House Manderly of course a continuation of what GRRM was already doing with the Tyrells and Martells. The mermaid/merman/merling/whateverthefuck is, as a symbol, about two very different looking things going on in one situation. A human being from the torso-up, a long, powerful fish tail from the waist-down. One creature, but above the water, one thing, beneath it, something else. The sirens of Greek mythology also famously would tempt you with visions— truth or lies, they’re persuasive. They seduce you, they seem nice and non-confrontational, and then pull you down and eat your face. So the Manderlys are new money rich people and on the surface they’re just that. Above water, they’re pearls and gold and hashtag Not Like Other Northerners. And then beneath it, they’re planning the best way to sink your boat while you’re not looking. “What??? Us??? Have plans??? Ha ha ha how silly. We’re just jolly old merchants 😊 Sure, we’re weird, but that’s not a CRIME. Is it a CRIME to be WEIRD now??? No of course not. See, we’re friends! Why don’t you have some pie. I think you’ll feel better once you have a slice of ol’ Wyman’s signature pie! Nothing going on in THESE waters!!” And then the pie is made of fucking Freys.
