Toby Young and James Delingpole return to dissect the second episode of Game of Thrones. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? Take a sword to them in the comments.
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Dany is Jon Snow’s nephew so marriage would be a bit problematic as the SJW’s like to say
Jon is Daenrys’s nephew under Rhaegar, but Valyrians have no issue with incestuous marriage.
As to the podcast the complaint about the ravens is a little off because, especially in the North, there has been continuous civil war that has depopulated the region and meant the faction in control has changed repeatedly. This makes communication a bit hard so Jon not knowing about Daenyrs is expectable (especially given the fact that he spent much time north of the wall and away from any established lines of communication).
As to the Gods and providence the Old Gods of the GOT universe can be both fickle and preordained. It just depends on the nature of the Gods. Pagan Gods have always been anthropocentric (sharing in human traits from kindness to hate; their opinion can change) while the Christian God has not (since he is perfect and has no need to change). This is why it is not logically contradicting.
As to the fleet it is comprised of both slaver ships (which is never totally numbered) and iron born ships. Castely Rock is the home city of the Lannister family. It is the seat of their administrative network and probably hold for their wealth. It being their home city and seat of their family castle is a symbol of their family. Losing it deals a strong blow to Cersei.
As to the Dragons Cersei and her maester have shown little to no care for past rules or ethics. Why would they care about a dragon skull? And it is not a crossbow they test but a ballista.
Can A Crossbow Kill A Dragon?
At last my years of publishing, promoting, selling, and distributing roleplaying game books comes in handy on Ricochet!
“No.”
Pie Boy!
James, you’ve totally misread the spirit in which my previous comment was offered. I tune in to Delingpole & Young’s ThronesCast for the gaffes. I come for the hilarity (e.g., picking your children’s nits) and stay for the occasional insight.
Toby missed again by stating that Melisandre, the red priestess, went to Dragonstone to reveal that the prophecy is gender-neutral. It was Missandei who pointed that out.
Point to Toby, however, for mentioning Gendry given this (spoiler alert).
I thought it was just the Unsullied who were dispatched to Casterly Rock. I don’t recall Daenerys (or anyone else) proposing how the Dothraki be used.
I think they mentioned it in the show too, but I recall from the books that Casterly Rock is the location of the Lanister gold mines which are the source of their wealth.
People, people….I see this mistake again and again. Daenerys is Jon Snow’s AUNT. He is the son of her brother Rhaegar.
James is a great political commentator, as is Toby. Their understanding of GoT and art/culture isn’t their strong suit. But, it is still entertaining.
Well, another fine show from the only Oxbridgers left more interested in boobs than character arcs and plotting plausibilities. Why is the red woman back? You either start with two obvious arcs or you don’t. These guys do.
Call this one The Testosterone Strikes Back.
The setting was grim for the heteronormative. Dany had dismissed the full sized, fully equipped from her conquering contingent of eunuchs, a dwarf, a child abuse survivor, her pets and a stylishly hot black chick.
Supercilious queens and princesses were scowling at the incompetence and weakness of their male contemporaries and forebears.
Just as Theon was to bear reluctant witness to the consummation of girl power sexual politics, the phallic prow of Euron penetrates the warm Sapphic future. Kills two sand snakes like pesky garters and carries off Eilaria, Yara and the remaining snake with their boots akicking like Victorian ladies in a melodrama.
Nice subplot in Oldtown. Sure Jim Broadbent’s soliloquy about the centrality of impotent, dry scholasticism in the face of world crushing threats was loved by leftists (and a few prominent NTs, natch). But Sam is in town for two weeks, and has discovered the motherlode of walker-killing glass and is ripping sheets of human flesh to actually address the life and death reality of things.
D’oh!
I just realized I worded that completely backwards. Of course, Snow is the nephew, not Daenerys.
After reading the title of this podcast to my daughter, I was immediately informed: “It is a ballista, not a crossbow!”
Yes this was explained on an earlier season.
The Red Witch’s entrance is even more awkward, because she was introduced by Greyworm who was just standing there in the room and seems to come across this information through osmosis.
And James, I would think you would love the scene in Voyage of the Dawn Treader where Aslan rips the dragon skin off of my namesake, Eustace. In the book he says, “You know – if you’ve ever picked the scab off a sore place. It hurts like billy-oh but it is such fun to see it coming away.”
And the creators in an after episode moment talked about the Arya, Dire Wolf scene, some rubbish about how just as Arya must be free, her dire wolf must be free. It will be back, I’m sure.
I don’t even watch this show (my oldest son has read the books) but I still listen to this podcast just for the banter between James and Toby. Plus, I miss London Calling (is it ever coming back?)!