42 replies to this topic

[gingerella 000]

I didn't see any threads specifically related to the Dothraki and thought it might be nice to have a place to ponder this horseback-driven, doggie-style loving people.

I'm confused as to where they actually live. Do they have their own terrestrial "kingdom" so to speak, or are they totally nomadic? I can't really tell at this point.

And how is it that Danaerys' handmaidens seem to all understand and speak her language? Were they abducted from other cultures during wars and battles?

I'm also wondering what the hell Khal Drogo does all day when he's not in battle or at war with anyone. He comes into the tent at night looking like he's had a hard day at the office but if they're not battling, what are they doing? I can't tell if they're wandering back to an actual homeland or just wandering. Either way, I find them highly entertaining.

[Sumik]

There is a huge grasslands inland from the place where Daenerys and her brother were staying: that's where the Dothraki live but they are nomadic so they are constantly moving.

My guess is that they went out of their way to find Dany servants who speak the common tongue.

[Maximum Taco]

And how is it that Danaerys' handmaidens seem to all understand and speak her language? Were they abducted from other cultures during wars and battles?

They're essentially slaves and were given to Dany at her wedding as a gift from Viserys. So, they were almost certainly all purchased partly due to their abilities to speak both tongues. Doreah (the one who teaches her about how to give Drogo the sweet sweet lovin') is also not a Dothraki, I wanna say she's from Lys, but I'm not positive.

Edited by Maximum Taco, Apr 26, 2011 @ 4:11 PM.

[scarlett45]

I'm also wondering what the hell Khal Drogo does all day when he's not in battle or at war with anyone. He comes into the tent at night looking like he's had a hard day at the office but if they're not battling, what are they doing? I can't tell if they're wandering back to an actual homeland or just wandering. Either way, I find them highly entertaining.

Maybe he is meeting with advisors to talk about the invasion of the 7kingdoms? Supposedly that was his whole reason for marrying Dany. I can see how planning an invasion, thinking of ways to get boats etc would be stressful. But I must admit Jason Moma is so fine, I dont care what he does, I just like the shots of him naked. HA!

Thanks for starting the thread gingerella 000.

[Azure Owl]

Doreah, is also not a Dothraki, I wanna say she's from Lys, but I'm not sure.

In the books she's from Lys, in the show they haven't said, but while talking to Daenerys she mentioned a famous prostitute from Lys so it's likely she from there.

I'm also wondering what the hell Khal Drogo does all day when he's not in battle or at war with anyone. He comes into the tent at night looking like he's had a hard day at the office but if they're not battling, what are they doing?

According to the books khals spend their days and evenings with their warriors and bloodriders, racing prize horses, watching women dance and men die.

I can't tell if they're wandering back to an actual homeland or just wandering. Either way, I find them highly entertaining.

They are traveling to a place called Vaes Dothrak for a very specific purpose. You can see it in the map in the opening credits of the episode. What Vaes Dothrak is or why they're going there hasn't been explained on the show so I'll provide detailes in the History and Geography thread.

Edited by Azure Owl, Apr 26, 2011 @ 4:28 PM.

[Shiny Objects]

I don't know if you noticed this during the opening credits, but in the first episode, the locale across the Narrow Sea was the city of Pentos, and now the locale is further east, in Vaes Dothrak. It looks like right now the khalasar is traveling from Pentos, where they picked up Dany and had the wedding, to Vaes Dothrak, the Dothraki homeland city of sorts. There are lots of different khalasars all headed up by different khals, but they can all come home to Vaes Dothrak. I guess Drogo looks all tired when he comes into Dany's tent because they've been traveling on horseback all day. It would take a good long time to move so many people so large of a distance when all they can do is travel on horseback and on foot.

Lesse ... the former "pleasure woman" Doreah isn't actually Dothraki, she's from the free city of Lys, and I'm not sure what their native tongue is but the whorehouses of Lys are pretty much legendary so I'm sure she's met lots of people from all over the world. And I would guess the other girls picked up the Common Tongue of Westeros from wherever they grew up ... in the book, the handmaidens are a wedding gift from Viserys to Daenerys but Illyrio originally picked them up. I guess if he found them in Pentos, they'd probably speak the Common Tongue even though Pentos isn't in Westeros it's at least coastal so perhaps they originally learned it from Westerosi traders etc.

[Barbarossa]

Maybe he is meeting with advisors to talk about the invasion of the 7kingdoms? Supposedly that was his whole reason for marrying Dany. I can see how planning an invasion, thinking of ways to get boats etc would be stressful. But I must admit Jason Moma is so fine, I dont care what he does, I just like the shots of him naked. HA!

Just a fun little tidbit: As Ned says to Robert the Dothraki not only have no ships, but they also distrust and hate the sea. They call it poison water because their horses can't drink it.

[gingerella 000]

I don't know if you noticed this during the opening credits, but in the first episode, the locale across the Narrow Sea was the city of Pentos, and now the locale is further east, in Vaes Dothrak. It looks like right now the khalasar is traveling from Pentos, where they picked up Dany and had the wedding, to Vaes Dothrak, the Dothraki homeland city of sorts. There are lots of different khalasars all headed up by different khals, but they can all come home to Vaes Dothrak.

Aha, okay, I must have missed it for some reason. So there are lots of "Drogo's" then? I thought he was the only one of his people but this makes more sense now. He heads up an army of 40,000 or so and is a successful warrior then. I'll have to check out the history of Vaes Dothrak to see more of the back information.

On a totally superficial note, Jason Momoa's role is totally sweet. All he has to do is waltz around naked with some eye make up, and he doesn't even have to learn any lines. What a gig! And what a sweet ass. Sorry, but it had to be seconded since scarlett brought it up (pun intended).

Edited by gingerella 000, Apr 26, 2011 @ 6:57 PM.

[Azure Owl]

So there are lots of "Drogo's" then?

Yes. Khal is his title, Drogo is his name. There are as many khals as thre're khalassars.

Edited by Azure Owl, Apr 26, 2011 @ 7:00 PM.

[Elehop]

Daenerys' Dothraki handmaids were specifically chosen because they knew the Common Tongue and could teach her the Dothraki language as she went along.

As mentioned, Doreah is not Dothraki. (You can tell because she doesn't say "It is known all the time" ;) )

[TudorQueen]

I am truly enjoying the Dothraki - great name for a nomadic warrior tribe, btw - and even without lines, Jason Momoa is totally selling me on his character. I understand from a friend who read the books that there's a lot more detail, but the series does get across that Khal Drogo is not only pleased with his bride, but wants to take good care of her. I'm hoping this is the beginning of a great love story.

Loved the handmaidens, too, and the "It is known" echoings, and it's a great way to deal with the language issue.

[NoWillToResist]

Khal Drogo is not only pleased with his bride, but wants to take good care of her. I'm hoping this is the beginning of a great love story.

I loved every moment of their last scene. I found it interesting that when he first enters her (their?) tent, he approaches completely naked and just stands in front of her for a moment. He then gently and unhurriedly lowers himself to the bed and pretty gently lifts her by the hips to bring her towards him. When she kept saying 'no', he didn't strike her, lash out or yell; he was simply persistent in his goal. But he listened when she spoke and was willing to humour her, despite his hesitancy and wariness. Then, he got this pleased look on his face when he realized that she was enjoying herself and his hands, while roaming over her, were very gentle. He actually looked happy that sex was apparently now something that they could enjoy together.

There's something about his huge size and tanned skin against her small frame and pale skin; the contrast really stands out. Despite his size advantage, he doesn't seem the least interested in dominating her (their prior sexual encounters seemed pretty perfunctory). In that last scene, it struck me that he was almost...well, not worshiping her exactly, but he was certainly very focused on her and had his arms wrapped right around her, even supporting her back as she leaned/arched in her pleasure.

I found that scene extremely hot; both actors did a great job at conveying the looks and sounds of two people surprised by, and then lost in, passion.

I hope she finds in the Dothraki (and Drogo) the family, love, respect and support she never had.

Edited by NoWillToResist, Apr 27, 2011 @ 10:27 PM.

[kieran555]

And so we finally reach Vaes Dothrak. Hopefully that means we will be getting some well presented infodumps about Dothraki culture so we can further hate Viserys for his dismissal of them as savages. I confess that I recall almost nothing about the Dothraki from the books, and so am really interested in the coming episodes. Is Khal Drogo a paramonut chieftan, a Great Khan, or are there lots of Khals who are just not as big (no pun intended)? I fear we might miss out on some fascinating info as since 'It is known' the Dothraki themselves might not be inclined to much discussion about such things.

[FoolishWanderer]

That's sort of what Jorah is for, the voice of exposition.

[kieran555]

Good point. I wonder how long he's been hanging around the horde to get that amount of info - they don't strike me as the welcoming of outsiders who are not slaves type. Though I suppose he seemed to strike up a rapport well enough with that blood rider last week.

[Sad Doctor]

Despite his size advantage, he doesn't seem the least interested in dominating her (their prior sexual encounters seemed pretty perfunctory). In that last scene, it struck me that he was almost...well, not worshiping her exactly, but he was certainly very focused on her and had his arms wrapped right around her, even supporting her back as she leaned/arched in her pleasure.

Yeah, typically in these kinds of stories the guy will either be
a) totally awful dominating male who hates women, etc.
b) secretly Fabio from the cover of a romance novel, and although he looks like a dangerous guy, he's actually got the heart of a poet as soon as he gets inside his tent.

I appreciate that just because we've seen he's not really that bad, he's still clearly a product of his culture and times. He had sex with Dany even though she was clearly terrified, but at the same time, he's clearly got no interest in being cruel to her either. Both of them were essentially just doing their duties. Now he seems to be genuinely starting to like her.

I also appreciate that instead of the movie standard of her teaching him civilized 'English', she immediately starts trying to learn Dothraki (which I love the sound of, btw). There's actually been a hell of a lot more of Dany becoming Dothraki, than Drogo becoming Targaryen. Westerosi? Whatever...

[TudorQueen]

I love that, too. She's found a real home with the "savages", and has discovered within herself the capacity to feel awe and appreciate the beauty of their lives and want to share in it.

[sionprincess]

I'm impatient for the scenes with the Dothraki language they invented. Especially since by now Dany will have learned it (or enough of it) and we can see her really incorporated with her new family at Vaes Dothrak.

[scarlett45]

Can anyone elaborate on the horse heart consumption ritual?

Khal Drogo is a man of honor- he would not desecrate his sacred city, but he was sure not going to let the man who pulled a sword on his pregnant wife make it out alive. Yay for Jason Moma and his sexy self. HEHE.

[fallingfortruth]

Essentially, the Dothraki believe that a Khal's pregnant wife must eat the heart of a horse to give her strength, so that she can bear a strong son. If she gags or throws up her child might be stillborn, crippled, or worse, a girl. (I just re-read that section of GoT so it's fresh.)

Basically, it's a sort of blood magic- the woman imbibes in the life force of the horse so that she will be able to bear strong children.

[kieran555]

Drogo finally shows one reason he is a warrior horse lord with a mighty horde - he can bring the brutality all right, and he doesn't let a little thing like a prohibition on spilling blood get in his way -ETA: As TudorQueen points out, he's canny enough to get around it. He hasn't had much to do, but tonight I was at last interested in him, so good job.

Edited by kieran555, May 23, 2011 @ 8:56 AM.

[TudorQueen]

He was faithful to the letter of the law - there was no sword, and blood was not, technically, spilled. And he gave that weaselly little loser a perfect lesson in "Be careful what you wish for".

[kieran555]

Drogo certainly seems well respected by his Khalasar - he really pumped them up with that speech of his. A true inspiration.

And that Rhakharo(?) is a deft hand with a whip once again, eh?

Also interesting that Drogo is the son of Khal Bharbo. I would guess that if he were not so badass Drogo would not automatically have found himself followed by his father's Khalasar, but it makes the future position of Rhaego simpler if the Dothraki are used to succession.

[Maximum Taco]

Drogo finally shows one reason he is a warrior horse lord with a mighty horde - he can bring the brutality all right, and he doesn't let a little thing like a prohibition on spilling blood get in his way -ETA: As TudorQueen points out, he's canny enough to get around it. He hasn't had much to do, but tonight I was at last interested in him, so good job.

In the books IIRC, they mention guards that are skilled in bloodless strangling, so they might keep the peace should someone go drunk and crazy. I guess Drogo wanted a more poetic justice though.

[Danny Franks]

In the books, I always found it hard to invest anything in the Dothraki. They never leaped out at me as interesting characters, or even an interesting culture. The nomadic horse warriors was too Mongolian, too Hunnic, to really grab me. They didn't have the individual splendour of Westerosi knights, nor even individual personalities.

But I've really enjoyed the scenes we've had with Irri (Dany's handmaiden) and Rakharo, so far. These two manage to put a real human face on the Dothraki, and there's a lot of wit and warmheartedness there. They even got their own little, 'we bicker because we want each other' moment, arguing over whether Rakharo could provide ducks, rabbits or even dog for Dany to eat. I hope they continue to develop these two characters as the story progresses.

Drogo? I liked him in this last episode, but before that he was a bit of a blank slate. Proud, powerful and silent warrior lord. Not much to go on there, but Jason Momoa's been given a bit more to do now, and he's not wasting his opportunity. I've noticed one guy who looks a bit like Danny Trejo, and seems to follow Drogo around. One of his bloodriders, I suppose. Wonder if that's Haggo.

[Maximum Taco]

I've noticed one guy who looks a bit like Danny Trejo, and seems to follow Drogo around. One of his bloodriders, I suppose. Wonder if that's Haggo.

Do you mean this guy? That's Qotho.

[Danny Franks]

Do you mean this guy? That's Qotho.

That's the fellow. Qotho, then, not Haggo? Hmm, I thought they might play up Haggo a little, as Rakharo is slated to kill him. I wonder if we'll see Jorah kill Qotho.

[silverspine]

Poor Drogo, and just when he was getting interesting. It saddens me that because he developed genuine feelings for his Khaleesi and let her have her rightful say that many of his people seemed to be turning on him before his death.

He had the potential to become quite the civilized savage, and to get his brood under control, thanks to the short sighted witch this will not happen, and her people are probably worse off with another Khal and whoever his Khalessi will be.

[anothermi]

kieran555:
Yes, Doreah shirtless please. Oh wait, damn, I bet it only works with Gendry.

This is from the Gendry thread, but my response didn't belong there. This was the closest I could come to a relevant thread.

You may get your wish for a shirtless Doreah scene because Dany sent her off to make men 'happy' so they would talk. Last time Doreah spied for Dany in the Viserys/bathtub scene, so a shirtless Doreah may not be completely out of the question.

Edited by anothermi, Apr 30, 2012 @ 5:18 PM.

[Aurinos]

I did get a hoot out of the scene where two of Dany's Khalasar were figuring out the best way to make off with the golden peacock. Hey, it's what they've done since they were old enough to ride, and old habits die hard. And I'm really liking Irri (I wish we'd see more of her!). Nice juxtapositon of Dothraki ways/Qartheen ways when Irri was talking about how she mended Daenerys' riding clothes and Doreah was remarking on how pretty the new dress was. Is Jhiqui still around or did she take off when Drogo died? Total side note: someone in another thread remarked that the Dothraki are basically Iron Islanders on horses, and I suppose that's true, but at least the Dothraki seem to have a little more fun overall. Plus, ponies! :)