doesn't make much sense, though. If the details are irrelevant and you just want the main plot to be unpredictable...and if you spend a lot of time thinking through the potential plot....you're asking the writers to always do the "weird" or unpredictable thing in a story line. That would make for a pretty terrible story, I'm guessing
From the preview they showed of episode 10 at the end last night, I assumed Littlefinger will want Sansa as his wife. He said something like "You know what I've wanted all along." If he can't have Cat, the next best thing is Sansa.
Not sure about others, but I only meant "predictable" in broad-brush terms regarding strictly how the battle plays out -- Ramsay crushes Jon (literally almost crushes him to death), and Littlefinger shows up just in time to save the day. But that predictability is fine, because the battle scenes were so amazing. In my first post, I compared the shots to the opening battle scene in Gladiator, which was noted for first introducing high-speed camera hand-to-hand combat. And it went well beyond that by showing how brutally cavalry runs through infantry, up close. We've never seen cavalry scenes like that before in any movie, right? My only other point about predictability of the battle is I was kinda hoping for something sneaky from Jon, similar to some Braveheart tactics, which would also shut up Sansa wrt her being able to predict how the battle would play out. But the cinematography of Ramsay getting Jon's forces to charge made up for missing surprise tactics. What's Next Now I'm very intrigued with how Sansa might have played Jon. While Jon did embarrass Ramsay the day before and made him mad, so Ramsay was all down for open battle vs siege, Sansa needed Jon to fight to the death to weaken Ramsay's army and expose them to a cavalry charge. Sansa feels superior in tactics and rallying an army Jon still has the big picture of the battle coming with the Others and those concerned with that (Wildlings and Lyanna Mormont) will only back that cause. But his purpose of taking Winterfel, to rally the North, looks like it has to go through Sansa now...since his forces largely got wiped out. Team Sansa v Team Jon Will Bran bring the family back together with a singular purpose.
I was hoping for that, too--maybe just because Sansa was being annoying about it. Given that it didn't happen, I'm hoping how it did end up playing out will play into the story line later
I'm assuming Baelish wants Sansa's hand in marriage (since they are both single again). We know he is very attracted to her and he desires power. Technically though, he accomplished his end of the bargain with Cersei to be named Warden of the North. He was supposed to use the Vale to pick off the loser of the Bolton/Stannis battle, and he did just that.
Well as I mentioned later on that seems to be the most obvious part of it, but what I was referring to was what his end game is. He wanted Harrenhal and the Vale for a reason. He wanted Sansa as the Wardeness of the North for a reason. What happened was exactly what he planned except for Jon substituted for Stannis and Jon actually works out better because he doesn't have to fight Stannis' army. I personally hope that Littlefinger does plot to take the iron throne because the best parts of GOT in the first few seasons were the plots for power. Lets not ever forget that Littlefinger was the one with the Knife to Ned's throat in the throneroom, and when Ned got his head chopped off who was the one person on stage in front of the Sept that didn't look shocked. The show is at its best when he's working the game.
I get some of the criticisms, but it was still an awesome episode. If I am going to criticize, it's not the overall plotline or anything, its Rickon. I mean, looked like a fairly grown boy at that point. Young teens at least. You'd think after I don't know the second arrow that narrowly misses him, he'd at least try a little zig zagging in there. I'm definitely no bow and arrow expert. I can only assume, given that distance, with a little zig zagging, it'd just be pure pure luck to be hit with an arrow at that point. So not much of a competent plan on Rickon's part, or Bolton's part - what happens if he missed? What was his plan then.
Ah, my bad. I typically only read posts if they're short, and only read the first few sentences of longer ones. Anyway Littlefinger plotting to take the throne / King's Landing would be interesting, but I don't know that Snow and company would be so excited to aid in that war. I would think they'd be fixated on the real enemy, those pesky white walkers. I have no idea if Littlefinger is even aware of this threat. Plus I can't help but think that any forces he could gather would look pretty pitiful going up against Team Targaryen: Dothraki, Unsullied*, Greyjoys, whatever fighting men she can gather from the slave states she just freed, and of course those 3 dragons. Plus, she's got Tyrion and Varys** on her side. *I have no idea how many of them are left since they keep getting slaughtered and obviously can't reproduce. **Assuming he's not hiding his real motives.
Agreed. Jon may not have plans to rule or conquer, but this battle makes him immortal both literally and figuratively. He is now a god among men - resurrected and delivering vengeance upon his enemies. Therefore, Jon may become the reluctant warrior-leader who is compelled to lead by his people if all the houses in the North flock to him in allegiance. The North has been looking for such a leader after the demise of Ned and Robb. People want to fight the Lannister's and the King especially if the Sparrow virus spreads and threatens the seven realms. So Jon will be the man. Yes, Sansa can very well have Winterfell all for herself. Jon wouldn't protest and would actually support her and encourage her to restore the family name once again. However, Jon's destiny is far greater than to rule Winterfell. He is now the de facto leader of the North whether he wants to or not and that will be his calling to lead his people.
I keep on hearing the "why didn't he serpentine" argument. Folks this isn't Prometheus here where there is no explanation. Jon was riding towards him and no horse can be controlled zig zagging, and it was certainly the fastest way to get to Rickon. It was obvious Rickon was trying to get to Jon as fast he could to get on his horse and GTFO of harms way. From the Bolton perspective, there was no way Jon's army was going to just snag up Rickon and not fight. They were going to fight either way. If he misses and Rickon gets snatched up and taken back, they are either going to win and every Stark & Stark loyalist dies anyways, or the Boltons will lose and die anyways. Also Ramsey's plan was to lure Jon in range of his archers to hit Jon. Even if Jon would have got Rickon after Ramsey missed, Ramsey knew he could just have his archers all launch arrows and kill both of them in the middle of the field. Its a plan that worked for Ramsey because it got Jon out in the middle of the field one way or another. But Jon got lucky that none of the arrows hit him because he charged forth and missed the bulk of the arrows. Jon Snow still knows nothing, but I guess that's why we love him. He's impulsive and acts on honor and emotion rather than using his brain. Everything that happened in last nights episode is very much in character thats why I didn't have a problem with any of it.
I love the parallels we got (indirectly) from Jon and Stannis. Stannis allowed his daughter to be burned by Malisandre and many of his troops (hired soldiers at that) abandoned him before heading into battle and he got slaughtered. Whereas Jon (stupid but he HAD to do it), wouldn't let Rickon die and futilely tried to save him. Willing to fight 6,000 troops by himself, he wouldn't have to as his men (who had rallied to this cause of their own accord) came storming behind him. Yeah, without the Vale, the same result would have happened. But as others have said, all his actions could certainly compel the North to unite behind him now. As for him and Sansa, I've sensed tension between them shortly after their reunion. And while I don't think it'll manifest in a play for Winterfell (Jon I doubt cares about being Warden of the North), I think it certainly (with help from Littlefinger) will drive him and Sansa further apart and lead him to find his true identity.
IGN had a good review that compared Jon's actions to that of Ned and Rob's and how it nearly got him killed, but Sansa was thinking more like Littlefinger. Made me appreciate the battle all that much more.
His point was about Rickon not zig-zagging, not the horse. Makes no sense to run a straight line and that way Jon also wouldn't have to ride all the way to the open field. Ramsay's plan sucked.
When it comes to Sansa and Jon, Spoiler if we end up finding out that R+L=J theory was right all along, and if Littlefinger knows about it, he could pressure Sansa to distance herself from him or to turn on him. If Littlefinger wants to make a play for the Iron Throne, a son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark would certainly have to be eliminated in order for him to do so. He'd first want to marry Sansa, then kill Robin Arryn, then kill Jon Snow. That would leave him as Lord of the Vale, Lord of Winterfell and as such the King of the north.
Rickon zig zagging would have slowed down his run to Jon, and would have affected Jon's aim to grab him. Either way he's a child whose not thinking straight. I don't see why this is such a nit picky thing people are complaining about. Seems like people are complaining just to complain. Can't enjoy anything nowadays. Ramsay's plan "sucked"???.... his plan worked until the Knights of the Vale showed up. That was a massacre up until then. He got Jon to come out into reach of his archers, took out the true heir, and got Jon's troops to fall into his circle phalanx (or whatever its called) battle formation. It was a solid plan, and pretty much the same plan that beat Stannis. However Roose probably would have preferred to stay in the castle walls, but that's not Ramsey's way. Never has been, and it was character consistent.
That would make Jon her Spoiler Cousin instead of half brother. That's still her kin , and I doubt she'd turn on him after what he just did for her to risk his life essentially for HER family and family name. Where all this would truly get interesting though is if/when Littlefinger is in opposition to Danny and seeing how Jon then plays into it if he's now Spoiler kin to Danny. No doubt Littlefinger puts questions in Sansa's ear about Jon's allegiance though. But to this point we have no reason to think that Jon's allegiance to the family that raised him and the family he's fought and almost died for would be in question. Above everything else he's still very much the son of Ned Stark and is loyal to the death of the Stark house.
Well I get that, but Spoiler If he was a true born son of a Targaryn and a Stark as the theory suggests, that would give him a better claim for Winterfell than Sansa as well as give him a SUPER solid claim on the Iron Throne. I would hope that despite that Spoiler Sansa wouldn't side with Littlefinger over Jon, but she might. It's clear she doesn't really respect his decision making skills.....not that she should. Maybe she thinks the best way for her to hold on to Winterfell is by allying with Littlefinger. I think that might be her primary goal at this point. Then again even if Spoiler all of that was true and Jon had a claim on the Iron Throne, he'd certainly make Sansa the Lord of Winterfell anyway, so there's not really a good reason for them to be at odds unless Sansa wants more than just Winterfell for herself
Small thing but Sansa rode away before Ramsey threatened to feed everyone to his hounds he hadn't fed in 7 days. Then when he was in the cage with them she reminded him of what he said... only she wasn't there to hear him say it.
I'm sticking with Jon becoming King in the North! I think they hinted at that with Tormund saying Jon was no King. The Houses in the North will rally behind Jon, can't wait to see that little bad ass little girl has to say.
The first volley of arrows was meant to finish off Rickon. Indeed, 4-5 arrows hit him...many land in front...and many in back. Rickon on foot can't escape that. As you say, he's too far away to know for sure he killed Rickon, and he has to be sure. Killing Jon at the same time, just makes it more fun for Ramsay. But letting Rickon escape is more dangerous to Ramsay than allowing Jon to fight in the battle...as was proven. So, Ramsay was just playing with him. But the volley was the guarantee, so no risk in toying with the boy, first.
