Ta nehisi Coates the Lost Cause Rides Again
Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates disputes HBO'due south request that critics of the upcoming Civil War-era drama "Amalgamated" reserve judgment until information technology airs, saying it doesn't deserve the look for a verdict the network has asked for.
In an article for The Atlantic called "The Lost Cause Rides Again" published Fri, Coates points out that had the response to "Confederate" been positive, the network probably wouldn't be request audiences to "reserve judgement," as HBO said in a statement responding to the backlash.
"HBO hoped to communicate that approval to its audience through the proclamation," Coates writes. "And had that advice been successful, had 'Confederate' been greeted with rapturous apprehension, it is hard to imagine the network asking its audience to tamp downward and expect."
Too Read: HBO Responds to #NoConfederate: Slavery Drama Will Exist Handled 'With Intendance and Sensitivity'
From "Game of Thrones" show-runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with African-American writers Nichelle and Malcom Spellman, who will executive produce, "Confederate" takes identify during what information technology calls the Third American Ceremonious State of war. It follows a grouping of characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, now a demilitarized zone and its bandage of characters include freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists, journalists and the executives of a slave-holding conglomerate and the families they control.
Audiences have been voicing strong opposition to the testify on Twitter, launching a campaign during Sunday night'south "Game of Thrones" episode using the hashtag #NoConfederate, which sprung to Twitter'south No. i trending spot in the U.Due south. and No. 2 worldwide. Critics believe that the evidence's premise lonely undermines the experience of black Americans today.
Coates points out that the show's premise isn't only "What if the S had won?" but "What if the White Southward had won?" Coates writes, "The distinction matters. For while the Confederacy, equally a political entity, was certainly defeated, and chattel slavery outlawed, the racist bureaucracy which [Robert E.] Lee and [Jefferson] Davis sought to erect, lives on."
Also Read: HBO President Addresses 'Confederate' Backlash: 'It'due south a Chance Worth Taking'
"We have been living with the lie for then long," Coates continues. "And we cannot fix the lie past request 'What if the white South won?' and waiting for an answer, because the lie is non in the respond, simply in the question itself."
Coates believes that the show creators don't fully grasp the betoken that "the war is over for them, not for us."
"At this very 60 minutes, black people all beyond the Due south are still fighting the battle which they joined during Reconstruction — securing equal admission to the election — and resisting a president whose resemblance to Andrew Johnson is uncanny," Coates writes. "'Confederate' is the kind of provocative thought experiment that tin can be engaged in when someone else's lived reality actually is fantasy to you, when your grandmother is non in danger of losing her vote, when the terrorist attack on Charleston evokes honest sympathy, merely inspires no directly fear."
Also Read: 'Amalgamated' Producers on Backfire: Nosotros Know We're 'Dealing With Weapons-Grade Material'
HBO didn't respond immediately to TheWrap's request for a response to Coates' article, and volition update this post accordingly. They did, however, say in a previous statement, "We have great respect for the dialogue and concern being expressed effectually 'Confederate.' We have faith that [writers] Nichelle, Dan, David and Malcolm will arroyo the subject with intendance and sensitivity. The project is currently in its infancy and so we hope that people will reserve judgment until in that location is something to come across."
Coates is the writer of "Betwixt the World and Me," "The Beautiful Struggle" and several "Black Panther" comics. He is also a national correspondent for The Atlantic.
24 Big 'Game of Thrones' Fan Theories for Flavor vii and Beyond (Photos)
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HBOIn this list, we accept a await at what kind of fan theories, both wacky and realistic, folks take come upward with that might reveal both the past and the future.Spoilers for all of "Game of Thrones" thus far and possibly the rest of the show.
Likewise Read: 12 Impaired and Debunked 'Game of Thrones' Theories
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HBOTyrion Targaryen
The thought hither is that the Mad Rex Aerys raped Joanna Lannister (in the books it'southward said that he had a affair for her) and that's where Tyrion came from. So Tywin'south full hatred for the dude has deeper motivations than just that Joanna died giving birth to him or that he'southward a dwarf.
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' 101: Explaining the Tyrion Targaryen Fan Theory
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Jon Snow and Sansa Stark Are Gonna Get Married
The idea hither is that since Jon's parents are actually Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen -- meaning Ned Stark is NOT his father -- Jon and Sansa are cousins instead of siblings and nobody would think it'due south weird if they got together to solidify their concur on the North. Or perchance even to lay claim on all of Westeros.
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Prince Rhaegar'due south marriage to Elia Martell was secretly annulled
The standard story of Robert's Rebellion says that events were set in motion when Rhaegar Targaryen kidnapped Lyanna Stark. We know likewise that Jon Snowfall is Rhaegar and Lyanna's kid, and there'south reason to believe the kidnapping was not actually a kidnapping. But what if also Rhaegar was actually married to Lyanna? In fact, this one was confirmed in the Flavour 7 episode "Eastwatch," when Gilly discovered the files of Loftier Septon Maynard, who served under the Mad King. He noted that he annulled Rhaegar'due south marriage, and then married him to someone else. As fans expected, that sounds like Rhaegar'due south wedlock to Elia Martell was annulled, and he was married to Lyanna -- which would brand Jon Snowfall Rhaegar'due south trueborn son and heir.
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Jon Snowfall is Azor Azhai aka the Warrior of Light aka the Prince That Was Promised
It seems obvious (also obvious?) at this bespeak that Jon and his Valyrian steel sword is the one who volition lead human forces into battle, and to victory, against the White Walkers. And fifty-fifty Melisandre believes it -- though but after years of claiming it was Stannis and accidentally leading him to ruin. Then "Game of Thrones" may still pull another "Game of Thrones" on united states in that regard by proving this theory incorrect.
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Actually, Jaime Lannister is the existent Prince That Was Promised
This one involves the supposition that some words were translated incorrect in the prophecy of the one who would save the world from the White Walkers -- co-ordinate to the intrepid fan who came up with this theory, the Valyrian words for "lord" and "light" are curiously similar to the words for "golden" and "hand." And who'southward the only character on "Game of Thrones" with a gold hand? None other than Ser Jaime.
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The Night King is the 'last hero' of fable
We're learning a lot about the rules of the White Walkers in Season 7, only one fan theory posits the Night King was actually created much later, as a ways of stopping them. Instead of being the kickoff White Walker, the Nighttime King is actually "the last hero," the guy credited with leading the charge to stop the Walkers thousands of years ago during the Long Night. Given that some think the last hero is the Westerosi version of the Azor Ahai myth, this idea would add together some twists to the Night King every bit a character.
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Or Wait, Maybe Davos is the Prince Who Was Promised
In that location's an argument to exist fabricated that information technology's Davos Seaworth who's actually Azor Azhai. One eagle-eyed Redditor put together a theory suggesting that Davos fulfills at to the lowest degree a good chunk of the prophecy. A large part comes from the argument that it's Davos, and non Melisandre, who revives Jon Snow. If you translate a lot of the prophecy every bit metaphorical, Davos matches up to with a lot of it.
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Missandei is a Faceless Man
The Faceless Men are surely going to have a large function to play in the endgame of "Game of Thrones" considering Arya'south whole arc these past 2 seasons, just they haven't been directly involvedat all and so far. Or maybe they have? Missandei has ridiculous linguistic communication skills and a nearly-always-consistent tone of voice -- these are Faceless Men traits.
Besides Read: All 48 'Game of Thrones' Main Characters, Ranked Worst to Best (Photos)
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Littlefinger will marry Cersei
Like Cersei, dear ole Petyr Baelish probably feels like he has zip to lose now, with Catelyn long since dead and her daughter plainly spurning his advances subsequently he got her into that horrific mess with Ramsay. Simply he still has one huge ambition -- to rule Westeros. After that face he made at Sansa in the season 6 finale, it would likely surprise exactly no ane if he marched the Knights of the Vale southward and attempted to form a union with Cersei. And she'll need the assistance with Daenerys knocking at her door.
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Sam is the one who will figure out how to beat the White Walkers
There's gotta be a reason why Sam is going to outset season seven down at the Citadel instead of whatever of the places where stuff happens. Our guess is he'due south going to figure out what the Walkers' thermal exhaust port is. That's non a butt joke -- it'southward a "Star Wars" reference.
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Bran volition accidentally let the White Walkers through the Wall
There's a line of thought that when the Night Male monarch touch Bran in his dream while he was upwards at the Three-Eyed Raven's cave, it made it then the Walkers could pass any magical barrier separating him from them. And guess what the largest magical barrier of them all is? The Wall, according to Uncle Benjen.
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Cersei, the Mad Queen
With no children left to protect and state of war looming with Daenerys, it sure is easy to envision Cersei going total psycho this yr. So much of what happens on "Game of Thrones" is history repeating itself -- and with Dany working very hard to avoid fulfilling her father'southward Mad legacy, Cersei, past dissimilarity, probably isn't going to concur naything back anymore.
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Jaime volition kill Cersei
Fashion back in the twenty-four hours, Cersei and a pal visited a witch who told her she would exist queen until a younger and more beautiful adult female cast her down (Margaery?), later on which she would be killed by "the valonqar," which translates to "the little blood brother." That could be Tyrion, or her twin Jaime, who was born moments afterwards Cersei. Others previously too thought it might exist Tommen, as a very delicious "Game of Thrones" twist -- but obviously Tommen isn't going to be killing anybody after jumping out that Ruddy Keep window.
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Actually, Cersei volition impale Jaime
The longer Season vii goes on and the more moves Cersei makes, the more it seems that she'due south ruthless enough to do what her brother can't. Jaime has been growing softer and more merciful for years, e'er since he spent all that time with Brienne of Tarth. Cersei even warned him in Season 7 Episode vi not to ever betray her once more. Jaime's chop-chop becoming a liability, only his love for Cersei means he can't really turn on her. Peculiarly with her new pregnancy talk, it seems like she's manipulating and maneuvering Jaime.
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Euron Greyjoy is a warlock
A lot of little details in the "A Song of Water ice and Fire" books that make rising Westeros supervillain Euron Greyjoy even spookier haven't fabricated their way into the show yet, only they all the same could. I is a series of clues that suggests Euron could be a warlock like those that Dany encountered in Qarth at the House of the Undying. In the book, Euron is described as having pale blue lips because he'due south been drinking Shade of the Evening, the favorite drink of the warlocks. He also says some ambiguous lines that propose he might exist decision-making, or retrieve he'due south controlling, storms. If he does indeed take some cool magical powers from his fourth dimension spent in Qarth, it would make Euron a more than formidable enemy -- particularly because it would give him incentive to try to take the dragons from Dany, since the warlocks previously said the presence of dragons amplifies their powers.
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Bran fabricated the Mad Male monarch go mad
When Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven traveled back to the events outside the Tower of Joy in the May eight episode, Bran was apparently able to shout and exist heard by the younger version of his father, Ned Stark. What if, going back farther, the "whispers" that the Mad King Aerys Targaryen heard were but Bran trying to talk to him and it was actually he who set in movement the events of the prove?
The events of season 6, episode five -- in which Bran sees a fleeting vision of the Mad King -- seem to indicate this is very possible.
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones': Everything Bran Stark Saw in His Flashback Montage In 'Blood of My Blood'
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Something's magic about Jon Snowfall's sword, Longclaw
After Episode half dozen of Season 7, "Beyond the Wall," fans idea they caught sight of something weird going on with Longclaw, Jon Snow's Valyrian steel sword. When Jon emerges from the frozen lake, some say it looks similar the eyes on the sword'south wolf caput pommel open up. Could there be something more than going on with Longclaw than nosotros yet know? According to the episode'southward director, Alan Taylor, the answer is no. Then again, it could all be misdirection to throw fans off the scent.
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Bran travels to the by and is Bran the Architect, who congenital the Wall and founded Firm Stark.
Bran the Architect is a legendary figure who led the effort to put up the Wall 8,000 years before the events of the prove, subsequently the Long Night in which the White Walkers invaded the first time.The particulars of how this would work are non known, but this is a good one. Especially since Bran the Builder is who the nowadays day Bran Stark was named subsequently.
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Arya will go Lady Stoneheart
In the "A Vocal of Ice and Burn down" books, Catelyn Stark doesn'ts tay dead after the Red Wedding. She's revived and becomes the silent and vengeful leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners, Lady Stoneheart. Since Catelyn stayed dead in the evidence, the idea here being that in a bit of creative license in the adaptation, Arya will function as Lady Stoneheart instead. It would be a prissy payoff on all that time Arya spent with the Brotherhood back in Season 2.
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Sansa is pregnant with Ramsay Bolton'south kid
"I can notwithstanding feel what he did in my body standing here correct now," Sansa told Jon Snow about the rest effect of Ramsay's horrific sexual abuse of Sansa. The thought, co-ordinate to some fans, is that she'southward not simply referring to the trauma, but that she'southward proverb she's significant. At this betoken, probably too much fourth dimension has passed for this one to comport whatever weight, but information technology was an interesting idea while it lasted.
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' Theories: Is Sansa Stark Meaning?
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#CleganeBowl
The younger Clegane, known as the Hound, really hates his older brother, the Mount. Both were thought expressionless, but both are once more alive. And fans believe that earlier the story of "Game of Thrones" ends the 2 volition run into and finally have it out in a battle to the death.
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' 101: All Most The 'CleganeBowl' Theory
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Gendry is key to beating the White Walkers
This is a fan theory reaching dorsum years thank you to the "A Song of Water ice and Fire" books, just with Gendry'south return in Season vii, information technology's suddenly very relevant. It suggests that Gendry'south blacksmith capabilities will be essential to defeating the White Walkers, because he has experience with working Valyrian steel, the magical, super-special alloy that tin can actually kill White Walkers. Gendry apprenticed under Tobho Mott, a master armorer from Qohor, and he'southward the guy who turned Ned Stark's Valyrian steel greatsword Ice into two smaller swords -- Brienne of Tarth's Oathkeeper, and King Joffrey's Widow'south Wail. Then while Gendry might not be able to makenew Valyrian steel blades, he can withal work with the stuff, a skill that is almost nonexistent in Westeros.
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The Night Rex is one of the dragon riders
Fans take expected two other people to ride Dany's dragons into battle alongside her, much like the Targaryens did when they get-go conquered Westeros. But the events of the penultimate episode of Season 7 has confirmed a longstanding theory -- that the Night King would kill one of Daenery'south dragons and turn information technology into a wight. That really happened, with Viserion resurrected to ride for the side of darkness. Fans have speculated that, not merely is Viserion undead, but he'll actually become an ice dragon rather than a fire dragon. That would certainly even the odds some, taking away some of Daenerys' fire-breathing air superiority.
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Dragonglass is pooped out by dragons rather than just being obsidian
Does this thing? No, and nosotros'll probably never detect out anyhow. But it's funny.
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Source: https://www.thewrap.com/ta-nahisi-coates-confederate-doesnt-deserve-benefit-of-the-doubt/