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melrosing · 7 months

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I really appreciate your insight on Jaime, so I thought I’d might ask something that’s been puzzling me for a while about his endgame.

One of the most common predictions for Jaime is that he ends up at the Night’s Watch, possibly as its 1000th commander. While there’s certainly some foreshadowing for it, I struggle to think of a reason for the Night’s Watch to exist after the Wall falls and the Others die. What do you make of this? Do you think that Jaime could end up at the Wall?

Btw, sorry for the nasty anon messages. You’re super cool and I love your art <3

thank u so much!! and genuine lol @ the anon messages like imagine launching a personal attack because someone said Arya likes adventure you can't make this shit up 😭

I have heard this theory and I'm not a fan bc I just.... don't really enjoy reading about the night's watch/the wall/beyond the wall etc etc so ideally my fave's endgame would not be there of all places but I kind of see where the theory comes from. I don't think it's foreshadowed so it's not something that worries me but these are like my sparknotes on it.

the night's watch may well still exist even when the Wall does not; I think in Jon's story we see both the good and the bad of the NW, and what's contradictory between each. I think the primary contradiction of the NW oath is that they swear to 'guard the realms of men' whilst guarding against those who live beyond the wall. Jon's story highlights the hypocrisy in this, and I think the end of the story will be about Jon and the NW finding a new purpose in embracing the world and peoples beyond the wall as part of Westeros, helping them rebuild, keeping them safe, etc. the good that does exist in the NW can be put to real use, in a way that serves everyone. I can really see the story pointing that way for both Jon and the NW as an institution

Jaime meanwhile.... I guess the only foreshadowing I can think of is that Ned suggested after Jaime killed Aerys that he be sent to the Wall, but Jaime remained in the KG, a supposedly 'perfect institution'. comparably, the NW is famously made up of 'less than perfect' men, who enter it from all walks of life. and there's a consistent, underlying contrast between the KG and the NW - the KG in their gleaming white cloaks and the NW in their blacks, and the truth being that the KG is the corrupt institution whilst the NW (not without problems of its own) is the one with the ultimately selfless objective and that exists for the common good. and the NW is also considered a kind of atonement. so sure, there's some poetry in Jaime shifting from one to the other

there are also many interesting parallels between Jon and Jaime, particularly as lord commanders of their respective institutions - it's a fun exercise in compare and contrast. again probably a whole other post but if AFFC and ADWD were combined in one book I think these points would seem a lot more obvious

however, I don't see Jaime becoming the Lord Commander of the NW - as he has no history in the watch, it would be probably a bit insulting for Jaime to take immediate charge of the whole thing - it should really be someone with that history for it to resonate for both the NW itself and the reader. I think it'll be Jon, i.e. that he'll leave Winterfell to become the LC again OR they just won't have an LC, they'll revise the structure of the whole institution

do I think Jaime will end up at the Wall?? I guess not really?? I think his story is just so far removed from anything beyond the wall and the Night's Watch itself that it just feels too mismatched. all the key plots and characters he's tied up with are and always have been based in the south, so throwing him in the NW would feel to me a bit out of left field. ultimately I wouldn't hate the idea of Jaime rebuilding with the wildlings and kind of committing to a humbler good than worrying about a grander legacy. and it's more of an open ending than death, in that supposedly he wouldn't have to swear the same dehumanising oaths (re. personal freedoms) as the existing NW - you'd hope that when they're rebuilding from scratch they kind of. loosen up on that shit. so the idea that even if Jaime spent the bulk of his time there he's not cut off entirely from Brienne, Tyrion etc (it's not an ending I like for Brienne either but who knows maybe she'd join him). but yeah idk I'm just not a huge fan of Jaime beyond the wall. maybe I could come round to it but you know. eh

#jaime lannister #asoiaf #ask

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jackoshadows · 2 years

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Sam is grrm's self insert . Thats why his chapters has to be some of the most boring. He projects all his insecurities of his body to this character ,while at the same time making him a pure little meow meow .So they shouldn't complain over us not caring about or dedicating events on him

I have to disagree. I think Sam is an interesting character. He's GRRM's take on Samwise Gamgee. He doesn't have direwolves or dragons, he isn't a greenseer or a good fighter. He is a good guy and smart, who can also be cunning and look out for his own self interests if necessary (As Jon points out in their AFfC/ADwD chapter). Sam scheming to make Jon LC was mainly about his own well being. Not to mention, he has met Bran and Arya and I suspect that he will meet up with Dany and Tyrion in the next book and he looks to be the character who connects the key 5.

He's the Everyman character in a fantasy novel. People point to Sansa as being this character, but I personally enjoy and relate more to Sam's underdog story and his struggles. I find intelligence attractive and Sansa’s selfish stupidity is a bit too much idiocy for my tastes.

As for Sam being a self-insert, I agree that there is a lot of GRRM in him. However there is a lot of Martin in many of his other favorite characters as well. Would you call them boring?

Tommy’s me . . . but no more than all the others. Robb is me in "Song for Lya," as Dirk is me in Dying of the Light . . . though Arkin Ruark and Jaan Antony in that one are both me as well. Abner Marsh is me, as his proud sidewheeler Fevre Dream is the excursion boat to Far Rockaway, only the passengers drink blood instead of Kool-Aid. Sandy Blair is J-school me, Peter Norten is chess club me, Kenny Dorchester is me trying to lose weight. Holt in "The Stone City," he’s the kid lying in the grass, staring up at distant stars. Trager is me on a dark night of the soul, bleeding poison from three wounds named Josie, Laurel, Rita. Jon Snow has me in him, and Sam Tarly. The women too, Lyanna and Shaara, and the girls, Arya and Adara . . . Daenerys Stormborn, searching for that house with the red door. And Tyrion Lannister? Oh, yes. The Imp is me in spades, the horny little bastard

GRRM has mentioned how much he identifies with Sam getting bullied as a lonely kid, with Dany's loss of her home and family legacy, with Arya, Jon and Tyrion’s underdog status.

Being an author self-insert doesn't automatically have to make a character boring or badly written or less interesting. Tyrion is one of the most interesting characters in the books, and I wouldn't call him a 'pure meow meow'.

I will agree that instead of attacking another blogger for calling Sam a ‘minor character’, why not spend that energy celebrating one’s favorite character by creating character appreciation events! It’s stans like that who end up making everyone hate these characters. There’s a whole group of people who think that GRRM is writing Sam as a stand in for Sansa! Like, he’s not even a character, let alone a minor character according to them - his only purpose in the story is to provide Jonsa foreshadowing. These people will interact with Jonsas and share, like and reblog each other’s post because they all love Sansa. The minute someone who is not up Sansa’s ass says something they disagree with, that’s the time to get all up in arms and make a fuss.

I still find it mindboggling that they couldn’t just message the blog and politely note their objections to that label. Or even just ignore it. Instead they took a screenshot, so that they could mock and bully the blogger to their many like minded followers. That was the sole reason for that post. Nothing else. It was not about Sam as a character. It’s about them as a person.

#asks

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gondorosi · 5 years

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The gradual separation of show!Jon from book!Jon - Part I

I loved the character of Jon Snow the moment he claimed Ghost as his own.

"This one will die even faster than the others." Jon Snow gave his father's ward a long, chilling look. "I think not, Greyjoy," he said. "This one belongs to me."

The chilling look. The brazen claim. All of this despite him bringing up his lower status not a moment ago, just so that Bran would get his direwolf pup.

This dichotomy between the sacrificial big brother and the confident claimant was what made me a fan. The fact that show culled this whole scene to keep the 'I am not a Stark' part but have Theon TELL Jon that Ghost the runt belonged to him, defeated the entire gravitas of this scene.

The show version of Jon (who I still love dearly, despite) has always been subtly different from the book version but the deviations became more stark (heh) S6 onwards.

Ambition and Leadership

There's this assumption among show-watchers alone that Jon has never wanted a position of responsibility. Which is just - wrong.

To me, the above quote shapes Jon's character, motivations and growth in the NW. Jon WANTS to be in a position of power. He wanted to be LC - just that he received the position earlier than he expected. Doesn't make him unwilling. He's had dreams of being Lord of Winterfell. The fact that he would never act on those dreams is a separate matter.

But entirely removing Jon's ambition and desire for glory removes an essential part of Jon's character. His nobility and quality lies in the fact that he is able to overcome his natural ego in a short enough time period to realise he's got much to learn. His mentors are all leaders - Jeor, Mance and even Stannis. Most Kings/Lords have never learnt how to follow since they were born into those positions. That's the fundamental difference between Robb and Jon (and the subject of another post). Humility is a personal quality which makes leaders popular, but it has to be kept in check once you're in a leadership position. There will always be a degree of separation between the leader and the others, which book!Jon LC was well aware of. Case in point: The controversial Gilly and Mance baby decision. That was Sam's lament was it not? That Jon took the decision without considering his friend's feelings. But it was the Lord Commander who took the best (and only) decision he saw fit to save both children. Not Sam's friend Jon.

Val, the Mountain Clans, Melisandre - and the attack on the Boltons

I don't like Sansa. I skipped her chapters in the books and I actively hate her on the show. Which is why it's infuriating that she becomes the fulcrum for Jon mustering forces to take back Winterfell. It suggests that Jon himself has no motivation to take back the North from the Boltons, even in the absence of the Jeyne!Arya storyline.

The show massively downplays the importance of the Free Folk following and fighting alongside Jon. Mance took years and years and it needed force and the common fear of the Others as well as hatred against the NW. And for Jon to gain their respect and acceptance despite being a Crow and infiltrator is huge. The only Freefolk represented in Jon's story in the show is Tormund - and while he's undoubtedly the main cheerleader, the absence of Val and others like Borroq from the narrative relegate the Freefolk to 'bunch of savages who fight for Jon'.

Val is important to Jon's story both as a man and as a leader. She's the closest thing to a Wildling 'princess' and she trusts him.

"You have my thanks, Lord Snow. For the half-blind horse, the salt cod, the free air. For hope."

We don't know where the books will take Jon and Val's relationship. But for the Freefolk to follow Jon into a war which doesn't affect them requires more than simply Tormund's support or Mance's regard. Acceptance of one of the 'enemy' as your Commander is a complicated process and Val should have been a part of it.

Similarly, we have no mention of the mountain clans. Show!Jon struggles to find support among the Northern houses for the attack on Winterfell. Book!Jon steers Stannis away from attacking the Dreadfort to gain support of the mountain clans whi are fiercely loyal to the memory of Ned. The absence of the mountain clans impacts show!Jon's knowledge and awareness of the North, painting him as a lone fighter with no knowledge of political strategy. (All to give it completely unearned to Sansa which is a rant for another time).

As for Melisandre, I wanted much more of their interaction beyond her trying to seduce him. There HAS to be a reason she's fixated on him, since in the book she's still convinced Stannis is Azor Ahai, despite her visions telling her something else.

I pray for a glimpse of Azor Ahai, and R'hllor shows me only Snow.

There's more than enough material for them to have built up an unwilling Mage/King relationship. Her bringing him back to life should have created an unwilling bond of gratitude - and made it clear to Jon he needs to keep her around, despite Davos' feelings. Show!Jon put Davos over the need to have her power around - not sure Book!Jon would have done the same.

Recklessness

Jon and Dany's military experiences are fundamentally different yet thematically similar. One of these is their roles in the battles they've fought. Dany's always been the aggressor, the conqueror (I'm only talking about roles here, not the intent). Jon's always been the defender, the protector (with the exception of BoB). Additionally, Jon's always been on the ill-equipped side. Smaller army, no supernatural weapons to fight a supernatural threat. Jon is reckless both in the show and in the books but again the nature of the recklessness veers sharply from S6. Book!Jon takes crazy risks only when his back is against the wall, stemming from desperation. Show!Jon post S6 seems to take crazy suicidal risks out of emotion. I'm in the camp that believes that coming back from the dead will do a spectacular number on your mental stability but I would have expected Book!Jon to be more 'bare knuckle pounding Ramsay's face into pulp' than 'Let me face down a rampaging cavalry on my own, on the ground'.

Of course, it's not that book!Jon hasn't done stupid things out of emotion, his thwarted desertion being primary among them. But that was at the beginning of his journey, even before he had fully emotionally committed to the Watch, and out of an understandably burning desire to be at Robb's side in the war. Every decision he's taken after that, be it for himself or for the Watch, has been carefully considered and decided.

#jon snow #book!jon #show!jon #i love them both #freefolk #jon/val #asoiaf #jeor mormont #mance rayder #jon DOES want it #he always has #tormund giantsbane #asoiaf val

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darealsaltysam · 1 year

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manifesting vietnam nazi germany and race relations on the higher level history paper pls pls plssss

#if those 3 come up im coming out of that exam with a h1 #im begging #leaving cert #sam's lc struggles #<--- yay new tag!

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darealsaltysam · 1 year

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ok enough lc doomposting. good luck tmrw everyone this is gonna be a tough month on us all but we can get thru it. see ya on the other side !!

#I CANT BELIEVE ITS ACTUALLY HAPPENING FR UEUEUE #fnaf movie thoughts getting me through this rn #sam's lc struggles #leaving cert

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darealsaltysam · 1 year

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alright maths higher levels lets do a little prayer circle that paper 2 is not as bad as paper 1. come on guys lets hold virtual hands

#leaving cert #sam's lc struggles

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archaicroft · 6 years

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ENDOMETRIOSIS + LC:

01. EXPERIENCE: Here’s the thing. Maybe if her mother could have been around, maybe then, she’d have gotten diagnosed earlier. Instead, Lara was diagnosed when she was twenty-two due to the need to go into surgery. She first started experiencing symptoms of endometriosis when she was twelve. It wasn’t as bad then as it gradually became over time.

For her, her endometriosis manifests as extra tissue growth near the ovaries. The first time she got her period, she was twelve, and by then both parents were dead, and Roth, god bless his heart, was not well-equipped to handle this. Oh he did his best, but he simply couldn’t have known, despite how rampant endometriosis actually is amongst people with a vagina and uterus. Now, if her mother had been around, she might have told Lara that period pain –– incredible period pain –– runs in the family.

Lara had to get surgery done due to the tissue causing her simply too much pain –– during the surgery it was found she also had a cyst growing on one of the ovaries. This all happened post-Shadow.

Now, she regularly donates money to charities supporting research for endometriosis, as well as non-for-profits that help out women that are unable to get help for their endometriosis.

02. STRUGGLES: Lara’s pain has been a constant in her life. To an extent, when she was younger she learned to tune it out, due to need. She was never taken seriously for it. It made her feel weak, and every ignorant comment she received didn’t help. Lara often pushed herself too hard, and on occasion has passed out from exhaustion on excavations during which she’s had her period or was experiencing symptoms. She regularly experiences paranoia regarding her endometriosis in regards to the validity of her pain, as well as what the repercussions of her potential infertility are. It’s also a huge inconveniance for her, and causes even more dichotomous distrust towards her body (dichotomous because Lara trusts her body when in extreme situations, but not in everyday situations) due to factors that are “out of her control”.

03. MISC HCS:

- Jonah makes her care packages when he knows she’s going through the pains. - Sam, who has PCOS, is there with her when she goes to surgery and is the first face she sees when she gets out. - She’ll shoot you in the foot if you make fun of women with endometriosis. - But she’ll also educate everyone about it if given the chance.

UPDATED: 11.29.18

#buckle the fuck in kiddos!!!!#im gon add more l8r #❛ ✕ ––––– you don’t know how far I’ve come. ( CH STUDY ).

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