On The Throne-Small Council

Published May 1, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Hello,

Following up on my below e-mail. I was wrong and have eaten my Crow.

When I first watched the episode, I was annoyed. To me the story did not make any sense, it fell short. If the NK was just a mini-boss, the victory should have been decisive. The battle should have been a demonstration of Danny and Jon’s strength and ability to lead setting up for major battle at or around KL. But it was not, it fell well short. I found that a lot of the internet agrees.

After I put my elitist attitude behind me I re-watched the episode and loved it. The episode did not meet MY expectations of what it should be initially but after re-watching it, amazing.

One point I want to make about Sam. The episode portrayed Sam exactly the way he should have been portrayed. Sam’s entire life he was taught that honor is found on the battlefield, fighting and wielding a sword. From his asshole father to taking the Black. So Sam was doing what he has been told was honorable his entire life, fighting and protecting, or trying to protect, those he cared about.

Later we learn from Sansa that the most honorable thing those that could not fight could do was accept that they could not do anything. Was to accept the truth. Sam couldn’t accept that truth because it was not what has been beaten into him his entire life. He thought honor was in joining the battle when honor here would have been Sam going into the crypts. Sam failed, again, to be honorable. That to me is the story of Sam.Failure to accept his strengths and find honor in said strengths even though he has contributed to the overall cause when using said strengths.

Still regret I didn’t start listening earlier.

Great work.

T.B., Esq.

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