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Episode 76: A CLASH OF KINGS, SANSA I: "Fool's Gold" SHOW NOTES!

Added 2019-08-26 14:01:01 +0000 UTC

 

Hello and welcome to the Not A Cast … podcast: the one true chapter-by-chapter podcast going through A Song of Ice and Fire one chapter a week. I’m one of your hosts Jeff better known as BryndenBFish. 

And I’m your other host Emmett, better known as PoorQuentyn.          

Welcome to the seventy-sixth episode of the Not A Cast, entitled: “Fool’s Gold: An Analysis of ACOK, Sansa I,” in which King Joffrey Baratheon celebrates his birthday...well, he’s not a Baratheon. Nor a true king. It is his birthday, though, and Sansa Stark got him a present. 

Defiance. 

This episode is brought to you by our Small Council: 

Spoiler warning: All published books - 5 novels, 3 Dunk and Egg novellas, histories, interviews, TWOW sample chapters, as well as Game of Thrones the TV show. Anything and everything!

Question

Ser Darren S, a Sworn Sword asks:

Hiya guys! 
How do you think Ned’s death chapter from either his, Sansa’s, or Cersei’s POV would’ve changed his death? I think one of the most interesting things is when multiple POVs are in the same location and how GRRM chooses to which ever one for that moment in time (Tyrion/Sansa, Bran/Jon, Sam/Jon, etc.). Gimme that American bred opinion!

Synopsis

It’s Joffrey’s nameday, and the world is bright and windy. Sansa watches the comet overhead from her window tower and asks the Soiled Knight Ser Arys “the good Reachmanr” Oakheart what he thinks the comet is all about. Why, it’s definitely, 1,000,000% Joffrey’s comet. It represents his glory. The gods themselves have blessed Joffrey with a symbol in the sky, he says very, very loudly. When Sansa challenges that the servants call it the Dragon’s Tail, Arys again, very, very loudly states that of course the servants call it that. Aegon the Conqueror once sat in the chair that Joffrey currently sits in. And Joffrey will triumph over his enemies, he practically shouts.

Is it true? She wondered. Would the gods be so cruel?

Catelyn was one of Joffrey’s enemies now. So was Robb. Are they going to die next? Uhhhhhhhhh. 

Joffrey closes the window to the tower, and Arys “stupid Rommel” Oakheart says that she looks lovely today. Sansa thanks Arys, but she knows she’s going to have to attend the tourney in Joffrey’s honor. So, she’d taken special care for her appearance and clothes. And she’s wearing long sleeves to cover up the bruises that Ser Boros Blount had given her after Joffrey found out that Robb Stark had been proclaimed King in the North. Fuck you, Joffrey.

“Simple Himmler” Arys Oakheart offers Sansa his arm, and they head on out to the tourney grounds. All things being even, Sansa prefers Arys to the other Kingsguard knights. He was courteous. And yes, while he did hit her, he protests Joffrey’s orders and doesn’t hit her hard. Wow, what a guy, that Arys Oakheart. Regardless, Sansa was not quite so fortunate with the other Kingsguard Knights. Those alleged white cloaks obeyed without question.

As Sansa and Arys walk towards the tourney grounds, Sansa asks who will win, and Arys says that he will win, but he’s not precisely thrilled about the potential victory. It’s going to be a small field of mostly squires and freeriders. Sansa thinks back to the Tourney of the Hand and how every last champion in the realm had attended. She thinks back to the magic of the moment and all the colors of the rainbow had been present. But now Robert and Ned were dead. And there were three kings in the realm. And war was afoot.

Sansa asks if Cersei will be present, and Arys says that no, she won’t be there. Too busy misruling King’s Landing. Then Arys drops some gossip about how Cersei is furious at big daddy Tywin for going to ground at Harrenhal instead of coming to King’s Landing’s defense. Sansa, though, isn’t so concerned with this military development. She’s worried that without Cersei present that Joffrey will be unrestrained. They reach the gallery that the carpenters erected for the tourney, and Sansa notices that the crowd is mostly Lannister dudes and a “paltry few” that remained such as Gyles Rosby, Lady Tanda, Lady Falyse, Jalabhar Xho and a baby Lady Ermesande who was going to get married off to a Lannister cousin. 

Joffrey, himself, is up under a crimson canopy with his leg hanging over a chair like a brat who needs to be sent to his room. Myrcella and Tommen sit behind him. And Sandor Clegane stands above them all with his white cloak draped over his broad shoulders. He announces Sansa when she shows up with a voice “rough as the sound of a saw on wood.” Now those are some good-ass words, George!

Myrcella nods shyly at Sansa and Tommen excitedly tells Sansa that he’s going to ride in the tourney today. Sansa talks up Tommen’s prowess, but then Joffrey is there, wearing a bunch of armor like a moron, stating that Tommen is going to ride in a tournament against straw opponents. Sansa curtsies to Joffrey, and Arys excuses himself.

“I’m pleased you wore my stones.”
So the king had decided to play the gallant today. Sansa was relieved.

Well, for the moment, I guess. Sansa thanks Joffrey for the stones, and says she’s praying Joffrey has a lucky name day. Joffrey then reports that Viserys is dead, laughing about how he got killed by having molten gold poured on him. Hm, wonder how that little piece of information reached King’s Landing … Also, Joffrey intends to challenge Robb Stark to single combat which lol, if only.

“I should like to see that, Your Grace.” More than you know. 

Joffrey tries to puzzle out whether Sansa is mocking him or not which leads Sansa to quickly change the subject and ask whether Joff is riding in the lists today. He’s not of course. Mama’s boy that he is, he’d listened to Cersei about how it wasn’t fitting. But he so totally would have been the champion had he ridden, right, Sandor?

The Hound’s mouth twitched. “Against this lot? Why not?” 

When Sansa then asks whether Sandor will joust, he tells her nu-uh. This is a tourney of gnats. Joffrey hoots and hollers like some goddamn Alabaman when Achy Breaky Heart comes on rumblin’ over the dancehall loudspeakers, and then says maybe they should make the champion fight the Hound to the death. 

“You’d be one knight the poorer.” The Hound had never taken a knight’s vows. His brother was a knight, and he hated his brother.

Finally, the trumpets blare, and we’re onto the tourney of gnats. First in the chute is Ser Meryn Trant who rides against Ser Hobber Redwyne. Meryn trounces Hobber on the second tilt. Poorly ridden, Joffrey declares. Next, Balon Swann comes up decked out in swans. He faces off against Morros Slynt: Janos Slynt’s son. Sansa hopes Morros gets his ass killed in the tilt. And she very nearly gets her wish as Ser Balon Swann thwacks Morros and pushes him off his horse. Morros’ head thuds off the ground and his foot catches in the stirrup in the horse, dragging him on the ground for a bit. But when his people get to him, he’s still alive. Next Horas Redwyne takes out an elderly knight who might be of some relation to House Connington(!?) Whaaaaaa. Oh, and this character never shows up again. Of course.

Finally, Ser Lothor Brune, in service to Lord Littlefinger of course, shows up to face Ser Dontos Hollard, buuuuuuuuuuuut Dontos doesn’t appear. Well, he doesn’t eventually, chasing after his horse in the nude with everyone shouting insults at him and laughs at him. Everyone but Joffrey.

Joffrey had a look in his eyes that Sansa remembered well, the same look he’d had at the Great Sept of Baelor the day he pronounced death on Lord Eddard Stark.

Dontos declares that he’s the loser and loudly asks for wine. So, Joffrey proceeds to order a cask from the cellars to drown Dontos in. 

Sansa heard herself gasp. “No, you can’t.”

The air kind of goes out of the room, well, not room. It’s out in the open. I’m trying to say it becomes very tense! Joffrey is stunned that Sansa spoke out. Sansa, herself, is a bit taken aback at how courageous she is. When Joffrey asks very politely and without any hint of malice whether she said that he can’t, Sansa says it’s bad luck to kill someone on your name day.

Joffrey doesn’t believe her and then again, very politely and without any hint of malice says that he should drown Sansa alongside of Ser Dontos for lying, but then something curious happens. Sandor Clegane backs Sansa’s story.

“The girl speaks truly,” the Hound rasped. “What a man sows on his name day he reaps throughout the year.”

Sansa notes that Sandor speaks flatly and doesn’t seem to care about Dontos’ fate which leads her to think that maybe it’s true or some shit? Uh-huh. All the same, Joffrey says he’ll kill the fool tomorrow which leads to a stroke of merciful intelligence on Sansa’s part.

“He is a fool. You’re so clever to see it He’s better fitted to be a fool than a knight, isn’t he? You ought to dress him in motley and make hi clown for you. He doesn’t deserve the mercy of a quick death.”

And then Joffrey, incredibly, agrees having been utterly outwitted by Sansa. Suck it, Joff. Dontos thanks Sansa and Joffrey as Lannister guardsmen lead him away.

The master of revels then appears asking if they should summon a new challenger for Ser Lothor Brune, but Joffrey is done with this tourney of gnats. The master bows, but then Tommen jumps up and roars that he’s supposed to ride against the straw man. Joffrey and him bicker back and forth for a bit with Myrcella joining in on Tommen’s side, and finally Joffrey agrees to allow Tommen to joust. 

Tommen mounts his pony and rides against a warrior stuffed with straw who, of course, has his helmet fastened with large antlers like Robert Baratheon. He rides his pony hard as the people in the stands cheer the boy, but then as Tommen’s sword strikes the straw man’s shield, the mace spins around and thwacks Tommen on the back of his head, knocking the poor boy from his pony. People laugh at the poor kid, and Joffrey begins hyena-laughing at his brother like a fuckin’ dick. Myrcella rushes to the boy’s side, and Sansa urges Joffrey to go out and see if Tommen is hurt. Joffrey, gentle-ser, says no fucking way, but then Sandor sees that Tommen is getting up to try again. 

If only Tommen were the elder instead of Joffrey, Sansa thought. I wouldn’t mind marrying Tommen.

But then a noise disturbs things. Chains come up to everyone’s surprise and a column of DMX ruff ryders come pouring through the gate. It’s none other than Tyrion Lannister, Bronn and his merry band of Vale clansmen come to save the day. Tommen rides out to meet his uncle, and one of the clansmen scoops the boy out of his saddle and deposits him in front of Tyrion who then backslaps an overjoyed Tommen. Myrcella runs up too, and Tyrion spins her around in the air. 

The dwarf makes his way to Joffrey, bends the knee.

“Your Grace.”
“You,” Joffrey said.
“Me,” the Imp agreed, “although a more courteous greeting might be in order for an uncle and an elder.”

Sandor says that they thought Tyrion was dead, but Tyrion ain’t about talking to the Hound. He’s speaking to Joffrey. Myrcella says that she’s glad Tyrion isn’t dead, and Tyrion is also glad he’s not dead. He turns to Sansa:

“My lady, I am sorry for your losses. Truly, the gods are cruel.”

Sansa is utterly unsure of how to respond; so, she says nothing. Tyrion then says he’s sorry for Joffrey’s loss. Joffrey isn’t sure what loss he’s recently experienced, and Tyrion says, uh, your “dad.” Remember him? Sansa then apologizes for Catelyn’s completely justified action in taking Tyrion prisoner, and Tyrion says that a lot of people are sorry for that.

“And before I am done, some may be a deal sorrier.”

Tyrion asks where Cersei is, and Joffrey gets all huffy and says that she’s with the small council and how his “uncle” Jaime keeps losing battles. He glares at Sansa like she’s to blame, and he states that Robb Stark has crowned himself. Joffrey then asks what gifts Tyrion brought for his name day, and Tyrion says “Me. I’m the gift.” Oh, wait, shit, that’s season 5. He says:

“My wits.”

Well, Joffrey wanted Robb Stark’s head for a gift, which lovely as always, Joffrey. And then he orders Tommen and Myrcella to come with him. Sandor warns Tyrion that he may loss his tongue if he keeps on keeping on. 

Sansa notices that Tyrion’s arm is injured and asks after it, and Tyrion gives a quick after-action of what occurred on the Green Fork with him escaping a northman by falling off his horse. But as Tyrion watches her, Sansa sees that he softens around her.

“Is it grief for your lord father that makes you so sad?”
“My father was a traitor,” Sansa said at once. “And my brother and lady mother are traitors as well.” That reflex she had learned quickly. “I am loyal to my beloved Joffrey.”
“No doubt. As loyal as a deer surrounded by wolves,” Tyrion replies.
“Lions,” Sansa whispers

Sansa says this without thinking but hopes that she wasn’t heard. But Tyrion heard. He says that he’s only a little lion, and he promises he won’t savage her. But for now, he’s off to see Cersei and the small council.

Sansa watches him depart and thinks that he seems more gentle than Joffrey, but Cersei seemed that way too. Tyrion was a Lannister and wasn’t her friend. She once trusted and loved Joffrey, but what had that gotten her?

They had repaid that love and trust with her father’s head. Sansa would never make that mistake again.

And that is ACOK, Sansa I.

There’s a lot going on in this chapter, but I think it effectively sets up Sansa Stark’s arc for ACOK introducing us to the major players, showing us the simmering tensions in her status and relationships to those close to Joffrey and then bringing Tyrion Lannister on-stage. But I figure, I would ask you Emmett, in addition to what you thought about this chapter, what’s your take on Sansa Stark in ACOK?

Depth

I think Sansa’s ACOK chapters are both stronger and weaker than her chapters in AGOT. As we talked about with Michal, Sansa’s story in book one built flawlessly to its ending, which laid out what George was going for all along. We don’t get such a clean structure here; at the end of ACOK, Sansa is still stuck in King’s Landing, still functionally at the mercy of the Lannisters, and while I love her character development in this book, it’s still very much a slow burn. This is a product of the overstuffed writing process we’ve talked about before with books two and three, in which ACOK expanded the series in a rewarding fashion, but left threads dangling in the process. ACOK often feels like the first half to one big book with ASOS as the second half.

That being said, if you zoom in closer than the big picture to look at the actual content of Sansa’s chapters in this book, you’ll find so many powerful scenes, memorable bits of imagery, and really crucial themes, even more so I would say than in her AGOT chapters.

Looking at Sansa’s POV in ACOK, I see a lot more of George giving a POV to a historical character that typically wasn’t a POV: the hostage. So, I figure I’d take a brief moment in my little intro to talk about the historical and ASOIAF conceptions of the hostage.

In ASOIAF and in medieval history, hostages were used as a means of attaining the good behavior of various figures in the story or in ascertaining ransoms. Theon, Richard the Lionheart, the Redwyne twins, the famed knight Sir Stephen Langton were all hostages in their own time. But the use of women as hostages came as a rather late development in medieval history as historian Dr. C. Dale Brittain writes:

During the early Middle Ages, hostages were almost always male. But starting in the eleventh century, girls and women started appearing as hostages. Here Stockholm Syndrome really was an issue for young women might well end up marrying someone at the court where they were hostage. Or, like the boys, they could be put to death, rather nastily if the negotiations that had brought them there totally broke down. - Dr. C. Dale Brittain

That idea of female hostages having “Stockholm Syndrome” and occasionally marrying members of the court where they were held hostage works well with Sansa’s story with the caveat that from the accounts I’ve read, historical hostages were not treated as shittily as Sansa is in ACOK. But, and this is a big but, the reason being is that the hostage held value to the hostage-taker. 

Sansa’s value to the Lannister court in King’s Landing is not especially high at the moment. Robb Stark’s belligerence isn’t cowed by Sansa’s status. And while Tywin will later place value in Sansa by marrying Tyrion to her, the current crop of Lannisters in King’s Landing are too short-sighted and only see Sansa as a “I guess we have to keep our word to marry Joffrey to her”. Of course, Creepyfinger has already put himself in for her hand in marriage, because despite him being the fuckin’ worst, he’s not unintelligent.

.

In their midst, riding on a tall red horse in a strange high saddle that cradled him back and front, was the queen's dwarf brother Tyrion Lannister, the one they called the Imp. He had let his beard grow to cover his pushed-in face, until it was a bristly tangle of yellow and black hair, coarse as wire. Down his back flowed a shadowskin cloak, black fur striped with white. He held the reins in his left hand and carried his right arm in a white silk sling, but otherwise looked as grotesque as Sansa remembered from when he had visited Winterfell. With his bulging brow and mismatched eyes, he was still the ugliest man she had ever chanced to look upon.

When he lowered her back to the ground, the little man kissed her lightly on the brow and came waddling across the yard toward Joffrey. 

Foreshadowing/Groundwork

Her father had died by the king’s command. Must Robb and her lady mother die next?

Oh, boy, Sansa. You sure you’re not the prophet in the family?

Lothor Brune was mentioned in passing at the Hand’s Tourney in AGOT, but this is the first time we hear he works for Littlefinger, which becomes very important later when Sansa flees King’s Landing. There’s a great irony in realizing Lothor v. Dontos is Littlefinger crony v. Littlefinger crony, nicely encapsulating how he sets multiple sides of the war against each other. 

Theory/Discussion

Sansa v. Arya: contrasts and parallels in ACOK

Conclusion


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