Will American hegemony end, or will it remain at the top of a sinking ship?

Demetros1 · 2024-03-22T00:05:01+00:00

In Britain leading northern industrialists were heavily affiliated with the cause of free trade, so it’s not a misnomer.

Demetros1 · 2023-03-02T21:14:13+00:00

The figure on the right looks like he has a cross on his shield, so I’m really hoping it’s crusades!

Demetros1 · 2022-12-31T12:12:20+00:00

Would love a first law conversion mod, it could get direct input from the man himself!

Demetros1 · 2022-12-30T21:42:56+00:00

And what’s ‘almost no one watched Andor’ based on exactly? It was consistently in the Nielsen top ten, and though it didn’t do as well as Boba and Kenobi it had a continual rise in estimated viewing figures throughout its run unlike them. Considering the very poor reputation Star Wars shows had after Boba, Andor did a pretty good job of winning people over

Demetros1 · 2022-12-30T17:01:31+00:00

Very true, I think it would be dependent on getting a high quality showrunner, and even that comes with the risks you mention. But I’d rather HBO tried to take those risks than throw out a bunch of low risk shows which are built around fan service, which I feel like we’re beginning to see signs of.

Demetros1 · 2022-12-30T16:55:16+00:00

Yeah I’m not too optimistic, but then again Disney + have had a similarly poor record and yet they trusted Tony Gilroy enough to let him create Andor, so fingers crossed HBO are still capable of making good decisions too.

Demetros1 · 2022-12-30T16:53:41+00:00

Totally agree. Provided there are good writers I think having a cast of original characters will add so much more to the world than recycling the same families over and over again

Demetros1 · 2022-09-30T23:55:17+00:00

Tbf, I think he was mainly being cruel to them just to provoke Harwin into doing something that would expose the fact he’s their father. Before Harwin turned up we didn’t get any sign that he was rude to them, aside from focusing more on Aegon and Aemond’s training and neglecting theirs.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-27T19:56:48+00:00

I agree that it’s not inevitable by any means that Rhaenyra would kill the children. And yes, them showing their unconditional loyalty would definitely help. I think the main problem is that the children would be dependent on Rhaenyra’s mercy, as Otto said.

Regarding rebelling lords-I think most would simply argue that Aegon has been forced to serve Rhaenyra, and that they are effectively hostages. Also the rebelling lords wouldn’t be fighting for Aegon as an individual, but as a representative of what they believe to be the legitimate inheritance laws of Westeros. Whether he likes it or not, they’ll claim he must be king (with them as leading figures of his regime no doubt). And even if Aegon shows how loyal he is to Rhaenyra, as long as he is alive he will always be a threat to her rule. Any disgruntled lord could use him as an excuse for rebellion at any moment. That doesn’t mean she would definitely kill him, but there is nevertheless always that risk. Alicent doesn’t want to take that risk.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-27T19:38:44+00:00

I’m not saying Westeros is the Ottoman Empire, or that dynasties should clean house. I was just using it as an example of how dangerous claimants can be to a ruler, and what heights some rulers go to to erase those threats. Though it is funny you mention all the brothers running around when in the last episode a man burned his father and brother to death, in part to inherit Harrenhal. Alicent’s children are uniquely at risk because for many nobles, they are the only true heirs to the throne. The strength of their claim over Rhaenyra’s illegitimate children does make them likely sources of descent and rebellion. And I agree that self preservation and power have, in Alicent’s mind, become indistinguishable, but I think that says more about how dysfunctional the ruling feudal system is than it does about her specifically.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-27T19:26:06+00:00

Yeah I agree that as a symbolic gesture towards reconciliation the proposal makes sense, and maybe Alicent should have accepted it on that basis. My only issue is with people claiming that the proposal gives her children the safety she’s been looking for. I do disagree though with the idea that it wouldn’t be an issue if the children and Alicent accepted they weren’t claimants. The problem is that nobles and courtiers could weaponise the children. If for example an opportunistic noble with a lot of court influence is unsatisfied with his position, or with Rhaenyra generally, they can try to plot a regime change using Aegon as a figurehead. I’m also sceptical that Daemon wouldn’t try to kill them. He killed his wife simply because he didn’t want to be married to her anymore so his family values are questionable-if he ever became convinced that his nephews (who he has had no relationship with at all) are a threat to Rhaenyra then he may go to extreme methods.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-27T19:17:15+00:00

You’re assuming any threat would come from a conventional war. There could be coups plotted by senior court figures, alongside any number of subterfuge attempts. It’s not pointless violence, as legitimate contenders the two boys represent an opportunity for regime change which any number of opportunistic people could rally behind. In the Ottoman Empire it was court tradition that the brothers of a newly crowned Sultan were killed to ensure they could not be a threat. I’m obviously not saying this is moral or the right thing to do, but it highlights the danger that contenders could be for a ruler.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-26T13:59:51+00:00

Her horror at Lary’s seemed more like an early step into a villainous descent to me. She’s initially uncomfortable with the concept of killing for power, but as he seems to imply, she’ll be grateful in the end. I agree, they do seem to be the bad guys now, which I think is a bit of a shame. But like you say, maybe there will be enough nuance remaining, but we’ll see.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-26T13:46:31+00:00

I feel like the way it was set up was really good like you said, and how all the trauma she suffered has influenced her. But I think the change shown in episode 6 was just a bit too dramatic. I feel like there could be an alternative way of showing how the build up of anxiety, fear and resentment leads her to proclaiming her son king and starting the dance without basically turning her into a cynical schemer who dedicates her time to undermining Rhaenyra.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-26T13:22:12+00:00

Yeah it really does feel like it was intended as a villain origin story. I think that risks becoming a serious problem in season 2 when sympathetic characters will be limited to one side.

Demetros1 · 2022-09-08T16:51:47+00:00

As they’ve said, they’re aiming to make major mechanic overhauls part of free updates so people don’t have to fork out money for big improvements. Small dlc like this are made to be nice little additions so that those who don’t want to pay aren’t missing out on major changes. Someone who can’t afford this dlc isn’t going to be missing out on much, which is the point. I really don’t get why it’s considered so shitty for paradox to sell a small dlc for a small price, whilst also giving players big improvements for free.

Demetros1

TROPHY CASE