Game of Thrones Season 6

[srjclone]

Jaq'en gave Arya the coin, and that admitted her to the Temple of the Many-Faced God. He gave it to her in case she was ever out of options, and she was desperate. The Hound is dead, and the realm is hunting her. She had to leave and had no where else to go. So I am not sure much was on her mind except that maybe she would find Jaq'en there and get more help.

Her life was very similar to a faceless man prior to that anyway. Wearing different names, and identities to survive. She used it unskillfully, but did use Jaq'en to escape Harrenhal. So really, not much of a differentiation, except they gave her confidence, some training, and safety.

I don't think Arya ever really considered being a faceless man. At her arc in the Show she has what she needs to survive. She is no longer a lordling that only knows how to only order people around, but can survive in the streets, woods or as a kitchen worker or in some other capacity. I see her going straight for Walder Frey......next season. I think she gets on a shhip last episode this year.

 

[cyhiphopp]

I mostly agree with you, but I find the two bolded sentences incongruent.

I agree with the first. I think she found Jaqen because she wanted to be a bad-*** assassin and finish off her list. I agree with that completely. However, I don't think she ever varied from that desire. Either she never intended to become "no one" for any longer than it took her to complete the training, or perhaps she didn't understand that it meant giving up her revenge plans/fantasies. I don't think she would have ever taken the mental and physical beatings required to become "no one" unless she still had a very firm goal in mind. I don't think converting to a religion that has nothing to do with her family is enough of a goal for her. Arya doesn't think on that kind of scale. Bran? Sure, probably. Robb might have, as the diplomat? But not Arya, not Sansa. Probably not Jon. That isn't disparaging Arya, Sansa, or Jon for their loyalty to their upbringing, it's just saying that they likely don't see things on a grander scale in terms of religion due to it.

True. I'm not sure if she was ever fully on board with being "no one". She did get better at lying about it though. I really think Jaqen Hagar knew she'd never do it. He gave her a shot because she saved him and he owed her. He sent her to that play as a test and I think he's happy for her for figuring out who she really wants to be.

 

[cyhiphopp]

That guys pretty **** at dying.

 

[srjclone]

True. I'm not sure if she was ever fully on board with being "no one". She did get better at lying about it though. I really think Jaqen Hagar knew she'd never do it. He gave her a shot because she saved him and he owed her. He sent her to that play as a test and I think he's happy for her for figuring out who she really wants to be.

I agree. I think he never thought she could really become "no one" and if she did, then he got a great assassin out of it.

 

[srjclone]

That guys pretty **** at dying.

Anyone catch the quote last episode "It'd be better if it were chicken."? I swear that man loves chicken more than anything in this world.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Anyone catch the quote last episode "It'd be better if it were chicken."? I swear that man loves chicken more than anything in this world.

 

[cyhiphopp]

 

[Angie]

True. I'm not sure if she was ever fully on board with being "no one". She did get better at lying about it though. I really think Jaqen Hagar knew she'd never do it. He gave her a shot because she saved him and he owed her. He sent her to that play as a test and I think he's happy for her for figuring out who she really wants to be.

I agree completely. Anyone who had even a basic sense of Arya could see that she was never going to be able to do it, and Jaqen knew her quite well.

 

[Orin02]

True. I'm not sure if she was ever fully on board with being "no one". She did get better at lying about it though. I really think Jaqen Hagar knew she'd never do it. He gave her a shot because she saved him and he owed her. He sent her to that play as a test and I think he's happy for her for figuring out who she really wants to be.

Do you really think he was ever in danger? He could have freed himself anytime he wanted.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Do you really think he was ever in danger? He could have freed himself anytime he wanted.

I think so too. But he waited for her help for a reason. I'm not sure if we'll ever find out in the show but maybe it will be a surprise reveal in the books.

 

[RayShimley]

I agree completely. Anyone who had even a basic sense of Arya could see that she was never going to be able to do it, and Jaqen knew her quite well.

I think this was obvious from when she first arrived and hid Needle rather than tossing it in the harbor with the rest of her things.

Still, the whole Braavos storyline just felt like filler to me. If it was any character other than fan-favorite Arya, it could've probably just been cut altogether. Hope it is much better developed in the books.

 

[Orin02]

I think this was obvious from when she first arrived and hid Needle rather than tossing it in the harbor with the rest of her things.

Still, the whole Braavos storyline just felt like filler to me. If it was any character other than fan-favorite Arya, it could've probably just been cut altogether. Hope it is much better developed in the books.

We've been reduced to placing our hopes in the books

 

[srjclone]

I think this was obvious from when she first arrived and hid Needle rather than tossing it in the harbor with the rest of her things.

Still, the whole Braavos storyline just felt like filler to me. If it was any character other than fan-favorite Arya, it could've probably just been cut altogether. Hope it is much better developed in the books.

I think the book has already surpassed the show in terms of development, IMO. But with the end in sight for the show, so many storylines and so little time, I think they kinda rushed through her development in Braavos, which in turn made it seem like it fell short.

 

[Angie]

I think this was obvious from when she first arrived and hid Needle rather than tossing it in the harbor with the rest of her things.

Still, the whole Braavos storyline just felt like filler to me. If it was any character other than fan-favorite Arya, it could've probably just been cut altogether. Hope it is much better developed in the books.

I have purposely tried to tiptoe around this argument - but I agree. I think initially she may have gone there to escape or to become an assassin, or both. However, since she didn't, it seems like a giant waste of time. Great, now she can fight in the dark. And has better listening ears, as my kid's preschool teachers put it. But it's not like she wasn't already able to live like a commoner - she was catching rats and pigeons in Flea Bottom before she was taken North. She already knew how to cut her hair and take on a different name. She arguably may have learned some fighting skills from the waif, but maybe not.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

I am so happy Arya's storyline there is over. Seemed more stretched out than Dany's storyline and that is saying something.

 

[CloneIce]

Arya was in Bravos to level up for the final climax of the story.

 

[brett108]

Tywin's greatest mistake was never giving Tyrion the respect he deserved. I get it, he's a drunken, womanizing, whoremongerer, and I understand why you wouldn't want someone like that as the heir to Casterly Rock. But first, Tywin always treated Tyrion like he was always some subhuman beast not worthy of the Lannister name. I also get the fact there's the issue that Tywin could never prove whether Tyrion was his son or the product of Aerys' rape. Second, if Tyrion looked like Jaime, would it have mattered that he's a drunken, womanizing whoremongerer? He was ready to make Jaime the heir to Casterly Rock and he knew about the incestuous relationship.

Tywin was incredibly smart, but I think Tyrion is even smarter than him. Tyrion always deferred to Tywin hoping to gain some amount of respect he was never going to receive. And, unfortunately, Tywin's treatment of Tyrion may be the death of the entire Lannister family. It certainly was the death of Tywin.

Unfortunately? No family this side of the Boltons needs more killing than the Lannisters.

 

[State43]

I am betting Arya will use faces when she gets back to westeros. I hope....

 

[CycloneWarning]

I think the book has already surpassed the show in terms of development, IMO. But with the end in sight for the show, so many storylines and so little time, I think they kinda rushed through her development in Braavos, which in turn made it seem like it fell short.

Spoiler

In the books, she also hid Needle, so she may not be fully committed. But as of the end of DwD, she is doing well in her training and already assassinated her first target. And in a pre-release chapter for WoW, she kills Raff. I assume like the show, something will eventually cause her to return to Westeros. Potentially the murder of Raff will get her in trouble with Jaqen because it was an "opportunity" kill.

 

[ThatllDoCy]

I have purposely tried to tiptoe around this argument - but I agree. I think initially she may have gone there to escape or to become an assassin, or both. However, since she didn't, it seems like a giant waste of time. Great, now she can fight in the dark. And has better listening ears, as my kid's preschool teachers put it. But it's not like she wasn't already able to live like a commoner - she was catching rats and pigeons in Flea Bottom before she was taken North. She already knew how to cut her hair and take on a different name. She arguably may have learned some fighting skills from the waif, but maybe not.

I agree. Somehow, someway the Faceless Men have to figure into the bigger picture. Maybe she infiltrates the Bank of Braavos, but the payoff has to be bigger than the Kindly Old Man just tipping his cap and saying have a good time. I do think she learns to change faces in the books.

I do think she saved Jaq'en's life. I don't think there is anyway he would be able to manipulate himself into that situation just to meet Arya. I could be wrong. The Faceless Men are mortal after all, and they can change faces, but don't seem to have magical power beyond that.

The show seems to be manipulating their characters to get them where they need to be, as opposed to, taking them to where they would realistically end up. I mean, Petyr Baelish has a transporter somewhere.