The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF) – Details, episodes & analysis

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Victarion Greyjoy follows Moqorro’s advice and gains many victories. He believes that he is now blessed by two gods. Simon and Mackelly wonder if poly-religiosity is frowned upon by the deities.

Chapter Review:
Victarion Greyjoy is advised by Moqorro where to sail. Repeatedly the red priest comes up with the goods and the Iron Fleet swells with each captured vessel. Victarion emulates his intended (well intended by him) Daenerys Targaryen by freeing the galley slaves. They still have to row, but now as freemen.

The captured captains don’t do so well. Particularly those who tell him that Daenerys is dead or that he is a fool - well the Drowned God needed some offerings.

Moqorro inspects the dragon horn that Euron gave to Victarion. The priest can read the runes and explains that the horn will bind the dragon to the master of the horn, but that he must establish that mastership with blood.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Victarion Greyjoy - Younger brother of Euron Greyjoy, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet.
Euron Greyjoy - King of the Iron Islands.
Daenerys Targaryen - Queen of Meereen, wanted as bride by Euron Greyjoy to allow him to claim the Iron Throne.
Moqorro - Red priest of R’hllor. Recently shipwrecked from the Selaesori Qhoran.
Dusky woman - Unnamed and tongueless slave given to Victarion by Euron before the journey. 
Meereen - Largest city on Slaver’s Bay.
Isle of Cedars - Island at the mouth of Slaver’s Bay.

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Asha Greyjoy watches a preview of her own possible gruesome fate, listens as Stannis’ army argues over their best course of action, and has a most unexpected reunion. Mackelly and Simon must remember their names.

Chapter Review:
Asha Greyjoy stands, cold and hungry, as the Queen’s Men chain four naked men to poles before setting the men on fire. The condemned men’s crime was cannibalism. Asha isn’t surprised. The lords and knights have access to horse meat and a warm longhall. The smallfolk are left to starve and freeze. King Stannis attends with Arnolf Karstark at his side. After the show is over, Ser Clayton Suggs asks Asha if she enjoyed watching her own fate play out? He’s chased off by Aly Mormont and Ser Justin Massey.

After Justin escorts Asha to the longhall for dinner, she eats horsemeat while noticing the clear divide between King Stannis’ army. The northmen sit on one side while the southrons sit on the other. When Justin begins to argue with the others about the best path forward, Arnolf says if they march on Winterfell they will defeat Bolton’s army within a moon’s turn. Justin disagrees, and when his courage is called into question, he storms out of the hall.

Asha follows him out but is immediately lost in the snow. She’s once again accosted by Suggs. However, they’re distracted by the sound of horses. Out of the snow and night comes a band of riders. After a tense few moments, Tris Botley bends his knee in front of her. He and several other Iron Born were ransomed by Tycho Nestoris, who urgently needs to speak with King Stannis. When the Braavosi banker realizes who Asha is, he says he brought her a gift. He presents an old man and a young woman. Asha is confused until the old man calls her sister.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Asha Greyjoy - princess of the Iron Islands.
Stannis Baratheon - Claimant to the Iron Throne, as Cersei's children aren't Robert's.
Justin Massey - Knight of the Crownlands.
Clayton Suggs - Knight and Queen’s Man.
Arnolf Karstark - Castellan of Karhold, sworn to King Stannis.
Tycho Nestoris - Envoy of the Iron Bank of Braavos.

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Jon negotiates terms with Tormund, introduces Val to Queen Selyse, and not for the first time tries to convince his underlings of the true meaning of their vows and the sanity of his plans. Simon and Mackelly try to shake the feeling that it is Groundhog day, again.

Chapter Review:
Lord Commander Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane discuss terms for Tormund’s band of roughly four thousand free folk to pass through the Wall at Castle Black. After much arguing and threats of violence, Tormund finally agrees. His band won’t be happy with the concessions, including forfeiture or any valuables and 100 boys at wards of the Night’s Watch. They will meet again in three days to begin the process of transitioning south of the Wall.

Jon rides with Val back to Castle Black. She wants to continue helping with the relocation of the free folk. Jon takes her to meet Queen Selyse Baratheon. Selyse is happy Jon secured the deal with the wildlings, but becomes angry when she learns there was no mention of bending the knee or taking R’hllor as their god. Val says if they are made to kneel the free folk will rise, blades in hand.

Outside the tower, Val comments on Princess Shireen’s greyscale. She calls it grey death and says the girl is already dead. She wants her nephew Little Monster away from the girl. A shocked Jon says he’ll try. Val says he’d better succeed. He owes her.

Jon meets a group of Night’s Watch leaders and two wildling chiefs atop the Wall. Jon explains the situation with the wildlings relocating. The men push back on every detail of Jon’s plan. How will we feed them? What about the Weeper? How will you keep them at the Wall? Will you train the wards in combat? Jon’s answers are unsatisfactory, and Marsh says Jon is committing treason. Jon gives his brothers their assignments and can’t help but think of Melisandre’s warning of daggers in the dark.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Queen Selyse Baratheon - Queen to King Stannis.
Val - Sister to Mance Rayder’s wife Dalla.
Tormund Giantsbane - Leader of a large group of free folk.
Bowen Marsh - Lord Steward at Castle Black.
Othell Yarwyck - First Builder at Castle Black.
Clydas - Acting maester at Castle Black.
Torghen Flint - Leader of House Flint of the nor

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Asha tries to bring her mother’s family to her aid in gaining the Seastone Chair. But she  hadn’t heard of her uncle Aeron’s call to a Kingsmoot. She thinks she can win by force of reason, but her family think that uncle Euron’s wealth and magic might prevail. Mackelly and Simon rattle Nagga’s bones.

Chapter Review
Asha Greyjoy is on Harlaw, the wealthiest and most populous of the Iron Islands. Her mother was a Harlaw, and their Lord Rodrik has called his bannermen to support Asha’s claim to the Seastone Chair. There are many, but Asha’s knows deep down that there aren’t enough.

She arranges for her captives, the Glovers, to be treated with respect and her men to be properly fed. She then seeks out her uncle who, as is his wont, is reading. Rodrik tells her of Aeron’s plan to host a Kingsmoot on Great Wyk. This is news to Asha. Euron will go, there is no word from Victarion. She believes she can convince the captains, as the only descendent of Balon. But Rodrik warns her not to go. They’ll never accept a woman, Euron has already moved to bribe and intimidate the captains, and the history of Kingsmoots suggests that the losers don’t get to leave in one piece.

She takes her leave, knowing that despite his protestations, her uncle will be there. She meets Tristifer Botley, a childhood friend. He professes his love for her, but she denies it. He’s saving himself for her, she’s doing nothing of the sort. He’s a lord now, worthy of her hand. But she tells him no. When he grabs at her, her knife is at his throat before he can blink. She’s not his wife, she’s his queen.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Asha Greyjoy - Daughter of King Balon Greyjoy.
Balon Greyjoy - Recently deceased King of the Iron Islands.
Euron Greyjoy - Recently returned brother of Balon.
Victarion Greyjoy - Younger brother of Balon. Last heard of at Moat Calin.
Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy - Youngest brother of Balon. Zealous follower of the Drowned God.
Theon Greyjoy - Brother of Asha, presumed dead in the sack of Winterfell.
Rodrik Harlaw - Asha’s mother’s brother. Lord of Harlaw. Known as, "The Reader."
Tristifer Botley - Former ward of Pyke, childhood friend of Asha.
Ten Towers - Holdfast of House Harlaw.
Old Wyk - Site of Nagga’s Bones and host of the Kingsmoot.

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Sansa considers the two sides of Petyr Baelish’s character. She witnesses Marillion falsely implicating himself in the murder of Lysa Arryn, and Nestor Royce being wooed by Baelish. Simon and Mackelly wonder if these life-lessons are standing her in good stead.

Chapter Review:
Sansa is being kept awake by Marillion’s singing. A problem with those sky-cells being so open. Apparently he’s only got his voice left, as Mord has taken care of several fingers and both eyes. She assumes that when Nestor Royce arrives Marillion will be kept quiet, but Littlefinger says quite the opposite. The singer will be brought before the Keeper of the Gates of the Moon to sing the song that Baelish wants him to. Sansa is worried, but Petyr is relaxed - even if Marillion doesn’t play ball, it is his word against theirs.

Marillion admits to the murder before Royce, his empty sockets bandaged in silk. Littlefinger entertains the High Steward in his solar afterward. There he presents Royce with a hereditary lordship of the Gates of the Moon - elevating him and his descendants at a stroke. The document is signed by the new Lord Protector of the Vale, so Nestor has a very strong reason to back the widower’s claim.

Sansa follows the machinations, and Baelish is impressed - she really is his daughter (only, you know, she isn’t). But he insists that she maintain the ruse, that she is Alayne, Petyr’s natural-born daughter. Even in private. 

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish.
Petyr Baelish - Aspiring Lord Protector of the Vale, widower of Lysa Arryn, former Master of Coin. 
Nestor Royce - Keeper of the Gate of the Moon, head of a lesser branch of the Royce house.
Bronze Yohn Royce - Lord of Runestone and head of House Royce. Most powerful lord of the Vale.
Robert “SweetRobin” Arryn - Eight-year-old Lord of the Vale. Orphaned by his mother’s murder of his father, and his step-father’s murder of his mother. 

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Brienne continues to search for Sansa Stark. None of her leads pan out in Duskendale. But not all is lost, she gets a fancy sigil on her shield. She considers Sansa’s possible alternative locations and gets awfully close to the truth. She discovers that a familiar face (to us) is following her. Simon and Jenny wish Brienne would follow her instincts.

Chapter Review:
Brienne of Tarth arrives in Duskendale; her first official destination on her journey to find Sansa Stark. Her House Lothston shield gives her trouble at the town gate and the guard suggests his sister as an artist to repaint the shield. After dropping the shield off and describing a sigil she’d like to see on it, she makes for the Dun Fort. The lord of the Dun Fort is absent so she is shown to his maester. After reading her letter from King Tommen proving she is on official royal business, the maester reveals she’s not the first to ask about Sansa and Dontos Hollard; more like the 21st.

The maester breaks it to Brienne that Ser Dontos had little ties to Duskendale, as the rest of his family was wiped out years previously. Dejected, Brienne leaves and returns to the inn to wait on her shield. At the inn, she meets a dwarf holy man who tells her of a fool in Maidenpool with two travel companions. It intrigues Brienne enough to consider it as her next stop. The next morning the shield is delivered to her and exceeds her expectations. Brienne heads north up the coast but realizes she’s being followed. She springs a trap on the unwanted company. When she has the man where she wants him, it’s revealed that he’s Podrick Payne, who was hoping that following Brienne would lead him to Tyrion.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark.
Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish.
Dontos Hollard - Knight turned fool. Last seen fleeing with Sansa.
Duskendale - Coastal town in the Crownlands.
House Darklyn - Extinct royal house from Duskendale.

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Jaime might’ve bitten off more than he can chew with standing vigil over his father for seven days and nights. While battling sleep, he recalls his last conversation with Rhaegar Targaryen as well as his recent one with the chief undergaoler. He’s visited by Cersei and again rejects her plea to be Hand of the King. Finally, he brokers a lunch for Cersei and feeds her exact steps to success. Simon and Mackelly wonder if she’ll still muck it up.

Chapter Review:
While Jaime Lannister stands vigil over his father's body, he thinks of how if he’d known that Tyrion was going to kill their father he’d have stopped him. He thinks of the conversation he had with the chief undergaoler of the Red Keep dungeons. He gets the same story Cersei got regarding Rugen, the missing undergaoler. Jaime is furious to learn that the turnkeys who fell asleep the night of Tyrion’s escape were murdered, by order of the queen.

Said queen appears in person, as Jaime stands vigil. She’s dressed as a commoner to escape notice. She says Kevan refused her offer of Hand of the King and that he knows about Jaime and Cersei’s relationship. She begs Jaime to reconsider taking the role of Hand of the King. Jaime again refuses. Again, in no uncertain terms. A furious Cersei stalks off after unleashing a barrage of angry words toward Jaime.

When the sun comes up, mourners again flood the Great Sept of Baelor. Tywin’s body has continued to decay and the odor has intensified greatly. When Queen Cersei and King Tommen approach the corpse, Tommen gags and runs for the door. Jaime goes after him and consoles the little king. Queen Cersei arrives and admonishes her son for embarrassing her. Mace Tyrell is close on her heels. Jaime sets up a lunch between Cersei and Mace, to Cersei’s annoyance. But Jaime explains that it’s an opportunity to send Mace on a task out of the city, where he might get himself killed.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen.
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms.
Tywin Lannister - Lord of Casterly Rock, recently murdered by his son Tyrion.
Kevan Lannister - Brother to Tywin.
Grand Maester Pycelle - Elderly member of the Small Council.

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Busy day for Queen Cersei. She fends off mourners expressing regret and vying for her favor and works to keep the Tyrells off the Small Council. She bonds with Qyburn before finally having a highly contentious dinner with her uncle. Mackelly and Simon are in shock that Kevan went there.

Chapter Review:
Queen Cersei Lannister and King Tommen kneel before her father Tywin’s body. The odor emanating from the late Hand of the King is not missed by those in attendance, so all are glad when the prayers end. Afterward, mourners approach Cersei to express condolences. Falyse Stokeworth offers that if her sister Lollys has a son, they’d like to name him Tywin. Cersei shoots the idea down.  She congratulates Lancel on his betrothal and his new lordship. He’s not thrilled about either. He met with the high septon. Cersei reminds him of the power of silent prayer.

She’s approached by Mace Tyrell. He’s angling to be named Hand of the King, but says his uncle Garth is on his way to King’s Landing to serve as Master of Coin. Cersei has no interest in another Tyrell on the Small Council, so lies and says she’s offered the role to Gyles Rosby. Mace is shocked, but his mother steers him away. Later,  she asks Rosby to be Master of Coin and to act as though it was offered yesterday.

Back in the Red Keep, Qyburn says he's found a gold coin in the missing gaoler Rugen’s chamber. It’s from the Reach, which causes Cersei to question whether the Tyrells were involved in the plot to free Tyrion. Cersei plans to call for the headsman for Gregor Clegane. Qyburn asks to move Gregor to the dungeons, to continue to work with him.

Her uncle Kevan arrives for dinner. Cersei asks him to be Tommen’s Hand of the King. Kevan says he will, if he’s also made King Regent. Cersei is to go back to Casterly Rock. She refuses. Kevan says he’s taking his brother and going home. Tommen has his mother… and his father too.

Characters/Places/Names/Events
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms.
Tywin Lannister - Lord of Casterly Rock, recently murdered by his son Tyrion.
Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen.
Kevan Lannister - Brother to Tywin.
Qyburn - Former Maester, stripped of his chain by the

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Arya arrives in Braavos. Inside the temple of the Many-Faced God, she meets a man who isn’t fooled by her aliases. He tests her on her fear of death, and she passes with flying colors. She hopes to feed a hunger, but it’s not for food. Mackelly and Simon wonder what it is she’s hungry for.

Chapter Review:
Arya Stark, or “Salty” as she’s known by the ship’s crew, sees the lights of Braavos on the eastern horizon. Soon the enormous titan statue that guards the city comes into view. As her ship The Titans Daughter passes underneath, she can see the defenses built into the titan. The ship’s captain Ternesio Terys is all too happy to get rid of Arya, and has his oldest son Yorko row her to land. However, before he lets her go, Ternesio makes sure she knows his name and is aware of the favors he’s done for her.

Yorko provides a comprehensive, if slightly biased, guided tour as he rows her through the canals of Braavos. He leaves her at the stairs to the temple of the Many-Faced God. Arya tries the doors of the temple but they’re locked. She shouts that Jaqen H’ghar sent her, brandishes the iron coin he gave her, and says “valar morghulis.” The doors suddenly open on their own. Inside, she finds statues to many gods as well as several people weeping quietly. A man sits by a pool weeping. Arya gives him a cup of water from the pool and he drinks it. He stands and staggers to an alcove between the statues. Arya notices a stab wound in his gut.

She’s met by a young girl and a man, both in cowed robes. The man asks Arya her name. She tries several of her aliases, but the man isn’t fooled. It’s only when she says she’s Arya Stark of Winterfell that the man is content. He says this is no place for her, but she begs him. She has nowhere to go. He asks if she fears death. When Arya says she doesn't, the man lowers his hood to reveal a skull with a worm in the eye socket. He asks for a kiss, and Arya obliges. She then tries to eat the worm. It disintegrates and the skull turns into the face of a kind man. He asks if she’s hungry. She thinks that she is, but it’s not for food.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Arya Stark - Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark.
Braavos - A free city in Essos.
Titan of Braavos - Huge statue that guards the sea entrance to Braavos.
Multi-Faced God - A god worshiped in Essos.

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Lord Commander Jon Snow sends Sam to Oldtown to earn his maester’s chain. Gilly, her baby, and maester Aemon are to go with him. Simon and Mackelly dream of a warmer future.

Chapter Review:
Samwell is scouring the Castle Black libraries for information on the Others. Pickings are surprisingly slim. He’s tired and hungry so he heads up to the castle. In the yard, he’s met by Edd, Grenn, and Pyp. Jon wants to see him.

The guys think that Jon is too good for them now he’s Lord Commander, but Sam defends his friend - he does have a lot on his plate. First order of business is rebuilding the stairs up the Wall, and training every single brother in archery.

Sam meets Gilly at Jon’s door. She’s upset and he’s clumsy in her presence. Within, Jon tells Sam that she was begging for Mance’s life on behalf of Val, but Mance’s crimes are unforgivable even if Stannis and Melisdanre didn’t have an eye on Mance’s royal blood for their magic. Jon wants Sam to take Gilly, her baby, and Maester Aemon to Oldtown. There Sam is to earn his chain as Aemon’s replacement. Sam is conflicted - he wanted to be a maester but his father forbad it. At dawn the next day, they ride toward Eastwatch, with Aemon and a tearful Gilly in a wayn.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Samwell Tarly - Bother of the Night’s Watch, friend to John Snow. Slayer of Others.
Stannis Baratheon - Claimant to the Iron Throne.
Gilly - Daughter of Craster. Beloved of Samwell.
Jon Snow - New Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Melisandre - Priestess of R’Hellor, advisor to King Stannis.
Maester Aemon - 102-year-old maester of the Night’s Watch. 

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