Brienne, Gender and the Squishers, Part 2

[@NukeMarine]

The scene has extra significance when you realize this is likely Brienne's first kill with the blood on her fist representing maiden's blood. The sobbing and crying after losing her metaphorical maiden's head occurs as well.

[@made-line7627]

Well spotted!

[@nathhje]

@Shane Joseph Linnie "These are knights of summer." This is said about Brienne's suitors, but it's no less true fro Brienne herself. Brienne's experience thus far has been going to tourneys and working as a guard. She only really enters into war for the first time when she starts escorting Jaime, and she doesn't kill anyone on that journey. So it's not unreasonable to assume this could be her first kill.

[@lerooyjenkins7763]

She did kill Timeon and Pyg a couple of seconds ago. Still, well spotted

[@NukeMarine]

@@HassanGaba1 Wasn't that the show only?

[@Magooch86]

She reminisces about Ser Goodwyn, her father's master at arms, who taught her to fight and questioned whether she'd flinch before her first kill. When she kills Pyg she reflects, "I didn't flinch... did you see, Ser Goodwyn?".

[@samuelcynthia1958]

the three pillars that hold up this world: Brienne, gender and the squishers

[@tulbanhawk]

the fourth would be Pods long dong :D

[@shannond7437]

With every Preston video I am always reminded of the core reason why George takes so long to write these novels.

[@Enward834]

God i hope that's true

[@ftayl5]

The symbolism man. Every bloody sentence matters.

[@theblancmange1265]

Losing interest is the core reason. Fewer than 120 words a day and he'd be finished.

[@davidmarriott6321]

I'd say Preston and some other youtubers likely ovethink this stuff way too much. GRRM did discount Preston's theory about Plato when he got to ask him about it.

[@garlandmueller740]

Who knows at this point? It´s Preston´s speculation specifically and George has claimed in interviews and specifically during a chat with Preston that he doesnt´t write "this complicated" . If you look enough at a vase you might eventually think that you moved it with your thoughts and that´s the issue with interpretations of any written medium. People believe what they want to believe.

[@equinoxomega3600]

The Preston Jacobs drinking game: take a shot every time he says something akin to "we will eventually come back to".

[@Andy-qx5qk]

Makes me wonder, what kind of traumas does Dickon Tarley developed being raised by Randyll. And if his most important choice (him being the only one who alerted of the wager on Brienne) was made becasue he was disgusted of the knights attitude or because he thougth Brienne was a fragile maid who nedded to be protected.

[@lasttoparty7570]

I don't think Dickon had it so bad with Randyll. However, I will say that Dickon was married at 12-13 yo to 13 yo Eleanor Mooton, and I think Randyll would have demanded consummation (in an "I'd better find blood on the sheets or I'm going to be very disappointed in you, boy" sort of way), which is a little unsettling to the modern reader.

[@tychoclavius4818]

The same stuff that made Randyll who he is. These things are often passed on for generations.

[@alecatnight1540]

Dickon. hahahah

[@lasttoparty7570]

@@tychoclavius4818 Totally true, but maybe that wasn't the case with Randyll himself. All we know of his father is that he was unhorsed by Ser Denys Mallister in a tourney. Maybe there was a Tytos-and-Tywin type familial situation within the Tarly clan also.

[@allyriastark3508]

Dickon and his sisters had no troubles with Randyl because they follow the gender roles of their society, Dickon doesn't escape from his training like Sam well does, and the daughters are all lady like, its Samwell who has problems and would cause problems for House Tarly.

[@thomasdoggett9919]

Taking nothing away from anyone, the best analysis of ASOIAF anywhere.

[@coldhands2802]

By far. Easily. He had to read this series AT LEAST 7 - 10 times.. Idk how he does it. I just finished ADWD like 2 months ago and he mentions characters that I totally forgot about.. I will read the series at least a couple more times

[@uponthepotato2532]

Maybe not the best but definitely the most entertaining

[@matt-vw6gp]

There isnt a more knowledgeable, more invested ASOIAF youtuber than Preston. Hands down the best out here

[@masonrockwood7732]

He often intentionally misinterprets text to fit his ideas. I'd say he's a great presenter and most entertaining, but not the best.

[@uponthepotato2532]

@@masonrockwood7732 facts I love his videos but there are a lot of slight hints taken as concrete evidence

[@botflyguy7814]

Damn I REALLY gotta give the books another read. There is so much symbolism I didn't pick up on.

[@reallyangrydwarf]

Waiting for a Preston analysis of the symbolism of the defense of the Wall by Jon & Satin

[@quintboredom]

me too, there is just so much

[@LaneyStudios5]

Can't wait for another episode of Brienne's D&D campaign across Westeros

[@rizzzzzzzzzzzz]

lmaoo

[@hopedixon2133]

I feel like she would be a half-Orc Noble Frenzy Barbarian, with a little Champion Fighter if we're multi-classing.

[@tokevarvaspolvi8999]

"Brienne sort of forgot about the Bloody Mummers."

[@StrangeGamer859]

Too gritty to be D&D. It's more of a Warhammer Fantasy RPG campaign

[@marcelaarango7447]

Warhammer!!!

[@assassinscreedwalkthroughs7314]

Preston: Makes a video series about Squishers. Also Preston: Doesn't mention Varys being a merman.

[@mimkyodar]

I'm sorry, WHAT?

[@hopedixon2133]

God, I hope so. I want to be fucking blown away by something crazy like that...PLEASE GEORGE! Love it.

[@marwanali4878]

@@mimkyodar a joke from the show. He teleported in the season 6 finale

[@mimkyodar]

@@marwanali4878 Ah yes, Mermen are known for their teleport machines.

[@marwanali4878]

@@mimkyodar he traveled very fast between essos and westeros. Thats why people said that he was a merman. I used the word teleport to add extra value to the sentence

[@StrangeGamer859]

21:53 The Brune's sigil is almost certainly bear-related. Lothor Brune's (a Brune from a cadet branch) sigil is a brown bear paw

[@somegenerichandle]

Thank you. I was wondering how Lothor was related!

[@alanpennie8013]

@@somegenerichandle The name Brune calls to mind bruin (a brown bear).

[@mondayz5383]

The worst part of these videos is having to wait for the next one

[@monkeytron5061]

Yeah, the end bit sucks

[@codygurka9037]

i mean he just talks about gender roles for 30 minutes

[@MrKrtek00]

He is just reenacting the experience of the books in small :)

[@rasalghul013]

Yea...i just wait till it gets to 3 or 4 epnso i can binge

[@dworf6813]

i have run into so many places where fans talk about brienne/her chapters in a way that feels off and derogatory to me that i brace before engaging these days, but i am so glad i gave these videos a shot. your points are so well structured and thought provoking! thank you so much for these videos!!

[@Mprator]

It's possible Dunk came clean to Egg about not being a Knight, like when he was named to the KG, I assume Egg would have laughed and knighted him. In any case, Egg was King when he knighted Barristan, the King doesn't need to be a knight to make a knight.

[@zhankfor]

Yup. There's gonna be a scene in D&E where Egg makes Dunk a true knight, maybe looping another trusted knight into the "conspiracy" to knight Egg (if this happens before he's king).

[@josesoria2072]

The part of not being necessary to a king to be knight is false, that's all the point of the history of knights, if you are a knight you can knight someone, and that's includes the king, the king may not be a knight but to knight someone it's needed

[@Kriegerdammerung]

Lord Frey asked Robb to see to the knighting of his son.

[@IngTomT]

Who knighted the first knight?

[@dasaggropop1244]

just saying, your theory vids are amongst my favourite series on this platform, please never stop

[@arbiterskiss6692]

I am going to request you tell the second half of Littlefinger's story. You said at the end of it you felt like you told only half that story, and I for one would like to hear the other half.

[@nobodylistens5322]

Yesterday, I rewatched Part 1 because I had a feeling that this video was coming soon. It's great that most people who consider looking deeper into the text as being tinfoiley have been scared away already, so that you can discuss the text's feminism without much harrassment. EDIT: Calling it now: Preston is gonna point out how "sword or noose" could stand for "penis or vagina" in the next video

[@badlucksparrow40]

after spending quite sometime in shitty 4chan asoif threads this is genuinely refreshing

[@marlonthomas8042]

I hate you Because I never caught that 😑

[@hopedixon2133]

Brienne first chooses the noose, then the sword; does that make her of mismatched loyalties (like Tyrion) due to the dilemma of oathkeeping that Preston called the Jaime dilemma? It would be very fitting since that is her sword's name.

[@k0rppi259]

"It's great that most people who consider looking deeper into the text as being tinfoiley have been scared away already, so that you can discuss the text's feminism without much harrassment." What do you mean by this? It never even crossed my mind that opposition to Preston's theories would have something to do with gender politics. I can't see any correlation between liking meticulous analysis of a story and acceptance of feminist themes, so I'd like to hear how you came up with this conclusion. I'd actually say that anyone who tends to make decisions and conclusions either way based on gender politics is unlikely to enjoy deep and/or unbiased analysis of anything.

[@waltonsmith7210]

@@k0rppi259 Because anti feminists are morons

[@HEROplanetX]

Amazing. Yet another time Preston opens my eyes. Much love and appreciation!

[@CatProductionStudios]

This is your best series yet! Such amazing and deep literary analysis - and from a unique perspective as well. I really love your take on the more thematic aspects of ASOIAF, rather than the plot ones (though I do enjoy your theories as well). Nice work!

[@kriseriksen7706]

You talking about House Brune and Dyre Den made me realize that in addition to Brune being french for Brown, and Den being the home of a wild animal, "Dyre" is derived from "Dyr", which is a germanic term for animal. So there's an additional layer of symbolism.

[@BurningMad]

Also the other Brunes, from Cracklaw Point, have a brown bear paw on their sigil. Given they're only landed knights, they're likely the junior branch, so the bear paw probably derives from some bear imagery on their parent house's sigil.

[@Jojahn]

idk why but it bring me quite a bit of joy that the stock image PJ uses is the skyrim steel sword.

[@hopedixon2133]

Blade of Falkreath

[@akrybion]

Westeros belongs to the the First Men!

[@MrKrtek00]

Preston is like a bard who sings about the glory of old times... It is spectacular how fast GRRM and TSIAF was able to turn from cool to irrelevant. Thanks Preston for keep doing this.

[@dustinsmith2021]

Do you mean asoiaf?

[@MrKrtek00]

@@dustinsmith2021 yes

[@dustinsmith2021]

It’s not irrelevant. HBO is making house of the dragon right now. It’s just that the first series ended poorly and it pissed off a ton of fans. D&D fucked things up really bad, but there is still a big interest in asoiaf.

[@nodiggity9472]

Last time I was this early, GRRM had just *successfully hit a release date* with "Dance with Dragons"

[@Jotari]

You mean that book he said he'd write in a year at the author's note at the end of A Feast for Crows XD

[@nodiggity9472]

@@Jotari Caw caw.

[@migarsormrapophis2755]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT FISHMEN TELL ME ABOUT FISHMEN

[@BiggestCorvid]

We will get to the squishers later, I promise.

[@caitfitz8029]

Next time 🤘😹

[@camilo9192]

I love how happy Preston's squisher looks

[@michaelklaphake4093]

I also think the fact that Brune sounds an awful lot like bruin reinforces the bear sigil hypothesis

[@alexandergangaware429]

Bruin, as the Latin term for bear, would be the origin of the French "brune"

[@motorcitymangababe]

The best thing to see after a busy day at work

[@cbob213]

"and Squishers. We'll get to those later." Only a few minutes left.... Squishers are literally in the title and only mentioned to say they won't be mentioned!!! 🤣 Always need more squishers and old ones content. I wish this one was a double header.

[@FlyWithMe_666]

Wow, the thumbnail design is even crazier than in part 1!

[@froggywoggy473]

You said "werewolf and vampire" and my cerebellum exploded

[@alexandergangaware429]

Roose Bolton vs. Robb Zombie

[@stefanilic0421]

Ser Barristan the Bold isn't really a knight. Let that sink in.

[@davidbodor1762]

Yes! More Brienne talk is exactly what I needed today.

[@100raptex]

If the comet is a volcryn, did it enhance the powers of the squishers?

[@alexandergangaware429]

No, it allowed the githyanki collective to warg into the hruun Wun Wun so he could kill Ser Patrek because DALLAS SUCKS!

[@azarishere6442]

@@alexandergangaware429 dont forget the fact that dallas are harangans

[@Krolockinchen]

"If men and women are perceived unequally, how can justice ever really be served?" I see, our lord Preston has left the area of literary analysis and will now make political deep dive videos? Honestly, I'd be here for it! That's such a good sentence.

[@jeffralston1]

I love how you tell a story about a story.

[@tonlito22]

Wow, we're already halfway through the Brienne journey and no sign of Moon Meteros. Shocking.

[@alexandergangaware429]

Don't worry, she is in the Riverlands. The Gods' Eye Lake is almost certainly a meteor impact, as that is about the only reliable way to get a more-or-less round lake with a more-or-less round island more-or-less dead center. Give her time

[@iliaponomarev1624]

Still reading it as "Brienne, Gendry and the Squishers"...

[@alanpennie8013]

That could be an interesting story.

[@crazystorm1659]

We’ll get there I’m sure

[@alexandergangaware429]

Brienne has already passed by the port towns of Duskendale, Maidenpool, and Saltpans. If she was going to be shipping, it would have already happened

[@otheusrex2190]

I gotta say, I'm 110% interested in this series. good job

[@ratiounkn3210]

You have a great voice, very unique. And the understanding you have of this tale amazes me. Great job as always my friend.

[@TheJayShow03]

Another day of brienne and the squishers another day of no winds of winter

[@kefkapalazzo1]

It’s not coming

[@theletterm5425]

I literally re-listened to the entire Brienne storyline (including the Catelyn and Jaime chapters where she first appears) in order to prepare for this. Can't wait to get into it!

[@Pacu89]

Kings have the power to bestow Knighthood upon individuals regardless of whether they themselves were knighted. Lords only have the power to knight if they themselves are knights

[@Alex-wv9en]

i suppose the thematic "passing down" of knighthood went from dunk to egg to barry, however

[@robnewton7042]

GRRM stated (and shown in the books) that kings not knighted were still able to make knights themselves. Even if Duncan's knighthood was made up, 'Egg' as king would still be able to make Barristan an official knight. Edit: a word

[@robnewton7042]

I will just point out, I'm not saying the parallels and themes that Preston is eluding to are wrong... I simply think that a comparison of Dunk and Brienne can be made without need of involving Barristan, The White Book, Jaime, Aegon V... etc. They're tall...They're not knights... They're honourable... They seek for a girl... A young boy squires for them... Dozens of others...

[@rebeccachambers1846]

Yep, very good points. I actually think The Hound is a big part of this parallel too (well, obviously since the Brienne story hits you over the head with it). Being knighted, wanting a knighthood versus not wanting a knighthood. A place on the kingsguard. A connection to the stark girls the themes of injustice / justice, morality / code of conduct, punishment / mercy.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@rebeccachambers1846 A conversation between Brienne and The Hound would be interesting. Pretty sure it won't happen though.

[@rebeccachambers1846]

@@alanpennie8013 agreed... I'm not sure what could get the hound to re-enter the story at this point that would push him towards Brienne .

[@shinjinobrave]

I remember once talking to someone on a message board who thought neither Tywin or Randyll ever did anything wrong. I was disgusted by this of course, but more than that, I don't understand which books they think they were reading...

[@DynastyLuminous46]

They probably read the books because of the knights, the warfare, the dragons etc. Toxic masculinity casuals.

[@kragary]

Where you find cruel narcissists you'll also inevitably find fawning lackeys who admire what they perceive as "strength".

[@marlonthomas8042]

Did they say that they didn’t do anything wrong within their environment or by today’s standards? Within a vacuum I can understand the argument but by today’s western standards they’re monsters

[@wisdommanari6701]

@@marlonthomas8042 even in their own universes they're pretty fucking Savage

[@marlonthomas8042]

@@wisdommanari6701 true but it’s a brutal world they live in where hyper aggression and disproportional violence is rewarded Mistakes in their world are usually decided by results - the rains of castemere was extreme brutality but advanced his house same with Tarly sending Sam to the wall While I agree with you that they’re both rather disgusting humans I can see the argument that someone would make

[@BiggestCorvid]

Preston on a Thursday feels like a Friday.

[@superraegun2649]

I think Samwell being a victim of toxic masculinity also deserves a mention. He's in the situation he's in because he doesn't fulfil his traditional gender role. Yes, you mentioned him being craven because of his farther's torment, but his farther did those things because he didn't follow his traditional gender role. Interestingly, Sam is protected by a man who protects him not because of any moral code, but because he believes Sam needs protection, Jon Snow; and that man carries the sword that was supposed to be given to a man who also thematically represents a 'bear', Jorah Mormont.

[@thegrimmarcher202]

All hail Preston productivity's bane.

[@bohemiia]

Just graduated from nursing school and heading to my pinning ceremony. Listening to this on the drive. Good day 😊

[@johndcoffee632]

Congratulations! And on behalf of myself and future sick people thank you

[@gianmarcozoffoli9891]

Congratulations!

[@sophie__ara]

I've been looking forward to this. Thank you, Preston.

[@elisekiwan360]

Watched this one with my sister... We always get so hyped with each video!!! Thank you Preston!

[@callumwebb4927]

Hey Preston. Do you think you’ll do a series on the Blackfyre rebellions? Also, have you changed any of your views or theories overtime like the Dornish Master Plan?

[@Sheldonthecow]

His views on Dany changed massively in the page of lies series

[@nathhje]

Yes, this was what I needed today. Ugh, Randyl Tarly, and of course they had to go and give him a sympathetic death in the show. (They were even so preoccupied with making Dickon jokes they forget he is the younger brother) I remember first reading the rapestabbing and feeling very uncomfortable, yet also somehow glad of how the whole thing was so turned around and the message that brougth with it.

[@mistermaestersirthomas9164]

To be fair, all the characters are painted in grey. Any and all monsters (major characters) are given certain sympathy. Randyl is bad to us yes, but in a medieval world; his mentality is a tried and "true" survivability strategy. It's not right or moral but in times of iron clad monsters is perhaps a reasonable way to protect your family and has placed his family in a powerful position of that society. All that being said, can't wait for Randyl to get his, hope Sam has something to do with it, maybe tangentially.

[@helpconflict9851]

@@mistermaestersirthomas9164 Maybe the Iron Born (Crow's Eye) attack or the Golden Company (friends in the reach) will be the cause

[@mistermaestersirthomas9164]

@@helpconflict9851 not Euron(Bloodraven\CotF), definitely. I think Randyl bends to Aegon(Griff) and dies against Daenerys. I'm just hoping Sam some how has a hand in it.

[@helpconflict9851]

@@mistermaestersirthomas9164 That would fit his worldview, if he joins Aegon because Daenerys is a woman and his sexist beliefs lead to his downfall. In the debt scheme and Iron Bank videos, Preston suggests he is in heavy debt so maybe Aegon also offers him money or debt forgiveness as well.

[@mistermaestersirthomas9164]

@@helpconflict9851 yes, except the Daenerys part. He will join Aegon before Daenerys shows up, show she won't be a factor in that decision. I hadn't considered the debt, I was mostly thinking Aegon happens because: people hate Cercei, Aegon will do a rather bloodless conquest, and Targaryen nostalgia.

[@DojoJazz]

This whole episode is extremely great. You do an awesome job highlighting all the narrative parallels

[@shauryasegan5177]

Finally wooohooooo!!!!! The best Thirty Minutes I spent in two weeks.

[@jeffreyselachii928]

Don’t whatever Fever Dream! DEEP DIVE! The next episode should be a total deep dive on this concept! LoL

[@simeonwildman788]

Just remember though, Dracula transformed into both a bat and wolf in the origonal novel

[@jeffreyselachii928]

@@simeonwildman788 Sansa is Dracula confirmed! (But seriously I could see her being some white walker queen. It wouldn’t be the most insane thing Martin has done)

[@tentaclepawn1548]

@@simeonwildman788 He also has a pack of wolves that do his bidding!

[@PlatipuseKing]

Always excited for a new Preston Upload! And on my favorite chapters!

[@michaelokeefe6519]

I've really liked your past (sometimes out there) theory videos but I loved this video and the focus on gender roles and themes in some of my favourite asoiaf chapters

[@IronGuy.]

This is brilliant Preston keep it up!

[@nikitagh5656]

The thing Preston did here with the symbolism of Brienne's shield is sometimes referred to (here, in Russia) as "pulling an owl over a globe". I'm talking specifically about the part where he infers that Illifer and Creighton take a look at "the symbol of protection, matrelineal roots, powerful female Mad Danelle, symbol of vagina" and get hostile. The problem here is that Preston treats hedge knights like furniture, not actual characters of a smaller scale. If we see them as actual humans, we'd understand that for them her shield was a symbol of evil deeds of Lothstons (real or imaginary - doesn't matter, since the sers only heard songs anyway) and also of lies and false knighthood, since nobody has a right to this sigil since death of the last Lothston. On top of that, Preston merges them into a single sourse, as if they're just interior used for setting a scene. They're not. Ser Creighton is the one being "sexist" and insistently offering protection while being polite, whereas ser Illifer is the hostile one for he figures out who Brienne is and he was evidently Renly's man. All in all, analysis of this part doesn't hold, unless you WANT to see what Preston sees. The themes he points out are essentially correct, but GRRM is being waaay softer and more subtle than the video suggests.

[@johnwhelan9663]

I've never heard the "owl over a globe" metaphor, I guess because I don't speak Russian. Does it relate to some example from Russian literature? I agree with your points about Illifer and Creighton. Taking it a little farther, I would say that, Preston's approach here deprives Illifer and Creighton, and pretty much anyone (including Brienne herself) of any agency as individual characters capable of making their own good or bad choices, and turns them, by loose games of association, into cogs in a corrupt system from which there can be no escape, no defense, and no exoneration.

[@jonttopia]

13:50 I just wanted to point out that kings can knight people too, you don't have to be a knight if you're king, so Selmy would still be legitimate.

[@BiggestCorvid]

Thanks for mentioning that, I thought it was too good to be true.. The point remains though, Aegon was no "true" knight.

[@iurilourenco]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Dunk wouldn't knight anyone

[@alanpennie8013]

@@iurilourenco He might think it more amusing not to. And thematically if Ser Duncan is a "true knight" without ever having been dubbed it makes him more like Brienne.

[@nikmede]

When I first read the books I found Brienne's story incredibly boring, skipping her chapters after a while. When I reread it I loved every part of it. Your analysis is somehow able to make me love it more. Thank you PJ

[@wulozhero6684]

The beacon is lit... Raise your banners.. PRESTOROS CALLS!!!

[@joaquincarrascosa91]

Preston, he´s probably right about much more than half of this!

[@jimmartin2548]

Thank you for all the hard work you do Preston. Great job as always! I wish I had much of any disposable income but as soon as I do you can count on it going to your patreon

[@МаринаПопова-е3ш]

I recently watched one of Shadiversity's videos called ,,The truth about Chivalry" or something like that. It was very interesting and there he explains the medieval concept of it and also how and when it started to be recognized as the Chivalry we know today as well. So it turns out that it is very misunderstood thing in the context of history as general. I think that GRRM knows this too and has it in mind for the Brienne's storyline. I recommend watching the video.

[@hamletfisherman5740]

That might be my favourite analysis of yours. The symbolism is amazing, it just blows my mind, thank you!

[@MexicanSasquatch02]

2 vids in and this easily one of my favorite of your analysises. Looking forward to part 3

[@Meggiesoarsrex]

This was the best intro yet. Also, one of the best analysis. Feast deserves more love.

[@willthisdoreviews3376]

These are the first ASOIAF vids I've watched in a long time and boy did you get me RE-hyped for the next book!

[@jennifera.4511]

Geez, after your The deeper Dorne series, this one certainly's gonna be my second favorite!

[@tyreklannisterisahorse]

“The gods made men to fight, and women to BEAR children” Women being made for bearing children is the most “bear” phrase ever Another clever parallel by George

[@yousillyenglishknnniigit8205]

What a fantastic series this is turning out to be

[@Rhaenarys]

Technically, Egg didn't need to be a knight, the fact he was a king, and a prince, was in fact all that's required in a feudal world.

[@archmaesterdrew8564]

"Dornish Queen" -- What is this blasphemy?! Dornish Princess!

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

She's been called both, but you're right, it's usually Princess

[@hopedixon2133]

@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin She is also not entirely truthful. Anybody else find it suspicious that as the ruler of Ny Sar, she did not go off to battle with her men when called by Prince Garin? She could not stop her own men from marching off to fight with Prince Garin from a different city, Chroyane...why not exactly? It makes me question if Nymeria was the de facto ruler of her city, or if maybe her husband was the true ruler. Maybe the Rhoynish were not as equal as we think; perhaps that came BECAUSE of Nymeria, and her goal to empower women as rulers. Her story may be a parallel of Daenerys, a woman given power by her marriage, have it taken, then her taking back power on her own. Remember that the Rhoynish city-states were not unified so it still really troubles me that HER forces went off with Garin, and that no women are mentioned as leaving. Why? I thought they had women warriors, shouldn't some go too? And the whole Nymeria getting all the way down the Rhoyne and not being seen by ANY enemy ships seems either not possible or only by "magic". Yes the Rhoyne is huge but Ny Sar is up by the mountains and would surely be patrolled after Chroyane falls. Did Nymeria see this as she passed? Chroyane is south of Ny Sar, she would HAD to have passed it according to when she left Ny Sar...when she hears of the fall of Prince Garin and Chroyane. Also...what's the deal with all the slave sounding people that Nymeria brings to Dorne? The maesters claim there are artisans, craftsmen, scholars...sounds like Meereen and Volantis to me. I think maybe Nymeria's husband left with the men soldiers to meet up with Prince Garin, and she devised a plan to gather the rest of Ny Sar and GTFO because she was not an idiot like the other Rhoynish. She snuck out somehow, possibly with slaves that she freed as her own people, similar to Daenerys. It would be fitting if Nymeria wasn't really Rhoynish and she came from a place like Norvos or Lorath; it would mirror Doran Martell and his supposed wife. She finally finds a good home, and rewrites Rhoynish history as the last survivors. I like Nymeria but I think she chose her words like gold coins.

[@tentaclepawn1548]

@@hopedixon2133 This comment was a great read - never given much thought before to this aspect of the story of Nymeria. Thanks! It makes me wonder if Dany will sail down the Rhoyne on her way to Westeros, retracing Nymeria's steps (though I struggle to see how George could fit such an epic journey into 2 more books!).

[@hopedixon2133]

@@tentaclepawn1548 I don't think Daenerys will take that journey on the Rhoyne, we've already gotten that from Tyrion. I was just so puzzled by Nymeria and her supposed story once I realized Ny Sar was above Chroyane, and kept looking for more answers...not sure if I found the right ones lol

[@TheBigDizz]

This is some of Preston's best work yet. Wonderful!

[@polishedpebble4111]

A sword that can pierce any shield is a master sword, but a shield that can be pierced by many swords is a broken shield.

[@anamilojkovic924]

Oh great! Now i have to wait again for part three to get my squishers theory fix. Can't handle the suspence

[@bigbitehood1353]

13:40 Why we love GRRM. Thank you Preston!! Can't wait for part 3!

[@witz]

Brienne stabbing Shagwell, spilling his maidens blood and telling him to laugh, parallels quite well to Lyanna as Knight of the Laughing Tree. might be a stretch but this scene also reminds me of Nissa Nissa being stabbed to forge Lightbringer. thank u for this series Preston I picked up on a lot of briennes themes naturally but this has really tied everything together for me :)

[@samuelkurth9676]

Clearly, Brienne is Azor Ahai ;)

[@ineriswetrust]

The quality of the analysis is amazing.

[@stephaniec9539]

Ahhh i needs part 3 already!!

[@tenderbrick]

These are so amazing. Thank you for explaining everything that goes over my head!

[@ThereIsNoLord]

I haven't really liked a TV episode of GoT in what, 5 years now? But I fucking LOVE these Preston analyses.

[@ferraghamo]

That was so interesting! I never realized how complex her story was. Like I could feel it was about sexism but never saw why it worked so well. Thank you again, Preston. Awesome job!

[@baitbait65]

Oh yeah, plumb those depths Preston.

[@hums3000]

Great as always and much appreciated.

[@Sicktus]

That intro is so ridiculous. I love it.

[@divkaur4410]

Damn. I'm going to relisten to this again and again specifically for the discussion on what justice means. Amazing.

[@xavierplatiau4635]

Always a pleasure to hear your thoughts Preston, I love this serie !

[@carydelatorre2633]

I'm not sure why this video did it but now I wanna see Preston analyze Synecdoche, New York

[@pancakes1271]

That would be a 20 part series lol.

[@bobbehwitchie]

I saved this for myself after a hard worked day. THANKS PRESTON.

[@armandopena4929]

When I watch the intro I think: "Maid Brienne: the Kingsroad Warrior"

[@natbvm1880]

I really think this channels Gonna blow up when the next book finally drops

[@jonathanm9069]

Chivalry was based on the (christian) notion of helping the vulnerable (women, children, people with disabilities, etc...) which is literally the whole point of justice vs anarchy; protecting the weak against the tyranny of the strong and the hardships of life. It was basically humanitarianism, which is the same concept that made Dany freed the slaves with the help of her dragons. And outside of the fantasy trope of the super strong woman that Brienne encapsulates, it's perfectly normal to asume that almost any woman wasn't capable of defending herself as good as any random knight in medieval times.

[@Frandelicious1337]

Preston is using the feminist social studies definition of ''chivalry'', unfortunately, and since this is the lenses he chose to do this analysis, it's pretty much worthless.

[@GreenHair81]

Bruin is also a word for Bear

[@anthonyfrascella4598]

I was going to re-read ASOIAF, but now I may just subscribe to Preston’s Patreon.

[@kiritugeorge4684]

With this, Preston deserves to be knighted and further raised to lord, granting him whatever holdings he desires💯😂🔥

[@BenJover]

I fucking love you so much Preston. Your videos are a gift.

[@drew413]

THESE ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST VIDEOS!

[@vallraffs]

15:37 lmao, I love the animation of Cleos dying

[@Mizelei2012]

I had to do my household chore and opened YT to look for something to listen to while doing it. God bless you, PJ