Don't know why there was no entry for comments on that episode. First: Good episode, well done Kyle and Amin. I like the format in which you include poster-comments into your reread.

Second: I found clarification for one of your questions. You wondered how it is with Maester Aemon and his vows (is it possible and stuff).

Your answer can be found here:
http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P90/



So if you are a maester and want to "end" your career in an healthy cold environment, just head on to the wall Because afterwards you can not change to another household.

As for Aemon's career at the Nightswatch: I think the situation a few years ago was not better than now. Remember: AT the moment Jon could have two maesters: the one from Eastwatch or the one from Shadowtower - both do not fit, nevertheless - they have 2 maesters for 3 castles and Jon prepares for a long wait (Sam has to be trained). So if some maester would step up and say: I take the black they surely would take him.

I wonder if Sam needs to or can take Maester vows? Since he is already bound to the Night's Watch, which seems the more restrictive set of vows.

I always thought that the Maesters vows were simply highlighting their willingness to serve, and as such would run parallel to the vows of the Night's Watch.

I think that does not matter. Either way - both are sworn to chastity (at least to take no wife and father no children). And both are sworn to serve the realm. The NW by protecting the northern boundary, the maesters by councelling lords and very often - heal the people.

From an interesting (and old) interview chat, in relation to long winters in Essos (which came up during this podcat)
http://web.archive.org/web/200010052121 ... 31899.html

xaosx Mr Martin, why does Westeros seem the only place effected by the Others and the long winters? The other parts of the world seem not to care.
George_RR_Martin Westeros is not the only place affected, but it's affected most strongly, because it's the only landmass that extends that far north. The other continent is bounded to the north by an icy polar sea.