Game of Thrones begins....

[Martinus]

Ser Barristan is a pretty interesting character. Dude has clearly very high standards of honor (rather Ned like in fact) yet seems pretty content serving those who clearly are

A) Mad (Aerys), or
B) Incompetent (Robert), or
C) Totally without honor, not competent, and probaby not legitimate (Joffrey/Cersei)

Why didn't he bail a long time ago? Clearly he was totally dedicated to the Kingsguard, not matter what. To that extent, Joffrey almost certainly did the man a favor, since it gave him an out that was probably not available to him otherwise.

Yup, my thoughts exactly.

Incidentally, the guy is not just an old fool serving unworthy kings. If you read the Westerosi "apocrypha" (the short stories GRRM wrote), he was a true badass in his youth.

[Berkut]

And he does have a disturbing habit of serving the people who just killed the last king he swore to give his life to protect. Granted, in each case he has little ability to save said king under the circumstances, but still...hell, if Joffrey had not dismissed him, he certainly would have been around to watch HIM drop dead as well!

[Berkut]

Incidentally, the guy is not just an old fool serving unworthy kings. If you read the Westerosi "apocrypha" (the short stories GRRM wrote), he was a true badass in his youth.

Oh, I think they make it pretty clear he was a total badass even outside the apocrypha.

[Slargos]

Ser Barristan is a pretty interesting character. Dude has clearly very high standards of honor (rather Ned like in fact) yet seems pretty content serving those who clearly are

A) Mad (Aerys), or
B) Incompetent (Robert), or
C) Totally without honor, not competent, and probaby not legitimate (Joffrey/Cersei)

Why didn't he bail a long time ago? Clearly he was totally dedicated to the Kingsguard, not matter what. To that extent, Joffrey almost certainly did the man a favor, since it gave him an out that was probably not available to him otherwise.

It's perfectly reasonable. He's not the kind of man who wants to busy himself with pedestrian activities such as, say, preparing his own meal.

[Admiral Yi]

Also, Ser Barristan Fucking Selmy Fucking Rocks. 

Generally agree, but the way the firing scene played out I thought he came across as petty.

[Maximus]

Why didn't he bail a long time ago? Clearly he was totally dedicated to the Kingsguard, not matter what. To that extent, Joffrey almost certainly did the man a favor, since it gave him an out that was probably not available to him otherwise.

I don't think Joffrey gave him an out. He just made it clear that Joffrey was not the king Ser Barristan was supposed to be guarding.

Remember that Barristan fought with Rhaegar on the trident. He was badly wounded and captured, but Robert pardoned him.

[Berkut]

Why didn't he bail a long time ago? Clearly he was totally dedicated to the Kingsguard, not matter what. To that extent, Joffrey almost certainly did the man a favor, since it gave him an out that was probably not available to him otherwise.

I don't think Joffrey gave him an out. He just made it clear that Joffrey was not the king Ser Barristan was supposed to be guarding.

Remember that Barristan fought with Rhaegar on the trident. He was badly wounded and captured, but Robert pardoned him.

I don't think Barristan even considers going to anyone else no matter what if Joffrey does not fire him.

[The Larch]

Ser Barristan is a pretty interesting character. Dude has clearly very high standards of honor (rather Ned like in fact) yet seems pretty content serving those who clearly are

A) Mad (Aerys), or
B) Incompetent (Robert), or
C) Totally without honor, not competent, and probaby not legitimate (Joffrey/Cersei)

Why didn't he bail a long time ago? Clearly he was totally dedicated to the Kingsguard, not matter what. To that extent, Joffrey almost certainly did the man a favor, since it gave him an out that was probably not available to him otherwise.

He's honourable, yes, but he's also extremely dutiful and married to the job. He swore an oath to protect the king, and that's the only thing in his head. He has no life besides that.

[Sophie Scholl]

Ser Barristan is Frank Horrigan from In The Line of Fire?   I rather liked last night's episode.  The combining of Khal Drogo moments was needed to ensure the pacing continued, and I think it worked pretty well.  I think the attack on The Old Bear could have been done better, but ultimately it also worked out alright.  I'm definitely looking forward to the last two episodes of the season (series for you Britards).

[Maximus]

He's honourable, yes, but he's also extremely dutiful and married to the job. He swore an oath to protect the king, and that's the only thing in his head. He has no life besides that.

Yes but which king?

It seems to me that Selmy decided that whichever king held the Iron Throne was the one to protect. When that was taken from him he went with the other option.

[The Larch]

It's a pity that they didn't include the "I'll only serve the true king" line that he utters in the books. That makes it clear that he doesn't consider Joffrey the legitimate king.

[Josquius]

Aye, that would be a pretty major line.

Yup, my thoughts exactly.

Incidentally, the guy is not just an old fool serving unworthy kings. If you read the Westerosi "apocrypha" (the short stories GRRM wrote), he was a true badass in his youth.

Which stories are these?
I only know of Dunc and Egg and they predate him by a while. Unfamilar with others.

Oh, and they also show Rickon, who gets a line.

Heh. My parents there remarked that they didn't know there was another son.

[Admiral Yi]

Well, the whole scene already telegraphed the fact that he's amenable to joining up with the good guys.

If only he can dig up some replacement armor somewhere.

[Viking]

Well, the whole scene already telegraphed the fact that he's amenable to joining up with the good guys.

If only he can dig up some replacement armor somewhere.

he dumped his cloak and helm, not his armor.

[Josquius]

He dumps his armour in the books I'm sure.
When he shows up again he's not wearing it anyway.