Game of Thrones 10 Best Characters

With the half-way point of the latest series of Game of Thrones well and truly passed, now seems like a good time to take stock, and consider of the cream-of-the-crop of the exceptioanlly large 'Thrones is (before they start killing more off). Due to the fact more people have seen, and will relate better with the TV show, that will be what the majority of this list will be based on. This list is opinion, and will contain my own views mixed with general consensus.

If you are allergic or take offense to opinon, it's best you leave now.

It should also be noted; this list may contain mild spoilers.

Honourable Mentions:

Ramsey Bolton 

Ramsey Bolton is that villain, in a similar vein to Joffrey Baratheon that everyone hopes meets a gruesome end. Whilst he is brought to life on screen magnificently, and did originally make my top 10... I feel his acts have gotten to a point to be so over the top that whilst I love him as a character, until I see how his story ends he wont make the top 10. 

Viserys Targaryen

Daenerys' big brither was the first proper royal douchebag on the show before Joffrey Baratheon truly develped into a hate figure. Unlike Joffrey however, Viserys did have a moment to be seen as human which gave his character more depth - he broke down over his loveless and hunted life, which he would end up begging for before being killed. he was also pretty awful to his little sister. Shame we did not get more of him. 

The Top 10 Game of Thrones Characters

10. Eddard Stark

Ned Stark was the largest character, portrayed by the biggest actor, at the center of the biggest storyline and all the promo posters and trailers and commercials in the lead up to and during season 1; but, he was also played by Sean Bean, so really it should have been no surprise to see his death during Epsode 9 of season 1. 

The effects of this have been felt throughtout the series - Bran was paralysed by the Lannisters during this time, his death (with both Arya and sansa present) lead to the Stark kids scattering across the world, his son Robb declared himself "King in the North" and then promptly died at his own wedding. Whilst we are getting more of Ned thanks to some awesome flashbacks from Brann, Ned is the first point of contact a Game of Thrones fan has on the show with a really big character - and he sets everything into motion.

9. Davos Seaworth

Taking the spot originally occupied by Ramsey Bolton on this list, is everyones favourite onion knight. Davos is just innately likeable, so much so that before season 6 began his caharcter was so loved that people were fist pumping at seeing Davos "I'm not usually a man of vioence" before drawing his sword in the trailers. He also happens to be one of the truly decent characters on the show.

8. Jorah Mormont

The most loyal and devoted friend of Daenerys Targaryen, Jorah is a vastly popular character who is lucky enough to have been brought to life by amazing performances from Iain Glen. If you've ever said "Khaleesi" out loud, theres a good chance you're hearing Jorah's voice say it in your head. Hopelessly in love with Dany, Jorah has a likeablility about him stemming from his fighting skills, knowledge and devotion to one of the shows most popular characters. Jorah may have greyscale, and I for one hope he finds his way back to Daenerys' side... Although he will most likely end up having one of the show's saddest deaths. I can already see him dying thinking of Daenerys.

7. Jon Snow

The man who knows nothing, Jon Snow despite being very stoic, moody, and potentially boring is the heartbeat of Game of Thrones. At the centre of the snow, the Lord Commander of the Nights Watch has been apart of some epic battles including the first big run-in with White Walkers in "Hardhome". The bastard son of Ned Stark, there are popular fan theories that seem to be coming true of his parentage, which could mean exciting times ahead for Jon as her prepares to take back Winterfell from the Bolton Army. 

6. Margaery Tyrell 

Its hard to think of a better player of the Game, than the silver tongued, red hot, politic-playing Queen (although there is one coming up on this list). Margaery also cares about the poor, and has a definite human side which allows people to connect with her (and Natalie Dormer's terrific performances).

She is a very powerful chaarcter, and her care for her grandmother and Sansa Stark all seem legitimte, solidifying Margaery as firm fan favourite. 

5. Bronn

Regularly featuring high on these lists, Bronn is a rogue that everyone loves. In the books, Bronn is basically just a sellsword Tyrion hires as his bodyguard, who winds up displaying a knack for both killing and surviving. However on the TV show the writers and actor Jerome Flynn have come together to make him a scene stealer, with a roguish charm. His connection to both Lannister brother's allows his charm to come through, initially with his close connection to Tyrion, and then his adventures with Jaime (some of the best bits the show). In fact, the latest episode has hinted we have more of these adventures to come. 

4. Tyrion Lannister

Probably the most popular character on TV today, the wise-cracking, smartest guy in the room imp Tyrion is arguably the best the show has to offer. We have come to love his charcter, with his un-Lannister like care for others and amazing double-act with Bronn. Tyrion has had some of the ebst scenes, best quotes ("I drink and I know things") on the show. He even got a major fist-pump moment after being free'd from his dungeon by his brother (which we gave a rousing "fuck yes" to) before killing his father - not forgetting having Oberyn Martell stand for him at his trial for combat (even if that ended slightly, well, badly). Now in Mereen with Daenerys Targaryen with Varys by his side, what next for Tyrion?

3. Petyr Baelish 

The most delicious character on the show - the silver tongued, scheming, politic playing Littelfinger is an incredible character. He is not loyal in the slightest, and it is great. Prepared to go to great lengths to get what he wants (poisoning Joffrey), Baelish wants power. Similar to Varys, but with more style and panache, Baelish is given some of the best dialogue and scenes on the show. Re-emerging this season, I guess we will really see if "knowledge is power". I'd wager he gets the power he wants, say a piece of land, before the White Walkers arrive in the north and take it from him.

2. Jaime Lannister

With Jaime Lannister, we were treated to the best story arc on the show. We went from hating the him after attempting to murder Brann by pushing from a window, being a pomous ass, a spoilt brat and an incest loving swordsman - to ultimately rooting for him more than any other character. The story arc of the eldest son of Tywin Lannister is truly incredible, as well as his forged friendship and devotion to Brienne, and his adventures with Bronn. Having his swird hand chopped off may have helped his story, but I can't help wonder how awesome it would be to have a heroic Jaime still be amazing with a sword. Given the hateful nickname "Kingslayer" which haunted him, his character arc was complete after breaking down with Brienne in a bathtub over all the hate people hurled at him after killing the "Mad-King".

1. Daenerys Targaryen

The Mother of Dragons, breaker of chains and all around badass - Daenerys Targaryen is up their with Tyrion Lannister as one of the most popular characters on the show and in the books. Whilst from season 4 onwards she has not had much to do in Mereen, the initial seasons of the show had Daenerys front and centre. Her standout scenes have returned in season 6, and she now prepares to head to Westeros (finally!). She's the heir to a very pwoerful (albeit messed up) family, and her story is packed with complex ideas about war, politics, sex, gender, and morality. She is the embodyment of a lot of things that make Game of Thrones great. Oh, and she has Dragons.

Sports Round Up 21/5/2016 - Verstappen, Moto GP Silly-Season leads to a 'Maverick' Change and More!

Due to high demand! (Yep, I dont quite know how either), I have been asked to do many more of the sports round-up articles that I did late last year. These will cover notable events that are/have been happening, and will not interfere with any larger singular pieces.

A quick note - coming up in the next week will be an article on the metroic rise of Maverick Vinales and Max Verstappen. The two have some very interesting parallels.

Please spread the word! Currently we have over 1000 readers (on average!) per post. This is excellent and we cannot thank you enough.

The "Future of F1" article posted around this time last year, is also very relevent given recent events; check it out iof you have time - http://thatpulse.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/the-future-of-f1.html (or along the page bar at the top)


Discussed this week (in order);

- Max Verstappen's outstanding win in Barcelona, and what his means for the future of F1

- Moto GP silly-season, Zarco' supposed seat at Suzuki under threat from Alex Rins

- Extreme Rules is this Sunday! Predictions in full force.

Max Verstappen - Record Breaker

It would have been very fair to assume that Max Verstappen would not have held on to the lead at last weekends Spanish Grand Prix, and that the young Dutch phenomenon would have buckled somewhat under the immense pressure from the ice-cool Kimi Raikkonen. Verstappen not only proved the F1 world wrong, but he did it in style - Red Bull's controversial decision to axe fan-favourite Daniil Kvyat was seemingly vindicated. Verstappen was immaculate and whilst Kvyat did manage to post the overall fastest race lap; whatever Kvyat had obtained would have been overshadowed by the young Dutch sensation. Verstappen now has a slew of records under his belt - most notably; the youngest F1 winner ever which was pipped from Sebastien Vettel.

Max has his problems - he can be very petulent, but he is only 18 after all. Daniel Ricciardo's strategy may have let him down, but Max' Raikkonen-esque zen-like calm through the whole race was a marvel to watch. But, what now? The Red Bull is not the quickest car on the grid, thats a fact. It certainly helped that messers Hamilton and Rosberg were in a first lap shunt that will no doubt be painstakingly drawn out and over analysed. However this was of no consequence to Verstappen. Will he continue to better Ricciardo, or will the white-hot fast Australian sensation put his less experienced team-mate down. Ricciardo is arguably the quickest driver in F1, and what a majority of the fans will agree on - Red Bull need a better engine. Perhaps next year we will see the Ricciardo-Verstappen tandem dominate or at least challenge the Mercs? Surely we will. 

Silly Season Leads to a 'Maverick' New Change at Suzuki

Maverick Vinales signing for Yamaha has been met with no big surprise. It is definitely the right move for him - even if the man himself said a fair amount of his heart was with the Suzuki team. He will join Valentino Rossi, and in my opnion... he could win the title in his first season with them. 

This does however mean that theres a seat at Suzuki which has been filled by Andrea Iannone - but the real news is from the other side of the garage, where Aleix Espargaro is not certain of his seat. Johann Zarco has a deal with Suzuki which now looks like being on an LCR bike with a new Suzuki chasis, which has lead to specualtion of Alex Rins potentially coming in to repalce Espargaro. Personally I would be a fan of this move  - Rins deserves a factory ride, and with Dani Pedrosa confirmed to be staying at Honda, a competitive Suzuki would be good for Rins before moving on to Hionda or Yamaha after Rossi or Pedrosa move away or on. 

Extreme Rules Predictions

Extreme Rules is this Sunday! Which, I cant quite believe honestly. Whilst this will be a quicker than normal prediction section - a deeper review will be posted in the week. 

Predicitons; 

Baron Corbin over Dolph Ziggler 

The Vaudevillains over The New Day 

Rusev over Kalisto 

Sami Zayn wins the Fatal 4 Way

Chris Jericho over Dean Ambrose 

Charlotte over Natalya

Gallows & Anderson over the Uso's

AJ Styles over Roman Reigns (Yeah that's right, I went there!)

By Jamie Mitchell