Tintin's Top Five: Race to The Iron Throne

Tintin's Top Ten Five

Race to the Throne

 

 "There's a beast in every man, and it stirs when you put a sword its hand."-Ser Jorah Mormont (Game of Thrones Season 3)

The third season to the fan-favorite HBO series begins soon and it will be a time to witness who grows closer to claiming the Iron Throne. The season follows the first half of the third book of the Fire and Ice series; A Storm of Swords. Unfortunately for me, this is the last of the books I have read. Still I expect ton of surprises and a few changes in the adaptation. Don't worry though, I am writing this article from the perspective of having only seen two seasons so there will be no spoilers. One of the best things is that the race to the throne continues and with author George R.R. Martin still writing the final two volumes, there is a lot to go through to find the right King among the Seven Kingdoms. 

Here before you is the possible five candidates (unfortunately there aren't ten kings vying for the throne) looking to seize the Iron throne. Since I have five, I will also include a list of potential outsiders who could nab the crown and those that are definitely not in the running. Enjoy!!!

THE 5 KINGS

 

1. King Joffrey On The Iron Throne

Actor: Jack Gleeson

House: Baratheon/Lannister (Baratheon by name, Lannister by blood)

Sigil: Lion

Titles: King of The Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of The Realm

Origin: Kings Landing

Advisers: Cersei Lannister, Varys, Peter Bailish, Tywin Lannister (The Hand)

Best Victory: In season 2, with his uncle Tyrion's leadership and grandfather Tywin's untimely arrival. The Lannisters won a victory over Stannis Baratheon, the rightful heir to the throne.

Worst Loss: Joffrey runs away from the Battle of Blackwater only to resurface after victory. His viciousness and stupidity as a ruler causes hatred for him among the capital, including throwing feces on him once during a riot. Although not discussed among themselves, his council even his own mother is sure to be troubled by his incompetent rule. 

Biggest Block: Himself. His way of ruling is pathetic, even though he has shown to be knowledgeable feudal system he lack in its department of military experience. He is just a cruel boy looking to play with his toys (the kingdom). 

Joffrey no matter how useless, currently sits on the Iron Throne. This in turn puts him number one in the rankings, also it doesn't hurt to have just won a battle against the closest man to claiming the throne. Sure he didn't fight in the Battle but with Joffrey up on the throne and his surprisingly first generous turn, in naming Tywin Lannister 'Savior of the City'.

The only question is; How long can he stay King when everyone wants him dead?

2. Daenerys Stormborn The Mother of Dragons

 

Actor: Emilia Clarke

House: Targaryen

Sigil: Dragon

Titles: Khaleesi and Queen Across the Sea

Origin: Dragonstone

Advisers: Ser Jorah Mormont (Queen's Guard)

Best Victory: In Season 1, the birth of her three dragons and in season 2 their growth. She has a power house force with her to reclaim the throne.

Worst Loss: Naturally the loss of her husband Khal Drogo and her unborn son. Even then these two losses were the catalyst for her turn as a stronger ruler in Season 2.

Biggest Block: The road ahead is still tough. She might have to contend with multiple Khalasar and trying to navigate the East so as she can reach the capital. 

If it were not for the fact that she is across the sea, Dany is in the best position so far. She has ransacked Qarth for their resources and has enough money for a ship to sail to the Kingdom, she has three grown dragons breathing fire and she is in a land so far from the influence of the Kingdom that it can be turned to rally for her. Daenerys has gotten far from Season 1 and 2's timid and caring girl into a fierce Queen, but she still has it in her to be the best ruler. While the Kingdoms are at war, she can sneak in to become the heavyweight.


3. Robb Stark The King in The North

Actor: Richard Madden

House: Stark

Sigil: Dire Wolf

Titles: The Lord of Winterfell  

Origin: Winterfell

Advisers: Catelyn Stark, Gretjon Umber, Ser Rodrik Cassel, Roose Bolton

Best Victory: He has been constantly creating dents on the Lannisters through the end of Season 1 and Season 2. One such dent is the capture of Ser Jamie Lannister. 

Worst Loss: A tie between the fact that his sister Sansa Stark is captive with the Lannisters and that he let Jamie Lannister escape (although that is his mothers fault)

Biggest Block: He has married Talisa Maegyr, breaking his oath to the wily Lord Frey (He promised to marry Frey's daughter in favor of his allegiance). Non-book readers can guess that Robb will have to pay for this in some form or another. 


Robb might be winning wars, but he surely has left himself in a precarious position. His marriage to Talisa (in the book he marries a Jeyne Westerling) means that he has broken the oath made to Lord Frey and that will surely come back to bite him. 

Side by side with his victories, it shows that Robb is a good leader in battle but has no sense on politics of the kingdom. A trait he shares with his late father, Eddard Stark. He has also inherited his fathers sense of honor, thus his victories mean that his prisons are overflowing. On the other hand his mother has released Ser Jamie Lannister (under Brienne of Tarth) in exchange for her daughters. This raises the ire of his banner-man and weakens his hold among his army. Both on the good and bad, but tilting towards doom, Robb better be careful come the third season. 

4. Mance Rayder The King Beyond The Wall

Actor: Ciarin Hinds

Allegiance: The Free Folk

Sigil: None

Titles: The King Beyond The Wall

Origin: Unspecified

Advisers: None

Best Victory: Unspecified

Worst Loss: Wildlings are deserting the harsh frosted lands to go south, they fear the dreaded white walkers. 

Biggest Block: The White walkers hinder everything for Mance Rayder, he wouldn't even be part of this Game of Thrones if they were not coming back. He also has to escape the harsh winter and in his path are his former brothers of the black; The Nights Watch. 


A man that might just want to rule out of fear. Mance Rayder is marching south like his deserter wild-lings (but with all the free folk) in order to escape the wrath of the coming White Walkers. We saw the creatures last upon the fist of the first men and now Jon Snow (under cover) joins Mance in his quest. While it is unclear whether Mance will contest for the throne, you can put him in there as the man looking for unity among the Kingdoms in facing the threat together. He sure isn't going to find unity and maybe that prompts him to claim the title of kingship both outside and now inside the wall. He did say that he's going to light the biggest fire the North has ever seen. 

5. Stannis Baratheon Rightful King of The Narrow Seas

 

Actor: Stephen Dillane

House: Baratheon

Sigil: Stag on Fire

Titles: Warrior of Light, The Lords Chosen and Son of Fire

Origins: Storm's End

Advisers: Ser Davos Seaworth (The Hand), Priestess Melisandre

Best Victory: The "mysterious" death of his brother Renly, meant that Renly's troops and banner-men joined his side thus doubling his army and fortifying his claim. 

Worst Loss: He lost the 'Battle of Blackwater'. There was heavy damage on his side and as of yet it is unclear whether his consolidator Davos is alive or not. As promised I will keep mum on that situation.

Biggest Block: His big loss means low morale for his troops and possible hesitance of the bannermen in supporting him. It doesn't help that the Tyrells (who unlike the other supporter of Renly) did not join him. Rather they were one-half of the factor that saved a nearly besieged Kings Landing.  

The man with the greatest claim went on to be inflicted the biggest loss. Stannis was utterly defeated during the 'Battle of Blackwater'. He might have lost his hand and war leader, he currently is in mistrust over Melisandre although he did see something in the fires light. 

Stannis also seems to be dealing with the moral effect of having killed his own brother. His musings were cut short by Melisandre, but there was a hint that the murder would affect him during the course of his battle for the throne. All I can say is, Stannis is in for one hell of a ride and a tough comeback.

Dark Horse Kings: 

Cersei Lannister

Okay, so her son is King, but he barely listens to any advise from his mother. Cersei expected herself to rule the kingdom under the guise of Joffrey. If perhaps Joffrey were to die, then Tommen would come onto the throne. Leaving the Kingdom more vulnerable from outside threats, but putting Cersei in the ruling position (as Tommen unlike his brother can be subdued).

Peter Bailish

Here me out. He's got his own sigil made and keeps on constantly flirting with princesses. He tries in vain to save and maybe earn gratitude from Sansa, indicates a certain interest in Margery. If Robb were to die, Sansa would come to being Lord of Winterfell. Margery is the princess of House Tyrell and thus holds a strong position. None though are in his line of sight, so this is redundant. But what if it isn't? Bailish is a shrewd character and a real strong player of this game. Definitely he is out for more.

The Greyjoys

Balon, Yana (or Asha) and Theon. The Greyjoys are moving fast and hard across the North. Even though they've lost Winterfell to Bolton's bastard.  

Jamie Lannister

The Kingslayer becomes King? I know I said no spoiler but...you hate him! I know you do. So let me make it clear, through Seasons 3 and 4, Jamie is possibly going to become one of the fan-favorite (if not most favorite) characters out there. If you like the bad man already, then well and good. But eventually each viewer is going to see the man in a new light.  Books fans are already clamoring to see him as King.

Jon Snow

When Daenerys enters the House of undying, she has a vision of the Throne. This throne room is wrecked, possibly an allusion to the on-going wars. There is snowfall everywhere (see Snow) and she can't get the throne because the call of her dragons takes her back. Theories have laid out, that maybe Daenerys lets the throne go the Jon in favor of needing to save her dragons (who are in trouble elsewhere). Or maybe the throne room is wrecked and full of snow, because...

White-Walkers

Just imagine fantasy zombies ruling the kingdom day to day. Hilarious!!!   

Out or not even in the race:

Varys

Like Bailish he is cunning, unlike him; he has never had interests in the throne.

Tyrion Lannister

Even though he hasn't clearly stated it like Varys, Tyrion loves the game more and knows that the throne would prevent him from it.  

'Nuff Said

Aneesh Raikundalia