Quote:It had to happen, the great problem with Tolkein work is there is a defined good and a defined evil.  In reality there is a gray between the two and thats what makes Martin superior in some ways.  Ned was too good and Joeffrey was too evil so both had to be put down so the gray areas be seen.


Stannis is probably my favorite characters in the books but they didn't do him much justice in the show.  My favorite character in the show has always been the hound, he knows there is good and evil in the world and accepts living in the between and going to one side or the other when it suits him.

 

You aren't alone in your assessment of Stannis. He was pretty cool in the beginning honestly but this past season destroyed any redeeming qualities he may have had to make him relatable (good vs. evil notwithstanding). You're also right about Tolkein but I'm boring in that I'm fond of clear good vs. clear evil myself. Probably because I've been playing D&D since I was old enough to read the Player's Handbook and favor good characters.  weat:

 

Still, everything you said has merit. Varys is, by far, my favorite and he sure as hell isn't good. Although in his defense, it's clear that everything Varys does he does for the greater good of the realm as opposed to Littlefinger who's only out for #1. After Varys, I rate Brienne, Tyrion and (RIP) Jeor Mormont in that order. I feel bad for the Hound more than anything else but he's still a cool character. I would've liked nothing more than for him to be the one to kill the Mountain. This is an example of the kind of thing that I think Martin should throw in a little more frequently. Everyone exists basically to get dumped on...every blue moon it's nice when someone actively gains some measure of retribution for having been wronged (a la Tyrion-Tywin).

 

Quote:Yeah, but those Sand Snakes are hot. Menacing...but hot.

 

Most definitely...although I don't get the impression that what we see of them is anything like how they are in the books (aside from being hot).

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