Chapter 17 - Jon - Stopping Stannis' stupidity

This chapter begins with Jon exploring the Night Watch's food stores within the tunnels under Castle Black called the wormways.  It was cool to see these tunnels because I don't think that they'd ever been revealed before.  I always wondered where the Watch kept all of their supplies.  I like that they use the freezing temperatures within the Wall itself to keep their supplies good.  Good use of an immovable object, guys!  It's not looking too promising for them as the have plenty of food for the Watch IF they didn't have thousands of new mouths to feed including many useless women and children (note that I don't think that women and children are all around worthless, but at the Wall they are).  Personally, I don't know that the lack of food is going to matter all that much because I suspect the Night's Watch in it's current form and mission may not be around long enough to need all of it.  We shall see.  Also, Dolorous Edd is awesome.  I love his character and I am excited that they cast him for season 2 of the show.

We see more of Stannis' plans in his mission to be the one and true king.  Is Stannis really this much of a fool?  It's not good that Davos is off on a mission because I think he used to be the one to help guide Stannis in a good direction.  Without Davos, Stannis has a bunch of the queen's men and Melisandre and I don't trust any of them.

Stannis gives Rattleshirt to Jon to serve the Watch, which I'm sure Jon is thrilled about.  He can't trust half of the current men and Stannis gives him someone that's untrustworthy times 1000.  Good job, Stannis.

So Stannis is going to attack the Dreadfort in the hopes of taking it while Ramsay Bolton is away.  I loved that Jon cuts Stannis off in the middle of his explanation to tell him that he's making a mistake.  I love it even more that Stannis allows it and has him explain.  I think that Stannis knows that Jon is a voice of reason and will tell him things he needs to hear since Davos isn't there to do it.  I'm confused by Stannis because he makes some bad decisions such as the plan to attack the Dreadfort yet he allows someone like Jon or Davos to speak their mind to him.  Jon holds his own with Stannis time and time again.  I loved that Stannis made a comment that many of the Nights Watch men say that Jon is half wildling and Jon outrights ignores the statement as if Stannis never said it.


Jon tells Stannis that his plan is foolish and gives him advice on where to find men to fight for him.  In return, Jon demands that the Wildlings be left to him.  What will happen if it comes out that Jon is giving military advice to Stannis?  He's not actually fighting for or with Stannis, but words can sometimes be more deadly than actions.  Obviously, Jon doesn't have much of a choice if he wants to do what he believes to right, but it's a deadly line he is walking.  In regards to Stannis and his plans, there is now a tiny, tiny glimmer of hope that he can woo these mountain men and bring them to his side.  As well, Jon's advice to attack Deepwood Motte is sound and has a very good chance of success.