Ep. 69: The 10-Year Anniversary Special

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It's been a minute, hasn't it? Andrew and Manu are back on the podcast airwaves for the first since, well, a pandemic began to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the premiere of "Game of Thrones" on HBO.

Personal lives have prevented the podcast from returning in full (though we still hope to eventually!), but we had a lot of fun taking 75 minutes to look back on how we first got into "Thrones," and many more topics -- favorite moments, episodes, and castings & characters. We also took some time to discuss how we've reckoned with the most frustrating aspects of the end of the series, and how we hope that audiences don't dismiss so many good memories from the show just because of its conclusion. Not everything's about "sticking the landing."

At the end, we look toward the future and all the prequel possibilities in the works, most notably "House of the Dragon," which will come to a Home Box Office near you in 2022. Wherever there be dragons (or even just Westerosi lore), we will follow.

• Manu has a new Metal Gear Solid podcast, Podcast Sans Frontieres!
• Manu on the Not a Podcast's "Clash of Kings" finale, Bran VII
• Manu's Twitter thread of top 30 "Thrones" moments
• Andrew's baseball writing, and Disney blog that's running through the Disney Animated Classics in order
• Just because: Jaime fookin' Lannister (since we both love the bath confession scene so much)
• iTunes link

Ep. 10: Defenestration

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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

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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

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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.

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Ep. 7: Cryptic Messages

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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!

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Ep. 6: Candles $3,600

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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

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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

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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.

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Ep. 2: Waymar's Downfall

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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

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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