I don't think there is any decision that is more maligned and misunderstood among the fandom than the one Catelyn made at the Crossroads Inn. The one where she arrests Tyrion. It is widely regarded as the beginning of the end for House Stark and Catelyn is blamed for it because, according to a lot of fandom, she played right into Littlefinger's hands by making a stupid, impetuous decision with no regard for consequences. And even if House Stark had prevailed, people still blame her for all the death and destruction caused by the war because they see the consequences here as both necessary and foreseeable.
Now, I've argued against this assessment quite a few point, but here I'd like to point out 3 major aspects in which the fans get it wrong. 3 things that people mostly take for granted, but where a deeper examination of the story reveals that the opposite is true.
Catelyn played right into Littlefinger's hands: For some reason, quite a few people seem to believe that LF knew that Catelyn would arrest Tyrion and that's why he named him as the owner of the blade. This is completely incorrect.
To begin with, Tyrion's arrest could've only happened in that specific set of circumstances - they had to meet at the Crossroads Inn surrounded by Tully bannermen and Tyrion had to recognize her. The chances of that were a million to one. Unless LF is a greenseer, he could not have known that this would happen. Catelyn herself showed absolutely no inclination to confront Tyrion before he recognized her. Had they simply passed each-other on the road, nothing would've happened. Its simply impossible that LF could've planned for this.
But did Cat still play into his hands? Did LF catch a lucky break here? I'd argue the opposite. Baelish lied about the dagger - so its in his best interest that the Starks simply believe him but don't pursue the investigation any further. This chance meeting had the potential to unravel all his schemes. Had Ned not been wounded and Robert returned from the hunt, the truth about the dagger would've come to light and Baelish would be done. Catelyn meeting Tyrion was actually a very unlucky break for him - one that had to be counterbalanced with the lucky break of Robert's death.
Catelyn made an instinctive, impetuous choice based on her emotions: Catelyn haters love to paint her as irrational, emotional and short-sighted and this action of hers is one they love to point to as an example. But was this decision really that irrational?
Consider how well she executes the arrest despite having no any time to plan it - securing her fathers' bannermen's overwhelming support to get it done without any bloodshed. These are not actions of an impetuous woman.
And the arrest itself wasn't her first instinct. Look at these bits from the chapter:
“Oh, gods,” Ser Rodrik said before Catelyn reached out to silence him, her fingers tightening hard around his forearm.
The dwarf had not so much as glanced toward the far end of the room, and Catelyn was thinking how grateful she was for the crowded benches between them
His mismatched eyes considered the singer briefly, started to move away…and found Catelyn. He looked at her for a moment, puzzled. She turned her face away, but too late. The dwarf was smiling.
If only the man had lingered at the Wall, she thought, if only…
Clearly, Catelyn is trying to hide and avoid being recognized here. And for good reason. Ned is deep in Lannister territory and investigating them. It'd not serve at all for Lannisters to know that he is onto them - they might kill him like they killed Jon Arryn. Once Tyrion got back with the story of Cat's secret visit to King's Landing, the Lannisters would put it together and know that Ned was on to them. Remaining unknown was the best possible outcome here, but once Tyrion spotted her, that was no longer an option.
She had to do some really quick thinking here. She could've fed Tyrion some story, but there was no story that would've made a lady of her station traveling incognito with only one old retainer any less suspicious. The conspiracy was going to come to light anyway - arresting Tyrion, however, forces it to come to light on her terms, not the Lannisters'. And now she has a hostage in case the Lannisters make a move against Ned.
Given the short time she had to make this decision, I'd say she made quite a smart move. It was risky, yes, but doing nothing would've been even more risky.
Catelyn should've seen Tywin's response coming: This is a pretty important one - was starting a war the appropriate and reasonable response to Tyrion's arrest? Was it a response to be expected of Tywin Lannister?
I've often argued that Tywin's action here were a major overreaction - and a very stupid one at that. Had Tywin responded pragmatically and with a level head, he'd have achieved a lot more while sacrificing a lot less. Had he gone to Robert for justice, Catelyn would've been forced to release Tyrion and the Starks would've been humiliated for making such a stupid mistake. Ned would've been likely dismissed as Hand with Tywin becoming his likely replacement.
Starting a war on the other hand risked everything. Robert would not have simply overlooked breaking the king's peace and Tywin was in no position to face off against the power of the Iron Throne. Tywin certainly did not think his actions through and he got really lucky that Robert's convenient death allowed him to escape the consequences.
But don't take my word for it - take Tyrion's. Here's the excerpt from his chapter when he languishes in the Sky Cells of Eyrie.
He wondered what Cersei would do when she heard....
If Cersei kept her wits about her, she would insist the king sit in judgment of Tyrion himself. Even Ned Stark could scarcely object to that, not without impugning the honor of the king. And Tyrion would be only too glad to take his chances in a trial. Whatever murders they might lay at his door, the Starks had no proof of anything so far as he could see. Let them make their case before the Iron Throne and the lords of the land. It would be the end of them. If only Cersei were clever enough to see that…
Tyrion Lannister sighed. His sister was not without a certain low cunning, but her pride blinded her. She would see the insult in this, not the opportunity. And Jaime was even worse, rash and headstrong and quick to anger. His brother never untied a knot when he could slash it in two with his sword.
Tyrion says nothing about what his father would do apart from sending riders after them, but his comments about the most pragmatic course of action here applies to Tywin as well. Despite being the one imprisoned, he sees that the smartest choice here is to have Robert sit judgment on the matter. He simply doesn't trust Jaime or Cersei to be smart enough to see that.
But shouldn't Tywin be smarter? He is well known in the Seven Kingdoms to be pragmatic, cautious and cunning. So why would anyone expect him to be like Cersei - blinded by pride and seeing the insult, not the opportunity? Why would anyone expect him to react like Jaime - rushing to action without considering the consequences? Turns out, Tywin ended up being worse than either of them. But if Tyrion didn't expect this reaction from Tywin, why should Catelyn?
TL;DR: A more nuanced reading of the text shows that arresting Tyrion at the Crossroads was perhaps the smartest choice Catelyn could've made at the moment. It spiraled out of control partly because of unexpected actions by others and mostly because fate (GRRM) was conspiring against the Starks - but the blame for that cannot be laid at Catelyn's feet.
Submitted June 29, 2018 at 09:32AM by genkaus https://ift.tt/2IyZDH3
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