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)
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Ep. 64: Season 1 Awards

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It's time to at last wrap a bow on the remarkable first season of "Game of Thrones." Andrew and Manu dish out their own awards, including Best Scene, Worst Scene, Best Show Invention, Best Main Performance, Best Supporting Performance, and Best Quote.

Season 8 coverage is next. We can't wait.

• Register with the discount code "Manu" for Con of Thrones (Nashville, July 12-14)
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Ep. 63: Dragon's is back baby, it's good again

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Andrew and Manu finally complete their long journey through the first season of "Game of Thrones." Scenes discussed include Yoren explaining the plan for "orphan Arry" to Arya, her first encounters with Hot Pie, Lommy, and Gendry, and the Old Bear revealing to Jon that he knows about his attempted escape. With a stirring speech, he urges Jon to stay loyal to the Night's Watch and join the great ranging beyond The Wall.

Oh yeah, also dragons are born through sacrifice in a ridiculously good set of scenes with Dany, Jorah, and the Dothraki. NBD. It was okey dokey, and we got to discuss a lot of dragon lore.

Thank you all for joining us through this trek through season one, and we can't wait to get started on the next one.

• BryndenBFish tells how diehard ASOIAF fans can come to love Dany's similarly climactic scene with the Dothraki in season 6
• George R.R. Martin explains back in a 1999 chat how Targaryen fire resistance is likely a miraculous one-time anomaly in the books
• Register with the discount code "Manu" for Con of Thrones (Nashville, July 12-14)
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Ep. 62: Secrets of the Small Council

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Today's podcast is the calm before the storm of the very end of Game of Thrones season 1. Andrew and Manu watch as Daenerys tearfully puts Drogo out of his misery, then observe Pycelle aimlessly ramble about kings to Ros before revealing (after her departure) that he's actually quite fit and far more on the ball than he appears. This is also one of the few scenes we get with characters talking about the Mad King's reign before he was truly mad.

We wrap up with another verbal showdown between Littlefinger and Varys, where they each briefly delve into each other's personal histories and impressive ascents to the Small Council. It's essentially a sequel to a similar scene earlier in the season, during "The Wolf and the Lion."

• Deleted scene from season 3 where Tywin figures out the truth about Pycelle's grift
• Register with the discount code "Manu" for Con of Thrones (Nashville, July 12-14)
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Ep. 61: Requiem for Rhaego

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Andrew and Manu catch up with Dany in Essos, where everything has gone to hell. She wakes up after collapsing outside Mirri Maz Duur's blood magic tent, where she learns to her horror that she traded her unborn son Rhaego's life for a comatose Drogo. (The identically named recent Targaryen history, "Fire and Blood" provides some intriguing parallels between what became of Rhaego and Maegor the Cruel's "children.") Dany demands to know why Mirri did this, but Mirri is unapologetic.

Other scenes include Tyrion deciding to bring Shae to King's Landing against Tywin's wishes, and Jon Snow's midnight ride from the Watch. In the latter, Sam unsuccessfully tries on his own to stop Jon from leaving, but he gets more help from Grenn & Pyp in a later scene in the woods of The Gift that we also discuss. By reminding Jon that they are his brothers now, he is convinced to stay. Stay tuned for some brief direwolf musings as well.

• More details on Maegor's similarly twisted offspring (see both "Tyranny" and "The Black Brides")
• Neville Longbottom's Sam Tarly scene from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
• Register with the discount code "Manu" for Con of Thrones (Nashville, July 12-14)
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Ep. 60: "Renly is Not Right!"

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Andrew and Manu roll along with "Fire and Blood," as we get some slightly more pleasant scenes than last week. Spitting on the idea of kneeling to Renly, Stannis, or Joffrey Baratheon, the Northmen decide to crown Robb Stark the King in the North. Afterward, Catelyn has a tense discussion with the imprisoned Jaime Lannister in which he reveals that he pushed Bran from the window at Winterfell.

Meanwhile, the news of Jaime's capture has reached both Cersei (who we quickly see in a post-coital scene with her idiot cousin Lancel) and an enraged Tywin. After a brief war council discussion, he sends a stunned Tyrion to King's Landing to serve as acting Hand of the King.

There's some fun discussion of Northern history and Tyrion's complicated relationship with his father. And, of course, RENLY IS NOT RIGHT.

• Register with the discount code "Manu" for Con of Thrones (Nashville, July 12-14)
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Ep. 59: The North Remembers Ned

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After several months of hiatus, Andrew and Manu are back and finally ready to wrap up season 1 of "Game of Thrones" by kicking off their discussion of the thrilling finale, "Fire and Blood."

Despite the episode title, there are no Targaryens to discuss just yet. We pick up immediately where "Baelor" left off with Ned Stark's execution and Yoren's scramble to get the dazed Arya out of King's Landing. This segues to the theme of this week's podcast, which is essentially how each Stark family member (aside from Jon) reacts to Ned's death.

We see Bran & Rickon learning the truth in visions before hearing the official word from Maester Luwin, Catelyn & Robb sharing in pure devastation in the Riverlands, and Sansa's quiet suffering at court in King's Landing before the shit Joffrey forces her to stare at Ned's head on a spike. (Immediately after needlessly having Marillion's tongue ripped out. Great guy.) It's at least a strong moment of personal strength from Sansa.

It's good to be back and diving into all this, so enjoy!

• Listen to Manu's recent appearance discussing "The Queen's Justice" (season 7, episode 3) on The Night's Cast ...
• ... then go back and listen to our podcast on that episode from when it aired in August 2017!
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Ep. 58: The Joffrey-Littlefinger Conspiracy

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Andrew and Manu hit a true watershed moment in the history of television with the finale of "Baelor," where Ned Stark is stunningly executed right after his son, Robb, wins the Battle of the Whispering Wood and takes Jaime Lannister captive. Yowza.

Along the way, Manu brings up a theory that he's discussed on Twitter before with Malora Hightower: the decision to behead Ned was not just Joffrey's violent instinct but also an idea planted by Littlefinger himself. There's more evidence to this than you might think, so take a listen.

This all-timer features some excellent character work by Sean Bean, Michelle Fairley, Maisie Williams, and many others, so let's get right into it.

• Not discussed on the podcast, but worth noting: Jaime talks to Olenna Tyrell about learning from Robb's trick and using it later on at Highgarden in season 7
• Alan Sepinwall's review of "Baelor" at the time of its release captures the shock of Ned's death to pretty much everyone except book readers
• Director Alan Taylor visually breaks down the scene of Ned's execution
• Okay yeah, we need at least one Ned death reaction video
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Ep. 57: Tyrion, Tysha, and Tywin

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It's the penultimate podcast on the penultimate episode of season 1. Andrew and Manu watch as Tyrion learns that he and his Hill Tribes pals will be on the front lines for the upcoming Battle of the Green Fork, which forebodes a dismal fate.

Chagrined, Tyrion consoles himself by playing drinking games with Bronn and Shae, the sex worker the sellsword brought to him. Tyrion grows fond of Shae's sass, but she does force him to tell the awful story of his marriage to Tysha and how Tywin reacted to his son marrying a commoner. Manu helps delve deeper into Tyrion's background, and how it both defines his character & the slight divergence between the books and the show going forward.

The episode doesn't actually show the Battle of the Green Fork, but the aftermath tells us what we need to know -- the mighty Tywin has been fooled by the young wolf.

• Bilbo's 111th birthday roll call vs. Tyrion's Hill Tribes roll call
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Ep. 56: Dany's Doomed Desperation

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Andrew and Manu stick to Essos for a few scenes, as Daenerys scrambles to 1) Keep the ailing Drogo alive and 2) Retain some semblance of control over the quickly dissenting Dothraki. Drogo has fallen from his horse and no longer commands the respect that he once did among the likes of his bloodrider Qotho, so their loyalty to the Khaleesi will not last for long.

The tension boils over when Dany turns to the witch Mirri Maz Duur in a desperate hope to save Drogo's life. She goes against Dothraki custom (and Jorah's advice to run) by asking Mirri to use blood magic to save him, and they revolt.

Along the way, the show uses some super-creepy aesthetics to make the setting even more unsettling. (RIP Drogo's horse, gone far too gruesomely.) So let's talk about it!

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Ep. 55: "Love is the Death of Duty"

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Andrew and Manu travel to the Wall in "Baelor" through the eyes of Jon Snow. Since he saved Lord Commander Mormont, the Old Bear gifts him the Valyrian sword Longclaw, a Mormont family heirloom. They talk about the sword and Alliser Thorne, and afterward, Jon learns from Sam that Robb Stark is marching south.

Conflicted, Jon is summoned by Maester Aemon, who has a heart-to-heart with him in which he explains his Targaryen roots and the similar hardships he faced watching from the Wall as his house fell to ruin during Robert's Rebellion.

Every word from the late Peter Vaughan is chilling and moving, so we try to give this moment its due. It's incredible and chalk full of connections to the story writ large. Let's get to it.

• Jon talks with Jorah about Jeor Mormont and tries to give him Longclaw back in season 7 (which we also touched upon in our podcast recap of that episode)
• Helpful video with graphics explaining the Targaryen family tree (Note: The show simplifies it by skipping a generation and making the Mad King the son of Maester Aemon's younger brother Aegon the Unlikely, rather than the grandson)
• Once more: Manu's appearance on the "Not a Cast" podcast discussing Bran IV
• Just watch the scene with Maester Aemon and Jon again. It's too perfect.
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Ep. 54: The Creepy Crossing Guard

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Andrew and Manu have finally made it "Baelor," one of the most transcendent episodes of TV from this decade (and maybe ever). Appropriately, they start off with Varys' second visit to Ned Stark in the black cells of King's Landing, as the Master of Whisperers tries to convince him to support Joffrey to save Sansa.

Then, it's off to the Riverlands, where through his mother Catelyn, Robb enters into negotiations with the nefarious Walder Frey. We're introduced to the creepy environment of the Twins, and Manu provides some of House Frey's history and Walder's background with Cat's father, Hoster Tully.

Robb is presented with ominous terms, as he must agree to marry one of Walder's daughter to cross. He does so, but yeah, that doesn't work out well for him once he goes back on his promise.

• Manu's appearance on the "Not a Cast" podcast discussing Bran IV
• One Perfect Shot: Fire lighting Ned's eyes
• Andrew's Always Sunny-themed Catelyn/Walder Frey tweet
• Jaime Lannister's rebuttal to Catelyn about all the conflicting vows you have to take
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Ep. 53: Valyrian Prequel and the Pointy End

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A mere month after the Game of Thrones spin-off about The Long Night was announced (and discussed), another one is in the news! It's not official yet, but check out this Watchers on the Wall story about another Thrones series: "Empire of Ash," directed by Max Borenstein about the Doom of Valyria.

Andrew and Manu chat about the rumored details behind the prequel and also briefly touch on the update about the Long Night spin-off possibly going into production in October. Then, it's back to "The Pointy End," which came to its own pointy end in a series of scenes: Tyrion & the Hill Tribes meeting Tywin in the Lannister camp, Robb showing his mettle when a scout interrupts his War Council, and King's Landing, where Barristan Selmy is unceremoniously dismissed from the Kingsguard and Sansa begs for her father's life.

Tywin & Tyrion's oh-so-complicated relationship is explored, as are the Hill Tribes, Barristan's great respect, the Lannisters quietly orchestrating Sansa's request, and the show's subtleties with wine, furtive glances, camerawork, and more.

Away we go! Next up is "Baelor." Get hyped.

• In advance of Manu's appearance on the "Not a Cast" episode about AGOT Bran IV, our older episode on when Tyrion presents Bran with his saddle design in the show
• Jorah & Tyrion traveling through Valyria
• Ozzy Man reads the alluded epic tale of Barristan's escape from King's Landing
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Ep. 52: Robb Takes Charge

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Andrew and Manu kick off July with a podcast on "The Pointy End" that mainly centers around Robb Stark. His events begin and end the scenes today, as he first stands up for himself against Greatjon Umber with the Northern lords gathered at Winterfell, then talks with Bran briefly about his planned early departure, and closes out the show by meeting up with his mother, Catelyn, who has tracked his army down. Richard Madden's superb acting offers plenty to discuss, as do the emotions behind Robb's actions.
Robb's not all there is to this episode, though. We also have eerie premonitions with Bran and a saddened Rickon, Sam Tarly musing on the wights burning at the Wall, and Osha talking to Bran in the Godswood about the old gods. Oh, and we also see Hodor's package. There's a big man!
Onward.

• The "Not a Cast" crew on the ancient library at The Wall and the grim fate that likely awaits it (and others)
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Ep. 51: Khal Got Your Tongue?

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"The Pointy End" continues as we pick up with Tyrion & Bronn making their way through the Eyrie. Bronn agrees to serve as Tyrion's well-compensated shield and is put to the test when the hill tribes descend on them. Andrew and Manu briefly explore their history and how Tyrion displays his aptitude for the titular game of thrones in turning Shagga (son of Dolf) into his ally.

Up at the Wall, news of Ned's imprisonment has circulated and Thorne goads Jon into trying to attack him, which earns Jon solitary confinement. Ghost helps Jon make up for it by alerting him to danger: a wight attacking Jeor Mormont in his chambers. Jon saves the day!

Dany realizes that the process of coming to Westeros isn't going to be as clean as she might've hoped when she witnesses the Dothraki slaughtering the Lhazareen. She does what she can to try to spare some, including the priestess Mirri Maz Duur, and Drogo affirms her decision by fighting his angry subordinate Mago to the death, though he suffers a fateful wound.

Points to Jason Momoa for telling the writers that we should see Drogo fight!

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Ep. 50: Call the Banners

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Andrew and Manu journey around Westeros in "The Pointy End" as Jon, Sansa, Robb, and Catelyn gradually hear the fateful news about Ned Stark being thrown into the black cells of King's Landing for treason. For Jon, this also comes on the heels of bringing the bodies of his uncle Benjen's companions back from beyond the Wall. After being goaded by a letter from Sansa (that Cersei and others force her to write) to swear fealty to Joffrey, Robb makes the decision to call the banners for the North and march on the capital.

At the Eyrie, Catelyn hears this news at the same time as she reads about Ned's imprisonment, and is furious at her sister Lysa for both withholding the information and refusing to take a side in the coming war.

Tensions are running high, and the actors & actresses of Thrones are called upon to do some heavy lifting. So there's plenty to talk about in this podcast! Jump in.

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Ep. 49: A Spin-off, a Con, and a Pointy End

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Andrew and Manu's cup runneth over with Thrones news. First, they discuss the pilot written by Jane Goldman that was greenlit for a GoT spin-off based thousand of years in the past, around the Age of Heroes before the Long Night. There are many possibilities for new directions where this could go, and it's all very exciting!

Manu also provided a Con of Thrones recap, with news on the several panels he either participated on or merely saw. Oh, and he got Gendry (Joe Dempsie) to take a photo cradling a picture of Gendry (Manu's cat). It's wonderful.

Finally, the two begin "The Pointy End," which starts with Sansa, Arya, and Ned dealing with the fallout of Lannisters taking over Kings Landing. Septa Mordane and Syrio Forel fall, and only Arya makes her escape. Meanwhile, Varys has a beautifully shot tough talk with Ned in the black cells.
It's a jam-packed 41 minutes, so dive right in!

• The origins of "Todrick Stark"
• Manu & Kim Renfro's presentation on memes
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Ep. 48: Vows and Betrayals

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Andrew and Manu reach the end of "You Win or You Die," where Jon & Sam swear their Night's Watch oaths before Ghost gives them a, shall we say, unsettling graduation present. In Vaes Dothrak, Drogo swears to Dany that he will get vengeance Westeros for the attack on her life, and back in King's Landing, Robert's death allows Cersei to put Joffrey on the throne and turn the City Watch against Ned Stark, who is betrayed by Littlefinger. Womp.

There's so much to talk about, from the specific words of the vows to the exact moment that you can see Lena Headey as Cersei realize that she has Ned completely trapped.

• Alan Sepinwall on the juxtaposition of the oaths
• The patron-only Not a Cast on Barristan Selmy (worth it!)
• Register for Con of Thrones (this weekend!) with the discount code "Manu"
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Ep. 47: Pomp and Ned's Bold Stance

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Finding a job in the real world can be tough after graduation, but on the bright side for Jon, the Night's Watch already has one prepared. On the unfortunate side, it's as a steward, which was not the role he wanted. Sam and Pyp help bring him back to earth and realize that it could be an even better role than he imagined.

Meanwhile, Ned first defies Renly, and then Littlefinger, who both try to tell him that he cannot support Stannis for the Iron Throne in wake of Robert's death. Andrew and Manu delve into Ned's choice, as well as some of the details behind the Night's Watch scenes, like Jon once again not realizing his privilege. At least he has Sam. We all have Sam.

• Register for Con of Thrones (in 3 weeks!) with the discount code "Manu"
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Ep. 46: Titles, Titles Titles

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Welcome, friends, to the last moments of Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. A dying Robert shares some final words with Ned Stark, who must then dwell on his death briefly with Varys and Barristan Selmy.

Immediately after this scene, Dany tries to convince Drogo to sail across the Narrow Sea to take the Iron Throne for his future son, Rhaego. Drogo is unmoved, but a later assassination attempt on Dany by a wine seller at the market might very well change his mind. Jorah decides to ignore the royal pardon he receives from Varys and intervenes, saving Dany

• Not a Cast on the complex relationship between Joffrey and Robert
• Joffrey defends Robert to Tywin
• "A dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest"
• Register for Con of Thrones with the discount code "Manu"
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