Nov 2, 2008
Episode 17: Raw and Uncut
Episode 17 for the week of November 2nd, in which we attempt our first ever totally unedited episode as we discuss chapters 21 – 25 of A Game of Thrones. Chase saves the day by guest hosting yet again, we miraculously stay on topic for the most part, and find out how Aaron plans to spend Election Night.
Sorry for the one-episode-a-month release delays, everyone! Due to a combination of recording mishaps, schedule conflicts, and our resident editor on a Harry Potter cruise, we have decided to resort to churning out unedited episodes to sate your APOIAF masochism. Let us know what you think.
49 Comments, Comment or Ping
John
Great episode as usual guys. And I didn’t mind the fact that it was unedited at all.
Just a couple of comments:
1) There is no conclusive evidence on the Blackfish’s sexuality. Some people think he remains single because he lost his only (female) love (perhaps to Hoster) and then refused to consider any other woman. Others just think he’s just gay. There really isn’t any conclusive background information provided by GRRM and all we can do is speculate. For the record, I don’t think he’s gay. And the main reason for this is that, if he was gay, I think GRRM would have just said so (like he has pretty much done with Corbray, Oberyn, Xaro Xoan Daxes, Renly, Loras). The fact that GRRM hasn’t really implied anything about Brynden’s sexuality just leads me to the conclusion that the man is straight but abstains from sex. Still, this is far from definitive evidence.
2) Interesting speculation about Benjen. One of my pet theories is that Ben has become a wight and Jon will be forced to kill him (a bit like how he had to kill the Halfhand). The Coldhands theory is also plausible. But I think it’s very unlikely that he’s dead and will never be seen again. Too much has been made of his disappearance for that to have happened.
Nov 3rd, 2008
John
Whoops, Oberyn ain’t gay. I should have said “non-straight”.
Nov 3rd, 2008
Chase
Dickon Manwoody
Nov 3rd, 2008
Harlan
You know, the connection speeds are really crappy. I tried to download the episode at home and got like 5 kb/sec. Now I’m trying it via a 2MBIT connection, and it’s still hella slow.
Nov 3rd, 2008
mimi
that’s godaddy hosting for you. short of dropping $$$$ on better hosting, there’s not much we can do about the download speed.
Nov 3rd, 2008
Ed
Good episode. Editing is for pansies.
Favorite minor character is such a tough call. There are so many to choose from, but I have to say Podrick Payne. Saving Tyrion’s life in battle and then following Brienne out of King’s Landing is just too cool. Dolorous Edd is pretty awesome too–the Wedge Antilles of the Night’s Watch.
Nov 3rd, 2008
Ray
So good to hear you guys again. I was starting to lose it without my podcast fix.
Nov 3rd, 2008
Brianna
I have to say I really like this uncut. From being a guest a few times I know some of the funny stuff doesn’t always get on the episode.
since all of you seem to dissagree with Mimi all the time I would like to say that I agree with her almost all the time except for Shea being set up. And she gets more of my love for bringing up Jaime/Brienne.
My favorite minor guy would half to be Edric Storm I really loved him the two of three times we saw him.
I don’t like the idea of ghost bringing down the wall but I do like the idea of him howling when Jon dies. Even though I don’t want jon to die.
There was alot of goodstuff this time round and can’t wait to hear from you again!
Nov 4th, 2008
Johan
Lol that’s funny cause I almost always agree with Chris. Exept this once for there is no way Tywin was sleeping with Shae.
Wolfie I’m more stubborn than you 😛
Nov 8th, 2008
Brianna
NO NO no you are not.
And you would agree with Chris.
Nov 15th, 2008
Matthew
It might be time to make Chase a permanent host instead of a guest. He’s the Steve Martin of A Podcast of Ice and Fire.
Nov 4th, 2008
mimi
it might be time to fire chris and replace him with chase. JUST SAYIN’.
Nov 4th, 2008
Chase
Steve Martin? Hmmmm..
Thanks?
Nov 4th, 2008
Aaron
At least it wasn’t the ‘Chevy Chase’ of the podcast.
Nov 5th, 2008
Matthew
Steve Martin in the sense that he was on SNL like 15 times or something, so much so that people thought he was a regular cast member.
Nov 7th, 2008
John
I concur. Chase deserves his place.
Nov 5th, 2008
Anonymous
Sandor!
Nov 6th, 2008
PestilencE
Awesome episode. I definitely prefer the podcast being that way. Much more natural AND you managed to keep an OK length without prolonging.
In light of the podcast’s rawness, it was kinda strange there was no mention of the anal sex between Dany and Drogo, but oh well.
p.s. lol @ chase’s impersonations 😀
Nov 7th, 2008
mimi
they totally did not have anal. or not that we read about, at any rate. that would have been fierce.
Nov 7th, 2008
PestilencE
huh? I don’t have the book at my disposal right now. It might have been another chapter. However, I’m pretty sure that at one point there was some mention of Drogo doing Dany from behind, and that it was “in accordance with Dothraki customs”, and even mention that Dany was biting the pillow. I doubt I’m really making all of this up lol O_o
Nov 8th, 2008
mimi
at the risk of getting too detailed, i’m pretty sure “from behind” indicates doggy-style. much like how animals (and fun people) mate, as underlined by mirri maz dur post-rape.
and it’s no wonder that dany was in a lot of pain, being a virginal 13 year old dominated by a huge khal, especially as forcibly as described in the books.
Nov 8th, 2008
PestilencE
That clears things up. (I guess…)
I’ve not read the book in its original English version, and in my language, the way it is translated leaves the reader with the impression that it is indeed anal.
Nov 8th, 2008
steve
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Now get recording another one! *cracks whip*
Nov 7th, 2008
Johan
Great episode, I kind of liked it unedited, although it missed the key ingrediens Chris, hehe, and I think you should go ahead and make both Chase and Brianna regulars, cause they’re awsome and you’re always missing one or two hosts per episode anyway.
Oh and I like the idea of Blackfish being inlove with Lady Tully, although I think he’s gay. What if Brynden is actually Catalyn’s father?
Also you should be able to find more intresting crack theories. Like Mel being a Lannister supporter. I mean she’s RED, she killed Renly and devided the Baratheon brothers which played right into the hands of the Lannisters. Then when Stannis was up against the Lions she didn’t lift a finger to help him.
Yay on Brienne/Jaime love and, uww to Sansa/Sandor.
Nov 8th, 2008
Brianna
that would be one crazy theory. Mel has never said anything about the lannisters ever.
Nov 10th, 2008
Johan
Well Littlefinger never said anything bout killing Joff and saving Sansa, and then kwazam, we’re all left surprised. Her never mentioning the
Lannisters might just be her way to make sure we’re not suspicious.
I mean anyone not mentioning the Lannisters must be suspicious
since she’s been talking of all Stannis other foes.
Nov 10th, 2008
Brianna
but didn’t mel help kill Joff. she is many things but i don’t see her as a kinslayer.
Nov 12th, 2008
Johan
I’m quite sure Littlefinger and Olenna killed Joffrey,
and unless Petyr is the tool of R’hollor (now that’s a theory) I
don’t really think she had anything to do with his death.
And all the other Lannisters but Cersei hated Joff anyway.
Nov 12th, 2008
Brianna
and the grand master
Nov 13th, 2008
Amy
My favorite part of this podcast? The fact that I finally got to hear someone agree that Dany is NOT awesome. Honestly? She bores me. I don’t hate her, she just bugs me. And it may be unpopular to say but I don’t really like the dragons either. They’re slightly..’blah’.
I think I just enjoy the court intrigue so much that whenever we get dragged out of Westeros and into her dramas I become quite resentful. Which isn’t her fault, but I take it out on her nonetheless. And I totally agree that the fact the baby would be killed was obvious. And it sounded like he’d be an awesome baby. So I didn’t feel that bad for Dany. I felt worse for the lady she killed because – technically – she got killed for following Dany’s orders and giving the girl what she wanted.
Strangely, I think I’d prefer Dany if she turned crazy. Would put a nice spin on things. It also bugs me that she thinks she has the right to rule Westeros. Half the Targaryens turn out crazy, so that’s not a family I would want in power. Civil Wars happen and Aerys was crazy. She should get over it…
But guys – ease up on Bran! He’s a cool kid. He’s completely entitled to a whine. That said, the first time I read these books I didn’t like Tyrion. I loved his chapters but I couldn’t get over my distrust of him because of the way the direwolves acted. Those wolves know. Feel quite guilty about that now… And it does cast doubt over my judgment of characters.
Nov 8th, 2008
Chase
Dany didn’t give two shits about Westeros, all she wanted was her house in Braavos, until the day the wine seller tried to poison her. Then she was all “FEE FIE FOE FUM, I MUST RULE WESTEROS”.
Sure someone tried to poison her and her unborn baby, but it seemed like a flimsy (and convenient) excuse to change her story’s direction.
Nov 9th, 2008
Ashley 2
>_<
Nov 10th, 2008
Anthony S
You know what? I think if Robert Baratheon lived to go grey he would look like GRRM. I don’t know the beginning of this episode made me think that, when you were talking about Martin and his swords.
I don’t think Brynden is gay. I think he might be connected to that girl Hoster kept mentioning before he died. Hoster kept saying sorry to some girl (can’t remember her name) when he was really talking to Cat, And Brynden was angry at some point about something Hoster did. Plus he has no gay stereotypes like Loras and his flowers. There is no evidence saying he’s gay.
And lastly; I think Varys might have wanted Tywin dead and that’s why he told Tyrion exactly where and how to find him, but I don’t think Shae had anything to do with anything. She was just there to fuck Tywin because Tywin is a hypocritical bastard.
Nov 10th, 2008
oxmix
I think Sam is the character that most resembles our author. When we meet Sam we are told right away that he is fat and he likes books, kitchens and cats. I think Sam is GRRM’s self-effacing alter ego.
Nov 10th, 2008
jude
Great podcast. To be honest, I didn’t notice much of a difference between this raw episode as opposed to one with editing. Minus the music and a few moments where Aaron’s mic fucked up, there wasn’t anything too different, really. I expected you guys to go off topic for like an extra hour (which would have been awesome).
About the whole Tywin/Shae thing…its so obvious to me, and has been the entire time. Varys wanted Tywin dead. He knew that Tyrion was out for blood. How could anyone think that it wasnt planned? The crossbow? The chest? The exact number of steps to climb up? Varys is a cunning bastard. As for Shae, I’m not even convinced that Tywin knew she was there. I agree with whoever said that Tywin would not have asked Tyrion to go back to his room to talk if he’d known Shae was there. Also, Tywin would not turn to a whore even if he did need some comfort (which I don’t believe he did…that man’s feelings died with Joanna).
Oh, and I kind of like the Ghost as the Horn of Winter theory. Not in a magical sense, like his howl actually breaks down the wall….but what if the noise itself stood in for the sound of the horn? It could cause chaos, the wall gets broken, etc. It could happen. Maybe.
Alright, time for my first bit of constructive criticism – I like the re-reads, but find it a bit confusing that you guys tend to jump around in your discussion to things that aren’t occurring in the chapter you’re reading. Like half your discussion of Dany’s chapter was about her son’s death many chapters later. It’s sort of causing me to mix up the order of things. Also, haha, we all know that most of you don’t like Bran, but it wouldn’t hurt to go more in-depth for his chapters. Not all of your listeners think that he’s a whiny little bitch.
That aside, great job guys!
Nov 10th, 2008
DocBean
I have to agree with Chase (was it Chase?) whoever it was, that said they didn’t like Dany. I couldn’t stand her chapters, I hated that they kept taking me away from the main storyline.
She’s grown on me now, and without throwing out a spoiler, I think I’ll like her chapters a lot more now that my second favorite character will be involved in them.
as for my favorite non-main character – Dolorus Edd
Nov 11th, 2008
DocBean
If any of you have never heard the Dolorus Edd lines in the audio books, you should give them a try. They’re another reason why I hope Roy Dotrice will be available for Dance with Dragons, he does a great job matching a voice to Edd.
Nov 11th, 2008
Jill
I know we’re doing AGOT right now, but does anyone else find Arya boring in AFFC?
Nov 11th, 2008
Anthony S
Yea I didn’t enjoy Arya’s chapters as much as the previous books. There is no more adventure just her growing up. They are important chapters though its all simple character development.
As for Dany, I wasn’t really a fan of her until Storm of Swords. She didn’t do anything important herself until she frees slaves. That’s when her chapters start getting better for me.
Nov 11th, 2008
Chase
I especially liked her chapters in AFFC. Despite the fact that they weren’t as “action packed” as the previous ones, I really liked the Braavosi setting and seeing some of the bizarre workings of the Faceless temple. Her training and identity crises were some of my favorite parts.
Nov 11th, 2008
jude
I agree with Chase. Arya’s come a long way…instead of just running around with Gendry and Hot Pie and getting kidnapped for ransom all the time, she’s actually going in another direction. Her family is dead (or so she thinks) and she’s trying to make it on her own, even though I don’t see the Faceless Men thing really working out for her. The issue with her identity is interesting, and so is temple, but somehow I don’t think she’s ready for it.
Nov 12th, 2008
John
Amazing news guys. If you haven’t already been to Not a Blog, go there now. My fingers are crossed that the pilot ep will be awesome!!
Nov 12th, 2008
PestilencE
Awesome news!
Nov 12th, 2008
oxmix
Here is my theory on the Dany lovers and Dany haters.
The Dany chapters are written in a romance novel style. If you like bodice-rippers, you will like the Dany chapters.
Nov 12th, 2008
DocBean
Nothing says romance novel like eunuchs killing babies in front of their mothers!!! Danielle Steel here I come!
Nov 14th, 2008
Anonymous
For some reason whenever I conjure an image of Alister Thorne it always ends up with John C. McGinley. He has a drill sargeants square head and an attitude to match.
Nov 26th, 2008
Derek
but John C. McGinley is awesome and hilarious, while Allister is suck a prick
Feb 2nd, 2009
Danielle
At the moment, I can’t remember why Brynden doesn’t marry, but I think it was Mimi who said “why was he called the Blackfish?” and it’s because when he and Hoster had a fight when Catelyn was little, Hoster said something about how Brynden was the black sheep of the family and he said Brynden said well since our sigil is the fish, I guess that means i’m a blackfish and took it as his personal sigil from then on. It’ll be in one of the upcoming chapters you guys will discuss within the next podcast or two, I believe (if I’m counting the chapters correctly…I just passed that chapter a little while ago in my own re-read)
Dec 2nd, 2008
Derek
lmao Chase
I love the Dany hating
we need an I Hate Dany fanclub
Feb 2nd, 2009
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