The Small Council Meetings (Game of Thrones)

[@swtrooper42]

By watching this video, you've probably attended more Small Council meetings that King Robert ever did.

[@cipher88101]

LOL

[@O.G.H.]

I can safely say that I attended more small council meetings than anyone in the seven kingdoms ever did

[@proserfina21096]

*than

[@jimmichalop2330]

@@O.G.H. huh?

[@Tleanantz]

boared

[@devinmccourty1500]

I almost forgot how savage Ned was, he roasted everyone

[@Guitarsoul24734]

Yes, not one to subtly communicate his points.

[@subutaynoyan5372]

In the book, when they were discussing how to assasinate Daenerys, Varys said 'If I tell you what dothraki do to a man who killed their queen, you would not send any hired blade, we can use poison, tears of Lys is an excellent thing'. Robert did not like that, complained that poison is a woman's weapon. And Ned snapped 'You are talking about murdering a child and her unborn babe, yet you still complain about having honor in this?' He also said 'When the Battle of Trident was won, Ser Barristan Selmy here was heavily wounded. Roose Bolton urged Robert to slit his throat. But he had none of it. He said that he would not punish a man neither for being loyal, nor for fighting well. And sent his own maesters to tend for him. Would that man be here this day, with us'

[@NB-or8rs]

@@subutaynoyan5372 i love the books

[@majacovic5141]

And that's why he died. Varys: We're all praying for Joffrey. Me: *This*, this is how you survive a viper's den. Listen and learn, Ned. Ned Blows off Varys. Me: Jesus fuck, Ned. Peytr says he got gutted like a fish. Ned blames him for it. Me: What the fuck man. Pycel reminds Ned of being young. Ned reminds Pycel he served the mad king. Me: Oh God, you're a moron.

[@HTMR-de8gz]

@@majacovic5141 Yet strangly it's the starks with the most surviving house members in late seasons. Guess he succeeded in raising survivors even if he was not one.

[@fabio11826]

“A shame you didn’t say a prayer for the butcher’s son.” This is why Ned was such a great character. I remember being so angry and appalled by how that innocent kid was executed after doing nothing wrong. Yet hardly any character in the show seemed to care - except Ned and Arya. Hearing Ned express anger over what happened was cathartic.

[@jackj9816]

Yes it shows the brutal side of the feduel system

[@jupiterloverful]

Arya cared ? she is the most dead-inside woman of all, not even cersei can match.

[@-_-ligma]

@@jupiterloverful she literally tried to kill the hound multiple times and even left him to die after he saved all because he killed the butchers boy

[@jupiterloverful]

@@-_-ligma she was a kid when he killed the butcher boy so she grew up with a deep grudge, and unlike his brother we all know the hound cares about his companions. It is because she left him to die that she is so dead... I simply hate her and loath every moment they try to convince me that she is beautiful.

[@piotrczaban6315]

I like to think that Varys respected Ned for that answer, after all, Varys keeps saying that he cares about "the people of the realm"

[@julioprado8092]

The way cersei goes from "Im queen" to "Daddy please dont make me do this" is so epically glorifying for tywin

[@Kasiarzynka]

Really showcases Tywin's "a man who has to say 'I am the king' is no true king". She may be pulling ranks on people around her but she well understands that her "I am the queen" has no standing against Tywin.

[@stankobarabata2406]

I mean her kingdom was burning the entire time she claimed to be a queen, and she kept basically not caring what happens outside the walls of the Red Keep. She wanted to kick the peasants out of the capital because they stink and are overcrowding it, yet the peasants are hiding in the capital because outside is chaos ever since her husband died. She keeps running away from actual issues and keep playing her petty game of sick politics in the chambers of the keep. In terms of being a Monarch she's so ineffective. The most she's good at is torture. The moment I saw that crown on her head I was like "Yep city's doomed".

[@ΚατερίναΤσιτσιμπίκου]

@@Kasiarzynka That's the point though, it should have a standing because the Hand is below the queen. In the books this scene is from Tyrion's POV and when Cersei asks Tywin if she has his leave to go (in the show Tywin leaves first)Tyrion is shocked. He thinks "you're the queen, HE should be asking your leave, not the other way around". She is so intimidated that she forgets she is the damn queen.

[@Kasiarzynka]

@@ΚατερίναΤσιτσιμπίκου I mean, yeah, if you're looking at ranks, she outranks him. But it proves the point that is repeated throughout the series (for the record, I haven't read the books*) that at least politically, power is power only because people believe it is. "Power resides where men believe it resides. It's a trick. A shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow." "Any man who must say "I am the king" is no true king." It challenges Cersei's little show she pulls in season 1(?) to intimidate Littlefinger(?) in the courtyard, where she states "POWER is power".

[@ilcorvo9559]

@@Kasiarzynka reflects the realities of feudal Europe, being the higher noble rank, even the king, can be a tenuous position and in the later Middle Ages many dukes had the money and power within the realm in reality. Especially in scenarios like this where the king is a child and his claim is let’s say tenuous.

[@stomp21]

"The Robert I grew up with didn't tremble at the shadow of an unborn child". Incredible writing.

[@biswasmrutimangaraj3077]

If it was written by Rings of power writers, Robert would have replied - 'You haven't seen what I have seen'🤭🤭

[@dadagan8815]

All before season 8

[@raiku6518]

Was viserys death at this point in time

[@RedHairedWarlord]

@@raiku6518 he was, but Robert did not know yet due to the length of time it takes for messages to reach kings landing from the Dothraki Sea.

[@hamzamahmood9565]

The show I grew up with, did not tremble in the shadow of bad writing

[@TheStarcraftJACKAL]

They did really well capturing the summer heat in King's Landing when Ned was alive. Poor northman was sweating like Niagara.

[@BlackEpyon]

I keep forgetting that. I thought it was just stress from having to clean up everybody else's messes.

[@el34glo59]

Haha

[@Bigmesh98]

i wonder if jon will also be sweating like a ballsack in this season when he heads South

[@JamesSmith-qr7be]

@@Bigmesh98 I doubt it with his bloodline he will take the heat better than most.

[@fortie6902]

And winter has come, so i doubt he’s going to sweat much.

[@bestdadakasongoku4157]

Imagine how unstoppable the Lannisters would have been if they all just liked each other lmao

[@cerovk6000]

Or just managed their relations better at least. If they all liked each other they never have been powerful.

[@radjadawamindra697]

@@cerovk6000 yeah I mean, Tywin didn't have to like Tyrion, but he should have enough common sense to appoint his dwarf son as his heir.

[@FallenOne669]

Had Joanna lived, the Lannisters would be unstoppable.

[@victorconway444]

Tywin may have been the greatest Lannister to ever live, personally. But as a role model, he set a horrible example for all of his descendants. Worse than his father, I'd argue. Say what you will about Tytos, but he at least loved his children and didn't just use Tywin as a pawn for his own machinations. Just goes to show however bad he was as a ruler, it doesn't make the polar opposite of him any better. Tyrion was the best of both, he had the intelligence of his father but also the compassion of his grandfather.

[@Whobilation]

@@radjadawamindra697 Exactly and everything Tywin did was supposed to be for the gain of the Lannister family yet he couldn’t even recognize Tyrion as the most capable of the 3 (obviously excluding Jaime’s capabilities on the battlefield)

[@wpalmer16]

“I do not recognize your authority to dictate what is and is not my concern” what a bar

[@cerovk6000]

A chocolate bar?

[@nobodyspecial115]

When you're Tywins brother you have to have some presents or else be swallowed up by his shadow. Kevin got done dirty by Cercei

[@freebird264]

Rewatching Ned’s council scenes makes me appreciate what a breath of moral fresh air he was

[@bumba5897]

his honor was pretty infuriating sometimes

[@BikalpaCodes]

but unfortunately that was the very reason he lost his head.

[@FIDEL_CASHFLOW_]

He was the only morally non-ambiguous character in the show for a while

[@FIDEL_CASHFLOW_]

​@@bumba5897It just went to show that the world of game of thrones is cruel and honor is a weakness that most people don't share.

[@auroramichael1110]

Ned making friends on day 1 🤣

[@JBakerH]

oberyn's like the one dude in your group project that just makes jokes the entire time but does no work

[@BlackEpyon]

Still had more practical sense then the other sycophants. And he wasn't prudish either.

[@BenRover2961]

robert is the oldest guy in the group who probably had a job and a family and only works when bored

[@nykia31]

But no one dares confront him over it, because he'll kick everyone's ass

[@heyheyheyheyheyhey76]

Oberyn was a badass character. What an actor. Only around for a few episodes but he became likable instantly. Fuck the Mountain. The Hound better sort out his brother in season 8.

[@anja1627]

hahahahaha I’ve had groupmates of such likes in my college days.

[@adamdonahue2079]

Hard to believe it was Pycelle who was there the longest.

[@SurvivingAnotherDay]

He was old af

[@robrick9361]

@@ankhmahor7211 In the books Varys actually kills him.

[@akedus44]

@@ankhmahor7211 Why the salt?

[@octoberboiy]

Yes he was there even before Mad King Areyas was king.

[@alphagamer9505]

@@octoberboiy he think he is the small council since aegon V

[@zoneoperator]

Tywin was as obsessed with his pride as Ned was obsessed with his honor.

[@AceHufflepuff]

And it did both men in

[@last7509]

i don't know how Charles told Lena to breed without laughing

[@mikeyfergish]

Double meaning to pride there!

[@nicoperez9984]

honor is better than pride

[@Mr.Nobody_97]

More like his legacy than his pride, dude would berate his own children for disobeying him and controlled them like he was the mafia when he should have raised them like his wife would have

[@kerol5905]

"Shame you didn't say a prayer for the butchers son.." That must've strucked Varys through the heart in a good way. Proves that Ned cared for the common people like Varys does.

[@olofacosta3192]

The show doesn't really touch on it but the whole"i serve the realm" schtick from varys is mostly bs. His real ultimate goal is to get a blackfyre on the throne. Or well atleast in the books lol. In the show he just isn't as smart as was at first

[@Riley-u8m]

@@olofacosta3192 books are show are different though. I think in the show we are to believe he cared and wanted what was best for the realm

[@elseby]

@@olofacosta3192 different universes.

[@Jaxymann]

I love how after his initial surprise, at 0:40 you can see a small smile on Varys’ face as he turns to keep facing Ned, and probably thinking “by The Seven, a Hand of the King who actually cares about the realm and who isn’t a megalomaniacal douchebag!”

[@jacobite2353]

@@Jaxymann Jon Arryn was good too, just caved in too much.

[@walsh9080]

Am I the only one that loves Mace Tyrell? He's hilarious with his terrible dad jokes and how people treat him like a fool without him realising. He actually shows he loves his children a lot. He brings an army to save Margery and tries to intervene when the faith carves Loras head and even supports Renly because of his children. He's one of the few truly good people on the council even if he is an idiot. Plus he had a badass feather hat and gives unconvincing speeches. What's not to love?

[@joshlisko3333]

James Walsh its been said that mace is actually more cunning than he lets on the idiocy is an act supposedly

[@joshlisko3333]

ThatCrazy Drunk well pycelle pulled it off why not mace

[@joshlisko3333]

ThatCrazy Drunk olenna probably taught him all her tricks if hes not using it to grab power for himself hes most likely spying for olenna so she can turn the info to blackmail

[@joshlisko3333]

ThatCrazy Drunk no hes dead as hell and yes it is all specualtion as to what could go on but its game of throned anyone can be used for court intrigue and whoever put those theories about little finger being alive is a moron he had his throat slit deep. Now unless hes somehow rhollorian or had a super convincing double he dead

[@gerardjagroo]

When Lord Tyrell laid siege to Stannis at Storm's End during Robert's rebellion, he took his sweet time about it not being at all aggressive like trying to storm the castle but was content to starve Stannis out. In fact Lady Ollena once said the only thing he ever besieged was the banquet table. Most people see this as weakness but it was actually really clever. Like Lord Stanley in the real world, he was waiting to see who would win the war. If Prince Raegar defeated Robert, he would commence the siege with real effort and zeal to establish his loyalty to the crown. If Robert won, he would easily be forgiven because he did no real damage to the rebel cause. Thus Lord Tyrell feasted all year long outside Storm's End waiting for the war to be decided while Stannis Baratheon starved within. After the Battle of the Trident was decided, Lord Stark showed up with an army to relieve the castle and Mace Tyrell promptly bent the knee and was as promptly forgiven. If you look at the history of House Tyrell you'll see that being cautious, laying low and only making power moves only when opportunities arise is their MO.

[@dukes1993724]

I love Tywin’s no nonsense meetings. Man had absolute control of that room when he was present

[@easygrin1127]

He was not nearly as smart as he thought he was. His dwarf son saved his ass before he came and ruined everything again. People say Tyrion was mostly like Tywin. But i think its the twins that take after him. Vain, arrogant, shortsighted and cruel. All he plans ends up biting him in the ass just like it does for Cersei and Jaime.

[@shadysorkin9214]

@@easygrin1127 All his kids have elements of Tywin.

[@TheRandomMuffinMan]

@@easygrin1127 honestly, if you look at his history he was definitely an intelligent man who knew how to work people. But as you said. His inability to accept Tyrion and willful ignorance of his other children’s relationship was what ultimately ruined him.

[@CCEkeke]

@@TheRandomMuffinMan And ultimately killed him.

[@MrRedcarpet02]

@@TheRandomMuffinMan that and not allying with Varys. Whom revealed to Tyrion the secret passage that led to the Tower of the Hand......If he wasn't as dismissive of Varys he might have lived longer.

[@Dsabide]

I love how on the first meeting, Ned greets everyone with respect and on the second he already hates them all. Except for Renly maybe

[@distinguishedallureproduct879]

You see he handshake only to Renly, the rest he walked past or avoided like the snakes they are 😂😅

[@starjunky30043]

Respect? Pff, he was throwing shade at each of them. "Shame you didn't say a prayer for the butcher's boy.", "And you served another King."

[@Dsabide]

@@starjunky30043 You didn't get what I said. He greets them with respect. And then he loses said respect. That is why hebehaves quite differently the second time.

[@hardcandy9880]

​@@distinguishedallureproduct879He kinda shook handa with Varys too.

[@baileylocklear5975]

Ned Stark confirmed Renly Ally 🤪lol

[@americancaesar6065]

Tywin's first Small Council is great. Little Finger jumps at the chance to sit as close to Tywin and power as he can, Vary's follows a bit more cautiously afterwards, Pycelle picks the middle seat to be easily forgotten, Cercei moves her chair by her fathers side to create the illusion of importance while Tyrion, of course, puts himself in opposition by slowly dragging his chair.

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

its ironic. Petyr respected Tywin but got him indirectly killed (though one could argue if petyrs never born, tywin's screwed either way). tywin never really respected Petyr and saw him as just another lord. he never saw his cunning mind for himself.

[@Jae-kg4dc]

Loveeee how you noticed this too🌚

[@jordanjoestar-turniptruck]

Maybe opposition, but moreso forcing Tywin to have to look straight at him. What a boss.

[@americancaesar6065]

@@jordanjoestar-turniptruck Not opposition as 'we are enemies', more like 'I'm going to be a stubborn little thorn and annoy the hell out of you'

[@evoke97]

also littlefinger sticking his arm out to block varys, very deliberate

[@theelderworm9134]

I just watched 40 minutes of make believe politics. No regrets

[@Governor2310]

hurdy gurdy no, these are actually functioning politics that have a sense of their situation. Today, politics are destroying the planet, one country at a time.

[@sachit5000]

No ragrets, you know what i mean?

[@geneparmesan8748]

Sandor Clegane - "funcitoning politics that have a sense of their situation" - where every political meeting is ~5 minutes long, half the stuff they talk about doesn't end up happening, half the meetings are tied up with personal attacks and petty power plays, and there's a new council member every session to replace the one that got murdered since last time?

[@last7509]

"Real" politics is make believe as well

[@ingainloggningsnamn]

I would love a show that's simply about the small council intrigues during Roberts rule. Well during the Targaryen rule would probably be pretty good too, Bloodraven was awesome imho.

[@young_latch8091]

Varys has the best expressions in these meetings

[@ShingenNolaan]

yeah, and he is never, not once scared or intimidated by no one.

[@chuchulainn9275]

His expression at 10:37 is my favorite.

[@food4j]

The way he looks at Ned in admiration when he says we should pray for the Butchers boy. He's like could he be a good hand? Maybe.

[@akibanu007]

Young_Latch his expression at 23.43 when joffrey shouts I AM THE KING was priceless

[@gangstapenguin2773]

@@ShingenNolaanThe only exception I can think of is when Littlefinger tells him he found out about Ros

[@Bearoscene]

Rob yelling at Ned saying he'll have his head on a spike was such a subtle foreshadow now that you come to think of it...

[@QuanNguyen-vw1pu]

The Small Council grows smaller and smaller

[@connectionpoints930]

not small enough

[@Caedus696]

And the plots dumber and dumber.

[@mirjamheijn5214]

and the traveltime shorter and shorter

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

It eventually completely disappeared...

[@ingainloggningsnamn]

Isn't the Hand of the King(Queen) part of the small council?

[@tomservo5347]

You'd think Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion could all sympathize with each other in their mutual misery of having a father like Tywin. "You will wed her, bed her, and breed her." lol I loved it how Cersei arrogantly thought she could gloat over Tyrion having to wed Sansa-until Tywin dropped the bomb on her. Her face was priceless.

[@DragonoidBerserker1]

My thoughts exactly

[@popshenroin5797]

Tywin was a man of vision. He was the true King from his debut till his death. He Won the most battles. (Not just physically but mentally) he had everyone in line even Joeffrey. And he’s the man who kept the Lannisters safe and alive. They were a bunch of ungrateful pricks. Sansa and Theon were literally being torture beyond the point of death. And they were whining about marrying absolutely Gorgeous Highgarden royalty.

[@seliamila1005]

@@popshenroin5797 he's also a jerk and has a lot of flaws.... Congratulations you fell into his charm... He's overusing his ruthlessness and then he's dead on the loo

[@popshenroin5797]

@@seliamila1005 Flaws! Elaborate.

[@chickennuggetsonastick2388]

@@seliamila1005 he's was the smartest person in the entire show

[@Legio__X]

Charles Dance dominates every scene he’s in, his portrayal of Tywin just commands respect. Such a talented actor.

[@HuHWhat-yi8cp]

@ Leg. Yes he was also great in his role as Dracula.

[@Galvatronover]

@@HuHWhat-yi8cpyou mean Dracula untold? Because he wasn’t Dracula in that

[@HuHWhat-yi8cp]

@@Galvatronover Never saw that one - could have been the one with Keno Reeves ?

[@jewel65]

I loved him in Alien 3. He's fantastic in every role he plays.

[@MrBiggles53]

You should see him in the two-part BBC show at 10 little Indians

[@britthay19]

I love how Cersei was eating it up when Tyrion was told he was going to marry Sansa, she was being snarky as usual, then Tywin hit her with the “he will do as he is told, as will you. You’ll marry Ser Loras” that changed her expression so fast 😂

[@adambishop568]

That part about Ned not wanting to assassinate Daenerys... It's not just his sense of honor holding him back. He doesn't want to kill Jon's aunt and cousin. I see that now.

[@SwornReaper]

What worst is that ALL ALONG, Ned knows that Jon is the true heir to the Iron Throne, the secret that Ned had been keeping for himself from his King Baratheon. His code of honor and loyalty really conflict each other.

[@doghat1619]

In the show... sure. In the books, he doesn't want to kill Dany because she's his niece and he swore to Lyanna to protect her.

[@dragom2009]

what?

[@T00THY_0RiFiCE]

Langdon Aldger You're saying Dany is the daughter of Rhaegar and Lyanna?

[@doghat1619]

In the books, yes. In the show, Jon is their son.. and also Rhaegar's second son called aegon.

[@someguyoutthere110]

After all these years I just noticed that when Joffrey says his father killed the mad king, he is actually 100% correct

[@StruggaBugga]

Technically he didnt say the Mad king, he killed the prince and took the crown. Taken the crown was more symbolic, but I doubt Joffrey meant that. I'm sure Robert told him many stories about killing everyone by himself, in a single day. 2 Targayans in a single day....Gods what a day that was....

[@jpmanning2966]

@@StruggaBuggaJoffrey’s real father is Jaime Lannister. So his “real “ father did kill the mad king

[@StruggaBugga]

@jpmanning2966 Oh I knew that already, I just worded wrong. I was more commenting how they say it out loud yet not exact. If that makes sense.

[@nyyanks4]

@@jpmanning2966 yes, but Joffrey didn't say his father killed the Mad King, he said he killed the Prince. Those are two different people.

[@cba2make1up]

He didn't say his father killed the mad king. He said his "father" killed the Prince.

[@seanmurphy7051]

24:00 “the king is tired” is by far one of my favorite moments in the entire show. The essence of Tywin is on full display and the build up throughout the scene is just immaculate

[@mariuszmiroslaw2290]

You mean: Joffrey: what's up over the Narrow sea? And what will we do with that? Tywin: the last dragons were like cats so it won't be a problem to care about.

[@Ordellseedd]

Joffrey even tried to look tough in front of Tywin. Even Cersei knows that if the situation escalates, things will not end well. Cersei knows his father too well.

[@tycrane2539]

It felt like Tywin heard Tyrions quip and was like, “Oh are we doin this, are we needling the boy finally?” and piled on.

[@TheGameCritc]

I love how tywin tilts his head

[@NottherealLucifer]

​@@tycrane2539Tywin always knew Joffrey was a little shit that would need to be brought into line sooner or later. He may dislike Tyrion, but he knows that he's right in this instance.

[@eldinthings]

Can we just talk a second about how amazing both the lighting and scenery are in these clips? The way every room appears open and cathedral-like, with beams of light pouring down, just add so much to the medieval atmosphere of Game of Thrones. Really enjoyed watching this through and just admiring the scenery and visual world-building.

[@bigchief70]

"Mormont is a slaver, not a traitor. I know, a small difference to an honorable man." - Great scene

[@Jericho2488]

It funny because he kind of yells when he says it. Like dude calm down

[@undrielgrenger53]

It also showed how callous littlefinger was about Slavery....but Ned was having None of it.

[@zaidkapadia6824]

​@@undrielgrenger53 Slavery built the worlds during medeival kingdoms. Don't care if you think it's justified or not but the economy rested on their backs and would fall never to rise again if some Lincoln comes around

[@pyroknight419]

Cersei: We are to discuss the uprising in Dorne Kevan: You have no place on the Small Council Cersei: And seeing as you can’t make me leave we might as well get on with it Kevan: No, but you can’t make us stay. Not unless you’re going to have that thing murder us all Ser Kevan holds his brother’s badassery and deserved more screen time, openly insults Cersei and The Mountain without giving a shit

[@MrJordwalk]

I always loved how he saw through her bullshit. She tried to emulate Tywin when it came to ruling through Tommen, but fell utterly short.

[@mariuszmiroslaw2290]

''Not unless you’re going to have that thing murder us all'' - well in fact, she did almost exactly that 🧪

[@im_flat]

@@MrJordwalk I mean, think about it for a second. Kevan grew up with *Tywin*. You think his second-rate faux-cunning daughter who tries to emulate Tywin yet fails almost every time is any sort of effort for the guy?

[@threenumbnuts]

@@im_flat People thought Kevan was a weak follower type, but the best leaders know you can't always be at the top of the pyramid. You have to set aside your ego and be the second in command sometimes.

[@bingobongo1615]

That scene should have been the end of Cersei’s power… it’s a travesty the shoehorned her getting the power back in…

[@muscacholi]

"The peasants say a long summer means an even longer winter" Nah it'll just be like 24 hours don't worry about it

[@markc8329]

woah thats crazy.... i finally started scrolling through comments and came across this one JUST as Varys said it in the video

[@DrRAZI99]

What are you talking about ? 24 hours really ? It barely lasted two hours lmao

[@Oscar_Lasco]

In the end it never was an ominous omen, it was just some wacky peasant superstition all along!

[@sheldon-cooper]

If that

[@ManOfScienceManOfFaith]

more like an unpleasant evening

[@dinorex3464]

*"Are you telling me the Crown is 3 millions in debt?"* *"I'm telling you the Crown is **_6_** millions in debt."* *"How could you let this happen?"* It's Ned's shocked face and tone that get me XD

[@francuscus]

About killing Daenerys: Varys: “Sometimes hard things must be done” Pycelle: “Think about the safety of the realm” Renlly: “We should have killed them years ago” Littlefinger: “When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman best close your eyes and be done with it” Varys: (mind facepalm)

[@Christhegreatbro]

They were right. Look how it ended , Robert would have saved millions

[@mikyto7313]

@@Christhegreatbro It didn't work because Jorah turned traitor. Robert's command was carried out. Daenerys was to be poisoned by the wine seller but Jorah stepped in. If Robert was not so bloodthirsty for Targeryan blood he wouldn't have caused a ripple between him and Ned which then led to his death.

[@mariuszmiroslaw2290]

Yep. Close your eyes or just say you prefer her sister 😂

[@thesecondromuluan8216]

@@mariuszmiroslaw2290 Depending on the woman, you'd either be slapped, killed or unharmed. But then again, anything's possible.

[@GeldtheGelded]

Pretty sure Littlefinger did that on purpose

[@danieleasterling5325]

I always find it funny how Jofrey says his father won the real war, but he doesn't understand just how true that is. Jaime was the one who killed the king finishing it.

[@kyleenglot9184]

Still kind of true of his idea of Robert as well. Joffrey is truly convinced Robert is his father. Robert led the rebellion, killed Rhaegar the crowned prince in battle. Tywin was honestly a coward for the most part. In fact the Lannister's were supporting the Targaryens at first. Jaimie killed the Mad King and Tywin took the opportunity to switch sides, sack Kings Landing and murder the remaining Targaryens and Martells. Tywin always acted kind of sneaky and unconventionally including his back deal with the Frey's and Bolton's.

[@Sb22-ru2tk]

Robert won the war, with ned and arryn of course but they won. They did most of the strategizing, their house made up the bulk of their forces. The casus beli was neds family getting fucked, and Roberts wife getting kidnapped, all three raised their banners. The battle of the Trident was the deciding battle in the war and Robert killed rhaegar, who was the commander and heir to the throne. All Jaime did really was steal the kill, even after aerys was dead, the war was still on months after he died. But yeah, Robert was the clear victor, he killed rhaegar, and he commanded most of the battles, even winning 3 battles, beating every army in turn. He was the first one to enter the battlefield and the first to climb the walls in a siege, he was charismatic, turning enemies into loyal allies. He was the face of the rebellion really. So I don't think that Jaime won the war, thats pretty goofy, he was inactive until the moment he killed aerys, while Robert was kicking everyone's ass from the beginning, cutting his way to kings landing.

[@Sb22-ru2tk]

​@@kyleenglot9184because tywin isn't a commander, or at least a commander like ned and Robert are. Ned and Robert lead armies at the vanguard, tywin leads from the back, this shows you how good Ned and Robert are when leading men into battle.They grew up with soldiers, they know the battlefield and understand logistics.I mean, Neds son is a military genius, who never lost a battle, he outsmarted tywin and Jaime. Fr, this is why Tywin sacked the city, he was not gonna risk having a pitched battle with Ned. He also didn't like aerys. Tywin chooses and picks his battles wisely, he said he "never lost a war", and this is why. ACoK exemplifies this, he loses militarily to robb stark, battle after battle, but one political blunder on Robb's part, and tywin ends the war like that.

[@threenumbnuts]

@@Sb22-ru2tkit's strongly implied that Robb isn't winning battles due to military genius, but rather following Blackfish's advice and using his warg abilities to scout around. Still has a good enough judgement (especially for his age) to heed the expertise of an experienced commander, but that's different from genius.

[@Sb22-ru2tk]

@@threenumbnuts nah, that's dumb. And you don't understand either. Winning battles and wars is a team effort, and ultimately it all fell upon Robb stark to still execute his plans, and put them to work, and rule on top of that. Yes he listened to his advisors, so did every other conqueror in history, the best conquerors have great advisors. But, getting the tactics and logistics right, and everything that comes with it. The main leader is the foundation of it all so that victory is granted. Effectively utilizing battlefield strategies, such as double envelopes and pincer maneuvers, having loyal soldiers and subjects, a big empire, drawing plans, leading men into battle, managing all that shit. Winning ambushes and pitched battles, knowing how to manage/lead the lines, the wings, the center of the army, leading them effectively while also giving commands, having an army that can achieve all this efficiently. Simply listening to someone else won't give you that. That's fucking stupid. And Robb stark did all those at a young age too. So yeah, he's genius,

[@Darealchefnate]

Cersei: smug look when talking about Tyrion’s marriage Tywin: I’m about to end this woman’s whole career

[@terminalcreature1560]

Tywin: "Bippity boop." Cersei: "I won't." Tywin: Cersei: "NO! I'M THE QUEEN!" Tywin: "...Pow."

[@bilbortboxing1313]

What? Make her date Bron?

[@barksdalebell000]

@@bilbortboxing1313 i see what you did there

[@NYG5]

"I'm going to give Tyrion an absolute dime. You? You will be forced to try and bed someone who has no interest in you, again"

[@Rash23215]

​@@barksdalebell000 he did nothing.... just did his part in spreading that stupid rumor which was actively denied by boththe actors.... boring people just want drama

[@combinestrider117]

Kevan is so underrated. He really is Tywin's brother. Head and shoulders smarter above everyone else in the room.

[@HBMHD]

From strategic moves to mindless battles; from GRRM's brilliance to D&D's incompetence.

[@Wyzai]

Not even incompetence. They practically did it on purpose. They could've let someone take over when they no longer felt like doing it.

[@arkcliref]

@@Wyzai yeah, whatever the fuck Season 7-8 are, they shouldn't exist.

[@miracleyang3048]

The first seasons were D&D work as well you can't just give all the credit to GRRM

[@HBMHD]

@@miracleyang3048 They had source material, some people are great making adaptation, that doesn't make them competent writing their own content. I _mostly_ give GRRM the credit.

[@miracleyang3048]

@@HBMHD Oh then you can't blame their incompetence on the later season, it's the fault of the one who didn't provide them with source material you can't have it both ways

[@MatteBlacke]

Some of these early small council scenes are the best in the series. Dialogue in the latest seasons is almost straight exposition and could be delivered by any character. But here we have great interactions with characters revealing their motivations also with what they don’t say: their reactions, when they change the subject, HOW they speak and choose their words. This is what was great about GoT

[@swanstation9171]

was, sadly

[@skultro4875]

These scenes are what “the game of thrones” is all about.

[@4thLevelConciousness]

what confused me was that robert didnt want a war. he was a warmonger and womanizer. im slightly surprised he didnt welcome a war with the dothraki. he definitely enjoyed the war against the ironborn and his ursurper conquest

[@andrewgalea5012]

Yes you just need to watch a few of the earlier seasons to realize how far downhill GoT has gone.

[@thearmada6248]

I think Robert was against the war with the Dothraki because he knew how dangerous they were and just hated the Targ's and didn't want them to get any power so he was fine with just killing them.

[@shinfitz]

I love the clip at 13:30. Without a line of dialogue it reveals each characters personality. Tywin sits at the head of the table, asserting his rule. Littlefinger quickly sits closest to the person in charge, the best place to influence. Varys, annoyed, takes the next closest seat. Wanting to be close, but no suck up. Pycell takes the third seat, no longer willing to really fight politically. He’s alright just keeping on. Cersei, who would like to think she thought outside of the box, moves a chair to sit at the right hand of the person in charge. And Tyrion, who actually thinks outside of the box and is a rebel sits on the other side, in opposition of the person in charge. Masterful.

[@SweetSoulBrother0]

Accurate except Pycell is sinister political operator hiding behind the act of a frail old man, he walks slowly and sheepishly to the third seat putting on his act in front of others to appear foolish.

[@chaeriplease]

r/iamverysmart

[@SweetSoulBrother0]

@@chaeriplease it's not a bad analysis. You have to admit at least Tyrion places his seat directly across of his father because he demands his respect and considers himself on the same level as Tywin

[@chaeriplease]

Sweet Soul Brother Never said it's bad, what I'm saying is it's way too obvious. I don't think anyone needed it explained to them.

[@SweetSoulBrother0]

@@chaeriplease ridiculous

[@gibn1542]

Ned really felt like the competent and highly-respected local town leader being promoted to handle gross big city politics

[@lucasfv1357]

A real shame, that. He wasn't made for such a hostile environment. Doesn't mean he wasn't a good ruler, most of his lords loved him or at least respected him. But crown tier politics, well...

[@kurtwagner350]

Mr. Smith goes to Washington type beat

[@Happyduderawr]

Yeah the show give off those vibes but its the North isn't exactly a local town. He had to deal with Boltons, Umbers, Karstarks, Greyjoy rebellions and all sorts of nasty stuff as lord of Winterfell. It was just the location and people that he wasn't used to.

[@dinavienna]

"I am NOT tired" LOL one of the best lines delivered perfectly

[@BlackEpyon]

The guy pretty much quit acting after his character died. That's the problem with having such an iconic asshole character - that's what people will always see him as, even if the actor himself is actually a pretty cool guy.

[@catmani2]

Sadly that is true. People are retarded.

[@0mnicide]

Any man who must say “I’m not tired” is truly tired.

[@Introverder]

@@0mnicide Haha :).

[@sousacassendahulohulo430]

@@0mnicide yeah lol like i am not drunk

[@BrowncoatFairy]

i love Robert Baratheon yelling at Ned to "GET OUT" when he had already quit and was already leaving, and then yelling a bunch of empty threats about beheading him. what a shmuck.

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

Only Ned could walk out of there like that without a care for the any of threats, really shows the bond those two had for each other.

[@willbeard4835]

Robert ended up being right tho? Daenerys was an existential threat that needed to be eliminated.

[@markcobuzzi826]

@@willbeard4835 If I recall correctly, after Viserys was killed, Daenerys lost interest in conquering Westeros and only regained it after the assassination attempt ordered by Robert himself. In that case, Robert's prediction comes across more as a self-fulfilling prophecy which does not mean much.

[@willbeard4835]

@@markcobuzzi826 that's true. Drogo was on the war path after that and had no interest in crossing the narrow sea. Daenerys was still trying to convince Drogo to cross before that tho. The only thing the assassination changed was Drogo mobilizing the khalasar for war

[@markcobuzzi826]

@@willbeard4835 Ah, I see. I knew it was something similar to that, but my memory at the moment was a bit murky.

[@AFGuidesHD]

31:38 lmao I love how each character responds. Qyburn is attacking, Mace is innocently shocked by the priest and Pycell wants to keep such matters private 🤣

[@vintagejock3951]

well Pycelle himself does that very often😆

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@vintagejock3951 yes and as a maester he is also suposed to be celibate (which he isn't).

[@emperoremyhriv4968]

@@masterplokoon8803 What I don't understand is if they found going to brothels very shocking and sinful then how come they were very okay with Robert spending the lion's share of his time there and allowed littlefinger, the owner of those brothels, to be the master of coin . It sounds like hypocrisy tbh. Oberyn and tyrion too are regularly seen there and were allowed seats on the council .

[@BobPantsSpongeSquare97]

@@emperoremyhriv4968 Robert, Littlefinger, and Oberyn were totally different cases. Kings frequently had mistresses and cheated on their wives which was looked down upon but not that unheard of. Oberyn and Littlefingrr just had cabinet positions. The high septon is the equivalent to the pope and it would be incredibly shocking to hear that the pope went to a brothel. And the grand maester is also supposed to be celibate in that they supposed to focus only on knowledge and not sleeping around or having land and children

[@emperoremyhriv4968]

@@BobPantsSpongeSquare97 So basically it's okay to sin if you are in a position of power?

[@justinhamilton8647]

Love how Tyrion and Tywin momentarily teamed up against Joffrey to send him to bed lolll

[@AmicableMortal]

4:57. I really love how much depth and meaning went into every line of dialogue. In the third meeting, when Robert asks everyone to convince to Ned, they all have their own unique way of doing so in their own unique personalities. Varys takes the ethical approach claiming it's the right thing to do. Pycelle, a maester, speaks logically in terms of comparing the number of lives lost. Renly thinks very similarly to his brother, very aggressively, and by stating that "We should have had them both killed years ago" shows that this he's wanted to do this before and that there no question about it. Littlefinger speaks in a metaphor, slyly but not uncouthly

[@bendover2649]

Not to mention the way Ned lets them each make their case, before ignoring them and addressing Robert directly. He respects the small council enough in principle to hear them out, but he also knows they're amoral yes-men who'll do whatever Robert tells them to.

[@nicholaskinkaid]

Slight correction on Varys. He wasn't proclaiming it's the right thing to do. He even specifically says it's a terrible and vile thing. But he was also saying it was essentially the 'lesser of two evils' choice because it would result in less bloodshed.

[@elrondmcbong6392]

You gotta hand it to Kevan. Dude might not have been the most influantial player in the game, but the dude saw straight through cerseis bs lol

[@Shawn-st2lx]

Yeah, guy seemed to have some measure of morality about him.

[@tommythecat4961]

@@Shawn-st2lx which is why in the books Varys has him killed. He's a capable administrator, has a sense of right and wrong and cares about the smallfolk in his way. So they take him out. Just before he dies, Varys apologizes for the cold, then he leaves the room and his "little birds" come out of secret passages in the walls and stab him.

[@SilverPrince_]

Kevan's Tywin's brother, he knows how to see through bullshit :)

[@gen169]

he was the only one really keeping the kingdom or atleast the iron throne to the lannister

[@gen169]

and thats why varys killed him since he was so good that he would undo the dissent caused by varys to put a Targaryen on the throne

[@worldinperson]

"...while you hid under Casterly Rock!" The looks after that are between shock, fear, "this could get interesting" and "are you stupid?" :D

[@anondelirius3255]

It was truth and also a tragedy. Joffrey loved Robert as his magnanimous father and Robert loved Joffrey as his first born son. A wretched affair this Cersei Lannister subjected Robert and her sons to.

[@maximem7751]

Actually Robert didn’t like Joffrey, he suspected quite early that he had sort of a sadistic side (something to do with Joffrey torturing a cat for example if I remember correctly)

[@aislingyngaio]

Also the height of ironic hypocrisy, since he hid under the Red Keep during Battle of Blackwater and broke morale among his soldiers.

[@spinner771]

@@anondelirius3255 he caught jofferey killing a cat and slapped a tooth out his mouth. He knew something was wrong with him.

[@Jman-ck6fm]

Honestly tywin just looked bored like Joffrey was just another shit stain to clean up

[@wilder11]

Man, I fucking LOVE when Joffrey mouths off to Tywin and the room goes STONE COLD. Even his mother is like "I love you but you're on your own if you keep this up." I shed two tears everytime I watch GoT scenes before Season 6. One for how good things are - and one for how I know it was all for nothing in the end. DX

[@patrickkanas3874]

Even Joffrey knows be screwed up there. He looks like he shit his pants

[@frozenandchosen]

Idk why but I love how friendly Ned and Renly are within the first small council meeting, one of many scenes that make you realize how things could have gone very, very differently

[@nunyabiznes33]

Well it's his homies lil bro. I wonder what would have happened had he listened to him.

[@Anthony_Gx]

He should’ve taken Renly’s advice and follow with his plan

[@RM-wf4mw]

What I do not understand is why Stannis did not return from dragonstone when Ned got there. I knew he might be spitefull because robert did not choose him as hand of the king. But he and ned somewhat have the same principles. And with stannis's men he could have easily overthrown the lannisters, even renly would not have tried to stage his own coup.

[@boohoo723]

@@RM-wf4mw This is explained in the books. It was actually Stannis who discovered that Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen were not Robert's children. He brought his concerns to Jon Arryn, so he and Jon visited all of Robert's bastards. When Arryn died, Stannis assumed the Lannisters killed him and fled to Dragonstone. He wasn't resentful that Robert didn't make him Hand (at least not in the books), he was resentful that Robert gave him Dragonstone and handed Renly Storm's End, since Storm's End was Stannis's birthright and he spent the entire war holding it under Robert's orders, even as he starved to death under siege.

[@drmartin5062]

Look at Varys face after the butchers son comment by Ned. He's so relieved Ned actually cares for a commoner.

[@ceg496]

" Joffrey didn't die on his watch" I'm glad Twyin call out Cersei's awful decision to remove and dismiss Ser Barristan. I'm glad he work for the targaryen, it shows how the decision was not only dumb and make weaker the Lannister.

[@garthleadon8483]

Thank you for reuploading this masterful show despite its final season to true high quality HD. This stuff looks amazing now. Thank so much for upgrading the quality.

[@shamsuaddinrachedi792]

"Do nothing till the enemies are at our shores" that aged like fine wine

[@SilkyLew]

To be honest, it was his own doing that set off everything. If he never sent an assassin, Drago would have no reason to war with the King Landing.

[@shamsuaddinrachedi792]

@SilkyLew drogo would have still died one way or another, khals dont live that long you know, and im pretty certain she would have tried something with those dragon eggs one way or another, same way one of her targ ancestors burnt himself to death over rhe obsession over hatching some eggs he had

[@danielmcgillis270]

This comment may also apply to our real lives right now.

[@mkultra2456]

@@danielmcgillis270 LETS GO BRANDON!

[@Appathetic_Substance_Abuse]

@@mkultra2456Joe Biden is under your bed

[@KumaIsKing123]

I fucking love Mace Tyrell. That dumb big smile on his face every time he gets asked to do literally anything, even if completely menial . He's just happy to be here.

[@zm1786]

hes the smartest character in the show. the lord smart enough to not get involved in politics.

[@TheUndyingCrystal]

​@@zm1786It is a little too bad that Mace didn't get time to shine. Book accounts mention that he is very much a smart and cunning lord, and takes after Olenna in the latter's respect while hiding the former. Instead the show just puts him as a doddering idiot that everyone knows is useless.

[@zm1786]

@@TheUndyingCrystal him seigeing storms end was the biggest brain move of the rebellion. Pretending to be doing something , but not really doing anything. So if the targs won he could say he was seiging the rebel capital, if the baratheons won, he could just say he was obeying his king and he didn't kill any Baretheon men

[@FlamEmerge0]

while i do enjoy the epic battle scenes and action spectacles, these subtle power plays in the small councils were the best

[@martheresa7550]

Nicholas C. This was the reason why I got hooked up with GoT. So sad about the travesty that is season 8.

[@thomasb.900]

Its insane how everytime you rewatch after gaining an understanding of what actually happened ned stark shines more and more as one of the best characters to ever exist in the show

[@mateo7650]

It really sucks that Oberyn was only in the story for such a short time. Every scene he’s in is gold

[@Libellulaire]

King's Landing dialogues truly shine when Oberyn, Tyrion and Olenna were there. They managed to make even dialogues with fools interesting and entertaining, and dialogues with other witty characters (like Tywin and Varys) even more satisfying.

[@chrismarple]

@@Libellulairehow could you not mention Tywin? He was the best one.

[@twstf8905]

hahaha "Killed a few puppies today?" 😂

[@Introverder]

But it was something in it - there were Jeffrey happiest moments in life I guess :D. He has seemed at that very moment most happy than in all his life :) :) :) which says a lot how sad person he was and his life.

[@EastBurningRed]

Nothing sad about appreciating how good the red wedding was

[@Camilla550]

20:40 was soooo satisfying to watch, seeing Cersei’s smug smirk drop from her face when she’s told she’ll marry Loras is fantastic. One the reasons I loved Olenna and Tywin is how easily they could put Cersei in her place with their clever words because of course ‘she isn’t as smart as she thinks she is.’

[@steffidas4785]

Cersei thought she was smart because she was born in that family it had nothing to do with actually using brains ,even tywin knew she would not last not that he was misogynist or has hatred towards his daughter,he just knew she crossed the lines way too many times without spitting it all the time from his mouth

[@TheMisterGuy]

Olenna was so much fun on screen. She wasn't the only one, of course there was Tywin and Tyrion, and the scenes with Tywin and Arya. But Olenna had own way. I felt my heart stop when that stupid young man told her when the cheese would be served. Fortunately for him, she kept the vicious beatings verbal.

[@whensomethingcriesagain]

​@@steffidas4785Oh he's absolutely misogynistic, he just also has eyes and can see how bad at decision making she actually is

[@TheNinjadelivery]

24:06 The moment where the entire room looked at a young King, "bbboooy dont you mess with that man at the end of the table

[@TheArsenalgunner28]

10:16 tyrion arrives back in kings landing since his abduction, "Ive pissed off the edge of the wall, Ive fought with the hill tribes, so many adventures...so many things to be thankful for...' *looks directly at Peter Baelish Love it

[@brianmayabella5992]

A mind diALogue of him staring at littlefinger about the dagger but circumstance always divert him to his true purpose

[@shawofeverything3716]

These scenes were always the best because you can't chuck a CGI dragon in, or a massive battle. You have to be able to write intelligent, well though-out engaging dialogue. Which would explain why the best council meetings were based on George's books.

[@The36th]

I wanna see your tears when GRRM will finish his stories with basically the same dragon/zombie/battle porn xD Because it's not like the stories within the books lead to something like this, right...? :)

[@shawofeverything3716]

Well I think if you read the books you'd agree that although the battles and dragons are present, it's all backed up with solid rational, and realistic political intrigue.

[@coleturner9106]

Oh yeah, because everyone wants to see a dragon discussing politics, or how much coin the white walkers are using in their schemes......Theres a time for politics, and a time for magic!

[@nicolaysalazar1939]

It'd be interesting to see what Drogon's campaign promises are though, and I'm curious if the Night King has been filing his taxes correctly and whether or not he will Make Westeros Dead Again

[@launabanauna8958]

NicoBoi LOL!

[@mrmoviemanic1]

And the final small council scene is about Repairing Brothels.

[@razvan2632]

what are you on about the last council meeting was very well written

[@mrmoviemanic1]

@@razvan2632 No offense but I don't think you know the meaning of what "Well Written" is if you think that was what it was.

[@DrRAZI99]

I’m still trying to wake from a coma that hit me when I first saw bronn as lord of highgarden and master of coin like wtf was that ??!

[@Dominator553]

what??? I thought tyrion fixing chairs was oscar worthy!

[@AFanOfCinema]

To be fair the brothels would make a pretty decent source of income.

[@stevel935]

Love the subtle definitions of power. The lords just do whatever under Ned and Tyrion. But under Tywin they don't even budge until he directs them to. Also while Tyrion is active hand - he doesn't dismiss the meeting but when Cersei leaves they all get up and follow.

[@WeretigerX]

Most people are quick to judge Ned as stupid and too honorable, etc. The truth is that Ned's way was just as potent as Tywin's, but fate favored the Lannisters in Season 1. There was never a guarantee that Robert would die on his hunting trip, especially since Ser Barriston was with him. In that respect, Cersei got lucky that her plan worked. If he survived, Ned would have told Robert everything and then the game would have been over for Cersei. Ned also had a major handicap against him, in that his wife stupidly kidnapped Tyrion. She is the one that really messed things up for him, because he took all the blame for it. Beyond his death, the name Eddard Stark carried more weight than most names in Westeros and still does in Season 8. People are still talking about him. Is it because he was some great fighter? Sure he was strong, but not renowned as better than the likes of Arthur Dayne. Is it because he was rich and powerful? He didn't have nearly as much influence as Tywin, and yet no one talks about him anymore. Is it because he played the Game of Thrones? He said fuck the game. It's because he had a code of honor and stuck to it. He made a name for himself as Warden of the North as honorable and just. Stannis takes Jon's recommendation to take Mance prisoner in Season 5 in honor of Eddard Stark. Stannis used Ned's declaration that he should be king as a rallying cry. Cersei asked Jon to stay neutral in Season 7, stating that the son of Ned Stark would keep his word. Sansa survived King's Landing because she was Ned Stark's daughter. That was the only reason she was betrothed to Joffrey in the first place. Olenna helped Sansa out because she admired Ned Stark. Robb called all of his bannermen in Season 1, and they answered. They were willing to fight the crown for Ned. The point is that Eddard had a presence in Westeros that no one else had and could have just as easily won against the Lannisters had one thing been different. But obviously, that wasn't the story Martin wanted to tell, so things went in the direction they went.

[@amaxwiththefacts]

True!

[@zackstaal5965]

Yes and after book 1, we see how everything Cersei does back fires in her face. It was a miracle that killing Robert worked and she got joff on throne

[@lion52193]

For real tho, the North couldve even won if fucking Lysa wasnt being controlled by Littlefinger considering the Knights of the Vale wanted to join the North in Ned’s aid.

[@zackstaal5965]

Marco yes with someone like bronze yohn Royce leading the vale forces. I don’t think Tywin would have been able to leave to save kings landing from stannis

[@adolfhipsteryolocaust3443]

Cat was stupid and did a both his husband and son dirty

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

I love how Ned and Renly treat each other as family. Renly's like "Oh finally. The only man my dumb ass brother listens to is here".

[@DropKickEddy]

"Oh, I'm a monster? Perhaps you should speak to me more softly, then. Monsters are dangerous, and just now, Kings are dying like flies." Ah, this is why I got hooked on the show back then. More weight and gravitas in a single quote than the entirety of S7 and S8

[@aliasmarg8ta127]

Outstanding acting, especially Lena Headey. Every word uttered hits like knives. I can appreciate it more so at second viewing.

[@serjaimelannister5152]

Littlefinger and Varys were competent at what they did. They earned their place on the small council rather than being chosen for political reasons.

[@aguywithalotofopinions412]

Renyl was great too, comes with age I suppose

[@pewdipiekjelberg7938]

I know little finger was master of coin, what did Varys do on the council?

[@ryanlund5303]

@@pewdipiekjelberg7938 Master of secret. Brought a lot of info

[@doriandundee9906]

Those two were the only ones on the council who couldn't or shouldn't have been replaced as their expertise wasn't granted to them by education, status or wealth but instead by contacts that only they have. You can't just appoint a new master of whispers and hope he'll have all the connections that the spider had.

[@PRubin-rh4sr]

​@@pewdipiekjelberg7938hes like a good intentioned Herbert Hoover

[@purpletactics6969]

23:45. My favorite scene in all of thrones. Especially when tywin goes "the king is tired..." Such a boss.

[@usul573]

He's like bitch you did not.

[@talaris-uk]

“She should die now, so that tens on thousands might live”. Maester Pycelle was our hero all along, if only we knew at the time.

[@Cafetero_]

she dies, Night King takes the seven kingdoms, millions die, hindsight is a good thing isn't it

[@shadow_realm47]

@@Cafetero_ Arya kills NK anyway, plot armour is stronger than "good writing".

[@bobjoe109]

@@Cafetero_ If she dies the night king doesn't get a dragon. Also Arya and her massive plot armor kill the NK anyway

[@aditiadalatwale5816]

Even arya said that without her dragons we wouldn't win

[@feonor26]

It will play out differently when the books finally come out. The ending in the show was a dumpster fire!

[@veritusahriman9720]

love that scene with Tyrion dragging the chair as obnoxiously as possible, always gets me

[@richy1993]

I love the look of surprise on Vary’s face when Ned offers his own personal guard to keep the peace. I think it was surprise and respect as very few others would offer their own personal guard to keep the peace for peasants to put it bluntly.

[@mauz791]

3:49

[@majormononoke8958]

No, i think that was the moment everyone realized, that they couldnt work with him.

[@manuelvelasco2761]

Watch the first minutes. Varys has such a great actor. He looks so surprised an amazed at how decent Ned was with all his answers. Also a bit sad maybe, thinking he wouldnt last.

[@RW77777777]

he would have got a chub if only

[@tbeller80]

@@majormononoke8958 it was also the beginning of Ned stripping away all of his own protection. First he helped the city watch, then sent his men to help Beric find The Mountain, Jaime killed a few in the street fight, so in the final showdown it was just a squad of guys.

[@xxDrain]

"A Targaryen at the head of a Dothraki army!" He's right, you know.

[@BlackDiamond2718]

Best solution is to use house greyjoy and stannis to bring their ships to cover the narrow sea. Assassination even attempted was the reason why drogo wanted to attack.

[@tjjordan4207]

True but his actions were self-fullfilling

[@thegreenreaper6660]

"Only a fool would meet the Dothraki in a nopen field". /speaks in Jaime and Bron marching past the Blackwater Rush: 'Aah, naah, what could go wrong? Its a beautiful summer day and...."

[@scatta6543]

no longer

[@modarnwarfare2rull]

LMAO and my boy Bobby was right yet again. BITCH BURNED KL.

[@Edis12121]

26:50 i like how everyone in the series recognize Barristan Selmy as an total badass, and one of the greatest warriors, even Tywin here acknowledges that it was stupid to dismiss such a amazing-legendary warrior from Kings Guard...shame they killed him off, so early in the series, probably cause Dumb and Dumber didnt know what to do with character like that...I never read the books, but after watching couple videos who analyse the books, he is alive and well, even the actor himself was confused that his character was killed of so early.....

[@masterplokoon8803]

In the books he is currently leading a sally out against the slavers that are besieging Mereen, he is hand of the queen and commander of Daenerys' armies. But we don't know yet if he survives the battle since it's about to begin.

[@king_thanos_2116]

Barristan is a different beast in the books Jaime was too for that matter Many of the knights were nerfed heavily in the show

[@thenedsmmachannel8970]

Also like how Cerseis action like that is why Twyin says she's not as smart as she thinks she is

[@Velshin1986]

Imo Barristen Selmy should die similar to how Jorah Mormont died in the show. Defending his queen to his last breath

[@AriixYT]

I love the details in the early seasons. Like Varys being shocked at Ned giving up his own men (3:52) because he knows that it's a dangerous decision. Ned had no idea how dangerous Kings Landing is, but Varys was the one who knew that the best.

[@marthakom3579]

Why is it a dangerous decision?

[@AriixYT]

@@marthakom3579 because your own men are the only people who you can reasonably trust, so they are much needed (as seen when littlefinger betrays ned)

[@davidberko9379]

Tywin was so open to "having talks" with anyone, even Mance Rayder, to suit his political whims, you really have to respect it.

[@timothywright567]

When did Tywin speak to Mance Rayder?

[@davidberko9379]

@@timothywright567 he didn't, but he talked about doing it.

[@PRubin-rh4sr]

It was a joke. Talking to a king legitimizes him.

[@RealHorsen]

​@@PRubin-rh4sr Tywin hated humor, he wouldn't joke

[@nouhorni3229]

​@@RealHorsenIn the books. Show Tywin had a bit of a lighthearted side when dealing with his kids and Arya, probably just to humanise him.

[@siddhantsingh914]

14:31 Everybody wanted to be close to Tywin..and then there is Tyrion who wanted to be equal to him. Just Tyrion things😂

[@martinaxe6390]

Such a great detail

[@Magrat_Knoblauch]

I don't think it had to (only) do with being close to Tywin, but rather as a power play. Tywin seated himself first, so the others had to adjust. Baelish immediately sat at his left side, the closest chair to Tywin, the others had to deal with the missed opportunity. Cersei made actually a smart move, taking the chair and placing it where she wants it to be. The only place left for Tyrion was at the chair the farthest away, with least significance; he could also take the chair similar like Cersei to her side, but that would show that he were inferior, as he only sits to her side instead of Tywins. So he instead places it to the opposite of Tywin. That actually shows a lot about their personalities. Baelish just takes the best opportunity there is to get closer to power and more powerful himself, Varys and Pycelle react to the events, trying to still make the best out of their possibilities. Both Cersei and Tyrion are clever enough to think outside of the box and to create and seize their own opportunities.

[@Danial9876]

some brilliant analysis there

[@Gavin-N]

@@Magrat_Knoblauch Yes only, Varys has the advantage, pycelle is old and slow, and weak to the other players. And Tyrion not only thinks out of the box but waits for everyone to make their move analyses the situation before making his own, and he also shows that he's a powerful opponent but doesn't what to make enemies right away.

[@Magrat_Knoblauch]

@@Gavin-N You're right, that could be added additionally. :)

[@Sneezy11]

These scenes had the best actors and just like in the show, they each tried to out-do each other. Tywin was my favorite character. Savage and intelligent. Demanded respect and gave it to those who earned it. Charles Dance was a great choice if not perfect

[@Sneezy11]

Baelish and Varys did a lot of heavy lifting too

[@Bucketheadhead]

The dude who played King Edward I would have played it well too. A bit old these days perhaps. Tywin was modeled on Longshanks after all.

[@subarnosinha8042]

Charles Dance was "the best" casting choice in the long cast list of the Game of Thrones. Period.

[@rxhx]

yes he did some stellar acting right there!

[@DubFanLatino]

Tywin seemed like the final boss that can’t be beaten

[@lolwhatidk]

kevan had the most sense of anyone on the small council lol

[@kodan7879]

Tyrion though.

[@jimeno726]

Kevan is an idiot that divided his family. He might be smart but not wise enough to know that a divided house can not stand

[@danlorett2184]

@@jimeno726 Frankly he didn't have a choice. Cersei has proven time and time again to be a complete idiot who thinks herself a genius and has driven everything she's touched straight into the ground. Kevan was absolutely justified in going against her.

[@GingerPisces2023]

Kevan was what I called “diet Tywin”. Sure he was Tywin’s brother but he wasn’t as strong and intimidating as Tywin.

[@abdularabu2673]

@@jimeno726 in the books he was killed by Varys because he was doing too good of a job. It was justified going against cersei considering she was the person that cause all of that.

[@Erebos931]

I love how Jeoffrey genuinely believed Robert was his dad when everybody else knew the truth.

[@SakariWolf13]

I really wish they had placed Joffrey at the end of the Small Council scene where Robert yells that he will put Ned's head on a spike himself. I think it would have tied in well with when he called for Ned's head rather well. Say what you like about Joffrey, he looked up to Robert and would do anything to please him.

[@bonganishiba5703]

Everyone but Tywin

[@alvaroprieto2092]

​@@SakariWolf13you would have written season 8

[@NoLifeKing_0]

@@bonganishiba5703Tywin absolutely knows he just tries to delude himself when it comes to it.

[@bored_potato]

​@@SakariWolf13that would make a lot of sense since in the books, it was implied it was Joffrey who sent the assassin to kill Bran when he was still in a coma because he heard Robert said something along the lines of death would be a lot merciful than living as a cripple. Joffrey's a little sociopath all right but just imagine the what could have been if Robert actually bothered to raise him. Not even Cersei could have stopped him.

[@andrew-hv1hv]

The way Cersei says "Yes it is" at 19:38 just gives me goosebumps. Her character is so sarcastic and scheming its just ethereal

[@anabiosistem]

Hahaha I just noticed what Varys showed to Tyrion after Littlefinger said about "positively predisposed" 😂😂

[@JoviBootlegs90]

Sean Bean is born to act medieval characters! I've never seen anybody that suits the character as much as he do.

[@chsstrr9577]

You can notice Littefinger’s accent changing as time goes on. He’s straight up Irish now.

[@otterhero6229]

He just can't be arsed to do an english accent anymore.

[@martheresa7550]

Hahahaha

[@mkultra2456]

Your car is gay.

[@kademorrill7334]

Man Varys is just sitting there dumbfounded by how foolish Ned is offering 20 of his own men to the city watch

[@brianmayabella5992]

He cares much of the realm than of his own.

[@Mark-qu1gj]

If I remember correctly. Shortly after that scene Varys approaches Neds chambers and tells his truth that the king is a fool and he didn't trust Ned until now. My take is by offering 20 of his own men to the city watch, Varys finally came to realise that Ned wasn't the same as those around him. He was decent enough to help those as best he could and that this was a man worth trusting.

[@TheUndyingCrystal]

​@Mark-qu1gj A man worth trusting, but sadly a man too out of his depth to help or be helped. I imagine Ned's death would be one of Varys' bigger regrets, realm besides. Good men are hard to find.

[@RaWCLiiNCHER]

I love the way Lord Tyrell gets up to “fetch” Tywin’s quill and paper like he’s so honored to be treated like a dog. Tywin can’t even give him the respect to say “get me” he has to tell him “fetch”

[@YoYoknots]

I absolutely love all of Varys' facial expressions during the first small council meeting with Tywin. From his amusement at Tyrion moving his chair to his annoyance at finding out that Baelish would be acting lord of the Vale, to his agreement with Tyrion's statement about Baelish's absence in King's Landing for the wedding. Story-telling with no words.

[@MeghanaVallabhaneni]

Ned stark is the best example of “choose between what is right and what is easy”. He is so honourable

[@krebs9505]

that's what killed him tho,

[@PRubin-rh4sr]

​@@krebs9505so? We all die sometime. It's how we live our lives is what matters.

[@zippymufo9765]

​@@PRubin-rh4srHis "honour" caused more violence and suffering than was necessary. Real life is about compromise and consensus, not standing on some principle and ignoring the consequences of doing so. Martin said that he deliberately used Ned as an example of how fantasy ideals have no place in politics. Same with his son Robb, whose sense of "honour" in the books led him to breaking his marriage pledges and alienating his allies. If you're a leader, it's not all about YOU.

[@PRubin-rh4sr]

@@zippymufo9765 He didnt ignore the consequences, he chose a decision knowing full well the consequences. Why do you think "honorable" men are rare if not in irl, in the series? Because humans are designed to take the easiest path, that's evolution. We humans can also CHOOSE to ignore our natural tendencies, Ned, the character is characterized by that. And who decides what suffering and violence is necessary? You?

[@zippymufo9765]

@@PRubin-rh4sr Most sane humans want to minimize death and suffering, and are willing to bend for the sake of peace 😂😂😂 They're not narcissists so obsessed with their "honour" that they're willing to start wars that kill off innocent people. That's why people like Ned don't live for long "irl", others see that they're a liability and remove them for the sake of peace. The three most morally despicable characters in the series were Ned, Catelyn, and Robb, because they were willing to sacrifice other people lives for their own selfish "honour". What did Catelyn accomplish by kidnapping Tyrion, except to get people killed and start a war over a false accusation she couldn't even prove? What did Ned accomplish by stupidly telling Cersei he knew her children were the product of incest and he was going to tell Robert? His "honour" required him to telegraph all his moves in advance and give his enemies extra time to counter them 😂😂😂 What did Robb accomplish by executing Karstark? He lost a huge chunk of his allies at a time when he needed them most. And considering that Danerys ultimately went insane and began mass murdering everyone, it was a good idea all the way back at the beginning for the Small Council to want her to be assassinated. "Honour" is narcissism and selfish pride disguised as virtue.

[@iraqibodybuilder]

Have anyone told Danerys that Ned Stark was against her assasination ? someone should’ve told her probably Varys she need to know that Ned was honorable man unlike many

[@claytonbugeja1787]

House Stark no one, but season 7 was rushed they left many details out

[@nemdenemam9753]

It doesnt really matter. If people care about the deeds of one's parents then she has no claim for the throne. What matters is that she trusts Jon. And Im honestly not sure Varys is on her side. Dont forget he was slimy enough to stay alive even being the one who said dont let Tywin in. He knows how to make present rulers think they can trust him. And he definitely has an agenda.

[@jackj9816]

i think she dose know or she dose not know that he had anything to do with it

[@MrFQQLISH]

but then it could come out that they were for her assassination.

[@lisas3545]

Jack J No dany's not aware, as when she met Jon she asked if he knew if Ned's best friend tried to "assassinate a baby girl in her crib."

[@tomcross3000]

I love that the first scene with Ned walking in, he acknowledges every individual in the room as neither friend nor foe, but each with a retort which throws doubt into their greeting. Onlookers without prior knowledge of this series would see this behaviour as abrasive, offputting or even rude, hostile, holier than thou if they at least know what they've heard about his honour.. But its deeper than that, It's in fact Ned setting up the ground rules.. the boundaries, communicating to them all, save for Renly, that he knows what they are, he knows the skeletons in their closets, that they are professional backstabbers and opportunists, and that they ought to treat him with care and not bullshit him. From here on, we do indeed see that at least to his face, they treat him with respect and let him do his job.

[@ShanghaiRooster]

I love how, when Varys reports about the Hound being seen in the Riverlands, and the killing of Polliver and his men, he deliberately omits to mention certain details which his little birds would have told him - how the Hound was accompanied by a girl dressed as a boy, who knew how to use a sword. The Spider would almost certainly have known exactly who that was - his spies would have told him of Arya's lessons with Syrio for sure.

[@supastar25]

These kind of scenes are what made this show...always engaging and the writing and acting was brilliant in these sort of scenes

[@0mnicide]

Any man who must say “I’m not tired” is truly tired.

[@zachryder3150]

Fuck, this is too true.

[@cheeseboi9951]

I always found it so crazy how powerful Lord Tywin Lannister was throughout the series. Like the scene when Geoffrey (as the king) says “My father won the war when you were hiding in casterly rock“ and everybody goes quiet. And most of all, Cersei is shocked because she’d never dare to talk to her father like that. It showed his power real good

[@everything.for.a.reason]

24:00 best scene ! The tension in this room is so thick, because they all know that Tywin cold take the seven kingdoms in a wink of an eye and everybody (lords and common folk) would be fine with it. Great work from the actors.

[@MelkorTolkien]

34:25 I can't believe I never noticed Pycelle shitting himself at the sight of the mountain after he said all those things too. 😂🤣

[@SheriffRez]

lol been scrolling to see if anyone else noticed

[@kurzeful]

😂 I am on the floor laughing with tears in my eyes after watching

[@kingkoopah3968]

​@@SheriffRezSame

[@dgarxhosa]

😂😅p😂p😅

[@redjsaceda9264]

I almost forgot how Ned roasted almost every member of the small council. Lmao

[@TiesOfZip]

That perfect little Tyrion threat to Joffrey was awesome. I was so happy when I saw

[@jasondyrkacz8270]

Tywin was about to put Tyrion's words into practice.

[@GalaktischerHirnsauger]

I love how different the small council Meetings are depending on the current leading person ! Neds, tyrions and tywins small council meetings all have a different feeling to it