User blog comment:Spritydove/Deeper Thought into the Civil War/@comment-24.127.149.128-20120714023416/@comment-5135631-20120722214048

Balgruuf joined the Empire in the end because it was Ulfric who challenged him, not the Empire. Balgruuf always bent toward the Empire, which was a shame, and it didn't feel good deposing him, but his replacement was as good if not a better Jarl. It's a dirty job to depose a Jarl, but someone has to do it. A necessary evil. Absolutely necessary.