Game of Thrones/ASOIAF Theories | Rickon's Purpose | Podcast

[@johnmiranda3641]

Ricon's destiny in the books is a true mystery. The only thing that I feel confident about is that it will be more significant then portrayed in the television series.

[@stupidminotaur9735]

LF hostage his dedt scheme hostage.

[@johnmiranda3641]

@@stupidminotaur9735 I question if even the Battle of the Bastards plays out in the books honestly, let alone Ricon being used to get Jon to break ranks and destroy the set upon strategy. As Dave & Mary Ellen pointed out, Ricon's connection with Shaggy Dog is immense. Very plausible he can warg into other creatures, even control multiple creatures at once by the start of The Winds of Winter. Capturing Ricon by anyone is not going to be merely capturing a little boy. It is going to mean holding a little boy who can turn the surrounding wildlife upon you.

[@jonstark153]

Some northern lords will raise up for rickon bt he will die in the end without having a major impact on the story .

[@Luminousreign]

Yeah I would love for things to play out this way but what if just what if, calling the dog shaggydog was a way to let people in on his story not going anywhere.

[@johnmiranda3641]

@@Luminousreign for arguments sake, let's say GRRM told Dumb & Dumber that Ricon would be insignificant in the books. That literally his story wasn't going anywhere and he was in fact an insignificant character they should kill off. If that was the case, then I dare say that D&D made him reappear in the television series suddenly to have much too significant of a send off. So, I think it plays out similar to what I surmised. Perhaps he dies, but GRRM will have no CGI costs to limit him... Ricon might go down, but all the surrounding wildlife will attempt to prevent that from happening.

[@anthonylaviale3021]

I'm fairly sure Rickon will be feral and trouble for everyone. He lashes at everybody and has abysmal social skills. He also likely wargs/influence the walders, and like Bran, won't learn about skinchanging abominations. I can see him warging the dogs that eat Ramsey. He'll be brought back as a political pawn for sure, but will turn out to be a terrifying agent of chaos, the evil forest god type.

[@ashtton_tapiwa]

So much stuff happens involving the Starks that you kind of forget Catelyn inadvertently abandoned her crippled child and her toddler child.

[@Movieslurge2]

But Cateyln’s crippled child and toddler certainly haven’t forgotten about her.

[@dandansen4261]

Even though I just came from listening to the entire 'why Catelyn sucks' playlist, but this still cracked me up.

[@vKSh87]

I’m rewatching Game of Thrones now for the first time since it ended. It’s crazy how she abandoned her youngest kids and caused Robb to lose the war. And how hateful of a woman she is towards Jon.

[@greenknightable]

Damn there goes my Catelyn Stoneheart worlds best mother line of coffee mugs.

[@PhantomFilmmaker-jd9ho]

THOT - Tully hoe over there

[@childofpersia1213]

When Aryas sight gets taken away from her at the House of Black and White, she becomes a more powerful skinchanger. I bet the same happened when Rickon went into the darkness of the crypts. He was forced to rely on Shaggydog and his powers skyrocketed.

[@matematicarka]

makes sense

[@Richard_Nickerson]

Yup

[@alanpennie8013]

I was going to make that point myself. Sensory deprivation appears to activate the warg bond.

[@BenJover]

That's exactly what happend to bran. So why wouldn't it be the same for rickon?

[@jenny_of_oldstones3523]

Dats what I said, sensory deprivation!

[@TheCreepyLantern]

on the point about Rickon being so young. i was also thinking that a kid his age wouldn't hesitate. there's zero "skin changing is a fairy tail" or "magic isn't real" or "the faith of the 7 doesn't like magic" or ANYTHING else cultural or expectations. for a kid that young if he gets the first few steps he's not gonna hold himself back or think about it. he'll just go "yay fun"

[@LegendaryPredalien12]

Rickon - "Cowabunga it is."

[@justabagel3381]

It blows my mind that there wasn’t a nursemaid directly responsible for him in the books. He was a toddler for goodness sake. Winterfell wasn’t extravagant, but they still had maids.

[@pushista9322]

In the TV show they do make Winterfell look poor and small. There are greats videos on KZbin recreating the real Winterfell which is supposed to be much bigger and fancier in the books. So some nurse was probably assigned to look after him but only managed to do some basic stuff like keep him fed and relatively clean. It's unlikely that Rickon let anyone educate him willingly and no one was going to make the little lordling comply.

[@philsparks6717]

I'm so stoked for Rickon in the books. I think the name "Shaggydog" is like, a red herring form of symbolism that GRRM is using to fool people and Rickon is going to end up being extremely important.

[@zacrusk5274]

That would be awesome! I hope you’re right

[@liberTvalance]

I starting to think he's one of the characters that will benefit from this series growing. He probably did originally want him as a distraction but the way he's changed so much from his original outline... I could see rickon having to come back to unite the north. Extra 1500 skag warriors would help manderly defeat Bolton..

[@jonstark153]

Anyway If he doesn't die he will further the stark line.small chance of him surviving though

[@MaynardCrow]

I hope so. It would be great if the shaggydog reference is misdirection and something impactful comes of his arc. Maybe he will show up in battle riding on a unicorn and will be have become a barbaric cannibal who causes some enemy army to flee in terror and confusion.

[@jonstark153]

@@MaynardCrow this is grrm we're talking about. Maybe he will charge into battle in all his glory to die a few seconds later.......

[@coryholibaugh8124]

Rickon is the Stark wildcard. Your theory fits seamlessly into ASOIAF. I'm not sure if he'll make it to the showdown with the Others, but I expect him to at least help with Ramsey. We shall see. His return and Jamie's storyline intrigue me the most going forward

[@Augusto_Pinochet]

Well, to be fair, perhaps we shall NOT see. GRRM is about one ham sandwich away from becoming George The Hut. “MACHAAAAWAKKAAAMEEEEJAARICKONSTARKA… *HAUW-HAUWWW-HAUWW*”

[@AwesomeMusicLady]

It might be too dark for Rickon to see but Shaggydog can see just fine. Rickon was using Shaggy to see. Jon and Robb resisted the warg bond but Bran and Rickon didn’t resist.

[@feral7523]

Am not really, Wolves while having good night time vision it relies on reflecting from a light source(moonlight,starlight) but in the crypts with zero light source Shaggydog would be just as blind as Rickon.

[@W47689]

Then shaggy can rely on hearing or smell that's vastly more powerful then a child's

[@ronhenschell6710]

How is it possible to overlook Arya…and both ghost and gray wind showed their bond repeatedly

[@peteperkins3859]

Shaggy Dog is all Rickon has it seems. They probably bonded faster than his siblings and their wolves.

[@agustingarcia1841]

"He's not going to run in a straight line and die." Love it!!! So true! I love your videos and view points. I believe you are on point! Your work is appreciated. I can't wait for winds of winter

[@samuellaakso7012]

Because Rickon is so young and he'll be separated from his family for so long, he might forget that he's a Stark in the end. Sure, maybe he could help to gather and lead Skagosian troops with unicorns to battle, but in the end he will not return to Winterfell. Skagos are now his people and he will be known as the Wild Wolf, or the Lost Wolf.

[@Pikepaw]

I still laugh at the fact that when Ned and Catelyn first discuss Rickon being initially scared of the wolves, Ned is just “he is almost 4! He has to face his fears! Dammit Cat, stop being a helicopter parent, he is already delayed in his independence. I moved out of home when I was 2!”

[@alexsanderdaccosta34]

Maybe thats the rrason she never came back to him and Bran

[@Morfe02]

well the wolf is a puppy so yeah CRYSTAL GENERATION on his age, Rickon Stark (ancestor), was killing giants with a stick

[@amandaherbert4194]

I feel like Rickon is a Chekov’s Gun. He was introduced at the beginning of the story, meticulously placed there at a very young age. Then, he becomes a background character, almost more of a set dressing, in a sea of primary, secondary, and even tertiary of plots. But when he returns, he will have a titular role to play in TLN worthy of his name and his upbringing. He and his wolf are marked with the rage of the old gods and we already know the old powers stirring. Keep up the great work guys! Thanks for some great insight! 👏👍

[@histori6259]

Imagining Rickon as a wild sorcerer-soldier ripping apart Boltons and White-walkers is TERRIFYING, lmao

[@nonstopper1410]

Rickon to the white walkers “you think darkness is your ally? I was born in it, molded by it”😅

[@sageofthemysticmist2199]

Love that his direwolfs shaggy dog is a wild one..i think if the story leap's a few years Rickon is going to be this world's berserker..

[@Aishahafreena]

Haha bnb

[@dougrubel5508]

or Giants. Skagos is supposed to have giants. Maybe instead of a murder of crows, Rickon shows up with an army of giants. Rickon could be drinking giant's milk, like Tormund Giantsbabe.

[@ashleyofnaath]

Elio Garcia talked about Rickon's purpose in a video, and he had an intriguing idea that loosely ties into some of what you theorized here. He suggested that Rickon could be ASOIAF's personification of Bakkalon, aka the Pale Child, aka Bakkalon of the Sword. Bakkalon is a God in GRRM's "Thousand Worlds" universe, and in one of its short stories the deity is worshipped by the Steel Angels, a military-religious sect. Bakkalon (the Pale Child) crossed over into ASOIAF. It's worshiped in Asshai, Braavos, and Lys. In the House of Black and White, Arya sees the statue of a pale infant w/a sword, and we learn it's the statue most frequently visited by soldiers. In any case, Elio suggested that Rickon could be seen by the Skagosi as a God due to his magical capabilities; particularly because we don't know if the Skagosi have wargs or not. And if Rickon becomes as advanced as you guys predict, I could only imagine how much his heightened abilities would amplify the Skagosi's awe of him. Anyhow, because they're so inspired by him, Rickon could lead an army of Skagosi warriors around the North performing religious executions of his enemies like the Pale Child led the Steel Angels. That ties into your point that Rickon has the ability to get people to follow him as they follow a God. Perhaps his influence over the Walders was a loose foreshadowing. I can't recall if Elio mentioned this part or not, but our Pale Child Rickon will need a sword. Maybe after Stannis falls, Rickon picks up "Lightbringer" and uses that sword to command legions of Skagosi in battle. Legions of unicorn-mounted Skagosi...I'm actually a bit terrified by that. But in a good way😱.

[@neriumsuitedher]

In my head cannon Rickon becomes the future lord of House Stark. Perhaps he could be the one to Wield Lady Forlorn. Kinda fitting for him too.

[@rebornstillborn]

You beat me to it! I was thinking the same thing. His situation is very much alike the "god-kings" that the Thenn have. The Thenn that are the most alike the ancient First Men, something that describes the Skagosi as well. Skagosi are basically Thenns that happen to live "south of the wall".

[@gerardjagroo]

Skagos is a set of poor as dirt islands. It's unlikely that they would be able to raise 'legions' for Rickon.

[@greenknightable]

👏👐👏👐👏👐👏

[@D.Records]

Touching on when you both were talking about the connection between jon&ghost/rickon&shaggydog. It's quite obvious that each wolf sort of represents its stark counter part. I think it's quite telling that the 2 stark children who are considered 'the runts of the litter' both seem to have the strongest instant connection to there wolves. George loves to do this kind of stuff, hopefully Rickon does have a good part to play in story.

[@Holly_Fae]

When you guys were talking about Rickon having a beard at 7, it cracked me up because my oldest nephew, who is now a hairy grown man, was a hairy kid. He had a baby stache in kindergarten.

[@jasongarcia1886]

Lol

[@Cheezwizzie]

When I think of Rickon I think of that TV show recess. How all the kids were terrified of the kindergarteners because they were feral 😆

[@Sunday265.]

Lol that is such a good comparison

[@sydnitheromantictaylor112]

I do hope we learn more about Rickon in the next book. I hope he doesn't die because if he does then House Stark faces extinction because then the only Starks left will be Bran, Arya, Jon and Sansa which means after they die their House goes extinct because Bran can't produce heirs, Arya says she's not a Lady so she won't wed and have kids, Jon being beyond the wall means his name is meaningless, so Sansa is the only one who can continue the Stark line but she'd have to make her husband take on the Stark name.

[@sydnitheromantictaylor112]

@Lord Alaric Stark lol I hope so if she turns out to be just like she is in the show because I hated her character in the last few seasons

[@jonstark153]

Naa house stark has been extinct in the male line since the time of brandon the daughterless so even if rickon dies sansa will further the line by taking a husband from a lesser northern house

[@severin7772]

GRRM wouldn’t send Rickon to Skagos, a weird dark place known for cannibals, AND send Davos after him, if his story was done. Jon’s vows to the watch end if he dies. He’ll be resurrected in some way but they’re not going to save him while he’s still alive with how many daggers he has in him.

[@sauljahboi5965]

Ramsey Stark here we come

[@HighlandChicken]

Rickon exploring the crypts in the Dark parallels Dany going through the maze in the house of the undying, or the maze makers in Lorath. Walking through a maze blind is what opens your third eye, and Rickon just happened to do it when he was 3. Another thing, there's another animal that is at least symbolically linked to Rickon, the Cannibal. The Cannibal is the most ferocious dragon, is get black with green eyes, is brought up a few times during the Dance of Dragons but ultimately has no real effect on the story at all (shaggydog) and is one of the few dragons to survive the dance. The Cannibal could be on Skagos (seems fitting since they're an island of cannibals) and could potentially be the dragon woken from stone. There is an issue with age though, considering Balerion is said to have died of old age at 208. However, we cannot say for sure Balerion died of old age , he could have easily just been ill, or may have still been suffering from whatever happened in Valyria with Aerea. Additionally, there are rumours that the cannibal was on Dragonstone BEFORE the Targaryens arrived, which if true means that he was already older than Balerion by the time of the Dance. "The cold preserves" may mean that the Cannibal was able to live a longer life than average on skagos.

[@Richard_Nickerson]

Rickon knew so much so quickly because he spent so much *conscious* time in the pitch black.

[@Cheezwizzie]

The oldest child and the youngest child are always the most significant so the fact that Jon's wolf is significantly different than all the others aside from Rickons just reaffirms my belief that Jon is the oldest son.

[@josephradley3160]

As Varymyr Sixskins says, when you bond with a beast you become a part of the beast and a part of the beast is within you.

[@Dani_1012]

Do you remember if he said anything of when your bonded animal dies before you? I can't seem to recall and now I'm wondering what of Sansa and Lady, does she still have a part of Lady within her?

[@josephradley3160]

@Dani_1012 he felt the pain as his father's axe cut into the dogs head. He felt the pain of every other animal he shared with that died.

[@evalationx2649]

I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but Dan and Dave wanted to cut Rickon from the show but George put his foot down and wouldn't let them. George told them he "had plans for Rickon". Wasn't sure if it was brought up in this video by the end.

[@moonondp4173]

too bad he didnt give the show writers any books to adapt so they had to basicallly do their own stuff post s4

[@megamovieman101]

In GRRM’s defense, D&D had a LOT of material to adapt in order to stall for GRRM, like the Iron Islands, Penny, Wyman Manderly, Lady Stoneheart, Mance being involved at Winterfell, Barristan in Meereen... lots of stuff for them to pad the series with. I know it still wouldn’t have stalled long enough for GRRM (the release date for TWOW is f*cking 2023), but they didn’t even try.

[@BenJover]

@@moonondp4173 Don't defend the show writers. They had material but no ideas or sense lol.

[@TossMySalad69]

@@moonondp4173 that's completely false, the entire 5th season were pretty much in the books, they just chose not to adapt any of it.

[@TossMySalad69]

@@BenJover yeah, dumb and dumber are complete hacks

[@jason32742]

The only problem I have with Rickon is that one quote from the books, spend too much time inside an animals and it becomes apart of you. Rickon might be too wild for his own good.

[@peteperkins3859]

I think Rickons sense of abandonment, and being all alone when his mother and father left is what made it possible for him to bond so strongly with Shaggy Dog. If Ned hadn't left, which resulted in Catelyn's departure, I wonder how strong the bond would be between Rickon and Shaggy Dog.

[@johngo3715]

Rickon using the Walders to get things done sounds like a non-invasive version of what Bran is doing with Hodor. But at the same time, it may also foreshadow his potential to warg. Any thoughts on him probably being able to warg into a dragon? Your guess about Rickon's powers being strong due to his youth might also be in parallel to the belief that our third eye is usually stronger when we are younger. It's the external influences growing up that make it close.

[@williamhermann6635]

According to Veramyr, warging a human is an abomination. Bran is on a path to darkness.

[@lucasbakeforero426]

I bet Rickon will lose himself while skinchanging and basically become Shaggy Dog. I imagine him being the guardian Wolf of the Family. Highly dangerous and very protective. We ought to remember that losing oneself while skinchanging is very much a possibility if you skinchange for too much time, and I imagine Rickon simply becoming one with his after years of having to rely on his Warh habilities. With that said, that pretty much would mean the male Stark lane will end, as Bran can not have heirs.

[@theavocado6061]

Wildcard. He’ll be back with a cowboy hat, bolo tie and a Texas accent.

[@harley4683]

Is this a reference I donr get?

[@DaedBoi]

An Always Sunny, ASoIaF crossover? ya plez

[@neriumsuitedher]

Are white walkers fast? Well, they aren't called white joggers...

[@arsenicjones9125]

You need the total darkness to fully awaken the internal magic(bran in the under hill, Dani in the house of the undying, Arya blinded in the house of black and white. It’s possible that Rickon’s kinda running away to the crypts unintentionally awoke his gifts.

[@PhantomFilmmaker-jd9ho]

Jon being dead

[@williamhermann6635]

​​@@PhantomFilmmaker-jd9hoJon's bond with Ghost happened almost immediately. He heard Ghost when nobody else did, despite Ghost being said to never make a soung, which implies Ghost communicated with Jon telepathically. OOTGH have talked about this before.

[@jobowisheshewasnomo4171]

i really want little rickon to be more similar to wild, brutal old and dead starks.

[@11stonersteve]

I always thought that since Rickon was so young that warging at his age without any understanding allowed shaggy dog to influence him so much. It’s why he is almost feral in a way.

[@espalier]

if he is that magical in the books it would explain why D&D sucked out with the character.

[@shellyreena2192]

At 16 minutes here u guys 🙂 your killing me here. George said he's got big plans for Rickon. Big plans. Buddy can we please have the book? 😏🤭

[@blackandredbrian3515]

This is the most foreshadowing paragraph GRRM has from a Bran chapter in GOT. “Bran watched from his window seat. Wherever the boy went, Grey Wind was there first, loping ahead to cut him off”. Are you kidding me…? Greywind’s head was loped off!! Then it continues “Rickon saw him, screamed in delight, and went pelting off in another direction”. Of course, he went in another direction to Skagos and may do something with pelts. Then it says “His fur had darkened until he was all black, and his eyes were green fire”. Does this mean magic or will he have something to do with Greek fire or dragon fire, from a black dragon? Then it says “Bran’s Summer came last…and saw all there was to see”. Sounds like Bran in Dream of Spring. Then it says “He could hear his brother’s breathless laughter as Rickon dashed across the hard-packed earth on little baby legs”. This has to be how Rickon is going to die…by being dashed across the ground, perhaps falling out of the sky…from a dragon or as a bird.

[@lostcinema5189]

Very good observation

[@HolasoyMai]

Thank you!

[@Rubinicus]

The idea of Rickon coming back with a beard is awesome and funny haha

[@sageofthemysticmist2199]

Coming back from skagos or something like a Berserker axe in hand ready to avenge the Starks 😆

[@markharrison6498]

This was so much fun. Not a lot of people talk about rickon

[@forheavensakes9144]

Rickon was always my favorite Stark

[@KarateD35]

How is that possible? I watched the show once through a few years back and I'm currently rewatching it, and I had forgotten that he even existed. I hope he had a bigger more lasting impact in the books.

[@forheavensakes9144]

@@KarateD35 the little glimpses I got of him on the show like when him and bran was going north wth osha plus I also had more of a sense from him reading the books of him being never scared

[@KarateD35]

@@forheavensakes9144 Yea, Rickon at his young age survived in the wilderness for years without stable guidance whilst evading trackers, and the show really diminished his survival instincts. I haven't read the books but I hope he is able to showcase his knack for survival and his fearlessness as a warrior.

[@forheavensakes9144]

@@KarateD35 so you see why he is my favorite stark then it's Robb and I don't really care too much for the rest of the Starks Jon was cool until they started making the show about him. off topic I hate Tyrion of any character on Gots.

[@KarateD35]

@@forheavensakes9144 Catelyn Stark was my least favorite. By not accepting Jon as a Stark she caused so many problems for the show early on. She was just a bitter character overall

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

I hope George goes more into Rickon's story in Winds of Winter. He kind of just drops out of the books after the Starks leave for Kingslanding.

[@sirarthurofwinterfell282]

Therapist:So where do you hope to be A year from now Rickon: alive Therapist: how old are you Rickon: 6 Therapist: so young why are you in stress Think about the good times In a deep voice Rickon: Half my family went and died in a pointless war and before that my mother abandoned me a child of only 3 years and then what little family I had left abandoned me I get funny dreams I don’t understand and I know it’s only a matter of time before my enemies hunt me down for simply being alive all I know is stress good sir

[@jackbelmont4389]

Jon: "winter is coming" Rickon: "bro, winter was here since day fucking 1"

[@ivanbluecool]

Honestly like prochecy where it doesn't always come true or plot lines happen in logical ways his wolf shaggydog being a reference to a plotline that doesn't go anywhere should be a clue o something happening to him. Honestly wish we could see him more as sometimes I forget about him in story being so young and off the brain at times. I hope he has something to do with davos and would be interesting to see the skagos people be loyal people much like the wildlings being thought of as crazy but they aren't Personally he should take down stone heart for abandoning him the fastest.

[@Morfe02]

My only hope is that Rickon turns to be a berserk (not like animal state) but A BERSERK of norse myth, a skinchanger that controls the wolfs or being controlled by wolfs. Something like "Robb being a werewolf because of the war rumours" BUT LITERALLY, Rickon would be the aspect of Odin were he is a warrior, manatic killer of friends-enemies and leader of armies; we already have the other aspect of Odin: the mage, sage, future knowing, that controls ravens and with an oldman haging on a tree with BRAN so making the opposite AND complementary is INSANELY COOL. Obviously not literally all this because Rickon cant fight by his age, but maybe in the future you know or some battle.

[@DD-ok2pt]

Totally agree. Bran needed the 3 Eyed Crow to open his third eye.... Rickon open his third eye by himself.

[@jessewilliams9195]

This was so fun to listen to. Both of your enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you!

[@theinvisiblewoman6783]

Great video once again. Listening to you made me realize it’s really only three Direwolves eye color I recall from the series. Ghost’s eyes are a deep red. Summer’s eyes are golden yellow. Shaggy Dog’s eyes are green. I don’t recall the color of Greywind, Lady or Nymeria’s eyes being mentioned. Also as I’m sure you guys both noted the Children of the Forest’s green seer’s eyes are golden, red and green. Specifically those three colors. I agree Rickon has to play a greater roll. If Jon dies or for some reason can’t be the lord of Winterfell, I think it will be Rickon. Bran can not have heirs. It will probably be up to Rickon to carry on the Stark name and bring House Stark back to the cold, hard, northern Lords and Ladies they were before southern meddling.

[@everythingdivine]

You're confusing the show with books. Nowhere in the books did it say that Bran can't still be a Lord. Only on the show. Bloodraven was the Hand and well...

[@theinvisiblewoman6783]

@@everythingdivine Bloodraven was hand for decades. I’m not mixing up the books with the show. I didn’t say Bran can’t be. I’m saying “if for some reason” inheritance isn’t set in stone. There is a lot of ifs ands or butts. For example, I’m fairly sure Bran can’t have children. He could still be Lord. But after him it would still pass to Rickon. If Bran stays in a tree root cave he can’t be Lord of Winterfell.

[@rhymeoftheancients]

Lol. My daughter used to watch horror movies in her room in the dark by herself up until she was about 12 when her brothers started scaring her. She did not develop that emotion until her brothers taught her. So interesting 🤔

[@countbalerionofhousetatter2624]

i read small children also learn languages very easily. anyway, rickon tantrum POV sounds a riot.

[@trutherror]

Going to agree with the main points of this video, esp since GRM did have plans for the little psyco. However I disagree at 24:36 after listening a bit... I don't agree Kat was only supposed to run the house hold. Ned told Kat to make Rob part of the council, to rule the north in his name and teach Rob to rule. He did not want Rob to take over right away but wanted him to learn from his mum and others over time as he would of if Ned where there. Instead Rob had to step up right away due to his mom spiraling, which was not what Ned had planned or could have foreseen.

[@AwesomeMusicLady]

I get that Bran was in a coma so Catelyn stayed by his side but completely forgetting about Rickon is something I hold against her. She could have at least spent a little bit of time with Rickon.

[@antoinetteaubert9503]

Cat's treatment of Jon is bad enough. Her treatment of Rickon proves she has a cold stone heart.

[@AwesomeMusicLady]

Antoinette Aubert In her mind her hate of Jon is justified in her head because he’s a bastard and she thinks Jon/his sons might be a danger to her sons/Jon is a living breathing reminder that Ned chested on her. The only excuse she has in her mind for abandoning Rickover is that Robb needs her to help him rule.

[@AwesomeMusicLady]

Antoinette Aubert stone heart foreshadowing haha

[@Jacaerys4life]

@@AwesomeMusicLady Robb in no way shape or form needed Catelyn to help him rule. She only hindered him and is the cause for his demise.

[@antoinetteaubert9503]

@@AwesomeMusicLady yup. There's lots like that you don't catch till the second reading. Oh that's what that meant.

[@AbdulBido]

Several questions. To *Dave&Mary-Ellen* *Q1* Do you have any knowledge about the creative endeavors of GRRM that you can share? I kinda lost hope a long time so now sounds like a good time to recheck, but info is sparse. *Q2* do you have any old format theory videos in the making.. I loved those to death.. I see you've been trying to make new content this past bit.. I have a few ideas. The gist of it is that you are very suited to make discussions (sorta) that people listen to as way points while reading the book. So for example video 1 would be pointing out important bits in the first chunk of the book for later and going over various theories that people have made in the past whether true or false up until the feast or eddard, cat and luwin's talk. Vid 2 would be.. say.. the next hundred pages. Perhaps vid 1 would have another 1SP which would be a few minutes directed to people who don't mind spoilers and links the stuff to things way further down. With the assumption that all videos has an element of spoiling that isn't too much but suitable for people that watched the show. Reply if Interested.. I'd be happy to refine the idea or dig up more for you. Obviously, no catch.. I have no channel or desire to produce anything.. Just love for a content creator that gave me hours of joy. 😍

[@malirabbit6228]

I really hope that Rickon has a great part to play in the next 2 books! I think grrm had greatness in mind for Rickon. Poor kid’s parents leave him high and dry with nothing to comfort him except a @%&#ing dire wolf! Warging had to have come as natural as breathing. Shaggy dog is to Rickon Stark as the she wolf was to Romulas and Reamus in the foundation of Rome mythology!

[@vorborinov4054]

I think the real point with Rickon has been lost in this discussion, Rickon is being foreshadowed to become both a holy figure & a leader to the Skagosi, who will follow him back to Westeros when he returns with Davos, to take back Winterfell. A child can do battle, you forget that Tyrion is a dwarf & he does battle, & when you read Tyrion's battle scenes, like at the Blackwater, he fights well & kills a lot of people in combat. Rickon is going to have his own Skagosi army, like Jon is going to have his Wildling army, like Sansa is going to have the army of the Vale, & Arya has the Faceless Men - all the Stark children are going to have armies. That is the point. As for whether the Others/Whitewalkers are fast, jeez, read the scene when Sam becomes Slayer - it says there that the Other moved blindingly fast when he attacked Sma;ll Paul & then Grenn, so yes the Others are really fast, blindingly fast.

[@lostcinema5189]

You forest he is three years old at the start. So you think a 6 or 7 year old can fight like Tyrion. There was a planned 5 years gap but that will not happen

[@woodyhorton8537]

Hard to kill something at your knees with an axe lol

[@cbob213]

Ooh here we go. Loving these.

[@bungalowfeuhler1541]

He’s gonna become a wildling. And then the lord of Winterfell. Pretty simple. Wildling rights have to come about somehow.

[@pskarts20]

I really like the idea of curmudgeon Rickon coming back into the story with a bad back , avoiding Sansa in Winerfell maintaining the grass in the Godswood and fixing up carriages. Complaining how the realms have gone to hells since they let the Wildings into the kingdom. 😂

[@jakedurazo712]

woww I always saw that thing that ghost makes no noise as kind of a plothole but I love the idea that jon heard ghost or sensed him telepathically

[@MaynardCrow]

G.R.R.M. has said the direwolf being named Shaggydog is a reference to the literary term "shaggy dog story," meaning ir's a story that will go nowhere. I can't wait to hear you guys' takes when I start the video though. You two come up with some great theories.

[@davidjones272]

Where did he say that? I've heard people make association, but I've never heard GRRM say it. I know that he definitely told the TV show runners not to cut Rickon, and specifically stated he would be important. Those 2 positions would appear to be mutually exclusive. It's possible that Rickon will be used only as a motivating plot factor for other characters. I always assumed that he would be the heir, and would inherit Winterfell at some point, with Sansa ruling through him.

[@everythingdivine]

@@davidjones272 he didn't say it

[@garyb8055]

I would believe Rickon on the iron throne before Bran who will never return from beyond the wall

[@jonstark153]

That's very unlikely lol😂

[@garyb8055]

@@jonstark153 you're a zombie that has no purposes in the story anymore don't let Dan and Dave gas your head up with their bullskit story

[@jonstark153]

@@garyb8055 bran and danys ending came from grrm himself confirmed so what u said is probably unlikely. And who cares about dan and dave or their fanfiction i only take George martins words as canon. And the zombie has more purpose than many i would think. Rickons ending (if he doesn't die) will be the lord of winterfell

[@garyb8055]

@@jonstark153 No it didn't that was a Dan and Dave stark fan fiction Dany is stuck in a cave when young griff the real Aegon and his gold company are invading westeros and John is dead bran will be stuck in a tree beyond the wall

[@jonstark153]

@@garyb8055 naah. And about the word stark fanfiction, no it's not. The last book in the series was named 'A time for wolves' before it was changed to ADOS. I know how many like to argue the starks getting everything is a d and d fanfiction bt naa this is the real thing(the starks will dominate Westeros) and if u want u can make fanfiction with your own ideas bt what i said is actually confirmed by grrm. The only thing that remains to be seen is how he pieces it all together. About young Griff, he and dany if not together may ignite a civil war sort of thing and will jst be a contributing factor to her snapping. Jon snow won't stay dead bt raise again with blue eyes and not fully alive ( a blue eyed king holding a red sword and casts no show). And bran will do somethings rather than be a zombie....

[@ryuk3249]

reading the books, I love Rickon.

[@giottoren8974]

Living for your podcasts guy. Just chilling and talking about Asoiaf theories and predictions? Sign me up

[@codylandry8889]

You guys coming back for the HOTD season 2?

[@thisguy8106]

Just another GreenHand Monday..🎶

[@Margatatials]

Prior to the girls getting separated from their wolves, Sansa had very good control over Lady much better than Arya did over Nymeria. Lady seamed almost to instinctively know exactly how Sansa wanted her to behave. this level of training would be impressive for a dog (by a first time dog trainer) and seemingly impossible for a wild animal like a wolf. I Suspect that Lady's good behaviour was a side effect of her strong bond with Sansa

[@Sunday265.]

When you guys were talking about how Rickon was able to convince Big Walder and Small Walder to be able to do anything he wants reminds me of Conquerors haki from one piece. I think Rickon may lead a pack of wolves or some other animals.

[@sheilahilton356]

❤️ me some Rickon. I’ve always said he is going to be as tough and unyielding as the old Kings of Winter. Great podcast D&ME. Cheers🥰

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

one of my fav podcasts to relisten!

[@toomuchsauce5599]

I do feel like Cannibal the wild dragon is another analogy of what Shaggydog could be, he is said to be the largest dragon, larger than Balerion the Dred, and coal black all over with molten green eyes. What if Rickon is already dead by the time Davos reaches Skagos but returns with just Shaggydog being told that that’s what remains of Rickon, the Skagossi knowing he was a warg? It’s so sad to think about but it’d make sense, him living thru Shaggydog for the rest of his life roaming the woods, just like Cannibal roaming Dragonstone till the end of his days.

[@shannonholly155]

...I like that theory. Don't know if it'll happen, but it is definitely cool to think about!

[@shannond7437]

Like others learned to skin change when in desperate need, Rickon had no parents and definitely had a need! Edit: and you guys discussed just this! Awaiting Rickon riding in on the Unicorn leading the Skagosi wildling army!

[@thisisabcoates]

Although neglected children di mature very quickly, this comes at the cost of the ability to forn emotional bonds. What's more, although humans bond very w3ll with animals, most animals (especially wild ones) cannot bond with humans. Rickon, if/when he does return, will be severely emotionally stunted. He may prove bloodthirsty, unpredictable, and extremely recalcitrant around his regents and advisors. Children can raise themselves, and those who learn skills from an early age can achieve impressive feats, but this comes at a steep human cost. And GRRM tends to prefer nuanced human interaction to badass power fantasy

[@everythingdivine]

So.i guess Osha is a horrible mother figure?

[@thisisabcoates]

@@everythingdivine She isn't a particularly good one. At least not good enough to deal with a already ill-socialised child saddled with abandonment issues who is literally *mind-melding with a barely-housetrained wolf*

[@XavierF]

First time long time, just wanted to say thanks for all your great work. 👍🏽

[@afnanbogey]

Rickon is the future of the house and a throwback to the Starks of old

[@bradwolf07]

I've always overlooked Rickon, precisely because he was such a little kid. But you've made a good case that there's more to the boy than I've realized. Edit: I kinda want Rikon's first line in Winds to be "Zoinks" because he is that Shaggy

[@cantommy]

"When Sam pathetics one to death." is the best description I've heard yet.

[@Margatatials]

Good point about Rickon being raised by wolves, George seams to like to play around with, twist and experiment with story tropes that he is fond of, and based on his naming one of his novels after a line from "the Law of the Wolves" I think it is safe to guess that George is a fan of the Jungle book. Making Rickon ASOIAF's own little Mowgli, that might even need to fight the big cat that killed his parents before rejoining the world of men

[@jsull81]

Since you mentioned Weasel at the end, it got me thinking what an awesome couple Rickon & Weasel* would make once they grew up! *I was thinking of Squirrel They could live in & rule a wildling village or maybe even Skagos, or a secret tree Town or some shit, lol, I'd love to see a short story or maybe an epilogue featuring that : )

[@severin7772]

Do you mean Squirrel? She was the young spearwife with Mance at Winterfell. Weasel is one of Arya’s identities. She steals the name from some other young girl after Amory Lorch torches that little holdfast then captures the kids (maybe “captures” isn’t the right word because a couple of them were yielding.

[@jsull81]

@@severin7772 yup, my bad, 🤪, thanks for the correction, I meant squirrel!

[@countbalerionofhousetatter2624]

btw was there a livescream yesterday? b/c it didn't come up in notifications and i couldn't find it anywhere.

[@robrick9361]

Up until this point Rickon has only been using 0.000001% of his power. He'll return as ULTRA INSTINCT SHAGGYMAN!

[@mattmakesart5433]

Rickon is so intriguing for plot theories.

[@dark_fire_ice]

Also Rickon is on a island that deeply follows the Old Ways; how much do you want to bet that they eat Werewood

[@three-eyedbro]

GRRM has a in-story historical example of what y’all are referring to that would’ve helped your argument. The Warg King that the Starks defeated.

[@cthomp81]

Channel likes yours and other are breath of fresh air that talks about the books vs the show

[@TheOrderoftheGreenhand]

Thanks

[@laurenanderson61]

Sansa - Lady - lady of Winterfell Arya - Nymeria - woman warrior Jon - Ghost - walking dead Robb - Grey Wind - here and gone Rickon - Shaggydog - never grows up

[@Eshkanama]

Bran?

[@Kingsbridge84]

Bran - Summer - the end of the beginnings, childhood, a predetermined future, family, warmth etc.

[@Richard_Nickerson]

The Others are extremely fast. Sam calls his blindingly fast. And the one that fought Ser Waymar was fast and strong enough to make it look like he wasn't putting in any effort at all while Ser Waymar was using all his might.

[@ivanbluecool]

Mother of the year cat. Oldest son rob dies from her betrayal. Sansa is her mirror. Ayra running for her life. Bran and Rickon abandoned immediately after Ned leaves. Cersie at least kept her kids close until forced to send one away.

[@sageofthemysticmist2199]

True for all her "faults"... she's a way better mother..

[@ivanbluecool]

@@sageofthemysticmist2199 well cersie saw them as her extension while cat pawns to be used and trying to start future wars by trying to make Jon and Rob hate each other. Mycella funny enough was able to see how crazy cersie was. The kids didn't because cat was just a problem

[@sageofthemysticmist2199]

@@ivanbluecool cat is by far the stupidest women in the story.. like you said she abandoned her two small ones no mother I've met would do that even if her husband was in danger...she didn't do a thing Ned said in a prep for what would be like a European all-out war...at least Cersei at least made some moves the mad bitch no fan of either..

[@sageofthemysticmist2199]

@@ivanbluecool and trying to make two brothers go against each other is psychotic..her hatred for Jon is laughable she had been married for like 2 sec

[@ivanbluecool]

@@sageofthemysticmist2199 cat was jealous because jon looked like Ned aka a true stark compared to rob who looked like her brother. Cersie funny enough taught Sansa how to play the game as well. Ironic

[@TheMoonDejesus]

This man is so patient with this woman constantly interrupting him and basically assuming the points he’s making and not letting him finish anything he starts saying.

[@sermycahwhent4165]

Rickon will show up riding a unicorn with an army of Skagosie behind him led by Davos to save the Battle of Ice.

[@jonstark153]

😂u forget this is grrm. He may come riding in and nights king will kill him first. U can never say with George

[@kristiancarter5961]

I definitely think Rickon will barely speak the common tongue when we see him again. Having spent most of his early years on Skagos he probably speaks Skagosi better. And I'm pretty sure it's in Clash or maybe the first book but he has a dream where he said he couldn't understand himself talk. Awesome video. Love all of them

[@stevengarman4848]

The most interesting aspect of the Dire Wolves in the TV series for me was when Bran woke from his coma shortly after Lady died. I wonder if she sent her life spirit to him for some healing effect.

[@tempertempernow]

Yaaaassss!!! Been waiting for this one!!

[@kalibhakta8640]

"How many little kids would go into the darkness and not be scared".... um, when I was three, that would have been my idea of getting some peace and quiet. Never been afraid of the dark. The only reason I have nightlights is because I'm afraid of tripping over a cat toy.

[@everythingdivine]

Get a diary. Most kids would be terrified

[@shannond7437]

I assumed Shaggy dog represented Rickon being a special form of a Northern wildling.

[@mrsrollerbladin]

Where is my shadowcat? Love this podcast! You all are funny

[@andyr1600]

I've been waiting for this video, pumped up for it

[@Andiryna]

As you talk about how much time Rickon spend down in the crypts, I had to think about what he maybe have found there. Next thing that did come to mind was the snake with wings.... Just do give you something to think about :)

[@journeytoself]

I was the kid that liked the dark...playing hide and seek with my cousins was fun, they were older and fearing the dark...they knew where I was but they didn't dared coming after me so they went to complain to my mom...I was 3-4 years old I can't remember...

[@Barendol]

Arya: I have Nymeria. She has this huge wolf pack. Rickon: I am the pack.