Finished watching Season 5 of Game of Thrones on Star World; which his airing all previous seasons of the series as a precursor to the final Season 8 which starts on April 19. Three things made our remarkedly.
1. Cersei Lannister's dangerous with the High Sparrow and Faith Militants: Even before knowing the final fate; Cersei's solicitation of High Sparrow and his 'faith militant' group raised serious doubts over her decision. Hardline religion becomes fanaticism and has the toxic power to destroy common sense and decency everywhere and in all times. Cersei should never have empowered the Faith Militants. But in her blind hatred of new queen Margaery; Cersei did not see what she was doing. She was also mad due to her power and she never imagined that anyone could touch her. But her decision to empower the Faith Militants came back to haunt her and in the end she was proven to be an utterly incompetent and short sighted person who did not know how the world works; forget about any proper method of ruling over the kingdom.
Picture: Cersei and High Sparrow: The twain should not have met
2. Stannis Baratheon's insistence on going forward and his unfortunate end: Stannis Baratheon is a character which really intrigued me. I had to search and read about this character more. I first noted him when he stormed into the Wildings and protected Night's Watch against the wildling invasion. That was really impressive. Stannis stood like a real king. When he met and negotiated with Jon Snow, we could notice more elements of his character. When Jon Snow did not agree to his offer to legitimize him and becoming officially a "Stark"; and to be appointed Lord of Winterfell; Stannis did not take offence and accepted the setback with maturity and grace so uncommon in other characters.
Picture: Stannis Baratheon, "The Iron Throne is mine by right. All those that deny that are my foes."
It appears surprising why Stannis forced his army to march forward no matter what the consequence was; and in the end when his wife and troops desert him, he still persisted in having the war. Before going for war, everyone knew that there was very slim chance of his army winning it; given that his army was half destroyed in the snowfall and fire and half had deserted him with horses and arms. I liked his explanation for his decision - winter was coming and if he returned to the Castle Black, it would mean he and his army would get stuck there and could meet a horrified end at the hands of the White Walkers. And if he returned, he would be remembered in history as a king who gave up. He put his bet on his ability to fight; given that he was a proven military commander.
The way he was killed by Brienne of Tarth was disgraceful; the way she announced verdict against him for his role in Renly's death appeared farce. Brienne of Tarth is a character I have never liked in the GOT. Look at her logic: Brienne was loyal to Sansa Stark; Sansa Stark was held captive and being tortured by Ramsay Bolton; Stannis had raided and attacked the Boltons; and yet when Brienne gets an opportunity she kills Stannis who was indirectly helping Sansa Stark? If Brienne of Tarth had a little brain she could have found out that Stannis Baratheon was a friend of the Starks; he respected Jon Snow and had just saved Jon Snow's life and while attacking Winterfell he was indirectly helping Sansa Stark. Roose Bolton had murdered Robb Stark; and if this Brienne of Tarth was really loyal to the Starks she should have helped Stannis Baratheon in defeating Roose and Ramsay Bolton. But no; all she had to do was to keep hiding until Stannis' army was destroyed and then pop up and kill him after declaring him guilty of murdering his own brother (although it was Melisandre's doing).
Still, in his death Stannis evokes a kind of 'respect' for him.
Picture: Stannis Baratheon: A man of war
The way he was killed by Brienne of Tarth was disgraceful; the way she announced verdict against him for his role in Renly's death appeared farce. Brienne of Tarth is a character I have never liked in the GOT. Look at her logic: Brienne was loyal to Sansa Stark; Sansa Stark was held captive and being tortured by Ramsay Bolton; Stannis had raided and attacked the Boltons; and yet when Brienne gets an opportunity she kills Stannis who was indirectly helping Sansa Stark? If Brienne of Tarth had a little brain she could have found out that Stannis Baratheon was a friend of the Starks; he respected Jon Snow and had just saved Jon Snow's life and while attacking Winterfell he was indirectly helping Sansa Stark. Roose Bolton had murdered Robb Stark; and if this Brienne of Tarth was really loyal to the Starks she should have helped Stannis Baratheon in defeating Roose and Ramsay Bolton. But no; all she had to do was to keep hiding until Stannis' army was destroyed and then pop up and kill him after declaring him guilty of murdering his own brother (although it was Melisandre's doing).
Still, in his death Stannis evokes a kind of 'respect' for him.
3. Jon Snow and his decisions leading to his assassination: As mentioned above, I believe Jon should have accepted Stannis Baratheon's offer and he should have secured legitimacy and position of Lord of Winterfell. But he put his bet on his people who failed him. He should have realized that the crowd at the Wall were no thinking or educated folks and most were criminal in character. He should not have put his faith in them; a little bit of skepticism does not hurt. In the end, the way Jon Snow was murdered during Mutiny at Castle Black was an utterly shocking event.
Picture: Jon Snow; proving "youth is wasted on the young"
Season 5, near the end, appeared to be much intense and true to the image of Game of Thrones.
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