Post by sillierthings on Feb 24, 2015 3:01:48 GMT
So, I'd told Katie I'd share my thoughts about Elder Brother when I'd had time to organize them. Well, I have no organization, but I have been thinking about his character (especially since I started rewatching "Beauty and the Beast"--the 80s show--because Elder Brother reminds me VERY much of Father).
Anyway, what is the Elder Brother's deal? I think he is a very good man who has lived a terrible life up until his arrival on the Quiet Isle. I'm not inclined to think he has an ulterior motive, but he is a man who has been hurt by the world. Unlike our Gravedigger who has an ungelded stallion kicking in the stables, wanting to be free, and who throws dirt on knights (not SO very gentle, is he?), Elder Brother has lived on the Quiet Isle for years. He has lived a full life, such as it was, and I get the sense that he is a man who truly believes in the peace and healing. It is the right place for him.
Is it the right place for Sandor, though? From what I can see so far, I think the Elder Brother THINKS it is. I'm curious about the abandoned 5-year-gap because that would have Sandor on that Isle for a few years, long enough to truly heal and recover, emotionally and physically. With that time span, I could see Elder Brother's protective streak being a little too much. However, Sandor has been on the Isle for such a short time. Elder Brother's concern to throw people off the scent makes more sense in this situation. The Gravedigger is still lame, still a little angry it would seem. He needs time.
I do wonder about that letter sent to King's Landing, reporting the Hound raping and killing in the Saltpans. Elder Brother knew that wasn't the Hound, so why would he write this? I think Katie had the idea that it could be a benevolent action, an attempt to let Sandor live in peace and let people look for "the Hound," not Sandor. That makes sense to me, but what does that mean for Sandor if he ever leaves? Can his name be cleared? These are the plot points that trouble me as I wish for a happy ending. Then, on the same note, I wonder how Sansa's name will every be clear of the crime of Kingslaying? And then I think, a supposed Kingslayer and the Mad Dog of the Saltpans makes for not a bad pairing, no? They both have terrible reputations. How will they overcome that? That Elder Brother and his letters surely are not helping, but I still think it's a fascinating plot point that he IS in contact with King's Landing.
We know Elder Brother is protecting Sandor on the Quiet Isle, sending Brienne away, asking her to abandon the quest that could lead back to Sandor. It does make you wonder if there is anyone else on the Isle he could be protecting. We know most of the novices are boys, but there are other men besides Sandor. Who might they be? I confess that I'm rather fond of the crack theory that the Blackfish swam under the moat, and like a good little fish, made his way to the Quiet Isle. Wouldn't that make an excellent rescue team for Sansa? Maybe that's why the Elder Brother was all "Go away, kid. Go back to your Daddy" to Brienne? Lol.
So, I don't know what to make of Elder Brother. Does it matter to him that Sansa Stark, who it seems Sandor must have mentioned at some point, is missing, possibly in danger? Does he think Sandor needs to just put that behind him, the same way he counsels Brienne to put her knightly dreams behind her and go home to her father? I don't know. And what of Septon Meribald, who was there to hear confession--and he must have heard Sandor's confession while Brienne was talking to Elder Brother? Septon Meribald who we can now assume knows a whole lot about Sansa and Sandor is where now? Did he just disappear from the narrative after feeding all the children? Where is he?
ETA: And what is with Meribald and oranges. Oranges and lemons (say the bells of St. Clement's!). But seriously. Is it a Sansa connection? Is he just worried about scurvy? What is it?
Anyway, what is the Elder Brother's deal? I think he is a very good man who has lived a terrible life up until his arrival on the Quiet Isle. I'm not inclined to think he has an ulterior motive, but he is a man who has been hurt by the world. Unlike our Gravedigger who has an ungelded stallion kicking in the stables, wanting to be free, and who throws dirt on knights (not SO very gentle, is he?), Elder Brother has lived on the Quiet Isle for years. He has lived a full life, such as it was, and I get the sense that he is a man who truly believes in the peace and healing. It is the right place for him.
Is it the right place for Sandor, though? From what I can see so far, I think the Elder Brother THINKS it is. I'm curious about the abandoned 5-year-gap because that would have Sandor on that Isle for a few years, long enough to truly heal and recover, emotionally and physically. With that time span, I could see Elder Brother's protective streak being a little too much. However, Sandor has been on the Isle for such a short time. Elder Brother's concern to throw people off the scent makes more sense in this situation. The Gravedigger is still lame, still a little angry it would seem. He needs time.
I do wonder about that letter sent to King's Landing, reporting the Hound raping and killing in the Saltpans. Elder Brother knew that wasn't the Hound, so why would he write this? I think Katie had the idea that it could be a benevolent action, an attempt to let Sandor live in peace and let people look for "the Hound," not Sandor. That makes sense to me, but what does that mean for Sandor if he ever leaves? Can his name be cleared? These are the plot points that trouble me as I wish for a happy ending. Then, on the same note, I wonder how Sansa's name will every be clear of the crime of Kingslaying? And then I think, a supposed Kingslayer and the Mad Dog of the Saltpans makes for not a bad pairing, no? They both have terrible reputations. How will they overcome that? That Elder Brother and his letters surely are not helping, but I still think it's a fascinating plot point that he IS in contact with King's Landing.
We know Elder Brother is protecting Sandor on the Quiet Isle, sending Brienne away, asking her to abandon the quest that could lead back to Sandor. It does make you wonder if there is anyone else on the Isle he could be protecting. We know most of the novices are boys, but there are other men besides Sandor. Who might they be? I confess that I'm rather fond of the crack theory that the Blackfish swam under the moat, and like a good little fish, made his way to the Quiet Isle. Wouldn't that make an excellent rescue team for Sansa? Maybe that's why the Elder Brother was all "Go away, kid. Go back to your Daddy" to Brienne? Lol.
So, I don't know what to make of Elder Brother. Does it matter to him that Sansa Stark, who it seems Sandor must have mentioned at some point, is missing, possibly in danger? Does he think Sandor needs to just put that behind him, the same way he counsels Brienne to put her knightly dreams behind her and go home to her father? I don't know. And what of Septon Meribald, who was there to hear confession--and he must have heard Sandor's confession while Brienne was talking to Elder Brother? Septon Meribald who we can now assume knows a whole lot about Sansa and Sandor is where now? Did he just disappear from the narrative after feeding all the children? Where is he?
ETA: And what is with Meribald and oranges. Oranges and lemons (say the bells of St. Clement's!). But seriously. Is it a Sansa connection? Is he just worried about scurvy? What is it?