Radio Westeros E14 - Ser Barristan Selmy

[@dangerousboxx666]

"Even now I can cut through the 5 of you like craving a cake!" It is such a good line wish it was in the books.

[@lili46038]

Lol craving works actually better than carving here!

[@dangerdan2592]

"there are old sellswords and bold sellswords, but no old bold sellswords" I guess the same isn't always true for Kingsguard knights, at least where Barristan is concerned.

[@ReiBarker]

Knot-wise, Barry was an excellent choice; and this insight into both Knightly and Kingsguard matters could not have come from anyone living. Great video

[@alysaneblackwood]

As I sit here in isolation re-listening to all your podcasts I realise I don't have a favourite character, a few hated characters but no favourite. They all have so much depth, realism and personal demons/vulnerabilities that draw me to them, no wonder the deaths and maiming's are so traumatic

[@jimbojetset123]

I get more excited about these episodes than the TV show!

[@EPYHDA1]

I was quite surprised but both the Dascondale story and Barristan's escape from King's landing - these skills do not necessarily apply to the knights. Also, maybe the Kingsguard was composed of knight to provide some checks and balances for king's power, and degenerated with years...

[@RadioWesteros]

Igor Proleiko One thing we mentioned is that the Kingsguard vows are modeled on the Night's Watch vows... We're guessing one major difference is that NW weren't necessarily knights and so wouldn't have had that extra layer of potentially conflicting vows that knights have. It's not an easy conflict to tease out until certain predicaments present themselves, so it's easy to see how it might not have been anticipated.

[@Mom2Muses]

So excited for this episode! I love how your series has been exploring knights, honor, vows, and duty via the characters you cover, and Ser Barristan is my favorite example of it. Thank you. :)

[@RadioWesteros]

Mom2Muses We definitely think we left the best for last! But it's been a lot of fun, and very revealing, to explore all of those themes across the Sandor, Jaime and Brienne arcs too. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mom2Muses]

Radio Westeros I am sad for Barristan if he is making the journey to the soiled knight, because after a life of trying to do the right thing, even in the midst of the walking the line between the conflicting vows of a knight and the Kingsguard/Queensguard, I hope he has an honorable end to his career and his life. I don't know if GRRM will grant him that... His reflection about Ashara Dayne and Rhaegar were among the most poignant scenes in the books for me- the heart in conflict with itself.

[@RadioWesteros]

Mom2Muses I guess it's possible that he continues to do the right thing in the eyes of the reader, but in-universe gets caught in the no-win dilemma's we know grrm loves. And yes I loved his reflections too and do have a soft spot for the guy ;) -yolkboy

[@williamjubi]

Barristan the Bold, or as i call him, BarriSTAN the MAN. This is outstanding work! Both speakers are pleasant to listen too.

[@carlhassler5336]

Want to know a bit about the obvious historical inspiration to Ser Barristan? try William Marshal. 1st earl of Pembroke

[@maryharrison6948]

Another splendid presentation. It's such a treat, thanks. I loved the readings and background music. Loved the song, "a heart of gold but he'll leave you dead cold", very apt. Ser Barristan is one of the most admirable character creations in the novels. His life has truly embodied "valar dohaeris" thus far. In Barristan and Jaime's situation it is unfortunate that rulers themselves do not always have a code of honor. I would take it as a compliment that though Aerys was killed that Robert kept Barristan. There would be few knights or men that would instill a confidence in being able to trust them and says how much respect Robert hadfor his former enemy's skill, as in Barristan the Bold.

[@ryanforbes6073]

Always have checked you two out before, but your recent stints on AA have made me a full fledged fan! Thanks for all the work and great content!

[@RadioWesteros]

Ryan F Thank you!! We're having a great time with HoW and thanks for submitting questions there too -- that's a great way for all of us to interact with y'all!

[@ryanforbes6073]

I'll try to make sure my questions match you and HoW's quality!

[@Kindafu]

You guys were great with AA Podcast. I knew it was a good idea to check you out over here as well. Thanks for the content.

[@kevinmoore4237]

ahhhh ... sigh of relief ... I can feel my blood pressure going down as I soak up this show-free ambience - I really love these episodes. I know ... "just stop watching the show and stop whining" ... but I can't - it's like driving past a trainwreck ... "a crowd of people turned away ... but I just had to look ... having read the book ..." - and the podcasts like the one you're doing with History of Westeros are so interesting ... but please keep these coming. now @00:26:00 - this is sooo good, so many details that I'd forgotten even after all my re-readings - I guess it's because a couple times I started the re-read on Clash.

[@adaendeveld27]

Loved in this show the pairs of knights you told about, especially Brienne/Duncan. I missed in your story the shield, she let paint in de Duncan colors in Duskendale (feast of crows), she remembered from her fathers hall (green tree, falling star) but maybe you told that allready in an other show This is the first I hear, very good!

[@ladygwyn3690]

Ada Endeveld Thank you! Yes, that discussion wrapped up our series on knights which began with Sandor and continued with Jaime and then Brienne. We discussed the Brienne & Dunk theory in detail in the Brienne episode. Glad to have you aboard as a listener!

[@lordrogue6233]

another great episode guys.. i especially love the readings...thanks

[@kevinmoore4237]

@01:20:00 or so ... I'm figuratively salivating over the idea of Barristan essentially living out Jaime's experience and at the climax choosing to kill a king he was sworn to protect in order to save innocents. But it's hard to see how Hizdar becomes powerful enough or Daenerys evil enough to warrant such action - but that would so poetic and so Martin-esque to make Barristan go from true to soiled as Jaime is doing precisely the opposite. And you've totally nailed it with this application of the "human heart at war with itself". Bring on the BFish! The people who say that Feast & Dance were a decline from the others are really really missing the point. The action of the first three books is more of that classic thriller novel momentum but Feast & Dance are the peak in terms of the literary profundity that will make these books classics for future centuries. Finally, you two, HoW and BBFish are collaborating so often and with such incredible results - each of you is brilliant, has different areas of expertise and is very easy on the ear and collaborates very well with the others. There's one other ASOIAF analyst whom I consider to be at this highest level - the Meereenese Blot guy - and I'm wondering if there are any plans to collaborate with him? His essays are really sublime.

[@RadioWesteros]

Kevin Moore Glad to inspire some brain cell salivation! We love the collaborations with HoW and BBF! We'll never rule out other collaborations, and actually have a couple of others with analysts from westeros.org on the agenda for later this year. Hope those turn out to be as entertaining :)

[@kevinmoore4237]

@01:13:00- Battle of Fire with BryndenBFish! YES!

[@mamiek]

Just found you guys needless to say I will listen to all! So thrilled to be starting with Ser Barristan

[@RadioWesteros]

mamiek Thanks! Hope you enjoy the other episodes. Stay tuned for Battle of Fire, which we're promising will be something a bit different!

[@incoref]

Thank you!

[@matthewwithum8372]

You two are amazing.

[@thealmightyloaf3187]

amazing content, you guys!

[@whereuwannabe7796]

Barristan the bold. Ser Grandfather. One of my favorite people in the books or the show. Total badass who is also a very respectable man. I just wish he were as bold with his tongue in the book as he is in the show. Danaerys is so clueless in the books about her father's behavior and why he was usurped. In the show he spoke up and told her but held his tongue in the books. I hope he spills it soon so she can stop being so sanctimonious when it comes to her families legacy.

[@272arshan]

.

[@272arshan]

where u wanna be I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

[@RadioWesteros]

where u wanna be "Barristan the bold. Ser Grandfather. One of my favorite people in the books or the show. Total badass who is also a very respectable man."-- couldn't agree more!

[@Laurynassi]

Radio Westeros I could disagree and I will. Yes he is badass, yes he is honorable, but he is gutless. He lives by the code of white cloaks, without which he is completely lost, as we see in Winds of Winter chapter, when Dany is away. He is hypocrite as well, though he would never agree upon it (all characters are, but at least they are being honest about it. And we know how much honesty is important for Barristan Selmy): he judges Jamie for killing the king that clearly was mad, but when he thinks about not saving him from Duskendale, he tries to find arguments why not saving him would have been a good think to do, thus condemning The Mad King to death (forsaking his vows). When Jamie does it, it is wrong, but when he does it, it's OK. He is a man from days long gone. The think about White cloak soiling Jamie, or Jamie soiling the white cloak, in my opinion, it is neither: it's the Mad King that soiled it: he anointed knights for wrong reasons and (from Katelyn's vows to Briene) asked for service that brought shame on them.

[@caesarplaysgames]

where u wanna be I think Danys arch in the books is leading to her being more violent and crazy anyway. Just read her last chapter in ADWD where she sees visions urging her to remember who she is and to live up to her family's words: fire and blood

[@dreyk.4000]

To see Ser B. vs Khrazz on the show...oh, the epicness would be unbearable.

[@raaf4678]

Thank you for another great video!

[@johnlanouette8611]

One interesting question about Dunc though, He stepped in for Tansel because he liked her, do you think he would have if it had been someone else, perhaps just some random woman he didn't know? I'm not saying that he would not have, but its an interesting thing to think about. He is defenantly a true night, but he also likes to stay out of the affairs of those he deems of higher birth.

[@RadioWesteros]

John Lanouette It's a good point, that Dunk seems still a bit young, or reserved. I think we're seeing some growth there though, and would be willing to bet he becomes more confident in his skills and position as his stories progress. I doubt Egg would appoint him to the KG if he doesn't ultimately become the type of chivalrous knight that he aspires to be.

[@johnlanouette8611]

Yes that seems true, it will be very interesting to see his progression when the other novellas come out

[@NeoLudditevisons]

Awesome stuff again =) the ball keeps rolling! You're readings are extremely enjoyable, the Khrazz fight is up there with your best!

[@RadioWesteros]

NeoLudditevisons Ha, we tried to capture the spirit of 'Streetfighter 2' for that Khrazz fight, glad you enjoyed!

[@NeoLudditevisons]

You certainly did, the sfx on the voices are spot on! But you also captured the battle prowess of good old Barry-Stan ;-)

[@whereuwannabe7796]

This was a timely topic considering what happened in episode 4. I don't know what this means for his survival of the battle of fire bit I hope he makes it.

[@Shawntastic1978]

Another excellent episode. Looking forward to the next and the Dany episode. Just a dew ideas for other episodes but how about Tyrion, Dorne, Ser Jorah, Littlefinger, and Varys. Anyways, keep up the great work and can't wait for the next episode!!!

[@272arshan]

I shrieked like an animal when I saw this in my feed, it just slipped out.

[@Mrityugata]

Would you say Barristan identifies more strongly with the kingsguard's or knight's ethos? [Game of Thrones s5e4 spoilers ahead] His death on the show made me wonder about that, because one thing that bothered me was that it was a death worthy of a knight -- but not the kingsguard (Unless Gray Worm turns up to be a secret Targaryen, that is. World seems to be full of them sometimes). But maybe it's fitting? In season 3 he stated „I burned away my years fighting for terrible kings”. And back in season one: „I am a knight. I shall die a knight." Another thing I've noticed is that Littlefinger's mockery proved prophetic: „A naked knight, apparently”. A simple breastplate could have made a huge difference there.

[@RadioWesteros]

Mrtyugata Probably in the books he identifies most strongly with the Kingsguard, he introduces himself to Sansa as "of the kingsguard" and tells Cersei "kingsguard serves for life." Also Renly comments that he's lost without a king to guard. I agree though, the show seems to focus more strongly on the knighthood, though they've given most of the finer points surrounding the Kingsguard a pass.

[@MoonTone]

Awesome

[@sertorrhenclegane]

The only reason I'm not bothered by Barristan's death in the show is because he died exactly as he wanted to die: On the field, in service of a ruler he believed and not retired.

[@scottspa74]

Ser Torrhen Clegane great point. I hadn't even considered that.

[@patelien]

Great Channel Radio Westeros. Love your show. Thanks for keeping it book cannon, I decided to stop watching GOT because I don't want to be spoiled by the showrunners. There are very few broadcasters discussing ASOIAF, without muddling GOT references during their episodes. Thanks Again

[@RadioWesteros]

patelien and thanks for tuning in, patelien! There's so much depth to the books, we don't like to blur the two canons ;)

[@kevinmoore4237]

@7:00 - will obsidian work on the Koch Brothers?

[@RadioWesteros]

+Kevin Moore worth a try? calling Sam the Slayer.... ;)

[@kingjonstarkgeryan8573]

they don't even come close to the amount of money donated in poltics. The biggest poltical donates are the unions.

[@TwistedTentacleInn]

Exactly.and George soros. But this is a podcast about a fantasy series. Not a political discussion.

[@Theology.101]

Lmao, you used music that caught cut from Skyrim

[@TobeWilsonNetwork]

My man bought the Jeremy Soule autographed original soundtrack

[@goatismyname]

Aren't we due for another episode soon?

[@farcastk0]

can anyone tell me what the intro song is? I know it's Nine Inch Nails, but I can't seem to remember the name of the song.

[@RadioWesteros]

farcastk0 Hi, it's my remix of NIN 28 Ghosts IV. Trent is great as he put Ghosts under creative commons licencing so people can use it like this :)I sampled the banjo riff and put the other sounds on.Thanks for listening, yolkboy

[@johnlanouette8611]

Radio Westeros Thats funny, I didn't realize it was NIN, I thought you made it yourself on an old Cassio keyboard LOL

[@Mrityugata]

Mission Impossible? James Bond? I was rather thinking of Snake Plissken and Escape from Duskendale. At least in terms of the plot, the characters are slightly different -- Snake prefers the black cloak (and generally seems liked a perfect Night's Watch recruit).

[@RadioWesteros]

Mrtyugata haha, pretty good comparison plotwise ;)

[@sertorrhenclegane]

Ah, man, I'm envisioning Aerys screaming to the dying Lord Darklyn "You're the Lord! You're the Lord!" or something akin to "You're the Duke!"

[@carlosibarra609]

The skyrim music killed me XD

[@kevinmoore4237]

As the showruiners have given Barristan such an unsatisfyingly aborted arc, how about a Radio Westeros episode on another of their epic fails - Mance Rayder?

[@RadioWesteros]

Kevin Moore would love to if time allows, or at least devote a large part of a broader episode on him.

[@supremeworld87]

I really cant stand Barristan. Such a pompous hypocrite. Funny how he suddenly decided he was loyal to the Targs AFTER he got booted out of the Kingsguard by the Lannisters. Then he has his embarrassing outburst where he says all the Kingsguard are false knights if they would serve under the Kingslayer when he himself has been serving with him for nearly 20 years. He was butthurt that Jaime replaced him as LC when by all accounts Jaime has been a better LC than Selmy ever was

[@Shawntastic1978]

Another excellent episode. Looking forward to the next and the Dany episode. Just a dew ideas for other episodes but how about Tyrion, Dorne, Ser Jorah, Littlefinger, and Varys. Anyways, keep up the great work and can't wait for the next episode!!!

[@ladygwyn3690]

Shawn Duket Those are definitely some of the characters/topics we have in our sights for future episodes :) Thanks for your support, we appreciate it!