The competition for the place at the top has grown intense. The would be leaders change their language and their opinions to suit the moment. Their critics speak up when they are well-protected and keep their mouths shut when they are not.
Leaders try to poach key players from other teams, and bring their supporters along with them. Unlikely and unexpected alliances occur. Today's friend is tomorrow's bitter rival.
The good become corrupted and the bad improve. Your friend stabs you in the back. Your alliances fall apart. Your team shows up to help your rival.
Political junkies like me spend way too much time thinking about the issues.
Citizens, as always, don't really care. They want to be left alone to make a living and support their families.
And this Sunday, April 1, is a key date, but there will be no resolution. Entropy will triumph.
I'm not talking about BC politics of course, nor federal, but Game of Thrones season 2.
As a life-long Lord of the Rings fan, I have been dubious of any other fantasy of that genre, though I did love spending a couple of years with Marion Zimmer Bradley. And my old sci-fi friends like Robert Heinlein and his many successors occupy a slightly different realm.
But like many, I picked up Book 1 of George RR Martin's Land of Ice and Snow (now the Game of Thrones HBO series) and was hooked. In preparation for Season 2, I am reading them all again. When I'm done… I will read them again. (I admit, I did read The Chrysalids about 30 times. If you handed it to me now I would read it all over again.)
The HBO series is good. Very good actually, which is why I am saving my Sunday evening for it. But the drama – the drama! – of the books has not yet been matched. Bran's premonition of his father's death, the Red Wedding, Theon's difficulties – the writing is brilliant.
It took George RR Martin from 1996 to 2011 to publish the first 5 books in the series. Two more will follow. But as I was listening to his CBC interview the other day, I started to worry. He has too much on his plate! He's got too many public appearances! He has two more books to write, or his millions of fans will be left bereft. Is Jon dead? I don't know, and, like everyone, will be waiting impatiently but for many years to find out.
For a great resource on Game of Throne visit Westeros.org. Be forewarned, the book and TV series are highly addictive!
- post by Suzanne Anton
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We're mad about Game of Thrones in our household. Very much looking forward to season 2, which will be a welcome distraction from BC politics.
Interesting column. I never would have guessed Suzanne Anton was a sci-fi fan!