A Song of Ice and Fire: The Locusts of Meereen

An examination of what really happened in Meereen in A Dance With Dragons. Who poisoned the honeyed locusts? Who are the Sons of the Harpy? What is the Pale Mare? Why did Drogon come back?
Alliances of Iron (The Ironborn, Theon, Balon, Asha, Euron, Victarion, Daario, Moqorro, the Corsair King, the Shrouded Lord, Dragon Horns)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
Tower, Tower, Joy, Joy (The Tower of Joy, Jon Snow’s Parentage, Daenerys’ Parentage, the Tournament at Harrenhal, Howland Reed, Ashara Dayne)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
The Littlefinger Debt Scheme (Littlefinger, Sansa, Harrenhal, the Riot of King’s Landing, Ned’s Execution, the Bank of Braavos)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
The Dornish Master Plan (Qyburn, the Brave Companions, Aemon, Mirri Maz Duur, Quentyn)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
Riverlands of the Dragon (The Brotherhood Without Banners, Thoros, House Darry)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
Dragonless Ambitions (Maesters, the Dance of the Dragons, House Hightower)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
Cold Conspiracies (Stannis, House Manderly, House Umber, the Hooded Man, the Battle of Ice)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
The Pink Letter Mystery (Mance Rayder, Val, Tormund Giantsbane, Giants, Greenseers)
• A Song of Ice and Fire...
Daenerys (Quaithe, Viserys, Drogo, Jhorah, Illyrio, Qarth, Pyat Pree, the House with the Red Door)
• Daenerys Videos
What You Are Missing (a detailed show and book comparison)
• Game of Thrones: What ...
Season Five Watch (The Season Five review)
• Game of Thrones: Seaso...

[@akilles84]

Poison is consistently described in the books as "a woman's weapon". Early in ADwD, someone mentions that all the Pahl men are dead, and that the House of Pahl is now a House of women.

[@dankert13]

The red viper.

[@bigbitehood1353]

Historically poison has been thought of as a woman or cowards weapon. It's kinda like how women are most likely to choose pills as a suicide method.

[@larochejaquelein3680]

This video is nonsense..Hizdahr is not honest at all, he lied to Dany about the pit fighters. He told her that no one was forced to fight in the pits, and yet he still allows Tyrion and Penny to be attacked by a lion, who clearly went there only to joust, not to fight lions. Hizdahr is a liar and Preston Jacobs an oaf.

[@Ashbrash1998]

@@larochejaquelein3680 Technically Penny and Tyrion are not pit fighters or fighters at all really. Just fun insignificant entertainment for the pit, and he said the fighters volunteered for the pits to win glory.

[@NonApplicable1983]

I can't believe Strong Belwas is Azor Ahai.

[@asherfarrell1607]

Ser Pounce is actually Azor Ahai

[@themushroom2130]

@@asherfarrell1607 The true king born amidst salt and smoke

[@turtleanton6539]

Me neither

[@larochejaquelein3680]

This video is nonsense..Hizdahr is not honest at all, he lied to Dany about the pit fighters. He told her that no one was forced to fight in the pits, and yet he still allows Tyrion and Penny to be attacked by a lion, who clearly went there only to joust, not to fight lions. Hizdahr is a liar and Preston Jacobs an oaf.

[@prizefighter7607]

If even half of the theories, conspiracies, and plots that people are talking about in ASoIaF are true, I think we can forgive Martin for taking his time.

[@hamletfisherman5740]

I can't believe I say red the books. Either GRRM is a genius or I'm stupid or both lol

[@konstantinboev7018]

That was four years ago :D

[@marcschwartz549]

PrizeFighter mrmnbtme tpe

[@duganrocks100]

@@konstantinboev7018 I still forgive him, not like he owes an ending, each book is its own story.

[@brokenbutler12]

*Said 6 years ago*

[@imalwaysbluffing]

The green grace is also almost certainly the head of the harpy. she is the only who can openly talk to danny without fear of the harpy attacking and can move freely between her and the nobility. they will also believe her when she says danny is offering them more autonomy. And she always knew right away about all the murders. shes almost certainly the harpy imo and hizdar is just a pawn

[@WisKidUnity]

Nice theory. Here is mine. The locusts were not meant as a mortal poison but as an abortifacient planted by the green grace. Everyone in the box was supposed to eat a handful, everyone gets sick (oh no! a mild case of food poisoning! Better kill the cooks.) but no lasting harm is done EXCEPT to Daarios bastard child. The green grace wants a harpy dragon hybrid on the throne but thats not gonna happen if Dany pops out someone elses bastard. Prior to the wedding there was a ritual requested where the women of the grooms family examine the bride to be, presumably to make sure she isn't poxy or pregnant. Dany refuses utterly. The green grace has children of her family (spies) as Danys servants and they would undoubtedly be privy to her menstrual cycle, or lack there of in Danys case. The little sneaks report to granny that Dany, who by her own admission can't remember her last period, is most likely knocked up confirming her suspicions. Later Dany miscarries on the Dothraki sea after eating berries.

[@InkHeart17]

I thought she couldn't ever have children again because of Mirri Maz Dur taking advantage of situation to give Dany some medieval hysterectomy. Or was that just a lie the witch told Dany to depress her, and Dany is simply underweight and stressed so she has irregular periods?

[@mattbt2k0]

Tate C Preston Jacobs Oh shit that makes so much sense, Preston you should really look into that being even partially true.

[@basboosa2812]

InkHeart17 sure but these Graces dont know about MMD or what she told Dany. Also, MMD told Dany that she will be reunited with Drogo when the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east,..etc and she ended it with when ur womb quickens again and u bear a living child. now MMD was most likely thinking none of this were ever going to happen but we know that somehow her statement to Dany became a prophesy because some of these requirements like the "sun rising in the west" did happen. So, it seems that Dany will birth a "living child" at some point..the question is who will father her son!?..

[@Bluemilk92]

It's been pretty much confirmed that her lack of fertility is all in her head.

[@danielgray65]

This is actually pretty damn brilliant.

[@digitalmojave]

My suspicion is that the Shavepate poisoned the locusts, not to kill Belwas, but to return to power by framing Hizdar. Still makes Barry a tool, though.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

What are King's Guards but tools? And Barristan was born to be in that position. He's the best tool.

[@liamellis-mergl8065]

I thought that too He is very suspicious

[@orsonlannister9847]

The Shave Pate has the confectioner and Ser Barristan wants to question him. There was no need for Skahaz to tell Ser Barristan about the confectioner if there's a chance he'd be put to the question in front of Ser Barristan. In fact, why not just kill him outright?

[@larochejaquelein3680]

This video is nonsense..Hizdahr is not honest at all, he lied to Dany about the pit fighters. He told her that no one was forced to fight in the pits, and yet he still allows Tyrion and Penny to be attacked by a lion, who clearly went there only to joust, not to fight lions. Hizdahr is a liar and Preston Jacobs an oaf.

[@Stevandoren1003]

@@larochejaquelein3680 I loved your video about that theory.

[@saeyabor]

1:30 "Strong Belwas at the entire bowl and didn't die." But he got *very* sick. I don't think the fact he survived overall indicates poison weakness so much as Belwas strongness. For all we know Belwas is Strong enough to (barely) survive enough of that poison to kill several "Little Queens."

[@thereafterish]

I keep getting drawn down the rabbit hole of Preston Theories. It's freaking addicting. I've already watched 16 videos. What are you doing to me, man?

[@cesarcastillomaldonado8762]

I feel identify with a four year old comment, wow

[@mikesarris2331]

​@@cesarcastillomaldonado8762So do I.

[@k3lit0]

"Howland Reed feared Gerold Hightower, who trinketed and managed to kill 3 of his enemies before Reed stunned him with swamp magic. Then he moved on to Arthur Dayne, who he shot with a swampwater bolt, but he resisted so Howland Reed threw entangling swamp vines at him so Ned could stab him. Too bad he forgot to buff his party, eh?" -/tv/

[@HamCubes]

Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull was a tauren warrior with innate nature resistance. Ser Arthur Dayne (pally if there ever was one) and Ser Oswell Whent (a druid, I think) had just switched specs and were OOM. Still, I like your theory.

[@myhandsarebananas]

howland reed survived becuase he has royal blood and so could not be harmed "dragonfly flying amongst the reeds"

[@WisKidUnity]

myhandsarebananas The kings guard have no trouble killing royal family members. There have been several Targaryan vs. Targaryan rumbles and KG have been in all of them. Hell, Mandan Moore tried to kill Tyrion, the kings double uncle.

[@myhandsarebananas]

ya targ vs targ sure not the kingsguard. also keep in mind these 3 r some of the most honourable guys around

[@TE4MTIGER]

Re-read ADWD2 this week, I really noticed parallels between Barristons arrest of Hizdar and Neds coupé. Stuff like Barriston refusing to kill children and sticking to honour like Ned and the shavepate promising him the brazen beasts are his like little finger did for Ned and the goldcloaks. Ned stuck to honour and it got him killed, I would be surprised if Barriston sticking to honour worked out for him, I think the whole thing will unravel for Barriston in TWOW.

[@larochejaquelein3680]

This video is nonsense..Hizdahr is not honest at all, he lied to Dany about the pit fighters. He told her that no one was forced to fight in the pits, and yet he still allows Tyrion and Penny to be attacked by a lion, who clearly went there only to joust, not to fight lions. Hizdahr is a liar and Preston Jacobs an oaf.

[@Stevandoren1003]

@@larochejaquelein3680 I enjoyed your video about it.

[@sjuyal85]

I suspect somehow Hizdhar was involved. Or atleast he knew who poisoned the locusts. The reason, the three dots everytime he answers a question "That … that was the Dornishman." “I … hot spices do not agree with me."

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Those pauses are troublesome, I admit. It may be that Hizdahr highly suspects the Pahls were trying to kill Belwas, but feels it would hurt him to bring it up.

[@Altorin]

+Preston Jacobs i figured he had a bad experience, like spicy food seriously disagrees with his digestive system.

[@SaudiHaramco]

Those videos are great. The overall best ASOIAF theory videos i've found so far.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

cm386464 I heard my name. What? And I don't like theory videos because a lot of them have no merit behind them. I would do some but some people (this guy) reads FAR into them. if they have meat behind it? Yeah I'll mention it but hes going on theories which is basically what he thinks. I've heard people who believe Sansa is a Targaryen and have made strong arguments for it. Meh

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

cm386464 I also love how you say: hot chick (cbg19), nerdy dude (emergency awesome) and then me :D AWWWWW I'm normal...kind of

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

cm386464 It's such a stretch to say Doran planned it all. It's soo much of a stretch you might as well say Ned Stark is a targaryen because hes left handed. How is that possible? I'm sure this guy can make it possible. He takes a lot of these simple things from out of left field but people eat it up non the less

[@SaudiHaramco]

+RedTeamReview The Dornish masterplan is kinda valid. Of course it is possible that a lot of this is just missinterpretation but the basics make sense. I wouldn't compare it to "omg XYZ is a Targ wtf"...

[@pollyrogers5851]

RedTeamReview whats with the "this guy" and "meh"? He has 8 videos and almost 4,000 subs. Not too shabby. I'm sure there is room for both of you. These theories are nowhere as crackpot as some I've heard ((like roose bolton is a face changing vampire)) "this guy" is good.

[@AOB454]

Just so you know, when Winds comes out we expect u to make plenty of videos predicting and theorizing Dream of Spring

[@ClaireYunFarronXIII]

Nice! I love the intrigue in Mereen! This story was definitely my favourite in *A Dance with Dragons* to read about... I hope *The Winds of Winters* gets deeper into it...

[@liamellis-mergl8065]

Probably won't. They will have the battle they were building up to in the last book and then Daenerys will probably return like she did in the show.after that i can't see why we would learn that much about mereen, unless we gwt afew Tyrion chapters on it or something

[@AOB454]

I think George is gonna end up writing 2,000 pages for Winds, and it’s going to be split into A Time for Wolves and The Winds of Winter

[@courtofthewell]

I'm glad I discovered your channel! I'm such a nerd for trivia and theories in ASOIAF series and have probably devoted more time and thought necessary to wondering "what's really going on". I appreciate your opinions and the research you apply to your uploads and - honestly - I wasn't even wondering about half of this until you mentioned it, which makes me want to see what else you've picked up on! Also your willingness to admit "I may be wrong about half of this" makes me REALLY prefer your listening to your opinions in fandom. You're not smug, you admit a potential fallacy but you make a compelling argument and that's something to consider as well as respect. Thanks so much for keeping us GRRM fans on our toes :D

[@pollyrogers5851]

^agree!!

[@tomareani512]

7:03 Now THAT is a fine work of art. I want that for my desktop background...

[@smecking]

I like the one right before it. Lol. Belwas is the shit!

[@dafyddlewis89]

Finally a GoT uploader worth following, i swear you will make millions doing this if anyone can, quit your job and upload like mad lol

[@TheTrueKingJoffrey]

he needs to get these videos out there... forums, blogs, google+ asoiaf communities. they are great!

[@michaelsantarin4554]

The True King Joffrey -we need to share like crazy

[@dafyddlewis89]

Chrystian Rafael redteamreview, i wish i knew how to ban someone from recomended videos.

[@dafyddlewis89]

Chrystian Rafael ser ilyn.... bring me his head!

[@arvaakuka8568]

Four years later, his channel seems to be doing great. Not sure if he still has a job outside KZbin or if he needs one.

[@dsr15]

Just powered through all your videos - which actually took twice as long as recorded time as I needed to pause and read all the book quotes. Awesome job on these, they are great!!! Makes me realize I need to pay attention to every little detail in the books and question everything. I always thought that Skahaz, though a favorite of mine, was also up to no good behind the scenes. There's a lot of good points that you've made here and I'm questioning my previous conclusions.

[@lyndsaycrawford]

A public location would be much less suspicious than a public place and just because he tells the truth doesn't mean he wouldn't lie about liking spicy food!

[@fussbalexperte2145]

What completely convinced me is that in a Quentyn chapter (the spurned suitor) the Tattered Prince talks about the food that Zahrina offers and that the meat is probably rat. „It will not kill you, though. I have found that it is only when the food is tempting that one must be aware. Poisoners invariably choose the choicest dishes.“ This line is definitely written as a clue that the honeyed locusts were meant for Strong Belwas

[@jerome96114]

So the Harpies are basically Anonymous? :-p

[@GeethuVijayan-zj4tj]

I just finished reading the books and popped in here to check out your theories. The details you go into, man, I need to re-read the books again! Also, where do you get all these artwork from? They're really nice!

[@duganrocks100]

Reread em, they're better on reread

[@larochejaquelein3680]

This video is nonsense..Hizdahr is not honest at all, he lied to Dany about the pit fighters. He told her that no one was forced to fight in the pits, and yet he still allows Tyrion and Penny to be attacked by a lion, who clearly went there only to joust, not to fight lions. Hizdahr is a liar and Preston Jacobs an oaf.

[@TraciPeteyforlife]

There will never be an end to the books. Ggrm is now in his 70's. His time left on this mortal plane is short. Unless he's got a back up writer, there is no way in the Nine hells. Winds of Winter is getting done as he's far too busy with other things. The show is as close to an ending as we will get.

[@becsocsci621]

Gosh I love your videos. As I go to sleep I often have your videos playing, set to auto play. I love your thorough perspective and fresh content.

[@Kapparillo]

Can't wait for your tower of joy video! ^_^

[@UnusualSocks]

The poison doesn't kill Belwas, but makes him incredibly sick. While he's throwing up later, the Sons of the Harpy attempt to assassinate Daenerys. Perhaps Belwas was simply poisoned so he would be incapacitated during the attempt on Daenerys' life. Also, I'm certain that if you merge Barristan and Belwas' characters you get Uncle Iroh from Avatar the Last Airbender.

[@wisdommanari6701]

Well Barristan is a hypocrite but neither is much of a coward

[@joluoto]

Tower of Joy? Everyone knows there were some sexy shenanigans going on there involving a emo Prince and a teenaged girl suffering from Stockholm syndrome.

[@Numguk]

Could be that Targaryen madness took a hold of Rhagaer, and Lyanna's dream of being with Prince Charming became a nightmare.

[@saeyabor]

It's not Stockholm Syndrome if they ran off together, which I think they did.

[@saeyabor]

***** Hmm. It's possible Rhaegar was hiding what he loved most from his wacko father, but at the same time, Aerys murdered the Starks and their friends specifically because Brandon wanted to duel Rhaegar. Based on that, I think it's a bit more likely likely that they were running off together in general, rather than to hide from any specific danger.

[@saeyabor]

***** Well, there's punishing an "insult to majesty," and then there's... what Aerys did. It's possible, but I think unlikely, that Aerys was (deliberately or consistently) dangerous to Rhaegar or Lyanna. At the same time, it's likely that one or both of them didn't want to take any chances by being near him. I'm still of the persuasion that Rhaegar took Lyanna to the Tower of Joy because Lyanna wanted an elopement to look like a kidnapping to spare Robert's feelings and her family's honor, while Rhaegar was confident the only person with any *de jure* power over him wouldn't punish him for it, and cared for Elia enough to not want to rub Lyanna in her face.

[@joluoto]

Saeyabor The thing is Rhaegar probably had good reasons to let his "abduction" of Lyanna be a secret for a while. He knew the Starks would cause problems (and they did much faster than he probably anticipated), he knew his father's reaction would be unpredictable, or Aerys might just have sent Lyanna home and used this incident as an excuse to name Viserys heir. And he knew the Martels wouldn't be happy that he set Elia aside. So he probably hoped Lyanna's disappearance would remain a mystery for a while. Instead his involvement became known immidiately and news reached Brandon Stark within Days after the abduction, it seems.

[@josharguello4313]

Call me crazy, but I always thought that the Shavepate poisoned the locusts. The Shavepate constantly wants Dany to go after the mereenese masters. What better way to convince Dany than with a bogus assassination attempt? By the way, the Green Grace is absolutely in charge of the Sons of the Harpy. And Hizdahr is just a patsy/scapegoat being used by both sides.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

I THINK MANCE RAYDER IS SECRETLY RHARGAR TARGARYEN. THOUGHTS?

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

Travelocity2000 I love how everybody gives me their own little nicknames hahahaha. cheers

[@Tervvo]

That is obvious and didn't have to be written about. Still, I think some people will come out of the closet as people nobody expected.

[@paisleypark8150]

you-are-nuts!robert-killed-him-at-the-ruby-ford!

[@davidpearlman6631]

Travelocity2000 I think it's stretching to say with any confidence that the House of Paul did it. But the fact that the poison was meant for Strong Belwas is valid.

[@peterhanes7333]

I think that Hodor is secretly Rhaegar Targaryen. He sustained severe brain damage from his battle with Robert. Ned felt guilty about what happened to him and took him home. Hodor is actually a derivation of a Valyrian word relating to the song of Ice and Fire. Hodor is about to get his memory back, and be a key ally for Bran. Also, his secret son is not Jon Snow. It is, in fact, Mycah the Butcher's Boy, who will come back from the dead and marry Arya. Try to argue against that.

[@scottspa74]

Damn, Preston, no one gets into the weeds like you. I've read all the books 3 times or more,, rewatched the show countless times. I've never even noticed a House Pahl lol.

[@IvoOtt]

You are on another level bro!

[@HamCubes]

Please chug some Red Bull and snort some blow so you can post the Tower of Joy theories, stat! I can never thank you enough for these excellent videos and well thought-out theories. _Thank you!_

[@moshonkel3429]

Are you doing more of these? I think you are really talented and i really enjoy watching these.

[@scratchman]

I can't tell you how hungry this video made me for honeyed locusts. Damn you, Belwas!!

[@ComradeSlice]

It all makes sense now. The Perfumed Seneschal is Strong Belwas!

[@meatamigo3428]

You must be a detective or a really good PI. Great job man!

[@leewalton3178]

Preston, I'd love to get in that brain of yours to see your investigative process, simply because you have a midas touch with this kind of stuff for sure! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, SER!

[@joejejeo]

We really did settle for ice dragons and fire zombies

[@sflr38]

Preston could we please get an ETA on the Tower of Joy video? not meaning to rush you, just really excited for this one and I'm wasting a lot of time constantly checking.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

On vacation. Look for it in two weeks.

[@mintcheesecake]

I really like your work! Nicely made videos. =) I don't agree with the whole theory but I appreciate all of the thought that went behind and I definitively think the green grace is plotting with Hizdar and I liked the locus analysis too.! Keep up the great work! and thanks for sharing with other passionate ASOIAF fans

[@shanelammert6252]

Was anyone else incredibly disappointed that in the Season 4 Finale of Game of Thrones that they had the 3 eyed crow with 2 eyes instead of one? I'm not sure why this bothered me so much, it just seemed lazy. Also they still tried to use his motto - a thousand eyes and 1, which in my opinion doesn't even make sense anymore with him having two eyes.

[@gophertracen9347]

Dude I Flipped Over That, Explained To My Friends who haven't read, Why the Catchphrase makes sense in the book. Come On, "A Thousand Eyes & 1" not & 2. So Lazy. On Par With Not Giving Voldemort Red Eyes

[@jordanfarrell2041]

Connection between sons of harpy and metaphorical locusts is eye-opening...

[@Sole-Witness]

Preston, you make insightful and interesting videos. Looking forward to your video concerning The Tower of Joy.

[@TheNightranger58]

Hey Everyone. I love this channel and i've been doing some research. Roberts rebellion took place in 283AC. King Robert dies in 298AC (This is all from "The World of Ice and Fire")This is when A Game of Thrones takes place, 15 years later. The appendix at the back of AGOT states that Daenrys is "A maid of thirteen years" - her age doesn't add up with the timeline. If The Mad King's wife, Rhaella, was sent away before he was slain in 283 (She is supposedly pregnant with Dany at the time) then Dany would have to be 15 or older at the time of the events of AGOT. This means that she is too young to be a true born daughter of Aerys or Rhaegar.. - Aegon's age matches up more closely than Dany's. I Believe that he is the true born heir and Dany is the mummer's dragon that was prophecised about. any responses or thoughts are more than welcome!

[@marko0samec]

+Jake K nice! would be great if you would be right - just to show all of those smartasses that think they have everything (or almost half of it) figured out!!! :D

[@dillonbryan9440]

Another great video, always finding tidbits of information that i did not put together. Even if i did not piece it together, and even if its only partially correct, it is still enlightening. Tower of Joy Theory: Howland saves Ned from Arthur Dayne because Howland Reed is betrothed or married to Ashara Dayne. And they are future in laws. I speculate that Ashara Dayne is alive and well and that she was the mother of Meera and joden. The timing of Meeras age coincides with the tourney at Harrenhal. And that the supposed suicide( without a body) when she jumped from the tower is all a ruse to prevent anyone from looking. Also the promise Lyanna makes is not to protect Jon and take him as his own ( he would do that anyway its his flesh and blood, and Robert would kill him), but rather the promise is to reveal to him that he is Rheagar and Lyannas son and therefore making him the Prince that was PROMISED, literally. way to reveal he is rhegars son is to take her wedding cloak and rheagars silver stringed harp. 

[@xDaZJMx]

Woah, your videos are amazing man. I love seeing the new perspectives. Will you be doing one on the tower of joy?

[@DeegeCar91]

Very interesting and well thought out. The one thing I still don't understand is why would the House of Pahl benefit from bringing Drogon to the pit? The feeding him pork theory might have some weight to it, but the only connection between him showing up at the pit and the poisoned locusts is that the Pale Mare comes on a horse stained in the colors of the House of Pahl, and the man saying it is burning, which seems flimsy. Perhaps they were trying to capture him and/or kill him (Dany did have a lot of their house killed), and him showing up at the pit was unrelated. After all, it seems natural that he would show up at the pit to take Dany away in her time of most distress. Analyzing the overall arch of Dany, we see her become more and more upset about the compromises she has to make to keep peace, and the fighting pit just enrages her, so Drogon swoops in to take her away.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

You're right that there doesn't seem to be any benefit other than revenge and, I admit, the support is really weak: just the colors of the horse. Drogon's return could honestly be caused by any of the other slaver families or Lhazar. Although the story leads us to believe that the noise brought Drogon, I just can't believe that Drogon would hear or smell anything from that far away. Having a connection with Dany, as you say, might be something. She was feeling unusually weird in the pit.

[@lonemotheo1964]

​​@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin Dany is telepathically connected to drogon and has been even before Drogon hatched so it could be that Drogon sensed Dany's distress on his own and came to Dany's aid... Remember this is the same scenario with the Stark kids and they're direwolves Arya as Nymeria was able to heae Jon's lonely howl as Ghost back when she was stuck in the Riverlands and Jon was beyond the wall

[@sunflashjt]

Your theories are very compelling.

[@lonelyshepherd4123]

Very well done once again Preston! Loving all the vids so far and anxiously awaiting The Tower of Joy vid.

[@bertio10]

Great videos, but I find the argument that the Shavepate is guilty to be much more convincing.

[@brennan7736]

Doesnt tatters mention that poisoners invariable use the choicest dishes. Theres martin dropping more hints, belwas loves locusts.

[@bronxer78]

You go so fast that I race to follow you! haha :)

[@heliowolf5042]

Very well dont, you are getting good at presenting your points clearly. Keep it up and THANK YOU for responding to my request for a John Snow's Mother episode!

[@SkullSnax]

Really love your videos, well thought out theories with quoted evidence from the books to support it. Subscribed. Would really like to hear what your thoughts are on some of whats going on at Winterfell (like who is actually on which side) and who the hooded man is that Theon meets in "A Ghost in Winterfell"

[@HamCubes]

I just started re-reading GoT, and I noticed that it reads, "They had found him still holding her body, silent with grief." Who's _they_? Howland Reed is one, who else was there or still alive, but dying? A wet nurse?

[@GhostEmblem]

XarsElites So nobody took the dudes armor off after he was killed? the lack of purple eyes or silver hair alone would be a dead give away and and its not like his face was damaged in the battle Rheagar of all people is someone whose death would be confirmed.

[@jaredphillips4776]

Ser Arthur Dayne

[@dillonbryan9440]

Tower of joy continued... The best place to hide such a notorious item would be in the, oddly out of place, only female tomb in the winterfell crypts. The one place Robert would never defile. Also why would Ned take Arthur Daynes sword all the way to The Daynes household after the tower of Joy. And why would they accept him after he murdered Arthur Dayne, the sword of the morning,? And also name a future child after him Eddard ' Ned' Dayne? Well if Eddard brought news that Arthur was safe and going to The neck to hide amongst the crannogman with Ashara Dayne and Howland reed... In a floating city no one can find unless they want you to find them. Also there is a quote from the reeds whilst talking to Bran, where Bran asks if the Neck has knights. They tell him that there are no knights above the water, but the each is full of dead ones. Arthur Dayne is assumed to be Dead.. Therefore he survived the TOJ and is a dead night in the bogs of the crannogman.

[@gophertracen9347]

I Like It. No Way to Assess Validity, but I Like It

[@davemartin6452]

These are really good videos. They give depth and new theories to things I was thinking over. Subscribed.

[@LetyRoxtar_]

Preston these videos are amazing!! Thanks for sharing them and I definitely appreciate the work you put into them!! I am a fan. :D

[@Unw0rthy0fn0te]

It's a good video, but I think this one more than your others demonstrates the need for answered counterarguments. You kind of skim through several assertions that need better backing than they had, at least for me to be persuaded. I would appreciate a Part 2 where you compare the Shavepate theory with the Pahl theory and explain why you suspect the Pahl theory is more likely.

[@PhotonTrooperGaming]

Agreed. A Part 2 in the format suggested by you would be great! About the video, I never suspected about the Pahl family (whose members are all unknown, except from the champion that Belwas killed) being so articulated to do this level of schemes, also, I really liked your theory... But I will still keep my personal belief that the Sons of Harpy work with more than one "big head" in command... I would say 2 "big heads" to be more specific: My best shot is that Shavepate is working together with the Green Grace of Meereen, and both of they are trying to take off Dany from power.

[@LEGObiWanKenobi]

In A Game of Thrones Daeneys Chapter VI, she spends most of her mornings at the Eastern Market and often eats locust pie. If she would eat locust pie more than once that would mean she did like locusts so they could have been intended for her in Dance. It took a while to find this but what do you think Preston?

[@CadaverJunky8]

Hmm, I don't know if I can agree with most of this. Especially the Belwas-poisoning bit. If they wanted him dead, they could choose a hundred different places and methods. Seems like a lot of pomp and preparation for such a weak pay off that didn't even work. Though I do agree the Green Grace is pretty much the only person with real power in Meereen. In fact I'd even go as far as to say she herself is the Harpy. If you re-read Dance with that in mind, everything that happens makes much more sense.

[@ehhh9426]

CadaverJunky8 + the harpy is a woman not a man.

[@shanelammert6252]

Your videos are by far the best of any I've been able to find and I've watched a lot of ASOIAF theory videos. Much better to show photos and words on the video than just your face rambling, like most others do. Very well done and please please keep it up. I'm buying into most of your conclusions. For the past two days I've been checking your channel for the Tower of Joy video every couple of hours, so excited. I hope you're able to post it soon. Thanks.

[@nicolasdumont8385]

3:54: A standalone complex. Big brain

[@WheresPoochie]

Belwas being the probable target of the poisoning is partly why I anticipate that, on the TV show, Daario will be the one to eat the locusts and nearly die. He was the man who fought in the duel outside the Walls of the city before Dany's invasion. I also believe that the poison works in the interest of the slavers by not only possibly killing off a man who shamed House Pahl but also by offering a means of framing Hizdhar and creating instability within Meereen.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

Belwas poisoned himself - he grew up in the pits, deprived like an urban pit-bull. He see's the chance to indulge in a delicacy the Masters loved, locusts. They're rather large insects coated and rolled in honey and hot spices. Eat a bowl's worth of those Mexican lollipops with pepper stuck to them - I don't care how big and tough you are your stomach will be capitulating. You'll feel like you've been chasing your tequila with Nyquil (believe me, I'd know). They believe he was poisoned because they're LOOKING over their shoulders for poison and the cook told the Shavepate about a kidnapping coercion plot because that's what the Shavepate wanted to hear and it's been CONTINUOUSLY noted in the book that torture - and in particular the Shavepate's torture - doesn't work. This is actually a reoccurring theme in GRRM's later entries - that torture doesn't 'work' for extracting information. Huh - wonder what was going on in the news during his writing process to plant that idea in his head? What does the Mereen plotline (particularly the bits with the Sons of the Harpy) roughly parallel in our real life? Think on that. My point is - nobody actually had to poison the locusts for the possibility to be taken as a fact, because everybody was on edge. Think of it like the catalyst for the Spanish-American war - a ship explodes in a harbor and those LOOKING for an attack and bleating for war see a deliberate provocation. War ensues, yet what is the truth now about the blast? A total accident. The Shavepate can make people say whatever he wants. Perhaps he seized upon the opportunity to indulge in his more hard line approach given the events at the fighting pits - the absence of Daenerys - the uncertain ascension of the unsavvy Barristan Selmy - I don't think ANYONE poisoned the locusts because nobody HAS to poison them for their purpose as a plot device to be fulfilled - and it's all the more tragic that the entire war was waged on a lie.

[@tarlochansingh620]

I think George will eat himself before solving the Meereenese knot.

[@GawenDeGallifrey]

You have done an incredible work. I don't have anything else to say.

[@yunikage]

I think a lot of this is a bit of a stretch, but one thing we know for sure: Hizdhar did not poison the locusts. 1. It makes no sense as a plan to kill Dany 2. Killing Dany makes no sense

[@jobowisheshewasnomo4171]

xD

[@9bryan]

I believe in James Johnson and Ladona Sargent's theory that Ned promises to take care of Jon Snow and protect Rhaegar Targaryen at the Tower of Joy.

[@stfnknbb]

omg this would never have occurred to me in a million years. You ser, are awesome.

[@arsicstefan91]

Dude, I just love your videos. Can't wait for your interpretation of Tower of Joy event :)

[@JizzMasterTheZeroth]

You forgot to mention how Oznak zo Pahl's father commanded the City Watch of Meereen and died in the fighting. Besides that, three uncles of Oznak's were among the 163 slavers that got 'crucified'... the Pahl's are indeed motivated. "You have no lack of enemies, Your Grace. You can see their pyramids from your terrace. Zhak, Hazkar, Ghazeen, Merreq, Loraq, all the old slaving families. Pahl. Pahl, most of all. A house of women now. Bitter old women with a taste for blood. Women do not forget. Women do not forgive." - The Shavepate

[@hariskrajina7801]

You are awesome, on the edge of the sit for next vid.

[@hectorpisonerodiaz666]

we need more ! gr8 stuff again

[@dominicbellamy5408]

Good theory, but it doesn't make to much Narrative sense. If you're writing a Murder, it doesn't make much sense for some random side character to kill the victim. Martin likes to foreshadow a lot in his works & the House of Pahl isn't mentioned to much in A Dance With Dragons. They seem very much as a side character to Meereen. It's not that side characters can't do important stuff. House Frey orchestrate the Red Wedding, but they clearly want revenge & said clearly & loudly that they wanted restitution. House Pahl never asks for restitution & we never hear so much as a mumble from them. It makes much more sense for the Shavepate to have poisoned the locusts in order to publicly out Hizdah. Skahaz & Hizdah clearly seem to be rivals, Skahaz calls Hizdah the Harpy for all of the 90 days of peace, & Hizdah fires Skahaz as leader of the Brazen Beasts after Danny flies away in Drogon. It's also Skahaz who points to Hizdah as the poisoner. Attempting & succeeding in overthrowing Hizdah via Bariston. While it is suspicious that no.pig farmers came forth to Danny, and that the Pale Mare's rider died as he did, Skahaz just makes better sense. After all we have seen this tactic before at the Purple Wedding. Litlefinger poisoned Joffery in order to carry of Sansa using his pawn in Dontos, before getting rid of said pawn. If this theory holds true then Skahaz is doing the same: Poisoning a guest in order to use the chaos to get what you want with the help of a pawn before killing that said pawn (it wouldn't surprise me if Skahaz assassinated Bariston in the Battle of Fire). What really clinched it for me is that after Danny leaves Meereen, Skahaz appears with a LOUCUST mask, & is consistently seen to be wearing a LOUCUST mask, he even wears one during Barriston's coup. It's almost as if he's saying " Ha, Ha, I poisned the loucusts but no one knows it's me!"

[@sdelafe]

Great analysis! One thing that I don't think we are tying here is how did House Pahl get the poisened locusts to the booth. An overturned Palanquin doesn't explain how the Locusts were planted in a food carriage unaware to Dany and Hizdahr's people. Only faction that had access to the booth would be the brazen beasts. To completely leave the Shavepate out of this equation is not taking into account an important connection. House Pahl wanted war, who benefits from a war.... the shavepate. Hizdahr was going to remove the Shavepate from his position of power. I do agree that the poisoned locusts is a bad means to poison Dany or Hizdahr and that the target of the poison was Belwas. But notice how quick the shavepate was to blame Hizdahr. Those two sides were working together to create this mayhem. House Pahl wanted Belwas dead or out of the picture and shavepate wanted to make Hizdahr the patsy by using his methods to convince Barristan Hizdahr was guilty. Besides vengeance and power from the ensuing mayhem, I can't recall a connection between Houe Pahl and the Shavepate from my re-reads. But the series of events that lead up to the poisoned Honeyed Locusts and the immediate action of the shavepate to blame Hizdahr to me indicate both factions were colluding and therefore both guilty of the poisoning.

[@kikoneto3347]

Your theorys are great man, thank you so much!! Cant wait for the next one ;)

[@giagarcia1270]

I love your videos and theories! Please post some more!

[@Truffle_Pup]

How does it feel Preston that you accurately predicted Ice dragons vs fire zombies!! Hahaha genius

[@drewdrewson1384]

Meereenese knot is GRRM's Iraq (bogged down in something that could have been avoided) which is ironic as Mereen is Danny's Iraq

[@caseyjfromli3240]

I can't wait for the next video!

[@604guy]

Great videos dude. I have a suggestion that maybe you should do some story arc summaries for specific characters since it seems as if you have done a lot of in depth reading of A Song of Ice and Fire.

[@echolalia]

I like this video a lot, but I could have sworn there was a line in the book saying that the only reason Belwas survived was because of his unusual size and strength, which obviously means that the poison wasn't actually that weak after all (though, from all the symptoms listed, it also seems like the poison was supposed to mimic the disease that everyone is coming down with).

[@BelialNMarleysMom]

Preston Jacobs, I like your voice and how you explain things. More videos, please!! :)

[@MrHupo]

Sir Arthur Dayne ran away with Reed and Stark in the moment he knew Ashara was with Holand's child. :P

[@EJ-jw9ow]

Who does the graphics for your videos Preston? They are seriously awesome

[@hashimirasama]

The shavepate is a warlock in disguise and the leader of the sons of the harpy. Nuff said!

[@ProficiencyMusic]

MOAR!

[@youngbuck189]

Sorry bro Hizdhar knows, it was the Green Grace. She is the Harpy.

[@geade6329]

Another possible explaination is, the poison was just a ruse, intentionally non-lethal and even so targeted towards Belwas(It would be much more believable for Belwas to survive regarding his size), to frame Hizdaar by someone, possibly The Shavepeta.

[@BitofEverythingRS]

Amazing please make more!

[@rodrigopacheco12]

i find this one very convoluted...i can see the sons of harpy being a standalone complex, but the locusts being for Belwas? i cant really see that being the case

[@ThatsAwesomeAndStuff]

This one's very believable and insightful, I'd never even thought about the House of Pahl. However, I don't want it to be true because it makes Barriston a huge moron. But hey, he IS Barriston the bold.

[@ftn635]

Stop making me want to re-read the books.

[@WotanFoss]

Another good video. Can you do The Grand Northern Conspiracy next? That would be epic. Frey pie, the hooded man!

[@sebastianzuchniewski2749]

Man! Your theories are the best, i really like it! I just wondering if You also see some big plan of Euron Crow Eye? This guy is a mystery for me :)

[@skabtheviking]

Great video! liked subbed and really looking forward to more.

[@dominickamadeo]

Great stuff man. Amazing research. I have some thoughts on the Tower of Joy and can't wait for your look at it.

[@gumbyman1969]

Hey Preston! Have you ever sent your theories to GRRM? They are great! Cheers.