Boars, Gore, and Swords

Sansa V (Hardback page 685/paperback page 832) and Jaime VII in George R.R. Martin’s “A Storm of Swords” are this podcast’s topic. We discuss the book’s rendition of Sansa’s escape from King’s landing along with Jaime’s return. Along the way, Ivan and Red answer Ravens from the Bannermen before discussing bodices, murder wands, unrealistic disguises, friend-zoning Littlefinger, predictions on Petyr and Sansa’s relationship, Brienne the Eagle, why Jaime left King’s Landing in the first place, Ser Osmund Kettledolt, that Jaime and Cersei scene, and Jaime not properly considering Margaery Tyrell as a potential partner.

This week we're in “A Storm of Swords” Sansa IV (page 659 hardback, 799 paperback) and Tyrion VIII (page 667 hardback, 809 paperback), which makes up the whole of Joffrey and Margaery’s nuptials. Ivan and Red discuss comedian Mike Patten, Sansa’s forgotten Direwolf, wooden tubs, seventy seven courses, the best part of a gammon steak, Joffrey Baratheon’s anti-literary campaign, sullen Sansa, and the danger of momentum to Tyrells.

With the completion of Season 4 of HBO’s Game of Thrones, Ivan and Red dig back into the Boars, Gore, And Swords book club, where they cover the chapters of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series that correspond to the previous television season. No TV spoilers! In the box this week, it’s “A Storm of Swords” Daenerys V (page 639 hardback, 774 paperback) and Tyion VII (654 hardback, 793 paperback). They discuss the scale of Mereen compared to The Wall, the Titan’s Bastard, Eric Schlosser’s upsetting facts, not being a dick on the field of battle, the conflicting reports of Ed Skrein, Strong Belwas and his squire, what to do if there’s no toilet paper on the field of battle, legal language for prophecies, excessive waddling, and surviving dry weddings.

With the completion of Season 4 of HBO’s Game of Thrones, Ivan and Red dig back into the Boars, Gore, And Swords book club, where Ivan and Red cover the chapters of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series that correspond to the previous television season. No TV spoilers! Many thanks to Bannermen Chelle Victory and Dolorous Edd who took the time to look through the books and assemble a reading guide for our book club. This week it’s “A Storm of Swords” Tyrion VI (page 588 in hardback, 711 in paperback) and Jon VII (Page 610 in hardback, 738 in paperback) Ivan and Red cover absurd fantasy names, survivors of the Dunk and Egg series, Joffrey defying Tywin, Ramsay and Arya for couple of the year, Castle Black’s poor defenses, and Jerky as a building material.

“The Children”, Season 4, Episode 10, of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” packs a lot of paternal angst into the season finale of the fourth season. Ivan and Red are joined by Oakland based comedian O.J. Patterson, the force behind the San Francisco Bay Area comedy blog, Courting Comedy. They discuss Bryan Cogman’s new venture, the Lee Pace show, Crows eating crow, the return of Mance Rayder, surprise Stannis, Dr. Franqyburn’s experiments on Gregor Clegane, Tywin’s surprising ignorance, Daenerys’s Dragon privilege, Hodor breaking the fourth wall, fan favorites meeting up, sociopathic Arya, Shae and Tyrion reunited, and a Father’s Day gift for Tywin.

“The Watchers on the Wall”, Season 4, Episode 9, of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” is all about Gore and Swords (and Giants) which makes this podcast the perfect vehicle for discussion. Ivan and Red are joined by third chair Kelly Anneken to discuss episode Director Neil Marshall, the troubles with baking on top of the Wall, Sam Tarly lawyering his celibacy Oath, the North Korea of the Midwest, baby acting, Alliser Thorne’s leadership skills, the biggest Sam Tarly on the Wall, gate holding, the battle of two characters nobody cares about, the search for Mance Rayder, the leadership of comic relief, the disappointment of Ghost, the rise of Samwell Tarly, and predictions for the final episode.

“The Mountain and the Viper”, Season 4, Episode 8 of HBO’s “Game of Thrones”, is both the end for some cherished characters as well as a new beginning for others. Ivan and Red are joined by Lydia Popovich to discuss the return of Alex Graves, Joan Rivers’ first gig in Moletown, House Royce, Schrödinger's baby, buff eunuchs bathing, appropriate musical queues, the rise of Reek, Littlefinger’s first two mix tapes, terribly “Robin” puns, the pride of Ser Barristan Selmy, catfishing the Khaleesi, Sansa wearing this season’s “Lenny Kravitz”, Tyrion’s Vargo Hoat impression, the rules of dueling, and father of the year, Tywin Lannister.

Since this season’s “Breaker of Chains”, Game of Thrones’ handling of women and sex has been under intense scrutiny, and with a break in the show over Memorial Day, we dedicate an entire episode to bringing on two of our favorite guests and comedians to discuss exactly these topics! Kelly Anneken & Lydia Popovich join Ivan & Red to discuss Shae as an operator, Olenna Tyrell as a role model, what to do with Ros, the defanging of Arya, Sansa as criticism of the fantasy genre, the big red tent of feminism, Brienne’s Maxi Armor, and issues with the translation from book to tv of the most controversial scenes in the show. This episode is brought to you by HuluPlus, sign up at huluplus.com/boars and get two weeks of HuluPlus for free!

“Mockingbird”, Season 4, Episode 7 of HBO’s “Game of Thrones”, isn’t just a table setting for the last three episodes, it’s loaded with surprises. Ivan and Red are back in San Francisco and are joined by comedian Ryan Cronin, who is known for his sketch group and for being one half of the vocals for the podcast’s theme. They discuss the return of Hot Pie, Rorge, Biter, and the Turnip Truck Driver, Jaime’s terrible bargaining, the philosophy of the dying british guy, the Builders at The Wall being unprepared, Daenerys turning men into objects, The Mountain and his CrossFit, Tyrion’s champion, Sansa’s true talent, and marital troubles in The Eeyrie.

“The Laws of Gods and Men”, Season 4, Episode 6 of HBO’s “Game of Thrones”, is the “Law and Order” crossover so many have clamored for. Ivan & Red discuss this episode from the Bridgetown comedy festival in Portland, where Ivan’s voice has been claimed by Voodoo (Donuts) and a level of debauchery bested only by the late King Robert Baratheon. They discuss the famous street artist Iron Banksy of Braavos, Occupy Braavos, power chairs, terrible joke tellers, sound insulation in castle bedrooms, the rise of Reek, Question Time with Daenerys, cupbearer Mace Tyrell, plotting in front of Thrones, the cattiness of Meryn Trant, the first asexual of Westeros, King Tommen’s line-reading, and Tyrion busting into “Let it Go”. This episode is brought to you by HuluPlus, sign up at huluplus.com/boars and get two weeks of HuluPlus for free!