leader. Without hurting others in the process.

We have Arya, who lost her loved ones, was on the run for years, had no one to come home to, had to learn to adapt and survive. She was broken by her training, left alone, abandoned, scarred. She was a lone wolf In a strange region. And now look at her, she doesn’t want revenge on a people that applauded and mocked her father’s beheading, she tried to help them. despite the events of her childhood She grew up a fighter, a protector, a savior.

We have Yara. Yara who was always subjugated and deemed inferior simply for being a woman. Yara who was repreatedly wronged by a system that oppressed women. She was always meant to be a ruler, to save her people. And that’s what Yara has done. Despite the constant sexism and belittlement Yara fought hard for her place and has shown all those who questioned her authority what it means to be a leader.

We have Brienne of Tarth, a knight, a honorary woman. She has always done the right thing. She was mocked by men and women alike for her choice to serve as a knight. She defied gender norms and stood her ground. Despite the sexism, despite the mocking Brienne proved a much better knight, a more honest human than any of the knights in all of the seven kingdoms. She didn’t use her abilities as a fighter to abuse rather she used her strength to provide safety.

Lyanna Mormont who was given so much responsibility at such a young age. Whose parents died, whose men have lied and tried to take her claim. but Lyanna never let that turn her mad. She never let her circumstances turn her into a harsh and unjust ruler. She ruled house bear with pride and integrity. The horrible events of her childhood didn’t turn her into a imperialist. Lyanna Mormont died a hero.

And there is also Gilly. A wildling who faced prejudice from the people of Westeros. Who was robbed of her virginity by the man that was supposed to protect her. She was abused verbally as well as physically. But she didn’t let that rage consume her or that prejudice. She didn’t let that lack of love from westeros fill her with anger. Rather she remained as brave and as resilient as ever.

So no, game of thrones isn’t sexist or anti feminist because daenarys Stormborn allowed a fire to consume her and used fire+blood to take back what was never hers.

Imagine if Gus’s last scene on Better Call Saul was him walking up to Gale and kissing him...Am I the only one who feels some kind of romantic tension between Gus and Gale? 

I wanna talk about what Peter Gould said about Gus, more specifically, how "Gus finds love".

In my opinion, it is either some flashback with Max, or some kind of metaphor - and he doesn't really fall in love with a person.

Having Gus be in a relationship, even with a man, is first of all, forced and probably completely unnecessary and contributes absolutely nothing to his character development and plot progression in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul - and so I (at least) can't think of any good reason for doing that.

In addition, given that Gus had a full blown revenge plan over the death of Max, extending to around 20 years of planning and executing (no pun intended), I just doubt that he has the mental capacity for another huge commitment that comes with having a romantic partner. He is a human, after all. Giving him a partner will have definitely meant that he would have had to let go of Max. Let go of his plan, or else he would most likely be putting his relationship at risk.

However, he definitely does not let go of anything, as we already know. He is completely OBSESSIVE about his plan. It is clearly the only thing in his mind - the reason behind his each and every move. He is scared shitless of Lalo - not for his life, but for his PLAN (according to Esposito himself). He is scared Lalo will ruin his perfectly-crafted, flawless plan of unleashing the hellfires upon the cartel, and especially Hector, for murdering Max right in front of him.

Therefore, I see no reason a romantic partner would be of any interest for Gus, given his biggest and... only motive.

I can’t be the only person that likes the new BBC/PBS Les Miserables adaptation, can I? 

books i read in 2021: “evelina” by frances burney ★★★★☆

“I revere you. I esteem and admire you above all human beings. You are the friend to whom my soul is attached as to its better half. You are the most amiable, the most perfect of women. And you are dearer to me than language has the power of telling.”

I wish I had Hyacinth’s self-confidence...

The face of a man who let a million people burn so he could be king

Bran knew that he would be picked to be king.

So when Bran spent the end of season 7 and the first part of season 8 constantly saying how important it was for Jon to know who his parents are… it was so Jon would break up with Daenerys, she would go mad, burn a million people, and Jon would kill her; leaving the throne open for… Bran.

I mean if the show had made Bran an intentional villain or morally grey; acknowledge that he knew a city would be destroyed, and didn’t do anything to stop it, rather did his part to set up the pieces to make it happen, that would be a great twist. But the writers don’t seem to be aware of the implications of Brans psychic abilities and the choices he made ¯\_(ツ)_/¯