Jamie Adair

Jamie Adair is the editor of History Behind Game of Thrones, a website about the history behind George RR Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels and the hit TV show, "Game of Thrones."

Game of Thrones June 15, 2015

Jon Snow [Spoilers – Ep 10, S5]

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This article contains spoilers for anyone who has not seen Episode 10, Season 5. Spoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers Spoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers Spoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers Spoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers Spoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers Spoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers Spoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers SpoilersSpoilers === === Is Jon Snow really? Yes. Well, at least according to the actor and the showrunners. But it’s pretty hard to believe for anyone who has read the books and is convinced that Jon warged into Ghost to save himself. The showrunners refer to…

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Season 5 Recaps June 8, 2015

War Machines: “The Dance with Dragons” (Episode 9 Recap)

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“The Dance with Dragons” episode is the ninth episode of season 5, and the ninth episode (aka end of Act 3) is always the most climactic episode on Game of Thrones. While this year’s episode 9 did not pack the same emotional wallop as Ned’s beheading, the Red Wedding, or the Battle at Castle Black, it was equally special in its own way – notably for its wondrous, transcendent closing scene. This episode is about war machines whether they be burned siege…

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Season 5 Recaps June 2, 2015

Hardhome – Recap, Part 2

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One of the most thrilling revelations this season is the battle at the settlement in the “Hardhome” episode (Season 5, Episode 7). We get a preview of what the Long Night — the dark winter in which the White Walkers attack — will be like if the Night’s Watch doesn’t figure out how to stop the wights and White Walkers. Incidentally, most people in Westeros believe the Long Night is just a fairy tale. According to legend, the Long Night…

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Season 5 Recaps June 1, 2015

Breaking the Wheel – Hardhome Recap (Part I)

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Because “Hardhome” (Ep. 7, Season 5) is nearly twenty minutes longer than most episodes, I’m publishing this recap in two parts. (The second part is dedicated specifically to the events at the Hardhome settlement.) In this episode, we see how dark both Stark sisters have become as a result of the horrors of the War of Five Kings. Arya’s character arc has been on a dark, downward spiral for quite some time. Her nightly prayers focus on killing the people on…

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Season 5 Recaps May 25, 2015

The True Gift: Recap Episode 7, Season 5

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There are at least three types of “gifts” in Episode 7 (“The Gift”): actual gifts or presents, the Gift of death (to borrow the phrase from the House of Black and White), and the Gift or region of land where Jon intends to settle the Wildlings. In the “The Gift” episode, the game really begins to change for all of the would-be kings and queens. Some listen to bad advice. Some may be swayed by bad advice. Some reap the…

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Game of Thrones May 24, 2015

Where’s Sansa’s Lantern?

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This is the second part of my editorial about the recent rape. This part of the article is posted separately from the first part, in which I discuss the pain many of us feel when we see rape on television. It is with a little trepidation and mixed feelings that I write this article. On one hand, I’m extremely sympathetic to people who do not want to see violence against women portrayed on television. On the other hand, I’ve spent a great…

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Game of Thrones May 21, 2015

Marital Rape: A violation we’d rather forget

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I’ve taken too long to comment on Sunday night’s episode because frankly it is a difficult subject and I’ve rewritten many drafts of this article as I try to figure out how I feel. This is the first half of my editorial. My apologies for the delay.   Sansa’s rape has offended and outraged fans, journalists, and even American senators. Websites like The Mary Sue have announced they will no longer cover Game of Thrones due to its repeated portrayal of rape. The Washington…

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Season 5 Recaps May 18, 2015

Arranged Marriages: The Fall Out (Recap E6, S5)

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The name of episode six, “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” refers to House Martell’s words. But, it also refers to this episode’s journey for the Tyrion and Jorah, the Tyrells, Jaime and Bronn, Theon, and Sansa. In fact, most major characters have a hard time in this episode, even if they aren’t in outright danger. Given this is the end of Act 2 (in the fifth season story arc), their problems aren’t that surprising. Act 3, where the character’s biggest problems and…

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Season 5 Recaps May 11, 2015

Roose’s Ruse: Recap, Kill the Boy (Episode 5, Season 5)

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“Kill the Boy” is quite possibly the best season five episode so far. The adviser crisis is really becoming apparent as Daenerys falls desperately short of counselors. Yet, when Jon asks for advice, he is told to lead. Winterfell’s heir apparent, Ramsay, still struggles to live up to his father’s expectations. With Sansa’s wedding to a second psycho looming, forces start to gather to tear her apart while others emerge to protect her. Meanwhile, Jorah and Tyrion’s voyage reveals Drogon’s mysterious hiding place….

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