First I must apologize to my loyal readers for the tardiness of this post. I spent the latter portion of the long/holiday weekend in a place that's technological amenities are not so far removed from the medieval-esque innovations of Westeros...My mother's house. Seriously....no internet...no cable. I have no idea how she entertains herself when I am not there to visit. But I have finally found the time to watch. Here are my thoughts:

This week's episode has proven to keep in line with the strong story-telling of the past several episodes of season 6. Much like me this past weekend, Samwell returned home. Fortunately for me, my mother is much more proud and accepting of me than Samwell's father is of him. This segment really made me think of the way in which this show both sets up expectations for and simultaneously values legacy.
Clearly Randyll Tarly's vast disapproval of Sam exists as a result of Sam's inability to live up to the legacy of his father's military prowess. Randyll takes every chance he can to shame Sam as insufficient both physically and in regards to his talents (or lack thereof of those skill he deems appropriately masculine). Sam's father is not a fan of the fact that his son prefers books and learning to the physical trials of hunting and war.


Melessa Tarly clearly disapproves of her husband's dismissal of their son. However, she very clearly still propagates the notion that father's ultimately want their sons to grow up in their image. As she takes her new grandson into her arms, she states that she believes her grandson will someday be a scholar just like his father. Her comment here suggests that there is a commonly felt notion among men that sons should grow to exhibit whatever iteration of masculinity that is held by the father.

This rift in acceptable masculine display as it plays out between Samwell and Randyll is similar to other iterations on this theme that have played out amongst other father/son pairings in the world of Game of Thrones. For example, Tyrion, although he is much like Tywin in political prowess, is often denounced by his father as a result of his dwarfism. Tyrion's inability to possess the ideal masculine body is seen as a failure to live in his father's image. Later in this episode we see a similar interaction transpire between Tommen and Jaime. Jaime is disappointed that his son is allowing his power to be taken by the Sparrow. Tommen's meek nature is a disappointment to Jaime who is more assertive. These sons being unable or unwilling to live according to their father's legacies causes the perception  that both father and son have failed.


As much as I have spoken of this idea of legacy in terms of fathers and sons and those sons who tend to fall short, I want to touch upon this theme in a different manner. There are certainly pairs that demonstrate the value of aspiring to be like a parent as well. I would really like to talk about this as it relates to Arya. Arya is arguably quite masculine and although she is not a son of Ned Stark, this episode seems to suggest that she aspires to be more like Ned. There is a moment in this episode when she walks back stage to add poison to Lady Crane's drink and she walks past the prop head of Ned Stark. Even before Arya returns to stop the poisoning that she set in motion. I  knew at this moment that she would not allow the murder to take place and would, in fact start the "return" of Arya Stark (as opposed to pursuing being No One). Arya clearly found a degree of honor in her father's way of living. She clearly is seeing a fault in the Faceless Men's killing paradigm - one that she cannot condone as a relatively honorable person. Although her choice my come to her detriment, as the Waif is now under orders to kill her, she will at least go out knowing that she did the honorable thing: the thing her father would have done.

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I am particularly fond of the Game of Thrones episodes in which we are treated to parody pieces of theater that depict recent Westrosi history. This episode is particularly interesting in that it serves as a twisted source of information for Arya Stark.




This street theater performance is clearly a narrative device to shock Arya's system, to remind her of her old values, the person she once was, and from where she comes. However, Arya has been decidedly absent from being "in the know" regarding political activities and scandals for the past several years. Past the experience of re-living her father's decapitation via parodic performance, the following information she receives from the play is essentially new to her (e.g. Sansa and Tyrion).


Although Arya seems to be incredibly understanding of the "fun" of the parody at the beginning of the scene, the falsehoods begin to affect her as they clearly cause dissonance when portraying her father as less of an honorable man and more of an idiot. Although historical plays are often both exaggerations of events and means of flattery towards those in power - in this case, the Lannisters, we as audience members of the show must understand how this skewed portrayal of events might affect Arya. Arya is often beholden to her reactions to events and this scene seems to suggest that she has not completely allowed herself to see the scenario with complexity. She clearly understands the falsehood of the beginning of the play but has no frame of reference for the rest. As a result she may take more truth from the scene than she should.

So the question becomes, how will this all play out? If Arya, as I suggest above, views the play as containing more truth than is warranted, there is a possibility that she now has a considerable bone to pick with Tyrion. Arya is obviously not predisposed toward erring on the side of trust - nor does history indicate that she should - when it comes to the Lannisters. However, in a bit of dramatic irony, we the audience know just how kind Tyrion was to Sansa, a truth that Arya will be unlikely to seek out on her own. Arya may end up with an unwarranted sense of anger towards Tyrion. We also know that Arya's anger tends to result in death (or at least the promise of it). Will Tyrion be a name that Arya secretly adds to her list?


I have been under the impression for some time that Arya's time in Bravvos will come to an end at some point. Either she will be released by Jaqen H'gar or she will go MIA upon completing her training so that she can pursue her own interests. If this comes to be, Tyrion is not really all that far from her as they are both currently in Essos. Geography suggests a showdown between these characters is definitely possible.

Here's to hoping that Arya's seemingly negative reaction to the play will not result in the death of the only likable Lannister and that we as viewers learn a lesson not to take historical plays (or other pieces of historical extertainment) at face value. Even Shakespeare was known to elaborate a bit when it came to portraying certain historical figures in ways that would appease the powers that be. Clearly truths and lies can comfortably co-exist and if we do not do our due diligence to seek truth from several angles, someone may suffer the consequences.
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Holy Crap!

Can we just take a few moments to appreciate the gravity of all of the amazing moments from last night's Game of Thrones?

** Sits in silence for 10 seconds and lets it all sink-in **

Again in this episode the audience is served a treat of mirroring story-lines between Jon Snow and Daenerys. Each of them experiences a reunion with notable figures in their lives. Dany is met by both Jorah and Daario at Vaes Dothrak (and after literally turning up the heat, she has something of a reunion with her Dothraki "people"). To the North, Brienne safely delivers Sansa to Castle Black just before Jon plans to depart (way to go on the timing, Brienne!). The question I have... What will come of this? What do these reunions mean to these characters?


I think that for both Jon and Dany, these reunions are coupled with a sincere reconstituting of the dynamic between themselves and those to whom they have been reunited. These newly reformed relationships will have vast implications on the future movements of these characters.

Jon and Sansa share a heartwarming conversation in which they collectively recognize their own shortcomings in their previous "life" as siblings (i.e. Sansa was a bitch...Jon was majorly jealous). This new understanding and "forgiveness" of previous familial interactions allows these characters a renewed sense of familial bond at a time that each of them is in sore need of one another's company. In other words, Jon needs a new sense of purpose and Sansa needs to feel both protected and connected. Voila! Each is perfectly suited to provide for the other's needs. In fact, for Jon, this newly found understanding between the two might be what ultimately helps him to decide how to respond to the "pink letter" that he receives from Ramsay Bolton. If Melisandre's visions are any indication, there will be a epic battle of the bastards by season's end.


Dany, after burning down the Dothraki house experiences a strange rebirth as a Khaleesi. The Dothraki people seem all too receptive to the idea of the change in leadership. With just a walk through fire, Dany has turned a notoriously patriarchal people in an instant, converting them to a matriarchy over which she can preside. She did, after all, better their Khal, so it seems to follow that the Dothraki people would naturally uphold their tradition of moving on to living under the new victor's rule.


Additionally, the audience can see that Daario, for all his usual cockiness, is finally realizing/witnessing the true force of Daenerys Targaryen. Sure, he has witnessed her Dragons and even seen her lose firm control of them, but he has never experienced her ability to walk through fire without enduring the usual burn. Perhaps he finally understands the true extent of Jorah's belief in and love for Dany. I think that Daario's awe is also an indication of just how much of a force Dany truly has become. Bring it on Westeros! Khaleesi is coming for you...all of you and your little throne too!


Clearly each of these characters (Dany and Jon) have experienced "game-changers" during this episode. All I want to know now is when these two will finally meet and whether it will be an epic family reunion by way of congenial welcoming or bloody battle.
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There is something powerful about a new beginning. I am sure that many have wished for one at some point or another, I know I have. This week's episode of Game of Thrones has very clearly afforded two major characters the opportunity of a new start. The literal and metaphorical death and subsequent rebirth of Jon Snow and Arya Stark respectively are probably two of the most interesting moments from this season so far. I cannot help but ask, "how will this piece of the narrative affect the future story?"

Although I released a post last night addressing Game of Thrones season 6, episode 2 (which aired last night), I needed a bit more time to prepare myself to talk in more depth about Jon Snow's resurrection. There was just something about this particular scene that warranted a bit more time, a period with which to understand and connect with it on a deeper level. Perhaps this is exactly the point that the showrunners/director wanted to get across to the viewer by shooting and editing this scene in such a particular way; that there is something excruciatingly satisfying in the delayed arrival of a long anticipated moment.

I think that this particular scene was expertly shot and edited. Clearly Jon Snow's death was a symbol to many characters of the loss of something significant (even though that "something significant" would likely be defined differently depending on the character or fan you ask). For some it was the end of hope against the whitewalkers, for some the end of order on the wall, and for some, perhaps, the virtual end of the honorable House Stark. For all of the meaning it may have had, I believe there was a general consensus among the fan community that death would not be the end for Jon Snow. I, for one, have been waiting with bated breath and an unhealthy feeling of anxiety throughout both of the last two episodes just waiting to know how and when Jon would be resurrected.


In the age of the internet where binge watching makes no one wait and the answers to just about any questions are hiding behind our smartphone screen, the writers and director of this episode certainly made the fans "sweat it." This episode certainly brought it back to the fine art of delayed gratification, where every passing second made the reveal just that much more sweet. I am not going to lie, with every departure from that room and every millisecond that passed between Melisandre's completion of her sorcery and the moment Jon's eyes finally gaped open, I found myself yearning more and more for the satisfaction of Kit Harrington delivering any expression or sign of life in exponentially frantic fashion. It was almost as though I was playing a game of "are we there yet?" except my questions were, "Is he alive? Is this happening? Is he alive? Is this HAPPENING?...."


The directors and show-runners were clearly and easily playing with the emotions of a generation of viewers that are not  obliged to wait for anything. Until the last second I was wholly convinced that Melisandre was not the answer to the return of Jon Snow, that he would cease to be resurrected (at least for another episode), and I would have to rest my hopes on another resurrection possibility. But I must say the delayed gratification of this moment made the entirety of the event that much more sweet. I am sure that my poor neighbors could hear my exultation through the walls when it finally happened.


Perhaps after so much anticipation for Jon Snow's return, we the audience have been served a sweet lesson in the art of waiting. Although I do not anticipate ending my unhealthy binge-watching habit anytime soon, I am certainly convinced that stepping back from the constant onslaught of immediate satisfaction from time to time, taking a moment to enjoy the moment, and allowing a bit more time to build toward a more satisfying end might, in fact, be worth every excruciating second of the wait.

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Proceed with caution. Major spoilers ahead!


I cannot speak on behalf of all academics but sometimes I feel like my scholarly career is a dubious combination of imposter syndrome and leaps of faith. I am sure that this paradigm is not exclusive to those in academia, however. In fact, I would almost put money on the idea that this experience affects many merely as a result of growing older and taking on more and far greater responsibilities. That being said, these leaps of faith are often the means by which people are able to understand their strengths and weaknesses; they raise you up or tear you down. At least that seems to be how it works for me.

I find that Season six, Episode two of Game of Thrones appears to be applying this idea of uncertainty and leaps of faith to the story arcs of several characters through "go big or go home" moments that will either move them forward in the game or ultimately cause their fall. I would like to chat about two of these instances from this week's episode as, I believe, they will have vast implications on the greater narrative as it moves forward.


Tyrion is often presented as confident in his political know-how. As he professes in this episode "That's what I do: I drink and I know things." I am sure many of my colleagues would reply, "Touche, Tyrion... tou-freaking-che."

However, with Daenerys still missing, the people of Meereen becoming increasingly more difficult to control (i.e. the masters have re-taken the city), and both Rhaegal and Viserion, Dany's captive Dragons, refusing to eat in their mother's absence, Tyrion is practically at his wit's end. Tyrion understands that both of these situations are dire. Through both the lack of control of the Meereenese people and the potential loss of her dragons, Dany's rule is placed in a particularly precarious situation. In Dany's absence, Tyrion must find a way to reassert control and although he has no reason to believe that he holds any sway over the behavior of Dany's dragons, he takes a leap of faith by unchaining them in the hopes that this action will assist in solving his biggest problems. Of course, we have no way of knowing at this point how this act will pay off for Tyrion,  but the potential pay-off is huge. The presence of the Dragons has the potential for inspiring a renewed sense of fear (and thus loyalty) among the people and will, hopefully, also ensure the health of the dragons (in that they will begin to feed again). Tyrion, of course, is completely aware of the danger he put himself in to appeal to the Dragons and unchain them, leading him to speak one of his most memorable lines of the night to Viserys:

"Next time I have an idea like that, punch me in the face." - #TyrionLannister #GameOfThrones #GoTSeason6

— Marilyn Lorch (@TheNerdBoutique) May 2, 2016

As an additional small point to make regarding the chance that Tyrion takes with the dragons, they react to him in a similar way as they do Daenerys. There are fan theories that suggest Tyrion is actually a Targaryen. Are the Dragon's reactions a hint at Tyrion's true parentage?


This episode also presented a fairly large leap of faith on the part of Ser Davos. It is no secret to those who have been loyal viewers for the past several seasons (or those who have read the books) that Davos has been one of Melisandre's biggest skeptics. However, he has come around in the last season or so to at least recognize that Melisandre has some kind of power. I am unconvinced that he sees her power as rooted in "good" but he certainly has come to understand that she has abilities to make things happen. He asks her in this episode to try her hand at resurrecting Jon Snow. For Melisandre, this request comes in a time where she is clearly experiencing a crisis of faith (hello imposter syndrome!). She was incorrect in thinking that Stannis was Azor Ahai and was thrown off guard when Jon died, for she saw him in the flames fighting at the wall (clearly he would not be able to do that if he were dead). Melisandre, even though she admits she has never performed a resurrection, makes an attempt at the ritual. The end of the episode clearly demonstrates that her magic has served the purpose Davos was hoping it would, but we have yet to know how this leap of faith, on behalf of both Melisandre and Davos, will impact the remainder of the season.


I am quite interested in seeing how these leaps of faith play out in the future episodes. Will Tyrion's release of the Dragons allow him to retake power in Meereen? Will Jon Snow's return mean a return of "business as usual" at the wall?...or will all of these leaps of faith mean that death and/or destruction will befall those who took them? I suppose we loyal viewers will have to wait and see. In the meantime, however, I will just go ahead and convince myself that my life in academia is not so different from the lives of the Westrosi after all.
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