SB on Episode 6.1 (for 4/26/16)

SB on Episode 6.1 (for 4/26/16)

Answers and Questions

            In the first episode of the sixth season of Game of Thrones, a few questions that season five left unanswered were solved.  However, episode 6.1 also raised many new questions that may not be answered for some time. 

Answers

            One major mystery that was solved in episode 6.1 was the death of Jon Snow.  Yes, the opening shot of Jon Snow’s dead body and the coverage of the meetings in the first episode of the sixth season definitely confirmed that Jon Snow is dead and that this was not a dream (as some of the fan theorists have insisted). 

However, one of my classmates (House Seisser) introduced the possibility that the final episode of the series Game of Thrones may reveal that every episode of the series was a dream. House Seisser held that this may be Eddard Stark’s dream (or perhaps even a new character’s dream). 

This is worthy of consideration.  Even though connections between real world history and Game of Thrones can be made, it is impossible for me to deny that the entire Game of Thrones universe (and viewing experience) is quite dream-like. 

Another mystery that was solved in episode 6.1 was the survival of Sansa and Theon.  At the end of the tenth episode of the fifth season, Sansa and Theon jumped from the top of the castle, in order to escape Ramsay and the Reek lifestyle. Though this was not discussed in my previous blogs, I thought that it was possible that these two characters died or became seriously injured (and would eventually die) from the jump. 

I was happy to see the sibling duo alive and kicking.  Perhaps the best scene of episode 6.1 was when Sansa and Theon meet Brienne and Podrick.

Questions

            Even though this episode answered many questions that season five left unanswered, many new questions were raised in this episode.  Even though we saw Sansa and Theon escape, episode 6.1 left us with a new mystery about these characters:  what will become of this new connection between Brienne, Podrick, Sansa, and Theon? 

I look forward to seeing more coverage of this new group and their great escape.  Hopefully, this question will be answered in episodes of the near future.

            Even though episode 6.1 provided insight into the nature of Daenerys’s new situation that was introduced at the end of episode 5.10 (with the circle pit of horseback riding people), we are still not sure what will become of this situation.  We did learn that Daenerys’s status as the widow of Kal Drogo prevented her from having harsh treatment.  However, Daenerys’s other titles did not seem to have much significance here. 

There did not seem to be enough coverage of Daenerys in this episode to show the true nature of this new relationship between Daenerys and this new group.  I hope that there will be more coverage of Daenerys in episodes of the near future.

After discussing and reflecting on a few of these solved mysteries and new questions, I came up with a possible reason why this episode left me with such a sense of want for more information.  This is the first Game of Thrones blog that I wrote where the focus is on only one episode.

All of my previous blogs and viewing sessions of Game of Thrones revolved around three or four episodes.  This fact is worthy of mention because in only viewing one episode, you are left with less information than if you watched three or four episodes.  Obviously, this can provide one with a desire for more information.  It will be difficult to wait for one episode a week, but I am sure that all of these questions will be answered in time.

SB on 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, & 5.10 (for 4/26/16)

SB on Game of Thrones: Blog Entry Fourteen – Episodes 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, & 5.10 (For 4/26/16) 

New Connections in this Set of Episodes

            In this week’s set of assigned Game of Thrones episodes, many major characters formed new (and/or rekindled old) relationships with other major characters.  These new (and renewed) connections that were covered in this set of episodes might see further development in (and have a significant impact on the major plot points of) season six. 

            One old relationship that was rekindled in this set of episodes was the sibling relationship between Sansa and Theon (or “Reek,” if you prefer Theon’s new name).  The interactions between Sansa and Theon that took place in episodes 5.7 and 5.8 were particularly fascinating because these scenes depicted the initiation of a major change in Theon’s character. 

This change in Theon’s character could not be observed or confirmed by viewers until episode 5.9 when Theon threw Myranda from the castle (to her death) in order to escape with Sansa.  However, it is asserted that the scenes of dialogue between Sansa and Theon in episodes 5.7 and 5.8 showed Sansa helping Theon rediscover his true identity and remember his true name (namely, “Theon” rather than “Reek”). 

One new relationship that began and developed in this set of episodes was the political relationship between Danaerys and Tyrion.  The Targaryans and the Lannisters are historical enemies but, interestingly, Danaerys and Tyrion share certain political goals in common.  Also, even though Danaerys and Tyrion are quite different characters, these are two of my favorite characters.  The above listed facts made the scenes that covered this relationship to be particularly intriguing to me.  Even though Danaerys flew away on her dragon and left Tyrion in the coliseum in episode 5.9, I still predict (and hope) that Danaerys and Tyrion will interact in future episodes of Game of Thrones.   

Native American Indian History in Game of Thrones

            In addition to new interpersonal relationships, this week’s set of episodes also contained coverage of the development of new relationships between groups of people.  Consider the scenes in episode 5.8 that showed the negotiations where Jon Snow wanted to unite with the Wildlings in order to stand up to the White Walkers.

            It is clear that these negotiations (between Jon Snow and the Wildlings) have been happening in other recent episodes (that were not from this week’s assigned episodes).  It is also clear that other COMS 650 students have already made connections that are similar to the connection that I am about to make in some of their previous blogs. However, I made the observation that these scenes in episode 5.8 (that covered the negotiations) reminded me of certain characters and episodes from Native American Indian history.

            As discussed by Jake Page in In the Hands of the Great Spirit:  The 20,000-Year History of American Indians, Tecumseh (a Shawnee) was one figure of historical significance who was dedicated to unifying various American Indian tribes in order to stand up to even greater hostile invasions.  These negotiations that took place in episode 5.8 shared commonalities with Tecumseh’s situation:  cultures that had previously fought with one another attempted to put aside their differences and unite in order to face a different kind of force that threatened the existence of their home and culture.

According to Jake Page, scholars have argued that some general regions of the contemporary United States have more American Indian culture than other areas because these areas (with more American Indian culture) are the areas where, historically, different American Indian tribes united and displayed the most resistance to hostile invasion.  As discussed in In the Hands of the Great Spirit:  The 20,000-Year History of American Indians, Tecumseh (a supporter of the unification of American Indian tribes) was killed in battle, but his vision of unification inspired others long after his death.

Jon Snow (a supporter of the unification of Game of Thrones tribes) was brutally killed by the Nights Watch at the end of episode 5.10.  However, viewers can still maintain hope that these groups might put aside their differences and unite in order to stand up to the invading White Walkers. 

Works Cited

Page, Jake. In the Hands of the Great Spirit:  The 20,000-Year History of American Indians.            New York, NY:  Free Press, 2004. Print.

SB on Episodes 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, & 5.6 (for 4/19/16)

SB on Game of Thrones: Blog Entry 13 - Episodes 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, & 5.6 (For 4/19/16) 

The “Way” of Thrones

            In this blog entry, it will be argued that this week’s set of assigned Game of Thrones episodes contained references to the philosophy of Taoism.  It will also be suggested that these episodes implied that Taoism is a good way to understand not only the Game of Thrones universe, but also the real universe. 

Taoism

The belief system of Taoism was first explicated by Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu in the Tao Te Ching.  As explained in the Tao Te Ching and as discussed by John Bowker in World Religions, “Tao” means “the way” and the belief system of Taoism involves “going with the flow” of the world, understanding the impermanence of life, and appreciating nature as a means to accept that many life events are beyond one’s control.  The Tao Te Ching is not a very long text, contains simple and understandable (yet extremely aesthetically appealing) language, and provides a deep, humble, and convincing theory of the meaning of human life.

Taoism in Game of Thrones

Just before Tyrion and Jorah were attacked by the stone men at the end of episode 5.5, they were riding down the river in their small boat while having a philosophical discussion and examining the Valyrian ruins.  Tyrion and Jorah discussed how the Valyrians were a great race of people who made significant contributions and that the Valyrians suddenly vanished and, in a way, were erased. 

Tyrion and Jorah’s talk about the Valyrians not only reflected Tyrion’s and Jorah’s personal concerns, but also revolved around the general theme of the impermanent nature of life.  Not only did Tyrion and Jorah’s discussion revolve around the Taoist idea of accepting change, but this discussion took place on a river and rivers are crucial symbols in Taoist philosophy. 

In the Tao Te Ching, life and the nature of existence, in general, were frequently compared to rivers.  To summarize, Lao Tsu declared that, like when dealing with a river, one should not fight the tide of life, but follow the natural order of things and go with the flow of the river of life.  As can be seen, Tyrion and Jorah’s discussion about the Valyrians seemed to be a brief explication of Taoism because this talk revolved around the (Taoist) theme of the changing nature of the world and took place on a river (which is an important symbol of Taoist philosophy).

In the Game of Thrones universe, where life tends to be quite brutal, it seems that Taoist philosophy might be a reliable and consistent way to approach an understanding of the nature of things.  With all of the major characters being killed and all of the increased violence and battles in recent episodes, it seems that a great way to make sense of the Game of Thrones universe is to accept the changing nature of this world. 

Clarification:  Argument for Taoism is Consistent with Arguments from Previous Blogs

In past blogs, I have asserted that Viking (and other forms of) mythology, rather than Taoism, might be the most reliable way to understand the Game of Thrones universe.  Even though Viking mythology and Taoism seem like opposites, I hold one can examine the Game of Thrones universe through the lenses of both Viking mythology and Taoism without running into inconsistencies.

I still believe that the Game of Thrones universe is heading for its own “Battle of Ragnarok” where, similarly to the universe of Viking mythology (that was explicated in Else Roesdahl’s The Vikings and Hazel Mary Martell et al.’s World Myths), the Game of Thrones universe (and all of the characters in it) will be destroyed.  However, I also believe that Taoism (as clarified by my investigation of Tyrion and Jorah’s discussion in episode 5.5) is a great way to make sense of the harsh nature of the Game of Thrones universe.  Further, it seems like Tyrion and Jorah’s discussion not only explicated that Taoism can be used to understand the Game of Thrones universe, but this scene might have also suggested that Taoism is a reliable way to understand the real world.

Works Cited

Bowker, John. World Religions. New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc., 2006. Print.

Martell, Hazel Mary, et al. World Myths.  Florence, Italy: McRae Books, 2002. Print.

Roesdahl, Else. The Vikings. London, England: Penguin Books, 1998. Print.

Tsu, Lao. Tao Te Ching. Trans. Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English. New York, NY: Vintage                 Books,1997. Print.

SB on Episodes 4.9, 4.10, 5.1, & 5.2 (for 4/12/16)

SB on Game of Thrones: Blog Entry Twelve – Episodes 4.9, 4.10, 5.1, & 5.2 (For 4/12/16) 

Further Support for My “Ragnarok” Prediction from Last Week’s Blog

            In last week’s blog entry, it was explained how all of the characters from the universe of Viking mythology (and the universe of Viking mythology, itself) were destroyed in an epic, final battle that is known as “The Battle of Ragnarok” in Else Roesdahl’s The Vikings (and known as “The Twilight of the Gods” in Hazel Mary Martell et al.’s World Myths).  Last week, I predicted that since the television series Game of Thrones shares commonalities with the universe of Viking mythology, the television series Game of Thrones (in the final episode 7.10) will end with the destruction of all of the characters from the Game of Thrones universe (and with the destruction of the Game of Thrones universe, itself).

            This week’s set of episodes provided further support for my prediction that the series Game of Thrones will end with the destruction of the Game of Thrones universe.  As explained in World Myths and The Vikings, all of the diverse creatures from the universe of Viking mythology met in the battle of Ragnarok.  Similarly, there have been more diverse creatures interacting with each other, in this week’s set of episodes of Game of Thrones.   For instance, consider the major battle in episode 4.9 where there were giants riding wooly mammoths.  Also, consider how Daenerys’s dragons are getting so out of control that Daenerys had to chain the dragons in episode 4.10.

            As discussed by Roesdahl and Martell et al., all of the major heroes from Viking mythology (even those who had not yet met each other) met and destroyed each other in the epic battle of Ragnarok.  Similarly, some major Game of Thrones characters (who have not yet interacted with each other) have met and destroyed each other, in this week’s set of episodes.  For example, Arya and the Hound met Brienne and Podrick.  I thought that these two pairs would get along a lot better, but Brienne and the Hound battled to the death.  The Hound was left for dead by Brienne and Arya. 

            Deaths of Major Characters as Support for “Ragnarok” Prediction.  In this week’s set of episodes, some major Game of Thrones characters died.   While pointing an arrow at John Snow in episode 4.9, Ygritte was shot in the back and killed.  At the end of episode 4.10, Jaime freed Tyrion and, immediately after being freed, Tyrion murdered Shae and Tywin.  In episode 5.1, (referring back to the topic that was introduced in Matthew Tedesco’s article titled “It Would Be A Mercy: Choosing Life or Death in Westeros and Beyond the Narrow Sea”) John Snow “mercy killed” Mance Rayder in a very Last of the Mohicans-like fashion:  when Mance Rayder was about to be publicly burned, John Snow shot Mance Rayder with an arrow so that Mance Rayder would die a quick death and not suffer.  Also, there was a brutal public execution that happened before Daenerys at the end of episode 5.2 and is worthy of mention. 

Summation/Conclusion

            Similarly to “The Battle of Ragnarok” from Viking mythology, this week’s set of episodes of Game of Thrones showed many diverse creatures interacting with each other and showed many major characters dying brutal deaths.  These observations provide support for my assertion that (like the universe of Viking mythology) the Game of Thrones series will end with the destruction of the Game of Thrones universe (namely, with its own version of the “Battle of Ragnarok”). 

Further, I assert that this epic, final battle has already begun in recent Game of Thrones episodes:  more and more major characters (like Brienne and the Hound) who have not yet interacted with each other are beginning to interact with each other, mythological creatures (like dragons and giants riding wooly mammoths) are beginning to have a greater amount of presence, and major characters (like Ygritte, Shae, and Tywin) continue to die unexpectedly.   This week’s set of episodes (which included more giant creatures and more deaths of major characters) provided support for my assertions that (a) Game of Thrones and Viking mythology share commonalities and that (b) the series will end with the destruction of the Game of Thrones universe.

Works Cited

Martell, Hazel Mary, et al. World Myths.  Florence, Italy: McRae Books, 2002. Print.

Roesdahl, Else. The Vikings. London, England: Penguin Books, 1998. Print.

Tedesco, Matthew.  “It Would Be A Mercy: Choosing Life or Death in Westeros and Beyond       the Narrow Sea.”  Game of Thrones and Philosophy:  Logic Cuts Deeper Than Swords.        Eds.   William Irwin and Henry Jacoby. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2012. 99-112.        Print.