Bend the Knee: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast

Brienne travels to Duskendale, seeking the whereabouts of Sansa as she was charged to do by Jaime. Having found few leads in King's Landing, Brienne asks nearly everyone she can along the roads and villages, but she never mentions Sansa by name. Upon the road beyond Rosby, she comes upon a camp with Illifer the Penniless and Creighton Longbough, two hedge knights who offer to share their meal. Mistaking her at first for a man, Ser Illifer later remarks on how Brienne bears a shield with the sigil of House Lothston, a disgraced family who once held Harrenhal. Brienne was given the sh...

Daenerys I — A Dance with Dragons

Now ruling Meereen, Daenerys faces growing unrest as the Sons of the Harpy murder Stalwart Shield, an Unsullied soldier, marking an escalation in the resistance against her rule. While Skahaz mo Kandaq advocates executing members of Meereen's noble families in retaliation, Daenerys refuses to punish people without evidence. Meanwhile, her dragons continue growing larger and more difficult to control, and she begins questioning whether she has neglected them while focusing on ruling the city.

During a day of court, Daenerys confronts the increasingly complicated consequences of abolishing slavery. She reje...

Cersei I — A Feast for Crows

Cersei awakens from a dream about Maggy the Frog to learn that Tywin Lannister has been murdered by Tyrion, forcing her to confront both her father's death and her lifelong fear of the prophecy surrounding her future. As she takes control in King's Landing, Cersei becomes increasingly convinced that Tyrion is still nearby and plotting against her, while Tywin's death leaves her determined to rule without her father's shadow hanging over her.

Tyrion I — A Dance with Dragons

Tyrion arrives in Pentos after escaping King's Landing, consumed by bitt...

The Prophet - After learning that Balon Greyjoy is dead and Euron has seized the Seastone Chair, Aeron Damphair rejects Euron, Asha, and Theon as suitable successors and initially favors Victarion. Rather than allow Euron simply to inherit, Aeron revives the ancient tradition of the kingsmoot, calling the Ironborn to Old Wyk to choose their next king.

The Captain of the Guards - As Dorne demands vengeance for Oberyn Martell's death, Areo Hotah watches Doran Martell confront three very different proposals from Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene Sand for striking back at the Lannisters. Doran refuses to be p...

AFFC Prologue — Pate

In Oldtown, struggling Citadel novice Pate steals a master key in exchange for a gold dragon from a mysterious alchemist, hoping to use the money to win Rosey. After completing the exchange, Pate suddenly collapses and dies, while the chapter also introduces rumors of Daenerys's dragons, Marwyn the Mage, and a burning glass candle.

ADWD Prologue — Varamyr Sixskins

A dying Varamyr Sixskins reflects on his life as a powerful skinchanger and the forbidden acts his mentor Haggon taught him never to commit. After unsuccessfully attempting to take over Thistle's body, Vara...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

***BTK UPDATES*** Subscribe to our YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/c/BendtheKnee

If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

***BTK UPDATES*** Subscribe to our YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/c/BendtheKnee

If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

***BTK UPDATES*** Subscribe to our YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/c/BendtheKnee

If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe to the Bend the Knee Podcast for weekly House of the Dragon coverage, A Song of Ice and Fire theories, lore deep dives, and everything happening in Westeros.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

***BTK UPDATES*** Subscribe to our YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/c/BendtheKnee

If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE t...

House of the Dragon Season 3 is finally here, and what a premiere it was.

Ser Matt jumped on immediately after watching the Season 3 premiere to share the raw, spoiler-filled reactions to one of the most epic episodes HBO has ever produced.

From the breathtaking Battle of the Gullet to shocking character moments, incredible dragon action, and what may be some of the best large-scale battles we’ve ever seen in the Game of Thrones universe, this episode absolutely delivered. For me, it’s an easy 10/10 and an unforgettable start to the season.

This is an im...

Merrett Frey is approaching the ruins of Oldstones with the ransom for his half-brother's (Stevron Frey's) grandson Petyr Pimple. He is considering all the ill luck throughout his life, starting as a squire, where in a battle against the Kingswood Brotherhood he got hit on the head so hard he was unable to ever truly fight again, which left him unable to reach knighthood. His fatherhas always mocked him as "Merrett Muttonhead", and all he was good for during the Red Wedding was to drink the Greatjon under the table. 

Merrett recollects how his father ordered the massacre of...

At the Eyrie, Sansa awakens to find it snowing outside. She wanders outside and begins to sculpt a snow castle, slowly forming it into a replica of Winterfell. Littlefinger finds her in the garden and helps her finish the castle. He tells her she is even more beautiful than her mother was at her age, and then proceeds to kiss her. Sansa is shocked by Lord Baelish’s action, but for half a heartbeat she yields. She tries to make him stop and then young Robertapproaches interrupting them. Robert begins to destroy the snow castle with his ragged doll. Sansa react...

Jon practices swords in the yard with Iron Emmett, another brother of the Night's Watch. Emmett hits Jon hard and Jon is knocked into thoughts of Winterfell and his boyhood rivalry with Robb. Part of him always wanted to become Lord of Winterfell and resented that it was impossible for him. These feelings come up so strong that he beats Emmett mercilessly and has to be pulled off him. Jon goes to the bathhouse, and overhears Ser Alliserand Bowen Marsh mentioning that Lord Tywin sent a letter backing Janos Slynt’s rise to Lord Commander. They show it to Ot...

Ser Jimmy is out sick this week but it let Ser Matt finish a script he has been working on about Skagos in the Winds of Winter!

For this episode of Bend the Knee, we’re diving into one of the most mysterious and potentially important locations in all of A Song of Ice and Fire: Skagos. Known as the land of cannibals, unicorns, giant-blooded warriors, and ancient First Men traditions, Skagos has lingered on the edges of the story for years. But with Rickon Stark hidden there, Davos Seaworth sailing to retrieve him, and George R.R...

King Stannis has brought several of the black brothers before him to make known his anger about them taking too long to select a new Lord Commander. Stannis sees through Janos Slynt’s fawning, having known the man as a bribe-taker in King's Landing. The king makes it clear that after they finally vote in a new Lord Commander, he plans to take all the castles along the Wall, except for the three currently occupied by the Watch, to garrison his forces. He also plans to either take or be granted the Gift, stating that he intends to help the Watch g...

Tyrion, locked in the black cells beneath the Red Keep, is rescued by Jaime. His brother tells him that he is to be beheaded on the morrow, and informs him that he coerced Varys into helping him charter a ship to take Tyrion from King's Landing. When Jaime tells him that the rescue was a debt he owed him, Tyrion presses his brother, and learns that Tysha was not a whore, but a crofter’s daughter, just as she appeared. Lord Tywin had forced Jaime all those years ago to lie about Tysha so as to teach Tyrion a lesson. Tyrio...

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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Jon is training with Satin in the yard, when Melisandre arrives to take him before Stannis. The King does not believe Jon is a traitor, for he knew Janos Slynt as well as Ned Stark. Stannis knew Ned to be a man of honor, and trusts Jon, saying it was Jon who found the dragonglass dagger that Samwell Tarly used to kill the Other, and Jon who brought them the Horn of Winter and captured Mance’s son. At every step of Stannis' speech, Jon clarifies whom he credits with doing the actual deeds. Stannis asks Jon if there is honor in Mance...

At Castle Black, Gilly is nursing both her own son as well as Mance Rayder's, as Dalla died giving birth. Sam and Gilly have recently returned to Castle Black, meeting up with Ser Denys Mallister and the men from the Shadow Tower. They also joined with Dywen, Edd and Giant, survivors from the Bridge of Skulls where Bowen Marsh held back the Weeper's advance. Sam is happy to be reunited with Jon, although he is wary of King Stannis's army being present at Castle Black. It was the king who defeated the wildlings, scattering their remnants back into the haunted forest. Val wa...

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE then hit us up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bendtheknee

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Sandor Clegane and Arya Stark come to the inn at the crossroads. To Arya's dismay, she recognizes Polliver and the Tickler with a pimply squire. The squire tries to bait Sandor with insults about fleeing King's Landing and the room is tense. The Hound demands wine, which the innkeeper brings and Sandor gulps down. When Sandor claims the men-at-arms will torture the innkeep for his gold, the innkeep, his girls, and other patrons vacate the common room.

The Tickler tells Sandor what has happened in the realm, including Tyrion'smarriage, Joffrey's death, and Tyrion's imprisonment. He claims that...

Jon is taken out of his ice cell and brought once again before Janos Slynt, and told that only Maester Aemon is preventing Janos from hanging Jon. Janos reveals that he will give Jon one last chance to prove his innocence, sending him to meet Mance Rayder as an envoy, but Jon must kill the wildling king. Beyond the Wall, Jon meets Tormund who treats him with respect, almost as a friend. Jon is brought before Mance, and the king reveals that he is aware that the Night's Watch is nearly out of provisions and cannot hold out much longer.

Jaime is seated with the small council, as King Tommen signs all the papers brought before him by Ser Kevan. The Lannisters are granting Riverrun to Ser Emmon Frey and Kevan's sister Genna, once the Blackfish has surrendered. They legitimize Ramsay Snow and name Roose Bolton Warden of the North. Ser Rolph Spicer is granted Castamere, and raised to lord, and Lord Gawen Westerling, his wife, and daughter Jeyne are all granted a royal pardon, along with Lord Jonos Bracken, Lord Vance, Lord Goodbrook and Lord Mooton for entering King Tommen's service. Jaime had recently lost during a spar with Ser Addam Marbrand, and is...

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

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If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE then hit us up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bendtheknee

EMAIL: [email protected] 

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/bendtheknee

This is a special bonus episode pulled from a recent YouTube theory — a shorter, focused deep dive into one of the biggest mysteries from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1.

Who was the mysterious fortune teller who warned Dunk and Egg about Summerhall?

Was she simply an innkeeper repeating Prince Daeron’s prophetic dreams?

Could she have been Shiera Seastar, acting on her own magical ambitions?

Or was this actually Bloodraven — possibly even a future version of him — attempting to intervene in the timeline?

We explore the birthmark clue, HBO’...

In this episode of Bend the Knee, we dive into Episode 6 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s beloved Dunk & Egg novellas.

We break down our first impressions of the episode, discussing how well the show captures the tone, heart, and themes of knighthood that define these stories. From Dunk’s portrayal and Egg’s introduction to the pacing, performances, and worldbuilding, we explore what worked, what stood out, and where the series might be headed.

Does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feel like classic Westeros?

How...

The Teaser for House of the Dragon Season 3 Trailer is here lets discuss!

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

***BTK UPDATES*** Subscribe to our YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/c/BendtheKnee

If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE then hit us up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bendtheknee

EMAIL: [email protected] 

Support the show: https://www.patre...

In this episode of Bend the Knee, we dive into Episode 5 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s beloved Dunk & Egg novellas.

We break down our first impressions of the episode, discussing how well the show captures the tone, heart, and themes of knighthood that define these stories. From Dunk’s portrayal and Egg’s introduction to the pacing, performances, and worldbuilding, we explore what worked, what stood out, and where the series might be headed.

Does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feel like classic Westeros?

How...

In this episode of Bend the Knee, we dive into Episode 4 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s beloved Dunk & Egg novellas.

We break down our first impressions of the episode, discussing how well the show captures the tone, heart, and themes of knighthood that define these stories. From Dunk’s portrayal and Egg’s introduction to the pacing, performances, and worldbuilding, we explore what worked, what stood out, and where the series might be headed.

Does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feel like classic Westeros?

How...

in this episode of Bend the Knee, we dive into Episode 3 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s beloved Dunk & Egg novellas.

We break down our first impressions of the episode, discussing how well the show captures the tone, heart, and themes of knighthood that define these stories. From Dunk’s portrayal and Egg’s introduction to the pacing, performances, and worldbuilding, we explore what worked, what stood out, and where the series might be headed.

Does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feel like classic Westeros?

How...

In this episode of Bend the Knee, we dive into Episode 2 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s beloved Dunk & Egg novellas.

We break down our first impressions of the episode, discussing how well the show captures the tone, heart, and themes of knighthood that define these stories. From Dunk’s portrayal and Egg’s introduction to the pacing, performances, and worldbuilding, we explore what worked, what stood out, and where the series might be headed.

Does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feel like classic Westeros?

How...

A ton of ASOIAF news dropped over the weekend including more details as to why Snow was canceled, what they play to do next and a somewhat depressing Winds of Winter update from GRRM.

Jimmy: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattingWithNutts

Matt's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supergainsbros

The reread will continue! Join the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/BendtheKneePodcast/

***BTK UPDATES*** Subscribe to our YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/c/BendtheKnee

If you'd like to support the show, gain access to additional WESTEROS content, or LISTEN LIVE then hit us up a...

In this episode of Bend the Knee, we dive into Episode 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s beloved Dunk & Egg novellas.

We break down our first impressions of the premiere, discussing how well the show captures the tone, heart, and themes of knighthood that define these stories. From Dunk’s portrayal and Egg’s introduction to the pacing, performances, and worldbuilding, we explore what worked, what stood out, and where the series might be headed.

Does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feel like classic Westeros?

How...

Daenerys sits in the great pyramid of Meereen, her troops having conquered the city after the men she sent into the sewers opened the gates. She meets an envoy from Astapor, who represents King Cleon the great, a former butcher who now rules Astapor, supposedly in Dany’s name. But the envoy suggests that King Cleon wishes to marry Dany, and that the men she left to rule Astapor have all been deposed. Cleon has amassed new slaves, and is beginning to train them as Unsullied, and Daenerys is dismayed that all she has done to free Astapor of sl...

Tyrion wakes up in the morning and readies himself to go to the trial. He considers admitting guilt or demanding a trial by battle. He asks his squire if he thinks that Tyrion did it. Podrick hesitates and sputters. 

Cersei's last witness turns out to be Shae. She accuses Tyrion and Sansa of the murder. She tells the assembled court that she was an innocent girl before Tyrion abused her and turned her into his whore. When Shae lies how Tyrion made her call him "Giant of Lannister", the public starts to laugh. Furiously, Tyrion tells them to take...