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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