# Game of Thrones 4.09 "The Watchers on the Wall" 6/8/14 \[no spoilers\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 8, 2014, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348 "2014-06-08T20:28:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Neverending\_Elbow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e274bd/32.png) [@Neverending\_Elbow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neverending_Elbow)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/101 "2014-06-10T08:14:07Z")
Those Westerosi giants must be related to SKyrim giants. [A clip from the game.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc3hL07Kcvg) ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/102 "2014-06-10T08:55:40Z")
Something that occurred to me today: it’s probable that Mance doesn’t know that Jon didn’t really switch sides. Tormund and company lost their Warg when Jon turned on them, and I see no reason to believe that they could have got a message about Jon to Mance anyway. How many Wildlings are literate? So, maybe Jon plans to pretend to be the only survivor to escape from the attack on Castle Black from the south, which should get him close to Mance. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/103 "2014-06-10T11:26:08Z")
Some things which struck me as invisible and off screen for this episode… 1. Large army, 100 tribes, united by Mance Rayder, coming south. Why? How were they united? Need. The Wild Walkers are behind this army driving them south. 1. Attack on the wall, was it just a probe? Why it stopped? Well, what happens to the dead? They come back alive and attack. So massive attack which fails means massive enemy force on the south side. I think the Watch burn the bodies due to respect, but they could technically dump them on the north side of the wall to fight the wildlings (but eventually they’d have to fight them themselves). ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/104 "2014-06-10T11:38:27Z")
The quivering ex city watch man, was Janos Slynt. Notable in story: Was commander of the City Watch in Kings Landing, where he killed Ned Stark’s men, arrested Ned Stark (bought by Lannisters for a Lordship). He was the one to grab Ned Stark and quickly, speeding up the beheading (that wasn’t supposed to happen, and people were a bit too shocked to stop it). Helped Cersei round up and kill the local bastards of King Robert. Afterwards, when Tyrion was acting hand, Tyrion didn’t trust him (betrayed the previous hand, murder of children), and sent him to the wall along with the men who murdered Ned’s men and Roberts bastards. So an overall nasty bit of work, opportunist in the face of betrayal, and cowardly in the face of attack… > **[Janos Slynt](https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Janos_Slynt)** > > Lord Janos Slynt was the commander of the City Watch of King's Landing and founder of House Slynt. Janos Slynt is the commander of the City Watch of King's Landing (also called the "Gold Cloaks"), with almost two thousand men under his command. He is... ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/105 "2014-06-10T12:07:59Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I was glad to see Egret die. I thought she was irritating-- personality-wise and accent. I, for one, will miss her ginger minge … ---
**Author:** ![LouisMasure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9a140/32.png) [@LouisMasure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisMasure)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/106 "2014-06-10T12:14:48Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > Something that occurred to me today: it’s probable that Mance doesn’t know that Jon didn’t really switch sides. > > Tormund and company lost their Warg when Jon turned on them, and I see no reason to believe that they could have got a message about Jon to Mance anyway. How many Wildlings are literate? > > So, maybe Jon plans to pretend to be the only survivor to escape from the attack on Castle Black from the south, which should get him close to Mance. That would make sense. Me all I was thinking while he left the wall was that he seemed very poorly prepared for his nearly impossible mission : he still wear his crow uniform, didn’t take a sword or any survival gear … One very good thing about this episode : it’s probably the last time we have to hear the redhead’s catchphrase, “you know nothing John Snow” ! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/107 "2014-06-10T12:14:53Z")
Did anyone else think Sam looked a little less corpulent in this episode? Either he is losing weight, or they padded him out in the early seasons, and are now making him less rotund? He is still a fat guy, but he seems somewhat less so. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/108 "2014-06-10T12:19:54Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Did anyone else think Sam looked a little less corpulent in this episode? Either he is losing weight, or they padded him out in the early seasons, and are now making him less rotund? He is still a fat guy, but he seems somewhat less so. Whether it’s on purpose or not by the producers, it makes sense – the Night’s Watchmen probably get a whole lot of exercise. Patrolling in bitter cold burns a lot of calories. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Fornicator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Fornicator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Fornicator)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/109 "2014-06-10T12:38:53Z")
Well, he got the girl and found himself, all in one hour. Cometh the hour … Guarantees another demographic is locked in. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/110 "2014-06-10T12:44:10Z")
> [@The\_Fornicator](#): > > Well, he got the girl and found himself, all in one hour. Cometh the hour … > > Guarantees another demographic is locked in. Fat guys? I think we’re already in whole hog. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/111 "2014-06-10T12:56:34Z")
For those bemoaning the lack of Kings Landing this week, I’ve always thought that the Lannisters storyline was about the folly of ignoring the real enemies and dividing the kingdom as the opportunist fool Tywin Lannister seems to be. Tyrion seemed to always be the true wise man of the Lannisters and that’s why they keep trying to kill him. Prediction: Kings landing is largely irrelevant. This is a tale of Dragons vs White Walkers… ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/112 "2014-06-10T13:03:20Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Was I the only one who wondered how Ghost would know who were the bad guys to rip to shreds and who were the good guys to leave alone? For that matter, I don’t see enough difference in ‘uniforms’ to make it apparently who to swing the sword at from behind, Z.b., and who, not. Not having helmets does help, but if the helmets were distinctive – leather vs. steel, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/113 "2014-06-10T13:11:23Z")
I still think Jon can find a way, now that he is in charge of the wall, to get a truce, even a treaty, one that allows the wildings a way to peacefully integrate back to the South, and, even, to become part of the North kingdom. Why not? some of them, anyway. Cannibalism isn’t needed when there is enough protein around from other sources. I doubt we’ll see the resolution of the wilding problem this year. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/114 "2014-06-10T13:18:58Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Was I the only one who wondered how Ghost would know who were the bad guys to rip to shreds and who were the good guys to leave alone? Fanwank: There’s only about one hundred watchers in the fort. Jon asked each and every one to feed Ghost once and let him smell them. Now Ghost knows who is and who isn’t a watcher. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/115 "2014-06-10T13:22:18Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > For those bemoaning the lack of Kings Landing this week, I’ve always thought that the Lannisters storyline was about the folly of ignoring the real enemies and dividing the kingdom as the opportunist fool Tywin Lannister seems to be. > > Tyrion seemed to always be the true wise man of the Lannisters and that’s why they keep trying to kill him. > > Prediction: Kings landing is largely irrelevant. This is a tale of Dragons vs White Walkers… I agree that it’s a major thesis of the story. Much of the leadership in Westoros are fighting over who gets to be king of the ashes, and they’re too power-hungry to realize it. Tyrion is definitely the best hope for the continuation of the Lannister line. I’m still trying to determine whether Tywin begrudgingly knows it and is trying to manipulate Tyrion into the right place, or whether he’s just trying to get rid of him at The Wall or the chopping block. > [@crucible](#): > > I still think Jon can find a way, now that he is in charge of the wall, to get a truce, even a treaty, one that allows the wildings a way to peacefully integrate back to the South, and, even, to become part of the North kingdom. Why not? some of them, anyway. Cannibalism isn’t needed when there is enough protein around from other sources. > > I doubt we’ll see the resolution of the wilding problem this year. I’m pretty sure the cannibal wildlings don’t just do it out of necessity. It may have started from necessity, but it seems pretty ingrained into their culture now, and they seem to enjoy it. Giving them a steady supply of burritos isn’t going to stop them from eating people. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/116 "2014-06-10T13:36:30Z")
That depends. Are they [Government Burritos](http://houston.cbslocal.com/2014/06/09/consul-illegal-immigrant-children-complaining-burritos-eggs-they-are-being-fed-making-them-sick/)? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Fornicator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Fornicator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Fornicator)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/117 "2014-06-10T13:40:33Z")
I kind of assumed Jon Snow would either lead or jointly lead the Wildlings south to battle the Lannisters. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/118 "2014-06-10T14:10:38Z")
> [@The\_Fornicator](#): > > I kind of assumed Jon Snow would either lead or jointly lead the Wildlings south to battle the Lannisters. I don’t think the night watch has ever been against the Lannisters, though acts due to the Bastard son of Robert, against Yoren, indicates that the Lannisters see the night watch as an enemy (or at least not a friend). ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/119 "2014-06-10T14:32:42Z")
Spoiler this if you have to, but can someone clarify how much time has passed in the world of the storyline since the first episode? Do we even know if a year is a year in this world? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348/120 "2014-06-10T14:46:44Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Spoiler this if you have to, but can someone clarify how much time has passed in the world of the storyline since the first episode? Do we even know if a year is a year in this world? I think based on the comments on how long the war was and how long Jaime was captured, we’re right around 2 years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-4-09-the-watchers-on-the-wall-6-8-14-no-spoilers/690348.md?page=7)