I Still Remember Red: The Maester Aemon Story

[@mitth.rawdog.nuruodo]

I forgot how much Aemon’s story hurts. He’s just an incredible character/person.

[@alisonjane7068]

i really enjoyed this. maybe i'm just boring, but aemon is one of my favorite asoiaf characters, full stop.

[@mellowyello1478]

Not boring, Aemon has a centuries worth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Besides being the "wise old mentor" trope, hes a very comely, wise grandfather figure who knows how to council and hype up people without blatantly giving them the solution to the problems.

[@vanessasempireoftwigs198]

Also very tragic figure! I love that he metors jon and they dont even know they’re related

[@Cassandrathefay]

preorder yo ur next book for me!!! DvL.. im running out of ASOI AF videos to watch.

[@tiopablo2784]

“That seemed to make him sad so he coughed, closed his eyes and went to sleep.” Aemon is so real for this

[@helenrose5383]

Aemon's "love is the death of duty" speech to Jon never fails to make me tear up.

[@mauralee9987]

Thank you for doing a special livestream on Maester Aemon! You are incredibly talented and creative as well a fabulous teacher! All the information provided so rich and I love it! More please!!!!! I love learning about all the myth and symbolism! Amazing! Love you and your channel!!!! Thank you!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Aww thanks, doing my best over here! Aemon is a character with a lot of heart, I tried my best to do it justice :)

[@karlflo]

I was really worried about Rhaegar at first. But when I heard he joined voluntarily I couldn't help but be amazed at what a great guy LML is. Giving Rhaegar a chance to peak into our world and share stories of his with us. The prince even wrote a little hello to us on the wall next to his chair. On a more serious note: The quality of your videos and livestreams was always high and is ever improving. Thank you for all the work you put into it!

[@amynurss1375]

He lived his choices and his truth. He went where he was needed. We will never see his like again.

[@Drew_Thompson]

Aemon's blackthorn cane is actually a really good symbol. in celtic culture you'll see alot of things decorated with black woods knives tend to be with ebony while canes and knobkerries are black thorn, this is because they are a representations of bog oak, which due to being a oak (symbol of donn or the daghda) which was felled into water, makes it a symbol of death. the daghda was noted for having a great staff, half white half black, the black half could kill anything with a touch. in addition bog oak takes thousands of years to form. so it's a representation of a sith, which has died and passed into the waters of the underworld, only to be brought back and used as a weapon. if i had to guess this is showing that aemon seems to be skirting the line between the green man and death god archetype.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh nice! I’m so glad I mentioned it now, thanks for filling all that in! Makes a ton of sense

[@andrzejkopalnia]

This is EXACTLY why I love this community!

[@AtomicDoorknob]

RIP my boy Aemon he was one of the few decent people in ASOIAF lol

[@DavidLightbringer]

He sure was. He’s a real breath of fresh air and compassion in this very rugged story

[@NephRainbows]

Maester Aemon's story fills me with sadness, because of the choices he had to make. In fact I had to roll 1up because it's an already emotional day and I'd rather focus on your points and the story than sit and cry about a dead old man. I love RRC, Rhaegar must be quite fond of you, LmL. Maester Aemon is one of the characters I would resurrect if the Lord of Light ever blessed me.

[@jordanrutledge7943]

preston looks at ASOIAF like a forensic detective, whereas LML looks at it like a Jungian psychoanalyst, both cool channels

[@Aezeus]

Lets get a David/Preston crossover 👌

[@rexpopuli4833]

Preston comes up with an idea and cherry picks from the text, oversimplifying and overthinking as needed, in order to back up what he *already thinks* instead of reading the text as is and coming to conclusions based on what's presented. That's why I cant really vibe with his theories, he overlooks stuff when it doesnt fit with what hes saying and it just cheapens his ideas imo.. I'd be willing to bet not one is accurate. Still entertaining tho ig. I watch them anyway.

[@rexpopuli4833]

@@smitty1647 I mean he cherry picks from that too tho lol he literally only acknowledges details that confirm whatever theory hes presenting. I cant even count the number of times I've rolled my eyes at him and whispered "come on dude" while listening to his videos.

[@Aezeus]

@@smitty1647 I'd prefer if neither knew eachothers work and they just talk with some input from the chat, I'm willing to bet lml knows prestons work and not the other way around though

[@Aezeus]

Just got to the part where he addresses the Preston thing, sounded kinda hostile 😅

[@zenith1047]

I never noticed Aemon's statement that the "fire consumes and the cold preserves"--is that the 'reasoning' for why Aemon and Bloodraven are so much more long-lived than others?

[@DavidLightbringer]

basically, although it seems like more of a folkloric belief than anything

[@llJeshooinessll]

Rhaegar's reading corner is my favorite addition

[@tuamigajordana]

You need to ALWAYS do readings. It gave me such joy to hear you make all the different voices! I could listen to you forever!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Thanks, it seems like people are liking them!

[@samanthamorris5340]

I never realized how much Jon, and really the Stark siblings, think about maesters, their chains, and the links that make their chains.

[@DavidLightbringer]

it's a good example of the characters using symbolism in-world isn't it?

[@backpfeifengesicht8415]

No wonder George takes ages to finish these books. It's impossible to fit all this stuff in consciously. Impossible! 😵

[@didelphimorphia2925]

I love the Rhaegar readings. Please keep doing them.

[@SunnyCida]

Fantastic stream, love Rhaegar's Reading Corner. I love that you need to specify that Rhaegar is helping out of his own free will.

[@DavidLightbringer]

"...the totally consensual reading corner where I read things of my own free will"

[@mormontsraven4072]

"The Demon Amon is a Fallen Angel. In Hell, Amon is a strong and powerful marquis. He appears first as a wolf, but on a magician’s command, he will take on the shape of a man with a raven’s head and dog’s teeth." Seems like a fitting name for Jon if he was given a Targ name before Lyanna died. Rhaegar must have looked up to Aemon because his dad was a POS. This one was a tearjerker. 🥺

[@DavidLightbringer]

ooh that's nice! Wish I had known that!

[@mistermaestersirthomas9164]

Just like Hydra or Tiamat (DnD), a three headed dragon has one name: Aegon. Like Sean, Shawn, Jon, John, Jack, etc all having the same name roots, Aegon is the Valerian version/ Jaqen the Lorathi. Goldilocks clue: Danys/ Goldilocks, Jon fire wight/too hot, Jaqen ice wight/too cold, Aegon/ (would have been) just right.

[@aneisleeper5515]

There is also ambiguous sentences between jon and aemon when they talk about chosing to keep their oath to the night watch. One sentence could be for either of them

[@iamsecond411]

I love Aemons speech about love being the death of duty and duty being the death of love. I think it is another way of looking at how the heart can be in conflict with itself and literates how making the “right”’choice is not always so black and white

[@willowdove6703]

Love Rhaegars Reading Corner. Which is totally of his free will

[@DavidLightbringer]

always

[@millibillionth]

Loved the quotes read separately with care and even some acting - made them all the more enjoyable! Your Aemon voice was excellent, really fitting!

[@kirstenmanson5515]

This was brilliant. I love Rhaegar's reading corner! The Norse mythology video sounds awesome!

[@annarya6294]

Read your sneak peek, enjoyed it a lot! Studied Comparative Religion and Cultural Anthropology once but dumped it due to anxiety issues and hierarchical structures that I coudn't cope with. Really lost sight of my love to this stuff, till I read Asoiaf and discovered your essays and content! Thanks to you, and greetings to Rhaegars Readingcorner- Rhaegar and Postproduction-LmL, seem to be cool and smart guys...

[@DavidLightbringer]

aww thank Anna! Yes mythology and comparative mythology, like so many other topics, can be presented in a way that's dry and boring, even though they are actually the opposite, which is a real shame. A lot of comparative myth gets caught up in the quest for originality and origins, and takes a scholarly approach instead of a more metaphysical one which focuses on the ideas.

[@silviamoneva]

Great video as always! I agree that minor characters are easier to cover in two hours and there are so many options left, I can't wait :) Thanks for the content and for chosing Aemon! And I'm a big fan of Raegar's readings!

[@idiotsavant751]

Great stuff! I love your backdrop. Monk looking out at me is always good! In deep Aemon was a great idea and well done! Really fun!

[@SlimRhyno]

Hah, Rhaegar's attempt at blinking Morse code, I love it! 😅

[@guitaristAustin]

I saw the sign, it opened up my eyes I saw the sign. *dances with Maester Aemon*

[@samalston7920]

I think the canned videos really help with the flow of the streams. And I like the little interlude feel. Also like the readings themselves. I guess I like the whole thing.

[@devonwooten170]

Duuude this was a really good episode, thanks for all the effort you put into this. Your doing great man👍

[@wynterashara5160]

I’ve only just recently found your videos. Prior to this I had watched you on others streams... the reading Rhaegar is so freaking hilarious!!!! I can’t believe it too me so long to start watching. Keep up the great content 💜💜💜

[@DavidLightbringer]

Well the good news is you have a ton of stuff to watch when you need it! Welcome aboard the myth head express :)

[@pauldaskal9510]

Love the don't bring other theories to my live stream!! Right on Brother!! Love PJ...but you are every bit as good, albeit different. Thank you for your angle it is greatly appreciated!

[@mayasixtus1573]

I'm sorry I missed it live, but I'm sooooo excited for Aemon!

[@ashleymohr5327]

I would love to hear you do an audio book version of ice and fire lol I like hearing you read! Thank you for another great livestream I of course missed it

[@DavidLightbringer]

thank you, that's such a nice thing to say :)

[@declanmiles2985]

On Marwyn and Aemon communicating, don't forget, glass candles allowed the ancient Valyrians to enter dreams.

[@DavidLightbringer]

oh my god marwyn don't frighten the poor old man Jesus 🤣

[@marinatuber]

as usual, brilliant analysis! Coincidentally, I've stumbled across some of Kierkegaard's ideas right after watching this and, oh god, the parallels between his theory and maester aemon's story are on point!!! Once again, Martin's endless knowlege and hability to develope characters mesmerize me. Thank you so much for this compilation!

[@K8theKind]

Yay reading rhaegar!

[@midasderrek]

Marwyn is a known author (of a book on books no less) and Aemon is well read, we don't know for sure, but I'd bet some golden dragons that Aemon at least knows Marwyn's name.

[@DavidLightbringer]

ah that's a very good point!

[@crastersson5762]

Praise be to Garth great job on the reading corner, you're doing great.

[@zenith1047]

I pretty much only watch on replay--I never seem to be free during the livestream. I really like the reading videos.

[@wyzasukitan]

I love love LOVE the readings. The selection, the different narrations, all of it 💛 that’s what really sets this channel apart ...wellllll okay that + all the mythology and heresy and conjecture but yo point is, the reading is fire

[@DavidLightbringer]

aww thanks I really appreciate the feedback actually! I'm always trying to figure out what works and what doesn't :)

[@aryanak1234]

1:45 Euron being the third aspect of azor ahai low key blew my mind. Or maybe I just got too baked before watching this

[@DavidLightbringer]

Just the right amount of baked

[@dorianwilde]

I know this is super late, but I think that Dany hearing about Aemon will be very important to the story. It will connect her to the Targaryen prophesies and make her invested in going after the Others. Also, Dany has always asked others around her about her other family members. Imagine her hearing about Aemon. ❤ Like, Jon might tell her. Or Sam. Or both.

[@autje1970]

Thank you for including my question! You can totally say my name out loud on stream. If you can pronounce it, that is... :) Loved the stream, Aemon is a great character.

[@morgankirk7382]

I’ve been listening to LML videos for like a month straight every day… love your content!

[@CrashCanary]

Bro I watch every and I mean EVERY ASOIAF channel and yours is my fav your work is wonderful and I appreciate it all. Thanks LML

[@bredwright]

Rhaegars reading corner is hilarious 😆

[@rexpopuli4833]

Thanks for the longer videos. ♡

[@PackLeader12690]

I enjoy Rhaegar's Reading Corner a lot. And just to put it out there, Maester Aemon is one of my favorite characters from the story

[@catherinehalverson1436]

Bless you, you make me feel so hopeful about the books.

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

~0:03:00 Thomas Merton… is the ‘old man’ character played by Orson Bean in Being John Mslkovich iirc.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Ahhhh great movie I should watch that one again

[@threeeyedgoddess7635]

another outstanding analysis LML you keep us hopeful for GRRM's denouement and sate the appetites for those of us here who love these books

[@lewdogsk8er]

Wicked amazing stream! Told by LmL with the fervor, understanding, and care that a true purveyor of wisdom can impart. I need to go back and catch what I missed but please accept this humble offering to the divine algorithm gods.

[@RyanAA56]

The reading quotes are awesome! Keep them up

[@summerchild6085]

Before listening to you, I had no real concept of looking at literature like this. Sure, I studied literature at university, so I was familiar with stylistic means and could recognize and appreciate them while reading. But the way you interpret these books 🤯 And now that I’ve trained myself to look for symbolism, I can’t be overlooked. And I think your interpretation is close to George Martins way of introducing storytelling within his story (aka the song). So thank you for teaching me a new outlook on literature 🤓 Greetings from Germany

[@DavidLightbringer]

❤️❤️❤️ You bring joy to my heart with these words! And I know what you mean; sometimes lit analysis doesn't really hit home unless you really wan to immerse yourself in the story, unless its a story you really love.

[@TheSheridanMusic]

Great Stream man, really appreciate it!

[@particles1101]

I wish I had found this channel a long time ago. I've been watching your videos the last week straight, lol

[@DavidLightbringer]

Never too late! Now you have hours of free entertainment stored up :)

[@yensid4294]

Hey LML, glad you found Jackson Crawford's channel. I had wanted to recommend it to you when you first mentioned Norse Mythology way back whenever but didn't think it was good etiquette to push another channel during someone else's video/livestream. I would love to find Jackson's equivelant for Celtic Mythology & how to speak Gaelic. Alas, the search continues.Great stream as always, enjoyed Raeghars Reading Corner--very creative. Can't wait for the BR video 👍

[@staticdynamic1605]

Once again, love your work

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

I've been subbed to you for a while now but I'm still slowly working my way through your older videos, good stuff man

[@DavidLightbringer]

hell yeh lots there to get into! The podcast playlists are the deep magic

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

@@DavidLightbringer oh wow! I don't think a creator has ever responded to a comment of mine on a video this old before haha but yeah! Glad I'm here, and I'll definitely go hunting through the podcast stuff, I wasn't aware there was podcast stuff

[@SSJ4Oman]

Amazing content as always my guy thank you

[@ericvague19]

Is Rhaegar blinking out morse code and if so what does it say? the intro of the reading corner around 26:24 is where I saw it.

[@DavidLightbringer]

nonsense, he's treated wonderfully, he loves it here

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

Btw, now that I've finished this one (I always take forever to finish these videos haha) I really like your readings! But, and I know there's a big split of opinion on the audiobooks but no matter how you feel about Roy Dotrice, his Aemon stuff in Feast was some of his best work. It really hits hard knowing that he passed so soon after reading them too - when Aemon talks about what comes after and being afraid, it REALLY comes through emotionally from Roy too. His reading gets me weepy every time

[@galenwyatt5144]

Thanks for reading corners. Highly enjoy them

[@reflectiverambling1148]

Thoughts as go usual stream of thoughts Very interesting take on that quote. I think one of the most tragic things about Aemon is his age-he's had THAT much time to ruminate over all the 'mistakes' he made even though he had good intentions where some with more selfish motivations got to escape the length of mental shadows that are the consequences of their choices. I always felt like Aemon was testing Jon, he knew exactly why he had come. I almost wonder if Aemon telling Jon about his past is a hint of Jon surviving most others and having to live with their ghosts in the same way. King Bran might be canon and make sense but I don't have to /like/ it >__> I keep forgetting that Aemon and BloodRaven were there at the same times. Haven't gotten through all the 'supplemental' works. No happy choices/no happy endings I really don't think there are, because even those who live/get 'happy' endings will carry the weight of those lost with them. But it also reinforces Aemon's personal sadness. Release speculation obsession- pressuring creativity is never ever a good idea. I find it interesting to see that has a concept of the afterlife when others seem to leave it up to interpretation. About Sam not knowing about wood, it's possible that he focused his reading on Westeros as he never imagined he'd travel as far as the other continent.

[@DavidLightbringer]

thanks for the great comments! You're right about the happy endings part; the survivors will surely have heavy hearts.

[@anorangetabby]

I've been watching Jackson Crawford for ages. He is AMAZING!

[@hinakhodiyara7883]

Outstanding. Thank you.

[@christinasumisaki5863]

Thank you, @LML, for this wonderful analysis of one of my favorite characters in ASOIAF! I thought that the quotes were great evidence of the wisdom, heart, and political savvy that was unique to him. He made incredible sacrifices to serve the realm truly and it is good that Jon and readers know how much those choices cost him. I love Reading Rhaegar so much! The humor is a nice balance to some of the weight of the sadness and seriousness of the issues. Your character voices are very entertaining. Another great stream!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Awww thanks Christina, this was a fun episode to do. He’s a great character

[@therunningman_]

KZbin showing me old favorites! Rewatch time

[@DanKeshet]

Aemon living practically forever in the cold is foreshadowing for Jon Snow/Aemon Targaryen becoming new Cold Hands.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oooh very good!!

[@thedornishmanswife3712]

Going back for some of the oldies but goodies

[@dddunlap86]

David I just have to say I've never found a channel who goes in depth as you do. I fuckin love you ✊🏾✌🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@DavidLightbringer]

Right Derek! That’s my brand… trying to make the deep dives accessible

[@jordanford9320]

57:15 "who could turn down the iron throne? Who could turn down ultimate power?" 🙋🙋 I know! Ser Duncan the smalll turns down his rightful claim to the iron throne for Jenny Of OldStones. Idk if thats a parallel or botm but it always stuck out in my mind

[@missuscargo]

Reading Rhaegar @ 26:26 is exactly why I named my son after Maester Aemon.

[@uruk-]

One of the difficulties of writting Winds might be that there is a lot of explaining to do. If the famed Truth in Asshai is revealed, plus R+L=J, and the origin of the Others and so on are in the book, it might be very "expositiony" and GRRM might be trying his best to avoid that, raising the hardship of the task even higher

[@pauldaskal9510]

LML: gotta say in Greek there are like 5 words for love for what you are talking about. explains the different kinds of love.

[@llJeshooinessll]

So sad to miss this one T^T glad im off work so i can enjoy it now

[@hadasg11]

Thank you for not editing out the muting 😂 its always make me happy

[@chazblank2717]

Loved the inclusion of Aemon sorting out the occasional arrowhead, nail and acorn… I guess even in the Nightswatch elections there are “third party” candidates and people just voting for themselves.

[@sarahevans-politte4756]

Dagnabbit! I missed the stream! I had a great question too... “If the day should ever come when your lord father was forced to choose between honor on the one hand and those he loves on the other,” Aemon says to Jon - apparently referring to Ned, but possibly also referring to Rhaegar - “what would he do? … What is honor compared to a woman’s love? And what is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms? Or a brother’s smile?” Did Maester Aemon know he was related to Jon Snow? Why did Aemon counsel Jon? I keep thinking he knew but couldn't tell Jon himself.

[@Bluemilk92]

Chat being a co-host again. Watching y'all having fun like that sure does draw me towards joining the chat, rather then just lurking in VOD comments.

[@WhoIsCalli]

I like the cut away quotes. And it’s fun to spice it up a bit with character readings and voices 😊

[@Darksun93]

📚 Reading Rheagar 🌈

[@DavidLightbringer]

love the rainbow emojis

[@davidryan7386]

Good show. Thx. Everybody else doing arianne, faegon, storms end, jon conn etc.

[@andrewdamico9632]

I would have thought that maestor aemon would have known that truth about John…

[@garo7839]

Oh, Aemon :'(

[@careybrooks3072]

Aemon personifies the uncanny connection of the Night's Watch/Others/Ice with the Kingsguard/Dragons/Fire. Jon Snow used to pretend to be Aemon the Dragon Knight with his brother Robb....

[@ZiemakAttack]

It would be even better if Jon Snow’s Targaryen name in the books ends up being Aemon

[@williamwhitfield6225]

@@ZiemakAttack Would make much more sense than Aegon.

[@tfagan1660]

Aemon is one of my favorites!

[@ladykoiwolfe]

I would happily listen to you read the entire series.

[@yadisdis4207]

The theory Sam accidentally let Aemon die by letting him fall asleep during the rain is so heartbreaking and unable for me to reconcile.

[@tylerbarrett6652]

Wait... that first reading had Maester Aemon conversing half the night with ghosts? I'm surprised you sort of skipped past that with no comment.

[@romavictora]

Thats Aemon, Bishhhhh, BETTER recogniiiiiiiiiiiiize!!!

[@richardwithanarr]

There's some things about "When it comes to duty versus family, what would Lord Eddard do?" that I just love. The offer/threat for Ned to back down on his claim for Joffrey not being trueborn was given, but we don't know his decision at this point in the story, and Jon specifically illuminates that "honorable Ned Stark" raised a bastard, and thus doesn't exactly know the answer. After hesitating, he answers, "he would do the right thing" which is deflecting the choice and simplifying it into whatever choice is made is the morally correct one. And then Ned chooses to back down on his truthful claim because he is thinking of Sansa. But wait, there's more! This question of picking a forced dichotomy between duty and love can be applied to Azor Ahai and forging Lightbringer! If it is your duty to kill your wife in order to forge the magic sword needed to kill the enemy, what exactly is the right thing to do? [Spoiler: as we've explored on this channel before, killing the ones you love is very much the wrong thing to do.] And we can tie in the Stark tradition: the man who passes the sentence must also swing the sword. (This, of course, fits into The Blood of the Other series)

[@richardwithanarr]

So I really want to tie this idea to Rhaegar, and it requires that I'm asking a real dirtbag question. One day, after going through some old scrolls, child Rhaegar walks up to the master at arms and says, "I require a sword and shield. I must become a warrior" which is a strong statement of believing he's the one spoken of in prophecy. Presumably the Azor Ahai prophecy. Fast forward, and his wife has delivered a second baby. The maesters warn that she won't survive another childbirth. For someone who knows that in order to forge true Lightbringer, he must "quench" his "sword" and, in the act, kill his wife. Euphemistically speaking, this is prime time. Make one last baby with his wife, an act that he is warned will kill her. And the question that I ask that makes me a total piece of shit: why would he have a third baby with Lyanna instead of his wife? Why wouldn't he fulfill the prophecy that he believed for all these years to be about him? And in asking, it becomes more clear. Because love is the death of duty, and Rhaegar is a failed Azor Ahai figure. Kinda. His third baby *did* kill the mother (assuming R+L=J and Jon is Lightbringer) so maybe the prophecy was about him, and he tried to escape fate by not having a third baby with Elia.

[@brittanyrae5771]

The one eyed woman from the dosh khaleen I could see advising Dany. That one eyed thing seems to be big for magic.

[@tool9386]

We get a video and the first chapter of his new book?! Praise Garth.

[@GaryAllDay]

Bro the conversation is so mind boggling and makes me think about what would have happened if RHEAGAR didn’t die on the trident and was able to raise Jon snow and what Westeros would be like

[@JoeyWhisperz]

AFFC Samwell 1 “My grandsire had the rite of it so does your Lord Snow. ” “Snow, snow, snow, snow... ”

[@billygogol5918]

You're hilarious, thank you for your content hahaha

[@llJeshooinessll]

Des it say help in the bottom left corner of rhaegar's reading corner? Rhaegar!! We are coming to save you

[@jordaytee]

Would love to have the chat within the video to see what you’re reacting to. Would have rather watched it live, but got sucked into the Vedic Dany video instead, whoops

[@DavidLightbringer]

no you totally can, just hit the button for "show chat replay"

[@jordaytee]

@@DavidLightbringer Yup, user error. Was watching on a new device and forgot I hadn’t turned on that option. Thanks!