Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26104757-20170721094446

(S7) Episode 2: Olenna Tyrell.

Many people might have missed it, but Olenna Tyrell appears in the preview for Episode 2 — Stormborn.

The Queen of Thorns is introduced along side various members of importance in Dragonstone, after Cersei Lannister's short scene, in which the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms states, "The Mad King's daughter will destroy the Realm." Olenna is seen seated, facing toward Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister on the other side of the Westeros map-table. You can tell by the obscurity of her head-wear, elegantly fitted with shadowed scarves. The same colouring matched her arm-sleeve, too, absently placed on the chair's iron resting hold. Similarly, when we last saw Olenna in the finale of S6, she presented herself to Elaria Sand, and The Sand Snakes, in Dorne covered entirely in black. Cersei burnt every petal from her golden rose when the Sept of Baelor blew up; she lost her son, her grandson, her granddaughter. Lost to the wild-flames. It's understandable that Olenna would want to wear all black.

An expression of sorrow, and despair.

That even someone as iron-minded, and sharp tongued as her namesake implies, The Queen of Thorns, Olenna could still be considered just like any other mournful grandmother would.

Sitting there, listening to Yara Greyjoy press the issue of attacking as soon as they can, Olenna knew she was no longer after survival, simply vengeance. Yara looked at everyone, seriously, with her finger pointed — "We have an army, a fleet, and three dragons. We should hit King's Landing now!"

Some could not play the game. Ned Stark and Stannis Baratheon are hobbled by honor and justice. Cersei and Joffrey are consumed by their own cruelty, ego and paranoia. Some can play the game and play it well. The court are puppets dancing on their strings. Tywin Lannister, Olenna Tyrell and Tyrion Lannister all know the rules and how to win. And then there are Varys and Littlefinger who play a game unseen to all but whose subtle fluctuations shift and twist the fortunes of the Game and all it's players. They are two powerful men in Westeros, whose influence reaches unobserved from the sandy reaches of Dorne up through the Riverlands and the Neck and far into the North. The fate of Westeros is ultimately not decided by the Direwolf, the Lion, the Rose, the Stag or even the Dragon. But rather by the mockingbird singing poisons laced as sweet songs, and by the Spider spinning his webs, unnoticed in the shadows.

But in a world where blood and steel become nonessentials; the old tend to rekindle and guide the new.

With Mace, Loras and Margery dead, I'd assume Olenna would become House Tyrell's primary defacto as she has been in times past. With Deanery's influence, this'll give Olenna the security needed to eliminate quieter chess pieces such as Petyr Baelish.

Unfortunately, I doubt someone of his development would succumb toward the Queen of Thorns.

She is, however, equal to Tywin Lannister in terms of how to play the game, and even that notion is enough to convince many of how dangerous she is. Some could argue she is even better. I'm hoping Olenna and the power of the Reach will be able to have some major, singular role joining Deanerys' claim. The greater houses sworn to House Tyrell, like House Tarly, can be a key importance for War, considering Randall was able to defeat Robert in his fight for Lyanna. But even then, we know how Randall thinks of the Tyrell woman. How he thinks a woman's place is to sit down, and be quite. I wouldn't pass it if he dealt with Cersei, and conducted a seige for Highgarden's stronghold, title, and more importantly for the march up North if their ever was one, grain, fruits, vegetables and livestock. House Tyrell is one the very few Great Houses who can provide the essential means to survive on a continental level — The Seven Kingdoms. Olenna herself is more calculating, she has displayed par-excellence in court politics, vocally witted and tenaciously notable by name — it'll be paramount that Deanerys doesn't cease the opportunity to include Olenna's council. House Tyrell has the most to offer Deanerys following their sail to Westeros; Olenna can provide the largest sum of fighting men, more ships than the Greyjoy's offering (courtesy of her own family, House Redwyne) wealth in gold and of course, lasting provisions to survive both the War and Winter. As much as I don't want to believe it, sadly, I can't say for certain that her life will be promised. Highgarden will be at it's most vulnerable state once her men leave to fight, and if she is to remain within its grand walls, well then, who's to say Jamie won't personally arrive to execute her himself? Joffrey's death is yet to be repaid, and a Lannister always pay their debt, with gold, and in some instances — blood.

Olenna's​ time has reached it's pivotal point in her life, but wether she continues to grow strong is entirely dependent on how well she plays The Great Game, because as we know, even the sharpest rose can lose it's thorns. 