Historian Andrew Howe discusses world-building in Essos and Xaro’s proposal of marriage to Dany.

Dr. Haberkern does his best to win Anthony for the Machiavelli appreciation society. And succeeds! This is a break from our regular chapter-by-chapter coverage to review one of the most important pieces of political literature ever written: “The Prince.”

Jana Matthew’s covers Brienne’s vow to Catelyn and Joan of Arc parallels. In his conversation with Elysia, Anthony introduces his new theory about Lady Stoneheart.

Dr. Phll Haberkern explains the anxiety people felt at the turn of the first millennium about the impending end of the world.

Dr. Pádraig MacCarron joins to talk about Arya’s death genie. Then Elysia joins to discuss Edgar Allan Poe’s influence on GRRM.

What is a squisher? And does Arya encounter a squisher in the fellow called Biter?

Theon begins a war with himself. Dr. Iain MacInnis discusses parallels with Theon and history. Anthony puts forth his theory that Theon is “Dark Davos.” Elysia from Wool-Shift-Dust talks Wheel of Time. Then Dr. Laura Young introduces International Relations with Ice-and-Fire examples.

Boston University’s Philip Haberkern answers a question about religious violence in a world of religious pluralism.

Tyrion seizes the opportunity to wed Joffrey to the very bedable Margaery Tyrell. Cersei feels the remnants of her political power slipping away and Littlefinger climbs another rung of the ladder. This is the first of two interviews with Professor Jan Dolittle Wilson about Tyrion’s peak in A Clash of Kings.