re: Crackpot ASOIAF Theories SPOILERS

Mothafrickin bump!!!

Finally finished this whole thread and gotta thank everyone who contributed (except the Bama fan 40-50 pages back who kept insisting that Robert Strong was going to fight Kettleback and the guy 30 pages back who is absolutely blind to the JS=RT+LS theory )

I've gone through Wiki of Ice and Fire while reading this thread and learned and understand so much more about the timelines and history. Reading the pages of all the kings leading up to Aerys, along with other crucial figures like Bloodraven, Breakspear, Rheagar, Ser Arthur Dayne and Howland Reed etc was so satisfying, and reading about the battles in Roberts Rebellion like Bells and TOJ is enlightening and brings ASOIAF into such focus. It really is amazing how the fans have made this into something even more badass than what GRRM has put onto the page.

(Btw, anyone else find it interesting that WOIAF refers to Roberts "Rebellion"?? Not sure if that's endorsed by GRRM or not but seems that this SONG we are following ends with a Targ back in power if the histories will view it as such...sorry Stan )

A particular page that I thought really blew my mind, other than all the Blackfyre stuff, was Aerys' captivity at Duskendale. Really shows how that kick started this whole series of events with Aerys going into seclusion, Rhargar's mind-set going into the tourney, Tywin being on the outs, Varys entering the scene, and mothafricking Barristan Selmy going Chuck Norris on erbody. Unbelievable history there.

I also wanted to throw out a few more questions to maybe get this thread going strong again heading to page 100:

First, a simple one: Is Wyman Manderly dead?? The last time we see him, he's had a sword lash through "3 of his 4 chins" and he's on the ground in a growing pool of his own blood. That whole scene had a strange pace to me, and I couldn't get a good feel for what was happening and what the lasting repercussions would be. But this thread seems to talk about him as a given he's still alive. I hope so. Would be very anticlimactic to see such a potentially crucial and powerful Stark supporter who freed Davos go out like that.

The more difficult and intriguing question has to do with Roberts bastard that Davos sent away from Stannis and Mel. Where is he exactly and who is he with? What part will he play down the road, and will we see him in book 6??

I brought up Jamie and how great I think he is earlier in this thread, and wanted to see what yall thought about his depiction in the series. I agree completely that Jamie has proven himself to be a true knight and an honorable man despite his unfortunate bond with his sister and his attack on Bran to protect that relationship. So I think HBO did his character a true disservice by changing the scene of his escape to portray him brutally and ruthlessly murdering his own cousin. The conversation before that was great and added depth to him, but erased it all by showing him acting as Kingslayer and even worse, Kinslayer. I find that scene to be offensive and may impede the non book readers from accepting him as the knight that he truly is.

Also, I saw many people mentioning RW and PW as scenes they are looking forward to seeing on screen. Which others? I cannot fricking wait to see Barriston as Kingbreaker. Also, Frog as Dragontamer in the pyramid will be interesting to see on screen.

But how about Red Viper vs. Gregor, and especially Sandor vs. RS (I know we haven't even seen it on page yet, but goddamn this is what I am looking forward to the most ) Also, I truly did not make the Sandor=Gravedigger connection so bless all yall geeks for blowing my effing mind with that

There was also talk about the saddest scenes. Aside from the obvious ones, how brutal is it thinking about Arya throwing rocks at Nymeria to get him to run away to save her life

But the worst might be Ned killing Lady. I found that gutwrenching even on first read but looking back it is torture. It also truly makes you hate Cersei and Joffrey, and even Robert a bit for not telling Cersei to shut her hole that he wasn't going to make Ned do that. I may be making this up, but doesn't Ned realize in the book at some point that he made a huge mistake by killing the direwolf, which is the sigil of his house? I think he even thinks something like "What have I done?" Did that happen or did I imagine that?

Finally, I believe it was Cotton who mentioned Neds quote about the only time a man can be brave is when he is scared and tying that to Sam is so effing money. Sam, and possibly Sansa, is pretty much the only character who ever shows fear at all. He is without a doubt going to be the man to face down fear and show TRUE bravery at some point. Sansa too imo. No clue if he'll live or die in the process, but Sam the Slayer will be sung of for generations.

That's all I got for now, but thanks again for this epic beacon of a thread that lights the night to ward off terrors and warms the soul through the winter. (Had to throw that line in to prove I can geek out with the best of yall nerds )