GRRM owes you a debt, son. You've kept the nightfires burning between books, and gifted many of us with an even greater appreciation of the material and its author.
From what I just saw on another channel, we'll all be old and grey (peersonally I'll probably be dead and buried) by the time "Winds" comes out. GRR has done nothing else, either book-wise or for TV, that is anything near as good as ASOIAF books and won't in the future either. The upcoming HBO trargaryen thing will not change that unfortunately. Every spin-off show has a worse curse on it than Harrenhal.
@@gaboon7777 I think Preston's R+L=J theory B+A=J IS Martin's. The show-runners didn't take seriously enough their source material. I think GRRM kept some surprises to himself.
Preston does a great job! As a woman I'm not sure I'd ask for more. He does a great job engaging feminist themes too. And this from someone with a concentration on feminist studies...
I always liked Hyle Hunt. He starts off as a jerk, but he genuinely learns to respect Brienne for who she is. I read him as part stand in for Jaime and part proxy for male dominated society's growing tolerance of non-typical gender roles.
I’m so heartened to see the amount of growth in PJ’s videos. Production value. Information. Change of views over years of analysis. Best ASOIAF channel of all time.
Maybe not by being realistic all the time in the ideas portrayed at least when it comes to the actual story, but in the idea that the channel has actually improved in every single aspect. This man has grown as a person, theorist and editor.
And why is "young" Gregor Clegane represented by the picture of... seven hells, I know the artist is the one and only *The Mico* , and I know I've seen this particular portrait before, but I'm not sure who it's supposed to be. A member of the Night's Watch, mayhaps, but which one?
This has been the most philosophy in a Preston video series since some of the Thousand World entries and I'm loving it. Some concepts I didn't notice in the audiobooks seem so very obvious, but it takes Preston to point them out like he's a genius and I'm an idiot, haha.
I really want to give Preston props for this video series, and particularly for identifying the facade of "The Hound" as "The myth of toughness". I thought that part was quite brilliant. But that's when I started questioning the assertion that Shagwell was supposed to represent chivalry. I think that‘s not the complete picture. Shagwell, like the Hound, is wearing a mask (is in his case, a costume). Shagwell is not a chivalrous knight or a funny fool. He's a crazed psychopath and what's more, he's a complete coward. After Brienne kills his companions he begs Brienne not to kill him and in the end he pathetically tries to attack her while her back is turned to him. He is not chivalry. He's the "nice guy" that hides behind being amiable and funny while at the same time being incredibly sexist, pathetic and dangerous. While the Hound represents a mask of toughness that hides trauma, the Fool represents a mask of joviality that hides darker motives. They are the two versions of toxic masculinity. True chivalry, or positive masculinity, is what Brienne engages in when protecting the orphans, despite knowing she doesn't stand a chance. It's what Jaime did when he murdered Aerys. It's sacrificing yourself for others. It's protecting the weak and innocent. It's the aspect of the Mother which is also an aspect of the Warrior, and the Father, and all the other Gods. The Seven that are One.
Self sacrifice and protecting the weak both have problems, not just when faked but of themselves too. The hound offering to protect sansa (while holding her at knifepoint) wasn't faked I think. It's an extreme example of what power imbalance does to relationships between men and women. Women often get "protected" by men in a way that takes away their freedom and gives the men power over them. Chivalry means taking on certain responsibilities, but that inevitably means gaining the power that comes with it. And power is pretty much a zero sum game.
Yeah, Preston missed the mark there. Shagwell isn't supposed to represent chivalry, he's a perverted representation of it. He's ANTI-chivalry being killed by the embodiment of someone actually chivalrous. Brienne's quest is about the redemption of the knight and chivalry, not its destruction.
@@tychoclavius4818 Yours is a good comment that I completely agree with. That's why I specifically called it "self-sacrifice" and not "protecting others". When you "protect" someone it can be just as much about exerting control over them as it is about actually shielding them from harm. You can clearly see this with Littlefinger who is "protecting" Sansa mainly by keeping her close to him and having her rely on him for everything. That's the kind of Protection the Hound was offering her when he wanted to take her with him. Self-sacrifice on the other hand means you necessarily have to give up something of your own in order to protect someone else. You get no benefit from it, in fact you disadvantage yourself for the sole reason of protecting someone else. It's a net loss for you all for the higher ideal of chivalry or justice or good. *That's* what makes you a hero. And that's exactly what Brienne engages in when fighting Rorge and Biter. "Seven, Brienne thought again, despairing. She had no chance against seven, she knew. No chance, and no choice."
@@Jooooger After all this analysis I‘m really curious to see if Brienne will encounter a true example of chivalry/ positive masculinity. She defeated the concept of the nice man who hides his weakness and dark motives, and she defeated the concept of the though man, whose strength is only a facade for trauma and cruelty. Will she encounter a "true knight" (Jaime, perhaps?) or will she fulfill that role herself?
25:50 "Brienne is always dancing with the patriarchy" I suppose now it makes sense why the Dance of the Dragons is called that; the reason for the Dance was because people did not want a woman to sit on the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms, but instead preferred her younger half-brother, even though their father had declared that his daughter would get the throne. Rhaenyra, too, was "dancing with the patriarchy". Edit: Hang on a second, I just realised the name Dance of the Dragons is actually extra ironic; the war is called the Dance of the Dragons as a callback to preferring a male ruler over a female one, but dragons have no assigned sex and can actually change their sex. This can be interpreted as dragons having no assigned gender roles and are free to be a masculine or as feminine as they want.
It is fascinating how every main character has to deal with their cultural roles on one hand and, for the adult characters, common perceptions about them personally on the other. The adult characters, perhaps with the exception of Catelyn, are all torn between these two forced identities. In the child characters, we see the individuals seeing the inherent restrictions of their cultural lot. Great analysis, you've really gotten to the heart of it all!
Catelyn is torn too to some extent. She was raised to be Hoster's heir and received more attention and political education than Edmure, which is why he is jealous of her, and Cat is annoyed with Edmure's lack of competence several times. And she tells Brynden that women can rule as well as men; she probably would have been a better lord of Riverrun than Edmure. Catelyn also says that Ned didn't like executing people, but she would have.
I just love that Sanford horse is called stranger and his relationship with Arya has always fascinated me. She is practically getting to know death personally before she gets to bravos. At the star stranger seems mean and hostile but as she gets to know him he warms up to her and she starts to “get along with him” and see his genteler side
I can't help but thinking that Brienne's "ridicules quests" is a call-out to Don Quixote's ridicules quest to fight giants(windmills). After all, Don Quixote is the quintessential knight in many a literature and Glegane's are giants.
@@PewPewPlasmagun The Don isn't really a knight. He mistook an inn for a castle, and a stable for a chapel. But of course he has the knightly virtues in abundance, as Brienne does.
@@alanpennie8013 Yeah dude I totally know it is a comical piece that makes light of all those idiotic virtues and the people who exhibit them. Same as with Brienne the whole endeavour is absolutely pointless
In ADWD Reek III, Roose says to Ramsay: "...Power tases best when sweetened by courtesy. You had best learn that if you ever hope to rule." I think that line cuts to the heart about Brienne's divergent reactions to "dancing with the bear". Renly sweetened his exercise of power enough to beguile his way to a crown and a big ol army and it got Brienne too? Also this is already one of your best presented series and it's not even done yet - great work!
Oh, wow, Brienne confessing to her "crime" of not fitting her expected roles kinda reminded me of Tyrion's "confession" at his trial for Joffrey's murder.
The mindless fanboyism was a mask all along. The desperate need to enjoy and hype up any piece of fiction, no matter how puerile, was only ever there to escape from reality and hide his trauma.
@@marinuswillett6147 Preston has a recurring character in his reviews, named Chad Summerchild. He was a parody of the casual fans who cheer at anything. The knight figure he used to represent Gregor's toy was the same one he used to represent Chad Summerchild.
I don't think Brienne's desires are as contradictory as they seem. She wants to have agency over her own life, something she won't be able to have when married to man who would be her "superior", but she also wants companionship and romantic love. So that low-born knight who trained with her and appreciates her as a warrior and potentially is romantically interested in her (in her mind) would be ideal. Because the male and female role in Westerosi society is so strictly coded, she cannot live the life she wants. At least I saw it in that way
That's exactly what I was thinking. Assuming that a "strong" woman who enjoys independence and traditionally masculine activities can't also want to feel pretty and indulge in romance is, itself, reductive and sexist. That's not even a feminine desire- most people enjoy being considered attractive and desire love on some level, regardless of sex or gender.
I gotta say, Preston has really increased my appreciation for A Feast for Crows. Not that I never disliked the novel, I loved the Cersei, Jamie, and Sam chapters. But I just never cared for Brienne and the Dorne storylines. But thanks to the Dornish master plan and these videos, I can enjoy those chapters a lot more now.
This is excellent analysis of the themes of Briennes quest, you caught things I didn't, even after multiple reads. Thanks for doing this justice Preston 🤘
So I’m curious is this going to a be a theory series or a exploration of the themes of the story personally I would prefer the latter. If it’s the latter I would hope you continue with other characters and what themes their stories explore.
Thank you for this series, Preston! Brienne's story has always been my favorite, and you're really laying it out for me. I admire your courage in singing the Mother's Mercy Hymn so much; I can only assume you did so in homage to the strength of the character that is so evident throughout the rest of your analysis. Great work, you're amazing.
And despite the "sleeziness" in marrying brienne purely for land, that is literally no different than any other high born marriage in the story. Hunt didn't create the unjust society where marriage is the tool for wealth and land consolidation. Or that he is prevented from marrying her because she's too high above him socially.
Hunt doesnt ‘like’ her in a sexual way, he wants to rule tarth as her husband, the current Evenstar has no sons. He even says so, hell give her kids and she will give him lands
Arrrgh! I was so wanting to hear your thoughts on Biters weird mushy face! Oh well, you got me hooked for Ch. 4. Absolutely wonderful as always. Merci, Monsieur Jacobs!
I think Brienne's notions of being treated like a lady were shattered with Ronnet's actions. Why would she even try after that? She probably didn't _want_ to be treated as a lady by Renly so much as she just _accepted_ his treatment of her as a lady. She was still attracted to guys, and when Renly swept her up in a dance with genuine kindness, she probably lost herself in that moment.
There's also the fact that with Brienne's status as the daughter of the lord of Tarth that the phrase 'treated like a lady' has double meaning as being treated with regards to traditional gender roles and being treated like a person. Hyle hunt might be a scumbag, but he also got the closest to winning the wager because he treated Brienne like the person she was and not the gendered presumptions Ronnet and the others had of her.
Sure, that's certainly what GRRM was going for, but its still ridiculous. Sandor has scarring around his eyes. Not to mention, Brienne, Pod and Hyle are on a quest to find Sandor. None of them think that a massive man with his body type, who has interacted with the brothers, could be Sandor. With his bloody horse is right there on the island. It's really stupid.
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin I can imagine Brienne pictured Sandor running around furiously in his dog helmet and stabbing left and right. I would believe she wouldn't even dreamed of him living between monks doing some ground work. After all, she is searching for "the Hound." And she would also look for a girl - Arya - next to him. But granted, it's kinda weird. Oh well, Martin said so.
@@alhena11 You've got something. People see what they want to. GRRM was hitting on the theme of the Brienne is after the Hound with Arya. Just Sandor being silent and peaceful is enough disguise, especially with Elder Brother covering for Sandor by, I believe, saying the Hound is dead.
I know you have a life, a wife, a son, some more family, probably a lot of friends and a job, but I missed you. It's good to have you here again with something new to listen to. Thank you so so much!
Preston you are the only channel that I ever open in hopes of a new episode. Am loving this series and i can’t wait to convince my sister to read the Asofai books so i can discuss all these points with her
A lot of your commentary about the Mother seems to be missing the fact that Catholics pray to Mary a lot and that the Mother is very likely a fictional stand in for Mary. Catholics also are more likely to have paintings and statues of Mary than they are of Jesus. The Catholic clergy is less keen to focus on Mary because there's next to nothing about her in the Bible, with all the prayers, songs and reverence towards her being the product of over 1500 years of commoner/folk traditions.
I find the Stranger castration scene to have an entirely different meaning. It's about balls being chopped off, so I hardly think it has to do with the role of women. It's more, George understands man's natural, animalistic resistance to being tamed for the sake of civilization. Religion had a major role to play in civilizing early man too. He feels sorry for the "big, brave, brute" whether it's the bear in the pit that needs to be put down or Stranger who needs to be domesticated. He feels sorry for rough, untamed masculinity because he realizes it is just doing the only thing it knows and maybe there is something worth saving in it. He may be a pacifist hippy, but he's also a man with blood pumping through his veins. It's not always about logical utility, sometimes it's about not wanting your balls chopped off as Hyle points out.
Interesting to consider the idea as well of what a male without balls is- a female, perhaps? To castrate Stranger to make him fit into what the power- patriarchy, society, mankind- wish of him echoes what Preston is saying here about women being forced into being what society wants of them
Hi Preston, very interesting series, thanks! In your analysis you compare Brienne’s confession to the one of Jaime. But how about Tyrion’s famous confession of being a dwarf? I think that one fits as well ! Keep up the good work 👍🏼
Since Brienne can't commit to the male gender roles imposed by the Father, the Warrior and the Smith, and neither the female roles of the Mother, the Maiden and the Crone, she's basically more akin to the Stranger, a genderless figure
Ah, so Sweet Robin skin changed the Mountain and made him burn Sandor when he was playing with a Chad Summerchild doll. He was actually trying to protect the world from video thumbnails full of arrows and red circles. It all makes sense now.
19:00 -You didn't mention Tyrion, who confesses to being a dwarf during his trial, much like how Brienne confesses. He'd have been sentenced to death too.
Not to over share but I was literally sobbing - I work nights and got woken up 1.5 hours before I needed to and couldn't fall back to sleep and I'm tired 😭 Then I saw this video, and the intro gave me a lil boost and I'm just so grateful I had this video to watch 😊😌
Such a marvelous analyst. I'm saddened by how many people get nasty about Preston's ideas. I think a lot of other asoiaf tubers are jealous or find him intimidating. He's brilliant and aloof, so many prominent asoiaf fandom people sling a lot of mud at him and his theories... though those people usually fail to see GRRM's body of work as a whole and stick their heads in the sand when Preston's ideas are brought up. Lemongate is solid, yet he gets ridiculed as a "lemonologist." many more fail to realize that the idea of ASOIAF could exist in a science fiction universe and think that idea would mean an ending with lasers and spaceships... all while denying the obvious fact that asoiaf is post-apocalyptic. After belittling his ideas, they then usually pretend not to have seen his videos at all. Why do so many other asoiaf tubers throw so much shade? Is it jealousy? the need to be right? fear of losing viewers to Preston? is he secretly a jerk (I doubt it)? The guy is a treasure.
Jacob Preston has the most solid takes on asoiaf. His Cersei and Taena videos are one of the most excellent readings I've ever seen. I honestly feel like the others are feeling threatened over him as his reading comprehension and attention to detail are on a different caliber. Like for example, that council meeting on the Cersei and Taena chapter, I would just nod along but he perfectly saw what's cooking up for Cersei and the Lannisters during the meeting.
With all the conspiracies and prediction videos, this analysis might actually be the Best of Preston!!! It makes these chapters so much better. Looking forward to my 3rd read through now
To my way of thinking, Sandor Clegane represents redemption : moving away from evils in one's personal past. Trying to compensate for one's weaknesses through honorable deeds. He tried to protect Ned's daughters. He wouldn't have known how much of a crazy freak Joffrey would turn out to be.
Thank you for discussing the Hound in the context of Brienne's story. I liked in AFFC how the Hound's helmet becomes like a persona that others put on when they don the helmet, especially with how the Brotherhood without Banners treat the helmet itself. It says some dark things about Lem Lemoncloak, then. I also did not catch Davos switching to the Mother in ASOS. Love this video and this series. Well done! Consider something else about Stranger the horse - instead of the attempted castration being an example of the strict role of womanhood, consider that this is a reference to the idea that patriarchy sets strict and constrictive roles for men as well. The horse was made by the gods to be a beast of burden. Man was made by the gods to be a warrior/father/smith. The idea of being stripped of that role - like Jaime losing his hand being akin to castration - is the most horrible fate that many men in ASOIAF can think of, including Hyle Hunt. But the Hound now lives outside of the definition of the Warrior, neither is he a Father, and he doesn't quite fit in with the Smith either (or the sparrows, who seem closely associated with the Smith in AFFC). Sandor was originally punished by Gregor for not acting the part of a man, but now hopefully he can live outside of the strict roles of his gender and just be himself. Stranger the horse wishes to live outside of his strict role as well (a beast of burden), and fights for the right to be a destrier/warrior, the role that Sandor has set aside.
Brienne does not support patriarchy in any form. She simply wants acceptance. And in that society acceptance for women comes with a sexist baggage. She is torn between performing as a woman according to patriarchal standards and according to her own way. It shouldn’t be contradictory but it is (due to the sexist culture). It is not Brienne’s fault. She longs to be accepted and loved for who she is: both a woman and a warrior. I do not get why Preston thinks it is the sign for her to support light patriarchy as she clearly does possibly everything to stay true to herself despite the rigid gender norms.
Another gold-standard analysis, thank you Preston! Although I disagree in regards to the Mountain and the Hound. I assume his seemingly pointless cruelty is not directed towards furthering or reproducing the supposedly hardening "make a man out of you" ideology, although that is of course present in other aspects of our story. I think he is to be an example of how the system pushes cruel and sadistic persons into positions of power because that's what is needed for the fundamentally unjust system to prolong its own existence. He himself has no values, not even toxic masculine ones, he shows the darkest aspects of the ideology without having internalized or being aware of them. The point being - the system enables and furthers brutality without needing to be believed in by the individual actors within it.
One could express it via the reductionist DnD system: Tywin or Randall for example can largely be considered "lawful evil" in the sense that their actions are cruel but based on and reinforced by an underlying (in this case, unjust) set of laws and customs, boundaries which can be bent but not rejected. In such a framework the Mountain would be a "neutral evil" character. He neither affirms nor rejects the system but instead acts cruelly out of his own volition without said cruelty being based on any specific code/religion/ideology and instead being motivated by self indulgence alone. That was long and meandering but tldr: I adore your analytical approach toward this series, it treats media with the consideration it deserves.
Question...are you saying the Mountain did not have values or the Hound did not? I think the Mountain...although Preston was focusing on the Hound for this video. I'm just curious...because I would argue that the Mountain placed some things in value...he seemed to be interested in gold and treasure. Arya claims in Harrenhal that they were asked over and over these questions about gold and silver in the villages until she herself could have asked them. So that may be something he valued. He seemed to highly value the opinion of his overlord, Tywin. Tywin in fact seemed to be in the only person capable of influencing Ser Gregor's actions, Tywin's own giant in a manner of speaking. I'm not disagreeing with you but I don't think the Mountain is as simple as he is presented. It looms in my mind as entirely possible that the Mountain is or will be wielded by another(s) much in the way Bran wields Hodor and Doran Martell probably wields Aero Hotah...but I get what you mean.
"how the system pushes pushes cruel and unjust people into power because an ubjust system needs that" is the worst possible analysis and it is very very very likely NOT what our author had in mind. That is because the thing about a political system is that your personal traits count for nothing. There have been nice and kind slave holders as much as there are benevolent billionaires now - but this doesn't change their role as perpetuators of the system they can't escape.
@@hopedixon2133 I was taking about the Mountain even though he was a small part in Preston's analysis, specifically because he stated that his abuse of Sandor might have been motivated by the urge to punish or harden him. I agree that he has motivations but wouldn't say he has "values". He cares about inflicting pain on others because he enjoys it, he cares about money because that is a universal tool to satisfy one's desires and he probably also cares about fulfilling Tywins orders because Tywin is a guarantee of the mountains position, but maybe also because they enable him to act out his sadism without consequences. What I was getting at was more or less that he functions as a tool within the system, not an actor like Tarlly (who obviously places value on the systems established morality - upholding tradition or punishing criminals for example) I agree with you that the mountain is skin to Hodor in certain respects, as far as their abstract role is concerned
@@malkwallner8336 I never argued that an unjust system may also force people capable of kindness into a role that perpetuates said unjust system, that is obviously the case. Like your slave holder example states - even "good" people will become oppressors in an oppressive system (for example Ned and his reinforcement of fundalism, executions and traditional gender roles) what I was getting at is that such a system ALSO creates roles for people that could not obtain positions of power in a non-oppressive system, which makes the whole situation even more dismal. And such an example would be the Mountain. Yes, a cruel framework like the USA during Slavery or Nazi Germany or Feudalism or whatever example will have ordinary people reinforce it and force them to act within it's boundaries - performing cruel and unjust deeds without having an inherent desire to do so or without even realizing it - it will however also enable actors intend on performing cruelty for cruelties sake to rise through the ranks and indulge in their power fantasies much more easily than a functional, just and equal society would. I'd consider that to be the point of a character such as the Mountain, who would have no role in a non-oppressive system
This series is your best work yet, Preston. The only thing that would make me like it more would be a mention of Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince... (lol)
I'd imagine that the squishers are a metaphoric representation of the Ironborn, an equally, if not more brutally partiarchal culture as compared to Westeros. The comparison between their portrayals as bears and fish monsters highlighting how the same attitudes behaviours can be considered inhuman from an outside perspective, but are viewed as completely normal when done from within your own culture. This would also possibly hint at the ironic naming of The Others in the north, unless the latter group is completely dropped due to the lack of narrative space.
Gendry actually is knighted by Beric when he joins the brotherhood is ASoS, so he's not lying when he calls himself one. Not that this affects your analysis of the themes or quality of your work in any way, I just happened to have finished that chapter on my first re-read. Thanks for all your hard work!
Do you think you could do another Q&A at the end of the series? Of course assuming there are enough interesting questions It would generally be a nice close to the theme (like it was with the Deeper Dorne).
3:44 And now you will hear a beautiful performance, by His Grace, King Preston of House Jacobs, First of his name, King of The Nerds and Theorists, Lord of the Hairlines and Protector of the Feminist Themes.
I quite like the idea that deep down Gregor cares for Sandor, it's just that he's so fucked up by toxic masculinity the only way he could show it was by burning him 'for his own good'
Hey, thanks for the next part of this series. I have a question related to the Jaime chapter you quote here. Right before confrontation with Connigton, we get this line: Below, the carcass of the bear still sprawled upon the sands, though only bones and ragged fur remained, half-buried. Jaime felt a pang of pity for the beast. At least he died in battle. Any thoughts on this? Jaime's being sentimental over patriarchy? His lost advantage in it? Or just a moment of literal acknowledgment of animal cruelty for human amusement?
I really hope that Hyle Hunt doesn't die in Winds of Winter. He may be a scoundrel and a jerk, but he is a good man on the inside. Also, are you going to continue the Q&As for the Winds chapters?
You forgot the most important question of all from the Brienne storyline: If Brienne picked you up over her shoulder, stole you away in the night and began ravaging you in a clover bed, would you pretend to fight back or submit entirely?
@@gogogamemistress "pretend to fight back" at least to me implies that the person who has you in a clover patch may have expected resistance LaneyStudios5 says "theoretical rape scenario" Anon-iraq said they'd pretend to fight back to let her live her fantasy I guess the better question is who DIDN'T see the implication
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
"Emotional toughness gets rape-stabbed by nurturing and protection"
Best. Analysis. Ever.
Brienne’s story is so well structured. Thanks for this series.
GRRM owes you a debt, son. You've kept the nightfires burning between books, and gifted many of us with an even greater appreciation of the material and its author.
From what I just saw on another channel, we'll all be old and grey (peersonally I'll probably be dead and buried) by the time "Winds" comes out. GRR has done nothing else, either book-wise or for TV, that is anything near as good as ASOIAF books and won't in the future either. The upcoming HBO trargaryen thing will not change that unfortunately. Every spin-off show has a worse curse on it than Harrenhal.
His take on R+L=J is better than Martin’s IMO
iiiiuNu you i n
@@gaboon7777 I think Preston's R+L=J theory B+A=J IS Martin's. The show-runners didn't take seriously enough their source material. I think GRRM kept some surprises to himself.
@@robertmaybeth3434 I don't want to agree with this comment, though I appreciate the Harrenhal reference 🦇
Just the fact that he sings the entire Sansa song makes Preston amazing!!!
surprisingly pleasant singing voice!
He fully committed. What a king.
Preston does a great job! As a woman I'm not sure I'd ask for more. He does a great job engaging feminist themes too. And this from someone with a concentration on feminist studies...
My man is truly committed!
Considering Preston thinks that song is the entire point of the series, he often draws attention to it and has sung it multiple times during analysis.
I always liked Hyle Hunt. He starts off as a jerk, but he genuinely learns to respect Brienne for who she is. I read him as part stand in for Jaime and part proxy for male dominated society's growing tolerance of non-typical gender roles.
He's also like a slightly more respectable Bronn.
Have you read the part about his brother Michael? But the author just calls him Mike and has everyone yell out his name
I’m so heartened to see the amount of growth in PJ’s videos. Production value. Information. Change of views over years of analysis. Best ASOIAF channel of all time.
Maybe not by being realistic all the time in the ideas portrayed at least when it comes to the actual story, but in the idea that the channel has actually improved in every single aspect. This man has grown as a person, theorist and editor.
@@eoghanmolloy4278 oh yeah. I do not agree with everything he states or theorizes but it ALWAYS makes me view things a bit differently.
I find him to be miles better than alt shift x
@@Mateo-mg4jw He just explains the most popular theories and doesn't do theorizing himself. There is no comparission.
Preston is extremely good at what he does, and ASX is extremely good at what he does. They do very different things.
now that the knight-toy young Sandor plays with is chad summerchild, i can never take the Hound's backstory serious again. Thanks a lot, Preston.
Haha, I can imagine Chad selling his little figurines at the docks.
Good eye you have! I would've missed that, but for your comment, thank you! ❤️ Chad Summerchild😂
4th meaning to Salt. Salt could mean Ironborn raiders. or some other sea raider.
And why is "young" Gregor Clegane represented by the picture of... seven hells, I know the artist is the one and only *The Mico* , and I know I've seen this particular portrait before, but I'm not sure who it's supposed to be.
A member of the Night's Watch, mayhaps, but which one?
This has been the most philosophy in a Preston video series since some of the Thousand World entries and I'm loving it. Some concepts I didn't notice in the audiobooks seem so very obvious, but it takes Preston to point them out like he's a genius and I'm an idiot, haha.
He is a genius you are most likely average intelligence Benjamin
I feel the same way. I am also thinking that my own thematic interpretations were quite off.
@@goldengod5284 Calling myself an idiot was fine but you saying I'm average... Ouch, not gonna lie. Haha :)
@@benjammin8184 😂😂😂
I really want to give Preston props for this video series, and particularly for identifying the facade of "The Hound" as "The myth of toughness". I thought that part was quite brilliant.
But that's when I started questioning the assertion that Shagwell was supposed to represent chivalry. I think that‘s not the complete picture. Shagwell, like the Hound, is wearing a mask (is in his case, a costume). Shagwell is not a chivalrous knight or a funny fool. He's a crazed psychopath and what's more, he's a complete coward. After Brienne kills his companions he begs Brienne not to kill him and in the end he pathetically tries to attack her while her back is turned to him. He is not chivalry. He's the "nice guy" that hides behind being amiable and funny while at the same time being incredibly sexist, pathetic and dangerous. While the Hound represents a mask of toughness that hides trauma, the Fool represents a mask of joviality that hides darker motives. They are the two versions of toxic masculinity. True chivalry, or positive masculinity, is what Brienne engages in when protecting the orphans, despite knowing she doesn't stand a chance. It's what Jaime did when he murdered Aerys. It's sacrificing yourself for others. It's protecting the weak and innocent. It's the aspect of the Mother which is also an aspect of the Warrior, and the Father, and all the other Gods. The Seven that are One.
Self sacrifice and protecting the weak both have problems, not just when faked but of themselves too. The hound offering to protect sansa (while holding her at knifepoint) wasn't faked I think. It's an extreme example of what power imbalance does to relationships between men and women.
Women often get "protected" by men in a way that takes away their freedom and gives the men power over them. Chivalry means taking on certain responsibilities, but that inevitably means gaining the power that comes with it. And power is pretty much a zero sum game.
Yeah, Preston missed the mark there. Shagwell isn't supposed to represent chivalry, he's a perverted representation of it. He's ANTI-chivalry being killed by the embodiment of someone actually chivalrous. Brienne's quest is about the redemption of the knight and chivalry, not its destruction.
@@tychoclavius4818 4
@@tychoclavius4818 Yours is a good comment that I completely agree with. That's why I specifically called it "self-sacrifice" and not "protecting others". When you "protect" someone it can be just as much about exerting control over them as it is about actually shielding them from harm. You can clearly see this with Littlefinger who is "protecting" Sansa mainly by keeping her close to him and having her rely on him for everything. That's the kind of Protection the Hound was offering her when he wanted to take her with him.
Self-sacrifice on the other hand means you necessarily have to give up something of your own in order to protect someone else. You get no benefit from it, in fact you disadvantage yourself for the sole reason of protecting someone else. It's a net loss for you all for the higher ideal of chivalry or justice or good. *That's* what makes you a hero. And that's exactly what Brienne engages in when fighting Rorge and Biter.
"Seven, Brienne thought again, despairing. She had no chance against seven, she knew. No chance, and no choice."
@@Jooooger After all this analysis I‘m really curious to see if Brienne will encounter a true example of chivalry/ positive masculinity. She defeated the concept of the nice man who hides his weakness and dark motives, and she defeated the concept of the though man, whose strength is only a facade for trauma and cruelty. Will she encounter a "true knight" (Jaime, perhaps?) or will she fulfill that role herself?
25:50 "Brienne is always dancing with the patriarchy"
I suppose now it makes sense why the Dance of the Dragons is called that; the reason for the Dance was because people did not want a woman to sit on the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms, but instead preferred her younger half-brother, even though their father had declared that his daughter would get the throne. Rhaenyra, too, was "dancing with the patriarchy".
Edit: Hang on a second, I just realised the name Dance of the Dragons is actually extra ironic; the war is called the Dance of the Dragons as a callback to preferring a male ruler over a female one, but dragons have no assigned sex and can actually change their sex. This can be interpreted as dragons having no assigned gender roles and are free to be a masculine or as feminine as they want.
Squishes riding ice Kraken’s
SOOO AWESOME!!
Chad, need a wood figurine of you! Would pay good money.
"Jaime gushed in the bath" thank you Preston
In a bath with Brienne, who wouldn't?
Hey my man, Preston, honestly... are the squishers just a bait?
It’s working!!
I was promised squishers, I was given grievance studies.
Thank you for the birthday present Preston!!!
Happy birthday!
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin Thank you for the excellent content, Preston!
It is fascinating how every main character has to deal with their cultural roles on one hand and, for the adult characters, common perceptions about them personally on the other. The adult characters, perhaps with the exception of Catelyn, are all torn between these two forced identities. In the child characters, we see the individuals seeing the inherent restrictions of their cultural lot. Great analysis, you've really gotten to the heart of it all!
To the heart of it all indeed, the human heart in conflict with itself.
Catelyn is torn too to some extent. She was raised to be Hoster's heir and received more attention and political education than Edmure, which is why he is jealous of her, and Cat is annoyed with Edmure's lack of competence several times. And she tells Brynden that women can rule as well as men; she probably would have been a better lord of Riverrun than Edmure.
Catelyn also says that Ned didn't like executing people, but she would have.
I just love that Sanford horse is called stranger and his relationship with Arya has always fascinated me. She is practically getting to know death personally before she gets to bravos. At the star stranger seems mean and hostile but as she gets to know him he warms up to her and she starts to “get along with him” and see his genteler side
Can't wait to watch this later. This series has been a masterclass of literary analysis.
27 minutes of Preston???? 7 have indeed saved us
Bro, do you even pray?
The old gods have no mercy
@@PewPewPlasmagun Does the High Septon?
Does the High Septon shit in the woods?
@@made-line7627 Of that I am not alltogether certain.
I can't help but thinking that Brienne's "ridicules quests" is a call-out to Don Quixote's ridicules quest to fight giants(windmills).
After all, Don Quixote is the quintessential knight in many a literature and Glegane's are giants.
I've never considered that, but I really like it!
Awesome train of thought dude!!! Especially sonce Don Quijote was a very satirical piece. It is even better when you read it in Spanish...
@@PewPewPlasmagun
The Don isn't really a knight.
He mistook an inn for a castle, and a stable for a chapel.
But of course he has the knightly virtues in abundance, as Brienne does.
@@alanpennie8013 Yeah dude I totally know it is a comical piece that makes light of all those idiotic virtues and the people who exhibit them. Same as with Brienne the whole endeavour is absolutely pointless
In ADWD Reek III, Roose says to Ramsay: "...Power tases best when sweetened by courtesy. You had best learn that if you ever hope to rule."
I think that line cuts to the heart about Brienne's divergent reactions to "dancing with the bear". Renly sweetened his exercise of power enough to beguile his way to a crown and a big ol army and it got Brienne too?
Also this is already one of your best presented series and it's not even done yet - great work!
Us Stannis fans need to admit that Renly is a master of the theatre of rulership, even while being bad at the practical side
Here we go again!
Been waiting my whole life for this
I love singing preston
Oh, wow, Brienne confessing to her "crime" of not fitting her expected roles kinda reminded me of Tyrion's "confession" at his trial for Joffrey's murder.
Chad was the Mountain's toy? Dude... I feel so much pity now. And remorse for hating Chad all those years. Chad Bro, can you forgive us? Ever???
I don't think he will.
The mindless fanboyism was a mask all along. The desperate need to enjoy and hype up any piece of fiction, no matter how puerile, was only ever there to escape from reality and hide his trauma.
Can someone please explain why y'all keep calling Gregor's toy "Chad?"
@@marinuswillett6147 Preston has a recurring character in his reviews, named Chad Summerchild. He was a parody of the casual fans who cheer at anything.
The knight figure he used to represent Gregor's toy was the same one he used to represent Chad Summerchild.
I don't think Brienne's desires are as contradictory as they seem. She wants to have agency over her own life, something she won't be able to have when married to man who would be her "superior", but she also wants companionship and romantic love. So that low-born knight who trained with her and appreciates her as a warrior and potentially is romantically interested in her (in her mind) would be ideal. Because the male and female role in Westerosi society is so strictly coded, she cannot live the life she wants. At least I saw it in that way
That's exactly what I was thinking. Assuming that a "strong" woman who enjoys independence and traditionally masculine activities can't also want to feel pretty and indulge in romance is, itself, reductive and sexist. That's not even a feminine desire- most people enjoy being considered attractive and desire love on some level, regardless of sex or gender.
I gotta say, Preston has really increased my appreciation for A Feast for Crows. Not that I never disliked the novel, I loved the Cersei, Jamie, and Sam chapters.
But I just never cared for Brienne and the Dorne storylines. But thanks to the Dornish master plan and these videos, I can enjoy those chapters a lot more now.
This is excellent analysis of the themes of Briennes quest, you caught things I didn't, even after multiple reads. Thanks for doing this justice Preston 🤘
Wait you cant end without talking about biter though! He practically gives Brienne a sandor level facial scar.
Now THIS is the best series you’ve ever made, Preston. No criticisms from me. Bravo 👏 or should I say, Braavos!
Bring on the squishers! Need part 4 ASAP.
Here Squishy Fishy Squishy!
So I’m curious is this going to a be a theory series or a exploration of the themes of the story personally I would prefer the latter.
If it’s the latter I would hope you continue with other characters and what themes their stories explore.
It's mostly themes, but the themes will lead to a bit of theory, so you'll get both.
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin hey that’s great some of my favourite videos of yours cover GRRM writing style and the themes he explores in his stories
I was just thinking "Brienne part 3 must be out by now, gotta check if I missed it" and then my sub box has this. Yes.
Yays!
Please do a video on Davos one day, like how he’s probably died at the black water, and his future adventures in Skagos
Or where Tysha went
@@made-line7627 we all know where she went
Thank you for this series, Preston! Brienne's story has always been my favorite, and you're really laying it out for me. I admire your courage in singing the Mother's Mercy Hymn so much; I can only assume you did so in homage to the strength of the character that is so evident throughout the rest of your analysis. Great work, you're amazing.
Jesus Christ, that opening👍
There’s a part of me that genuinely believes that Hunt might actually like her. That or method acting is his forte
And despite the "sleeziness" in marrying brienne purely for land, that is literally no different than any other high born marriage in the story. Hunt didn't create the unjust society where marriage is the tool for wealth and land consolidation. Or that he is prevented from marrying her because she's too high above him socially.
@@e22ddie46
Lollys Stockworth didn't do so badly getting Bronn.
Hunt doesnt ‘like’ her in a sexual way, he wants to rule tarth as her husband, the current Evenstar has no sons. He even says so, hell give her kids and she will give him lands
Preston Dude, we need Chad Summerchild wood figurines as merch, I would totally buy it!
Arrrgh! I was so wanting to hear your thoughts on Biters weird mushy face! Oh well, you got me hooked for Ch. 4. Absolutely wonderful as always. Merci, Monsieur Jacobs!
Truly preston, this series is your best work.
Many thanks
Just when I was looking for something to watch while working!!
I think Brienne's notions of being treated like a lady were shattered with Ronnet's actions. Why would she even try after that? She probably didn't _want_ to be treated as a lady by Renly so much as she just _accepted_ his treatment of her as a lady. She was still attracted to guys, and when Renly swept her up in a dance with genuine kindness, she probably lost herself in that moment.
There's also the fact that with Brienne's status as the daughter of the lord of Tarth that the phrase 'treated like a lady' has double meaning as being treated with regards to traditional gender roles and being treated like a person. Hyle hunt might be a scumbag, but he also got the closest to winning the wager because he treated Brienne like the person she was and not the gendered presumptions Ronnet and the others had of her.
@@Dragonshade64
She could do worse than him, if she decides it's her duty to beget heirs for Tarth.
27 minutes of content? we are truly blessed
I assumed that GRRM included the detail that some of the brothers on the Quiet Isle wear face coverings to explain how Sandor went unrecognized.
Sure, that's certainly what GRRM was going for, but its still ridiculous. Sandor has scarring around his eyes. Not to mention, Brienne, Pod and Hyle are on a quest to find Sandor. None of them think that a massive man with his body type, who has interacted with the brothers, could be Sandor. With his bloody horse is right there on the island. It's really stupid.
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin All more than fair points.
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin I can imagine Brienne pictured Sandor running around furiously in his dog helmet and stabbing left and right. I would believe she wouldn't even dreamed of him living between monks doing some ground work. After all, she is searching for "the Hound."
And she would also look for a girl - Arya - next to him.
But granted, it's kinda weird. Oh well, Martin said so.
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin Pod can't make eye contact with people tho
@@alhena11 You've got something. People see what they want to. GRRM was hitting on the theme of the Brienne is after the Hound with Arya. Just Sandor being silent and peaceful is enough disguise, especially with Elder Brother covering for Sandor by, I believe, saying the Hound is dead.
20:31 the elder brother had no business looking that FREAKY
Woohoo, thank you for the new video Preston, I hope you know just how much these mean to your fanbase
And we’re back! Thank you, Preston!
I know you have a life, a wife, a son, some more family, probably a lot of friends and a job, but I missed you.
It's good to have you here again with something new to listen to. Thank you so so much!
Preston you are the only channel that I ever open in hopes of a new episode. Am loving this series and i can’t wait to convince my sister to read the Asofai books so i can discuss all these points with her
A lot of your commentary about the Mother seems to be missing the fact that Catholics pray to Mary a lot and that the Mother is very likely a fictional stand in for Mary. Catholics also are more likely to have paintings and statues of Mary than they are of Jesus. The Catholic clergy is less keen to focus on Mary because there's next to nothing about her in the Bible, with all the prayers, songs and reverence towards her being the product of over 1500 years of commoner/folk traditions.
I find the Stranger castration scene to have an entirely different meaning. It's about balls being chopped off, so I hardly think it has to do with the role of women. It's more, George understands man's natural, animalistic resistance to being tamed for the sake of civilization. Religion had a major role to play in civilizing early man too.
He feels sorry for the "big, brave, brute" whether it's the bear in the pit that needs to be put down or Stranger who needs to be domesticated. He feels sorry for rough, untamed masculinity because he realizes it is just doing the only thing it knows and maybe there is something worth saving in it.
He may be a pacifist hippy, but he's also a man with blood pumping through his veins. It's not always about logical utility, sometimes it's about not wanting your balls chopped off as Hyle points out.
Interesting to consider the idea as well of what a male without balls is- a female, perhaps? To castrate Stranger to make him fit into what the power- patriarchy, society, mankind- wish of him echoes what Preston is saying here about women being forced into being what society wants of them
Exactly what I was thinking! Thank you
this paste made from preston's brain tastes yummy
spoiler: Brienne marries Chad Summerchild and becomes Lady of Summerfell.
One of the best scenes in the books: golden hand right in red ronnet's face
thank you, Preston! I love this series
I have a hunch that GRRM enjoys watching Preston as much as we do. Truly great videos.
Loving this series so far, honestly building to be one of my favorites.
And the intros are only getting better! Love your work mate!
Greetings from Brazil
Seriously man, this series might be your crowning achievement
Hi Preston, very interesting series, thanks! In your analysis you compare Brienne’s confession to the one of Jaime. But how about Tyrion’s famous confession of being a dwarf? I think that one fits as well ! Keep up the good work 👍🏼
Since Brienne can't commit to the male gender roles imposed by the Father, the Warrior and the Smith, and neither the female roles of the Mother, the Maiden and the Crone, she's basically more akin to the Stranger, a genderless figure
Ah, so Sweet Robin skin changed the Mountain and made him burn Sandor when he was playing with a Chad Summerchild doll. He was actually trying to protect the world from video thumbnails full of arrows and red circles. It all makes sense now.
Sweet Robin planned it all!
OMG I study philology, specifically literature analysis and concepts, and I have to say THIS IS AMAZING PRESTON
19:00 -You didn't mention Tyrion, who confesses to being a dwarf during his trial, much like how Brienne confesses. He'd have been sentenced to death too.
Every time I’m having a really bad day, you upload, without fail and I am eternally grateful.
Not to over share but I was literally sobbing - I work nights and got woken up 1.5 hours before I needed to and couldn't fall back to sleep and I'm tired 😭 Then I saw this video, and the intro gave me a lil boost and I'm just so grateful I had this video to watch 😊😌
Man... I did not want this video to end, really. Great stuff.
Such a marvelous analyst. I'm saddened by how many people get nasty about Preston's ideas. I think a lot of other asoiaf tubers are jealous or find him intimidating. He's brilliant and aloof, so many prominent asoiaf fandom people sling a lot of mud at him and his theories... though those people usually fail to see GRRM's body of work as a whole and stick their heads in the sand when Preston's ideas are brought up. Lemongate is solid, yet he gets ridiculed as a "lemonologist." many more fail to realize that the idea of ASOIAF could exist in a science fiction universe and think that idea would mean an ending with lasers and spaceships... all while denying the obvious fact that asoiaf is post-apocalyptic. After belittling his ideas, they then usually pretend not to have seen his videos at all.
Why do so many other asoiaf tubers throw so much shade? Is it jealousy? the need to be right? fear of losing viewers to Preston? is he secretly a jerk (I doubt it)?
The guy is a treasure.
Jacob Preston has the most solid takes on asoiaf. His Cersei and Taena videos are one of the most excellent readings I've ever seen. I honestly feel like the others are feeling threatened over him as his reading comprehension and attention to detail are on a different caliber. Like for example, that council meeting on the Cersei and Taena chapter, I would just nod along but he perfectly saw what's cooking up for Cersei and the Lannisters during the meeting.
With all the conspiracies and prediction videos, this analysis might actually be the Best of Preston!!! It makes these chapters so much better. Looking forward to my 3rd read through now
What a great surprise. Thanks Preston
I took a break for years from these videos. But I’m glad I came back. Good work Preston.
To my way of thinking, Sandor Clegane represents redemption : moving away from evils in one's personal past. Trying to compensate for one's weaknesses through honorable deeds. He tried to protect Ned's daughters. He wouldn't have known how much of a crazy freak Joffrey would turn out to be.
One of my favourite series by you so far!
Loving this series. I always enjoy your theories. But I’m loving the analysis of the themes
Would be happy to see more thematic interpretations and analysises in the future. Love this series!
I love this shit so much, Preston. Thanks for doing this all these years!
YOU SAID THE SQUISHERS WERE THIS EPISODE
Lol love the series and took me awhile to come around to your crazy theories.
Finally, the void between new PJ contents is temporarily satiated
Thank you for discussing the Hound in the context of Brienne's story. I liked in AFFC how the Hound's helmet becomes like a persona that others put on when they don the helmet, especially with how the Brotherhood without Banners treat the helmet itself. It says some dark things about Lem Lemoncloak, then.
I also did not catch Davos switching to the Mother in ASOS. Love this video and this series. Well done!
Consider something else about Stranger the horse - instead of the attempted castration being an example of the strict role of womanhood, consider that this is a reference to the idea that patriarchy sets strict and constrictive roles for men as well. The horse was made by the gods to be a beast of burden. Man was made by the gods to be a warrior/father/smith. The idea of being stripped of that role - like Jaime losing his hand being akin to castration - is the most horrible fate that many men in ASOIAF can think of, including Hyle Hunt. But the Hound now lives outside of the definition of the Warrior, neither is he a Father, and he doesn't quite fit in with the Smith either (or the sparrows, who seem closely associated with the Smith in AFFC). Sandor was originally punished by Gregor for not acting the part of a man, but now hopefully he can live outside of the strict roles of his gender and just be himself. Stranger the horse wishes to live outside of his strict role as well (a beast of burden), and fights for the right to be a destrier/warrior, the role that Sandor has set aside.
Brienne does not support patriarchy in any form. She simply wants acceptance. And in that society acceptance for women comes with a sexist baggage. She is torn between performing as a woman according to patriarchal standards and according to her own way. It shouldn’t be contradictory but it is (due to the sexist culture). It is not Brienne’s fault. She longs to be accepted and loved for who she is: both a woman and a warrior. I do not get why Preston thinks it is the sign for her to support light patriarchy as she clearly does possibly everything to stay true to herself despite the rigid gender norms.
She wants to be both a knight and a lady.
And Podrick understands this when he addresses her as Ser My Lady.
Not to oversell, but your videos give my life meaning.
Another gold-standard analysis, thank you Preston! Although I disagree in regards to the Mountain and the Hound. I assume his seemingly pointless cruelty is not directed towards furthering or reproducing the supposedly hardening "make a man out of you" ideology, although that is of course present in other aspects of our story. I think he is to be an example of how the system pushes cruel and sadistic persons into positions of power because that's what is needed for the fundamentally unjust system to prolong its own existence. He himself has no values, not even toxic masculine ones, he shows the darkest aspects of the ideology without having internalized or being aware of them. The point being - the system enables and furthers brutality without needing to be believed in by the individual actors within it.
One could express it via the reductionist DnD system: Tywin or Randall for example can largely be considered "lawful evil" in the sense that their actions are cruel but based on and reinforced by an underlying (in this case, unjust) set of laws and customs, boundaries which can be bent but not rejected. In such a framework the Mountain would be a "neutral evil" character. He neither affirms nor rejects the system but instead acts cruelly out of his own volition without said cruelty being based on any specific code/religion/ideology and instead being motivated by self indulgence alone. That was long and meandering but tldr: I adore your analytical approach toward this series, it treats media with the consideration it deserves.
Question...are you saying the Mountain did not have values or the Hound did not? I think the Mountain...although Preston was focusing on the Hound for this video. I'm just curious...because I would argue that the Mountain placed some things in value...he seemed to be interested in gold and treasure. Arya claims in Harrenhal that they were asked over and over these questions about gold and silver in the villages until she herself could have asked them. So that may be something he valued. He seemed to highly value the opinion of his overlord, Tywin. Tywin in fact seemed to be in the only person capable of influencing Ser Gregor's actions, Tywin's own giant in a manner of speaking. I'm not disagreeing with you but I don't think the Mountain is as simple as he is presented. It looms in my mind as entirely possible that the Mountain is or will be wielded by another(s) much in the way Bran wields Hodor and Doran Martell probably wields Aero Hotah...but I get what you mean.
"how the system pushes pushes cruel and unjust people into power because an ubjust system needs that" is the worst possible analysis and it is very very very likely NOT what our author had in mind. That is because the thing about a political system is that your personal traits count for nothing. There have been nice and kind slave holders as much as there are benevolent billionaires now - but this doesn't change their role as perpetuators of the system they can't escape.
@@hopedixon2133 I was taking about the Mountain even though he was a small part in Preston's analysis, specifically because he stated that his abuse of Sandor might have been motivated by the urge to punish or harden him. I agree that he has motivations but wouldn't say he has "values". He cares about inflicting pain on others because he enjoys it, he cares about money because that is a universal tool to satisfy one's desires and he probably also cares about fulfilling Tywins orders because Tywin is a guarantee of the mountains position, but maybe also because they enable him to act out his sadism without consequences. What I was getting at was more or less that he functions as a tool within the system, not an actor like Tarlly (who obviously places value on the systems established morality - upholding tradition or punishing criminals for example) I agree with you that the mountain is skin to Hodor in certain respects, as far as their abstract role is concerned
@@malkwallner8336 I never argued that an unjust system may also force people capable of kindness into a role that perpetuates said unjust system, that is obviously the case. Like your slave holder example states - even "good" people will become oppressors in an oppressive system (for example Ned and his reinforcement of fundalism, executions and traditional gender roles) what I was getting at is that such a system ALSO creates roles for people that could not obtain positions of power in a non-oppressive system, which makes the whole situation even more dismal. And such an example would be the Mountain. Yes, a cruel framework like the USA during Slavery or Nazi Germany or Feudalism or whatever example will have ordinary people reinforce it and force them to act within it's boundaries - performing cruel and unjust deeds without having an inherent desire to do so or without even realizing it - it will however also enable actors intend on performing cruelty for cruelties sake to rise through the ranks and indulge in their power fantasies much more easily than a functional, just and equal society would. I'd consider that to be the point of a character such as the Mountain, who would have no role in a non-oppressive system
This series is your best work yet, Preston. The only thing that would make me like it more would be a mention of Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince...
(lol)
*excited humming*
This latest series is a thematic slobber knocker. Maybe your best yet. Great great stuff PJ
Just wanted to say, in case these aren't as popular as your other videos, I really appreciate this series and hope for more like it.
I need those squishers Preston. You can't keep dangling those squishers in front of me Preston!
Gods I love your videos...
I'd imagine that the squishers are a metaphoric representation of the Ironborn, an equally, if not more brutally partiarchal culture as compared to Westeros. The comparison between their portrayals as bears and fish monsters highlighting how the same attitudes behaviours can be considered inhuman from an outside perspective, but are viewed as completely normal when done from within your own culture.
This would also possibly hint at the ironic naming of The Others in the north, unless the latter group is completely dropped due to the lack of narrative space.
Gendry actually is knighted by Beric when he joins the brotherhood is ASoS, so he's not lying when he calls himself one. Not that this affects your analysis of the themes or quality of your work in any way, I just happened to have finished that chapter on my first re-read. Thanks for all your hard work!
I was gonna wait until the video was over to decide to give it a like until Preston sang. Oh so lovely
3:44 we need someone talented to add some medieval background music behind this
There is a channel that does that.
Your singing made me tear up a bit.
Do you think you could do another Q&A at the end of the series? Of course assuming there are enough interesting questions
It would generally be a nice close to the theme (like it was with the Deeper Dorne).
3:44
And now you will hear a beautiful performance, by His Grace, King Preston of House Jacobs, First of his name, King of The Nerds and Theorists, Lord of the Hairlines and Protector of the Feminist Themes.
Preston, you've made some incredible videos, but this series is really great.
Wait you did pronounced "Arianne" correctly at 19:57, what's up with all this "Arianna Martell"?
Amazing video again by the way.
I quite like the idea that deep down Gregor cares for Sandor, it's just that he's so fucked up by toxic masculinity the only way he could show it was by burning him 'for his own good'
Hey, thanks for the next part of this series. I have a question related to the Jaime chapter you quote here. Right before confrontation with Connigton, we get this line:
Below, the carcass of the bear still sprawled upon the sands, though only bones and ragged fur remained, half-buried. Jaime felt a pang of pity for the beast. At least he died in battle.
Any thoughts on this? Jaime's being sentimental over patriarchy? His lost advantage in it? Or just a moment of literal acknowledgment of animal cruelty for human amusement?
Even tho the books will never be finished still my favorite UA-cam channel
I love these videos there is so much philosophy and ethics in them
I haven't even gotten a chance to watch because my two year is making me repeat the title sequence over and over. ♥
I'd be pissed too if my younger brother played with my BNIB chery mint limited edition Chad Summerchild action figure
Where are the Squishers, I ask you? Where is the Fish that was promised?
Part 4.....I hope
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin Oceanman, take me by the hand...
@@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin Where are my sea dragons?
@@PewPewPlasmagun Let me lead you through the land...
I really hope that Hyle Hunt doesn't die in Winds of Winter. He may be a scoundrel and a jerk, but he is a good man on the inside.
Also, are you going to continue the Q&As for the Winds chapters?
You forgot the most important question of all from the Brienne storyline: If Brienne picked you up over her shoulder, stole you away in the night and began ravaging you in a clover bed, would you pretend to fight back or submit entirely?
I'm not sure this theoretical Brienne rape scenario is the most important question but that might just be me 😂
Pretend to fight back, im an empath and id want to let her live her fantasy
I think she would prefer a willing, engaged participant. So none of the above ;)
@@annedavis3340 Woah, who said anything about nonconsent?
@@gogogamemistress "pretend to fight back" at least to me implies that the person who has you in a clover patch may have expected resistance
LaneyStudios5 says "theoretical rape scenario"
Anon-iraq said they'd pretend to fight back to let her live her fantasy
I guess the better question is who DIDN'T see the implication