Its been a long wait! HBO and George R.R. Martin’s critically acclaimed love child is back! Game of Thrones has been one of the most cutthroat book adaptations to ever hit our TV screens. This season marks a conclusion to the record breaking fantasy saga. We wanted to make a collective effort with our readers, staff writers, as well as the vibrant instagram art community. Here is our Strategy Guide to Game of Thrones! This Article will include a short series on 3 strong female characters, a Clegane Bowl prediction, an Analysis of the Undead on “Both Sides”, and a short Obituary series on the fallen Characters. Some of the Articles are presented in short question format. This season has only six episodes and we have the ambition to stretch this out to a 2nd, and maybe 3rd Edition. If you want to help collaborate on the illustrations or articles please email jeawokeditor@gmail.com.
Arya’s Red Dead Redemption
By Justine Barerra
What is your most memorable moment of Game of Thrones?
When you think about Game of Thrones it’s hard not to contemplate all the times the show has shot you in the heart and wounded your soul. Emotionally speaking that is! There are so many moments that have caught me off guard. They made me cry, caused me to scream, gasp, cheer. I was trying to think of a scene that was the most gut-wrenching. The Red Wedding came to mind. Some may argue Ned Stark’s death was worse. Our hero losing his head in season one! I mean that just didn’t happen on a network show! Jon Snow. The love of my life. The man who lost his virginity to a wildling in a cave! So Romeo and Juliet. My eyes sting now just remembering that moment when he was betrayed. I’m not even gonna touch on Hodor.
But The Red Wedding. The moment when you lose every character that you’re convinced are going to win at the end of this!!
There are too many of those moments to count. Unfortunately, sometimes it causes us to forget the “Fuck Yea!!” moments. I say, let’s not dwell on the deceased, but rather, let’s celebrate the worthy.
Arya Stark. The fiercest bad ass little bitch in any and all realms. What she’s survived and what she’s gone through, she can have ALL the thrones as far as I’m concerned.
One of my favorite moments in Game of Thrones history is that moment that opens up the season finale of season 6 when that mother fucker Walder Frey got what was coming to him. Which is what I like to call: Red Dead Redemption. Arya cooks his sons in a pie and feeds it to him. Then slits his mother fuckin’ throat while she stares off into the distance like a bad ass boss. In the very hall where Catlin Stark, her mother’s throat was slit. That moment has stayed with me for years. When someone cuts me off while driving, I imagine Arya popping up in the back seat slitting their throat. When a man calls me “sweetheart” or “darling” in that condescending way there’s Arya smiling at me, telling me with her eyes: “I got this”. It’s disturbing I know but it helps with my anger issues. Not all hero’s wear capes. Some kill you wearing the face they stole off the people they’ve killed.
I can’t wait for this last season. Aryas coming for her enemy’s. That list is almost complete mother fuckers !!!
The Dragons are Coming
By Dylan Sterling
Who’s gonna win it all?
Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, and the Breaker of Chains. After seven seasons of Game of Thrones, Daenerys not only is in the best position to claim the Iron Throne, but also is the best option for the people of Westeros. Her name says it all, “Breaker of Chains”. She has completely broken the chains of Slavers Bay. She has proven that she believes in justice and prosperity for the people she rules over. Lord Varys is all about prosperity for the people. He is one of the only characters who truly fights for the people of Westeros. The fact that he supports Daenerys’s claim to the throne shows that she is the best option for the Seven Kingdoms.
Even though her allies were depleted last season, she still has the largest armies, the most allegiances to gain in the coming season, and dragons. With her new relationship with John Snow and the North, it puts her in a strong position. Assuming Daenerys and John both survive the onslaught of the undead army, Daenerys can gain the support of the people and have an even bigger advantage against Cersei. Jaime has left Cersei to go and fight, which leaves Cersei with even less allies. Unless Daenerys does something incredibly stupid (like die) she is in a great position to take the Iron Throne.
Tough as Tarth
By Alex Spasiano
Illustrated by Blaine Dylan
Is Brienne of Tarth a good example for your Daughter?
Brienne of Tarth is a great example for younger girls, she breaks the barrier and stigma that girls cannot become more than what they’re expected to be. She is a champion for girls who want to be the protector and not the protected. Brienne shows never to judge a book by its cover and that women can be strong as well as bold. Just ask our next subject, the Hound.
Clegane Bowl is a go. Who do ya got?
Undead on “Both Sides”
Written & Illustrated by J-Walk & Salty
In this Game we will encounter many foes. The biggest storyline in the new season is the army of the undead marching south past the wall into Westeros. They passed the realms first line of defense, the wall. It was much easier than the wilding siege thanks mostly to the Night King’s newly acquired asset, the Ice Dragon.
Undead Viserion is the real game changer from last season. He will be on the top of the priorities list for the King of the North, Jon Snow.
I’ll never forget when Ned Stark got his head cut off. I realized that this show was different. No character had plot armor. From that scene to the Red Wedding, HBO had finally hit lightning in a bottle by making a storyline that was unconventional and unpredictable. When Jon Snow was resurrected, the show lost a bit of its zeal for me personally. That aside Jon’s quest has hit its Zenith. He has finally taken his true spot as King of the North. What is left of the Stark family is finally united under the same banner. He himself has gone rouge now becoming romantically involved with his Aunt the Caleese herself but his heart does seem pure. This is right now unbeknownst to him but it seems that a reveal is imminent. Jon has been resurrected once but it looks like the second life’s are done now that Thoros of Myr is dead. Melisandre is still alive but her motives have never been clear. Even after all those possibilities Jon himself said “If I die don’t bring be back.” His death experience he described himself as “wandering in darkness”, how spooky! Snow’s storyline is one of the heavy hitters this season and I will be watching closely!
Will he survive and win Game of Thrones or return to the darkness?
Obituaries
Written & Illustrated by J-Walk
Here we will say some final good byes to the Games fallen heroes and foes.
Hodor
May you sleep with the Angels my sweet prince. Not only were you one of the original characters from Winterfell in season one but you were loyal to the Starks for years. Bran permanently warped you mind while warging through time dimensions and you still gave your last breath serving your house. I will miss you raging while Bran took over your body the most.
“Hodor”
Rob Stark
We really thought that the whole show was going to be about you homie. You, your Mother, Wife, and unborn child were all killed at the Red Wedding in one of the most brutal scenes in the history of television. His little sister Arya avenges his death but he was a key character in the early years and has become old news in today’s realm. May they sing songs of your name for years to come.
Everyone that died in the Wildfire Explosion
An explosion rocked King’s landing in season six caused by the wrath of a scorned Cercei Lannister. House Lannister is known to be cunning and ruthless but they have also been known to show tact as well as ingenuity. House Tyrell had gained power by using the fanatical High Sparrow to influence the poor of Kings landing to Support Margaery and Tommen’s marriage. The Religious belief took over Tommen’s decision making and out of Cercei’s control. Mace Tyrell, Margaery Tyrell, Loras Tyrell, the High Sparrow, and all of his minions were all taken out with one fowl swoop. Cercei showed what she is capable of to win the crown. The body count and last name doesn’t matter. May all the civilians who died rest in peace.
Khal Drogo
Many have tried to win the heart of your Khaleesi but you are her true one and only. The way of the Dothraki are foreign to Westeros but they will all soon become acquainted. Your Queen is riding high these days and she will make your you did not die in vain. Your death was the birth of Jason Mamoa’s career, so not all death has an unhappy ending.
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