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.