Here is how I see the breakdown of Theon's story

EP1 Catelyn's POV, Robb wants to send an emissary to Balon, Catelyn says anyone but Theon.
EP2 Theon POV (his first chapter), Theon bangs the captains daughter and arrives at Pyke flirts his sister, Theon meets Balon, Balon rejects Robb's offer
EP3 "What Is Dead May Never Die" = Invasion. Asha is given Deepwood Motte, Darmar and Theon are left to raid.


I agree with Ep4 and 5's interpretation. Ep6 is over halfway through the 2nd book. Im thinking it wont have anything to do with Mel. They will burn the Seven in the first episode to establish her character and the apostasy of Stannis' followers. Oh and Lightbringer was forged in the fires of the Seven. Plus the Old Gods are not that far south, so Im guessing it will be about Dany, Jon or Sansa.

could be sansa and ser dontos meeting in the godswood for the first time? i don't remember when that happened

The Sansa/Dontos is a solid probability. I cant remember if she starts holding the New Gods but the godswoods is where she is free from spies. (Well she does take refuge in the Sept of Baelor when the battle occurs, idk if that counts)

Here is an interesting thought, the Tyrells wanted to take Sansa back to Highgarden in book 3, well guess what. Who was the Lannister's emissary to Highgarden? Petyr Baelish.

Margarey is only a "virgin" in the books by her own claim. She actually is "examined" after the accusations about her infidelity and found not to be a virgin. It really doesn't affect the storyline if she does or does not have sex with Renly, unless she became pregnant which wouldn't seem likely.

So, I'm on yet another reread of the series, and I just got through the Knight of the Laughing Tree story in ASoS. Something occured to me when I was reading the story of the Harrenhal Tourney without any names.

Why did Benjen Stark take the black?

i don't know if it's ever confirmed, but i'd imagine it's a combination of a couple things

-benjen is the youngest of three brothers and really had nothing to inherit
-as Ned says in the show, Starks have manned the wall for thousands of years

he probably did it for the same reason Jon did, to find glory and uphold the honor of his house in his own way

Yeah...except Jon did it because he was a ******* and there was no place for him at King's Landing, and Catelyn definitely wasn't going to put up with him.

I don't think the 3rd brother thing has any real legs either. Back in Book 1, they mention that Bran and Rickon would be bannermen for Robb and hold castles in their own rights.

Maybe you are right, and maybe there is nothing there, but I find it odd that there is no mention of why Benjen left, or even when...

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6 The Old Gods and the New - something to do with stannis and mel, i'm guessing

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That is a line that J'quen Hgar says in the godswood to Arya. He swears before the old gods and the new that whatever name she whispers will be killed to fulfill his promise.

This will probably be the episode when harrenhall is taken, as that happens right after that conversation in the godswood.

Lots of speculation out there about Benjen. The easiest explanation is he truly just took the black as the 3rd son and died in Book 1. There is speculation though about whether he was at Harrenhall and had knowledge of R+J. There is speculation as to other reasons for him taking the black. There is speculation about him being Coldhands.

I think we will find out more about him but I don't think he is the key piece. The guy I really want to hear from is Howland Reed, but my guess is that won't happen until Book 7.

Lets clear this up about Benjen: sure he was the third son, but does anyone think he took the black before Robert's Rebellion (before Brandon and Rickard were killed by the Mad King)?

I doubt it. That means Benjen was 1st in line during the rebellion (meaning he was Eddard's heir), Ned was "married" to Catelyn but there is no way Robb was designated heir while in the womb. Lets not forget "there must always be a Stark in Winterfell" meaning Benjen was likely in Winterfell during the Rebellion. (I believe that more than I believe Benjen took the black because that is a Stark tradition).

It could be when Robert won, Ned returned home, saw that he had a boy and Benjen took the black. But I doubt it. While Benjen gets knocked down to 4th in line (behind Robb, Bran and Rickon) he is still a commodity to get married and forge alliances with other houses (even northern houses). Something urged him to the wall, and we see that when Benjen talks to Jon about "you dont know what you'd be giving up." Clearly Benjen didnt commit a crime, or else Ned would be a stick in the ass when Benjen came to Winterfell.

(edit: I wasnt using the term correct, Benjen was 1st in line to Winterfell during Robert's Rebellion)

[This message has been edited by BillOnCapitolHill (edited 3/12/2012 1:48p).]

HBO put out some new videos today, character profiles of Joffery, Dany, and Renly.

The Joffery and Dany ones were meh, not really much we havn't seen before.

The Renly one however is full of interesting bits. Not only is there lots of Margaery in it, it seems they have adjusted the timeline a bit.

It looks like they are focusing heavily on the Renly-Loras connection and it seems that Littlefinger is in the Renly camp before the whole shadow in the tent event. The clip of him conversing with Margaery seems to suggest that hasn't taken place yet.

The new character vids are interesting. They are making the Renly/Loras thing bigger as they did in the first season, I guess it makes interesting TV but personally I think it takes away from the books kind of like the lesbo scene with Littlefinger. There is no shortage of sex already and throwing in the new stuff just kind of makes the show more about sex than the plot.

Loras' connection to Renly is what wins the Battle of Blackwater. Marg is a wife in title only, same for her other husbands. Considering how close the Tyrells are, it seems they know Loras is gay and that Marg would only be a political marriage. And you know what, if they beat the Lannisters, I think they wouldnt mind Marg being queen and Loras still being with King Renly. Just like Robert being surrounded by Lannister's, Renly would be surrounded by Tyrells.

Now that I think about it, Im beginning to appreciate the Loras/Renly scene because there really was no development of Renly wanting the Throne prior to book2. We can all understand Joff, Robb, Balon, and Stannis but Renly is fourth in line behind two kids and a warlord. Without the Loras scene, all we know of Renly is that he fled Ned after Robert died then declared himself a player in S02E01.

quote:

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Lets clear this up about Benjen: sure he was the third son, but does anyone think he took the black before Robert's Rebellion (before Brandon and Rickard were killed by the Mad King)?

I doubt it. That means Benjen was 2nd in line during the rebellion, Ned was "married" to Catelyn but there is no way Robb was designated heir while in the womb. Lets not forget "there must always be a Stark in Winterfell" meaning Benjen was likely in Winterfell during the Rebellion. (I believe that more than I believe Benjen took the black because that is a Stark tradition).

It could be when Robert won, Ned returned home, saw that he had a boy and Benjen took the black. But I doubt it. While Benjen gets knocked down to 4th in line (behind Robb, Bran and Rickon) he is still a commodity to get married and forge alliances with other houses (even northern houses). Something urged him to the wall, and we see that when Benjen talks to Jon about "you dont know what you'd be giving up." Clearly Benjen didnt commit a crime, or else Ned would be a stick in the ass when Benjen came to Winterfell.

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There is a lot of good thought here. And to aggie93: We know he was at Harrenhall from the Knight of the Laughing Tree Story. There were 4 wolves there: the she-wolf, the wild wolf, the quiet wolf, and the young wolf. Although it begs the question of where Rickard Stark was at this time...

The Knight of the Laughing Tree story is telling us a lot about what set the rebellion up, the Rhaegar/Lyanna dimension, the relationship between the Starks and the Reeds, etc. By the end of Book 7/8, we will be able to look back on this, and the various prophesies, and say, "Oh! It's so obvious!" At least, that is my hope. I'd hate for things to be left hanging when it is al said and done. This is one seires where the events that occur beofre the story being told are just as important and compelling as what is acually going on.

Here's some interesting thoughts on the Knight of the Laughing Tree from westeros.org:

quote:

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6.2.6. Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree?
According to Meera, the Knight of the Laughing Tree was, "short of stature, and clad in ill-fitting armor made up of bits and pieces" (III: 283). This limits the possibilities some what, as any one of average or greater height can be immediately ruled out. The mish-mash nature of the armor is not necessarily a clue; it might well indicate that the Knight was someone who had not expected to enter the tournament and thus had to scrounge armor, but it could be someone who purposefully scrounged armor to hide his identity.
Of the candidates, almost all of them are either known to be small or to be quite young. Eddard Stark has been considered, but he was 18 at Harrenhal and seems to have been of average height, which rules him out. The laughing weirwood on the Knight's shield also seems unlike Ned, though it may be an attempt to throw off suspicion. Howland Reed has strong proponents, despite the clear references to the fact that he knew little of jousting, much less of riding horses. Those who support him as the Knight suggest that the green men of the Isle of Faces may have assisted him magically. In a similar vein, it's been suggested that the Knight was in fact a green man, which cannot be refuted for lack of evidence.
Another candidate who has been put forward is Benjen Stark. We know he was present and that he was certainly young enough to be the right size. He also would have had training from an early age in horsemanship and jousting. The mish-mash armor would fit him as well, as he scrounged for pieces of equipment which was likely all too large for him. However, given Benjen's storyline in the series and the way Jojen emphasized how it was strange that Eddard Stark never told this tale to his children (III: 279. 284), it seems difficult to imagine that this fits. In a similar vein, a young Sandor Clegane has been mentioned. Besides the same objection as with Benjen, it's unclear that a young Sandor would have been small enough to be "short of stature". It would also be unlikely for him to settle on an image of a weirwood.
The final, and most popular, possibility is Lyanna Stark herself. She had already acted to defend Howland Reed (III: 281) with a notable fierceness. It's been noted in ASoS that she was a skilled horsewoman (III: 193), and previously Ned noted that she might have carried a sword if Lord Rickard had allowed it (I: 186). ASoS is also the novel where riding at rings -- which was certainly done in preparation for learning how to joust -- is a common pastime for young squires (III: 493). Put together, it has been suggested that Lyanna Stark was allowed to sharpen her horsemanship abilities by riding at rings, giving her at least preliminary training for jousting, which is more than Howland Reed ever had. The scrounged armor needs no explanation, though here some suggest that she had her brother Benjen assist her -- primarily due to the notion that Benjen may have joined the Watch in part to escape his feelings of guilt over what transpired afterwards. While Lyanna-as-the-KoLT would require a great deal of luck to defeat three knights (even though their level of skill is unknown), it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
The mean reason this theory is popular is that it would help to explain what is believed to have happened with Rhaegar. It's explicitly stated that he was ordered by the king to find the Knight. Rhaegar may have done so, but admiring her courage and honor he kept her secret. This would also be an exceptionally good reason for why he crowned her the Queen of Love and Beauty as he did.

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That's a good point on setting up the reasons for why Renly wanted to be King.

Thanks for the clarification on Benjen definitely being at Harrenhall, I was pretty sure he was. Harrenhall is clearly the event that changed everything. Along with what happened at the Tower of Joy it sets up one of the best components of the series, that much of the book is about solving the mystery of what happened before the book started. The way that Martin writes in POV makes it even more fascinating. The other thing that is so fascinating about Harrenhall is so far almost all of the characters that were there have died before they have talked about it. There are really only a few folks alive still that were at Harrenhall of the major characters.

Still don't know on Benjen. He could be deeply involved or he could be an afterthought. Had to love how both he and Ned basically told Jon that they would talk right before leaving to go off and never return.

On the main spoiler thread I post about two dozen mysteries that were either resolved or unresolved. Most of the mysteries were from book one "who killed Jon Arryn?" It took till Book 3 to answer that. "who is Jon Snow's mother" Book 5 swears up and down it is Wylla of Whiteharbor, most of us are unconvinced.

Benjen's disappearance is one that is unresolved.

If Benjen is not a ranger, Jon never goes to the Wall; without that example there is no way Jon just decides to go the Wall. Do you really think Benjen's character would be so one-dimensional (especially considering all the crying Jon did about finding his uncle)

I will add to the Lyanna Stark being the Laughing Knight that maverick posted from somewhere. Although this is about sword play and not jousting, just goes to Lyanna's abilities.

In book 5 when Bran looks through the weirwood into the past, he sees a boy and a girl sword fighting and the girl is better than the boy.
He at first thinks it is Arya beating up himself but then says Arya was never better than me and he didn't have longer hair.

I think that was Lyanna beating up Ned. I also think another scene that Bran sees is of a tall slender girl kissing a knight. I think that is Lyanna kissing Rhaegar.



[This message has been edited by Brennus (edited 3/12/2012 3:37p).]

I figured that weirwood vision was Lyanna too.

I still think there is something to the beheading at the weirwood.

just watched the season on my bluray set. my god it's fantastic.

i'm waiting a bit on the special features so i have something to look forward to on a rainy day

http://www.sermountaingoat.co.uk/map/versions/speculative_map.jpg


Take a look at this map

some cool stuff being released in the last few days

first look at Jaqen H'Gar

http://www.accesshollywood.com/game-of-thrones-season-2-jaqen-hghar-first-look-exclusive-photo_article_61947



first five episode titles, complete with summaries

Episode #11: “The North Remembers”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: April 1 (10:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 3 (11:05 p.m.), 4 (10:00 p.m.) and 7 (10:15 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 2 (9:00 p.m.), 5 (8:00 p.m.), 6 (midnight), 8 (4:00 p.m.) and 20 (9:00 p.m.)

As Robb Stark and his northern army continue the war against the Lannisters, Tyrion arrives in King’s Landing to counsel Joffrey and temper the young king’s excesses. On the island of Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon plots an invasion to claim his late brother’s throne, allying himself with the fiery Melisandre, a strange priestess of a stranger god. Across the sea, Daenerys, her three young dragons and khalasar trek through the Red Waste in search of allies, or water. In the North, Bran presides over a threadbare Winterfell, while beyond the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night’s Watch must shelter with a devious wildling.

Written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss; directed by Alan Taylor.


Episode #12: “The Night Lands”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: April 8 (11:00 p.m.), 10 (11:00 p.m.), 11 (10:00 p.m.) and 14 (1:00 a.m. ET/11:45 p.m. PT)
HBO2 playdates: April 9 (9:00 p.m.), 12 (8:00 p.m.), 13 (midnight), 15 (2:35 p.m.) and 20 (10:00 p.m.)

In the wake of a bloody purge in the capital, Tyrion chastens Cersei for alienating the king’s subjects. On the road north, Arya shares a secret with Gendry, a Night’s Watch recruit. With supplies dwindling, one of Dany’s scouts returns with news of their position. After nine years as a Stark ward, Theon Greyjoy reunites with his father Balon, who wants to restore the ancient Kingdom of the Iron Islands. Davos enlists Salladhor Saan, a pirate, to join forces with Stannis and Melisandre for a naval invasion of King’s Landing.

Written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss; directed by Alan Taylor.


Episode #13: “What Is Dead May Never Die”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: April 15 (11:05 p.m.), 17 (11:00 p.m.), 18 (10:05 p.m.) and 21 (11:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 16 (8:00 p.m.), 19 (8:00 p.m.), 20 (11:00 p.m.) and 22 (6:00 p.m.)

At the Red Keep, Tyrion plots three alliances through the promise of marriage. Catelyn arrives in the Stormlands to forge an alliance of her own. But King Renly, his new wife Margaery and her brother Loras Tyrell have other plans. At Winterfell, Luwin tries to decipher Bran’s dreams.

Written by Bryan Cogman; directed by Alik Sakharov.


Episode #14: “Garden of Bones”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: April 22 (11:00 p.m.), 24 (11:00 p.m.), 25 (10:00 p.m.) and 28 (1:30 a.m. ET/12:15 a.m. PT)
HBO2 playdates: April 23 (8:00 p.m.), 26 (8:00 p.m.), 27 (midnight) and 29 (1:10 p.m.)

Joffrey punishes Sansa for Robb’s victories, while Tyrion and Bronn scramble to temper the king’s cruelty. Catelyn entreats Stannis and Renly to forego their ambitions and unite against the Lannisters. Dany and her exhausted khalasar arrive at the gates of Qarth, a prosperous city with strong walls and rulers who greet her outside them. Tyrion coerces a queen’s man into being his eyes and ears. Arya and Gendry are taken to Harrenhal, where their lives rest in the hands of “The Mountain,” Gregor Clegane. Davos must revert to his old ways and smuggle Melisandre into a secret cove.

Written by Vanessa Taylor; directed by David Petrarca.


Episode #15: “The Ghost of Harrenhal”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: April 29 (11:00 p.m.) and May 1 (11:00 p.m.), 2 (10:00 p.m.) and 5 (11:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdate: April 30 (9:00 p.m.)

The end of the Baratheon rivalry drives Catelyn to flee and Littlefinger to act. At King’s Landing, Tyrion’s source alerts him to Joffrey’s flawed defense plan and a mysterious secret weapon. Theon sails to the Stony Shore to prove he’s worthy to be called Ironborn. In Harrenhal, Arya receives a promise from Jaqen H’ghar, one of three prisoners she saved from the Gold Cloaks. The Night’s Watch arrive at the Fist of the First Men, an ancient fortress where they hope to stem the advance of the wildling army.

Episode 13's description doesnt mention Theon's story. Like I said, the third episode will be the invasion into the North, they dont want to spoil it.

if they did it, it'd ruin the timeline completely...look at episode 15:

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Theon sails to the Stony Shore to prove he’s worthy to be called Ironborn.

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That seems like Ep15 is when he goes through with his plan to capture Winterfell.

13 is the Iron invasion,
14 is Theon hatching a plan to outdo Asha and has to convince Cleftjaw distract the forces of Winterfell to reinforce the other stronghold.

still don't agree. the Stony Shore is what Balon had told him to do originally, and he does do it, that's theon's very first "invasion" of the north. after that, he decided to go against balon's wishes, send some men to Torrhen's Square, and then take Winterfell himself. i still really think that episode 6 will see him taking winterfell.

Maybe. The question is how many episodes is required to tell the Bran/Theon arc.

HBO is releasing a TON of videos lately, i'm gonna try and compile them...

New Trailers

You Win or You Die

Price for our Sins

Character Features

Renly

Dany

Joffrey

Jon

Stannis

Robb

Pledge Your Allegiance (these are really cool)

House Lannister

House Targaryen

House Stark

House Baratheon

House Greyjoy

the greyjoy one is my favorite - we actually get Balon in there, and i love that they used the ironborn prayer at the end

Those are pretty awesome!

Also I just noticed...look about half way through that greyjoy video, two small bodies hanging from the walls...

quote:

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Joffrey punishes Sansa for Robb’s victories, while Tyrion and Bronn scramble to temper the king’s cruelty

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I can't wait for this. That was one of my favorite parts in the book when Tyrion puts Joff in his place in front of the king's counsel.

Those episode descriptions sound awesome and are getting me extremely pumped.

I cant wait until Cersei gets poisoned.

In case anyone was wondering what the background score was:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBcXe2B97TQ

[This message has been edited by Apu (edited 3/20/2012 2:09p).]

pretty cool 22-minute long promo thing for S2 and the series as a whole, including interviews of david & dan and some of the actors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dku_Uya8Ygc&feature=g-user-u