Some speculation about that, and that the Greyscale might have some immunity to fire. But I'm pretty sure she's dead. Even if she's not, it's still the act that makes Stannis a SOB, and the act is still cruel. I think the fans are just looking for someone.... anyone to take on the role of Spoiler Lady Stoneheart by creating fan fiction theories any way they can.
While not a follower, things were pretty bleak, I don't think it's a stretch to think that he could have been convinced that the only way anyone survives is if they sacrifice the girl.
I don't think it's that necessarily. Melisandre has just convinced him it's his destiny. And not only that it's his destiny, but that he's the only one who can save Westeros. It's kind of like, what would you be willing to do to save the world? When Stannis is talking to Shireen, he's talking to her about sometimes the world forces your hand. That what appears to be a choice is really no choice at all and that you have to fulfill your destiny, even if you don't want to and/or don't like what you have to do in the process. I don't think that Stannis just wants the throne (though that might be true as well). But he believes that 1) it rightfully belongs to him, 2) it's his destiny to become king, and 3) that it's vitally important for all the 7 kingdoms that he be on the throne and no one else. Part of that may be his own ambition but Melisandre has also convinced him that it needs to be this way. I don't think he's heartless. I don't think he wanted to kill Shireen. But in his mind, he felt like he had to. To fulfill his destiny. To appease the Lord of Light. Even to save Westeros. It's not as simple as "I want to be king and I'll ruthlessly do anything to take the Iron Throne." There's a difference between wanting something and believing that this is the way things have to be, good or bad.
A deplorable act no doubt, but is Stannis doing it to also save his men instead of just himself? Moral ambiguity abounds.
I agree with all of this. Stannis isn't evil. In his mind the entire fate of Westeros lies in his hands, it isn't just selfish ambition.
Unless Gentry can some how popup and prove to be the Baratheon b*stard Stannis is just ENTITLED. He feels it's his turn. He hated Renly for jumping in front of him Cause he was next in line. Rocket River [Snow is in the north . .. I think River is the last name in the riverlands What is the b*stard name for the Baratheon areas?]
He's extremely unsentimental. He figured what he was doing was for the greater good, and he's willing to forgo any sense of humanity within him to do what he thinks needs to be done. I anticipate the whole thing will not work out well for him.
On the bad writing regarding Davos.... I think Davos suspected it might be something that was suggested be done, but never thought Stannis would go through with it. Davos is a reasonable person who is loyal to Stannis, I don't see him continuing to be loyal if he felt Stannis were capable of killing his own daughter that way. To me, Davos was genuinely worried about the girl dying in battle. Not dying at the hands of Stannis. I imagine he would bet his life that Stannis would never do it. Because Stannis is his close friend he doesn't realize how desperate he has become.
How will Davos react when (if) he returns and learns what happens? He loved the girl like his own daughter. Maybe he attacks and kills his king.
I suppose y'all are right. Doesn't really make sense for Daavos to stick his neck out for a kid he didn't even know and then just trot off to the Wall if he had any inkling about what was going to happen to Shireen whom he cared deeply for.
That's a good way of explaining it. When I say "He's not really a good guy" based on what we've seen from Episode 1 of season 2, I think its more or less really just a lesson of the dangers of sort of selling your soul to the dark arts, dark religion, or whatever you want to call it in order to further advance your cause.... good intentions or not. Maybe he believes in what he's doing as a deplorable act in service of the greater good, but in a way its the storytellers way of reminding us the viewer that "hey... let's not lose sight of the fact that, although a complex character with a moral compass, he's made a deal with the devil to get there", and we really shouldn't be rooting for that to win. Its a stern reminder from the storyteller that we need to be weary of Stannis not the person but the baggage that he carries with him, and the repercussions of making a deal with the devil in order to take short cuts to fulfill your destiny, or whatever the end game is. The Stannis story also seems to borrow from the Beowulf mythology as well in some ways. At least the shadow baby part, and some other parts of his story.
Yeah I think Davos still thinks of Stannis as someone he used to be. Before Melisandre and the fires. Any scene involving the three usually include Davos either saying "C'mon Stannis? You still listening to this chick?" or giving him a "Really?!" look. As if he's expecting Stannis to come to his senses and become the man he's come to love and serve. Maybe he knows it's going to be suggested but he probably thinks that is where Stannis draws the line. I think the scene with the stag was more about him just giving her a going away present sincerely. The reason Stannis sends Davos away is pretty obvious to me, because Davos would not have stood for it at all.
I agree with this. I do think that Davos was weary that the red woman might try to get in Stannis' ear about sacrifices but I would have to think that Davos was assuming Stannis would have a choice, and didn't have his mind made up already. Obviously he wanted her out of harms way, but I do think War in general was risk #1 he was considering. If so, I would have to think that he would have risked his own life, and possibly died to try and save Shireen. Like mentioned before, if he risked it to save Gentry, he's absolutely do it for Shireen. I would be shocked and appalled if Davos, upon learning about this, doesn't break ties with Stannis, or do something else in response. It would be a huge deviation to how his character has been written up to this point. Honestly, with Davos going to the Wall and crossing paths with Jon at what must be a crucial moment, I will be shocked if he doesn't deviate away from Stannis once and for all due to other matters. I doubt he goes up there and just comes back right away.
guess no one fielded my question. After that dragon left, why wouldn't everyone remaining behind not be killed/captured.
Well most of the sons of the harpy fled or were killed by the dragon and those remaining probably wouldn't have been enough to break the lines of the unsullied. Also, it would only have been a matter of time before proper reinforcements arrived.
Yep pretty much. Seems like the actor that plays Davos thinks exactly the same. http://www.vulture.com/2015/06/game-of-thrones-liam-cunningham-on-being-sent-away-by-stannis.html
