Maybe my favourite book series! Intelligent dialogue dealing with consequences of even minor decisions. The hierarchy is criticised constantly, shown for being trivial, hypocritical and based almost entirely in violence and threats based on strength in numbers (implied and real).
I can't choose a favourite character or arc, but I really love ADWD for really elaborating on and setting up new goals for stories that had more or else finished their first act.
I also enjoy that while GRRM indulges in 'pure evil' characters such as Joffrey, The Mountain, Ramsay and Euron (Read that TWOW preview chapter- it's Godly!) he still establishes that most people commit horrific acts while being actual complex people in a shit system (Theon, Jamie, Stannis).
Main two characters also should be noted are a staunch abolitionist (Dany) and a man who sacrifices himself for refugees who he successfully migrated (Jon). Considering the ramifications they both faced for their decisions they both managed to be awesome, intelligent and compassionate, despite the consistently horrific implications and threats.
What are your favourite characters, arcs, worldbuilding or quotes? Any real life political figures you'd like to compare to ASOIAF characters?
that whole mythos is so fucking dead to me
I will never forget that midnight showing of Phantom Menace on opening day in 1999 and the way everyone cheered at the beginning and the crowd slowly got quieter during the film until at the end everyone filed out depressed and making excuses
I never watched the originals, was the phantom menace THAT bad?
Yes.
What was the thing that made you say "this is bullshit"? I never watched any of the movies
you could sense a physical reaction in the crowd about twenty minutes in when it became clear that Jar-Jar was going to be a major character not an incidental one
What was so bad about that character? He was silly and had a funny voice, no?
racially coded as an afro-caribbean analogue, bad sambo vibes
portrayed as a buffoon or sap the whole time
Oooooh.
I always thought the hate came from him being annoying comic relief, which sometimes can work.