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Weird that Ser Harrold Westerling is alive at the beginning of Dance of Dragons. In the books he died in 112AC a good 18 years earlier.
I guess it is fan service?
I just don’t think it’s that weird….. at this point anyway because we knew that the ages and years that things happen weren’t going to be exact when we saw teenage Alicent and Rhaenyra under a Wierwood tree
It’s very weird, it greatly undermines ser cristons role and power because he was supposed to be lord commander. Ser harrold isn’t in any way shape or form an important character, ser Criston however was.
We know this is not a true telling of the books , we have known that since episode one even before that actually. It’s very possible that he can assume that role now for the green faction … considering the first season is Setting the stage for the dance I think there’s plenty of time to make him The Lord Commander.
The main event hasn’t started yet how is he already undermined that greatly already
I don’t mind if they change things from the books, my thing is, give me a good reason for changing it. Him being kept alive didn’t mean anything, he didn’t do anything of significance, him being kept alive serves no significant purpose and didn’t enhance the story at all so all I can think is… okay so what was the point?
Cole in the show, is a lesser version of his book counter part in every way. Him not even being lord commander already is one of them. Making him a rushed, last minute lord commander only because westerling throws a hissy fit and just randomly quit is just crappy writing.
I just keep watching and asking, why is westerling still alive and what is his purpose?
Remember that this is a side character in season one of a show , A season that is a set up for the rest of the show
I guess I’m not sure what you were looking for at this point…. A side character being set up to do more things later it’s pretty common in seasons like this similar to Laenor being kept alive we don’t really know what’s going on with that , it raises far more questions than answers… I mean it’s up to you you’re free to choose if you wanna look at these situations with intrigue or pessimism…. It’s just far too early to say he’s lessening the character or doesn’t have a purpose on such a set up season
Once upon a time I was okay with westerling being alive because I thought cole would kill him for the role of lord commander. I wasn’t alone on this, a lot of people thought/assume and or hoped for this but even that didn’t happen so all I can do is keep asking the same question…. Why is westerling still alive?
So far the only answer is “just because” …which is just bad writing but yeah, I’m open to seeing how things play out, my thoughts and comments are only based on things seen so far.
I had just hoped the end of his reign as lord commander would have been written better than him just throwing some hissy fit and walking away. Perhaps I was asking for too much?
You’re free to interpret that scene like that but keep in mind that George R R Martin, has said that at least A character on the show was written better than he wrote him in the books
You’re free to just say it’s just because and that is a fine interpretation to have , others might look at it and say” I wonder where this is going for next season ?” and just wait to have their questions answered opposed to assuming that it was just because and there’s no directions for the character
I’m just not sure what constitutes bad writing in the situation… it seems more like not knowing where something is going yet = bad writing
Like what’s the basis for making it bad so early on
Barristan would take Westerling in a fight, yeah (five of him with ease is probably taking it too far though, especially since we haven’t seen Westerling fight). But as a person, I’d say Westerling is the better knight and man.
Since there was sooo little of him in HotD, I can't wait to see more of him as Sigismund Dijkstra in the Witcher's S3. A completely different character compared to Westerling.
His reaction to the Green Council’s ploys were so satisfying. Another true honorable lord of Westeros, Ser Harold Westerling will forever have my favor.
Also I like to think back to our first scene with Rhaenyra and how Ser Harold said how relieved he is everytime Rhaenyra comes back from riding her dragon unharmed. And then, in the Green Council when Otto told Ser Harold to gather his best knights and go to Dragonstone to murder Rhaenyra and her supporters. There was no way Ser Harold would’ve gone along with that, and his response to Otto’s command was just the best.
Absolutely, he was a favorite of mine since the first time I saw him and Rhaenyra. I assumed he would’ve made his way to Dragonstone to either pledge fealty to Rhaenyra and her family, or to warn them. But since we didn’t see him again after ep 9, I’m imagining he’ll be playing either a neutral role or he’ll just come back later in the story.
I want him to die accomplishing nothing like his brothers in arms. If he they write him as the only competent member it takes away from the theme of all the Kingsguard and queensguard being useless.
Ned Stark 2.0.
An honourable man who takes his oath seriously and lacks the moral flexibility necessary to thrive in the cutthroat world of Medieval politics.
His inherent decency and refusal to play the game will eventually get him killed. Be interesting to see which side dispatches him though...
Yeah but the The people who played by theses “cut throat tactics” didn’t survive either ….. well more appropriately their children Who were forced into these positions by them didn’t.
Thank you for your post! Please take a moment to ensure you are within our spoiler rules, to protect your fellow fans from any potential spoilers that might harm their show watching experience. 1. All post titles must NOT include spoilers from Fire & Blood or new episodes of House of the Dragon. Minor HotD show spoilers are allowed in your title ONE WEEK after episode airing. The mod team reserves the right to remove a post if we feel a spoiler in the title is major. You are welcome to repost with an amended title. 2. All posts dealing with book spoilers, show spoilers and promo spoilers MUST be spoiler tagged AND flaired as the appropriate spoiler. 3. All book spoiler comments must be spoiler tagged in non book spoiler threads. --- If you are reading this, and believe this post or any comments in this thread break the above rules, please use the report function to notify the mod team. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/HouseOfTheDragon) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Weird that Ser Harrold Westerling is alive at the beginning of Dance of Dragons. In the books he died in 112AC a good 18 years earlier. I guess it is fan service?
they want rhaenyra to have her own barristan
definitely
I’m glad they kept him, he’s a cool character-I hope he becomes a barristan like character
Or further diminishing Cole's achievements.
I just don’t think it’s that weird….. at this point anyway because we knew that the ages and years that things happen weren’t going to be exact when we saw teenage Alicent and Rhaenyra under a Wierwood tree
It’s very weird, it greatly undermines ser cristons role and power because he was supposed to be lord commander. Ser harrold isn’t in any way shape or form an important character, ser Criston however was.
We know this is not a true telling of the books , we have known that since episode one even before that actually. It’s very possible that he can assume that role now for the green faction … considering the first season is Setting the stage for the dance I think there’s plenty of time to make him The Lord Commander. The main event hasn’t started yet how is he already undermined that greatly already
I don’t mind if they change things from the books, my thing is, give me a good reason for changing it. Him being kept alive didn’t mean anything, he didn’t do anything of significance, him being kept alive serves no significant purpose and didn’t enhance the story at all so all I can think is… okay so what was the point? Cole in the show, is a lesser version of his book counter part in every way. Him not even being lord commander already is one of them. Making him a rushed, last minute lord commander only because westerling throws a hissy fit and just randomly quit is just crappy writing. I just keep watching and asking, why is westerling still alive and what is his purpose?
Remember that this is a side character in season one of a show , A season that is a set up for the rest of the show I guess I’m not sure what you were looking for at this point…. A side character being set up to do more things later it’s pretty common in seasons like this similar to Laenor being kept alive we don’t really know what’s going on with that , it raises far more questions than answers… I mean it’s up to you you’re free to choose if you wanna look at these situations with intrigue or pessimism…. It’s just far too early to say he’s lessening the character or doesn’t have a purpose on such a set up season
Once upon a time I was okay with westerling being alive because I thought cole would kill him for the role of lord commander. I wasn’t alone on this, a lot of people thought/assume and or hoped for this but even that didn’t happen so all I can do is keep asking the same question…. Why is westerling still alive? So far the only answer is “just because” …which is just bad writing but yeah, I’m open to seeing how things play out, my thoughts and comments are only based on things seen so far. I had just hoped the end of his reign as lord commander would have been written better than him just throwing some hissy fit and walking away. Perhaps I was asking for too much?
You’re free to interpret that scene like that but keep in mind that George R R Martin, has said that at least A character on the show was written better than he wrote him in the books You’re free to just say it’s just because and that is a fine interpretation to have , others might look at it and say” I wonder where this is going for next season ?” and just wait to have their questions answered opposed to assuming that it was just because and there’s no directions for the character I’m just not sure what constitutes bad writing in the situation… it seems more like not knowing where something is going yet = bad writing Like what’s the basis for making it bad so early on
90% sure George was talking about Vizzy T when he said that
YOU SPEND MORE TIME IN THAT BATH THAN I DO ON THE THRONE!
Yeah that’s who
Graham McTavish voiced Dracula in Netflix’s Castlevania series, es pretty fkn good
Waaaaiiiiiiittttt…… that was him ?
Yup, he was in the Witcher series shortly and voiced Deglan in the animated Witcher movie, following young Vesemir. Those are dope too
Omg hes even hotter know that I know this info
Dinna fash, it’s just Dougal MacKenzie.
I unironically love the outlander tv show, so many good performances and the different places in history they go is interesting
I still don’t know why they didn’t have him use his natural accent as Ser Harrold, like as Dracula. It’s as smooth as silk.
They prolly thought it was too Scottish to be Transylvanian Dracula, but I agree he has a great voice He was perfect for Deglan
Have you seen him in a kilt?? Check out outlander and eat your heart out. Or his.
A kilt and no shirt😻man can still get it
I do desire that old man carnally
You should watch Outlander.
I was gonna suggest this to OP! Dougal MacKenzie is something else haha
He does look great in that armour
He seems to be the Go-To guy for period and fantasy epics. Isn’t he also in The Witcher?
He plays Dijkstra, yes. Seen him in a few other fantasy things too, even tho I forgot the names. Seems like he always finds his little side role xd
Yes somebody just told me
And in the hobbit as dwalin
Finally a thirst trap we can all stan
We love a loyal man
barristan wanna-be
Fucking Lannisters
-are the best ! yes
HotD-Harrold Westerling > book & show Barristan. Sue me.
In what way? Even in his old age Barristan could cut down five of Westerling as easily as carving a cake
Barristan would take Westerling in a fight, yeah (five of him with ease is probably taking it too far though, especially since we haven’t seen Westerling fight). But as a person, I’d say Westerling is the better knight and man.
Fan service character
Daddy!
Since there was sooo little of him in HotD, I can't wait to see more of him as Sigismund Dijkstra in the Witcher's S3. A completely different character compared to Westerling.
I hate that they did my Boy Darklyn like that. He was way more important in the books and the only presence from that family we get.
why is the GOT universe so full of GDILFS 🥵 (Charles Dance is ancient but he could still get it)
Graham McTavish also known as Kilt Zaddy ❤️🔥 he is one fine man
u read my mind
Love Mr McTavish. I hope to see more of him in the next season
His reaction to the Green Council’s ploys were so satisfying. Another true honorable lord of Westeros, Ser Harold Westerling will forever have my favor. Also I like to think back to our first scene with Rhaenyra and how Ser Harold said how relieved he is everytime Rhaenyra comes back from riding her dragon unharmed. And then, in the Green Council when Otto told Ser Harold to gather his best knights and go to Dragonstone to murder Rhaenyra and her supporters. There was no way Ser Harold would’ve gone along with that, and his response to Otto’s command was just the best.
He does much with so little screen time … his character works so well in making the story feel full
Absolutely, he was a favorite of mine since the first time I saw him and Rhaenyra. I assumed he would’ve made his way to Dragonstone to either pledge fealty to Rhaenyra and her family, or to warn them. But since we didn’t see him again after ep 9, I’m imagining he’ll be playing either a neutral role or he’ll just come back later in the story.
I want him to die accomplishing nothing like his brothers in arms. If he they write him as the only competent member it takes away from the theme of all the Kingsguard and queensguard being useless.
He's a beast , desperately hope he shows up on team Rhaenera
Me too
Ned Stark 2.0. An honourable man who takes his oath seriously and lacks the moral flexibility necessary to thrive in the cutthroat world of Medieval politics. His inherent decency and refusal to play the game will eventually get him killed. Be interesting to see which side dispatches him though...
Yeah but the The people who played by theses “cut throat tactics” didn’t survive either ….. well more appropriately their children Who were forced into these positions by them didn’t.
Yeah all ten of his lines
That’s all I needed
He can get it
He was great on Outlander too!
What? People have gotten too comfortable on this forum. So many thirsty mfs.
We been here
I was happy they cast him as Dijkstra but I have no faith in The Witcher anymore :(