#480 The Uncluded - "Boomerang" from "Hokey Fright" - The Uncluded is perhaps the strangest duo to debut in many years, featuring kitschy folk singer Kimya Dawson and rapper Aesop Rock. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tv-K-YIgcI
#479 Gems - "Sinking Stone" from "Medusa" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcyCMMYvi0s
#478 Minks - "Doomed And Cool" from "Tides End" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6lmnjgPpSI
#477 Telekinesis - "Little Hill" from "Dormarion" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuIebc_lRE4
#476 Bleached - "Searching Through The Past" from "Ride Your Heart" - Dream-pop makes it's first appearance as a genre on this year's countdown. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsmqyBnRY20
#475 James Blake - "Life Round Here" from "Overgrown" - The first of two songs from James Blake in this year's countdown. His other song finished… much higher. Lol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlOmdyH_7Os
#474 The Band Perry - "Lucky Ones" from "Pioneer" - Pop-country is hardly the most respectable genre, but the Band Perry is the best example of the genre, with twangy rockers like this song. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhicavQXRFY
#473 Beyonce (feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche) - "Flawless" from "Beyonce" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyuUWOnS9BY
#472 The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Mosquito" from "Mosquito" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dx8aLDJrAY
#471 Ski Lodge - "You Can't Just Stop Being Cruel" from "Big Heart" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnZuSRI56j8
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
The Top 500 Songs Of 2013 - Part 2 of 50, #490-#481
#490 The Black Angels - "Love Me Forever" from "Indigo Meadow" - Sounding, as always, like a combination of the Strawberry Alarm Clock and the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Black Angels make another year-end countdown. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXzvZxneCFY
#489 The Strokes - "All The Time" from "Comedown Machine" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJC8zeu3MHk
#488 Blue October - "Not Broken Anymore" from "Sway" - I often make fun of Blue October as the definitive version of mopey, emo downer music, but they are good at what they do. Lol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH2WpV3Pl24
#487 The Weeks - "Dear Bo Jackson" from "Dear Bo Jackson" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa6EgtmBZ3Q
#486 Nine Inch Nails - "I Would For You" from "Hesitation Marks" - I only managed to fit in three NIN songs this year (the other two are much higher), which is a shame as "Hesitation Marks" may be their best album since "The Downward Spiral". - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJQs-ShfsMc
#485 Skylar Grey - "Final Warning" from "Don't Look Down" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToOFtvvFGGo
#484 Mikal Cronin - "See It My Way" from "MCII" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtZidTx3n6s
#483 The Flaming Lips - "Peace Sword (Open Your Heart)" from "Peace Sword" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_uAO7lHKwQ
#482 Laura Veirs - "Dorothy Of The Island" from "Warp And Weft" - I really thought this song would rank higher, but the competition was more intense this year than ever before. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpvBnr6AUDA
#481 Kings Of Leon - "Fmily Tree" from "Mechanical Bull" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cMKx_cJ-CA
#489 The Strokes - "All The Time" from "Comedown Machine" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJC8zeu3MHk
#488 Blue October - "Not Broken Anymore" from "Sway" - I often make fun of Blue October as the definitive version of mopey, emo downer music, but they are good at what they do. Lol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH2WpV3Pl24
#487 The Weeks - "Dear Bo Jackson" from "Dear Bo Jackson" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa6EgtmBZ3Q
#486 Nine Inch Nails - "I Would For You" from "Hesitation Marks" - I only managed to fit in three NIN songs this year (the other two are much higher), which is a shame as "Hesitation Marks" may be their best album since "The Downward Spiral". - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJQs-ShfsMc
#485 Skylar Grey - "Final Warning" from "Don't Look Down" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToOFtvvFGGo
#484 Mikal Cronin - "See It My Way" from "MCII" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtZidTx3n6s
#483 The Flaming Lips - "Peace Sword (Open Your Heart)" from "Peace Sword" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_uAO7lHKwQ
#482 Laura Veirs - "Dorothy Of The Island" from "Warp And Weft" - I really thought this song would rank higher, but the competition was more intense this year than ever before. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpvBnr6AUDA
#481 Kings Of Leon - "Fmily Tree" from "Mechanical Bull" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cMKx_cJ-CA
Monday, February 2, 2015
The Top 500 Songs Of 2013 - Part 1 of 50, #501-#491
For the record, I did figure out what #502 was, in case I get the chance to expand this list at some point in the future. #502 would have been Brandy Clark - "What Will Keep Me Out Of Heaven" had I continued my rankings for the year.
#501 The 1975 -"Chocolate" from "The 1975" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBKqaVk2Co
#500 Drake feat. Jhene Aiko - "From Time" from "Nothing Was The Same" - Jhene Aiko's vocals are the highlight of this song. I would expect to hear a lot more from her next year, as her 2014 debut earned rave reviews. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxy574tBK5A
#499 The Pistol Annies - "Unhappily Married" from "Annie Up" - The only 2013 song from the country music supergroup, featuring Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe (more from her later) and Angaleena Presley, who had a number of songs that fell a little bit short this year, but did come close. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z10Cm8BAOk
#498 Kings Of Leon - "Tonight" from "Mechanical Bull" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXO0_Sq7YDI
#497 Frank Turner - "Four Simple Words" from "Tape Deck Heart" - This one starts out slowly, but at the 1:25 mark the tone shifts from ballad to folk-punk rager. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBaCRl2h87I
#496 The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Slave" from "Mosquito" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPtna3Thvzc
#495 Kate Nash - "Fri-end" from "Girl Talk" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eqm7lPEv5E
#494 Brandy Clark - "Stripes" from "12 Stories" - The first of two songs on the countdown from one of this year's best new country artists. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plPRmANJF_w
#493 Saturday Looks Good To Me - "Sunglasses" from "One Kiss Ends It All" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTS_eFgPw0c
#492 Placebo - "Rob The Bank" from "Loud Like Love" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lye7781lliI
#491 The Meat Puppets - "One More Drop" from "Rat Farm" - Yep, they're still around. One of the most surprising things that I've discovered while making these lists is that artists have long faded from the public eye continue to make music that's every bit as good as the height of their popularity. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrkrIIut0Tc
#501 The 1975 -"Chocolate" from "The 1975" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBKqaVk2Co
#500 Drake feat. Jhene Aiko - "From Time" from "Nothing Was The Same" - Jhene Aiko's vocals are the highlight of this song. I would expect to hear a lot more from her next year, as her 2014 debut earned rave reviews. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxy574tBK5A
#499 The Pistol Annies - "Unhappily Married" from "Annie Up" - The only 2013 song from the country music supergroup, featuring Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe (more from her later) and Angaleena Presley, who had a number of songs that fell a little bit short this year, but did come close. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z10Cm8BAOk
#498 Kings Of Leon - "Tonight" from "Mechanical Bull" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXO0_Sq7YDI
#497 Frank Turner - "Four Simple Words" from "Tape Deck Heart" - This one starts out slowly, but at the 1:25 mark the tone shifts from ballad to folk-punk rager. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBaCRl2h87I
#496 The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Slave" from "Mosquito" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPtna3Thvzc
#495 Kate Nash - "Fri-end" from "Girl Talk" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eqm7lPEv5E
#494 Brandy Clark - "Stripes" from "12 Stories" - The first of two songs on the countdown from one of this year's best new country artists. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plPRmANJF_w
#493 Saturday Looks Good To Me - "Sunglasses" from "One Kiss Ends It All" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTS_eFgPw0c
#492 Placebo - "Rob The Bank" from "Loud Like Love" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lye7781lliI
#491 The Meat Puppets - "One More Drop" from "Rat Farm" - Yep, they're still around. One of the most surprising things that I've discovered while making these lists is that artists have long faded from the public eye continue to make music that's every bit as good as the height of their popularity. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrkrIIut0Tc
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Game of Thrones Season 5 Speculation - Part 3 - Jon Snow / Samwell Tarly
JON SNOW / SAMWELL TARLY
The storylines that ended up at the Wall last season (Jon, Samwell and Stannis / Davos, which I'll cover later) still have a lot of ground left to cover before they're caught up with the rest of the story. While most of the stories have either completed their chapters from A Storm Of Swords (ASOS) and some have dipped into their A Feast For Crows (AFFC) and A Dance With Dragons (ADWD) storylines by the end of Season 4, there are still several chapters (and one major event) left to be covered at the Wall.
Based on the chronology of the books, the climactic battle at the Wall should have taken place somewhere around episode 6 or 7. This wasn't possible due to the logistics of filming the epic episode "The Watchers On The Wall" and the need for the series to extend the Bran storyline (which had burned all the way through ASOS by the end of Season 3), leading to the hit-or-miss (at best) storyline at Craster's Keep and the (outstanding) combination of the two major battles set at the Wall (the Southern and Northern assualts happen separately in ASOS) in Episode 9. The problem that this set up for Season 5 is that there's significantly more of this storyline that will either need to be compressed or excluded this season.
After Stannis arrives at the Wall to help the Night's Watch defeat Mance Rayder's wildling army, his army sets up camp at the Wall and Stannis begins plans to use the unmanned castles along the Wall as his base of operations, having more-or-less abandonded Dragonstone and Storm's End (he still holds them at the time, but both have been lost to him by the end of ADWD). His plan involves legitimizing Jon Snow and naming him the Lord of Winterfell, marrying him to a wildling "princess" named Val (the sister of Mance Rayder's wife, Dalla) and using the strength of that alliance to unite the North (under the Starks) and the Wildlings (who he plans to settle in an abandoned area of the North called the Gift, which is owned by the Night's Watch). Jon considers taking his offer (which won't happen exactly the same way on the show, as Val hasn't been cast, Jon is aware that Bran and Rickon are still alive and Ghost is already south of the wall. It wouldn't surprise me if Stannis still made the offer, offering a bethrothal to his daughter Shireen instead of a marriage to Val), but two events change his mind, the return of his direwolf Ghost and his election of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
Through the machinations of Samwell Tarly (and possibly Bloodraven or Bran Stark), Jon Snow is elected Lord Commander after several previous votes ended in a deadlock. After being elected, Jon sends Sam, Gilly and Maester Aemon to Oldtown (which I'll cover later in this post), beheads Janos Slynt for insubordination, provides indirect assistance to Stannis in his war against the Boltons and the Lannisters and sets out on a course of action that simultaneously unites the Night's Watch with the wildlings and alienates them with many powerful houses in the North. This eventually leads to a chaotic situation and Jon Snow's (presumed) murder at the hands of his brothers in the Night's Watch.
With all that story to cover this season, it seems unlikely that the show will be able to cover all of the remaining ground to get to the end of ADWD, but I think that it will happen this year because the storyline doesn't provide another suitable climax otherwise.
LORD COMMANDER JON SNOW
After Stannis' forces arrive at the Wall, the Night's Watch begins to have elections to determine the next Lord Commander. The process is very similar to the process used by the Vatican Conclave to elect a new Pope, in that any member of the NW can be nominated or elected as LC, but they must have two-thirds of the votes cast in any election. There are several front-runners for the job, including Bowen Marsh, Janos Slynt, Denys Mallister and Cotter Pyke. After several votes, it becomes obvious that none of the contenders will get the votes needed if they all remain in the election. When Bowen Marsh endorses Janos Slynt, it becomes obvious that Slynt will eventually persuade Mallister and Pyke (who hate each other as a result of Seagard-Pyke rivalries that pre-date their time in the NW) to drop out and Slynt will be elected as LC. Observing this, Samwell persuades both Mallister and Pyke that Stannis will name their rival LC if the vote isn't resolved soon. Using that leverage and their distaste for Slynt, Sam convinces them to throw their support behind Jon Snow. The plan starts to fall apart but is saved when Lord Mormont's talking raven (many theories believe the raven is under the influence of Bloodraven or Bran) starts squawking "Snow", which the brothers take as an omen, leading to a flood of votes that end with the election of Jon Snow as Lord Commander.
Will the show follow this storyline? Of course they have to and I expect that this part of the story (unlike most of this story) will happen in much the same way that it did in the books. Key players like Janos Slynt and Alliser Thorne have been on the show for years and Bowen Marsh and Cotter Pyke (probably) and Denys Mallister have been cast for Season 5. The actor cast as Denys Mallister (J.J. Murphy) died while filming Season 5 and the role hasn't been re-cast. At this time, I don't know if he'll be written out of the show or if the completed footage will be used to include him or not.
Sam's deception will be included (it's an important part of his character development) in the process somehow (this will be easier if the Mallister footage is included, but that might not be possible either way), but Mormont's talking raven was never featured as a known gimmick on the show the way that it was in the books. If Jon's election goes down roughly the same way as it did in the books, Jon will still need one final kicker to put him over the top and I theorize that it will come from a highly unexpected source... Alliser Thorne.
Alliser Thorne has been a thorn (Get it? Subtlety!) in Jon Snow's side since he arrived at Castle Black, even to the point that he openly accuses Jon of being a traitor during the battle at the Wall, sending him on a suicide mission to kill Mance Rayder in hopes that he won't survive. Throughout the course of ADWD, their relationship doesn't improve, but two changes in Season 4 indicate (to me at least) that his relationship with Jon might change slightly this season. The first change is the moment during Episode 9 when Thorne acknowledges that he should have listened to Jon all along (instead of being an almost cartoonish antagonist during Season 4) regarding the approaching wildling army. I could be imagining things, but it seems like the grudging respect Thorne shows Snow at that point could be an important piece of foreshadowing. The other change is the complete (and fully known to the NW through Samwell and Gilly as well as the NW on the top of the Wall during the battle) cowardice displayed by Janos Slynt during the battle at the Wall. My theory (which is admittedly based on nothing by circumstantial evidence) is that Thorne will begin as a supporter of Slynt, but endorse Jon at the last second after Pyke and Mallister are eliminated as candidates. Why? Because Slynt may still hate Jon, but he respects him in a way that he can never respect Slynt after the battle. Slynt has the right political connections, but he would be a terrible Lord Commander and Slynt knows it. With solid alternative LC's in Mallister and Pyke removed, I think that Slynt will put aside his hatred for Jon and do what's right for the NW.
As far as the timeline of the series goes, Jon needs to be elected Lord Commander very early on in Season 5. His election sets a lot of the story in motion, so in my opinion, it should happen at the end of Episode 2. Of course, knowing the way that the show dragged it's feet on this storyline in Season 4, they might wait until the end of Season 4. Of course, that would go against my theory of Jon's death being the climax of Episode 10 / Season 5, so I'll assume for the moment that Jon's election is the last scene of Episode 2.
JON SNOW AS LORD COMMANDER
In Jon Snow's first few chapters in ADWD, there several key moments and one major plot development that I expect to be included in the show. Jon will have several scenes with Stannis (two remarkably different characters having tense / funny interactions with one another is GoT's bread and butter) before Stannis departs for his own storyline, though he won't be able to stick around at the Wall for too long after Jon's election if the rest of the Northern storyline is going to take place this season, so he'll probably leave the Wall by episode 5. Janos Slynt's execution will definitely take place this season. Given that the moment establishes Jon as LC with the NW and with Stannis, it has to happen shortly after he's elected LC, possibly in the next episode.
Also happening in the period between Jon's election and Stannis' departure will be the faked execution of Mance Rayder. I think this scene will be included because the relationship between Jon and Melisandre is very important (and that look that the two shared in Episode 10 last season) and I expect Mance will play an important role in Theon's storyline this season, as he does in the books (especially since the absence of actors cast in the roles of Wyman Manderlay and Lady Dustin leaves a charisma vacuum in Winterfell that Mance could nicely fill). Since Rattleshirt is an established character on the show, I expect the switcheroo will happen exactly as it happens in the books, probably in the same episode as Slynt's execution, though maybe they parse those out two seperate episodes. Either way, one of these events will probably take place in the same episode as the scene where Jon sends Samwell away from the Wall.
(Note: Since I wrote the rough draft of this essay, the trailer seems to indicate that Rattleshirt will be leading a force of Wildlings at Hardhome (though they COULD be arriving to surrender at the Wall). If that's the case, a different wildling will be used for the switcheroo. It could even be a random wildling for all that it matters. Hopefully it won't be Tormund Giantsbane, as his character should have other things to do this year.)
There are many reasons why Jon sends Samwell to Oldtown to become a Maester of the Citadel (other than the actual, stated reason). Sam is accompanied by Gilly, "her baby" (it's actually Mance Rayder's baby) and Maester Aemon. Mance's son and Maester Aemon both have king's blood, which makes them the probable target of Melisandre's sacrifices. This scene is the launching point for Sam's Season 5 storyline, so it will happen essentially the same the way on the show, with the exception of the baby switch, which can't happen because Mance's child isn't involved in this show (as far as we know).
JON SNOW - A UNITER, NOT A DIVIDER
Much of the middle portion of Jon's ADWD story is spent negotiating an alliance between the Night's Watch and the wildlings. This is probably the easiest area in Jon's story (and maybe all of the Season 5 storylines) to compress / cut given where Season 4 left off. Jon's fifth chapter in the book deals mainly with Jon recruiting wildings to help at Castle Black. That's it. Now mind you, as show-Dagmer would say, it's a good speech, but since all the wildlings that cross the Wall are still at Castle Black, it could be given at any point before they leave for the Gift. Without the internal monologuing that works in print but not on the screen, this scene will probably take two or three minutes if it's included at all.
Later, Jon sends Val (who isn't in the show) on a mission to locate Tormund Giantsbane (who is a prisoner at the Wall), so unless they change some of the characters around (sending Tormund to find Varymyr for example), that storyline has to be excised entirely. The follow-up scene where Jon lets the wildlings led by Tormund through the Wall would also either be eliminated or altered along the same lines.
Jon also arranges for the Magnar of Thenn to marry Alys Karstark (I'll cover her part in the ADWD story next). Given that the Thenns are cannibal psychos on the show, it seems unlikely that Jon would marry the head cannibal psycho to a highborn Lady of the North. They could substitute in a different wildling leader, but it's more likely that the Alys Karstark storyline is excised entirely from the show.
One other plot point that will be handled quickly or ignored is Jon's interaction with Tycho Nestoris, a representative from the Iron Bank. Tycho was introduced in Season 4 and he's already providing funding and support for Stannis. Mark Gatiss will be returning as Tycho this season, but in an interview he revealed that he won't be filming in Iceland (where the Castle Black scenes are filmed) this year and he'll be involved in Cersei's and Arya's storyline in Braavos this season. Since the Iron Bank is already giving support to Stannis, it's not necessary for Tycho to travel to Castle Black and if Jon needs their support it could easily be handled in his conversations with Stannis this season, so this storyline can be effectively dropped from the show.
THE "STARK" IN WINTERFELL, BRAN AND RICKON
A large part of Jon's story in ADWD (and his eventual downfall) revolves around his and Melisandre's actions when he's informed that Ramsay Bolton will be marrying Jon's sister Arya and become the Lord of Winterfell. The audience of the books and the show know that Arya is in Braavos by this point and the books have revealed that Jeyne Poole is being forced to pose as Arya (speculation on this will be covered in my post about Theon). Shortly after he's informed (via a letter from Ramsay) of Arya's situation, Melisandre tells Jon that she saw a vision in her flames of Arya fleeing to Castle Black. In response, Melisandre sends Mance Rayder and a group of spearwives to Winterfell on a rescue mission and Jon doesn't stop her (again, more on that in Theon's post). It's later revealed that the girl in Mel's vision is actually Alys Karstark, the heir to Karhold, who is fleeing to Castle Black to avoid her uncles scheme to force her into a marriage that would strip her of her rights. Jon arranges for Alys to marry the Magnar of Thenn. The Thenns and Alys then depart for Karhold (and I'm sure that will turn out well).
As I've stated before, I expect that the Alys Karstark storyline will be cut from Game of Thrones. I think the show will find some other pretext for Jon to allow the rescue mission to Winterfell or he'll arrange for it himself. The only other thing that's gained from Alys' presence at the Wall is the knowledge that Arnolf Karstark intends to betray Stannis. If that's part of Stannis' Season 5 storyline (unlikely), the show could come up with a way for the betrayal to be revealed without adding a story arc.
One major change that could affect Jon's storyline this season is that Jon is aware that his brothers Bran and Rickon are still alive. In the books, Sam doesn't tell Jon that he met Bran in the Shadow Tower, so Jon still believes that Theon killed his brothers. Sam telling Jon that they were still alive has already caused him to go looking for Bran while they were at Craster's Keep, but they never meet up. Given all that's happened since, it's unlikely that Jon would send another mission to find Bran, but Sam probably also informed Jon that Rickon wasn't with Bran, Hodor and the Reeds, so it should be safe for Jon to assume that Rickon is somewhere south of the Wall. In my opinion, that knowledge could be the basis for Davos' storyline this season, as Jon / Stannis could task him with finding Rickon, since Wyman Manderly isn't around this season to do it instead. There's nothing to base this one, but I do think it works. I'll write more about this theory in my Stannis / Davos post.
HARDHOME, THE PINK LETTER AND THE IDES OF MARSH
A number of factors contribute to Jon's downfall as Lord Commander, but the culmination is the failed rescue mission to Hardhome and the receipt of the Pink Letter, allegedly sent by Ramsay Bolton.
Hardhome is an abandoned port city in the lands north of the Wall. After Stannis' intervention in the battle at the Wall, thousands of wildlings flee to Hardhome under the leadership of a wood's witch named Mother Mole. When he's informed of this situation, Jon dispatches ships from Eastwatch to rescue the wildlings. It's viewed by some as a reasonable decision, but others believe that it's a futile gesture, which it turns out to be. Later on in the story, Jon receives a raven from Cotter Pyke saying that the mission was a failure. The wildlings refuse to board the NW ships (they had previously been raided by slavers who took them to Essos) and the wildlings and NW are attacked by wights. In short, it's a disaster, but instead of reluctantly cutting bait, Jon doubles down, organizing a rescue mission with the NW and wildings to be led by Tormund Giantsbane. The men of the NW view the mission as a disaster and a betrayal of Jon's vows. This, in and of itself, would threaten his position as Lord Commander, but what came next would seal the deal.
Throughout ADWD, one of Jon's main concerns was the perception that he was doing too much to help Stannis in his war against the Lannisters. This perception causes Cersei to conspire to murder Jon (I'll cover this in my post on Cersei) and Mance Rayder's rescue mission to Winterfell causes Jon to make an enemy of the Boltons, assuming the authenticity of the Pink Letter (it's widely believed to either be a hoax or written by a misinformed Ramsay Bolton), a letter delivered to Jon informing him that unless he met Ramsay's conditions (which were unreasonable), the Bolton armies would march on the Night's Watch. Whatever the origins of the Pink Letter, it's impact on Jon is disastrous. When Jon reads the PL to the men of the Night's Watch it's the final straw for some of his top officers. Chaos soon erupts as a night in service to Stannis named Ser Patrek attacks a giant named Wun Wun in an attempt to steal the wilding princess, Val. After attacking Wun Wun, Patrek is torn limb from limb, setting Stannis' men, the Night's Watch, the wildings at the Wall and Wun Wun into a riot. With everyone distracted, several members of the Night's Watch, led by Bowen Marsh stab Jon repeatedly. Jon's last chapter in ADWD ends with Jon losing consciousness. He's presumed dead, though it's unlikely he'll stay that way.
My theory is that Jon's time as Lord Commander will be shortened significantly and presented entirely in Season 5, with his assassination taking place in Episode 10. Leaked filming information indicates that a version of the failed rescue mission to Hardhome will take place during Episode 8. Since it has now been indicated that Jon Snow will be leading the mission to Hardhome and that said mission will end in disaster when the Night's King and an army of White Walkers and wights arrive, I think that the "For The Watch" moment will occur when Jon refuses to allow the NW to retreat. I don't think that the Pink Letter will be involved in Season 5 or that it won't be directly involved in Jon's downfall. It's also possible that Jon won't be killed until Season 6 and while it does make sense that he won't be able to film any Season 6 scenes without his return becoming known, I'm going to stick with my current theory for the time being. If Melisandre is present in Hardhome, her resurrecting Jon could be the last scene of Season 5, but I can't predict that until I see some evidence of her presence on that set.
MY SEASON 5 PREDICTIONS FOR JON SNOW'S STORY:
Season 5 will open with the Night's Watch holding the first votes to determine the new Lord Commander. Stannis will offer to legitimize Jon, make him the Lord Of Winterfell and betroth him to Shireen. Jon won't take the offer, at first due to his vows / the rights of his brothers and sisters and later because Samwell's intervention, Denys Mallister's death and Alliser Thorne's endorsement / refusal to allow Janos Slynt to ascend lead to Jon being elected as the Lord Commander. Jon will behead Slynt for insubordination, send Sam, Gilly and Aemon to Oldtown, advise Stannis on winning the North, oversee the faked execution of Mance Rayder and form a fragile alliance with the wildlings that have crossed the Wall, with Tormund Giantsbane as a liason. Jon will have several interactions with Melisandre, culminating with her sending Mance on a mission to Winterfell to rescue Arya. Jon will lead a rescue party to Hardhome, which will end disastrously. His refusal to retreat from Hardhome will lead to his betrayal and death in a chaotic scene at the end of Episode 10. Whether or not he's revived before the end of the season has yet to be determined, but it would make sense.
SAMWELL TARLY
After engineering Jon's election as Lord Commander, Sam is sent to Oldtown (along with Aemon and Gilly) to train at the Citadel and become the Night's Watch's maester. The trio and a a NW recruiter / singer named Dareon travel to Braavos where they seek passage to Oldtown. Before they can leave Braavos, Sam is rescued by Arya when he's confronted by a pair of Bravos, Dareon defects (and is later killed by Arya) and Maester Aemon dies. After Aemon's death, Sam secures passage to Braavos, makes love to Gilly, reacts poorly to "betraying his vows" and eventually "mans up" and apologizes with Gilly for his behavior (after being threatened by the Captain taking him to Oldtown). Sam's story in AFFC ends with his arrival at the Citadel in Oldtown, where he meets with novices at the Citadel, a Maester named Marwyn who departs to advise Dany and the Faceless Man who previously portrayed Jaqen H'ghar posing as a novice named Pate, who he killed in the AFFC prologue.
In terms of broad strokes, I expect the show to stick closely to Samwell's AFFC storyline, with the only changes coming as a result of changes from Season 4 and extra interactions that the show may add to flesh out his storyline.
For starters, I don't expect Sam to be as upset by Jon's plan to send him to Oldtown. Sam fought in the battle at Castle Black on the show (he arrived after the battle in the books) and his relationship with Gilly is much further along than it was at this point in the books. In short, Sam is more courageous (which is not to say that the show won't forget that inexplicably, as they've reset characters motivations for no good reason in the past) at this point in the show than he is in the books. I don't expect him to be happy about abandoning his friends (though Pyp and Grenn did die already), but he won't panic the way that he does in AFFC. Gilly and Aemon will be sent to Oldtown to protect them from the war / Melisandre. The baby-switch storyline will be dropped, as Val and her baby won't be included in the show, so Gilly's mood should be significantly improved during the trip.
To flesh out his storyline, I think the show will add some interactions with characters Sam never meets in AFFC, in particular Davos and Salladhor Saan, who I think will play a role in getting Sam to Eastwatch and Braavos because I think they'll be heading in the same direction, so why not?
Assuming Dareon or a Dareon-equivalent is part of Season 5, the scenes in Braavos should play out pretty much the same way that they do in AFFC. A scene that very much sounds like the Bravos bullying Sam and Arya as Cat saving the day has been described in filming leaks and interactions with Dareon are important plot points in Sam and Arya's AFFC storyline and overall development, as is Aemon's death. Aemon's final scenes (as well as the scenes involving Aemon deducing the lie of Lightbringer and telling Jon about it) are also very important in debunking the Stannis as Azor Ahai theory, which is important to the entire story, but especially Jon and Dany.
Maester Aemon's death causes the grief-stricken Sam and Gilly to consummate their relationship physically, causing Sam to panic about breaking his vows, only apologizing to her for his behavior after the caption of the ship threatens to drop Sam off in Dorne if he doesn't. There's no doubt in my mind that the love-scene will happen, as the show has been building up their romantic relationship more overtly than the books did (they kissed in Episode 9, which doesn't happen in AFFC), but I think Sam will be more accepting of what he's done on the show. This is in part because he's played a more courageous role in the events at the Wall than he did in the books, but also because the show has featured multiple scenes of Sam looking for loopholes in his NW vows that would make it alright. I think that he'll feel guilty or morose about it, but I doubt that the captain will need to threaten him to get him to "man up".
On an un-related side note, how perfect would Salladhor Saan be as the Captain who takes Sam and Gilly to Oldtown? He's from the Summer Isles (like the Captain in AFFC), his attitudes towards amore are the same and he's the Captain of a ship (also, every time he shows up on-screen he's pure dynamite, so he'll be involved in S5 somehow). Unfortunately, I can't engineer a scenario where he's in the position to take Sam and Gilly to Oldtown. It makes perfect sense for him to take the crew to Braavos as part of a mission to get Davos wherever he's going in S5 (unless he travels by land), but if he was available to take Sam to Oldtown, Sam wouldn't have to have a prolonged stay in Braavos. It's possible that the show could engineer a reason why they would have to stay in Braavos (an autumn storm or something), but I don't have anything to base that on at this time, so I have to assume it's a different Captain.
A scene in the trailer seems to indicate that Maester Aemon dies before leaving for Braavos and is given a NW / Targaryen funeral pyre, so I'm going to revise my theory that Aemon dies on the way to Eastwatch and that Sam sleeps with Gilly on the ship to Braavos.
I expect Sam's story to end with their arrival at Oldtown, with the Oldtown storyline being saved for Season 6. I think that Marwyn may be cut from the show as one of many ways that the show cuts through the Meereenese knot, but with characters from the Wall, the Faceless Men, The Reach, The Westerlands, the Citadel and Dorne all interacting with one another in an intriguing conspiracy / mystery story, I don't think that Oldtown gets cut from the show. I don't think we'll see it this year though, as it would require new sets, locations and character castings that haven't been announced yet, but which would be perfect for starting a new season.
MY SEASON 5 PREDICTIONS FOR SAMWELL TARLY'S STORY:
Sam will use deception to get Jon Snow elected as Lord Commander. He'll be dispatched to Oldtown by way of Braavos, along with Gilly, a Dareon-equivalent and Maester Aemon, taking the mission with less distress than he did in AFFC. Aemon will die on the trip to Eastwatch and be given a NW funeral and a Targaryen funeral pyre. After Maester Aemon dies, Sam and Gilly consummate their relationship on the way to Braavos, which Sam handles much better than he does in the books. Before arriving in Braavos, he'll have new interactions with Davos and Salladhor Saan. In Braavos, Sam will be rescued by Arya, fight with Dareon and be rescued by a captain who agrees to take him and his companions to Oldtown. His season will end somehwere in episodes 8-10, when his ship arrives in Oldtown, though I don't think we'll see any more of Oldtown than possibly a CGI rendering ala the show's Season 4 introduction to Braavos.
Next week - Daenerys Targaryen
The storylines that ended up at the Wall last season (Jon, Samwell and Stannis / Davos, which I'll cover later) still have a lot of ground left to cover before they're caught up with the rest of the story. While most of the stories have either completed their chapters from A Storm Of Swords (ASOS) and some have dipped into their A Feast For Crows (AFFC) and A Dance With Dragons (ADWD) storylines by the end of Season 4, there are still several chapters (and one major event) left to be covered at the Wall.
Based on the chronology of the books, the climactic battle at the Wall should have taken place somewhere around episode 6 or 7. This wasn't possible due to the logistics of filming the epic episode "The Watchers On The Wall" and the need for the series to extend the Bran storyline (which had burned all the way through ASOS by the end of Season 3), leading to the hit-or-miss (at best) storyline at Craster's Keep and the (outstanding) combination of the two major battles set at the Wall (the Southern and Northern assualts happen separately in ASOS) in Episode 9. The problem that this set up for Season 5 is that there's significantly more of this storyline that will either need to be compressed or excluded this season.
After Stannis arrives at the Wall to help the Night's Watch defeat Mance Rayder's wildling army, his army sets up camp at the Wall and Stannis begins plans to use the unmanned castles along the Wall as his base of operations, having more-or-less abandonded Dragonstone and Storm's End (he still holds them at the time, but both have been lost to him by the end of ADWD). His plan involves legitimizing Jon Snow and naming him the Lord of Winterfell, marrying him to a wildling "princess" named Val (the sister of Mance Rayder's wife, Dalla) and using the strength of that alliance to unite the North (under the Starks) and the Wildlings (who he plans to settle in an abandoned area of the North called the Gift, which is owned by the Night's Watch). Jon considers taking his offer (which won't happen exactly the same way on the show, as Val hasn't been cast, Jon is aware that Bran and Rickon are still alive and Ghost is already south of the wall. It wouldn't surprise me if Stannis still made the offer, offering a bethrothal to his daughter Shireen instead of a marriage to Val), but two events change his mind, the return of his direwolf Ghost and his election of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
Through the machinations of Samwell Tarly (and possibly Bloodraven or Bran Stark), Jon Snow is elected Lord Commander after several previous votes ended in a deadlock. After being elected, Jon sends Sam, Gilly and Maester Aemon to Oldtown (which I'll cover later in this post), beheads Janos Slynt for insubordination, provides indirect assistance to Stannis in his war against the Boltons and the Lannisters and sets out on a course of action that simultaneously unites the Night's Watch with the wildlings and alienates them with many powerful houses in the North. This eventually leads to a chaotic situation and Jon Snow's (presumed) murder at the hands of his brothers in the Night's Watch.
With all that story to cover this season, it seems unlikely that the show will be able to cover all of the remaining ground to get to the end of ADWD, but I think that it will happen this year because the storyline doesn't provide another suitable climax otherwise.
LORD COMMANDER JON SNOW
After Stannis' forces arrive at the Wall, the Night's Watch begins to have elections to determine the next Lord Commander. The process is very similar to the process used by the Vatican Conclave to elect a new Pope, in that any member of the NW can be nominated or elected as LC, but they must have two-thirds of the votes cast in any election. There are several front-runners for the job, including Bowen Marsh, Janos Slynt, Denys Mallister and Cotter Pyke. After several votes, it becomes obvious that none of the contenders will get the votes needed if they all remain in the election. When Bowen Marsh endorses Janos Slynt, it becomes obvious that Slynt will eventually persuade Mallister and Pyke (who hate each other as a result of Seagard-Pyke rivalries that pre-date their time in the NW) to drop out and Slynt will be elected as LC. Observing this, Samwell persuades both Mallister and Pyke that Stannis will name their rival LC if the vote isn't resolved soon. Using that leverage and their distaste for Slynt, Sam convinces them to throw their support behind Jon Snow. The plan starts to fall apart but is saved when Lord Mormont's talking raven (many theories believe the raven is under the influence of Bloodraven or Bran) starts squawking "Snow", which the brothers take as an omen, leading to a flood of votes that end with the election of Jon Snow as Lord Commander.
Will the show follow this storyline? Of course they have to and I expect that this part of the story (unlike most of this story) will happen in much the same way that it did in the books. Key players like Janos Slynt and Alliser Thorne have been on the show for years and Bowen Marsh and Cotter Pyke (probably) and Denys Mallister have been cast for Season 5. The actor cast as Denys Mallister (J.J. Murphy) died while filming Season 5 and the role hasn't been re-cast. At this time, I don't know if he'll be written out of the show or if the completed footage will be used to include him or not.
Sam's deception will be included (it's an important part of his character development) in the process somehow (this will be easier if the Mallister footage is included, but that might not be possible either way), but Mormont's talking raven was never featured as a known gimmick on the show the way that it was in the books. If Jon's election goes down roughly the same way as it did in the books, Jon will still need one final kicker to put him over the top and I theorize that it will come from a highly unexpected source... Alliser Thorne.
Alliser Thorne has been a thorn (Get it? Subtlety!) in Jon Snow's side since he arrived at Castle Black, even to the point that he openly accuses Jon of being a traitor during the battle at the Wall, sending him on a suicide mission to kill Mance Rayder in hopes that he won't survive. Throughout the course of ADWD, their relationship doesn't improve, but two changes in Season 4 indicate (to me at least) that his relationship with Jon might change slightly this season. The first change is the moment during Episode 9 when Thorne acknowledges that he should have listened to Jon all along (instead of being an almost cartoonish antagonist during Season 4) regarding the approaching wildling army. I could be imagining things, but it seems like the grudging respect Thorne shows Snow at that point could be an important piece of foreshadowing. The other change is the complete (and fully known to the NW through Samwell and Gilly as well as the NW on the top of the Wall during the battle) cowardice displayed by Janos Slynt during the battle at the Wall. My theory (which is admittedly based on nothing by circumstantial evidence) is that Thorne will begin as a supporter of Slynt, but endorse Jon at the last second after Pyke and Mallister are eliminated as candidates. Why? Because Slynt may still hate Jon, but he respects him in a way that he can never respect Slynt after the battle. Slynt has the right political connections, but he would be a terrible Lord Commander and Slynt knows it. With solid alternative LC's in Mallister and Pyke removed, I think that Slynt will put aside his hatred for Jon and do what's right for the NW.
As far as the timeline of the series goes, Jon needs to be elected Lord Commander very early on in Season 5. His election sets a lot of the story in motion, so in my opinion, it should happen at the end of Episode 2. Of course, knowing the way that the show dragged it's feet on this storyline in Season 4, they might wait until the end of Season 4. Of course, that would go against my theory of Jon's death being the climax of Episode 10 / Season 5, so I'll assume for the moment that Jon's election is the last scene of Episode 2.
JON SNOW AS LORD COMMANDER
In Jon Snow's first few chapters in ADWD, there several key moments and one major plot development that I expect to be included in the show. Jon will have several scenes with Stannis (two remarkably different characters having tense / funny interactions with one another is GoT's bread and butter) before Stannis departs for his own storyline, though he won't be able to stick around at the Wall for too long after Jon's election if the rest of the Northern storyline is going to take place this season, so he'll probably leave the Wall by episode 5. Janos Slynt's execution will definitely take place this season. Given that the moment establishes Jon as LC with the NW and with Stannis, it has to happen shortly after he's elected LC, possibly in the next episode.
Also happening in the period between Jon's election and Stannis' departure will be the faked execution of Mance Rayder. I think this scene will be included because the relationship between Jon and Melisandre is very important (and that look that the two shared in Episode 10 last season) and I expect Mance will play an important role in Theon's storyline this season, as he does in the books (especially since the absence of actors cast in the roles of Wyman Manderlay and Lady Dustin leaves a charisma vacuum in Winterfell that Mance could nicely fill). Since Rattleshirt is an established character on the show, I expect the switcheroo will happen exactly as it happens in the books, probably in the same episode as Slynt's execution, though maybe they parse those out two seperate episodes. Either way, one of these events will probably take place in the same episode as the scene where Jon sends Samwell away from the Wall.
(Note: Since I wrote the rough draft of this essay, the trailer seems to indicate that Rattleshirt will be leading a force of Wildlings at Hardhome (though they COULD be arriving to surrender at the Wall). If that's the case, a different wildling will be used for the switcheroo. It could even be a random wildling for all that it matters. Hopefully it won't be Tormund Giantsbane, as his character should have other things to do this year.)
There are many reasons why Jon sends Samwell to Oldtown to become a Maester of the Citadel (other than the actual, stated reason). Sam is accompanied by Gilly, "her baby" (it's actually Mance Rayder's baby) and Maester Aemon. Mance's son and Maester Aemon both have king's blood, which makes them the probable target of Melisandre's sacrifices. This scene is the launching point for Sam's Season 5 storyline, so it will happen essentially the same the way on the show, with the exception of the baby switch, which can't happen because Mance's child isn't involved in this show (as far as we know).
JON SNOW - A UNITER, NOT A DIVIDER
Much of the middle portion of Jon's ADWD story is spent negotiating an alliance between the Night's Watch and the wildlings. This is probably the easiest area in Jon's story (and maybe all of the Season 5 storylines) to compress / cut given where Season 4 left off. Jon's fifth chapter in the book deals mainly with Jon recruiting wildings to help at Castle Black. That's it. Now mind you, as show-Dagmer would say, it's a good speech, but since all the wildlings that cross the Wall are still at Castle Black, it could be given at any point before they leave for the Gift. Without the internal monologuing that works in print but not on the screen, this scene will probably take two or three minutes if it's included at all.
Later, Jon sends Val (who isn't in the show) on a mission to locate Tormund Giantsbane (who is a prisoner at the Wall), so unless they change some of the characters around (sending Tormund to find Varymyr for example), that storyline has to be excised entirely. The follow-up scene where Jon lets the wildlings led by Tormund through the Wall would also either be eliminated or altered along the same lines.
Jon also arranges for the Magnar of Thenn to marry Alys Karstark (I'll cover her part in the ADWD story next). Given that the Thenns are cannibal psychos on the show, it seems unlikely that Jon would marry the head cannibal psycho to a highborn Lady of the North. They could substitute in a different wildling leader, but it's more likely that the Alys Karstark storyline is excised entirely from the show.
One other plot point that will be handled quickly or ignored is Jon's interaction with Tycho Nestoris, a representative from the Iron Bank. Tycho was introduced in Season 4 and he's already providing funding and support for Stannis. Mark Gatiss will be returning as Tycho this season, but in an interview he revealed that he won't be filming in Iceland (where the Castle Black scenes are filmed) this year and he'll be involved in Cersei's and Arya's storyline in Braavos this season. Since the Iron Bank is already giving support to Stannis, it's not necessary for Tycho to travel to Castle Black and if Jon needs their support it could easily be handled in his conversations with Stannis this season, so this storyline can be effectively dropped from the show.
THE "STARK" IN WINTERFELL, BRAN AND RICKON
A large part of Jon's story in ADWD (and his eventual downfall) revolves around his and Melisandre's actions when he's informed that Ramsay Bolton will be marrying Jon's sister Arya and become the Lord of Winterfell. The audience of the books and the show know that Arya is in Braavos by this point and the books have revealed that Jeyne Poole is being forced to pose as Arya (speculation on this will be covered in my post about Theon). Shortly after he's informed (via a letter from Ramsay) of Arya's situation, Melisandre tells Jon that she saw a vision in her flames of Arya fleeing to Castle Black. In response, Melisandre sends Mance Rayder and a group of spearwives to Winterfell on a rescue mission and Jon doesn't stop her (again, more on that in Theon's post). It's later revealed that the girl in Mel's vision is actually Alys Karstark, the heir to Karhold, who is fleeing to Castle Black to avoid her uncles scheme to force her into a marriage that would strip her of her rights. Jon arranges for Alys to marry the Magnar of Thenn. The Thenns and Alys then depart for Karhold (and I'm sure that will turn out well).
As I've stated before, I expect that the Alys Karstark storyline will be cut from Game of Thrones. I think the show will find some other pretext for Jon to allow the rescue mission to Winterfell or he'll arrange for it himself. The only other thing that's gained from Alys' presence at the Wall is the knowledge that Arnolf Karstark intends to betray Stannis. If that's part of Stannis' Season 5 storyline (unlikely), the show could come up with a way for the betrayal to be revealed without adding a story arc.
One major change that could affect Jon's storyline this season is that Jon is aware that his brothers Bran and Rickon are still alive. In the books, Sam doesn't tell Jon that he met Bran in the Shadow Tower, so Jon still believes that Theon killed his brothers. Sam telling Jon that they were still alive has already caused him to go looking for Bran while they were at Craster's Keep, but they never meet up. Given all that's happened since, it's unlikely that Jon would send another mission to find Bran, but Sam probably also informed Jon that Rickon wasn't with Bran, Hodor and the Reeds, so it should be safe for Jon to assume that Rickon is somewhere south of the Wall. In my opinion, that knowledge could be the basis for Davos' storyline this season, as Jon / Stannis could task him with finding Rickon, since Wyman Manderly isn't around this season to do it instead. There's nothing to base this one, but I do think it works. I'll write more about this theory in my Stannis / Davos post.
HARDHOME, THE PINK LETTER AND THE IDES OF MARSH
A number of factors contribute to Jon's downfall as Lord Commander, but the culmination is the failed rescue mission to Hardhome and the receipt of the Pink Letter, allegedly sent by Ramsay Bolton.
Hardhome is an abandoned port city in the lands north of the Wall. After Stannis' intervention in the battle at the Wall, thousands of wildlings flee to Hardhome under the leadership of a wood's witch named Mother Mole. When he's informed of this situation, Jon dispatches ships from Eastwatch to rescue the wildlings. It's viewed by some as a reasonable decision, but others believe that it's a futile gesture, which it turns out to be. Later on in the story, Jon receives a raven from Cotter Pyke saying that the mission was a failure. The wildlings refuse to board the NW ships (they had previously been raided by slavers who took them to Essos) and the wildlings and NW are attacked by wights. In short, it's a disaster, but instead of reluctantly cutting bait, Jon doubles down, organizing a rescue mission with the NW and wildings to be led by Tormund Giantsbane. The men of the NW view the mission as a disaster and a betrayal of Jon's vows. This, in and of itself, would threaten his position as Lord Commander, but what came next would seal the deal.
Throughout ADWD, one of Jon's main concerns was the perception that he was doing too much to help Stannis in his war against the Lannisters. This perception causes Cersei to conspire to murder Jon (I'll cover this in my post on Cersei) and Mance Rayder's rescue mission to Winterfell causes Jon to make an enemy of the Boltons, assuming the authenticity of the Pink Letter (it's widely believed to either be a hoax or written by a misinformed Ramsay Bolton), a letter delivered to Jon informing him that unless he met Ramsay's conditions (which were unreasonable), the Bolton armies would march on the Night's Watch. Whatever the origins of the Pink Letter, it's impact on Jon is disastrous. When Jon reads the PL to the men of the Night's Watch it's the final straw for some of his top officers. Chaos soon erupts as a night in service to Stannis named Ser Patrek attacks a giant named Wun Wun in an attempt to steal the wilding princess, Val. After attacking Wun Wun, Patrek is torn limb from limb, setting Stannis' men, the Night's Watch, the wildings at the Wall and Wun Wun into a riot. With everyone distracted, several members of the Night's Watch, led by Bowen Marsh stab Jon repeatedly. Jon's last chapter in ADWD ends with Jon losing consciousness. He's presumed dead, though it's unlikely he'll stay that way.
My theory is that Jon's time as Lord Commander will be shortened significantly and presented entirely in Season 5, with his assassination taking place in Episode 10. Leaked filming information indicates that a version of the failed rescue mission to Hardhome will take place during Episode 8. Since it has now been indicated that Jon Snow will be leading the mission to Hardhome and that said mission will end in disaster when the Night's King and an army of White Walkers and wights arrive, I think that the "For The Watch" moment will occur when Jon refuses to allow the NW to retreat. I don't think that the Pink Letter will be involved in Season 5 or that it won't be directly involved in Jon's downfall. It's also possible that Jon won't be killed until Season 6 and while it does make sense that he won't be able to film any Season 6 scenes without his return becoming known, I'm going to stick with my current theory for the time being. If Melisandre is present in Hardhome, her resurrecting Jon could be the last scene of Season 5, but I can't predict that until I see some evidence of her presence on that set.
MY SEASON 5 PREDICTIONS FOR JON SNOW'S STORY:
Season 5 will open with the Night's Watch holding the first votes to determine the new Lord Commander. Stannis will offer to legitimize Jon, make him the Lord Of Winterfell and betroth him to Shireen. Jon won't take the offer, at first due to his vows / the rights of his brothers and sisters and later because Samwell's intervention, Denys Mallister's death and Alliser Thorne's endorsement / refusal to allow Janos Slynt to ascend lead to Jon being elected as the Lord Commander. Jon will behead Slynt for insubordination, send Sam, Gilly and Aemon to Oldtown, advise Stannis on winning the North, oversee the faked execution of Mance Rayder and form a fragile alliance with the wildlings that have crossed the Wall, with Tormund Giantsbane as a liason. Jon will have several interactions with Melisandre, culminating with her sending Mance on a mission to Winterfell to rescue Arya. Jon will lead a rescue party to Hardhome, which will end disastrously. His refusal to retreat from Hardhome will lead to his betrayal and death in a chaotic scene at the end of Episode 10. Whether or not he's revived before the end of the season has yet to be determined, but it would make sense.
SAMWELL TARLY
After engineering Jon's election as Lord Commander, Sam is sent to Oldtown (along with Aemon and Gilly) to train at the Citadel and become the Night's Watch's maester. The trio and a a NW recruiter / singer named Dareon travel to Braavos where they seek passage to Oldtown. Before they can leave Braavos, Sam is rescued by Arya when he's confronted by a pair of Bravos, Dareon defects (and is later killed by Arya) and Maester Aemon dies. After Aemon's death, Sam secures passage to Braavos, makes love to Gilly, reacts poorly to "betraying his vows" and eventually "mans up" and apologizes with Gilly for his behavior (after being threatened by the Captain taking him to Oldtown). Sam's story in AFFC ends with his arrival at the Citadel in Oldtown, where he meets with novices at the Citadel, a Maester named Marwyn who departs to advise Dany and the Faceless Man who previously portrayed Jaqen H'ghar posing as a novice named Pate, who he killed in the AFFC prologue.
In terms of broad strokes, I expect the show to stick closely to Samwell's AFFC storyline, with the only changes coming as a result of changes from Season 4 and extra interactions that the show may add to flesh out his storyline.
For starters, I don't expect Sam to be as upset by Jon's plan to send him to Oldtown. Sam fought in the battle at Castle Black on the show (he arrived after the battle in the books) and his relationship with Gilly is much further along than it was at this point in the books. In short, Sam is more courageous (which is not to say that the show won't forget that inexplicably, as they've reset characters motivations for no good reason in the past) at this point in the show than he is in the books. I don't expect him to be happy about abandoning his friends (though Pyp and Grenn did die already), but he won't panic the way that he does in AFFC. Gilly and Aemon will be sent to Oldtown to protect them from the war / Melisandre. The baby-switch storyline will be dropped, as Val and her baby won't be included in the show, so Gilly's mood should be significantly improved during the trip.
To flesh out his storyline, I think the show will add some interactions with characters Sam never meets in AFFC, in particular Davos and Salladhor Saan, who I think will play a role in getting Sam to Eastwatch and Braavos because I think they'll be heading in the same direction, so why not?
Assuming Dareon or a Dareon-equivalent is part of Season 5, the scenes in Braavos should play out pretty much the same way that they do in AFFC. A scene that very much sounds like the Bravos bullying Sam and Arya as Cat saving the day has been described in filming leaks and interactions with Dareon are important plot points in Sam and Arya's AFFC storyline and overall development, as is Aemon's death. Aemon's final scenes (as well as the scenes involving Aemon deducing the lie of Lightbringer and telling Jon about it) are also very important in debunking the Stannis as Azor Ahai theory, which is important to the entire story, but especially Jon and Dany.
Maester Aemon's death causes the grief-stricken Sam and Gilly to consummate their relationship physically, causing Sam to panic about breaking his vows, only apologizing to her for his behavior after the caption of the ship threatens to drop Sam off in Dorne if he doesn't. There's no doubt in my mind that the love-scene will happen, as the show has been building up their romantic relationship more overtly than the books did (they kissed in Episode 9, which doesn't happen in AFFC), but I think Sam will be more accepting of what he's done on the show. This is in part because he's played a more courageous role in the events at the Wall than he did in the books, but also because the show has featured multiple scenes of Sam looking for loopholes in his NW vows that would make it alright. I think that he'll feel guilty or morose about it, but I doubt that the captain will need to threaten him to get him to "man up".
On an un-related side note, how perfect would Salladhor Saan be as the Captain who takes Sam and Gilly to Oldtown? He's from the Summer Isles (like the Captain in AFFC), his attitudes towards amore are the same and he's the Captain of a ship (also, every time he shows up on-screen he's pure dynamite, so he'll be involved in S5 somehow). Unfortunately, I can't engineer a scenario where he's in the position to take Sam and Gilly to Oldtown. It makes perfect sense for him to take the crew to Braavos as part of a mission to get Davos wherever he's going in S5 (unless he travels by land), but if he was available to take Sam to Oldtown, Sam wouldn't have to have a prolonged stay in Braavos. It's possible that the show could engineer a reason why they would have to stay in Braavos (an autumn storm or something), but I don't have anything to base that on at this time, so I have to assume it's a different Captain.
A scene in the trailer seems to indicate that Maester Aemon dies before leaving for Braavos and is given a NW / Targaryen funeral pyre, so I'm going to revise my theory that Aemon dies on the way to Eastwatch and that Sam sleeps with Gilly on the ship to Braavos.
I expect Sam's story to end with their arrival at Oldtown, with the Oldtown storyline being saved for Season 6. I think that Marwyn may be cut from the show as one of many ways that the show cuts through the Meereenese knot, but with characters from the Wall, the Faceless Men, The Reach, The Westerlands, the Citadel and Dorne all interacting with one another in an intriguing conspiracy / mystery story, I don't think that Oldtown gets cut from the show. I don't think we'll see it this year though, as it would require new sets, locations and character castings that haven't been announced yet, but which would be perfect for starting a new season.
MY SEASON 5 PREDICTIONS FOR SAMWELL TARLY'S STORY:
Sam will use deception to get Jon Snow elected as Lord Commander. He'll be dispatched to Oldtown by way of Braavos, along with Gilly, a Dareon-equivalent and Maester Aemon, taking the mission with less distress than he did in AFFC. Aemon will die on the trip to Eastwatch and be given a NW funeral and a Targaryen funeral pyre. After Maester Aemon dies, Sam and Gilly consummate their relationship on the way to Braavos, which Sam handles much better than he does in the books. Before arriving in Braavos, he'll have new interactions with Davos and Salladhor Saan. In Braavos, Sam will be rescued by Arya, fight with Dareon and be rescued by a captain who agrees to take him and his companions to Oldtown. His season will end somehwere in episodes 8-10, when his ship arrives in Oldtown, though I don't think we'll see any more of Oldtown than possibly a CGI rendering ala the show's Season 4 introduction to Braavos.
Next week - Daenerys Targaryen
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Game of Thrones Season 5 Speculation - Part 2 - Tyrion Lannister
TYRION LANNISTER
After murdering his father, Tywin, Tyrion Lannister is smuggled out of King's Landing by Varys. He arrives in Pentos at the start of ADWD, meeting with Magister Illyrio, who sets him on a course through Essos to meet with Daenerys Targaryen. Illyrio parts company with Tyrion when he drops them off with a crew who is secretly comprised of Jon Connington, Aegon Targaryen and several other individuals under false identities. The crew pilots a ship up the Rhoyne until Tyrion uncovers their true identities and they are attacked by Stone Men. Tyrion survives the attack and convinces Aegon to abandon the journey to Meereen to meet with Dany and instead invade Westeros to earn her respect and marry her as an equal. Tyrion travels to a whorehouse in Volantis where he is captured by Jorah Mormont. Jorah and Tyrion board a ship that they are told will take them to Meereen, though the ship isn't going to Meereen itself, with a dwarf named Penny (who tries to kill him) and a Red Priest of R'hllor named Moqorro. The ship sinks and Moqorro is found by Victarion while Tyrion and Jorah are captured by pirates and sold as slaves in Meereen. Tyrion and Penny participate in the same dog/pig dwarf-jousting act that Penny and her brother performed at Joffrey's wedding at the re-opening of the fighting pits of Meereen. After Drogon attacks the fighting pits, Tyrion, Penny and Jorah escape from slavery and join the Second Sons with the intention of convincing them to turn their cloaks back to Dany's side in the war. He succeeds in this effort in a preview chapter for TWOW.
That's a full-season storyline if I've ever heard one and I expect that many of the elements of this storyline will be present in S5, with some obvious omissions and some major shortcuts taken to get to the final destination. I also expect this storyline to go behind ADWD, as leaked photographs indicate that Tyrion and Dany will have direct interactions at the fighting pits, which indicate that they've allied themselves with each other before Drogon intervenes. There's a lot of ground to cover before we get there, so let's start at the beginning.
PENTOS
Leaked photographs from filming indicate that locations used to represent Pentos in Season 1 are being used this season and that characters wearing Pentoshi costumes will be appearing this season as well. Couple that with the fact that no casting announcement would be necessary to bring the actor playing Magister Illyrio (Roger Allam) back for an episode or two and my conclusion is that Tyrion will be traveling to Pentos at the start of S5. One change that I expect for the show is that the Season 4 finale indicates that Varys will be traveling with Tyrion to Pentos. Varys is a better and more popular character in the show than he is in the books, so I expect he'll stick around for the first part of Tyrion's storyline at least, though I think he may depart on Littlefinger's Season 2 jetpack to jump into other storylines this season. Perhaps Varys will accompany Illyrio and Tyrion until he departs on the Rhoyne. Perhaps he stays with Tyrion until Volantis. Then again, maybe he drops Tyrion off in Pentos and disappears until later in the season. Who knows? None of the leaked information includes Varys, so it's all guessing at this point. I'd like to think that more Varys is better than less, so let's give him two or three episodes before he parts ways with Tyrion.
THE RHYONE
We know from filming leaks and press releases that Tyrion will be stopping in Volantis on the way to Meereen (where we know he will arrive). Unless his on-screen time takes him directly from Pentos to Volantis, he'll need to travel on the Rhoyne.
Most of the key moments of Tyrion's trip down the Rhoyne will be skipped because they are connected directly to the presence of Aegon and Jon Connington, who appear to have been written out of the show. Tyrion won't get to reveal the identity of these characters and the giant turtle (the Old Man of the River) probably won't make an appearance because his presence is tied to Aegon (also, with a limited special effects budget it's unlikely that a chunk of it would be used on a large turtle that is otherwise insignificant to the story), but one of the most amazing scenes in ADWD will still take place: the attack of the stone men.
The "Bridge of Dreams" sequence where Tyrion and co. are attacked by the stone men is one of the best sequences in ADWD and it lends itself perfectly to film and television.
Picture this scene:
Tyrion looks out onto the deck of the ship and sees nothing but fog. In the distance, vague shapes of menacing figures appear on structures above the ship, on all sides. After a few moments of eerie silence, there's a loud thud on the ship's deck, followed by another and another as the menacing figures attack the ship. The crew fends off the attackers, but as Tyrion pushes the last of the attackers off of the deck, the attacker grabs Tyrion and pulls him into river with him.
Cut to black as eerie music plays and the credits roll and the episode ends on one hell of a cliffhanger.
Sounds pretty awesome, no? And leaked information from filming indicates that this scene in some form or another will be a part of S5, as there will be a scene featuring a large bridge and a lot of special effects that seems to be a perfect fit for this scene.
It is my prediction that this scene will take place after Tyrion arrives in Volantis and is captured by Jorah Mormont, however. I think that the show will cut out the boat trip or limit it to a few character development / check-in scenes as most of the important characters from Tyrion's trip down the Rhoyne have been cut from the show. It would be much more interesting if Jorah was present during the Stone Men's attack and a nice shortcut for the show to use the Stone Men's attack as the reason why the boat from Volantis sinks and Tyrion and Jorah are captured and sold into slavery.
VOLANTIS
It has been confirmed that Game of Thrones will be going to Volantis in S5 and casting indicates that the show's adaptation will stick very closely to the book, at least the part covered in ADWD Tyrion VI, if not so much ADWD - Tyrion VII.
While in Volantis, Tyrion visits a whorehouse where he rapes (though it's not possible to have consensual sex with a slave forced into prostitution, Tyrion's actions were particularly brutal) and he's captured by Jorah Mormont. Jorah Mormont is back this season and filming scenes with Tyrion and while a character very similiar to the prostitute in this scene has been cast (indicating that she'll play the same role as in the books), I doubt that GoT will portray Tyrion's interactions the same was as they are portrayed in ADWD, as I expect the show to portray Tyrion in a lighter, less monstrous way than the books. The circumstances regarding his relationship with and murder of Shae are very different in the show and I expect Tyrion to be more "sad-drunk" this season than "sadistic-drunk". Also, the show will likely feel the need to maintain the likeability of Tyrion Lannister in a way that the books don't. Plus, you have to figure that the fall-out from the poorly-directed Jaime-Cersei rape scene last season (as well as the sometimes well-deserved charges of sexism that come up whenever a scene featuring prostitutes occurs) will affect the show-runners and cause them to tone down this encounter somewhat.
After being captured, Jorah secures passage on a ship that will (sort of...) take him and Tyrion to Meereen. While doing this, Tyrion is attacked by a young dwarf named Penny. Penny was an entertainer who, along with her brother, participated in the dwarf-jousting show at Joffrey's wedding. After Joffrey's death, they fled to Essos, where Penny's brother was eventually beheaded when he was mistaken for Tyrion by individuals who hoped to win the Lordship that Cersei promised in return for the capturing or killing of Tyrion. Upon seeing Tyrion, Penny attempts to murder him out of revenge, failing to do so. She eventually joins Tyrion and Jorah and is still with them during the preview chapters for TWOW.
It's possible that the passage-booking scene will be included this season (if for no other reason than to show how desperate Jorah is at this point in the story), but it could also be skipped. What will definitely be skipped is the role of Penny, who I think will be written out of the show. The "entertainment" at Joffrey's wedding featured dwarves, but there was no indication that any of them were Penny. Also, there has been casting calls for dwarf actors, but not dwarf actresses. Penny is a significant enough role that her casting would have been announced if she were appearing in Season 5 and she wasn't. She might show up in a later season, but I doubt it.
MEEREEN
I was prepared to write about my theory that Game of Thrones would skip over the whole "Tyrion the Slave" subplot and instead have Jorah smuggle him into Meereen. This was based on a leaked image from the set that appeared to indicate that Jorah would be sneaking Tyrion into Meereen on a small boat. It seemed to me that the show might skip over the boat sinking, Tyrion and Jorah being captured by pirates, sold into slavery and escaping during the battle. This was further backed up by the leaked image of Tyrion sitting in the fighting pits with Daenerys, Hizdahr and Missandei. Clearly, the show is going further into Tyrion's storyline than ADWD did, as Tyrion never has direct interaction with Daenerys in ADWD, as he's still a slave performing in the re-opening of the pits. I was prepared to say that the "Tyrion the Slave" sub-plot would be skipped entirely in order to save time, but the latest piece of information to be released proves that incorrect.
When Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Oz, Lost) (AAA) was cast in a new role that was added specifically for Season 5, there was a lot of speculation about what role he'd be playing. It was recently revealed that his role would involve selling Tyrion and Jorah to Yezzan (whose role remains confusing as the casting information indicates that he was a wealthy man in Meereen and slavery remains outlawed in Meereen while Daenerys is present, so he must have fled the city for this to work). Since Tyrion and Jorah are sold into slavery, it's safe to assume that the storyline that brings them to that point stays intact, so it's safe to assume that their boat from Volantis sinks and they're captured and sold into slavery.
There haven't been any details released that detail the army of Slavers Bay that lays siege to Meereen (assuming that the show follows the same storyline as the books) and Brown Ben Plumm hasn't been cast for this season, so the details of how Tyrion and Jorah escape are currently impossible to know, but at some point this season they will either escape or be brought before Daenerys where Jorah is forced to fight in the pits to earn his way back into her good graces while Tyrion is accepted as an advisor. However this is managed, leaked photographs show that Jorah is fighting in the pit while Tyrion watches with the newly-married Dany and Hizdahr. Since Tyrion doesn't appear to be a prisoner or under any kind of duress in the photos, it seems as though his interaction with Dany have been productive and led to him being freed and working with her at the moment. It should be one of the most interesting story changes / advancements that the show has ever done.
It's hard to guess when exactly Tyrion will interact with Daenerys and how long they'll share the screen together. Both characters have a significant amount of story that will need to be covered before they'll be in the same place and time (Tyrion has to cross half of Essos), so it's likely that they won't meet until Episode 7 or 8, when they'll share a few highly anticipated scenes before Drogon returns and flies away with Daenerys and everything in Meereen goes to hell after the re-opening of the fighting pits. I expect this to be the climax of Episode 9. Where Tyrion's story goes from there is unknown as it will be a combination of new storylines and storylines from TWOW. I don't expect him to assume the role of Quentyn Martell and set the other two dragons loose (I'll put together some wild speculation on that in my post about Dany), so his future on the show is likely to be tied in with Jorah and Selmy, though much of that will likely be pushed until Season 6. I'll have more to say about Tyrion's interactions with Daenerys when I discuss Dany's storyline for the season.
MY SEASON 5 PREDICTIONS FOR TYRION LANNISTER'S STORY:
Tyrion will travel with Varys to Pentos, where they'll meet with Magister Illyrio. The trio (Varys may not leave Pentos) will travel together until Tyrion leaves for Volantis, where he'll visit a whorehouse and be captured by Jorah Mormont. Tyrion and Jorah will be attacked by the Stone Men, who sink their boat. They will then be captured and sold into slavery. They'll escape into Meereen where Tyrion will ally himself with Daenerys. The two will plot together until the re-opening of the fighting pits, where Drogon returns and Daenerys flies out of the city on his back. Tyrion will remain in Meereen during the fallout and the upcoming battle in Season 6.
Next Week - Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly
After murdering his father, Tywin, Tyrion Lannister is smuggled out of King's Landing by Varys. He arrives in Pentos at the start of ADWD, meeting with Magister Illyrio, who sets him on a course through Essos to meet with Daenerys Targaryen. Illyrio parts company with Tyrion when he drops them off with a crew who is secretly comprised of Jon Connington, Aegon Targaryen and several other individuals under false identities. The crew pilots a ship up the Rhoyne until Tyrion uncovers their true identities and they are attacked by Stone Men. Tyrion survives the attack and convinces Aegon to abandon the journey to Meereen to meet with Dany and instead invade Westeros to earn her respect and marry her as an equal. Tyrion travels to a whorehouse in Volantis where he is captured by Jorah Mormont. Jorah and Tyrion board a ship that they are told will take them to Meereen, though the ship isn't going to Meereen itself, with a dwarf named Penny (who tries to kill him) and a Red Priest of R'hllor named Moqorro. The ship sinks and Moqorro is found by Victarion while Tyrion and Jorah are captured by pirates and sold as slaves in Meereen. Tyrion and Penny participate in the same dog/pig dwarf-jousting act that Penny and her brother performed at Joffrey's wedding at the re-opening of the fighting pits of Meereen. After Drogon attacks the fighting pits, Tyrion, Penny and Jorah escape from slavery and join the Second Sons with the intention of convincing them to turn their cloaks back to Dany's side in the war. He succeeds in this effort in a preview chapter for TWOW.
That's a full-season storyline if I've ever heard one and I expect that many of the elements of this storyline will be present in S5, with some obvious omissions and some major shortcuts taken to get to the final destination. I also expect this storyline to go behind ADWD, as leaked photographs indicate that Tyrion and Dany will have direct interactions at the fighting pits, which indicate that they've allied themselves with each other before Drogon intervenes. There's a lot of ground to cover before we get there, so let's start at the beginning.
PENTOS
Leaked photographs from filming indicate that locations used to represent Pentos in Season 1 are being used this season and that characters wearing Pentoshi costumes will be appearing this season as well. Couple that with the fact that no casting announcement would be necessary to bring the actor playing Magister Illyrio (Roger Allam) back for an episode or two and my conclusion is that Tyrion will be traveling to Pentos at the start of S5. One change that I expect for the show is that the Season 4 finale indicates that Varys will be traveling with Tyrion to Pentos. Varys is a better and more popular character in the show than he is in the books, so I expect he'll stick around for the first part of Tyrion's storyline at least, though I think he may depart on Littlefinger's Season 2 jetpack to jump into other storylines this season. Perhaps Varys will accompany Illyrio and Tyrion until he departs on the Rhoyne. Perhaps he stays with Tyrion until Volantis. Then again, maybe he drops Tyrion off in Pentos and disappears until later in the season. Who knows? None of the leaked information includes Varys, so it's all guessing at this point. I'd like to think that more Varys is better than less, so let's give him two or three episodes before he parts ways with Tyrion.
THE RHYONE
We know from filming leaks and press releases that Tyrion will be stopping in Volantis on the way to Meereen (where we know he will arrive). Unless his on-screen time takes him directly from Pentos to Volantis, he'll need to travel on the Rhoyne.
Most of the key moments of Tyrion's trip down the Rhoyne will be skipped because they are connected directly to the presence of Aegon and Jon Connington, who appear to have been written out of the show. Tyrion won't get to reveal the identity of these characters and the giant turtle (the Old Man of the River) probably won't make an appearance because his presence is tied to Aegon (also, with a limited special effects budget it's unlikely that a chunk of it would be used on a large turtle that is otherwise insignificant to the story), but one of the most amazing scenes in ADWD will still take place: the attack of the stone men.
The "Bridge of Dreams" sequence where Tyrion and co. are attacked by the stone men is one of the best sequences in ADWD and it lends itself perfectly to film and television.
Picture this scene:
Tyrion looks out onto the deck of the ship and sees nothing but fog. In the distance, vague shapes of menacing figures appear on structures above the ship, on all sides. After a few moments of eerie silence, there's a loud thud on the ship's deck, followed by another and another as the menacing figures attack the ship. The crew fends off the attackers, but as Tyrion pushes the last of the attackers off of the deck, the attacker grabs Tyrion and pulls him into river with him.
Cut to black as eerie music plays and the credits roll and the episode ends on one hell of a cliffhanger.
Sounds pretty awesome, no? And leaked information from filming indicates that this scene in some form or another will be a part of S5, as there will be a scene featuring a large bridge and a lot of special effects that seems to be a perfect fit for this scene.
It is my prediction that this scene will take place after Tyrion arrives in Volantis and is captured by Jorah Mormont, however. I think that the show will cut out the boat trip or limit it to a few character development / check-in scenes as most of the important characters from Tyrion's trip down the Rhoyne have been cut from the show. It would be much more interesting if Jorah was present during the Stone Men's attack and a nice shortcut for the show to use the Stone Men's attack as the reason why the boat from Volantis sinks and Tyrion and Jorah are captured and sold into slavery.
VOLANTIS
It has been confirmed that Game of Thrones will be going to Volantis in S5 and casting indicates that the show's adaptation will stick very closely to the book, at least the part covered in ADWD Tyrion VI, if not so much ADWD - Tyrion VII.
While in Volantis, Tyrion visits a whorehouse where he rapes (though it's not possible to have consensual sex with a slave forced into prostitution, Tyrion's actions were particularly brutal) and he's captured by Jorah Mormont. Jorah Mormont is back this season and filming scenes with Tyrion and while a character very similiar to the prostitute in this scene has been cast (indicating that she'll play the same role as in the books), I doubt that GoT will portray Tyrion's interactions the same was as they are portrayed in ADWD, as I expect the show to portray Tyrion in a lighter, less monstrous way than the books. The circumstances regarding his relationship with and murder of Shae are very different in the show and I expect Tyrion to be more "sad-drunk" this season than "sadistic-drunk". Also, the show will likely feel the need to maintain the likeability of Tyrion Lannister in a way that the books don't. Plus, you have to figure that the fall-out from the poorly-directed Jaime-Cersei rape scene last season (as well as the sometimes well-deserved charges of sexism that come up whenever a scene featuring prostitutes occurs) will affect the show-runners and cause them to tone down this encounter somewhat.
After being captured, Jorah secures passage on a ship that will (sort of...) take him and Tyrion to Meereen. While doing this, Tyrion is attacked by a young dwarf named Penny. Penny was an entertainer who, along with her brother, participated in the dwarf-jousting show at Joffrey's wedding. After Joffrey's death, they fled to Essos, where Penny's brother was eventually beheaded when he was mistaken for Tyrion by individuals who hoped to win the Lordship that Cersei promised in return for the capturing or killing of Tyrion. Upon seeing Tyrion, Penny attempts to murder him out of revenge, failing to do so. She eventually joins Tyrion and Jorah and is still with them during the preview chapters for TWOW.
It's possible that the passage-booking scene will be included this season (if for no other reason than to show how desperate Jorah is at this point in the story), but it could also be skipped. What will definitely be skipped is the role of Penny, who I think will be written out of the show. The "entertainment" at Joffrey's wedding featured dwarves, but there was no indication that any of them were Penny. Also, there has been casting calls for dwarf actors, but not dwarf actresses. Penny is a significant enough role that her casting would have been announced if she were appearing in Season 5 and she wasn't. She might show up in a later season, but I doubt it.
MEEREEN
I was prepared to write about my theory that Game of Thrones would skip over the whole "Tyrion the Slave" subplot and instead have Jorah smuggle him into Meereen. This was based on a leaked image from the set that appeared to indicate that Jorah would be sneaking Tyrion into Meereen on a small boat. It seemed to me that the show might skip over the boat sinking, Tyrion and Jorah being captured by pirates, sold into slavery and escaping during the battle. This was further backed up by the leaked image of Tyrion sitting in the fighting pits with Daenerys, Hizdahr and Missandei. Clearly, the show is going further into Tyrion's storyline than ADWD did, as Tyrion never has direct interaction with Daenerys in ADWD, as he's still a slave performing in the re-opening of the pits. I was prepared to say that the "Tyrion the Slave" sub-plot would be skipped entirely in order to save time, but the latest piece of information to be released proves that incorrect.
When Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Oz, Lost) (AAA) was cast in a new role that was added specifically for Season 5, there was a lot of speculation about what role he'd be playing. It was recently revealed that his role would involve selling Tyrion and Jorah to Yezzan (whose role remains confusing as the casting information indicates that he was a wealthy man in Meereen and slavery remains outlawed in Meereen while Daenerys is present, so he must have fled the city for this to work). Since Tyrion and Jorah are sold into slavery, it's safe to assume that the storyline that brings them to that point stays intact, so it's safe to assume that their boat from Volantis sinks and they're captured and sold into slavery.
There haven't been any details released that detail the army of Slavers Bay that lays siege to Meereen (assuming that the show follows the same storyline as the books) and Brown Ben Plumm hasn't been cast for this season, so the details of how Tyrion and Jorah escape are currently impossible to know, but at some point this season they will either escape or be brought before Daenerys where Jorah is forced to fight in the pits to earn his way back into her good graces while Tyrion is accepted as an advisor. However this is managed, leaked photographs show that Jorah is fighting in the pit while Tyrion watches with the newly-married Dany and Hizdahr. Since Tyrion doesn't appear to be a prisoner or under any kind of duress in the photos, it seems as though his interaction with Dany have been productive and led to him being freed and working with her at the moment. It should be one of the most interesting story changes / advancements that the show has ever done.
It's hard to guess when exactly Tyrion will interact with Daenerys and how long they'll share the screen together. Both characters have a significant amount of story that will need to be covered before they'll be in the same place and time (Tyrion has to cross half of Essos), so it's likely that they won't meet until Episode 7 or 8, when they'll share a few highly anticipated scenes before Drogon returns and flies away with Daenerys and everything in Meereen goes to hell after the re-opening of the fighting pits. I expect this to be the climax of Episode 9. Where Tyrion's story goes from there is unknown as it will be a combination of new storylines and storylines from TWOW. I don't expect him to assume the role of Quentyn Martell and set the other two dragons loose (I'll put together some wild speculation on that in my post about Dany), so his future on the show is likely to be tied in with Jorah and Selmy, though much of that will likely be pushed until Season 6. I'll have more to say about Tyrion's interactions with Daenerys when I discuss Dany's storyline for the season.
MY SEASON 5 PREDICTIONS FOR TYRION LANNISTER'S STORY:
Tyrion will travel with Varys to Pentos, where they'll meet with Magister Illyrio. The trio (Varys may not leave Pentos) will travel together until Tyrion leaves for Volantis, where he'll visit a whorehouse and be captured by Jorah Mormont. Tyrion and Jorah will be attacked by the Stone Men, who sink their boat. They will then be captured and sold into slavery. They'll escape into Meereen where Tyrion will ally himself with Daenerys. The two will plot together until the re-opening of the fighting pits, where Drogon returns and Daenerys flies out of the city on his back. Tyrion will remain in Meereen during the fallout and the upcoming battle in Season 6.
Next Week - Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly
Game of Thrones Season 5 Speculation - Part 1 - Introduction, dropped / postponed storylines, M.I.A. characters and potential surprise appearances
Introduction
Season Five (S5) promises to be the most interesting season of Game Of Thrones (GoT) yet. While previous seasons have covered approx. 700 pages of A Song of Ice and Fire each, S5 looks to cover a large portion of A Feast For Crows (AFFC) and A Dance With Dragons (ADWD), books that combine for over 2000 pages of content (in paperback). To say the least, cuts will need to be made, shortcuts will need to be taken and adapatation decisions by D&D and their writers will be fascinating.
If you're an Unsullied viewer, leave now. I intend to write about all of the major storylines of the last two books and some content from The Winds Of Winter (TWOW) that I think will be featured in S5. If you don't want to have a general (and sometimes very specific) idea of what's going to happen next season, stop reading now, because the spoilers will start in the next paragraph. Seriously. Put it this way, if you had heard the words "Red Wedding" before Season Three, you would have known too much.
AFFC and ADWD contain, at minimum, 15 major storylines. Evidence uncovered by various Game Of Thrones fan-sites (http://watchersonthewall.com/ and http://winteriscoming.net/ are my preferred sites for GoT information), indicates that some of these storylines have either been dropped (Aegon), postponed (Kingsmoot?) or significantly altered (Queenmaker). I intend to analyze and make predictions about what I think is going to happen in each of these storylines that I think will be included in Season Five. I plan to break these storylines down as follows (each with their own post):
1. Dropped / postponed storylines, M.I.A. characters and potential surprise appearances
2. Tyrion Lannister
3. Jon Snow / Samwell Tarly
4. Daenerys Targaryen
5. Arya Stark
6. Cersei Lannister
7. Theon Greyjoy / House Greyjoy
8. Dorne / Jaime Lannister
9. Sansa Stark / Brienne Of Tarth
10. Stannis Baratheon / Davos Seaworth
Please keep in mind that most of the advance information for S5 has yet to be revealed (the first trailer will be released later this week) and each piece of information will alter my predictions. My predictions (some of which are complete wild guesses) will be revised frequently and due to the cascading aspect of the storytelling on GoT, most of my predictions will be completely wrong. I will probably get a lot of small details and names wrong, so if you see something, please point it out and I'll do my best to fix them. Also, once the episodes start airing, my guesses will change significantly when actual details are revealed. I can't accurately predict anything that the show-runners make up for the show or anything that isn't hinted at in trailers and leaked information.
Part 1 - Dropped / postponed storylines, M.I.A. characters and potential surprise appearances
Based on casting information and leaks revealed during the filming of S5, several large storylines from AFFC and ADWD will be omitted or delayed until future seasons.
DROPPED / POSTPONED STORYLINES:
AEGON TARGARYEN
The most significant storyline that appears to have been cut completely out of the series is the storyline involving Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen who was believed to have been killed by The Mountain during the sack of King's Landing at the end of Robert's Rebellion.
ADWD introduces the idea that baby Aegon was switched with another baby and then spirited to Essos to be raised by the disgraced Lord Jon Connington and groomed to become the great, benevolent king that lead conspirators Varys and Magister Illyrio Mopatis intended to one-day rule all of Westeros.
This idea is almost certainly complete bullsh*t. In ADWD there are numerous hints that Aegon (dubbed FAegon by many fans) is an imposter posing (probably unwittingly) as a Targaryen. The biggest hint that Aegon isn't who he appears to be (other than his far-fetched origin story) is the vision of a Mummer's Dragon (sort of like a dragon on sticks in a Chinese New Year parade) that Daenerys sees in the House of the Undying.
Aegon is introduced in Tyrion's ADWD storyline. They later part company (more on that in my post on Tyrion), with Aegon taking his traveling companions and the sell-sword army called the Golden Company (GC) to Westeros to lay siege to and capture Storm's End. In a preview chapter to The Winds Of Winter (TWOW), it is revealed that Arianne Martell (the Princess of and heiress of Dorne) is on her way to meet with Aegon. Speculation regarding this encounter lead some (including myself) to believe that Arianne Martell (who also does not appear to be included in GoT) will marry Aegon, in the hopes of becoming the Queen of Westeros (I also think she will succeed).
Even if this speculation proves false, the Aegon Targaryen storyline is a significant part of ADWD and George R.R. Martin's (GRRM) plans for the rest of the series. It's omission from S5 is a huge alteration, which will be felt in several of the existing S5 storylines.
So how do we know that it will be excluded (or at least postponed)? There have been no actors cast as Aegon, Jon Connington or any of the other characters involved in this storyline and there haven't been a great deal of actors cast in unknown roles that interact primarily with Tyrion this season. It's not impossible that the characters could have been secretly cast and involved with filming, but it's extremely unlikely. It's also not impossible that the characters could be introduced in future seasons, but that seems unlikely due to the new cast-member press release that indicates that Trystane Martell is Doran Martell's heir and the Prince of Dorne, indicating that Arianne has been written out of the series. In my estimation, no Arianne means no Aegon, as I think that their futures in the series are tied directly to one another. I'll address my predicted work-around in my post regarding the Dornish storyline.
EURON GREYJOY / VICTARION GREYJOY
Unlike Aegon, the Greyjoys do exist in Game of Thrones, or at the very least Theon Greyjoy has multiple uncles still living during Season 1 (Tyrion mentions them while talking to Theon in Winterfell). Also unlike Aegon, it's entirely possible that their storyline will exist in some context during Season 5 or in future seasons (Tywin's lesson to Tommen in Season 4 sounds like foreshadowing if AFFC's war between the Iron Islands and Highgarden, though that may simply have been a nod to book readers).
At some point before the Red Wedding in A Storm of Swords (ASOS), Balon Greyjoy "falls" (prophecy and speculation indicate that Euron hired a Faceless Man to murder Balon) off of a bridge at Pyke and dies. The very next day, Euron Greyjoy, long exiled by Balon, returns and proclaims himself the new king. His brother, Aeron Damphair (who arguably was featured in Season 2, blessing Theon), a priest of the Drowned God calls a Kingsmoot to determine who the new king will be. Asha Greyjoy (Yara Greyjoy on Game Of Thrones) and Victarion Greyjoy (and other Iron Islands lords) each make unsuccessful claims to the throne before Euron Greyjoy is crowned as king after promising the Ironmen that he possessed a horn that would allow him to take control of Dany's dragons with the intention of using them to conquer Westeros. After successfully invading the Shield Islands that protect the Reach, Euron determines that he can't conquer the Reach and lead the Iron Fleet to Meereen, so he sends Victarion in his stead to take the Iron Fleet to Meereen and bring back Dany and her dragons, though Victarion plots to take the dragons and Dany for himself. A preview chapter from TWOW shows Victarion and the Iron Fleet arriving in Meereen to assist Dany's force in the fight against the armies of Slaver's Bay.
Why do I think that this storyline will be significantly altered, excluded or postponed until a later season? Again, casting is the biggest clue. No actor has been cast as Euron Greyjoy or Victarion Greyjoy as of yet. Also, there's been no indication of any filming involving any of the Iron Islands storylines, though there also hasn't been much in the way of filming information involving Theon Greyjoy's Winterfell storyline and that will certainly be included in S5. Also, one of the main purposes of Victarion's journey to Meereen seems to be to provide Dany with the means of reaching Westeros. In the books, Victarion delivers 93 ships to Meereen. In the show, Daario Naharis and the Second Sons have already seized the Meereenese Navy, which has... 93 ships. Dany doesn't need Victarion to bring the Iron Fleet to Meereen.
That doesn't mean that some aspects of this storyline won't take place in Game Of Thrones. There are two indicators that I think point to the fact that Balon Greyjoy isn't going to survive this season. The first indicator is Melisandre's leech "spell". I put the "spell" in quotation marks because I think that the spell itself is a long con on Melisandre's part, in that I think she saw that Robb Stark, King Joffrey and Balon Greyjoy were going to die and engineered the "spell" to make it look like she was responsible for their deaths, which would happen with no intervention on her part. In the books, all three kings named in the spell die. In the show, two of them have died so far, indicating that Balon Greyjoy will not survive long. The other indicator is that the actor who played Jaqen H'ghar will be returning in Season 5. In the books, a prophecy indicates that Balon is killed by a Faceless Man. Many readers speculate that Jaqen is that Faceless Man (it would certainly be a shortcut that would work for the show) and Jaqen is later seen in Oldtown, appearing in Samwell Tarly's storyline. It's possible that his storyline in S5 could include killing Balon Greyjoy, though many (including myself) speculate that he'll take up the role of the Kindly Man (who has not been cast yet) in Arya's storyline, an equally likely possibility.
If Balon Greyjoy dies during S5 (on-screen, I hope), it's possible that Euron Greyjoy could ascend to the throne and invade the Reach (no Kingsmoot in this scenario, sorry) off-screen with the impact of these events being portrayed through second-hand reports to other characters who receive more screen-time this season (particularly Cersei Lannister and Maergery Tyrell). Doing this would allow the show to wait until Season 6 to cast Euron Greyjoy if they decide to keep him in the story. Unfortunately, there are no indications that this is going to happen and this is all speculation on my part.
ARIANNE MARTELL / QUENTYN MARTELL
I'll address the missing Martells in my post regarding Dorne.
M.I.A. CHARACTERS:
BRANDON STARK
It has been confirmed that Bran Stark will not appear in S5. This is unfortunate, but not surprising, giving that the vast majority of storyline in ADWD has already appeared in Season 4. I had hoped for a series of scenes showing how the Three-Eyed Raven (aka the Three-Eyed Crow, aka Brynden Rivers, aka Bloodraven) trained Bran in the use of his powers, reminiscent of Luke Skywalker's Degobah scenes with Yoda. I think it would have made for a nice parallel to Arya's training in the House of Black And White, but oh well. I have no doubt in my mind that Bran will make at least one meaningful impact on S5, speaking to Theon through the Heart Tree in Winterfell and "restoring" his identity.
RICKON STARK / OSHA
Rickon Stark and Osha have been absent from the show since Season 3. In the books, they travel to Skagos, where they become a part of Davos' ADWD storyline (though they won't appear until TWOW at the earliest). In the show, they're instructed to go to Last Hearth, the seat of House Umber, last seen in Season 1, represented by the Greatjon Umber. It's unknown where they ended up on the show and there are no indications that either of the actors will be returning for S5, but little is known of the storylines they're most likely to be involved in (Jon Snow, Davos, Stannis), so anything is possible. The absence of Wyman Manderly this season indicates that Davos won't go to White Harbor or Skagos. Jon knows that Bran and Rickon are alive and that Rickon didn't join Bran north of the Wall, but he doesn't know where they ended up going because Samwell doesn't know either. That being said, Davos has to do SOMETHING this season and the Umbers are a powerful Northern house that Stannis will seek to ally with this season, so it's entirely possible that he sends Davos there instead of White Harbor. It would be an effective storytelling shortcut to have Davos travel to Last Hearth to treat with the Umbers only to discover that they've been sheltering the heir to Winterfell. Plus, I'd personally love to see the Greatjon again, but again, pure speculation.
ASHA/YARA GREYJOY / BALON GREYJOY
They seem to show up once a season to remind us that they exist and that's probably for a reason. I have no idea what Balon's storyline will involve this season, if he'll appear, but "Yara" has a role to play in Stannis' storyline after he leaves the Wall if they choose to include / show that storyline this season.
GENDRY WATERS
Gendry pops up way too often in A Song Of Ice And Fire (ASOIAF) to not have a significant role in GRRM's end-game. He was last seen rowing away from Dragonstone towards King's Landing at the end of Season 3. If he doesn't show up in S5, there's a chance that he won't be recognized later on, so it's now or never for him to re-join the show. He does appear in Brienne's storyline in AFFC, but that assumes that he never leaves the Brotherhood and never assumes the role of Edric Storm with Melisandre, Stannis and Davos. Also, Brienne's storyline doesn't seem to be taking her in that direction this season and Lady Stoneheart is unlikely to be in the series.
LADY STONEHEART
There's no indication that she'll be included in this series. This season, Jaime is going to Dorne and it looks like Brienne is going to the Vale. Michelle Fairley, the actress who would play Lady Stoneheart (LS) has repeatedly said that she won't be returning to the show and she is currently a cast member on "Resurrection", where my understanding is that she plays (I sh*t you not) a woman who returns from the dead with a secret revenge-based agenda. That doesn't mean that LS has been written out of the show for certain, but it looks that way.
EDMURE TULLY / BRYNDEN "BLACKFISH" TULLY
The Riverlands was almost completely ignored in Season 4 and I don't see any reason why it won't be almost completely ignored in S5. I haven't heard any news of the actors who play Edmure (a regular on Outlander) or the Blackfish appearing this season and it doesn't appear that Jaime will be interacting with either character as he does in AFFC, so I don't think they'll have any on-screen time in S5, though I imagine Cersei will receive reports of Riverrun returning to the King's peace or the Blackfish escaping or Edmure being taken to Casterly Rock if these storylines prove to be important to future seasons of the show. I don't think we've seen the last of either character, but it's entirely possible that they (and the Freys) will mostly be Season 3 "exclusives" for the show.
Next Post: Tyrion Lannister
Season Five (S5) promises to be the most interesting season of Game Of Thrones (GoT) yet. While previous seasons have covered approx. 700 pages of A Song of Ice and Fire each, S5 looks to cover a large portion of A Feast For Crows (AFFC) and A Dance With Dragons (ADWD), books that combine for over 2000 pages of content (in paperback). To say the least, cuts will need to be made, shortcuts will need to be taken and adapatation decisions by D&D and their writers will be fascinating.
If you're an Unsullied viewer, leave now. I intend to write about all of the major storylines of the last two books and some content from The Winds Of Winter (TWOW) that I think will be featured in S5. If you don't want to have a general (and sometimes very specific) idea of what's going to happen next season, stop reading now, because the spoilers will start in the next paragraph. Seriously. Put it this way, if you had heard the words "Red Wedding" before Season Three, you would have known too much.
AFFC and ADWD contain, at minimum, 15 major storylines. Evidence uncovered by various Game Of Thrones fan-sites (http://watchersonthewall.com/ and http://winteriscoming.net/ are my preferred sites for GoT information), indicates that some of these storylines have either been dropped (Aegon), postponed (Kingsmoot?) or significantly altered (Queenmaker). I intend to analyze and make predictions about what I think is going to happen in each of these storylines that I think will be included in Season Five. I plan to break these storylines down as follows (each with their own post):
1. Dropped / postponed storylines, M.I.A. characters and potential surprise appearances
2. Tyrion Lannister
3. Jon Snow / Samwell Tarly
4. Daenerys Targaryen
5. Arya Stark
6. Cersei Lannister
7. Theon Greyjoy / House Greyjoy
8. Dorne / Jaime Lannister
9. Sansa Stark / Brienne Of Tarth
10. Stannis Baratheon / Davos Seaworth
Please keep in mind that most of the advance information for S5 has yet to be revealed (the first trailer will be released later this week) and each piece of information will alter my predictions. My predictions (some of which are complete wild guesses) will be revised frequently and due to the cascading aspect of the storytelling on GoT, most of my predictions will be completely wrong. I will probably get a lot of small details and names wrong, so if you see something, please point it out and I'll do my best to fix them. Also, once the episodes start airing, my guesses will change significantly when actual details are revealed. I can't accurately predict anything that the show-runners make up for the show or anything that isn't hinted at in trailers and leaked information.
Part 1 - Dropped / postponed storylines, M.I.A. characters and potential surprise appearances
Based on casting information and leaks revealed during the filming of S5, several large storylines from AFFC and ADWD will be omitted or delayed until future seasons.
DROPPED / POSTPONED STORYLINES:
AEGON TARGARYEN
The most significant storyline that appears to have been cut completely out of the series is the storyline involving Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen who was believed to have been killed by The Mountain during the sack of King's Landing at the end of Robert's Rebellion.
ADWD introduces the idea that baby Aegon was switched with another baby and then spirited to Essos to be raised by the disgraced Lord Jon Connington and groomed to become the great, benevolent king that lead conspirators Varys and Magister Illyrio Mopatis intended to one-day rule all of Westeros.
This idea is almost certainly complete bullsh*t. In ADWD there are numerous hints that Aegon (dubbed FAegon by many fans) is an imposter posing (probably unwittingly) as a Targaryen. The biggest hint that Aegon isn't who he appears to be (other than his far-fetched origin story) is the vision of a Mummer's Dragon (sort of like a dragon on sticks in a Chinese New Year parade) that Daenerys sees in the House of the Undying.
Aegon is introduced in Tyrion's ADWD storyline. They later part company (more on that in my post on Tyrion), with Aegon taking his traveling companions and the sell-sword army called the Golden Company (GC) to Westeros to lay siege to and capture Storm's End. In a preview chapter to The Winds Of Winter (TWOW), it is revealed that Arianne Martell (the Princess of and heiress of Dorne) is on her way to meet with Aegon. Speculation regarding this encounter lead some (including myself) to believe that Arianne Martell (who also does not appear to be included in GoT) will marry Aegon, in the hopes of becoming the Queen of Westeros (I also think she will succeed).
Even if this speculation proves false, the Aegon Targaryen storyline is a significant part of ADWD and George R.R. Martin's (GRRM) plans for the rest of the series. It's omission from S5 is a huge alteration, which will be felt in several of the existing S5 storylines.
So how do we know that it will be excluded (or at least postponed)? There have been no actors cast as Aegon, Jon Connington or any of the other characters involved in this storyline and there haven't been a great deal of actors cast in unknown roles that interact primarily with Tyrion this season. It's not impossible that the characters could have been secretly cast and involved with filming, but it's extremely unlikely. It's also not impossible that the characters could be introduced in future seasons, but that seems unlikely due to the new cast-member press release that indicates that Trystane Martell is Doran Martell's heir and the Prince of Dorne, indicating that Arianne has been written out of the series. In my estimation, no Arianne means no Aegon, as I think that their futures in the series are tied directly to one another. I'll address my predicted work-around in my post regarding the Dornish storyline.
EURON GREYJOY / VICTARION GREYJOY
Unlike Aegon, the Greyjoys do exist in Game of Thrones, or at the very least Theon Greyjoy has multiple uncles still living during Season 1 (Tyrion mentions them while talking to Theon in Winterfell). Also unlike Aegon, it's entirely possible that their storyline will exist in some context during Season 5 or in future seasons (Tywin's lesson to Tommen in Season 4 sounds like foreshadowing if AFFC's war between the Iron Islands and Highgarden, though that may simply have been a nod to book readers).
At some point before the Red Wedding in A Storm of Swords (ASOS), Balon Greyjoy "falls" (prophecy and speculation indicate that Euron hired a Faceless Man to murder Balon) off of a bridge at Pyke and dies. The very next day, Euron Greyjoy, long exiled by Balon, returns and proclaims himself the new king. His brother, Aeron Damphair (who arguably was featured in Season 2, blessing Theon), a priest of the Drowned God calls a Kingsmoot to determine who the new king will be. Asha Greyjoy (Yara Greyjoy on Game Of Thrones) and Victarion Greyjoy (and other Iron Islands lords) each make unsuccessful claims to the throne before Euron Greyjoy is crowned as king after promising the Ironmen that he possessed a horn that would allow him to take control of Dany's dragons with the intention of using them to conquer Westeros. After successfully invading the Shield Islands that protect the Reach, Euron determines that he can't conquer the Reach and lead the Iron Fleet to Meereen, so he sends Victarion in his stead to take the Iron Fleet to Meereen and bring back Dany and her dragons, though Victarion plots to take the dragons and Dany for himself. A preview chapter from TWOW shows Victarion and the Iron Fleet arriving in Meereen to assist Dany's force in the fight against the armies of Slaver's Bay.
Why do I think that this storyline will be significantly altered, excluded or postponed until a later season? Again, casting is the biggest clue. No actor has been cast as Euron Greyjoy or Victarion Greyjoy as of yet. Also, there's been no indication of any filming involving any of the Iron Islands storylines, though there also hasn't been much in the way of filming information involving Theon Greyjoy's Winterfell storyline and that will certainly be included in S5. Also, one of the main purposes of Victarion's journey to Meereen seems to be to provide Dany with the means of reaching Westeros. In the books, Victarion delivers 93 ships to Meereen. In the show, Daario Naharis and the Second Sons have already seized the Meereenese Navy, which has... 93 ships. Dany doesn't need Victarion to bring the Iron Fleet to Meereen.
That doesn't mean that some aspects of this storyline won't take place in Game Of Thrones. There are two indicators that I think point to the fact that Balon Greyjoy isn't going to survive this season. The first indicator is Melisandre's leech "spell". I put the "spell" in quotation marks because I think that the spell itself is a long con on Melisandre's part, in that I think she saw that Robb Stark, King Joffrey and Balon Greyjoy were going to die and engineered the "spell" to make it look like she was responsible for their deaths, which would happen with no intervention on her part. In the books, all three kings named in the spell die. In the show, two of them have died so far, indicating that Balon Greyjoy will not survive long. The other indicator is that the actor who played Jaqen H'ghar will be returning in Season 5. In the books, a prophecy indicates that Balon is killed by a Faceless Man. Many readers speculate that Jaqen is that Faceless Man (it would certainly be a shortcut that would work for the show) and Jaqen is later seen in Oldtown, appearing in Samwell Tarly's storyline. It's possible that his storyline in S5 could include killing Balon Greyjoy, though many (including myself) speculate that he'll take up the role of the Kindly Man (who has not been cast yet) in Arya's storyline, an equally likely possibility.
If Balon Greyjoy dies during S5 (on-screen, I hope), it's possible that Euron Greyjoy could ascend to the throne and invade the Reach (no Kingsmoot in this scenario, sorry) off-screen with the impact of these events being portrayed through second-hand reports to other characters who receive more screen-time this season (particularly Cersei Lannister and Maergery Tyrell). Doing this would allow the show to wait until Season 6 to cast Euron Greyjoy if they decide to keep him in the story. Unfortunately, there are no indications that this is going to happen and this is all speculation on my part.
ARIANNE MARTELL / QUENTYN MARTELL
I'll address the missing Martells in my post regarding Dorne.
M.I.A. CHARACTERS:
BRANDON STARK
It has been confirmed that Bran Stark will not appear in S5. This is unfortunate, but not surprising, giving that the vast majority of storyline in ADWD has already appeared in Season 4. I had hoped for a series of scenes showing how the Three-Eyed Raven (aka the Three-Eyed Crow, aka Brynden Rivers, aka Bloodraven) trained Bran in the use of his powers, reminiscent of Luke Skywalker's Degobah scenes with Yoda. I think it would have made for a nice parallel to Arya's training in the House of Black And White, but oh well. I have no doubt in my mind that Bran will make at least one meaningful impact on S5, speaking to Theon through the Heart Tree in Winterfell and "restoring" his identity.
RICKON STARK / OSHA
Rickon Stark and Osha have been absent from the show since Season 3. In the books, they travel to Skagos, where they become a part of Davos' ADWD storyline (though they won't appear until TWOW at the earliest). In the show, they're instructed to go to Last Hearth, the seat of House Umber, last seen in Season 1, represented by the Greatjon Umber. It's unknown where they ended up on the show and there are no indications that either of the actors will be returning for S5, but little is known of the storylines they're most likely to be involved in (Jon Snow, Davos, Stannis), so anything is possible. The absence of Wyman Manderly this season indicates that Davos won't go to White Harbor or Skagos. Jon knows that Bran and Rickon are alive and that Rickon didn't join Bran north of the Wall, but he doesn't know where they ended up going because Samwell doesn't know either. That being said, Davos has to do SOMETHING this season and the Umbers are a powerful Northern house that Stannis will seek to ally with this season, so it's entirely possible that he sends Davos there instead of White Harbor. It would be an effective storytelling shortcut to have Davos travel to Last Hearth to treat with the Umbers only to discover that they've been sheltering the heir to Winterfell. Plus, I'd personally love to see the Greatjon again, but again, pure speculation.
ASHA/YARA GREYJOY / BALON GREYJOY
They seem to show up once a season to remind us that they exist and that's probably for a reason. I have no idea what Balon's storyline will involve this season, if he'll appear, but "Yara" has a role to play in Stannis' storyline after he leaves the Wall if they choose to include / show that storyline this season.
GENDRY WATERS
Gendry pops up way too often in A Song Of Ice And Fire (ASOIAF) to not have a significant role in GRRM's end-game. He was last seen rowing away from Dragonstone towards King's Landing at the end of Season 3. If he doesn't show up in S5, there's a chance that he won't be recognized later on, so it's now or never for him to re-join the show. He does appear in Brienne's storyline in AFFC, but that assumes that he never leaves the Brotherhood and never assumes the role of Edric Storm with Melisandre, Stannis and Davos. Also, Brienne's storyline doesn't seem to be taking her in that direction this season and Lady Stoneheart is unlikely to be in the series.
LADY STONEHEART
There's no indication that she'll be included in this series. This season, Jaime is going to Dorne and it looks like Brienne is going to the Vale. Michelle Fairley, the actress who would play Lady Stoneheart (LS) has repeatedly said that she won't be returning to the show and she is currently a cast member on "Resurrection", where my understanding is that she plays (I sh*t you not) a woman who returns from the dead with a secret revenge-based agenda. That doesn't mean that LS has been written out of the show for certain, but it looks that way.
EDMURE TULLY / BRYNDEN "BLACKFISH" TULLY
The Riverlands was almost completely ignored in Season 4 and I don't see any reason why it won't be almost completely ignored in S5. I haven't heard any news of the actors who play Edmure (a regular on Outlander) or the Blackfish appearing this season and it doesn't appear that Jaime will be interacting with either character as he does in AFFC, so I don't think they'll have any on-screen time in S5, though I imagine Cersei will receive reports of Riverrun returning to the King's peace or the Blackfish escaping or Edmure being taken to Casterly Rock if these storylines prove to be important to future seasons of the show. I don't think we've seen the last of either character, but it's entirely possible that they (and the Freys) will mostly be Season 3 "exclusives" for the show.
Next Post: Tyrion Lannister
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Blind Ballot Hall Of Fame - Previously Eligible Artists - 2030
311
.38 Special
? & The Mysterians
10,000 Maniacs
10cc
2 Live Crew
3 Doors Down
30 Seconds to Mars
50 Cent
98 Degrees
A Flock of Seagulls
A Perfect Circle
A Tribe Called Quest
Aaliyah
ABC
Accept
Ace of Base
Adam and the Ants
Adam Ant
Adam Sandler
Afghan Whigs
AFI
Afrika Bambaataa
Against Me!
A-Ha
Aimee Mann
Air
Air Supply
Alabama
Alan Jackson
Alanis Morissette
Alannah Myles
Alicia Keys
Alison Krauss
Alkaline Trio
America
Amy Grant
Amy Winehouse
Anberlin
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Andrew Bird
Andrew WK
Ani DiFranco
Animal Collective
Annie
Annie Lennox
Anthrax
Anti-Flag
Antony & the Johnsons
Aphex Twin
Apocalyptica
April Wine
Archers of Loaf
Argent
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Arrested Development
Ash
Asia
At the Drive-In
Athlete
Atlanta Rhythm Section
Atmosphere
Atreyu
Audioslave
Avenged Sevenfold
Avril Lavigne
Babes in Toyland
Babyface
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Backstreet Boys
Bad Brains
Bad Company
Bad Meets Evil
Bad Religion
Badfinger
Badly Drawn Boy
Bananarama
Barenaked Ladies
Barry Manilow
Barry White
Basement Jaxx
Belinda Carlisle
Belle & Sebastian
Belly
Ben E. King
Ben Folds Five
Ben Harper
Berlin
Beta Band
Bette Midler
Better Than Ezra
Beyonce
Big Black
Big Country
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Big Joe Turner
Big Mamma Thornton
Bikini Kill
Billy Bragg
Billy Idol
Billy Ocean
Billy Squier
Billy Ward (And The Dominos)
Black Eyed Peas
Black Label Society
Black Oak Arkansas
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Blind Melon
Blink-182
Blitzen Trapper
Blue Cheer
Blue October
Blue Öyster Cult
Blues Traveler
Bob Mould
Bobby Brown
Bobby McFerrin
Bobby Womack
Body Count
Bon Jovi
Bone Thugs 'N Harmony
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Bonnie Raitt
Booker T. & The M.G.’s
Boston
Boyz II Men
Boz Scaggs
Brad Paisley
Brand New
Brandi Carlile
Brandy
Breaking Benjamin
Brenda Lee
Brendan Benson
Brian Setzer Orchestra
Brian Wilson
Bright Eyes
British Sea Power
Britney Spears
Broken Social Scene
Bronski Beat
Brother Ali
Bruce Hornsby and the Range
Bryan Adams
Bryan Ferry
Buckcherry
Buckethead
Buddy Guy
Budgie
Buena Vista Social Club
Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Tom
Built To Spill
Bush
Butthole Surfers
C+C Music Factory
Cabaret Voltaire
Cake
Calexico
Cameo
Camera Obscura
Camper Van Beethoven
Candlebox
Canned Heat
Captain & Tennille
Captain Beefheart (And His Magic Band)
Carly Simon
Carole King
Cass McCombs
Cat Power
Catherine Wheel
Cee-Lo Green
Celine Dion
Chaka Khan
Charlie Parker
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Cherry Poppin' Daddie
Chevelle
Chic
Chris Cornell
Chris Isaak
Christina Aguilera
Christopher Cross
Chuck Mangione
Chuck Willis
Chumbawamba
Cinderella
Clay Aiken
Clay Walker
Clinic
Clipse
Clutch
Cocteau Twins
Coheed & Cambria
Cold
Collective Soul
Common
Concrete Blonde
Conway Twitty
Coolio
Cornershop
Counting Crows
Country Joe & The Fish
Cowboy Junkies
Cracker
Crash Test Dummies
Creed
Crowded House
Crystal Method
Culture Club
Cursive
Cyndi Lauper
Cypress Hill
D12
Damien Rice
Damn Yankees
Dan Fogelberg
D'Angelo
Daniel Johnston
Danzig
Darlene Love
Dashboard Confessional
Dave Matthews (solo)
Dave Matthews Band
David Byrne
David Gray
David Guetta
David Lee Roth
DC Talk
De La Soul
Dead Milkmen
Death Cab for Cutie
Deerhoof
Deftones
Derek Trucks
Descendents
Desmond Dekker
Destiny's Child
Destroyer
Devendra Banhart
Dexys Midnight Runners
Diamond Head
Diana Ross
Dido
Dierks Bentley
Digable Planets
Dinosaur Jr.
Dio
Dionne Warwick
Dirty Projectors
Dishwalla
Disturbed
Dixie Chicks
Dizzee Rascal
Dizzy Gillespie
DJ Kool Herc
DJ Quik
DJ Shadow
DMX
Dokken
Dolly Parton
Don Henley
Don McLean
Donnie Iris
Doves
Dr. Dre
DragonForce
Dream Theater
Dresden Dolls
Drive-By Truckers
Dropkick Murphys
Drowning Pool
Duncan Sheik
Dwight Yoakam
Echo and the Bunnymen
Eddie Money
Eddie Rabbitt
Edgar Winter
Edie Brickell
Edwin Starr
Eels
Elastica
Elbow
Electric Six
Ella Fitzgerald
Elliott Smith
EMF
En Vogue
English Beat
Enigma
Enrique Iglesias
Enuff Z'nuff
Enya
Erasure
Eric B. & Rakim
Eric Carmen
Erykah Badu
Esther Phillips
Europe
Eurythmics
Evanescence
Eve
Everclear
Everlast
Explosions in the Sky
Exposé
Extreme
F***ed Up
Fairport Convention
Faith Evans
Faith Hill
Fall Out Boy
Fanny
Fastball
Fatboy Slim
Fear
Feist
Fela
Filter
Fine Young Cannibals
Finger Eleven
Fiona Apple
fIREHOSE
FireHouse
Five For Fighting
Flight of the Conchords
Flobots
Flogging Molly
Foghat
Fountains of Wayne
Frank Black
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Freddie Mercury
Free
Free Kitten
Fu Manchu
Fuel
Fugazi
Fugees
G. Love & Special Sauce
Gang Starr
Garbage
Garth Brooks
Gary Glitter
Gary Wright
Gene Loves Jezebel
Generation X
George Jones
George Strait
George Thorogood
Gerry Rafferty
Get Up Kids
Ghostface Killah
Gil Scott-Heron
Gillian Welch
Gin Blossoms
Girl Talk
Glen Campbell
Gloria Estefan (And The Miami Sound Machine)
Go West
Godsmack
Godspeed You Black Emperor!
Gogol Bordello
Goldfinger
Goldfrapp
Gomez
Good Charlotte
Gorillaz
Gossip
Gotye
Gov't Mule
Grace Jones
Graham Parker
Grand Funk Railroad / Grand Funk
Grandaddy
Great White
Green River
Guided By Voices
Guster
Gym Class Heroes
Hanson
Happy Mondays
Harold Faltermeyer
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
Harry Belafonte
Harry Chapin
Harry Connick Jr.
Harvey Danger
Head East
Heavy D. & The Boyz
Helen Reddy
Helmet
Herbie Hancock
Herman’s Hermits
Hole
Hoobastank
Hootie & The Blowfish
Hot Chip
Hot Hot Heat
House of Pain
Howard Jones
Huey “Piano” Smith and The Clowns
Humble Pie
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ice Cube
Ice-T
Idlewild
Imogen Heap
Incubus
Indigo Girls
Information Society
Insane Clown Posse
Inspiral Carpets
Interpol
Iron & Wine
Iron Butterfly
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J.J. Cale
Ja Rule
Jack Johnson
Jack Scott
Jacques Brel
James
Jamie Lidell
Jamiroquai
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Jeff Buckley
Jeff Healey
Jennifer Lopez
Jessica Simpson
Jesus Jones
Jet
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Joan Osbourne
Joe Cocker
Joe Jackson
Joe Satriani
Joe South
Joe Strummer
Joe Tex
Joe Walsh
John Cale
John Coltrane
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John Denver
John Fogerty
John Lee Hooker
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John Mayer
Johnny Gill
Johnny Rivers
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Johnny Winter
Jon Secada
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Jonathan Richman
Jonny Lang
Josh Groban
Josh Ritter
Joss Stone
Julian Cope
Julian Lennon
Juliana Hatfield
Junior Parker
Junior Walker & The All-Stars
Jurassic 5
Justice
Justin Timberlake
Juvenile
k.d. lang
Kansas
KC & the Sunshine Band
Keane
Keb' Mo'
Keith Urban
Kelis
Kelly Clarkson
Kenny Chesney
Kenny G
Kenny Loggins
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Kid Rock
Killing Joke
Killswitch Engage
Kim Carnes
Kim Wilde
Kimya Dawson
King Curtis
King Diamond
Kings of Leon
King's X
Kittie
KMFDM
Kool & The Gang
Kool Moe Dee
Korn
Kris Kristofferson
Kurtis Blow
Kylie Minogue
Kyuss
L.A. Guns
L7
Lacuna Coil
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Lambchop
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Laura Nyro
Laura Veirs
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Lavern Baker
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Lee Dorsey
Lenny Kravitz
Leo Sayer
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Les Savy Fav
Level 42
Lifehouse
Lightning Bolt
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Limp Bizkit
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Linda Thompson
Lindstrøm
Linkin Park
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Lipps Inc.
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Lisa Loeb
Lit
Lita Ford
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Little River Band
Little Willie John
Live
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LL Cool J
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Loretta Lynn
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Ludacris
Luna
Luscious Jackson
Luther Vandross
Lyle Lovett
M. Ward
M.I.A.
M83
Macy Gray
Madness
Magazine
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Manfred Mann
Manic Street Preachers
Mannheim Steamroller
Marc Anthony
Marc Cohn
Marcy Playground
Mariah Carey
Marianne Faithfull
Marilyn Manson
Mark Knopfler
Mark Lanegan
Mark Ronson
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Maroon 5
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Mary J. Blige
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Mastodon
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Mates of State
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Maxi Priest
Maxwell
Mazzy Star
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Nas
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And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
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Berlin
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Black Eyed Peas
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Bob Mould
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Body Count
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Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Bonnie Raitt
Booker T. & The M.G.’s
Boston
Boyz II Men
Boz Scaggs
Brad Paisley
Brand New
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Brandy
Breaking Benjamin
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Brian Setzer Orchestra
Brian Wilson
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Buckcherry
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Built To Spill
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C+C Music Factory
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Carly Simon
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Cherry Poppin' Daddie
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Chuck Mangione
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Chumbawamba
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DC Talk
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Eels
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EMF
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Enuff Z'nuff
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Eric B. & Rakim
Eric Carmen
Erykah Badu
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Europe
Eurythmics
Evanescence
Eve
Everclear
Everlast
Explosions in the Sky
Exposé
Extreme
F***ed Up
Fairport Convention
Faith Evans
Faith Hill
Fall Out Boy
Fanny
Fastball
Fatboy Slim
Fear
Feist
Fela
Filter
Fine Young Cannibals
Finger Eleven
Fiona Apple
fIREHOSE
FireHouse
Five For Fighting
Flight of the Conchords
Flobots
Flogging Molly
Foghat
Fountains of Wayne
Frank Black
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Freddie Mercury
Free
Free Kitten
Fu Manchu
Fuel
Fugazi
Fugees
G. Love & Special Sauce
Gang Starr
Garbage
Garth Brooks
Gary Glitter
Gary Wright
Gene Loves Jezebel
Generation X
George Jones
George Strait
George Thorogood
Gerry Rafferty
Get Up Kids
Ghostface Killah
Gil Scott-Heron
Gillian Welch
Gin Blossoms
Girl Talk
Glen Campbell
Gloria Estefan (And The Miami Sound Machine)
Go West
Godsmack
Godspeed You Black Emperor!
Gogol Bordello
Goldfinger
Goldfrapp
Gomez
Good Charlotte
Gorillaz
Gossip
Gotye
Gov't Mule
Grace Jones
Graham Parker
Grand Funk Railroad / Grand Funk
Grandaddy
Great White
Green River
Guided By Voices
Guster
Gym Class Heroes
Hanson
Happy Mondays
Harold Faltermeyer
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
Harry Belafonte
Harry Chapin
Harry Connick Jr.
Harvey Danger
Head East
Heavy D. & The Boyz
Helen Reddy
Helmet
Herbie Hancock
Herman’s Hermits
Hole
Hoobastank
Hootie & The Blowfish
Hot Chip
Hot Hot Heat
House of Pain
Howard Jones
Huey “Piano” Smith and The Clowns
Humble Pie
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ice Cube
Ice-T
Idlewild
Imogen Heap
Incubus
Indigo Girls
Information Society
Insane Clown Posse
Inspiral Carpets
Interpol
Iron & Wine
Iron Butterfly
Isaac Hayes
J.J. Cale
Ja Rule
Jack Johnson
Jack Scott
Jacques Brel
James
Jamie Lidell
Jamiroquai
Japan
Jars of Clay
Jason Mraz
Jeff Beck
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Healey
Jennifer Lopez
Jessica Simpson
Jesus Jones
Jet
Jewel
Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Reed
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Joan Osbourne
Joe Cocker
Joe Jackson
Joe Satriani
Joe South
Joe Strummer
Joe Tex
Joe Walsh
John Cale
John Coltrane
John Cooper Clarke
John Denver
John Fogerty
John Lee Hooker
John Legend
John Mayall & The Blues Breakers
John Mayer
Johnny Gill
Johnny Rivers
Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers
Johnny Winter
Jon Secada
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Jonathan Richman
Jonny Lang
Josh Groban
Josh Ritter
Joss Stone
Julian Cope
Julian Lennon
Juliana Hatfield
Junior Parker
Junior Walker & The All-Stars
Jurassic 5
Justice
Justin Timberlake
Juvenile
k.d. lang
Kansas
KC & the Sunshine Band
Keane
Keb' Mo'
Keith Urban
Kelis
Kelly Clarkson
Kenny Chesney
Kenny G
Kenny Loggins
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Kid Rock
Killing Joke
Killswitch Engage
Kim Carnes
Kim Wilde
Kimya Dawson
King Curtis
King Diamond
Kings of Leon
King's X
Kittie
KMFDM
Kool & The Gang
Kool Moe Dee
Korn
Kris Kristofferson
Kurtis Blow
Kylie Minogue
Kyuss
L.A. Guns
L7
Lacuna Coil
Lamb of God
Lambchop
Laura Branigan
Laura Nyro
Laura Veirs
Lauryn Hill
Lavern Baker
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Lee Dorsey
Lenny Kravitz
Leo Sayer
Leon Redbone
Les Savy Fav
Level 42
Lifehouse
Lightning Bolt
Lil Wayne
Limp Bizkit
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Thompson
Lindstrøm
Linkin Park
Lionel Richie
Lipps Inc.
Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
Lisa Loeb
Lit
Lita Ford
Little Anthony & The Imperials
Little Big Town
Little Eva
Little Feat
Little River Band
Little Willie John
Live
Living Colour
Liz Phair
LL Cool J
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Loggins & Messina
Loretta Lynn
Los Lobos
Los Lonely Boys
Lou Reed
Loverboy
Low
Lucinda Williams
Ludacris
Luna
Luscious Jackson
Luther Vandross
Lyle Lovett
M. Ward
M.I.A.
M83
Macy Gray
Madness
Magazine
Mahavishnu Orchestra
Manfred Mann
Manic Street Preachers
Mannheim Steamroller
Marc Anthony
Marc Cohn
Marcy Playground
Mariah Carey
Marianne Faithfull
Marilyn Manson
Mark Knopfler
Mark Lanegan
Mark Ronson
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Maroon 5
Martha Wainwright
Mary J. Blige
Mary Wells
Mastodon
Matchbox Twenty
Mates of State
Matthew Sweet
Maxi Priest
Maxwell
Mazzy Star
Meat Loaf
Meat Puppets
Megadeth
Melissa Etheridge
Men at Work
Men Without Hats
Mercury Rev
Merle Haggard
Meshuggah
Metric
Michael Bolton
Michael Franti
Michelle Branch
Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Mike and the Mechanics
Mike Oldfield
Mike Patton
Miles Davis
Ministry
Mink DeVille
Minor Threat
Minutemen
Miranda Lambert
Missing Persons
Mission of Burma
Missy Elliot
Mitch Ryder
Moby
Moby Grape
Modern English
Modest Mouse
Mogwai
Molly Hatchet
Morphine
Morrissey
Mos Def
Mother Love Bone
Mötley Crüe
Mott The Hoople
Mountain
Mr. Big
Mr. Mister
Muddy Waters
Mudhoney
Mudvayne
My Bloody Valentine
My Chemical Romance
My Morning Jacket
N.E.R.D.
Nancy Sinatra
Nas
Natalie Cole
Natalie Merchant
Nate Dogg
Naughty By Nature
Nazareth
Neil Sedaka
Neko Case
Nelly
Nelly Furtado
Neneh Cherry
Neutral Milk Hotel
New Edition
New Found Glory
New Kids On The Block
Nick Drake
Nick Lowe
Nickelback
Nico
Night Ranger
Nightwish
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
No Doubt
NOFX
Norah Jones
N'Sync
O.A.R.
Ocean Colour Scene
Of Montreal
Oingo Boingo
OK Go
Okkervil River
Olivia Newton-John
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orgy
Our Lady Peace
P Diddy (Puff Daddy)
P.O.D.
Pantera
Papa Roach
Pat Benatar
Pat Boone
Patsy Cline
Patti LaBelle
Paul Anka
Paul Revere & The Raiders
Paul Weller
Paula Abdul
Paula Cole
Peabo Bryson
Peggy Lee
Percy Sledge
Pere Ubu
Pet Shop Boys
Pete Yorn
Peter Bjorn and John
Peter Frampton
Peter Tosh
Peter Wolf
Phantom Planet
Phish
Phoenix
Phosphorescent
Pink
Placebo
Plain White Ts
PM Dawn
Poco
Poison
Porcupine Tree
Porno For Pyros
Portishead
Prefab Sprout
Presidents of the U.S.A.
Primal Scream
Primitive Radio Gods
Primus
Public Image Ltd.
Puddle of Mudd
Pulp
Pure Prairie League
Quasi
Queen Latifah
Queens of the Stone Age
Queensrÿche
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Quiet Riot
R. Kelly
Radio 4
Raekwon
Rainbow
Ram Jam
Rammstein
Rancid
Randy Travis
Rare Earth
Rascal Flatts
Ratt
Ray LaMontagne
Reba McEntire
Regina Spektor
Relient K
REO Speedwagon
Reverend Horton Heat
Richard Hell (And the Voidoids)
Richard Thompson And Linda Thompson
Rick Derringer
Rick James
Ricky Martin
Ride
Rihanna
Rilo Kiley
Rise Against
Rites of Spring
Rob Thomas
Rob Zombie
Robbie Williams
Robert Cray
Robert Palmer
Robert Plant
Robert Pollard
Robin Thicke
Robin Trower
Robyn
Robyn Hitchcock
Rocket from the Crypt
Rockpile
Romeo Void
Rooney
Rory Gallagher
Rosanne Cash
Roxette
Royksopp
Ruben Studdard
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus with Chaka Khan
Ryan Adams
Sade
Salt N Pepa
Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
Sammy Hagar
Sarah McLachlan
Savage Garden
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Schooly D
Screaming Trees
Seal
Sean Paul
Sebadoh
Seether
Selena
Semisonic
Sepultura
Serge Gainsbourg
Seven Mary Three
Sevendust
Shakira
Shania Twain
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Sheila E.
Sheryl Crow
Shinedown
Shonen Knife
Sia
Sick Puppies
Sigur Ros
Silver Jews
Silverchair
Silverstein
Simple Minds
Simply Red
Sir Mix-a-Lot
Sister Sledge
Skid Row
Skinny Puppy
Slaughter
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Slick Rick
Slim Harpo
Slint
Slipknot
Smash Mouth
Snoop Dogg
Snow Patrol
Social Distortion
Soft Cell
Son Volt
Sonny & Cher
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Spacemen 3
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Spin Doctors
Spinal Tap
Spirit
Spiritualized
Split Enz
Spoon
Squeeze
Staind
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Status Quo
Stealer's Wheel
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Stephen Stills
Stereolab
Stereophonics
Steve Earle
Steve Perry
Steve Vai
Steve Winwood
Stevie Nicks
Sting
Stone Sour
Stray Cats
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Styx
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Sugar
Sugar Ray
Sugarhill Gang
Sugarloaf
Suicidal Tendencies
Sum 41
Sunny Day Real Estate
Super Furry Animals
Superchunk
Supergrass
Survivor
Susan Tedeschi
Suzanne Vega
Suzi Quatro
Swans
Switchfoot
SWV
System of a Down
T.I.
Tad
Taking Back Sunday
Talk Talk
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Taylor Dayne
Tears for Fears
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
Ted Nugent
Teddy Pendergrass
Teena Marie
Teenage Fanclub
Tegan & Sara
Temple of the Dog
Ten Years After
Tenacious D
Tesla
The 13th Floor Elevators
The 5 Royals
The 5th Dimension
The All-American Rejects
The Amboy Dukes
The Apples in Stereo
The Association
The Ataris
The Avalanches
The Average White Band
The Avett Brothers
The Babys
The Bangles
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The Big Bopper
The Birthday Party
The Black Crowes
The Black Keys
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The Bobby Fuller Four
The Boomtown Rats
The Bottle Rockets
The Box Tops
The Breeders
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Buggles
The Chambers Brothers
The Chameleons
The Chantels
The Charlatans UK
The Charlie Daniels Band
The Chesterfield Kings
The Chiffons
The Chi-Lites
The Church
The Circle Jerks
The Commodores
The Constantines
The Cramps
The Cranberries
The Crystals
The Cult
The Damned
The Dandy Warhols
The Darkness
The Dead Boys
The Decemberists
The Delfonics
The Dells
The Dictators
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Distillers
The Donnas
The Dream Academy
The Dream Syndicate
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fall
The Fat Boys
The Feelies
The Fixx
The Flamingos
The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Frames
The Fray
The Gap Band
The Georgia Satellites
The Go-Go's
The Grass Roots
The Greg Kihn Band
The Hives
The Hooters
The Human League
The J. Geils Band
The Jayhawks
The Jerry Garcia Band
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jim Carroll Band
The Judds
The Kills
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The Kingston Trio
The Knack
The Knife
The Lemonheads
The Libertines
The Mars Volta
The Marshall Tucker Band
The Mekons
The Melvins
The Meters
The Misfits
The Modern Lovers
The Moonglows
The Motels
The Mountain Goats
The National
The Neville Brothers
The New Pornographers
The Offspring
The Osmonds
The Outfield
The Outlaws
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
The Partridge Family
The Pat Travers Band
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
The Penguins
The Pharcyde
The Pogues
The Pointer Sisters
The Polyphonic Spree
The Postal Service
The Prodigy
The Psychedelic Furs
The Rapture
The Rascals
The Raspberries
The Raveonettes
The Residents
The Romantics
The Roots
The Runaways
The Scorpions
The Seeds
The Shadows of Knight
The Shangri-Las
The Shins
The Sir Douglas Quintet
The Sisters of Mercy
The Slits
The Small Faces
The Smithereens
The Soft Boys
The Soft Machine
The Sonics
The Specials
The Streets
The Strokes
The Style Council
The Sundays
The Supersuckers
The Surfaris
The Teardrop Explodes
The Thermals
The Trammps
The Troggs
The Tubes
The Turtles
The Undertones
The Used
The Verve
The Verve Pipe
The Village People
The Vines
The Von Bondies
The Waitresses
The Walkmen
The Waterboys
The Weather Girls
The Wipers
The Wrens
Thelonious Monk
Them
Theory of a Deadman
They Might Be Giants
Third Eye Blind
Thomas Dolby
Thompson Twins
Three 6 Mafia
Three Days Grace
Throwing Muses
Thursday
Til Tuesday
Tilly And The Wall
Tim McGraw
Timbaland
Tina Turner
TLC
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Todd Rundgren
Tom Cochrane
Tom Jones
Tone Loc
Toni Braxton
Tony Orlando and Dawn
Toots & The Maytals
Tortoise
Toto
Tracy Chapman
Train
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trapt
Traveling Wilburys
Travis
Tricky
TV on the Radio
Twisted Sister
Type O Negative
UB40
UFO
UGK
Ultravox
Umphrey's McGee
Uncle Tupelo
Underworld
Urban Dance Squad
Urge Overkill
Uriah Heep
Usher
Van der Graaf Generator
Vanessa Carlton
Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Ice
Vertical Horizon
Veruca Salt
Violent Femmes
Wall of Voodoo
Wallflowers
Warrant
Waylon Jennings
Wayne Kramer
Ween
Wham!
White Lion
White Zombie
Whitesnake
Whitney Houston
Why?
Widespread Panic
Will Smith
Will.i.am
Willie Nelson
Wilson Phillips
Winger
Wire
World Party
Wyclef Jean
XTC
Yaz (Yazoo)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yngwie Malmsteen
Yo La Tengo
Yoko Ono
Young Knives
Young MC
Zero 7
Zwan
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