I find the complaints that people's story lines are wasted ignores the complexity of the world.
At a high level GoT is a relationship drama where Martin moves charactors around to put them together and watch them react. The hound and Arya, Brienne and her Squire, Sansa and Little finger etc. The events of the world cause the movements in charactors.
For example Stannis smoke baby used to kill his brother causes the Tyrells to have to ally with Lannisyers which moves old lady tyrel to kings landing setting up her amazing scenes. It also frees Brienne to become Catelyn Starks guard which allows Catelyn to set Jaimie free which partly leads to Robs death. It also sets up the great Brienne road trips.
And that smoke baby eventually is the final nail in Stannis.
So unless another plot device was used the Stannis smoke baby was necessary. I find Martin very efficient at using key events to move people where they need to be for the next series of events.
|