Game of Thrones: Daenerys Targaryen: Savior or Destroyer?

             A few similarities have been made between beloved heroine Dany and her mad ancestors (mostly her insane pyro dad). This prompts some fears from me that she may turn out to be a villain instead of a hero which would be the show's biggest misdirect.

Savior or Destroyer?

Side Note:

         Since George R.R. Martin loves basing his story on history I can't help but feel he based the Targaryen tradition of wedding brother and sister off of the Ancient Egyptians. The Royal Family of Ancient Egypt would practice the tradition of incest (brother and sister, father and daughter, grandfather and grand-daughter, mother and son, nephew and aunt, etc.) to keep their blood "pure" as well as to keep the fortune in the family. However with in-breeding comes disease such as deformities, madness, and other genetic disorders. Though it's also true that Pharaohs could make the sons of their many concubines his heir (if no other heirs from his marriage survive) adding some new blood to the pool it still turns out to be a pretty shallow gene pool. 

Yep, I'm alive. I'm the Unburnt duh!

Savior?

        Dany has shown from the beginning that she has a tender heart drawing people and bonding them to her. Dany is devoted to the people who serve her treating them like family because, well, they're the only family she has. She abhors violence unless it's necessary to show strength. She despises blood sports as well. Dany freed the slaves, abolishing the practice altogether. She inspires people. 

      Daenerys had a rough childhood and she could have grown up bitter but she still has a gentle heart though it may also be her greatest weakness as well as her greatest strength.

Burn it all down

       
Destroyer?

      The reason why I say her gentle heart could be her greatest weakness isn't because she trusts easily. It's that she has a hard time forgiving people even though it would make more political sense and that's perhaps some of the Mad King in her that could go against her. 

Dany's got her "bitch" death stare on

  
       Yes, Dany burned and massacred slavers in Astapor but not all masters who own slaves are evil. Some were probably very kind and fair but we didn't see that. Dany told the Unsullied to kill every man holding a whip and every soldier and even though she commanded no child be harmed that hardly excuses her from such violence. Dany assumed that anyone who owned slaves was evil but as Jorah had said, "There is good and evil on every side." 

Yes, Precious...

        I actually felt more sorry for Hizdhar zo Loraq. He was a nice guy who was trying to keep the peace, displaying himself a loyal citizen and subject; even though Dany openly showed her dislike of him, Hizdhar took it like a beaten dog. But you would say, "Dany made Hizdhar her ambassador and put him on her council." So? She still ignored half his advice. He knew Mereen and the people better than Dany who was basically an invader. He was right to open the fighting pits. Both former slaves and free citizens cheered at the blood shed. Dany may not have liked blood sports but the citizens did. Tyrion also decried the violence but again the crowd spoke for itself. 

Mama's coming to take back the Iron Throne

        Dany may have a gentle heart but she also has violent tendencies. Tyrion, Jorah, and Ser Barristan had to talk her down quite a few times. Sometimes to no effect. Thankfully I think Tyrion will be a good influence on Dany to help stay her hand. Depending on who's telling the story Dany could be seen as a villain or a hero. Her army burns a farm to that farmer she is a villain. Given she has Dothraki who aren't known for their mercy I see whole towns and innocent people getting raped, murdered and enslaved. Dany may try to stop it but it's kind of what she promised them. Too early to tell if her foreign army will help or hurt Westeros. Here's hoping she's a savior...

Grimm: Nick's Tragic Love Triangle

        Next season is only going to have 13 episodes. I may be the only one who's relieved because as entertaining as it is to watch Nick solve Wesen crimes it really distracts from the story lines we're all more interested in (or at least I think that). Yet it has me wondering how Nick's relationship with Adalind will be now that Juliette seems to have her emotions back.

Looking at these 2 you never would have guessed
they would have a kid and be a family

        Since her interactions with Nick, Juliette has been peeking through the cool exterior of Eve. From threatening Adalind directly to trying to put seeds of doubt in Nick's head, I could see some little twinkle of hope in Eve that Nick's relationship with Adalind would break. And maybe some fans of the old couple see this as a ray of hope for Nick and Juliette to get back together. Let me just say that may not happen. It's not just because I'm a fan of Adalind that I say this. But I feel like the cards were stacked against Nick and Juliette ever since he became a Grimm in season 1. If Nick and Juliette had a normal life (in fact they were given a second chance to have one but Nick wanted to be a Grimm again; also Juliette volunteered to help) then I definitely would have seen them getting married and having a family. Their relationship seemed to be strong. Strong enough to overcome Adalind's sleeping/memory wipe curse and to even work together but it just wasn't strong enough to overcome Juliette becoming a hexenbeist. 

Who knew these 2 would be a great family

       I know. You're going to tell me "But Adalind is a Hexenbeist and she and Nick get along great!" While I agree there's some hypocritical evidence supporting Nick and Adalind the fact is Juliette has done stuff way worse than Adalind. Adalind was being manipulated by Reynard and also she was trying to protect herself against a Grimm. Once Adalind became a mother she seemed more human to us. She cursed Nick because he took her child from her. When they did that I had a hard time supporting the Grimm team. It just wasn't right to force that decision on Adalind and go behind her back after they helped her get away from the Royals. Adalind was very justified in her reaction. 

They were so happy... Where did they go wrong?

        Nick forgave Adalind for the sake of their son. After putting away his hatred he saw that Adalind wasn't inherently evil as all Grimms previously believed about hexenbeists. Grimms were basically outright killers not caring which Wesen were evil or good. It was black and white but Nick decided to be different. He knows that Wesen are human too with layers and even Hexenbeist seem to have a light side. Nick soon developed feelings for Adalind even if he hasn't said them out loud I believe there's some romantic feelings there. 

You know what they say about good things & endings?

       Adalind waited a while to tell Nick about becoming a hexenbeist again but instead of it breaking them Nick was calm about the whole thing even though he already knew. This shows that they're bonding and it seems to be stronger than his love for Juliette. It could be that they both grew up or (in Nick's case) have ties to the Wesen world so they have a stronger fortitude. Juliette helped to kill Nick's mother. She almost killed Monroe (making Nick pull the trigger!). And let's not forget she tried to kill Nick. If Trubel didn't show up then Nick would be dead. Some things just can't be forgiven or forgotten. 

The chemistry is just crackling like a roaring fire here!
Who knew?

        The fact is some relationships just aren't strong enough to withstand such obstacles or a terrifying storm. Even in real life long term relationships end. Not because no one tried or even that they don't love each other but because some people grow apart or something that kept them together isn't enough anymore because they want different things. I do see some trouble for Adalind and Nick but I feel like Nick will forgive her for taking their son but an emotional Juliette with magical powers could be a problem. Will they overcome it? We'll see... 

"Can you say 'Dada'? 'Mama'? Can you say 'Grimm'?"

Game of Thrones: Predictions for Season 7

       So Daenerys is FINALLY going to Westeros with her three dragons and an army to take back the Seven Kingdoms though honestly seeing how so many of the previous houses are either wiped out or have dwindled in numbers as well as in power it should be easy pickings for her. But the events of the season 6 finale give way to many questions as to how season 7 will progress. As there are only supposed to be 7 episodes it'll be a short season but I feel like it'll be the most intense.

"Bitch please... I'm the Mother of Dragons."

 1. Queen Cersei vs The Mother of Dragons

          We remember the prophecy in season 5 where Cersei was told that she would be queen but all of her children would die before her. Then a new queen, younger and more beautiful would come to take all that she held dear. At first we assume that it was Margery but she died and then Tommen committed suicide. Now Cersei is queen in her own right (how she pulled that off who knows... Killing the right people I guess) and Dany is on her way with her fleet and three dragons.

           Putting together all the visions of the future so far: 1. Dany's visions in the House of the Undying, she's in The Red Keep which is abandoned and in ruin as snow and or ash fell; 2. Bran's vision of a dragon flying over King's Landing and of wild fire exploding. So far the wild fire thing came true but there are more caches located in the city and I assume Cersei knows where they all are. Now my prediction is that Dany's first stop may be King's Landing. She has the ships and again dragons so she could easily take the city but I feel like Cersei rather than giving up her crown will let the city burn and die in the process. I do feel like Cersei's time is coming.

Am I the only one who sees this relationship ending badly?

          So will Jaime kill Cersei? History often repeats but Jaime may just abandon Cersei. He didn't look thrilled to see her sitting on the Iron Throne because that meant their son was dead. Now all of their children are dead there's nothing much keeping Jaime and Cersei together. Cersei is definitely giving off that "Evil Queen" vibe and we all know what happens to the Evil Queens.

Sorry, honey. I like my women blond and blood related

2. Jaime redeems himself

           Though I feel like Jaime won't survive season 7 I do feel like he'll die for some selfless heroic reason to redeem himself. I know Jaime is supposed to be "good" but I haven't really seen that except with Brienne. She seems to bring out something honorable in him. I do also think that maybe Brienne and Jaime will meet again even though others think they won't. From season 1 you could feel a ramp up for this epic battle of the living vs the dead and Jaime has a Valyrian steel sword made from Ned Stark's sword Ice. Jaime could either give the sword to Tyrion to use in the fight with the White Walkers. But that's a theory without much weight.

At least 1 fan theory has been put to rest

 3. Jon's Parentage becomes more public knowledge & he rides a dragon

         Now that one fan theory has been put to rest once Dany arrives in Westeros I have a feeling she'll find someone who tells her that she has a surviving nephew out there. Perhaps Melisandre finds this out and tells Daenerys or Bran tells everyone this information when they're all together at the last minute before the big showdown. Technically Jon is the only family Dany has left. He may not be a true born Targaryen (or maybe he is if you remember my blog about Lyanna and Rhaegar) but he's family making the Starks and Targaryens kin if not immediate allies (or at least it should).

Mama's going home

         The second vision of the House of the Undying was of the Wall. Meaning that someone wants Dany to go North and fight the White Walkers. Dragons breathing fire and all they would be a huge help to Jon and his army. Also since Jon was declared King in the North someone may mention a marriage proposal. It would make political sense for Jon and Dany to get married finally bringing peace between the two families and uniting the North with the Seven Kingdoms again. Didn't Dorne do the same thing? But that's more wishful thinking than a prediction. Nevertheless I see Dany going North at some point meeting Jon and he will get to become a dragon rider. 

If they're actually related my mind will blow!

  4. Tyrion becomes a dragon rider

             Melisandre kept saying that King's Blood has magic power but it's more like Valyrian blood is magical. The House Baratheon is related to the Targaryens and Jon is the son of Rhaegar. And Valyrian blood is very much present in Essos. In a few episodes we've seen Tyrion getting some intense stares from some fire priestess. Then in Castle Black where Melisandre was intently staring at Jon through the flames. And then when Tyrion saw Drogon flying by in Old Valyria and when the dragons in the crypts trusted him to set them free from their chains. There's something about Valryian blood that is special. Also there have been many fan theories as to whether or not Tyrion is really the bastard son of King Aerys II, which would make him Dany's older brother. Side note I see some big family reunions in season 7...

My name is Arya Stark. You killed my family.
Prepare to die

   5. Arya Reunites... with someone

            I see some big reunions for Arya whether good ones or bad ones. Perhaps she sees the Hound again. But after watching her kill Walder Frey with a smile I don't doubt that Arya isn't finished with her hit list. It could be she journeys to King's Landing to kill Cersei but perhaps she runs into Gendry instead. I feel like he'll be important or at least I hope so because we haven't seen him since season 3 and I would hate for him to die off screen in a blaze of wild fire. 

           Or perhaps she'll just go North and find Nymeria. Nymeria and Ghost are the only Stark Dire Wolves left (why did Summer and Shaggy Dog have to die??????). Given Arya is becoming a cold blooded assassin dead set on revenge her arc feels unpredictable at this point.

Didn't work out for Robb but luckily Jon's still hung up
on Ygritte so no surprise marriages here

6. Sansa, Jon, & Littlefinger drama

           Sansa and Jon seem to be very close right now but that doesn't mean it'll be a smooth road between them. So far Littlefinger has been the cause of some strife between the reunited Starks. He keeps putting little seeds of doubt in Sansa's mind about her brother (though I guess they're more first cousins). Given how Sansa suffered so much abuse (mostly because of Littlefinger he keeps forgetting) I don't blame her for being guarded even with her own family. I do see some jealousy on Sansa's part. It's not like Jon rubs his prowess in her face though. Far from it. Jon is a reluctant hero but when people need a leader he steps up. 

"Umm yeah can you back up a bit? Personal space..."

          Now that Jon is King in the North, Sansa may feel like she's being put in second place. She may feel like no one respects her opinion and take that out on Jon by either undermining him or just head butting with him in public. What I'm hoping is that Sansa works with Jon instead of against him. She needs him. Jon has proven himself a warrior, a leader, he was a man of the Night's Watch and has the respect of the Free Folk as well as the Northern Lords and even the Knights of the Vale. However, Jon has shown that he can be emotional and that leads him to make mistakes. Perhaps Sansa will try to be the calculating brain while Jon remains the heart.

He lasted for so long but no character is ever safe

7. Who else may die in Season 7

         I feel like Ser Davos will die. Just a feeling. And also Littlefinger but that one I'm going off a prophecy in the books where some ghost says Sansa will kill a giant at Winterfell. Littlefinger's ancestors are from Braavos and being there's a colossus there (a symbol of the city) it leads me to believe that Sansa will kill Littlefinger somehow. 


     So those are my predictions as well as wishes for season 7. I may be wrong about most of it but the show is reaching its end and so far it's proven that it can still shock us. 

Game of Thrones: Who Was the Knight of the Laughing Tree?

       Theories abound as to the identity of the mysterious Knight of The Laughing Tree. So far there are two strong candidates: Lyanna Stark and Howland Reed.

      At the Tourney of Harrenhal where the infamous incident of Rhaegar giving Lyanna the crown of winter roses there was a Knight that no one knew who unseated three knights then disappeared. Rhaegar went after him but all he found was a shield with the knight's sigil. I'm neither going to debunk nor try to help confirm these two theories. Just going to present my facts.

     Lyanna Stark

          There has to be a reason that Rhaegar gave Lyanna the Crown of Love and Beauty. It couldn't have been to gain favor with the North who are staunchly honorable when it comes to courtship. A married man giving a gift to a girl who's betrothed doesn't sound like the best way to gain their favor. Rhaegar also seems to have been respectable to women. 

          What Lyanna has working for her is that she's headstrong and likes to play with the boys. In Bran's vision he sees Lyanna knock her little brother down when they were playing at sword fighting. Clearly she has some skill in fighting BUT you need to account real world facts.

       For one thing have you seen the armor and all the things knights have to carry? A lance? A lance is pretty heavy. You need to hold it steady while you're weighted under all that metal that's to keep you safe until you hit the ground then you're basically simple beans in a can being jumbled around and you could possibly break your neck. Not only that it's hard to see through those damn helmets. Lyanna would have to have terrific eye sight and the strength to be able to hold herself up, keep on her horse without falling off, and aim at her target all while moving.

      Not to say that women can't joust. I'm sure Brienne could knock a few guys off their horses but she had years of training, building muscle mass. By all reports Lyanna wasn't big or lean. She could sword fight totally but jousting requires more effort. I don't know if Lyanna had the stamina. The will perhaps but not the stamina to be able to hold her own during a joust.

     Howland Reed

           But we have Howland Reed. Now he seems more plausible. Starks are by all account honest people. They don't take to hiding their identities in conflict. If someone offends them they make sure that person sees them. Starks like to be seen doing justice. But Howland Reed now that guy maybe small but he's lean and he's smart. In one of Bran's visions of the past Howland Reed stabs Ser Arthur Dayne in the back. He's also from a swampy landscape where nothing is what it seems. To stay alive in the swamps of the Neck you need to be crafty. Hiding yourself, using tricks or clever disguise to get the jump on your opponent seems to be what Reed would do when faced with a fight.

          Though we have to wonder where was Howland Reed during these matches? I don't know if he was absent or present. All focus was on the matches. Was Lyanna absent as well? Ned would have noticed if his sister was gone unless she feigned illness that day though there's no account of either of those things being said. Howland could sneak away without being noticed. He wasn't from a big important family and he was kid. No one would have missed him. 

         Lyanna and Howland could have collaborated though it seems unlikely. Maybe Rhaegar found that it was Howland, explained why he did it and that Lyanna helped him out with those squire bullies so that could have been the reason Rhaegar gave Lyanna the crown to honor her fierceness in standing up for others. I don't know. It could be a completely different person for all we know. The reason we suspect Lyanna and Howland is because the 3 knights that the Laughing Tree Knight defeated had squires that bullied Howland at the tourney. So far that's our only lead. 

      

Agents of SHIELD: New Director

           There have already been a few theories as to who the new Director of SHIELD is. I feel like it's obvious. It's Melinda May.

Coulson is such a dad

        Not only is it the most logical choice I feel like it was going to happen. As much as I love Coulson I didn't feel like he was cut out to be Director. He had the heart and more often the stomach but he sometimes let his heart get in the way. Sure Coulson has made a lot of tough calls but as we've seen in season 3 he's allowed his heart to get in the way which caused him to make quite a few mistakes that almost destroyed the world. Another thing is Daisy was always Coulson's blind spot. Even in the beginning I saw an instant connection between them. They had that Daddy-Daughter chemistry from the start. He even admitted it to May that Daisy was the closest thing he had to a daughter. Coulson felt like he needed to protect Daisy but at the same time admired her strength and resolve as well as her desire to help save the world. It makes sense that since Daisy went rogue that Coulson would step down because where Daisy's concerned he may not think clearly. Which leaves May...

May said she wanted less field work

       Before Daisy met her mom I feel like she saw the quiet, strong, reserved Agent May as a mother-figure. In fact Daisy saw both May and Coulson as parental figures. Remember her dream in season 2? May and Coulson with a baby that they leave echoes Daisy's abandonment from her biological parents. Where Coulson is the empathetic parent that likes to make corny Dad jokes, May is the more strict parent who is more likely to ground you because someone has to be the disciplinary one. When necessary May will make the tough call. If Daisy needs to be put down then May will order the axe to fall. Though I think she would opt to do the deed herself. 

I see you!

         If I'm wrong I'll be hugely surprised because May is more than qualified for the job. And I don't think Coulson would do well under a stranger. He respects May so much that he was willing to let Andrew go if it made her impossible for her to work with him. She's his right hand and May has the same respect for Coulson. Not saying that Coulson wouldn't be a pain in Director May's ass but they've worked together for long enough that they would be honest with each other. May deserves this promotion! 

The Originals: Any Hope For a Reconciliation?

         After a few weeks of avoidance I finally watched the season finale of The Originals and whoa... Klaus actually made a huge sacrifice for his family though I feel like it was also for Marcel's benefit. Why? Because Marcel is still considered a Mikaelson. 

I got the magic juice, buddy

       Okay. Marcel feels betrayed because he was. Freya and Elijah destroyed Davina to save themselves even though they knew it would have destroyed Marcel who thought Davina as a daughter. Klaus was equally devastated when Elijah ripped out Marcel's heart. Klaus thought of Marcel as a son he thought he would never have. Marcel insisted to say that he wasn't a Mikaelson and would never be considered a true born Mikaelson but let's remember: even blood born Mikaelsons try to kill or destroy one another to some capacity. Mikael (no Father of the Year) tried to murder his own children. Esther tried the same. Their Aunt Dahlia almost succeeded in wiping them out. Finn constantly tried to end his siblings one way or another. Klaus has daggered his brothers and sister countless times. You seem to be a true Mikaelson when you attempt to murder members of your clan. 

All Hail the King

         Marcel became Dracula 2.0 not just to try and destroy Klaus. Think back to season 1, Marcel took the Mikaelson crest for his own even though he was the one responsible for their expulsion from New Orleans in the first place. Klaus was the father Marcel never had and he tried to emulate him when he took charge of the city. Isn't part of being a Mikaelson taking charge? Granted Marcel did it better than Klaus. In his way he took after both Elijah and Klaus. Marcel showed restraint and calm but sometimes showed strength and brutality. Yet he always displayed these different traits when necessary. He knew when to be ruthless and knew when to be chill. You have to wonder deep down that Marcel wanted Klaus to see what he built and be proud. I know. Marcel did try to plot and kill Klaus in season 1 but we all say things like that about our relatives at some point in our lives. I doubt Marcel would have gone through with it... I hope.

Can't help but think this alliance won't last

       So Marcel condemned Klaus to be daggered and sealed away to suffer. Like father like son, right? I saw the look on Marcel's face when he drove that dagger into Klaus. He didn't seem as relieved as he should have been or thought he'd be. Marcel is in charge now but who is he? I don't see the chill, calculating vampire king from the past 3 seasons. Vincent was right to turn against Marcel again. He's angrier. More despondent... Just like the old Klaus. I can't help but think that Marcel may become more brooding and miss his warring family (though never say it out loud). I'm sure he knows Hope is out there who may come back and try to get revenge for her family. She could definitely beat him with a flick of her finger (the subject of a later post). 

Hope will be talking in Season 4!!!

      Marcel is unaware that the Mikaelsons are still alive though hanging by a thread. Hayley will find the cure but before that will Marcel meet some new big bad that will force him to free his mentor/surrogate father? Or will Marcel be that big bad that forces Vincent to revive Klaus to try and get rid of Marcel? Either way I see some form of reconciliation between Marcel and his adoptive family. Given how much this family has been through it's hard to imagine them being completely done with each other.   

Game of Thrones: Princes That Were Promised

Take a trip into the past

     The Prince that was Promised is a common phrase referring to some chosen prince or leader that will rise up and conquer the world or even save it from eternal darkness. There have been a range of theories as to who this Chosen Prince is but I think it's not just one prince but 2: Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen. Now I haven't read the books so forgive me if I get things wrong. Mostly I'm drawing from the show. 

The Stallion who mounts the world

      Every culture from Westeros to Essos seems to have some prophecy about a mythical Chosen One. Daenerys is definitely the Stallion that Mounts the World:


      "As swift as the wind he rides, and behind him his khalasar covers the earth, men without number, 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 the stone tents will fear his name. The prince is riding, and he shall be the stallion who mounts the world."


    "As swift as the wind he rides" and "Fierce as a storm". Daenerys is mostly called Daenerys Stormborn before any of her other titles and dragons can be pretty swift. Although Dothraki worship the horse the prophecy isn't specific on what sort of mount this Stallion will ride. After the last episode where Dany gave this inspiring speech about conquering Westeros reminds me of the last part of the prophecy: "the milk men in the stone tents will fear his name." Milk men? Stone tents? Doesn't take a genius to figure that this refers to the men of Westeros living in castles. Yes, the prophecy describes a prince and Dany is a woman but remember in this world as well as in ours it's mostly a patriarchal society where men are on top. 

Born again...

     "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."

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


      I'm never one to take prophecies as black and white. They're never literal. A sword is never a sword. Leading me to believe this so called Lightbringer is Jon Snow. For that I give you the vows spoken by the Men of the Night's Watch:


     "Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death... I am the sword in the darkness... I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men."

Born amidst Smoke and Salt

       Seems to fit so well doesn't it? And Azor Ahai being "born again amidst smoke and salt"? Jon Snow was brought back from the dead by Melisandre (smoke as in smoke and fire) and Ser Davos Seaworth (salt as in the sea). Jon is a light bringer not in a literal sense but warrior archetypes are often identified with weapons like being called a hammer or a shield. So it's most likely that Jon is this sword, Lightbringer but does that also make him Azor Ahai? Maybe... Azor Ahai wields Lightbringer so it may just be Jon will work with someone against the Others and the Night King. Dany maybe? Or even Bran? Bran is a warg that can possess humans as well as animals. It could very well be that Bran is Azor Ahai and Jon Snow will be his sword.

One of the Chosen Ones

     Not sure if I'm the only one who's made these connections or put forth these theories but prophecies are so poetic and cryptic that you don't know what they mean until after everything has gone to hell and even then you're skeptical. Also prophecies can be interpreted a thousand different ways so it's best to avoid them altogether if you can help it. One thing is for sure: the world is approaching a war between light and darkness. The end will determine the fate of not only Westeros but the world.