Thanks for the deep discussion of the Prince that was Promised. In my recap this week, I discuss the frequent juxtaposition of traditional fantasy tropes (like prophecies, magic, dragons, etc.) against the strong spine of political realism that seems to really rule the entire series.

Varys statement about “incompetence” and Olenna’s warning to Daenerys are specific reminders of how the series has always “blown-up” belief in traditional fantasy tropes like ‘Divine Right of Kings’ by rewarding cold hard calculation and brutal but effective leadership instead. I suspect that this prophecy, when fulfilled, will end in tears (not salvation) for the same reason.

In other words, it is quite possible that we will find out that Jon is indeed the Prince who was promised and that he will still fail miserably (in this case because he seems so haunted by Ned’s expectations/lessons that he cannot learn from Ned’s mistakes). Episode 2 went to great pains to demonstrate that Jon is anything but an effective and strategic ruler (just consider how Jon dealt with Littlefinger in almost the exact same unartful manner as did Ned) and, in the end, in the GoT universe, being strategic and effective are much more important than having magical powers or fulfilling prophecies to GRRM.

In fact, in this sense, it might be the entire point. Game of Thrones could be read as a strong statement decrying the reliance on things like Dragons, birthrights, or prophecies instead of calculation, strategy, and sometimes on cold brutal self-interest. Gods and Monsters won’t win this war for the humans.