The Knights of the Vale’s Mysterious Arrival at the Battle of the Bastards

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Summary

  • Daenerys’ inability to spot the Iron fleet from above is just one of many plot holes in Game of Thrones.
  • Lord Baelish’s mysterious arrival at the Battle of the Bastards leaves fans scratching their heads.
  • Baelish may have brokered a deal with the crannogmen to bypass Moat Cailin, exposing inconsistencies.

The popularity of Game of Thrones, which has captured the spirit of our times, doesn’t save it from having plot inconsistencies and oversights—and there are quite a few noticeable ones. For instance, Daenerys Targaryen fails to spot the Iron Fleet from a significant height above, and the show conveniently overlooks the white walker army when it decides that Arya Stark will be the one to deliver the fatal blow to the Night King.

As a passionate moviegoer, let me share my perplexity over an intriguing plot inconsistency in Season 6 of “Game of Thrones.” The enigma lies with the sudden appearance of Lord Baelish and his Knights of the Vale during Jon Snow’s battle against the Boltons. Now, it’s not so much that they arrived or did so at a strategic moment that left me puzzled; rather, it was the unexplained means by which they managed to arrive that has left me and perhaps other keen viewers scratching our heads in bewilderment.

Lord Baelish Seemingly Marches the Knights of the Vale Past Moat Cailin…but How?

Moat Cailin Is Meant To Be Unpassable

It’s not explicitly displayed, but it’s suggested that Lord Baelish leads the Knights of the Vale past the stronghold of Moat Cailin, which by then was under control of the Bolton forces. In the world of Game of Thrones, Moat Cailin is considered the weakest among significant Westerosi castles due to its strategic location on a narrow causeway along the Kingsroad, making it the sole land entry and exit point to and from the North.

Despite being in a state of disrepair, the impenetrable swamps of The Neck encompass Moat Cailin and make it an ideal location for controlling access, even with a small number of defenders. Instead of facing weapons like arrows and swords from the guards, those approaching are faced with the choice of dying from disease or poison darts from the native crannogmen living in the Neck’s swamps. However, it appears that the show Game of Thrones overlooks the presence of this castle when it comes to Lord Baelish (Littlefinger) and his valiant men from The Vale. Trying to imagine how he could have bypassed Moat Cailin leads to further puzzling inconsistencies, as the practicality of the situation seems unclear, regardless of the angle examined.

Lord Baelish Must Have Struck A Diplomatic Deal With The Crannogmen

He Is Impressively Cunning, After All

Much like many fortified castles in Westeros, navigating or bypassing Moat Cailin is challenging but not unattainable. The least violent approach would be to win over its defenders or the crannogmen who guard it. Given Littlefinger’s eloquent speech, sly demeanor, and talent for politics—traits evident throughout the series—it’s plausible that he might choose this path. The swamp-dwellers of the Neck are allied with House Reed and House Reed is bound to House Stark, the Wardens of the North. So, if an army appears pro-Stark or can effectively present themselves as such, House Reed might grant passage if direct access to Moat Cailin is cut off. However, locating House Reed is the challenge; they’re not always easy to find.

As I gazed upon the enigmatic Greywater Watch, forever shifting amidst the marshlands, it’s no wonder this elusive fortress has gained a reputation as an impregnable stronghold, seemingly impossible to discover.

A captivating hypothesis emerges regarding how the Vale knights could bypass its imposing moat. Perhaps, wily Petyr Baelish, master manipulator that he is, managed to strike a deal with House Reed, tapping into their unwavering loyalty towards House Stark and the precarious situation the Starks now find themselves in. Such a maneuver could have ensured them safe passage.

The Bolton Army Is Over-stretched

But Moat Cailin Only Needs a Few Men To Secure It

In Game of Thrones, Ramsay Bolton appears to be intoxicated by power, taking actions that might compromise Winterfell and the North’s safety. One such action is potentially recruiting troops from Moat Cailin, which could weaken its defense significantly. However, it’s important to note that a small number of guards at Moat Cailin can hold off massive attacks, as seen in both the show and the books. Furthermore, even during peaceful times, there are guards stationed there. Neglecting its protection during conflict is like leaving your house door unlocked in a region known for thieves. Given Ramsay’s demonstrated military acumen, it seems unlikely that he would overlook Moat Cailin so carelessly. This action raises questions about his strategic decision-making and commitment to the defense of the North.

If you aim to show your loyalty as a Bolton, rally as many men as possible and head towards Moat Cailin on horseback. Also, bring this creature of yours. It might be beneficial. Capture the Moat for our family, and I’ll reevaluate your standing within the household.

Naval Bypassing

Moat Cailin Is Not the Only Way to the North

if they are already there, why should the Vale fleet bypass it? The show’s narrative seems to contradict this potential strategic maneuver.

How Is Ramsay Not Aware of Their Presence?

From my perspective as a seasoned movie critic, if Littlefinger’s words hold truth – that the Knights of the Vale were already stationed at Moat Cailin – an intriguing twist to this theory arises: perhaps the fleet navigated up the White Knife, disembarked, and marched towards Moat Cailin from behind, ambushing the Bolton garrison there. Granted, they would still be in a precarious position, trapped in a narrow passageway surrounded by swamps, making them easy targets for Bolton arrows. However, this strategy could potentially give them the advantage of cutting off the defenders, turning the tide of battle in their favor.

However, given these circumstances, it’s hard to believe that other Northern lords, who are currently loyal to Bolton, wouldn’t have noticed such movements. It seems strange that no one in the North, particularly Lord Manderly, is aware of a substantial foreign army on their territory. The distance from White Harbour to Winterfell is similar to that from King’s Landing to Riverrun. A raven could easily carry news about the ground situation to Ramsay. It appears that when plot convenience conflicts with plot continuity, the former often takes priority among writers, including those of Game of Thrones.

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2025-02-03 19:37