Ser Denys Mallister is truly the most influential character in Game of Thrones. In 5:2, he is present at the Night's Watch when the election for the 998th Lord Commander takes place.
Ser Alliser Thorne was supposed to win in a landslide. When an unknown character nominates this gentlemen from the Shadow Tower who just magically showed up. Mallister, an old veteran of the Night's Watch seemed to appeal to the conservative members of the Night's Watch who may have been put off by Ser Alliser's harsh treatment of new recruits, yet would have never voted for Jon Snow. After all, "He helped keep the wildlings away".
Perhaps Alliser thought he would dominate a one-on-one election with Mallister, which would have probably been correct just on name recognition. When Jon Snow is nominated by Samwell Tarly, that changes everything, as many see Jon's short but proven time with the Night's Watch in a very high light. Now instead of running unopposed, Alliser has a real fight on his hands.
When we look at Maester Aemon counting the votes, it should be noted in the show only a simple majority is needed to win. We see Jon Snow with 28 votes, Ser Alliser with 28 votes, and that plucky man from the Shadow Tower with 8 votes.
Denys Mallister's involvement as a sort of third party candidate pulled votes away from Ser Alliser. It contributed to the tie, and led to Maester Aemon casting the tiebreaking vote for Jon Snow. If Mallister had not run, Ser Alliser would have won comfortably with those 8 Mallister votes going his way.
With Ser Alliser in charge, the entire show is changed. Jon Snow could end up going with Stannis and becoming Jon Stark. The wildlings aren't led south as Ser Alliser would have never allowed it. Daenarys never flies north (maybe never even meeting Jon). The Night King wouldn't have had Viserion.
Think of Ser Denys Mallister as the Gary Johnson of Game of Thrones. He changed the entirety of the show.
Submitted September 06, 2021 at 11:42PM by R1seagainst11 https://ift.tt/2VoYMFo
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