Earlier in season 5 we saw Stannis and Shireen having about as close to a heart-to-heart as youre ever likely to get with the Lord of Dragonstone. Aside from serving as exposition for the forthcoming greyscale drama, it showed us a more human side to Stannis. That would have been for nothing had he willingly allowed Melisandre to sacrifice her to R'hllor this week. Instead, it gives that scene extra depth, and means that when we see him reject the Red Priestess we understand his motives, and also care about them, and it once again portrays Stannis as something more than just a ruthless leader - a stark contrast to those hes riding into war against.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
