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."

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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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Season 5 Recaps May 4, 2015

Sons of the Harpy, Recap: Episode 4, Season 5

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To use a bad medieval metaphor, Game of Thrones is truly beginning to throw down the gauntlet to its would-be rulers. Tommen, Cersei, Jon, and even Daenerys are put through their paces as rulers in the fourth episode of Season 5. Once again, the show is reminding us, “ruling is hard.” Meereen and King’s Landing are both in turmoil as two armed militant factions promise to cause serious trouble. We also meet the Sand Snakes who are on the verge…

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Religion April 28, 2015

By the Old Gods and the New

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In Game of Thrones, people often swear by the “old gods and the new.” So far at least, the southern worshipers of the new gods (that is, the Faith of the Seven) seem to be relatively tolerant of the old gods in the North. (The southerners simply sneer at the primitive beliefs of the northerners; they don’t try to kill the northerners for them.)  There are interfaith marriages (Ned and Catelyn). And, in the books, Sam even converted from his…

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Season 5 Recaps April 27, 2015

New Identities: “The High Sparrow” (Recap: Episode 3, Season 5)

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“The High Sparrow” (Episode 3, Season 5) is all about shifting identities. Many of the characters take on new roles and shed old ones. Transformation is key in this episode. Arya continues her stay with the faceless men of Braavos. Margaery becomes a Baratheon (again) when she marries Tommen. Tommen becomes a married man. Cersei is no longer queen. Sansa agrees to marry again. Winterfell not only has a new lord in residence but its facelift is underway. Jon makes…

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Season 5 Recaps April 19, 2015

Episode 2: Recap, the House of Black and White

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Episode 2 of Season 5 sets up many future plots, but no one storyline dominates it. Cersei is assuming her role as “king.” Myrcella Baratheon may be in danger from Prince Oberyn’s vengeful family. Arya arrives at the House of White and Black in Braavos. Like this season’s first episode, this episode focuses on the difficulties in ruling and the problems in administering justice. While Stannis administers justice too harshly, Daenerys doesn’t have a full command of it yet. It is…

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Season 5 Recaps April 13, 2015

The Wars to Come: A Fairy Tale Drawn Darkly (Recap E1, S5)

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Showing us a fairy tale drawn darkly — Cersei’s flashback to her childhood encounter with a witch in a dark wood — is a fitting way to begin season five. Nothing is going well for the nobility, except for Littlefinger who is the least noble of them. As the season begins, the queen mourns for her father, whom her brother slayed. Meanwhile her brother — Casterly Rock’s heir — questions whether a father-killer is even still legally a lord. The mother of dragons still…

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Game of Thrones April 2, 2015

Just Today: New The Winds of Winter Chapter

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An hour ago, George RR Martin released a new The Winds of Winter chapter on his website. It is from Alayne’s point of view. Here is the link. Enjoy! P.S. Please avoid TV spoilers if you leave comments, or preface them with “spoiler” and a paragraph return or two, so the spoiler doesn’t show up in the sidebar feed on our home page.    

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News March 25, 2015

Richard III’s Burial (Round Up)

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The lines to pay last respects to Richard III’s body circle the block, standing in line up to four hours. By early Monday morning, nearly 3000 people had seen his body. After all, you don’t get to see a king’s body lie in state every day. The internment starts tomorrow at 10:30 AM UK time. Apparently, you can watch it on BBC Channel 4; this may be tricky from overseas. There is an official site for the burial here and the…

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