by John Tobben | Aug 29, 2017 | Staying In, Thinking Thrones
In the end, the master of the long con fell victim to his own game. The apparent discord between the sisters Stark that ran throughout this season of Game of Thrones culminated in the surprise trial and execution of Littlefinger. The plotline generated criticism...
by John Tobben | Aug 23, 2017 | Staying In
For most of its seven season run, the pacing of Game of Thrones has been anything but rushed. Fifteen episodes elapsed between Jon Snow going beyond the Wall with Jeor Mormont in the season one finale and climbing back over it with the wildlings in season three....
by John Tobben | Aug 15, 2017 | Staying In, Thinking Thrones
Hype. There’s no better word to describe the final sequence of “Eastwatch”, the fifth episode of this season of Game of Thrones. Assembling the crack northern raiding team of Jon Snow, Tormund, Jorah, Gendy, The Hound, Beric, and Thoros of Myr hit every note of...
by John Tobben | Aug 8, 2017 | Staying In
“It made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass; and beyond there is a different country.” -J. Robert Oppenheimer As Daenerys Targaryen’s first set foot on the mainland of Westeros, the would-be queen of...
by John Tobben | Jul 31, 2017 | Staying In
“I named them after my brothers, Viserys and Rheagar. They’re both gone now.” While Cersei’s machinations and Jamie’s military maneuvering tilted the scales in favor of #TeamLannister, those crucial developments got second billing to a meeting six years in the...
by John Tobben | Jul 24, 2017 | Staying In
The conclusion of “Stormborn” offered a taste of the impending carnage destined to unfold as Cersei attempts to rebuff Daenerys’ bid for the Iron Throne. Euron laying waste to Yara’s fleet (and the Dornish onboard) was likely just the hors d’oeuvres in terms...
by John Tobben | Jul 17, 2017 | Staying In
010 The premiere of Game of Thrones penultimate season was mostly spent arranging the pieces for the endgame bid for the Iron Throne of Westeros. Dany arrives at Dragonstone, Cersei enlists Euron Greyjoy and his Iron Fleet, and Jon Snow attempts to fully unify a North...
by John Tobben | May 31, 2017 | Sports
Some of the most fun moments of any college basketball season happen right after a less heralded underclassman — a guy who isn’t a surefire “one and done” — shows flashes of brilliance. Whether a reserve big registering a double...
by John Tobben | Mar 14, 2017 | Sports
143 I’ve been told living well is the best revenge. The first time I wrote a “How to Pick UNC in Your Bracket” column the whole premise was a bit of a joke. That year the Tar Heels were a very good team, but not title worthy. It was a fun way to entertain an...
