Keep it Real

 We say that we're pretty on the ball when it comes down to the books. Judging by the questions we've come up with, we think we've got some toughies. We chose this one to see if you got the making of a maester or just hang up your chain.

Lynesse Hightower, former wife of Jorah Mormont, is the chief concubine to which Lyseni merchant?

 

Speak Softly and Carry a Poisoned-tipped Stick

Courtesy of WinterisComing.net, we get glimpses of Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand and Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell. We also get a sneak peek at a certain scene which is SUPER SPOILERY.

(Neither of the ones posted here are spoilery, but the post on WiC is.)

One of my favorite families in the book is finally showing up, the Martells. They're a strange people in charge of a even stranger land. There's a touch of the American south in Dorne: the remoteness, strange customs, isolation, and even a touch of the gothic. They, like the North, have long memories of how time and time again the Irone Throne have pricked and cut them. Like the Starks, others have bought their power with their blood. They have been dishonnored in many ways. I have the sense that they'll be a tanner, more lascivious, and (frankly) smarter version of the Starks to give the Lannisters some needed trouble.

http://feedly.com/k/19bYld9

A Glimpse into Season 4 (MAJOR SPOILERS AND SPECULATION)

HBO has given us a look at some scenes for season 4 in their year-end recap video.

So what can we expect to see in Season 4? (SPOILERS FOLLOW)

Dany's Victory over Meereen

    This is obviously Oznak zo Pahl charging at Dany's army. Westeros.org puts forth that it is Daario Naharis that stands in for Strong Belwas in the show. I'd wish they'd added him, we're being denied the buddy cop film that is Strong Belwas and Ser Barristan.

"You're a loose cannon, Selmy!" - Joffrey

Tyrion's Trial

     Some interesting questions come to mind here. Is it from the 10th episode? Could a certain little shit bite (drink) it earlier in the season than expected? While I could foresee that the Purple Wedding was to be a 9th episode moment, it could be equally compelling to have Tywin take his final bow this season and thus set the stage for AffC/ADWD seasons 5/6.

Nice Day for a Purple Wedding

 

Speak of the devil! It's a little early to see what can be gleaned from this screen shot. He looks unusually grumpy in this picture so I can't be sure if this is from the actual wedding. Lady Olenna's screen cross is throwing me off and we haven't seen any official Joff and Margaery wedding photos. Could be this is the scene that reintroduces Ser Dontos to the audience. It must be said though, I'm going to be sad that we won't see anymore of the amazing Jack Gleeson as this will likely be his last acting job.

The Man with the Golden Hand

 

Jaime's got his new hand and has taken up his position as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Looks as if this scene maybe lifted straight from the books. I'm just happy that he shaved.

Winter Wonderland

Those grills are killing me.

Decor aside, Sansa is definitely at the Eyrie, where she's been spirited off to by Littlefinger.  Again, a question of timing. How much are we going to see this season? We're going to dip into the Alayne POV for sure as Bronze Yohn and Lady Anya Waynwood are to appear this season.

 Whatever the case may be, I'm certainly looking forward to this season. As a book reader, season 3 was a game changer in some ways that I think make the show sometimes more exciting. I'm getting the feeling that the Jamie/Cersei/Loras arc could be a winner.


 Read Westeros.org's speculations here.

Eat, Drink, Be Merry, and Get the Hell Out of Dodge

HBO has opened up the pre-season festivities with the social media roast of the king we love to hate: Joffrey.

Shade and cow pies were thrown.

 
      Using the #RoastJoffrey tag, people across Vine, Instagram, and Twitter tripped over themselves to tear a new one into the little shit. All the time I couldn't help but think that Ser Ilyn was hiring seasonal King's Justices to deal with this fit of revolutionary pique. Feel what you will about the Freys, Boltons, The Mountain, Khal Pono, or anybody else; there's a special place in one of the seven hells for this kid. 

A Thousand Eyes and One

   As much as I liked season 3 of GoT, some elements threw me for a loop, Loras betrothed to Cersei being one of them. It's not like we were going to get an epic sword fight between Loras and Jaime when he gets back, hand or no hand. Now I'm seeing that they (may have) cast Bloodraven for season 4!

Rodgers may be familiar to you if you're a Doctor Who fan: He's the voice of the Face of Boe. That's just the tip of the iceberg for this actor, who's been in some of the UK's best known and venerated works, such as "Rumpole of the Bailey", "The Boys from the Blackstuff", and "Chariots of Fire". That aside, things are moving rather rapidly on the show. As someone opined on Boiled Leather, it could be due to the fact that the actor who plays Bran is getting older and bigger; they're already pulling him around on a cart in the show. It's going to be awfully hard to call someone little lord when they're growing a beard.


















photo:Nobby Clark/imdb.com

Hello, Our Name Is

Well, it's about that time of year when everyone remembers a show called Game of Thrones. You know, that show that everyone loves and lost their collective marbles over last year.


Not you, however.

You knew what was going to happen already, because you read the books. You, like the North, remembered. You knew that from the moment Talisa stepped onto the screen, you thought to yourself, 'So Jeyne Westerling wasn't pregnant'. You know quite a bit actually, because beyond the books is a whole world for you to get lost in and you do, riding sand steeds in Dorne, eating a bowl o' brown in King's Landing, wine, women, and song on the Kingsroad all the way to the Wall. You've crossed the Narrow Sea, Dothraki Sea, skipped the Smoking Sea, steered straight past the Gulf of Grief, got nearly roasted by a black dragon; you've been all over. You heard stories that made you happy, made you sad, got you caught in some sort of intrigue with a river, and stuff that would make your hairs stand on end. One could live a lifetime and a half reading A Song of Ice and Fire.

If only there was a place with a well-stocked bar and tasty menu with a set time and date, five witty hosts, and all the ASOIAF nerdy shenanigans anyone could wish for?

Hi there, we're the Upjumped Sellswords. We got together over our shared love of the series and wanted to hang out with like minded people over artisanal fare and craft beers. This blog is our outlet for news, book/show chitchat,  and a way for you to reach us. We're looking forward to meeting you all and dazzling you with our superior (and superfluous) ASOIAF knowledge.