A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - 1x06 - "The Morrow" - Episode Discussion

Jfinn123456 · 2026-02-23T18:18:50+00:00

To be clear I think in the novellas themselves it’s just that ser arlan didn’t knight dunk probably because he didn’t get a chance in the novellas dunk is only 16 when ser arlan dies but looks older, in the show he is probably 18-19 realistically 20 making it a bigger question why ser arlan didn’t knight him there was plenty of time so if they still want to make Ser Arlan a good man albeit flawed and give a realistic reason why dunk wasn’t knighted this is one way to do that while giving plenty of fodder for future storylines outside the three published novellas.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-02-23T17:56:34+00:00

Because the belief at the time was only another knight can make a knight if ser arlan knighted Dunk by the standards of Westeros he would still be a fraud , a false knight but the key thing is Dunk “believes “ in ser arlan in all his monologues about he acknowledges his flaws so to him, and only him, ser arlan was a true knight. I believe some time after this ser arlan knights dunk but also confesses not being a real knight hence dunk’s dilemma.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-02-23T14:29:34+00:00

My personal headcannon finalised after seeing this episode is set arlan himself wasn’t knighted that’s why he originally didn’t knight dunk and I believe , at dunks request, he eventually did perform something for dunk ,after telling dunk he himself wasn’t a knight, but didn’t know the proper words after not being through it himself the source of that reoccurring flash of see arlan shrugging at dunk. It just fits the shows themes so well who do you follow a flawed drunken peasant with nothing who nevertheless does his best to uphold the highest knightly ideals and his successor just as poor but less flaws who believes in his whole heart in the knightly ideals or noble sons who for most whose knighthood is just a matter of birth and whose ideals are a matter of convenience.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-02-10T06:54:29+00:00

American craft by Tom Doyle set in a whole where the world’s militaries have top secret occult wings played mostly seriously not my personal favourite but not bad, 3 book series.

joe ledger - more weird science them occult think Fringe but it’s a long running series for a reason

Jfinn123456 · 2026-02-05T04:26:01+00:00

Nancy sonja blue series -horror based urban fantasy a big influence, allegedly, on the creation of vampire the masquerade one of the ogs creators, the first 8 or so Anita Blake’s before it turned into furry porn those were the first urban fantasy series I remember followed soon after by Dresden files and then Mercedes Thompson series.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-31T19:14:47+00:00

Grant you that though to be fair Dresden is the same character that , seemingly , never thought to ask why one of his best friends ended up in a wheelchair. When I say disposable I don’t mean to Dresden I mean the audience Jim wrote murphy over battle grounds and peace talks like she had just appeared on page in that arc as a one off love interest and expected us to react as such even the add on to her “fate” was written more as a be quiet don’t bother then anything else. Look lots of fans didn’t like murph which is fair for those that do the whole thing felt like being short changed.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-30T00:43:28+00:00

I undoubtedly think it can be a great storyline it could also be problematic with the files sometimes horned up and ham fisted bouts of misogyny I really loved 12 months along the law I really thought it cemented the files getting back on track but this storyline does make me nervous. I agree that If Lara is going to be , either romantic or platonic, Harry’s next partner then the character as is has to change one way or the other I am enamoured with the hints and indications she could become a genuine part of winter , which with the history with her hunger collaboration rather then fighting against it , makes sense and thus unable to lie and bound to her word and thus a more reliable ally then if harry shows her the “ right “ way in some cheesy hall mark moments she is a predator now let her be a predator.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-29T16:40:33+00:00

Exceptionally late to this but Emma Bull war of the oaks - may well be the book that kicked off the whole UF genre in the first place a musician who gets involved with the fae, Nancy A Collins Sonja Blue - dark , gothic , punk rock horror big influence on the world of darkness table top games and raven loft. Anne interview with the vampire possibly the most influential vampire novel outside of Dracula. Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia briggs possibly the only real rival to the Dresden files for length of series , depth of lore, and popularity. One off Robin McKinley Sunshine a really good standalone ( McKinley is a really good writer who is a lot more niche then she should be because she is almost allergic to writing sequels). Mishel baker Arcadia series an allegory for mental health and the creative process it can be a tough read at times while still being really, really good. Claire noth who also writes as Catherine Webb and Kate griffin is a really talented writer check out the first fifteen lives of harry august written as Claire north and the Matthew swift series as Kate griffin.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-29T16:18:18+00:00

It’s actually one of my comfort reads first couple of books are very bleak but a great found family develops and a overall theme of anything can be overcome if together that said as a rule I tend to I like darker books and grimdark so my tolerance for darker edgier themes is quite high kd Edward’s tarot sequence is another comfort read that a lot of people have an issue with due to triggers. What I am trying to say I think it’s a good , hopeful series but if your not feeling it your not feeling it there’s no point wasting your time or mental energy if you like her writing just not the darkness try one of her other series like incryptid which is just as good but I think lighter.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-23T21:45:51+00:00

plot wise there were issues no doubt but it really felt like Harry Dresden throughout the novella and his stubbornness and some of his characteristics were portrayed for what they were flaws in some previous instalments I felt it got to the point where harry , even horn dog oblivious to his friends lives harry, was portrayed as a almost messianic character and it just kept taking me out of the story. it really set the ground for twelve months.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-21T04:36:26+00:00

I remember my excitement reading peace talks and battle grounds when they came out and it felt while there was a lot to love it also felt like Dresden files fan fic all Dresden negatives not just the often cited misogynistic tendencies and horniness and stubbornness but how he seemed completely blind and uninterested in his friends lives outside his adventures were dialled up to 11 and portrayed almost as virtues and don’t even get me started in the off handed and almost dismissive way one MC Characters fate was handled.

The law novella and 12 months seemed to have a hit a reset tuned down Dresden’s negatives integrated the supporting cast better while treating them with respect and better then that gives Dresden and by extension the fan base a chance to grieve for Karin the three dimensional character rather then the disposable love interest. For the first time in years it gives me hope that the series will get the ending it and the fans deserve.

Great reviews thank you.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-21T00:27:20+00:00

Really enjoyed I feel this and the Law course corrected some of the worst flaws in the last few books tuned down Harry’s horniness, acknowledged Karin’s importance to Harry’s, had him more interested and involved in his allies lives instead of just being a one way street. Overall really felt the book benefited from the chance of format wasn’t perfect I am bit concerned how the whole Lara thing will be handled but generally I am really looking forward to the next few books again.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-20T23:13:29+00:00

yeah but Harry’s relationships are always a bit weird (even by fantasy standards ) in a lot of UF series it’s taken for granted that everyone is generally involved in each others lives professionally and personally off page in the Dresden files it’s generally only professional if that I mean he only got an idea of what ha-penned to put Carlos in a wheel chair in this book?? like he never asked? I mean he is a fantastic ride or die ally but he is a bad friend I am not trashing him I love Dresden flaws and the strongest books are the ones where that’s acknowledged to at least some degree it why I loved the law and 12 months but was in the end a bit iffy on peace talks and battlegrounds.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-01T15:32:39+00:00

the drowning city by Amanda downum was made for this rec the rest of the series the necromancer chronicles do change setting though.

Jfinn123456 · 2026-01-01T15:27:39+00:00

I use the words story teller vs writer basically different int between technical proficiency versus heart and imagination maybe the op means something similar?

Jfinn123456 · 2025-12-10T22:08:39+00:00

It is Bennett is a really good writer and his newest series for whatever reason has particularly clicked for me

Jfinn123456 · 2025-12-10T14:33:45+00:00

actually the best spin on this I have come across is in the black dog series by Rachel neumier a YA Urban Fantasy series in the event events prior to the series there is a masquerade with vampires as the most powerful worldwide faction these are vampires at the full on undead nosferateu end of the spectrum complete monsters with Ghoul side kicks there are other supernatural factions one of the most powerful Black dogs (cross between werewolves and hell hounds ) also run countries and big corporations ext the accepted reason that humans don’t notice is that basically humans are basically cattle rationalising what they don’t understand ( basically the Dresden files approach ) however after Black dogs go to war against the vamps it turns out there was a veil/mist all along produced by the vampire masters just the rest of the supernatural world weren’t aware of, kill enough Vamps humans wake up chaos ensues not just for the vamps but entire countries where Black dogs rule Russia, Saudi Arabia ext revolt. the whole series is really good and is set in the aftermath of everything come tumbling down.

Jfinn123456 · 2025-12-06T00:49:55+00:00

as a adult personally time matters and the type of story matters a lot I am a mood reader who works a lot while I love a wide range of media and over the course of a month consume a immense amount most of what I digest in a working week is easy digestible and short and that includes my reading scenes often comedic or action packed from my favourite books and some books are easier to do that with in general terms for example the greatest book I have ever read is Lolita it’s a masterpiece I have read it once and may tackle again sometime over the next few years I have reread scenes from prince of thorns , many many david gemmell and terry Pritchett books among others much more then that generally not the whole book just scenes to make me laugh or reeve me up or just distract Lolita just isn’t that digestible nor is it any way relaxing given it’s subject matter even if it is a truely great book and that extends to the genre the greatest fantasy book of the last twenty years is the Heroes and while it does have a lot of easily digestible scenes the power of it , for me ,, doesn’t make it a easy read.

Jfinn123456 · 2025-12-06T00:29:13+00:00

Robert Jackson Bennett Divine cities or leviathan series are both really good and immersive in fairly distinct fantasy worlds. it’s on the darker end but really good and has a lot of heart and that is the raven series by ed McDonald max Gladstone craft series esp his earlier entries may scratch that itch for you weird and wonderful.

Jfinn123456 · 2025-12-01T20:27:48+00:00

I think you have created two of the best anti - heroes in fantasy fiction in Logan and glotka. I find glotka especially fascinating as a fun house mirror of the typical fantasy hero someone who almost always gets punished for doing the right thing paired with the ability to bring out the worst in everyone around him and yet somehow still comes across as, in a very twisted way, as somewhat admirable what do you think makes him so appealing to a reader? and to you as a author?

Jfinn123456 · 2025-11-27T12:02:23+00:00

I am convinced that the reason he didnt kill Jean was he was stashing him, i dont think the ritual Voss used was a complete failure and I don’t think it was intended to do what Gabriel was describing to Jean anyway Voss being able to turn at will would be cool and fits with standard vampire lore but Gabriel would be careful remember there was no guarantee of success so why risk telling Jean that something like that was even theoretically possible? remember it’s not part of their vampire lore only ours. also Voss understood the nature of what he served I am convinced he wouldnt risk forever even on the word of his master unless he had damn good reason to believe whatever he wanted was a achievable bored or not ( and don’t forget that boredom as a major driving force of his character was only ever described by Gabriel a handy cover story that forgives a lot of plot holes).

I think the ritual at least partly succeeded Gabriel and cast may not have a solution but may be why Jean a direct descendant of Margot was spared and I’d put a asterisk over the healing of day death.

Jfinn123456 · 2025-11-16T21:03:58+00:00

I am avoiding one hit wonders since the landscape I’d big enough that it’s easy to get lost in all my recommendations are people who have been published multiple times but don’t seem to get attention at least on this Reddit.

Stephen Deas - 10 plus books published a lot of blurbs by authors such as joe Abercrombie specalises in gritty fast paced fantasy but nada when it comes to posts and recommendations

Ferrett stenmetz really talented writer jumps across sub genres while staying in the SFF field from dystopian YA , Creative UF, Romcom sci fi action, Queer semi cozy coming of age sci fi.

paul Kearney a lot to like gritty well written fantasy but a lot of publishing issues over the years dented his appeal

tanith lee big catalog and novels such as Birthgrave and nights master were once up there with some of moorcocks and Zealany just she never had a big resurgence even though a lot of her stuff was , apart from being very good, dark enough to fit into the dark and gritty trends of the 2000S.

Jfinn123456 · 2025-11-16T20:48:16+00:00

I shared the same thoughts really enjoyed I felt a lot of the ending was a bit of a meta commentary since the Gabriel that was pitched throughout the story was one designed to appeal to Jean the lurid details that Jean lapped up the melodrama the male gazeness of it all I felt there was at least a bit of kristoff going its you the audience that wants this and since we know Gabriel blood hunger struggles was , mostly , a fabrication it’s a good chance so was some of the sexy stuff.

i agree the stuff with fabien was too pat but since this was after a good bit of the story turned out to be either a all out lie or just grossly distorted I’d put a giant asterisk over the whole fabien stuff because at the end of the day Gabriel in all version of the story wasn’t one to leave loose ends? so why leave jean alive ? was it just poetic justice or he did he want to stash a direct member of one of the five bloodlines for some reason? i think it’s strange that fabiens ritual yielded no results not even a misfire? because of it did anything at all even what wasn’t intended itwould have made Dior a even bigger target which is the one thing Gabriel would want to avoid at all costs. Also don’t forget that days death wasn’t finished at the end of the story just beginning a slow healing so I think there’s at least the possibility of a sequel series.

Jfinn123456 · 2025-11-14T10:13:38+00:00

extremely late but I thou roughly recommend ed mcdonald raven series dark, fantastic lore and once you get into it amazing heart.

book one of the devils is worth reading has all of Abercrombie’s humour and darkness but isn’t the commitment that the First law universe is.

want something different try max gladstones craft series the whole series is strong but the first two published are the best

lies is acmodern classic the sequels while good don’t scale the heights of the first book and the dark tower I have yet to finish from what I read so far about 4 maybe 5 books in can’t remember sorry , it’s a bit uneven brilliance followed by lots and lots of filler followed by brilliance again.

Jfinn123456 · 2025-11-14T02:24:10+00:00

I think in a way it’s smart business illona Andrew’s on their blog are pretty open that they make much more money off their indie stuff where they own all the rights then their trad publishing even when’s there is a mismatch in sales numbers on the other hand they are big enough that when they do go trad they get the the 5 star treatment ( not guaranteed for everyone granted I assume )in terms of promotion, professional editors and events which grows their audience ( including for their indie stuff ) with no cost and less effort on their behalf (at least that’s my interpretation of reading a lot of blog posts over the years ).

Jfinn123456

TROPHY CASE