Fantastical Musings

Now that it's been about two weeks since the finale of season five premiered, I think it's time to take a moment to reflect on the past season. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this season, although my feelings about it were somewhat mixed. If you're a book reader like me, you'll know that this season was almost a complete departure from the books, and the only way to be okay with that is to try to separate the show from the books in your mind. I try to look at the show and the books as completely different creative projects with differing story-telling agendas. That worked pretty well for me this season, although, I have to say, some moments just fell completely flat for me. Let's review: The Good: The Army of the Dead: I was generally pleased with the way Jon's plot was handled this season. As you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of Jon -- but even I have to say that his plot was really on point this season. The massacre at Hardhome was such an incr...

So, with father's day this weekend, a lot of people are taking to the Internet to share lovely, heart warming stories about their fathers. I think that's great, but those stories can get a little boring after a while. To quote Tolstoy: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." So, in honor of father's day tomorrow, I thought I would offer a tribute to the most disastrous fathers in the A Song of Ice and Fire universe. This is a big category, so I've narrowed it down to ten: 10. Eddard Stark - Ned is arguably one of the best fathers in the ASIOF universe. He's generally fair and caring, however, he has managed to put his kids in extremely perilous positions. Let's not forget that it was Ned's obsession with honor that caused him to be executed, therefore starting the War of Five Kings, which led to Robb's death. Furthermore, he put Sansa and Arya in a ton of danger by bringing them to King's Landing --...

Obviously, not natural As you know, I have strong opinions about eyebrows , so let's not dance around the issue here: Daenerys has weird eyebrows. Look, Dany looks great in almost every episode and she's gorgeous and beautiful. However, we all know that she has weird eyebrows. I know it, you know it, and I'm pretty sure that the showrunners know it too. Now, I say that Daenerys has weird eyebrows because Emilia Clarke has rather lovely eyebrows. The only problem is that Emilia Clarke's eyebrows do not match Daenerys Targaryen's hair. I'm not sure if the makeup and hair people on Game of Thrones are aware of this or not, but eyebrow color tends to match hair color because eyebrows are -- *wait for it* -- hair! Therefore, If Daenerys has white hair, she should have white eyebrows. The fact that she doesn't have white eyebrows makes her look really weird and not in character. The combination of dark eyebrows and white hair just screams wig . Now, obv...

I can't believe it's OVER! Ugh, I can't wait ten more months for the next season. I JUST CAN'T! As many of you know, I've been sort of lukewarm about this season, but this episode made up for all of the awkward scenes this season. Random deaths, battles, and dragons: this is the Game of Thrones we know and love. I have a lot of thoughts about this episode, so lemme break it down: Favorite Moments: Dad of the Year: We've sort of had a theme of people attempting to be dads this season (cough, cough Stannis, cough, cough), but no one has succeeded as well as Jaime Lannister.  His scene this week with Myrcella was so cute. In fact, it was so cute that -- in true Game of Thrones fashion -- someone had to die. I kid you not, my heart broke into a million pieces when she was like "I'm glad you're my father" and then she DIED! Ugh, so many FEELS! Like, it was worth having Myrcella in Season 5 for that scene alone! Of course, we didn't actual...

So, after last night's finale of  Game of Thrones , I noticed a ton of awesome Yaks about the episode (because, you know, Yik Yak really has its finger on the pulse of the nation). In honor of the end of season five, I decided to share my favorite Yaks with you (and yes, one or two of them are mine): Some people were concerned for their personal safety: Others faced an existential crisis: One helpful yak-er offered a succinct summary of the past season: Many expressed *some* frustration: Some questioned everything: Others offered helpful tips: Others needed help themselves: While others tried to put things into perspective: Of course, there were the obligatory 'Winter is Coming' jokes: Some consoled themselves with hopes of resurrection:  While others mourned for Jon Snow: Meanwhile, some...

I can't believe there's only one more episode!!!! I have NO IDEA how they're going to wrap up this season in only one more episode. UGH! I'm already waiting for season 6. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves, let's break down this penultimate episode. Favorite Moments: Drogon the Dragon: A lot of people online are dissing Dany's scene in this episode. I had a few small issues with this scene, but, overall, I thought it was fantastic. It was so satisfying to finally see a dragon in action. I loved how Drogon just swept in and saved Dany. Not to mention that the whole scene was super well done. I loved that moment when Jorah throws the spear at the Son of the Harpy right behind Dany and then she turns around and everyone is in a golden mask. It was a real :O moment. The Stag: I'm so, so glad that Shireen and Davos  had a final moment together before Shireen's death. The scene with the little wooden stag was just so cute; right now, I'm just...

Where do White Walkers come from? An Average White Walker This is an often asked question in the ASOIAF universe that has never been answered to my satisfaction. An Average Stone Man The most obvious origin of the White Walkers, of course, is magic. But, as easy as it is to write the White Walkers off as an inexplicable creation of a fantasy world, that's never really been George R.R. Martin's style. In the ASOIAF universe, magic is not unconquerable and it's not an excuse for miraculous, crazy, and inexplicable things to happen. Magic exists, but it has consequences, problems, and failings. For example, Melisandre, the Red Woman, can give birth to a magical shadow baby who can kill Renly Baratheon, but she can't magically put Stannis on the throne. Similarly, Dany can receive magical prophecies in the House of the Undying, but that doesn't mean she can interpret or understand them. Similarly, I don't think White Walkers are just superna...