I read an interview where he stated that he told the show’s producers the broad strokes of how the story ends, in case he doesn’t finish the series.
Rome cost twice as much to make as GoT, they basically built a city to use as a set.
BTW nobody actually believed that was really Aegon right? One of the things Qaithe warned Dany about was a mummers dragon, obviously hinting at the fake Targaryen.
I do. How did they fake eye color? “Mummer” doesn’t automatically mean false. It’s hardly beyond the eunuch to pull off a corpse swap with an infant. It fits neatly with who he is. If I’m wrong, whatever, but I’m not looking for a twist.
Doesn’t have to be fake. The Targaryens aren’t the only family in the world with Old Valyrian blood. In fact, we were introduced to another through portraiture and memory just a few chapters before we were introduced to “Aegon”, which I think was no coincidence.
In “A Feast For Crows”, Cersei notes that there are plenty of people who look Targaryen-ish when thinking about the Bastard of Driftmark.
Was that Illiryo’s wife? He was very interested in seeing that kid.
And I vaguely recall that Varys had been a mummer. So, the mummer’s dragon = Varys’ dragon. And no way I’m trusting something that Varys set up. Particularly since he wouldn’t have put all the work in he’s done for Daenerys if he had another Targaryean in the wings. And I don’t think Illiryo would’ve given his dragon eggs to Daeny if he knew of another true Targaryean.
Well, the intent was for Aegon (fake or otherwise) to meet up and join with Dany. I think it’s likely that Aegon believes himself to be the real deal. Connington may also believe it. I won’t completely dismiss his authenticity just yet.
There was a mummer’s dragon in visions she had at the house of undying also, she even talks about it to Jorah. She tells them they are used to give the heroes something to fight.
Yes, that’s who I meant.
Earlier in the thread someone suggested that “Aegon” could be Illyrio’s son and that makes a lot of sense. There are a few hints: his eagerness to meet the boy, Tyrion’s questions about Illyrio’s real motives etc.
Although I’m with you in provisionally assuming Aegon is genuine, eye color is certainly no guarantee in a book with people who can instantly change their entire face, and with at least three different kinds of animate corpses (wights, Cat, and Frankengregor).
Victarion had the POV chapter named The Reaver in a previous book, yes? That was a kickass introduction for the character, and his unparalleled brutality delightfully continues in this book. I have high hopes for continued salty smashings in chapters to come. He and Dany have some commonality: both love to fuck.
One point: we get the two knights who are now working for Selmy.
Again, a small thing for that many pages.
-Joe
Possibly not a small thing: unlike Frog’s, their storyline continues.
Did anyone else feel Jon Snow was wrong about wanting to rescue those wildlings from hardhome? After what happened at the fist and the letter from the ships that had suicide mission written all over it.
DigitalC: Yes, I think it was a mistake of Biblical proportions. I believe Snow is the only one who can keep the Wildings and the Rangers halfway cooperative. If he leaves, they’ll be at each other’s throats in jig time (if they weren’t already doing so at the end of ADWD).
How in the hell can the Night’s Watch continue to exist after they murdered two of their own Lord Commanders IN A ROW? If anyone else in the kingdom with half a brain would notice, they might be disbanded for their total incompetence and depravity. And who the hell would want to be Lord Commander after seeing what happened to Mormont and Jon Snow?
Even beyond that (Who wants to be King’s Hand when they seem to have the life expectancy of a gnat?), as far as the Seven Kingdoms are concerned the purpose of the Watch is to keep the wildlings out. And now they’ve gone ahead and let them through.
So, really, nobody is going to take them seriously anymore. Their existence is moot.
-Joe