[ConjunctionJunction]

Things not looking good for Princess Shireen.

:(

[ClearCase_guy]

Stannis the Mannis — loses Father of the Year award

[sphinx]

Re: Stannis and Shireen. I've not seen the episode yet so I may be missing a telling detail ... but if Stannis is Azor Ahai returned, there are certain "requirements."

Did this come up in the dialogue? No one has commented on it yet. The tv version places great weight on Melisandre's belief in the power of the blood of kings, but the Azor Ahai issue is something quite different. The tv version hasn't set this up, but if it's integral to GRMM's plot outline, it has to be introduced at some point.

I would be surprised if Stannis turned out to be Azor Ahai, but GRRM is in the surprise business. This is why he complicates the narrative with so many characters, many of whom are false leads, and disposable.

It is also worth remembering that, in the book version, burnings are not always what they seem.