Season 6, Episode 9 "Battle of the Bastards" Discussion Thread

[Fist of Khonshu]

From Stannis' perspective the Boltons were allied to a usurper regime and were in his way. Even if they had been total sweethearts he was going to plough through them.

 

[Unbreakable Lex]

What's the chances some of the houses aligned with the Bolton's have a change of heart when they see the Starks on the other side?

 

[Fist of Khonshu]

Some think the Umbers will turn maybe as the battle begins ala the Irish in Braveheart. And Littlejon did refuse to swear fealty to Ramsay. However, delivering Rickon to him says a lot about his lack of loyalty to the Starks, and then there's his ancestral hatred for the wildlings. I don't see him suddenly fighting alongside them or forgiving Jon for letting them settle in lands adjacent to his own.

 

[TJByrum]

What's the chances some of the houses aligned with the Bolton's have a change of heart when they see the Starks on the other side?

Yeah, like they approach and are like "the North remembers" and then join their ranks

 

[Unbreakable Lex]

Yeah, like they approach and are like "the North remembers" and then join their ranks

Right, or just ride off.

 

[Unbreakable Lex]

Some think the Umbers will turn maybe as the battle begins ala the Irish in Braveheart. And Littlejon did refuse to swear fealty to Ramsay. However, delivering Rickon to him says a lot about his lack of loyalty to the Starks, and then there's his ancestral hatred for the wildlings. I don't see him suddenly fighting alongside them or forgiving Jon for letting them settle in lands adjacent to his own.

What if seeing Wun Wun makes them think the other stories are true too. I [BLACKOUT]think something happens besides just the Knights showing up[/BLACKOUT]. Those photos look to damning for something dramatic not to happen.

 

[Fist of Khonshu]

Well they did send ravens to other houses like the Manderlys

Spoiler

who will probably show up fashionably late. The Manderlys are in White Harbor which is on the southeast coast and the other end of the continent from where they were recruiting, so it probably took some time for this house to receive the letter, deliberate the matter, muster a force together, and then travel.

I think the Reeds (Meera's clan) might also send a token force because Howland and Ned were close friends. Left of Ned in this pic:

This would also bring the one living character who was present at the Tower of Joy into the picture to support the eventual 'Big Reveal'.

 

[Fist of Khonshu]

Map of the North:

The Knights' of the Vale last known position was at Moat Cailin when Sansa gave Littlefinger the big finger at their clandestine Molestown meeting in episode 5. After Sansa's rejection, they either turned around and went back to the Vale, or they remained in a holding pattern as Baelish perhaps decided to wait for the outcome and the potential for mopping up.

[BLACKOUT]Note also the locations of White Harbor and Greywater Watch, the seats of Houses Manderly and Reed.[/BLACKOUT]

Jon is marching on Winterfell from the north.[BLACKOUT] If these houses are joining the battle they will have to approach as a separate force(s) from the south...or even united with the Vale army.[/BLACKOUT]

 

[Victarion]

There was a casting call for a fat Northern Lord. So I expect to see Wyman somewhere in this fight.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[ComicChick]

Looking back, will we ever see Illyrio Mopatis again?

he's hanging out with Gendry

 

[Reek]

With Varys heading to [blackout] Dorne [/blackout] ... I doubt we will see Illyrio again unless he just happens to be there too

 

[Brother Jack]

Some think the Umbers will turn maybe as the battle begins ala the Irish in Braveheart. And Littlejon did refuse to swear fealty to Ramsay. However, delivering Rickon to him says a lot about his lack of loyalty to the Starks, and then there's his ancestral hatred for the wildlings. I don't see him suddenly fighting alongside them or forgiving Jon for letting them settle in lands adjacent to his own.

I hope this happens because it would be more interesting than having yet another house betray the Starks, but yeah, I don't think it'll go that way. Osha's death kind of killed that idea.

 

[ComicChick]

sometimes i wonder if the whole turning Rickon thing in was still a ruse. yeah, i know they killed Shaggydog, but i wonder if they believed it was a necessary evil for the endgame.

 

[Fist of Khonshu]

With Varys heading to [blackout] Dorne [/blackout] ... I doubt we will see Illyrio again unless he just happens to be there too

Syrio = Illyrio, new theory. Both from Essos, both are male, similar rhyming names, both have beards, both have telepathy, neither character matters, both appeared on Game of Thrones... and that's just for starters!

 

[Reek]

you won me over with telepathy...

CC... I don't want to spoil you . but definitely looks like the Umbers are fighting for the Boltons in the trailer... Not a ruse IMO... could have been.. i had a theory it was and that Shaggydog actually died protecting them or something and they used that as a trick.

 

[ComicChick]

i havent seen the trailer

but eh, it is what it is.
in that map above, what's in Skagos? or who lives there? anything someone who hasn't read the books would recognize?

 

[Reek]

Nope... its filled with cannibals and is the place Rickon goes to in the books, IIRC

 

[Reek]

HAHAHAHA ****ing wrong thread

 

[Marvolo]

And didnt the writers or one of the directors outright say that the Umbers are opportunists and not pulling off a ruse?

 

[Charlatan]

Eighty-six hours of film were reportedly shot over the course of a month for the battle scenes, and much of it is quite graphic.

 

[TJByrum]

That's a lot of hours for an hour long episode.

 

[Filmfan93]

With Varys heading to [blackout] Dorne [/blackout] ... I doubt we will see Illyrio again unless he just happens to be there too

How do you know he is heading for [BLACKOUT]Dorne[/BLACKOUT]? I don't think he mentioned where he was going. Also, what does he plan on doing there?

 

[Charlatan]

What if seeing Wun Wun makes them think the other stories are true too. I [BLACKOUT]think something happens besides just the Knights showing up[/BLACKOUT]. Those photos look to damning for something dramatic not to happen.

Spoiler

Maybe they turn when/if Ramsay kills Rickon in some horrible fashion?

 

[Fist of Khonshu]

How do you know he is heading for [BLACKOUT]Dorne[/BLACKOUT]? I don't think he mentioned where he was going. Also, what does he plan on doing there?

He stated that Dany needs allies in Westeros. His little birds are doubtlessly keeping him abreast of major political developments in Westeros[BLACKOUT]such as the recent coup in Dorne by Ellaria who hates the Lannisters and wants war against the Crown. Plus they need ships badly and Dorne has a navy that can help ferry the Dothraki et al. across the Narrow Sea. [/BLACKOUT]So spoiler intel aside, it doesn't take much to deduce his destination.