Game of Thrones: Daenerys is the Conqueror

     Recently I did a blog about how Jon Snow is the Savior. Now I'm going to do one about how Daenerys is the Conqueror.

     "A prince is riding. I've heard the thunder of his hooves. Swift as the wind he rides. His enemies will cower before him and their wives will weep tears of blood... The Stallion Who Mounts the World."

~ Ser Jorah translating Dosh Khaleen

Mother of Dragons

   She's not just a Henry Tudor figure (because Game of Thrones was based off of the War of the Roses) but also I see a bit of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra in her. She's young but she exhibits an intelligence for strategy. She's wrong sometimes but Dany is wise enough to recognize her mistakes and take her counselors advice. Dany is definitely a liberator and to the slaves she freed she is a Savior but Daenerys has to deal with politics and that means sacrificing certain lower classes such as when she had to execute one of her devoted followers who murdered a Son of the Harpy before his trial forcing her to enforce the law. Let's look at the prophecy:

The Unburnt

"As swift as the wind he rides, and behind him his khalasar covers the earth, with arakhs shining in their hands like blades of razor grass. Fierce as a storm this prince will be. His enemies will tremble before him, and their wives will weep tears of blood and rend their flesh in grief. The bells in his hair will sing his coming, and the milk men in their stone tents will fear his name. The prince is riding, and he shall be the stallion who mounts the world."

~ Dothraki Prophecy

Breaker of Chains

        The mistake many make is they're expecting a man, a prince but I'm reminded of the time of Elizabeth I's birth when her parents were promised a boy by some astrologers. King Henry even had a letter already written out announcing the arrival of a prince but when she was born he had to squeeze in the "ss". Given the Dothraki have a strict patriarchal society where only men can lead I can see why they would assume the Stallion would be male but look at the prophecy carefully when I take out the other stuff:

"As swift as the wind he rides... Fierce as a storm this prince will be... the milk men in their stone tents will fear his name..."

Mysha

      Before season 6 from seasons 1-5 Daenerys is seen as a threat to those ruling Westeros because she's the last living heir of the Targaryen Dynasty and could easily claim the throne as well as take vengeance on those who rebelled and massacred her family. Milk Men in Stone Tents is an obvious reference to the people of Westeros who would certainly fear Dany's coming because she had an army though not yet big enough. Daenerys also make reference to her nickname "Stormborn" because she was born during a terrible storm while her family fled Westeros. You can certainly describe Dany as "fierce as a storm" given her temper and the havoc she can wreak. "As swift as the wind he rides" could absolutely refer to Dany riding her dragons.

"...and behind him his khalasar covers the earth, men without number..."

    Now that Daenerys has the Dothraki behind her she can add it to her growing army. If you want you can count the Tyrell, Martell, and Greyjoys which would stretch her army as far as the eye could see. 

So many titles...

      I know it's tempting to paint Dany as a savior like Jon but there's a defining difference between them. Dany has a foul temper worthy of the Targaryen name. She believes in her destiny. In season 2 when she was asked why she wanted the Iron Throne at first she said, "I promised my khalasar I'd keep them safe" but when pressed she said, "I want the Iron Throne because it is mine by right." But she's also unforgiving. She killed the Masters at Astapor, she banished Jorah for his betrayal, and she wanted to burn down every slave city that tried to destroy Mereen.

         Jon on the other hand can leave his temper at the door and do what he thinks is right regardless of how he feels, which I think is due to the influence of his Stark upbringing. He didn't ask to be Lord Commander, he didn't want to betray Ygritte, and he didn't want to fight for Winterfell but he did those things because he's bound by an honor code. Jon follows orders to the best of his abilities and will sacrifice himself if there's no other way. I have no doubt that once his legitimacy comes to light he'll tell Dany he doesn't want the Iron Throne and be one of the few people who actually mean it. Jon is not ambitious like Dany.

     

       

Scream Queens: More of the Same

       I admit that I was skeptical about Scream Queens but it was pretty good as a horror parody and I felt it should have ended in season 1 but FOX likes it's crap and Scream Queens season 2? Well... It's the same crap rehashed.

The bitches are back and... nothing's changed

      It's all Bimbos, Himbos, stupid jokes, and predictable story plots. What the hell is Taylor Lautner doing there?I can only assume he's eye candy. Every time he talks I zone out because anything he says has no meaning or emotion attached to it. Zeydey for some reason keeps coming back for more psychological punishment or maybe she just likes being the only smart person with a heart among narcissistic morons. And I know the show is called Scream Queens but that doesn't mean they have to scream at every new surprise. 

Being good looking is not a qualification

      Characters? Wow what a train wreck. I liked the ending in season 1 where Chanel finally became a good person by being surrounded by equally mentally dysfunctional people. The intention of a story is to force the character to change in some way but Chanel is still a shallow, self-centered verbally abusive bitch who still bullies Chanel No. 5 mercilessly when before at the end of season 1 they became best friends. I refuse to believe a character is so shallow that they would slide back into old habits or traits just because one character decided to stop taking her meds that made her more likable to another character. A character who refuses to learn is not someone I want to watch. 

Stop. Screaming.

      What is this show's obsession with psychotic serial killers wearing costumes? If it's to keep you guessing on who the killer is you don't need to dress them in a stupid Halloween costume. You can just use gloves and not show anything else. Another thing is the creepiness of John Stamos's character (who's name I've forgotten because I don't care enough to remember) smiling like a predator at the young selfish Chanel is just... Ok I get that he's handsome and I myself have fantasized about older men and I see the appeal but I just get a churning in my stomach every time he smiles. 

Same plot line. Just plain lazy writing

    It's just the cycle of abuse that keeps on giving everyone trauma. It's not scary or even funny it's just plain sad. I understand that it's mostly comedy but they could try a little harder by evolving their story. 

Game of Thrones: Jon is the Savior

       ***I did a blog on this already but that came out all wrong and twisted with highlights and other crap I tried to fix but the blog wouldn't let me. So I decided to do a more concise blog on Jon and Dany's roles in the story.***

     Through out the story Jon and Dany's journeys seemed to have paralleled making them out to be the two epic characters (whether they turn out villains or heroes) in this fantasy adventure series. Both will definitely have a role in the war with the White Walkers but who's the Savior and who's the Conqueror?

      When it comes to decoding prophecies it's basically a mine field of innuendos, misdirections, sometimes contradicting lines put in the form of pretty poetry. In the end they may not mean anything at all or they don't make sense until the actual event. The point is nothing is what it seems in a prophecy...

"There will come a day after a long summer when the stars bleed and the cold breath of darkness falls heavy on the world. In this dread hour a warrior shall draw from the fire a burning sword. And that sword shall be Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes, and he who clasps it shall be Azor Ahai come again, and the darkness shall flee before him."

~ Prophecy of Azor Ahai

    Jon Snow (a.k.a. Jaehaerys Targaryen)

          From humble beginnings to rising star, Jon is a reluctant leader that men would follow into the 7 hells. Some have tried to destroy him but it's clear that Fate has other plans for Jon in the wars to come. But could he be the Prince That Was Promised? Could he be Azor Ahai? Possibly...

       A sword is never a sword in a prophecy. Sometimes it's an actual person. Prophecies are more often than not made up of lovely metaphors. Let's take a look at some of the lines from above. Remember in "The Winds of Winter" 6x10? The flash back in the Tower of Joy, Young Ned Stark places the bloodied sword of Ser Arthur Dayne right before Lyanna as she's bleeding out after giving birth. That was not an accident:

       "There will come a day after a long summer when the stars bleed..." 

      The sigil of House Dayne features a shooting star. And Ser Arthur Dayne was known as The Sword of the Morning (a.k.a. the Morning Star). Ned delivered the killing blow to Ser Arthur Dayne with the knight's own sword (which was also called Morning). Essentially a bleeding star is at Jon Snow's birth but another line of the prophecy is interesting:


     "...that sword shall be Lightbringer..."

   It falls perfectly in line with the oath taken by the men of the Night's Watch:

      "Night gathers and now my watch begins... I am the sword in the darkness... I am the shield that guards the realms of men... for this night and all the nights to come."
  

       As I've said before, a sword doesn't have to be a sword. Jon pledged to be a sword in the darkness. A hero is someone who is the metaphorical light in the metaphorical darkness bringing men together under one banner to fight the great evil. In the books there's even another clue that Jon could be Azor Ahai. Melisandre is looking into the flames:

        "I pray for a glimpse of Azor Ahai, and R'hllor shows me only Snow."

      Jon's last name is Snow. That feels obvious but the interpretation is lost on the Red Priestess (because she's unbelievably incompetent despite her advanced age; I guess for some wisdom doesn't come with age). However, that's still not a clear yes that Jon is Azor Ahai. Another prophecy has some of the same wording as the first one but slightly different:

      "When the star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born amidst smoke and salt."

      Season 2 is when we hear this version of the prophecy. This is by far the most ambiguous and can be applied to a few characters because there was a red comet streaking across the sky seen all over the world for a few episodes (a bleeding star). Daenerys stepped into the funeral pyre, but came out unharmed and with three newborn dragons. Some have suggested that this even applies to Jaime (see theory videos on YouTube). But it could also apply to Jon.

     In Season 6 Episode 2, Melisandre and Davos prepare to bring Jon back to life. The smoke and salt are not obvious at first but if you analyze it then it makes perfect sense. Keep in mind prophecies are mostly metaphors: Melisandre is a fire priestess which is associated with smoke (obviously) and Ser Davos's last name is Seaworth and sea is salty (that required more thought). But who's the bleeding star? It could have been the red comet from season 2 or it could mean the House of Martell. The sun is classified as a star and many members of House Martell have bled. 

     But Bran is also a strong candidate for Azor Ahai given his ability to possess not only animals but humans as well, even in the past! Bloodraven told Brandon that he would never walk again but that he will fly. Most likely Bran will possess one of Dany's dragons but also I think he could use Jon in some way to fight the White Walkers making Jon his "sword".

      Azor Ahai may not be just one person. It could be a collection of people. Oral history in Westeros tells of one great hero that united the living against the army of the dead but oral history is unreliable as certain facts change over time told from different mouths who add details or leave some out. Jon may very well turn out to be Azor Ahai but I do know one thing and that's Jon is a Savior-Archetype in this story. He makes mistakes and doubts because he's human but when the night is darkest he's the leader many turn to and that's what's most important. 

      Did not count on this blog being so long. Next blog will be about how Daenerys is the Conqueror of the story.  

Game of Thrones: Will Jaime Forgive Tyrion?

    In Season 5, when Jaime and Bronn were in the hull of a ship talking about Tyrion, Bronn told Jaime: "If you ever see your brother again, give the wee fucker my regards." Jaime replied darkly: "He murdered my father. If I ever see him again I'll cut him in half. Then I'll send him your regards." Ouch! Has Jaime broken ties with his little brother?

I got your back, little bro.

    From season 1, Jaime was Tyrion's only ally in their messed up family. Even when Tyrion was a baby, Jaime protected and defended him from their hateful sister and their cold, calculating father. It was one of the driving wedges between Cersei and Jaime despite their... "close" relationship. Tyrion returned the favor by giving his one-handed brother a warmer welcome than Cersei and Tywin. He even had Bronn help Jaime re-learn sword fighting but with his left hand. No matter how much Jaime knew Cersei would hate him for saving their brother, he helped Tyrion escape. However, Jaime didn't count on Tyrion murdering their father...

This family is way fucked up.

    No matter how much we disagree with our parents there's still that small part in us that loves them. Cersei disagreed with her father on so many things (mostly on who she should marry and how her children were to be raised) but she was still a daddy's girl that emulated him (the wrong parts since he knew when and where to apply ruthlessness; I feel his speeches on power and legacy confused her making her come out twisted). Jaime seemed pretty broken up about his father's murder though I thought he'd be more understanding. I guess when it came between him and Cersei, Jaime finally gave up on defending Tyrion.

Didn't think there was much that could break
Tyrion and Jaime's bond. Guess Patricide does it.

      Tywin was by far the coldest of parents in the 7 Kingdoms and Tyrion bore the brunt of most of his cruelty and resentment. But Tyrion seemed to turn out better than his siblings. He didn't let Tywin's cruelty embitter him with the world. He's actually quite compassionate but everyone has their limits. Finding your ex in your father's bed after she falsely testified against you in court would drive anyone to murder. We understand why Tyrion killed Tywin and we should assume that Jaime understood the circumstances as well; he knew better than anyone how much Tyrion suffered in childhood well into adulthood. But clearly the Lannister brothers have different levels of restraint. 

One Lannister Son the Dwarf and the other a Cripple;
What a pair they make

     Tyrion is coming back to Westeros with Daenerys at the helm of a large navy and army. Jaime and Cersei have been torn asunder following the death of their last child. Daenerys will certainly want justice for her father's death though Tyrion would be his brother's champion even if Jaime won't want it. Jaime may even blame Tyrion for tearing their family a part but will Jaime die next season? I don't think so. I feel like Jaime has a part to play in the final battle yet to come. 

Dark Matter: Have We Lost Four For Good?

All Hail Four!

     Last night's double dose of Dark Matter left many in shock. And I thought Game of Thrones held the corner stone on the brutality of throne politics! Four announced coldly that he was no longer "Four" but Ryo Ishida. I do see conflict ahead between members of the Raza and Ryo especially when it comes to the new hyper drive that he wants to militarize. But have we lost Four for good?

We all knew this was coming...

    Five saw Four as Ryo and it was not pretty. Four has always been a strong silent type. Even when he lost his memories he seemed cautious and untrusting. But eventually Four began to open up or at least become more at ease with the people around him enabling him to even joke and laugh on occasion. But like all good things it had to come to an end as Four got closer to solving the riddle of his forgotten past. Who could resist a crown? 

Uh oh... I smell a break up

    In a way I saw this coming. Not some of it like killing his poor step-brother but killing the Empress definitely. Like their muscle memory, the crew retained some core personality traits even after the memory wipe. Four has many warrior qualities seeded deep in his core that drive his actions. He follows the samurai code of ethics in discipline and honor that forgot the ruthlessness borne of betrayal and heart break which turned Ryo into a cold blooded murderer. Four could have been content with life on the Raza but his sense of honor and duty drove him to retake the throne because he wanted to help his people which prompted him to upload his old memories; however, in doing so Five's premonition came true in some way: that access to their old memories would return them to their old, sort of evil selves.

A bit cliche for the childhood friend crush thing...

      When Four said his round of heartfelt good byes to even Android I knew that he was leaving the Raza. He wasn't only saying good bye to his friends but also to his old life. He didn't want unfinished business itching his honor code that would have pushed him to return to them. Killing all the traitors in his court including his step-brother (who would still have been a rival) was like a final cut of ties between him and his friends. He wanted to prove that he was ready to move on even if they weren't. But does that mean he's done with them for good?

Take that Game of Thrones!

  
       I agree with Four that they are all different people now. They're better, more morally conscious and considerate of others. Four said that Portia's authority was borne of insecurity but Two was much more confident which was what made her such a leading force on the Raza who respect her. Four may try to revert to his old self thinking that's what he has to be but he grew a conscience. He may become more haunted with his decisions. But then again Four has proven himself unpredictable since gaining his old memories back. All I know is that Four will find himself at another cross roads where he has to choose between his old self and his new self.