Looking Forward, Game of Thrones Season 4, Episode 7 and the MIA

Greetings from the shores of Westeros where a man is recovering daily from too much ale, ear-ringing from an overabundance of blasting melodies, and an obscene amount of twerking.

Today a man brings you an abbreviated version of Looking Forward due to scheduling, time constraints, unreliable broadband, and the necessary raven from WiC.net editor-in-chief Zack Luye.

Today we are discussing the missing in action, and there are plenty. A man surely did not name them all, so grab a beverage and join us for a discussion on this fine day.

Since this is the one weekend of year that myself and Ozzette manage to escape reality and somewhat disappear, we started discussing disappearing characters in relation to GoT (because seriously, it’s damn near all we talk about… besides bills. I prefer Thrones).

Many of these could have been one-hit wonders, but you have to believe that they were introduced to us for at least some justifiable reason. D&D and GRRM don’t just throw in characters for the hell of it, do they? There has to be people to kill off and as far as I know, these people are still alive (at least in Unsullied theory).

So here is a quick version of Westerosi Where Are They Now. Bear in mind that these members of the WWPP (Westeros Witness Protection Program) are rolling off the top of my not-so-sharp head, so feel free to add your own.

Benjen: The brother of Ned hasn’t been seen since Season 1 and his whereabouts/fate remain a mystery. But surely we didn’t just meet this guy for nothing. I’m convinced he is the voice in the vision Bran encountered by the weirwood tree. Maybe Benjen has similar abilities as Bran?

Kevan Lannister: The brother and trusted advisor of Tywin has not been seen since S2. I really thought he would show up the Royal Wedding/Funeral but it was not to be.

Jaqen H’Ghar: Of course, this is a personal curiosity and request of Ozzette, so long as Jaqen is the Jaqen that gave Arya the coin and not the one that changed faces and walked away moments later.

Mance: We know roughly where he is and we know that he will make an appearance at some point this season (based on a quick glance in an earlier season preview). But the hour is getting late.

Beric Dondarrion: The Brotherhood hasn’t been seen since S3 going back to when the boys that lack banners were going Lannister soldier hunting. Then again, the Lord of Light hasn’t been a major factor this Season sans the burning sacrifices at Dragonstone. Still, I felt like these guys were going to be more of a staple in the series after Red Velvet found them and traded up for Gendry.

Anguy: See Beric Dindarrion

Thoros: Replaced by WiC Thoros, who may not hold a flaming sword but can hold his own nonetheless.

Lancel: Lancel has been recovering from his wound at Blackwater for a long damn time now. Maybe he got hooked on milk of the poppy and is in rehab.

Gendry: The last known bastard of King Robert may still be rowing due to inexperience. I keep visualizing Cersei walking around a corner in KL and running into him, instantly recognizing his similar characteristics of a young Robert.

Edmure: There is no reason to believe that bad-shot Edmure has somehow escaped the Frey dungeon. But I liked his character and hope that somehow we get to see him shoot a bow again one day if for nothing more than comic relief.

Blackfish: Most of us have, on occasion, had that friend or family member that says they’ll be right back and then magically evaporates for hours at a time. Brynden Tully left the concert to take a piss in the middle of a set and never came back, which can be a common occurrence at a music festival.

Balon Greyjoy: Last seen looking at Theon’s Theon in the box from Ramsay. Balon holds the name of the last leech that is still alive and I wonder if that will come into play during the last four episodes.

Name more… but show only! No book-only characters here.

Looking Forward 407

My apologies, but time runneth out before the next act, and Ozzette is getting antsy.

The Mountain v.3 lives per the previews and the question remains, is the trial by combat he versus Oberyn, or is it someone else?

Will Shae remain in KL after the trial and be someone who still has a presence on the show?

Is Daario about to get sent across the narrow sea? That would be intriguing.

Red Velvet and Selyse are having girl’s night in while Stannis is away and are probably up to no good. I keep having this thought about how Selyse feels about Shireen and the fact that Melisandre enjoys sacrifices. See where I am going?

Is it snowing at the Vale? Is it a sign that winter is finally coming? And is Lysa about to throw Sansa out the moon door and make the Stark girl fly? I swear Lysa, if you do that, we are never ever ever ever, getting back together. Crazypants.

OK festies, a man is out! Time for midday cocktails and some beach music.

Today’s plate: RDGLDGRN, Little Green Cars, Modest Mouse, Fitz, the Killers, and some unknowns in between.

Programming Note: The Unsullied Recap may very well be late on Monday and I offer my apologies. There is no HBO here and as stated earlier, the current broadband situation is unreliable at best for HBO Go purposes. I shall do my best.

Have a great day, follow the hijinks on twitter @ozofthrones, and may there always be peace in your realm. -Oz

• Published on 05/17/2014 at 3:08 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:42 PM CDT