Character Deep Dive: Stannis Baratheon and the Peach

Symbolic Scene from A Song of Ice and Fire that the show left out + Deep Dive into Stannis Baratheon's Journey in Game of Thrones
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There is a BIG metaphor in the books that defines Stannis. Quoting GRRM, “I wish that scene had been included in the TV series because for ME that peach was important, but it wasn’t possible.”
So let’s take a trip down memory lane and then wrap up the video by going over that scene… and the metaphor.
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The KZbin Channel bridge4 dives deep into amazing characters and their character arcs in shows and books including, but not limited to Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Witcher, The Wheel of Time, His Dark Materials, Altered Carbon, The Legend of Drizzt, The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn, The First Law Trilogy, The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Shannara Chronicles, The Outsider, Watchmen, The Last Kingdom, The Umbrella Academy, Westworld, and Cursed.

[@bridge4]

Instead of Patreon, I use KZbin for Channel Memberships: kzbin.info/door/B3w8ltYiIpSqH7sgjg1a8wjoin It's 5USD month I think. But I found the generosity too stressful. So instead of closing memberships like I did twice with Patreon, I'm donating all channel memberships to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Fundraiser Channel Member Perks: - early access - collaboration - Season 8 “Smartest Game of Thrones Fans” Contest (accepting questionnaire submissions until 3/31) But even if you don't join us, I'd like to thank you for your kind words and support :))

[@SuperEringarcia]

Just became a channel member. 😉

[@bridge4]

Oh nice!! I should finish another video for tall tomorrow If you scroll down about 10 or so posts, there's the 105 contest thing of you want to play with us :))

[@Max-tp5wr]

can you prove its all going to charity

[@jeramahia123]

I like what the Night's Watch blacksmith says about him. "Stanis is made of iron: he'll break before he bends."

[@a2falcone]

Donal Noye really got the three Baratheon brothers in that sentence.

[@vinh8464]

It’s funny because iron bends more then steel

[@isaacflett1321]

@@vinh8464 depends on the iron

[@ALunarLight]

It's off a book quote Robert is steel left to rust. Here it is Robert was the true steel. Stannis is pure iron, black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He'll break before he bends. And Renly, that one, he's copper, bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day

[@khalduras784]

It's also abit ironic and kinda proves the point that loads of people seem to have this certain view to Stannis but none of them knew him as well as Davos knew him. Stannis has bend many times in the books especially during the northern cause

[@sdmiii1102]

"She's my daughter, you will not strike her." I love that line.

[@bridge4]

For sure

[@WillNelson73]

@@bridge4 yet he allowed the red woman to burn her to death. The most horrific death in the series. I can't watch it again to this day.

[@csanchezt]

@@WillNelson73 that was some d&d invention, the real Stannis from the books would have never done that.

[@balazs.bence300]

@@csanchezt And he would never kill Renly

[@felicia3924]

@@balazs.bence300 Would he not? Or would he, I cant decide if you mean to undermine their comment or you already agree with my reasons below and are giving him props... Renly was his enemy in his eyes. Stopping him from doing his duty to become king through his (Renly's) own actions. Neglecting the duties as befit the youngest brother. But a brother still. Shireen was innocent. They differ greatly in Stannis eyes (and mine) I think. I also believe that even if Stannis *had* to kill him, hed rather have it in battle or after a fair trial. Which what he and everyone else ecpected would come to pass inevitably. At 13:51 its clear that he feels uneasy at what may have been done with his help by Melisandre, Im not sure he knows what precisely happened at that time and I am very sure he would not have chosen to muder his brother like this if given the choice.

[@abhikes4463]

I think he is a very Sad Character, it's almost like the universe was playing a bad hand on him, he excelled at difficult situations. He some how knew that this game was pointless and he had no choice but to make best of it. His dry humour is amazing.

[@walstib4945]

just classic J.R.R. Martin showing versions of ourselves in every character

[@Afrimusican]

Fewer.

[@bridge4]

Lol

[@clampmotosua1789]

He wasn't pointless. His rein and actions affected others. He did his duty.

[@khalduras784]

@@walstib4945 not really seeing as shpw Stannis is very different to book stannis. The show stannis is more potrayed by d&d than George

[@Tomj382]

i wish the show had a conversation between tywin and stannis

[@xDamage69]

or add the line ''the war will continue while Stannis is alive, the man will figh beyond the bitter end.''

[@SuperEringarcia]

That would have been some of the best plot points & conversations for GoT...Stannis & Tywin, Wow. Let's not forget, Randal Tarley. Also a man of honor, duty & a great war strategist. The only one to beat Robert in battle. Those 3 would've made for great show scenes.

[@bridge4]

I'm with yall. Great idea

[@Native_Creation]

If a prequel series explores the Battle of The Trident, this could happen.

[@i_i8924]

They would just argue eventually yelling at each other ending with cold glares

[@JessSoShutUp]

Stephen Dillane did such a great job with him too. Even if he thinks not.

[@bridge4]

i couldnt agree more. Stephen Dillane did amaaaazing!

[@JessSoShutUp]

bridge4 also, wanted to say I LOVED this, I agree that this is the best Stannis breakdown I've seen. Such a simple yet complicated character.

[@yannickkhalil3355]

What does Dillane think about his job exactly?

[@chasm671]

Stephen Dillane just played himself, who happens to be very similar to Stannis. He probably struggles with acting, since every time he has to read a line he wouldn't say himself, he thinks "a lie. Take it out."

[@rudyg323]

He did! I love that guy for it.

[@sosa2mars]

Stannis is actually my favorite character in the books, fucking love that guy

[@bridge4]

hear, hear!

[@sosa2mars]

bridge4 Lowkey was more sad about Stannis death in the show than I was with Jon's death, lol!

[@ministryoftruth8499]

Stannis the Mannis, the one true King of Westeros and a man who knew his grammar.

[@erikmurray3661]

Alpha Raptorhunter me too straight hard ass honor born man

[@LusciousTwinkle]

He was very stupid though.

[@abbashaidari8313]

Robert did not love his brothers.. Stannis did, he did admit it to Davos...

[@glacialimpala]

It's easier to not love some people when your senses are numbed by the wine and others overloaded with sex, killing and general fuck-all attitude. Robert really is no1 asshole in the show. So what if Lyanna died, one has to be incredibly stupid and careless to make the mother of his heirs hate him from the wedding night.

[@LPF7]

@Irish Rover Stannis killed Renly because he was a traitor , love or not he still had to do what was just.

[@EndsleyIV]

@Irish Rover Robert killed his brothers by ignoring his realm and marrying into a family that broke his apart after they killed him.

[@kiawas6]

Yeah, that's why he abandoned one to die and killed the other with blood magic. But he wasn't aware right? It sure looked to me like he knew what Mel was going to do...Both times. With Renly and Penrose.

[@matheusestevao9870]

@Fianna Renly was a shit spoiled child who betrays his own brother, he deserves what he gets

[@TheFuryHasCome]

If that peach bit with Renly teaches you anything, it shows that although he had a habit of screwing with Stannis, he cared for him. And that should show that in this story, no matter what family it is, the family that stays together, dominates together. But if they go astray and fight one another, it leads to ruin.

[@Mrhappytofu97]

Did anyone else catch the literary homosexual symbolism in that gesture as well? Renly really loves eating those juicy, Highgarden peaches 😋🍑

[@myrialynn]

Yes.

[@Ignisan_66]

@@Mrhappytofu97 wtf man.

[@joels5150]

Dillane said he didn’t get what Stannis was supposed to be, but damn he nailed each scene he was actually in

[@bridge4]

For sure. He was awesome

[@nealm6764]

He must have meant in the context of the ENTIRE story (Is he a hero or villian? type of thing), because he sure nailed the character and his inner workings and core.

[@bullthatsalive9111]

That is why he did such a good job I think. Stannis didn't know what he was supposed to be either. He lost himself piece by piece playing a game he hated

[@RexGalilae]

Dilane kept losing himself piece by piece playing in a show he never loved. Stannis kept losing himself piece by piece playing a game of politics and intrigue he never loved.

[@pawemarsza9515]

@@bullthatsalive9111 reading those books before typing on the internet wouldn't hurt you

[@nelsonchereta816]

Stannis was definitely one of the most complicated characters in ASOIAF. And he was the only one who didn't want the Iron Throne for the sake of power. He tried to become king because he felt it was hit duty to become so. I always thought the fact he took four of Davos's fingers and then made him a lord always told you everything you needed to know about Stannis. He does not forget, he does not forgive, and he will do what he believes duty requires of him no matter what it costs.

[@BelleroseQC]

Including burning his own daughter at the stake and burning his own loyal men for not supporting a hostile foreign religion. Stannis is a piece of shit.

[@gaybowser4967]

@@BelleroseQC *ahem* show only stuff. He burns people in the books but one of the most famous examples, Lord Alester Florent, was for him basically saying treason, in supporting and making peace with an illegitimate government that was only good at military victories, as it was tearing the entire nation apart. He burned people when there was a purpose. Like they were evil or outright breaking the law. He hasn't and won't burn his daughter in the books, it just doesn't make sense

[@davidtownsend6092]

I don't buy that. He wanted the throne. He was way to rigid to not want the throne. Take jayarvaman the 7th of khmer empire. He literally just gave his brother the throne to prevent a war and the suffering of the people. Yet when the empire was aflame and his brother dead, in his 60s he took his duty bailed on his vows and became the greatest king theg ever had ruling for 30 years into his 90s. THAT is a man who values duty but didn't want the throne. Some part of Stannis felt the throne was whaghe earned and he wanted it.

[@datnoob4394]

Stannis is more dutiful than Ned but less honourable

[@bridge4]

I can buy that

[@dale27488]

Duty > Honour

[@richarddrapeau7599]

@@dale27488 Duty is not greater than honour. Soldiers may do their duty by following a corrupt command, honour is soldiers refusing the comand knowing they will be punished for it.

[@nicholasoneal1521]

@@richarddrapeau7599 Honor is naive, duty holds nations together.

[@richarddrapeau7599]

@@nicholasoneal1521 Not necessarily. Honor can be nieve, but it is not a requirement. Blind honorless duty leads men and nations to ruin, if after a brief victory.

[@Thaistickthai]

His last word was duty...

[@staticshotaop561]

RAWR XDDDD

[@willtattersall1940]

Australiantatious lol

[@zackdelarocha8]

Simian Stareyes For all the weight they are given, last words are often as important as the first.

[@novicetech1]

Wow! Nice catch and for him, there could not be a more poetic or fitting ending. Nice.

[@aceofbass95]

YodaWithASoda you should be fucking ashamed of yourself mate

[@youtubecommentor1338]

Last Words before their head was cut off - Ser Rodrick Cassel - "Gods help you Theon, for now you are truly lost" Rickard Karstark - "Kill me and be cursed" Stannis - "Go on do your Duty"

[@CousinCosta]

Ned - "I kept my promise, Lyanna"

[@Daniel130782]

"You're the smartest guy I ever met, and you're too stupid to see -- he made up his mind 10 minutes ago... Do what you are gonna do"

[@AristonSparta]

Ned - Valar Morghulis

[@Megalslslsls]

YUR SHIT AT DYING DO YU KNOW DAT

[@jdollars661]

Darius hanks death hit me man

[@MajorityFFA]

Granted the peach scene wasn’t in the show but the smoked ham joke wasn’t in the book. You win some and you lose some

[@bridge4]

they also wrote in that good joke about "cats. i never liked cats. but we ate them" lol

[@MajorityFFA]

bridge4 yeah lol. Great video btw I miss show Stannis a lot now

[@bridge4]

me too. he was awesome thank you btw

[@DysnomiaFilms]

@@bridge4 Didn't GRRM write that episode, Blackwater, where the cats thing was mentioned?

[@Syndixal]

@@DysnomiaFilms yes grrm is a legend

[@Dadecorban]

Stannis' major flaw is that he believes he is the main character.

[@bridge4]

lol thats a cool interpreation. funny

[@DonetskiLetsplayshik]

But it's also a positive trait of him to not give any fucks about what anyone says - he is SURE it is his duty, and he is determined to perform it, no matter the opinions of others. It is hard to have this level of confidence and determination.

[@jackjennings1707]

We're all the main character in our own stories

[@bridge4]

"There's still time" ~ ser Jaime (in regards to how he will fill the remaining pages of the book of brothers

[@notmareelnam7545]

@@jackjennings1707 Nigga, I'm the villain of mine.

[@ivanbluecool]

One less video to watch Stannis: Fewer

[@bridge4]

+ivanbluecool well played

[@blacklotus561]

Its only fewer when in plural, dummy...

[@nicholascobb2859]

It’s actually less in that case since video is singular.

[@kapitan19969838]

Wait a minute, isn't fewer used for plural words...

[@newera478]

@@kapitan19969838 True that. I feel bad that ivan didn't understand why Stannis corrected Davos.

[@blahblah9399]

Stannis is a great, complex and tragic character

[@nathancardon233]

Casually sacrifices his lovely daughter

[@kasimshaikh3750]

Only if Robert was clever enough to make Stannis the Hand instead of poor old Ned.

[@ravi181213]

end of game of thrones

[@swingmattuk]

Or Stannis hadn’t left after Jon Arryn’s death but stayed in Kings Landing and brought men with him -

[@dakotasherman632]

Shit the series would have ended before it even began

[@eddarby469]

That's an interesting theory, but given the treachery of the Lanisters I don't see how that would have changed anything in a substantive way. The Starks would have gone on searching for the culprit in their son's attempted murder. I wonder how Robert would have managed that with Stannis as Hand.

[@gorillabarrel]

@@eddarby469 if stannis was his hand they would have never gone north and bran wouldn't have been pushed out the window.

[@harryross9377]

Burning Shireen was the final nail in the coffin for the show for me. Stannis was the best and most interesting character in the series and they fucked it up

[@zero11010]

They've hinted that Shereen's grey scale may be dormant, rather than cured. This would mean she is sickly. There are theories that she may become able to transmit the disease in the future. Less of an issue in the show, more of a potential issue in the books.

[@bridge4]

Possibly. I put more faith in the maesters over what may just be hearsay to val. Only time will tell tho

[@devinfleenor3188]

​@@bridge4 The north remembers.

[@edisonlima4647]

I think Melisandre is going to burn Shireen alive to "wake the Stone Dragon" as her prophecy foretold, only to find out said "Stone Dragon" is actually Shireen's dormant Grey Scale, a diseased that petrified the skin if it's victims (Stone) and feared for its ferocity and uncontrollability (Dragon). I just don't know how a sudden epidemic South of the Wall would gel with everything else going on.

[@RamzaBeoulves]

"Whatever else he is, the man is still a knight" He stays true to what he said "A good act doesn't wash out the bad, nor a bad the good" It always irritates me in movies when a character gets half an hour of screentime and what the producer calls "character developpement" is actually turning the entire cahracter on its head. GoT gets it right... most of the time

[@bridge4]

:))

[@AsifLicious]

Ramza Beoulves another show that does an AMAZING job at that is House MD

[@LisaSimpson2]

House MD another show I love 😊👌💖

[@Dizzy247365plus]

Welcome to season 8.

[@ryousenketsu6053]

Season 8 : hold my cup

[@roguetwo5903]

Stannis having his daughter killed affected me more then any other scene in all of GoT. Thje Stannis arc was one of my favorites in the show. When he died the show died a little as well.

[@thorin2152]

Affected you more than Oberyn's death ?

[@thorin2152]

@FBI Damn. I was literally shaking after Oberyn's death. Not the same after Shereen's death. Although I was upset they ruined my favourite GOT character (Stannis) so badly.

[@Manchevo]

The thing that I love Stannis for is that he gives friends and enemies choices.( not including Shireen stuff since thats only on the show ). For example, he gave his brother a choice to join him since he's the rightful heir or basically die. He gave Jon a choice to join him and become the Warden of the North. But most important, he gave the Wildlings, the people who attacked "his" realm, the choice to join him and settle in the north or freeze to death beyond the wall. The first king ever to do such a thing and that is why currently he is getting supported by major northern houses against the Boltons who backstabbed their lord. He asks people to follow him, but always gives them reason as to why to.

[@hpkentangreviewer5487]

He didn't get any support from northern houses in the show...

[@rajesh-yp7xx]

@@hpkentangreviewer5487 But he did in the books. The Mountain Clans, Glover, Mors Umber, and soon Manderly and perhaps Howland Reed

[@hpkentangreviewer5487]

@@rajesh-yp7xx I was talking about the show, not the book

[@alfredosauce4476]

@@rajesh-yp7xx u forgot karstarks

[@marcusfraser2790]

@@hpkentangreviewer5487 honestly after season 8, fook the show!

[@dovekin5436]

Stannis the Mannis gets such a bad rap in the show, but you did a really good job showing his underlying motivations and mindset. He did love Shireen, I'm glad you covered that. He was totally swept up in Mel's Azor Ahai bs. He fully believed he was the only one who could stop the Night King and when you accept that this was his mentality then you begin to see that he was not a monster. He was very misguided and his whole story is so sad. He was sure Shireen would die either way, but by sacrificing her he was led to believe everyone else would live. He wasn't greedy or malicious like so many other characters. He had a certain nobility, he tried to do what he thought was his duty for the good of the realm and he put that above all else. And in his free time he never shied from delivering lessons in good grammar.

[@Chemicalkinetics]

"Stannis the Mannis gets such a bad rap in the show" -- he is quiet popular in the show

[@Omega4Productions]

@@Chemicalkinetics I think they're referring to the little fact where he burned his own daughter alive in the show, which has permanently painted him as a villain amongst a lot (if not most) show fans.

[@abzi03]

@@Chemicalkinetics He's hated in the show lol they put the villain on him

[@Chemicalkinetics]

@@abzi03 Let me rephrase. He is hated in the show, but he is beloved by people who watch the show. I see everywhere many people post comments how much they love Stannis.

[@zemljajeravna5336]

In the books he will survive and he will be the main strategist that will stop the army of the dead. He may die in that battle but he will defend the human kind from extinction.

[@charleslennonbaker]

The scenes between father and daughters within the show are the most poignant works of drama in any genre. I still love the Stanis/Shireen, "because you're my daughter" scene. Remember when Tywin tells Tyrion, "because you're my son"? He said that because it was expected of him, it was his duty, to 'love' his children. Stannis, on the other hand, loves his daughter because it was his, privilege.

[@daveyboy5270]

Great overview of a very complex character. I'd forgotten about the peach. You have a talent for finding these esoteric plot points. Very well done Kev.

[@bridge4]

thank you as always, ser!

[@mickystrong816]

Question do you think robbert enjoyed having before around more because this being honor bound reminded robbert of stannis when they were growing up? Also stannis is like the part of me I don't like but I feel I need

[@daveyboy5270]

+Micky Strong Having who around? Ned? Ned was the brother he would've chosen, so maybe if you meant him. Robbert didn't come off as too sentimental to me tho, except for in regards to Lyanna

[@KaladinVegapunk]

Micky Strong well king bob always overshadowed Stan in their youth, his eagle flew higher, etc, they weren't really close Their parents sunk in a storm offshore while they watched, and Bob got sent to be a ward at the Vale with Jon Arryn, along with Ned. So they bonded and grew up together as brothers, Ned was the younger brother and Bob was actually kind of similar to his brother Brandon, hot headed, strong, big with the ladies, but he and ned didn't really seem super close, kind of like Bob and Stannis And especially after Aerys killed Brandon, ned definitely saw Bob as his brother.

[@bridge4]

Stannis was a ward at the vale too? I always assumed he was around cressen at storms end

[@kurtcobain3426]

These likes are yours by right

[@bridge4]

lol. thanks, Ser Kurt. miss ya, brotha!

[@JoneZ2610]

I'm certain he wont come to the same conclusion in the books. This character is so strong and intriguing, I know George loves to kill people off suddenly, but Stannis has a purpose still.

[@abzi03]

I feel like stannis should be Azor ahai. Anyone but jon traitor spawn, snow lol

[@khalduras784]

@@abzi03 dont know about azor ahai but he definitely should not be killed until he atleast gets to meet or participate in the eventual battle with his opposite, Euron Greyjoy.

[@Sir-Pleiades]

In the books it's rather implied that he is either dead or captured by the Bolton as they send a message to Jon Snow saying they had defeated his armies.

[@cristoalba4004]

@@Sir-Pleiades yeah but the pink letter is hugely speculated to not have been written by Bolton.

[@holypaladin4657]

@@Sir-Pleiades The likelihood of the letter actually coming from Ramsay is slim if you compare the text in the letter and the physical letter itself to the other letters Ramsay sends in the series. I don’t know who sent it and for what purpose (you can read the myriad of theories online about that) but I personally believe Ramsay didn’t send it, and if he didn’t send it I find it unlikely that Stannis is actually dead. Stannis is a force of nature as a character and a very creative and devious commander. Notably he does not seem concerned or desperate at all about his circumstances of being “trapped” starving next to the lake, and he locks himself in a tower supposedly planning. Stannis has got some tricks up his sleeve, that’s for sure. Roose, Ramsay and Hosteen Frey cannot compare to the unrivalled strategic mind of Stannis. And the Northerners in Winterfell that aren’t Bolton men are mutinous. I’m surprised a band of Hornwood men haven’t already poked Ramsay full of holes for the atrocity he committed on their Lady.

[@therealoldnosey8689]

that fucking last episode with stannis was the most bull shit I've ever seen.

[@wickedWitch456]

HANDS DOWN the best analysis of Stannis I've seen on KZbin. Usually you have to go to the big podcasts to get this kind of material and you did it in sixteen minutes. Keep up the awesome work!

[@bridge4]

you are too kind. for real. thank you tho!

[@krakentacos]

Renley's peach is one of my favorite moments in the whole series...

[@bridge4]

my favorite was probably septon meridald's speech about broken men. but the peach is a great one, too!

[@childofpersia1213]

Wow. I've been a book fan for years but you really just made it hit home for me: Stannis is a great king. He has an excellent combo of ruthlessness/cunning (like the Lannisters) and honor/duty (like the Starks). He lived according to a honorable code, even if it meant he was personally hurt. That's not at all the case with our politicians today. I never fully appreciated how selfless he was and how well it served his people

[@malirabbit6228]

Stannis is one of my favorite characters!

[@hrishinair4372]

Stannis's story towards the end was extremely depressing. 😞

[@ComaDave]

"Nobody expects the Stannis Inquisition!" Whatever you think of him, the man was quite the pragmatist. Great work, Stephen Dillane.

[@tavitovar]

I've always envisioned Stannis as having Aspergers Syndrome. He struggles with personal affairs to the point his bannermen all acknowledge something is "off" without being able to precisely pinpoint it. One of the many MANY great things GRRM has chosen to do with the series is acknowledge and give a place for "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things." I believe this is part of the reason he was so susceptible to Melisandre's influence. His incredible battle strategies, paired with his house name, and personality rigidity scared the Baratheon bannermen before Mel was introduced. While characters like Davos respect, fear, and love Stannis' the black and white outlook in a world full of chaos.

[@bridge4]

For sure. Also, he's witnessed her having powers: shadow baby. So combine that with her deception (lleeches) and then claims that the world depends on him, and he's vulnerable to doing bad things believing the are necesary to aave humanity... so tragic :(

[@justindatkins1234]

That peach story should have been in the show... It would of gave a otherwise hard as stone man a very human moment

[@bridge4]

Good point!

[@PeterHKwok]

D&D were just looking for a chance to throw him away as soon as possible. Stannis did say "I killed my own brother..." in disgust on the show. He also got sad after telling Davos to lead the fleet to Blackwater Bay, but his facial expression or what he was feeling really was not conclusive for most viewers. GRRM said he had to correct D&D in changing Jeyne Westerling's character's background into someone from Volantis without changing her name to a Volantine one. D&D truly did not care about the story or its depth. Ideas of Ice and Fire on KZbin said that so many of the actors were complaining about their roles after GRRM left the show (2nd episode of Season 4). Nikolaj Coster-Waldau since Season 4, Euron's actor Pilou Asbæk since forever, I already saw the video of Barristan Selmy's actor Ian McElhinney saying that he tried to convince D&D to keep his character longer, because they all read the books and they understood when D&D were just being lazy. Stephen Dillane did not read the books, but he obviously understood lazy writing when he saw it. Think about how many other characters prematurely died on the show, like Pyp, Grenn, and Mance Rayder. After George left, D&D wanted to liquidate the show instead of handing the reins over to someone who had more passion for the story, and would have taken up on HBO's offer to shoot more episodes and even feature films for the same story. HBO or whoever will own the rights to GoT in the future should get the actors together and shoot the peach part and the conversation about it later, add them to the episodes.

[@Opinwood]

Oh how I wish you were right

[@Hank..]

I wish the peach scene had been in the show, because it's so fitting for Stannis' character. If there's any character on GoT I felt bad for, it's Stannis. Because he did what he thought was right, what by all rights WAS his duty, and it cost him everything. The bitterness of Stannis was difficult to watch, because it seemed so unfair.

[@bridge4]

=))

[@eddarby469]

Ned did his "duty" in everything except agreeing to have the Targarian children murdered. Ned was the best. But, he wasn't an heir to the throne and fully supported Stannis' claim.

[@V1ert]

@@eddarby469 he didn't agree

[@Brando64]

"Stannis is a very _martial_ man"

[@bridge4]

+Cardinal Doomsday you're probably right. If now guess they mis-transcribed that grrm quote

[@ColumbiaB]

He’s definitely right. The word “marshal” doesn’t make sense in that context.

[@wizardcat7654]

It is mentioned in the books (if I'm remembering right) that Robert gave Dragonstone to Stannis, because it was a bigger responsibility than Storm's End, which Renly could not handle, so he gave it to Stannis.

[@bridge4]

Ah true. Good point!

[@Omega4Productions]

I think Stannis saw it as a slight though. Well, in the show Stannis does. Its been a while since I've read the books, so its possible he doesn't have a similar mindset in the books.

[@HaS2929]

Also during the targaryen era the heir to the throne was given Dragonstone

[@khalduras784]

@@Omega4Productions that's mostly because Robert has always been hard on Stannis since they were kids. Robert kinda cares for his brothers but he is just very bad at showing it

[@Omega4Productions]

@@khalduras784 I understand why Robert did it. But Stannis doesn't obviously.

[@ivanbluecool]

Stannis is very complicated. He does his duty. Betrays his king for his brother. Putting family above duty. Held out until ned came abd felt betrayed. Still funny that thw three brothers were in kings landing at the same time but never all together. I wish we could have saw them all together an fsee how they act. Robert stannis and renly. I also like how stannis did bend a bit in the book about listening to Jon and not using the wildlings as it would not win him the north and instead wins little battles to get the north on his side to beat the Frey and boltons. Also he does love his daughter as in the book he wants her to be queen if he dies and have his men die for her. I hope he makes it out in the book a littlr longer after thr battle. STANNIS THE MANNIS HAS THE PLANNIS

[@bridge4]

great post. unlike most tho, i dont think he last too long in the books. i think shireen gets burnt there as well :( (maybe her life pays for jons?)

[@ivanbluecool]

bridge4 I also think that. But I mean the thought counts and then Jon uses this as his duty to save stannis and avenge shireen by killing mel and beating the boltons with his army as well

[@bridge4]

i wonder when that book will come. you just got be so excited lol

[@iggy1296]

Stannis will beat the Boltons. no way Jon can be resurrected, gather an army and march to Winterfell during winter.

[@jango7472]

Ya Stannis beats the Bolton’s in the books then heads back to the wall. Probably burns her as the last part to become Azor Ahai and marches against whitewalkers

[@onetwothreefourfive12345]

"Only Renly could vex me with a piece of fruit..."

[@thegreatskinkpriest8104]

Damn I miss Stannis. He would have been an excellent king.

[@dannyjames8894]

"Stannis did not love his brothers" A lie, take it out.

[@patbronske22]

“Make it Ser Jamie Lannister the Kingslayer whatever else he is the mans still a knight”

[@bridge4]

Great show line. That whole scene was gnarly

[@patbronske22]

bridge4 it shows that he has a respect and understanding for honor. He hates and wants to kill Jamie, but he still respects who he is and what he’s done.

[@bridge4]

Yeh for sure. Stannis is a very unique character, and I love some if the show only lines for him, specifically the one you mentioned. And Stephen dillane casual delivery if it too. So awesome

[@patbronske22]

bridge4 season 8 was a letdown but we can’t just ignore one of the best shows ever IMO it’s 3 after the Sopranos and Wire. I never liked the fantasy genre and never wanted to watch it, but I did and loved it. No matter how it ended it was overall a great show and showed a lot of people who would never thought to pick up a book to do so.

[@StormWolf01]

I don't think i could be Stannis' friend, but i respect him. He is a solid man and he values truth and honor. He is strong, and he endures all the shits that life throws at him. He keeps going foward no matter what. He's kind of beautiful, in a way.

[@bridge4]

hear, hear

[@karimkopra]

yep he will be horrible in rainbow six siege coop

[@LoreCraft]

Very good video! Enjoyed this analysis. Thanks for posting

[@bridge4]

ThanKS :)

[@bridge4]

dude, i just watched your groot video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX_NqIekp9hrrdk that's a really cool type of art. color me impressed!

[@chrissyofoldstones3210]

Poor Shireen 😞

[@bridge4]

i love her. not just because Davos is my favorite character... but because she was an incredible human so sad. i guess one of the major themes of the story revolves around "children"... unfortunately, she got the short end of the stick :-(

[@jaked569]

She was good, she was kind, and ya killed her!

[@alveolate]

i still hear her screams as she burned.

[@kungmatte7]

Stannis' defeat and Shireen's sacrifice is fanfiction though. Stannis, Selyse and Shireen were all murdered by D&D.

[@tjporrino]

The moment the show went over the cliff. A terrible scene, almost unwatchable, not just for the horror but for the fact that it makes no sense. No King would sacrifice his own heir. And for what? To change the weather? The whole story line, including the 'Ramsey's 20 good men' nonsense was all rushed and poorly executed, as if D&D didn't know where they were supposed to go with the story. They never liked or understood Stannis and so they devised a haphazard set of scenes to get him out of the story. In the interview after that episode Benioff (I believe) talked about Stannis's ambition and what it got him. Talk about not understanding the character, he was about duty, not ambition. The thing I don't understand is why bother have him burn Shireen? Since he would just go on and lose the battle and die the following episode, why not just let Ramsey kill Shireen? I get the burning was to horrify the audience because at that point in the story D&D seem to have come to believe that 'SHOCK!' was the secret to their success. Why not have Ramsey do something terrible to Stannis's family? Why ruin the character of (TV) Stannis for those of who liked the character. To me the show has never recovered from this move and has been a steady decline to the fan fiction crap that it now is.

[@childofpersia1213]

Stannis: "What's one bastard boy against a whole kingdom" FORESHADOWING JON SNOW SAVES THE KINGDOM

[@DimBeam1]

hes not a bastard though. so...

[@GiddyGoons]

Jon Snow isn't a bastard

[@sixeros4435]

@@GiddyGoons Spoiler´!

[@WalterLiddy]

@@GiddyGoons He also doesn't save the kingdom.

[@SeaDemon25]

@@WalterLiddy he may now after episode 5

[@ajaxdgonzo7263]

Stannis was such a compelling character for views on duty. As it’s pointed out he wasn’t just killing people he saw as his enemies but some were friends and family. He only did what he did because he thought that was truly his role and who he was, and that is was hard but he had to be who he was and do his duty.

[@N1mr]

Wow dude another original clip. The saying “a good deed does not wash out a bad and a bad deed does not wash out a good” has really taken me back on real life events. I try reaching it to my 13 y/o intelligent son. Also, some of Stanis acting was so FUCKING incredible. 1. The Way Stanis looks into the blank of space while leaning on the dragon stone table talking to Davis about prevlackwater plans and if he trusts SALador sam. 2. The speech about starving “dogs , never liked dogs , loyal” He nailed that scene WOW 3. Way he looked into the fire and the emotion on his face while Melisandre showed him THE WFTD IN THE FIRE. 4. Lastly the look on his face before during and after Shireen a death. I keep hoping Stanis crawled his way to castle black and becomes 1000th lord commander with one leg (that brianne cut off) . But that looks less and less likely to happen :( “Have you lost your mind that’s my daughter” “ Is he a ham”

[@bridge4]

absolutely. after spending so much time on this, i started envisioning some sort of future videos on best actors, best fit to books, and best show version (better than book). and he would definitely fit the first two imo. one of the best performers by far. and totally nails the book version too i think while making this, i literally thought "i cant imagine another person playing him... this dude killed it"

[@milez.s241]

bridge4 yeah Stephen Dillaine was definitely one of the better performances in the show. Just a shame his character didn’t get the justice it deserved.

[@N1mr]

He was in another role as cia assistant director in spy game. Very good actor “dam I’m hungry (clicks fingers on both hands)

[@N1mr]

Miles Stott the new GRRM interview(if its real) gives a small hint Stannis could be still alive) remember he also said in the past (not possible fake) “there is a major plot twist with a major character dead in the show that’s not dead in the books”

[@netravatpendsey]

bridge4 I liked the seen in which he dictate a letter. In season 1. The one near 4:08. I think that it captures his straight thinking, work with him and live or die

[@luciarosselini6199]

You have to stop making me cry 😢

[@bridge4]

blame george :-P

[@HyPeRQsZzZRaymond]

bridge4 Nah you done that editing at the end on purpose lol

[@bridge4]

I knOw, I knoooow. Oh. OH. ooooh :-P

[@jonjones7739]

Omg im adding this one to one of my favorites man . this is an amazing exert and to see a man like stannis regretful and confused really brought his character full circle for me. i like stannis because he is cold and hard but those brief moments when he shows his human side are super powerful. and as usual you grasp something people read and overlook for the next sword fight and show the humanity behind things. really loved this video man

[@CountStoczkowski]

I get choked up every time I hear Shireen sing that song, especially now after her tragic death. Great closer to a great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@JadedTheatre]

People are so freaking cruel. I love Shireen, and she is beautiful and smart and was put in an impossible situation by her parents. Her mother finally felt maternal as her daughter was burning alive. Tragic.

[@melissam597]

I absolutely despised Selyse,she never showed any kindness towards Shireen 😢

[@moegreene7940]

Read the books. Stannis says if I don’t make it you put Shireen on the throne. They did him dirty with showing him burning his daughter. Book Stannis would never

[@anthoniesantic4325]

16 minutes of Kev, amazing

[@anthoniesantic4325]

Alright I'm sad now, that peach and that outro, amazing but sad.

[@bridge4]

yeah, my bad about that. its definitely a sad video. but that's stannis' story unfortuantely a lot of hilarious lines in there though (of stannis being serious and saying funny stuff like "i never liked cats...i like dogs..they're loyal" lol)

[@anthoniesantic4325]

bridge4 don't be sorry, its a good sad. I miss Stannis a lot, he could be really funny from time to time

[@bridge4]

yeah this was supposed to be 6-8min, but because i find every seen hilarious, it grew into a monster of a video lol

[@anthoniesantic4325]

bridge4 I like it, it's a good monster

[@scottie16976]

Brilliant Kev. even better the second time. The music, the scenes you picked....just perfect

[@bridge4]

i cant believe you watched again lol. i meant to make this public monday, bt like i told LMR, i decided to do it today and try to get on a schedule of GoT videos every mon/thurs (and maybe more if possible, but those two are the goal)

[@DarthAzog]

name of music?

[@farhannadim2881]

Stannis Baratheon The one true King!!!!!!!

[@abebaxter2297]

Only Renly could vex me with a piece of fruit.

[@bridge4]

Great line!

[@dentistguba]

Davos should have passed Stannis an onion.

[@gokbay3057]

I love the fact that the peach haunts him. Like he mentions it several books later it's kind of hilarious.

[@SuperEringarcia]

Kev, I've viewed this video several times. It's one of the most powerful to date. Thank you kindly for such knowledge & insight. Cheers

[@bridge4]

thanks, Anythony =))

[@professornumbnutz5474]

Stannis the mannis is hilarious . I loved the character other than the whole burning his daughter alive thing. Oh well we all make mistakes

[@zemljajeravna5336]

Prize was too big not to accept, to burn his daughter, but all of that because he believed that witch, and that was his only mistake. He always had two options to listen to Ser Davos or to listen to her. For all the things that she did for him with magic, later on he had to pay it back with something as a consequence.

[@Jansz101]

Absolutely awesome, please don’t stop with the videos !!

[@decadentia84]

That was a great video, great insight and editing.

[@bridge4]

thanks!

[@MA1.5]

Great vid! Stannis and Davos might be my favorite characters in the series. I'll never look at a peach the same

[@bridge4]

+Monique Ayala thanks :)) #teamDavos

[@cathair9295]

No

[@LisaMariavanHarmelen]

Great video and a long one as well! 16 minutes of entertainment. Even though I already liked your video's in the beginning you are becoming better every video. And you are also on of the few youtubers where you can really hear in your voice that you enjoy telling stories to us, that makes me excited as well.

[@mickel1470]

Delightful analysis of someone who still is one of my favorite characters.

[@thefearlessmermaid3022]

This is why I love your channel

[@TheOneWithNoFNnick]

I still wonder why we never saw him dead. Not that George turned me into a paranoid person, but... I never saw Stannis' corpse.

[@pspicer777]

ravenesse _” ... not that George turned me into a paranoid person ...”_ . LOL.

[@maxdembo2029]

I think they got a lot of backlash about how they treated the character and that was their attempt at appeasement. However, they missed the mark again.

[@TheOneWithNoFNnick]

@@maxdembo2029 'We shouldn't have had you kill your daughter, because that's totally not your character. Therefore we will not show your dead body.' That doesn't make sense to me. I think you're right.

[@MrSpartanspud]

Stannis was always one of my favourite characters. I dislike a lot of his decisions and I wouldn't enjoy having to interact with him. But as a person to observe and try to understand he is interesting.

[@bridge4]

im with you on all acconts! =))

[@morgan9774]

Wow. This was an absolute pleasure to watch. Very insightful. The comment section is the best, you guys rock!

[@bridge4]

Thanks, Morgan :)) all credit to grrrm and Stephen dilane though :)

[@MyShitBricks]

A truly good king is one who is both a king, and slave - doing the hardest choices nobody else could.

[@michellekaylan6926]

Brilliant dissection of a seemingly one-note personality. You illustrated the harmonies. Thanks!

[@bridge4]

thanks, Michelle =)

[@jbtechcon7434]

One thing we have to give to D&D, the last words they wrote for Stannis were absolutely perfect.

[@bridge4]

good call! =))

[@mikeborer1478]

My king 😢

[@jbug1979]

this was the first bridge4 video i ever saw. and it made me fall in love with the channel 😍

[@novicetech1]

I have read the books and I have watched the show. But nowhere are the characters more alive, more, nuanced, more complex, or more clear than in your videos. I would not have imagined that I could feel even a pinch of sympathy for Stannis, but that's because I didn't understand him... until now. Thank you, Bridge. Another simply amazing video.

[@pareshingle5340]

I was reading through the book today and was wondering about the peach and here you are with a video about it.

[@bridge4]

oh no doubt. that;s awesome! are you doing a full reread or just going through certain POV chapters?

[@pareshingle5340]

bridge4 doing a full read, to be honest I've read AGOT multiple times and certain POV chapters of ACOK, but I have enough time now to dwell into the world that George has so painstakingly created.

[@bridge4]

have you checked out sons of the dragon, rogue prince, prince and the queen and tales of dunk and egg? i did them all via audible. really well narrated. gwendoline christie, ian glenn, and harry lloyd

[@pareshingle5340]

Dunk and Egg is on my list next, and I don't want to rush through the books, I want to give them time to not miss the details, but one thing I have found is that rereads are must for these books.

[@bridge4]

yeah. they are very dense. rereads definitely help, and more importantly, are fun =)

[@prof.cecilycogsworth3204]

Always a such a treat to watch your videos.

[@bridge4]

:))

[@jamiewalker8493]

Beautiful video kev and great coverage of one of my top 5 characters. Nice length of video as well ☺

[@bridge4]

thank HBO for the length. i intended it to be 6-8 minutes. but i couldnt resist adding in so much stannis stuff, bc i got such a kick out of him (and hoped others would too)

[@rugbyforzimbos8577]

I’m glad Stannis is still alive in the books

[@zoehill4071]

Thank you for the video you helped me to see a different side to Stanis. Great character

[@bridge4]

my pleasure. glad you liked it =)

[@JareBearAraujo]

That was a really awesome video!

[@bridge4]

thanks!

[@thegothichorrorguy1192]

Amazing observation and analysis!

[@Unnatural09]

Which is why in the books when the men were freezing he refused to burn anyone. The men were of different faith's and burning will help no one. He said if I should die put the Princess on the throne. Stannis truly is the man who deserves to sit on the iron throne.....but I feel that because of the influence of the show it will never happen.

[@brad3283]

You honestly think George is going to let the show influence his writing? Lmaooo

[@Xerxes2005]

I really doubt Stannis was ever meant to become King in the books. He's not even a point of view character. We only know what he's doing through Davos and a little through Melisandre and Asha Greyjoy.

[@sixeros4435]

Nah, Martin does his own Stuff. He has an Idea of what happens, and he wont change tht, because that would ruin the story.

[@luxborealis]

Brian McGowan He already has. That wildling girl went with Rickon in the book instead of dying because Martin liked the way the actress portrayed her on the show.

[@gmanor20]

This is well put together. Youve got a new subscriber.

[@bridge4]

+logicslayer thanks!! Look fr ward to chatting witH ya

[@lillianchristine8106]

I’ve SAID the words, damn ye!

[@bridge4]

hahah i love that line. Stephen Dillane was great. what an actor!

[@ogeidsamsora]

Very cathartic, subbed.

[@bridge4]

Thanks, John!

[@randahassan5463]

Always so impressed by these videos. I cant understand how you are not much more well known. Please keep them coming.

[@bridge4]

Got a good one coming (I think) few more days to finish it :)

[@bridge4]

It's a theory video tho. I've gotta so another one like this dtannis and the hound video. Those are fun

[@bridge4]

Thank you BTW :)

[@PinkDaisy57]

My favourite character of GOT Stannis.

[@bridge4]

for sure. he was pretty cool in many ways

[@Sau1itos]

Great video. Stannis is my favorite character and I'm happy he's still alive in the novels... for now... S/O from Woodbridge!

[@bridge4]

Wb jersey?

[@krazo4Christ]

This is a good character study. Keep up the good work!

[@bridge4]

+Cory Edwards thanks, Cory!

[@kbar8006]

Awesome video. Thourally enjoyed it

[@f1shm0nger82]

Stannis was a good man. He would have been a good King, a hard one but a good one

[@stramashbeatbox2798]

Wow, fantastic breakdown of a saddening story.

[@andrewgeorgecomeau4066]

I liked what you said about Shireen. Boone ever thinks about how she was dealt one of the worst hands, but she was always good-hearted.

[@alvinchoquet5761]

NIce catch, I now think it's actual foreshadowing towards Jon. Keep it up ;)

[@ELMITLON]

Goddamn this video made me remember the sadness going through my heart when I saw the face of Stannis while the bolton's cavalry were charging.

[@Elnont]

The actor did a brilliant job, I just wish he got to play *book* Stannis.

[@bridge4]

yeh, he was phenomenal for sure. Stephen Dillan iirc (im terrible with names tho)

[@shaihulud2977]

I'm really late to this vid, but I am so glad it was recommended to me. I love Stannis and his reflection on the peach is one of my absolute favorite moments of ASOIAF!