Friday, November 8, 2013

Stefan's Theory Hour, part 50 - ANNIVERSARY BLAH EDITION

For 50 weeks now, I have written "Stefan's Theory Hour" every Thursday (or near enough that makes no matter), answering three questions posed by fans. Last week, in anticipation of the 50th issue, I asked for special suggestions about what to do for it. In the fine tradition of doing so and then ignoring all ideas, I managed to pull something I hope everyone will enjoy: I teamed up with my "Boiled Leather Audio Hour" co-host Sean T. Collins and "A Podcast of Ice and Fire" host Amin Javadi, and we answered the next three questions on my list together, just like a normal issue of the Theory Hour (kind of). 

So, join us for the pressing questions:

I just read a theory where by Eddard Stark is still alive. The evidence given was : Arya not recognising him at his execution; Sansa not recognising his face on a spike; Catelyn thinking his bones are too small. If you add this to the offer Varys makes where by he will read a letter Eddard will right for Jon makes me believe that Varys may have strung him free as Jon could easily be an ally of Daenarys as the dragon must have three heads.

What's the meaning of trial-by-combat? Don't the gods exist?
 
Will Jon get more POV chapters?

Plus, Sean and Amin each brought their own favorite crackpot theories that we talked about:

Was Tywin Lannister poisoned? 

Did Melisandre create another Shadow Baby in "A Dance with Dragons"? 

Finally, as per fan request on Nerdstream, each of us calls a shot with his guts about the likely plot twists that are bound to come in "The Winds of Winter". 

We discuss all this in length (convoluted just is our style, baby), and hopefully, Nerdstream readers, BLAH fans and APOIAF fans will all get something out of it. So, let's stop talking about it. Download it, give it a listen, and let us know what you think in the comments!

33 comments:

  1. I thank you, but as non native English speaker, I prefer the traditional, written theory hour than a podcast

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    1. Don't panic, issue 51 will be out in written form again.

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    2. I finally got the strength to download it and, in the end, I understood practically everything (!). It was a nice surprise, I really appreciated that you did not speak too quickly so non native speakers like me could in the end get the content.

      I loved the full podcast. Very very nice. I'm a huge fan of Sean's Tumblr and it was nice to actually listen him. And of course, after this experience, I will begin to listen also The Boiled Audio Letter Podcast too!

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    3. I'm glad about it! It's how started, too - in the beginning, I understood little of English movies and stuff, but one picks it up surprisingly fast, and then one can start polluting the internet with a horrible German accent.

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    4. We all love your accent Stefan! Never change :)

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  2. "another shadow baby" theory holds no water

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    1. Yeah, no shadow assassin (I hate the term "shadow baby") has been made lately. Maybe in later books but not in DwD.

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    2. Where's the problem with the Shadow baby? And I don't really believe it, either, but I don't see a real rationale against it (yet).

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    3. There is nothing wrong with the term, but I love babies and Shadow Baby sounds just too awful. It is not like they are even born little, it is a shadow that gets an adult shape right away. I would rather use the term "shadowspawn" or "shadow assasin".

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  3. about your Twow predictions : Daario death is likely, and that could make Dany darker, so good point

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    1. Thanks, but I guess the "darker" thing happened in her last ADWD chapter already, so Daario's death would only cement rather than ignite it.

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    2. I agree, Daario's death (maybe betrayal as well) could have a strong effect on Dany. Man, WoW could be the darkest we will ever see Jon and Dany =(

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  4. also Stannis fake death would be a surprise , especially taking into account the conditions for mise-en-scene

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    1. I'm a strong believer that Stannis is just playing possum while Manderly opens the gates of Winterfell. Ramsay Bolton sent the letter to gloat at Jon without being certain that Stannis' forces were defeated. The only way for Stannis to take Winterfell in his current situation (even if Manderly just joined him after getting Rickon thanks to Davos) is by guile since he doesn't have the resources to storm the castle.

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    2. yeah, he also wrote to the wall when he was getting married to arya (jeyne poole) even though there was need of it, probably just to tell jon that he was gonna do his sister. The pink letter is something he would do even without having his facts straight.

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    3. Yep, I'm also still not in the camp for the Pink Letter, one of my major disagreements with Sean.

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  5. Surprises in ASOIAF : Ned's death, Red Wedding
    Surprised in ADWD : Dany's departure from Meeren, Jon's stabbing
    Surprises in TWOW : Cersei rises again in power, the Others will avoid the Wall and arrive in Westeros , Arya will kill Tommen

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    1. I agree with Ned's death,Red Wedding and Jon's stabbing. I don't think Cersei will rise again (but she will probably still be alive for DoS) since the Tyrell-Lannister alliance is pretty much screwed thanks to Cersei's mistakes and Aegon blitzkrieging the sh*t out of the South of Westeros.
      I also think that the Others will somehow bypass the Wall, they got a lot of options.
      1) By ghost ships: NW small fleet destroyed at Hardhome and the slaver ships on their way to pick up more Wildlings.
      2) Using the tunnels that go below the wall, the same ones used by that former King-Beyond-the-Wall.
      3) Walking the ocean floor or riding dead Krakens.
      4) Earthquake that brings down an area of the wall.

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    2. Another possibility: mindcontrolling some people to open the gates. Wouldn't it be sweet if Bowen Marsh was proved right? ^^

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  6. Yo Stefan! What up?

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  7. Hello. I'd very much like to download and listen to this, but the MEGA.com download isn't working for me. It just stops around 35-38%. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

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  8. question for the list : Will Jaime be killed by the BWB ? Was transformed Brienne from a perfect chivalry into a human being without honor ?

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    1. No, she's still on the honor trip and wants to rescue innocent Podric. And no, they don't kill Jaime. He has to kill Cersei first.

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    2. Hi Stefan, Congratulations on reaching the 50th theories post, I really enjoy them. It seems like most people who give it much thought feel that Jaime will be the one to kill Cersei. I was wondering your thoughts on the fact that both Jaime and Cersei think on several occasions that they entered the world together and one would not leave it without the other. Do you think either Cersei will kill Jaime when he kills her or he will commit suicide after in something resembling Romeo and Juliet, or do you think someything else will happen? Thanks again for the great theories.

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    3. Somehow I feel Jaime wouldn't, because for him, the bond with Cersei is cut. I guess he won't survive the series, though. Dying defending the king he serves is the most fitting end for him.

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  9. to put on the list : with Tyrell majority in the Small Councill, do you think that Mace will annulate Margery's trial and reinstall his daughter as the rightful queen ?

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    1. I put it on the list, thanks. Short answer: No, makes no sense for him. Legitimacy issues.

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  10. Cant access the show, is there any other way to listen besides the link above?

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  11. I too can not access it as I am using an iphone. Any suggestions

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  12. Unfortunately, no. It works with my PC. Perhaps try to use a different browser?

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  13. Why don't we have a Tyrell PoV? Are they somehow more villainous than they seem?

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