Ep. 36: Spying on the Spider

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Manu has a wonderful cat. His name is Gendry and he is a beautiful boy. This comes up in this episode since Arya chases after a cat (possibly the Targaryen kitty, Balerion).

Oh yeah, and he also talked about "The Wolf and the Lion" with Andrew, specifically the scenes with Varys chatting with Ned and then Illyrio while Arya overhears in the dungeons. Littlefinger found out about it too, and he mentions it during a tête-à-tête with Varys.

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Ep. 35: Theon Greyjoy, Serious Boy

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"The Wolf and the Lion" continues as Andrew and Manu watch Bran grudgingly learn some lessons from Maester Luwin, Theon get taken down a peg by Ros, and the Tyrion/Catelyn crew fall under attack by the hill tribes of the Vale. Oh, and Bronn flashes some of his patented badassery for the first time. It doesn't suck!

Come for the fight, stay for the Thrones/Star Wars crossover cameos.

• Con of Thrones link
• iTunes link

Ep. 34: Cleganebowl v.0

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The long night since the last podcast is over, and Andrew and Manu are ready to talk some "Wolf and the Lion." Ser Barristan and Ned reminisce about their days on the Trident while musing over Ser Hugh's grim fate, Robert messes with Lancel and has to be talked out of jousting by Ned, and the audience gets its first exposure to the glory of Cleganebowl.

We also spent a little time at the start discussing possible prequels and spin-offs given HBO's talks about it and the word that such a show wouldn't come until at least 2020.

May we get one more Cleganebowl before this show ends.

• Watchers on the Wall story about the prequels/spin-offs
• iTunes link

Ep. 33.7: Snow's Landing

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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

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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

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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

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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