My favorite show based on my favorite book returns in a couple months, so here is a thread to discuss the show and this season in particular.
If you have read the books, please avoid spoilers for our show only friends. Speaking in generalities that you are excited is fine, but don't say something like "Wait until X dies!" please.
First the trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZY43QSx3Fk
Now, one thing I think as book fans work to bridge the gap and help fill in back story so sho fans will be less overwhelmed by the varied and rich history of A Song of Ice and Fire. None of this is spoilers, these are events that happened before the show, read on if interested.
DORNE!
What is Dorne?
Dorne is the seventh of the seven kingdoms, located at the soutern part of Westeros.
Have we heard of Dorne in the show?
Yes, in passing Dorne has been mentioned several times, with major event being Prince Myrcella being sent there. We have not seen Dorne or its major players though in the show.
Who are these people?
The Dornish have shared heritage, that of the first men who traveled by the land bridge 1000s of years ago from Essos to Westeros. The land bridge was severed by the Child of the Forest in the great war to stop the flow of first men cuasing a period of population isolation on Westeros. While the other Kingdoms became settled by a unifying force or lord, Done remained broken among various factions. A major part of its distinct culture was Dorne was finally ruled by the Rhoynar.
Who are the Rhoynar?
Oddly the show leaves the Rhoynar out of the Kings titles of people he rules over in the seven kingdoms. They were a proud people in the city state of Rhoyne in Essos, until those Valyrians with their dragons crushed their armies, leaving them crippled. It was Nymeria the Queen who fled with her surviving people to the southern coast of Westeros and would reshape Dorne. Nymeria forged an alliance with house Martell in Dorne and would come to rule the entire region finally making it have a single ruler.
Wait! Nymeria, that sounds familiar?
Good memory show watcher. Nymeria is also Arya's direwolf name. Shows Arya's love of women in history having agency and changing the world, same way she speaks of Aegon's sisters.
Continue...
So Dorne and House Martell would face the same challenge that every other Kingdom in Westeros faced, Aegon the conqueror and his conquest. What separates Dorne is it was never conquered. It was only through marriage the House Martell allied with House Targaryen. This fierce independent streak shapes the people. To this day Martell refers to itself as Prince and Princess, not Lord and Lady. The Rhoynar influence can be seen in the inheritence law where women can rule just as rightly as men.
All right! Enough ancient history! What does that have to do with the show?
In the books a pattern is how decisions affect the world. So, know we get into people you have heard about or seen. Lord Tywin Lannister served King Aerys Targaryen as his hand. Aerys had a son Rhaegar, but his second child was also a boy, meaning the line of incest could not continue. Aerys searched for a fitting bride, Tywin suggested his daughter Cersei. Aerys spruned Tywin and instead favored Pricness Elia of Dorne (likely due to history the two houses had).
So, why does this matter?
This decision led to Tywin Lannister remaining neutral during Robert's rebellion until the great sack of King's Landing. Here he ordered the death of Prince Aegon Targaryen and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Ser Gregor Clegane (the Mountain!) helped himself to not just the children, but raped and murdered Elia as well. To say the least, this infuriated Dorne and house Martell, who have harbored deep resentment over this ever since.
Enter the show! Finally!
So, this season you will meet Prince Oberyn Martell (Elia's brother). How to describe Oberyn? Indiana Jones and James Bond mixed. A scholar, an adventurer, a lover and a fighter. Oberyn has no wife, but various children by women, which is why they all have the last name Sand (bastard name of Dorne, like Snow is in the north). The Red Viper as he is known will leave an impression this season as Dorne will come into the picture.
So, show watchers, now that you have even more information to keep up with I hope you are as excited as I to see seaosn 4 and the conclusion of A Storm of Swords. Trust me, twists and turns abound so you will not wish to miss it.
