Ep. 33.7: Snow's Landing

Show link!

Tweeted image

The last episode of season 7 is here! Andrew and Manu go through "The Dragon and the Wolf." There's the case for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as season MVP for his outstanding work as Jaime Lannister (particularly as he left Cersei), Tyrion's brilliant showdown with Cersei, his reaction to Jon & Dany's likely doomed pairing, the converging of sides at the Dragonpit, Sansa & Arya bringing Littlefinger down at Winterfell, Bran & Sam discussing the monumental "Aejon" reveal, Lord of the Rings comps, and more.

Thoughts on season 8 possibilities are also sprinkled in throughout as we try to get a sense of where Thrones might go next. The long night is coming. Thanks for following along with us throughout season 7!

• Manu's "Dragon and the Wolf" review at DRaysBay
• Manu's season 7 roundtable at Screenfellows
• iTunes link

Ep. 33.6: Winter Wonderland of Hell

Show link!

Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu experience the rollercoaster penultimate episode of season 7, "Beyond the Wall." There's banter and character beats between the Wall's Magnificent 7 (specifically Jon and Tormund, and Jon and Jorah), the horror of the ice bear battle, Beric's future, the concept of siring, the group's desperation to survive on the frozen island, Benjen's role, and Jon's decision to bend the knee.

Also discussed: The complications behind Dany's potential successor, the frustrating Winterfell plot, Sansa's intentions with Brienne, and the Night King raising Viserion. It's a trip.

• Manu's "Beyond the Wall" review at DRaysBay
• Joanna Robinson's article on magic at Vanity Fair
• iTunes link

Ep. 33.5: Jon's Magnificent Seven

Show link!
Tweeted image

In "Eastwatch," Jon assembles his Magnificent Seven Dream Team and bonds with Drogon, Tyrion hatches a crazy-ass plan, Gendry returns, Jaime suffers wayward travels and sibling troubles, Gilly makes a stunning discovery in Oldtown, Sam's frustrations with the maesters mirror real-world comparisons, and Sansa and Arya have a disconcerting spat.

There's a ton of table-setting here, but Andrew and Manu are ready to tackle it.

• Manu's "Eastwatch" review at DRaysBay
• Emmett Booth's "cowboys" article at Deadspin
• iTunes link

Ep. 33.4: Field of Flame Emojis

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu watch "The Spoils of War" and talk about all the conflicts on Drogon's field of fire -- namely the gradually building pay-offs, Tyrion's anguish, and the camera following compelling characters like Jaime and Bronn throughout. Then, they go up to Winterfell, where they deal with the repercussions of Arya's long-awaited return, Bran's odd interactions with Littlefinger and Meera, and the subsequent familial reunions, before wrapping up with Jon and Dany's discoveries at Dragonstone.

• Manu's "Field of Flame Emojis" review at DRaysBay
• Joanna Robinson's Arya article at Vanity Fair
• Jon Snow's slick moves
• iTunes link

Ep. 33.3: A Meeting of Ice and Fire

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu review "The Queen's Justice," as Tyrion coordinates Jon and Dany's long-awaited meeting, the show expertly misdirects with the Casterly Rock and Highgarden battles, and if the effects of Cersei's victory mean Operation: Engage Dragons. They also discuss Jon and Dany's supernatural elements, Jaime's internal conflict, Bran's unsettling reaction to Sansa at Winterfell, theories about Sam and Jorah, and... #LittlefingerShowerthoughts (the less creepy ones, anyway).

• Manu's "Queen's Justice" review at DRaysBay
• iTunes link

Ep. 33.2: The Dread Pirate Euron

Show link!
Tweeted image

It's time to talk the second episode of season 7, so Andrew and Manu discuss Euron's manic sea battle (specifically Theon's trauma and Yara's reaction), Dany and Tyrion's decision-making regarding invasion strategy, Jaime's efforts to convince Randyll Tarly to join Cersei's side, Arya's interactions with Hot Pie and Nymeria, Sam's attempts to cure Jorah, political infighting in the North, and Melisandre's surprising meet-up with Dany and company.

Needless to say, Euron wasn't being subtle when he told his brother, "I am the storm."

• Manu's "Stormborn" review at DRaysBay
• iTunes link

Ep. 33.1: Dragonglass on Dragonstone??

Show link!
Tweeted image

The seventh season of Game of Thrones has arrived! Andrew and Manu review the episode with thoughts on various parts, like Arya's show-stealing cold open and its implications, Sam's conversation with the Archmaester at the Citadel, the Jon/Sansa Karstark-Umber debate, the Hound's soul-search with the Brotherhood at the home of the family he left to die in season 4, the #rebranded Euron, Jaime coming to terms with Cersei's growing delusion (what dynasty??), and Dany's silent entrance to Dragonstone.

They also discussed Bran's vision of the undead army and his arrival at the Wall, as well as episode 2 hype (NYMERIA?!). Yes, Ed Sheeran briefly came up, too. We have very tepid takes.

• Manu's "Dragonstone" review at DRaysBay
• iTunes link

Ep. 33: Cat Makes Her Move

Show link!
Tweeted image

Even though this podcast episode takes place just before "The Wolf and the Lion," there is plenty of Stark vs. Lannister in this one alone. Andrew and Manu talk as Cersei tries to figure out Ned's game in King's Landing and Cersei forces an arrest on a recently-arriving Tyrion at the Inn at the Crossroads. The latter is an especially juicy scene, so away we go.
Season 7 full-episode reviews are up next!

iTunes link

Ep. 32: Dragons, Hounds, and a Mockingbird

Show link!
Tweeted image

Long episode for Andrew and Manu this week, as they watch Dany stand up to Viserys, Jorah talk to her about him, and Littlefinger explain the origins of Sandor Clegane's scars. Along the way, they delve into House Baelish's past and discuss whether or not Littlefinger knew that Gregor Clegane would kill Ser Hugh (#rip).

iTunes link

Ep. 31: Dreaming of Tarly Stew

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu return to the Wall, where Jon does what he can to get his fellow Night's Watch recruits to stop hassling Sam, whether they like it or not. This does not go over well with Alliser Thorne. Along the way, they discuss Ghost in the books vs. the show, the bastard names of the Seven Kingdoms, and Thorne's delightful dip into cannibalism on a previous ranging. Yay!

• Go see Manu at Con of Thrones in Nashville THIS WEEKEND!
• iTunes link

Ep. 30.5: The Pack Survives

Show link!
Tweeted image

The Game of Thrones crew dropped a second trailer for season 7, so Manu and Andrew had to talk about it. As the hashtags say, winter is here. Exult in the fire of Beric Dondarrion's flaming sword with us.

• Season 7 trailer No. 2
• iTunes link

Ep. 30: Meeting Gendry's Abs

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu follow Ned's best dude, Jory Cassel, around as he tries to get Ser Hugh to talk to him, travels with Ned to meet Gendry and Tobho Mott, and then has a chat with Jaime. So much to do, so little time (both in the podcast and in Jory's life #oops). Manu shares some cool insight on knighthood and King Robert's bastards, as well.

• Read Manu's Wonder Woman review!
• iTunes link

Ep. 29: Talkin' Tarly

Show link!
Tweeted image

Ned has a chat with Maester Pycelle after a Small Council meeting about what Jon Arryn was investigating and how he was doing it. Unfortunately, "The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms" is not the most thrilling book to analyze. ("A ponderous tome.") Then, Samwell Tarly explains his super-fun father Randyll to Jon Snow. Needless to say, Randyll will not be receiving Father's Day cards.

• Go see Manu at Con of Thrones in Nashville! (6/30-7/2)
• iTunes link

Ep. 28: My Wife Left Me

Show link!
Tweeted image

"Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things" resumes with Jorah talking to Dany about why his wife (Lynesse Hightower) left him, Viserys trying to get Doreah hot with some dragon lore, and Sansa taking a brief break from boy-crazy feelings to realize the significance of the throne room. And yes, Manu did say "MY WIFE" in the Borat voice. It was obligatory.

iTunes link

Ep. 27.5: Westeros Map Decor

Show link!
Tweeted image

Season seven will come far down the line for this podcast, but since the trailer just came out, we had to talk about it a little bit! This was originally going to be attached to a full podcast episode, but for convenience's sake, we made it its own thing.

Bring on the chaos of the Great War.

• Season 7 trailer
• iTunes link

Ep. 27: The Broken Things

Show link!
The podcast's 27th episode coincides with the beginning of Game of Thrones episode no. 4, "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things." Fittingly, Andrew and Manu see the leading cripple (Bran), bastard (Jon), and broken things (Tyrion and Theon). Another "broken thing" makes his debut, as Samwell Tarly comes to the Wall to join the Night's Watch. He has, uh, work to do.

iTunes link

Ep. 26: "Dead Girl"

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu finish off "Lord Snow" with scenes at the Wall and King's Landing, where Jon and Tyrion part ways, while Arya meets her new "dancing master," Syrio Forel. Plenty to go into with the implications of Tyrion's visit to the Wall, and much more, so let's get to it.

• Go see Manu at Con of Thrones in Nashville! (6/30-7/2)
• iTunes link

Ep. 25: It's a Boy! It is Known.

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu talk about the penultimate scenes of "Lord Snow," where Daenerys learns that she is pregnant, Jorah suspiciously runs off after hearing the news, and Dany tells Drogo that it's a boy. No, there doesn't seem to be much to base it off other than Dany's word, but science is overrated. It is known.

Show Notes

• Jorah fights Qotho, foreshadowed by Jorah and Rakharo's discussion of Westerosi vs. Dothraki fighting technique
• iTunes link

Ep. 24: I'm Sensitive to the Night's Watch, BUT

Show link!
Tweeted image

The podcast returns from a mini-break! It's the finale for Benjen as we know him, but he goes out in style. First, he talks Jon down from his claims of being ready for a ranging, educating him on the Night's Watch code. Then, he knocks some sense into Tyrion for not taking the Watch seriously enough before trudging off into the snowy plot-filled night beyond the Wall. Godspeed, my man.

iTunes link

Ep. 23: WAR STORIES

Show link!
Tweeted image

In the words of Robert Baratheon, "WE'RE TELLING WAR STORIES." Robert, Jaime, and the newly-introduced Ser Barristan Selmy talk about their first kills, and Andrew and Manu delve into how their tales reflect their personal histories. Then Viserys oversteps his boundaries on the Dothraki Sea, resulting in him getting owned. Normal day.

HBO recently released photos from season 7 too, so we briefly touched on them.

iTunes link

Ep. 22: Starkfeld

Show link!
Tweeted image

Ned receives news of Bran's recovery and goes to talk about it with Catelyn, who just arrived in King's Landing. Minor shenanigans ensue! The Lannisters have also learned of Bran's fate too, so they fret about it. SERENITY NOW.

• Game of Thrones meets Seinfeld
• iTunes link

Ep. 21: Grenn and Bear It

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu chill at the Wall with Jon Snow, Tyrion, and company. We get our introductions to Jeor Mormont, Pyp, Grenn, and Alliser Thorne's "BASTUHD" yell. It's truly a wonderful time. Well, maybe not for Jon, but as Tyrion says, he's just being dramatic.

Show Notes

• Boiled Leather Audio Hour on bullying and education in A Song of Ice and Fire
• iTunes link

Ep. 20: Old Nan Yells at Cloud

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu continue with "Lord Snow" as Bran hears ancient Westeros stories from Old Nan and grumbles to Robb about his legs. Meanwhile, Catelyn Stark and Rodrik Cassel arrive in King's Landing but both Littlefinger and Varys know that they suck at being sneaky. Drama ensues.

So ready for some lore? Let's go.

iTunes link

Ep. 19: Parenthood

Show link!
Tweeted image

Ned Stark and Cersei Lannister have chit-chats with their kiddos, to... shall we say, differing ultimate effects.

• Chrys Reviews on "Ned Stark, sitcom dad" and Sansa's "creepy murder doll"
• iTunes link

Ep. 18: The Rat's Nest

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu officially reach episode 3, "Lord Snow," where Ned Stark and company arrive in King's Landing, or as Ned previously referred to it, "that rat's nest they call a capital." Ned has to endure some of his least favorite parts of the rat's nest immediately, as Jaime Lannister gives him shit and he meets the Small Council, allowing the audience to be introduced to Petyr Baelish, Varys, Renly Baratheon, and Maester Pycelle. (At least Ned likes Renly.) Anyway, there are a lot of mini-character profiles in here, so away we go.

iTunes link

Ep. 17: I'LL SEE YOU IN COURT

Show link!
Tweeted image

It's the finale of "The Kingsroad!" Andrew and Manu watch as everything goes up in smoke, resulting in the deaths of Arya's butcher boy friend Mycah and Sansa's direwolf Lady, not to mention the forced disappearance of Arya's direwolf Nymeria. Oh, and Joffrey got his hand maimed or some crap. Anyway, there's a lot to delve into here, so away we go. TO KING ROBERT'S COURT!

iTunes link

Ep. 16: House of Payne

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu begin to wind down "The Kingsroad" with the last set of scenes before the frantic Arya-filled finale. Dany makes the best of her situation by learning to sex from Doreah and puts the lessons to use, while Sansa meets Ilyn Payne & Sandor Clegane (#SanSan is also born, to our mild dismay). There's plenty to explore with those two unique characters, so enjoy!

iTunes link

Ep. 15: CSI: Winterfell

Show link!
Tweeted image

CATELYN STARK IS ON THE CRIME SCENE.

Andrew and Manu delve into the Stark matriarch's investigations over how Bran fell from the tower in Winterfell, as she meets with a council and decides to ride south. This includes the scenes where Robb tries to help his mother get her shit together, and an assassin tries to kill Bran in his sleep before Catelyn and the direwolf Summer fight him off. Fun times?

iTunes link

Ep. 14: "GODS, This is Country!"

Show link!
Tweeted image

It's a jam-packed episode of conversation, as Ned and Robert grumble to each other about the Targaryens while enjoying the Northern countryside, Dany has a tête-à-tête with her handmaidens (specifically Doreah), and Tyrion grills Jon about the Night's Watch. So Andrew and Manu have a conversation about the conversations. #meta

iTunes link

Ep. 13: Who IS Jon Snow?

Show link!
Tweeted image

Jon Snow is the star of this series of scenes for Andrew and Manu. First he says goodbye to Bran, gets torn into by Catelyn (as per ushe), and then says his farewells to Robb and Ned. He tried to find out who his mom is, but then Ned makes a promise he can't keep. We go over these scenes, Cat's conflict around Jon's mere presence at Winterfell, and a certain old theory about Jon's mother.

iTunes link

Ep. 12: A Needle of Her Own

Show link!
Tweeted image

Having just recently returned from attending the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, Manu talks about his thoughts, and then we jump into a big episode. Cersei talks to Catelyn about her supposed dark-haired Baratheon baby, Jaime questions Jon about joining the Night's Watch, and Jon gives Arya a farewell gift: Needle. EMOTIONS.

iTunes link

Ep. 11: Bonding over Brunch

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu embark on "The Kingsroad" with a look at some Dothraki lore, the fascinating backstory of Jorah Mormont, and some Lannister shenanigans. It's an episode with brunch! How could you go wrong?

• Alt Shift X on Gerion Lannister
• Joffrey slapped for 10 hours
• The Last Harpy on Sothoryos
• iTunes link

Ep. 10: Defenestration

Show link!
Tweeted image

It's a whirlwind first episode finale for Andrew and Manu, as Daenerys marries Khal Drogo (much to her chagrin), we meet the fabulous Jorah Mormont, Dany gets some sweet dragon egg presents, a super-awkward rape scene happens, and Bran is thrown out the window after witnessing #Twincest. Got all that? There are some great subtle things going on here, so check it out.

• Chrys Reviews strikes again
• "That perfect avocado"
• iTunes link

Ep. 9: The Feast

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu return to the first episode of Game of Thrones in time for the hottest party the North has seen in ages. It's got everything--Robert cheating on his wife, Arya shenanigans, loner bastards, Cersei asking about periods, and TV's Dan Cortese (okay maybe not the last one). Then Lysa Arryn has to be a buzzkill with a scary note. Lame.

• Jon Snow confounded by iPods
• iTunes link

Ep. 8: I've Been Wading 'Cross the Narrow Sea

Show link!
Tweeted image

In the first of the podcast episodes across the Narrow Sea in Pentos, Andrew and Manu meet Daenerys Targaryen and her, uh, troubled brother Viserys. She's being married to Khal Drogo, the leader of the Dothraki, against her will. We go into Targaryen lore, the background of their benefactor (Illyrio Mopatis), and touch a little bit on Dothraki culture. Viserys has no idea what he's getting into.

iTunes link

Ep. 7: Cryptic Messages

Show link!
Tweeted image

It's a big episode, as Manu and Andrew talk about King Robert's royal party arriving in Winterfell. So many dead people are here! It's a little creepy in hindsight, and that's not even getting into the fact that future dead folks Robert and Ned decide to hang out in the crypts for a little while and talk about two more dead people: Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. The crypt is a fascinating place though, so there's plenty to discuss there, and the same goes for the Lannisters' interaction.

Enjoy!

iTunes link

Ep. 6: Candles $3,600

Show link!
Tweeted image

The Seven Kingdoms have been rocked by the Hand of the King's death! Andrew and Manu talk about various characters' reactions to both this news and the fact that the king is going to Winterfell to find a new Hand (just don't ask future Jaime for one #heyo). They're gonna have a grand ol' hootenanny. Join us!

Show Notes

• @dril candles tweet
• iTunes link

Ep. 5: Dire News and Direwolves

Show link!
Tweeted image

Andrew and Manu catch up with the Stark families' brief expedition away from Winterfell, where Ned Stark beheads a Night's Watch deserter, but not before he gives him a White Walker warning. Then the Stark kiddos get a bunch of direwolves pups, though they also encounter some more ominous signs. Lots to go through in just a few minutes, but join us!

• The brilliant Chrys Reviews, mentioned in the beheading discussion
• iTunes link

Ep. 4: Eye of the Tully

Show link!
Tweeted image

Winterfell is coming. Andrew and Manu meet the Starks and check out the dynamics of the family's relationships, from Ned and Catelyn to Jon and Arya, and more. There are also much-needed words about Ser Rodrik Cassel's glorious beard, of course.

iTunes link

Ep. 3: Dundun Duhduh-dundun

Show link!
(published 1/27/2017)
This won't happen with every Game of Thrones episode, but Andrew and Manu wanted to take the time to look closer at the visuals of theme. Among the parts discussed are the astrolabe, its story of Westeros, the contrasting location highlights and sigils, casting, and Ramin Djawadi's outstanding music. There's plenty to discuss, so this episode will be longer than most, but it's worth it!

Show Notes

• Game of Thrones meets Hyrule
• This wasn't mentioned, but also: Thrones meets Mario
• We are on iTunes now!

Ep. 2: Waymar's Downfall

Show link!
Andrew and Manu wrap up the Game of Thrones cold open's White Walker attack while taking a closer look at Waymar Royce's character, how nobles like him end up at the Wall anyway, and the perception of wildlings. Thank you to everyone for the positive feedback from our first episode! We hope to be on iTunes shortly.

Ep. 1: Will Cage

We are live: show link!
After reading about the success of "Star Wars Minute," Andrew (@MearnsPSA) and Manu (@ManuclearBomb) decided to launch a new Game of Thrones podcast, titled "A Scene of Ice and Fire." Join us as we journey through the glorious HBO series, scene by scene! We start off at the Wall in the cold open (no pun intended [maybe]) of season 1, episode 1. Check it out and give us a follow on Twitter: @SceneIceFire.

We are in the process of getting on iTunes, but we will keep you posted!

• We neglected to mention the season 5 cold open, when Cersei meets Maggy the Frog
• Manu's referenced Reddit theory
• The namesake for our debut: Will's Cage face