Cleganebowl: My Least Favorite ASOIAF Theory (and how to fix it)

Never thought I would ever see Quinn cover the theory that Alt Shift X and Alt Shwift X are the same person.

We only believe in non-shit theories here… like Ned + Omni-Walder = Hotpie

If squidbowl happens it’ll end with Victarion grabbing Euron and throwing himself in full armour into the waves and down to the drowned god. The first Vic chapter mentions the danger of armour dragging someone down and so it would be a nice circle round. Plus Euron needs to die in the most Iron Islands old school way possible, on account of him treating his entire people like suckers.

The hound could kill his brother as a mercy killing. Only commiting violence one final time not out of revenge but to free his brother from his new found false life.

I believe there will be a confrontation between the Clegane brothers, but it will center around Sandor giving the gift of mercy to the undead Gregor. It may play out like combat, even a fight to the death, but at its core it will be about forgiveness and redemption. And restoring the natural order. Valar morghulis!

The one part everyone seems to believe I disagree with is that they will fight at Cersei's trial. Nobody really noticed Robert Strong yet from the Faith side. It would make more sense for him to wipe the floor with the Faith's champion and then news would quickly spread of this new, giant kingsguard who is seemingly undefeatable. Then the "Gravedigger" could eventually hear about it. Also, Bran's vision of the stone giant and the hound involved a figure in golden armour, so presumably if/when they fight, Jaime will also be there to help out (and he has valonqar business to do because frankly, nobody else makes sense).

Can't wait for Daynebowl (Darkstar vs. Ned Dayne)

My only gripe with Squidbowl is that I hope that Euron is actually taken out by the eldritch monstrosities he’s trying to summon. I think it would be fitting for a character with such godly ambitions to be betrayed by these creatures that are seemingly beyond human comprehension plus it would tie in to the overall message of magic being hard to control and something not to be trifled with.

AltShift's Jojen Paste vids was one of the first that got me into the fandom too! I remember laying in bed totally freaked out by it hahaha

Not shocked they ran with spectacle over solid character arcs in the show. Like, even if Sandor picks up his sword again, it won't be to fulfil revenge. Instead, I'd like to think he'll do it to defend the smallfolk as something like a hedge knight, coming full circle from doing the bidding of lords for no reason other than doing what he's told.

Reading and seeing the brief fight between The Hound and The Mountain was all we really needed. The Hound was a badass in that moment, and he won the tourney technically. Loved when everyone clapped for him afterwards 😂

Well, if Martin wants to give Sandor the 'doing the right thing' redemption moment, then I agree, seeking out his brother to off him in revenge would be an odd choice. In that case, Sandor should only pick up his sword to defend Arya, Sansa, or the Living. BUT Martin doesn't always make his characters do the correct thing, take the high road. Sandor might be trying to shed his past self, but if his heart is still in conflict... what if he comes to see ending his brother as his duty, maybe? The easy to atone for his own sins (by taking out an even worse sinner). Or if the reachable moment to the reader would be "don't do that" instead? Not everyone can make it through the tunnel, the Hound might be trying, but he also might be too far gone. And if he realises that true transformation is not possible for him through pius living and grave digging, then maybe he would abandon his new life for something that he is good at?

Sandor is such a well written character. Even after there's clearly nothing to gain from it and despite his claims not to care he keeps Arya around just to look out for her. That's not even mentioning his character development in Kings Landing and how he's a perfect foil for his evil brother.

My theory is that the Mountain will become a Cleganebowl of brown.

I think the only interaction left for The Hound and The Mountain is a one-off account of a large Gravedigger somberly digging a very large grave for a large headless body while a septon does a prayer.

You actually used my theory name!! It’s unfortunate that the Squidbowl might not happen, but it makes way more sense(and it’d be way more epic; almost like an anime showdown lol) Great video as always! (I was the one person who said Squidbowl in a recent stream that you and Fantasy Haven did)

Lol his horses name is Stranger... Like The Stranger.

Cleganebowl could work if is symbollically framing as sandor defending someone from Strong, and by killing that remain of his brother for a noble knightly reason that he puts the ghost of his tormento behind. It sounds cliche, but classics are classics for a reason. MArtin could pull it off perfectly and we dont need no more subverted expectations.

Glad I found this channel, catching up on all the older videos. You are quickly moving up in my the ASOIAF content power rankings. Keep up the great work

I'm sold. We must make Squidbowl happen.