Posts Tagged ‘Game of Thrones’

Cersei, Dany, and the Two-Edged Sword of Religion

Posted: January 10, 2017 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, TV
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Early seasons of Game of Thrones were largely focused on the political and military wranglings of kings, with some trying to secede, some trying to settle grievances, and some with their eye on securing the Iron Throne.

The approaching season will most likely revolve less around kings and more around the actions of two queens: Cersei Lannister (political insider and new incumbent on the throne) and an idealistic outsider with a destiny, Daenerys Targaryen.

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Although there are many points of similarity between these two royals, for this post I’d like to focus on just the intersection of religion with their current political situations. Both involve winged creatures and fire. (And I’m not necessarily talking about dragons.)

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Cersei Lannister: the Queen Who Played with Wildfire

Posted: January 3, 2017 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, Opinion, TV
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This post will be talking about HBO’s Game of Thrones in general, and specifically about Queen Cersei Lannister. She had a pretty eventful season recently on the show, and if you’re not caught up on Game of Thrones, maybe you should stop reading and start watching episodes.

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Yes. Do go away.

Cersei Lannister. The Girl On Fire. (Or rather, the queen who arranges the fire.)

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Think of the Children! (of the Forest, I mean.)

Posted: December 20, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, Opinion, TV
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Happy Holidays! This post will be talking about HBO’s Game of Thrones, the nearly finished adaptation of George “I’ll finish this when I’m good and ready” RR Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire. I’ll be talking about details from the most recent season, so if you’re not caught up with the show as of this date, there’s always a danger of being spoiled.

childrenoftheforest

Spoiled? Feh! Nothing would spoil our idyllic and pastoral lifestyle! Let’s have some fun with blood magic and human sacrifices!

The Winter Solstice is the inspiration for celebratory holidays, based on the observation that the long, dark evenings will start to shorten and daytime will grow longer and longer.

Part of the informal celebrations of the season involves folklore character Santa Claus up in the North Pole with an army of helpful toy-making elves laboring away on surprises for all the good little boys and girls who aren’t on his naughty list. (No one talks much about the invasive surveillance network that old, bearded Santa Claus must be using.)

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Ser Davos – Here’s to Good Old Dave

Posted: November 22, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, Opinion, TV
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This post will be talking about Ser Davos Seaworth, the excellent stalwart and stand-up guy from HBO’s Game of Thrones. Look, there are very few people in Game of Thrones that are as decent as this guy and still alive.

I’m glad to write about him. (Or am I? We’ll see.)

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No need to butter me up, boy. I’m just an oldish bearded white guy. There are dozens and dozens of oldish bearded white guys on this show. One of us was bound to be decent.

Ser Davos the Onion Knight

Davos Seaworth is a noteworthy character in the Game of Thrones universe.

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Artist Spotlight: WikiRascals, the artist-in-residence of the Storm of Spoilers podcast

Posted: November 19, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Arts, Game of Thrones, Podcasts, Westworld
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On occasion, I’ve written about podcasts that I enjoy.

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Election Update: Democracy in Westeros

Posted: November 8, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, Opinion, TV
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Yes, this post is coming on the US election day, but no, it’s not about the US elections. It’ll be political, but I’ll be talking about politics in Westeros, the continent of the Seven Kingdoms (often with a varying number of kings) in HBO’s excellent television series, Game of Thrones.

kinginthenorth

Time for the usual disclaimers: I’m not a political scholar, but if the current US election is any example, anyone can pretend to be a political expert. (Uh oh, I did say I wasn’t going to talk US politics… time to pivot hard…)

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Silent Bob (AKA Gregor Clegane)

Posted: October 25, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, TV
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Less than a week from Halloween! Now’s a good time to talk about a rather spooooooky character from Game of Thrones.

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This post’s topic will be Ser Gregor Clegane. If you’re not up on the latest season of Game of Thrones, then you’re way behind. Get caught up! We’ll wait.

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The Return of the Hound: Breaking the Broken Man

Posted: October 11, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, Opinion, TV
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This post will talk about Game of Thrones, HBO’s excellent adaptation of the unfinished A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin. I’ll focus on the sixth season of the show and in particular, the character of Sandor “the Hound” Clegane.

If you’re not caught up, do so! Forget I mentioned the Hound! And, uh, he probably died in Season Four!

Clegane

The Hound: You know I”m a wanted man, right? Must you be telling everyone I’m still alive?
Me: YOU ARE? SPOILER!!!
The Hound: GRRRRRR…

Okay, now that I’ve misled everyone not-in-the-know, cleverly and indisputably, let’s begin.

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The Extended Life and Stormy Death of Balon Greyjoy

Posted: September 27, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, TV
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The only good Balon Greyjoy is a dead Balon Greyjoy.

Okay, this post will be talking about Game of Thrones, HBO’s adaptation of George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. Specifically, I’ll be talking about Balon Greyjoy, the former King of the Iron Islands. I’m kind of glad he’s dead.

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Bah!

Whoa! Usually I don’t drop spoilers about characters on Game of Thrones at the very top of the post. Yeah, yeah, I know. But there are some things that are hard to keep quiet about  – and I’ve had to keep quiet about Balon’s demise for a very long time. Hopefully you’ll understand as I explain.

Balon Greyjoy Finally Meets Up with the Drowned God. FINALLY!

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In Defense of Smalljon Umber

Posted: September 13, 2016 by patricksponaugle in Game of Thrones, Opinion, TV
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Who owns the North? The Umbers do, or so they allege.

It’s a Lease-to-Own arrangement!

This post will be talking in general about House Umber, one of the great northern houses in HBO’s Game of Thrones, and specifically about their large and hairy leader, the Smalljon.

He’s been quite a rascal. But I kind of get where he’s coming from.

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