Poetic.
Like the inevitability of war breaking out in in the Seven Kingdoms, spoilers are coming.
Ian McShane once said that Game of Thrones was only about “tits and dragons,” but as colourful as that description is, it doesn’t exactly cover the sprawling series of events that were chronicled in A Song of Fire and Ice.
We all know that there are extensive theories, vast histories, complex character arcs and labyrinthine plots to be navigated, but one of the coolest things about George R.R Martin’s saga is how your perception of characters can change over time.
For example, we were led to believe that Robert’s Rebellion was virtuous, noble and entirely justified.
At the time, Robert believed that Rhaegar Targaryen had abducted and raped his betrothed, Lyanna Stark. Granted, the Mad King’s decision to execute Ned Stark’s father and brother ensured that conflict was inevitable, but Lyanna and Rhaegar genuinely loved each other.
As Bran said in his most recent vision, “Robert’s Rebellion was built on a lie.”
Another facet to this shifting view of events in Westeros was the revelation that Jon Snow is, A) a legitimate Targaryen and, B) the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
Bearing this development in mind, doesn’t this make Robert’s blood lust and desire to kill every single Targaryen appear to be something that a ruthless, evil and viscous tyrant would do?
See, things are never black and white.
To quote a line from The Empire Strikes Back “many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view” and this is remarkably true in Game of Thrones.
One such person that’s probably evaluating their life choices – from beyond the grave – is Ser Alliser Thorne, the Master-at-Arms at Castle Black and Jon Snow’s nemesis during his time with the Night’s Watch.
As we know, Ser Alliser always hated Jon Snow and ultimately led the fatal mutiny against the 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
In case you need a reminder, after the massacre at Hardhome, Jon lets the wildlings through the Wall on the promise that they’ll fight alongside the Northern forces against the Night King in the wars to come.
Given the fact that a core group of soldiers at the Night’s Watch feel that the wildlings have always been their true enemy, they’re angry, upset and vengeful at Jon’s decision.
Ultimately, Thorne rallies a band of crows to defy and murder their Lord Commander in cold blood.
‘For the watch’ – three words that still deeply resonate with every Game of Thrones fan .
After Jon is resurrected, Thorne is arrested and later hanged for his treason.
Even though Ser Alliser is dead, there’s a bitter and poetic irony in how he behaved towards Jon Snow during his time at the Wall.
Before ‘taking the black’, Thorne was a sworn supporter of House Targaryen and he fought on their side during Robert’s Rebellion.
After the Mad King was killed and usurped, Ser Alliser was faced with a choice. Like many of the other Targaryen loyalists, he had to choose between execution or joining the Night’s Watch. He chose the latter.
As we now know, during his time at the Wall, Ser Alliser bullied, degraded and murdered the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, Aegon Targaryen – better known as Jon Snow.
Ser Allsier was prepared to “take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory” to defend the honour of House Targaryen.
Isn’t it wonderfully ironic that he treated the rightful Targaryen heir with such hatred?
If you absolutely despised Ser Alliser then this news might make you a bit happier.
