The Paddock

You should google the redhead Molly Shaw. Mmmmm

Combed through this thread, and it appears everyone who has been posting has finished the books. If not, then skip over this one. It's nice to find a good thread with some excellent thoughts on the books/show.

I think the drama Martin built up in this book has been great. This whole time you have all this fighting over the throne, yet as the readers, you know the real threat is coming from the North. So as they are decimating their armies fighting each other, who will remain to fend off the WW, and their numbers will be ridiculous if they make it south where all the fighting has happened. I think that will be Dany's role, and will be her eventual ascension to the throne as she saves the 7 kingdoms from the Horde.

A few key characters I haven't seen you all mention who I think will play key roles. There's just so much to talk about and consider it is almost overwhelming.

Gendry - a lot was made of him in the books early on, he was important to Ned, so I think that automatically gives him key role in the books, plus he had befriended Arya. So I think we will see more of him, at first it seemed like Martin was setting him up to eventually get the throne, but I don't think that anymore. What his role will be exactly, I am not sure. Remember Baratheons are cousins to Targaryens. If Stannis is killed, he will basically be the last male Baratheon that I know of. Could be instrumental - plus he has already befriended Arya - and she is obviously going to have a major role in whatever happens. I think that whole Arya/Gendry connection was put in there for a reason. Add: I forgot he does have a younger brother. Edric I think is his name.

Euron - He will have a dragon at some point. The devastation that will follow when he steals one of Dany's dragons with his horn...... man.... that is going to be bad for all the characters we care about. He is ruthless.

Bran- I don't think he ever leaves that cave, he is obviously going to take the place of the seer that is there now. I believe he will control one of the dragon's. Which one I have no idea, maybe he will take over the one that Euron controls, thus leading to the end of Euron.

Jamie will kill Cersei, I think that is a little bit obvious now. I also believe, he will give Brienne a baby before he meets his end. Nothing to back that up, but that's what I think happens. Maybe her and the new child will replace the current Lannister's. Her child would be next in line, maybe they even marry to make it official, so it's not a bastard. I think all of Jamie and Cersei's children die, before she is killed, just to completely ruin her. That is why I'm thinking Jamie will give Brienne a child to rule over Castlery Rock (sp?) . I also think Tyrion will die. Just seems like something Martin would do.

It almost feels, that the 7 kingdoms are at a place now, that I'm not sure who would even be able to put up a fight against Dany when she comes. I could see the Martell's siding with her. They are at full strength, as well as the Vale. I don't know what is going to happen with them, they will not follow Littlefinger for long, so who knows how that plays out.

We know that the horn still exists that can bring down the wall. That wall will come down IMO. The WW's will push south.

Who can stand up to them? The north has been devastated by the war, as well as the Westerlands (Lannisters), and I don't know if more than 5 guys with swords still live in the Riverlands.

Dorne has a strong force, as well as the Tyrell's, and the Vale under Littlefinger, but who knows how long they will allow him to call the shots.

I think the Tyrell's and the Vale will face the full brunt of Euron's rage.

I just don't think Dany will win the throne. Martin has said publicly that we will be surprised about who ends up there. That could mean a character we don't expect or nobody at all. Will be interesting to see that play out.

Well just to get you ready for the end you should know Martin also has said the end will be very bittersweet. I see that as meaning who we expect to win the throne saves the day and either dies or has some other responsibility that keeps them from sitting the throne.

Also, just to throw this out there Dany is one character arch that has been fairly consistent in that she's tried to do good and be a good person. The caveat is she has shown signs of Targ insanity. For example, nailing all those people to the walls and wondering to herself if she's going crazy when Quaithe comes to her in her dreams in Meereen. I very well could see her arch take a turn from good to evil or a more grey area. She's very much been the opposite of Cersei.

My reasoning for that is besides the two characters mentioned above every other major character has gone through some major struggle with their identity. Jon, Jamie, Arya, Sansa, Bran, and the list goes on. Yes Dany has to an extent early with the Dathraki and such, but not quite the same IMO. Plus, it's pretty obvious to me at least the Dragons are going to end up evil and must die. They're untamed, Drogon has eaten a kid as far as we know, and Rhaegal roasted Quentyn. I do think the dragons will be a major force against the Others but in the end they'll turn IMO.

Something else to think about is what do the Others actually want? Besides the GOT prologue and Sam's encounter I believe all we've seen are Wights. No White Walkers other than those two occurrences. Could they be less evil than we've been led to believe? We shall see because we will see the Land of Always Winter in the next book. I'm very interested to see who takes us there and I'm hoping it's the trio of Val, Jon, and Ghost.

Despite all the unDead characters, which has gotten old, I would think it be pretty cool for Robb to be raised as a wight with a wolf head and Arya or Jon having to chop it off.