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AGOT is a noir detective story. It’s important to take a look at it through that lens.
We get every character type, arguably two of some types. If you’ve seen Miller’s Crossing, or have listened to old radio detective stories, you’ll see it.
AGOT is a noir detective story. It’s important to take a look at it through that lens.
We get every character type, arguably two of some types. If you’ve seen Miller’s Crossing, or have listened to old radio detective stories, you’ll see it.
Out beleaguered detective, Ned, always getting beaten up.
The too-clever, Double-Crossing Weasel. Clearly Littlefinger.
The shady Mob Boss, who we often don’t see until act 2 or 3, Tywin.
The Femme Fatale: Cersei is the obvious one, but I think Varys fills the role too.
The too-clever, Double-Crossing Weasel. Clearly Littlefinger.
The shady Mob Boss, who we often don’t see until act 2 or 3, Tywin.
The Femme Fatale: Cersei is the obvious one, but I think Varys fills the role too.
In noir stories the mob boss has a Psychopathic Right-Hand Man who’s a loose cannon. He’ll often betray his boss and be the final villain. He usually Did It, maybe together with the Femme Fatale.
Also, the Huge Henchman. A cruel brute.
Often these two are the same person.
Also, the Huge Henchman. A cruel brute.
Often these two are the same person.
Think of Tug in Brick vs. Leon in Blade Runner. Both psychos, one is a traitor and the true villain.
Let’s talk about Gregor Clegane. He gets a TON of buildup in AGOT. I think he’s, at minumum, the Huge Henchman. Clearly he’s foreshadowed to be a late-game villain.
Let’s talk about Gregor Clegane. He gets a TON of buildup in AGOT. I think he’s, at minumum, the Huge Henchman. Clearly he’s foreshadowed to be a late-game villain.
Clegane is set up to be at least the Eddie Dane (Miller’s Crossing) of the story in AGOT. A major menace. Although the stone giant Bran sees in his visions might portend more.
BUT, we get another RHM who’ll clearly betray his way to end-villain status: Jaime Lannister.
BUT, we get another RHM who’ll clearly betray his way to end-villain status: Jaime Lannister.
Jaime’s illicit involvement with a Femme Fatale puts him squarely in this role. Also it’s clear that at this stage — AGOT —GRRM intended for him to be the human big bad.
So. For the duration of Ned’s story, GRRM put us in an awesome fantasy noir detective story. I love it!
So. For the duration of Ned’s story, GRRM put us in an awesome fantasy noir detective story. I love it!
(Some modern-ish references to look at: Miller’s Crossing, Brick, Archer season 8, Blade Runner.
I’m sure that genius film nerds like @PoorQuentyn or @oxfordsplice could point to classic films that started it all)
I’m sure that genius film nerds like @PoorQuentyn or @oxfordsplice could point to classic films that started it all)
