The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF)

Send us Fan Mail Theon loses Bran, Rickon, and the direwolves. They escape with the help of Jojen, Meera, Osha, and Hodor. He gives chase, but they’re outsmarted by the wolves and the wildling. Reek suggests a way for Theon to save face. Simon and Mackelly put Reek’s plan to the sniff test. Chapter Review: Theon Greyjoy awakes abruptly in Ned and Catelyn Stark's bed in Winterfell, but all is...

Send us Fan Mail Tyrion sees two new Kingsguard appointed and oversees preparations for Stannis’ arrival. The pyromancers have more than delivered on their wildfire promise. And Varys has foiled a plot to open the gates to Stannis. Mackelly and Simon dip a finger in the boiling oil.   Chapter Review: Tyrion sends Shagga and the other mountain clansmen to the Kingswood to harry and delay Stannis’ a...

Send us Fan Mail We don't have a traditional episode this week, but we've cobbled together some outtakes for your listening pleasure. So sit back and enjoy us embarrassing ourselves in various and creative ways. Support the podcast. Buy a bit of merch from our store . Or if swag is not your bag, buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold . If you like what we're doing, please consider rating and re...

Send us Fan Mail Daenerys visits the House of the Undying. She faces visions and trials in the pursuit of wisdom. But eventually has to be rescued from the clutches of the phantoms by Drogon, breathing fire like a real dragon. Simon and Mackelly get out the marshmallows. Chapter Review: Daenerys Targaryen is not getting what she wants from the citizens of Qarth, so she’s going to try Pyatt Pree an...

Send us Fan Mail Arya burns her third wish in helping the north take Harrenhal from Amory Lorch. She’s abetted by Jaqen H’ghar and surprisingly Vargo Hoat - who has switched sides and is working for Roose Bolton. Mackelly and Simon weigh up what this means for Arya and the war. Chapter Review: Arya Stark's life has improved since Weese died. She roams Harrenhal after dark. She visits Hot Pie...

Send us Fan Mail The sea has come to Winterfell. Bran is forced to cede the seat of House Stark to Theon Greyjoy. Mikken the smith is killed and Hodor beaten. Meanwhile, Theon assures all that they’ll be treated kindly as long as they follow orders. Simon and Mackelly smell something fishy. Chapter Review: Bran has an extended wolf-dream in which Summer tries to escape the walled godswood. The wol...

Send us Fan Mail Cat muses on her duties while Edmure’s forces repel Tywin Lannister’s repeated attempts to ford the Red Fork. Riverrun celebrates as Tywin’s army retreats to the headwaters of the Blackwater Rush, but Cat is uneasy. Mackelly and Simon consider Tywin’s next move. Chapter Review: Catelyn Stark sees her brother Edmure ride out of Riverrun to prevent Tywin Lannister from returning bac...

Send us Fan Mail Tyrion gets wind of Cersei’s latest plots. He tries to convince Shae to take a job in the Red Keep. He discusses the news from Storm’s End with Varys who shares his hatred of all things magic. Mackelly and Simon try to weave the threads. Chapter Review: Tyrion Lannister learns from Lancel that Cersei plans to hide Tommen at Rosby. Tyrion doesn’t mind this plan, but wants Tommen’s...

Send us Fan Mail Qhorin Halfhand and his crew arrive at the Fist of the First Men. They’ve seen some action but gained valuable intelligence. Mance Rayder is seeking some magic to bring down the Wall. Three small groups will scout ahead and do what they can to prevent this. Mackelly and Simon long for the comforts of Castle Black. Chapter Review: Jon Snow is roused from sleep by horns of the Night...

Send us Fan Mail Davos has rejoined his king, but admires the implacable Cortnay Penrose a lot more than Stannis’ new supporters. Davos smuggles Melisandre beneath the walls of Storm’s End where she gives birth to a shadow in Stannis’ form. Simon and Mackelly pick over the afterbirth. Chapter Review: Ser Cortnay parlays with Stannis and supporters beneath the walls of Storm’s End. He refuses to yi...

Send us Fan Mail Myrcella sets sail for Dorne, via Braavos. Riding back through the city a riot breaks out. Lives are lost, but thanks to the Hound not Sansa Stark’s. Jacelyn Bywater informs Tyrion that the smallfolk consider Tyrion the root of all their problems. With Bronn and Varys, Tyrion begins to consider replacing Joffrey with Tommen. Simon and Mackelly weigh the options. Chapter Review: My...

Send us Fan Mail Daenerys fails to convince any of the grandees of Qarth to fund her plans to invade Westeros. Factions vye for her favor, but all seem bent on ownership of her dragons. She decides that it’s time to see the warlocks. Mackelly and Simon survey her options. Chapter Review: Daenerys Targaryen rides in Xaro Xhoan Daxos’ palanquin having been rebuffed by the Pureborn of Qarth. Her brib...

Send us Fan Mail Cat and crew arrive back at Riverrun to good news. Brienne has sworn to protect her. Robb’s winning the war. Hoster is hanging on. Jamie is still captive and Ned’s remains have been returned. Not withstanding some odd decisions by her brother Edmure, things are looking rosy. Mackelly and Simon get worried. Chapter Review: Catelyn Stark arrives back in the Riverrlands with her ento...

Send us Fan Mail Arya’s miserable life in Harrenhal continues. Weese’s petty cruelties take their toll and she gives Jaqen H’ghar her tormentor’s name. The Lorathi assassin delivers on his promise. Tywin and his army leave to fight Robb. Simon and Mackelly plan Arya’s third wish. Chapter Review: Arya Stark is kept busy running messages for Weese. He has no clue that she can read, so he doesn’t bot...

Send us Fan Mail Theon is winning easy victories on the Stony Shore of the north against barely defended fishing villages. He and Dagmer make a plan to do something a bit bolder. Theon hopes to impress his father Balon. Simon and Mackelly reckon that they know better. Chapter Review: Theon’s Iron Born raiders have taken a fishing village and decimated the Wild Hares with a trap. Only Benfred Tallh...

Send us Fan Mail News of Renly’s death has reached the small council in King’s Landing. They dispatch Littlefinger to treat with Loras Tyrell - the leader of the faction that hasn’t pledged fealty to Stannis. The offer? Renly’s widow Margaery Tyrell to marry Joffrey and be queen. Simon and Mackelly consider the implications. Chapter Review: Varys shares the reliable news that Renly is dead and man...

Send us Fan Mail Bran and the Reeds exchange dreams after Bran accepts that Jojen really can dream of the future. None of the dreams portend good news for Bran and Winterfell. Meanwhile, the fracas between the Boltons and the Manderlys worsens and Lady Hornwood is killed. Mackelly and Simon discuss whether fate is immutable. Chapter Review: Maester Luwin has news of the King in the North’s victory...

Send us Fan Mail The Night’s Watch arrive at the Fist of the First Men, an ancient fort. Mormont decides to wait there as it is a good spot for friends to find them, and equally a fine place to keep an eye on their enemies. Ghost acts weird and leads Jon to a cache of dragonglass weapons. Mackelly and Simon feel the keenness of the edges. Chapter Review: The Night’s Watch reach the Fist of the Fir...

Send us Fan Mail Cat prays for a quick and bloodless end to the war between the Baratheon brothers. She needs to be careful what she prays for because she gets mostly that. Renly is mysteriously killed by what appears to be a shadow assassin. But poor, innocent Brienne takes the blame. Simon and Mackelly examine the details of the wild night. Chapter Review: Catelyn Stark prays in a tiny sept to a...

Send us Fan Mail Sansa is summoned to the king’s presence. He’s not pleased that her brother keeps winning battles and he’s taking it out on her. Tyrion rescues her from serious peril and treats her with kindness. She’s not ready to trust him, having thrown in her lot with Ser Dontos. Mackelly and Simon would like to help her see sense. Chapter Review: Sansa Stark is summoned to King Joffrey Barat...

Send us Fan Mail Cat tries to keep the peace between Renly and Stannis Baratheon. Neither is willing to budge an inch, so Cat and the rest prepare for war. Simon and Mackelly predict the likely outcome. Chapter Review: Catelyn Stark is first to reach the hill where the two sides will parley. She cannot see the sea, but can smell it in the air. In the distance, the giant fortress of Storm’s End loo...

Send us Fan Mail Arya’s working as a servant for the Lannisters in Harrenhal. Life is not quite as miserable as it was on the road. Amongst the Lannister troops she notices Jaqen H’ghar. He tells her that he owes the Red god three deaths, to atone for the ones that Arya spared. He just needs names. Arya provides one, and the guys turns up dead two days later. Simon and Mackelly consider the remain...

Send us Fan Mail Tyrion receives a command from Cersei that Pycelle is to be released. Tyrion agrees but while he’s at it he turns the messenger (cousin Lancel) to team-Tyrion. Later he visits Shae and admits to himself that he loves his life and Shae. Simon and Mackelly get a little sappy over the romance.   Chapter Review:  Lancel Lannister visits Tyrion Lannister after midnight. Tyrion’s not as...

Send us Fan Mail Bran enjoys the Reeds’ company. Jojen reveals that he has the greensight allowing him to dream of the future. He offers to trade dreams with Bran. Things get tense and Summer threatens the Reeds. They avoid the wolves and later Meera shares another of Jojen’s dreams with Bran. Mackelly and Simon have a go at oneirocriticism. Chapter Review: Brandon Stark is enjoying the company of...

Send us Fan Mail Daenerys and her khalasar arrive at Qarth. Various factions vie for her favor. Ser Jorah brings news from Westeros that King Robert is dead, his son Joffrey sits the throne, and the usurper’s allies the Starks and Lannisters are at war. Dany is thrilled but Jorah cautions that nothing has really changed. Simon and Mackelly rehash the old news. Chapter Review: Daenerys Targaryen an...