Which Night’s King theory? There’s more than one. I think it’s likely that there’s some weird connection between the Starks and the Others, but some theories seem overly elaborate and not really set up. Martin plays with tropes, but he does stick to certain kinds of narrative conventions.

I agree with a lot of this, but I don’t think there will be an iron throne at the end of this. I think ASOIAF is about leaving behind the endless Middle Ages of Westeros and moving into a more modern period. I suppose Dany could end up as sort of transitional ruler—she’s better suited for it than Jon, who really is…

Yeah, it doesn’t really make sense for her book plot arc. Martin spends a lot of time on Dany making rookie mistakes and slowly learning to lead.

I’d also be surprised if the rendition of the Azor prophecy was that literal. I don’t expect Jon and Dany to end up in an incestuous happily ever after, but Martin’s too…

Did you know you can get thrown in jail for being rude to a judge? Ever notice that if you want real change, you need to change the laws of the land and make sure they’re upheld?

I’ve read more than one self-righteous rant lately about the importance of being loud and rude. I just kind of shake my head because knowing…

Similar concern here—Occupy had such energy, but there was no end game.

But if it’s 12 days and more than a few people, it should keep Charlottesville in people’s minds and what happened there. Trump and co. love to distract people and keep them unfocused.

Well, only if you don’t understand what she was doing.

Really? Because I hear a hell of a lot of whining from Bernie Bros. Guess it depends which side you’re on. But the argument’s hardly been one-sided.

Sarsour was a big reason why the Women’s March, which was conceived by a Hillary Clinton supporter, did not honor Hillary Clinton.

I don’t like anyone being threatened the way Sarsour has been, but I also think she’s a self-righteous and self-serving bitch.

Really? Because I read an interview with her where she said she wasn’t. That she’d checked out the local GLB (no T at the time) group at college and had decided that, no, that wasn’t quite it. She said she was basically a hermit.

So, I’m curious about information to the contrary.

Wasn’t wild about last week’s review—but this one was a total winner.

The no-food is a puritan white people thing—though clearly not a George RR Martin thing.

Isn’t that for Carter to say? He appreciated the note enough to call Owens about it. I’d be surprised if he feels particularly burdened by Owens’ apology. I doubt it made his day worse.

Did the apology make a difference to Carter’s life? Doubtful, and, yes, it meant far more to Owens than to Carter. But being able to…

Think it’s going to backfire—particularly now that Bran’s around and he really does know everything.

Since when has that stopped them?

Which is weird because in the book we see Jorah, Tyrion and several other Westerosi captured and sold into slavery—making it clear that slavery is not race-based, but opportunistic. If your boat is captured, you’re sold into slavery.

No. I’m pointing that the Bible, which is an old document (set of documents) has multiple references to slavery in areas around the Mediterranean. I’m not claiming anything about its truth, but it’s quite clear that the concept of slavery was known in the area.

There are plenty of primary sources that discuss slavery…

Thing is, Sansa is not even near Ramsay Bolton, let alone raped by him. It took a lot of plot twisting to put Sansa in that position. That’s what bugs book readers.

Brava. I enjoy the show, but it’s got that whole Chosen One thing going on—Jon Snow’s not just any bastard, he’s secret royal blood. White blood.

So you’re saying all those references to slavery in the Bible were just about a made-up concept that no one ever practiced?

Look, you dug yourself into a hole in this one. There are a lot of primary sources on slavery in the ancient and not so ancient world.

The Greeks had slaves. The Romans had slaves. The Egyptians had slaves. The Turks had slaves.

What Mediterranean are you talking about?

This blog is being linked to on several other sites, such as Gizmodo/i09—that’s why you’re seeing comments by non-POC.