Earlier this season Stannis seemed like the kind of man all of us readers and watchers out here could root for. He's trying to do what's right by taking the Iron Throne as he is the natural successor to it. He's also shown great military leadership in going north to the wall when the watchers on the wall felt that they were in a very dire circumstance. But to go from the empathy that he expressed for his daughter in a very touching scene at Castle Black to marching his daughter to the funeral pyre...that was awful to watch and heartbreaking too.
It leaves me questioning: why is the Iron Throne worth this kind of price? And all this act of sacrifice is going to do anyway is maybe allow him to take Winterfell (if Melisandre follows through with the claims that R'hllor will deliver the victory to him). Then what? We have a warden of the north that none of the clans will respect because he torched his own daughter and follows the biddings of a witch?
It's a stark contrast to what Tyrion Lannister said to Daenerys Targaryen last week. "To kill those who are devoted to you does not inspire devotion."
I should say that this is yet another scene that I haven't read as it's probably in the "to be released" edition of "The Winds of Winter." Honestly, at this point no matter what Stannis does to please R'hllor, I think he is unsuited for rulership and any kingdom he did rule would just be under the thumb of another tyrant. I suppose that says something more about me than it does anything else. I feel like the iron throne should go to a true hero. I wonder why I even think that. Is it because it's some kind of reward, because it sure looks like a kind of curse, considering the bitter politics involved in seizing it.
What do you think? Do you want the iron throne to go to a hero? Or is true heroism from one of these troubled characters actually the fantasy in Game of Thrones? That would be brilliant right? George R. R. Martin laughing at all of us and saying, "The true fantasy is real life in that there are no heroes. You can populate the world with dragons, magic, and white walkers, but if you're true to life there are no heroes except in literature."
No heroes but in literature? No, I don't buy that. There are many real-life heroes and they are often much more than their literary counterparts.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty nasty. I think most people would be satisfied if Dany or Jon Snow or Tyrion wound up on the Iron Throne but I could see everyone dying and the White Walkers taking over.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised. So glad I stopped watching GoT.
ReplyDeleteHaving just returned from vacation, I have a few episodes to catch up on. I hear they're exciting ones. I'll be back to read this when I'm up to speed.
ReplyDeleteJon Snow = crowd favorite, which is probably why it won't happen.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the torching of his daughter could be one of those shock factors to get readers, ratings, to do something attention getting. To go beyond what other writers are doing. Anyway, I'm with you on this one. That is just too dark for me.
ReplyDeleteAll the "kings" in this series seem to be mad-hatters, and fond of burnings. To be a monarch in Westeros you must be completely mad, self centered. Loving how Cersi is getting her own dish served to her.
ReplyDeleteBut I was shocked at Stannis. He almost level headed. Perhaps only bastards and dwarfs have any true compassion for the world.
Interesting. Perhaps the problem is with the thrones themselves. Too much power.
ReplyDeleteI think there are heroes in real life, but having read a whole lotta history, I can tell you that the vast majority of monarchs had to be practical and self-serving just to stay alive. Believing in the divine right of kings didn't help their idealism, either.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I was too tired, sick, and crazy busy to arrange for HBO last week, but I swear I'll do it this week. Then I can play Game of Thrones catch up.
Haven't seen the new episodes. Will have to wait for the dvds. Sounds like the dark storylines persist.
ReplyDeleteNow that Stannis is dead, I guess his daughter's death was a sign that it was all over for him. The sign of the sell-swords running away, and his wife's death didn't make it seem like his hopes were great. When I saw the numbers of Bolton forces vs his forces I knew he wouldn't survive.
ReplyDeleteThough they now make it a little obvious who is probably be going to sitting on the Iron Throne by the time the story is over.