Comic Steve Ausburne emotes about the season six finale. Medievalist Brian Pavlac explains how kings were selected after a dynasty ends (with a different take on how the show ends!). Then Anthony answers listener feedback.
Electric Bookaloo hosts our first ever roundtable discussion. Guests include Stephanie Barbé Hammer, Iain MacInnes, and Jan Doolittle Wilson to cover Cat’s negotiations with Walder Frey. I.e. this roundtable sets the table for the Red Wedding.
Professor Chad is back to talk about the final Ned POV. Then Anthony posits his most egregious bit of Varys propaganda yet: Varys is GRRM’s Bilbo Baggins.
A deep dive into Battle of the Bastards
Prof. Brian Pavlac explains how oaths fealty worked between lords and kings. Then Steve accidentally predicts Tyrion’s final scene in the show.
Linguist David Peterson is back to talk about his two favorites: Tyrion and Tywin. Steve is surprised by the return of the Hound. Anthony asks: where is the climax of this book? Email your answer to book@baldmove.com.
Kris Swank compares Cat to Grendel’s mother and explains the concepts of peace-weaving and the blood eagle ritual. Steve and Anthony discuss Bran’s personality shift.
Arthur Njamfa discusses Dany’s designs on conquest. Steve and Anthony argue over Hold-the-Door time travel. Then medievalist Carol Jamison talks about Hodor’s place in the story.
High Valyrian inventor David Peterson (linguist) gives his early impressions of House of the Dragon dialogue and gets into the grammatical weeds with Anthony. Steve talks at length about “The Book of the Stranger” (ep. 604). Then Chad and Anthony debate the redemptive elements of A Game of Thrones.
Medievalist Carol Parrish Jamison discusses the duality of Bran Stark and the use of warhorses in the Middle Ages. Then Steve and Anthony discuss Ramsay’s talent for letter writing.