How Ned Stark's Betrayal can be Predicted

To my dear summer child,

Let me get this straight:  I. Am. Obsessed. With.  Game of Thrones.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the books, A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF to the fandom) that inspired one of, and probably THE most watched and famed TV show of this decade.

However, I must say that the show has collected and compiled thousands of pages and George R.R. Martin’s sweat and blood to translate into television rather successfully for those couch potatoes that would rather stare glazed-eyed at the telly than combing through the yellow-paged novels.

(God, I live for that musty smell, Samwell Tarly most of all)

One of the main reasons I absolutely adore this TV-series (which my dear friend forced me to watch before I became a hardcore fan compared to her) is due to the clever cinematography to symbolize meaning in a scene which readers may just miss while skimming through GRRM’s endless descriptions of the landscape and culture of King’s Landing.

*whispers* thats probably why the last published book was seven years ago

A particular scene was from the very first season, after the death of dear Bobby B.

ALL HAIL KING ROBERT BARATHEON

 

ok back to the point I was making...

We all knew how that scene ended

"I did warn you not to trust me"-Littlefinger

"Bran please see this"-Ned

...when we all had hope that Ned might triumph over the Queen and the little glorious twat Prince Joffrey. 

I mean, he had Varys and Littlefinger along with the City Watch of two-thousand strong!. But, let’s take a step (or a few more) back and observe carefully how Ned’s betrayal by Littlefinger could have been expected.

Camera shots 

Good ol' Ned strollin into the throne room

Props to the directors D&D for using clever camera shots and angles to foreshadow the theme of betrayal throughout the whole scene:

• A tracking shot: where the camera moves alongside Ned as he walks towards the Iron Throne. The tracking shot was lowered as we, the viewers were at the edge of our seat with the death of King Robert (long may he reign). The throne room was lined with the City Watch and Ned looks left and right at them (possibly acknowledging them or in wariness?)

• Use of superior and inferior elements: Here we watch Ned from behind the knees of the castle guards so they are seemingly portrayed as towering over Ned. This could be hinting to us (dear summer children) of Ned’s authority somehow inferior in court (surrounded by enemies).

• Plotline tip: Before this scene, we all know (or at least we expect) Ned’s plan.

1. Ned has the support of Varys and Littlefinger alongside the City Watch.
2. He’s gonna declare his rightful place as Regent as decreed by Bobby B.
3. And if it all fails, he has the two-thousand City Watch to back him up.

Now I’m sure most of us (definitely not me 😀) were shocked at how the plan was completely turned upside down. My dear sweet summer child, if you haven’t realized the point I’m making.... 

WAKE UP.

RULE NUMBER ONE:

Whenever you hear a plan being formed by the characters, especially a detailed one with the odds in our heroes favor,
IT.👏WILL.👏 NEVER.👏 HAPPEN.👏

Remember this?

honestly what happened to tyrion in season 7

Royal prick on a spiky chair

Establishing shot: now this camera work is interesting, this “establishes” the meaning of the scene as the shot lingers from behind Ned’s back as he approaches the throne.

It is a known fact that the King is guarded by the seven white knights of the Kingsguard. However, in this establishing shot, Lannister dominance over the throne is heavily implied as we see Lannister guards clad in black and red armor behind the King, almost implying to us summer children that we should always watch our back. 

And this should alert us to this fact: you know who else needs their back watched?

this boi

Sweet summer child: "Knights are so elegant! They’re so honorable and lovely and handsom-"

me vs all the sweet summer children

*i do not condone slapping kids this is just a joke pls*

Ahem. Anyways, I would like to talk about two hints of symbolism. Guess where I found them.
Go on. Take a guessssss.

Clothing. Yes, I'm really milking this goddammit.  

Firstly, the men of the City Watch are clad in grey chainmail armour. Grey. A colour of neutrality in the world of Game of Thrones where all summer children should know it is not black and white.  The grey could symbolize the irony of the idea that the knights and the men of the City Watch are neutral in nature.  Because men in King’s Landing think of two things:

This irony further explains how the grey neutrality could warn us to be wary of these supposed “knights” that guard us and fight for the righteous. (could also imply to the modern era of how people of power can be influenced by money and greed) Anyways...

The second hint was displayed by none other than Cersei Lannister. We all know she hates her late husband Robert so is it really a surprise that she decided to wear new royal gowns instead of a mournful black?  With her husband’s death, Cersei gains more power in her own right, and suddenly her clothing switches to commanding and authoritative colors.

Just look at her hair. Wasn’t that the first thing you noticed different about her?

Before

After

Her dominating braided hairstyle almost crowns her new status (I AM QUEEN REGENT). She is draped in a bejeweled body chain that signifies her richness and status. Her winged, brocade gown in an eye popping emerald green is queenly and bold in nature, suggesting her confidence in putting her bastard son on the throne and ending Ned’s plot to overthrow them.

(I'm a Cersei fan in case you haven't noticed)

And last but not least,

I have to commend the actor of this guy, I mean the first time I saw him here I just knew, just his smug face trying to keep a neutral look. “We stand behind you Lord Stark”, Janos Slynt.

Hah. Hilarious. Well done D&D. Milking our hope for Ned’s success. From the moment you saw that weasel-face you should have already known he's gonna backstab Ned.

Here, let's all relive this scene again to refresh and see if you can spot the hints and if you want to share your own analysis or thoughts feel free to comment below

Oh, you're still here. Well here's my final say on this matter. If there's one thing you sweet summer children can take back from this article...

That's all from me now folks, till next time.

Regards,
A Man of Winter