Sep 032017
 

There has been an avalanche of stuff we have been reading about the ‘GOT’ hangover. The finale is over, Dany and Jon have rocked the boat, Tyrion is turning into shades of grey, Cersei and Jaime have parted ways for now, Viserion spits icy fire , Bran I still staring at walls, and Lord Baelish has been casually punched in the throat by Arya’s knife. The finale was a roller coaster and was a good watch, which is why all of us are showing withdrawal symptoms.

westeros © HBO

Anyways, as you might know, that a BTS series has been launched by HBO. It’s a 7 part series which will show you exactly how the episodes were shot. Yeah sure, that sounds exciting, but about our dose of high end drama? The forbidden sex, with a murder involved, and a war waiting to start in the background. We all were accustomed to that setting. The answer to that hangover lies in the mysterious, cool new trailer that’s been going viral and is titled ‘Westeros’. It’s a fan made trailer and shows ‘Game Of Thrones’ in a modern day setting.  It gives a glimpse of Westeros would look like, if it was here in 2017.

Sky scrapers have replaced castles, sniper and missiles have replaced weapons, and modern day cars have replaced horses. The trailer even shows a street named Targaryen Square. 

westeros series © YouTube

Fans are begging for producers to actually convert this video into a full fledged series because it looks so dank and cool.

I want this to be real so badly!! WESTEROS: Modern day GOT #FanMade https://t.co/qmo0spB2oV

— Lindsay Stanford (@lindsaystanford) August 30, 2017

I am 100% on board with this. Make it happen @HBO #GameOfThrones #WesterosTheSerieshttps://t.co/K6zddopQYr

— ?lI (@eli_mays) August 31, 2017

If this turns into a real series, it is safe to assume that fans will have a double visual treat. 

Sep 022017
 

Because let’s all be very honest about one thing: ‘Game of Thrones’ is losing the pot somewhere. It isn’t the great series it once was. The directors and producers are getting a bit sloppy and predictable. It’s true no matter what you might say. We knew Jon and Dany were to hook up (quite frankly Jon calling her Dany was a little too far-fetched for a George R.R. Martin novel which is why they should just stick to the books, but never you mind). We knew Gendry would make a comeback. We kinda saw a dragon death on its way and well, Baelish’s days were numbered a long time ago. Let’s just get over all of that because now the guys are just giving us what we want and the show is no fun anymore. 

Melisandre Could Be The Catalyst That Game of Thrones Needs In Season 8HBO

But, for the sake of the franchise and all the hullabaloo that comes along with it, we’ll stoke your trivial fandom fire one more time (just kidding; there’s going to be a lot more). 

If you’re wondering whatever happened to Melisandre on ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7, ever since she announced she was leaving for Volantis, then don’t wonder because that’s exactly where she’s headed. The reasons however, behind Meli wanting to go back to Volantis have more to do than just the fact that she foresaw her death. 

Melisandre Could Be The Catalyst That Game of Thrones Needs In Season 8HBO

Let’s go back to Season 6 for a bit, to the episode when one High Priestess Kinvara paid Tyrion and Lord Varys a visit in Meereen while Dany was away, captured by the Dothraki tribe. The scene went something like this: 

TYRION: “The truth is, we need your help. We were hoping that we could somehow persuade you…”
KINVARA: “You don’t need to persuade me. I came to help. Daenerys Stormborn is the one who was promised. From the fire she was reborn to remake the world… Daenerys has been sent to lead the people against the darkness in this war and in the Great War still to come.”

Melisandre Could Be The Catalyst That Game of Thrones Needs In Season 8HBO

Now Here Goes The Story: 

Volantis happens to be one of the three Free Cities of Essos. But, that’s not all. The city sits on an amount of dragon-glass that is so vast that the people actually build their homes with it. Oh wait, there’s more. In Volantis resides an army of thousands of ferocious soldiers, known as the Fiery Hand. They wear dark red armour on orange robes and wield spears that are shaped like flames. Whether or not these spears will also light up like the Beric Dondarion’s does is yet to be seen. But, let’s examine the facts at hand. 

Melisandre Could Be The Catalyst That Game of Thrones Needs In Season 8HBO

We know that Kinvara the High Priestess of Volantis is already gunning for Queen Daenerys Targaryen and as such, is waiting for a sign so they can call on the Fiery Hand at the hour of need to fight alongside her, against the white walkers. We also know that Melisandre is on her way to Volantis and could very well carry the news of the Great War to Kinvara. At this point, we would have a bevvy of soldiers ready to fight for and answer to no one but the God of Light; courtesy of Melisandre being the bearer of news for the High Priest and Priestess of Volantis. 

Now imagine how this army will change the entire game for Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen and the fate of the white walkers! 

I’ll leave you to your imagination, on that note.

Melisandre Could Be The Catalyst That Game of Thrones Needs In Season 8

 

Aug 302017
 

The 7th season of ‘Game Of Thrones’ has ended and the finale’s ending left us shook. As Jon Snow and Daenerys got busy getting cozy on a boat, the White Walkers crossed the Wall after the Night King destroyed it with the help of the ice dragon. While we were too caught up freaking out at the fact that the Wall was smashed to pieces and the White Walkers were marching into the Seven Kingdoms, we missed a huge detail.

The White Walkers Made The Stark Sigil While Crossing The Wall© HBO

The army of the undead while marching across the Wall forms a huge image of the sigil of the Stark House, a hawk-eyed Reddit user noticed. The Stark sigil is an imprint of a wolf’s head.

The White Walkers Made The Stark Sigil While Crossing The Wall© HBO

Check out the Stark sigil.

The White Walkers Made The Stark Sigil While Crossing The Wall© HBO

This could be no coincidence. A sigil does not make itself and the resemblance is uncanny. Is it true then? That Bran is the Night King? The strongest and eeriest theory of ‘Game of Thrones’ is turning out to be true! But if he is, why doesn’t he stop the war? Why does he continue to lead the army of the undead? 

The White Walkers Made The Stark Sigil While Crossing The Wall© HBO

Some fans believe that the Night King was a Stark as a human, which is very much possible because Winterfell is very close to the Wall. It could be that the Night King remember his Stark identity and plans to establish an undead Stark rule over the seven kingdoms. 

Issac Hempstead-Wright, the actor who plays Bran, said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “Yeah, well, I really think there’s some kind of history between the Three-Eyed Raven and the Night King. Even after it became clear that the Children of the Forest were the ones who created the Night King, or at least just the first White Walker.There’s some kind of linkage there, I think. I’m not looking forward to finding out what that might be.” 

The White Walkers Made The Stark Sigil While Crossing The Wall© HBO

Or is this a cruel joke the producers are playing on us? Considering fans have been going crazy with the theories and imagining every possible plot twist, the producers decided to give us something to think about for the next two years. 

Whatever it is, the formation of the Stark sigil cannot be ignored. What do you think it means?

Aug 302017
 

Throughout all of ‘Game of Thrones’, there were certain reunions that fans had been waiting to see, and this season did not disappoint in that area. We saw Arya come face-to-face with her direwolf, Nymeria as she headed to Winterfell for an emotional reunion with Sansa and Bran. Then there was Jon and Daenerys at Dragonstone and then the latest episode was just filled with reunions and meetings.

The Reason Why Cersei & Bronn Are Never In The Same Scene In Got© HBO

But, have you ever wondered why we have never seen Queen Cersei and Ser Bronn have even a single interaction ever on the show? 

As soon as the negotiations were about to start between Team Dany and Team Cersei, did you notice Bronn and Podrick head out for a drink before the talking began?

Bronn and Podrick leave literally seconds before Cersei arrives, even though an extremely important meeting is about to take place, and ideally, they both really should both be attending it, after all its a life or death situation kind of meeting.

The Reason Why Cersei & Bronn Are Never In The Same Scene In Got© HBO

So, basically, actors Lena Headley (Cersei) and Jerome Flynn (Bronn) used to date once upon a time but it did not end well, like not well at all. It was so bad that they can’t even stand to be in the same room anymore. According to some reports, being kept separate is even a binding part of their contracts.

The Reason Why Cersei & Bronn Are Never In The Same Scene In Got

An unnamed member of the show’s crew made the following comment to The Telegraph back in 2014 : “Jerome and Lena aren’t on speaking terms anymore and they are never in the same room at the same time. It’s a pity because they appeared to have patched things up for a while, but now the word is they should be kept apart at all costs.”

You can just imagine what a nightmare it must be for both of them to work together after a break-up, especially went it ended that badly. Moreover, think of all the scenes we could’ve had if these two actors were able to work alongside each other.

The Reason Why Cersei & Bronn Are Never In The Same Scene In Got

We can only wait and see now if Lena and Jerome will be able to patch things up just enough to give one scene together in the next and final season.

Aug 292017
 

The ‘Song Of Ice and Fire’, on which HBO’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ is based, is one of the best epic fantasy novels the modern world has seen. Wars and politics, dragons and dead armies, witches and wargs, spells and prophecies, clans and bannermen – it’s a universe as vast as ours. The author of the series George RR Martin spent a whole lifetime writing stories before he could weave this magnum opus. Martin is an American novelist and short-story writer, and mostly wrote in the fantasy, sci-fi and horror genres. 

The Story Of George RR Martin: The Man Behind The Game Of Thrones Universe© Reuters

Born in New Jersey on 20th September, 1948, George Martin grew up feeding on comic books. His father was a dockworker and the family lived in area near the docks for most of George’s childhood. He was an avid reader with a keen interest to know about the world, and books became his cheat code into fantasy worlds. He began writing at an early age and sold monster stories to the neighbourhood children for pennies. 

The Story Of George RR Martin: The Man Behind The Game Of Thrones Universe© Facebook/George RR Martin

Bachelors in journalism was then an obvious choice and Martin went on to complete an MS in journalism too. Not many know, but George RR Martin is a gifted chess player and has directed a few chess tournaments too. 

As a writer, he wrote vociferously, mostly short stories in the science fiction genre and began getting published professionally by the age of 21. In 1973, at the age of 24, Martin got nominated for the Hugo Award, a prestigious award in science fiction literature, for his story “With Morning Comes Mistfall”. There was no looking back after that and he won several more Hugo Awards in the coming years. 

The Story Of George RR Martin: The Man Behind The Game Of Thrones Universe© Facebook/George RR Martin

However, money was still hard to come by. A writing job, no matter how good you are, is often not enough to pay the bills, and George RR Martin took up an English teaching job at Clarke University in 1976. His first novel ‘Dying of the Light’ was published during this period, in 1977. 

There comes a point in everyone’s life when you have to choose paths, when you have to make a decision that could change the course of your life. GRRM made the decision to become a full-time writer and left his teaching job after his dear friend Tom Reamy, who was also an author, died in 1977. Sometimes the finality of death makes us realise where our priorities lie. 

The Story Of George RR Martin: The Man Behind The Game Of Thrones Universe© Wikimedia Commons

GRRM published a variety of works during this period. While some of his works like the vampire novel ‘Fevre Dream’ were very well received by critics, some like ‘The Armageddon Rag’ almost destroyed his reputation as a novelist. The life of an artist is never without struggle. He is always as good as his last best work, and when you are a young writer struggling to get heard, you don’t have much credentials to show for. 

In a bid to do better work, GRRM moved to script-writing for television and films. He started writing scripts for shows and was appointed as a staff writer for ‘Twilight Zone’. He had already established a reputation in the circles and became a writer-producer for the famous American drama series ‘Beauty and the Beast’. 

The Story Of George RR Martin: The Man Behind The Game Of Thrones Universe© Reuters

The entertainment industry is unpredictable and uncertain. A lot of Martin’s scripts were left waiting in absence of logistics working out. Shelving of projects or lack of budgets can create a lot of creative frustration, and GRRM was no exception. 

But this led to something that was to immortalize his name in annals of fantasy fiction forever. He began writing the 1st volume ‘A Game of Thrones’ of the series ‘A Song Of Ice and Fire’ in the year 1991. It took 5 long years and the first volume was published in 1996. 

The Story Of George RR Martin: The Man Behind The Game Of Thrones Universe© Wikimedia Commons

There was no looking back after that. He wrote 4 more volumes following it, namely, ‘A Clash Of Kings’, ‘A Storm Of Swords’, ‘A Feast For Crows’, and ‘A Dance With Dragons’. The 6th book ‘The Winds of Winter’ is expected to come out soon. The series received a tremendous response, both from fans and critics. The books won a number of awards like the Hugo Award, the Locus Award and nominations for the Nebula Award. 

By 2013, 24 million copies were sold solely in North America, Reuters reported. George RR Martin became the 12th highest-earning author in the year 2011, according to Forbes. It was a best-seller. 

The Story Of George RR Martin: The Man Behind The Game Of Thrones Universe© HBO

And then, HBO decided to adapt the series into a show in the year 2007. ‘Game of Thrones’, as we all know the show as, became an instant hit. The fifth season set a Guinness world record for the highest number of Emmy awards won in a single year.

Aug 292017
 

Nursing a broken heart post the GOT finale? Yeah, me too. The world is cruel, life is not fair and the climax of the finale is still sinking in. Dany and Jon finally ‘rocked the boat’ and the wait for the next season is only getting harder with each passing hour. 

‘Game Revealed' Is The Cure For Your ‘Game Of Thrones' Hangover© HBO

Well, here’s some soothing balm for your achy heart. We’ve got a bit of a hangover cure with this particular show. ‘Game Revealed’ is a BTS , in depth look  of how our favourite series is made and it’s just what you need to keep you from going under. 

‘Game Revealed' Is The Cure For Your ‘Game Of Thrones' Hangover	© HBO

The shoe is a 7 part series and will give fans a detailed look into the mechanics of every episode. The first episode is out and has a plethora of exciting details. Actually after watching it, you realise how everything is a sham and an amazing fluke. 

‘Game Revealed' Is The Cure For Your ‘Game Of Thrones' Hangover	© HBO

Your Monday fixation of a GOT dose will be taken care of, at least for a while. The next season is not going to air until 2019, and honestly we don’t know how to deal with it. *screams internally*

The predictions for the next season include a myriad of theories. Tyrion is probably in love with our Khaleesi, who is probably going to pregnant. Cersei child might not survive as claimed by Maggie’s prophecy, the White Walkers are coming for Westeros and war is imminent, and to add to all of that, Littlefinger is dead. Way too much happened in season 7 and the final season is going to have to satisfy the millions of fans out there. But for now, ‘Game Revealed’ will serve as a bridge between the epic season and our memory of it. Sigh, well, here’s waiting till 2019!

Aug 292017
 

Apart from a twisted cacophony of events, ‘Game Of Thrones’ has also given us really intense characters, who have been well realized and defined both by the book and the series. Mr. Martin has really gone inwards, in to the soul of each character and psychoanalysed their traits and the purpose of their existence. We may not be able to relate to every character on the show but we can certainly feel the intensity they bring with them on screen and make us fall in love (or not) with them each time.

Do you ever assume you relate to a particular character, so much so that you think maybe you were born to fit into the exact role? If you’re a true ‘Game of Thrones’ fan, we’re sure you’ve been asked ‘who do you want to play’ or ‘who do you think you’ll be’  or even pondered over who is that one character that suits your personality best.

Here are six men from ‘Game of Thrones’ with their rich and powerful characteristics and their personalities broken down, so that you can figure out who you can relate to best.

Let us know in the comments section!

Do You Relate To These GoT Characters?© HBO

Tyrion Lannister – The Intellectual Charmer

A tiny man, with a rather big intellect, Tyrion is a kind and intelligent man whose brain is as sharp as a tack. Being a little person, he is constantly mocked but that does not deter his confidence to be himself, one bit. He does not belittle himself or second guess himself ever and he’s a staunch supporter of truth and doing the right thing. He embraces his ‘short’comings well and has a sharp tongue to give a piece of his mind to whoever dares  makes fun of him. He loves his family but cannot stand sly, sluggish and evil behaviour displayed by anyone, not even his family members. He commits to a higher moral ground and sticks with his purpose, through thick and thin. Good with the ladies, he’s certainly a charming personality.

 

Do You Relate To These GoT Characters?© HBO

Jon Snow- The Benevolent Thinker

John has inherently good traits and a heart of gold with boatloads of dedication. He spends a lot of time thinking of tactical ways to get what he wants without hurting anyone. If he wasn’t the King In The North, we assume he’d become a fine grand maester in the future. Another great thing about his character is that he is a man of his word and always keeps his promise. His loyalty and integrity are traits every man should strive to achieve. This character doesn’t sway much towards distractions when he has more important issues at hand. Ask his women!

Do You Relate To These GoT Characters?© HBO

Jamie Lannister – The King of Redemption

Well, his character teaches us that even though there is evil in someone it can always transcend into goodness. Jamie started off as being known as the King Slayer after he killed the mad king but through his experiences in life and after encountering a lot of hardships, he began to understand the goodness that life brings. The transformation is always slow for such people but it’s beautiful. His character is all about redemption and it proves that even if a mistake is made, it doesn’t necessarily define you. Through his association with other people, we realise that he has learnt to grow in the right direction and that anyone is capable of loyalty and compassion. We think his character can be relatable to most men- make as many mistakes as you want but always learn from them and become the best version of yourself.

Do You Relate To These GoT Characters?© HBO

Samwell Tarly- The Wise Simpleton

Samwell is an unwanted element both at his work and by his family, who ask him to leave. His character teaches us not to give up on life and use what you have best to take you where you want to go. He’s not the best fighter but spends his time behind books and knowledge and is probably the only one who knows most of the unspoken secrets there are to know, through books and knowledge. He works hard on his knowledge and uses it best to help people as much as he can. His character teaches us that knowledge is power and you really don’t have to be macho if you use the goodness of knowledge for a greater purpose in life. He’s definitely a loyal friend to have around too and you can trust his character with your life!

Do You Relate To These GoT Characters?© HBO

Ramsay Bolton- The Evil Sadist       

We all have a Ramsay amidst us, don’t we? Well, some people don’t have to be as gruesome as his character but they portray a trait which is sadistic, deriving pleasure from others misery. They don’t hurt people physically, necessarily, but they play vicious mind games with others. Ramsay has no redeeming quality, so to speak, as he is Martins most evil creation. He is termed as an out and out psychopath and he gets what he wants always and never gives up. His character mostly stems from seeing brutality at a very young age and applying the same as he grows older. There is still redemption out there, for those of you who do relate to his character! If you don’t seek it now then we’re afraid you might just meet the same fate as him!

Do You Relate To These GoT Characters?© HBO

Petyr (Littefinger) Baelish- The Conniving Mastermind

Baelish is not necessarily harmful but he can get you in ways that no one has before! Shrewd, selfish and conniving he usually keeps a track of whatever is going around him and indulges in useless gossip and banter and later uses that against people. Baelish’s character is good at pitting two or more people against each other and starting a full fledged war amidst them, just by using his mind. Yes, he’s as comparable to the vamps you see on Hindi television series these days! Do you relate, even a little bit?

Each character has a separate trait, so if you relate to even one of them, its time to let the world know!

Aug 282017
 

The season finale of ‘Game Of Thrones’ S7 is over and life will soon be dull again. So much happened in one episode, but there was one major setback that has us seething with anger. Cersei’s deceitful trick of backstabbing Daenerys and Jon Snow. She easily lies to them about the truce and readily agrees to send her army to the North to fight White Walkers. It all did sound too good to be true. 

Cersei's Shrewd Plan Could Mean A Huge Betrayal By Tyrion© HBO

But what happened after her conversation with her brother Tyrion? The chat ends after Tyrion discovers she is pregnant, catching Cersei on an unguarded note. Was the truce in exchange of keeping the information of her pregnancy a secret? Does Tyrion agree to withhold the information if she is willing to come to peaceful terms with Daenerys? 

Cersei's Shrewd Plan Could Mean A Huge Betrayal By Tyrion© HBO

If that is the case, Tyrion might essentially be betraying Daenerys. In his conversation with Cersei, a major chunk is devoted to the guilt he harbours on account of the deaths he caused in the family. He repeatedly stresses on how dearly he loved his niece and nephew, Tommen and Myrcella. Has he taken the moment to purge some of his guilt? 

If Tyrion is indeed conniving with Cersei on this, it would also stand true to the prophecy that said Daenerys would be betrayed 3 times: once for blood, once for gold and once for love. She’s been betrayed for blood and gold but not for love so far. 

Cersei's Shrewd Plan Could Mean A Huge Betrayal By Tyrion© HBO

Cersei has, of course, alienated the only family she had left – Jaime Lannister. Her about-turn regarding the truce doesn’t go down too well with Jaime who wants to uphold their end of the pledge but Cersei is thinking like a shrewd politician here, something only her father Tywin Lannister did. Whether we like it or not, that is exactly the kind of line of thought the modern human has today – self preservationist. 

Cersei's Shrewd Plan Could Mean A Huge Betrayal By Tyrion© HBO

She is sharp enough to realise that Daenerys has lost one of her dragons. She tells Jaime that the absence of the third dragon at a time when Daenerys was exhibiting her power in front of her enemy means only one thing – that there is no third dragon anymore. 

Cersei's Shrewd Plan Could Mean A Huge Betrayal By Tyrion© HBO

In withdrawing from the war against the White Walkers, she is following a very typical political tact – let your enemies fight against each other and suffer loss of life and resource. It’d be much easier to defeat whatever is left of them after the fight. Self-preservation is the key to survival in the Game of Thrones universe.

Cersei's Shrewd Plan Could Mean A Huge Betrayal By Tyrion© HBO

The only mistake she is making here is that she underestimates the White Walkers and assumes that they can be defeated easily. Of course, she doesn’t know the Night King has a dragon now – that bit of information has been conveniently hidden by Daenerys and camp. 

Cersei is evil, vindictive and deceitful, no doubt, and she is probably digging her own grave right now, but fact remains that she is the sharpest politician in the show right now, besides Tyrion Lannister. Despite being cornered, she could still win the war, thanks to her tactics. 

Aug 282017
 

‘Game Of Thrones’ has ended its seventh season today and while digesting things will take some time, it is the ending that left us gasping for breath and some fresh air. Oh my god! We were waiting for the White Walkers to touch the wall the entire season and they totally made it worth the freaking wait.

Ending of game of thrones season 7© HBO

Viserion was raised from the dead by the Night King himself and while people were waiting to see what happens, it now makes sense to understand that it was all a part of an elaborate plan by the dead villain to use the dragon for his own army. Tormund and the others are casually looking around when they see the dead army marching. Panic did strike hard but all hell was let loose when the Night King comes flying on the dragon and off goes the wall. BOOM! Just like that.

How do you fathom it? The sad part is that this could mean the end of Tormund and his love life dreams that he was weaving for quite a while. The wall is now down, the army is descending to the other side and there is a very powerful dragon that spits icy fire, if that makes any sense. This means that danger is coming soon and in the next season we can expect some major shit going down. People are going to die and war is happening. Good thing for Jon Snow is that he has Targaryen blood and can even possibly survive fire. How do we deal with these withdrawal symptoms now?

Aug 282017
 

The finale has left us with a lot of questions. We are still digesting the information that sailed our way, making peace with a lot of things, feeling sorry for Jaime, anger for Cersei, love for Dany and Jon. Amidst all of this, you forgot one important character and one tiny bit of a scene that spoke volumes. I am talking about Tyrion’s grim expression when he witnessed Jon knocking Dany’s door.

secret behind tyrions grim look© HBO

So while this went by in a blink, there is a grim secret behind it that gives way to a few theories. Ahem! Please read on. According to an old letter written by Martin to his publishers, his initial plan was to make Jon fall for his own sister Arya. The original plan also includes that an exiled Tyrion falling for Arya and giving rise to a love triangle. That angle in the sense of the show is now taking shape between Khaleesi, Jon and Tyrion.

secret behind tyrions grim look© HBO

According to the books, he’s supposed to have many shades of grey after killing his father and Shae. The series was showing the opposite but maybe now that shall start reflecting. Also, if you go back in time, Tyrion did persuade Dany to let go off the two men who were in love with her, Sir Jorah and even Daario. He explains it to her that they were not the first one to love her and will not be the last one to love her.

secret behind tyrions grim look© HBO

Well, this could all fall in place in the next season because our first impression of Tyrion was that he is a drunkard who takes his wine and women seriously. This new compassionate side of his kinda is getting boring. This means that a rivalry will indeed brew between him and Jon. He might even betray them. Well, interesting times ahead.