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J. R. R. Tolkien vs George R. R. Martin. Epic Rap Battles of History
Don’t know how I missed this before but it’s so very nerdy I had to share. Thanks to Sable Aradia for the tip.
Red Wedding Reax Round Up
Okay, we waited a week to make this post, so we think we’re out of the most egregious parts of spoiler territory, and besides, WWEnd is a community of readers. Many of us have known about the Red Wedding for 13 years. That said, if you haven’t seen last week’s episode and haven’t read the books, go correct that error and then come back.
Whenever I come across a plot point in Game of Thrones, the first thing that goes through my mind is “where did that come from?” It’s impossible to look at the broad strokes in Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire without recognizing The War of the Roses right away, but elements of this series are, in fact, cherry-picked from many different parts of history: ancient, medieval and modern. So when I experienced the Red Wedding I immediately wanted to know where Martin lifted that particular atrocity. Entertainment Weekly asked that very thing last week in their interview with the author. He answered:
The Red Wedding is based on a couple real events from Scottish history. One was a case called The Black Dinner. The king of Scotland was fighting the Black Douglas clan. He reached out to make peace. He offered the young Earl of Douglas safe passage. He came to Edinburgh Castle and had a great feast. Then at the end of the feast, [the king’s men] started pounding on a single drum. They brought out a covered plate and put it in front of the Earl and revealed it was the head of a black boar — the symbol of death. And as soon as he saw it, he knew what it meant. They dragged them out and put them to death in the courtyard. The larger instance was the Glencoe Massacre. Clan MacDonald stayed with the Campbell clan overnight and the laws of hospitality supposedly applied. But the Campbells arose and started butchering every MacDonald they could get their hands on. No matter how much I make up, there’s stuff in history that’s just as bad, or worse.
George R. R. Martin Responds to Critics
Didn’t like last week’s episode of Game of Thrones? Martin has a few words for the fans.
Game of Thrones Remix
I saw this over on Topless Robot and had to share it here. This is a hip hop remix of the Game of Thrones theme from Dominik Omega and The Arcitype. Its just about the coolest nerdiest thing I’ve ever heard. I particularly like the line "instead of spitting lies i use my imp-like mind and never back down i am The Mountain That Rhymes".
Power resides where men believe it resides.
Game of Thrones season 2 starts tonight! Watch it and come back here and let us know what you think.
Game of Thrones Season 2 Trailer: Let all true men declare their loyalty.
I am totally stoked for season 2! The shit is really going to hit the fan now. I hope we’ll get more than 10 episodes this season. The story is just too big.
The new season starts in April so there is still time to catch up on your reading: A Song of Ice and Fire.
